Heroes Return VI: Book One London Chapter 26

 

26. 

 

Lord Greystokes did not leave Sherlock Holmes's unit and narrated the past events to them on Mindy Kewal.

“Mindy was the niece of King Kewala of the Jahunder family, who was from your old hunting ground and lately owned a huge business in the dark continent through her father’s interests." Lord Greystokes explained. “She was a wild soul. She was educated here and met my lover, Jane. They are good friends, and on her return home, she was to be wedded to a neighboring chief.”

“She protested and left to find us at the Waziri’s camp. She was then shipped off to Belgium and stayed there till recently; she surfaced in London with her tenure as the assistant to minister Leeson. The rest you know.”

“Since the incident, I have been getting updates on the characters in the case from the Congo and also from China/Japan." Sherlock glared at Doctor John Watson. “I have been studying them. Sleepless hours.”

“That means you are consuming coffee. It does have an effect on us. In the other continent, we plant coffee trees.”

“I thought rubber trees were the preference," Sherlock interjected.

“Yes, and coffee. Many of the elderly said they took that as a daily drink.” Lord Greystokes smiled. “Back here in England, I dislike tea and take coffee as an alternative. I do like strong tea like the ones from upper African states.”

"Cocaine…. I meant caffeine has its effect and carryover.” Doctor John Watson offered his medical opinion. “I did read that coffee and strong tea exhilarate without sensibly intoxicating." (James F. W. Johnston wrote in The Chemistry of Common Life (1855) that coffee "exhilarates without sensibly intoxicating.") “Well, my indulgence in coffee is rather low. However, the reports I got were more on the mining rights there. “Ms. Kewala held some rights to the land and its content, but the approval also required the blessing of the tribe council members.” Sherlock moved the subject matter.

“In the last year, three of the council members have deceased by illness or age. That leaves two others who are now apparently not seen, as the continent is huge, and they could be in the jungle.”

“It is possible, for the Congo land is huge. They may be traveling in the jungle.” Lord Greystokes added. He had good memories of the jungle.

“Or held up somewhere.” Sherlock said. “David Livingstone caused a scare then when he went missing there in Africa. Quite an adventurer. Was it Henry Morton Stanley who found him on the shores of Lake Tanganyika in 1871?” “Yes, it was. And the infamous greeting, "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?" Doctor John Watson mimics the gesture of the moment then. “No one said to me, 'Are you hurt, Doctor Watson?' when they found me in the hills then. I could bloody well say, "See it for yourself," but I am a gentleman and an officer; I just nodded.

“You are a physician, Watson. Cure yourself.” Sherlock looked at the man. “Own up to that.”

“Gentlemen, we are to address a more important matter?” Lord Greystokes was not glad of the adventure of the doctor there. It opened up his adopted land to more excursions.

“Acceptable.” Sherlock leaned back on his seat. “With Mindy Kewala in the wind, we have to find Doctor Mitsui Ogata. He may be the next clue for us.”

“Doctor Mitsui Ogata? Who is that?” Lord Greystokes asked.

“Watson, be a good chap. Please explain to the Lord. I need to use the privy. Dinner was good, but the contents were a bit too oily.” Sherlock smiled. “And please allow Mycroft in. He seems to be in a hurry. I hope he is not in need of the privy.”

“My gosh, what is it with Shelly?” Mycroft stepped aside for the brother to rush off. “Did someone cream his ass?"

“Close to it. More like an open valve.” Doctor John Watson took his allotted seat before Mycroft sat there. “Why are you here? And this late.”

"Ah…" Mycroft saw Lord Greystoke then. “Hello to you, Lord Greystokes. We were supposed to meet some days back… God, is it Saturday? I am to have a game of bridge with the Wooley brothers at the club. We were to join forces to defeat Strand Kubrick. Nasty player.”

“Your reason for the late call, Mycroft?” Lord Greystokes was past the pleasantries stage.

“Oh, yes. Shall we wait for Shelly?” Mycroft looked at the doctor who shook his head.

“I doubt he will be quick. The load on him may be a culmination of several days or nights. Cocaine does disrupt the workings of the bowels.” Doctor John Watson took out his smoking pipe and filled it with tobacco. “Like the pipe here, you need to clear the previous leftovers before you fill it again.”

“Oh, he is on cocaine again.” Mycroft sighed. “I told him…" "He was never off it, Mycroft.” Doctor John Watson took a puff on the pipe. "Bloody…" "I will be leaving now, gentlemen.” Lord Greystokes had enough of the patter of little gestures there. “I……"

"Please be seated, Lord Greystokes. I mean, please remain seated. I came from an important meeting and then was delivered a package on my way… Well, here it is. The mining reports from Ms. Kewala.” Mycroft produced the package then. “I had only perused it.”

“Does your brain work slower on weekends?” Doctor John Watson leaned forth to take the package. “Are you sure these are it?”

Doctor John Watson perused the documents when Sherlock walked in.

“Mycroft, what a surprise. Do you hold back on any trip to the privy? Now, it smells like a crate of ammonia was discharged there.” Sherlock then turned to look at Watson. “More messages?”

“Mindy Kewala’s reports.”

“Astonishing! Why did she send that to us?” Sherlock had on the expression of the wandering Flying Dutchman’s ship.

“It was sent to Mycroft. He brought it over," Doctor John Watson said. “I can see reports from the… Daniel Jones and Edward Thorne, including Ian Masterson and Brian Leeson.”

“I could not make out the contents, but they do say a lot on the minerals there.” Doctor John Watson handed over the papers.

“I am not a geologist, but allow me to peruse them.” Sherlock took the papers and then sat on his seat. He was all silent then while Mycroft briefed the doctor and the lord on his recent findings.

Mindy Kewala has accommodation at Farringdon, and she made some trips to Liverpool and Dover. She was seen to meet Ian Masterson there.”

“I thought he was missing at sea.” Doctor John Watson looked at the man. He could have drawn any card in a poker game and gotten away without revealing the hand. “Are you mistaken?”

