(Jared's POV)
19th February, 2:38 p.m.
Briar Road…
"It looks as though the police are still here, carrying on with their investigation." Ryunosuke said.
"Perfect! So let's find Inspector Gregson as quickly as possible!" Susato said, angrily.
"Yes... And let's see if he'll take a break from his chips to look at that silver 'tip' Iris gave us for him!" Ryunosuke said, presenting Iris's Postcard to Gregson. "Erm, Inspector Gregson...do you have a moment?"
"I'm sorry to say I don't. I'm a very busy man. Much too busy to talk to a pair of foreign gadabouts, that's for sure." Gregson said.
"We have these for you. A present...from Miss Iris Watson." Susato said, happily.
"WHAAAAAAT?! For me?! From Her Ladyship?"
"Her Ladyship?" Ryunosuke asked.
"That's Gregson's nickname for Iris." I said, happily.
"Give that here! At once! Come on! Hand it over! That's for me!" Gregson yelled, grabbing Iris's Postcard from Ryunosuke.
"Agh!" Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'Don't wait for me to give it to you, will you?' He then spoke aloud. "Um...what was that coin exactly?"
"It's a silver crown, obviously. But it's a lot more than that. It's...well... It's an appearance fee, that's what it is!"
"An appearance fee? ...Oh! I see. You mean…" Susato said, her eyes widening.
"That's right. For 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes'. Her Ladyship always offers me a little financial reward for featurin' me. Every time!" Gregson said, angrily.
"Yes! Yes, of course! ...I know all about your exploits, Inspector! I read them avidly!"
"And I got involved in some of your exploits." I said, smiling. "The ones that are too alien and futuristic, I still tell Iris, so she can adapt it to the Victorian London setting. By including Sherlock, John, and you."
"That is true. The floating restaurant and the dinosaur in the Thames wouldn't make any sense for 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes'." Gregson said, smirking. "'Course, her usin' my name without my say-so does make me the butt of a lot of unpleasant jokes, but still."
"I am sorry, Inspector. That must be difficult for you." Ryunosuke said, sadly.
"Never you mind that! So...what d'you want to know then, eh?" Gregson asked.
"Sorry?"
"'Tell the gentleman in black whatever he wants to know. I trust that won't be a problem?' it says. Well obviously it's not a problem! Go on, fire away. What d'you want to know?"
"Well, if you wouldn't mind, Inspector... ...we'd very much like to know the address of Mr Natsume's lodgings!" Susato cheered.
"Ah, the little knife-wieldin', moustached Japanese fellow? He lives in a right old hovel. It's just over there, look. On the first floor of that house on the corner where that wreck of a bicycle's propped up." Gregson said, looking over at Natsume's house.
"...That is nearby indeed."
"If I remember rightly, the landlord is a Mr John Garrideb. ...Right, well... If you see her again, you make sure you give Her Ladyship my regards, you hear? I mean it! You tell her that Gregson sends his very best wishes!"
"No need to worry, Gregson." I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag. "We will. Promise."
"Goodbye for now then. And long live Her Ladyship!" Gregson said, walking away from us.
"Well, at least he told us what we wanted to know before he left." Susato said.
"Yes. So then, shall we go and see what we can find in Mr Natsume's lodgings?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Yup." I said, looking down at the floor.
"Definitely!" Susato chirped.
19th February
Mr Natsume's Lodgings…
"...May I help you?" A maid asked.
"Ah, yes, would this be the residence of...Mr John Garrideb?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Indeed it would, sir. And who may I say is calling?"
"My name is Ryunosuke Naruhodo. I, erm…"
"Mr Naruhodo is representing Mr Soseki Natsume. I believe he takes lodgings here?" Susato asked.
"...!" The maid said, at a loss for words.
"We would very much like to ask him some questions about our client." Susato said.
"Our client is Soseki Natsume." I said, sadly.
"...! ...One moment, please. I shall convey the message to Mr Garrideb." The maid said, walking away from us.
"Did you see that, Miss Susato?! That was a real-life English maid!" Ryunosuke said, excitedly.
"I know! As I understand it, anyone of standing in English society employs a number of household staff. But that was the first time I've ever seen one in the flesh! Oh, this day keeps getting better!" Susato cooed.
"It certainly feels like we've really arrived now, doesn't it?"
