19th February
Mr Garrideb's Room…
"Ah, you three again. Tell me, was the detective chap - I forget his name - still hard at work down there?" Garrideb asked.
"Mr Sherlock Holmes?" Susato asked.
"Ah yes, rings a vague bell. All that detective business isn't really my thing, I'm afraid."
"Well, Mr Holmes is...in his element down there." Ryunosuke said.
"Yup. He's investigating." I said, happily. "And well, making deductions."
"Jolly good show. Another cup of tea, if you please, Joan. ...Now then, why don't you tell me what-" Garrideb said, and his maid spilled tea on him. "AAAAAAAAARGH!!! For the umpteenth time, woman, will you watch what you're bally well doing?!"
"I shall be serving dinner shortly, sir." The maid said, sadly.
"Hm? Ah... Yes, of course. Frightfully rude of me, but I'm afraid I shall have to ask you to take your leave, if you'd be so kind?"
"Oh, yes, of course. We are deeply grateful for all your assistance." Susato said, smiling.
"Not at all, not at all! Don't get much chance to talk with young foreigners like yourselves. It's been a pleasure. Best of luck, and all that. ...Perhaps you could see yourselves out." Garrideb said.
"Maybe." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'According to Mr Holmes... ...Mr Garrideb is hiding something. And since no other avenues of investigation seem open to us at the moment, perhaps we should do some digging.'
"Digging with Sherlock's help." I said, walking over to Sherlock, who's standing by the window. "Hey."
"Ah…" Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. 'What's he doing over there?'
"M...Mr Holmes?!" Susato exclaimed.
"Ah-ha! We meet again, my dear fellows!" Holmes said, excitedly.
"Good gracious! When did you sneak in here?" Garrideb asked.
"Sherlock Holmes, sir, at your service."
"Whatever were you doing over by the window?" The maid asked.
"I am given to watching the evening sky as the sun sets, madam. Yet sadly, cheerful as the room downstairs undoubtedly is, it lacks an aperture for such observation. So I took the liberty of borrowing a small corner of space by the window up here."
"Hmph. Well…" Garrideb said, scoffing.
"What?" I asked, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Keeping an eye to one's windows at dusk is the prudent thing to do in London, I'm gathering…'
"Ah, and one other thing, Mr Naruhodo…" Holmes said, looking at Ryunosuke.
"Oh! Me?" Ryunosuke asked.
"I thought perhaps you might be in need... ...of a certain great detective's...great mind!"
"...!" Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'Wait, he's not talking about...? Is he? I, I didn't expect to be going through that again so soon…'
"Do you mean, Mr Holmes...?" Susato asked.
"There is a mighty secret in this modest room. My eyes see even the most trivial of trifles. I take it you're prepared, Mr Naruhodo?" Holmes asked.
"I, I think so!" Ryunosuke said, terrified.
"There is just time enough for one of my greatly admired great deductions. Let us conclude the matter before dark! Mr Garrideb... ...though it would seem you are a military man of considerably distinguished service... ...your standing as a landlord is most certainly not what one might call, 'first-rate'."
"Hm?" Garrideb asked.
"I'm afraid, sir, that it is all too clear to me. There are two conclusions I have been able to draw by careful observation of your living arrangements." Holmes said.
"I beg your pardon?"
"The first... ...is that even as we speak, you are concealing the presence of a ferocious beast in your care!"
"Eh?"
"And the second... ...is that as a result of the beast's violent rampage, you have lost something very dear to you!"
"Ah! Er…" Garrideb said, annoyed.
"Mr Naruhodo, Jared, look!" Susato cried, looking at Garrideb.
"Nice work, Sherlock." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'The old man's broken out in a cold sweat... Unbelievably, it seems Mr Holmes's conclusions...are both spot on!'
"...How? How could you possibly...?" Garrideb asked.
"'How could I possibly know?' you mean to enquire? The answer couldn't be simpler, sir. For in the dense jungle of logic and reasoning...I am the king of beasts!" Holmes yelled.
"Agh!" Garrideb yelled.
"And I know only too well, that wild beasts are not easily tamed. So...shall we begin? Once again, Sherlock Holmes is proud to present...his 'Logic and Reasoning Spectacular'!"
The Great Deduction
The game is afoot!
Topic 1
Nature of the Beast
"It certainly shouldn't take a great detective to see... ...that a fearsome beast has been on the rampage of late within these four walls. Thus we are faced with the question: What form might this beast take? Ah, for a man with a military breeding, your eyes are uncommonly candid." Holmes said.
"I...!" Garrideb said, at a loss for words.
"Your furtive glance, Mr Garrideb, leads us directly to the answer. The true nature of the beast that has run rampant here is revealed by that lion statue! Yes, though an army man, you appear unimposing at best. A fact that has fuelled your admiration for the mighty lion, the king of beasts."
"What is this piffle, I ask you?!"
"In the end, your admiration became so great, in fact... ...that you had a living, breathing specimen shipped from India, which you tried to keep in this very house!"
"WHAAAT?!"
"Yet living with such a wild beast proved more difficult than you had imagined. The chilling traces of a wild rampage are still very much in evidence."
"Well!" The maid said, terrified.
"Yet as we look around, the beast in question fails to present itself. Where could this angry creature have disappeared to... madam?" Holmes asked.
"M-Me?!"
"I pray you do not consider me unchivalrous, but it is plain to me with one glance in your direction."
"It...it is?"
"Your dress pocket gives us a handsome clue as to the beast's current whereabouts! For protruding from it is a handbill advertising a circus show."
"Ah!"
"Yes, you sought to dispose of this terrifying lion, Mr Garrideb. At 'Batty's Circus'... ...a travelling show currently sojourning in a nearby park. I have observed the tents. You sold the savage lion, sir, to the circus troupe!"
"I, I most certainly did not!" Garrideb said, angrily.
