Bonnie Macbird - Unquiet Spirits - Whisky, Ghosts, Adventure

‘No agenda, gentlemen,’ said Holmes, lightly. ‘Recall that it was the laird who invited us here. As to reading, yes, of course I have read up on all the great families of Britain. I make it my business to know those who play a role in business and society.’

And crime, I was thinking. Although I wondered if Holmes had taken more interest in Isla McLaren’s story than I originally suspected. Might our two days’ delay have given him time to research this family?

‘Father,’ said Isla, ‘this is a dangerous recreation. I recommend we instead ask Mr Holmes or Dr Watson to entertain us with an account of one of their more interesting cases.’

‘Aye!’ chorused everyone at the table.

The decision rested with the patriarch, who clearly ruled his extended family with a velvet-clad iron hand. Suddenly he threw back his head and laughed. ‘All right then. Enough. The purse is yours, Mr Holmes.’

Holmes stood up. I joined him and began to gather the sovereigns into their little suede bag. The laird smiled at me.

‘At least one of you has sense,’ he said. ‘And I apologize to you. You were doing nothing more than obliging my request. Please stay for dessert.’

But Holmes remained standing as I leaned across him to pick up the last of the prize. ‘Thank you, no,’ he said. ‘Come, Watson. And thank you, your Lordship for a most interesting evening,’ he added with a straight face and nod of his head.

Holmes signalled to one of the waiters for our coats. As he did so, a large platter was brought in with much fanfare. It was covered with a silver dome, and this dome was tied onto the platter with a copious amount of ribbon looped into a frothy bow on top, in which fresh flowers were arranged. Flowers were also strewn around the plate rim.

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