The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories Part II (26 page)

My friend appeared to be getting a bit of his own back at last, and the official detective ground his teeth as Holmes dipped his torso towards the bath. Avid as the most passionate connoisseur, he lifted the dead man's dripping hand from the water and examined the ivory cuticles, checked the underside of the limb draped over the lip, made a minute study of his dark hair and his unmarked scalp, even lifted the wizened eyelids to reveal his unseeing pupils. I watched, eager to help if I could, but all I beheld seemed the stuff of nightmare and not medicine. Holmes next drew his delicate fingertips along the copper rim of the tub, going so far as to touch the now-tepid water and bring it to his nose.

“For heaven's sake,” Lestrade muttered in my ear - but at me there was directed no pique, merely the casual camaraderie of old.

I half-drew a hand over my moustache to hide a smile, but added under my breath, “If Holmes weren't the most thorough investigator the world has ever known, I doubt he would be here.”

“More's the pity,” Lestrade sighed as my companion pushed upright again.

“I have exceptionally keen hearing, you realise,” Holmes mentioned tartly. “Fascinating. As I happen to trust in your thoroughness, coroner - Adams, was it? Yes, Mr. Adams, I suppose you correct in stating that the body lacks superficial wounds. They should have bled into the water if he was killed here, in any event, and this liquid is far too pure to indicate a man's entire life-force could have possibly been drained into it. I can see no trace of blood at all. Testing it for minute traces may prove necessary, and I have that ability, but more urgent matters demand our attention, supposing we can keep this evidence intact? Very good. I detect no more sign of poison than you do, but anyhow poisoning is a medically impossible means of sapping a fellow's blood, unless we are dealing with a substance altogether unknown to science. So here we have a man whose blood was somehow siphoned, and the water is clear. Supposing the corpse had been moved, that would have proven nothing whatsoever, but...”

“But the corpse was not moved,” Mr. Adams obliged when Holmes paused expectantly, “because the deep depressions upon the back of his neck and the other on his forearm - there, where it was resting - indicate he was robbed of his blood here somehow, and left to die.”

“Capital!” Holmes exclaimed.

“Yes, we worked that one out on our own, Mr. Holmes,” Lestrade groused.

Sherlock Holmes did not deign to reply, instead turning his attention to the crime scene as Mr. Adams excused himself, intending to help the constables make arrangements to remove the remains. Holmes made every effort, as he always does, diving into corners and walking with his slender hands hovering before him, seeking any aberration which might bring light where all was dark. After some fifteen minutes of studying carpeting, framed photographs, a mahogany bedstead, and every crevice of every object in the room, however, he tapped his fist against his lips and turned back to Lestrade.

“Will you be so good as to deliver me this unfortunate fellow's biography?”

“Readily, Mr. Holmes. Mr. Wiltshire is employed at a banking firm in the City and has been for some six years hence. We've had scant enough time to question anyone, but this afternoon his direct superior sent me a good report of him. The servants seem to think him a somber man, but altogether a satisfactory employer. He has no outstanding debts and no known enemies - he lives in a quiet fashion with his wife, Mrs. Helen - “

Holmes snapped his fingers. “I hadn't forgot the detail, but was admittedly distracted by so very dramatic a corpse. They entertained an old friend last night - the wife, take me to the wife,” he commanded, and quit the room.

Lestrade followed, and I matched my stride to the shorter man's. “I cannot help but sense that our presence on this occasion distresses you, Inspector.”

He glanced backwards in surprise. “Oh, I could never be distressed by your help, Doctor. It's always a pleasure to see you. It's merely that Mr. Holmes - well, never mind, Mr. Holmes has never cared a fig what I think, and I don't see why he should start now, so I'll say no more. He'll be waiting for us, and he's right to want interviews at this stage. There
was
a visitor, and it was the wife who rang for the bath to be drawn. I've not been able to question Mrs. Wiltshire yet - she fainted dead away at the sight of her husband and only recovered whilst I was fetching you. Never mind Mr. Holmes's quirks when there's a murderer to run to ground, I always tell myself.”