“Well, for one. We have some others who saw him there and possibly now here in London.” Mycroft told them.

“What has this man to do with Mindy Kewala?” Lord Greystokes asked.

“Ian Masterson is an operative of ours who was last in China and went missing at sea when he was to return with some information for us. And more to that, he is the stepfather of one named Gavin Mcleod, who was the escort leader of Mindy Kewala.”

“And he was with Brian Leeson in a mining exploration some years back.” Doctor John Watson took a puff on his pipe. “That I learned.”

“And now Mindy Kewala is missing, or presumably in hiding or to meet Ian Masterson," Sherlock added. “The reports here are informative, and for the exploration to take off, Mindy needs to get the approval of the elders.”

“She may be leaving for the Congo?” Lord Greystokes asked

"Possibly," Sherlock replied. “Or eloped? It seems to be the trend now. But the reports seem to be incomplete. I wondered why. Maybe Mindy was trying to tell us something.”

Meanwhile, Doctor Mitsui Ogata was at the Millwall Dock by the River Thames. It was the early hours before dawn, and the dock was empty except for a few dockers who were lazing there before their work started later. The doctor was disguised as a docker there, with rough-spun waistcoats over the woollen shirt and a neckerchief to cover the lower face and baggy trousers secured with the belt. He wore a flat cap and leather boots needed for slippery decks. He carried a long wooden staff in his hand, using it as a crutch.

“There was an old man on the border,

Who lived in the utmost disorder;

He danced with the cat and made tea in his hat.

Which vexed all the folks on the Border.”

An old man seated by the side sang the limerick there by himself.

Hey you! Go left and enter the warehouse there.” Doctor Mitsui Ogata heard the calling from the dark shadows. He took the instruction and entered the structure. The warehouse was filled with rows of sawn timber, which was transported there before shipping out. He saw the candlelit table at the center and walked towards it. There were two wooden chairs there by the table.

“Please be seated, Sensei.” The doctor heard the request and took the seat there. He placed the staff leaning on the table. The figure appeared from the dark and approached the table.

“Your prowess with the ‘bo’ (wooden staff) is remarkable.” The newly arrived figure sat down.

“I prefer to call it kon (棍).” Doctor Mitsui Ogata said. “It is Okinawan. And what was your preference then, Emperor Fu Manchu?”

“Mone? Years ago, I was proficient with the dao (刀). I am, or rather was, a master of Jianshu from the Wudang school. I must admit, age has caught up with me, and what I wield now is the paintbrush. " The old man laughed. He was dressed like a coolie who has not returned home yet.

“A sensei always remains respected as one.” Doctor Mitsui Ogata smiled.

“You flattered me, Sensei.” The old man smiled. Emperor Fu Manchu had aged; his cheekbones were hollowed out, and the thin mustache looked like the splitting water flow on his jaw. It was his eyebrows that most people missed out on: the long silvery streak that spanned down the side, giving him the aura of a fiery dragon.

“You called for me? Why?” The doctor asked.

“I did. I am aware of the Yomi demons who had done some… unjustified tasks.” The old man sighed. “初生牛犊不怕虎 (Chūshēng niúdú bù pà hǔ)" (Translation: A newborn calf is not afraid of the tiger. "実るほど頭を垂れる稲穂かな (Minoru hodo koube wo tareru inaho kana)" – “The boughs that bear the most hang the lowest.” It means that truly wise or accomplished people are often the humblest”.

“Well said, Sensei. But being humble is not in their mind.” The old man said. “I am… I apologize. I was with them, the novice in the city. Pardon me, an expression. I was dragged here by my daughter’s brashness too. I came with a different purpose and ended with another. I saw the fruits to be picked here. I stayed on, held my own against the others, and established my own. They came and approached me. They spoke of our ancestry, and I was swayed to their intentions, but ……" “We at the Oni Society are grateful to your alliance. We knew of it in Osaka. We are bitter foes in China, but the enemies of our enemy can be our foe. " The doctor cut in. “You had no reason to work with us.”

“Wise words, Sensei. I would have remained an ally or on friendly terms, but they became arrogant and secured the advisement of one whom I detest: Ian Masterson. Unlike Nayland Smith, this one bores into my flesh like a parasite. Ian Masterson took them on a trail of personal glory and killings.”

“I had listened to that before.” The doctor said.

“I have disengaged with them, and they have the city under fire for their actions.” The old man smiled. “A wiser man selects his enemies and friends.”

“I understand, Emperor. I will watch over my friends and enemies … closer." The doctor stood up and bowed to the emperor.

“And please know that the lady you seek, Mindy Kewala, was in Farringdon, and along with her were the Waziri warriors. They were killed by the Yom Demons and took the lady away," the old man told the sensei. “We are all in the faraway land, and at times like this, we are better to be informed than to wander in the dark.”

“Waziri warriors? I am unused to them. Maybe I... I need to check further.” Doctor Mitsui Ogata looked away. “Emperor Fu Manchu, we are too old to do this.”

“Age is a number, but the events that unfold are part of our journey. Mine may be fading, but I am sure yours is still on.” The old man laughed.

 

Heroes Return VI: Book One London Chapter 25

 

25.

 

In the 1880s, dusk in London transformed the city into a dramatic, atmospheric scene; the sky was a dark blue, punctuated by the faint, warm glow of gaslights battling the thick fog. The rivers and canals flowing past London were a scene of shimmering reflections coupled with the industrial and human discarded activities. The smog from coal fires creates a moody, noir-like environment where horse-drawn hansom cabs move through wet, cobblestone streets. In certain parts of the city, the ladies are out in droves to take on clients, more so at Whitechapel. The dusk hours were also a time of high crime risk, with dimly lit areas becoming notorious for dangers.

The dimly lit evenings, spared the working hours, were also a signal to gather and vent their frustrations at anyone deemed a threat. The restless youths joined into gangs and turned their anger towards others, with the fuzz (the police then) stretched thin to control.

