"The Adventure of the Crimson Lady"
written by Belle Book, story idea by Erin Mills
Part Five
After recovering from the startling discovery that Carmen S. had stolen his
best pipe, Holmes made further investigations into the situation. First, he
discovered that not only had she stolen his best pipe, she had also taken the
hat that she had left at Mrs. Hudson's doorstep. However, this discovery did
not upset Holmes as much as the discovery that she had taken his best pipe. He
believed that since the hat was originally her property, she had the right to
take it back if she wanted it.
Holmes had also questioned Mrs. Hudson and examined both the windows leading
to the basement and the back doorway. I later learned that Holmes's questioning
of Mrs. Hudson confirmed his suspicions -- she had seen nobody enter through the
front door other than Holmes and myself, nor had she heard anybody enter. The
bars on the windows leading to the basement were clearly in place, and Holmes
had seen no signs that anyone had entered the house through the basement.
However, the back door was another matter. There were clear signs that somebody
had forced around the lock, and there were some footsteps evident outside the
back door. Holmes was able to confirm that the footsteps matched those he had
seen outside the British Museum.
After he had finished telling me what he had discovered, Holmes took his
second-best pipe and smoked it for a long while, trying to think of a good plan
to entrap Carmen S. However, he finally gave up, because he was so frustrated
over her actions that he couldn't think as clearly as he would like. Instead,
he decided to relieve his frustrations by playing the violin yet again. So from
3:30 to close to 5:00 he played the violin to soothe his frustration.
It was at that moment when Inspector Lestrade arrived. Holmes could not
refrain from grinning when he saw Lestrade's shamefaced expression. "What could
possibly have happened to you, Lestrade?" he asked. "After all, you currently
have an accomplice to the thief we are after, while I still have to figure out a
way to capture our thief."
"I don't have Miss Turner anymore," said Lestrade. "A few moments ago, we
discovered that she escaped. Worse, we have every reason to believe that this
Carmen S. had released her."
I stared at Lestrade, then turned to Holmes. He sat there, clearly not
surprised by this turn of events. "Really?" he asked. "And how did this
happen?"
"We tried every technique short of actual torture to get Miss Turner to say
anything about her employer that would be useful to us," said Lestrade. "She
said nothing. So we decided to keep her at Scotland Yard until we could bring
her to trial. At about 4:30, it appears that a woman dressed in a dilapidated
red dress, and a matching red bonnet entered our headquarters. She had black
hair and blue eyes. She looked like a wealthy woman who had fallen into evil
days and was reduced to working for her living."
Holmes looked extremely interested in the description of the woman. "Go on,"
he urged.
"She said that she earned her living by selling various items to poor and
imprisoned people. Today she had some food to sell to the prisoners. The
constable in charge, believing her to be harmless, showed her the way to the
prison cells, and left her alone with the prisoners. Unfortunately, a short
time afterwards, several of our prisoners were mysteriously released and tried
to escape to freedom. It took all of our constables, even those who guarded the
exits, to subdue them, for among the prisoners who were released were two very
strong men. When the prisoners were finally subdued and returned to their
cells, the constable went to find the woman so he could urge her to leave.
However, not only couldn't he find the woman, he couldn't find Miss Turner
either!"
Holmes began laughing. "So that was her plan. Disguise herself, enter the
prison, and release some of the prisoners as a diversion! That was very clever
of her!" It was obvious that he believed that the mysterious Carmen S. had been
the woman who entered Scotland Yard peddling food to the prisoners. I had to
admit to myself that it was very likely that Holmes's opinion was the correct
one. "So then what did you do?"
"When I was alerted, I investigated the cell where Miss Turner had been kept,
and found this," Lestrade said, handing a sealed envelope to Holmes. He
examined it, then handed it over to me. The letter read as follows:
"This is your final clue, Mr. Holmes: Serinus Canarius."
Underneath the words was a sketch of part of a river, then the signature
followed. This time, she signed it, "Miss Carmen Sandiego".
"This is extraordinary!" I said. "Why did she reveal her full name and not
use her initials?"
"Either because this is a clue to her last crime, or because this is a clue as
to where she's hiding," said Holmes. "In either case, she does not plan to stay
here long. But by heaven, she won't escape so easily!"
"Do you have any clue as to what her letter means?" Lestrade asked.
"It's obvious what Serinus Canarius means," said Holmes. "That's the
scientific name for the canary. The river points to --" he stopped, clearly
thinking for a minute. Then he leapt to his private index, examined it, then
yelled, "We don't have much time! We must get to Canary Wharf as soon as
possible!"
