Chapter 6
I sat reading the newspaper that next morning; each newspaper that had any news of the murder had its own account of the 'Brixton Mystery'. Each had its own version of how Gregson and Lestrade were on the trail. At that point Holmes snatched the paper from my hands. "I was reading that!" I said annoyed, but he just snickered skimming through the article.
"I told you that Gregson and Lestrade would find a way to pocket my work," Holmes said shaking his head, "I swear if it wasn't for me, those two wouldn't have a leg to stand on."
"Well that is only if they are on the right track," I answered, "I mean by what I can see they don't have even a half a brain between either of them."
"All I have to say to that is 'Un sot trouve toujours un plus sot qui l'admire'..."
"Huh?" Holmes shook his head leaning down with a sigh. He looked right into my face.
"'A fool can always find a greater fool to admire him.' How you made it here Galahad I will never know?"
"From this angle I can see that you don't clip your nose hairs..." I smirked.
"Well can't say that you're not witty," Holmes answered, his own smirk on his face, "Not to mention nosey and an all around busybody. But I should have expected that from a woman of your kind shouldn't I?" I would have answered with a great comeback if it wasn't for the loud banging at the door. We both looked up, and Holmes instantly sighed. "I told them last time to send up only Wiggins!" Holmes moved to the door quickly, I fallowed curiously watching from the kitchen door way. Holmes opened the door and in came some of the roughest looking urchins I had ever seen. They were all different ages from what I could see ranging from what looked like 18 to 10, all looking like some kind of street gang. One young man stood out to me, as he strutted out in front, looking as if he was the leader of the group. The instant he laid eyes on me, he smiled dangerously and strolled over to me.
"Well, well, well, I 'eard Mister 'olmes was gettin' a new roommate but I wasn't expecting she would be as beautiful as you miss..." He kissed my hand and I glanced over at Holmes. Seeing the look of annoyance and slight disgust on his face figured it might be fun to play it up.
"And I wasn't expecting to see that Holmes had any friends," I answered not pulling away my hand quickly.
"Oh we not really his friend miss," the young man answered, "We're the Bakerstreet Irregulars."
"You are who?"
"The Bakerstreet Irregulars," he answered, "Sort of like the police force except we're employed under Mister 'olmes here rather then the government."
"And let me guess, you are the leader am I right?" He chuckled puffing out his jacket, sort of like a rooster with its feathers.
"I am miss. The name is Wiggins, pleasure to be at your service miss." Wiggins bowed and I couldn't help but blush. Holmes, finally unable to take much more of our 'intercourse', took a hold of Wiggins's shoulder making the other man face him roughly.
"Last time I told you to come up alone Wiggins!" Holmes warned, "I don't like it when you bring all of the 'gang' up here!"
"Well you know sir, Pep wanted to see yas and where she goes Pip goes and then it just grows from there-"
"Don't be blaming Wiggins mister Holmes," another voice from the crowd spoke. My attention was drawn to a figure in the front of the group, a girl with short hair. She could have been a boy if it wasn't for the fact that she was much smaller then most of the other boys and was more curvy. Beside her was a young boy, as I could tell at least 6 years old, who held her hand like they were attached at more then the hip. "I only wanted to see how you were doin' Mister Holmes-"Holmes stood looking at her for a moment before letting out a sigh and letting go of Wiggins shoulder.
"Well next time all I expect is Wiggins and if Pep wants to come, it is only her and no one else you hear me?" Both Wiggins and Pep nodded and Holmes took in a calming breath. "Now have you found what I sent you out for?"
"Not yet sir," Wiggins answered.
"I expect that when you come to report to me next time that you have more information," Holmes said, handing some money to Wiggins and then waving his hand, "You are dismissed..." Wiggins once again nodded and a movement of his head the troops marched out once again. Pep stayed behind, the little boy (I assumed was Pip) still not far from her side. She placed a hand on my roommate shoulder and pushed up against him.
"It was nice seeing you again mister Holmes," she whispered, loud enough for me to hear, "I hope we can see more of each other now that your back in the game..." I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the scene, it was very 'suggestive'. Holmes must have caught the look because he blushed and stepped away from the young lady.
"I believe that we will be seeing more of each other Pep but you'd better get moving," he said looking over at me to see if I could see that it was nothing. Pep looked at me too, but it wasn't a nice look. It was more of a warning look.
