Sir John and Marie sat in the drawing room of their house. Sir John seemed quite animated and was glancing from time to time out of the front window whilst Marie was working on some crochet. Eventually he made a contented sound and sat back. A few moment later there was a knock at the drawing room door and it swung open. Sir John sprang up.

“Well, gentlemen, I have had some success,” he proclaimed as the maid came in, alone. She looked a little non-plussed at Sir John.

“Tea, Sir Jenkins?” she asked.

“Was there nobody at the door?” asked Sir John. There was a knocking sound just then from the external door. The maid headed to the sound and Sir John sat down again. As the drawing room door swung open, he jumped up again.

“Well, gentlemen, I have had … ” he started then saw the maid was alone.

“Two gentlemen to see you, sir,” she said. “Two gentlemen of the constabulary. Again. Should I let them in?”

“Yes, yes, of course,” said Sir John. He sat down again and fidgeted a bit. Marie patted him gently on the knee. The two detectives, Symonds and Dawlish, entered the room with the maid behind.

“I believe you have had some success?” said Dawlish, the older man, as he was entering the room. Sir John sprang up, opened his mouth and then shut it again.

“Well, yes,” Sir John said, looking crestfallen. “How do you know?”

“We are policemen,” said Symonds, “it is our job to know things.”

The maid made a squeaking sort of noise and then quickly left the room.

“How Marvellous!”

“Well,” said Sir John, “I believe I have located the fiend. We have, sirs, an address. I suggest we go straight there and apprehend the fellow.”

“May we sit?” asked Dawlish.

“There’s no time to lose!” said Sir John.

“It’s daylight Sir John,” said Symonds. “The swine isn’t going anywhere.”

Sir John sat down looking defeated, and the other two men took it as their cue to sit.

“They are right, mon cher,” said Marie. “From the research I did these creatures can’t move in daylight. It burns their skin. They are also vulnerable to holy water and crucifixes. And the only way to kill them is to drive a stake through their heart.”

Dawlish’s mustache wobbled in appreciation.

“Excellent work, Mrs Jennings,” he said. “Then we shall need those items. Symonds, can you get those?”

“Most certainly,” said Symonds.

“Sir John, if you can furnish me with the address, I can post a constable outside to make sure there is no movement in or out,” said Dawlish.

“What can I do?” asked Sir John, handing over the paper.

“Prepare yourself, sir. I believe we may need your special skills. You will accompany us when we apprehend the villain,” answered Dawlish.

“How marvellous!” said Sir John. He sat back in his chair.

“Detective Dawlish,” said Marie, “do you really believe it is necessary for my husband to be there?”

“Have no fear, madam,” said Dawlish. “We shall keep your husband out of harm’s way. Our men will go in first. I guarantee that Sir John will come to no harm.”

“See, Marie,” said Sir John, “it’s like I said to you, there’s nothing to be worried about.”

Marie saw his hand was shaking a little.

The Fulham Fiend: Chapter 6