One could avoid those scenes by staying in the affluent sections of the city and patronizing the gentlemanly clubs for the game of bridge or horse bantering for the coming weekend races. Or just read a book in silence.

“Nayland, I am fine to get you in to the club if you desire." Mycroft lowered his shoulder to hold his lager at the U-shaped bar counter at the tavern selected by the other. The u-shaped bar counter was set at the rear, with the tables next to it, but any regular will grab the seat at the counter. The bar counter was manned by the bartender and assisted by two barmaids, who were never short of offering an ear to the taller-than-tall tales. Anything extra was charged more from a view to the grab.

“We will be fine, Mycroft. Henry here held a good eye for anything extraordinary.” Nayland dressed, as always, like a commoner lad in the lesser known part of London. A miner from Newcastle will have held a glass towards him like a brother who just surfaced then.

“I am not implying. I am overdressed.” Mycroft shifted on his seat, still dressed in his usual tweeds and polished shoes.

“Nice ones and twos, mate.” The person on Mycroft's right complimented the polished shoes.

“Bugger off, Stewart. There is a seat by the window there, or you leave it headless at it.” Henry stepped in and saw to it that the man slithered off.

“Your friend is here, Nayland.” Henry nodded to Nayland. The figure dressed like anyone else walked up to Nayland and handed over the note. Nayland in return handed over the few guineas promised.

“Serve the friend a lager, please.” Nayland told Henry, who motioned to the man to seat himself at the other end of the counter.

“Your own Baker’s Boys, huh?” Mycroft looked at the man who walked with a limp on the right leg to the end of the counter.

Corporal Mitch Kilney, retired, Regiment at Kowloon. He was also a sapper with the Royal Engineers. A good man and a better lookout than any scout I had known. He was wounded in the right thigh but stayed till his son got killed here last year. I've been back to take care of the family. I looked him up when I was posted back to Blighty.”

"Interesting…" Nayland moved the subject. “Mindy Kewala held a lease there at Farringdon and was seen a few times there but hardly stayed overnight. She travelled by train to Liverpool or Dover but did not stay there. She took the next train back the same day.”

“How did you know all of this? Did you have her observed?”

“No, I did not. The unit at Farringdon was recently the subject of the gossips of the neighbors. The train rides were not on her but Ian Masterson.”

“Ian Masterson? Why? He went missing at sea.” Mycroft was surprised.

“Reported yes. But what I learned later was he was seen in meetings with Fu Manchu. Charlie and I were informed, and we had him trailed. The old man was seen in Liverpool and Dover; both hold seaports. An Englishman fitting of Ian Masterson was seen recently there. I had the docks under surveillance and also Limehouse. I have my friends at Liverpool and Dover.”

“Why did you not report it?” Mycroft asked.

“I do not trust the office. The old man may have his informers there, and Ian Masterson may have informers there too. I was waiting on Ian Masterson at the teahouse where I was set on the friends of the old man. I barely escaped with Charlie, who met me there. No one knew of the meet, and that meant I was followed or Charlie did."

“Charlie later told me about the Oni Society involvement, briefly, but before I could do the next, Charlie left Blighty.”

“How did you suspect Ian Masterson?” Mycroft asked.

“From general descriptions. It was not like we have a photo of him in the files.” Nayland was agitated. “Ian Masterson has a scar on his left cheek courtesy of an attempt by a coolie at Shanghai. He was waylaid drunk going to his unit and got slashed, but he killed the coolie.”

“It was not on his file.” Mycroft recalled the notes that he read.

“I said that Ian Masterson has friends in the office.” Nayland repeated his words. ‘I have a scar too. It is on the left side of my buttock when the bullet fired by Lo Shue creased it next to my butthole. I am sure that was not reported.”

“Is it healed?” Mycroft asked.

“No, I got two outlets for the shit I carry.” Nayland snapped out. “Yes, it healed with love from Lo Shue.”

“Leave out the details, please. Tell me more on Ian Masterson.” Mycroft shifted again on his seat. His left buttock felt agitated.

“Ian was seen travelling to London by train, but they lost him at London Station. He was also seen at Farringdon.” Nayland looked towards Henry for more lager. “It may be a coincidence or I may be right. Ian Masterson is involved with the old man and Ms. Kewala, but where and what still eludes me.”

“We may know the why. The mining rights.” Mycroft cut in. "Let's see Sherlock now.”

“No, Mycroft. I have other matters to do.” Nayland stood up. “Clean your shoes. You've got a pony on your heels.” (Pony" is a reference to dog shit in Cockney slang.)

“Pony? The race is not due till tomorrow.” Mycroft looked at his shoes. “Oh. I see the pony. Where did I step on that?”

Meantime, Lord Greystokes took fancy to the dinner spread at the table, watched by Holmes and Watson.

“I am not here if not for the request of Jane.” Lord Greystokes looked up from the plate. “She asked me to seek you on ………” “Mindy Kewala. We are aware of your guest there, or rather ex-guest, John.” Sherlock looked at the man who was seated there.

“Do not address me as John. I am still the Lord of the Greystokes by name and rank.” The man looked at Sherlock. “Our friendship died years ago.”

“Yet you seek me now?”

“It was Jane who asked me. And this is my payment for your fees. Find Mindy Kewala and whoever murdered my friends. I have to return tonight to my estate. Jane is alone.” The Lord of Greystokes stood up. He looked at Watson. “Where is the privy?”

Mindy Kewala sat at the corner of the chamber where she took refuge in a part of London rarely heard of. She was dressed back in the simple gown that many ladies wore then, replacing the simple frock she wore when she arrived at Farringdon.

“Do you want to eat?” Lieutenant Gavin McLeod had changed from his uniform to the simple, close-fitting shirt with cuffed sleeves and small, close-lying collars topped with vertical buttons or laces that stretched to the man’s midsection. His pants fell loosely to the ankle and were usually held up by a pair of elastic suspenders or “braces” made in dark colors or with subtle plaids and muted colors like light grey or light brown. He retained his military boots.