"We need only to meet a butler, and the experience will be complete!"
"Well, I'm not sure if I'd go that far, but...I understand the sentiment."
"I know a butler over at 13 Paternoster Row." I said, smiling. "He is a potato dwarf. Cold on the outside, but he's such a softie."
"Thank you for waiting. Mr Garrideb will see you now. This way." The maid said, leading the way, down the hall, and up the stairs.
"Good day to you. John Garrideb, at your service." Garrideb said.
"Pleased to meet you, sir. This is Ryunosuke Naruhodo. He's a defence lawyer." Susato said, looking over at Ryunosuke.
"Do excuse me not getting up. Took a shot to the knee a few years back in the Battle of Maiwand, don't you know. Earned a medal for my pains, but had to withdraw from service. Handed over the reins to the up-and-comings."
"So, a retired soldier from Afghanistan, not Iraq. Not an army doctor then." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'So he's a retired soldier…'
"That is correct. It's a hell of a job getting up and down stairs now, I can tell you. Don't get out much, as you can imagine." Garrideb said.
"Yes, it's quite a climb up here to the second floor, isn't it? I was panting at the top of the stairs." Ryunosuke said.
"You really must take more exercise, Mr Naruhodo." Susato said.
"Ugh...do you think so?"
"Well, Mr Garrideb, no doubt you were very courageous to earn yourself a medal."
"Oh, it was nothing. The medal's just a folderol, really. Wouldn't like to offend the general, though. So I grudgingly displayed it on the wall. Why don't you fetch it down, Joan? Let these good people see it properly." Garrideb said.
"..." The maid said.
"Joan! Fetch the-" Garrideb said, and the maid spills tea on him. "AAAAAARGH!!! Dash it all, woman! Be careful!"
"Oh! Dearie me! I do beg your pardon, sir!"
"Hmph! You jolly nearly took the skin off my hands!"
"I shall be more careful, sir."
"So anyway, there you have it. Living the quiet life now."
"Yes...I see." Ryunosuke said.
"Now then, I hear you want to know about the chap lodging downstairs. Is that right?" Garrideb asked.
"Yes! We would be very grateful if you could answer some questions for us." Susato said.
"Only too pleased, naturally. Especially if it helps to keep the peace here in Blighty. We've forged an alliance with the Empire of Japan recently, as I'm sure you're aware. So this case is very much in public eye, as it were."
"...Oh, is it?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Even had some famous detective poking around, you know. In this old house, would you believe?"
"Yes! Mr Sherlock Holmes!" Susato said, excitedly.
"Hmph, could have been. Didn't catch the chap's name. Not really my cup of tea, all that detective business." Garrideb said.
"Oh, but...you have a copy of Strand Magazine here, so…" Susato said, walking over to a copy of the Strand.
"So you must have read some of Sherlock's cases." I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag.
"Eh? Hm? Ah...no, erm…" Garrideb said.
"Anyway, the chap's investigating the foreigner's room as we speak." The maid said.
"He's investigating Soseki's room." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'So he's in Soseki-san's room…'
"It's a bally nuisance, is what it is. The whole neighbourhood's twitching its curtains now. I don't like all this fuss. It's jolly unsettling." Garrideb said.
"How about we ask about Soseki Natsume?" I asked, while I looked down at the floor.
"About Mr Natsume then, Mr Garrideb! Please, do tell us!" Susato said, excitedly.
"Ah yes, the Japanese chap. Only been lodging here for a week." Garrideb said.
"Oh, just one week? So he moved in very recently, then." Ryunosuke said.
"I have two lodgers most of the time. One on the ground floor, and one just below us. The first floor room became available a week ago, you see. There'd been-" Garrideb said, and the maid poured tea on him again. "AAAAAAAAARGH!!! Dash it all, Joan! Do be careful!"
"Oh! My goodness! I'm terribly sorry, sir! ... If you want to know my opinion... ...I thought he was a shady sort from the moment I set eyes on him." The maid said.
"Oh? Why?" Susato asked.
"He seemed to have a most nervous disposition. Always shaking, and looking over his shoulder. The man had 'shady' written across his sweat-soaked brow, if you ask me. I said to myself, 'Joan, that man is trouble. Sooner or later, he's going to do something untoward.' ...And I'm rarely wrong about anything." The maid said.
