Our attempted encounter with the Red-Head Spy ended with us finding no sign of the man himself. We did, however, find something more to add to our collection of clues.
"This is most intriguing, Whyson," the great man said to me on our return. "I must contemplate our findings. Please leave, whilst I smoke a pipe."
I was in the process of asking him if he had thought of using patches, when I was ushered out of the door and found myself in Baker Street at somewhat of a loose end and the words "the elbows of my jacket have no need of reinforcement," ringing in my ears.
For the next hour or so, I walked around the neighbouring roads, deep in thought. I suspected that the chances of me coming up with a solution before the end of Hemlock Trowelms' pipe were considerably less likely than the unlikeliest thing in the house of unlikely appearing to become likely.
Whilst deep in these meaningless musings, I was suddenly stopped by two small children running in circles around me! Shocked out of my stupor, I saw the parents of the little scamps walking towards me, full of apologies. After exchanging a few words, the happy family were on their way and I decided it was time for me to return to my friend in Baker Street.
"Ah, Whyson, you have returned," came the response as I greeted my friend on entering his rooms.
"Have you come up with a solution to our problem, Trowelms?" I enquired.
"No, I'm afraid not," came the reply. "However, I am most interested in the object that protrudes from your coat pocket!"
Sure enough, a small stick was in my pocket. From whence it came, I cannot say, but, as I withdrew it from my pocket, I could see that there was a slip of paper wound tightly around it.
"Curious!" Exclaimed Trowlems.
I quickly retrieved the message (for that is what it was) from the stick and looked at it in confusion.
"Ah," said Trowlems, "you have been accosted by the Tribe of Two/Four!"
"The Tribe of Two/Four…who the deuce are they?"
"I suspect that you had an encounter with two small children and their smiling parents, whilst you were taking your walk. Along with the Baker Street Irregulars, they are my most trustworthy informants. Look…the tell-tale HnB in the corner of the message. We seem to have another visit to make, Whyson…let us fly!"