Holmes did not move. ‘Or what, exactly, Miss Wyndham?’ said Holmes gently. ‘We have already agreed you will not call the police.’
‘Do not be so sure! I … I will say you attacked me!’ said she. ‘You broke in here and attacked me! It will not go well for you.’
I stepped forward. ‘Young lady, I am a witness here and will stand up for this gentleman. He is known by the London police, whom he assists on a regular basis, Miss Wyndham, and his reputation is impeccable.’
Her own reputation would clearly be compromised had she called the police, but the situation was not without risk, and Holmes and I knew it.
She was improvising, frightened, and the momentum of her anger seemed to add wind to her sails. ‘The two of you came in and attacked me!’ She stepped away from my friend and slammed her wrist hard on the edge of the table with a cry of pain. ‘You see!’ She exclaimed, holding her arm out before us, her eyes shining. The blow brought up an immediate welt.
Holmes glanced at me uneasily. This young woman seemed dangerously unbalanced. He held up his hands and took a step back towards the door.
‘All right, Miss Wyndham. I realize you do feel invaded,’ he said, gently. ‘This room is a kind of sanctuary from a life of dissatisfaction. I suppose if I were a female, and felt, well, as excluded from life as you do, I might consider not only securing an escape like this one – but also defending it with the same passion and conviction. Please calm yourself. I do not intend to force you to do anything you do not want to do, nor to give you away.’
She stared at Holmes uncertainly. This was not the response she was expecting.
‘You are patronizing me.’
‘Miss Wyndham, not at all,’ I said. ‘Mr Holmes has only your best interests at heart.’
‘Why should I trust you?’ she said.
‘Why not? I am here to help, not point a finger,’ said Holmes. ‘May I suggest we all sit down and discuss the dilemma of your disappearance in a civilized manner? No one wishes you harm. In fact, just the opposite. Let us attempt to negotiate a truce.’
Holmes stepped further away from her on the pretext of setting down his hat on a table. He looked about for something on which to sit, espied a low stool tucked under that same table, drew it out and sat down. ‘Do join me, Watson. Sit here.’
I noticed another stool under the table, drew it out and sat next to him. It felt extremely awkward in that strange room, seated so low to the floor, facing the standing young woman. She faltered, not expecting this. But the odd choreography had the intended effect. It allowed the girl to feel in charge.
She paused. Then, with sudden resolve, she returned to her blue velvet divan and resumed the relaxed position she had occupied when we entered the room, now peering haughtily down at us.
Holmes had successfully averted disaster.
‘I would like to help you, Miss Wyndham,’ my friend said, as though everything that had just transpired had not happened. ‘And at the same time put the fears of those who care for you at rest. Let us come to a method together. First of all, do tell me your reasons for this subterfuge.’
‘It is obvious,’ said she, angrily. ‘I am suffocating at home.’
‘Tell me about this,’ said Holmes.
She paused, but not for long. ‘You have no idea of the frustration a person of my position endures. The constraints upon my life! The boundaries of propriety, of position, of womanhood, of God knows – everything. It is enough to drive one mad. Mad, truly! I cannot go to the market alone, play tennis with a boy, say this, do that, wear clothes that do not constrict my body here!’ She put her hands to her waist. ‘Or here!’ Both hands went over her heart. ‘All the rules, the whispered admonitions, yes, and even the shouted ones! I cannot bear it, cannot bear it I say, and what you see here is the culmination of years of planning. If you give me away, it will go very badly for you, sir! Of that I will make certain!’
‘We have covered that ground, Miss Wyndham, and once again I assure you that is not my intent. But even if you refuse to see danger, people have been concerned for your safety. You do understand that? People who care about you. They are suffering.’
‘Or claim to be,’ she said and looked away.
‘Your mother, for one,’ said Holmes.
A small frown flashed across the beautiful young face, but if she felt any contrition, she shook it off like a dog shaking off water. ‘She will recover.’
