Preys and Predators Part 1 Chapter 10

 

10           Holmes’ Home

 

Holmes was seated at the window, looking out at the passing coaches, but his mind was on the murders. It baffled him that he had no conclusive clues, and then the appearance of the notable characters.

“Why would a chemist and another, a lady be present there?” Holmes voiced out in his thoughts.

“Pardon me, Holmes. Were you asking a question or mumbling to yourself?” Watson who was present there seated across the room, with his feet keeping warm in the carpet shoes, and was reading the papers with the headlines highlighting his words. Holmes did not reply to his question.

“Bloody prints are mis-quoting me there.” Doctor Watson was agitated by the printed words. “I did not say MEDICINE MURDER. Where did those reporters make their lines?”

Holmes had leaned forth on his seat, and looked at the Doctor.

“When have you ever bothered by the prints? We get it constantly with the misprints of the facts.”

It was then Mrs Hudson knocked on the door. She stepped in without waiting for the invite. She was dressed in her yellow gingham dress with the white apron. She had flours on her apron but knew her task well was to attend to the guests arriving there. She had with her a bouquet of roses.

“Holmes, your brother is here.” Mrs Hudson beamed her smile. She was ever pleased with the flowers that Mycroft brought over each time he comes. Holmes knew her brother was a person with his peculiar habits; meticulous and repetitious. He found his wanting to bring flowers to Mrs Hudson as one of his peculiarities.

“Do let him….” Mycroft did not wait for the invite and walked in from behind Mrs Hudson. One of his other peculiarities there, assuming that he was always welcomed.

“Privy is to your right down the back stairs.” Doctor Watson voiced out. Mycroft walked straight towards it without a greeting.

“How did you know?” Mrs. Hudson asked.

“He had curry today. There was the stain on his shirt. The ingredients of the curry leave a yellowish stain there.” Holmes explained. “And I wondered why he eats that. His digestion system does not take well to it.”

“Holmes, in my medical profession ……” Doctor Watson was to explain when Mrs Hudson interrupted.

“He has a guest, Holmes.” Mrs Hudson stepped aside to admit the other. The man who stepped in was bearded with the walking cane.

“Professor Challenger. I am glad to meet you.” Holmes got up from the seat to take the other man’s hand. “Your adventures are well discussed in the Adventurer’s Club.”

“An exaggeration there. Those pimpernel fools are good talking from the armchairs, than to climb the mountains or leaping off the ravines.” Professor Challenger shook Holmes’ hand, and was offered a seat next to Watson. Both men there exchanged greetings.

“I say old chap, your sweet bites are potent.” Mycroft appeared from the privy. “By the way, Doctor. Your book Canon of Medicine is in there by the basin. I never thought of you reading in there.”

(Canon Medicinae is an encyclopaedia of medicine in five books compiled by Muslim Persian physician-philosopher Avicenna. Circa 1025.)

“You found it. Holmes borrowed it some time back.” Doctor Watson glared at the other for having to leave it there.

“It was good reading when I was there. Surely, I needed some other focus while I was idling there.” Holmes defended his privy ritual and then shifted the focus onto the guest.

“And why are you limping, Professor?”

“I had a bad fall during my return from the jungles. It was to retrieve my shoe and ended up with a twisted ankle.” Professor Challenger smiled.

“Unfortunately for me, I was to get the Professor to assist me.” Mycroft cut in. “I had wanted him to assist me in hunting the killers of the recent murders.”

“Interesting …... Professor Challenger is a hunter; big game hunter to be precise. Why would …...” Doctor Watson was amused on the invite.

“I am aware, and the recent murders could be the works of a wild animal. That is where ……” Mycroft cut in.

“Absurdity! None of the victims were not mauled but slaughter to some extent I may concur.” The Doctor defended his view. “You cannot ……”

“Inconclusive remarks, Doctor. I was asked by Mycroft when he met me at the Diogenes Club.” Professor Challenger looked to the doctor. “We had curry there. Delicious dish.”

“He lives there.” Doctor Watson affirmed the abode. “Professor, do you know that common culprits in curry allergies include spices like turmeric, cumin, coriander, and fenugreek. Mycroft may have that allergy.”

“I am not aware but I knew of some individuals may also react to other ingredients such as garlic, onion, or chili peppers. Jon Rexton disliked them.” The Professor smiled. “One’s man meat is another man’s poison.”

“Where did you meet Mycroft?” Holmes cut in to move the subject matter. “You mentioned the club?”

“Well, I do patronise there. And we met and spoke. However, I told him I was unable to assist for my injury will not permit to travel fast or far.” Professor Challenger smiled. “Thereafter, he suggested me to see you.”

“For a cure.” Professor Challenger smiled. Doctor Watson was partially impressed that his medical expertise was recommended and then felt that his own injury that caused his limp may be the reason more.

“Yes, I am injured.” Doctor Watson glared at Mycroft. He was upset at the other. “Well, I was at my left leg when I was wounded at the Battle of Maiwand in July 1880 by a jezail bullet, while under treatment, I suffered enteric fever and was sent back to England on the troopship.”

The good doctor extended his words with a tone of sarcasm at Mycroft.

“And that makes me qualified to explain your injury from a personal view.” Doctor Watson looked at the Professor.

“Most gracious, Doctor Watson but I only twisted my ankle. I will be fine and soon travel to the jungle for another excursion. I am to meet the pygmies and the giant apes there. I am going with Jon Roxton. We travelled extensively together.”

“Wonderful! Jon is a good friend of mine too. Have not met him for some time. Would you be bringing Mycroft then? He may need to increase his ego there.” Doctor Watson smiled. “Or have it squash by the apes to serve as curry.”

“Most primates eat meat but rarely, if at all, but meat sometimes provides substantial immediate energy and protein gains.” Professor Challenger smiled at Doctor Watson. “Their diets are mostly plants based.”

“Well, try curry infused. They might have more meat then.” The snide remark was targeted towards Mycroft. “They could leave you a trail to track them.”