The lady remained silent for some time, a slightly dazed expression written upon her features. The taller of the two gentlemen respected her need for time to process what she had just learned and so kept his thoughts to himself, for the present. Dr Watson glanced anxiously between his companion and the young woman but Holmes shook his head faintly and raised a finger to his lips to indicate quiet. The ex-army doctor complied with this instruction, albeit somewhat reluctantly.
It was the chiming of the grandfather clock in the hall marking the half hour, making it half past ten, which finally roused Miss Lewis from her musings. She glanced towards the detective with a determined look.
"It seems we have much to discuss Mr Holmes," she stated, simply.
"Indeed," he replied.
"Gentlemen," she said, now addressing the two of them. "If you will kindly follow me, I think it best that we move into one of the other rooms." With that she turned and walked out of the door. Holmes and Watson shared another silent exchange before quickly trailing after Miss Lewis, having no desire to lose their way in the winding hallways of her home.
The room she led them into was slightly larger than the one they had previously left. It appeared to be the dining room as there was a large table centred in the middle of the floor surrounded by half a dozen chairs. There were fewer windows so the room was more sparsely lit. There were also fewer ornaments and the chamber gave off an air practicality rather than frivolous presentation. In fact the only real decoration the room contained was a large painting, hanging on the wall opposite the door. The two gentlemen stopped to inspect it while Miss Lewis made her way over to the head of the table and seated herself, grateful for the chance to relieve the complaints of her injury. The painting was a family portrait and depicted a young couple, the man standing behind the woman who sat with a child in her arms, both were smiling and man's hand rested gently on the woman's shoulder.
"My father," Miss Lewis stated, following the direction of her guests' stares and indicating the picture. "And my mother of course," she added.
"She was a very beautiful woman," Dr Watson said, turning to look at Rebecca, he then hesitated slightly. "You haven't mentioned her before now, do you mind if ask what happened?" He looked apprehensive, fearful of hurting her.
The lady smiled smoothly and shook her head. "Of course not doctor," her gaze turned to the picture. "She died in childbirth when I was but four years old."
"Oh," Watson looked stricken. "I am terribly sorry Miss Lewis. I had no intention of forcing such painful memories upon you."
"It is quite alright Dr Watson," she assured him. "It has been many years since and I find that I actually have very few memories of my mother." She trailed off into silence for moment. "It was boy," Watson looked at her in some confusion, unable to follow her train of thought. Holmes only sent a quick glance in her direction before returning to his silent study. "The child," she clarified. "It survived only hours before it too passed away. My father was heartbroken. He had lost not only his wife but his son within the space of single day. I lost my mother and a brother I never had the chance to know." She smiled sadly, a reminiscing gleam in her eyes. Then she shook herself a little, trying to dislodge the grip of the past on her mind, and turned back to face her guests. "Forgive me gentlemen, it does not do to dwell. Please take a seat and then we may talk about what has been discovered here today."
Watson took her invitation with a kindly smile and moved to sit in the chair on the young lady's left side. Mr Holmes remained standing for a moment longer, a thoughtful look on his face. He too then seemed to shake himself from his reverie and made his way around the table.
"Perhaps I should have one of the servants bring us some refreshments?" Miss Lewis voiced. She glanced to her right where there was a second door that led back out into the hallway, next to it hung a bell rope, just out of reach. A pained expression crossed her features as her grip returned to the cane that she had rested against the table. She was about to rise when Holmes gracefully stepped forward. He reached out and gave the bell rope a firm pull before taking his seat. Miss Lewis shot him a fleeting and somewhat suspicious glance before she forced herself to settle and nod her thanks. Holmes acknowledged the gesture with his own incline of the head and then took on a distant look, apparently staring out of one of the windows opposite.
Rogers appeared shortly and Miss Lewis made her request for refreshments for both herself and the two gentlemen. While they waited for the servant to return all three sat in studious silence, each occupied within their own sphere of thought. Watson kept an occasional eye on his friend while Holmes and Miss Lewis both seemed to be unaware that anyone else was present. The butler then reappeared with a small tray that had balanced upon it an assortment of tea things, he placed in front of his mistress and when she signalled that he could leave he did so without a word. She poured tea for Dr Watson and handed him the cup which he accepted gratefully. She then turned to the brooding detective. Rebecca was about to ask him how he liked his tea when he surprised her by speaking first.
"Miss Lewis," he said with a still thoughtful brow. "There something I feel I must check before I can divulge my findings to you, might I please be permitted access to some other areas of your home? I assure you it is quite crucial"
"Of course Mr Holmes," the lady replied after she had recovered. "Feel free to go where ever it is you deem it necessary. Both the house and the ground are at your disposal."
Holmes raised an eyebrow slightly at her easy manner; most would not give him such free reign. "My thanks," he said, standing with a small bow. "I hope to be back shortly." He then swiftly left the room, both Dr Watson and Miss Lewis watching after him curiously.
"Do not worry yourself my dear," the doctor said, trying to reassure the lady. "Holmes may have a few," he paused, searching for the right word, "peculiarities but his mind is first rate. If anyone can help you solve this little mystery then it is certain to be him."
