"There now, you look like a fine young lady." Smiled Mrs. Hudson, her hands clasped together.
I looked into the big mirror. Trying to recognise myself in this dress that I'm wearing. The whole dress was in plain pine tree green with black satin rims. I wore a lose, long armed snow-white blouse with a small white scarf from its time. The long sleeves that were a bit lose at the shoulders and very tight at my wrists. The long skirt had a back drapery with a small bustle on top that gave a proud air. Simple yet elegant and astoundingly annoying with the corset giving me a stiff back. Luckily it is autumn and not summer or I would have melted away in a sticky fashion. I blinked of surprise, barely recognsing me.
"How long are we going to wait until she is ready? We have wasted enough time waiting as it is!" Called Holmes below my feet. Mrs. Hudson's room is exactly above the living-room where Holmes consults his clients.
"You're ready, now. That man never had great patience, yet I'm surprised that he has come this far in life." Gave Mrs. Hudson friendly while leading me down the stairs.
Watson froze and blinked as he saw me enter the living room. "Mrs. Hudson, are you sure this is the same lady I asked you to assist some suitable clothes?"
"It is. Even with her short boyish hair-cut she appears now better." Responded Mrs. Hudson with a sense of pride.
Before Watson could say anything further Holmes spoke. "Finally! Now we can take leave and investigate the place where you first appeared." And rushed past me towards the stairs. Kindly and fast Watson helped me wearing my small black hat and street jacket and we rushed after Holmes. All ready at the stairs I nearly tripped because of the skirt and the shoes. Luckily I had one hand at the railing. How can a woman move about in this contraption that has no other purpose than to appear beautiful and elegant?
Soon we caught up with Holmes who was waiting few meters away ahead of us.
"Holmes! Have some patience with Miss Wanett! She is not accustomed to wear a dress and above all in this environment." Remarked Watson nerved and controlled.
Holmes said nothing but gave a short glance to Watson then to me.
Soon I showed them the street where I came to and how I came to their door. Holmes said nothing and watched. Watson asked a few questions and took notes. I explained in the fullest detail that I could remember of the occurrence. Sooner than I had thought Holmes, Watson and I were back in the living room. Holmes seated himself in his favorite chair, lit his pipe and his thick dark eyebrows were knitted in deep thought. Quickly I looked over to Watson who just hung up his hat and placed his walking stick amongst the umbrellas and other sticks. He placed finger to his thing lips and waved a hand for me to come over. As I walked over he explained in a whisper. "He's thinking now very deep and does not like to be disturbed for the time being. It is his sort of meditation. Everything has to be silent as the grave."
"Then what am I to do for the time being? Seek an accommodation?" I asked softly.
"That wouldn't be such a bad idea, Miss Wanett."
"But I don't know my way around London and know no friends."
"I know someone who would gladly take you in. Come with me." Gave Watson and grabbed his hat.
Along the way out we met Mrs. Hudson with a tray of hot tea and biscuits. "Where you two going? I just prepared some tea."
"Oh, my apologies Mrs. Hudson but I'm bringing Miss Wanett to her new accommodation for the time being here." Explained Watson and opened the door for me. Once we were out Watson called out for a cab. Shortly a hansom halted and Watson helped me stepping in while telling the driver the address.
As the hansom was in motion and we sat on opposite sides. "Thank you." I thanked.
"For what?" Wondered Watson.
"For trying to help me and now giving me accommodation for my time being here."
"I'm sure you would have done the same."
I nodded, true I would have. I looked out the window. Many houses built in bricks stood close together while dark smoked rolled out of the chimneys. Many people worked or begged on the streets, some had a market stand, others a shop. For a moment I thought my time would be more busy than this but I was wrong.
Suddenly the hansom halted and the driver shouted to make way.
"No worries. Just some minor accident happened." Noted Watson calmly.
I was looking that disquiet? I looked out the window again. I saw how few men moved aside few torn bits of wood of a large box and an uneasy heavy horse.
"My! Something went amiss with hoisting a large container." Gave Watson as he looked out the other side.
Soon the hansom moved on. After a quite a while we reached the address that Watson told. Before us stood a great mansion of marble. A mansion of wealth without a doubt. I swallowed. I followed closely behind Watson as we stepped in front of a large massive wooden two-winged door. Watson pulled gently the lever of the doorbell.