"Oh." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'We won't be calling this maid as a witness, that's for sure.'
"Was there anything else that struck you as suspicious about the man at all?" Susato asked.
"...! Yes! Oh, yes, indeed there was!" The maid said, worried.
'And she's dying to tell us…' Ryunosuke said, thinking that to himself, before speaking aloud. "Had you noticed anything else at all about your lodger, Mr Natsume?"
"...! Oh my word, yes! The man was shadier than an orchard!"
"Can you explain in detail?" I asked, walking around the room.
"Well, take the man's room. Absolutely stuffed full of books, it is. More than anyone could ever read! And he never so much as passes the time of day with another living soul. I haven't seen a single visitor call. He just trots off to that old bookshop every single day, and comes back at five to light the gas fire. And the funny little man is up long past the time everyone else in the house has gone to bed, too." The maid said, scoffing.
"Oh! I, I see." Ryunosuke said, frowning.
"The gentleman on the ground floor goes to bed at around nine each night. But I've never known that Japanese fellow to retire any earlier than two in the morning."
"Ah…"
"... Could you clarify something, I wonder?" Susato asked.
"What, pray?" The maid asked.
"How do you know so much about Mr Natsume's routine?"
"Oh!"
"I'd understood that neither of the lodgers live on this floor of the house. Is that correct?"
"That's right, yes. They're both below us. On the first floor and street level." Garrideb said.
"Then...how is it that you know so much about the lives of your lodgers? The precise times that they come back in the evening, for example. Even the times they go to bed." Susato said.
"..." The maid said, spilling tea on Garrideb.
"AAAAAAAAARGH!!! Good grief, Joan! Be more careful, woman!" Garrideb said, angrily.
"Oh my goodness, sir! I'm terribly sorry, sir!"
"Um…" I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Hm... Something doesn't add up here.'
"..." The maid said.
"So, what happened during the incident two days ago?" I asked, looking between the maid and Garrideb. "That's when the incident happened."
"It seems that the incident took place at around five in the evening. Did you happen to look out of the window at around that time?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Hm? The window?" Garrideb asked.
"Yes, we noticed that the window over there looks out over Briar Road. The incident took place on the pavement just on the far side of the street. Was there anyone suspicious loitering nearby?" Susato asked.
"Five o'clock is dinner time in the Garrideb household. So I'm afraid I don't remember seeing anything. How about you, Joan?"
"No, sir. It would have been dusk outside already at that hour. And with the fog as well, I should think it would have been quite impossible to see the other side of the road." The maid said.
"Oh, I see." Ryunosuke said.
"Did you notice anything else out of the ordinary, then?" Susato asked.
"Such as...?" Garrideb asked.
"Anything at all! Even if it seems unrelated."
"Hmph, well…"
"...! Yes? Was there something, then?"
"Well, it's nothing particularly significant, but at around that sort of time in here, there-" Garrideb said, and the maid spilled tea on him. "AAAAAAAAARGH!!! For the love of God, Joan! Watch what you're doing!"
"Oh dearie me! What have I done? I'm awfully sorry, sir!" The maid cried.
"Do be more careful, woman!"
"Of course, sir. If I may, Mr Narrow-Hollow…"
"Oh. ...Err, yes?" Ryunosuke asked.
"I have an exceedingly good memory, and as far as I remember... ...nothing of any significance took place here at that hour. Nothing at all." The maid said, letting out a sigh.
"Oh. Really? Mr Garrideb? The way you were talking before, it sounded rather like there might have been."
"Oh, well. As I was saying, it was just a trifling matter really. Nothing of-" Garrideb said, and the maid spilled tea on him. "AAAAAAAAARGH!!! Joan! Dash it all! What is the matter with you, woman!"
"Begging your pardon, sir. ...Nothing happened." The maid said.
"... Hm, yes. Quite. Nothing happened. We sat down to a quiet, uneventful meal, hm, Joan?"
"Thaaat's right, Mr Garrideb."
"..." Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. 'What is the matter with these two?!'
"It sounds like something happened here in this room on the evening of the incident...but what?" Susato asked.
"Talk about an old married couple." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'I wish I knew…'
"Still. I wonder what Soseki's room was." I said, looking down at the floor.
"Could you tell us which floor Mr Natsume's room is on?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Why, certainly. Just below us on the first floor." Garrideb said.