"You really think that she will be there?" Lestrade asked doubtfully.
"She must be there!" Holmes said. "Using the scientific name for the canary
is part of the clue, as is the river! The river part she sketched is part of
the Thames River, and Canary Wharf is near the Thames River! That is where she
will be, and in all probability, that is where she has been hiding. But before
we go, I have to give you something." Holmes then handed Lestrade the sketch of
"Samson and Delilah".
"How on earth did you get it?" Lestrade said.
"Miss Sandiego was in my rooms," Holmes said, looking frustrated. "She stole
my pipe and took back her hat! I have every reason to believe that she stole my
pipe simply to best me or to humiliate me."
"She certainly did that," Lestrade said, laughing openly at the idea of Miss
Sandiego outwitting Holmes. "But as you said, we must get to Canary Wharf, if
that is where she will be. I have a cab waiting for us outside."
"Then come along, Watson!" Holmes cried. "The game's afoot, and we have a
thief to catch!"
*****************************************************************************
It took about fifty minutes to get from 221B Baker Street to Westfeary Circus,
near Canary Wharf. During that time, Holmes told Lestrade that he believed
Carmen Sandiego had traveled from the future to this time period. Lestrade
laughed at Holmes, saying, "You really believe this woman is from a time period
different from our own? Or are you just unwilling to believe that a person from
this era can actually remain one step ahead of you?"
Holmes glared at Lestrade, then said, "All the evidence I have indicates that
this woman is from a future time period. By the way, I do not think you will
need the pistol which is in the hip-pocket of your trousers."
"And why not?" asked Lestrade. "Isn't it wise to take precautions?"
"It is, if the criminal in question is dangerous," said Holmes. "In this
case, however, I do not believe Miss Sandiego is dangerous. The main clue
pointing in that direction is how she rescued her henchwoman. She did not use
physical violence; instead, she used her intelligence and stealth." He said no
more until we reached Westfeary Circus, where he told us to wait while he asked
somebody near Canary Wharf for information.
About five minutes later, Holmes returned. "Come with me. I think I know
where she's hiding." He led us down West India Avenue, then north till we got
to Cabot North Colonnade. "I was lucky to find an old seaman heading from a pub
on West India Avenue. His ship had been here since last Tuesday, being
repaired, and since he had been here before, he knew the area quite well. He
told me that until last Wednesday, one of the big warehouses had been abandoned.
However, last Wednesday, he saw that two people had apparently rented the
building, or at least that was what he had been told. The two people were
women, and his description of one of the women matches the description of Miss
Carmen Sandiego. He told me where the women were staying, and here we are!"
We were at the other end of Cabot North Colonnade by that time, and Holmes
stopped in front of a seemingly abandoned warehouse. However, there were signs
that someone had moved in, for there was a wagon tied up next to the warehouse.
Holmes and Lestrade tried the doors to the warehouse, and found that they were
unlocked. They opened the doors, and I followed them.
There, in the centre of the building, stood a cylindrical-shaped object over
six feet tall. The door was open, and in the doorway, stood a young woman who
could only be the mysterious Carmen Sandiego. I have seldom seen a more
strikingly beautiful woman that Miss Sandiego. She had on a long red coat which
concealed much of her outfit underneath, except for a yellow turned-up collar of
some kind. Her hat was the same kind of hat that she had left for Holmes
recently, and I could clearly see that she wore it in such a manner that it
covered one of her eyes. However, I could see that the visible eye was blue.
Finally, I could see that her hair was black as night and wavy. Miss Turner was
nowhere to be seen, but in all probability she was concealed inside.
Lestrade yelled, "Carmen Sandiego, you are under arrest for two counts of
grand larceny, one count of petty theft, and one count of aiding a prisoner to
escape! Miss Paige Turner is also under arrest for one count of attempted grand
larceny and one count of escaping from prison!"
"I don't think so, Inspector," said Carmen. To my surprise, she was smiling
in a very serene manner. She then turned to Holmes. "We meet for the first
time, Mr. Holmes. I am honored," she said, tipping her hat at him.
"I would share your sentiments, if you did not do your best to humiliate me,"
Holmes said, angrily.
"Even I need someone to keep me from having a swelled head," said Carmen. "I
believe you also need to have your ego deflated, only more so than I do. Would
you not agree with me, Dr. Watson?" she added, turning to me.
Privately, I agreed with her, but had no wish to incur Holmes's wrath, so I
said, "Even if I did, I would not say so. However, I will say that I do admire
your skill in eluding Holmes. Not many people are as successful at that as you
are."
