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The two young women talked about their morning, the breakfast that followed, and a number of topics they could think of in an off-hand manner for the next few minutes. Leon was getting bored eavesdropping, and was ready to ask the musicians directly when a particular word by Mademoiselle Stuart caught his attention.

"Oh yes, where did Henri disappear to after we finished practice this morning?" The vixen asked as she set down her cup of coffee. "He was gone for a while."

Katrina Brunner hummed. "I believe he said that he was going to see someone on the other car. I think it was one of the nobilities he met during dinner last night."

Her friend was silent for a moment. "I bet we will be performing another mini concert on this train."

"As usual," sighed the leopard. "He did say we should practice that boring old sonata for strings after lunch."

The two friends spent the next few minutes in silence. Leon's eyebrow rose when Katrina Brunner's eyes met his, and her gaze lingered for a few seconds. It didn't take the leopard long before she called attention to her friend.

"My, if that isn't the most interesting passenger I've seen on this train."

"Who?"

"The cougar in the dark blue jacket over there. The one sitting with the panther."

Claudette Stuart turned around on her seat for a second and gave her friend a look. "You said that with every handsome feline you come across." The vixen snorted.

"Oh hush." Katrina Brunner waved her friend off. Leon pretended to look to the scenery through the window as the leopard's gaze roamed back to himself.. "He's just like those heroes in the novels, don't you think?"

"What did you mean?"

"Those deep, haunted eyes, mussed hair, and the way he handled himself," sighed Katrina Brunner before she added excitedly. "Do you think he's available?"

Graves hid his snort with a cough as he turned the newspaper to the next page.

Leon could easily imagine the amused, scandalized look on Claudette Stuart's face. "Hush, he'll hear you!"

"He's a Hesperican." Katrina Brunner dismissed her friend airly. "They won't understand Arlemanic even when it's spoken to their faces."

"How would you know?"

"Hespericans love their tweeds as much as Bretonians," said Katrina Brunner giggled.

Leon unconsciously ran his paws across his jacket. What's wrong with tweeds?

"Anyway, maybe he could be the base for the hero of your next short story, hmm?"

"That is an idea, but I still don't know." Claudette Stuart went to sip her coffee. Katrina Brunner's eyes met Leon's once again. Leon inclined his head with a smile. The leopard looked shyly away.

"Do stop daydreaming Katie. Alfons won't like it if you're distracted." Her friend gave her a light nudge.

"Oh, hush you."

Sensing that they won't be talking anything important soon, Leon rose from his seat. Graves gave him a blank stare.

"Where are you going?"

Leon simply adjusted his jacket as he said, "Where else? I'm going to get some more information, colonel." With a confident stride, the detective approached the table where the two ladies were seated. He inclined his head politely, showing his best charming grin.

"Guten tag." He said, continuing in Arlemanic to the young ladies. "Forgive me for intruding, but I heard you are from the Luciere Philharmonique?"

Katrina Brunner's mouth formed a surprised 'o' at being addressed with her native language, while Claudette Stuart cleared her throat, hiding a grin with her paws.

"Why yes. You heard right, and who might you be?"

"Leon Cross, pleasure to meet you both."

The vixen shook his paw warmly. "I am Claudette Stuart, and this is my friend, Katrina Brunner." She gestured to the leopard, who nodded her head at Leon's way.

"How do you do, Fraulein Brunner?"

"Charmed."

"The orchestra was on tour in Anatolia recently, yes?" Leon continued. "It must be a pretty interesting experience."

"Oh it was." Nodded Claudette Stuart with a small smile. "This is our first tour outside the country. It had been a really enjoyable experience so far. Anatolia has been really accommodating."

Her friend let out a small huff. "If only it had not been so cold at night and unbearably dry at day."

Leon nodded knowingly. "I heard you have been practicing last night and this morning. You were quite diligent, I'm sure. Do you play the violin?"

"Ah well, we still need to keep our strings skills sharp, don't we?" Fraulein Stuart said. "Me, Katie, and Henri play the violin. Cassian plays the cello, and Alfons is the pianist."