"And Mr Holmes is investigating there, even as we speak?" Susato asked.
"Yes. Told me Nats-his-name had asked him to look into the matter, so I gave him the key."
"Mr Natsume has engaged Mr Holmes's services?"
'That's a blatant lie.' Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself, before speaking aloud. "Would it be alright if we also had a look around? In Mr Natsume's room, I mean."
"...Hmph, don't see why not. It's just down one flight of stairs." Garrideb said.
'Who knows if we'll find anything that could help us with the case, but we have to try.' Ryunosuke said, thinking that to himself, before speaking aloud. "We need all the clues we can lay our hands on. Shall we?"
"Yes. And while we're there... ...we can speak with Mr Holmes again! Perhaps he'll be able to tell us more." Susato said.
"Wow." I said, walking over to a cannon. "A canon. Like the ones you see on pirate ships."
"You're right, Jared. That's a full-sized cannon! What's it doing in here?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Oh my... It's real! I thought it might be a replica." Susato said.
"That old thing? Bah, that's little more than a toy." Garrideb said.
"Sorry?" Ryunosuke asked.
"The army was selling it off when I retired, so I decided to give it a new home. Never know when the enemy might attack next! Jolly useful to have a cannon about the house."
"Really? It isn't...overkill?"
"Be prepared, I always say. You never know what this twisted world is going to throw at you next, boy."
"Do you think there may be trouble brewing, Mr Garrideb?" Susato asked.
"Always is! Take Joan here. Never fails to have a clean apron in reserve. Dries them over the barrel, you see. They dry very well on the cannon there, Joan tells me. Which rather proves my point, I feel." Garrideb said, smirking.
"If you say so." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. '...It's been reduced to a drying rack. No wonder the huge cannon looks like it's hanging its head in shame.'
"Ooo." I said, running over from the cannon to the pile of books. "Books."
"I notice you have a pile of books here, Mr Garrideb. Do you enjoy reading?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Ever experience a London winter, boy? The nights are long. No better way to pass the time than in front of the fire with a jolly good book." Garrideb said.
"Oh! There's a copy of Strand Magazine here, I see. No doubt Mr Garrideb enjoys 'The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes', too!" Susato said, excitedly.
"...The great detective has a great many followers, it would seem." Ryunosuke said, looking over at the uniform. "That uniform looks fairly ancient, doesn't it?"
"It's clearly been well looked after though."
"That old thing? Pah! Not much better than rags, really." Garrideb said, annoyed.
"Oh?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Wore that ceremonial garb at my retirement bash, you know. But I'm not one for dwelling on the past, me. Would have gladly thrown it out, but you know how it is. Anyway, doesn't hurt to have the odd piece of memorabilia lying around, does it?"
"Oh...I see." Susato said, sadly.
"I agree." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Perhaps we should leave the past in the past…'
"Whoa." I said, walking over from the uniform to the mortar shells.
"Are, are those mortar shells? They're enormous!" Ryunosuke said, terrified.
"They're huge!"
"Ah! I hadn't noticed! What are they doing here?" Susato asked.
"Ah, those old things? Couple of little rounds I accidentally fired into the barracks during training, you know. Became a bit of colourful regiment folklore, that incident." Garrideb said, smugly.
"You mean, you deliberately hunted out the spent shells?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Well, I wouldn't say 'deliberately' exactly. They're only scrap iron, after all. Usually just thrown away, I believe. But you never know when things might come in useful, do you?"
"...Useful for what, exactly?"
"Hmmm...yes...well... Joan here did manage to knock one of the bally things on my foot the other day while she was dusting!"
"Oh no!" Susato said, worried.
"Hadn't shed a tear since 1869 before then, you know." Garrideb said.
"1869. That takes me back to my time with Captain Jack in Cardiff." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. '...Maybe reconsider throwing them away?'
"Didn't have this though." I said, walking away from the mortar shells to the medal.
"That looks like a medal of honour. And it's showcased on a very grand banner." Susato said.
"Yes. It's displayed with some pride, I would say. ...Although it bothers me that it's not straight." Ryunosuke said.
"What, that old thing?" Garrideb asked.
"Sorry?"
"I should be glad to see the back of it, but the general would turn in his grave if I disposed of it. The wall's the best place for it. Keeps the bally thing out of my way."
"If you say so." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'So it's just been polished to shine by accident, I suppose?'
