Preys and Predators Part 1 Chapter 25

 

25           Beliefs over breakfasts

 

The ad in The Blyth Times in 1890, “try Thompson’s English rolled flitch; the first-class breakfast.” Professor Freud read the prints. “I am ……”

“Impressed, Professor? The English prides themselves on the English Breakfast of bangers, mash, and eggs; poached, boil or scrambled among it.” Mycroft was then digging into his plate at the club.

“Yes, I am made to know. The other servings may include baked beans, bacons and …...”

“It is not hors d’oeuvres-loving French but Le déjeuner; that is breakfast in Belgian. We have the Belgian waffles and pastries are a staple of Belgian breakfast. The most popular are the Liège waffles, made with flour, eggs, and sugar and cooked until they are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They are often served with syrup, fruit, honey, or chocolate sauce. bread, and we do have bread that comes in many varieties – from white and brown bread to multigrain and sourdough.”

“I could have the kitchen prepared you a set.” Mycroft suggested.

“No, please. I am fine with this set. I am your guest.” Professor Freud smiled. “Tell me, Mycroft. I was told of another murder yesterday.”

“Several to be exact. We discovered seven bodies in one scene.” Mycroft sliced into his egg careful not to pierce the centre which was rare. He likes them that manner where he could dip his toast.

“Most intriguing. The victim counts had increased. Obviously, it may not be work one killer but several.” Professor avoided the greasy bangers and settled for the toast with marmalade.

“The modus of the kill is similar to the earlier cases, and it was done on the rooftop this time.” Mycroft relished his toast then.

“I believed that was due to the increase in the frequency of patrols by the authorities.”

“Yes, we have increased the patrols and even added in the army personnels but how did the killer or killers got the bodies up four levels in that manner. We found some traces at the street level and ……”

“Ahem!” The gentleman seated across displayed his displeasure to listen that while he was eating his breakfast.

“Up yours, Arthur. Eat up or go home. I am discussing serious matter here.” Mycroft took offence to the other. The one named Arthur took his leave then. “Miscreant…...”

“Perhaps we could discuss this in a different room?” Professor Freud looked at the other.

“I cannot. I must meet the Minister soon. I can arrange a coach for you to take you …….”

“Holmes; residence will do. Thank you.” Professor Freud interjected.

Soon on the coach to the Ministry, Mycroft was handed the dossier on one named Mary Reid by his aide. He read it and then passed it back. He had it from the visitor to his office earlier.

“Send this to Sherlock please.”

Across the city, Doctor Watson leaned back on the seat after the hefty breakfast, English style naturally. Holmes had eaten a bite but he took the luxury of the served tea. It was his peculiar habit not to eat while he broods over the clues. He may take to the pipe or God forbidden strumming the violin but a good meal was to be wasted.

“He did not eat as usual.” Mrs Hudson collecting the breakfast set made the comment, although the remaining pieces were legible. Once Holmes commented on Mrs. Hudson’s cooking; “Her cuisine is limited but she has as good an idea of breakfast as a Scotchwoman."

“No, he did not but I ate most of his. He was not at the Frontier where they do suffer slow supplies. I would have eaten my leather belt if needed.” Doctor Watson looked at the lady.

“I am sure you would. You did bite the bullet that hit your leg.” Mrs Hudson took to wiping the stains on the table.

“I did when I had to suture the wound. Cussing I was then but it worked.” Doctor Watson smiled.

“How was the murder scene?” Mrs Hudson in her rare moments asked. She saw the other tenant seated by the window deep in thoughts.

“Seven dead, same wounds, and bloody well laid out on the rooftop.” The doctor gave her the summary. “Different ……”

“Difference in the layout.” Holmes cut in. He then approached the duo. “Nice breakfast but I am not hungry.”

“None wasted here. The extras have gone to the other’s waist.” Mrs Hudson smiled.

“’S mairg a ni tarcuis air biadh’ which translates as ‘he who has contempt for food is a fool’. Meaning that there must be love and enjoyment of Scottish food. Our food is steeped in the landscape, and the history and heritage of this country – which still maintains our unique identity.” Mrs. Hudson turned to leave.

(Extract from https://www.robbiemactours.co.uk/cranachan-and-a-wee-dram-or-two/)

“Ms. Hudson, please stay. Another fresh set of ideas may give us a breakthrough.” Holmes told the landlady. Mrs Hudson was surprised and took to place the dishes on the adjacent table.

“Please tell me what you may had heard.” Holmes looked at the lady. Mrs. Hudson has her own friends and associates.  Doctor Watson was equally surprised that the lady was asked her views.

“I would not know. I had been to the market and …...”

“Spare me no details. What are they saying?”

“Well, the Ripper still lingered on with many of the socialites of the city and when you thought it was done, the recent murders happened. There is a fear that the killing could be the act of …...” Mrs Hudson looked at the Doctor. “A vampire.”

“Spare me the rhetoric, Mrs Hudson. There are no vampires in the world.” Doctor Watson was agitated on the fixation of the others.

“May I explain, Doctor? I do not believe in that too. I am just relaying the news of my friends. The vampire myth comes with the sexual allegory in which English female virtue is menaced by foreign predators. It is in the prints of many collected stories.” Mrs. Hudson said. “John Polidori's 1819 short story “The Vampyre”. Polidori's vampire, Lord Ruthven, is inspired by a thinly disguised portrait of the predatory English poet, Lord Byron, in Lady Caroline Lamb's novel Glenarvon (1816).”

“And you believed what you read?” Doctor Watson looked at the lady.

“No. I have my fair share of supernatural. I have been to many places that a lady was not to go, done somethings that a lady will feel shameful, but mind you, undressed none or rather not by them anyway.”

“Mrs. Hudson, I …….” Doctor Watson was embarrassed. He has known Mrs. Hudson was more than the feeble simple housekeeper. “I will not go into details there. Please understand this. Vampires properly originating in folklore were widely reported from Eastern Europe in the late 17th and 18th centuries. people feared the exotic outsider, seeing it as a disease that could weaken the Empire. Bram Stoker's Dracula was born of this fear. England's identity was bound up in its position as the most powerful nation and fear of losing this position reinforced its determination to maintain it.”

(Extract from https://carnegiemnh.org/booseum-vampires/#:~:text=Garlic%2C%20specifically%20the%20chemical%20compound,would%20%E2%80%9Ckill%E2%80%9D%20a%20vampire. And https://www.pcs.org/features/dracula-vampirism-a-history#:~:text=Victorian%20literature%20tends%20to%20present,European%20vampire%20of%20the%20title.)

“I bought garlic as a precaution.” Mrs Hudson smiled. “I also need it for some of cooking’s. I do the occasional curies.”

Mrs. Hudson have also the box of silver laced bullets in the kitchen.

“Garlic hold antibiotics properties and eaten raw taste terrible. I doubt the vampire likes that.” Doctor Watson smiled.

It was then Mycroft’s aide arrived. He handed the dossier to Holmes.

“I think we may have to believe that tale.” Holmes placed the dossier down after reading it.