"Thank you, Doctor," she said, tipping her hat at me. Returning her attention
to Holmes, she said, "I have left two mementoes for you. One of them is here in
the warehouse. The other is with the Elgin Marbles. You will find the marbles
soon enough. Ciao!" And with that, she closed the door.
"Stop her!" Holmes yelled, leaping toward the cylindrical-shaped object. But
a second after he did so, I saw reddish lights suddenly surround the device.
Then a yellow light also surrounded the device as it began to spin. Holmes was
racing toward what was obviously a time machine, but I was uncertain that he
would reach it in time. The machine spun wildly for a couple of moments, then
in a flash, it vanished just as Holmes reached it! Carmen Sandiego and Paige
Turner were gone.
Holmes immediately began examining the warehouse for the memento Carmen
Sandiego had said she'd left behind. At the same time, I heard Lestrade
babbling incoherently beside me. Turning, I noticed a completely stupefied look
on his face. This was obviously too much of a shock for his entirely practical
and unimaginative mind.
I returned my attention to Holmes, who was heading back toward us. In his
hand, he held something wrapped in newspaper. "Is that the memento Miss
Sandiego said would be in the warehouse?"
"Yes," said Holmes. "I suggest we go home and unwrap this memento, and leave
Lestrade to recover coherent speech," he added, glancing at Lestrade with
undisguised amusement. We then left Lestrade, still staring at the place where
the time machine once stood, and babbling.
*****************************************************************************
Before we hailed another cab to return us to Baker Street, we left a message
for Lestrade with the cab driver who took us to Westfeary Circus, saying that we
would be in Holmes's rooms when he found us.
Now back in Holmes's rooms, Holmes unwrapped the memento, while I noticed that
the newspaper page Miss Sandiego chose was the same one which ran the
announcement about the painting. When unwrapped, the memento was revealed to be
a color photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Carmen Sandiego tipping
her hat and smiling serenely at us, the envelope which contained the letter was
addressed to "Mr. Sherlock Holmes." Holmes tore the envelope open, and we read
it together. It ran in this way:
"To Mr. Sherlock Holmes:
Now that this challenge I have set for myself is coming to an end, I owe you
and your loyal colleague, Dr. Watson, an explanation of who I am and why I came
to your era.
My name is Carmen Sandiego, and I am a thief from the late twentieth/early
twenty-first century. I was orphaned at a very young age, and until recently
had no clue as to who my parents were. Now I suspect that they were a Malcolm
and Marguerite Avalon from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Mrs. Avalon died in a fire
in her hotel in San Francisco, California, and I might have escaped that same
fire. I grew up in a girls' orphanage, and later became a member of a
detective agency called the Acme Detective Agency. There I became the best
detective Acme ever had. Unfortunately, I began to run out of challenges, and
that may have triggered deeply hidden fears of abandonment. I also began to
fear that I might completely break down if I did not find some new challenges
for myself -- a problem you would understand. Therefore, I left Acme, and
became a thief. However, I steal mainly for the challenge and not because I
need money or works of art, as I have plenty of money I have attained
legitimately. The detectives of Acme now chase me, most notably two teenaged
detectives named zack and Ivy. They are brother and sister, with Ivy being
older than Zack.
Some years ago, I had the good fortune to buy the complete collection of Dr.
Watson's published tales, including ones that came after the account of the
Red-Headed League. This inspired a desire to test my thieving skills against
your detective prowess. So I began reading the doctor's stories and doing
research into artistic objects that might have existed in 1890. However, as I
immersed myself in reading the stories, I noticed two troublesome points about
you. The first was your pronounced egotism, while the second point was an
equally pronounced aversion to women, combined with a belief in negative
stereotypes about women. As a result, I decided to deflate your egotism, while
hopefully demolishing some of the negative stereotypes about women, most
notably the one about them being seen but not heard. I also realized that
deflating your egotism might enable me to see your entrapping skills in
action.
So I chose to steal the pedestal with the three goddesses from the British
Museum, the sketch of "Samson and Delilah" from the Ashmolean Museum, and your
pipe for that very reason. Because my henchwoman Paige Turner wanted to see
the London in which Charles Dickens lived, I agreed to bring her back in time
with me. Once I found a suitable location in the East End, Paige and I
entered the time machine, I set it to the appropriate time and place, and then
activated the machine. Within minutes, we were in London, where I proceeded to
put my plan in action. First, I stole a wagon near Canary Wharf; then I
proceeded to steal the Elgin Marbles with the aid of what I call a hovercraft
device, a device which requires no wheels; then going to Oxford and stealing a
cab; and finally stealing the sketch and leaving my letter behind. I then
withdrew to my hiding place and awaited your next move while I planned the
theft of your pipe.
