Sales so far of the published titles, do not justify proceeding with these.
But in an effort to spark interest, we now begin a series of teasers.
Should reader response warrant, these might be published.]
The Long Spoon
Swooning in a circle around the groaning board, now littered with the detritus of a
feast -- crumbs scattered like the
aftermath of a bunfight, now sodden in spilt drink, and bones gnawed bloody, half
draping off porcelain plates --
Mr. S. Guile, the host, and his guest, Senator Swill, along with sundry liegemen and
attendants, sank back in a sort of stupor of pleasure. The conversation, which had been
animated, though saltatory, subsided, as belts expanded a notch over paunch,
and napkin patted pout. The
monogrammed linens were of smoothest silk, so that, rather than abrading or absorbing the grease,
they merely smeared it. All
observed a respectful silent as the guest of honor, grease purling from his
fatflesh in rich glinting globs,
expanded slowly, like a meat balloon.
The
Senator at last let out a satisfied sigh.
“What’d’ye call that dish again?”
“Long
pork, ” said Guile with a smile.
“Long
pork! Gotta get my mistress the
recipe. What’s it made of?”
“Long
pig, spiced and sweetened, then simmered in its mother’s milk.”
The
sated Senator closed his eyes, and seemed about to drift off.
Guile
-- completely alert -- snapped his fingers, as his manservants, Gammon and Mammon, rushed forth to
clear the board.
At
length the Senator, now even more porkly-portly than before, heaved himself
onto his gaitered pegs, and, puffing, signaled for his cloak: which was swiftly and richly wrapped
around his ample shoulders. He
wordlessly held out his hand; his opera hat appeared, and then his
walking-stick. Then, swaggering
and staggering, he made for the butler, who bowed and swept open the door. (It is difficult to swagger when you
stagger; but he tried.)
“A
capital chow-down, Sam old chap,” said the Senator, over his shoulder.” I’ll remember you, at appropriations
time.”
And
I… shall well remember thee… at -- appropriation time, thought Guile to
himself.
~
For a selection of
individual detective stories,
available for your
Nook or Kindle,
visit this site:
~
.