"Come on Pip!" she said grabbing the small boys hand and rushing from the room. I laughed softly and Holmes grew redder.
"It's not what you think!" he nearly cried as I walked more into the room.
"And how would you know what I think it is?" I asked, giving him a sly smile.
"I know exactly what your thinking and I don't have any attraction to her what so ever!" I smiled more sitting on the arm of the couch and looking at his flustered face.
"No? Well I think she has an attraction to you," I answered, "I mean, you aren't bad looking so I can't blame her...of course you could be just a bit nicer, just might get you a girlfriend if you did that..."
"Well I...I..." Holmes stuttered, his eyes searching for a way out, "I...I see that Gregson is coming! Likely come to tell us his latest ideas about the case no doubt!" Indeed Holmes was saved as we both looked and caught the form of Greg Gregson coming up the street. Still I couldn't help but smile as I heard Holmes's thankful sigh. Soon there was a knock at the door and Holmes answered it quickly. Indeed it was Gregson, with a smile that indicated that he had something big to tell us. Something he was proud of. He greeted us and came in to the room with a skip in his step.
"When I get done telling you about what I've found out you are going to be kissing my feet and calling me a god!" Gregson boasted. Holmes's face returned to a smirk as he took his place beside me, leaning against the edge of the couch.
"Then you found the culprit?" Holmes inquired.
"Better then that, I have him in jail at this very moment!"
"And his name is?"
"Arthur Charpentier, a Lieutenant in the Navy!" Gregson announced as Holmes let out a laugh. In that instant I knew Gregson was wrong, just by the look on Holmes's face. But I figured we were going to hear him out anyway..."
"Would you like to sit down Mister Gregson?" I asked, "I think we would both like to hear how you managed to capture the man in one night, especially beating Holmes here to it..."
"Yes Gregson," Holmes chimed, "I would love to hear how you beat me out!"
"Don't mind if I do," Gregson said with a smile as we all took seats around the unlit fire place, "It feels so good to sit down after a hard nights work, and what I've put myself through it's no wonder. Of course it's not all body work but also the mind right Holmes?"
"Well I don't know much about that," Holmes chuckled. I watched him pulling out a cigarette packet from his pocket and offer one to Gregson.
"No I don't smoke," Gregson answered. Holmes was about to light his but I took it from his mouth and smashed it on the floor as well as taking the pack from him.
"You shouldn't either!" I told him. He sneered at me but I stood strong. "I won't let you smoke in my presence," I informed him and he sighed.
"Been trying to quite anyway," he said sitting back, "But I digress, you were saying Gregson?"
"Yes, well Lestrade is off and gotten totally lost! He is off and looking for that secretary, Strangerson, who hasn't anything to do with what happened the night before last. I have no doubt that he will figure it out soon enough and come back with his tail between his legs."
"And how did you find this clue that lead to the arrest?" I questioned.
"Well, just between you and me Miss Galahad, the first difficulty was with the people over seas. While others would wait for someone to come forward with information, I like to just push on forward and be ahead of everyone else! You both remember the hat that was beside the body?"
"You mean the hat by John Underwood and Sons, at 120, Camberwell Road?" Holmes answered.
"I didn't think you noticed that...so you've been there then?" Gregson asked a bit shaken. Holmes shook his head and the smile returned to Gregson's face. "You should really try to get out there Holmes, I went out to see the Underwoods and asked him about that hat. He told me that he sold the hat to Debber who was residing at Charpentier's Hotel on Torquay Terrace. So of course I went to see Mrs. Charpentier and I found her in distress. Her daughter was with her, not a bad looking girl, she was in just as much trouble as her mother it seemed as her lip trembled each time she spoke. I asked them about Mr. Debber and the last time that they had seen him. At first they told me that they had last seen him around 11 when he left for the train, but then the daughter, being of innocent nature, pointed out that it wasn't the last time they had seen him. Her mother nearly wrang her neck, claiming that she had 'forsaken her brother!' I told them that they had better tell me the truth about what had happened, and after the mother had sent away the girl she began to tell me the story.
