Even though the author of the note had requested that we meet her after her class had come to an end, Basil and I decided to go to the University and listen in on her lecture in its full entirety; although I daresay that we both had different reasons for our unanimous decision. Personally, I believed that if Basil and I were to help the young lady out with her case, it would only be proper to gain a deeper understanding of her craft. On a smaller note, because I too have some knowledge of forensic pathology, it was always pleasant to listen to the teachings of one who has devoted her entire academic career to the subject. As for Basil, his reasons were still a mystery to me, although I believe he arrived at his ultimate decision partly out of simple curiosity. He did not speak a word on our cab ride to the University, although he was the first to speak as we were entering the vast lecture hall with the other students.
"Ah, Hopkirk!" he said cheerily in greeting. "I did not expect to see you here as well."
Percy Hopkirk, a young detective with a sandy-coloured mustache, turned in his seat and smiled at us. He was a devoted student of Basil's and always tried to apply my friend's methods in his investigations, with mixed results. Strangely enough, as opposed to his usual criticism, Basil has been a most patient teacher to the inspector, and has on more than one occasion expressed his firm belief in Hopkirk's potential for success in his career. He eagerly motioned for us to join him, and from the reverent gaze he gave to my friend, it was obvious that the inspector held him in high regards. "It's good to see you, sir," he replied. "And you as well, Dr. Dawson. I have an appointment here with the young lady in question after class is out, but I can see that Adelaide has also gone and requested your audience."
"Do you know the lady?" I asked.
"Yes, and quite well, actually," replied Hopkirk. "I asked for her assistance on a few cases I've worked on in the past."
Basil scoffed at the mouse's remark.
"The cases were quite routine, sir," added Hopkirk quickly as he sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck, "and your attentions were occupied elsewhere at the time. Her primary interests are the sciences, although I've found that she does have a knack for analysis and deduction. Her methods are...unique, to say the least. Yet I'm afraid that even the most learned individuals arrive at moments when they find themselves completely baffled, as is the present situation for poor Addie. I was the one who advised her to write to you, actually, for there are several points about her case I think might be of some interest to you."
"What is her case about?" asked Basil.
"I believe it would be better if she told you her tale herself, sir. She's very particular, and I fear I would never hear the end of it if I should leave out any detail she may consider to be of utmost importance."
"I say," I remarked when one of the cleaning staff suddenly appeared through the side-door that led to stage far below, "isn't it a little late to be cleaning? I expect the professor would be arriving at any minute now."
"I don't expect Addie to raise a fuss over something as menial as that," answered Hopkirk.
Basil said nothing, although I noticed how keenly he was watching the worker as he proceeded to clean the stage and podium. For a good while, the three of us watched the worker go about his tasks, although from our seats near the back of the lecture hall, it was difficult to obtain a good view of him. The cleaner was a young, spritely mouse, with pale coloured fur and a limber build. His garments were covered by a long light green dust jacket that went to his ankles, and smartly perched between his ears was a dark brown cap. I took note of the peculiar zeal and energy with which he went about his duties. Periodically, I also noticed how he would dart a glance or two at the present audience, although the students took no heed of him for the most part.
"Mornin' all," he spoke at last in a thick Cockney accent. His voice featured a rather soft undertone, which suggested to me that the lad was in fact quite young indeed. "Right ruddy weather we're havin', ain't it?"
A few of the students looked up from their books, although the majority of them continued to ignore him.
"You lot don't talk much, don't you?" he asked again as he leaned against the handle of his mop. "Got a stick up yer Khyber, do you?"
"You can't talk to us that way!" protested one student angrily, a young mouse primly dressed in a suit of tweed. "You have no right, you ignorant twit! My father works for the Ministry!"
"Oh!" cried the cleaner, unaffected by the reaction his words have garnered. "You were too hoity-toity for the likes of me before. But we're talkin' now, ain't we?"
"You'll have to pardon him, sir," piped up another student. "I suppose for some of us, tempers are running short."
"You see," offered another, "it's a quarter-past eleven and we've been sitting here waiting for class to begin, but our professor has yet to arrive."
The cleaner tilted his head to one side, poised as if in thought as the student spoke. "And when's this class supposed to start?"
"Quarter-past eleven, sir."
"And I s'pose you'd like yer lecture to commence, eh?"
"Of course, sir."
"Very well." Before anyone had the chance to react, he proceeded to take off his work attire with flourish, and, in tossing his disguise aside in a crumpled heap, revealed himself before a speechless audience to be a most neatly dressed young lady. "Let us begin, shall we?" she said cheerily as she took her position behind the podium. "I'm Professor Harper, and I shall be your instructor this term." The collective gasps and whispers of surprise amongst the students expressed the surprise Hopkirk and I felt over this unexpected turn of events.
"There was one element of my disguise that would have readily given me away to the keen observer," she continued. "Could any of you tell me what that was? Anyone?" When no one answered, she stepped out from behind the podium. "My shoes. As you can see, the tailored leather boots I am wearing are quite different from the ones that would be worn by the cleaning staff here; and for good reason at that, for my boots are quite the impractical accessories for a worker whose task involves strenuous physical labour."
The students murmured amongst themselves. Miss Harper only smiled, clearly amused by their reaction. "So the next time you meet a person for the very first time, take a second or two to observe their shoes, for they can tell you so much about their lives and ways."
"How so, Professor?" inquired one of the students.
"Kindly step up to the stage."
Eagerly, the student made his way up onto the stage and stood beside Professor Harper, a broad grin plastered across his youthful face while his instructor took a brief moment studying his shoes. After some time, she tsked softly and shook her head.
"What's wrong?" asked the student worriedly.
"I believe your family has in employment quite the careless servant girl."
"How can you tell?"
"The leather of your shoes features scratch lines that mar what would otherwise be a smooth surface. As the weather has been rather damp as of late, I am therefore concluding that the lines are the result of your servant's attempt at scraping off the mud from your shoes. I remark that she is careless because a careful servant would take care not to scratch the leather of the shoe."
The student only gaped at her in astonishment.
"Yet I'm not here to instruct you on the art of deduction," said the professor as she sent her bewildered student back to his seat. "That is Professor Watkins' speciality, for those of you who are enrolled in his class. My speciality is in forensic pathology, so with your permission, we shall begin today's lesson."
As the lecture commenced, I leaned back in my seat and glanced over at Basil, who had remained silent for all this time. His face was as collected and emotionless as ever; although judging by the way he composed himself, casually leaning back in his chair with his fingertips lightly resting against each other, his full attention focused on the lecture, it was obvious to me that he was favourably impressed by the manner and intellect of our newest client.