Mindy shook her head and then laid it on her hands.

“Mindy, you must eat something.” The lieutenant tried to coax her.

“I am not hungry. Where is Ian Masterson?” Mindy pressed on her concern.

“I have no idea. He may be…"

“Stop it, Gavin. Since that day, Brian got killed, and then more were to die. The Waziri warriors were not needed to die. I had known them during my visits and there when I was to stay with them for meals.”

“Mindy, the deaths of the Waziri were not my doing. I would have stopped that.” The lieutenant sighed. “I do not know much. I was told to meet you there, and all it took was so fast.”

“I shot him… to save you.” Mindy sighed.

“Mindy, I…" The lieutenant was cut off when the man they were expecting arrived.

“Lieutenant McLeod, I will take over.” The man walked in dressed in the expensive coat over his three-piece suit. The man removed his top hat and brushed his hair off the forehead. His scar was seen on the left cheek.

“Mukolo (elder in the Congo language) Masterson, I am grateful to see you here. Tell me what is happening." Mindy approached the elderly man.

“Mbote, ndeko mwasi" (Hello, sister/young woman). I am here now.” Ian Masterson hugged the lady. “The events unfolded fast. The senior from the Oni Society triggered so many deaths.”

“Was the death of Brian needed?” Mindy snapped in. “He is a friend.”

“Yes, Brian is my Leki (young brother). I regret his death.” Ian settled the lady on the nearby seat. “It was not my call. The Yomi Demons acted on their own.”

“Were they not your men?” Mindy asked.

“I am an adviser. Ito Matsuke is their leader here in London.” Ian Masterson walked to the table to pour himself a drink. “Do you have the mining rights report?”

“Is that your concern?” Mindy was upset.

“Mindy, please control yourself. I am taking over the operation.” Ian Masterson took a gulp of the drink. “The traveling is killing me. The train and the carriage were…"

“Please, Mukolo. Who ordered the killing of the Waziri warriors?”

“I made that call. I had to do it to protect you.” Ian Masterson looked at the lieutenant. “He who was to protect you failed.”

“I did not fail, Sir," Lieutenant Gavin McLeod protested. “When she… moved to the Greystokes? She did it because she was rattled. And you did nothing.” Ian Masterson did not hide his scorn then. “Now, where are papers?”

“It is not with me.” Mindy told the man. “I… I sent it to Mycroft before I left for the estate. I had instructions to leave it undelivered until I give the second confirmation. Not all but half of it. The other half is still hidden.”

“Bitch!” Ian Masterson snapped at the lady. “玩火自焚 (wán huǒ zì fén): Play with fire and get burnt. Where are the papers that you hid?”

"Usiniweke maskio ya mbuzi niliwe na chui" (Do not put the ears of a goat on me to be eaten by a leopard). Mindy hissed at the man.    

 

Tweet …. Is it still Tweet, or ...... an Odyssey update.

Does not matter. I am just updating my progress... (sounds more like I am still getting... never mind...) here I cometh......

I am 100K words now (179 pages) and still developing the tale. I am almost completing the journey of Odysseus; the adventure and the sex ……. maybe a trickle of it, but the steampunk contents are building up. I had a long time trying to figure out the chapters ahead…. Maybe the porn was not that stimulating at my age…. 

I once gave my view of the works when the technician was fixing the engines in my place ... "Yup, I've seen it all; it needs some lubricants, but I tell ya, 'kick in the butt and it will work as well...'" 

My bad, the technician was a lady then, and she did not appreciate my statement. I got a whopping bill for the repair.

Yes, back to Odysseus, I gave it many thoughts on the odyssey here. I had started off with the (intention; great imagination there) doing the integration of three tales, Odyssey, The Tempest and Othello by Shakespeare, then dropped Othello off from when the build up was at 90K words, and then came the …… Darned they do not make cushy cushions to sit, or was I losing my bump due to the lack of humps. 

Anyway, the tale needed Othello back. So, I improvise and be darned…… this odyssey may just take a trifle too long to complete… Honestly, (felt like I was facing God then listening to my list of penance. I had to embark on a tale ... well, to make it an epic tale. 

I had exceeded my 50K words per tale to now at 100K words; like sex, you come with a start and end time, and then you snore... Well, the tale looks like it just half its odyssey here …… Huh, not done yet? I thought I was the only one taking VIAGRA...

And was I talking in my sleep too…? My wife asked me last night when we were in bed, within the boundaries of our snoring perimeters, who is Desdomena? ….. My reply, Huh…. Our new neighbor? ……. I must do a shutdown when I am sleeping or asleep, or I will end up as a DOMESTIC ASSAULT victim…… Sept 21^st 2026……. still writing.

Heroes Return VI: Book One London Chapter 24

 

24. 

 

"Gi" (Justice/Rectitude) ……. Be honest in all dealings and do the right thing.”

“Yū (Courage)... Face danger and death without hesitation.”

“Jin (Benevolence) ……. Show mercy and compassion.”

“Rei (Respect)…. Be polite and respectful to all, including enemies.”“Makoto (Sincerity) ……. Keep your word and act honestly.”

“Meiyō (Honor)… Maintain your reputation and dignity above all else.”

“Chūgi (Loyalty)... Be loyal to your master until death.” Doctor Mitsui Ogata bowed his head. He had just said the codes of Bushido. He had acted as the second for Hiroshima-san, who had committed seppuku to restore his honour. He had committed his dishonour when he betrayed his Lord.

“Hiroshima-san, your honour is restored.” Doctor Mitsui placed the head of the samurai into the box he had brought. He reflected on his own honour; he was a ronin when his lord, Age Yomiuri, died. He recalled his battle with Sukimora. The katana he had used to commit the second was placed before the dead man.

“Sensei, I cannot do this.” Sukimora stopped his fight. He had attacked with the ‘Shako Ken’ strike, aiming to incapacitate the other.

