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

I could spot Holmes, but the crowd was too dense. I took my glass and tried to squeeze away from the counter, only to find myself trapped in the middle of the room, surrounded by the backs of tailcoats and jackets. I stretched my neck to get an overview and heard a mumbled outcry from another part of the establishment, soon followed by the sound of a police whistle. The moment had come! A theft had taken place. People around me started to move about, and in this confusion I managed to get to the door and rushed out into the corridor. I continued in the direction of the sounds, which was the second compartment on the right-hand side of the bar. Gregson and his men were there already, and Holmes was standing next to a stout man in a brown billycock, who was talking very loudly.
    â€œThis is an outrage, Inspector! How appropriate that you were here to see this. Only a few days ago, a friend of mine was robbed in this very establishment, and now I come here only to become the victim of the same crime. Surely there is something amiss with this place!”
    The inspector implored him to calm down and explain what had been stolen from him.
    â€œMy watch and chain. A gold chain, it was.”
    â€œAnd do you have any notion of how long ago the theft occurred, sir?”
    â€œI checked the time only a few minutes ago.”
    Gregson looked at Holmes, who smiled back.
    â€œI think you can arrest this man, Gregson,” he said and laid his hand on the man’s shoulder.
    â€œWhat?” exclaimed the man. “I am the victim, sir, whoever you are, and you should make efforts to apprehend the culprit.”
    â€œThere is no culprit,” replied Holmes.
    â€œNo culprit? What poppycock is this?”
    â€œThere is no culprit, because you never had a watch on you. At least not since you came into this public house twenty minutes ago.”
    â€œWhat are you implying?”
    By this time, Mr Winstanton had come into the room and was observing the scene with much interest.
    â€œYes, Holmes,” he said. “What are you implying?”
    â€œMr Winstanton, your establishment is not the hunting ground for a gang of pickpockets. It is the place of action for a gang of wrongful accusers, like this gentleman here.”
    â€œWrongful accusers?”
    â€œThey are in the employ of one of your great competitors, and have been ordered to come here and deter customers by spreading the false rumour that this is a notorious haunt for pickpockets. They number three or four men, at least, but their performances are a bit flawed. For instance, it never occurred to them that pickpockets would only target the richest customers in a place as this. This gentleman would hardly be able to afford a gold watch-chain. Instead, they thought it best to make it seem that the pickpockets were everywhere. The only illustrious victim in this whole affair - Lord Logan - does not exist.”
    The man in the brown hat was silent, at last, and Gregson’s men escorted him out of the premises.
    â€œBut who would wish to do this, Mr Holmes?” said Winstanton.
    â€œIf we could talk privately for a moment,” said Holmes, “I will explain as much as I can.”
    Winstanton brought us back into a small office next to the kitchens, where he fell into a rickety chair.
    â€œMr Winstanton,” began Holmes, “you know that you are in a very vulnerable position. This venture has been a large investment for you, and you have sought help from the very highest of circles. But the pub business is a seedy business at heart, and creating such a lavish public house can be very provocative. So it was quite clear to me, when I started to get a picture of your situation, that you are a likely target for acts of sabotage or attempts to create a scandal. Finding out who commissioned these men to come into your pub and claim to have been pick pocketed will be difficult, of course, but whoever it is, they will find out that their