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The Sound of Bells

by Laurence 

Posted: 13 January 2010
Word Count: 346
Summary: Week 288 Challenge


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Jane was the proud owner of Glebe cottage. It was ideal for her purposes as a writer and an amateur sleuth. As she sat at her small writing desk she happened to notice a young man moving through the churchyard checking and rechecking names on the grave stones. His antics amused Jane. She was completing a story and so was soon absorbed in her work.

She jumped when there was a sharp rap of the door knocker; she placed her pen down on the table and moved swiftly to the door. Looking out she could see no one. ‘How strange?’ she thought and went back to her work. Later a small white envelope appeared on her door mat.

The content of the envelope shocked her; she grabbed her coat and hurried off in the direction of the church. Close to the porch of the church she found an old Celebration hymnal on a gravestone and looked up 140 on 'greed'. It took her a few seconds to translate the content of the hymn into the code that needed to be cracked to prevent an awful catastrophe.

The church bell began to toll, checking her watch she realised she had little time. Returning from the church she went back to her cottage in pursuit of her almanac. The hymn spoke of a name which would help her.

Riffling through the book she came upon the person ; he was born some ten miles from the village if she was quick she could catch the next bus. Checking she had enough money she hurried for the village post office just as the bus was pulling in. She flopped on the nearest seat and waited. She had not noticed the person behind her. A tap on her shoulder and a voice said, ‘Not bad Jane, that must be one of your personal bests.’

‘George, so it was you! I recognised your style immediately especially the literary connections. You will need to do something about your cover.’

'Damn! - Same time next week?'

'But of course,' smiled Miss Jane Marple.






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Comments by other Members



Prospero at 06:26 on 14 January 2010  Report this post
Hi Laurence

i am not an Agatha Christie fan so I suspect I missed most of the literary references until I got to the last one. Very pacey story, I was out of breath by the time I got to the end. Well done.

Best

John

tusker at 06:52 on 14 January 2010  Report this post
I enjoyed this, Laurence.

This had a Christie feel to it, but I didn't pick up on the clues until the end. Miss Marple of course!

You slipped translate and greed in it too without being obvious.

Jennifer

Bunbry at 12:51 on 14 January 2010  Report this post
This really has a good pacy feel about it. I'm afraid I didn't understand the clues or quite what was going on though. Perhaps that is because I've not read the books (although I enjoy the films).

Nick

V`yonne at 15:36 on 14 January 2010  Report this post
No Marple fans around it would seem... Me neither. I didn't see the end coming though the clues were probably there.

One pick - I don't think you need tell us
The content of the envelope shocked her;

It ruined the flow.

Fast pace indeed.

Laurence at 19:01 on 14 January 2010  Report this post
OOps I love Agatha Christie - perhaps some may like to dip into her wonderful world!! Many thanks for the comments.

Laurence

Jumbo at 14:50 on 15 January 2010  Report this post
Hi

Frantic indeed! If I had been standing p when I read this I would have had to sit down by the end!

Like the others, I missed most of the clues, but enjoyed it, nonetheless.

But who is Anne in the second line? Or am I being really dim? (...er, probably.)

thanks for sharing this. Nice writing.

Cheers

john

Laurence at 15:14 on 15 January 2010  Report this post
Thanks John - typo with name - should have read Jane.

Laurence

crowspark at 13:35 on 17 January 2010  Report this post
Hi Laurence. I missed the Marple until the end so missed the clues. I was hooked by the writing but slightly disappointed by the twist ending. I suppose I wanted something to come of all those engaging details.

Thanks for the read.

Bill

Laurence at 14:26 on 18 January 2010  Report this post
Thanks for your comments Bill. I think I may develop thise piece a little further and change the ending.

Laurence


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