“Sukimora, I taught you better than that.” Doctor Mitsui Ogata retaliated with the ‘Kiten Shuto’; the right-hand fingers firmed up to form a sword. He aimed at the left elbow but impacted the forearm.

“Sensei, I came to warn you. The Yomi demons are onto you.” Sukimora stepped back, nursing his forearm. “You sent me here to check on them. I did and found Ito Matsuke is the senior here. There is one other who oversees them.”

“I did, and did you not join them later? Why, Sukimora?” Doctor Mitsui moved in on the next move. The move was fast; the doctor had the other in an offensive manoeuvre. Sukimora had struck out with the Mikazuki Sokushi Geri (Crescent Kick), a kicking technique aiming to knock down an opponent. The doctor had anticipated that and did the Oni Kudaki (Shoulder Lock), a common, effective joint lock.

“You are predictable, Sukimora. I had a counter to that kick many times from you.” The doctor had moved in to deflect the kick and applied pressure on the right heel. He heard the bones there cracked. Sukimora fell backwards onto his knees.

“My apologies, Sensei. I was weak.” Sukimora bowed to the Sensei. “He caught me with some military papers of ours. Germany was keen to trade. I was to trade them for more updates, but Ito Matsuke had me framed. I had to comply with him.”

“For money, Sukimora. You sold out the country.” Doctor Mitsui Ogata went for the kill blow, the Shotokan blow on the forehead, a deadly blow focusing the strength on the knuckles aimed at the head. The young exponent fell to his side there on the flooring. Doctor Mitsui Ogata had then examined the bag brought by Sukimora. He saw the timer there and exited by the window, taking the grappling rope he had kept by it. He barely made it when the bomb exploded.

“Your timing is impeccable, Ito Matsuke.” Doctor Mitsui Ogata became aware of his surroundings then. He was still in the living area of the chamber of Hiroshima-san.

“Step forth, my disciple.”

Ito Matsuke appeared from the dark corner, dressed in black, and had the ‘ninjato’ on his waist belt.

“I came upon getting the report that..."

“You have me followed. I am aware.” Doctor Mitsui Ogata smiled. “I made myself known before I arrived here.”

“Ito, the Yomi Demons seem to be wide in their network. You have even the ‘gaijin’ in your employ.” Doctor Mitsui Ogata looked at his disciple. “I need you here to see the avenue to your betrayal; the way to redeem your honour.”

“I deem not my honour tarnished here, Sensei. I am … fulfilling another destiny of mine.” Ito Matsuke took his left foot back in the striking stance. It was the Renoji-dachi stance from the Shotokan art, with weight on the back leg for momentum to push forth. Ito had his right hand rested on the hilt of his sword.

“If it is honour, do not come with your lackeys as you also did at the forest.” Doctor Mitsui Ogata called out. Two other dark figures appeared from the dark corners. They were similarly dressed and held the long katana.

“More of mine or yours, Ito?”

“Mine actually. I had them come over a year ago. They are all ex-military and were once of the samurai class," Ito Matsuke replied. “The upheaval of the Meiji era: Japan was forced to open to the West, questioning the shōgun's political authority over maintaining Japanese sovereignty. The emperor’s rebuke of shogunal actions led to the emergence of an ideological divide within the samurai class concerned with their feudal obligations to both the shōgun and the emperor.”

“Some……"“Some samurai became shishi ("men of spirit") who were committed to the emperor’s proclamations to expel the barbarians. Factional disputes within the domains led some domains to conflict with the Tokugawa. In 1868, Emperor Meiji declared political power to be restored to the Imperial House, materialized in the Boshin War and the short-lived Republic of Ezo, but by the 1870s, the emperor's authority was practically unquestioned. The new government changed the strata of society, abolishing the old currency, the domain system, and eventually the class position of the samurai," Doctor Mitsui Ogata said. “I was there. I got most of you to train as warriors in the Oni Society.”

“We are glad, Sensei. The evolution did not stop there. We had to begin another.” Ito Matsuke bowed to his sensei. “May I request your guidance to join us?”

“I am a samurai, by honour and by service.” Doctor Mitsui Ogata replied. “My blood oath (Kishōmon) is within the Oni Society, although I serve no master now but my own.”

Historically, samurai often solidified their commitments to a lord via a kishōmon (written oath), signed with their name and often sealed with a blood thumbprint. 

“I may be a ronin, but my last unfulfilled task makes void of my new direction. I will fulfil my task before I am to take on the new journey.”

“You leave me with no choice, Sensei.” Ito Matsuke held up his left hand.

“We will battle, but not that day and not today.” Doctor Mitsui Ogata held up his right hand. “I am to find out the leader of the Yomi Demons, and today is also the day of mourning for a good friend. Two friends I lost; the second faded away. We will battle soon, Ito Matsuke, but not today. I will leave now.”

Doctor Mitsui Ogata took his leave of the chamber, unharmed. It was dusk, and with the smog, London turned dark fast.

Meanwhile, Sherlock Holmes was settling down to his supper with Doctor John Watson. They were having roast dinner with Yorkshire pudding; roast features roasted meat (often beef), crispy roasted potatoes, vegetables, and savoury gravy, accompanied by light, puffy Yorkshire puddings. Yorkshire puddings are made by baking a batter of eggs, flour, and milk in hot oil, while gravy is created from meat pan drippings.

Sherlock was playing with his vegetables, assembling them across his plate like kids do when they do not want to eat. Piles of telegrams and messages were at the side of the table.

“I doubt you could create Waterloo there. Napoleon does not look like a green pea, and I am sure the French finest looked like pudding.” Doctor John Watson sliced the pudding in half. “Are you back to your cocaine? Your pupil looked dilated, and even when I looked closer, the blood vessel constriction could be seen.”

“Please, Watson. You are not my physician," Sherlock snapped out.

