(Jared's POV)
9th January
SS Burya, Miss Pavlova's Cabin…
"Somehow, the door to the cabin we were in ended up bolted after we made an emergency stop. Susato-san took a deep breath, then gently slid back the bolt…" Ryunosuke said, as a voiceover.
"You! What are you doing in Miss Pavlova's quarters?!" Strogenov exclaimed.
"Ah, you three look unhurt. Good." Hosonaga said.
"Yes, we're fine, thank you. What on earth happened? We heard something about how we were going to collide with another ship!" Ryunosuke said, worried.
"Yes. It appears to have been a false report, though."
"Oh, how did that happen?"
"There's a dense fog outside, so it's extremely difficult to see. Someone must have thought he saw a ship ahead. This person obviously triggered the alarm and that's why we made an emergency stop."
"Everything is chaos! Passengers are screaming! Crew are running everywhere!" Strogenov said, terrified.
"This first-class area is the only quiet part of the ship at the moment." Hosonaga said.
"Oh, I see." Susato said, sadly.
"Wow." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Someone triggered the alarm? Does that mean...? ...that someone pressed that button outside?'
"AAAAAAGH!!! You...you wicked intruder! Dressed all in black! You are the devil!" Pavlova cried.
"Sorry? Me?" Ryunosuke asked, as he thought this to himself. 'I've been called a lot of things before, but 'devil' is a first.'
"You opened my travelling case! How could you?!"
"What? No no! We didn't touch it!"
"That's right, Miss Pavlova. It was already open when we came into your cabin." Susato said, sadly.
"Inspector!" Pavlova said, angrily.
"Um...yes?" Hosonaga asked.
"Arrest this man! I know he did it! He is a criminal! Is it not enough that he has killed a man?!" Pavlova exclaimed.
"Da! And he is stowaway as well! If vixen promises not to steal chicken, do you believe?!" Strogenov exclaimed.
"Ugh…" Ryunosuke said, annoyed.
"Take him away! He is a trespasser as well as everything else!" Pavlova yelled.
"Stowing away, trespassing, killing! She is right! You are devil!" Strogenov said, looking at Ryunosuke.
"Um…" I said, and I looked down at the floor. "This doesn't look good, Ryunosuke."
"There is cell below deck. Throw him in! Tomorrow we dock in Hong Kong. Then we give you straight to police!" Strogenov said, smirking
"Wait! A cell...?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Please, Inspector Hosonaga! Is there nothing you can do?" Susato asked.
"This is a Russian vessel. I really have no jurisdiction here. After my last effort to appeal to the captain's good nature, I think I'm out of options." Hosonaga said, letting out a sigh.
"This is terrible…"
'This is a real crisis. I've got to find a solution! Immediately!' Ryunosuke said, thinking that to himself, before talking aloud. "What the...? What are you doing up there...? ...MR Holmes?!"
"Naturally, I was analysing what a weight of twenty thousand roubles feels like on one's head. Have I not told you that as a detective, it is my business to know what other people do not? This isn't mere tomfoolery, my boy! Oh no no!" Holmes said, jumping down from hanging on a hook.
"Um, well...why were you hanging from that hook before then?"
"Isn't it obvious? To properly assess the weight of the twenty thousand roubles, naturally. I wished to determine if it would bend that conceited-looking hook on the wall, so full of brag and bounce!" Holmes said, excitedly.
"Sherlock." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Agh, I never know whether to take this man seriously or not!'
"Ah, you again! The 'great detective'!" Hosonaga said, looking at Holmes.
"Ah, Inspector! I confess I've been looking for you. I have something to report to you most urgently." Holmes said.
"Well, you might try looking for me somewhere other than a hook on the wall next time."
"What is to report? Speak!" Strogenov yelled.
"An urgent report from a great detective can mean but one thing... Yes... The case of the curious murder that took place last night, here on this vessel, the Steamship Burya... ...has been solved! By me, naturally." Holmes said, smugly.
"...!" Pavlova said, at a loss for words.
"Wha...?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Really?!" Susato exclaimed.
"Yes, I have eliminated all other possibilities. No other explanations exist! So, allow me to illuminate all your minds! For I am about to reveal my great detective's greatly admired great deduction to the case!" Holmes said, smirking.
"Hah! You have solved it? Even hedgehog understands this case! We all knew who was responsible for killing student boy this morning, when we found kriminal in wardrobe! It is this stowaway! And he has handcuffs to prove it!" Strogenov said, scoffing.
"I didn't do it!" Ryunosuke cried.
"The trouble is, there doesn't appear to be anyone else who could have killed the victim. Because, as everyone knows, the cabin door was bolted shut from the inside. That means the culprit must be someone who was inside the cabin." Hosonaga said.
"Yes, it's what's called a locked room mystery in detective stories." Susato said.
"Yup. A locked room mystery." I said, happily. "Miss Marple."
"Miss Marple? Who is it written by?"
"Agatha Christie. Right. She isn't popular yet. I met Agatha at some point. I'll give you my copies of the books she wrote so you can read them, Susato."
"Thank you." Susato said, smiling. "Agatha Christie is famous in what time period?"
"In 20 years. Still. The locked room mystery. It is possible."
"Da! Locked room! That is point!" Strogenov said, angrily.
"The room...was locked…" Pavlova said.
"Yeah." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Well I can't deny that. There's no way the bolt could have been drawn across from outside the cabin.'
