The Dark Water: The Strange Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes by David Pirie

Author:David Pirie [Pirie, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction - Suspense, Mystery, England/Great Britain, 19th Century
ISBN: 978-1933648118
Publisher: Pegasus
Published: 2006-09-28T04:00:00+00:00

THE FIGURE AT THE CROSSROADS

‘Thank God you are here,’ she burst out. ‘Oh, thank God you had the light. For I have seen the howling thing. It was crawling. It crawls through the wood.’

I managed to calm her a little, though I have no idea what words I used. She was exhausted and somewhat cut by branches, but after a time she was able to walk with me to the road. Considering her condition and the weather, I did not think it fair to ask more of her than that and would have sought shelter at the nearest cottage while I arranged for transport. But by great good fortune the village cab had returned and Brooks had sent the driver along the road to look for us. I have never been so glad to see a country cab in my life and together the driver and I managed to get Miss Jefford into it.

The landlord stood in the doorway of the inn, relieved to see us, and within a short time Dr Bulweather had come to offer what help he could. He confirmed my own diagnosis that Miss Jefford was suffering only from shock and exhaustion, besides some minor cuts, and counselled that some restorative and a night’s rest would probably be all that was needed. Naturally, he was curious about the circumstances, but I merely explained to both him and the landlord that she had got lost in the woods and become frightened. I had already told Miss Jefford as we travelled back in the cab that, both for her own sake and in order not to cause undue alarm, it would probably be better for her not to say any more about what she had seen until the morning, a plan she accepted at once. Yet it was during this conversation that, for the first time, some doubt entered into my mind about her story.

Perhaps this was dishonourable, since I had heard the noise too, but, beyond that single howl, I had seen nothing and heard nothing except her. Naturally therefore, following the usual precepts of the Doctor, I was beginning to wonder if it were possible, even remotely, that she could have made that noise. But when we were back at the inn, some of these doubts disappeared. She was certainly far too pale and troubled to be acting.

Soon she was asleep and I went to bed myself after drinking a brandy, courtesy of the grateful Brooks, who could see perfectly well I was exhausted myself. Even so, I awoke early and sent a maid to ascertain that Miss Jefford was all right. She returned to inform me the lady was sleeping peacefully and I went to meet the Doctor for breakfast.

Bell already had a version of the previous night’s events from the landlord and, when I had established that we were not overheard, I told him the true facts. He questioned me in detail of course, most specifically about the exact location where I had encountered her.

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