“I am not. I am just a busy parker (busybody for cockney slang), gaffer.” Doctor John Watson, in his irritation, makes up his words in cockney slang. “On me, Jack, I would prefer to treat the sows in the countryside rather than you.”

“Do not hitch on the horse just yet, Watson. I need you here.” The rare moments Sherlock pleaded with the doctor. “I did take a jab of the cocaine… it is a seven percent level. It is normal……"Then at that era, cocaine was being hailed both in Europe and the United States as an effective local anaesthetic and a treatment for morphine addiction.

“Cocaine is normal for the sick. And you are not sick. You are mentally challenged in your deductive logic. I drew that to mean you are still sane but intensely focused on the issue at hand; that insanity may follow on.” Doctor John Watson looked at the man; he shared a unit in London.

“Yes, you are insane, well, not thoroughly there, but your…… Holmes, if you persist, you will develop a pernicious behaviour that may……"

“Gall at you? Was that why you left for the countryside?” Sherlock took offense to the words. Doctor John Watson stood up and dropped his napkin.

“Leaving now? Are you?” Sherlock called out. It was then Mrs. Hudson appeared.

“If I had known the roast was overly done, I would not have served it to the both of you.” Mrs. Hudson looked at the spread prepared by her.

 “Do not squabble on. You got a guest.”

“I am not seeing anyone tonight.” Sherlock pushed the plate to the side.

“You will see me.” Lord Greystokes stood at the doorway. “I came to see you on some matters of mine.”   

 

Heroes Return VI: Book One London Chapter 23

 

23. 

 

Doctor Mitsui Ogata sat on his haunches in the living chamber of an old friend who came with the Iwakura Delegation in 1872 and remained in London. The living area was covered with the tatami cover, and an area was designed to heat the teapot.

“Arigatogozimas, Hiroshima-san.” The doctor bowed to his friend, an academician who was serving tea to him.

“I am ever thankful for your visit, Sensei Ogata.” The other man was an elderly man dressed in the montsuki (紋付) style, a typically black, often silk-made kimono worn over traditional Japanese clothing known as hakama. The man had his hair designed in the chonmage (丁髷), a traditional Japanese topknot haircut worn by men. “How is life here, Hiroshima-san?”

“Difficult, but so is the terrain at the horizon. Nothing is like home, but we adapt.”

“You could go back, Hiroshima-san.” The doctor raised the option.

“I could, but there is no one left there. My family is only me. I've never wedded and have no kids with anyone. My parents are dead in Japan.”

“True. I apologize for asking.” The doctor bowed once more. “It was rude of me."

“Do not be, Sensei. We are...rather, I am a ronin in some manner. I hold no association to any.” The man smiled. “I may be asking for your visit here now.”

“I shall not hold anything back from you, Hirohisma-san. You came with the Iwakura delegation, but your expertise was in mining. You had worked at Manchuria and copper at sites at Ashio.”

“I did and came here to learn more on the workings, but we are not much different. I begged to stay on to improve here.” Hiroshima-san sighed.

“Yet you were attached briefly to the mining operation of Leeson and Associate.” Doctor Mitsui Ogata looked at the man.

“I was, at the request of one named Ian Masterson. He told me to get involved with the Oni Society. I am not one to decline that request.” Hiroshima-san bowed to the sensei. “We all have our purpose, and mine was to be the engineer there.”

“Do you have the notes?” Doctor Mitsui Ogata asked. “You are an academic. Your true work lies in writing down the findings.”

“I did. The notes were given to Ito Matsuke when he asked for them. He is the senior member of the Oni Society. I cannot refuse him.”

“Do you know he also works for Ian Masterson?” Doctor Mitsui Ogata asked.

“Work for? No, he is the associate member of the Leeson Associates, which included Masterson.” Hiroshima-san bowed. “I apologize for not telling this earlier."

“What else are you not telling me, Hiroshima-san?”“I…… I will tell, Sensei.” The man looked down to tatami.

“I am not alone in the city. My real reason is I am with a lover, a gaijin. His name is Trevor Nottings. In our country, it is not disallowed, but here in England, it is a crime.” The man bowed his head. “I am not ashamed, but I fear the retribution towards Trevor.”

“Ito Matsuke knows?”

“Yes, he does. He threatened to expose me if I do not work for him," Hiroshima-san said. “Ito Matsuke is a member of the Yomi Demons. They are powerful and held many at their calls.”

“Hiroshima-san, I have no control over your afflictions, but your ……. Undisclosed information and working for the rebels have displeased me. Our honour in the society had been tarnished. You do know of the need to clear this dishonour?"

“Yes, Sensei. I know. But I have a request. I am not a strong person. Can you be my second?”

Doctor Mitsui Ogata nodded.

“We will do it at sundown. Get your personal matters resolved by then. I will be back.” Doctor Mitsui Ogata got up and left the house.

It was then Lord Greystoke got the telegram on the demise of his warriors. Only Megmu had survived to tell the truth.” He was at the porch of the mansion and hollered out.

“Bundolo!” Lord Greystokes called out. “Your deaths will be avenged.”

“John, what happened?” Lady Jane rushed to meet her lover. He handed over the telegram to her and then walked to the Waziri’s village. They will need to be told by him of the event.

"The devil whispered, 'You cannot withstand the storm.' The warrior replied, "I am the storm." Lord Greystokes stood there before the Waziri warriors he had gathered at the village. He had stripped to his familiar wear of the jungle and stood tall on the mound to address them.

“Here in this foreign land, we will not fear the devil. We are the warriors. We will survive anyway.” The leader of the warriors roared out. “Kreegah. (Beware).”

“We will thrive. Built from struggle. Formed from pain. Strengthened by adversity."

“Bundolo!” The warriors chanted back. “Your deaths will be avenged.”Lord Greystokes then announced the three days of mourning for the death. He walked back to the mansion and saw Lady Jane waiting there.

“John, there must be a reason. I know Mindy.”

