Windibank's Pawnbrokery…
"... Gordon Bennett! You lot!" Gina said, worried.
"Hello, Miss Lestrade. I hope you've been well." Susato said.
"Eh?! Wot, you remember me then, do ya?"
"Well, I remember being completely surrounded by smoke, that's for sure." Ryunosuke said, sadly.
"So...wot are you doin' in 'ere? Down and out, like the rest of us? Nuffin' to eat? Come to pop that black weasel - sorry, 'coat' - 'ave ya?" Gina asked, looking at Ryunosuke.
"Your school uniform does look upper class when compared to Gina's." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. '...What is it about this black uniform that makes everyone comment on it?'
"Ah, good day. Unless I'm much mistaken... ...you would be the young pickpocket who stole our experimental smoke grenade launcher." Holmes said, smiling.
"Agh! Mr Holmes!" Gina said, terrified.
"So...you have something of value to pawn, do you? Allow me to see the article, and I shall negotiate with Mr Windibank on your behalf."
"Pull the other one! I don't need no 'elp from some stuck-up dee! Get outta my business! Go on, or I'll make trouble for ya!"
"As you wish, Miss Lestrade. I will happily remove myself from your presence." Holmes said, walking away from us.
"Wow." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'He's really done it. He's gone.'
"I'm sorry, but as I said, there really is no room for negotiation here." Windibank said, frowning.
"That looks like a movie reel or a vinyl disc." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'What is that thing he has in his hand? Some kind of metal disk?'
"And you! Go on! Leave me alone!" Gina said, looking between Ryunosuke, Susato, and I.
"Oh, Miss Lestrade, just pretend we aren't here. We shan't be offended in the slightest." Susato said.
"..."
"..."
"Glad I don't have Yang here or Weiss." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Susato-san can really stand her ground when she wants to.'
"Wotever…" Gina said, scoffing.
"Hmm." I said, looking at Miss Lestrade's disk. "Is it a movie reel or a vinyl disc?"
"Jared. Those haven't been invented yet. Whatever they are." Susato said, looking at Miss Lestrade's disk. "Mr Windibank, what exactly is this metal disk that Miss Lestrade has brought in? It seems to have hundreds of tiny little bumps on its surface…"
"Ah, this is a music disk, you see. For use inside a music box." Windibank said.
"In a music box?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Wot, you don't even know wot a music box is? Tsk, you Eastern lot ain't too savvy, eh?" Gina asked.
"...I know what a music box is. I've just never seen one of these disks before." Ryunosuke said.
"The small protrusions on the metal disk encode the tune to be played by the music box. You simply insert the disk and set the machine going, and beautiful music plays!" Windibank chirped.
"It's so incredible! Tell us, what tune is on this disk?" Susato asked.
"Well...I'm afraid I couldn't tell you that. There are so many different types of music box, you see. British-made, German, Swiss... I have no way of knowing which particular machine this disk was made for."
"Ah, I see." Ryunosuke said.
"And that's it in a nutshell. I wouldn't have any customers for an item like this, even if the young lady forfeited it. Really I'm already offering more than I should at a penny."
"That's a packet o' lies! 'E told me, 'e did! 'E said it was...well... ..." Gina said, letting out a sigh.
"'He'? Who?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Never you mind! It just ain't right, that's all! That disk's worth good money, I know it is!"
"Well then...you'll have to try your luck at another pawnbroker's, won't you?" Windibank asked.
"Argh!" Gina said, angrily.
"Has Gina been here before?" I asked, clutching the strap of my sling bag.
"She's been in before, of course, this little tatterdemalion." Windibank said.
"I see." Ryunosuke said.
"And brought some dubious article or other with her every single time, I might add."
"Dubious? Wot are you tryin' to say? I'm an 'onest customer, me!" Gina said, angrily.
"So...is there something dubious about the disk she brought in today?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Well, if only it were that simple." Windibank said.
"Sorry? What do you mean?" Ryunosuke asked.
"What she actually brought in was a storage ticket."
"Ah, a storage ticket. So... ...Miss Lestrade has actually come to redeem an article from you today, is that right?" Susato asked.
"Yeah, that's right. ...A girl like me 'as a lot of stuff wot needs storin'..." Gina said, smirking.
"Weird…" I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Alright, yes, that's definitely dubious…'
"The article in question would have been forfeited at midnight tonight. But as she gave me the ticket for it, and repaid both the loan and the interest... ...I was obliged to return the article to her." Windibank said.
"But what was the article? Do tell us, Mr Windibank." Susato said.
"The little scamp is wearing it, ma'am. It's the overcoat that she redeemed."
"Oh…" Ryunosuke said, frowning.
"Wot?! Wot's wrong wiv that? It fits, don't it? I mean, it's mine, so...'course it does!" Gina yelled, wearing McGilded's coat.
"So what about the disk, then? How does that come into all this?" Susato asked.
"Ah, the disk is something else. A new article to pawn, if the girl and I can agree a price." Windibank said.
"A new article to pawn?" I asked, looking down at the floor.
"I'm confused. I thought you said that Miss Lestrade brought in a storage ticket today." Ryunosuke said, looking at Windibank.
"It's really quite simple. Yes, the child brought me a storage ticket and the money owed on it, as you say." Windibank said.
"For this heavy, black coat, which you returned to her care, as I'd understood it."
"That's right, yes. And rather unsurprisingly, as soon as the little ragamuffin put the thing on... ...she went rifling through the pockets."
"Oh, you mean...?" Ryunosuke asked, looking at McGilded's coat that Gina is wearing.
"Wot?! Don't know it's rude to stare at a lady?" Gina asked.
"Ah, I see! So it came from the pocket of the overcoat, did it?" Susato asked.
"If you mean this disk, then yes, exactly, ma'am." Windibank said.
