As Holmes laboured upon this knotted mass, I administered a salve to Benjamin’s injured knee to ease the pain. As I did so, I asked the young boy about the string.

“It fell off a small parcel I brung to Mr. ‘Olmes. ‘E who give it to me ‘urt me leg ‘cause I brung the string back w’ me. It were loose-like and it come off in me ‘and. I didn’t think nuffin’ of it, but ‘e were ragin’ mad at me and sent me back w’ the string. Said it were most important that I sees to it that Mr. ‘Olmes gets it.”

“Well, we must get you home, Benjamin,” said I, as I rang for our page to order a cab. During our journey Benjamin revealed to me that his sister was employed as a tweeny for the Haversmith’s.

After I had seen Benjamin home safely, I returned to our rooms to find Holmes gone and a disreputable vagabond sitting in his place.

“Holmes! Is that you?” I asked with incredulity. Whatever are you dressed for?

“I believe a visit to Soho Square to have a chat with some of the local inhabitants is in order, Watson. You recall the list of stops made by Lord Haversmith? Perhaps a certain mendicant may be able to enlighten us in some way.”

“Can I be of assistance?” I queried.

“You can aid me immeasurably by remaining in our rooms, my dear fellow and guarding the contents of that singular parcel.”

“But Holmes…” I interjected, in an effort to impart the news I had gained from my conversation with Benjamin.

“I shall return within the hour, Watson, at which time you may relate the fascinating details of your chat with your young patient,” he said as he hastened out the door.

Just as Mrs. Hudson was bringing up tea, Holmes returned from his quest. I was anxious to hear the results of his endeavour, and more anxious still to communicate my own information regarding the lad’s sister. However, upon entering the sitting room, Holmes became immediately preoccupied in researching something in one of his reference books. So absorbed was he that he disregarded the excellent tea and cakes our landlady had brought up. I forbore to break in upon his concentration as he appeared to be entirely unmindful of my presence.

Some moments passed before I heard Holmes utter, “Hmm…where is Mrs. Hudson with the tea?”

“Ahem! Holmes…” said I indicating the fine repast on the table before me.

“Ah yes, thank you, Watson,” I refrained from reminding him of his own words, ‘you see, but you do not observe.’”

As I launched into my account of the young boy’s narrative, I could see that Holmes was still somewhat distracted by his thoughts. However, I pressed on hoping my revelation would impress him enough to educe a response. However my tale was interrupted by the arrival of a telegram addressed to Holmes.

Some moments passed before I heard Holmes utter, “By Jove! Watson, I think we may have found the key to our knotted cipher!”

“Is the key given in the telegram, Holmes?” I asked as he handed it to me to read.

“In a sense, yes,” he answered leaving the table to retrieve the knotted cord from his deal chemical table.

While he was examining the string, I perused the telegram in search of the clue of which he spoke. “I must be very obtuse, Holmes, but I do not see any connection between this telegram summoning you testify in the Purlington case and the problem of the knotted twine.”

“It is not the message, Watson, but the means by which the message was sent,” elucidated Holmes.

Proceed to Part Six