‘And yet she is suffering, Miss Wyndham. And I believe your maid Polly was arrested one night, presumably on an errand for you. I understand that a girl like that can be gaoled without trial here in Cambridge, if the University so wishes. You know of the Spinning House? Ah, I see you know what I am talking about.’
Miss Wyndham was clearly uncomfortable at this.
‘I’m sure Polly is careful,’ she said.
‘But let us turn to your reasons for needing to hide, Miss Wyndham,’ said Holmes. ‘Do you not see various escape routes from what you feel to be an awful confinement in the home of your father? For example, have you not considered studying at Girton, or Newnham? I understand that opportunities have opened there for women to expand their—’
‘I have grown up steeped in academia. Statues. Greek plays. Pah! That is the last thing I want!’
‘I see.’
‘And anyway, my father forbids it.’
Holmes paused at this. ‘I am sorry to hear it. But what of marriage? I understand that you are being courted, and by more than one suitor.’
His words contained no trace of sarcasm.
‘Escaping from the frying pan into the fire?’ she said bitterly. ‘As it is, I am being steered, none too gently, towards one of them.’
‘Which one do you prefer?’
‘What does it matter? Being steered at all is objectionable,’ she cried. ‘Everything I do has been controlled by others. I hate my life. I hate my parents. I hate this world that tries to rein me in, that excludes me from an education, adventures, excitement, and – well, everything I want!’
Holmes was silent for a moment.
‘I see. And I may understand this better than most. Like you, Miss Wyndham, I too have a secret location where I go to get away when life is oppressive.’
I had long suspected that Holmes had a bolt-hole or even more than one in London, although I always presumed these had to do with the danger of his profession, not for a need for privacy.
‘Even Watson here needs to get away from time to time.’ Holmes continued.
‘Holmes, I—’
‘Bath. Just recently. So yes, Miss Wyndham, we do understand.’
She stared at us, trying to make up her mind to accept this or not. ‘You men have far more freedom.’
‘I will admit that this is so. Miss Wyndham, why do you think your maid shared your location with me?’ Holmes asked.
‘I have been wondering that,’ said the girl, ‘and I shall take Polly to task for it.’
‘She did so because she knew I could help you. I believe you are in danger.’
‘Well, I don’t, Mr Holmes. That doll, it’s just a bid for attention. Stop trying to scare me! It will not work. I do not wish to be helped. I only wish to live my life as I please, and I am prepared to do whatever it takes for freedom. And if that includes smearing your reputation – both of you – I will not hesitate!’
‘You are playing a dangerous game, Miss Wyndham. I am not a vengeful or easily insulted person. You may fear no harm or repercussions from me. If I am not successful with my mission here, I shall simply go back to London and leave you all to sort out your difficulties. But not every man is so fitted.’
‘What do you mean, a dangerous game?’
‘You are fomenting drama with your disappearances. Perhaps you wrote a message on your doll, tore off its arm, and then threw it into the Jesus Lock. A “bid for attention”, as you just said.’
‘What a stupid notion. You are a stupid man.’
Holmes said nothing.
‘I did no such thing,’ said she. ‘I suppose someone wanted everyone to worry about me. That would not be me, Mr Holmes. I would prefer that everyone forget about me and leave me to pursue my own happiness.’
‘Do you often find yourself in the vicinity of the Jesus Lock?’
‘Well, of course. Our house is nearby. I need to get out for air. Anyone would.’
‘And the footbridge there, do you cross it on a regular basis? Meet up with anyone there repeatedly?’
‘Yes. And, no. This is not your business.’ She looked away, and I noted, finally, a touch of unease.
‘The mutilated doll found in the lock is quite possibly the work of someone who does not wish you well, Miss Wyndham.’
‘Or some kind of joke, Mr Holmes,’ said she. ‘Yes, a joke. That is what I think.’
‘Who would be your choice for such a remarkable piece of hilarity?’ persisted Holmes.
Miss Wyndham laughed, but it was a nervous laugh.
