can
introduce a toxic agent into the flour?”
“Possibly, Watson. But a local baker or other
supplier of food would only serve a small area of the town and
unless our victims are concentrated in one specific area of Truro,
that premise will fail. I think we may have to wait and look at the
distribution of cases. Now... what of the toxin itself?”
“I have given that some thought,” said I. “I
do not think it to be an infectious disease or other biological
agent. Those are particularly difficult to control and this toxin
can strike and kill within four hours. If I were a wagering man, my
money would be placed on some kind of chemical poison."
“Splendid!” cried Holmes. “You confirm my own
thoughts, Watson!”
I thought myself well pleased to have come to
the same conclusion as Holmes and that cheered me for the rest of
the journey to Truro.
Although well
into the evening when we arrived, there was a constable waiting for
us at the exit from the station. “Mr Holmes? Doctor Watson? Inspector Thomas sends his regards
and has instructed me to escort you to your lodgings.”
“That's very kind of him, where are we to
stay?” asked Holmes.
“The inspector has reserved rooms for you
gentlemen at 'The Swan' in Kenwyn Street. This way sirs, it is but
a short walk and you will no doubt want to stretch your legs." The
constable led the way and after a five minute stroll we were
outside the inn. “Here you are, sirs. The Inspector said he would
be grateful if you would meet him at The Royal Cornwall Infirmary
tomorrow morning at nine a.m. He will send a pony and trap to
collect you at a quarter to nine. Now, if there is nothing more I
can do for you gentlemen, I bid you goodnight." With a smile and a
salute, the constable left us.
The Swan was
quite a grand inn and, on entering the snug, we found a cosy bar with a gently burning log fire. There were
still a few drinkers finishing off their ale and Holmes and I
approached the bar.
The landlord had been expecting us and
immediately came round from behind the bar to greet us. “Good
evening, gentlemen. May I offer you some supper?”
Neither of us had eaten during our journey
and we were pleased to accept. The landlord led us into a small
dining room and a few minutes later he was placing bread, pork pie
and cooked meats on the table, together with a flagon of Cornish
country cider. We attacked the assembled supper with relish and,
once replete, the landlord took us upstairs to our rooms.
The rooms were clean and simply furnished
with a large bed, a wardrobe, a chair and wash stand upon which a
large jug and bowl stood. Holmes called from across the hallway.
“Goodnight, Watson. I shall call you at eight for breakfast.”
“Yes, thank you, Holmes.” I called in return
and closed the door. Having undressed, I was soon fast asleep.
It seemed as
though only a few moments had passed before there was a firm knock
on my door and a familiar voice, calling, “It's ten minutes
to eight, Watson. Shake a leg.” I heard Holmes chuckle as I sprang out of bed to wash and
shave.
By eight o’clock I was dressed, had found my
way downstairs and was being directed to the breakfast room. Holmes
was already installed and was tucking into a plate of fine country
eggs and Cornish bacon. I eagerly joined him, rounding off our
breakfast with tea, brown, wholemeal toast and strawberry jam.
The landlord had been kind enough to supply
us with a copy of the local paper, 'The Cornishman' published, I
saw, in Penzance. Holmes scanned the front page and then frowned.
“The hounds are on the scent, Watson.” tapping an editorial,
entitled, 'Mystery deaths continue in Truro'. “We must indeed make
haste with our investigation."
Chapter 3 - The
victims .
By quarter to nine we were standing outside
the inn on Kenwyn Street and a few moments later a pony and trap
appeared, stopping in front of us. Nodding to the driver, we
climbed in and headed off to our rendezvous. As we
introduce a toxic agent into the flour?”
“Possibly, Watson. But a local baker or other
supplier of food would only serve a small area of the town and
unless our victims are concentrated in one specific area of Truro,
that premise will fail. I think we may have to wait and look at the
distribution of cases. Now... what of the toxin itself?”
“I have given that some thought,” said I. “I
do not think it to be an infectious disease or other biological
agent. Those are particularly difficult to control and this toxin
can strike and kill within four hours. If I were a wagering man, my
money would be placed on some kind of chemical poison."
“Splendid!” cried Holmes. “You confirm my own
thoughts, Watson!”
I thought myself well pleased to have come to
the same conclusion as Holmes and that cheered me for the rest of
the journey to Truro.
Although well
into the evening when we arrived, there was a constable waiting for
us at the exit from the station. “Mr Holmes? Doctor Watson? Inspector Thomas sends his regards
and has instructed me to escort you to your lodgings.”
“That's very kind of him, where are we to
stay?” asked Holmes.
“The inspector has reserved rooms for you
gentlemen at 'The Swan' in Kenwyn Street. This way sirs, it is but
a short walk and you will no doubt want to stretch your legs." The
constable led the way and after a five minute stroll we were
outside the inn. “Here you are, sirs. The Inspector said he would
be grateful if you would meet him at The Royal Cornwall Infirmary
tomorrow morning at nine a.m. He will send a pony and trap to
collect you at a quarter to nine. Now, if there is nothing more I
can do for you gentlemen, I bid you goodnight." With a smile and a
salute, the constable left us.
The Swan was
quite a grand inn and, on entering the snug, we found a cosy bar with a gently burning log fire. There were
still a few drinkers finishing off their ale and Holmes and I
approached the bar.
The landlord had been expecting us and
immediately came round from behind the bar to greet us. “Good
evening, gentlemen. May I offer you some supper?”
Neither of us had eaten during our journey
and we were pleased to accept. The landlord led us into a small
dining room and a few minutes later he was placing bread, pork pie
and cooked meats on the table, together with a flagon of Cornish
country cider. We attacked the assembled supper with relish and,
once replete, the landlord took us upstairs to our rooms.
The rooms were clean and simply furnished
with a large bed, a wardrobe, a chair and wash stand upon which a
large jug and bowl stood. Holmes called from across the hallway.
“Goodnight, Watson. I shall call you at eight for breakfast.”
“Yes, thank you, Holmes.” I called in return
and closed the door. Having undressed, I was soon fast asleep.
It seemed as
though only a few moments had passed before there was a firm knock
on my door and a familiar voice, calling, “It's ten minutes
to eight, Watson. Shake a leg.” I heard Holmes chuckle as I sprang out of bed to wash and
shave.
By eight o’clock I was dressed, had found my
way downstairs and was being directed to the breakfast room. Holmes
was already installed and was tucking into a plate of fine country
eggs and Cornish bacon. I eagerly joined him, rounding off our
breakfast with tea, brown, wholemeal toast and strawberry jam.
The landlord had been kind enough to supply
us with a copy of the local paper, 'The Cornishman' published, I
saw, in Penzance. Holmes scanned the front page and then frowned.
“The hounds are on the scent, Watson.” tapping an editorial,
entitled, 'Mystery deaths continue in Truro'. “We must indeed make
haste with our investigation."
Chapter 3 - The
victims .
By quarter to nine we were standing outside
the inn on Kenwyn Street and a few moments later a pony and trap
appeared, stopping in front of us. Nodding to the driver, we
climbed in and headed off to our rendezvous. As we
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