"...I believe I have made my point. The fearsome beast which ran amok in this room...was an Indian lion! And a simple visit to the circus now will reveal the lion prancing jubilantly through a ring of fire!" Holmes yelled.
Topic 1
Nature of the Beast
Conclusion
A rampaging Asiatic lion
Topic 2
Aftermath
"Now...Mr Garrideb... ...it is plainly clear that you still have deep feelings for this formidable 'beast'. Indeed, in that blithe pose, the distress this loss has caused you is veritably tangible." Holmes said.
"...!" Garrideb said, at a loss for words.
"Your head weighs heavy on your shoulders. The pain you feel being revealed by that supporting arm. Amid fits of tears, you let your beloved beast go. The strain of losing something so dear to you is clearly visible in your visage."
"Nonsense man! I, I simply…"
"But what, we must now ask ourselves, is the true cause of this pain? And we need only follow the direction of your gaze to find the answer. Yes, it is this pile of bills that has given rise to the pain you suffer. Every envelope contains another demand for payment."
"Ah…" The maid said, sadly.
"For cart-loads of meat, potatoes, wheat and tea. Indeed, feeding your beloved has had a devastating impact on the financial circumstances of your household. And so you had no choice but to let it go." Holmes said.
"Yes, well, erm…" Garrideb said, frowning.
"Now...in a final fit of rage, the ferocious beast carried out one last, unimaginable attack…"
"Un-Unimaginable...?" The maid asked.
"...The aftermath of which can be clearly seen by observing the carpet over there! A very expensive woollen carpet, if I am not mistaken." Holmes said.
"Oh dearie me…"
"What could have caused such a destructive outburst?"
"Ah…"
"...This time, madam, I'm afraid it is you who has inadvertently revealed the truth to me. Your wandering eye has settled upon the answer very neatly indeed. Yes, to explain the dire state of the carpet, we need only look at the tower of cakes!" Holmes said, excitedly.
"Ah!" The maid said, worried.
"There is no creature more dangerous on this earth than a beast with an unsatiated appetite. Was it or was it not once said by a noblewoman, 'If they have no bread, let them eat cake'? Food is at the heart of all tragedy, in fact."
"Whatever do you mean?"
"Having tired of the taste of cake, the beast began to stalk its next prey. I'm sure I need not spell out the nature of this final act of destruction carried out by the beast. There is only one logical conclusion: Worked into a frenzy by hunger, the lion attacked and ate the carpet! The teeth marks in the carpet...are a perfect match with those of a lion I once saw in India."
Topic 2
Aftermath
Conclusion
Carpet gnawed on by the starving lion
"Thus concludes Sherlock Holmes's great deduction...of this beastly puzzle!" Holmes said, smirking.
"AAAAAAAAARGH!!!" Garrideb said, while the maid spilled tea on him. "What is the matter with you, Joan?! You're pouring scalding hot tea all over me!"
"Oh...I'm sorry, Mr Garrideb. I'm afraid I didn't notice." The maid said, sadly.
"My deductions can be startlingly sharp. It stands to reason that your cup runneth over. Indeed, my revelations can make people spill tears at times, too." Holmes said.
"Oh…"
"Erm, Mr Holmes, sorry to butt in...again. But could I make an observation?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Why certainly, Mr Naruhodo. What is it...again?" Holmes asked.
"Well, your deductions just now... Do you really think a lion could have fit inside a room of this size?"
"Indeed. It is the only explanation for the facts. The terrifying truth all too often lies beyond the realms of common sense!"
"That feels like it is beyond common sense." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'But wouldn't it be an idea to consider what lies inside the realms of common sense as well?'
"But...if an uncaged lion had run amok in this very room... ...surely Mr Garrideb and his maid would have been hurt...or worse." Susato said, frowning.
"Ah, that's where you are stuck. No doubt the former military man held his own against the beast using that large cannon." Holmes said.
"I thought you said that they sold the lion to the circus…" Ryunosuke said.
"And what about the food? Meat and potatoes are one thing... ...but I don't believe I have ever heard of a lion that drinks tea." Susato said.
"Not unless it's the Wizard of Oz." I said, looking down at the floor. "Or Alice in Wonderland."
"Ah, my dear Miss Susato. It occurs to me with some regularity... ...that irrespective of race and breeding, whenever anyone lands on Great British soil... ...they are infused with a highly appropriate taste for afternoon tea!" Holmes said, excitedly.
"Oh! ...What a glorious notion! Well then, Mr Naruhodo! It's your turn to shine again!" Susato cheered.
"I...had a feeling that was coming." Ryunosuke said.
"A slight massage, that's all Mr Holmes's deductions need. You can do it!"
"Excellent. I've been waiting for my trusty partner in deduction to step forward, Mr Naruhodo!" Holmes chirped.
"You got this, Ryunosuke. I'll help you along every step of the way. When you need it." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. '...We don't even know yet whether or not this is going to help with Mr Natsume's case. Still... ...uncovering the truth is always worthwhile, whatever the motivation! ...At least, that's what I want to believe…'
"Let us start again from the beginning... ...of Sherlock Holmes's 'Logic and Reasoning Spectacular'!" Holmes said.
Course Correction
Hold it, Mr Holmes!
Topic 1
Nature of the Beast
Conclusion
A rampaging Asiatic lion
"It certainly shouldn't take a great detective to see... ...that a fearsome beast has been on the rampage of late within these four walls. Thus we are faced with the question: What form might this beast take? Ah, for a man with a military breeding, your eyes are uncommonly candid." Holmes said.
"I...!" Garrideb said, at a loss for words.
"Your furtive glance, Mr Garrideb, leads us directly to the answer. The true nature of the beast that has run rampant here is revealed by that lion statue!"
"...I really didn't see the lion thing coming." Ryunosuke said.
"No, but if you observe Mr Garrideb's reaction... ...it rather seems as though some beast did indeed run amok here in this room." Susato said.