"And she immediately tried to pawn it…"
"For quite a high price as well…" Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'This is all rather suspicious, I think.'
"Give it up! I'm just tryin' to pawn somefin' like anyone else would." Gina said.
"Miss Lestrade, may I ask who deposited the overcoat here in the first place?" Susato asked.
"Um...well...me…"
"It...doesn't really appear to be your size." Ryunosuke said, letting out a sigh.
"Me old man! It's me old man's, ain't it?" Gina asked.
"Is it...Miss Lestrade?" Susato asked.
"But you're a street urchin. How could it be your dad's?" I asked, and Ryunosuke thought th is to himself. 'Yes, this is definitely all rather suspicious…'
"Somehow...I didn't really think you were the sort of person who'd use a pawnbroker, Miss Lestrade." Ryunosuke said, looking at Gina.
"Yeah, well I am, alright? I'm a Londoner, just like everyone else. That a problem, is it?" Gina asked.
"No no, not at all. It's just that, well…"
"Oh, I get it! I know wot you're thinkin'! 'That thing prob'ly don't even belong to 'er. Prob'ly got it on the dive, didn't she?' Yeah, I can see it written all over yer chevy chase!"
"Well...I, I might have been thinking something along those lines." Ryunosuke said.
"You're not going to deny it, Mr Naruhodo?" Susato asked.
"Alright then, I'm just going to come out and ask you straight: Do you pawn things that you steal from other people?"
"Well, um... I dunno 'ow best to answer that, really. Erm... S'pose. Sometimes." Gina said, annoyed.
"You're not going to deny it either, Miss Lestrade?" Susato asked.
"But not this time, alright! I swear! That thing belongs to me!"
"I'm not going to reveal the truth, Ryunosuke. It's spoilers. So no hints out of me." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'The disk that Mr Windibank is holding... Perhaps we should see what he has to say about all this.'
"Out of my way, please!" Benedict yelled, pushing me out of the way to talk to Pop Windibank.
"Rude." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Who's this picture-postcard English gentleman?'
"Good day to you, ladies. Gentlemen." Benedict said.
"Wot's your problem, eh?" Gina asked.
"There is no problem, as long as you remove yourself. I've a matter to discuss with the proprietor."
"...!"
"And if you intend to make a problem of it, I shall see you outside, little girl, for the hiding you deserve."
"Look, ain't it obvious? I ain't done talkin' wiv 'im yet. If you think yer such a gent, you should know 'ow to wait in line."
"... Well, you are an impudent little brat, aren't you? ...As well as a pickpocket."
"Eh? Who, who are you? 'Ow d'you know who I am?"
"The question is, how do YOU not know who I am? You haven't the courtesy even to remember the faces of your victims, it seems."
"...! Wot?! You mean I...? From you...?" Gina asked.
"Broker!" Benedict said, angrily.
"Um, yes, sir?" Windibank asked.
"I believe this filthy pocket thief has just redeemd an article from you, no?"
"Yes, yes, erm…"
"The article in question belongs to me. I demand for it to be returned at once."
"Oh my!" Susato said, worried.
"Now that's a lie! Wot are you tryin' to pull?" Gina asked.
"Give me back my overcoat, you wastrel. And needless to say... ...any music box disks, too." Benedict said, trying to grab the coat from Gina.
"No! You, you can't 'ave it! You just can't! It's me old man's! Or it was! ...Now it's mine!" Gina said, pulling the coat away from Benedict.
"Goodness, Mr Naruhodo… Jared…" Susato said, looking between Ryunosuke and I. "...this is a very awkward situation."
"Yes... I think perhaps we should hear both sides of the story in a little more detail." Ryunosuke said, sadly.
"Yup. We should." I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag.
"Miss Lestrade, is what the gentleman is saying-" Susato said, walking up to Gina.
"Wot d'you think? It's all lies, ain't it? Obviously! I swear on my life, I ain't never laid eyes on that dandy before." Gina said, frowning.
"Let's hear it now, you little ragamuffin... You stole it, didn't you? That ticket you brought in here just now." Windibank said.
"No! I swear it! I swear to God!"
"It was barely an hour ago. I was walking along the street, minding my own business... ...when this little gutterling ran into me. I knew at once what had happened. 'I've been robbed yet again,' I thought to myself. Those wretched pickpockets!" Benedict cried.
"'Yet again'?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Oh yes. As you can see, I am a man of impeccable style. This isn't the first time that I've been targeted by these back slum scoundrels. Now then, relinquish my overcoat!"
"Grrr…" Gina said, annoyed.
"Come along now, Miss Lestrade. Give the good gentleman his coat back. If you're going to cause trouble, I shall have no choice but to call the police." Windibank said.
"'Old on! Why's everyone think it's me? Just look at this dandy cove! And you think I'm the dodgy one?!"
"I'm sorry, but no one's going to believe you."
"Well...wot about evidence? Yeah! Where's yer evidence that I've stolen somefin', eh? Come on, let's see it!"
"Oh, I have evidence, naturally." Benedict said.
"You wot?!" Gina exclaimed.
"Oh no…" I said, letting out a sigh. "This evidence has got to be good."
"Evidence that the article Miss Lestrade redeemed actually belongs to this gentleman…" Ryunosuke said.
"Of course! We need only consult Mr Windibank's ledger to know the truth! We'll be able to look up the name of the person who deposited the article in the first place." Susato said.
"Yes! Brilliant!"
"I'm very sorry, but I'm afraid that won't be possible." Windibank said.
"Oh!" Susato said, at a loss for words.
"I never ask customers' names. That's a strict policy of mine."
"But...why not?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Well now...as you can imagine, some of my customers have...circumstances to consider. A great many of them prefer to maintain their anonymity." Windibank said.
"Yes, I see... But then how can you know if an article belongs to the person asking to redeem it?" Susato asked.
