Percy Pendleton's Peculiar Predicament

Percy Pendleton and his Wife Violet live above their modest haberdashery shop situated on Chapel street.

One rainy Tuesday afternoon Percy received a telegram all the way from Peru. The only person Percy knows in Peru is his rich Uncle Paolo who he hasn't seen since he was a child. Paolo owns a very lucrative pineapple plantation.

The telegram reads-

I'm sorry to inform you of your Uncle Paolo's death.

His entire estate has been left to his loving Wife with the exception of a box he has asked to be sent to you.

Later that day a courier arrived and Percy couldn't believe it when he saw two strong men struggle to lift the small package and bring it inside. After they left Percy carefully lifted the lid to be greeted by a sight that made him sit down in complete shock. A handwritten note sat on top of the items and it read-

My dearest Nephew Percy.

You always were my favourite relative and so these should set you up for life.

All my love

Uncle Paolo.

Inside the box were jewel encrusted solid gold pineapples, they must be worth an absolute fortune! Percy started to panic, where would he keep them safe? This area of town is known for robbers and criminal gangs, and then..... a loud knock at the door!

"Oh my goodness, they've come for me already!" Percy was almost faint with panic as he opened the door. He was filled with indescribable relief to find Tommy Tatler on his doorstep. Tommy owns the Chapelgate tavern across the road and they'd been friends since they were kids. Percy could always rely on Tommy to help him with any situation.

After showing him the precious pineapples and explaining everything, Tommy knew just what to do. "I'll hide these somewhere safe for you Percy, I've got lots of great hiding places in my tavern" Tommy said confidently, and off he went leaving Percy feeling like all his troubles were over. He kept just one of the pineapples to sell and decided he'd gradually sell them off over time so as not to arouse suspicion.

Next morning Percy popped across to the Tavern to see Tommy, when he got there Tommy's wife Rose was in a terrible state. "Tommy was here last night, I heard him banging about in the Tavern after he'd been to see you Percy, then it all went quiet, when I came up from the cellar he was nowhere to be seen, where is he Percy?" She said.

We've searched day and night but it's been almost a week now and no one's seen him. Can you detectives help us find him? We don't know if he's dead or alive but Psychic Cybil the local clairvoyant and psychic has offered to help us.

What a peculiar predicament!