"...There appears to be an inscription on the medal itself, look. Let me see... It says, 'For Distinguished Participation'." Susato said, looking down at the medal.
"...Sounds like the kind of honours even I could be in line for." Ryunosuke said.
"Well, one doesn't like to blow one's own trumpet. But I was given that for my time in the army. Can't measure an officer by the number of medals to his name, of course. Common knowledge in military circles." Garrideb said.
"Wow." I said, walking away from the medal to look up at the painting. "That painting."
"...That portrait of Mr Garrideb is glaring at me, I swear." Ryunosuke said, frowning.
"Have you noticed that all the little frames contain photographic prints of Mr Garrideb as well?" Susato asked.
"Yes, and...there seems to be a statue of a lion on the mantelpiece as well."
"Ah, yes. Seemed to come back from the local pawnbroker with that little trinket." Garrideb said.
"'Seemed to come back'? What do you mean?" Ryunosuke asked.
"The chap who runs the place is a bally wizard! Went in to sell him something and came out with that thing! In point of fact... Now I think about it, I rather often find myself leaving the place with something I don't need."
"The lion ornament certainly does seem surplus to requirements." Susato said.
"Yup." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Susato-san doesn't pull her punches! ...Or her throws, for that matter.'
"A screen." I said, as I walked away from the painting to the screen. "Asian style, it looks like."
"Look at that enormous screen! It must have been put there deliberately, surely." Susato said, happily.
"Yes. It certainly seems like someone's trying to hide something from view." Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. 'What could be behind it, I wonder…'
"I'm going to have a very quick look. Just a little peek!" Susato chirped.
"Ahem! Ahem!" The maid yelled.
"...Maybe let's not, Miss Susato. I think the maid is going to head us off with a cup of tea." Ryunosuke said, letting out a sigh.
"Ahem! Ahem!"
"Let's check out the window instead." I said, walking away from the screen to the window.
"Agreed." Susato said, looking at the window. "This window looks out over Briar Road, where the young woman was attacked."
"Oh yes... I can make out the policemen on the far side of the road investigating the crime scene." Ryunosuke said.
"The glass is rather murky, isn't it? You can't see very clearly." Susato said.
"Does this thing open at all, I wonder…"
"I shouldn't underestimate the bitterness of a London winter, sir." The maid said.
"Sorry?" Ryunosuke asked.
"As soon as you open that window, the tea will freeze in the pot! No Londoner would go opening windows at dusk in the middle of winter, I assure you."
"It's not Cardiff on Christmas." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'It seems very unlikely that these two would have seen anything of the incident, then.'
"Those look yummy." I said, walking over to the cakes.
"Agreed." Susato said, walking to the cakes. "Oh, look! What a wonderful collection of cakes lined up on that gleaming silver cake stand!"
"Yup." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. ''Lined up'? It looks more like someone has half demolished them to me.'
"Afternoon tea is a time of indulgence, you know. It is quite the English way. It is Mr Garrideb's custom to take two cakes with his tea." The maid said.
"That sounds delightful!" Susato cheered.
"Oh... Wait a minute, though... There are at least ten cakes on this cake stand." Ryunosuke said.
"Well, naturally! And it would never do to waste the leftovers. So whatever Mr Garrideb doesn't eat, I say to myself, 'Joan, you shall have to tidy up.'" The maid said.
"How...magnanimous of you."
"Can't say the same about the candles though." I said, looking over at the candles.
"This old candle holder looks a little out of place here, wouldn't you say?" Susato asked.
"Yes, you're right. It's clearly supposed to be gold, but it's almost completely black for some reason." Ryunosuke said.
"Ah, um...that old thing, yes. Just a cheap of ironmongery. Gimcrack, really." Garrideb said.
"Oh."
"Used it when I was studying, don't you know? For my commission. I know it's old. Hardly worth hanging on to, really. But...well, still has its uses sometimes."
"Of course." Susato said.
"Does everything in this room have some elaborate story behind it?" Ryunosuke asked.
"They're memories, Mr Naruhodo... Memories." Susato said, letting out a sigh.
"Memories of a soldier." I said, walking away from the candles to the dresser. "It's sad at times, you know."
