Chapter 3; "By God Winters!"

The building that rose up before the group was of enormous proportions. It was compiled out of large pale bricks, with windows appearing at regular intervals. It would have been extremely tranquil, if it hadn't been for the masses of police swarming over the grounds. Holmes and Winters rolled their eyes simultaneously at the mass of broken grass stems, henceforth lost clues, before them.

"Where was the body found?" Watson asked Constable Groats, who had accompanied them. He indicated vaguely a spot particularly crammed with officers. They stumbled unsteadily down the steep hill towards it.

"He was lying on his back when they found him, arms raised as if to shield his face," Constable Groats explained. Reluctantly the police force parted to let them through at a word from Winters and a patch of wet grass was revealed. Holmes sniffed; "Not very informative!"

Winters grinned, "I suppose they've tried interviewing that snail over there?"

Sniggering Groats answered, "Yes sir, no results!" Smiling softly Holmes began to pace the area examining the ground intently, Winters attention however was not focused upon the dewy grass but on the surrounding area. Suddenly he began striding purposefully towards a clump of trees on the outskirts of the grounds. There he fell to his knees and began running his fingers through the foliage. In bemusement the others jogged, up to join him then stood in a semicircle around his person. A few minutes passed then Holmes, uttering a cry of understanding, also began ravaging the grass as if searching for something. Nothing happened for a moment or two, then suddenly Holmes leapt to his feet a gun in his gloved hands; "Ah Ha Winters, I found it!"

The inspector cried out triumphantly, "Brilliant!" He was about to take the firearm from him, but checked himself, "Groats," the astonished officer nodded apprehensively, "I want you to take this gun to forensics and check it for fingerprints. It wasn't used to shoot our victim, but it may be of relevance."

"I'll fetch some constables right away sir!" he answered then bounded of.

"By god Winters," gaped Norwood, "how did you know that you'd find that there?"

"I didn't. At the place where the body was first discovered I simply noticed my surroundings. If I had killed this man I would had have made for the trees rather than the house, the road or indeed the lake. It also struck me that perhaps our criminal had come armed with a weapon with the intention of attacking Mr Angles as we must call him for the present moment, however the mere sight of this person with the weapon was enough to cause the senile old man to have a heart attack and die!"

"Humph, that was convenient of him!" Muttered Norwood insensitively.

Winters ignored him and carried on regardless; "When I reached the trees I saw the road beyond the foliage and I knew that they would have dropped their weapon here, if they had one, for fear that someone passing along the highway would see it!" There was a gap where everyone searched for flaws in the theory, not least Holmes, then Watson clasping his hands with a clapping sound remarked; "It's going to take sometime for the results to come back from forensics, we won't get them until tomorrow, in the interval, well dinner wouldn't go amiss!"

Norwood had invited them to stay at Shortleat hall for despite the dreadful tragedy that had occurred there it was certainly magnificent. So it was that that evening just after dinner before they retired to there respective rooms they were seated around a fire, pipes in mouths and in the case of Holmes and surprisingly Winters violins by their sides. An hour or so passed in companionable silence, then Watson, putting down his book heaved himself from the easy chair, "I think I shall retire for the night!" he stated.

Holmes's client stood as well, "I also. Hopefully we shall have an equally productive, henceforth tiring day tomorrow." They both looked expectantly at Holmes and Winters but they did not look up from there reveries; "Err… Goodnight!" mumbled Holmes.

"Sleep well!" Winters managed before relapsing to his thoughts once more.

"Well see you tomorrow then!" Norwood smiled weakly and he and the doctor departed.

Several more hours passed and the inspector had dozed of into a state of half consciousness, he was nearly asleep when the most beautiful violin music began moaning though the large room like moonlight. Winters flickered open his eyes to see Holmes, standing, drawing the bow expertly across the instrument. He smiled and rose from his chair, catching up his own violin in the process; "A concerto I believe!" He chuckled.

Holmes turned swiftly to him; "I had not realised you were still here, I apologise for disturbing you!"

"It's quite alright. I would have hoped that you had already deduced that I play myself?"

Holmes nodded and laughed, "Yes, the enhanced muscular tendon on your hand, the slight indent in the flesh between your thumb and first finger, and of course the violin in your possesion were all vital clues!"

Winters answered simply by supporting his violin on his shoulder and rallying off a few bars of Mozart's 5th symphony. The detective obviously taking it as an invitation to begin a completion played the opening notes of on of Beethoven's duets. After waiting a minute Winters joined in with the accompaniment, startled Holmes stumbled on a note only to have the inspector take on where he had erred leaving himself to play the background of the music. Irritably he caught it up; looking for any opportunities he could slip in and swap their roles once more. Winters, seeing what he was doing speeded up, playing his notes more vigorously and lingering on each for a shorter period. Annoyed Holmes increased his speed also! In a remarkably short time the once enchanting piece was a confused mass of broken notes. Each man glared at his instrument willing it to go faster. The piece, if it could be called as such, was rising and reaching its climax when suddenly there was a sharp crash and a china ornament fell from the mantle piece. It took a moment for the two to realise what had happened. Slowly Holmes lowered his elbow, which had upon performing a particularly violent stroke soared out and knocked the offending ornament from its place. They stood there in silence for a few minutes then Winters began to chuckle, Holmes not long after him. Their mirth erupted slowly but soon they had to sit down they were laughing so hard; both amused at their own stupidity. After a time they fell silent and Winters began to scrape up the shattered china. "You're a good man!" remarked Holmes suddenly.

"I observe a similar trait in you!" the inspector replied a smile flickering across his features. I am a good man! He thought. But not in the way you mean Mr Holmes!