"Oh, it's quite simple! Good sir... ...might I trouble you for the watchword associated with the article in question?" Windibank asked.
"Of course. It's... 'Professor'." Benedict said.
"Yes, that's right. ...And all the evidence we need. This gentleman is the rightful owner of the article. Without doubt."
"A watchword? Interesting…" Ryunosuke said, in awe.
"Gina, could he have been eavesdropping on you?" I asked, walking over to Gina.
"I don'' knah. Maybe. Only i was supposed 'o knah 'he wa'chwawd." Gina said, scoffing.
"So...about these watchwords, Mr Windibank…" Ryunosuke said.
"As I just explained... ...I never ask customers' names when they deposit items with me. There are many reasons why certain customers would like to keep their activities secret." Windibank said.
"I know, Gina. I believe you. And I trust you." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'That wasn't exactly a subtle glance at Mr Holmes now, was it?'
"Great detectives have no dark secrets! None at all!" Susato cooed.
"Yes, well... Anyway, that's why I always ask for a watchword whenever I accept a new article. In many ways, it's like the secret combination of numbers used to unlock a vault. The date of deposit, a description and a watchword uniquely identify each item. And of course then I give the storage ticket to the customer. When someone comes to redeem something, I ask for the ticket and the watchword." Windibank said.
"And if that someone tells you the correct watchword, you return the article?" Ryunosuke asked.
"That's right, sir, yes. Just as soon as the requisite fee is paid."
"And I have supplied you with the information you require already. But for the avoidance of doubt: The article in question is an overcoat. Deposited two months ago, on 15th February. With a watchword of...'Professor'." Benedict said.
"All perfectly correct information, sir." Windibank said, smugly.
"But, but 'ow...?" Gina asked.
"Really, this is beyond a joke now. There is no further room for doubt." Benedict said.
"Ugh…"
"Oh, Gina…" I said, sadly.
"So, let that be an end to the matter. And thank you for your custom, Mr Eggert Benedict, sir." Windibank said, happily.
"With such reasonable rates of interest...I may even decide to come back." Benedict said, smiling.
"... Tsk! This is why I 'ate grown-ups! Except Jared, as he makes sure I'm okay. Just cos I'm a diver, everyone thinks that makes me a liar." Gina said.
"And the contents of the coat pockets, if you please, broker." Benedict said.
"But of course, sir. Here is the disk for you." Windibank said, walking to the back and picking up the disk, before handing it to Benedict.
"... Just this one?"
"Pardon, sir?"
"I was expecting another. Er, that is...I deposited another."
"Two? Right." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Another disk?'
"Oh, um... Oh dear. I regret to inform you, sir, that what was deposited with me was merely the overcoat. The disk happened to be in one of the pockets, but I was completely unaware of it until now." Windibank said.
"So, gutterling... You're hiding more of what's rightfully mine, are you?" Benedict asked.
"Says who, eh? I don't know nuffin' about it!" Gina said, angrily.
"... Very well. Then I shall bid you farewell. ...Say goodbye to style." Benedict said, walking away from us.
"Wait a minute! That disk... ...is mine!" Gina said, running up to Benedict to try to grab the disk from him.
"Argh! What, what do you think you're doing, you little tramp?! You've...you've drawn blood, you filthy animal!"
"That's it." I said, walking up to Benedict to shock him.
"Ow!" Benedict said, and he jumped up into the air, dropping the disk, and it landed right into Gina's hands.
"Thanks faw your 'elp, Jared." Gina said, holding the disk.
"Oh my! Yes! There's blood on the disk!" Susato said, looking down at the disk.
"You're welcome." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'It's because of all those sharp little bumps! The man must have scratched his finger on them.'
"I found it first, alright! I mean! It belonged to me old man! So yer not 'avin' it! ...Oi, you! You take it!" Gina said, looking over at Ryunosuke.
"Me?" Ryunosuke asked.
"If I 'ang onto it, they'll 'ave it off me again. So you keep 'old of it."
"Miss Lestrade, I…" Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. 'Why is this disk so important to her?'
The music box disc has been entered into the Court Record.
"You there! In the black livery! Hand that disk to me at once, please." Benedict said.
"Nope." I said, grabbing the Music Box Disk from Ryunosuke to look down at it. "Not gonna happen."
"Look at all the little bumps on the disk. They're so tiny." Ryunosuke said, at a loss for words.
"Yes. The protrusions are called pins, and they pluck the teeth of the comb to make notes. And just on the edge, there's a small amount of blood." Susato said.
"Yes, the blood of the mysterious Mr Eggert Benedict."
"When Miss Lestrade tried to grab the disk from him, the pins scratched his fingers, it seems. Like when you're grating some daikon radish and accidently catch your finger."
"Oof. That's gotta hurt." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Ouch! Just thinking about it hurts! And puts me off eating radish…'
"Oh, there's a little scrap of paper stuck onto the reverse side of the disk, look." Susato said, looking down at the note on the back of the disk. "And a scribbled word or two. It looks like somebody's name. ... 'For McGilded'..."
"Mc-McGilded? It couldn't be...?" Ryunosuke asked.
"But it is, Mr Naruhodo, Jared! A name I shall never forget for as long as I live!"
"But why? Why McGilded's?" I asked, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'But why? Why is his name on this?'
The music box disk's information has been updated in the Court Record.
"Um…" I said, looking at Pop Windibank.
"..." Windibank said.
"Crap." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Mr Windibank is clearly at a loss here. We have to do something about this before he reaches for that revolver of his!'
"This is really bad." I said, looking at Eggert Benedict.
"..." Benedict said.
"Really, really bad." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Look at those piercing eyes! ...He's clearly in no mood to talk. We have to do something quickly before this mysterious gentleman leaves to fetch the police or something!'
