5

London, Tuesday, May 25

I groaned as I arose. It takes me fifteen minutes of stretching every morning to work the stiffness out of my joints. I can still walk normally, and I’ve been told to stay active to maintain mobility as long as possible. The doctors said although each case of lupus was different, the one thing they had in common was progression. Despite the sale of my interview with the queen, the cheapest passage to Australia was still out of my reach. I needed one more well-paying piece before I could be on my way.

After a meager breakfast, I checked the mailbox and smiled when I saw a letter with a return address from Edinburgh. Professor Joseph Bell was a good friend but an infrequent correspondent.

Dear Margaret,

I just had an interesting conversation with the German consul here in Edinburgh. I have agreed to assist the German government on a sensitive matter, under the condition I be allowed to choose my translator and be recompensed both monetarily and to serve as a visiting professor of surgery at the medical school in Heidelberg.

I recall your familiarity with the language, and as I desire someone I know and trust at my side, I offer you the post. Given the urgency of the request, I expect our fee will be generous.

Although I do not expect this undertaking to be dangerous, having someone with me who has proven herself stalwart in a tight situation will be reassuring if I am proven wrong. Please respond by telegram within two days of receiving this letter. If you agree, I will respond in like manner to arrange our travel.

Given recent ill feelings between Germany and our native land concerning the Transvaal, I feel it prudent to inform our government of this undertaking prior to our travel to Berlin. As many in the House of Commons are advocating for war to ensure the rights of British citizens there, it is imperative we not be perceived as foreign agents. Therefore, I will make a brief stop in London en route, and we can meet at the Marlboro Club as we did in times past.

While it would be grand to have Doyle join us on this escapade, I fear he is too well known to escape notice, and too busy with his writing to allow the Three Musketeers to share another adventure.

I await your response at your earliest convenience.

JB

My mind was flooded with the memories of the other two Musketeers his letter recalled, and of Molly, my roommate and companion when I’d first met Doyle and Bell. Molly’s life was saved by Bell’s generosity and surgical skill from a fatal case of Phossy Jaw, and afterward I was able to place her into domestic service as a cook. She departed with our terrier, Johnny, as neither could bear to be parted from the other.

I shook my head to clear away the fog of bittersweet memories. No, it appeared our little band would never again face danger together. Still, to share even a small foray with my old friend would be a blessing. I glanced at the sailing schedules I kept beside my desk. Perhaps this would make my immigration to Australia possible.

I opened my dog-eared notebook and, after a moment’s reflection, wrote my reply by telegram as requested:

AGREED STOP WHEN STOP MARGARET

No need to be long-winded, at least not until someone else was paying.