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James Hong:
Barry Chan Trevor Reid:
Inspector Hugh Miller:
Joseph Temple John Harrison:
Smith (?) Ann Sears:
Ann Temple William
Abney: Bill Payne David Peel:
Harold Carr Richard
Debb: Howard Ross
POSSIBLE LOCATION: The countryside near London, England
PROBABLE DATE: 1957
DURATION:
2 days
SUMMARY:
At
his English manor house, Joseph Temple is getting a shave from his ill-treated servant Bartu, who is a believer in voodoo. Responding to a threat of a beating at the hands of his master for not responding
to a question, Bartu, razor at Temple's neck as he begins the shave, strongly suggests that he not even think of beating him. Later, Temple discusses with his daughter, Ann, the guest list for a party to be held
that weekend, which includes Charlie Chan, along with his son, Barry, who helped him in the past in Honolulu, and Michael
Ross, a geologist who had recently discovered uranium in Honduras, and Temple's nephew, Harold Carr, who had accompanied Ross
on his expedition. Ann is incensed that Michael Ross, her possible future
husband, was not invited. Temple insists that Ross is a fortune hunter and that
Ann will be left off of his will should she ever marry him. Ann states that Michael
will be attending the dinner party at her invitation. At
the party, Temple informs Harold that he will buy Payne's half of the uranium discovery and turn it over to his nephew, holding
the other half himself. As Bartu serves the guests, a visibly stunned Harold
Carr notes a snake tattoo on his hand. Harold warns Temple that the tattoo
signifies Bartu's having been initiated in the most secret rites of voodoo and that he should treat his servant
better so as not to place himself in danger. Later, Ann and Michael announce
their intention to be married. An angry Temple informs the couple that he will
meet with his lawyer in the morning to remove Ann from his will. Early
the next morning, Barry tells his father of a terrible argument he heard between Temple and Michael Ross late the previous
night. Suddenly, a woman's scream is heard.
Finding Ann with the body of her father, Chan informs her that he was murdered and the police are called. Later, the police inspector informs Chan that Temple died of a fractured skull and that it
was certainly Bartu, who has now disappeared, who killed Mr. Temple due to his ill treatment.
Soon Bartu is found on the manor grounds, admitting that it was indeed he who killed his master. However, a skeptical Chan shows a voodoo death fetish doll that he had found in Bartu's room with a nail
piercing its heart. He realizes that Bartu thought he killed Temple through his
magic. Bartu had found his master dead that morning and fled, thinking he would
be punished for his "crime." Barry then recounts the late night argument that
he had heard between Temple and Ross and the fact that Temple had planned to cut Ann from his will the next day. Questioned by the inspector, Ross admits to his heated differences with Temple, but he insists that he
did not kill him. The younger Chan notes to his father and
the Inspector that when he came to his room, Temple was in the process of reading a cablegram which he placed in his desk.
Quickly checking the desk, Chan finds the document and the Inspector asks Barry
to fetch Payne for questioning. After Payne is questioned, Chan, not convinced
of his connection to the murder, suggests that Harold should be questioned. When interviewed, he states that Temple
may have mentioned the cablegram to Payne on the night of the murder as his uncle had asked him to have Payne speak with him. "Ross, Payne, Carr – which is it?" asks the Inspector after the interview. Barry then notes that no one has questioned Ann who had much to lose if she were removed
from her father"s will. Ann leaves no doubt of her dislike for her deceased father,
but just as emphatically states that she would never have killed him due to the possible loss of her inheritance as money
has never brought her happiness. She leaves the interview in anger when the Inspector
suggests she may have been concerned that Payne may have left her if she were no longer wealthy. Chan then suggests that all suspects be gathered together in Temple’s bedroom at midnight. CONCLUSION: At
midnight, Chan tells the assembled suspects that he plans to use Bartu’s voodoo to reveal the identity of the killer. Payne protests, fearful of the possible dark forces involved. Chan then turns out the lights and a mysterious drumbeat begins which has an unsettling effect on
all in the room. Bartu suddenly joins the gathering, stating the power of his
voodoo. Holding a live snake, he begins his voodoo rite, stating that the guilty
party will be subject to a supernatural death. Suddenly, as Bartu approaches
him, a terrified Harold Carr jumps from his seat and admits his guilt. Chan states
that Harold had made a false claim of having discovered a rich uranium deposit in Honduras, hoping that his wealthy uncle
would offer him money for the claim. When the cablegram arrived, Harold knew
that this would spoil his plans, so he killed Temple before he could back out of his deal made earlier that night. Chan notes how Harold had tried to frame Payne by leaving the cablegram in Temple's room. Chan thanks Bartu for his help, giving him the voodoo drumbeat record he found at a local museum.
OF NOTE: Joseph Temple: "Mr. Chan did brilliant work for
me in Honolulu; a masterpiece of deduction." Like
aging spinster, I am getting too old to blush becomingly. A
cup of good tea on arising is almost preferable to handful of emeralds. More
certain than the rising of the sun, the blooming of a flower, and the branching of a tree is the fact that my Number One Son
will have a theory. Ancient
saying: "Never bet on unsure thing." A
loyal friend is like rare white jade from ancient Hanshu period – both are beyond price. The
best evidence sometimes comes from the mouth of the criminal himself – or herself.
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