Still mystified for multiple reasons, I could do nothing save accompany him downstairs. We waited in a pretty parlour with all the lamps blazing, a room full of light and colourful decorative china, its walls masked by potted greenery. Something about its coziness unnerved me, and the chamber seemed all the more garishly cheerful when my imagination flashed upon the ghastly events doubtless taking place upstairs, as the shrunken rind which had once been a man was taken out the back through the servants' entrance and at last to the morgue.

When Mrs. Helen Wiltshire entered, she naturally appeared greatly disturbed in mind - her comely complexion was ashen with dismay, her full lips a-tremble, her green eyes red at the edges, her pale blonde hair disarrayed from clutching it in the extremity of her emotion. She was of an age with her late husband, midway between thirty and forty, and was a lovely woman despite her distress. My friend was up in an instant and led her with easy courtesy to the settee, where she perched as if about to take flight.

Holmes smiled gently as he regained his own chair, displaying the almost mesmeric softness he only ever expends upon the fair sex, and only when he desires information from them; but then, I am not being quite just when I say so. My friend may not seek the company of women, but he genuinely abhors seeing them harmed.

“Are you quite comfortable, madam? Should you like a little refreshment to strengthen you? My friend here is a doctor, and he will be happy to locate something fortifying.”

“I... I don't think that would be...” Mrs. Wiltshire shifted, attempting to smile with little success. She was silent for so long that Sherlock Holmes continued, face alive with encouragement.

“You are of Scottish origins, I observe. In the vicinity of Paisley, Renfrewshire, unless my ears deceive me.”

A wash of colour infused Mrs. Wiltshire's dulled cheeks. “Aye, Mr. Holmes, though I've lost a good deal of that manner of speaking.”

“Yes, it's extremely subtle. You went on a long stroll this morning, Mrs. Wiltshire? It must be pleasant, living so close to Battersea Park and its walkways, especially at this time of the year - though I discern from your boots that you wandered alongside the Thames on this occasion.”

She glanced up, twisting her fingers in her coral skirts. “Why, yes, Mr. Holmes. I was out walking. That is the reason I only learned at around noon that - oh, I can't, I can't,” she said upon a small sob. “I very often take long constitutionals. I've never regretted the habit so much as I did this afternoon, when I arrived home and discovered the house was in an uproar and the police had already been summoned over... over...”

“Quite.”

“I was most unwell afterward. I've only just found a tiny store of strength - I hope you will forgive my weakness, but...”

Again she trailed off, and again Holmes continued. “Will you please tell me about your caller of last night?”

Helen Wiltshire nodded, more tears forming. “His name is Horatio Swann, an explorer of some note.”

“Indeed!” Holmes exclaimed. “Yes, I have heard of him. He has made quite the name for himself in scholarly monographs.”

“Yes, that is the man,” she agreed with another weak twitch of her lips. “My husband and he were acquainted years ago, but Mr. Swann has been traveling in Siam, studying indigenous wildlife. We passed a most pleasant meal, and afterward John seemed fatigued at having spent so much time over vigourous conversation and plentiful claret. I ordered him a bath and left him to himself. He could grow... melancholy at times, Mr. Holmes. But for such a fate to befall him...”

Mrs. Wiltshire at this point dissolved entirely and ran from the room.

Lestrade exchanged a glance with Holmes, all pique forgotten in the peculiarity of the moment. He leant forward with his elbows on his knees. “She must have been quite devoted to him.”

“It would seem so,” Holmes replied without inflection.

“The poor woman must be wrought to her highest pitch of nerves over such a ghastly shock. We must seek out this Horatio Swann,” I conjectured, “and ascertain whether he has anything to do with the affair.”

“As usual, Watson, you have hit upon the obvious with uncanny accuracy,” said Holmes dryly. “But I wonder... well, there may be nothing in it after all.”

“Nothing in what, Mr. Holmes?” Lestrade questioned, a furrow forming above his narrow nose.

“It's only a whim of mine, perhaps a trivial one at that. But why one should walk along the Thames, noisome as it is, when one could walk through Battersea Park?” Holmes mused, rising and ringing the bell.

A maid appeared within seconds. “Show in the housekeeper, please - what is her name?” Holmes inquired.

“Mrs. Stubbs, sir.”

“Mrs. Stubbs, then. Thank you.”