Miss Lewis nodded absently in agreement but remained silent. Watson observed a frown that suggested to him that the young women was thinking and so kept his peace on the matter. It was some time before Holmes returned and during that period the dark look upon the lady's features increased still further. Watson was just about to enquire as to the direction her thoughts had taken when his friend reappeared. Holmes had a satisfied look on his face and resumed his seat with confidence. No sooner had he done so Miss Lewis stood, making both men start slightly.
"Forgive me gentlemen," she said, not for the first time that day. "It is now I that must ask to be excused. There is a small matter that I must attend to. I shall not be long," then, she too left without another word.
"Curious," Watson muttered, looking to his friend to see what he thought on the matter. Holmes however held his tongue. When the doctor realised he would get nothing from the man he decided it would best to change the subject. "Well then Holmes, what have you discovered? What are your deductions on the matter so far?"
Holmes smiled slightly, an odd expression, as he seated himself more comfortably. "Unfortunately my dear Watson my deductions so far have been mere commonplace observations. I have found nothing peculiar or extraordinary about this case."
Now it was Watson's turn to frown. Nothing peculiar or extraordinary? He thought to himself, that cannot be right. Watson knew from past experience that his friend would not be in such a jovial mood as he was now if the case did not provide him with at least some point of interest. "I am afraid I do not understand you Holmes," he told his companion plainly.
Holmes' smile broadened as he began to explain. "So far Watson I am afraid I can tell you very little about what has occurred here. I know that there were four perpetrators involved, all men. Three broke into the house while one went no further than the front door and so was presumably the one to ring to the bell, he then doubled back on himself, returning to the gate. He is a man of rather large stature who is not in the best of health. Of the men who actually entered the house I can tell you just as little. Our safecracker is a short fellow and light on his feet. One of the others I would guess to be of middle height and middle age, although he has an unusual stride and of the last all I can tell you is the size of his shoes and the fact that his right sole needs repairing." Holmes paused. "They broke in with the intention of stealing a document or documents and were aided by someone on the inside. What they wanted and whether or not they attainted it I cannot say and who the collaborator was is yet a mystery to me. Nothing in this case is immediately obvious." He smiled again and closed his eyes. "I believe this might prove to be quite challenging Watson."
The doctor was baffled by his friend's reply but was saved from having to respond by the entrance of Miss Lewis. She wore a rather grim look but still held an air of achievement. "Well gentlemen it seems I have managed to at least solve some little part of this mystery." She told then evenly. The doctor looked surprised and Holmes sat up straighter in his chair, wearing an intrigued expression.
Miss Lewis seated herself contentedly once more and then turned her attention to her awaiting audience. "I know who it was that gave them the combination," she declared confidently. The doctor's face changed, going from surprised to shocked while Holmes raised one of his eyebrows infinitely higher.
"Do tell," He prompted, watching her carefully.
"Her name is Charlotte," she informed them. "She is a maid here, the newest member of staff who took over the position left by one of the servants who is currently accompanying my father. I spoke with her and she admitted having been approached by a gentleman who offered her a medium sized sum of money in exchange for the combination to the safe." The lady spoke calmly but it was obvious that she was angered by this betrayal. "She does not know who the man is as they only met once when it was dark and he made sure she did not get a close look at him. I did not give her the combination and the only servant who knows it is Rogers who has lived with us for years and would never even consider giving it to her. She was therefore forced to spy on Rogers when I asked him to retrieve something from the safe; she got the combination that way."
"Interesting," Holmes intoned when he realised that she had finished recounting her tale. "Miss Lewis, would you mind my asking what deductions you made that led you to believe that it was this particular servant and no one else?" Holmes seemed curious.
Rebecca smiled softly. "A simple process of elimination Mr Holmes. After examining all other possibilities she was the only one that remained that seemed in any way plausible."
"Very good," Holmes nodded. "And what, may I ask, have you done with Miss Charlotte?"
Miss Lewis sighed. "I have done nothing with her. She still has a job here should she choose to stay, although her pay will be reduced for the next three months. It seems that Charlotte has a rather bad addition to drink Mr Holmes," she explained. "And she is used to indulging herself with a fair amount of her earnings. Unfortunately her husband is recently out of work and it is now up to Charlotte to support their family, meaning she has less money to waste on her...habit. She accepted the offer made by this man because she hoped to use to the payment she received for her own purposes. Now however, if she decides to stay the extra money will be of no use to her as she will need it for more practical reasons."
Watson chuckled softly at Miss Lewis' solution to the problem she had encountered and even Holmes saw fit to smile faintly. "Well Holmes," Watson said, looking at his friend. "It seems that Miss Lewis has provided you with a piece of the puzzle."
"Indeed," Holmes acknowledged. "And with that in mind I now only have one or two other matters that need clarifying before we leave."
Oh my Goodness! How cruel am I? I give you 5 chapters in the space of 2 days and then nothing for over 2 weeks, whoops sorry guys. To be fair I have been rather distracted lately, I'm going away this summer and there has been a MAJOR amount of organisation involved and I'm still not finished...anyway...
I know this chapter is a bit bland and I meant to continue it but then I realised it was running too long and decided to split it instead. I'm afraid that means the next one will probably be like this one, a bit boring but after that things should pick up. fingers crossed So the way I figure I have between 5-7 chapter left before this one's all wrapped up, just to let you know.
Lastly I want to say a quick thank you to all of those of you who have reviewed – an especially big thank you going to those 2 of you who were kind enough to review each chapter – you know who you are!
Reviews please. Thanks.