"..." Gina said, looking at Benedict.
"Oh, Gina…" I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Wow, Miss Lestrade is really looking daggers at that mysterious gentleman. We need to do something to calm things down before she loses control and attacks him again!'
"Sherlock!" I said, running up to Holmes.
"Erm...Mr Holmes... ...what are you examining with such keen interest there? As you enjoy a bar of caramel, I see." Ryunosuke said, spotting Holmes.
"... So... ...you've found me at last...Mr Naruhodo." Holmes said, happily.
"Sorry?" Ryunosuke asked.
"After that young pickpocket sent me on my way, I was forced to lurk in the shadows. Cruelly ostracised, as the rest of you partook in the jovial atmosphere of fellowship. I had nothing to occupy my mind, but was too ashamed to let society see what my downfall had done to me. So feigning mock interest, I pretended to examine the tedious trinkets in this desolate place. ...Whilst, as you shrewdly observed, gnawing on the only friend I have left: this seven per cent solution of caramel. Pray, do you claim to understand the depths of my despair, Mr Naruhodo? But how could you?! I was so lonely... So desperately lonely…"
"Then...why on earth didn't you rejoin the conversation? Things have gone from bad to worse here, you know!"
"Yes...I overheard much of your conversation. Or rather...in my craving for human contact, my ears devoured every word that was uttered!"
"...You really were sad, weren't you?"
"Poor Mr Holmes. I feel simply awful for you." Susato said.
"It would seem... ...that my inferences are correct." Holmes said.
"Oh! ...Surely you're not about to tell us... ...that you've solved the entire case once again?!"
"My dear madam, sometimes I wonder... Were my genius for deduction to be commoditised... ...how much could I pawn it for?"
"Nothing, Sherlock." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'It seems Mr Holmes has had another of his flashes of inspiration. But who knows if it will help to resolve the situation between Miss Lestrade and the mysterious gentleman? What's the right thing to do here...?'
"So, what have you deduced this time?" I asked, clutching the strap of my sling bag. "I wanna hear it."
"Me too." Susato said, happily.
"Well, Miss Lestrade...it would appear you find yourself in something of a predicament." Holmes said, walking to Gina.
"Tsk! Where the blue blazes 'ave you been, eh?" Gina asked.
"Pardon?"
"When a lady's in trouble, a true gent's s'posed to be there to 'elp. Straight away! Not an 'our later!"
"Oof." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. '...Harsh.'
"And who, pray tell, are you?" Benedict asked.
"... Mr Eggert Benedict... ...you have, in my eyes, a veritably encyclopaedic array of curiosities about your person. Nevertheless, there are two immovable conclusions I have drawn." Holmes said.
"I beg your pardon?"
"The first is this: The true reason for your visit to this pawnbrokery today is something you have not yet revealed."
"...!"
"And the second is this: A considerable crime is in contemplation. One you will orchestrate, with intent to steal a vast sum of money. Well, Mr Benedict? What say you to my deductions?"
"How...!"
"Good work, Sherlock." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'He's turned as white as a hard-boiled egg!'
"It would seem that once again...Mr Holmes has made a flawless deduction!" Susato said, excitedly.
"Yup. Sherlock usually does." I said, smiling.
"Just who do you think you are, sir?" Benedict asked.
"Ah yes, as I hoped... That is precisely the pained expression I was looking for. So...shall we begin? The time has come for yet another Sherlock Holmes's 'Logic and Reasoning Spectacular'!" Holmes chirped.
The Great Deduction
The game is afoot!
Topic 1
Mystery Man's Aim
"First of all, we must ask ourselves on what business you ventured to this pawnbrokery today. You claim to have followed this pickpocket here, having had the redemption ticket stolen from you on the street. But that...is most certainly a lie. The real truth is something quite different... ...as revealed by that which you hold in your hand! Yes, what brought you to this shop in the first place is the staff recruitment flyer! The piece of paper in your hand is a 'staff wanted' advertisement from this very shop. Yet even the most unobservant would soon realise that a man of your appearance has no need of such employ. In other words...there is some ulterior motive for your actions." Holmes said.
"...!" Benedict said.
"The cane, which you unwittingly clutch to your person, exhibits an incontrovertible contradiction."
"What utter rot! I've, I've had this cane for years!" Benedict said, looking down at his cane.
"The contradiction of which I speak is, of course, the missing ferrule. The end of any walking cane would be terminated with a metal ferrule to protect the wooden tip. And yet detailed analysis shows the wooden tip of this stick to be utterly bare. Therefore...there is only one conclusion: The rod that you hold in your hand, which appears to be a walking cane... ...is in fact no cane at all!" Holmes said, angrily.
"...!"
"You recoil, sir. ...Is something wrong?"
"I... Well, I…"
"And in your recoiling, you inadvertently facilitate the answer of the next conundrum to present itself. Namely, what is the truth behind this rod you bear?"
"..."
"Yes, your reaction betrays the truth. The handle, which you evidently would like to conceal, is the key to understanding this riddle, you see. From the moment I saw it, my suspicions were aroused. 'What walking cane demands such a stout handle?' mused I." Holmes said.
"..." Benedict said.
"But of course, as I said, this is no walking cane. No, that rod... ...is the broken handle of a shovel!"
"Wha...? Are you insane?!"
"And now, having determined this undeniable truth, the conclusion is clear. Your true motive for coming here... ...was to take employment at this establishment in order to excavate the ground beneath the premises! What a calculated crime you have conceived, sir. A wickedly calculated crime."
Topic 1
Mystery Man's Aim
Conclusion
To tunnel underneath the pawnbrokery
Topic 2
Great Crime
"Now, Mr Benedict, let us continue... For we must expose the details of this elaborate crime you have in the planning." Holmes said.