"Look at this crockery on display here. It's rather...unusual, isn't it?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Oh my! A genuine London dresser! Isn't it delightful?! ...Although the shelves seem to be broken, and the crockery is... Oh dear! It's in pieces!" Susato said, terrified.
"It really is. The word 'cracked' wouldn't do that chinaware justice."
"... Ah! I wonder... Perhaps the cannon was fired at it!"
"Yes, probably something like that." Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'But let's not delve too deeply here…'
19th February
Mr Natsume's Room…
"Wha...? Just look at this place!" Ryunosuke yelled, as he thought this to himself. 'And smell it! It's so musty in here. I suppose it's the mountains of old books that are responsible for that.'
"... I don't think I've ever seen so many books in all my life!" Susato said, at a loss for words.
"No, me neither."
"I have. But on a larger scale. It is a whole planet filled with books. It's called the Library." I said, sadly. "It's in the 51st century though."
"A planet filled with books." Susato said, in awe. "Is that possible?"
"Yeah. The Princess of Friendship, Twilight Sparkle, would have a field day with it. If said planet filled with books didn't have killer shadows."
"It's so dark in here, too." Ryunosuke said, frowning.
"Is that the window over there?" Susato asked.
"Well, it WAS the window, I think, yes. Once upon a time." Ryunosuke said, and he thought this to himself. 'But for some reason it's been closed up with bricks and mortar.' He then spoke aloud. "So this is where Mr Natsume lives…"
"By the way... ...I haven't spotted Mr Holmes anywhere, have you?" Susato asked.
"No, that's true. But according to what Mr Garrideb told us... ...the great detective should be around here somewhere investigating." Ryunosuke said.
"Yeah. Let's look at this desk." I said, walking over to the desk.
"That desk seems to be wedged into a crevasse between the mountains of books on either side." Susato said.
"I suppose Mr Natsume would sit there and read while stroking his cat. But surrounded on all sides by these towering old tomes... Surely he dreamt of books every night as well." Ryunosuke said.
"Yes...he must have done, mustn't he? ...Oh! What's this? It's a receipt from a secondhand bookshop. 'Yore Books'..."
"Oh yes. Mr Natsume's name is on it, look. And the date of purchase... Ah, two days ago at 4:45 p.m." Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'That's the day of the incident!'
"That's just a short while before he was embroiled in the terrible attack! He must have been on his way back from buying some old books."
The secondhand book receipt has been entered into the Court Record.
"No way." I said, looking up to see Sherlock Holmes. "You're kidding me."
"Aaah! Look, Mr Naruhodo, Jared!" Susato cried.
"Ah-ha! There he is!" Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'Where did he appear from?'
"He seems to be engrossed in the pages of an old book. I hope he won't mind if we disturb him... Hellooo! Mr Holmes!"
"...! Ah, you two! And my old friend, Jared. Good day. Now, let me see... Where was it that we met?" Holmes asked.
"Oh, Mr Holmes! We were together on the SS Burya." Susato said.
"Yes, of course! The Burya. And let me see... What happened on that voyage?"
"It was Kazuma Asogi. He died...tragically. But you were a great help to us." Ryunosuke said, frowning.
"Ah yes, but of course! The case of Mr Asogi! It was the one with the snake, wasn't it?"
"Oh!" Susato said, terrified.
"Well...you seem to remember...something of it, at least." Ryunosuke said, letting out a sigh.
"You're not wrong there, Sherlock. It was 'The Adventure of the Speckled Band'." I said, happily.
"What an honour, to be remembered vaguely by the great Sherlock Holmes! This is Mr-" Susato said, smiling.
"Oh no no, my dear madam, hold your tongue! I pride myself on my superior powers of recollection. Your names are safely recorded in my brain-attic. Miss Naruhodo... ...and Mr Susato!" Holmes chirped.
"...Try the other way around, Mr Holmes." Ryunosuke said.
"Ah ha ha ha ha hah! I lose the first round!" Holmes said, laughing a lot. "...In truth, I had hoped to invite you three to my Baker Street suite the day we arrived in London. But some Scotland Yarders ambushed me at the railway station and whisked me away from Jared to a crime scene. It was an entirely trivial case, of course. I solved the matter in no more than thirty minutes."
"Thirty minutes is impressive, Sherlock." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'So they apprehended Soseki-san in THAT short an amount of time?'
"It is, Jared. I'm afraid the pursuance of a new case has dulled my recollection of my past involvements a little." Holmes said.