"You are all quite mistaken. The cabin next door is not a so-called 'locked room' at all." Holmes said.
"What?" Susato asked.
"Oh yes. There is another entrance. An entrance used last night by the culprit in order to gain access to the cabin despite the bolted door."
"What other entrance? We never discovered one!" Hosonaga said, worried.
"Why, it gapes open-mouthed at you even as we speak! ...The ventilator, man!" Holmes yelled.
"The ventilator?"
"Gah ha ha ha hah! You think this is funny?! I cannot even put my arm through that hole!" Strogenov said, angrily.
"The air vent is possible if you're small." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'That's...because your arms are as thick as tree trunks.'
"You're suggesting that the culprit entered and left the victim's cabin through that tiny opening? It's not possible!" Hosonaga said, at a loss for words.
"Ah, but it is. And last night, the victim even witnessed the intruder in the act of passing through the ventilator." Holmes said.
"..." Pavlova said, speechless.
"Mr Holmes, do you mean...? Are you referring to the words Kazuma-sama wrote in his diary? '1:23 a.m. - I can hear a faint whistling sound. 1:35 a.m. - What looks like some sort of speckled band is dangling from the ventilator grille.'" Susato said, taking out Kazuma's diary.
"Precisely, my dear madam." Holmes said.
"But what does it mean? What is this 'speckled band'?" Hosonaga asked.
"The answer to that particular conundrum... is in this very cabin."
"M-Mr Holmes? What are you doing?" Ryunosuke asked.
"There is a distinct element of danger. But fear not; I am ready! What I am about to expose for you all to see will shock you to your cores! Behold!" Holmes said, starting a dance of deduction.
"KYAAAAAAGH!" Strogenov yelled.
"AAAAAAGH! Wha-What the...?" Pavlova asked.
"..."
"Allow me to introduce you all... ...to the band! The speckled band!" Holmes said, taking out a snake.
"A snake?!" Ryunosuke exclaimed.
"Indubitably."
"..." Pavlova said.
"..." Hosonaga said.
"..." Susato said.
"Um…" I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag.
"... Erm, Mr Holmes... Just...one thing…" Ryunosuke said, sadly.
"Pray, what troubles you?" Holmes asked.
"Well, that snake...isn't really 'speckled', is it? It looks more...stripy...wouldn't you say?"
"Hm?"
"Yes, you're right. I think in this case, you'd have to call it... ...the striped band...wouldn't you?" Susato asked.
"... Heh heh heh... You both see, and observe. With distinction! However... ...do you not think that is precisely the trap into which the culprit wishes you to fall?" Holmes asked.
"Oh my goodness, really? It's, it's a trap?!"
"How is it a trap?" I asked, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'How exactly...?'
"I think perhaps it is time I explained the intricacies of my train of thought. Are you ready...Miss Pavlova?" Holmes asked.
"I'm sorry for the young man who died. But that is all. His death is nothing to do with me! This whole thing is nothing to do with me!" Pavlova said, terrified.
"There are two conclusions I have drawn from the facts. Number one... Last night, your 'friend' infiltrated the victim's cabin!"
"Ah…"
"And number two... That same friend was responsible for the victim losing his life!"
"No…"
"Uh…" I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'She's turned as white as a bowl of rice again... Holmes must be right! He's hit the nail on the head!'
"This young woman's 'friend'...? Killed Mr Asogi...?" Hosonaga asked.
"...! ...? ...!" Strogenov said, as the snake slithered around his head.
"Wow." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'It looks like he can't speak with that snake coiled around his head.'
"I would advise as little movement as possible, Seaman. You wouldn't want the fangs of that long friend in your neck. So, everyone...let us begin! Sherlock Holmes is proud to present...his 'Logic and Reasoning Spectacular'!" Holmes chirped.
The Great Deduction
The game is afoot!
Topic 1
Intruder's Identity
"Miss Pavlova, moments ago you claimed the following: 'His death is nothing to do with me! This whole thing is nothing to do with me!' Yet you cannot deceive yourself! Yes, when you recall those horrid events, your aching heart smarts with pain! And it is that very pain...that evidences your inextricable link to the victim's death. So, we ask...what was the nature of this intruder that stole into the victim's cabin on that portentous night. Why naturally, it was the 'friend' with which you boarded this vessel, was it not? Ah... As I suspected... Another telltale glance. Without doubt, your 'friend' is the writhing serpent we see before us! And yet...that fact leaves us in a quandary. The victim's written observations on the night in question tell of 'a speckled band'. Whereas regrettably... ...this specimen's markings do not fit that description in any way. What explanation can we then give, pray? What was this sight that fell upon the victim's eyes last night?" Holmes asked.
"No! Don't look at me! This has nothing to do with any of this!" Pavlova cried.
"Oh but it does! You have the answer to this quandary even now...hidden behind your back. Yes! That which you are trying - but failing - to conceal, can only be the snake's sloughed skin! Evidently, after the subtle and horrible crime, this most deadly friend of yours... ...shed its original skin. No?"
"I, I don't know what you are talking about!"
"Last night, through the ventilator visible in this cabin, your then speckled friend slithered next door. Using the bell cord on the other side as a bridge, the serpent silently descended into the victim's quarters. In the dim light, it appeared to the young gentleman who was about to lose his life as a speckled band."