"This is...utterly absurd! You suggest that I, a gentleman, intend to excavate the ground beneath this pawnbrokery with a broken shovel? What on earth do you propose I could expect to find there? Some long-forgotten treasure, I suppose? Save for such a fanciful theory, what possible reason could I have to do as you say?" Benedict asked.
"Oh, but there is ample reason... ...as you are only too well aware, Mr Benedict. Ah, and your furtive glance is more telling than I could have hoped."
"What?"
"Let us consider what would motivate a man to infiltrate a shop such as this and covertly dig beneath its floor... The answer is revealed by the council notice on the counter to which your eyes were inadvertently drawn. This letter gives notice of public works to be carried out in the local area. And according to the enclosed plan of the upcoming sewerage works... ...beneath this shop runs a sewer that adjoins another, one that runs under the bank on the opposite side of the road."
"This madness has entered the sewers now, has it?!"
"By excavating the ground beneath our feet, you would gain access to the waterway... ...that flows in very close proximity to the great vault of the financial institution opposite."
"What are you...?"
"In summary, sir... ...you devised a master plan to pull off an elaborate bank robbery by dint of the underground tunnels!" Holmes yelled.
"M... Master plan?!" Benedict exclaimed.
"Which brings us at last to the final chapter of this lurid scheme... With what plunder did the thief hope to make off from the underground vault of the bank?"
"Are you quite serious?"
"Having consulted with Scotland Yard some days ago, I happen to know the answer. But naturally, the answer is no secret to you, is it, Mr Benedict?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about!"
"Allow me to present a rather interesting piece of evidence... You see, this picture postcard tells us all we need to know." Holmes said, taking out a postcard from the Great Expedition.
"A postcard of the Great Exhibition? I'm afraid you've quite lost me." Benedict said, frowning.
"Currently in the final stages of preparation, the Great Exhibition will soon be underway. And the government has provided extra funds to complete its centrepiece, the Crystal Tower. Funds that currently sit in the vault of the bank on the other side of this road!"
"Pardon?"
"Yes, the considerable crime you have been contemplating... ...is the theft of that which sits in the vault of that bank, the special reserve funds for the Great Exhibition! ...Of course, that is top-secret police information. So keep it under your hat, please."
Topic 2
Great Crime
Conclusion
To steal the Great Exhibition's reserve funds
"Thus concludes Sherlock Holmes's great deduction...of this pawnbroking puzzle!" Holmes cheered.
"Um...Mr Holmes…" Ryunosuke said, letting out a sigh.
"Well, Mr Naruhodo? An impressively upbeat deduction for a detective racked with loneliness, would you not agree?"
"Was it true what you said about the bank over the road and what it has in its vault?"
"Indeed. Though few know of its existence. It is one of the government's most closely guarded secrets. Gregson told me, in the strictest confidence."
"But you just announced it to everyone here. Rather loudly, in fact." Susato said.
"...Ah." Holmes said.
"And if it's such a big secret... ...how would Mr Benedict have come to find out about it?" Ryunosuke asked.
"There can be but one explanation for that. Clearly it is because the man is a criminal!" Holmes said, angrily.
"But what if he didn't know anything about the money in the vault? If he is a criminal, as you said... ...then buying a brand new shovel is sure to be the first thing he does now that you've revealed the secret." Susato said.
"...Oh."
"Or if he doesn't... ...maybe Mr Windibank will. He already has plenty of shovels here, after all." Ryunosuke said, letting out a sigh.
"Oh my life! I assure you I'm not so unscrupulous!" Windibank cried.
"Hm, well... Hopefully this has taught you a valuable lesson. Sensitive information must be handled with the utmost of care. One can never be sure that someone privy to secrets won't disclose them. And once the word is out, it's out." Holmes said.
"...Perhaps I'll think twice before confiding in you next time, Mr Holmes." Ryunosuke said, looking at Holmes.
"An excellent idea, Mr Naruhodo. An excellent idea. Ah ha ha ha ha hah!" Holmes said, laughing a lot.
"Yup." I said, happily.
"Well then, Mr Naruhodo, Jared, you know what to do, I'm sure." Susato said, smiling.
"Yes. Let's listen to that great deduction again, and see if we can massage it into shape!" Ryunosuke said.
"Very well, then. Let us start once more from the beginning... ...of Sherlock Holmes's magnificent 'Logic and Reasoning Spectacular'!" Holmes said.
Course Correction
Hold it, Mr Holmes!
Topic 1
Mystery Man's Aim
Conclusion
To tunnel underneath the pawnbrokery
"First of all, we must ask ourselves on what business you ventured to this pawnbrokery today. You claim to have followed this pickpocket here, having had the redemption ticket stolen from you on the street. But that...is most certainly a lie. The real truth is something quite different... ...as revealed by that which you hold in your hand! Yes, what brought you to this shop in the first place is the staff recruitment flyer!" Holmes yelled.
"So, by Mr Holmes's reasoning... ...Mr Benedict came here in order to apply for a job so he could dig down through the floor." Ryunosuke said.
"Yes. In an attempt to tunnel into the sewers to gain access to the money in the vault of the bank across the road. But...he wouldn't get very far with a broken shovel, would he?" Susato asked.
"No. I think it's fair to say his motives lie elsewhere. The question is, where? What did bring Mr Benedict here at this particular point in time?"
"It could be this." I said, picking up the flyer and looking at the back of it. "Oh."
"Oh... Look at all the scribbled notes on the back of the flyer here." Susato said, looking at the scribbled writing.
"... I don't believe it!" Ryunosuke said, worried.
"Crap." I said, holding the back of the flyer. "This is bad."
"What is it?" Susato asked, looking between Ryunosuke and I.
"Listen to what it says… 'Name: Gina Lestrade. Height: Five foot two Green cap, scruffy waistcoat, grubby white shirt, blue satchel (ragged)'. It's a detailed description of Miss Lestrade!" Ryunosuke said, terrified.