Her friend chimed in. "Henri was put in charge of the five of us for this journey by the conductor, and he made sure of it."

Leon nodded in understanding. "He's sure a responsible man."

"He is, even if he's a bit of a slave driver." Fraulein Stuart chuckled.

"Oh?" Leon blinked.

"In a good way of course." The vixen laughed. "He is a perfectionist, so we usually had to endure hours of practice with him. This morning itself, we practiced until about half past ten, wasn't it?"

"Yes, we practiced for about two hours or so." Her feline friend confirmed.

Leon hummed. "I only heard violins this morning so it was only the three of you?"

Fraulein Brunner nodded. "Yes. Alfons and Cassian used this car for practice once it was attached. Special permission of course."

"Ah, that's nice." Leon chuckled along. The detective made a mental note to ask the bartender later.

"Well, we've talked a lot about ourselves," said Fraulein Stuart, "but we still don't know much about you. What do you do, Herr Cross?"

"I'm a private detective, fraulein." Leon answered, turning to Fraulein Brunner and giving the leopard a playful smile. "Not that far fetched from a hero protagonist in novels, I hope?"

Fraulein Stuart masked her laugh with a small cough, and her friend looked decidedly abashed. Fortunately, Brunner's vixen friend changed the subject to save the feline from feeling more awkward.

"Do you work alone or are you with an agency, Herr Cross?"

"I'm with my own agency Fraulein Stuart. Cross & Cross Investigation Services. It's a small one, whom me and my brother runs with a little bit of help here and there," said the detective. "Oh, and if you don't mind, may I ask you both a few questions?"

The violinists blinked but nodded their assent.

Since he had revealed himself as a private detective, he might as well tell the truth.

"Do you know Herr Trent Warren and Richard Caine on Compartment 1?"

"Oh, the wolverine and the fox?" Fraulein Stuart nodded her head. "Yes, we've seen them a few times."

Leon nodded. "You see, your fellow neighbors in Compartment 1 recently had something stolen this morning. It's a... jewelery they bought from Misarya. I was wondering if you had seen anyone suspicious sneaking about?"

Fraulein Brunner's mouth parted slightly in surprise. "Oh, is this an official investigation?" She asked, looking concerned.

"Not quite, fraulein. It's a private matter." Leon assured her.

The leopard nodded. "That was quite unfortunate. In this day and age and you'll still hear about robbery on trains. In first class no less!" She shook her head.

Leon thought to remind her that first passengers were often prime target of theft and even murder, however rare, but he decided not to do so and simply nodded in agreement at the leopard.

"But we didn't hear anything about a robbery however." Fraulein Stuart added, looking at Leon inquisitively.

"Like I said before, we would like to keep the matter private." Leon told her. "The conductor of your carriage have looked into it of course." He added. "But I thought that maybe some of the passengers might have seen something or someone, it'll help my friends recover their jewelery faster."

"Well, let's see." The leopard violinist hummed. "There were only the conductor and the coach attendant entering compartments, making beds and tidying the rooms."

"There were a couple of our neighbors too." Fraulein Stuart added. "The Rosvenian family and the Gallian reporter with his otter roommate walked past by once. The pups were quite the rambunctious bunch. Running up and down the corridor." She chuckled. "I think I heard one of them being told off by the conductor."

"I see, and you saw no one else?"

Fraulein Brunner shook her head. "No one else Herr Cross." She said with an amount of certainty.

Leon nodded with a smile. "Alright. Thank you." He hummed thoughtfully for a moment, before a pleasant melodic chime rang throughout the music lounge, followed by the announcement that the first lunch service had been served.

"Well, time flies by quickly." Leon remarked as he stood up. "I'll take my leave for now, ladies. Thank you for your help."

Fraulein Stuart smiled charmingly. "We're glad. I hope your friends found whatever they are missing."

Giving the two young ladies a parting nod, Leon went back to Graves, who had been waiting by their table. The panther had just finished another helping of sweet rolls by the look of it.

"So, did you find anything?"

"Nothing important, except that the musicians never left their compartment, and two of them had been using this lounge during the suspected time of robbery."

