"Now what do you want, Inspector? And who are these two interlopers with you?"

My attention turned to the individual standing by the large gabled window. He looked to be in his mid-to-late fifties and in reasonably hale health.

"My name is Sherlock Holmes, and this is my associate, Dr. Watson. We are here to aid Inspector Mayburn in any way possible. And I take it that you are Jerren Eideard?"

The old man snorted derisively. "Of course I am. What keen powers of deduction you have. I'm surprised the case hasn't been solved already."

This did not visibly perturb Holmes. Eideard turned his attention to the inspector.

"It's not enough that your officers have descended upon my home like a Mongol horde, leaving everything in disarray and bothering my staff. Now you bring in peasants to do your job?"

"Peasants?" I ejaculated, but was stopped from further provocation by Holmes' tight grip on my elbow.

"Doctor Watson and I have, in the past, been of some little assistance to the official force. I can assure you that we shall do our best to avoid causing you any inconvenience."

Holmes' placatory tone seemed to have no effect on our host.

"Hrumph. My contest is being ruined, my home is busier than Charing Cross and commoners are free to roam where they will. Inspector Mayburn, if there is another unpleasant event, I shall hold you personally accountable."

It appeared that the inspector was already familiar with Edieard's disagreeable manner and merely nodded his head resignedly.

"Mister Eideard," Holmes ventured. "There are a few questions I should like to ask you."

"Nonsense! You are a `consulting detective.' Yes, Mister Sherlock Holmes. I know who you are. You've meddled in many a matter. Go detect. I haven't time to help you further your fame in those magazine stories Doctor Watson writes. Now leave me!"

With no expression on his face, Holmes turned and walked out of the room. Mayburn, glad to have an excuse to leave, followed immediately. I turned coldly and joined Holmes in the hall.

"What a rude man! I cannot imagine why such a person would host a musical competition and award his own money as a prize."

My friend did not reply. "Do you know how Eideard made his fortune, Watson?"

I admitted that I did not.

"It was not, I can assure you, from playing the piano. I think that avenue of inquiry bears further exploration." He turned to Mayburn.

"Inspector, I understand that you have been instructed to give us all assistance required on this case."

"Yes Mister Holmes." To his credit, Mayburn did not seem as put out by this as most of his colleagues usually were.

"I should like to more closely examine the sheets of paper found by the pond. I believe that they will prove to be of aid to us in obtaining a clue towards who is committing these murders. I would like to take them to Baker Street. I assure you that I will send them on to you at the Yard as soon as practicable."

Proceed to Part Four