"..."
"In summary, the nature of this 'friend' of yours, which last night infiltrated the scene of the crime... ...is a rare breed of snake whose markings change each time it sloughs its skin! A snake so dreadful, we can only imagine it would be found in the deepest depths of India."
Topic 1
Intruder's Identity
Conclusion
A beloved speckled snake
Topic 2
How Mr Asogi Died
"Moving on...we come to the heart of the matter. The grim demise of the victim. How did this young man lose his life? And why?" Holmes asked.
"..." Pavlova said, at a loss for words.
"According to the data of which I have been apprised, it would appear there were no visible signs of injury."
"Ah!"
"In fact, the circumstances of the victim's death can only be explained by a terrible venom! Now, if we take that as fact... ...we can reasonably imagine that there remains evidence to affirm it at the scene of the crime."
"Oh no! Could there be...?"
"Yes! An examination of the deceased's body will prove the cause of death conclusively! The almost - but not quite - imperceptible puncture wounds left by the venomous fangs will seal the truth. Yes, the vestiges of the snakebite delivered by your terrifying friend."
"This, this makes no sense!" Pavlova said, terrified.
"There is no point feigning ignorance, Miss Pavlova. ...After the incident, you endeavoured to hide everything, didn't you? But now your involuntary glance betrays the hiding place you chose. That's right. You hid the evidence that links you to the victim's death in that travelling case! When we first met in this cabin, it came to my attention that your case moved periodically. Your serpent assassin was restless inside, no doubt." Holmes said.
"You, you don't…"
"It is telling that the victim made note of a low whistling sound that he heard minutes before his end. That was your signal, was it not? The sound you had used to train your serpent friend."
"To...train...?"
"Indeed, you'd put the serpent through this ventilator and wait. After a period, you'd summon it back with a whistle. You couldn't know if the animal had done its duty, so you would listen for signs of life next door. If the victim appeared not to have been dispatched, you'd release the snake once more. Do you deny this snake has undergone such training?"
"It's not true!"
"Having slithered through the ventilator and down the bell cord, the creature needed only to sink its fangs in once... ...and its venom would course through the victim's veins, ending his existence forever. That is the true nature of the speckled band that took the poor young man's life! There can be no doubt! My logic is infallible!"
Topic 2
How Mr Asogi Died
Conclusion
Death by a venomous snake's bite
"Thus concludes Sherlock Holmes's great deduction of the speckled band!" Holmes said, excitedly.
"..." Pavlova said.
"Uh…" I said, looking down at the floor. "That sounds a bit off."
"It does." Susato said, nodding her head.
"Miss Pavlova has trained her pet snake as a killing machine. There on the floor, you will observe a saucer of milk. The promise of food is the key to training any creature." Holmes said.
"In-Incredible! You've solved the mystery!" Ryunosuke said, excitedly.
"Amazing! Your great deduction really lives up to its name! I see now why Sherlock Holmes has become such a household name!" Hosonaga cooed.
"My dear man... It was nothing remarkable. As the Russians say, 'I could have done it with one left hand.'" Holmes said.
"... Um... Could Jared and I venture an opinion, Mr Holmes?" Susato asked.
"But of course. What's on your minds?"
"It's just, about your deductions before... Some things don't quite make sense to us."
"I welcome questions as to my method. And will answer both loudly and proudly!"
"Oh. Well, good. First of all... ...snakes are egg-laying creatures. Part of the reptile family." Susato said, sadly.
"You are well informed, madam." Holmes said, happily.
"Also, reptiles don't drink milk." I said, frowning. "They can drink water."
"Ah." Holmes said, his eyes widening.
"Jared's right. Snakes can drink water. It's really only mammals that like to drink milk, you see. So...I'm not sure it would be possible to train a snake using milk as a reward." Susato said.
"No matter! No doubt Miss Pavlova used some other treat to encourage her pet to do her bidding. Milk was merely an example. The logic holds."
"Well, there is something else. Snakes have no ears."
"Ah."
"Yes, so I'm not sure it would really be possible to signal to a snake by whistling…"
"But madam! What of the tales from Arabia? Have you not heard of the snakes that dance to the sounds of a flute?" Holmes asked.
"I think perhaps the performers play their music in time with the snakes' natural movements…" Susato said, letting out a sigh.
"Oh. I see. No hands, no feet, no EARS?! These creatures are so inept as to be practically useless!"
"Don't take it out on the snakes, Mr Holmes!" Ryunosuke said, while Holmes is ready to beat up a snake.
"Um...there is one other thing...." Susato said.
"You have more?!" Holmes exclaimed.
"Snakes use the scales on their bellies to propel themselves. So...I'm not really sure that a snake could manage to climb up a flat bell cord like the ones in these cabins."
"Then it should try harder!"
"Please, don't be angry with me, Mr Holmes. The point is... ...even if the snake had gone through the ventilator to the next-door cabin, it couldn't have come back without help. What I'm trying to say... ...is that there are a number of reasons why it's difficult to imagine the snake could have had a part in this."
"..." Holmes said.
"..." Hosonaga said.
"..." Pavlova said.
"I think... ...we need to step in and help again, Mr Naruhodo, Jared!" Susato said, determined.
"Yeah. We do." I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag.
"Oh no, you don't mean...?" Ryunosuke asked, looking between Susato and I.
