Sherlock Holmes

and the adventure of

The Conjurers Trick

Part 3

I was engaged for much of the day upon my own errands and enquiries, albeit of a much less exciting and adventurous nature. It was well into the evening by the time I made my way back to Baker Street and was already preparing my apologies for keeping my friend from his dinner, but to my surprise it was he who was destined to keep me from mine. Anxiously I waited for well over an hour until the point came where I felt as though our late supper would be unfair upon Mrs Hudson and so asked for her to prepare something small for myself. I attempted to pass the time with a novel but this turned out to be an exercise in futility as it seemed that with every passing minute, my nerves and thoughts turned more to my missing friend. It wasn't uncommon for Holmes to skip meals or work irregular hours when hot upon the scent of some clue, but nevertheless, still it disturbed me greatly to be left in the dark.

Most of the evening had passed and it was nearly eleven before Holmes returned. To my surprise however it was not the triumphant entrance I was expecting as he had rather harshly flung the door open and marched in with utter defeat drawn across his tried, eagle-like features. He walked back and forth several times muttering incoherently to himself for a number of minutes, completely enveloped within his own world until finally, his eyes rested upon my shocked and slightly irritated expression.

'Ah, my dear Watson. A thousand apologies.' he said in his calm and apologetic way, seating himself opposite me and drawing his pipe from the depths of his coat pocket, 'Ah, you've eaten. Good, as I fear I shall not. It is my way you know - much to your dislike - to allow my body to starve so that the brain can be allowed access to all the blood needed to conduct my work.'

Not long did it take for the annoyance that I had with my companion to resided and I took instead to inquiring after his activities of the day. 'Have you made any progress? You seemed rather involved with something when you arrived back just now.'

'Unfortunately, Watson, there has been none. Or at least no progress forward in the investigation.'

'How do you mean?'

'Well, for the moment at least I feel as if the investigation has reached an interval, and it is only once the actors return for the second half that fresh facts and theories will emerge. You see after we parted earlier I began my investigation into the theory of theft, as suspected by our client and so made several inquiries with a number of my contacts who dwell among the underbelly of society. These may yet to turn out results but considering the unique nature of this supposed theft, one might have hoped that it had been too fantastic of a secret to be kept completely locked away behind tight lips.'

'Indeed.'

'You may also have noted that after out client had left, I sent a telegram. This was to make some enquiries into this character Mr Percy Selbit. You may not know, but before you and I met, I had helped a theatre manager with a spot of criminal black mail. He has since always been obliged to lend his services in return. Sometimes in the form of information, other times in the form of tickets to my favourite musicians when they venture to town. It was he who I telegraphed and await a reply. If there is something of note about this Percy Selbit, he shall be the one to know.'

'I hardly see how the manager has any connection. Surely if he had, he too would have fled as the dwarf has, for he has much more to lose from matters coming to light then the beggar turned confederate.'

'Very astute of you, Watson. It is simply a net I am casting. I would prefer to see my game fish and tackle him with a rod and reel, but at present I must cast a wide net and see what I can haul in.'

'Well this seems fairly regular of you Holmes, in fact it seems rather bland in comparison to other cases I have witnessed you work upon.'

Holmes smiled. 'It has been rather "bland",' he said as he leaned back in his chair, grinning with that hint of mischief that I knew so well, which lingers deep beneath his calm and composed appearance, 'that is why I thought that this evening I might take my investigations undercover. This is in fact, the reason why I missed our dinner date. I took a cab across to the Adelphi Theatre where by I started to examine and observe the comings and goings of the place, and the people who are employed there. There is a wealth of knowledge to be found if you have the right questions followed by a shilling or two. When next we converse with our friend Mr Andrews, I may have a few suggestions as to the company he keeps, but I digress. After I felt as though I had found out all I could from an external examination, I commenced an internal one.'

'You broke in!'

'Nothing of the sort.' He chuckled. 'I simply brought a ticket. You see, after our interview at lunch time, I sent word to our conjurer that he should continue on as if nothing had changed. I explained that the best chance to spot clues that are unusual, is to keep his habits as usual as possible. Therefore I took up my seat in the balcony and stayed for his performance.'

This was too much for me and nearly caused me to choke on my drink. I burst into laughter at the thought of Sherlock Holmes viewing a magician perform. I could think of nothing worse for the performer in question then to have my friend sit there with his mind set upon solving each and every trick, as though each were a criminal equation. Holmes too seemed to agree with me as he just sat back in his armchair, with a grin from ear to ear, puffing up big clouds of smoke.

'Don't worry, Watson,' speaking in a most sarcastic fashion, 'Our client has no idea that I was present. I fear it may have had an adverse effect on his performance had he known. I shall say nothing of the predictable way he concealed those doves, nor the unfortunately timed disappearance through the trap door at centre stage. We shall consider all of his trade secrets, "a secret".'

'So what now?' I finally asked.

'Now we wait, and hope for some fresh developments in the morning.'