Well written story.

my moneys  on the butler ,with the lead pipe ,in the billiard room

Episode Nineteen
Lenny decided to have one last look along the track. He figured that by now the police would be thinking about looking for lineside evidence. If he hung around too long they'd find him. Nothing, however, could be found. He simply had to leave the railway line. He decided to head back in to Port Perran from where he could catch a bus home.
Sergeant Harris rode back to the police station with young Dennis where they were able to have a close look at the eight photos from the roll of Kodak film. The first six were of steam locomotives around Port Perran including a fine picture of a very clean Castle on a special train. There were also some photos of panniers and praries going about their daily business, it was the final two photos which were of interest to Sergeant Harris. First, a really good shot of the T9 heading this afternoons train then a further shot of it passing by with a fine view of someone peering out of the carriage.
"That's a super photo young Dennis. That may be really useful and I know it's distant but I recognise that face leaning out of the window. If I'm not mistaken that's the notorious Lenny Trewithen and he'll be up to no good at all, no good at all".
Sophie, back aboard the train, had no option but to open her bag. "Aha...." Said Sergeant Tate, "What ever do we have here then"?
"I've no idea how those two things got there", protested Sophie, " Someone must have planted them on me".
"Of course they did", replied Sergeant Tate, "And pigs might fly young Sophie. I think you have some explaining to do my lass".

Episode Twenty
I, I didn't mean to take the wallets", stammered Sophie "I just couldn't resist.You can hand them back. I haven't taken any money out."
"Hand them over", said Tate,"Let's have a look. Who do they belong to?". Opening the two wallets one at a time, Sergeant Tate was somewhat surprised. The first belonged to the mayor but the second one was more interesting. Leafing through he found a driving license revealing the name of one Johnny Pettifer.
"Very interesting, very interesting indeed" muttered Tate. "This wallet, where did you take it?"
"Oh that one was easy" replied Sophie with renewed confidence, "I went up to the buffet for my free drink and the chap in front of me was  so busy chatting up the barmaid that he forgot all about his wallet laying on the counter. He was busy helping the barmaid who had mislaid her bottle opener. He had his own opener attached to one of those Swiss Army type penknives. I just took my drink and couldn't resist the wallet".
"Well, nothing taken young lass. Be off with you". Tate's interest had been aroused such that he wasn't interested in a spot of petty pilfering. He made his way back along the train.
Following a brief meeting with his fellow officers, Sergeant Tate decreed that the train must remain where it was but that all passengers with the exception of Johnny Pettifer would be allowed to catch another train to Truro.Tate ordered his officers to take guard  Tom Tonkiss and also Harry Thomas, who had discovered the body , to the station waiting room where he would interview them again later. "And don't let anyone exit from the door near to where the body is" said Tate, "And don't let anyone touch or move the body yet. Who knows what clues it might reveal".
Johnny Pettifer was most indignant that he had nothing to do with the incident and proclaimed his innocence most indignantly but, when interviewed and searched, no trace could be found of the Swiss Army knife which had, of course, been identified as his by both Sophie Tremaine and Sylva Jakes, the barmaid in the buffet.
"Yes, I did have the penknife" stammered Pettifer, "but I don't know where it's gone. I swear, someone must have taken it from my pocket"
Meanwhile, Lenny Trewithen had given up searching for the package he'd dropped and the knife he'd thrown from the window of the train. Unfortunately for Lenny, as he clambered up the railway embankment he wandered straight into sight of Sergeant Harris. "Well, well, well fancy seeing you here young Lenny" said Harris, "I think you'd better come with me down to the police station".

And ..... and .....
I hope we do not have to wait until next year for the next instalment. 

Quote from: dannyboy on December 27, 2017, 09:05:20 PM
And ..... and .....
I hope we do not have to wait until next year for the next instalment. 

With any luck, and no over indulgence of our Christmas stock of bottles, instalment 21 will be tomorrow. Hopefully, all cleared up on Jan 4th!

