by C J Lutton
“Watson,” Holmes said, “the ‘natural order’ as cited in this article is code for white supremacy.”
Holmes asked, “If I may continue? ‘Moran’s body was found nailed to the door of a barn with his head nearest the ground and his feet pointed skyward. His arms were spread out and his palms were also fastened to the wood, so that his corpse formed an inverted crucifix.”
Here again, Holmes shared his vast knowledge of a world previously unknown to me. “An inverted crucifix is a centerpiece of satanic ritual. The article continues, ‘The authorities were at a loss to explain two strange wounds in Colonel Moran’s neck. They would not comment on the lack of blood at the scene.’”
”Dracula!” I whispered.
No sooner had Holmes finished reading the article, than Thaddeus placed another one before him. After reading the numerous articles aloud, it became obvious that Dracula was touring the South. Stories appeared in newspapers from as far away as New Orleans, Mobile, Charleston, Wilmington, and Norfolk. Everywhere the stories featured the same mysterious and bloodless death scenes. All of the victims bore twin puncture wounds on their throats.
”Dracula and his minions seem to be on a tour of the states. It would be ridiculous if it wasn’t so tragic. It’s almost as if they were a traveling minstrel show,” I said.
”Right you are. From the dates of the articles, they are indeed traveling through the southern states and heading north. Hmmm, I wonder?” First, Holmes glanced at the huge pile of papers yet to be read. Then a thin smile lit up his face.
”Gentlemen, concentrate your efforts on all papers from New York only. No earlier than a month ago. I've a theory,” said Holmes. Once he’d given us direction, he bounded towards the stack of papers.
”Wilson and his men did an excellent job of gathering the information!” he said. ”Look, they were clever enough to separate the newspapers by states. If my idea has merit, it's in New York that we'll find Moriarty and Dracula!”
”Here! Over here!” cried a jubilant Thaddeus. ”It's these three stacks over here!”
Holmes and I climbed over the mountains of papers, stopping where Thaddeus was standing. My old friend took the top paper and scanned its pages. Finding an article that was circled, Holmes read it carefully. Finishing that one, he went to the next paper, and the next, and the next, after that.
“A virtual treasure trove of foul deeds,” Holmes said. He kept looking until he found one particular paper that he perused for a relatively long time. Holding it aloft and shaking it, Holmes shouted, ”Aha! They're in New York. Just as I thought!”
Working as a team, the three of us scoured the articles with great zeal. We exchanged them with each other as we finished. As we tossed them aside, the room began to look as if a windstorm had swept through. By the time the last article from that particular pile had been read, our faces were smeared with blotches of black ink. We looked for all the world like a trio of chimney sweeps after a long day at work.
”Well, Watson, what do you think?” Holmes asked, scrubbing himself clean with a damp towel.
”They're here in New York, all right,” I replied. ”But from what I've read, they're no longer in the city. A rash of new horrors is surfacing in the regions north of here.”
”It is as you've said, Doctor,” Thaddeus agreed. ”They've fled the city and from what I'm able to deduce, their travels always carry them to port cities. I assume their rationale is to select their victims who've yet to establish roots or have fallen on hard times. Thus, when the victims disappear, there's no one to raise the alarm. At least, that's what I would do, if I were them.”
Thaddeus’ words caused me to shiver. Though I have grown to like the young man, he could seem rather cold and calculating. Holmes, on the other hand, appreciated the boy's words.
”Quite right,” Holmes said. “There is, or at least was, a method to their madness. However, they've changed their pattern. According to the articles, I'd say that the fiends we are hunting have split up. I read a number of pieces written on coincidental dates from two separate areas of the state. Even Dracula, with all of his powers, cannot be in two places at the same time. They've abandoned the philosophy of safety in numbers and have gone to ground in separate locations.”
Holmes scribbled something on a piece of paper and handed it to Thaddeus. ”Here's where Wilson can be found. Have his men assist you. Send one of them to get us a state map of New York. Have them be quick about it. While they're at it, we'll need the time schedules of any and all trains leaving the city and bound for upstate. Hurry! If we're not here upon your return, join us in the dining room.”