Mr. Debber had been staying there for 3 weeks, stoping for a while as he and his secretary, Mr. Stangerson were traveling in Europe. They had just come from 'Copenhagen', it was written on both their trunks. While Stangerson was quiet and hardly a bother, Debber was loud and quiet the ladies man. He often was drunk when he arrived at the hotel and would come back very late at night. His worst behavior was with Mrs. Charpentier's daughter, acting in a way that the innocent young lady didn't understand but caused Stangerson to step in once or twice. Mrs. Charpentier didn't pay much attention to it as Debber was paying her a lot of money to stay there, more then most of the costumers that stay there in that season. Well her son, Arthur Charpentier came home the day Debber left which was a lucky thing because the young mister Charpentier was the protector of his sister as it were. Well later that night Debber did return and as drunk as ever. He was going to kidnap the daughter, 'claiming that she was old enough to marry'. Arthur had to beat him away literally with a stick, he chased Debber down the road and didn't come back till around four or five in the morning. His mother doesn't know what he did while he was gone but when we arrested him, he knew exactly what we were arresting him for and didn't seem to sad about it either. So my theory is that Arthur fallowed Debber to Brixton Road, where a blow to the stomach killed Debber without a mark. Arthur dragged the body into the building, leaving the ring, the blood, the candle, and the writing on the wall to throw off the police."
"And you didn't need my help at all!" Holmes cried, like a proud parent, "I swear Gregson, you are getting better at this every time we see each other!"
"I'm just glad I could figure it out so neatly not to mention quickly," Gregson said with a proud blush, "And all Arthur has is an alibi that he was at his friends home which doesn't hold up at all, so as I see it, Arthur is our man. Lestrade is going to feel so foolish when he comes back." At that instant there was a knock at the door and after I answered it we were met with a very pale Lestrade.
"Speak of the Devil," Holmes chuckled, "Gregson here tells us that you went searching for Strangerson, and we are curious to find out if you found him." For a moment all Lestrade could do was stand there. I could see the look on his face and I felt concern for the man sitting in front of me, his face white and sickly looking. I stood next to him, taking his arm gently.
"What is it Lestrade? Do you feel ill? Can I get you something?" Lestrade shook his head as I helped him to a seat on the couch. Lestrade took a deep breath and looked around at all of us, fumbling with his hat, taking it from his head into his hands. He looked at me like he was about to do something but needed help to do it. "What is it Lestrade? Is it something about Stangerson?"
"Mr. Joseph Strangerson," Lestrade said gravely, "Was murdered at 6 o'clock this morning, in the Halliday's Hotel..."
I sat reading the newspaper that next morning; each newspaper that had any news of the murder had its own account of the 'Brixton Mystery'. Each had its own version of how Gregson and Lestrade were on the trail. At that point Holmes snatched the paper from my hands. "I was reading that!" I said annoyed, but he just snickered skimming through the article.
"I told you that Gregson and Lestrade would find a way to pocket my work," Holmes said shaking his head, "I swear if it wasn't for me, those two wouldn't have a leg to stand on."
"Well that is only if they are on the right track," I answered, "I mean by what I can see they don't have even a half a brain between either of them."
"All I have to say to that is 'Un sot trouve toujours un plus sot qui l'admire'..."
"Huh?" Holmes shook his head leaning down with a sigh. He looked right into my face.
"'A fool can always find a greater fool to admire him.' How you made it here Galahad I will never know?"
"From this angle I can see that you don't clip your nose hairs..." I smirked.
"Well can't say that you're not witty," Holmes answered, his own smirk on his face, "Not to mention nosey and an all around busybody. But I should have expected that from a woman of your kind shouldn't I?" I would have answered with a great comeback if it wasn't for the loud banging at the door. We both looked up, and Holmes instantly sighed. "I told them last time to send up only Wiggins!" Holmes moved to the door quickly, I fallowed curiously watching from the kitchen door way. Holmes opened the door and in came some of the roughest looking urchins I had ever seen. They were all different ages from what I could see ranging from what looked like 18 to 10, all looking like some kind of street gang. One young man stood out to me, as he strutted out in front, looking as if he was the leader of the group. The instant he laid eyes on me, he smiled dangerously and strolled over to me.
"Well, well, well, I 'eard Mister 'olmes was gettin' a new roommate but I wasn't expecting she would be as beautiful as you miss..." He kissed my hand and I glanced over at Holmes. Seeing the look of annoyance and slight disgust on his face figured it might be fun to play it up.
"And I wasn't expecting to see that Holmes had any friends," I answered not pulling away my hand quickly.
"Oh we not really his friend miss," the young man answered, "We're the Bakerstreet Irregulars."
"You are who?"
"The Bakerstreet Irregulars," he answered, "Sort of like the police force except we're employed under Mister 'olmes here rather then the government."