"Yes, something with a very fierce nature."
"But it couldn't have been a lion transported from India."
"So what was it, then?"
"We must follow Mr Garrideb's gaze. That will lead us to the true answer!"
"He's looking at this." I said, walking over to the photograph frame. "Oh."
"What's this photograph?" Ryunosuke asked.
"It appears to be from Mr Garrideb's wedding. He looks very happy, doesn't he?" Susato asked.
"He does, but...you can't make out his bride."
"No, how unfortunate. Something must have struck the glass directly over the woman's face."
"It might have either got hit or fell down to the floor at some point." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'I wonder what happened... Probably best not to delve too deeply there.'
"Still, the bride is in the photograph." I said, looking at the newlywed bride in the photograph.
"I agree. The glass is broken, so you can't see the bride's face at all." Susato said.
"But no amount of cracks could hide the woman's plump form." Ryunosuke said.
"I think 'powerful' would be kinder than 'plump', Mr Naruhodo."
"Yes, she certainly looks that. There's a lot of horsepower here. Not someone you'd want to upset, that's for sure."
"Oh look! Have you noticed her wedding ring? It's very large, isn't it?"
"Yes, that's an unusual design."
"It looks like some sort of embellished sunflower." Susato said, while her eyes moved over to Mr Garrideb in the photograph. "This must have been when Mr Garrideb was still in the army."
"He seems to be carrying his rather stout bride effortlessly, and beaming a smile at the same time." Ryunosuke said.
"I suppose he was very strong in his younger years."
"Hard to imagine now. He's as thin as a rake."
"Yup." I said, happily. "Time to present it in the deduction."
"Take that!" Ryunosuke yelled, presenting the newlywed bride in the photograph. "The true nature of the beast that has run rampant here is revealed by that newlywed bride!"
"Precisely, Mr Naruhodo! No other explanation could possibly fit! Yes, this framed print pictures your wife, Mr Garrideb. And while we lament the fact that her face is obscured…" Holmes said.
"...we can still make out her mighty arms, and note the considerable horsepower they must contain."
"Oh, um…" Garrideb said, frowning.
"Indeed! Surely any woman of such powerful constitution would be honoured to be described as a 'beast'!" Holmes said.
"Um...'honoured' might be stretching a point…" Ryunosuke said.
"Too late! The fact remains that the beast, which so clearly savaged this room... ...was your wife, Mr Garrideb!"
"GYAAARGH!" Garrideb said, angrily.
"The chilling traces of a wild rampage are still very much in evidence." Holmes said.
"Well!" The maid said, terrified.
"Yet as we look around, the beast in question fails to present itself. Where could this angry creature have disappeared to... madam?"
"M-Me?!"
"I pray you do not consider me unchivalrous, but it is plain to me with one glance in your direction."
"It...it is?"
"Your dress pocket gives us a handsome clue as to the beast's current whereabouts!"
"The poor, fragile, defenceless woman is beside herself!" Susato cried.
"Well... ...I don't know about 'fragile'." Ryunosuke said, letting out a sigh.
"Oh...dear... Anyway, Mr Holmes is quite right. There's no sign of a Mrs Garrideb anywhere."
"But it seems there may be a clue as to her whereabouts. A clue that this maid is trying to hide!" Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. 'I wonder where Mr Garrideb's wife could be…'
"Oh." I said, walking up to the maid to see a wedding ring. "She's married."
"Take that!" Ryunosuke said, presenting the wedding ring. "Your wedding ring gives us a handsome clue as to the beast's current whereabouts!"
"Ah!" The maid said, worried.
"Indeed it does! That flowery band gleaming on your finger gives you away! For it is identical to the one shown on the hand of Mr Garrideb's bride in this photographic print!" Holmes yelled.
"In other words, you are no ordinary household maid." Ryunosuke said.
"...!" The maid said, at a loss for words.
"No... You are Mr Garrideb's lucky bride. You...are Mrs Garrideb herself!" Holmes said, angrily.
"Oh my... WOOOOORRRRDDDD!!!"
"...Well. Jolly fine detecting, sir. As you rightly surmised, this is the wife, yes. My Joan. Rather let herself go, you might say, but she was a bally corker back-" Garrideb said, and the maid spilled tea on him. "AAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!"
"...It would appear that you don't live in the most comfortable of circumstances. After all, you are a retired army man, yet you are in the business of renting out rooms." Holmes said.
"Tsk…" Garrideb said, annoyed.
"I would assume, therefore, that you have insufficient means to employ a maid. ...Would that be correct?"
"It's not right, I tell you! I was second lieutenant of the third regiment! A man has his pride, don't you know! By golly, it's a sorry thing when a chap can't even afford to have a single maid in his employ!"
"Yes, here in London, one is rather judged. A household cannot be considered worthy of society if it employs no staff at all. Though in my considered opinion, such concerns about appearances are a folly."
"You, you mean Mr Garrideb has his wife...work as his maid?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Precisely. ...Am I right, Mr Garrideb?" Holmes asked.
"Only in company, obviously. But listen here! This must remain a secret! Tip-Top secret! Please!" Garrideb cried.
Topic 1
Nature of the Beast
Conclusion
A rampaging Asiatic lion
The raging wife of Mr Garrideb
Solved
Topic 2
Aftermath
Conclusion
Carpet gnawed on by the starving lion
"Now...Mr Garrideb... ...it is plainly clear that you still have deep feelings for this formidable 'beast'. Indeed, in that blithe pose, the distress this loss has caused you is veritably tangible." Holmes said.
"...!" Garrideb said, at a loss for words.
"Your head weighs heavy on your shoulders. The pain you feel being revealed by that supporting arm."
"Mr Holmes is quite something. He's still calling Mr Garrideb's wife a 'beast'." Ryunosuke said.
"Yup." I said, sadly. "He is."
"Yes, as a woman, that feels rather uncomfortable." Susato said, frowning.
