by Tony Verna

Created on: October 06, 2009

When we left our story. Jancy had escaped being poisoned, thanks to the quick thinking of Professor Jordan as he stilled her hand from toasting the success of her prediction. Nevertheless even though her vision was bogus, Jancy remained comforted in having forewarned the guests of the impending danger. But what she didn't see-couldn't see-wasn't bogus. It was the real thing. Tonio would soon be facing death.

* * * *

Upstairs, the flames on the steps began to subside as Tonio moved to come down, but the blade of the Major's twirling sword stopped him. "Tell me, half-breed, what color will you bleed? Perhaps this Reb sword will tell me if you bleed tomato sauce or war paint."

With the lingering flames just inches from his legs and with his sword just inches from the half-Indian, half-Italian's face, the Major forced Tonio back up the stairs toward his office. Suddenly a burst of flame flared up, allowing Tonio to wrest the sword from him. Instantly the unarmed officer leapt inside the office and locked the door behind him. Outside the door Tonio shouted out: "I wish to kill no one!" As the fire on the steps continued to die down, loyal members of the household staff hurried up after their master. They called out and pounded on the door to the Major's office, but the Major failed to respond.

Taking advantage of the confusion, Tonio slipped away into the crowd and disappeared. At that moment, the Professor appeared. The staff members stood to one side as the War Department official took charge and began to kick at the locked door. Suddenly a gunshot rang out, and they heard the Major cry out in pain. With three men pushing, the door finally gave way, and the group rushed in. But upon entering the room, they found no one. Hurrying to the open window, the Professor leaned out the casement and saw the Major's body sprawled below on the courtyard, half covered with the heavy drapes he had pulled from their hooks by the window as he fell.

The Professor ordered two men to rush down to see if the Major was still alive. He called the attention of the others to the fact that there was no one else in the room when they entered, no sign of anyone other than the Major below, and no other way anyone could have escaped from the room. The Professor noted that the Major's safe was open and empty. But there appeared to be no explanation for who fired the shot that made the Major cry out.

The office began to fill with layers of blue smoke, and the Professor ordered everyone to follow

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