CASE FILE · No. 006 · 1893
The Clockmaker's Last Hour
HOLBORN, LONDON · DIFFICULTY: CAPITAL
THE BRIEFING
Silas Vane, a respected clockmaker of Holborn, was found dead in the rear room of his workshop on the morning of November 5th. The shop showed few signs of disorder — the till was untouched, several expensive watches remained in their cases, and the front door had been locked for the night. Only three details troubled Scotland Yard: the rear door was found open, the workshop regulator had stopped at 11:17 PM, and one watch was missing from Case C. Silas kept careful records of his visitors, repairs, deliveries, and private commissions. On most nights, such ledgers were enough to settle any dispute. On this night, they may have preserved a lie.
CLUES ON THE TABLE
- 01.Silas Vane was found dead in the rear room of his workshop on 5th November.
- 02.The rear door was found open, though the front door had been locked for the night.
- 03.The workshop regulator had stopped at 11:17 PM.
- 04.One watch was missing from Case C — a commission with a secret compartment.
- 05.The shop ledgers contain records of visits, repairs, deliveries, and private commissions.
/ THE EVIDENCE
Database Schema
The tables we have warrants for. Cross-reference them carefully.
- suspect_idINT
- nameVARCHAR(100)
- occupationVARCHAR(100)
- relationship_to_victimVARCHAR(200)
- visit_idINT
- suspect_idINT→ suspects.suspect_id
- visit_reasonVARCHAR(200)
- arrival_timeTIMESTAMP
- departure_timeTIMESTAMP
- recorded_byVARCHAR(100)
- shift_idINT
- apprentice_nameVARCHAR(100)
- start_timeTIMESTAMP
- end_timeTIMESTAMP
- assigned_roomVARCHAR(100)
- notesVARCHAR(500)
- watch_idINT
- watch_nameVARCHAR(150)
- client_nameVARCHAR(100)
- display_caseVARCHAR(50)
- estimated_valueDECIMAL(10,2)
- is_missingBOOLEAN
- last_serviced_byINT→ suspects.suspect_id
- has_secret_compartmentBOOLEAN
- commission_idINT
- watch_idINT→ watch_registry.watch_id
- client_nameVARCHAR(100)
- requested_featureVARCHAR(250)
- final_payment_dueDATE
- notesVARCHAR(500)
- letter_idINT
- sender_nameVARCHAR(100)
- recipient_nameVARCHAR(100)
- letter_dateDATE
- subjectVARCHAR(200)
- summaryVARCHAR(700)
- related_suspect_idINT→ suspects.suspect_id
- note_idINT
- note_dateDATE
- written_byVARCHAR(100)
- note_textVARCHAR(700)
- related_suspect_idINT→ suspects.suspect_id
- note_idINT
- watch_idINT→ watch_registry.watch_id
- note_timeTIMESTAMP
- note_textVARCHAR(700)
- written_byVARCHAR(100)
- delivery_idINT
- courier_nameVARCHAR(100)
- delivered_itemVARCHAR(150)
- delivery_timeTIMESTAMP
- signed_byVARCHAR(100)
- entry_locationVARCHAR(100)
- observation_idINT
- observed_byVARCHAR(100)
- observation_timeTIMESTAMP
- clock_nameVARCHAR(100)
- clock_displayed_timeTIMESTAMP
- notesVARCHAR(500)
- item_idINT
- item_nameVARCHAR(150)
- categoryVARCHAR(100)
- storage_locationVARCHAR(100)
- estimated_valueDECIMAL(10,2)
- is_missingBOOLEAN
- evidence_idINT
- item_nameVARCHAR(150)
- found_locationVARCHAR(150)
- descriptionVARCHAR(700)
- related_table_hintVARCHAR(100)
/ 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 Blue Lantern Affair →"The window was broken. The till was open. But the thief left the silver and took a lantern worth almost nothing."