"But Mrs Garrideb is standing beside her husband as we speak. In other words...he hasn't lost his beloved at all, has he?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Oh, how true! So perhaps that supporting arm that seems to be propping up his head... ...has some other significance, then!"
"According to Mr Holmes, Mr Garrideb's pain is tangible, though." Ryunosuke said, and he thought this to himself. 'What could that pose of his really signify...?'
"I see a bit of redness." I said, walking up to Mr. Garrideb to see a slapped cheek. "The Doctor got slapped hard by women a lot. On top of being kissed by some."
"Take that!" Ryunosuke yelled, presenting the slapped cheek. "Your head weighs heavy on your shoulders. The pain you feel being revealed by that slapped cheek!"
"And of course, the deliverer of that impressive mark on your cheek that refuses to fade... ...was you, Madam Joan Garrideb!" Holmes said, angrily.
"Well, yes…" The maid said, letting out a sigh.
"You have been desperate to hide the slap mark on your cheek, sir."
"Agh! How the blazes...? How did you work that out, man?" Garrideb asked.
"Nothing escapes the notice of one trained in the art of observation, my dear fellow."
"That's why you haven't looked directly at us even once... To keep your other side from view!" Ryunosuke chirped.
"Well, um... Hmph." Garrideb said, scoffing.
"Now then, let us proceed to the next conundrum. Why were you subjected to such a violent slap? In other words, we must ask ourselves what caused Madam Garrideb to fly into a rage? And we need only follow the direction of your gaze to find the answer. Yes, it is this pile of bills that has given rise to the pain you suffer." Holmes said.
"Didn't Mr Holmes say that the bills were all for lion fodder?" Susato asked.
"Yes, but now we've established that the lion never existed. Which can only mean that the thing responsible for gobbling up all that food... ...was Mr Garrideb's wife." Ryunosuke said.
"Ryunosuke! Rude!" I said, crossing my arms.
"Mr Naruhodo! She's a person, not a 'thing'!" Susato cried.
"Yes, well... She's also a person who gave her husband a mighty slap round the face. One so hard that it left a perfect hand mark, in fact." Ryunosuke said, looking between Susato and I.
"Yes, why would a woman want to hit her husband with such force, I wonder?" Susato asked.
"...I'd love to know the answer to that question."
"Oh. There's a bookmark." I said, walking over to a book with a bookmark there.
"Ah, someone must be reading this book at the moment. You're right, Jared. There's a bookmark here, look. Mr Garrideb is clearly an avid reader." Susato said.
"Oh...wait a minute... I...don't think this is a bookmark." Ryunosuke said.
"Oh no, so it isn't!" Susato said, opening the book. "It's a note, written in a woman's hand. 'Oh James, I love you. Yours, Mary'."
"And look next to the signature here…"
"Lip marks! Made with lipstick! Oh, what a passionate and romantic gesture!"
"A cry for help with a kiss?" I asked, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Don't get any ideas, Susato-san, Jared…'
"Oh dear...I'm sorry." Susato said, sadly.
"Sorry." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'So this bookmark is actually a love note, then. Hm…'
"Let's take a look at the love note." I said, smiling.
"So this card that looks like it's being used as a bookmark is actually a love note." Ryunosuke said, looking down at the love note.
"Yes, reading, 'Oh James, I love you. Yours, Mary'." Susato said.
"But Mrs Garrideb's first name is Joan, isn't it?"
"Yes... I believe we may be heading into dangerous territory here. It's very conspicuous after all, isn't it?"
"You mean the bright-red lips next to the woman's signature?"
"Yes, it's the first thing you notice, of course. And it rather makes your heart skip a beat."
"It's especially if you find out your lover had significant others." I said, looking down at the floor. "Like what happened to the Doctor and River Song."
"Take that!" Ryunosuke said, presenting the love note. "Yes, it is this love note that has given rise to the pain you suffer."
"'Oh James, I love you. Yours, Mary'. ...Passionate indeed. Perhaps the sender of this note, a certain Miss Mary, is the fly in the ointment here?" Holmes asked.
"GAAARGH! But! I don't know the bally woman!" Garrideb said, angrily.
"You don't know her?" Ryunosuke asked.
"That note wasn't written to me! It was just in the book. I don't know how it got there!"
"It was 'just' in there, you say?" Holmes asked.
"That's right! That's what I've been say-" Garrideb said, while the maid spilled tea on him. "AAAAAAAAARGH!!!"
"A likely story!" The maid said, scoffing.
"Now listen here, Joan, old thing! I explained at the time! I bought the book at that secondhand place. And that note must already have been in there."
"So...the previous owner of the book was using the note as a bookmark, you mean?" Ryunosuke asked.
"That's right! That's what I've been say-" Garrideb said, as the maid spilled tea on him again. "AAAAAAAAARGH!!!"
"A likely story!" The maid said, angrily.
"For heaven's sake, woman! Look at the name! It's written to 'James'! My name, in case you'd forgotten, is John!" Garrideb said, and the maid spilled tea on him. "AAAAAAAAARGH!!!"
"A likely story!"
"Are, are you questioning my name now?!"
"And there we have it... Arouse the suspicions of the female heart, and you unleash a beast with a most ferocious bite." Holmes said.
"Ugh…" Garrideb said, annoyed.
"Now...in a final fit of rage, the ferocious beast carried out one last, unimaginable attack…"
"Un-Unimaginable...?" The maid asked.
"...The aftermath of which can be clearly seen by observing the carpet over there! A very expensive woollen carpet, if I am not mistaken." Holmes said.
"Oh dearie me…"
"What could have caused such a destructive outburst?"
"Ah…"
"...This time, madam, I'm afraid it is you who has inadvertently revealed the truth to me. Your wandering eye has settled upon the answer very neatly indeed. Yes, to explain the dire state of the carpet, we need only look at the tower of cakes!"
