Mr. Colbert picked up a copy of The Sign of the Four. “I shall begin our discussion by throwing out a question. Do any of you think Mr. Doyle is making a mistake by showing Sherlock Holmes’s bad habit of injecting himself with cocaine as he does in the very beginning of The Sign of the Four?”
Miss Penelope was the first to raise her hand. “I don’t believe so. It merely showed him as a human being, with faults. After all, Mr. Holmes is oftentimes portrayed as imperfect.”
“I disagree,” Miss Sterling said. “I like my heroes to be perfect. That is why I read fiction.”
A discussion on the perfection of heroes ensued.
William tried his best to concentrate, since he had thoroughly enjoyed the book. However, his mind was occupied with Mr. Harding’s death.
How very odd that he had been found in the river. Hopefully it had merely been the result of a misjudgment on Harding’s part and not purposeful. He shuddered at the thought.
Mr. Colbert nodded as Lord Temple finished his comment. “What is Watson’s role in the story? How does he interact with Holmes? Is his presence essential?” He looked around the room for debate.
“I wonder if Watson’s presence is ever essential,” Miss Gertrude said.
Another discussion followed as William once again allowed his attention to drift to the imminent arrival of his mother. He’d received word earlier in the day that he should expect her to take up residence with him in a few days.
He sighed, garnering a glance from Amy.
“What’s wrong?” she whispered.
“Nothing. Just considering my mother’s imminent arrival.”
“Oh for heaven’s sake, William, you are acting like a little boy who is expecting to be chastised by his mother. Nothing will change for you.”
He drew back and regarded her with raised eyebrows. “You do not know my mother.”
“That is true, and I expect to meet her shortly to form my own opinion.”
“Lady Amy, what do you make of the hapless Athelney Jones of Scotland Yard in the book? Do you believe the police are ineffective?” Mr. Colbert asked.
Apparently Mr. Colbert was not happy with William and Amy having their own private conversation, which served to remind William that Mr. Colbert had spent many years as the headmaster of a boys’ school prior to beginning his career as a solicitor.
Amy blushed briefly but then recovered. “I can assure you, Mr. Colbert, that the police are not always effective.”
No doubt Amy was referring to the two officers they’d dealt with following St. Vincent’s murder. Detectives Marsh and Carson had been so focused on Amy that they’d been blind to other suspects.
The discussion turned to Toby the hound, whom Mr. Doyle had sent roaming through London with Watson and Holmes on his heels, bringing comments from Amy about her own dog.
“Not to disagree with a lady, but I doubt a Pomeranian would possess the tracking skills of a hound, Lady Amy.” William couldn’t help but grin at the picture of the small white fluffy dog sniffing garbage and other noxious things in the more disreputable parts of town in order to uncover clues to a murder.
Within an hour they had discussed and dissected the entire story. It appeared most of the members had enjoyed the book. Including their two new participants.
“Before we finish for the evening, I have an important and exciting announcement to make.” Mr. Colbert looked out at the group with a huge grin. “Atkinson and Tucker bookstore is sponsoring a book fair. It will be held in about five or six weeks’ time.”
Mrs. Morton raised her hand. “That is wonderful news, Mr. Colbert.” She turned to Amy. “Perhaps it will become a yearly event.”
Mr. Colbert smiled indulgently at Mrs. Morton. “It is my belief that they are going to see how this one goes. I’m sure, if it is successful, they may well wish to repeat it.”
Miss Sterling raised her hand. “Will our book club be involved in any way?”
“As you all know, there are several clubs that meet here at the store. From what the store manager, Mr. Dobish, told me, they expect to have all the clubs involved in some way.”
“This is very exciting,” Lady Abigail gushed.
Mr. Colbert cleared his throat. “I have another announcement about the book festival that I think will please you all.” He waited for a moment until all eyes were on him. “Mr. Dobish has been in contact with Chatto and Windus, the well-known publishing house in London.”
Sitting next to him, Amy drew in a deep breath and covered her mouth with her hand.
“We are working with them to have the very popular Mr. E. D. Burton appear at our book festival to meet his readers and sign books.” Mr. Colbert looked out at his audience with a smug expression on his face.
“Oh no,” Amy whispered. She looked over at William. “Oh no. No, no, no.”
“Is something wrong, Lady Amy?” Mr. Colbert asked. “You’ve gone quite pale.”
“No. I am fine.” She attempted a smile, but it looked more like a grimace.
William was almost as shocked as Amy. She had been writing under that pseudonym since the beginning of her writing career.
“That is delightful news,” Miss Penelope gushed. “I love his books, and if I could have him sign my copies, it would make them so much more valuable to me!” She turned to Miss Gertrude. “Don’t you agree, sister?”
“Yes. Absolutely, sister.”
The group started chattering about the possibility of Mr. Burton being part of the book festival while Amy looked around frantically, as if seeking to escape before the other members could ascertain her secret.
Mr. Colbert stood at the front of the room, glowing at how his announcement had set the room to buzzing.
On the other hand, Amy looked as though she might pass out.
CHAPTER 4
“Will we go to the morgue now, or wait until morning? I’m not sure how late they
