Dead Ringers by Robert Perret

Author:Robert Perret
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: short story collection, short stories, mystery, sherlock holmes, detective, murder mystery, Pharaoh, Ra-Atet, prediction, laundry cart, secret tunnel, laundry bag, human smuggling, paste, paste replica, drawing, stylographic paper, jewellery, forgery, fairy ring, mushrooms, human remains, Mug Ruith, druid, roth rámach, Tlachtga, Royal Geographical Society, buffalo skin, flesh-eating bacteria, gypsies
ISBN: 9781787055193
Publisher: Andrews UK
Published: 2020-02-10T00:00:00+00:00

Sherlock Holmes and the Sharpshooter

There had been little demand for Holmes’ unique services in the last few weeks and he was prowling the sitting room of 221B Baker Street like a caged tiger. He was also scratching at his elbows and Watson had no trouble in deducing the import of that gesture. When Holmes could not find stimulation in a case he would eventually turn to an injectable solution of cocaine. As a doctor Watson was well aware of the adverse long term effects cocaine would have on Holmes’ body. As a longtime friend, he was acutely aware of the effect it would have upon Holmes’ spirits. A brief euphoria would be followed by a sharp swing into misanthropy from which only Holmes himself could effect an escape. Watson feared that it would be one of these cocaine-shaped pits that would eventually claim the life of the Great Detective, rather than a bullet or a blade. Thankfully a distraction had presented itself.

“I say, Holmes! Look at this!” Watson proffered the evening newspaper he had been reading. Holmes glanced at it from across the room. On the page showing there was an advertisement for the Continental Circus and Variety Revue.

“Vulgar entertainments for idlers and the weak-minded,” Holmes spat.

“Well, you’re the one and I’m the other. Let us exhume ourselves from the confines of this flat and see what the Continental Circus has to offer.” Holmes threw a searching glance across the room, looking for any other form of engagement in vain.

“I suppose when a problem refuses to present itself to us, we must make do with presenting ourselves and hoping for the worst.”

“That’s the spirit, old man!” They donned their coats and hats and with a brief shout up the stairs to Mrs. Hudson were off to take in the evening’s festivities. Even had the two not been familiar with the fairground, where they had indeed had reason to make professional calls before, it would have been no great challenge to find it. In every street droves of people were all milling in the same direction. Following the flow of traffic quickly brought them within sight of various tents and merchant stands. Acrobats and clowns and sword swallowers and fire eaters all beckoned visitors into the makeshift compound. The smell of charred meat, stale beer, and cheap tobacco filled the air. Having resigned themselves to being part of the herd tonight, the two allowed the crowd to escort them into the main tent, paying a shilling each at the entrance. Inside they took their places on the wooden bleachers. The show began with a parade of animals around the center ring. The crowd cheered but Holmes simply fidgeted and sighed. Next came a clown troupe that ran through a number of slapstick routines. Watson quite enjoyed one where a clown removed his top hat to reveal a small money holding a cream pie. The monkey then threw the pie in the face of a pretend constable who had been trying to escort the clowns from the ring.

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