"But...but surely Mrs Garrideb didn't...eat the carpet?" Susato asked.
"No, of course not. But there doesn't seem to be any doubt... ...that the state of disarray that this room is in is a result of her wild temper." Ryunosuke said, letting out a sigh.
"...No, that's true. So, this is the last part of Mr Holmes's deduction that we need to fix. We need only to follow Mrs Garrideb's gaze, and that will tell us the real answer." Susato said.
"Alright. Let's see what we can see!" Ryunosuke said, excitedly.
"Yes!" Susato chirped.
"Hmm." I said, walking over to the candlestick. "It could be the candlestick."
"Take that!" Ryunosuke said, presenting the candlestick. "Yes, to explain the dire state of the carpet, we need only look at the candlestick!"
"Most illuminating, my dear fellow! And of course, the only possible way out of this logical labyrinth." Holmes said.
"Yes, the remnants of a ferocious attack in which the carpet was devoured are clearly visible." Ryunosuke said.
"Indeed they are. The scorch marks at the edge clearly give the truth away."
"Scorch marks?" Garrideb asked.
"It would appear that this room was the scene of a little marital altercation." Holmes said.
"...!" The maid said, in awe.
"Mrs Garrideb's mighty arm muscles left an impression not only on her husband's face…" Ryunosuke said.
"...but on the entire room. The force of her strike caused a candle to fall from the holder…" Holmes said.
"...and in seconds the carpet was alight, and the whole corner of the room in flames!"
"Yes, erm... Hm…" Garrideb said, sadly.
"For the most ferocious beast in this world is neither a violent lion nor a vengeful woman...but fire." Holmes said.
"And in this room, that ferocious beast bared its claws and ran amok." Ryunosuke said.
"Eloquently put, my dear fellow. So you see, there is but one conclusion here: After the sparks of marital discord flew, this room was the scene of a fire!"
"Mr Holmes, sir... I salute yooooooooou!" Garrideb said, angrily.
Topic 2
Aftermath
Conclusion
Carpet gnawed on by the starving lion
Carpet scorched by a small fire
Solved
Deduction Complete
Elementary!
"It's these dashed long winter nights, you know. Nothing to do but read in front of the fire. Luckily, there's a jolly good secondhand bookshop just around the corner. Buy all my old novels there." Garrideb said.
"And in the pages of one particular novel, you discovered some rather illicit material?" Holmes asked.
"For which your wife admonished you harshly, it seems." Susato said.
"I don't know about 'admonished'. 'Demolished' might be rather closer to the mark. And 'beast' is most certainly an apt des-" Garrideb said, while Joan spilled tea on him again. "AAAAAAAAARGH!!!"
"And here we go again." I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag.
"And the carpet? Was that destroyed by fire when a candle fell on the floor?" Ryunosuke asked.
"'Fraid to say it was. Happened in the blink of an eye, you know. The whole place filled with smoke. Couldn't see a bally thing. I was caught between the old stick's rage and the raging flames." Garrideb said.
"You paint a torrid picture, sir. ...One that would have been most entertaining." Holmes said.
"It must have been pretty lit." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'That's sympathy for you…'
"Didn't take long for the fire to spread, of course. The bally furniture started going up as well! We've had to hide the mess behind that screen for the time being." Garrideb said.
"Over here, Mr Garrideb?" Susato asked.
"Well, you have nothing more to hide now. If you'll allow me…" Holmes said, moving the screen back.
"Had all my favourite old novels in that case. But as soon as the fire got hold of them, that was it. Whoosh! Up in smoke!" Garrideb cried.
"Gosh…" Ryunsouke said, at a loss for words.
"Then the wife started hurling things at me."
"What a terrible sight it must have been." Susato said, sadly.
"There was I, back up against the window, under heavy enemy fire! Incendiary books incoming ten to the dozen. Worst of it is, I lost my favourite. Book called 'The Lion's Pride'." Garrideb said.
"'The Lion's Pride'? Ah yes, your notorious love of big cats coming through again." Holmes said.
"I assure you, the title didn't influence my choice in the slightest."
"I bet it didn't." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'So the poor man really did lose something dear to him as a result of the ferocious 'beast's' rampage.'
"Mr Holmes's deductions turned out to be correct once again!" Susato said, excitedly.
"...It can only be described as a great British wonder." Ryunosuke said.
"I tell you, it was total carnage. Flames everywhere and the old stick in full fettle!" Garrideb yelled.
"Out of interest, what time of day was that?"
"Hm, not sure I can remember. It was two days ago now. Let's see... Around five o'clock, I think."
"So at exactly the same time... ...as a terrifying incident was unfolding outside your window on the street below." Susato said, her eyes widening.
"Hmph. Even more terrifying on the inside, I can assure you. The whole of Blighty could have been flattened outside my window at that moment... ...and I wouldn't have noticed a dashed thing!" Garrideb said, angrily.
"Oh...really?"
"..."
"..." Joan said.
"..." Holmes said.
"This is such a complicated love triangle." I said, walking around the room.
"Um, Mr Holmes…" Ryunosuke said, looking at Holmes.
"Yes, Mr Naruhodo? What can I do for you?" Holmes asked.
"Well, I think we've got to the bottom of Mr Garrideb's situation now. But what does it have to do with Mr Natsume's circumstances?"
"I can't help you there, I'm afraid."
"What?"
"My dear fellow, if you recall, I did say as much from the outset. I warned you that although I knew the retired army man to be hiding something... ...I could not be sure whether his secret would prove to be of relevance or not."
"I... I just knew you were going to say that!"
"Ah ha ha ha ha hah!" Holmes said, laughing a lot. "Now now, Mr Naruhodo. You mustn't lose heart. Bear in mind... ...that all things fall into one of only two categories: Those relevant to the case, and those not."
"...That makes no sense to me." Ryunosuke said, sadly.
"Well, no matter. It is of far greater importance that you make up your mind now." Holmes said.
