"A Matter of Taste"

Chapter 2: Assistance & Extermination

"Watson!"

I dropped the Times into my plate so startled was I by the sound of my friends' voice.

"Holmes, what a fright you gave me! I thought you'd still be in bed, after so late a night."

"Not at all my friend. Especially not when we have a client!" He drew back the curtain and peered into the street. I rose and joined him.

"So early? Surely not, why it's hardly past seven!"

"Not one, but two. A young couple. The man is a typesetter, and the woman a seamstress. I'd wager she is rather good at her occupation as well."

I refused to be drawn into requesting an explanation. But it seems he read my curious mind.

"Even from this distance I perceive ink stains upon the mans' long fingers made only as a type setting job can provide."

"And the woman Holmes?"

"Her clothing is hand made. The seams of her attire are barely perceptible. Also, her nails are short but not extremely so, as would be the case if she were, say, a violinist. There are several other details, but I will not bore you with them. But hurry Watson! Get yourself dressed!"

Holmes dashed into his room, and I into mine to properly attire ourselves to receive our guests. We emerged just in time for Mrs. Hudson to announce Mr. & Mrs. Chandler Cavenness.

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"But I tell you sir, they swore to keep silent!"

"They swore? They swore? Did you pay them, Quinn? Did you offer them wealth and prestige?"

"Why no sir, I merely asked-"

"Then you may expect them to find someone who will! This is no game we are playing Professor. If Russia hears of this-"

"Yes Lord Hollingsworth, I know how dire the consequences could be. I made that perfectly clear to the Cavenness'. I know-"

"What!? Not only did you give them the information, but you told them where to take it! They must be silenced. No question about it."

"But sir-"

"No! It must be done and quickly! The stakes are too high! I shall speak to Mr. Holmes about it. He will know how to deal with such things...things of such a delicate nature. You will take this note to him yourself, explain your blunder, he shall tell you how it may be done."

"Yes sir."

"Here, his address is 346 Pall Mall. And hurry!"

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"Pray sit down Mr.& Mrs. Cavenness, and tell me what I can do for you."

When he wished, Holmes could be a perfectly persuasive person. The couple sat carefully on the edge of the sofa. The poor things looked terrified. Mr. Cavenness was a man of medium build, with blondish hair, dark eyes, and a countenance that told of child-like mischief. His wife was a perfectly lovely creature, with soft, wavy red hair that gently framed her freckled face and bright green eyes. She seemed the more frightened of the two. She stared fixedly at my friend, as if she knew not what to make of him.

"Please Mr. Holmes; we need your help sir. Desperately. Someone is trying to kill us!"

"Well, Mr. Cavenness, you certainly come to the point. Which is very much to my liking. But do start at the beginning if you please."

"That's just it sir, we don't have the slightest idea how it began! I'm a typesetter down at the Times' office, and Cynthia is a seamstress..."

I pretended not to see Holmes' triumphant glance.

"...we don't have much, but we manage. We certainly have nothing of value. And we haven't harmed a soul. I can't imagine why anyone would wish us evil."

"You are certain that there is nothing in either of your pasts? No one from many years gone by who might wish you dead?"

It was the lady who answered this. "No sir. We've both lived quiet lives in this very city. Neither of us have any family to speak of, and we keep few friends. There is no one, sir."

"Tell me, what has caused you to think your lives are being endangered?"

"Well, sir. Two days ago, I was on my way home from the office, when a man, out of no where, jumped upon me with a cudgel! Well, I put a stop to his nonsense right quick, and gave him something to right home about. I guessed him to be some petty thief. Until I arrived home to find Cynthia in tears. She told me she'd nearly been run down in the street that day! With plenty of room to go by her; she said it seemed as if the man wanted to run her down! The very next night, the distinct smell of something burning woke me. I alerted Cynthia and we ran into the kitchen to find that someone had set the curtains ablaze! And not only in the kitchen, but in every room that had windows! I was hard pressed to douse it all, but Cynthia ran for some neighbors whose assistance was greatly needed. Someone wants us dead Mr. Holmes!"

"I am inclined to agree with you sir. Why, is the deepest point of the problem...I would be delighted to take you case Mr. Cavenness."

"Oh thank you so much Mr. Holmes! I was so afraid that no one would help us!" said Cynthia Cavenness, the apprehension vanishing from her face.

It was now her husband who looked concerned.

"Thank you Mr. Holmes, I do appreciate it, but I must inform you that though I do not know the exact fee that you charge for your services, I doubt that my savings will pay for more than a day or two at the most. Should this amount of time prove not to be adequate, perhaps we could work out some sort of payment. I could-"

Holmes shushed him with a wave of his hand.

""There will be no fee sir. I would have a hand in this matter for its own sake. No recompense will be required."

Chandler Cavenness rose and impetuously thrust his hand toward my friend, who stood and shook it heartily.

"I thank you very much sir. You have no idea how much this means to us. But as I am sure that you would now like to turn the case over in your mind, and perhaps discuss it with your good colleague, my wife and I will take our leave. Thank you again. Good day sirs."

"Yes, thank you both ever so much. Goodbye Mr. Holmes, Dr. Watson."

Holmes took his pipe from the mantle and began to light it.

"Why on earth would anyone wish to harm such a charming couple? I can't understand it."

"Ah Watson, criminal intent is never based upon charm or the lack thereof. If only we had a motive the matter would be much simpler. Motive...motive..."

And I got no more out of him until about two hours later when he announced that he would be leaving presently and would return before tomorrow.

Having several patients to attend, I did not so much mind. Yet throughout the day, the details of the case which we had been given plagued my every thought.