The colonel gave a nod. "I see. Who else you have to interview?"

"The Vasilyev family, and our friend the Gallian reporter, Lucien Casseaux with his roommate." Leon answered. "But before that, I better find my brother and see what he thinks of this case."

****** ****** ******

Gideon Cross was beside himself with glee, that was for certain.

"So, I was right after all!" The cougar's grin was positively blinding. "And the stolen object was an ancient pleasure toy? Hah! Oh, this is really good."

Leon raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Caine and Warren would disagree with you, I believe... and stop rubbing it in, will you?" He really hated it when his twin was harping about his victory.

"Mhmm, not gonna happen." Gideon's tail swished excitedly behind his back. "So, what else did you manage to learn?"

Leon relayed every bit of information he knew for now to his twin brother. Gideon was listening with rapt attention, nodding and humming occasionally. When Leon finished, Gideon was tapping his paw on the armrest of the armchair.

The two brothers were seated in Leon's compartment as Gideon's roommate was still sleeping according to the younger twin. Graves had decided to stay in the Music Lounge for the time being, saying that he wanted to enjoy the music some more.

Also, Leon had taken to ask the bartender whether a Mr. Alfons Eberhardt and a Mr. Cassien Nielsen used the piano for practice when the train stopped in Pallas. The bartender confirmed it and told Leon that the two had special permission from Forstner himself and Mr. Eberhardt used the piano while Mr. Nielsen accompanied with his cello until second breakfast service was announced.

Leon wrote the information down with the others, which he quickly compiled into a list where he narrowed the possible time frame where the artifact could have been taken.

The train left arrived at Pallas around 9.30 that morning, late because of the snow, and it left sometime before 10.15 to catch up with the lost time. If what Trent Warren said was true, then the artefact was still nestled inside the gilded case at around before 9.40. Furthernore, no one he interviewed had seen anything or anyone sneaking about Compartment 1.

One thing still bothered his mind however. Why would they just take the artefact and not the case? Both were equally obscene, and no less priceless. It doesn't quite make sense.

"You think one of them might be lying?" Gideon asked.

"Hmm?" Leon looked up from his list. "Either one of them. They always do."

"I happen to know the Vasilyevs." Gideon spoke up again. "A mother and two of her children travelling with an uncle. The mother, Agnessa Vasilyev is quite reserved and sombre, as most Rosvenians are, but her kids, Natasya and Pyotr, are only a year apart and quite the imaginative and inquisitive bunch... always running around, playing games whenever they are not reading or taking their naps."

The cougar suddenly chortled. "Lucciano told me he had quite an amusing surprise when young Pyotr asked him if he could hide inside our compartment for a game of hide and seek."

Leon chuckled. "Well, that pup is sure quite the bold one."

"Indeed. I heard that his mother told him off quite severely."

"Haha... what about their uncle?"

"Ah, Gavriil Feodorov. He's quite friendly person once he's warmed up to you. He seems to be on pretty good terms with that bull photographer."

Leon cocked his head. "Photographer? Ah, the Columbian passenger then?"

"Yes, I saw him walking around the platform at Pallas before getting into the saloon car with the bull... just before we boarded the train."

"Ah, I see. So they are definitely out from the suspect list." Leon murmured. "What about your neighbor? The Schröders?"

Gideon looked contemplative. "Well, those two wolves always kept to themselves. Didn't see them much around except around dining time." He said. "Saw them leaving for the restaurant before I joined you at the station platform, so I think they could be crossed out of the suspect list."

"Mmm... yes, yes." Leon nodded. "A white wolf and a grey one, yes?"

"Correct."

The cougar crossed out Compartment 4 from his list. "I remember seeing them through the restaurant car windows when we walked."

"Do you think either Warren or Caine could have faked it?"

"Ah, you mean as an insurance fraud type of crime? It is possible, yes." Leon found himself saying, watching as his brother's gaze turned to the ancient golden pyramidal case which was now sitting on the small table between them, blue eyes studying the detailed carving. He gave a small snort and shook his head, leaning back to his chair.

"My money's on the wolverine." Gideon said flippantly.

Leon's eyebrow rose.

