Sherlock Holmes and the Legend of the Great Auk (The Early Casebook of Sherlock Holmes 5) by Linda Stratmann

Author:Linda Stratmann [Stratmann, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sapere Books
Published: 2023-06-22T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

I did not sleep at all well that night. It was partly due to the disturbing atmosphere at the Wheatsheaf, which was like nothing else I had ever known. I am not entirely sheltered, of course, although my wider education on the ways of the world did not take place in my family home, but in my medical career, where I learned about coarser modes of life and often saw the horrible results. I understood too well what events might happen in such places. It was so different from the easy camaraderie of the King Henry. I knew that there was behaviour there which many might think immoral, but there was no vulgarity, no sense of threat. The Wheatsheaf, for all its pleasanter attractions, was highly unsettling. When I did sleep, I was assailed by the most horrid nightmares which mainly involved Mr French and his cold, piercing eyes.

The following morning, after consuming two large cups of strong coffee, I came to the realisation that Mr Caldie was actually far more afraid of the Wheatsheaf and its managers than I was and knew that I had a duty to inform his sister of what had happened.

I still had her card and walked up to her address in Clerkenwell. It was a bright sunny day, but my mood did not match the weather. On reaching my destination I stood for a while outside a grey apartment building, rehearsing what I was about to say. When I rang the doorbell a lady came to the door, whom I guessed must be Miss Caldie’s companion, Miss Mercer. She was unusually thin, her bony fingers stained with ink, and she wore large spectacles with pebble lenses and a gown of severe cut. I suppose I did not look my best, either in my grooming or the neatness of my attire, and she stared at me as if I was a piece of debris someone had deposited on the doorstep.

‘I am sorry to intrude,’ I said. ‘My name is Stamford, and I and my associate Mr Holmes are undertaking some enquiries for Miss Caldie. I don’t have an appointment, but I would like, if possible, to speak to Miss Caldie. I have some news concerning her brother.’

This announcement did not improve the nature of Miss Mercer’s scrutiny, but after a moment, she said, ‘You had better come in. Wait, and I will let her know you are here.’

As I stood in the entrance hall, I did my best to smooth my hair, which I suddenly realised I could not recall having combed that morning, and brushed down my clothes to appear more presentable. It was not many minutes before Miss Mercer reappeared and wordlessly beckoned me to follow.

Miss Caldie occupied a small study where a desk had been placed so that she and Miss Mercer could sit facing each other as they worked. She received me politely, although I could see that my unkempt appearance did not meet with her approval. I was offered a chair and Miss Mercer took a stool and perched silently in one corner.

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