My name, it is Dupont.

If you are reading this I would guess that it is because you have heard of me in reference to some affair or another.
Perhaps to one or more somewhat marginal and unfortunate affairs that for one reason or another have gained a small measure of publicity in the ever mercurial press.

I am not some modern Sherlock Holmes and I am not a Private Investigator although I have been on occasion mislabelled as such.
Though it must be said that what has now become what could be called my second unofficial profession does at times bear some resemblance to that of a Private Investigator, so such confusion is understandable, but nevertheless quite misguided.

Although I have sadly had but modest success I am before everything a painter and that is how I regard myself and what is written upon my door in large, solid (if scratched) letters of Vermillion and gold.

- Albert DuPont, 
  Painter.
  
This has lead to me being mistaken on one occasion as a house painter, I was hard on at the time so I did not demur, but I digress.

Since I arrived in this country to study, I have been so fortunate as to gain a great many friends and acquaintances who have been most pleasant to me; 
some of whom I might add of great wealth and social standing, many of which noticed in me my carefully honed artist's eye with all it's powers of observation and perception, of the material as well as the psychological and at times have called upon me to help them out with this and with that, which I have always been been most happy to do and my powers of observation and perception have happily been of some use to them, but alas perhaps not to myself.

At first it was minor affairs like looking for lost trifles, then more seriously looking for pieces of lost jewellery, then maybe a lost pet, then maybe my opinion may be sought on sartorial affairs and various affairs de coeur, my advice has even been sought in speculating on the stock market and not always in vain I may add, maybe I might be asked to gather some insight into the mood and inclinations of a hostile relative or potential father or mother in-law, I do this only for the best possible motives and never, never to the extent of spying.

Then of course inevitably from missing objects and animals I moved on to being asked to look for missing people, maybe they have been missing for a short time, maybe a long time, this is an important duty and sadly it has on various most distressing occasions led to me being involved in some dreadful murder investigations, purely as a possible witness 
- I am not Sherlock Holmes.

My friends and acquaintances, which I am so lucky to have so many of, naturally all have their own circles of friends and acquaintances; when one of them finds themselves in a predicament to which they can not easily get out of, it may be that my name is mentioned in conversation which may very well be followed by my friendship or acquaintance being sought, and my help requested, which I am always loath to refuse.
 
This may be because I have as well as very keen senses a very obliging nature, but I do not provide my help purely out of unselfishness I must admit; I would not dream of charging for my services, and after all many of those in the circles in which I mix would, I suspect very strongly dislike to involve a professional in their most intimate affairs; however the hospitality which I receive during my visits is usually most excellent, many of my friends and acquaintances that I assist do feel the desire to offer me gifts as a mark of gratitude in a heartfelt way that it would be shear bad manners for to refuse, and of course in this way I have gained multiple most satisfactory commissions which has pleased me no end.

The truth is, if it was not for these arrangements I should perhaps be on the streets, I am far from rich, but if the worst comes to the worst I am sure my wealthy and influential friends would not like to see me out of my ear as the saying goes.

I have plenty of time for painting which is all I really care for, I have a sort of security and I keep the most excellent company when I choose to, which is not frequently, for I have a solitary nature.
This may seem like an odd arrangement, but it suits me completely and no alterations are needed and as I am a being of habit I have no inclination to change my habits as some have suggested.

All in all I am content, or atleast I was until recently, when a most vexing affair was put my way...