CASE FILE · No. 001 · 1891
The Blue Lantern Affair
WHITECHAPEL, LONDON · DIFFICULTY: MISDEMEANOR
THE BRIEFING
Elias Rowe, owner of a small antique shop in Whitechapel, reported a burglary shortly after midnight. The front window had been broken, the till was open, and several silver pieces were scattered across the floor. At first glance, it looked like a common street robbery. But the constable noticed something odd: the most valuable items in the shop were untouched. Only one object was missing — a small blue lantern from a locked display cabinet. Rowe kept a simple visitor book, a cabinet inventory, and a record of private offers made by collectors. Three people had visited the shop earlier that evening. The broken window may show how the thief wanted the crime to look. The records may show why the lantern was taken.
CLUES ON THE TABLE
- 01.The burglary was reported shortly after midnight on 14th June 1891.
- 02.The front window was broken — but the most valuable items were left untouched.
- 03.Only one object was missing: a blue lantern from locked Cabinet B.
- 04.The lantern's glass base bears faint initials.
- 05.Three visitors entered the shop that evening; one had asked specifically to see the lantern.
/ THE EVIDENCE
Database Schema
The tables we have warrants for. Cross-reference them carefully.
- suspect_idINT
- nameVARCHAR(100)
- occupationVARCHAR(100)
- relationship_to_ownerVARCHAR(200)
- visit_idINT
- suspect_idINT→ suspects.suspect_id
- visit_reasonVARCHAR(200)
- arrival_timeTIMESTAMP
- departure_timeTIMESTAMP
- recorded_byVARCHAR(100)
- item_idINT
- item_nameVARCHAR(150)
- categoryVARCHAR(100)
- display_locationVARCHAR(100)
- estimated_valueDECIMAL(10,2)
- is_missingBOOLEAN
- notesVARCHAR(300)
- offer_idINT
- suspect_idINT→ suspects.suspect_id
- item_idINT→ shop_inventory.item_id
- offer_amountDECIMAL(10,2)
- offer_dateDATE
- offer_statusVARCHAR(100)
- notesVARCHAR(400)
/ THE QUERY TERMINAL
Interrogate the records
This is your magnifying glass. Run queries to explore the tables and chase down clues — the terminal won't solve the case for you, but it will surface the evidence you need.
/ THE NOTEPAD
Your field notes
Jot down leads, suspicious names, patterns you've spotted. The page is yours.
/ THE ACCUSATION
Name your suspect
One name. No second guesses. The constable is at the door.
NEXT IN THE PILE
The Black Ribbon Séance →"The séance named the blackmailer. But the handwriting on the accusation belongs to someone else entirely."