The Sensible Necktie and Other Stories of Sherlock Holmes by Peter K Andersson

about you, Watson? You were pretty silent up there. What theories do you have?”
    â€œWell, if this man really is working alone, as you think, then I would guess that he makes use of disguises rather than accomplices.”
    â€œBrilliant, Watson. Why do you think so?”
    â€œA lot of pickpockets do it. Why, almost every week the papers report on the latest deeds of the ‘swell mob’. In this case, however, it is a question of one man and several disguises. At least, that would be my guess. One man snatches a pocket watch, sneaks into the next compartment before the theft has been discovered, and while doing so, changes some small but vital detail in his garb so as to transform him from, say, a Chelsea ‘toff’ into a low-ranking office assistant.”
    â€œWhat change would that be?”
    â€œOh, perhaps removing a fancy cravat to reveal the simple tie behind it, putting on or removing a false moustache, wrapping a worn muffler around the neck - things like that.”
    â€œI see. This theory really does you credit, dear friend.”
    â€œThank you, Holmes.”
    â€œIt really is most creative.”
    I put down my beer. “You tend to talk like this just before you’re about to criticise me.”
    â€œDo I? Well, it is not empty flattery simply to ease the blow. I really mean it. It is a creative theory.”
    â€œBut…?”
    â€œBut…perhaps you fail to consider a few vital points.”
    â€œLet’s have it.”
    â€œI am not suggesting that this notion of a chameleon-like pickpocket is unlikely. It would certainly be a worthy adversary for us, for he would have to be a most ingenious and skilled artisan. But why develop such an advanced technique and such accomplished skills and then only use them in one public house? Undoubtedly it is a more lucrative public house to operate in than most, but all the same. If it is as Winstanton says and the same man is present every night, then he can hardly operate anywhere else, considering the extensive preparations he has to make for his transformation acts. And although I do believe a small change in appearance would impede identification by those who have only seen him in the corner of their eye, I hardly think that he would have been able to escape the watchful eyes of Gregson and his men. For that he would need an entire wardrobe, and where would he hide that? No, there are too many fallacies in this theory, thought-provoking though it is.”
    â€œVery well. I appreciate your honesty. I assume that you prefer not to speak yet?”
    â€œI have my suspicions. But at the moment, let us satisfy ourselves by scrutinising Mr Winstanton’s story. It is all very neat and tidy, is it not? It looks like a classic case of pick pocketing. The crowded public place, the mixing of social classes, the proverbial cry of ‘Stop thief’ and the dexterity bordering on invisibility. There is something about it that does not feel quite right.”
    Just at that moment, a fellow next to me pushed against me and accidentally spilled some wine on my coat sleeve. My patience was running out.
    â€œHolmes, I don’t like places like this. Let’s go home.”
    â€œJust a moment, Watson. Let us find out as much as we can while we are here. Who knows, we might just witness the thief in action. Ah, here comes one of the barmen. Mr Burleigh, unless I am mistaken?”
    The broad-shouldered man, who had been serving the customers with tireless energy while we had been talking, started to wipe the counter in front of us with a wet rag.
    â€œCan I help you gentlemen?” His voice boomed like a mountain troll’s.
    â€œWhat are your thoughts on these recent thefts?” asked Holmes.
    Burleigh smiled with one half of his mouth. “Well, it’s a nuisance, isn’t it? Especially when they steal from them toffs, cause they make such a row, and they suspect us barmen.”
    â€œBut I