The next morning Wiggins was sent for, and duly arrived. He seemed so much older now; almost a grown man.
Holmes related to him the events of the previous day. He spoke most sympathetically, and Wiggins appreciated it.
"So we are seeking the sailor, Wiggins. He will be an older man, in his forties or fifties. He will frequent the river banks a mile up or downstream of the Pool. He will have several small boys in his employ, and may be reputed a harsh master."
"Yes, Sir!"
"Usual rate of pay."
Wiggins nodded and turned to leave.
"Wait, Wiggins, there is something important I must say."
"Yes, Sir?"
"Do not approach any man you suspect of being our sailor. Do not go near anyone you see with him, even the children. Do not go about alone, but in pairs, especially after dark. And inform me at once if anyone does not report back to you."
Wiggins smiled. For a fellow with nought but a basic education, he was very astute.
"You mustn't blame yourself for Pikey, Mr Holmes. Sure as I don't know what actually happened to him, I know he'd have rather been an irregular man than any other sort. He was a workhouse boy, and never knew nothing good until he come out, and a shilling a day made him very happy, Sir. We all know what we do ain't the safest, but there ain't no safety in stone breaking or iron foundering neither."
"Thank you, Wiggins,"
"Regards to comings and goings, Sir, this ain't the Royal Artillery, the lads come and go as they like, Sir."
"Keep an eye on them, Wiggins."
"I always do, Sir." He touched his cap and left.
I smiled. I felt that Wiggins had just done my friend a very great service.
For the next two weeks there was no word on our sailor. Wiggins reported in from time to time, more out of respect for Holmes' nerves than for any real purpose. Holmes went out exploring daily in a variety of guises, but always returned disappointed. I lay a little low for a few days as my wounds had again been bothering me in the cold weather.
"Accompany me, Watson, tonight, for I could use the fellowship." Holmes entered the room dressed as a labourer.
"Yes, all right."
"You will, of course, have to change."
"Change?"
"Into something more appropriate."
"I see."
Holmes arranged for me some more modest clothing and a battered hat, and rather helpfully combed my hair back on itself, giving me a look of complete untidiness. I was immediately uncomfortable but in good spirits.
We took a cab to Cheapside and walked together towards the river. It was snowing now, and few folk were about on the street. I was beginning to regret my decision to venture out, for my arm twinged painfully and I tucked my hand into the front of my coat to support it.
There was some activity along the river. A few destitutes were crowded around small fires on the quay. The odd darkened doorway housed a slumped drunk with empty gin bottle still in hand. But here there was no industrial activity to speak of, and this was not a neighbourhood known for sailors. I enquired to Holmes.
"I did not expect to find anything here, Watson. But it is only by searching everywhere that I may establish where he is not, and it is only by finding where he is not that I might find where he is."
I could see his frustration and did not probe further.
Our attention was suddenly taken by one of the most peculiar things I have ever witnessed. As we looked out onto the river, there was a roar and flash about twenty feet in. A great round sun, brightly shining, erupted with the roar from the water. It was as large as a carriage wheel. It leapt eight feet into the air, fell back down, and then vanished from view into the dark water.
I stared speechless at Holmes, who trotted much closer to the quayside to look into the water. I followed, and, just seconds later, the incident was repeated; another glowing orb was expelled from the murky water only to disappear from sight again. As Holmes and I looked at each other there was a scream from behind.
"Lord preserve us! Another one! Another sign! The fires of hell are upon us! Repent your sins! Repent!" A middle aged woman cried out to the unlistening small group.
I was awestruck. I had never seen anything like it. I looked closely at the murky water, perhaps expecting another display. But there was none. Holmes was far more interested in the harassed woman proclaiming her religious fervour.
"There have been other such incidents?" he asked, moving toward her.
"'Tis a sign of the end of days, Sir! The unrepentant shall pay for their crimes!"
"When have you seen this before?"
"There was another, three days ago! And four more before that, Sir! And I went to the church and I tried to warn them! They told me I should stay out of the gin-shop, Sir, but it is they who are the stupefied!"
Indeed, she wore the blue ribbon on her frock. She fell upon her knees and began to quote from the Book of Isaiah. Again, none of the folk in the locale took much notice.
"Interesting," said Holmes.
It was certainly interesting, and although I did not believe that we were witnessing and act of the Divine casting glowing lights out of the Thames, what we had seen certainly escaped my explanation.
Holmes sat down on the quay with his legs hanging toward the water some six feet below. For a moment I was afraid he would do something rash.
"Holmes!- You would not last one minute in there!"
"I am simply trying to get a better look, Watson."
He was not angry at my reasoning; indeed it was not an unwarranted conclusion as I have seen him do far more dangerous things than leap into a freezing river.
"What do you see?" I asked.
"Nothing," he said, irritated.
I groaned; my wounded leg had become so stiff as to no longer adequately take my weight, and the other ached terribly in compensation. I took a sip from my flask.
Holmes looked quite concerned. "Come, Watson. We shall return to Baker Street for the night. I shall resume my searching in the morning, and no doubt we shall read of the sight we here witnessed in the back columns of the London papers."
I leaned on my stick on one side, and the arm of my friend on the other, and walked to the end of Hapsburg Terrace where we took a Hansom back to our rooms.