"You don't actually believe that."

"'Course not. Just a thought," replied his twin with a small, crooked grin. "But there's still a possibility he or his foxy friend could have fooled us."

Shaking his head, Leon countered with a, "Doubtful, since the artefact itself is highly sought by Mr. Ainsworth." He then hummed thoughtfully. "What do we know about Mr. Ainsworth?"

Gideon shrugged. "From what I know, he's simply a Bretonian businessman and a collector. Nothing much else."

"Hmm..."

"Well." The younger Cross spoke up once again. "We might want to have a look at him."

"So you think he might have something to do with the robbery?"

"Possible, but it's a slim chance."

The two brothers continued to discuss the list of suspects. Leon made a short list of the passenger movements and who might be lying through their teeth. The discussion continued as they headed for the restaurant car.

Even if it was second service lunch, the lavish restaurant car was brimming with passengers and servants alike. Leon, however, wasn't playing too much attention. He briefly glanced at his pocket watch before he stuffed the brass watch back into his vest pocket.

"Five minutes."

Gideon looked at him inquiringly. "Five minutes?"

Leon merely gave his brother a small smile before he turned to Matteo, who had walked up to them and gave them a small bow.

"Welcome M. Cross, and M. Cross," said the feathered dragon. "Would you mind sitting with another passenger? The small tables are full, unfortunately."

"We won't mind." Leon answered the waiter, who gave them a bow and directed them to one of the large tables. It was currently empty at the time being. After they were properly seated and ordered their food and choice of wine, the two brothers settled into silence as they waited for their food.

It would seem Graves had taken his lunch earlier that day, as he did not see the panther within the restaurant. He did see Erichsen and Casseaux sitting together with the well dressed Crezovokian coyote. The arctic fox and the coyote seemed to be discussing about the merits between airships and aeroplanes for short distance journeys.

Matteo walked up to their table not a short while later with Mr. Ainsworth in tow. The sparrowhawk definitely looked troubled but it was quite hidden in a mask of aloofness. Evidently, the news of his missing trinket had reached his ears.

"I'm William Ainsworth." The Bretonian businessman gave the two cougars a polite nod.

"Leon Cross, and this is my twin brother, Gideon Cross."

He shook hands with both. "How do you do?"

"How do you do."

Ainsworth smiled and gave his order of food to Matteo, and proceeded to be distracted by the scenery outside the windows throughout lunch. He didn't speak until their lunch had been finished and they were enjoying their desserts.

"I don't suppose you are the detectives looking for the missing Misaryan trinket?" He asked, voice low, leaning closer to the table.

Leon looked up from his ice cream. This Mr. Ainsworth isn't the type to beat around the bush it would seem.

"Yes, yes we are." He answered.

"And have you found the artefact?"

"We have made some leads, and we have narrowed down the potential suspects." Gideon answered.

"Ah."

"Well..." Leon hummed. "If you don't mind us asking... what do you do for a living, Mr. Aisworth, and what brings you to contact Caine and Warren to seek the artefacts?"

"Me? I dabble in real estate business, and also, I'm a collector ancient trinkets curiosities." The avian replied.

"You know what was in the golden case then, Mr. Ainsworth?"

Ainsworth raised a sharp eyebrow. "Of course I do. Why would I bother those two to hunt down that particular artefact for my collection?" He said.

Gideon nodded. "And it is a rather curious trinket indeed. Not something you'd show publically to everyone." He couldn't help but chuckle.

"I collect curiosities of the ancient world, that should give you a pretty good idea, don't you think Mr. Cross?" Ainsworth frowned. "And it's also a private collection. Only to be viewed to me and a tight circle of friends."

"Ah, right. Of course."

"Don't worry Mr. Ainsworth, we'll find the trinket in time." Leon piped in.

Ainsworth, taking a huge gulp of his wine. "I do hope so." He said. "I have spent a lot of money in order for them to get valuable trinket... and now they've lost it!" He shook his head. "You can't seem to trust anybody these days, especially treasure hunters."

Gideon hummed. "So you assume Mr. Caine and Mr. Warren deliberately lost the artefact?"