Thaddeus checked his weapon and pulled his jacket over the harness and shotgun to hide them.
”And do be careful,” Holmes called over his shoulder, as the young man rushed from the room.
Surveying the mess we had created, my friend remarked, ”To be a poor chambermaid with us as the roomers. Eh, Watson?”
We dressed for dinner. Holmes and I took extra care to hide our weapons under our jackets. The weight of the gun, though heavier than I was accustomed to carrying, felt comfortable and reassuring. My old friend and I left his suite and locked the door behind us.
”’Tis a shame, Watson,” said Holmes. ”We're in one of the world's most remarkable cities and all that we will probably see of it will be from the window of a cab on our way to the station.”
As we walked down the stairs, two men fell in behind us. I felt the hair on the back of my neck bristle. When Holmes opened the buttons of his jacket and reached for the shotgun, I started to do the same.
”There'll be no need of that, Mr. Holmes. Dr. Watson,” said one of the men behind us. ”We're Mr. Wiggins's men. We've been watching your back ever since your arrival. Please keep walking, gentlemen. We want this to appear as natural as possible. For all apparent purposes, we are simply four men walking in the hotel. We won't go into the dining room with you; we have friends already posted inside. You may eat in peace. Bon appetit, gentlemen.”
As Holmes and I came to the entrance of the dining room, our escort walked past us and out into the cold air.
”Holmes, we could have been killed!” I said.
”Nonsense. I spotted them down at the pier and saw Thaddeus’ nod of recognition as we went by.”
As we entered the dining room, the subdued lighting offered us a temporary respite from the harsh realities of life. Sitting at our table, Holmes viewed the room with interest.
”Got them!” he exclaimed.
”Who?”
”Thaddeus’ people, of course! Did I ever tell you how we met, Watson?”
”No, I don't recall your mention of it.”
Holmes was about to continue when Thaddeus’ arrival interrupted his reminiscences. The young man was out of breath when he joined us at our table.
”Perhaps you should ask Thaddeus about it one day,” said Holmes, casually continuing our conversation.
Of course, Thaddeus looked at us blankly.
”Oh, it's nothing, Thaddeus,” said Holmes. ”I was about to tell Watson here of our first meeting.”
Thaddeus’ face flushed at Holmes’ reference.
“Never mind that now,” Holmes said. “What have you to report?”
Gathering himself, Thaddeus spoke of his errand. ”We will have what you've requested, Mr. Holmes, within the hour. I decided against using Wilson and his men. I do not at present know very much about them. But I shall. Until then, I thought it best to rely on resources I have personally vetted.”
”Very good,” said Holmes. ”Oh, and by the way, be sure to tell your two friends in the hall that they’d best go back into training. I spotted them at the pier.”
”I thought as much, but what of my other associates? I am sure you will not spot them,” Thaddeus spoke with a hint of challenge in his voice.
”Ahh, I will not give you a chance to wager again, Thaddeus,” said Holmes. “I've already found them. They're good, but...”
> ”Never!” said Thaddeus. ”You will never find them. They would not be so careless.”
”Where are they, Holmes? Let it be settled, once and for all,” I said, as I looked about the crowded room, suspicious of everyone. ”Oh my, Thaddeus! Your men have acted so poorly that even I can spot them!”
I continued to look at the two men seated at the table directly across from ours because they would occasionally turn to stare at us before quickly averting their eyes and conversing in earnest with each other.
Thaddeus and Holmes looked in the direction of my interest.
”Thaddeus,” began Holmes, ”what have you to say to that?”
The young man shifted his weight in his seat nervously.
The two men noticed they were the object of our interest. They nodded and prodded each other as they continued to whisper excitedly.
”Well, there,” said I, watching one of the men rise from his seat. ”What do you think of that? He's coming over to admit they've been found out. “Why even a child could see—”
The younger of the two men walked directly up to me. In heavily accented English, he said what sounded like, “Ex—koose me. Canna hava de sooo—gar if you isa done?”
