Kronberg Crimes 01 - The Devils Grin

room, I poured it into the washbasin and started washing the Macassar oil out of my hair and the dissection odour from my body. Contemplating over how to dress — a rather new experience for me — I stood in front of the wardrobe and settled on something more appropriate for an upper-class woman. That left me with only one piece to choose from. I put on a camisole and laced the black sateen corset, put on a petticoat and my best dress made of dark blue silk.
    Looking at myself in the milky glass at the wall, I saw a woman I barely recognised. The expensive fabric poured from a too slim waist down to ankles stuck in tightly laced boots. My black velvet hat was adorned with a single raven feather, shimmering blue and violet in the evening sun. Black curls peeked out, almost reaching my chin. My short hair was definitely too progressive and onlookers might think I was on my way to a Suffragette meeting.
    But it wasn’t only my hair. Everything about my face screamed oddity at me. Constantly bold and determined, sharp eyebrows, set chin, long nose — I appeared more like a bird of prey. As a woman I looked too masculine; as a man, too feminine.
    I shook my head, thinking that I might not have too much time left. A black-haired man in his thirties or even forties, who doesn’t have a hint of a beard, simply did not exist. Being in my twenties I could perhaps go on with this charade for another ten years. But then I would have to find an alternative. But how could I possibly live without science?
    Frustrated, I kicked the wall, then snatched the package off the table, took a small handbag, and started south. Just as I turned a corner, I heard the flap-flap-flap of naked feet on the pavement behind me, hushed voices and whispers of children. They started splitting up to get to me from two different sides.
    ‘Oi! Is that you guys or a swarm of cockroaches?’ I shouted over my shoulder.
    The splattering of feet came to a sudden stop.
    ‘Anna? Tha’ ya?’ a boy’s voice enquired.
    ‘No! Drat! I’m on a secret mission! I’m disguised as a lady, you idiot!’ I mocked him, trying to hold that snort in. Someone chuckled. I turned around and barked an unladylike laugh.
    ‘Ya can’t walk ’round like tha’!’ Barry said. Abruptly his concern changed to determination. ‘We give ya protection. Where’d ya wanna go?’ He said, walking up to me, showing his missing front teeth and offering a dirty sleeve.
    ‘M’lady?’ he said poignantly, trying a curtsy. I smiled, thanked him, and took the offered aid. The kids walked me two blocks to the next cab. I bowed to them for their services to ladyhood and took the hansom to Baker Street.

    ~~~

    Mrs Hudson led me up the stairs and opened the door to Holmes’s rooms. Two men were occupying both armchairs. One was Holmes, who started coughing clouds of pipe smoke the moment I entered. The man next to him was moustached and stocky. He wore a wedding band that looked new. Both had their feet on the coffee table as I entered; they were comfortable together, good friends. I gathered this was Watson. I took off my hat, stepped closer, and offered him my hand.
    ‘Dr Watson I presume?’
    He nodded and squeezed it lightly.
    ‘Yes,’ he coughed and gazed over my shoulder, as though he expected another visitor.
    ‘I am Anna Kronberg. It is a pleasure to meet you, Dr Watson.’ It was difficult to remain calm. Obviously, he had expected the male version of me. I wondered how I would wriggle out of this situation.
    Watson offered me his chair with a wave of his arm.
    ‘Thank you, I was on my feet the whole day.’ I sat down. The coffee table would have done it, too, but my dress didn’t allow such frivolous seating arrangement.
    ‘My dear Watson, would you give us a few minutes of privacy, please?’ Holmes asked kindly.
    ‘But of course,’ replied Watson and retreated into the bedroom at once.
    ‘I am truly sorry,’ said Holmes quietly. ‘My friend was in the area and paid me a surprise visit. I told him whom I was expecting tonight and he was positively surprised and very much looking forward to meeting you in person. Naturally, I invited him to stay. I couldn’t know you would come without your usual disguise.’
    ‘I tricked myself,’ I noted dryly.
    ‘If I can make a recommendation,’ he said softly, ‘don’t lie to him. He is suspecting it since you introduced yourself and will have put two and two together by now. I can promise you that he will not