"Was it so very awful........?" Bess asked, as she finished tying the strings of (Y/n)'s corset. The brows of the blacksmith's daughter, furrowing, as the lady continued to just stare off into nothingness. Her mind obviously on other things.

"(Y/n)........?"

"Pardon.........?" (Y/n) pushing the thoughts of seeing the consulting detective, when she had awakened, to the back of her mind, as she finally realised that her dearest friend was speaking.

"Was it so very awful.....what you saw? Caine, I mean.........?" Bess asked again, before the two women moved to bed where the lady's day dress lay.

"I am no expert on the conditions of dead human bodies, especially.......well, especially about whatever it is that happened to Caine. For that, you would have to speak to Mister Holmes or the doctor; I am sure that they have seen their fair share of such things before. Up until last night the closest I have ever been to such a thing, was when my mother's body was laid out in the main room, and my father took me to the coffin, so that I could say my goodbyes. Though from my clouded, childhood memories of that time, I can truthfully say that in comparison, Caine was far more awful." (Y/n) explained, as she brushed down her dress, and took a seat on the bed. Bess following suit and taking her friend's hands.

"My father mentioned going to the billiard room to Mister Holmes and Doctor Watson, when we had finished dinner. I had wanted some air before I retired for the evening, so I went outside. I heard a noise, something that was much different to the usual sounds that you hear at night. Something so different from the yelps of foxes, or screech of owls. I know I shouldn't have followed the sound, that I should just have returned to the dining room, or gone to the billiard room; but I am afraid my curiosity got the better of me, and as I made my way around the corner, I saw.........I saw........." Bess inching closer to (Y/n), before wrapping her arm around the ladies' shoulder.

"He was just laid on the floor, blood covering his face and shirt; his unblinking eyes peering up into the sky. A part of me thought it was just one of Caine's sick jokes, for a moment. That at any minute, he would get up and laugh, before trying to grab me. But he didn't move, he didn't blink; he just.......he just lay there. I wanted to scream, to run; but nothing would come. And then.......then I found myself in my father's arms; Mister Holmes suggesting that I be taken inside, and that Doctor Watson should examine me........." The lady continued. Bess's grip on her getting tighter, with every word.

"Oh, (Y/n), that is terrible. To see such a thing...........Does Mister Holmes know who might have committed such an act........?"

"I don't know. After Doctor Watson gave me the sedative, I remember nothing until I woke this morning to find Mister Holmes looking over me. And I did not have the opportunity to enquire about anything, before you came into the room. But I am sure that if anyone can solve this crime, it is Mister Holmes. Though I do not believe that the incident will stretch his deductive powers, any. Caine was an vile man and kept the most dubious of company. He was a criminal, a poacher, and if I were a member of the constabulary, I would be looking to the men with whom he was involved in such endeavours with, before anyone else." (Y/n) explained, patting Bess on the hand, before she got to her feet.

"Though perhaps we will find out more, if we join my father and our guests for breakfast." She continued, before offering Bess her hand and pulling to her feet. The two young women locking arms and making their way out of the room.

                                                         >>---------------------------------<<

John took some eggs and bacon from the silver tureens that had been brought into the dining room and placed on the sideboard, putting them on his fine China plate, before making his way back to the table, and taking his seat across from the consulting detective. Sherlock had not told him anymore about this James Moriarty, as they had made their way from Lady (Y/n)'s room; and as much as the doctor wanted to ask more about this professor, he could tell that even if he did ask, no more information would be forthcoming. John sure that when Sherlock believed that he needed to know more, then he would tell him.

For now, all he could do was watch his friend, as he mused over the cup of tea that sat in front of him on the long table. Sherlock having spoken to Lord Royston about the previous evening's events, informing the older man that Lestrade and his men would be arriving at the manor shortly; but other than that, the younger Holmes had been quiet.

John looked up, as the door to the room slowly opened. The three men at the table getting to their feet, as (Y/n) and Bess made their way into the dining room. (Y/n) kissing her father on the cheek, as he pulled her into his arms. The two conversing quietly for a moment, before the lord pulled out a chair for her to sit on. The room quiet for a moment, as the lady turned her attention to Sherlock. John taken aback as he watched the usually cool, cold and emotionless younger Holmes, actually smile fondly at the lady; well, that was until Bess broke the silence and asked a most pertinent question.

"So, Mister Holmes. Do you know who killed Joshua Caine...........?"