Episode twenty One
With everyone now off the train the police were able to conduct a thorough investigation of the area around the body.
All passengers, apart from the few retained by the police were now on platform one awaiting a replacement train which eventually arrived behind a rather scruffy Ivatt 2-6-2 Tank. Nevertheless, some three hours late the train duly departed for Truro.
Sergeant Tate watched the train leave the station. He had some important questioning to carry out but nevertheless, he had an uneasy feeling that he had missed something. Could someone with some important information be sitting aboard that departing train.
Tate and his team examined the body. It was clear that he had died from a single stab wound to the heart. He had, however, been felled by a blow to the head. No doubt the attacker had used what looked like an old wooden axe handle that was lying nearby. Tate took a wallet from the dead man's pocket which revealed him to be none other than well known Truro jeweller Eric Truthall, a well respected man in the area. There were, however, some folk who believed that beneath the honest, trustworthy exterior lurked a somewhat shady side.
The body was taken away and Tate turned his attention back to Johnny Pettifer."so...if, as you say, you lost your knife, where could it have gone?" Enquired Tate.
"Your guess is as good as mine" replied Dodgy John, "I had it when I left the buffet but it's gone now" 
"And did you see anything as you returned from the buffet to your seat?" Enquired Tate.
"Not a thing", replied Pettifer but come to think of it I did see someone you may know sitting on the left just after the vestibule where you said the body was found"
"And who might that be." Sneered Tate.
"Well, I don't know his name but remember that theft of gold chalices from the church in St Ives five years ago. Bloke got four years for that ai think. Don't know who he was but I recognised his picture from the newspaper. It was him sitting there, I'm sure of it".
A shiver went through Sergeant Tate. Billy Brunt. Surely not. Why ever didn't I spot him. He must be on that train to Truro now. "Evans" he shouted to a constable standing nearby " Make sure that train is intercepted when it arrives at Truro. No one must leave until the local police are sure that Brunt isn't among them"
Billy Brunt, thought Tate. If anyone was capable of killing a man it was him. If Pettifer is right then that good for nothing Brunt will have something to do with all of this.

Wow, really intriguing.  Makes me want to book a murder mystery train event 

Excellent stuff although you're not doing the Cornish Tourist Board any favours.

Sounds bit dodgy down there.

Cheers weave 

Episode Twenty Two
Now things were starting to swing into action. Divisional Commander Lance Wilson based at Truro police station had taken overall command having heard from both Sergeant Harris at Port Perran and Sergeant Tate who was in charge of the police team aboard the train.
Realising the seriousness of the situation he had called his superiors at the Exeter Headquarters of Devon and Cornwall Constabulary. It was agreed that DCI Tom Chandler would travel to Truro as a matter of urgency. Chandler had earned an enviable reputation over the last few years for solving serious crimes in the South West – especially crimes taking place on the railway. Chandler, being very meticulous and having an interest in railways to boot was an obvious choice to take charge. He would be assisted by his Sergeant, Alan Timms, a short, portly man. The two had worked together solving many mysteries.
The pair were to travel to Truro on the next train where they were to meet up with all involved in today's events in order to be brought fully up to date.
Meanwhile, as the late running special train entered Truro station, a small band of uniformed police greeted Billy Brunt and escorted him to the police station.
Sergeant Harris was also making his way to Truro by car along with Lenny Trewithen who was sitting, hand cuffed,  next to a spotty faced young constable.
Sergeant Tate and his team had, after questioning, released Tom Tonkiss and Harry Thomas but both were ordered to remain in the area as they may be needed for further questioning later. Tate now headed towards Truro with Johnny Pettifer who would be held in custody pending further enquiries.
By 7-00 pm both Lenny Trewithen , Johnny Pettifer and Billy Brunt were all in separate cells. Tom Chandler, Alan Timms, DC Lance Wison and Sergeants Tate and Harris were gathering for a briefing due to start at 7-30.