"'A little'?" Ryunosuke asked.
"It is a mistake to think that one's brain-attic has elastic walls and can distend to any extent. I do my best to forget useless facts, lest they should elbow out the useful ones. Yes! Those are my own words of inimitable wisdom, you know. From an adventure entitled, 'A Study in Scarlet'."
"...Please, there's no need to quote yourself."
"I don't always remember my pearls of wisdom, but fortunately, my associate pens them beautifully."
"That being Iris." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'He means Iris, I suppose.'
"Mr Holmes... ...we have some extremely important questions to ask you about the 'trivial case' you just mentioned!" Susato said, excitedly.
"Goodness! What an earnest expression. My dear madam, I should be only too pleased. And this murky room is an apt place to discuss the murky case!" Holmes said, angrily.
"Why not ask him about Soseki Natsume's arrest?" I asked, looking down at the floor.
"We know this to be the lodgings of a Japanese foreign student by the name of Soseki Natsume. It seems that you assisted in his arrest, Mr Holmes. For the stabbing of a young woman outside here on Briar Road." Ryunosuke said.
"Hm, Natsume... Yes, I believe it was a name rather along those lines." Holmes said.
"But Mr Natsume denies it! Was it really justifiable to arrest him on so little?" Susato asked.
"... I'm sorry, Miss Susato... ...but I have not the slightest idea what you mean."
"Wha...?"
"Um…" I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'I can't believe he was looking Susato-san squarely in the eye while feigning ignorance.'
"I assure you, I am not merely feigning ignorance. It would appear as if the three of you are under some misapprehension." Holmes said.
"Oh? How?" Ryunosuke asked.
"I assure you I have no recollection of accusing your stooped compatriot, excluding Jared, of the crime."
"But that doesn't make sense!"
"The good detective of Scotland Yard made the following request of me, and I quote verbatim: 'We need you to ascertain the identity and whereabouts of a man seen fleeing the crime scene.'"
"Ah... A man...seen fleeing…"
"There were a number of books scattered on the pavement at the scene. From the bookplates, I was quickly able to determine the bookshop from which they had been purchased. On speaking with the proprietor, I was immediately led to this address. ...Elementary, wouldn't you say? I believe there is a receipt around here somewhere from the establishment in question."
"So you don't think Mr Natsume is the culprit then!"
"Hm...that I could not tell you. But it was aggravating my faculties. Hence why I returned here. However, this place is such a trove of fascinating books, I found myself quite lost in bibliophily. ...Do not be deceived into believing that I am a man of leisure. No no no!"
"Oh dear…" Susato said, sadly.
"Sherlock…" I said, frowning.
"Ah...tell me... ...have you encountered the landlord of these lodgings?" Holmes asked.
"Yes. Mr Garrideb. ...A retired military man." Ryunosuke said.
"It was the first time I've ever met a soldier from the great British institution that is the Services." Susato said.
"And it was the first time I've ever met a maid from the great British institution that is...service."
"... Ah ha ha ha ha hah!" Holmes said, laughing a lot.
"I-I didn't think it was THAT funny...!" Ryunosuke said, terrified.
"I do apologise. As you may well be aware, many households in London employ a maid."
"Yes! I read as much in my 'Great Britain Primer'." Susato said.
"And so conversely... ...whether or not a household employs a maid has come to betoken the social standing of those dwelling therein." Holmes said.
"Betoken their social standing? ...Sorry?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Put simply, my dear fellow... ...those who employ at least a single maid are considered middle class. Those who do not, are beneath that. In the upper echelons of society, of course, households employ enough staff to constitute a large family."
"Goodness! How extraordinary…" Susato said, in awe.
"As you can appreciate, for those on the precarious boundary between the middle and lower classes... ...being able to afford just one maid is of the first importance." Holmes said.
"I...I had no idea." Ryunosuke said.
"And it is for precisely that reason, that I find great stimulation in the situation upstairs. Specifically, in the retired army veteran, Mr John Garrideb."
"Oh?"
"Affable as he is, the fellow is hiding something. Whether or not it imposes on the circumstances of this case, I am as yet unable to ascertain."
"What?" I asked, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. '...I'm thoroughly lost on what he means to say.'
"...This room is thoroughly suffocating for the soul, my dear fellow. I assure you, any man whose lot is to dwell in a place such as this will stab somebody sooner or later." Holmes said.