"Goodness!"
"There's even a sketch of her, hat and all! Although if he showed it to her, she'd fire that smoke grenade launcher in his face for sure…"
"And look. The details of this shop have been written down here, too. 'Windibank's Pawnbrokery, Baker Street. Redemption deadline: 15th April'."
"That's today's date." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Why would Mr Benedict have all that information scrawled on the back of that piece of paper?'
"Suspicious writing on the back of a suspicious flyer in the hands of a suspicious gentleman…" Ryunosuke said.
"I...didn't think there was anything suspicious about the flyer, Mr Naruhodo. But yes, Miss Lestrade's name and height, and a description of the clothes she's wearing…" Susato said.
"Not to mention the sketch of her likeness...which I'm fairly sure she wouldn't take lightly. And today's date, too: 'Redemption deadline: 15th April'"
"We can't let this go, can we? It's far too suspicious."
"It really is." I said, sadly. "Why do you think I was on Gina's side? That flyer is really suspicious."
"Take that!" Ryunosuke said, presenting the info about Miss Lestrade. "Yes, what brought you to this shop in the first place is the info about Miss Lestrade!"
"Quite so, my dear fellow! It would appear that the writing and sketch on the reverse of the flyer... ...pertain to the pickpocket, Miss Lestrade, and to Mr Windibank's pawnbrokery here." Holmes said.
"Ah!" Benedict said.
"You originally told us... ...that you had merely given chase after Miss Lestrade stole the redemption ticket from you." Ryunosuke said.
"But that, sir, is a thinly veiled lie." Holmes said.
"It is the information on the back of the flyer that led you here today. By which I mean... Here, to Windibank's Pawnbrokery, and today, the redemption deadline of that overcoat."
"So you waited outside for the young girl matching the description you have written down to arrive."
"Hmph!" Benedict said, angrily.
"And you have gone to some lengths to hide the reason for your pursuit of Miss Lestrade. In other words...there is some ulterior motive for your actions." Holmes said.
"...!"
"The cane, which you unwittingly clutch to your person, exhibits an incontrovertible contradiction."
"What utter rot! I've, I've had this cane for years!" Benedict said, looking down at his cane.
"The contradiction of which I speak is, of course, the missing ferrule." Holmes said.
"Um...what's a ferrule?" Ryunosuke asked.
"It's the metal cap commonly found on the end of a cane, Mr Naruhodo." Susato said, frowning.
"Ah, the bit that makes the nice clacking sound on the pavement?"
"Yes, exactly, And Mr Holmes is right, it appears to be missing on this cane."
"A friend of mine, the brother of Sherlock's, Mycroft Holmes, he would use the ferrule to hide the gun part of it." I said, smiling.
"...But it doesn't actually look broken, does it?" Ryunosuke asked, looking down at the bottom of the cane.
"No, it doesn't. Though the gentleman certainly did recoil when Mr Holmes identified the cane as suspicious." Susato said.
"In other words... ...there's some secret about the cane that Mr Benedict would rather we don't know!"
"Yup." I said, walking over to the cane and looking at the initialing. "Wow."
"Look here, Miss Susato, Jared... There are some letters on the handle!" Ryunosuke said, looking at the initialing of the cane.
"Ah yes, those must be initials, I think. In the West, it's customary for people to engrave their belongings with the first letters of their names." Susato said.
"So, Sherlock Holmes would be 'S. H.' you mean?"
"That's right. And the initials on this cane obviously- ...Oh."
"'A. G.'...?" Ryunosuke asked, as he thought this to himself. 'Why does it feel as though that's not quite right?'
"That's because it is off." I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag.
"Take that!" Ryunosuke said, presenting the initialing on the cane. "The contradiction of which I speak is, of course, the initialling."
"A most astute observation...wouldn't you say, Mr Eggert Benedict?" Holmes asked.
"...!" Benedict said, at a loss for words.
"We are led to believe, sir, that your initials are 'E. B.'. Yet in a most possessive manner, you have in your grasp a cane bearing the initials 'A. G.'. An incontrovertible contradiction indeed, would you not agree?"
"No! You're, you're wrong. This cane isn't-"
"You said before that you'd had that cane for years." Ryunosuke said.
"Grrr…" Benedict said, annoyed.
"So don't try to tell us that you just borrowed it from a friend or found it in the park!"
"In short... ...though you hold yourself to be a gentleman, you have withheld your true name!" Holmes said, angrily.
"...!" Benedict said, speechless.
"You recoil, sir. ...Is something wrong?"
"I... Well, I…"
"And in your recoiling, you inadvertently facilitate the answer of the next conundrum to present itself. Namely, what is the truth behind this rod you bear?"
"..."
"Yes, your reaction betrays the truth. The handle, which you evidently would like to conceal, is the key to understanding this riddle, you see."
"Let's consider the bare bones of what's happened here: Miss Lestrade redeemed that fine-looking overcoat. And now a mysterious man has appeared, introducing himself with a fake name... ...and claiming that the overcoat belongs to him." Ryunosuke said.
"But we know that he actually identified Miss Lestrade from a written description. Which suggests that everything else he's told us is untrue." Susato said.
"He's altered the truth for us to figure out." I said, looking down at the floor. "To figure out what it is."
"So what we need to do here... ...is somehow prove that the overcoat cannot possibly belong to him!" Ryunosuke yelled.
"Yup." I said, looking at Benedict and spotting a split seam on the coat. "It's ripped."
"Oh! You're right, Jared. The seam on the shoulder there is coming apart, look." Susato said, looking at the split seam.
"So it is." Ryunosuke said.
"Do you know, a moment ago when Mr Benedict was surprised by something that was said... ...I thought I heard him make a rather strange noise. It sounded a bit like a tiny growl. But now I think it was probably the sound of this seam ripping open."
