"A Matter Of Caste"

Chapter Nine: An Old Acquaintance

For what seemed like the one hundredth time I stepped up onto the crate and peered inside the dressing room. The actors had returned and were presently donning their contemporary attire. Still there was no sign of Holmes.

The streets were not so quiet as when first we arrived. The sound of feminine laughter, men's voices shouting out for carriages and horses hooves upon the cobblestones filled the night air. It was past midnight. I looked anxiously up and down the street. Where on earth could he be? Just as I turned once more to the window, a strangely familiar voice startled me.

" 'Ere now, Dr. Watson, you ain't supposed to be back 'ere, sir. I've got a message for you from Mr. 'Olmes."

"Where is he?"

"Oh, I expect he's right busy at the moment, but if you'd jus' follow me..."

I did so, not bothering to try and remember from where I remembered his voice. The man led me down several passages to what looked like an old warehouse. In my concern for Holmes I did not consider the danger. He stopped before the door.

"Well?" I asked impatiently. "Where is he?"

Pushing the weather beaten door inwards, he motioned me inside. I began to suspect a poorly laid trap. I side-stepped into the warehouse, being careful not to lose sight of my companion.

With the exception of one small candle in a holder hanging by the door, it was utterly dark. I studied my surroundings but kept a wary eye on my guide. Which was just as well, for the moment I appeared to have turned my back he swung a thick board at my head.

Having anticipated the assault, I ducked backwards. Catching the man by his left arm, I swung him into the wall. The entire structure shuddered with the impact. But my attacker was not so easily deterred. He threw the board aside and I glimpsed only a rapid flash of silver before his knife sliced across my right arm. Doing my utmost to ignore the pain, I took up his cast aside weapon. With the long piece of wood I was able to block his next two onslaughts. The man was quick, but extremely clumsy in his movements. It would not be difficult to debilitate him. His next attempt I did not block, but side-stepped. Thus bringing myself into an excellent position to bring my board severely against the back of his head. Twice was enough for my would be assailant to sink to the floor. Taking the candle from the wall I turned him over only to find a face I knew quite well. It was Smithers! One of Lord Hollingsworth's men!

What on earth could he want with me? My next thought was for my friend. If Smithers had known where I was then Holmes must've walked directly into an entrapment.

Leaving Smithers where he lie, I turned to run to the aid of my companion. Only I'd no idea which way we'd come. I was forced to calm myself and attempt to retrace our steps.

It was a full hour before, with the aid of an obliging beggar, I was able to re-locate the Lyceum Theatre. The place was closed and bolted. There were absolutely no signs of life. I cursed myself for getting lost.

Where on earth could Holmes be?

I searched round the building several times over. I even attempted to break in through the dressing room window. It was completely inaccessible.

Not knowing what else was to be done, I hailed a cab for Baker Street.

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Mrs. Hudson had neither heard nor seen anything of Holmes. It was obvious he'd not returned home. Our dear landlady served me an extremely late supper but I could hardly touch it.

Glancing at my watch I noted that the time was nearly three in the morning. Abandoning the idea of food, I adjourned to my chair before the blazing fire.

I was at an utter loss as to what I was to do. I reasoned with myself that Holmes had more than likely run off following some lead and had simply forgotten to send word. But I was unable to convince myself.

I settled deeply into my chair in an attempt to ease my aching shoulders and was rewarded with searing pain in my right arm. In light of the situation, my wound had been pushed from my mind. I moved to get my medical bag to dress it. Though only slight, it had bled somewhat extensively.

Having seen to my injuries, I returned to my seat determined to discern just where my vanished friend might have gone. Yet, it would seem the stressfulness of the day, and my understandable fatigue at the lateness of the hour overcame my greatest intentions. I drifted off to sleep with my many questions still quite unanswered.