Part 39: Update #1
Let's All Play Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective - The Solicitous Solicitor (Update #1)
Notebook (New clues will be spoilered.)
1. Melvin Tuttle, a junior partner with the law firm Sloane, Swathmore And Cartwright, dropped dead of a heart attack yesterday morning. Inspector Lestrade believes that he was poisoned and has spoken with every partner of the law firm. Sir Sidney Sloane claims that he never arrives there before noon, Henry Swathmore was in attendance at his appointment at Bell's Baths and Whitney Cartwright began an unscheduled and indefinite leave of absence two days beforehand. Lestrade also mentioned Harold Diggs, who was another lawyer at the firm, who believed he was far more qualified than Tuttle to become a junior partner. But he was passed over for promotion three months ago and subsequently resigned his position.
Lestrade gave us some notice to read this mornings newspaper and informed us that he currently has the contents of Tuttle's desk at Scotland Yard.
2. Holmes visit to Sloane, Swathmore And Cartwright was very unproductive as he encountered two very relaxed and disinterested constables.
3. Sir Jasper Meek informed us that Tuttle had died from heart and respitory failure, no diseases were present. He did test for many common poisons but didn't find any foreign substances, he added that some poisons are only detectable if you know what you are looking for.
4. Our visit to Inspector Lestrade was very productive as the contents of Melvin Tuttle's desk was a plethora of new leads. It contained the following items:
A folder containing information on textile contracts.
Two trust files with losts of properties, stocks and bonds. One for the British Museum and the other for Richard Mainhart.
A list of various properties that they owned at one time or another. Disraeli O'Brian's name is on top.
A key from Bell's Baths.
One gold locket which says "To V.M. with love, M.T.". J.W. Benson, Ltd is named on the box.
A bill for a room at the Knights Arms Hotel, the amount appears to be a monthly rate.
5. Harold Diggs took Melvin Tuttle's promotion as a personal insult, he believed that his own work was superior and that Tuttle had only worked there for two years. He resigned as he felt that his prospects were limited at the company. He also revealed that his dislike of Tuttle was personal as well as professional. Diggs seems to hold Miss Alice Spring in high regards but was jealous of her interest in Tuttle, he also revealed that she had once rejected his advances.
6. We called on Dr Jerrold Mason at the wrong time, he left a note on the door saying that he is currently out and playing a game of cricket.
7. Unfortunately, the Irregulars visit to the Raven & Rat Inn bore no fruit.
Locations
Bell's Baths - A private bathing club for the leisure class.
J.W. Benson, Ltd - J.W. Benson is a modest jewellery shoppe located at the corner of Dean and Shaftsbury. John Benson is the proprietor.
British Museum - Founded in 1773 by Sir Hans Sloan, this great national museum and library is located on Montague-street. My first chambers were located on the same street, just around the corner.
Cartwright, Whitney - Whitney Cartwright is a principal in the prestigious London law firm of Sloane, Swathmore and Cartwright. Cartwright's expertise is in contract law. He is married to the former Fay Burns.
Central Carriage Stables - Central Carriage Stables is located at 5 Grey's-road, WC. It is here that all of London's cabs are stabled and dispatched. This is a good place to find information about people's movements about the city.
Criterion Club - Located in Regent Circus, Picadilly, the Criterion is a splendid restaurant, bar and theatre. They also provide sumptuous accommodations for private paying members.
Ellis, Henry (London Times) - Baker Street Regular.
Featherstone, Banks - Featherstone is the publisher of his father's definitive works on baldness.
Hall, Edward (Old Bailey) - Baker Street Regular.
Hamilton, George - George Hamilton is an actor of minimal talent whom Watson and I caught in a dreadful musical revinue at the Elephant and Castle.
Heathcliffe, August - August Heathcliff is a successful textiles magnate and the president of Heathcliff and Son, Ltd., based in Manchester. Curiously, Mr. Heathcliff has six daughters, but no sons.
Hogg, Quentin (Police Gazette) - Baker Street Regular.
Hotels - Knights Arms Hotel - Clean and modest accommodations located on Hampton-street across from the Elephant & Castle Theatre.
Livingstone, Cedric - Mr. Livingstone is a former sailor and a prominent builder who has been responsible for much renovation on the West side. I understand he gives generously to the Seaman's Fund. There has been some speculation about the origins of his great wealth. And as always, I suspect a tie to Moriarty.
London Library - Baker Street Regular.
Mainhart, Richard - Nothing on file.
Metcalf, Aubrey - Aubrey Metcalf is a young poet who is frequently invited to read his works at Buckingham Palace.
Monroe, Virginia - Nothing on file.
Murray, H.R. (Scotland Yard - Criminology Lab) - Baker Street Regular.
O'Brian, Disraeli (Office Of Records) - Baker Street Regular.
Pharmaceutical Society - The Pharmaceutical Society can always be relied upon to provide accurate information on any and all legal and illegal substances found here in London.
Pike, Langdale (Society Club) - Baker Street Regular.
Porter, Margaret - Nothing on file.
Raven & Rat Inn (Shinwell, Porky) - Baker Street Regular.
Sloane, Sir Sidney - Sir Sidney Sloane is a barrister and a principal in the firm of Sloane, Swathmore and Cartwright. He formed the company in the mid-fifties and brought Swathmore and Cartwright in some twenty years ago. It is Sir Sidney's keen mind and social grace that has built one of the most prestigious law firms in London.
Somerset House - Baker Street Regular.
Spring, Alice - Nothing on file.
Swathmore, Henry - Henry Swathmore is a principal in the prestigious London law firm of Sloane, Swathmore and Cartwright. Swathmore heads up the trust division of the firm.
Tuttle, Melvin (Investigation of his residence) - Nothing on file.
Walker, Brenda - Nothing on file.
Unvisitable locations of note.
Benson, John - Mr. Benson is the proprietor of a modest jewellery shoppe in the northwest of London.
Heathcliff & Son, Ltd - A textiles firm based in Manchester.
Time to vote!
You can choose up to, and including, five more locations for the detectives to visit. You're also free to send the Irregulars to one location.
It's too early to call for an end to the case. We have visited one out of eight key locations.
Voting will end Sunday 26th July at 2200 GMT. My youngest has been suffering with a throat infection and I believe that she has passed it onto me. I thought that it was a cold during the recording but it's gotten worse today. Hopefully I'll be feeling better in time for the next recording.