Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery Writer

by Fred Thursfield

  The next morning after Sherlock had checked out of the George Inn the three of us met at the train station to see him off on the outbound train. Again, to assure Winifred, Sherlock indicated that the Survivors list was on his person, he then handed both of us a folded piece of paper on which was written his brothers contact information then guaranteed that she (Winfred) was in good hands while I was with her.

  As we watched Sherlock ascend into the railroad carriage that would take him to London, disembarking was a bare knuckle prize fighter and competent female pick pocket that unlike most did not have anyone waiting to warmly greet them on the platform. Instead the tow of them made their way from the train to the station with obvious purpose.

  Chapter 32

  Unexpectedly seeing his younger brother being escorted through the busy smoking lounge by a porter Mycroft arose from the green leather bound wing back chair that was a part of the sedate furnishings of the Diogenes club and asked. “Sherlock you are back early. Does your visit indicate that this business in Gravesend has come to an end?”

  “No” Sherlock replied “but as there have been no further developments I have come to see if you can provide a link to the three deaths that have taken place in relation to this list.” Both now seated Sherlock produced the troublesome document and passed it to Mycroft. Mycroft scanning the hand written list and occasionally shaking his head without looking up asked “And how is Miss Jeffery, I trust she is safe?” “I left her in the care of Mary Watson and since I am in possession of what might have been the cause for at least two of the deaths I believe she will be safe.”

  Mycroft rested the list on his lap then asked “How long will you be staying in London and do you have some place to stay?” Before Sherlock could answer either question Mycroft pressed on “the reason I ask is that I have recently come across some privileged and confidential information that may shed some light on this” at which time he pointed to the list.

  “Can you leave the list with me and come to my office tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m.?” Sherlock flashed one of his trademark smiles and answered if I leave the Lancaster Gate Hotel at 1:30 p.m. I will arrive at your office at 2 p.m.

  The next afternoon just as the mantle clock chimed 2 p.m. there was a polite knocking on Mycroft’s office door. A male voice on the other side announced “There is a Mr Holmes to see you sir.” As Mycroft was getting up from behind his large office desk and proceeding to the door he answered “Show him in Arthur.” The door opened fully and Sherlock accompanied by the male secretary entered the spacious room. As Sherlock made his way to the first available chair on the other side of his brothers office desk the secretary asked “Shall I serve the coffee now?”

  When the coffee, biscuits and the tray they had been served on had been dispensed with Mycroft locked the door to his office then shared with Sherlock the information he had learned concerning the Survivors list.

  I would share with the reader the nature, seriousness and severity of the information that Sherlock learned that afternoon within the secure confines of his brother’s office. However due to its sensitive content, confidential nature and negative implications the information presented must remain with only the concerned parties. At the time I was informed as I was beginning to write this journal that THE OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT OF 1920 had been invoked and I would not be allowed to divulge any information under penalty of law.

  What little I can share concerned the government of the United States, the United Kingdom. The Weimar Republic the people of all three countries who did not want to get involved in the Great War and those who did and why

  When the formal conference had ended Mycroft asked “Will you be staying on in London for very much longer?” Sherlock answering as he started to rise from his chair “Only long enough to visit the better book shops to increase my bee keeping library.” “And about Gravesend?” inquired Mycroft as he was also rising from his chair and making his way to the office door to unlock and open it.

  “I believe that with the list in your permanent possession, Miss Jeffery can go back to writing her mystery novels and when the time is right, Mary can confidently return to London.” “There is one thing.” Sherlock said as they were now both making their way to the lobby in order for Mycroft to see Sherlock off. “What’s that?” Mycroft returned. “Before I left Gravesend I informed both Miss Jeffery and Mary Watson that if there should be any developments in this matter and I was back in Doncaster to contact you.”

  Chapter 33

  It was an event that happened two days after Sherlock’s departure that would be the closest to fulfilling Madam Liliya Cosmina Jarkovácz’s (the owner of the Oradea tea room), local tarot card and tea leaf readers warning to Winifred “Something frightful will happen to you soon.” Madam had began ominously while staring into the tea cup the fortune reader had then swirled the remaining cold tea in the cup and continued on “you will experience a bad shock but will not be seriously harmed in any way. After this event has come to pass your life will be in constant danger from sinister forces by something that will come into your possession”...only the last part of the prediction had been wrong. Winfred and I were about to find out just how wrong.

  As Winifred was finishing washing the breakfast dishes on that particular morning and while I was tidying up the last of the evidence of a recent break in, she stopped her chore turned slightly in my direction and commented “Mary, I have to go to Munn’s this afternoon to purchase some type writer ribbon if I am to finish The Unicorn and the Wasp. I must get the manuscript sent on to be edited.” Remembering my promise to Sherlock and also trying not to sound too over protective I replied “Then I will join you. I want to stop in at Warwick Antiques and Collectables (which wasn’t too far from Winifred’s stationers) to see if I can find a pale horse to match the one I already have.”

