A STRANGER AT THE DOOR- CHAPTER 14- A VERY DIFFERENT KIND OF STORM
Violet entered the sitting room behind Watson, very fearful of what Holmes would do to her. She went to what had become her usual place on the settee. The doctor sat beside her and she was very grateful for him to be near her. Several minutes passed in an uncomfortable silence.
Holmes was standing by the fireplace facing the mantle, hands in his pockets. When he turned around and Violet saw his face she drew herself back as far as possible in her seat as if doing so would put more distance between them.
"Miss Carroll, bring me your right shoe." Both Violet and Watson looked at each other and then at Holmes. She stammered, "What? What do you want with my shoe? "
He pointed at her. "Young woman, I know you are not deaf. Bring me your shoe!"
She jumped up from the settee and ran up the stairs to her room. She retrieved the shoe and quickly returned to the sitting room, thrusting it into his hand. Violet backed away from him and almost fell into Watson's lap before she sat down.
Holmes called out for Mrs. Hudson. When she appeared, he handed her the shoe and told her, "Take this to the cobbler and see if the heel can be replaced. If not, then Miss Carroll must have a new pair of shoes."
The landlady, quite used to Holmes' odd behavior, only said, "Yes, Mr. Holmes" and left the room.
He sat down and leaned forward. "Now tell me why you went out when I expressly told you not to do so. Then tell me what happened to you after you left this house." He sounded oddly calm and this frightened Violet much more than if he had yelled at her.
Violet drew in a deep breath and summoned all the courage she possessed. "I thought this man that had been watching the house could tell me what I want to know. He looked like someone I think I remember; a man named Jimmy. At first light this morning, I saw him standing across the street. As I approached him he ran away from me. I pursued him for some time until I became so winded I had to stop to catch my breath, not realizing I was standing at the opening to an alleyway. Someone yanked me into the alley and held me by the throat with his arm. It was a man's voice that told me "I was too nosy by half and that curiosity would be the death of me." The first thought that came to mind was to bit him hard on the arm and stomp on his foot at the same time and I acted on this thought. He let me go, ripping my sleeve as he attempted to get hold of me again. I ran away from him. He followed after me for some time and eventually gave up the chase I suppose. Somehow I managed to make my way back here."
"So you allowed curiosity to overrule reason. Did you not consider the consequences of your actions? You have proven that you cannot be trusted."
"It proves I have a mind of my own, Mr. Holmes," she responded angrily. Violet jumped up from her seat to launch herself at him.
Instantly Holmes was out of the chair. He crossed the room and snatched Violet by her arms, glaring at her. His desire to shake some sense into her overwhelmed him. His grip on her arms was like a vise and she began to whimper. When he saw the terror in her eyes he relented and backed way. She fell back on the settee. Watson reached out and steadied her. Then he stood up, pointed at Holmes and told him, "That is enough from you!" Then he turned to her, "Violet, please listen to reason. Holmes is right. You are not safe going out alone. You have got to let him help you! Now if you two will excuse me."
He left the house without any explanation. Holmes and Violet were now alone. The detective retreated to his chair, filled a pipe with tobacco from the Persian slipper and started smoking. Violet stayed rooted to the settee. She looked down at her hands, for she was too afraid to speak.
Any excuse or explanation for her actions that morning seemed inadequate. She knew she would have to apologize to Holmes, Watson and Mrs. Hudson for her behavior. Anything she could say would be not enough. Violet was now in a misery of her own making.
She lay down on the settee, her face buried in a cushion, and cried silently until there were no tears left. Violet turned on her side to face Holmes. She let out a shuttering breath and simply said, "I am sorry. I am a fool."
He remained silent and continued smoking his pipe. Holmes felt a mixture of anger and disappointment with Violet.
She rose from the settee and knelt down in front of him placing her hands on the arms of his chair. For a few seconds she hesitated to look him in the eyes. Finally she looked at him and said once more, "I am sorry. I am a fool."
He reached out and touched her shoulder where the sleeve of her blouse was torn then pulled his hand away. "Violet you are not a fool. You are impatient. Trust me and believe I want to help you."
Watson returned to the house and stood in open doorway to the sitting room watching this scene between Violet and Holmes. He continued to stand there for several minutes before he entered the room and sat down in his chair across from them.
Violet struggled to get up from her knees. Holmes stood up, reached down to help her up and led her to the settee. He lingered in front of her for the briefest of moments before he returned to his chair.
The silence that descended on the room was like the calm after a thunderstorm. It was broken when a breathless Mrs. Hudson entered and said, "I've just returned from the cobbler's shop." She handed Violet the shoe which had been repaired. "And there is a man standing across the street watching this house once again."
Holmes rose from his chair and went to the window. "It is not the same man that has been there before." He motioned Violet to join him at the window.
After she looked at the man she agreed with him. "You are right. It is not the same man."
What an odd request Holmes makes of Violet after she enters the sitting room. She certainly was expecting the first thing for him to say was "Bring me your shoe." He was being practical in making sure she had a shoe she could wear, but Violet and Watson would have never thought of that!
Now the storm between Holmes and Violet is over (for the time being). Don't you think Watson was wise to leave the house when he did? It's exhausting to be the buffer between those two!
Dear Reader, thank you once again for your support. You're the reason I write this story!