The Adventure of The Red Dress (part three.)

The Green Dragon was particularly busy during those ten minutes, indeed Mr Rigby's purse must have been considerable indeed, gauging by the traffic across those squeaky floorboards. I could make no sense of it, and as I sat half-heartedly kicking the mattress and grunting the odd noise, I marvelled at Holmes' ability to distinguish one step from another. Then, just at the mark of nine minutes, there came a set of rapid footsteps and by the character in which the door was opened, (almost removing the hinges,) I knew it was him.

"We've no time to talk Watson. The girls are free. However, I've two fellows' about to rouse upstairs and only five minutes to swim to Guilford's pier to rendezvous with Thomas." He perched himself on the windowsill and started to rapidly remove his boots.

"Oh, we are definitely swimming then. How far is this Guilford's pier?" I tried to examine the landscape through the evening dimness behind him, but all I could perceive was murky water.

"The third building on the right, it's the only reliable docking on this stretch. Now, I'll go first, once you're in follow me, it's not too far but stay close."

"But Holmes…"

Ignoring me he spun about, leaned forward and was gone with a splash. I checked to see his progress and was relieved when his sleek head instantly popped up and bobbed on the surface of the water.

"Watson, do hurray up."

In a moment of sheer annoyance I considered turning and walking out the door. Indeed, I sat on the windowsill and contemplated the odds of my survival should I make a dryer escape independently.

Holmes was habitually consumed with his own strategies, especially during the solving of a case and that made it somewhat difficult to negotiate anything. Often, even talking to him was strictly forbidden and I would be expected to wait quietly until required. During these times he delighted in unveiling the unexpected, both to himself and his audience. I had long suspected he deliberately added drama to such occasions, as an actor would at the climax of a performance, to transform his work from a mundane case and into a sublime work of art. I also feared that the effort required to produce such art was not without risk and his blood needed the resulting adrenaline rush. It was an exchange of natural chemicals that raced through his veins and kept his body at the same speed as his mind.

However, he had not consulted me in this particular business, nor considered my desires.

Then, I suddenly realised that it had been some time since my wishes or even my comfort was considered in any of his investigations. It would have been pleasant to conclude a case without running, to have a civilised conversation with adversaries, or a civilised exit from a building, even occasionally wearing ones own clothes and not just undergarments would have been an improvement. I looked at the abandoned red dress and felt some sympathy with its neglect. It had been ill used and would now be considered too old and worn to be respectable.

"Watson."

It occurred to me that perhaps Mycroft was right; I had once shown some promise, but too much association with his brother had also left me addicted to the thrill of the chase. Although admittedly, when the 'game was afoot', it was frequently us doing the running.

"Watson?"

"Give me a moment."

"We have no time for your foolishness. Get down here now!"

"I don't swim."

"What!"

"I said 'I don't swim'." I turned and mumbled to myself, "I never learnt you see, there was never any need."

His reply was drowned out by a tremendous crash from the room above. The ceiling seemed to rain dust and debris; this was soon followed by loud shouting and the slamming of doors. I froze in a moment of uncertainty, listening to the mounting pandemonium and unable to move. Soon there was screaming, as each room along the corridor was opened and the occupants were disturbed. The sounds where getting louder.

"WATSON!"

I sprang forward locking the door.

Before they reached me, I had turned, ran to the window, held my nose and jumped…

…...

This was meant to be much longer section, but sadly I couldn't resist leaving at this point :D

Anyways, the forth instalment will be up soon.

There are of course the usual apologies about any typos and pleas to let me know so I can make changes. Besides, feedback is always wonderful.