"Yes. We need to modify Mr Holmes's latest deductions, and turn them into the great ones they ought to be!" Susato cheered.
'I had a feeling that was coming.' Ryunosuke said, and he thought this to himself, before speaking aloud. "Alright...let's give it a try!"
"Just what I was waiting for, Mr Naruhodo!" Holmes said.
"Yes... Right!"
"So, cast your eyes down to your wrists again." Holmes said, removing Ryunosuke's handcuffs.
"What? You've done it again!"
"Your handcuffs are gone!" Susato said, worried.
"Where did they go?!" Hosonaga exclaimed.
"Fear not. I shall see they're restored after our work is done." Holmes said, smirking.
"Works for me." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'I really wish you'd leave them off…'
"Now, everyone...let us begin! Sherlock Holmes is proud to present...his 'Logic and Reasoning Spectacular'!" Holmes said, excitedly.
Course Correction
Hold it, Mr Holmes!
Topic 1
Intruder's Identity
Conclusion
A beloved speckled snake
"Miss Pavlova, moments ago you claimed the following: 'His death is nothing to do with me! This whole thing is nothing to do with me!' Yet you cannot deceive yourself! Yes, when you recall those horrid events, your aching heart smarts with pain!" Holmes said.
"She does have a pained expression on her face." Ryunosuke said.
"Yes, that's true. She looks as though Kazuma-sama's death is weighing heavily on her mind." Susato said.
"But you're not sure Mr Holmes has read her quite correctly, is that it?" Ryunosuke asked, as he thought this to himself. 'Could there be some other way to interpret her expression, then?'
"Let's take a moment... ...and really look very closely at Miss Pavlova."
"Well, she seems to be hiding a claw scratch." I said, walking up to Pavlova to see a claw scratch.
"It is a possibility." Susato said.
"Yes." Ryunosuke said, presenting the claw scratch. "Yes, when you recall those horrid events, that claw scratch smarts with pain!"
"Indeed! And simple observation reveals...that the wound is fresh." Holmes said.
"...!" Pavlova said, at a loss for words.
"Miss Pavlova, did you in fact receive that scratch... ...sometime last night?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Ah! ... When I think about the young man who died next door, I feel so sad. And when I am sad...the pain from this wound is worse."
"And it is that very pain...that evidences your inextricable link to the victim's death. So, we ask...what was the nature of this intruder that stole into the victim's cabin on that portentous night. Why naturally, it was the 'friend' with which you boarded this vessel, was it not? Ah... As I suspected... Another telltale glance. Without doubt, your 'friend' is the writhing serpent we see before us!" Holmes said, smirking.
"It seems likely that the scratch mark on the back of Miss Pavlova's hand... ...was made by this 'friend' of hers, doesn't it? Except... ...snakes don't have claws, do they?" Ryunosuke asked.
"No, they don't. They don't even have hands or feet on which claws might grow." Susato said.
"Well then... ...if that snake isn't her pet, what is? What's the true identity of this friend of hers?" Ryunosuke asked.
"We should follow her gaze, Naruhodo-san. That's where we'll find the answer!"
"She's looking at a framed photograph." I said, walking over to a photograph frame.
"Ah, look at the photograph in this frame." Ryunosuke said, and he thought this to himself. 'This must be something Miss Pavlova brought with her when she ran away.'
"She is exceptionally beautiful, isn't she?" Susato asked.
"Yes, that's true. But personally... ...it's the little black creature she's holding that's caught my eye." Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'Maybe we'd better take a closer look at this…'
"Ooo." I said, looking at the little kitten in the photo. "Kitty!"
"Look at the little cat Miss Pavlova is cuddling here." Ryunosuke said, happily.
"Oh, what a cute little kitten! It could vie with you, couldn't it, Naruhodo-san? For the blackest outfit!" Susato said, excitedly.
"Black cats could be seen as bad luck." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Hm, a black kitten... And from the look of this picture at least, Miss Pavlova seems very attached to it.'
"Still. Kittens are adorable." I said, smiling.
"Yes." Ryunosuke said, presenting the little kitten. "Without doubt, your 'friend' is the little kitten we see before us!"
"Yes! The scratch on the back of your hand makes that abundantly clear." Holmes said.
"Oh no…" Pavlova said, sadly.
"The whereabouts of this black kitten isn't clear. But what is clear... ...is that you brought the animal with you when you ran away, didn't you?" Ryunosuke asked.
"AAAGH! ... Darka is my best friend. I couldn't leave her behind."
"Hm, Darka would appear to be a Russian Blue. And yet...that fact leaves us in a quandary. The victim's written observations on the night in question tell of 'a speckled band'. Whereas regrettably... ...this specimen's markings do not fit that description in any way. What explanation can we then give, pray? What was this sight that fell upon the victim's eyes last night?" Holmes asked.
"No! Don't look at me! This has nothing to do with any of this!" Pavlova said, worried.
"Oh but it does! You have the answer to this quandary even now...hidden behind your back. Yes! That which you are trying - but failing - to conceal, can only be the snake's sloughed skin!" Holmes yelled.
"Did you see that? She just took something out of her pocket and hid it behind her back!" Susato cried.
"If she'd just left it in her pocket, no one would ever have known." Ryunosuke said.
"Oh yes, ploys like that are Mr Holmes's speciality! He's ever so cleverly forced her to reveal something!"
