I love Sherlock Holmes, but I don't pretend to be an expert. Still, I hope
this story makes for an interesting read. Thanks to the people who reviewed
my first chapter.
Chapter Two
A Surprising Event
"My first suspicions were aroused soon after the couple began courting, about one year ago." Mrs. Cadge continued. "One evening Mr. MacLean came to pick up Etta in order to attend the theater. As he removed his jacket, his sleeve was caught, exposing part of his forearm. I noticed a strange marking tattooed onto the skin near the elbow. It looked rather like a crude ribbon or rope drawn into a knot. It was a very strange image, and I could not think where he could have gotten such a mark."
"Did you inquire about it?" Holmes asked, rather languidly. Apparently, there had been little in the ladies narrative to excite his interest so far.
"No, I did not, at least not at the time. A few moments after I saw the strange tattoo, my daughter came into the room, and the couple departed. I pondered the matter myself, because I could not father any reason for a respectable barrister to have such a dubious marking. Therefore, the next time I came into contact with him, a week later, I asked him about the strange image. To my surprise, he denied having such a tattoo. This served only to raise my suspicions against him, as I am absolutely sure I saw the knot. I have watched for it ever since then, but the man has been careful not to expose his arm.
"That is my only concrete point, Mr. Holmes. There have been so many little things since then that have aroused qualms. Once, about two months ago, I asked him to do me the favor of drawing up a small legal document for me regarding my estate. He agreed to do it for me, but has kept making delays and excuses, and as of now I have receive no papers. These actions are suspicious in a barrister, a man who should have more than adequate legal knowledge.
I can think of no other examples just now, save that he sometimes displays rather rude behavior or language. However, these incidences are few and far between, and have in no way dampened the affection of my daughter. However, they have served to make me come to the decision that I do not want Mr. MacLean as a son-in-law. I wish to engage you to find out Mr. MacLean's past, and to contrive some way to break the engagement."
At the end of this hurried discourse, Holmes stood up, and as he paced to the window, he exclaimed, "I will freely admit that this case holds little interest for me. However, due to my empty coffers and bored mind, I will accept your case."
The woman rose, thanked him and departed, after Holmes gave her a promise to begin his investigations the very next day. She gave him her home address, as well as that of Mr. MacLean, the lady's fiancé. After she had gone, Holmes returned to his room, emerging a few minutes later in the character of a working-class dandy.
"I expect to be gone most of the day, Watson," he said as he opened the door. "I plan to pay a visit to this Mr. MacLean, a man of apparent ill character. Don't worry, I will tell you of my findings over a good dinner tonight."
With that, he departed. I settled down with the morning pipe, and spent a relaxing day organizing my many papers. Around seven o'clock, Holmes returned. I had just received the evening paper, and was just preparing to read it when Holmes burst in, tired and bedraggled. The expression on his face led me to believe that he had had an unhelpful day. He had clearly found nothing. He collapsed into the opposite armchair and sighed.
"Watson, old chap, this case is impossible. I met with the young man this morning, and he seemed to be a most decent and respectable chap, with a great love of his fiancée Etta Cadge. I spent the afternoon looking up his records at Scotland Yard, hospitals, any place I could think of. There was not one shred of incriminating evidence. If I don't find something out quickly, I am finished." He sat back it the chair with a sigh.
Sympathizing with him, I glanced at the evening paper. There was a headline that completely caught my attention.
"Holmes," I said, "This may be your chance to get more evidence. According to the paper, Etta Cadge has been kidnapped!"
Chapter Two
A Surprising Event
"My first suspicions were aroused soon after the couple began courting, about one year ago." Mrs. Cadge continued. "One evening Mr. MacLean came to pick up Etta in order to attend the theater. As he removed his jacket, his sleeve was caught, exposing part of his forearm. I noticed a strange marking tattooed onto the skin near the elbow. It looked rather like a crude ribbon or rope drawn into a knot. It was a very strange image, and I could not think where he could have gotten such a mark."
"Did you inquire about it?" Holmes asked, rather languidly. Apparently, there had been little in the ladies narrative to excite his interest so far.
"No, I did not, at least not at the time. A few moments after I saw the strange tattoo, my daughter came into the room, and the couple departed. I pondered the matter myself, because I could not father any reason for a respectable barrister to have such a dubious marking. Therefore, the next time I came into contact with him, a week later, I asked him about the strange image. To my surprise, he denied having such a tattoo. This served only to raise my suspicions against him, as I am absolutely sure I saw the knot. I have watched for it ever since then, but the man has been careful not to expose his arm.
"That is my only concrete point, Mr. Holmes. There have been so many little things since then that have aroused qualms. Once, about two months ago, I asked him to do me the favor of drawing up a small legal document for me regarding my estate. He agreed to do it for me, but has kept making delays and excuses, and as of now I have receive no papers. These actions are suspicious in a barrister, a man who should have more than adequate legal knowledge.
I can think of no other examples just now, save that he sometimes displays rather rude behavior or language. However, these incidences are few and far between, and have in no way dampened the affection of my daughter. However, they have served to make me come to the decision that I do not want Mr. MacLean as a son-in-law. I wish to engage you to find out Mr. MacLean's past, and to contrive some way to break the engagement."
At the end of this hurried discourse, Holmes stood up, and as he paced to the window, he exclaimed, "I will freely admit that this case holds little interest for me. However, due to my empty coffers and bored mind, I will accept your case."
The woman rose, thanked him and departed, after Holmes gave her a promise to begin his investigations the very next day. She gave him her home address, as well as that of Mr. MacLean, the lady's fiancé. After she had gone, Holmes returned to his room, emerging a few minutes later in the character of a working-class dandy.
"I expect to be gone most of the day, Watson," he said as he opened the door. "I plan to pay a visit to this Mr. MacLean, a man of apparent ill character. Don't worry, I will tell you of my findings over a good dinner tonight."
With that, he departed. I settled down with the morning pipe, and spent a relaxing day organizing my many papers. Around seven o'clock, Holmes returned. I had just received the evening paper, and was just preparing to read it when Holmes burst in, tired and bedraggled. The expression on his face led me to believe that he had had an unhelpful day. He had clearly found nothing. He collapsed into the opposite armchair and sighed.
"Watson, old chap, this case is impossible. I met with the young man this morning, and he seemed to be a most decent and respectable chap, with a great love of his fiancée Etta Cadge. I spent the afternoon looking up his records at Scotland Yard, hospitals, any place I could think of. There was not one shred of incriminating evidence. If I don't find something out quickly, I am finished." He sat back it the chair with a sigh.
Sympathizing with him, I glanced at the evening paper. There was a headline that completely caught my attention.
"Holmes," I said, "This may be your chance to get more evidence. According to the paper, Etta Cadge has been kidnapped!"