Chapter number two, hope you enjoy. The secret is revealed ... at least to an extend :)


Sadly, I was called away to a patient the next day, so I can not give a detailed account of the conversation between my friend and our client, but Holmes gave me to understand, with a slightly disturbed attitude, that young Miss Bishop was greatly grieved by the Lords disinterest.

"I just cannot deal with a woman in tears.", Sherlock Holmes admitted when I arrived later that day.

"That was very unspectacular.", said I, rather disappointed by the case.

"Oh, no! Not at all, my dear Watson.", Holmes sat upright in his chair, full of that peculiar energy, that was always conjured up by a mystery. "It is indeed very spectacular!"

I leaned back in my chair, beckoning my friend to go on.

"Yesterday you where very shocked, when I told you, that our young Lord is not at all interested in women.", he began to elaborate.

"It is very dangerous to talk about such improprieties. Just a rumour could ruin Lord Barkers reputation.", I berated with a stern look.

"Improprieties? Not at all, my friend.", Holmes eyes twinkled merrily, which made me think, that yet again, he knew something no one else knew. "You remember my going over and talking to Lord Barker yesterday?"

I nodded.

"Do you remember me suggesting a drink?"

I thought hard and finally nodded again. Holmes, Miss Calendar and Lord Barker had detached themselves from the group of young ladies to take a drink at a table.

"When you finish your glass, you will tip your head back quite far, am I correct?"

"Holmes, I fail to see how that is in any form relevant to your accusation!", said I, getting quite impatient. Looking back now, I fear, that my Hallward-like infatuation with the young man let me defend him harsher, than I would have another.

"Tut! There is no accusation. I do not accuse!", he raised a reprimanding eyebrow at me. "And as to the relevancy of finishing your glass: When the Lord tipped back his head, he gave me a perfectly good look at the column of his throat, like so.", he took his nigh-empty glass of water, tipped his head back and finished it. Even with his high collar and cravat, I could clearly see his Adams apple move.

"Did you observe?", my friend asked and with a long slender finger tipped against his throat.

"Do you mean", I cried, astonished "that you did not see an Adams apple?"

Holmes nodded appreciatively.

"So the Lord is no Lord at all, but a Lady!"

"Your deductive qualities develop quite nicely, Watson."

"But why?", I threw up my hand. There was no doubt in my mind, that what my friend said was true, but I could for the life of me, not understand.

"That, my dear Watson, is the great mystery of the beautiful Lord.", the fire, that had possessed Holmes was rare as it was, but connected to a woman, I had seen it only once.


Sooo, a short one, but the next two or three are already done :)

Please, please review!!!!