FROM THE DESK OF LADY ADA BYRON, MARYLEBONE, LONDON
I’m busy. [strikethrough]Go away[/strikethrough].
Oh. Mary says I am to be nice to you.
Fine.
Make yourself useful then.
1. Read the attached case file “Case of the Missing Moonstone” carefully. (I don’t see how you can be useful, exactly, but Mary does and she’s often right about people.)
2. Don’t touch anything.
3. Alright, you can touch things, but don’t move them around. I have a system.
4. How much does a dog weigh, do you reckon? Small dog. Pug-sized.
5. Let’s compare it to a jar of pickles. Does a pug weigh three jars of pickles? Four? How much force might be needed to propel it from a cannon? (Pug, not pickles)
6. Report back to me on this. URGENT.
7. Don’t mention the dog to anyone. Best to keep that clandestine.
8. Are you still here? Go. Read. Report.
FROM THE DESK OF MISS MARY GODWIN, SOMERS TOWN, LONDON
I am terribly sorry if Lady Ada came across as ungrateful for your offer of assistance. She is often unsettled by change and reticent with new people. But I, for one, am extremely delighted to make your acquaintance and greatly appreciate any assistance you may offer in future. It is a tremendous thing, to have friends of like-mind; curious and insightful people. So let me begin, then, with that rather long-winded apology and welcoming thanks.
Kindly review our account of our founding of the Wollstonecraft Detective Agency and our first case, that of the Missing Verdigris Moonstone. I trust that this shall inform you of all you need to know regarding our techniques and peculiarities. I feel I should warn you that there is rather a good deal about uncanny influence, fezzes, fishiness and questionable ballooning, so please do not be alarmed.
I wonder if you might illuminate something for me. What are all these jars of pickles doing here? And did you hear a dog?
Thank you so very much for your attention to the case at hand, and I do so look forward to our future correspondence.
Your friend,
Mary Godwin
The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency
Jordan Stratford is a producer, author, and screenwriter. Stratford launched the idea for the Wollstonecraft Detective Agency series on Kickstarter, where the response was overwhelming enthusiasm.
