The Adventure of the Tired Captain A Sherlock Holmes Case (6 page)

I puffed heavily on a cigar as Holmes pulled on the shoes and one of Mrs. Hudson’s mob caps.

“Will you whistle for a cab
Watson, while I finish dressing? When it arrives, see me out and express your condolences and best wishes to my.... or rather Mrs. Hudson’s sister.”

I went down the stairs and blew on
my cab whistle. A few moments later a hansom drew up to the kerb and Holmes, his posture and stride identical to that of Mrs. Hudson, walked out of the front door. I helped him into the cab and expressed my hopes for a speedy recovery for the fictitious ailing sister.

“Holmes,” I whispered “please give my love to Mary and tell her I will see her soon.”

“Of course, Watson,” he said quietly and patted my hand with one of his gloved ones.

I stepped back and the driver was off in a clatter of hooves and wheels.

The moment the cab was out of sight Billy ran up to me. “Is it done?” I asked him hurriedly.

“Yes, it is all arranged.”

“Thank you for your help,” I said slipping a shilling into his protesting hand.

The lad waved for the cab which he had waiting further down the street. I knew that Holmes would be on his mettle and even though he was in disguise he would take great precautions to ensure that he wasn’t followed, however I had other ideas. I gave the “jarvey” his instructions and implored him to hurry. We virtually flew down Regent Street, past St. James Park and Whitehall, and over Westminster Bridge. In no more than twenty five minutes we came to No. 3 Pinchin Lane, the home of old Mr. Sherman the amateur ornithologist. The door opened as I alighted from the cab.

“Ah Dr. Watson, how good it is too see you again. You have come from Mr. Sherlock I trust,” said the old fellow standing in the doorway.

“Yes indeed Mr. Sherman, Mr. Holmes has great need of Toby.”

At the mention of his name an ugly, long haired, brown and white mongrel appeared at the door.

“The telegram which I received from someone named Billy said urgency was a must, so I have him here waiting for you,” croaked the old man.

“Thank you, Mr. Sherman,” said I holding out a lump of sugar to the little animal. “I will return him as soon as possible.”

Anticipating more treats the friendly little dog needed little additional coaxing to follow me into the cab. We made our way back to Baker Street with as much haste as possible. Dodging pedestrians, delivery waggons and the ever present omnibuses with their advertisements for Pears Soap and Ogden’s Cigarettes we arrived in Baker Street later than I hoped. The sky had become overcast and if my plan was to meet with success I must hope for the rain to hold off.

As the cab departed I pulled a dark coloured bottle from my inside pocket. I opened it and held it out for the dog, so he could take the scent from it.

As a doctor I was quite familiar with anise. The fragrant scent and pleasant taste made it a popular ingredient in many medicines. It was when I saw the bottle on Holmes chemical table that an idea had quickly flashed through my mind. I would empty some of the contents of the bottle onto the soles of Holmes new shoes before bringing them to him. I then quickly consumed a couple of his cigarettes and one of his foul little cigars to cover the smell of the tincture. I had also spilled the remainder of the mixture onto the cabs wheels after helping my friend into the cab. I knew that Toby would follow such a scent to the ends of the earth. He had helped us before with such a thing.

I had learned such little tricks from the detective himself and now I would use them against him.

I attached a long lead to Toby’s collar and the eager animal took the scent. In my haste I thought little nor cared less as to the possibility that Moran may be following me. I felt sure that once I was at Mary’s side I could protect her from any danger.

We set off down the street having to return to the sidewalk numerous times in order to avoid being rundown. We drew many stares, a middle age man and a shaggy mongrel sprinting briskly along some of London’s busier thoroughfares. Often I would have to restrain the animal for a few moments while I regained my breath. I hoped that we would reach the end of our trail before my legs and wind gave out.

From Baker Street, we turned onto George Street and lumbered past Manchester Square. We then followed High Street, turned onto Marylebone Road and then Portland Place all the while trying our best to avoid our fellow travelers. We did however become entangled with a young lad bringing beer to the labourers who were involved in their eternal struggle to repair the roadway. Screaming my apologies over the clamorous and obviously temperamental steam roller I continued on.

Toby stopped suddenly as we reached Oxford Street. Appearing confused, the little creature began running around in circles. I stood still, breathing heavily while he ran from street to sidewalk and back again, looking up at me expectantly. I was at a loss as to what to do when suddenly the dog seemed to make up his mind and began pulling me along the pavement. It suddenly occurred to me that he must have come to the spot where Holmes had disembarked from the hansom and while it would have continued down the street Holmes of course would have used the sidewalk. Toby was now following the scent of the preparation which I had applied to the soles of Holmes’ shoes.

The dog followed the trail across Oxford Street and down Regent Street, turning off the crowded sidewalks of Regent Street we passed Hanover Square and crossed New Bond Street. My legs seemed to be made of India rubber and my shoulder began to throb again. Just as I came to the conclusion that I could continue no longer, Toby stopped of his own accord. I stood with my chest heaving and tried to regain my breath, when suddenly Toby again began to strain against the leash, pulling me towards a large building which I recognized as Claridge’s Hotel. I tried to restrain the little animal however he seemed intent on approaching the hotel. This seemed to me to be a pretty clear indication that Holmes had entered that particular establishment.

After regaining my strengt
h I began to circle the hotel in order to reassure myself that the detective had not passed through the building and out the other side in an attempt to throw any would be pursuers off his scent. The dog did not again pick up the trail until we were once more standing in front of the massive edifice.