"Sorry?"
"Visiting hours at the prison will soon be over."
"...!" Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'Oh no! Is it that time already?'
"If we're to accept Mr Natsume's case... ...we have official paperwork to attend to." Susato said.
"..." Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. 'So that's it. No more time to think.'
"Guess this is it." I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag.
"Perhaps you'd like to betake yourselves to bidding us farewell now? I must prepare supper for Mr Garrideb." Joan said, looking between Ryunosuke, Susato, and I.
"Oh, oh yes... I'm so sorry." Ryunosuke said, frowning.
"Thank you both very much for your time." Susato said.
"Yeah. Thanks." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Soseki-san will be waiting for us. And I'm going to have to give him an answer…'
19th February
Briar Road…
"It's time, Mr Naruhodo, Jared. We must hurry back to the prison!" Susato said, worried.
"Yes, I know. Let's hail a carr- ... Oh." Ryunosuke said, spotting someone.
"What's wrong?" I asked, clutching the strap of my sling bag.
"What's the matter?" Susato asked.
"It looks like something's going on over there in front of the Garridebs' house." Ryunosuke said.
"...?" Susato asked.
"I know thee not, old man: fall to thy prayers!" Shamspeare yelled.
"Who are you calling an old man...you rum-lookin' niminy-piminy?!" Metermann exclaimed.
"'There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.'"
"Who's this Horatio fella, eh? What are you on about?"
"Hamlet." I said, looking down at the ground. "Shakespeare meeting witches, that really takes me back."
"Excuse me…" Susato said, walking in between Shamspeare and Metermann.
"Eh? What the...? Who are you now?" Metermann asked.
"I'm sorry, it just looked as though there might be some problem here. And my associate here, Mr Ryunosuke Naruhodo, is a lawyer, you see."
"Eh? A lawyer? ...What?"
"If I can be of any assistance, I'd be happy to help. I'm from Japan, but I have studied English law." Ryunosuke said.
"Tsk! Fine! I'll be on me way for today. But you mark my words! This ain't over yet!" Metermann yelled, walking away from us.
"Get thee to a nunnery!" Shamspeare said, angrily.
"Do I look like a bloomin' nun to you?!"
"I do hope you're not injured?" Susato asked.
"O, fair Eastern maiden, thou art so gentle! Thank you!" Shamspeare cheered.
"What was that all about?" Ryunosuke asked.
"'There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.'"
"Erm...I'm not Horatio, either."
"Forgive the enquiry, sir, but... ...are you a lodger here? In the Garrideb residence?" Susato asked.
"O, fair Eastern maiden, thou art so right! Yes, I do dwell in this humble abode." Shamspeare said, happily.
'Mr Garrideb mentioned that he had another lodger, didn't he? This must be the man.' Ryunosuke said, thinking that to himself, before talking aloud. "Do you happen to know the other lodger, who lives on the first floor?"
"Ah, yes. A gentleman named Natsume? O, more worthy a polemist in my battle of words ne'er could there be!"
"Sorry? Battle, did you say?"
"Who is the stronger, Hamlet or Macbeth? Mr Natsume and I sparred long into the night!"
"...I see." Ryunosuke said, sadly.
"I, I don't fully understand, but it seems Mr Natsume and this gentleman are acquaintances at least." Susato said, frowning.
"So, fair maiden! So good gentleman... ...I can tarry here no longer! Fare thee well!" Shamspeare said, walking into the building.
"I didn't really understand him, but I think he's returned to his room." Susato said.
"It seems he's unaware of what's happened to Mr Natsume, so he can't really help us." Ryunosuke said, thinking this to himself. 'With Soseki-san and that man as lodgers, the Garrideb house is certainly full of eccentrics.' He then spoke aloud. "Anyway, I'll go and find a carriage."
"Yes. I'm sure Mr Natsume is eagerly awaiting our return!"
"Yup." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Let's hope we can get to the prison before visiting hours are over.'
19th February, 6:31 p.m.
Local Prison, Cell 9…
"... Oh! It's you! You're here! You came! Locum Student Mr Naruhodo Esquire! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU CAME BACK! I'M SO TOUCHED!" Soseki said, excitedly.
"We are so sorry to have kept you waiting, Mr Natsume." Susato said.
"Oh! No! Th-Think nothing of it! R-R-R-Relax! If, if I were a cat, I would purr with pleasure at the company of such fine compatriots. Noble, Nurturing, Never-Failing Nipponese!"
"Oh now, let's not get carried away." Ryunosuke said.
"Oh, I quite agree. There is nothing more reassuring than the familiarity of one's native land. On the other hand…" Holmed said, entering the room. "...it is through friendship transcending international borders that one truly appreciates the fact. Such is my belief, at least."
"Ah! Oh! It's... Yes! Agh! It's... It's YOU! THE MISERABLE, ROTTEN SPY! HERR LOCK Holmes!!!" Soseki said, terrified.
"Mr Holmes! What are you doing here?" Ryunosuke asked.
"I have no intention of 'doing' anything per se. Save observing, of course." Holmes said.
"Whatever do you mean, Mr Holmes?" Susato asked.
"Well, having encountered some curious reading material in that gloomful room... ...and having unmasked the secret identity of that eccentric pair... ...I decided I should drop in on my way home. To see how our divested friend is faring." Holmes said.
"Gloomful room?" Soseki asked.
"At least your accommodation here offers a window, my dear fellow. In that sense, it is the superior option. Anyway, I must commend you on your taste in books. My day has been a delight, and cost me not a penny."
"AAARGH!!! YOUUU!!! HOW DARE YOU, HERR LOCK Holmes!!! ... ...Ugh. I've had it. I'm through. I'm at the end of my rope. I should never have come to Great Britain. It was a terrible mistake. Haunted by spirits in those accursed lodgings... No doubt my luck will be cursed in tomorrow's trial as well... MY WHOLE LIFE IS BEDAMNED!"