"Well, what else would it be? That sleazy fox had been trouble from the start! They want more money from me, that's for sure." Said Mr. Ainsworth vexedly. "I will be stopping at Obersthaven tomorrow evening, and if they do not hand the artefact to me by tomorrow, I'm not giving them a single cent." With an air of finality, the Bretonian downed the rest of his wine and rose from his seat.

"Not even a penny?" Gideon sounded mildly amused.

The sparrowhawk seemed to puff up. "They won't be getting anything from me, and that's final!"

Straightening his jacket, Mr. Ainsworth turned on his heel and stomped off, bumping into a waiter who staggered, but managed to balance himself and save the tray of souffles from falling off.

Not surprisingly, he gained a few stares.

"Well, that was interesting."

"Quite so." Leon nodded in agreement as he finished his drink. "Come on, perhaps another talk with Caine and Warren could clear several things."

Before he could rise from his seat however, a voice called out.

"Ah, Mr. Leon Cross I presume?"

Turning around, Leon saw Don Firenzi walking down the aisle towards him, with a cup of coffee in his paw. The doberman cut a really impressive, if not imposing figure; broad shoulders and powerful arms enframed in a white and beige three piece suit. His golden mechanical oculus moved in tandem with his natural eye, locking to the Hesperican detective standing before him.

Leon felt that he was being appraised for some reason. "Yes? And you are?"

"Don Attilio Cardozo di Firenzi." The doberman replied smoothly. "Can I speak with you? Preferably alone?" His natural flicked to Gideon, while the mechanical one stay locked on Leon.

"Oh, Signor di Firenzi." Leon blinked, giving a small bow to the canine. "I... sure, my compartment should be free I guess."

The doberman flashed him a rather toothy smile. "Please, call me Don Attilio if you please, and lead the way." He gave a nod of his head as he gestured with his paw.

Truth to be told, Leon was quite surprised that the Inotrian spoke a smooth Bretonian, without any traces of accent.

Gideon cleared his throat. "I'll be in my own compartment if you need me, brother." The cougar gave his brother's shoulder a pat and went off alone.

Leon watched his twin brother go before he turned to the doberman. "Shall we?"

The walk to the Azuré coach was pretty much uneventful. When Leon arrived at his compartment, he found Erichsen sitting on the sofa and writing away on the small table. The arctic fox looked up and blinked in surprise at the figure of the doberman standing behind his roommate.

"Hello."

"Erichsen." Leon greeted his roommate. "Perhaps you can entertain Colonel Graves for the time being? Don Attilio has some urgent matter to discuss."

Understanding crossed the Norvdallian's eyes and he nodded. Giving a respectful bow to the Inotrian nobleman, Erichsen took his leave and closed the door behind him.

Leon moved to lock the door and gestured for the well dressed doberman to take the sofa. "Why don't we sit?"

"Of course."

Leon remained standing at the present. "Would you care for a drink? Champagne, perhaps?"

Don Attilio waved his paw dismissively with a small smile. "Thanks for your offer, but no thank you."

"Very well." The cougar settled himself on the armchair across Don Attilio. "So, what do you want to discuss, Don Attilio?"

The doberman hummed. "It has been brought to my attention that you are currently holding an ancient Inotrian craft for your clients."

Leon blinked, but showed no other emotion. He wondered how the doberman came across the information. "Yes... I'm keeping it here for safekeeping until I found a more suitable spot."

"Ah." Don Attilio nodded. "May I have a look at it?"

Feeling that it would be no use to deny the nobleman, Leon nodded and retrieved the carefully wrapped gold-plated pyramid from his trunk and settled it on the table.

Don Attilio seem to lit up as he saw the case, even more so when he leaned in to have a closer to the explicit engravings on its four sides. A small grin etched itself on his strong muzzle.

"Curious."

"What is?"

"It is curious your client seemed to be in possession of the craft of Amo Octavius." Don Attilio pointed out.

"Amo Octavius?" Leon's eyes turned towards the gilded case once again.

"Yes, or rather, it's a pseudonym of several craftsmen who made it," said Firenzi once again. "I believe there's an engraving of A, M, OCT, TI, and V underneath the case?"

