It was Sir Henry Hapless, 13th Duke of Misfortune, who had the singular idea of hosting a dinner party. His friends had advised strongly against it. The Hapless family name had not accumulated thirteen generations of ill fortune by accident. And yet Sir Henry persisted, as Hapless men always do: with magnificent optimism and catastrophic results.
The evening began promisingly enough. Cook had outdone herself. The silver gleamed. The six guests arrived in fine spirits and finer clothes. By the time the port was poured, however, something had gone terribly, irreversibly wrong.
Somewhere between the fish course and the retiring to the drawing room, one of Sir Henry's most cherished possessions had vanished from the Hall entirely. Several other items were discovered displaced, found in rooms where they had no business being.
Sir Henry, to the surprise of no one, had not noticed until it was far too late. It never does to be the 13th of anything.
Act the Second
The Guests of Hapless Hall
Six guests sat at Sir Henry's table that evening. Each arrived with impeccable manners and, it would seem, rather more impeccable motives.
🎩
Mr Forest
A gentleman of the old school. His finances are considerably less well maintained than his charm.
🎖️
Maj. Brimstone
Retired military, distinction largely self-assessed. He has always admired Sir Henry's collection rather too openly.
🎓
Dr Lavender
A scholar of antiquities, quiet and precise. His gaze catalogues everything in a room before he has even removed his coat.
💎
Lady Sapphire
Aristocratic, immaculate, possessed of a smile that has never once reached her eyes.
💋
Madame Rouge
Continental, dramatic, entirely impossible to read. Charming in four languages and evasive in all of them.
👒
Mrs Weisse
The very picture of respectable widowhood. She sees considerably more than she lets on.
Act the Third
The Treasures of the Hall
One treasure is now missing entirely. Five others were discovered displaced. One cannot be found at all.
🖼️
The Portrait
A small oil painting of the 3rd Duchess. Last seen above the mantelpiece. It is not there now.
⚔️
The Ornamental Weapons
A matched pair of ceremonial swords. One has been recovered. The other remains at large.
📜
The Ancient Documents
Manuscripts in Latin and older tongues. The portfolio was found. The documents inside were not.
🪙
The Rare Coins
A velvet-lined case of Roman aurei. The case was recovered. Its contents are another matter.
📿
The Necklace
Three strands of matched pearls. Missing from its case in Sir Henry's study.
⏱️
The Pocket Watch
A silver hunter-case timepiece engraved with the Hapless family crest. The chain was found. The watch was not.
Act the Fourth
The Rooms Under Suspicion
Every room in Hapless Hall has something to answer for this evening.
📝
The Study
The desk drawers were found open.
🧥
The Hall
The first room entered, the last room left.
🛋️
The Lounge
A cushion displaced. A glass, overturned.
📖
The Library
The hidden compartment behind Debrett's was found ajar.
🎱
The Billiard Room
Chalk dust on a cuff. Footprints on the baize.
🍽️
The Dining Room
Someone had returned here after dinner.
🪴
The Conservatory
Ideal for a private conversation, or a private transaction.
💃
The Ballroom
The dust cover on the piano had been disturbed.
🥩
The Kitchen
The scullery door was found unlocked. Cook swears she saw nothing.
Ladies and gentlemen, I have been instructed to inform you that the doors of Hapless Hall have been secured for the evening. Nobody is to leave the premises until this matter is resolved. Sir Henry asks only that you endeavour not to make things any worse than they already are.
— Grimshaw, Butler to Sir Henry Hapless, 13th Duke of Misfortune
Select your character to enter the Hall:
ClueSolo · Hapless Hall
—
Terms of the Investigation
Before you proceed, settle the conditions under which this matter will be investigated.
Difficulty
How shrewdly will your fellow guests pursue the truth?
Opponents
How many fellow guests will be investigating alongside you?
Mode
Will you investigate alone, or with quiet counsel?