Duckworth Castle was awash with gaiety and smiles as crowds gathered for the annual summer fete. The castle grounds were decorated with bright bunting and the stalls below offered candy floss, face painting and a selection of not overly extravagant prizes.
A juggler had just taken to the stage when an explosion ripped through the air. A thin plume of smoke rose from from the highest castle tower.
“My jewels!” cried Lord Duckworth, looking up to the tower.
“Just my luck!” sighed the inspector as he hastily finished his ice cream.
The pair rushed up the tower to find a scene of destruction.
A large cannon had been pointed at the vault wall. The subsequent explosion had blown a hole clean through the stone.
“And I suppose there’s something missing, is there?” said the inspector while examining the cannon fuse between his thumb and forefinger.
“My precious family jewels!” wailed Lord Duckworth.
The lord stepped over a large pile of rubble and into the vault. There was nothing but an immaculate marble floor. The Lord’s worst fears were confirmed.
“Good heavens! They’re all gone!” said Duckworth as he emerged from the vault.
He crumpled into a heap and quietly cried in the corner. The inspector continued to examine the rubble strewn about the cannon.
“Enough with the waterworks” interrupted Detective Case coldly. “You can practice your play-acting from the inside of a jail cell. This is an inside job and I can prove it!”
How did Detective Case know?