Leon nodded, while carefully flipping the case around. His fingers traced the engraving. "What do they mean?"

"Those are the initials of the craftsmen. Aulus, Marcus, Octavius, Tiberius, and Vibius. Colloquially known as Amo Octavius from their initials." The Inotrian nobleman revealed. "Their crafts are highly sought by collectors around the globe as they are quite... unconventional as you can see." He gestured to the engravings on the pyramidal golden box. "This one depicts the Bacchanal of Bacchus."

"I see." Leon hummed. "What would you want me to do, Don Attilio?"

The doberman smiled as he steepled his fingers. "I intend to give you a proposal."

"...And what would that be?"

"You see, Mr. Ainsworth isn't the only one who's interested with the case. There are others in the train who are interested to obtain this golden case. Some might resort to unscrupulous means."

Leon raised an eyebrow. "And I assume you would want this case to be in your possession? Wouldn't it be more effective of you talk with the current owners of this artefact or its future buyer?"

"You misunderstand me." Came Don Attilio's chuckle. "My proposal is not to take it from your clients, but I would like if I could study the engravings closely and document them. Amo Octavius had only made three of these golden pyramidal cases, and one of them happened to be on this train."

To say Leon was dumbfounded was an understatement. "So you want to study this artefact in detail?"

"Precisely." The black and tan furred canine nodded. "And also the Misaryan artefact that was housed inside."

Leon could feel a headache coming. "And how did you know about that, pray tell?"

Don Attilio merely gave the feline that was sitting across him a small, crooked grin. "A man like me has his means, Mr. Cross. So, to summarize my point. I would like to document the pyramidal case and the ancient Misaryan artefact after you have recovered it. I'm sure Mr. Ainsworth and the treasure hunters wouldn't mind."

"You'll have to ask them about that." Leon pointed out.

"Perhaps." The edges of the doberman's muzzle quirked up.

"And... what is it that you're proposing to me, exactly?"

"I'll help you find the missing Misaryan artefact." Don Attilio spoke smoothly.

That got Leon's attention quickly.

"The theft of the ancient Misaryan symbol of fertility was not a mere coincidence." The doberman continued. "I also believe that Mr. William Ainsworth is not purchasing the artefact for himself."

"You mean there's another interested party behind his actions?" Leon mused. That certainly explained the Bretonian's nervousness.

Don Attilio nodded. "I believe so, yes. You could have a look at his letters if you like. Perhaps you'd be more enlightened of what is at play here, detective."

Leon looked doubtful, but he nodded slowly. "And how can I be sure if I can trust you, Don Attilio?"

The doberman gave him a lopsided grin. "You only have my word of honor, Mr. Cross." He then rose from his seat. Leon followed suit.

"I see. Very well then, Don Attilio." The detective nodded. "I'll see what I can do."

"Good." The Inotrian nobleman took a few steps forward only to halt in front of the door and turn back to look at Leon. "Ah, also, I have another favor to ask..."

"Yes?"

"I seem to have misplaced my cufflinks," said the doberman. "Made of silver and Eagle's Eye. I'm sure you know the significance of Eagle's Eye, Mr. Cross."

Leon nodded. The Eagle's Eye is one of the most lustrous golden hued gemstone in the world. Highly coveted and exceedingly pricey. Their uses ranged from jewelry, appliances, and also components of eye prosthetics...

A thought hit him.

"I assume these cufflinks also acted as a spare oculus components for your eye, Don Attilio?"

The doberman grinned. "Good man. You assume right. I seem to have lost them in the Music Lounge or the Saloon Car last night. However, you can also search my compartment if you like. I will be very grateful if you can help me find them."

Leon nodded as he took a deep breath. "Of course Don Attilio."

"Very well. I'll take my leave." The doberman turned the handle and slid open the door. Erichsen was standing right outside and he seemed to be pleasantly surprised seeing the white furred fox. The doberman simply gave Erichsen a curt nod before he walked away, however, not bothering with any pleasantries.

Meanwhile, Leon was feeling very confused. Very, very much confused.