Really, nothing dampens one's appetite like starting dinner with a debate over whether or not the servants should clear away the place at the head of the table set for the late Galumph. Assuming (quite reasonably) that the master of the house would be alive by the end of the day, the servants had laid the table with a place for him. After your reassuring sermon, one of the servants hurried in to rearrange matters, but they were interrupted by Frumious, who attempted to claim his father's place at the top of the table. But technically, Majorie's now the owner of Puddlestomp Hall...

Anyway, the upshot of it was that they left the place-setting for Galumph, and now there's an ominous empty chair at the head of the table, with Majorie facing off against her son-in-law Frumious, and Elspeth seated opposite her old college rival Momerath. It feels a little like a duel, and Elspeth finds herself making a pre-emptive grab for the butter-knife when they bring in the freshly baked rolls. Just in case Momerath arms himself first.

"You always were quick, Elspeth" snarks Momerath. "Always good at seizing opportunities." He leans over towards Majorie. "Did you know, Mrs. Puddlestomp, that your friend the vicar has been living something of a double life? Why she's - "

"Clarice Medlar!" declares Constable Hopscotch from the door. For a moment, Elspeth's frozen in terror at the thought of being exposed, but the constable continues. "I don't know how she does it!" He waves the copy of Death in the Dregs with enthusiasm. "Just when you think you see the solution, she throws in a surprise. Sorry I'm late, I started reading it again and before you know it, zap! I'm riveted!" Then he remembers that he's (a) supposed to be investigating a murder and (b) is sitting down for dinner with the bereaved family. His mood runs full-steam into an iceberg. "And, um, sorry for your loss."  He sinks down.

In his book-waving enthusiasm, a piece of paper - that mysterious bookmark - fells from Death in the Dregs, and it's landed under the table between Elspeth and Momerath. Elspeth can feel Momerath's feet moving under the table, as if searching for the errant paper.

"What are the next steps, Constable?" asks Frumious. "If my father's death is the result of foul play, I want to see the culprit brought to justice as quickly as possible."

"So you can get his money," mutters Majorie into her soup course. 

"That Polly girl was the last one to see my father alive," continues Frumious. "I'd consider her the prime suspect."

"We'll wait for Dr. Welldone's report. And I happen to know Polly," replies the Constable. "I can't imagine she'd do anything like that."

"Well, Constable," says Momerath, "If you're truly an aficionado of Medlar's work, you'd know that the person you suspect least is often responsib -"

There's a crash as Majorie's spoon falls from her hand, cracking the bowl and sending a red flood of tomato soup cascading across the white tablecloth. "I'm sorry," she says, "I can't, I just can't...."

"Maybe you should take Majorie back to her room, Vicar" suggests the Constable.

Majorie pushes back her seat and rises to stand, but nearly topples. Servants appear to help her, and one of them plucks Elspeth's arm. It's Polly. 

"Cla - I, I mean, Vicar Gumfoot, I need to con - to talk to you. Please," she whispers.

And in the confusion, Elspeth spots the paper on the floor, with Momerath's toes inching towards it.

What do you do?

* Go with Majorie
* Go with Polly
* Grab the fallen paper