‘Indeed, it was Juraj. Now, how about it?’
‘It is a funny thing,’ said Juraj.
‘Go on…’
‘Well,’ stated Juraj, ‘the ladies that come to Prague on such business, they all have one thing in common, you know?’
‘And that is?’ questioned Edgar in reply.
Juraj gave a wide-eyed smile and chuckled a little, bowing down low to his waist and popping back up again with a bounce. He tapped his feet manically in a bizarre outburst and spun around all three hundred and sixty degrees before looking back at the detective with a grin. ‘They all dance!’ proclaimed the eager nobleman.
Edgar looked at him strangely, quite surprised and not sure whether to laugh or slap the man silly for the outrageous and uninvited performance. ‘They dance,’ Edgar repeated with a look of confusion and expectation.
‘That’s right, and they all learnt to do it in just one place—Lady Cortinova’s Palace of Ballet!’ Juraj announced with pure excitement to having assisted the great detective in his quandary. Proud for resolving any prior quarrel Edgar may have had with him, Juraj looked at the man expectantly, awaiting congratulations and thanks—he got none.
Edgar raised his eyebrows and spoke with calm and consideration towards the young would-be inspector. ‘Juraj, my dear boy, do tell me where exactly might we find this Palace of Ballet?’
‘Ah, yes. Well, you see the thing of that is—I don’t know.’
His face turned slightly crimson as he felt the detective had been one step ahead of him and knew this was coming all long. Edgar removed a large white pamphlet from his left pocket, slowly unfolding the paper from its neat and tidy pack, he began to read out loud the following:
Lady Cortinova is proud to present her three shining diamonds, the stars of the night—the elusive, the marvellous and gentlemen, the beautiful, ‘Diamonds of ballet!’
Our first is none other than the lustrous and mysterious Magda. She is an advocate of dance and has trained since she was four years old.
The second, you know her well, none other than our prized jewel Rena!
And lastly, we are most definitely pleased to introduce to you our latest addition to the Diamonds: Lenka.
Ladies and Gentlemen, please! Enjoy the show.
- Palace of Ballet, 14th January, 1925.
Edgar looked at Juraj and winked.
‘You had this all along and you didn’t tell me? You had me believe we were on a dead trail! I’d thought I’d saved the day for a moment there but you had me along, and for what good reason?’ scoffed Juraj with a childlike groan and arms crossed.
Smiling and clearly amused at his own rouse, Edgar placed his hand upon Juraj’s shoulder and simply spoke with the utmost clear tone that commanded he listen. ‘Young lad, do you think I am the best detective in Moscow by travelling to places unknown without any sort of clue or idea of where I am going? Please, I would not disrespect you in such ways for your profession, but as for my performance earlier, it has been a long journey and I did enjoy the amusement and look on your face.’ A kind warmth emitted from Edgar’s eyes, for he did pity the naive young man and, knowing he had just lost his dear beloved brother, it was all he could do to take his mind off the tragedy—if only for a brief moment.
‘Well, you clearly played me for a fool, and what’s more, I wouldn’t like to play you at poker—you surely do hold a good gambit,’ stated Juraj with a slightly improved mood. ‘But what say you? Where did you find this pamphlet?’ he inquired.
A new smile and a twinkle in Edgar’s eye emerged as he revealed his source to the young, wondering pupil. ‘Your own mother, of course—she is quite aware—’ Edgar stopped and, with a cough and look of pity, he screwed up his lips and started again. ‘She was quite aware of your brother’s exploits, and the ballet in Bratislava is well known to all in Czechoslovakia, is it not?’
Conceding to the great master’s wisdom, Juraj nodded and realized he did indeed have much to catch up on if he was to provide any further use to Edgar on this investigation. He truly felt like a burden now.
‘The snow is starting to fall and I have little but a name,’ started Edgar, shuffling his feet and blowing warmth into his hands, the air met with a white cloud that took a moment to dissipate. ‘Of course, the good news is I have you, Juraj.’
Edgar spoke with a warm smile; his eyes twinkled a little and he placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder once more. Juraj could not help but feel comforted by his presence and manner. Yes, he was stern, sharp, and frightfully persistent, but Juraj could sense there was a good heart under that strong Soviet armour.
‘We know that Lady Cortinova will know where to find Lenka, but at this hour her dance hall will be closed,’ stated Juraj. ‘We must find another way to reach her.’
Juraj paced and tapped his hands at his trouser pockets, drumming to a rhythm as he walked in a small circle. He made fresh tracks in the ever-thickening snow that laid with affirmative precedence on the cold ground before them.
‘This particular predicament is easy to solve, dear Juraj,’ said Edgar, smiling with self-assured confidence. ‘A woman who is no doubt as beautiful as Lenka will be known by more than just her employer.’
Juraj could sense Edgar was pleased with himself and, without question, had a ruse to discover her whereabouts. Unable to withstand the tension any longer, Juraj burst with expectation.
‘Do tell then, Edgar! Who will help us find her?’
Smirking with delight, Edgar leaned in close