"If you look closely, it does seem to be a very tight fit. The sleeves are stretched to bursting and he wouldn't have a hope of fastening it at the front. If he were to run around in it, I'm sure the whole thing would fall apart."
"Hmmm...that I'd like to see."
"Honestly. Same. It would be pretty embarrassing." I said, happily.
"Sorry?" Ryunosuke asked, looking between Susato and I.
"So how can we make Mr Benedict run around...?" Susato asked.
"I don't know. But it would be funny to see him run around like a penguin with its ass on fire." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'She's really giving this some thought…'
"Still. The split seam is the answer." I said, looking down at the floor.
"Take that!" Ryunosuke said, presenting the split seam. "The split seam, which you evidently would like to conceal, is the key to understanding this riddle, you see."
"Ah!" Benedict said, terrified.
"Yes, because the overcoat is rather obviously a poor fit." Holmes said.
"Having forced it over your broad shoulders, the seam is already breaking apart." Ryunosuke said.
"My suspicions were aroused from the outset... ...when you so baldly lied about your name and so boldly waylaid this pickpocket."
"Argh!" Benedict said, worried.
"This catalogue of untruths has all been for one very specific purpose: To steal the article that the young girl redeemed from Mr Windibank!" Holmes said, angrily.
"AAAAAARGH!!!"
"But what really irks me is this: The considerable crime I initially imagined has been considerably curtailed."
Topic 1
Mystery Man's Aim
Conclusion
To tunnel underneath the pawnbrokery
To abscond with a redeemed item
Solved
Topic 2
Great Crime
Conclusion
To steal the Great Exhibition's reserve funds
"Now, Mr Benedict, let us continue... For we must expose the details of this elaborate crime you have in the planning." Holmes said.
"This is...utterly absurd! You suggest that I, a gentleman, designed a wheeze to filch some tawdry article of pawnage? Have you forgotten that I redeemed the article in the proper manner, using the watchword? Had I not been the one to deposit it in the first place... ...how could I possibly have known the relevant details? N'est-ce pas? Benedict asked.
"Oh, but the watchword can be discovered... ...as you are only too well aware, Mr Benedict. Ah, and your furtive glance is more telling than I could have hoped."
"What?"
"Let us consider how one might come to learn a secret watchword relating to the pawned property of another... The method is revealed by the council notice on the counter to which your eyes were inadvertently drawn."
"The direction of the deduction must change rather dramatically now, I think." Susato said, sadly.
"Yes, no more talk of tunnelling into the sewers." Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'Which is a pity, because it all sounded rather exciting.' He then said this aloud. "Anyway... ...you can't deny that this mysterious gentleman did know the watchword."
"Yes. 'Professor'... If you didn't know that word, Mr Windibank would never allow you to redeem the article." Susato said.
"Or, looking at it another way... ...if you did know that word, Mr Windibank would allow you to redeem the article whether it was yours or not." Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. 'So the question is, could this gentleman have found the watchword out somehow?'
"Yup." I said, walking over to a notelet. "It's like trying to type in a password to access your account information."
"Jared's right. Look at this, Miss Susato." Ryunosuke said, looking down at the notelet.
"Ah, it appears to be a memo that Mr Windibank has scribbled to himself." Susato said, her eyes widening.
"Let's see. What does it say...? Oh! 'Professor'..."
"..."
"... Mr Windibank must make a note of the watchwords his customers give him, right before their eyes. And in alarmingly clear script as well."
"Oh dear... I, I don't know where to look. Who knows what other secrets I might see!"
"Honestly. Same." I said, frowning.
"Take that!" Ryunosuke said, presenting the notelet. "The method is revealed by the notelet on the counter to which your eyes were inadvertently drawn."
"Yes, the broker here follows the same procedure whenever a customer comes to redeem an article. He asks the customer for the watchword, and notes down the response uttered on a notelet he has to hand. Then he consults his ledger, and confirms whether or not the watchword matches that of the article in question." Holmes said.
"I would expect nothing less of a diligent pawnbroker." Benedict said.
"But his diligence clearly has its disadvantages." Ryunosuke said.
"What are you talking about?"
"It is increasingly apparent that you were present in this shop before your accusation against Miss Lestrade." Holmes said.
"In all likelihood, you followed her inside, and then observed her talking to Mr Windibank." Ryunosuke said.
"When the diligent broker made a note of the watchword, as is his common practice…"
"...You observed him writing the word 'Professor' on the notelet beside the ledger."
"...!" Benedict said.
"And that, sir... ...was the master plan you devised to steal the pawned article from the young Miss Lestrade!" Holmes yelled.
"M... Master plan?!"
"Which brings us at last to the final chapter of this lurid scheme... Why would you go to such lengths to redeem that particular article from this pawnbroker?"
"Are you quite serious?"
"Sherlock's very serious." I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag.
"For an ill-fitting overcoat hardly seems to justify the effort, much less a worthless music box disk. But naturally, you had very good reason to make them yours, didn't you, Mr Benedict?" Holmes asked.
"I have no idea what you're talking about!" Benedict cried.
"Allow me to present a rather interesting piece of evidence... You see, this picture postcard tells us all we need to know."
"The articles we're talking about are the overcoat and the music box disk that was in one of the pockets." Ryunosuke said.
"Which according to Mr Windibank, isn't even worth a penny." Susato said.
"And yet this man went to such lengths to steal them... Why?"
"I wonder if perhaps... ...we already have the evidence we need to explain it, Mr Naruhodo, Jared."
"We do. I love musicals if they involve things I like." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Could we? Really? I'd better have a thorough look through all the evidence we've collected so far.'
"Take that!" Ryunosuke said, presenting the Music Box Disk. "You see, this music box disk tells us all we need to know."