I couldn’t make heads nor tails of it, but Holmes handed the man the sugar bowl. The man bowed stiffly and accepted the dish from Holmes’ hand. On his way back to his table, he turned to glance at me with a sad expression in his eyes.
”He thinks you’re addlepated,” said Thaddeus, laughing.
I kept my silence.
”Well, Watson?” asked Holmes.
”The fact he came over here means nothing at all,” I said. ”He can still be one of Thaddeus’ men!”
”Quite right!” Sherlock Holmes responded. ”Don't be misled by his attempt at subterfuge. I would keep my eye on him, if I were you.”
I glowered at the innocent immigrant.
”Well, Mr. Holmes,” Thaddeus kindly changed the subject. ”Where are my people?”
”Ah, yes. As to your people, the first is the maitre'd, of course.” Holmes pointed to the maitre'd, as a young couple had just entered the dining room. ”You'll observe that he pauses just long enough to size up the young couple. Once he learns all that he cares to know about them, he relaxes ever so slightly. The telltale bulge disappears into the cut of his jacket. Now he'll assist them, but you'll also notice he never stands directly facing them. He turns his body to the side to provide a smaller silhouette.”
Thaddeus conceded that Holmes was correct by giving him a quick nod.
“The other two are by far the least likely to be in your service. I am referring to the elderly looking couple four tables to my left,” said Holmes, with a nod. “I must commend you, Thaddeus, on a first—rate job of disguise. Except that with the old couple, their youth gave them away. If they were really as old as they appear to be, they would not move so quickly. When the man dropped his napkin to the carpet, he bent down to retrieve it with the sort of agility more suited to a man in his twenties.”
“Twenty—five,” Thaddeus confirmed.
“The woman is perfect,” said Holmes. “She did everything right. Her movements are not exaggerated. She has the correct slouch that’s common with age. Just perfect! But the gentleman moved too adroitly when he went to retrieve his dropped napkin from the floor.”
“Anything else?” Thaddeus asked.
”Just an observation,” Holmes chimed. ”A gentleman would never have a lady seated with her back to the entrance of a room, women being creatures of great curiosity. Nor would he retrieve his own napkin from the floor because it would be soiled. Instead, a gentleman would wait for the waiter to bring him a new one.”
Our meals arrived at the very same time that Thaddeus’ courier stepped up to our table. ”Excuse me, sirs.” he said. “Mr. Wiggins, here's the information that you requested.” He handed the package to Thaddeus who nodded without a word and dismissed the courier. In return, Thaddeus handed the package to Holmes.
”Excellent!” said Holmes, placing the parcel on the chair next to him. After a hurried dinner, as soon as we walked through the door of his suite, Holmes tore open the package. Discarding the brown wrapping paper and string, he unfolded a map from inside the package and spread it out on the table.
”Let's see what we have,” Holmes said, reaching for his magnifying glass. Whistling, he examined the map closely.
”What was it that Harker had said?” Holmes asked himself. ”At the great falls? Yes. Of course! He meant Niagara Falls. That’s where Moriarty is. The professor has a touch of the dramatic in him.”
The very mention of Moriarty’s name sent my heart racing. ”What do you mean, Holmes?”
“He wants to alter history by changing the outcome of our last battle at Reichenbach Falls. But this time, only one of us shall walk away from the great falls. I will be victorious.” Holmes smiled thinly.
”I don't like it.” I shook my head as I rose from my chair. ”You may not appreciate what I have to say, Holmes, but you were unable to defeat him when he was an ordinary man, and now this! Why, he's a vampire! What makes you think you can bring him down now?”
”Mr. Holmes, don’t you realize that this is a trap?” asked Thaddeus.
”Yes, yes! Of course,” Holmes said. ”I would expect no less from him. That's why the two of you are here. You'll have to deal with his machinations whilst I attempt to breach the walls of the fortress. Thaddeus, check the train schedules to see whether we can travel on the chemin de fer. Watson, go through the articles again and find out whether there are any suspicious incidents in and around Niagara Falls. We must be sure of our destination. I'll return as soon as I have a talk with Wilson.”
