18 King of Trains

'Express d'Orient.

You guys may know it better as the Orient Express.

Holmes was walking within the legendary Train of Kings, a living piece of art on wheels.

He could not help but notice its beauty and history, from Kings, to celebrities and even to spies, have all left their footprints on the train.

Bell walked over and sat in an armchair, opposite to his brother.

" Greetings, Laurence, " said Holmes.

" Greetings, Joseph, " said Mycroft, as he looked out the window.

" And here I thought that we would meet at the Diogenes Club "

" Normally, yes, but I had promised Rosamund that we would take a trip in the Orient Express " said Mycroft with a smile.

" Where is my niece? "

But as Sherlock had asked the question, a little girl came running towards him.

" Uncle Joseph! " exclaimed Rosamund, excitedly.

Sherlock picked up his niece, and held her in his embrace.

" My word! Look at how much you have grown, " said Joseph.

" It is simply my body evolving, " said Rosamund.

" Ah, that it is, now, how long till we reach Constantinople? "

" You mean Istanbul, right uncle Sherlock? " said Rosamund, with a confused look.

" Ah, right, do forgive me " said Joseph, as he and his brother looked at each other, with smiles.

" Rosamund, where is Diogenes? " asked Laurence.

Rosamund whistled, and towards them all now came a British Bulldog.

" You have named your dog Diogenes… quite fitting " said Joseph with a smile.

" Ivan Pavlov gave him to me as a gift, when we last visited Russia " said Rosamund, as she picked up her dog.

Rosamund and Diogenes now both let out a yawn.

Mycroft got up, picked up his daughter and her dog, and then walked towards their room with the beds.

He now returned, and sat back down on his armchair.

" So, what was your answer? " asked Joseph.

" To what? "

" You know what " said Sherlock with a smile.

" I declined the offer. I told them that Rosamund was too young to enter university "

" She is a bright young girl "

" That she is, " said Laurence with a father's smile.

" I assume that her mother, was also a factor in the decision "

" She was. She said; that if Rosamund was sent to university, she would kill me in such a way, that not even you could solve the murder " said Mycroft with a smirk.

" Really? " said Sherlock, intrigued.

Laurence just let out a sigh.

" I just want her to have a normal childhood… " he said.

Joseph had an understanding smile.

" Let us pray that our children all have normal childhoods "

The sound of the magical train could now be heard, as it drove towards Constan- I mean! Istanbul...