Episode Twenty Three
Tom Chandler wasted no time in getting down to work. He interviewed each of the local officers in turn and his Sergeant, Alan Timms, did exactly the same. Each officer was interviewed alone then they all returned to the main room where Tom Chandler gave a resume of what he had learned. After an open session where each man was able to air their own opinions the meeting was disbanded at 9.45pm, much to the irritation of the local men who were unused to working much beyond 5-00pm.
Chandler and Timms had booked accommodation at the Wig and Penn Inn where they enjoyed a superb meal over which they compared notes and formulated their plans.
Chandler was somewhat concerned that the local men had jumped to certain conclusions without hard facts to back them up. Indeed, it was a unanimous feeling that Billy Brunt was the villain despite very little evidence to support that view.
"We must look at all of the facts Alan" said Chandler. "We'll sleep on it and formulate a plan of action in the morning over breakfast. Meanwhile what say you that we have a pint of Hicks Special Draught each as a nightcap ? That should help us to sleep well"

Episode Twenty Four

At breakfast the next morning, Chandler took the opportunity to outline the facts that they had gleaned. "This is what we know so far Alan" he said. "The train departed on time and without fuss. That may or may not be important to us. At some point the train stopped because someone pulled the communication cord. The guard thought he saw someone running from the train. The you g lad, Dennis Steele,captured a very good likeness to Lenny Trewithen leaning out of the carriage window. Young Dennis also found a wrapped package containing a gold ingot at the lineside. Sophie Tremaine stole two wallets which may or may not be significant. Johnny Pettifer ordered a drink from the buffet but opened it with his swiss knife which he then lost. A body, that of Eric Truthall a local jeweller was found in the vestibule on the train by Harry Thomas. He had been hit over the head and stabbed. The local police believe he died from the stab wound as there was a lot of blood. The train eventually continued towards Truro with a certain Billy Brunt still on  board. Billy Brunt is well known to the police and was arrested when the train arrived at Truro station. Is that a fair precis of the situation as you have understood it?" Chandler asked of Alan Timms.
"Pretty much" replied Timms but I think the local boys are missing something Sir. "So do I" replied Tom Chandler " So do I. Straight after breakfast, I want you to go up to Trepol Bay and search the lineside. We must find the knife that may have been thrown from the train. I'm going to visit the hospital. The pathologist is carrying out the post mortem on Eric Truthall at 9-00. We need to know the results as soon as is possible. Take a couple of local bobbies with you up to Trepol Bay and hopefully you'll find the knife. We'll meet back at Truro police station at 12.30"
"Fir enough" replied Alan Timms as he took a last sip of his coffee.
By 10.15 Timms and the two constables were combing the trackside. It wasn't long before Timms himself found what he was looking for. A small swiss style penknife smeared with blood. One of the local constables, who had searched in the other direction, however, stumbled upon another knife, with a smooth 5 inch blade , also smeared with blood.
Meanwhile at the hospital, Tom Chandler was about to hear the results of the post mortem.