"..." Ryunosuke said.
"What are you thinking, Mr Naruhodo?" Susato asked.
"...He mentioned that once before, didn't he? That his lodgings were cursed, I mean."
"And there is much truth in Mr Moustache's words." Holmes said.
"What?" Ryunosuke asked.
"'Cursed' is a wholly appropriate description, I would say. For the man's lodgings...and indeed for tomorrow's trial."
"Definitely cursed." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. '...What's that supposed to mean?'
"The trial is more cursed than Hibiki Tachibana thinking she's cursed." I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag. "I should call her sometime and see how she's doing with her friends."
"Mr Natsume, what did you mean by what you said just now? About the trial tomorrow being cursed?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Oh no! Why, why are you looking so grave? You're m-making me nervous! I was just getting carried away, that's all! I, I didn't mean anything by it!" Soseki said, worried.
"Oh...I see." Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. 'That's really agitated him…'
"You... You... You don't mean...? The trial really IS cursed somehow?!"
"..." Holmes said.
"Are you referring to the prosecutor? The Reaper of the Bailey?" Ryunosuke asked.
"The, the reaper?! Oh no! What do you mean? Please! Tell me! Summarise it succinctly in sixteen salient words!" Soseki said, terrified.
"No defendant has ever survived a trial in which the Reaper stands for the prosecution...ever."
"... OH MY GOODNESS! CAN IT REALLY BE TRUE?! THAT WAS SIXTEEN WORDS EXACTLY!!!"
"Yesterday, Mr Naruhodo successfully defended someone against the Reaper. But then...after the trial was over... ...the defendant passed away in...unusual circumstances." Susato said.
"That being Magnus McGilded." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Mr McGilded…'
"Wha... Wha... Wha... WHAAAT?!" Soseki exclaimed.
"Ah, I am impressed, Miss Susato. You have an eye for detail." Holmes said.
"Actually, the Lord Chief Justice told us." Susato said.
"Mr Holmes... ...surely it can't be that having failed the have the accused convicted... ...Lord van Zieks killed the man himself?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Oh no! He couldn't have, surely?"
"... Ah ha ha ha ha hah! You have some wonderful notions!" Holmes said, laughing a lot.
"...Sorry?" Ryunosuke asked.
"The man isn't a mass murderer; he's a court prosecutor, my dear fellow!"
"Oh...yes... Why, of course he is!" Susato said, angrily.
"Argh! 'Of course he is'?! THEN WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO SCARE ME?!" Soseki exclaimed.
"It could be said, however... ...that the real truth about the man is even more terrifying than your hypothesis." Holmes said.
"...!" Susato said, at a loss for words.
"What on earth do you mean by that?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Spoilers." I said, leaning against the wall. "Why not describe Van Zieks, Sherlock?"
"Alright, Jared. Van Zieks is a quite exceptional man. However, in London courts of law... ...'exceptional' does not equate to winning every case without exception." Holmes said.
"Aah! That's, that's good!" Soseki chirped.
"Yeah." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Soseki-san looks like he's going to cry tears of joy.'
"As you are no doubt aware, in a British criminal trial, there is both a judge and a jury. The judge officiates based on the letter of the law, whilst the jury offers public opinion and common sense. It is an excellent system, whereby the defendant's guilt is considered from several points of view. However, public opinion, in particular, is somewhat easily manipulated." Holmes said.
"Right…" Ryunosuke said, sadly.
"Criminals, and corrupt lawyers for that matter, can use it to their advantage. By any means at their disposal. Contriving evidence, calling imposters as witnesses, and so on. By such underhand means, those who would want to are able to sway the jury. Which means that even in the light of irrefutable evidence, the prosecution can fail."
"But it means the wrong verdict can be passed!" Susato cried.
"And sadly is from time to time, my dear madam. It is simply the reality of the situation…" Holmes said.
"That's awful." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'And that's alright?'
"However... ...those indicted by Lord van Zieks cannot escape justice. Their fate is sealed."
"Oh my…" Susato said, in awe.
"Though the adjudication may see them leave the courtroom with their freedom... ...within months, they all...disappear! It is most striking."
"D-Disappear? But, but how?" Soseki asked.
"Ah, by all manner of misfortune, sir. Perhaps they are trampled under a passing carriage. Perhaps they fall into the Thames and drown. Perhaps they are suddenly overcome by a raging fever. Or perhaps attacked by highwaymen." Holmes said.
"Oh no no no…"
"All examples of the reality here in London, I'm afraid, Mr Naruhodo."
"..." Ryunosuke said.
"..." Susato said.
"Um…" I said, looking down at the ground.
"Haah... I knew it. I'm… A Dead Dodo, Done for, DOOMED!" Soseki said, angrily.
"Why not ask about the cursed lodgings, Ryunosuke?"
"When you said 'accursed lodgings' before, you were referring to your room at Mr Garrideb's house, I assume? Do you mean to say you believe the place is cursed?" Ryunosuke asked.
"... It's been a year now since I came to Great Britain. But I'd only been in London a week before I started to notice strange feelings in myself." Soseki said, sadly.
"...That didn't take long then."
"Everywhere I looked there were foreign faces staring at me... Laughing behind my back... I, I was sure people were talking about me. I started to become nervous about going outside. They were always staring at me! All the time! From dawn till dusk! So I shut myself away in my room. ...But even that didn't help. The fear wouldn't go away."
"You must have been very lonely, having been away from your homeland for such a long time." Susato said, frowning.
"I've had to move a number of times. Most recently, to that room on Briar Road, a week ago now." Soseki said.
"Yes, why did you choose there? It seems a little...inconvenient." Ryunosuke said.
"The rent is cheap. I have so little money, it appealed to me straight away. Of course, I asked why it was so affordable. The landlord just simpered and said: 'The room is cursed. ...Oops!' He quickly tried to cover his mistake, but it was too late. So I told him... ...if you have something to say, then say it! But if not, DON'T MENTION IT IN THE FIRST PLACE!"
