Read Charles Doyle & The Curious Case of the Blue Dog _part 1 - A New Mystery Calls Page 2

"Self defence old boy. Never know when it might come in handy. The element of surprise and all that".

  Doyle released the stick and I managed to sit up, feeling myself redden and rather foolish. He must have sensed my unease and offered hand to help me up.

  "Sorry old chap. I couldn’t help it. Been waiting for days to try this thing out and I can’t rely on the criminal classes! By gods you’re freezing man, come and sit by the fire and I’ll pour you a drink".

  As I stood to take the chair Doyle clasped me affectionately across the back. "Good to see you again", he smiled with such a genuine feeling of friendship that I couldn't help but smile back. 

  Indeed, Doyle cut a strange yet fine figure dressed top to toe in white leggings and a white tunic caught roughly around the waist with a piece of cord. His feet were totally bare.

  He poured two generous whiskeys and came back over by the fire noticing me looking at his strange garb.

  "Bartitsu – a new style of self-defence. My old chum Barton-Wright has been teaching it me, the old fool. Brought back some teachings from Japan. Damned handy though, what, what! Never know when it might be needed. In fact something interesting goings on in London, that’s why I sent for you, thought you might be ready for another adventure eh? "

  With eyes sparkling he headed for his desk, awash with papers and cuttings. Plucking a paper from his desk he brought it over and handed it to me. It was the same article I had read that very morning, I looked back up at him a little perplexed.