Episode Twenty Five
Tom Chandler was certain that the pathologist would provide valuable information and he wasn't disappointed. The report revealed some very interesting facts indeed. Eric Truthall had received a minor stab wound to the chest area near the heart resulting in significant blood loss, this wound, although serious, would not have been fatal. There was also a more minor stab wound to his left hand possibly received during the course of a struggle. This hand wound had been missed by the police as the  left arm was laying under the body. There was also evidence of a significant, though not fatal , blow to the head. Almost certainly inflicted by a blunt object such as the wooden axe handle found nearby.
Chandler was eager to hear more. "So, you are probably wondering how Mr Truthall died" continued the pathologist. "Well, he died from strychnine poisoning. Probably inflicted whilst he was concussed by the blow to the head. There is evidence of a rag held over the mouth and traces of the poison within his mouth. I have no doubts that is the way in which he was killed".
Chandler's hunch was right. He had been convinced that there was more to the murder than had been surmised by the local police on the basis of the initial investigation. He was mow keen to meet up with his sergeant, Alan Timms.
"Excellent work Alan" lets's get those two knives and the rag down to the lab. We need an analysis of the blood and anything else the tests might reveal".
Meanwhile the two detectives from Exeter set about interviewing, for themselves, all those still held in custody, starting with Lenny Trewithen who was reluctant to say anything. Johnny Pettifer, likewise, had little to say, other than protesting his innocence.  Billy Brunt was more forthcoming, although he didn't realise the importance of what he said.
"Right" said Chandler,"Let's get up to that St Euny Church near Redruth. We need to speak to the vicar as a matter of some urgency".
"Why is that? Enquired Timms , "Well", replied Chandler, "That Brunt character made reference to the gold ingot that the young lad found by the lineside. He said we'd be better off having a word with the vicar of St Euny about some missing gold. How could Brunt have known about that?"
The two set off for Redruth by train from where they took a taxi to St Euny church where they found the vicar, preparing his next sermon, in the vicarage. The vicar, the Reverend Thomas Goldsworthy was a portly man with a bushy beard. Chandler came straight to the point "Has anything gone missing from you church in the last few weeks sir?" He asked. "Not to my knowledge" replied the vicar. "And do you know Eric Truthall, the jeweller from Truro?" Asked the inspector. "Oh yes" replied Goldsworthy, "He conducted a valuation of the gold and silver belonging to the church. It was necessary for insurance purposes you see".
Chandler paused before continuing "I believe you were formerly the vicar of a church near St Ives".
"Look, what exactly is this all about"   Asked the vicar becoming visibly worried, "Just routine enquiries" answered Chandler.
"Well yes, I moved here some six months ago"
"Thank you sir" said Chandler "You have been most helpful.
The two detectives left the vicarage. " How on earth did you know that Goldsworthy had only just moved here?" Timms asked of Chandler. "Well, in the bar at the inn last evening, I was chatting to the barman whilst I was waiting for you to come down for supper. Just by chance he said he was a warden at Truro Cathedral and was well versed in local gossip. He volunteered the information I needed"
"But why is that important? " asked Timms. " If you recall, Alan, in our briefing with the locals last evening, Sargent Harris mentioned that Billy Brunt had been arrested  for stealing gold chalices from a church at St Ives. Now a gold ingot goes missing near Redruth. There is one common factor".
"Is there?" remarked Alan Timms.
"Oh come on Alan" said Chandler. "It's the same vicar at both churches"
"Of course" said Timms.
"Another word with our friend Brunt, I think" replied the Inspector as they set off again for Truro police station.

Episode Twenty Six
On the way to Truro Chandler mused things over. "You know Alan, I think there's a link between our friend Brunt and Lenny Trewithen. We need to prove that and we need to prove that our deceased friend  Eric Truthall is mixed up in the whole sorry tale somehow. Now whether Johnny Pettifer is involved, I'm not sure. And, of course, we have to consider Thomas Goldsworthy, the vicar. I'm certain he's in on all of this".
"So, what next Sir" enquired Alan Timms.
"Well, a thought has just struck me" replied Tom Chandler, " Remember when we had our meeting with the local police. That Sergeant Tate said that Billy Brunt is a regular at the Old Crab and Alehouse in Truro. Hmmmm.....I think we'll pop in there on our way to the police station and see what the landlord can tell us"

Episode Twenty Seven
The two detectives from Exeter decided to have lunch at the Old Crab and Ale House and were delighted to find the landlord, Charlie Trigg behind the bar. After a very agreeable lunch washed down with two halves of IPA the pair had a long discussion with the landlord. They were delighted with the outcome.
Billy Brunt was indeed a frequent visitor to the pub along with Lenny Trewithen and Eric Truthall. The Reverand Thomas Goldsworthy, not averse to a pint or two popped in from time to time. Johnny Pettifer played euchre for the pub team. On top of all this, Charlie  Trigg saw himself as a bit of an amateur sleuth. His daughter, Alice, who helped out in the pub liked nothing more than flirting with the customers, extracting information for her dad. Another local name that cropped up was that of Alec Rule, a local scrap metal dealer and a regular, every day, at the pub.
Tom Chandler was very keen to spend time chatting to Charlie Trigg. Chandler had a nose for information and his hunch was that he was about to discover all he needed to know about the murder on the train. He waited until closing time at 14.30 so that the bar was empty.  Handler sent Alan Timms off to a local valuation office in order to discover the true value of the gold ingot from St Euny Church. He was then to visit the daughter of the dead Eric Trithall. Chandler needed to know why Eric was on that train that day. The net was starting to close in.