”Are you mad, Holmes?” I asked. ”You should not leave the hotel without at least one of us going with you.”
”Dr. Watson is right, Mr. Holmes. Surely, you can wait?” Thaddeus joined me in my urgent plea. ”Let's finish here. Then we'll go with you.”
”Ah, my friends. I appreciate your concern but you both have other tasks that need to be attended to, and time is our enemy.”
“You plan to roam about a strange city without someone to watch your flank?” I asked.
”Watson, listen to me,” my old friend said. “Have you ever known me to act precipitously? As usual, my reasoning is practical. If we're all together, the possibility arises that a single, well—planned assault may eliminate our entire team. For the sake of mankind, at least one of us must survive and continue the fight against this monstrous evil. Besides, surely word has reached our opponents that the three of us are traveling together. One man alone will be unexpected.”
Holmes’ words held a certain amount of logic, although they offered us little comfort. With reluctance, Thaddeus and I allowed the great detective to go off in search of Wilson. But before he left, I checked my watch and made note of the hour. It was just after seven in the evening. Thaddeus and I immersed ourselves in the newspapers as Holmes had asked. Even so, time crept past slowly. At eleven o'clock, we were at the end of our patience. Thaddeus and I could stand it no longer. Holmes still had not returned.
Having pulled on our coats, Thaddeus and I prepared leave the room. I had placed my hand on the knob of the door when my young friend raised a finger to his lips and urged my silence. ”Someone's on the other side,”' he whispered.
We opened our coats and swung the shotguns to our hips. As quietly as possible, I brought back the hammers on my weapon and waited. Thaddeus turned down the gas lamps until the room was nearly dark. As we watched, a shadow blackened the space under our door. Someone was directly outside in the hall. Nervously, Thaddeus and I watched as an envelope slowly slid under the door.
Thaddeus gestured to me that he was going to retrieve it. Lowering his weapon, the young man stepped forward and stooped to pick up the envelope. I noticed the shadow receded from the other side of the door. Thaddeus’ hand touched the envelope and moved it ever so slightly.
Click.
/>
I heard the sound. Without giving it any thought, I dove at Thaddeus. The force was such that I knocked him over onto his side.
Bang!
A bullet tore through the wooden door!
I was greatly confused by the suddenness of the attack, and yet I couldn't help but notice the thin beam of light crossing our room. It was as if the light were slowly spilling in from the hallway and emptying through the bullet hole and into our room. Rousing myself to action, I reached for the door and pulled it violently open. I heard retreating footsteps to my left as our assailant dashed toward his escape. By the time I cleared the doorway, he was gone.
Our assailant had vanished, but the hallway had become crowded as people left their rooms to see what the commotion was.
“I'm a doctor!” I proclaimed foolishly. ”There's no cause for alarm. Just some ruffian, attempting to break into what he thought was an empty room. You can all go back to sleep now.”
I quickly slammed our door and turned up the lamps. Thaddeus was lying face down in a heap on the floor. Grabbing my kit, I went to his aid. In search of the bullet wound, I rolled him onto his back, but the only blood I could find was on his scalp. Luckily, the bullet had only grazed him. I opened the smelling salts and placed the vial under his nose. Slowly, Thaddeus came round. His eyes fluttered open, and he stared at me blankly.
”It's all right,” I said, tending to his wound. ”You were just grazed.”
He nodded groggily.
With my assistance, he rose shakily to his feet. I walked him to the divan and had him lie down. Once he was comfortable, I cleaned his wound carefully.
”Stay put,” I ordered him. “I'll get that precious envelope, the one that nearly cost you your life.”
Thaddeus smiled at me weakly. Scalp wounds bleed profusely and this one was no exception. Although blood loss can be a weakening factor, the flow does an excellent job of washing out a wound. All that was left for me was to cleanse the area and bandage it.
Readying my shotgun, I walked to where the envelope lay and retrieved it. After returning to Thaddeus’ side, I tore it open. The sound of ripping paper reminded me that I might be destroying vital evidence, and I cursed my thoughtlessness. With that in mind, I handled the envelope's contents more diligently.