"No, that's the Doctor's specialty." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'I thought deduction was his speciality. ...Or maybe making me believe that was a ploy, too.'
"Anyway... ...I find it hard to believe that's the skin of a snake." Susato said.
"Honestly. Same." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'In which case... ...just what is Miss Pavlova hiding behind her back?'
"It's a cat." I said, grabbing the cat's toy from Pavlova's back. "So it must have been playing with this."
I tossed the cat's toy to Ryunosuke.
"Yes." Ryunosuke said, presenting the cat's toy. "Yes! The thing you are trying - but failing - to conceal, is, um...a cat's toy!"
"Precisely! And the true nature of the now infamous speckled band!" Holmes cheered.
"Ah!" Pavlova said, at a loss for words.
"And it was this toy that you dangled through the ventilator. You waved it around, I presume? Naturally, the victim could not fail to notice it." Holmes said.
"But why? For what reason?" Ryunosuke asked.
"My dear boy, there can be only one answer to that. After her feline friend disappeared through the ventilator into the neighbouring cabin... ...Miss Pavlova attempted to use the speckled cat's toy to incite the creature to return!"
"Ah…"
"In summary, the nature of this 'friend' of Miss Pavlova's, which last night infiltrated the scene of the crime... ...is a blithesome Russian Blue breed of cat by the name of Darka!"
"KYAAAAAAGH!!!" Pavlova yelled.
"A truly troublesome feline, young Darka is proving to be. She must be caged once found. You will forgive us for borrowing the photograph of your pet, Miss Pavlova." Holmes said.
The photograph of Miss Pavlova and Darka has been entered into the Court Record.
"...It was after I gave her her food last night. That's when it happened. She scratched the back of my hand, and then ran up the bell cord. Before I could do anything, she had disappeared... through the ventilator. Darka... She is so naughty…" Pavlova said, sadly.
Topic 1
Intruder's Identity
Conclusion
A beloved speckled snake
A beloved kitten
Solved
Topic 2
How Mr Asogi Died
Conclusion
Death by a venomous snake's bite
"Moving on...we come to the heart of the matter. The grim demise of the victim. How did this young man lose his life? And why?" Holmes asked.
"..." Pavlova said, speechless.
"According to the data of which I have been apprised, it would appear there were no visible signs of injury."
"Ah!"
"In fact, the circumstances of the victim's death can only be explained by a terrible venom!"
"What Mr Holmes says is true. There no signs of a wound anywhere on Kazuma-sama's body." Susato said.
"That's right. But Mr Holmes seems to be unaware of one very important detail." Ryunosuke said.
"That being Kazuma wasn't poisoned." I said, frowning.
"Yes, it would seem so. Let's give him the information he's missing now!" Susato chirped.
"Here you go." I said, taking out the Post-Mortem Report from my sling bag and handing it to Ryunosuke. "Show him this."
"Yes." Ryunosuke said, presenting the Post-Mortem Report. "In fact, the circumstances of the victim's death can only be explained by the post-mortem report!"
"Ah, yes! I knew it was one or the other!" Holmes yelled.
"...! His neck was...?" Pavlova asked.
"Indeed. The breaking of the cervical vertebrae is fatal. Only that goliath would be strong enough to survive that!"
"Seaman Strogenov isn't some immortal freak, you know…" Ryunosuke said, letting out a sigh.
"The jury is out. Anyway, we have on good authority that the victim's neck was broken. Now, if we take that as fact... ...we can reasonably imagine that there remains evidence to affirm it at the scene of the crime." Holmes said.
"Oh no! Could there be...?" Pavlova asked.
"Yes! An examination of the deceased's body will prove the cause of death conclusively!"
"Kazuma died because his neck was broken. In other words, he was probably struck by something... or someone." Ryunosuke said.
"Yes, that's a distinct possibility. As of yet, no weapon has been found, though." Susato said.
"Unfortunately." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Presumably Darka didn't silently creep up behind Kazuma and deal him a fatal blow…'
"I suppose... ...it's possible that he had a fall and hit the ground awkwardly. It could have been a terrible act of misfortune that he broke his neck completely by accident." Susato said.
"Oh yes." Ryunosuke said, and he thought this to himself. 'A bad fall could explain it…'
"It's rather hard to believe of Kazuma-sama, though. He wasn't a clumsy man."
"He really wasn't." I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag.
"Hm... Well, we need to fix this deduction somehow. Is there anything from the scene that could explain what happened?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Yeah." I said, looking down at the mark on the floor.
"Yes." Ryunosuke said, presenting the mark on the floor. "Yes! An examination of the mark on the floor will prove the cause of death conclusively!"
"This particular mark, so prominently visible next to the victim's body, is a deposit of shoe polish." Holmes said.
"Shoe polish?" Pavlova asked.
"Indeed. Positively identified by a little analysis device I constructed, which I carry now as a matter of course. Beeswax, tallow and dye were my results. The undeniable ingredients of shoe polish."
"And the colour of the polish is a perfect match to the colour of Mr Asogi's laced leather shoes." Ryunosuke said.
"...!" Pavlova said, at a loss for words.
"Looking at this mark, it's not hard to imagine what happened. For some reason... ...Mr Asogi must have caught his foot at that point on the floor and tripped."
"Please no…"
"And, by a dreadful turn of misfortune, caught his neck against some immovable object as he fell to the floor. Suffering a fatal blow to the spine, the victim's vertebrae shattered, and in that instant...he lost his life." Holmes said.