"And let me guess, you are the leader am I right?" He chuckled puffing out his jacket, sort of like a rooster with its feathers.
"I am miss. The name is Wiggins, pleasure to be at your service miss." Wiggins bowed and I couldn't help but blush. Holmes, finally unable to take much more of our 'intercourse', took a hold of Wiggins's shoulder making the other man face him roughly.
"Last time I told you to come up alone Wiggins!" Holmes warned, "I don't like it when you bring all of the 'gang' up here!"
"Well you know sir, Pep wanted to see yas and where she goes Pip goes and then it just grows from there-"
"Don't be blaming Wiggins mister Holmes," another voice from the crowd spoke. My attention was drawn to a figure in the front of the group, a girl with short hair. She could have been a boy if it wasn't for the fact that she was much smaller then most of the other boys and was more curvy. Beside her was a young boy, as I could tell at least 6 years old, who held her hand like they were attached at more then the hip. "I only wanted to see how you were doin' Mister Holmes-"Holmes stood looking at her for a moment before letting out a sigh and letting go of Wiggins shoulder.
"Well next time all I expect is Wiggins and if Pep wants to come, it is only her and no one else you hear me?" Both Wiggins and Pep nodded and Holmes took in a calming breath. "Now have you found what I sent you out for?"
"Not yet sir," Wiggins answered.
"I expect that when you come to report to me next time that you have more information," Holmes said, handing some money to Wiggins and then waving his hand, "You are dismissed..." Wiggins once again nodded and a movement of his head the troops marched out once again. Pep stayed behind, the little boy (I assumed was Pip) still not far from her side. She placed a hand on my roommate shoulder and pushed up against him.
"It was nice seeing you again mister Holmes," she whispered, loud enough for me to hear, "I hope we can see more of each other now that your back in the game..." I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the scene, it was very 'suggestive'. Holmes must have caught the look because he blushed and stepped away from the young lady.
"I believe that we will be seeing more of each other Pep but you'd better get moving," he said looking over at me to see if I could see that it was nothing. Pep looked at me too, but it wasn't a nice look. It was more of a warning look.
"Come on Pip!" she said grabbing the small boys hand and rushing from the room. I laughed softly and Holmes grew redder.
"It's not what you think!" he nearly cried as I walked more into the room.
"And how would you know what I think it is?" I asked, giving him a sly smile.
"I know exactly what your thinking and I don't have any attraction to her what so ever!" I smiled more sitting on the arm of the couch and looking at his flustered face.
"No? Well I think she has an attraction to you," I answered, "I mean, you aren't bad looking so I can't blame her...of course you could be just a bit nicer, just might get you a girlfriend if you did that..."
"Well I...I..." Holmes stuttered, his eyes searching for a way out, "I...I see that Gregson is coming! Likely come to tell us his latest ideas about the case no doubt!" Indeed Holmes was saved as we both looked and caught the form of Greg Gregson coming up the street. Still I couldn't help but smile as I heard Holmes's thankful sigh. Soon there was a knock at the door and Holmes answered it quickly. Indeed it was Gregson, with a smile that indicated that he had something big to tell us. Something he was proud of. He greeted us and came in to the room with a skip in his step.
"When I get done telling you about what I've found out you are going to be kissing my feet and calling me a god!" Gregson boasted. Holmes's face returned to a smirk as he took his place beside me, leaning against the edge of the couch.
"Then you found the culprit?" Holmes inquired.
"Better then that, I have him in jail at this very moment!"
"And his name is?"
"Arthur Charpentier, a Lieutenant in the Navy!" Gregson announced as Holmes let out a laugh. In that instant I knew Gregson was wrong, just by the look on Holmes's face. But I figured we were going to hear him out anyway..."
"Would you like to sit down Mister Gregson?" I asked, "I think we would both like to hear how you managed to capture the man in one night, especially beating Holmes here to it..."
"Yes Gregson," Holmes chimed, "I would love to hear how you beat me out!"
"Don't mind if I do," Gregson said with a smile as we all took seats around the unlit fire place, "It feels so good to sit down after a hard nights work, and what I've put myself through it's no wonder. Of course it's not all body work but also the mind right Holmes?"
"Well I don't know much about that," Holmes chuckled. I watched him pulling out a cigarette packet from his pocket and offer one to Gregson.