  Keeping my voice light I finished with “While you are purchasing something from the present I shall be purchasing something from the past.”

  The plan for the afternoon was a simple one. Winfred and I would walk together to Munn’s where I would leave her safely in the shop for a short time and when she was finished she would join me in the antiques and collectables shop. Once we had finished our shopping and had returned to her home, Winfred would go back to her typewriter and I would start the evening meal.

  At this time of day there any number of pedestrians and potential customers were making their way up and down the high street, some entering and exiting the various shops, others just stopping to peer into shop windows to see the goods and services offered. If I had known the identity of one particular “window shopper” (a petite build and short stature...full figured, long raven black hair and dark soul less eyes who was 27, born September 30, 1893) I would not have fallen into her well laid trap but instead kept walking.

  Just as we were approaching Munn’s the young lady appeared to “trip” then fall in front of Winfred and me in the process managed to scatter most of the contents of her hand bag at my feet. Still not knowing her true identity I asked as I lowered myself to her if she was alright.

  Picking herself up she superficially examined herself for injuries that did not exist...”I am unhurt” she innocently answered “but could you please assist me in gathering the contents of my hand bag?” I noticed that I was more involved in the recovery process then she was when Winfred looked at me and asked if she could assist.

  As I had not idea this “recovery” was part of some elaborate plan, I told Winfred the situation was well in hand and for her to go on to Munn’s and I would see her shortly in the antiques and collectable store. The last I would see of Winfred as I momentarily looked up was as she was making her way to the stationers shop.

  It was an odd thing when I think of the event later but as Winifred was leaving the progress of the recovery seems to have slowed down because as contents were being returned to the hand bag an impromptu inventory was
now taking place.

  Finally when the last item was returned and accounted for by their owner I rose to my feet and assisted the young lady to do the same. Quickly looking down the street I assumed that Winifred was still engaged with the shop owner of Munn’s or purchasing additional stationary supplies.

  As I was bidding my farewells the young lady coyly said “thank you Miss” and gave me a smile that a predator might give to its captured prey. Much as Winfred had experienced earlier at the fete in that simple act, it felt as if an icicle had been run up and down my spine too. It was as I was turning away that her stature manner and behaviour made me wonder if this was the same young lady that Winfred had encountered.

  With a growing sense of ill ease I thought I would go to Munn’s first before going to my shop. Should Winfred still be there I could explain my presence with a simple “are you ready to go?” I walked the short distance and entered the shop expecting to see Winfred engaged in literary conversation with the shop keeper or at the counter paying for her purchases. When I entered there was only one customer of the opposite sex who was busy looking at typewriters and only a young clerk behind the counter restocking shelves.

  Taking in the scene and realizing she wasn’t there I was now overwhelmed with panic and worry. Making my way to the counter and attracting the clerk’s attention away from his task while trying to remain calm I enquired if a woman of Winfred description had been in the shop. The clerk thought for a moment then replied “yes Miss, you must have passed her because she and a gentleman left the shop together just a short time ago.” Fearing the impossible I asked him to describe the gentleman. “He was a tall, a wiry sort of person, with red hair.” A dreadful fear suddenly washed over me. Perhaps Winfred had been taken against her will and might come to some terrible harm.

  Chapter 34

  With a vague sense of unease but realizing the case could not be further investigated at this time Sherlock checked out of his London hotel, left the Survivors list with his brother and made his way back to the cottage locally known as the Beeches. He arrived just in time to harvest the latest yield from his social insect workers all the while unaware of what had taken place in Gravesend.

  Leaving the location where I had hoped to meet Winifred I formulated the only plan I could to try and locate her. I entered every shop along both sides of the high street asking word for word the question I had asked at Munn’s. With each negative response my heart sunk slightly lower.

  Finally as a last resort I made my way to the train station to ask almost anyone if they had seen Winifred with her possible kidnapper.

  As I entered the station I felt with the ebb and flow of constantly changing passengers and people coming and going my search among them would be fruitless. Thinking as John would in this situation I looked for and sought out the one logical person who might be of some help the station master. “Sorry miss, but with the number of people that come through this train station each day it’s hard to remember one from another.”

  Seeing my obvious disappointment in his answer he half half-heartedly suggested I should inquire of the luggage handlers outside on the passenger platform. “They see more of the passengers getting off and on train’s than I do.” Thinking that this avenue of questioning might also be a dead end and that I might have lost Winfred the next man I interrupted from his work loading a baggage cart, told me to “ask Bill.”

  Bill a man in his late 40’s of average height with the build of a person who looked like he would be able to load and unload baggage of all weight and size replied while stacking luggage on the cart next to him. “Why yes miss, I saw the lady in the company of the very man you described, she didn’t seem very happy, perhaps a little distressed. Although the welfare of passengers is not my worry I felt that I wanted to ask if I could help. But the man looked like he could knock me down and I would stay down if I was to interfere. Feeling as if I had a possible lead I asked what train he had seen Winfred and her unwelcome companion board. ”The out bound train to London.” he replied.