“The leopard does not change its spots. Mindy Kewala will pay the price for the betrayal.” Lord Greystokes looked at his lover. “She may be our friend, but betrayal ceased to be our relationship.”

Let me find her.” Lady Greystokes looked at the man.

“You are with a child. You cannot be running out there. I will find her, and if it's proven, I will do justice. That I can promise to you.”

“No, John. Anger and vengeance are clouding your judgment. Find the others and get their help," Lady Jane pleaded. “You cannot be judge, jury, and … killer.”

“Who? The authorities? They know not of our ways.”

“Find Holmes. He will help.” Lady Jane looked at the man she loves.

“Do not shed the blood of the innocent. Find the truth and let justice prevail.”

“You are asking me to seek the devil who killed our child.” Lord Greystokes cried out.

“Our child was not killed by him. It was a part of the battle then. I cannot blame it all on him. He ……. We are also at fault there.”

“Fine. I will seek him, but you are to stay here. Be safe till I return.” Lord Greystokes looked at the lady he loves. “Our child here must survive.”

Lady Greystokes nodded.

Meanwhile, Doctor John Watson and Nayland Smith took their attendance with Holmes. They were brief on the happenings with Mindy Kewala.

"Unbelievable…" Nayland sighed.

“Is John…" Doctor John Watson was trying to piece the words together there.

“John is a … fine man. He will come to term with the issue.” Sherlock continued looking out the window. It felt like years ago when they had met then in Africa, the Greystokes and Holmes on an adventure with several others looking for King Solomon’s treasure. The loss of the baby for the Greystokes was inevitable.

“Yes, Lady Greystoke. They removed the …. child. It was tainted.” The frail figure seated on the seat voiced it in a concerned tone. (Heroes Return I Page 74). Jane Greystokes was devastated and never forgave all of them for causing her loss of the child. It also affected their relationship; the Greystokes retired to their estate and refused to have any contact with anyone outside. The Waziri warriors were brought in to bring balance to their existence, and John Greystokes loved his people.

“I dealt with many ladies who had lost their child. We can never comprehend their emotions.” Doctor John Watson said. “We are…" Nayland Smith was to cut in when Doctor John Watson continued. “Emotional bastards, are we? I know the accusation. I have removed a man's limbs or pulled a bullet out to have the patient die later. Yes, we are emotional bastards! We lacked empathy to death. She stands over us at every…"

“Enough, Watson.” Sherlock intervened in his rare moments of outburst. “Right now, we are solving a case involving the death of some… friends."

“Doctor, do you have anything for my pain?” Sherlock looked at Watson and then shook his head. “Never mind. Tell me the event surrounding Mindy Kewala brought in a different angle to the case. Is she a victim or an associate to the murders?” Sherlock looked to Mycroft. “How was she vetted by the Foreign Office?”

“Vetted… We are checking.” Mycroft bit his tongue there. He was too argumentative on the manner of the honour of the office but felt it was irrelevant then.    

Doctor Watson glared at Sherlock then.

 

Heroes Return VI: Book One London Chapter 22

 

22. 

 

“Ms. Kewala, I thought we were to go to Farrington." Ngamba, who was leading the Waziri warriors, approached the lady. He was dressed in the simple tunic and pants with sandals for his footwear. He had retained his rungu in the backpack.

“My mistake there, Ngamba. I was to say Farringdon.” Mindy looked to the street there. Farringdon was a booming area of London; the station then was a bustling hub of the Metropolitan Railway, the world's first underground railway. The steam trains were fully established, connecting commuters from suburbs like Paddington to the city. Due to the high frequency of trains, the area was often plagued by soot and smoke. The nearby Smithfield meat market was a hive of activity. That area was also populated by the African community, which stretched to the surrounding Clerkenwell area of London; it was small but established, existing with other broader, low-income Victorian communities. The mix of individuals from across the African diaspora, including African and Afro-Caribbean individuals who worked in various London trades.

“Are you uncomfortable, Ngamba? These are our people too.” Mindy looked at the Waziri warrior.

“No offense, Ms. Kewala. I hardly travelled out of the estate.” Ngamba looked to the community there. He then looked to the others.

“Be on alert.”

“Do not worry, Ngamba. My chamber is up ahead.” Mindy led the way across the street and then two blocks on; she took the alley in between the buildings. Ngamba looked at the surroundings. Instead of tall trees and canopied leaves, he saw concentrated structures with overhanging cables and stagnant smog.

“Here we are.” Mindy stopped at the doorway. She took out a key and unlocked the door. She went in first. Megmu, the other lady in the group, took entry, followed by another named Korak.

“Yarty, stay on guard here.” Ngamba held the last of the warriors back. “We will be fast.”

Fast was the reaction felt by those who stepped in. Megmu, who had stepped in, was slashed at the chest and dropped forward. Korak saw the attack had stepped to the left. He unslung the knapsack and deflected the slash at him. He reached into the backpack to remove the rungu, but another to his left had slashed the side of his neck. Ngamba, who was behind Korak, had his knapsack unslung and reached his rungu. He was facing two assailants then, with Ms. Kewala seen at the rear of the chamber.

“Bundolo!” (Kill) Ngamba called out. He eyed the two assailants there, dressed in black and holding short swords.

“Hai!” The assailant on the left charged at Ngamba, who sidestepped the downward swing of the katana blade. Ngamba had his body turned and swung the rungu hard at the back of the assailant. It impacted just below the back of the neck. The assailant staggered to the right side, wobbling in the steps, and then fell to the flooring.

“Bundolo!” Ngamba went for the killing blow on the back of the head, but he had to sidestep when the other assailant did a front thrust of the sword at him. Ngamba felt the sword had pierced his left side of the chest, but it was not fatal. He swung the rungu in a right swing at the second assailant who had stepped back. Ngamba retreated holding the wound on his chest.

“Hai!” The second assailant charged at Ngamba with the sword held in the right hand, and on his left hand, he had on the dagger drawn from his waist belt. The assailant went in for the kill move at the neck, and Ngamba took his rungu with both hands, holding it. He swung the rungu at the assailant right, and at the last moment, he twisted his wrist to divert the blow to the side of the lower chest.