"No I don't smoke," Gregson answered. Holmes was about to light his but I took it from his mouth and smashed it on the floor as well as taking the pack from him.
"You shouldn't either!" I told him. He sneered at me but I stood strong. "I won't let you smoke in my presence," I informed him and he sighed.
"Been trying to quite anyway," he said sitting back, "But I digress, you were saying Gregson?"
"Yes, well Lestrade is off and gotten totally lost! He is off and looking for that secretary, Strangerson, who hasn't anything to do with what happened the night before last. I have no doubt that he will figure it out soon enough and come back with his tail between his legs."
"And how did you find this clue that lead to the arrest?" I questioned.
"Well, just between you and me Miss Galahad, the first difficulty was with the people over seas. While others would wait for someone to come forward with information, I like to just push on forward and be ahead of everyone else! You both remember the hat that was beside the body?"
"You mean the hat by John Underwood and Sons, at 120, Camberwell Road?" Holmes answered.
"I didn't think you noticed that...so you've been there then?" Gregson asked a bit shaken. Holmes shook his head and the smile returned to Gregson's face. "You should really try to get out there Holmes, I went out to see the Underwoods and asked him about that hat. He told me that he sold the hat to Debber who was residing at Charpentier's Hotel on Torquay Terrace. So of course I went to see Mrs. Charpentier and I found her in distress. Her daughter was with her, not a bad looking girl, she was in just as much trouble as her mother it seemed as her lip trembled each time she spoke. I asked them about Mr. Debber and the last time that they had seen him. At first they told me that they had last seen him around 11 when he left for the train, but then the daughter, being of innocent nature, pointed out that it wasn't the last time they had seen him. Her mother nearly wrang her neck, claiming that she had 'forsaken her brother!' I told them that they had better tell me the truth about what had happened, and after the mother had sent away the girl she began to tell me the story.
Mr. Debber had been staying there for 3 weeks, stoping for a while as he and his secretary, Mr. Stangerson were traveling in Europe. They had just come from 'Copenhagen', it was written on both their trunks. While Stangerson was quiet and hardly a bother, Debber was loud and quiet the ladies man. He often was drunk when he arrived at the hotel and would come back very late at night. His worst behavior was with Mrs. Charpentier's daughter, acting in a way that the innocent young lady didn't understand but caused Stangerson to step in once or twice. Mrs. Charpentier didn't pay much attention to it as Debber was paying her a lot of money to stay there, more then most of the costumers that stay there in that season. Well her son, Arthur Charpentier came home the day Debber left which was a lucky thing because the young mister Charpentier was the protector of his sister as it were. Well later that night Debber did return and as drunk as ever. He was going to kidnap the daughter, 'claiming that she was old enough to marry'. Arthur had to beat him away literally with a stick, he chased Debber down the road and didn't come back till around four or five in the morning. His mother doesn't know what he did while he was gone but when we arrested him, he knew exactly what we were arresting him for and didn't seem to sad about it either. So my theory is that Arthur fallowed Debber to Brixton Road, where a blow to the stomach killed Debber without a mark. Arthur dragged the body into the building, leaving the ring, the blood, the candle, and the writing on the wall to throw off the police."
"And you didn't need my help at all!" Holmes cried, like a proud parent, "I swear Gregson, you are getting better at this every time we see each other!"
"I'm just glad I could figure it out so neatly not to mention quickly," Gregson said with a proud blush, "And all Arthur has is an alibi that he was at his friends home which doesn't hold up at all, so as I see it, Arthur is our man. Lestrade is going to feel so foolish when he comes back." At that instant there was a knock at the door and after I answered it we were met with a very pale Lestrade.
"Speak of the Devil," Holmes chuckled, "Gregson here tells us that you went searching for Strangerson, and we are curious to find out if you found him." For a moment all Lestrade could do was stand there. I could see the look on his face and I felt concern for the man sitting in front of me, his face white and sickly looking. I stood next to him, taking his arm gently.
"What is it Lestrade? Do you feel ill? Can I get you something?" Lestrade shook his head as I helped him to a seat on the couch. Lestrade took a deep breath and looked around at all of us, fumbling with his hat, taking it from his head into his hands. He looked at me like he was about to do something but needed help to do it. "What is it Lestrade? Is it something about Stangerson?"
"Mr. Joseph Strangerson," Lestrade said gravely, "Was murdered at 6 o'clock this morning, in the Halliday's Hotel..."