"What's that...on the back...?" Benedict asked.
"It reads, 'For McGilded'..." Holmes said, looking at the back of the Music Box Disk.
"Agh!"
"Ah, Mr Magnus McGilded... The unfortunate philanthropist who perished in curious circumstances at the Old Bailey two months ago. A prominent man in London...though his loan-mongering demonstrated a distinct lack of scruples. So...you're an associate of his, are you? Or perhaps a subordinate?"
"..."
"Mr McGilded was a man of unusually small stature. In fact... ...he was precisely the right size for that overcoat that you've squeezed yourself into." Ryunosuke said, as Benedict grabbed the coat from Gina and put it on.
"Ugh!" Benedict said.
"Your true identity remains shrouded in mystery... Mr Eggert Benedict. But the final conclusion here is crystal clear. The reason you came to this pawnbrokery today… ...was to retrieve an article left behind by the late Magnus McGilded!" Holmes said, angrily.
"Tsk... AAAAAAAAARGH!!!"
Topic 2
Great Crime
Conclusion
To steal the Great Exhibition's reserve funds
To acquire an item deposited by Mr McGilded
Solved
Deduction Complete
Elementary!
"Well well, Mr Magnus McGilded... Not a name I expected to hear in these circumstances." Holmes said.
"..." Benedict said.
"Mr Holmes, I'm afraid there's something very troubling on my mind." Susato said, sadly.
"Pray tell, Miss Susato." Holmes said, frowning.
"Well, according to what Mr Windibank told us earlier... ...today was the final day on which the coat could have been redeemed, was it not?"
"Yes, ma'am, that is correct. Today would be precisely two months since it was first deposited." Windibank said.
"Well, today is 15th April, so...two months ago today…" Ryunosuke said.
"...Would have been 15th February, sir, that's right. It's all carefully recorded in my ledger. Deposited at 10:30 p.m., I see."
"What?! But, but that suggests…"
"Yes. 15th February…" Susato said, her eyes widening.
"...Is precisely the day on which the omnibus murder took place!" Ryunosuke said, terrified.
"And half past ten in the evening... ...is precisely the time at which the terrible events were unfolding!"
"Yup." I said, looking down at the floor. "Exactly."
"Suggestive is not the word. It would seem the matter is entirely beyond coincidence." Holmes said.
"... You are of course at liberty to make whatever outlandish deductions you choose. However... ...I must insist you hand over the music box disk now." Benedict said.
"...!" Ryunosuke said, in awe.
"It would be a terrible shame to return to your native land in a box."
"Agh…" Ryunosuke said, and he thought this to himself. 'What do I do?!'
"Say no." I said, frowning. "We can't lose the music disk box."
"Absolutely not!" Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'There are some things a man must protect at all costs. This may well be one of those things... Then again...it may not…'
"Hold it." Windibank said, doing the Hold it pose.
"Mr Windibank!" Ryunosuke said, worried.
"This is my shop! I can't allow any harm to come to my customers! If that were to happen... ...I should have to take my own life!" Windibank said, aiming his gun at his head.
"Mr Windibank, no!"
"Alright, that's enough!" Gregson said, entering the shop.
"Gregson!" I said, excitedly.
"Inspector Gregson!" Ryunosuke cheered.
"Inspector...?" Benedict asked, looking at Gregson.
"That's right, sunshine. The alarm was raised on one of our dedicated emergency lines. So we got here as fast as we could. Now, what's this all about, eh?" Gregson asked.
"Oh, praise be! You're here at last! I was moments away from forfeiting my own life in my very own establishment!" Windibank cried.
"... It would seem you have the upper hand." Benedict said, letting out a sigh.
"Right, you lot have got some explainin' to do! I don't appreciate bein' bothered with some petty argy-bargy!" Gregson said, angrily.
"Petty?! Mr Windibank very nearly met with his end!" Susato chirped.
"Yeah, with his own gun, as far as I can tell."
"Oh dear…" Windibank said.
"And the whole of Britain could meet with its end if I don't get to the bottom of the case I'm s'posed to be workin' on!" Gregson said.
"What?! What on earth is the case, Inspector?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Spare no detail, Gregson!" Holmes said.
"...I, I might have said a little too much. No matter. It's nothin' to do with you lot. Anyway, sir, you're gonna have to come with me down to the station." Gregson said, grabbing Benedict's arm.
"... But of course, Inspector…" Benedict said, smirking.
"Aah!" Gregson said, as Benedict slipped out of the inspector's grasp to run away.
"He's getting away!"
"Get after him, lads! Whistle the beat officer, too!"
"Sir!"
"...There's been a spate of thefts at pawn shops round here recently. So we've fitted emergency buttons underneath the counters for brokers to let us know when there's trouble." Gregson said, looking at us.
"Oh, Inspector...I was very worried there for a while. Very worried indeed." Windibank said.
"Now then, Mr Permanently-in-Mournin'..."
"Oh! ...Yes?" Ryunosuke asked.
"I'll be takin' that whatever-it-is of McGilded's down to the Yard, thank you very much! So hand it over!" Gregson said, grabbing the Music Disk Box from Gina.
"Oh, yes, of course…"
"No, don't! Don't give it to 'im! It's mine, that is! Mine!" Gina cried.
"I'm sorry, miss... ...but anythin' belongin' to McGilded has to be taken in as evidence now." Gregson said.
"As evidence...?" Ryunosuke asked.
"If the police demand something as evidence, my dear fellow, we have no choice but to capitulate. It's all yours, Inspector." Holmes said.
"Grrr…" Gina said, annoyed.
"You'll get it back, Gina. I promise." I said, happily.
"And so, we handed Mr McGilded's disk over to Inspector Gregson... ...and were summarily turfed out of the shop and onto the street." Ryunosuke said, as a voiceover.