It worked, for the assailant was hurt by the low blow and fell to the side. Ngamba was to follow on with the deadly blow to the head when the bullet impacted his chest. He looked to the shooter.

“Ms. Kewala…" Ngamba muttered.

It was then that Yarty rushed in and was shot in the face by the lady. Mindy Kewala then stepped over the Waziri warriors, making sure they were dead.

“You are not a bad shot after all.” Lieutenant Gavin McLeod stood at the doorway holding the sabre and revolver. “Get the papers and we can leave.”

“The others…" Mindy looked at the two assailants.

“Done!” Lieutenant Gavin McLeod plunged the sabre into the back of the neck of both assailants. Mindy rushed to collect the papers and then fled the scene with the lieutenant

.It was a successful operation, but they overlooked the condition of the lady warrior. Megmu, wounded, had crawled to the doorway and was met by the neighbours there.

“Nisaidie” (Help me), Megmu called out in Swahili (Kiswahili), the Bantu language spoken by millions across East Africa. Meanwhile, Sherlock Holmes was in deep thought on the case. He had picked up the violin but did not string the chords. He was still trying to piece the puzzle together on the people he assumed were involved.

Mindy Kewala was seen in London according to his boys, but her destination was unknown. The boys reported her being with a group of her own people. The boys were not familiar with the different ethnicities but called them "Zulus," the term used to describe any African descent then. It may be referenced to the Battle of Isandlwana in 1879: The Zulus achieved a stunning victory, wiping out over 1,300 British troops—a major blow to British prestige.

Sherlock knew that the group was Waziri, but why was Mindy back in London?

“Greystokes ……. How deep is your involvement?”

The Oni Society is the other puzzle; how deep was Doctor Mitsui Ogata involved? He knew of the Oni Society and had wondered about the role of the doctor, now presumed dead, but it was made known to him by Doctor John Watson that it was Sukimora who was there.

“So, where are you, Doctor?”

The minister was killed on the presumption of his link to the treasury functions, but there was a reference to mining. Brian Leeson was a successful miner before, and why did he join the exchequer and get killed? How much does he know and with whom? The mining rights in the Congo were one weak link, but with the numerous deaths related, more doubts were surfacing

“Congo mining?”

Then it came to his baffling message: the prefix M. Well, it will mean Moriarty, but he may be wrong. The trail of the message was that it came from the PM’s office, but it baffled him why Armstrong wanted him to be involved. He was tasked by the prime minister before to find a stolen, potentially war-triggering letter, forcing him to navigate high-level political secrets. Or recover stolen submarine blueprints vital to British national security. He did once investigate the theft of a crucial treaty, preventing a diplomatic incident that would have embarrassed the government. All in, he did serve the interests of the Crown, but most often managed his workings with the assistance of his brother.

“M may not be Moriarty, but someone else.”

Mycroft is not off the link; he is family, but his methodology was at times tangent to his brother's. Mycroft's involvement here may be more than a liaison from the Foreign Office; he brought in Nayland Smith, and well, he spent more time at the chamber of his than he did at the club.

“Who are you, Mycroft?”

“Hello, old boy. I am back.” Mycroft stepped into the living chamber of his brother. He was dressed in his usual tweeds and sported an envelope

.“I had requested Mrs. Hudson for the afternoon tea with a generous helping of marmalade for the scones.” Mycroft sat down at the seat reserved for Watson. “I heard you missed your lunch. Anything the matter?”

“Where is Watson?” Mycroft was full of questions.

“One, I was not hungry during lunch.” Sherlock looked at the violin. It helped him in his moments to think, but his other inducement was cocaine; it could inhibit the urge to eat and the accumulation of these neurotransmitters that leads to euphoria, high energy, and intense alertness.

“Two, Watson may be back in this countryside.” His boys reported that they lost Watson in the streets.

“Three, I am in need of time to think. The death of the minister and, of course, Sukimora.” Sherlock sighed. “A good exponent of the physical arts.”

“So much to consider…" Sherlock brought his violin bow to his forehead.

“Well, I have more bad news.” Mycroft handed over the envelope. “Mindy Kewala is seen at Farringdon and then seen leaving with one lieutenant, leaving a trail of bodies in the chamber there, supposedly leased to Ms. Mindy.”

“Bravo, Mycroft. You could read those syllables without losing a single breath.” Sherlock looked at the other. “Mindy’s eluded us, and the Lieutenant may be piecing the puzzle pieces. Tell me…"

“Argh …... my headache aches. I need my medication.” Sherlock walked to his personal chamber and then stopped. “What do you know of Ian Masterson and his …….”

“Done that. Lieutenant Gavin McLeod was assigned to watch over Ms. Mindy ever since she arrived. I was to find out that he is related to Minister Leeson from his wife’s side, a third cousin’s son, and unknown to us, he is also related to Ian Masterson, the stepson of Mrs. Masterson's previous marriage.

“Wild sows, they were.” Sherlock laughed and then grabbed his head with his hands. “That hurts.”

“I think they will take offense to that, Shelly.” Mycroft cut in. “Anyway, the information was not relevant as no one checked it. Presumably then.”

“However, now the game is afloat……. Your words, Shelly. We dug and found out more about it. Ian Masterson was involved with Leeson in mining in the Congo, an exploration some many years back on the edge of the Congo basin, and suddenly he requested the transfer to the Far East. It was logged in that Ian had travelled extensively to northern China and … to Japan.”

“There were reports of him meeting Doctor Mitsui Ogata, filed as miscellaneous for there was no alert raised. While he was there, he also got into the involvement of Emperor Fu Manchu; obvious.”

“An omission of yours. Never too late.” Sherlock turned towards the window. “I can hear the carriages arrived.”

“Ah, Nayland is here and so is the good doctor, Watson. I knew those footsteps well.”