Kidnapped at the Tower: A Sherlock and Lucy Short Story (The Sherlock and Lucy Mystery Series Book 18) by Anna Elliott & Charles Veley

Author:Anna Elliott & Charles Veley [Elliott, Anna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wilton Press
Published: 2020-05-05T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 6: WATSON

“You interviewed all of the Tower guards?”

Holmes addressed me with this question immediately upon my entering the crowded and somewhat oppressive sitting room of the Rollings estate.

I was a bit taken aback, and not only because of the abruptness of Holmes’s greeting. There was also a stranger present in the room: a somewhat dandified, plump, pink-faced gentleman. He was observing me through small, gold-rimmed spectacles the way a child observes a toy soldier, which I found doubly annoying.

“Perhaps you might introduce me first,” I said. “Is this gentleman related to our client?”

The stranger ignored Holmes and thrust out a plump pink hand. “Reggie Rollings, at your service. Your reputation precedes you, Dr. Watson.”

I did not want to show my irritation in front of a stranger, so I forced a smile and a polite following question. “How are you related to Sir Humphrey?”

“Oh, well, that depends, sir. It really does. On how you define related, if you take my meaning. By blood, I am his younger brother. But if you were to ask Sir Humphrey, and you may do so later this afternoon when he returns from the bank, you would doubtless be told that I am the black sheep of the family, the wastrel profligate, the prodigal son. However, if you were to ask me …”

He paused, taking in my no-doubt impatient look. “Why yes, you did ask me, didn’t you? Well, from the way I see things, I am the practical one. Not prodigal in the least. I am an investor in artistic treasures, timeless works of beauty that will always retain their value. A joy forever, as the poet says. I am about to sell one of my artistic treasures in a few minutes, right here in this building, which proves the practicality of converting artistry to cash if the artistry is of sufficient quality. The buyer will be here soon, and then I shall have six thousand pounds available to defray the cost of the ransom for young Thomas. I am happy to make that contribution to my brother.”

I glanced at Holmes, whose expression, somewhere between exasperated impatience and amusement, provided all the explanation I needed as to why he had pointedly omitted acknowledgement of Reggie Rollings when he had greeted me.

Lucy gave me a wry smile. “I hope you met with success at the Tower, Dr. Watson.”

“Yes. Thank you, Lucy,” I said.

Then I addressed Holmes.

“I was able to interview the entire company of Yeoman Warders. Thirty-six in all. They were most cooperative. They are all veterans of the Queen’s Army with more than two decades experience, and they seemed to appreciate that I also had served in the military. However, I found only one who recalls seeing a woman and a young boy who answer the description of Thomas and Miss Marsh.”

“Tell me about him,” Holmes said.

“The most junior man there. His name is Harms. He joined the Yeomen Warders three months ago. He was on the Green, giving a tour when he saw them.

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