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 Colonel Warburton's Madness |
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Part Ten by G. Norton, Esquire
aka Carl L. Heifetz, Private Consulting Microbiologist |
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With that, the Colonel sat up straight as a ramrod, in full miliary
fashion. His face turned red with anger as he cried out: "I fear no one,
neither my son nor my servants! Bring my son to me immediately if you
wish proof!"
"I will be very happy to accommodate you, Colonel," said my friend, in
his most soothing and appeasing voice, as he lit his curved briar. He
continued, "Your son is currently situated outside in a four-wheeler
under the protection of my friend, a famous Inspector of Police from
Scotland Yard. However, before we summon them, let me conclude that I
have ascertained for myself, as has my colleague Dr. Watson, that it is
not your health we are concerned about, but that of your son."
These conciliatory yet troubling words seemed to have a great effect on
ameliorating the anger of Colonel Warburton, replacing it with concern
upon his visage. He stuttered uncertainly, "What do you mean. Is my son
ill or in trouble? Please say that this is not true."
To that, Holmes, with great concern in his voice, remarked: "My friend,
Dr. Watson, has become an authority on diseases of the mind and has read
a great deal about them in Lancet. His study of your son has convinced
him that the Captain may be on the verge of a serious case of the dread
condition, brain fever. However, he has a theory concerning your son's
mental anguish, and has devised a plan to help assuage his condition."
"What can I do, Mr. Holmes? I will do anything in my power to reverse
this disorder."
"Colonel Warburton, first, answer this very important question. Did your
son have the opportunity to attend the funeral of your wife, his mother?
Did he have a chance for final closure?"
"No, Mr. Holmes. His regiment was stationed in India at the time of his
mother's demise. He was unable to return in time for that event."
"Colonel, has he ever accompanied you to her grave site to say his final
good byes?"
"Again, I must respond in the negative, Mr. Holmes."
"Then, you must escort your son to his mother's grave immediately. Our
four wheeler is at your disposal. Captain Warburton will not rest freely
until the two of you have had an opportunity to reminisce, to discuss
the circumstances of his mother's tragic death, and finally to pray at
and decorate her grave site." With a raised voice and an air of firm
command, and poking his now unlit pipe at the Colonel, Sherlock Holmes
concluded with, "And it must be done right away. To delay may obviate
any mental relief your son will obtain."
"But, Mr. Holmes, I can never leave my home unattended. Dire
consequences will result."
"Be not disturbed, Colonel, Inspector Lestrade and two burly constables
will guard your establishment until you return. Watson and I have urgent
business elsewhere, but in the morn, we will visit, examine your son,
and see what further actions Dr. Watson would recommend.
Then, Sherlock Holmes virtually pulled me out of the house as he
summoned Lestrade and his subordinates to take our place. "Come Watson,
we must be off, quickly!"
As we rapidly walked in the direction of our lodgings, Sherlock Holmes
pulled me around the corner of the house. He whispered into my ear,
"Quiet, we must remain here until the Colonel and his son have departed,
and the police believe that they are alone in the house."
Upon the area clearing of all human habitation, I bitterly spoke to
Sherlock Holmes, thusly, "Holmes, what are you up to? We never discussed
the Captain's sanity. He is not my patient, and if he were, it would be
medically unethical to reveal such information to you.."
"Have no fear of, dear friend. I would never reveal a confidence,"
replied Holmes, "however, we have work to do in the house that must
remain secret from the rightful inhabitants as well as, for now, long
suffering Lestrade, who came at my bidding. Follow me as we stealthily
enter the kitchen by the servant's entrance. Fortunately, I brought my
lock picks."
With that, I followed Sherlock Holmes around to a separate out building
whose bellowing smoke revealed the location of the kitchen facilities.
As the door was slightly ajar, the picks were not required. With speed
and great adroitness, Sherlock Holmes quickly entered and pulled me inside.
A small startled man, obviously of East Indian heritage, quickly
revolved to confront us. Recovering the inscrutable countenance that I
had come to recognize from my brief stays in India, he gently bowed, in
perfect servant fashion, and addressed us courteously with, "Effendi,
how may I serve you. My kitchen is your kitchen. Are you in need of, as
you English say, nourishment?"
"No, thank you very much. I must have taken a wrong turn and entered
your domain by mistake. Please accept my apology for disturbing your
important duties."
"You have nothing to apologize for," the light brown skinned, thin man
replied, "I always welcome the company of English gentlemen."
With that, Sherlock Holmes and I exited to the outside. Avoiding the
windows behind which stood the minions of the law, we skirted the house
and headed up the path leading to the main road. At that point, Sherlock
Holmes said, "Friend Watson, we still have work to do, and we must do it
quickly. Fortunately, the family gravesite is at the village church
several miles from the estate. Further, the driver was instructed to
make the voyage long and slow, and they will need to stop to obtain
flowers. It is interesting what degree of compliance a few coins of the
realm will purchase."
Finally, relighting the curved pipe that signaled further action was to
take place, Sherlock Holmes stated, "Here we must part. I require that
you proceed to the nearest purveyor of animals and acquire a terrier
whose coat appears to be the same color as that on the splinter that we
previously found. Then, meet me at the back of the manor house. I need
to do some research on my own before we return to study the case
involving a high caste Hindu posing as a lowly cook, and an unknown
someone who is afraid to have a small terrier in the vicinity. I have
formulated a tentative hypothesis regarding this case that I will refer
to as the case of the dog who reappeared in the nighttime."
Go to Part Eleven
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