The last chapter contained a bit emotional Watson, and a straight forward Holmes…. and so little of the case. Let me try to balance it in this chapter. Well, I hope you will enjoy another chapter of my story! :D

Chapter seven… the clues

Mr. Standerson was of a medium built, a clean-shaven face, and a relaxed expression. He was deep in his thoughts when I greeted him at the station, but he was please to know that Mr. Sherlock Holmes was into the case. Soon enough we were back in the room where the mystery had taken place to find my friend down in the floor. He didn't even notice our entrance, only to look up when I gave a cough or two.

"Mr. Holmes! It's a pleasure to have you in this case." Said Mr. Standerson.

"I too am pleased to be given a chance to study such an interesting mystery. Now if you will give me some more time, I would like to finish my study first of this room before I could have the pleasure of having a conversation with you." Without further words Holmes went back to sniffing out the missing links of this case. The local detective gave me a questioning look, and all I could give in response was a shrug.

Holmes took long, having us wait patiently. Even if Mr. Standerson was a pleasant enough companion to talk to, I did not want to leave Holmes behind of any information he would like to hear. For that reason, we ended up just sitting quietly. Silence was the last thing that I needed as of the moment, for it made me think back to his words. But having not thing better to do, I ponder on the words that hunted my mind. 'I could simply do more if it's to make you understand.' What was it really that he wanted me to understand? And what was it that he would do? Before I could reach my conclusion, my friend ended his research first, approaching us with a grin.

"Things had gotten real interesting, my dear Watson." said he. He did not seem to remember the little conflict we had just an hour ago. But if he had refused to acknowledge the event, I did not see a reason for me to brood over it, so I too went with the flow.

"Well then, will you be kind enough to sit down here with us and narrate to us your findings?" said I.

"After we have heard Mr. Staderson and his theory, that is. Good afternoon, once again. Will you be a service to us by telling us the details and what you make of it?" Homes had taken his sit, and already getting into his usual thinking position. Mr. Standerson sifted in his chair, made himself comfortable and started his narrative.

"As you can see, Windsor is a quiet town, and it's rare for us to have such a case. So you would have guessed that hearing the report of the missing boy in the middle of the night had set us to quiet a panic. Having said all that, we were at the house with in fifteen minutes of the report."

"Wait. What time was it when you had gotten the report?" inquired my friend.

"It was no more than forty and two in the morning. So we could say we were here before three." said he with a frown in an effort to remember the exact time.

"And I believe it is rare for anyone to be out in that time?"

"Of course! I believe three in the morning I rather an unusual time for anyone to be out anywhere!" exclaimed the local detective.

"Thank you for the clarification. Pray do proceed with your story." He said sitting back once more.

"Once we were here, we proceeded right away to the room guided by one of the servants. Mrs. Clifton was crying, leaving Mr. Clifton to explain us the case. I immediately proceeded to the room, and left the other two to search outside for any clues. It was possible that the criminal was still near the place, and I hoped to catch him red-handed. We did not have such luck, but I did get few useful clues from this room. Well, we can obviously say that the man we are looking for is really a man, and has no chance of being a woman. That is seen in the foot marks. Also, we can say that the person came prepared to transport something since he brought a wagon of some sort if I am correct. The man might be big and muscular if he is to carry a struggling child with no problem. He made his way from the front gate to the room's window, forced it open and got in. It is possible that he has harmed the boy, maybe even had taken his life, in the bed causing blood to spill. Then he carried the supposed to be struggling boy and the dog out the window, and took them away to somewhere else."

"They are the obvious theory you could have by seeing the room, though you got some parts wrong, and missed terribly lot of things." The London detective said with a bit of sneer. "It is by all means not a wagon but rather a sleigh. Why would anyone bring a sleigh when it is not snowing? A wagon would have served the purpose better. You also slipped-up in the fact that the man was big; he should be no taller than five feet and half tall."

"Impossible! What is your proof, Sir? I have made my theory based on the facts, and would not get insulted like this without a proof." Countered Mr. Standerson, insulted by my friend's sneer.

"His stride will tell you his height. Even if he does have smaller stride then average, he still can be no taller than five foot six. If you check on the tracks left on the mud, the lines are fine yet deep. It is an impression of a blade not a wheel. So what has two blades and is used to transport things? The answer is a sleigh. Also, let me tell you that the window was not forced open. It was either already left unlocked, or it was opened from the inside. You missed several other clues, like his tobacco ash. But I would rather keep that to myself for the time being. Do not worry Mr. Standerson. I would revile everything once the time is ripe. But for now, I would rather go my own way in this tangled case. I have a lot more to learn." said he in a calm and sure voice. His eyes were bright with excitement and his body was ready to bounce out of the chair and continue is study.

I in the other hand had just sat there on the chair once again devouring Holmes in my own way. His curves and his pale colour, his deep yet technical voice, his locks and his eyelash…. I had absorbed and memorized every detail about him while he was busy explaining his findings.

"Watson, we better go now. The sun had set, and we still do not have a place to lodge. Do pardon us, Mr. Standerson, but we would take our exit for today. I do believe we will be seeing each other in a very short while. Good bye for now!" with that Holmes marched out of the door, with me following his trail, leaving the officer stunt.

Holmes was happy to know that the case was an interesting one. What he did not know was that I did not have the guts to stay with him that night, for I believe I did not have the enough self control as of that moment. I was afraid what I might do over the course of the night…