It was a foggy evening in late October when Inspector Septimus Summer-Garden received the call that would plunge him into one of his most peculiar cases yet. The illustrious Craig y Nos Castle, perched atop the Welsh hills, had long been a symbol of grandeur and mystery. But lately, it had become the scene of inexplicable happenings, strange noises, ghostly apparitions, and an overwhelming sense of dread among the staff.
Now, Inspector Summer-Garden was not known for his sharp intellect or keen observations. No, he was more the type to trip over his own feet and accidentally stumble upon the truth while trying to find his hat. But his reputation as a “detective” was unshakable, at least in his own mind. Arriving at Craig y Nos in his battered, slightly squeaking vintage car, Inspector Summer-Garden was greeted by Lady Eleanor, the castle’s owner, a worried woman with a stern face and a twinkle of skepticism in her eye.
“Inspector,” she said, “something is haunting this castle. Doors slam on their own, whispers echo in the halls, and last night, the ghost of a woman in white was seen gliding through the corridors.”
“Ah, ghosts, you say?” Summer-Garden exclaimed, adjusting his oversized hat. “Fear not, Lady Eleanor! I shall uncover the truth behind these spooky goings-on.”
He wandered the dimly lit corridors, tripping over a loose rug, knocking over a suit of armor, and mumbling to himself. His eyes widened at the sight of flickering chandeliers and shadowy figures that seemed to dance just beyond the corner of his vision. He questioned the staff, including the nervous but loyal servant, Mr. Jenkins.
“Have you seen anything unusual, Jenkins?” Summer-Garden asked, trying to sound authoritative.
“Well, sir,” Jenkins replied, sweating profusely, “some say it’s the ghost of Madame Adelina Patti, who died here over a hundred years ago. But I think it’s just the wind or someone playing tricks.”
“Precisely!” Summer-Garden declared, puffing out his chest. “But perhaps the ghost is merely a misunderstood spirit, perhaps seeking justice or a lost treasure.”
That night, Summer-Garden set up a series of traps, mostly involving a lot of candles, a mirror, and a suspiciously large f;oral hat he believed the ghost might be wearing. As midnight struck, a faint figure appeared, white dress flowing, eyes hollow. Summer-Garden, trembling with excitement, stepped forward.
“Ah-ha! I have found you, spectral lady!”
The figure paused, then suddenly collapsed into a pile of pillows, revealing not a ghost but Lady Eleanor herself, dressed in a white sheet to entertain her guests at a Halloween party. It turned out the “haunting” was a clever ruse designed by Lady Eleanor to attract visitors and boost the castle’s reputation. The noises and apparitions were orchestrated by staff members in the dark, and the “ghost” was simply a servant in disguise. Inspector Summer-Garden, blushing furiously, scratched his head.
“Well, I suppose I was a bit off the mark. But at least we uncovered the truth!”
Lady Eleanor chuckled.
“Inspector, your… enthusiasm is always appreciated.”
As Summer-Garden departed the castle, he was already planning his next case, perhaps involving a missing monocle or a suspiciously absent cheese platter. But deep down, he knew that sometimes, the most mysterious things are just tricks and illusions though he would always approach them with his signature bumbling charm. And so, the haunting of Craig y Nos Castle was laid to rest until next Halloween, when perhaps the ghosts will return just for a little fun.
Lazarus Carpenter - Author 