"Yes. ...Well said."
"But it was true! It was all t-t-true!"
"You mean…" Ryunosuke said, and he thought this to himself. '...the room really is cursed, then?'
"Ever since I moved into that windowless hellhole... ...my sleep has been plagued with nightmares! I awake feeling as though I'm being choked to death! And in my waking hours, people are stabbed in front of me as I walk down the street... I'm branded a killer... Thrown in prison... Nobody wants to know me... I'm, I'm… Surrounded by Scary, Sinister Spirits! If only there was someone... Just one person on my side... Can no one find it in his or her heart to believe in me? Really no one at all?"
"It's a leap of faith." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'To believe... Yes, to believe…'
"Um, Mr Holmes…" Ryunosuke said.
"Ah. Me, Mr Naruhodo? Pray, what can I do for you?" Holmes asked.
"It's about the case on the SS Burya. If you recall?"
"The Burya... The Burya... ...Ah, that case! The one with the snake?"
"...Well, yes. At that time, I was the suspect. But you believed in me and listened to my side of the story. And you helped us to investigate."
"...I did, did I? Interesting."
"What I want to know is...why? Why did you believe me?" Ryunosuke asked.
"I see, yes. You mean... ...because you were a grimly dressed, shady Eastern fellow found with the victim in a locked room?" Holmes asked.
"Um, well...if you like, yes."
"I'm a little surprised that the answer requires explanation, my dear fellow. It's quite simple, really. You said, 'I didn't do it.'"
"But! I could have been lying! Surely you must have had your doubts? You must have suspected me a little."
"... I think perhaps you have misunderstood. I neither recall believing in you, nor in that which you were telling me."
"What?"
"You see... ...the only things I believe in...are those I choose to believe in!"
"What... What do you mean, Mr Holmes?!" Susato exclaimed.
"I make up my own mind about what is to be believed and what is not. If I should like to believe in something, I do. The circumstances can hang as far as I am concerned." Holmes said.
"But...I could have betrayed your trust!" Ryunosuke cried.
"Ah ha ha ha ha hah!" Holmes said, laughing a lot. "In that case, I should have made an elementary error of judgement, nothing more. Betrayal of trust is an overused excuse, in my opinion."
"Meaning...?"
"Whether or not one should trust another is, in the final analysis, down to oneself. It is a matter of whether or not one can trust oneself."
"He's right, Ryunosuke." I said, happily. "It took a leap of faith to do what I do. And the same for Sherlock to do what he does."
"Yes! YES! He's right! He's RIGHT, Locum Student Mr Naruhodo Esquire!" Soseki chirped.
"..." Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'Whether or not I can believe myself…'
Flashback…
"'A defence lawyer is only as good as his faith in his client. And that comes down to how much faith he has in himself.'" Kazuma said.
Local Prison, Cell 9…
"You have to believe in yourself." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'You were so right, Kazuma…'
"Well, my dear fellows, it is time we were leaving, I believe." Holmes said.
"Already?!" Susato exclaimed.
"Visiting hours are over. The guard will be here shortly to escort us out. There is a restaurant near here that serves excellent trout. Would you care to join me?"
"...!" Soseki said, at a loss for words.
"Oh dear. There is never enough time, is there?" Susato asked.
"... ..."
"Erm...Mr Natsume... ...if you'd like, in the trial tomorrow... ...I'd be happy to represent you." Ryunosuke said, looking at Soseki.
"...!" Susato said, in awe.
"L...L... Locum Student Mr Naruhodo Esquire…" Soseki said, sadly.
"... As I said, I only experienced a British courtroom for the first time yesterday. And although the man I was representing was found not guilty, I lost sight of something crucial." Ryunosuke said.
"Something crucial?"
"What to believe in: the defendant, justice or the truth. How to believe, even. But...I think I've finally worked it out. I've decided I must believe in myself above all else. To trust my instincts."
"Yes, Mr Naruhodo!" Susato said, excitedly.
"Yeah." I said, smiling. "That's what we wanted to hear, Ryunosuke."
"And my instincts are telling me that you, Mr Natsume, are innocent of this crime. And it's imperative that we prove that in court." Ryunosuke said.
"Locum Student Mr Naruhodo Esquire…" Soseki said, letting out a lot of tears.
"I will fight for your innocence until the bitter end, with every weapon available to me. So I hope you'll permit me...to represent you tomorrow."
"... As I said when we first met... ...I'd like to entrust my fate to someone who will listen to me...in my native tongue."
"Of course, Mr Natsume."
"It would be fair to say, Mr Naruhodo... ...that your mind was, in many ways, made up from the outset. You merely needed the events of today to fully realise it." Holmes said.
"Yes... I think you're right about that." Ryunosuke said, and he thought this to himself. 'It's been a roundabout journey, but I got there in the end.' He then spoke aloud. "Miss Susato…"
"Yes?" Susato asked.
"Would you be willing to stand by my side tomorrow and help me in court?"
"... Absolutely! As I said this morning... ...you may consider me your personal judicial assistant!"
"And Jared?" Ryunosuke asked, looking over at me.
"Yeah? What's up?" I asked, clutching the strap of my sling bag.
"Would you be willing to stand by my side tomorrow and help me in court?"
"Sure. Like I said this morning, I'm there as your friend and will help to guide you to a not guilty verdict. I'll give you hints and there as your moral support too."
'The shocking events of yesterday's trial still weigh heavily on my mind. But it's time to stop looking backwards. Kazuma believed in me. And Mr Holmes believes in me now, too. So it's time... Time that I learnt to believe in myself. Soseki-san has no one. He's all alone. So it's my job to help him. To fight his corner. Tomorrow. In the courtroom. With all the strength I can muster!' Ryunosuke said, as a voiceover.