"Are you really sure? It's not too late to turn back."
    The two detectives were sitting in a horse carriage and Hamilton, the oldest of the pair, was very concerned about Linneus. Linneus was the younger detective who was only 16. They had been solving cases side by side for three years now since Hamilton discovered Linneus' unusual ability for dissecting clues. 
    Hamilton had taken care of him since Linneus' parents died, and the two usually took on cases without even blinking. But this time was not like the others at all. During their last case when they searched for a wanted thief creeping about London's streets, Linneus got attacked by the thief and lost his left eye.
   In the end, the thief had ended up behind bars but Linneus' eye still hadn't healed fully. He had to wear an eye patch over it and even if he hadn't reacted strongly to the loss, Hamilton felt extremely guilty. Hamilton and Linneus stopped solving cases after that, and they hadn't gone back to it for months. 
   When they received the letter from count Charlesworth and saw that he asked for their help they decided to travel to the castle. Hamilton was still a little skeptical as to if it was really a good idea, but he didn't want to stop Linneus from doing what he did best.
    "I'm not turning back," Linneus answered and pulled his coat tighter around him, fed up with Hamilton's constant worrying. "If you want to be dropped off here I can arrange that, Hamilton."
    "Of course I don't want that," Hamilton explained while shaking his head. "It's just, I heard that the count invited three other detectives to the castle as well, so if we return back home it won't be as if we're abandoning him completely."
    "Don't make up such dumb absurdity. I am the only one who can find out who murdered the countess, and you know it."
    Hamilton stayed silent and offered Linneus an apologetic smile. Linneus didn't smile back, but Hamilton was used to him not often being in a cheerful mood.

After Linneus and Hamilton had arrived at the castle they were escorted into the ballroom where the count and the other guests were waiting. Linneus assured himself that his hair was covering the eye patch before they got there. He did of course not want to look weak in front of the other detectives.
    "I am honored that you have traveled all the way out here," the count greeted them when they made it to the ballroom. "As you know my wife has passed away, and I want you to find out together who's behind this awful tragedy so that they can be executed right away."
    "No, I don't work with others. Either alone or nothing," Linneus interrupted with a decisive tone.
    Hamilton mumbled something about how he should show some respect for the count, but the count said that it was fairly alright if he did a good job.
    The three other detectives said nothing and instead listened sharply to the count's words.
    "Three days ago my wife was found murdered by the meadow," the count told them sadly and sunk his head to the marble flooring. "She was stabbed through the heart with a kitchen knife late at night. The doors to the kitchen are always locked during night hours, so I'm convinced that it must've been one of the chefs who have keys to the kitchen. I want you to question them all."
    "A very far-fetched conclusion, count Charlesworth," said Hamilton.
    "Is that true?" he wondered. "I was so sure that it was one of them. I even threw all my food away in case they had poisoned it... You can't trust anybody in this situation. I'm afraid that someone might be after my fortune and is going to dispose of me too."
    "We won't let that happen, count Charlesworth" Hamilton assured him.
    "Thank you, sir Hamilton," said the count, now a little less panicked. "Anyway, there is a reason as to why I asked you to meet me in the ballroom. I have planned a ball this evening so that you can search for suspicious behavior. I surely don't want to accuse my guests, but several of the invitees would do anything to get their hands on my fortune. The murderer could be anyone of them."
    The count walked towards a showcase stand that was in the middle of the ballroom. The others curiously followed him.
    "Here is the necklace that my countess wore during that terrible night" the count explained with his back against the others. "An imported necklace from America - exceedingly rare."
    "Why would you show it so publicly if you know how easily it can be stolen?" Linneus asked.
    "Oh, please! You always need to have something special to lure people out with, or else they won't come to your balls. Rich people want to be entertained" the count explained as his brows furrowed. "I don't think you truly understand how rich parties work, but without the necklace the plan wouldn't run as smoothly."
    "This is a stupid idea" Linneus complained and turned on his heel. "I'm going out to investigate the meadow, unlike you foolish good-for-nothings."
    Linneus rapidly walked away from the group while Hamilton apologized for his manners.
    "Don't worry, he's still a child," the count said. "It's true that it's a very risky plan. A lot can go wrong."
    Hamilton nodded. He understood exactly what the count meant.
    "But that's why you're here. I've invited the best detectives in the world, of course. Have I introduced you to each other yet? I don't think so."
    The count went on to explain who the others were - Detective Collin Ferguson; an Irish man with scars over his face that had also sailed all across from Ireland to the castle.
    Detective Alfred Brigham; an old man with a cane, gray hair, and a delightful top hat. Last was detective Katerina von Auttenburg; a German woman who worked as a detective in secret. During the day she worked as a journalist and only those who knew her well could contact her for help. Hamilton got the impression that she was the kind of detective who hid in the bushes to solve mysteries. Even the green coat she wore matched that assumption.
    "Well, I hope you keep an eye on the guests at the ball tonight," the count reminded them. "And make sure that the refreshments aren't poisoned, of course."
    The count turned around to call for his butler.
    "Earl Grey! Show these guests to their rooms, please."