Story honoring the style of the classic mysteries.

Arthur Christie was a very rich man. He gathered his massive wealth during the beginning of the Twenties, investing his inheritance he got from his late father into oil and car business. He was better known for his odd gambling victories that came later and both increased his wealth and made him a celebrity of his time.

And as a move to increase his odd fame he moved to a secluded manor in an island located at the coast of Connecticut. Rumors of his deeds were widespread and it seemed that the servants he hired often quit their jobs early despite the high salary he offered for the work. Some insisted that his manor was haunted and that Mr. Christie himself had something to do with it, but such talk was rarely taken seriously. It did, however add to the quirky reputation the man had.

Although Mr. Christie never married, his family took part in creating the myth around him. He had three sisters, of who one killed herself and two were found guilty of frauds. Their children were a diverse bunch of misfits and low-life heroes whose get-rich schemes seemed to fail them again and again. They didn't get any financial help from their uncle, that was for sure.

Mr. Peacecradle is the only son of Hetty Peacecradle, oldest sister of Arthur Christie. She married a con artist that gave her that unique last name and Lawrence was the fruit of their short marriage that probably wasn't missing drama.

He hasn't fallen far from the tree himself. Charismatic, handsome and absolutely without a backbone, Mr. Peacecradle has seen a lot of things in his twenty five years of existence.

Getting rich quick has been his game and he has tried to reach his goal with a relentless effort, and that from a man who hasn't done an honest day of work in his life. His efforts so far have failed him miserably, making him more or less desperate.

The letter finds him in this state.