  Chapter 35

  The Marconi Wireless Telegraph and Signal Company

  Gravesend, Kent

  Priority Message

  To: Mycroft Holmes

  I am contacting you in regards to a possible abduction of Winfred Jefferies by an unknown person who may have a connection to the Survivors list (stop) I believe she and her abductor are making their way to an undisclosed location in London (stop) I will shortly be leaving Gravesend and making my way to meet with you at the address your brother provided to seek your assistance (stop) Please contact Sherlock and advise him of the present situation (stop)

  Mary Watson

  London District Telegraph Company

  90 Cannon Street, London

  To: Mrs. M. Watson

  I have received your message and at your request I have contacted my younger brother to inform him of the present situation and further have advised his immediate return to London (stop) I will schedule a meeting at my office when you both have arrived (stop) I cannot impress upon you enough the sensitive nature this matter has taken with the possible abduction of Miss Jeffery (stop) Your transportation from the train station has been arranged (stop)

  M Holmes

  Chapter 36

  I didn’t know all of the details of Winfred’s abduction at the time, but that she was not in the shop when my “distraction” was taking place. I would hear about it only after the entire affair had been dealt with. As I had related earlier, our plan for the afternoon was simple. Winfred and I would walk together to Munn’s where I would leave her safely in the shop for a short time and when she was finished she would join me in the antiques and collectables shop. Once we had finished our shopping and had returned home, Winfred would go back to her typewriter and I would start the evening meal.

  As I bent down to assist the young lady I felt it was secure enough for Winfred to take the short journey from where we had been stopped to the stationers. Winfred reading my expression and hearing my words felt safe in doing this. But by this time the trap had been set. Winfred tells me as she entered Munn’s there was only her and the clerk in the shop.

  He greeted her with a friendly “good morning” and asked if she needed any assistance to which she replied courteously “not at this time thank you.” Looking around and taking in all the stationary products the shop stocked she saw a display of the new Royal 10 upright typewriters and went over to look at them. She never saw or heard Thomas come up quietly behind her and his barely audible voice in her left ear saying in a sinister way “are you aware that a woman’s neck breaks far easier than a mans neck and requires less force to do so.”

  Now that he had her terrified attention he gave her instructions that they would leave Munn’s without raising any suspicion after which Winifred and her abductor after exited the shop and began to journey in the opposite direction to where I was engaged and distracted. They then proceeded to the train station.

  When Winifred and Thomas (her abductor) arrived at the Gravesend train passenger platform they were met by Ashley (the one who had provided the necessary distraction). Both turning aside for a moment they exchanged a few words but kept their captive in sight. Then Thomas after consulting the platform clock indicated it was time for the three to board the train.

  As they were seating themselves and the train started moving Winifred was being made to take the window seat with Thomas beside her and Ashley sitting facing her. Terrified she had a thousand questions she wanted to ask but remembering her abductors chilling voice in her ear thought better of it.

  As more coal was being fed into the boiler and the train picked up speed Winfred silently looked over her left shoulder and out the carriage window to watch the passing buildings and the houses that comprised Gravesend ever quickly transition into a passing rolling country side and fields of crops that surrounded the town.

/>   The only sounds she had for companionship were murmured incomprehensible bits of conversation from the other passengers, the reverberation of the carriage wheels travelling along on the rails disrupted by the occasional clatter as the train’s wheels announced that it and the engine had passed over a set of points.

  While the silent journey continued Winifred gradually got to know her possible destination because each time the conductor passed by to announce the next stop she knew she was getting closer to London. Winfred’s uncertainty and anxiety were momentarily relieved when the conductor came through the carriage announcing “St. Pancreas station. Next stop St. Pancreas station all passengers for this station please collect your personal belonging before leaving the train.”

  The train slowed down with the sounds of the carriage wheel air brakes being applied it came to a final stop on the tracks with in the interior of the large and busy covered station concourse. Inside the carriage waiting for all the other passengers to leave first Thomas arose from his seat then silently indicated for Winifred to do so. When Ashley stood up and preceded to the exit Winfred exited and Thomas followed.

  As the three made their way as inconspicuously as possible trying to blend in while going through and around the noisy multitude of passengers with their luggage and the stations employees they assumed they had gone unnoticed.

  Unknown to both abductors two pairs of trained eyes among the anonymous many had noticed the unusual trio pass by and that the taller woman with them appeared to be distressed. This incident would be reported to the appropriate authority later.

  Finally breaking free of the throng of passengers the three made their way to a nearby street exit once outside Thomas hailed a motor taxi. When one stopped at the curb Ashley entered first then Winfred and lastly Thomas. As Thomas solidly closed the taxi door the driver asked “Where to sir?” Thomas leaned forward and in a low voice that only the driver could hear gave him the address f an obscure nondescript building located in Stepney in the East end of London.