‘What? Someone has threatened Dillie? Sir, I must know more!’ He brushed the hair out of his eyes nervously. ‘What is the nature of these threats? Enough to call in a man from London? Who called you, sir? And why have you come to me?’

‘Are you not seeing the young lady? I believe you have also visited Miss Dillie at her hideaway?’

‘Er …’

‘No use prevaricating. She said so herself.’

‘If you know of this place, and I know that she hasn’t disappeared, then you know that I have been there.’

‘Did you threaten Miss Wyndham?’

‘No, sir! You confound me!’

‘Do you know the Jesus Lock footbridge? Do you go there often?’ Holmes studied the young man closely for a reaction.

‘Yes, I know it, and no, not often. What is this about?’

‘Did you find Miss Odelia’s doll there, the one that looks like her, and throw it in the river after tearing off its arm?’ Holmes did not take his eyes off the boy’s face.

The young man went white, and he tried to speak but couldn’t. ‘Has that happened?’ he finally asked.

Holmes said nothing but kept his eyes on the boy.

‘By God – if there were a God, I’d ask Him to protect her,’ said Vitale. ‘We must go to the police!’

‘The police know of it. It is why I have been called in.’

‘But why you are questioning me? You cannot think I would threaten Miss Odelia Wyndham? I … I have feelings for her.’ He followed this with a nervous glance back at the laboratory door. ‘Sir, I hope to make her my wife. Now you know, and I hope that you will retain this confidence. My position here is hard won. Science requires a devotion that, well—’

‘Devotion to science can be all-consuming, Mr Vitale,’ said my friend.

‘With all respect, sir, how would you possibly know about that?’

‘Because Mr Holmes has made a science of his own work,’ said I.

Vitale shrugged dismissively. ‘You can know nothing of real science, sir. Nor of my feelings!’

Holmes paused, evaluating. ‘Watson, come. I am satisfied.’ He turned on his heel and marched away in his precipitous manner, leaving me to face the young scientist.

Vitale called out, ‘But Mr Holmes, what of this threat?’

Holmes was already halfway down the hall.

‘Don’t worry, Mr Vitale,’ I said. ‘Miss Wyndham is in good hands. Sherlock Holmes will ensure it.’

In retrospect, I wish with all my heart that I had not said those words.

CHAPTER 20

The Mind Reader

An hour later, our train steamed south towards London. Outside, a white haze of rain softened our view of the green fields, hedges and trees speeding by. We were alone in our first-class compartment. Holmes tried several times to read a newspaper, but finally flung it down in frustration and stared out of the window at the passing scenery.