Later that morning, I received a telegram from Holmes asking me to meet him in Baker Street at the end of my day. Late in the afternoon, I received a second from Warburton saying that his father had reluctantly agreed to our visit at the manor house west of Harfield. I dashed off a note to my wife telling her I need to stop by Baker Street and would be late and arranged with Hanford to serve as locum for my patients for a few days. He readily agreed and I whistled a cab for Baker Street.

Mrs. Hudson greeted me at the door and told me I was expected and should go right up. I arrived at the top of the stairs to a called 'Halloo, Watson!" from our old sitting room. The door opened and my friend beckoned me in, handing me a drink. He pointed to my old chair, sitting, unmoved, from where it sat when we shared rooms and fell into the chair across from me, crossing his legs.

"So, Watson, what have you heard from Warburton?" said he.

"I received a telegram from him late in the afternoon, Holmes. He has made arrangements for us to visit he and his father tomorrow. He said his father was reluctant to be examined, but in the end, acquiesced to ease his son's mind; just as he told us. Of course, he also arranged for your presence as well, not as Sherlock Holmes, but as a colleague of mine in the medical field. I'm afraid that the Colonel is familiar with you through my stories." My friend smiled, wanly.

"Ah, my dear fellow" said he, "once again we see the effect of your sensational stories. Thankfully, fame is a bee with a sting and a wing. I shall have to tolerate the sting until the wing carries it away." He chuckled, "Doctor Mycroft, perhaps? I shall endeavor not to embarrass you, dear colleague." He arose to take down a Commonplace book. "But, surely the man will see through this simple ruse once he is introduced to the famous John H. Watson…"

"Perhaps, Holmes, but if you stay to the back of the stage, we may be able to brazen it through."

"As you wish, Watson. However, I hold little hope of that." He tapped the book, "This man is no fool and will likely not suffer fools well, either. You must brace yourself to be found out. And now, Watson: what do you make of Warburton's tale?" He began leafing through the volume.

"Well, Holmes," I said, "I don't see it as madness, really…"

"Capital. Nor do I", he said.

"Sounds to me as if there's something in the cellar and the Colonel is trying to find it."

"Ah, my dear fellow," said he, looking up, then returning to his research, "Someone is digging; the Colonel is going somewhere of a night; the door is now locked to keep prying son's eyes away; but is it the Colonel who is digging? Or is it someone else? If it is not he, then who is it and where is the Colonel going and, more importantly, why." He stopped at something he found in the book and smiled.

"I'd not thought of that, Holmes. There could be someone else, I suppose." Holmes clapped the book closed and sat forward, fixing me with his most direct gaze.

"Quite so, Watson; the first of many questions. And the next…"

"Who is trying to poison him?" Holmes arose with an exclamation and went to the mantelpiece to load his old clay. He lit his pipe and drew deeply.

"But I submit," Said he, "that the question should be: Is someone trying to poison him and if so who is this unknown character in our play. Another question remains: Is there a notebook to document the findings from this digging? If there is, what information is contained there and what relationship does it bear to the situation?" He stretched himself upon the settee and smoked quietly for a few moments. "We have some work to do, old fellow; can your wife and surgery spare you a day or two?"

"I've already spoken with Hanford to cover my patients. I will need to speak with my wife, but I have no doubt that she will approve."

"Excellent. Watson, I should like to take the train to Hartfield tomorrow. We shall see what the day brings us."

Go to Part Five