While I waited, I had Paige check the newspapers for clues as to your next
move. Today, Paige was unable to get a copy of the London Times until I had
left for your rooms. She read it, and loyally but unwisely decided to help me
by stealing the painting for me. She had never read one of Watson's stories
because she preferred what you would call the classics to more popular works,
so she was not tipped off by the name of the artist. When I got back after
stealing your pipe and leaving the sketch behind, Paige was nowhere to be
found, but the newspaper was. I read what she had circled, and immediately saw
the name Mary Morstan, whom I knew was Mrs. Watson. I realized that Paige had
walked into a trap and had probably been captured, so I disguised myself to
rescue her, after putting the marbles in the one place where nobody will
probably expect to find them. You do not have to search for them, as I have no
doubt that by the time you find this letter, they will already have been found.
Once that was done, I left my final clue behind and retreated with Paige to our
hideout to await your arrival.
I hope you do not mind my keeping your pipe too much. Besides the fact
that its theft would deflate your egotism, it would be a valuable memento of my
adventures. Also, smoking is bad for your health, as the good doctor no doubt
realizes. I remain,
Very truly yours,
Carmen Sandiego
I took a good look at Holmes's face. He seemed torn between admiration at
Miss Sandiego's skill, and frustration at having been so expertly outmaneuvered
by her. No doubt now that she was gone, he could afford to feel admiration for
her. As for myself, I wanted to sympathize with Holmes, yet I also was amused
at how effectively she had outwitted him.
Finally, I heard Holmes laugh, and I realized admiration had finally won over
frustration. "Watson, for the first time, I can admit that I have met my equal
in every respect -- in terms of mental, physical, and emotional energy."
"I would say that you have met not only your equal, but your superior," I
said, unable to resist the opportunity to taunt Holmes.
Holmes glared at me. "She had an unfair advantage," he snapped. "She is from
the future." As I had no wish to incur his wrath, I conceded the point.
"I must confess that this case has been the most intriguing one I have had for
some time. The bold but mysterious nature of our thief, the fact that she came
from the future, her need for challenges which closely resembles my own desire
-- all these facets make this case absolutely unique among the cases you have
had the privilege of chronicling for me. However, I must ask you for one
favor."
"What is that?" I asked.
"I wish you not to chronicle this adventure until I am gone from this world,"
he said. "This case is different from the other cases you may have chronicled
where I have failed yet we have managed to discover the truth. This thief has
kept ahead of me every step of the way, giving me almost no clues inadvertently.
Such a case, if published in my lifetime, will make me the laughing-stock of
Scotland Yard and possibly embolden other criminals."
I agreed, to soothe his wounded ego. I then said, "Since this case is over, I
will return to my own house and have supper with my wife."
"Before you leave, ask Mrs. Hudson to bring dinner up for me," said Holmes.
"I will," I said as I grabbed my coat and hat and prepared to go. As I opened
the door, I heard Holmes say, "What wonders the future must hold, judging from
the device she used to steal those marbles."
"And what wonderous women the future holds," I said, unable to resist yet
again. The last thing I saw as I hurriedly closed the door was the face of
Sherlock Holmes as he glared at me.
*****************************************************************************
And that was how a clever and daring thief from a future that we could never
experience managed to completely outsmart Mr. Sherlock Holmes. We later learned
that the marbles had indeed been found -- back in their original location inside
the British Museum. The most mysterious thing was that the statue of Hestia had
a red hat with a yellow band on its head. Inside the hat was a note, which ran
this way:
To Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson,
Thanks for a most entertaining adventure.
Carmen Sandiego
Holmes kept both the hat and the note as further mementoes of this case. And
when he speaks of Carmen Sandiego, or when he refers to the mementoes she left
behind, it is always under the honourable title of the woman in red.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Final notes
I wish to thank Erin Mills both for allowing me to write this fanfic when he
could not do it himself and for providing me with humorous details which I later
used in the tale. I also wish to thank both Becky Oberg and my supervisor, both
of whom also provided me with little details which I used in this tale.
I also wish to add that I found the Elgin Marbles on the British Museum's website at http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/; while I found the sketch of "Samson and Delilah" on the Ashmolean Museum's website at
http://www.ashmol.ox.ac.uk/ash/. I also used an online map to help me guide my
characters through London. It can be found at
http://www.multimap.com/map/places.cgi?client=M6.
Until Next Crime!
Belle Book