"NOOOOOOOOO!!! ... I don't know... I don't know anything about this!" Pavlova said, worried.
"Is that really true, Miss Pavlova?" Ryunosuke asked.
"...!"
"What about the evidence left at the scene where Mr Asogi lost his life?"
"Yes, the facts are as clear as day to me! You did all you could to conceal the incriminating evidence. But now your involuntary glance betrays the hiding place you chose. That's right. You hid the evidence that links you to the victim's death in that travelling case!" Holmes said.
"I, I don't believe it! Kazuma-sama merely tripped over and...and now he's no more? It can't be true! I refuse to accept it!" Susato said, at a loss for words.
"I know it's hard to believe, but the mark on the floor does seem to suggest that's what happened." Ryunosuke said, sadly.
"But…"
"It is really sad." I said, letting out a sigh. "I wish it didn't happen, but it did."
"And if this part of Mr Holmes's deduction is right... ...Miss Pavlova is trying to hide some evidence that would prove it. Here in this cabin...somewhere in the direction that she just cast her eyes." Ryunosuke said.
"Where, I wonder?" Susato asked.
"Let's have a good look around. The answer must be here somewhere!"
"Maybe the trash can." I said, walking over to the wastepaper basket. "People like putting trash in there."
"You're right. This is a wastepaper basket. Perhaps all the first-class cabins have them." Susato said, looking down at the wastepaper basket.
"But Miss Pavlova only started occupying this cabin late last night. Presumably there's not much rubbish in there yet. Oh, what's that...?" Ryunosuke asked, picking up the piece of broken glass..
"It's a broken piece of glass, isn't it?" Susato asked.
"Yeah." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Yes, it is. And I feel like I've seen it somewhere before…'
"...If it looks familiar, perhaps it's more than your mind simply playing tricks on you." Susato said.
"Yes." Ryunosuke said, presenting the wastepaper basket after looking inside it. "That's right. You hid the evidence that links you to the victim's death in that wastepaper basket!"
"Ah!" Pavlova said, terrified.
"Here we have a fragment of some intricate glass object, it would seem. ...One that has a familiar air, in fact." Holmes said.
"Precisely! We found another piece of broken glass on the floor in Mr Asogi's cabin. And, as you can see...the two pieces fit together perfectly!" Ryunosuke said.
"Oh no…" Pavlova said, at a loss for words.
"So, Miss Pavlova, shall we consider what this tells us? Why would it be, that part of this glass object, which was evidently broken at the scene of the victim's death... ...should be found in the wastepaper basket in your cabin?" Holmes asked.
"KYAAAAAAAAAH!!!"
"You're well acquainted with this glass bell, are you not?"
"... I... I don't…"
"'I don't know' in that hushed Russian accent of yours won't save you this time, dear girl. ...Why? Because we have conclusive evidence linking you to the bell in question."
"What?!"
"Take it away, Mr Naruhodo, Jared!" Holmes said, looking between Ryunosuke and I.
"Erm... Yes... The evidence linking Miss Pavlova and the little glass bell... That would be…" Ryunosuke said, frowning.
"This." I said, passing Ryunosuke the photograph of Pavlova and Darka. "This cute photo."
"Yes." Ryunosuke said, presenting the Pavlova and Darka Photograph. "If you look at this photograph, you can clearly see... ...hanging from Darka's collar... ...the very glass bell in question!"
"I…" Pavlova said, speechless.
"The truth has caught up with you, Miss Pavlova. The young man who lost his life last night did so after a truly inauspicious fall." Holmes said.
"And the cause of that fateful stumble? Your absent feline friend...Darka!" Ryunosuke yelled.
"... ... I couldn't... I couldn't tell anyone... ...I'm...sorry…" Pavlova said, letting out a lot of tears.
Topic 2
How Mr Asogi Died
Conclusion
Death by a venomous snake's bite
Death by tripping over a cat
Solved
Deduction Complete
Elementary!
"Why don't you tell us now, Miss Pavlova? Tell us exactly what happened last night." Ryunosuke said.
"... It was...a little after one in the morning. It was so late, but I hadn't had time to feed Darka. So I gave her some food. And then, all of a sudden, she scratched me and jumped out of my hands." Pavlova said.
"People do say that cats become very anxious and nervous in new environments." Hosonaga said.
"Like dogs, they become very anxious and nervous in new environments." I said, sadly. "That's how it is with animals."
"She was so fast. She disappeared through the ventilator before I could stop her." Pavlova said.
"And that is how you acquired the rather nasty wound on the back of your hand, I take it?" Holmes asked.
"Yes. And I had read the, um...rules on the wall. I knew that I was not allowed Darka with me."
"Yes, modern science suggests that animals can carry infectious diseases. It's a precaution really." Hosonaga said.
"So I listened and listened, trying to hear if there was some noise in the next cabin. It was very quiet. I was sure, if someone was there, he must be sleeping." Pavlova said.
"So at that point, you thought it safe to try to lure the kitten back again? By dangling the end of the toy through the ventilator and into the adjourning cabin." Holmes said.
"Darka always loves this toy. But it didn't work. Nothing worked. I tried using her favourite toy, I tried whistling to her softly, but nothing... She didn't return."
