Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Vol. 86, No. 6. Whole No. 511, December 1985

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The meeting, surprisingly summoned on only one day’s notice, was held in the Chief Selectman’s office at the far end of the upstairs corridor of the town hall. Not much of an office for size and thriftily furnished with essentials acquired cheaply over the past century, it still provided sufficient accommodation for the Board of Selectmen around the well worn oak table there.

Of course, since the room was at the rear of the building, it did offer to anyone with an eye for that sort of thing the view of a vast rolling woodland extending to the faraway horizon. A spectacular view especially this mid-autumn time of year, what with those hills showing as much scarlet and gold as evergreen. And even more so at this hour of day, when the star-spangled darkness already shadowing Maine to the east could almost perceptibly be seen flowing westward toward Vermont to dim the flaming sunset there.

However, the gathering around the table took no notice of this familiar scene: it was the ancient Naval Observatory clock ticking away on the wall between the windows that engaged its interest. Five selectmen, all grey haired, thin-lipped men of substance. Chief Selectman Samuel Sprague, president of the Merchants Bank. Jacob Sprague, younger brother to Samuel and the bank’s treasurer. Abner Perkins, real-estate sales, rentals, and property maintenance. Benjamin Starr, Starr’s Cars — Sales and Service. Fraser Smith, Smith’s Market — Quality Meats and Groceries. All five of them done up neatly in jacket and necktie as was the tradition at selectmen’s meetings, they sat silently with eyes fixed on the clock. The meeting had been called for six. The clock now plainly marked three minutes past the hour.

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