am not following Sherlock anywhere., I can assure you.”
“You may be very good at some games, Miss Adler, but when it comes to lying-or should I say trying to hide the truth from Sherlock or me-you are not doing a very good job of it.”
“But what makes you so sure that I know where Sherlock is at the moment?”
“Because, my dear, you left a trail of deceitful information in your wake whilst preparing your departure tomorrow in the time machine.”
“How would you know this?” Irene asked, flabbergasted. “Have you spoken to Mr. Wells?”
“No need to bother the man at this point. He is the subject of the latest reports in the news and hounded by journalists-which would present another problem for me if I were to intervene.”
Irene rose to her feet. “Well then, what do you propose I do at this point?”
“I will have my carriage take you home, and then tomorrow morning you will go to your appointment with Mr. Wells, as planned.”
“Is that it?”
“Yes, my dear, that’s it for now. However, should you attempt to contact anyone between now and then; I will make sure that you do not see another day. Oh., one more thing-when you reach your destination..”
Mycroft’s next request was nothing short of amazing.
Irene stared, wordless. When she had recovered from the shock, she nodded and left the house, in company of My-croft’s coachman without another word.
At the appointed time, the next morning, Irene Adler presented herself at Wells’s home. Upon opening the door, Mrs. Cartridge let out a gasp. “My, my, Miss Adler, what could be the purpose of you wearing such an attire?”
“Don’t worry yourself, Mrs. Cartridge,” Irene replied, entering the foyer, “A dress would be much too cumbersome for my scheduled journey.”
“I dare say, Miss Adler., but do come in, my dear. Mr. Wells will be down from his rooms any moment now. I’ll see you into the lounge room where you will be more comfortable..” Mrs. Cartridge closed the door and led Irene where Holmes and Watson had met Wells four long days ago now.
Clad in comfortable riding britches, white shirt and tight vest under a dark cape and cowl, Irene sat in the corner of the sofa. Not two minutes later, Wells appeared in the doorway. He stopped as soon as he saw Irene rise to her feet. The effect was exceptional. The woman is incredibly beautiful, he thought, but said, “Don’t bother getting up, Miss Adler., please.” He went to take a seat by the fireplace. “Have you come to any conclusion as to the date and place where Mr. Holmes has landed?” he asked without further preamble.
Irene took her riding gloves off and deposited them on her lap. “Yes, I believe so, Mr. Wells.”
“Oh good! Would you be able to tell me what you have concluded then?”
“Of course. First, I must tell you that Holmes has always been fascinated by the Americas. He talked often of a city, in his opinion that would one day rule the modern world-to quote him-a place born out of bitter wars between two nations, at the issue of the one nation declaring its independence and growing out of recent civil unrest. Could you guess which city I am describing, Mr. Wells?”
“If you are referring to North America, the one city that has been founded a hundred years’ ago-almost to the date-is Washington in the District of Columbia in what is now known as the United States.”
“Precisely, Mr. Wells. To Sherlock, Washington will be the seat of our future endeavors and more importantly, the seat of world power. He firmly believes that our future, even our destinies, will be forged within the walls of the forthcoming government houses of the United States.”
“For most of us, in Britain, this belief would be erroneous at best and extravagant at worst, wouldn’t you say?”
“Perhaps, Mr. Wells, but let’s not argue the point at this juncture-Sherlock would be the one to defend his position in this regard; not me.”
Wells nodded. “And the date? Have
“You may be very good at some games, Miss Adler, but when it comes to lying-or should I say trying to hide the truth from Sherlock or me-you are not doing a very good job of it.”
“But what makes you so sure that I know where Sherlock is at the moment?”
“Because, my dear, you left a trail of deceitful information in your wake whilst preparing your departure tomorrow in the time machine.”
“How would you know this?” Irene asked, flabbergasted. “Have you spoken to Mr. Wells?”
“No need to bother the man at this point. He is the subject of the latest reports in the news and hounded by journalists-which would present another problem for me if I were to intervene.”
Irene rose to her feet. “Well then, what do you propose I do at this point?”
“I will have my carriage take you home, and then tomorrow morning you will go to your appointment with Mr. Wells, as planned.”
“Is that it?”
“Yes, my dear, that’s it for now. However, should you attempt to contact anyone between now and then; I will make sure that you do not see another day. Oh., one more thing-when you reach your destination..”
Mycroft’s next request was nothing short of amazing.
Irene stared, wordless. When she had recovered from the shock, she nodded and left the house, in company of My-croft’s coachman without another word.
At the appointed time, the next morning, Irene Adler presented herself at Wells’s home. Upon opening the door, Mrs. Cartridge let out a gasp. “My, my, Miss Adler, what could be the purpose of you wearing such an attire?”
“Don’t worry yourself, Mrs. Cartridge,” Irene replied, entering the foyer, “A dress would be much too cumbersome for my scheduled journey.”
“I dare say, Miss Adler., but do come in, my dear. Mr. Wells will be down from his rooms any moment now. I’ll see you into the lounge room where you will be more comfortable..” Mrs. Cartridge closed the door and led Irene where Holmes and Watson had met Wells four long days ago now.
Clad in comfortable riding britches, white shirt and tight vest under a dark cape and cowl, Irene sat in the corner of the sofa. Not two minutes later, Wells appeared in the doorway. He stopped as soon as he saw Irene rise to her feet. The effect was exceptional. The woman is incredibly beautiful, he thought, but said, “Don’t bother getting up, Miss Adler., please.” He went to take a seat by the fireplace. “Have you come to any conclusion as to the date and place where Mr. Holmes has landed?” he asked without further preamble.
Irene took her riding gloves off and deposited them on her lap. “Yes, I believe so, Mr. Wells.”
“Oh good! Would you be able to tell me what you have concluded then?”
“Of course. First, I must tell you that Holmes has always been fascinated by the Americas. He talked often of a city, in his opinion that would one day rule the modern world-to quote him-a place born out of bitter wars between two nations, at the issue of the one nation declaring its independence and growing out of recent civil unrest. Could you guess which city I am describing, Mr. Wells?”
“If you are referring to North America, the one city that has been founded a hundred years’ ago-almost to the date-is Washington in the District of Columbia in what is now known as the United States.”
“Precisely, Mr. Wells. To Sherlock, Washington will be the seat of our future endeavors and more importantly, the seat of world power. He firmly believes that our future, even our destinies, will be forged within the walls of the forthcoming government houses of the United States.”
“For most of us, in Britain, this belief would be erroneous at best and extravagant at worst, wouldn’t you say?”
“Perhaps, Mr. Wells, but let’s not argue the point at this juncture-Sherlock would be the one to defend his position in this regard; not me.”
Wells nodded. “And the date? Have
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