16

Godwin seems to be in a good mood when Edgar reaches him that morning, or at least what passes for happiness with the great scientist. He says there are no “challenges” this morning, just paperwork to be done and cleaning up around the lab. He hands Edgar a broom and a cloth and goes to his desk.

Edgar can’t concentrate. He wants to rush off to be with Lucy and Tiger. But he also knows that he may be in the very place where Jonathan disappeared, and his best course of action is to investigate and do it now. He cleans up near the Elephant Man’s door and doesn’t hear a sound and can’t think of a reason to ask Godwin if he can go in there again. Edgar is wary about saying much to him. Given the events of the past day and the warnings of H.G. Wells, he is now deeply worried about taking him into his confidence in any way.

But he has to.

“Sir,” he finally says. “Might I speak frankly with you?”

“Of course, my boy, finally, what is on your mind?”

“My friend, Jonathan, the one who was coming later to see the Elephant Man’s room, has disappeared.”

“That’s an awfully dramatic word. Whatever do you mean by that?”

“He didn’t come home last night. He’s never done that before.”

“He isn’t a drinker, is he? He could pass for an adult. Have you inquired at a public house he might frequent?”

“He doesn’t go to such places, sir, ever. He would have gone straight home from here, there is no question.”

“Well, that isn’t good, isn’t good indeed.”

In the silence that follows, Edgar, who has made sure he is standing as close to the Elephant Man’s room as possible without arousing suspicion, again listens intently for any sound coming from it—a sigh, a distant groan, anything. But there is nothing. He unconsciously slides his eyes in the direction of its door, and when he looks back at Godwin, the great surgeon is examining him.

“Well,” says Godwin finally, “it was your uncle who was meeting Jonathan here last night. So, you must visit him immediately and make inquiries. Off you go! I am sure he will have an explanation for you. Your friend likely told him something that will set aside your fears. Fear, you know, is an irrational thing. We must always be rational, my boy.”

—

Edgar finds Vincent Brim in his room upstairs with the door open, sitting behind his desk, contemplating something, drumming his fingers on the surface of the two sensation novels. Edgar knocks gently but there is no response. He enters and examines the room as he walks forward, seeing if he can spot the place where his uncle came out of the wall. But he can’t and wonders if he imagined it. Vincent doesn’t notice him until he is right in front of him, and then looks up, startled.

“Sir, did my friend, Jonathan Lear, meet you here last night?”

“Why are you sneaking up on me?”

“I knocked.”

“You did?”

“Is something worrying you, sir?”

“No, why would it be?”

“You seem upset.”

“I am no such thing. I am a busy man with many concerns. What do you want?”

“Did my friend Jonathan Lear meet you here last night?” he repeats.

Vincent hesitates before he answers. “Yes, he did. Why do you ask?”

“He has disappeared.”

“That is not my problem.”

“Did you show him the Elephant Man’s room?”

“Yes, I gave him a quick look, much against my inclinations. It is not a showroom, you know.”

“Did he seem out of sorts? Did he say where he was going after? Did you notice in which direction he went when he left? Was there anyone suspicious loitering about in the area?”

“Calm yourself, Edgar. Once I showed him the room, I sent him on his way. It was growing dark outside. This is the East End and there are many scurrilous characters about. I did not see him once he exited via the back door. He may have met with misfortune, who knows? Though, it is more likely he has run off to get away from such friends as you, who pester people with questions that have nothing to do with them. Are you accusing me of something?”

“No, sir, though I find it curious that you ask.”

There is silence for a moment. Vincent looks a little concerned and then his face grows red.

“Leave me, boy.”

Edgar still doesn’t know what to think of his uncle. Perhaps he just dislikes him because of the old squabbles with his dear father. Vincent Brim is probably just an unpleasant man, no more than that. He is a scientist, a doctor without much of a soul. That doesn’t make him a monster or a murderer. Still, Edgar leaves the room wondering if he should notify the police. He trudges back down the stairs to the laboratory.

—

“Any luck?” asks Dr. Godwin as soon as he re-appears. The surgeon must have heard the door open, since his back is turned to the boy. He is leaning over the table adjusting his instruments. Edgar can see a big, gleaming knife in his hand.

“No, sir, my uncle showed Jonathan the room and then they parted.”

“And Vincent didn’t notice anything suspicious after that?”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, anyone about who might do your friend harm?”

“He didn’t note anyone. You went straight home…didn’t you, sir?”

Godwin doesn’t say anything. Then he turns with the knife in his hand. “Why ever do you ask?”

“Because I am desperate to know of anyone who might have seen my friend.”

“Well,” says Godwin, “you saw me leave in my cab, did you not?”

“Yes, sir, I was simply clutching at straws.”

“I see.”

It looks as if the door to the Elephant Man’s room is very slightly ajar. Edgar takes a few steps toward it.

“What are you doing?” asks Godwin, coming toward him with the knife.

“Did you just go in there?”

“No, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I did not. Why in the world would I do that? Did I not tell you that I never go in there, except to show it to young folk who ask silly questions about it? I believe it is time for you to return to your duties.”

It is difficult for Edgar to concentrate. He sweeps the floor and cleans nearly every glass and beaker in the room. He wishes Godwin would leave so he can test the door to the Elephant Man’s apartment. But the surgeon, who usually has business elsewhere during the day, stays in the lab until it is time to depart, not even leaving for lunch, which he has a nurse bring for the two of them. She smiles at the big, handsome man and touches his hand as she gives him their food.

At closing time, Godwin sees Edgar to the lab door.

“Sir, I am thinking about notifying the police.”

“You must do as you see fit. Shall I have the pleasure of your company tomorrow?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I must tell you that I will have another corpse then. It has been a most fruitful week. This is a young man, large and muscular, extremely fresh.” He stares at Edgar. “I am thinking of another female after that, a young one, of teen years. In fact, I’d like two of them, the second female a bit more muscular, and then another young man too.”

Godwin puts his hand on Edgar’s shoulder again and this time grips him hard, his fingers reaching his neck.

Edgar is shaking when he leaves. He ascends to the ground floor and heads toward the front of the hospital. Then he spots his uncle coming toward him. They pass without a word, but Vincent’s eyes slide in his direction. Then Edgar feels a hand seize his arm from behind.

“There is one thing I should tell you,” says Dr. Brim quietly. He looks up and down the hall. “I saw Dr. Godwin late last night as I was leaving the hospital. He had returned here for some reason, in a carriage, and he was driving away again from the back door. He passed right by me. I could see that he had something lying on the back seat—it was about six feet long and in a sack.”