Chapter 12 - Entering the Mystery Section
Meanwhile, Becca and the book animals were making their way through a snowy countryside. "Brrrrr!" said Adventure, "Tis sure is colder than the Arctic!"
"I agree," said Mystery, "But something tells me we're getting close to MY section!"
"You mean we'll be solving mysteries?" asked Becca, with her teeth chattering from the cold.
"I think so," Mystery replied.
"Let's see," said Fantasy, tapping her wand, "I think I'd better help you out a bit, Becca." She waved her wand and pointed it at Becca. In a flash, the girl was wearing a dark blue cloak around her neck to keep her warm. Sheila, who was sleeping in Becca's arms, let out a contented purr. "Thanks, Fantasy," said Becca, "I'm not so cold now!"
"Anytime, honey," said Fantasy.
The group walked through the snow for several minutes until they came across an English town at dawn. "Ah, merry old London town!" said Mystery, "I think anytime soon we'll be meeting an old friend of mine."
"And who would that be?" Sci Fi asked.
"Why, Sherlock Holmes, of course!" replied Mystery with big enthusiasm. Sherlock Holmes was one of the most famous detective characters in the mystery fiction genre. Even though Becca never read mystery stories, she felt very relieved when she learned that she may have help if there were any challenges in the Paths of Mystery.
So the girl and her animal friends travelled into the streets of London and saw Victorian and Edwardian commoners getting ready to start their day. Shops, restaurants, and bakeries were opening up their doors, carriages pulled by horses were going by on the main streets, and people were walking on sidewalks saying "Good morning" to each other. "Now then," Mystery told Becca, "The Street we're looking for is Baker Street. That's where Mr. Holmes and his friend Dr. Watson reside."
"How are we going to find Baker Street in this big place?" Horror asked worriedly. Suddenly, everyone jumped to the sound of a policeman blowing his whistle and shouting, "Stop! Come back here!" A mysterious person with a dark cape ran past Becca and her friends with something clutched in his or her arms, with the policeman right behind, blowing his whistle! However, the mysterious stranger disappeared in a large crowd of shoppers before the policeman could catch him. "Excuse me," Becca said to the policeman.
"Yes?" the man said in a gruff tone of voice.
"My friends and I are looking for Baker Street. We were wondering if you could tell us how to find Mr. Sherlock Holmes."
"Mr. Holmes?" said the policeman, "You mean you're researching the case of the Blue Carbuncle, too?"
Becca was lost in words. "Uh, yeah," she stammered, "W-we are, uh, employees of the, er…"
"Hotel that the carbuncle was stolen from!" finished Mystery.
"Very well," said the policeman, "Just turn right at the next block, and Mr. Holmes's residence will be the second apartment on the left."
"Thank you, sir!" said Becca, gathering her friends together. Then, she turned to Mystery and whispered, "And thank you for helping me out." The fisher just winked at her as they all made their way to Baker Street.