"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'So the 'faint whistling' sound Kazuma wrote about in his diary was Miss Pavlova, trying to retrieve her pet…'
"Cats have a propensity to remain hidden in the shadows when frightened." Holmes said.
"Yes. So there was nothing else I could do. I just had to wait until she had calmed down. But then…" Pavlova said.
MIAOOOOOW! *Thud*.
"I, I nearly passed out with shock. I heard her cry out, and then... Oh, it was such a dreadful bang! Then afterwards, nothing. It was totally silent." Pavlova said.
"Oh." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Kazuma was…'
"... From the appearance of the brown mark on the floor... ...it seems likely that what you heard was the victim stepping on the glass bell and tripping up. The SS Burya is a large vessel, but even she can pitch and roll violently without warning. If Mr Asogi was already off balance as a result of the ship lurching when the kitten got under his feet... ...the combination of unfortunate factors could easily have caused him to fall over." Hosonaga said.
"..." Susato said.
"But what became of the kitten afterwards?" Hosonaga asked.
"... In the end, I managed to get her to come back through the ventilator." Pavlova said, frowning.
"Yet Darka is nowhere to be seen." Holmes said.
"I...must have forgotten to lock my case. And now she's disappeared again."
"Gracious, that cat is as insufferably restless as I am!"
"That's why cats are tsundere-like." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Well, he knows something about himself, at least…'
"When I woke this morning, I heard that a young man in the cabin next to mine had died. But I couldn't bring myself to tell anyone what had happened. I was too scared. Scared that they would send me back." Pavlova said.
"..." Susato said.
"Oh! Hold on a minute... What about the snake?!" Ryunosuke exclaimed.
"You're right! Where is it?!" Hosonaga exclaimed.
"If the snake isn't your friend, Miss Pavlova, then whose is it, and where did it come from? What on earth is such a dangerous creature doing on board this ship?!"
"Oh. I didn't say? Snake is my friend. His name is Pirozhko." Strogenov said, holding his snake.
"Hm...?" Holmes asked.
"What?" I asked, clutching the strap of my sling bag.
"Wha...?" Hosonaga asked
"WHAAAT?!" Ryunosuke exclaimed.
"That snake belongs to you?"
"He escaped from cage when emergency alarm sounded. I was looking for him. I did not expect to find him in here!" Strogenov yelled.
"I'm not used to snakes." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Yes, how did that snake get into this cabin?'
"But... ...animals are not permitted on board!" Hosonga said, worried.
"Hah! We are at sea for ONE YEAR! You want to be so long without close friend? Without someone who understands?!" Strogenov exclaimed.
"A snake is out of the ordinary. It's not a cat, dog, bird, or hamster." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. '...Couldn't you find someone a little more...human who understands you better?'
"But my dear burly fellow... ...a gargantuan venomous snake?! Surely you can appreciate the danger you're putting everyone in?" Holmes asked.
"No venom." Strogenov said.
"Hm?"
"Pirozhko does not have venom. He is harmless! Very long, but very gentle! He is adorable, like Granny!"
"It's...venomless?"
"Yes. Now he is hungry, so he is in bad mood. But once I feed him, you will see big smile!"
"And...you feed him...what? Milk, I suppose?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Hah! Like they say they milk chickens? ...Ridiculous! Snakes that drink milk are only in stupid stories! Pirozhko eats mouses! Big, fat, round mouses!" Strogenov said, excitedly.
"Ah... Oh, so... ...is that what the mousetrap in the passageway out there is for?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Of course. How else can I catch my friend's favourite food?!"
"If it was a python, it would eat an elephant." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Nothing says 'top of the food chain' like the look in their eyes right now…'
"... It refuses to drink milk, it can't hear a whistle, it can't climb up a bell cord and it's not even venomous... How the deuce did something so inept land a starring role?!" Holmes exclaimed.
"Is not my fault! I do not make up stories! My Pirozhko is nothing to do with this incident!" Strogenov said, angrily.
"..." Ryunosuke said, and he thought this to himself. 'So that's what happened... That's the truth behind my best friend's tragic death…'
"..." Holmes said.
"..." Hosonaga said.
"..." Pavlova said.
"... Miss Pavlova…" Susato said, letting out a sigh.
"...!" Pavlova said, at a loss for words.
"I understand the difficult situation you've found yourself in. And I do sympathise. But please remember this: A young man lost his life. If you're going to attempt to cover up your guilt with lies, then... ...then no matter what the circumstances, I cannot forgive you!"
"But…"
"What are you talking about, Miss Mikotoba? What lies? Miss Pavlova just confessed everything! It was just a series of unfortunate events. An accident." Hosonaga said.
"..." Holmes said.
"I'm no great detective like Mr Holmes. I don't have a gift for knowing the truth. And I'm no fanboy like Jared. I don't have a gift of knowing everything and anything. But even I can see...that was not the truth! Don't you agree, Mr Naruhodo?!" Susato exclaimed.
"..." Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. 'To be perfectly honest, yes. There's a discrepancy in Miss Pavlova's story, I'm sure of it. I just can't quite put my finger on it.'
"... I confess... ...I was intending to let Scotland Yard deal with any outstanding issues on this matter." Holmes said.
"Oh!" Ryunosuke said, in awe.
"I am only present here for a very specific reason. The truth is, you, Mr Naruhodo, are simply a distraction."
"A distraction?!"
