The Sensible Necktie and Other Stories of Sherlock Holmes by Peter K Andersson

men about?”
    â€œI suppose you have a point.”
    â€œNow, last night our presence must have deterred the culprits, but tonight we shall be there in disguise, and hopefully have our hands on this gang once and for all.”
    â€œGang? But Holmes, you said this was not the work of a gang!”
    â€œI said it was not the work of a pickpocket gang. But it is the work of a gang.”
    â€œI don’t understand.”
    â€œAll will be revealed this evening. I seem to remember you speaking a few days ago of some old suits that you wished to dispose of. If you could retrieve the shabbiest and most worn of those suits, we shall soon be at the Princess Louise, posing as a couple of down-at-heel bookkeepers.”
    Apart from my worn suit - which had large and visible moth holes on the sleeve to which Holmes replied with a “Marvellous, Watson” - Holmes supplied me with an uncomfortable and itchy false beard to wear on our pub visit. I could not help but feel ridiculous, but Holmes put on a pair of round spectacles and a small waxed moustache which more than surpassed me in silliness, and so I was satisfied. When we arrived at the pub it was half past six and the interior was already brimming with people. Before we entered, though, Holmes led me aside to a dark passageway a few yards from the front of the pub, where a gathering of men was hiding in the shadows. As we approached them, I recognised one of them as Inspector Gregson and the rest as uniformed policemen.
    â€œIs everything ready?” asked Holmes.
    â€œAbsolutely,” said Gregson with the confidence reserved for the voices of police officers.
    â€œPerfect. You know the signal. Now it is only for Watson and me to mix with the crowd. Come, Watson.”
    I understood from this intermission that Gregson and his men were standing ready to rush in and apprehend the culprit if Holmes and I caught him red-handed, and saw no need to ask Holmes about it, but I was unsure of how our time would be spent until that moment.
    â€œIt is perfectly simple, Watson. Mingle with the customers and keep an eye open for anything that looks suspicious.”
    â€œAnd what would that be?”
    â€œWe will know that when we see it. This is for attracting Gregson’s attention.”
    He handed me a police whistle, and was through the doors before I had time to protest.
    Inside, the crowd was manic, and within seconds, I had lost sight of Holmes. I realised I had to adapt to the situation, so I brazed myself and dived into the mass of men before me. After a few minutes, I had managed to make my way to the counter, and ordered a glass of port. The man next to me gave me a look when the barmaid served me the drink, as if it was something exotic to him. I raised my glass to him and smiled. He responded by raising his beer tankard.
    â€œI haven’t seen you around here before,” he remarked.
    â€œNo, I usually go to another place near here. But a friend suggested this place to me. Apparently a lot of influential people come here, which might be good if you’re trying to make a name for yourself.”
    I was quite proud of this introduction, as it would lead into the topic of coming here for the purpose of acquiring wealth. But my drinking partner seemed only amused by my naïve attitude.
    â€œYeah, I’ve heard some men come here for that purpose. But they soon find out it is quite pointless. You see…” And he raised his hand and pointed across the counter to the inner rooms. “…they’re over there, and we’re over here. It’s just like anywhere else, only here the walls between us are made of wood as well as money.”
    â€œThe only thing that remains to do, I suppose, would be to steal their money.” I realised that this remark was a bit too direct, but I was struggling to find something suitable to say. The man just laughed, however, and raised his glass once more.
    I looked about to see if