"Mr Natsume has stabbed no one!" Susato cried.
"Ah, but 'sooner or later', as I said…"
"I don't believe that's the issue here."
"...About this dark little room, Mr Holmes... Why is there no longer a window? Do you have any idea?" Ryunosuke asked.
"No window?" Holmes asked.
"Well, I mean, I can clearly see that there is a window... of sorts. But it's been completely blocked with bricks."
"Ah, I see. The answer to that question is quite simple: Window tax."
"Window...tax? What is that?"
"Surely...not a tax on windows?" Susato asked.
"Precisely that." Holmes said.
"Oh my goodness!"
"Until relatively recently, a tax was levied on households in this country by the number of their windows. Those of lesser means, having inherited a sizeable and costly family home perhaps, rapidly closed windows up. While the rich opened windows here, there and everywhere... ...in an effort to curry favour with those in power by furnishing them with large sums of tax money."
"How awful! ...And unjust! Forcing people to live in rooms devoid of light!"
"Indeed, disease was rife as a result. So some forty years ago, or thereabouts, the window tax was abolished. But its legacy remains, as you can see. In squalid lodgings such as these, for example."
"I suppose Mr Natsume's stipend for living here in London isn't very generous perhaps…" Ryunosuke said, frowning.
"It would appear so. I've done a little digging... ...and discovered that these lodgings were offered at an extraordinarily low price." Holmes said, letting out a sigh.
"Because the room is so awful, I should think." Susato said.
"Apparently Mr Natsume only moved in here about one week ago." Ryunosuke said.
"Yes, that's correct. However... ...I don't believe the low rent is explained by the shabby nature of the accommodation." Holmes said.
"Oh?"
"Still, that is of little relevance here. A matter not worthy of further attention."
"You sure?" I asked, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Are you sure? I'm curious now…'
"Well, I believe I've told you all I can now." Holmes said.
"Thank you, Mr Holmes." Ryunosuke said, happily.
"Ah yes, Mr Naruhodo... ...was it not your intention to become a practitioner of law?"
"...!" Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. 'You remembered that, did you?'
"Will you perhaps be offering your services in this very matter, I wonder? To the occupant of this room, Mr...Natsume, was it?"
"... I'm not sure."
"Not sure? On what grounds?"
"Well, I actually defended someone in court here only yesterday."
"Really? Well then, I congratulate you, sir, on an ambition realised. And so promptly, too."
"The thing is... ...it's really made me question things. Am I right to believe in my clients? To trust in their innocence?"
"... Hm, yes. Trust…"
"Mr Holmes... ...Mr Natsume didn't do it, did he?"
"... Ah ha ha ha ha hah! My dear fellow, I haven't the first idea!" Holmes said, laughing a lot.
"Oh! But... ...I thought that's why you were here. Didn't you come back to investigate?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Ah yes, that was indeed my initial intention. But there are simply too many fascinating books here. I couldn't possibly ignore them."
"Oh...I see."
"Nevertheless, there are two facts that I can state quite unequivocally. The man who fled the scene of the crime two days ago was the Japanese occupant of this room. And... ...there are witnesses who swear to having seen the same man commit the crime. ...That is all I can say."
"...!"
"Ah, and one more thing…"
"Oh! What is it, Mr Holmes! Tell us!" Susato chirped.
"I cannot say with any certainty whether or not it is of relevance to this case, but I am quite sure... ...that the retired army man who owns this property... is hiding something." Holmes said.
"Mr Garrideb is...?" Ryunosuke asked, as he thought this to himself. 'Mr Holmes said as much before actually, didn't he?'
"Anyway, at present, that is really all that plays on my mind in relation to this case."
"Mr Naruhodo... ...as yet our investigations have uncovered nothing that could help establish Mr Natsume's innocence." Susato said.
"No, you're right." Ryunosuke said, and he thought this to himself. 'Perhaps it's time we probed a little deeper into Mr Garrideb's secret…'
"Just remember, I cannot be sure whether the landlord's secret will prove to be of relevance or not. But I wish you every success, of course, Mr Naruhodo!" Holmes cheered, walking away from us.
"Right. Thanks for your help, Sherlock." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Hm, a busy man, indeed... He's gone back to his book in the corner of the room.'