"I do hope you've not been finding your shackles too uncomfortable."
"Ah!" Ryunosuke said, and he looked down at the handcuffs on his wrists. 'Not again! When did he do that?!'
"Especially as they're on your wrists as a result of my intervention. I was rather hoping I could resolve matters before we made our next port call." Holmes said.
"You were, Mr Holmes?"
"Yes, but I overlooked one important detail. The deceased young man was a very close companion of yours... ...was he not?"
"... Yes. Kazuma was my closest friend. I owed him and Jared my freedom, even."
"..." Susato said.
"In that case, we must follow this to its conclusion. No further distractions. You must uncover the REAL truth here, Mr Naruhodo!" Holmes said, angrily.
"And I'll help you whenever I can." I said, looking down at the floor. "Promise."
"Yes... Whatever that may be…" Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'The key to this is the discrepancy in Miss Pavlova's story, I'm sure. If I can chase that down, maybe the truth will become clear. The truth about how you really died. About how that scene in your cabin really came to be...!' He then spoke aloud. "Alright. I'll see what I can do."
"Excellent." Holmes said.
"Thank you, Mr Naruhodo." Susato said, happily.
"..." Pavlova said.
"So then, shall we begin?" Holmes asked.
"Yes!" Ryunosuke said, excitedly.
"Yup." I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag.
"What we should ponder first... ...is the victim who lost his life in a cabin that was bolted shut from the inside. Was this truly an unfortunate accident? Or was it in fact no accident at all? That is what we must establish in the first instance." Holmes said.
"But we've already established it, haven't we? The man tripped over the kitten that had climbed into his cabin via the ventilator. Tragic, yes. But still an accident." Hosonaga said.
"Hold it." Ryunosuke said, doing the Hold It pose. "Wait! Let's just take a step back. It doesn't make sense if that's really what happened, does it?"
"I'm going to have to ask you to spell it out for me, I'm afraid."
'Yes, it's starting to take shape now. There's a clear contradiction between the facts and Miss Pavlova's story here.' Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself, before speaking aloud. "The evidence is right there in Kazuma's cabin. It's undeniable! His death couldn't possibly have been a mere accident!"
"...!" Pavlova said, speechless.
"R-Really?" Hosonaga asked.
"Let us show our hand, Mr Naruhodo, Jared! Time to present the evidence! The evidence that proves unequivocally that the victim's death was no mere accident!" Holmes yelled.
"It's this." I said, taking out the Crime Scene Photograph, and handing it to Ryunosuke. "Here you go."
"Yes." Ryunosuke said, presenting the Crime Scene Photograph. "The truth is clearly recorded in this photographic print! There's no way that Mr Asogi could have left this message on the floor!"
"That script... It's Russian, isn't it?" Hosonaga asked.
"Indeed it is. The word written means 'wardrobe'." Holmes said.
"For some reason, the TARDIS isn't translating Russian text back to English for me." I said, sadly. "She usually does."
"Let's disregard Jared's message about his time and space machine."
"I see what you mean. Most people would leave a dying message in their native language. Japanese in this case." Hosonaga said, his eyes widening.
"But, but maybe he was studying Russian! It is a simple language. He, he could have picked it up very fast!" Pavlova cried.
"It's not likely Kazuma would study Russian." I said, frowning.
"That's actually not the point. It makes no difference whether he knew Russian or not." Ryunosuke said.
"Sorry? What do you mean?" Hosonaga asked.
"Exactly what I said before: There is no way that Mr Asogi could have left this message on the floor. And the reason why is clearly explained in here: 'Damage to the cervical vertebrae resulting in instant death.' ...Instant death."
"Ah!"
"Which means...after the victim fell to the floor, he couldn't possibly have written anything. Because he was already dead!"
"...!" Pavlova said, worried.
"That's not the only reason, either. There's something else we found in Mr Asogi's cabin. A remnant of something that couldn't possibly have been there, if what Miss Pavlova told us was true!" Susato yelled.
"What?!" Hosonaga exclaimed.
'So, Susato-san has noticed it too, then…' Ryunosuke said, and he thought this to himself. "Putting this message on the floor aside, there's something else that gives the truth away. Another piece of evidence that proves this was no accident! In other words…"
"This." I said, pointing down at the mark on the floor. "This was it."
"Yes." Ryunosuke said, while he presented the Mark on Floor. "This! This piece of broken glass next to the mark on the floor!"
"But that's the glass bell the kitten had around its neck. We already know all about that. It was broken in half when the victim tripped over the cat and fell. So we already have a satisfactory explanation. Where's the flaw in that logic?" Hosonaga asked.
"Unfortunately, there is a very big flaw. A fatal flaw!"
"What?!"
"If that's really what happened... ...then how did one half of the bell end up back here in this cabin?"
"Ah!"
"Yes, remember that we found the other half of the glass bell in that wastepaper basket. Would you care to explain that...Miss Pavlova?" Susato asked.
"Oh no…" Pavlova said, letting out a lot of tears.
"Both these pieces of evidence clearly point to the same conclusion... That, when Mr Asogi died last night in his cabin... ...there was someone else in the room!" Ryunosuke said.
"...!"
"And that same person...deliberately arranged the scene to disguise the truth... ...in order to cover up their own guilt!"
"KYAAAAAAH!!!"
"Yes, there was someone else present in Mr Asogi's…" Susato said, sadly.