Now that I knew where Holmes had gone I was only too happy to whistle for a cab. I wearily climbed into the vehicle, slumped onto the seat and pulled the canine sleuth in after me. I instructed the cabby to take me back to Pinchin Lane so that I could return the invaluable Toby to his master. I leaned back against the seat and enjoyed the ride. A light drizzle had started to fall and as evening approached, the day began to cool.

After thanking Sherman for the use of the four footed detective I instructed the driver to take me back to Brooke Street.

It was close to seven o’clock by the time I returned
to Claridge’s. Although I was anxious to be reunited with my lovely wife I did not at the moment want to risk meeting up with Holmes, should he still be there. Instead I went to the hotel’s dining room and ordered a cold beef sandwich and a beer as I had not eaten all day. By eight o’clock I was ready to begin my search and was prepared to knock on every door in the building if it was necessary and Holmes be damned.

I took from my vest pocket the photograph of Mrs. Hudson which Billy had obtained for me and began making rounds of the hotel staff. Holmes likeness to Mrs. Hudson was so exact that the first porter which I approached had no difficulty recognizing him from the picture which I proffered.

“You recognize this lady then?” I asked the young man.

“Yes sir.”

“Do you know in which room she is in?”

“Of course,
sir.”

“Is she still there?”

“She was there half an hour ago when I took up the evening paper.”

“Can
you tell me the room number?”

“Oh no,
sir!” He sounded horrified at the thought. “It is more than my position is worth. The guv’nor would have my head if he knew I was showing strange men up to a lady’s room.”

“And rightfully so,” I thought to myself.

“Is there anything else, sir?”

I paused, “have you heard of Sherlock Holm
es, lad?” I asked quietly.

“Oh yes
, sir,” he said enthusiastically. “I have read both
A
Study in Scarlet
and
The Sign of Four.
They are wonderful stories. I most of all enjoy the Irregulars,” he said referring to the small band of boys which Holmes employed.

“Then you have also heard of Dr. Watson?” I asked, warming to the lad.

“Oh yes, sir. He is the silly old fool who follows Mr. Holmes around like a puppy dog.”

“Um yes,” I stammered. “However if not for him you would not be reading of Mr. Holmes, or of the Baker Street Irregulars.”

“Are you associated with Mr. Holmes?” he asked in awe.

“I am his older brother, Mycroft,” I lied.

“I did not know that he had a brother. I saw Mr. Holmes once in Covent Garden and you are much shorter and fatter than he is,” he said with the tact and innocence of the young.

“We need some help with this case in which we are involved.........,” I replied ignoring this unintended insult. “I am sorry I don’t remember your name.”

“It’s Jimmy, Mr. Holmes.”

“Do you think that you would be able to assist my brother and I in this matter, Jimmy?” I asked.

“Oh yes Mr. Holmes,” he said, his chest puffing out with pride. “If you come with me I can show you in which room the old lady is staying.”

“No, that would not do at all. All I ask is that you keep your eyes open and let me know when she leaves.
Here is half a crown for your trouble,” I said taking a coin from my pocket. “The moment that she vacates her room let me know. I will be in the dining room.” After taking all the trouble to secrete my wife I was sure Holmes would not risk allowing her to dine in public. I also knew that he could, and often did, go without food for extended periods so I felt that the restaurant would be an ideal sanctuary.

“Do you think that Dr. Watson will write this up as one of Mr. Holmes adventures?”
the boy asked, dropping the coin into his pocket.

“I’m sure he will Jimmy.”

I went into the dining room and ordered tea. A half hour later the young porter reappeared.

“The old lady has left sir. Did you wish to follow her?”

“No Jimmy, it is her associate that we are most interested in.”

“The pretty blonde lady?” he asked.

“You have seen her!” I exclaimed excitedly.

“Yes, Mr. Holmes,” he replied “she was sitting in a chair reading a book when I took a telegram up to the old woman.”

“You are certain that the old lady is gone?”

“Quite certain sir, she left right after she received the
telegram, but surely she is not a threat,” he replied as he led me up and down a winding series of stairways and corridors. Presently however the boy stopped in front of a door.

“There is more to her than meets the eye,” I told the young man truthfully.

The lad left and the moment that I was alone I rapped quietly on the door. There was no reply. Holmes would, of course instruct her to answer the door only in response to a secret knock or something of a like nature.

“Mary, it is I, John,” I called out softly.

I could hear the bolt being drawn back and a moment later the door was flung open and Mary rushed into my arms. For a long time we embraced and with the closeness of our bodies I could feel that she was feverish.

“You are not well
my dear?” I asked her.

“A little
summer cold perhaps, it is nothing to worry yourself about.”

“Holmes has gone?”

“Yes John, Mr. Holmes has gone. There was supposed to be another ‘guard’ here,” she spat out the words with some bitterness, “however Mr. Holmes received a telegram saying that he could not be here tonight.”

“Who is this other man?” I asked.

“He too is a doctor and appears to be an intimate of Mr. Holmes, as they call each other by their Christian names.”

“I am surprised that he left you alone, it is most puzzling.”

“He said something about a prior engagement.”

“I think that we should leave here, before Holmes returns. I see the strain has already affected you.”

“He told me that he would not return until noon tomorrow, and I would be safe as long as I remained inside my room. Let us spend the night here and leave first thing in the morning.”

I was only too happy to agree with her however I first had some business to take care of before retiring for the night. I again found the young porter and thanked him for his assistance. I gave him a half-crown plus another shilling, swearing him to secrecy.

“I will stay the night and interrogate the old lady’s associate. She is a tough character and it will no doubt take several hours to get the answers I am looking for.”

With those words I left him and went back to Mary’s room. We did not sleep.