Lestrade nodded absently, stretching his legs out before him as if in agreement over Holmes's choice of witness, and I dared to hope that whatever mood had plagued him had been a fluke, and that all would henceforth be well again. Mrs. Stubbs, when she entered, proved a broad woman with neatly arranged curls, the flinty spark of extreme practicality in her eyes, and a direct manner. She stood upon the Turkey carpet with her hands clasped placidly before her, the slight slump of her shoulders the only indication she had been sorely tried that day.

“Yes, gentlemen?”

“Mrs. Stubbs.” Holmes remained standing, pacing as he questioned. “My name is Sherlock Holmes, this is my friend and colleague, Dr. John Watson, and this is Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard. We wonder whether you might help us in clearing this matter up. You have been the housekeeper for how long?”

“Six years, sir. As long as the Wiltshires have lived in Battersea.”

“You find the position amenable?”

“I do.”

“Would you describe for me the nature of your late employer?”

“John Wiltshire was a good provider, and I hadn't much cause to speak with him. At times, he seemed a bit wistful perhaps, but he never lashed out or gave me the impression such spells were anything more serious than fatigue.”

“Then you would say Mr. and Mrs. Wiltshire were happy together?” Holmes pressed, selecting a cigarette.

Mrs. Stubbs sniffed, seeming more impatient than offended. “As happy as anyone, I hope. They never quarreled, and when banking cost him long hours away, she never begrudged him the time.”

“Did she not?” Holmes threw the spent Vesta in the fireplace. “Have you any theory as to what happened last night?”

This at last seemed to move her, but she maintained a neutral expression, swallowing. “That'll be for you gentlemen to decide, I'm sure.”

“Was there sign of any intruders this morning?” Lestrade put in.

“No, sir. Well, not precisely.”

Both Holmes and Lestrade paused at this, tensing. “What do you mean by ‘not precisely,' Mrs. Stubbs?” Lestrade urged.

“It's a silly thing, but the new scullery maid has misplaced the marketing basket.” Mrs. Stubbs shrugged. “She's more than a bit simple, and everything is so tospy-turvy today - I'm sure it will turn up. Last week she managed to put the cheese wheel in the breadbox after clearing the servants' supper.”

Lestrade sagged, disappointed.

“Would you describe this basket, Mrs. Stubbs?” Holmes requested.

Our eyes flashed to the detective in disbelief.

“It's a plain split willow basket, about a foot-and-a-half long though not so wide, with a handle for the shoulder, lined with a cotton kitchen towel,” Mrs. Stubbs answered readily, though her tone was skeptical.

“Thank you,” said Holmes, whirling a bit as he strode in tight loops before the fireplace. “One question more, I beg. What was Mr. Wiltshire's mood like after Mr. Horatio Swann had departed?”

“Morose, sir,” the housekeeper replied flatly.

Sherlock Holmes stopped, quirking an agile brow. “The usual affliction?”

“Worse, sir. Perhaps he'd a premonition.” Mrs. Stubbs set her lips grimly. “To die in such a way... God knows he deserved warning of it. Do call for me if you need aught else, but I've plentiful extra tasks to see to and would fain take my leave,” she concluded.

When she had departed, Lestrade slapped his knees and hopped to his feet, his unexplained ire fully returned. “This is a serious investigation, Mr. Holmes!”

Holmes swiveled to face the inspector, his high cheekbones dusted with colour, for the first time visibly vexed at the criticism. “I assure you I am treating it as such.”

“Oh, yes, I'm sure the
exact
description of this misplaced potato basket is going to greatly assist us in tracking down the killer! Why don't
you
solve that mystery - question the scullery maid, that'll be a good start - and
I'll
catch a murderer. I need to see whether my men have finished,” Lestrade growled, storming out.

“What on earth can be the matter with him?” I wondered, regarding Holmes in amazement.

My friend pulled in smoke with a vengeance before crushing the cigarette in a tray for the purpose and shaking his dark head. “I had six theories at the beginning of the evening. I've eliminated five of them,” he confessed, striding in the direction of the outer hallway.

“Then what is wrong?” I repeated as we donned hats and gloves.

“A conundrum even I cannot solve.”