Holmes and Watson - An American Adventure by David Ruffle

Author:David Ruffle
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sherlock Holmes, mystery, crime, british crime, sherlock holmes novels, sherlock holmes fiction
ISBN: 9781780927831
Publisher: Andrews UK Limited 2015
Published: 2015-07-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

We broke our fast quite late in the morning with both of us wondering what the day would bring, Holmes being particularly restless. As it turned out, we did not have long to wait for young Hogan appeared shortly after eleven o’clock to apprise us regarding the case.

“The search at ‘Maplecroft’ has been concluded, nothing was found that proved any connection between Lizzie and Weinberger and Mrs Walters, beyond the connection we are already aware of. A search was made for the perfume you mentioned, Mr Holmes, but none was found by that name although there were other scent bottles in the bathroom.”

“So she lied then,” I exclaimed.

“You forget, Watson, she is not the only woman in the house.”

“Of course, I was forgetting Emma.”

“I understand,” continued Hogan, “that certain ladies, friends of Lizzie, occasionally sleep at the house too.”

“I thought Fall River society shunned Lizzie. I am glad to see that is not entirely the case.”

“As to that, Doctor, this particular section of society is shunned by decent folk in the city too.”

“For associating with Lizzie?” I asked.

“Associating is perhaps a not strong enough word, if you know what I mean.”

“I confess I am in the dark as to what you mean.”

Holmes chuckled. “I believe Hogan is trying to tell you that it appears Lizzie’s connections to these women would be termed by some unenlightened souls as unnatural.”

I spluttered something I cannot recall, but I am confident my response would have been one of disbelief.

“Come now, Watson, you cannot surely be shocked, not a man of your wide experience. Women over three continents I believe you once informed me,” Holmes said, playfully.

“That may be so, Holmes, well it is so, but I am not familiar with what I believe is termed Sapphic love.”

“And as a burgeoning pillar of the establishment, you are disapproving.”

“Neither statement is true. I do not disapprove nor do I approve particularly, I accept that it happens, but I do not dwell on it. I hope that answer will suffice, Holmes.”

“Forgive me for traducing your ideals, my friend. Now, Hogan, have you any other news to share with us?”

“I spent part of the night of what turned out to be a very long day at Metacomet Mill questioning members of the dispatch department. I thought it would do no harm to check on Charlie Walter’s story.”

“Of necessity, it would be one of my first actions too if I were in charge of this case. What did you find?”

“The fact that Walters clocked in and out cannot be denied; that does not just rely on the evidence of his punching-in card, but also reliable witnesses who both saw and spoke to him as he performed both actions. No one is sure about exactly when they saw him throughout the night and I was told his usual activities chiefly consist of locking himself away in his office where most of the staff are loath to disturb him, particularly lately when it appears he has been like a bear with a sore head.

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