‘Anyone,’ she said. ‘Any of my suitors, I suppose. My mother is bereft, or so she appears to you. But that weak little bird enjoys receiving sympathy and is probably playing up her despair to the hilt. Tell me, has she taken to bed? Oh, I am sure that she has.’ The girl smiled, none too kindly.
‘And your sister?’
‘We are not friends. I stole her beau. Well, not really her beau, he never fancied her. Her dream. Could be Atalanta.’
‘Yes, the archer,’ said Holmes.
‘Perhaps it is someone who is “desperate” to have me found? Well, let’s see. I suppose that might be my father.’ That thought pleased her. ‘Oh, the scandal.’
‘What of your two young men? Do they know you are staying here?’
‘Three young men. Two of them know. One does not. Freddie and Leo know.’
‘And Freddie is Frederick, Lord Eden-Summers – your sister’s dream?’
She shrugged and leaned forward to retie the laces of one of her tennis shoes.
‘And Leo?’
‘Ha! My parents know nothing of him! Leo Vitale. Studying physics. St Cedd’s. Frighteningly intelligent. A bit unschooled with women, but he has potential.’
‘And who is the third? Deacon Buttons?’
‘Perry! Well, yes, but he is hardly in the running. He is besotted, a puppy. You ask too many questions.’ She turned her attention to the other shoe.
‘Please, Miss Wyndham. How do you suppose the culprit acquired your doll? I noted a large tree in the back of the house whose branches reach right up to the window of your bedroom. Which of your young gentlemen is in the habit of accessing your room via this route?’
She looked up in surprise. ‘How do you know this?’ she exclaimed before she could think to deny the fact entirely.
‘It is my profession.’
‘Well, it is none of your business.’
‘There were several sets of footprints in the soft earth beneath the tree, in addition to your own. I suggest that one of these young men retrieved your doll and threw it in the lock. I also suggest that it would be to your advantage to know which. I don’t like it. And neither should you.’
‘I have no idea. Leo or Freddie have visited. But I can’t imagine them doing this.’
‘And the deacon has seen your room?’
‘Yes, I suppose.’
I must have smiled as I imagined all of this. She turned to glare at me. ‘Ah, Doctor! You seem amused. Have you never been young and in love?’
‘Me? Oh, well—!’ I exclaimed. Holmes shot me a bemused look. ‘We were all young once,’ I said.
‘None of this matters. Who would have suspected anyone would summon Sherlock Holmes, all the way from London? My father must be desperate! His reputation above all.’ She smiled to herself, pleased at the thought of giving her father discomfort.
Holmes stood up. ‘Miss Wyndham, I will not give away your hiding place. But I will convey the news to your family that you are safe and well and will return to them when ready. I will also suggest to them that they open up a conversation by writing to you care of my address in London, where you can mail your responses.’ He took out a calling card and jotted down our address on the back with a small silver pencil. He handed it to her.
‘I shall leave it to you to sort out your grievances and your options in this case. If you find that this game – no, don’t take offence, it clearly is a game – becomes cumbersome, I suggest you fashion a more open approach to declaring your well-deserved independence.’
‘I don’t—’
‘If you do not achieve your desired results, but instead anger someone to the point where you feel endangered, you may feel free to call on me.’
She stared at him in surprise.
‘I can be here in a matter of hours. It is my belief that you do not fully understand the effect you are having on those who have feelings for you. Also, I think you have more options than you currently see.’
‘Oh, you men! You think you understand!’ And yet I could read in her face that she had been affected by his words.
‘In the meantime, please be careful, young lady. Not every man you toy with and mistreat will feel or act as I do. Keep your windows and door locked.’
Holmes picked up his hat and was out of the door before I could rise to my feet.
‘Good day, Miss Wyndham,’ I said, struggling with the uncharitable thought that I did not really wish her one. ‘Be assured, Mr Holmes is a man of his word.’
She looked up at me from her sofa. I thought I saw tears glistening in her eyes. Then I, too, made my escape.