Sherlock Holmes Plays the Game by Leslie Coombs

Author:Leslie Coombs
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sherlock Holmes, mystery, crime, british crime, sherlock holmes novels, sherlock holmes fiction, sherlock holmes short fiction
ISBN: 9781780927305
Publisher: Andrews UK Limited 2015
Published: 2015-01-28T00:00:00+00:00

The Devil’s Tooth

In which Sherlock Holmes has to find a stolen horse and track down the leader of a gang of betting fraudsters. Both he and Watson are once again confronted by a familiar villain.

I was standing at the window looking out of the sitting room in 221B Baker Street endeavouring to emulate Sherlock Holmes’ undoubted ability to determine much about those passing by below. In the minute or two during which someone was within sight he could tell me what their profession or trade was, the state of their health and their finances, and from whence they had come and to where they were going.

As I applied my mind to studying a rough character leaning against the nearest lamp post my mental exercise was interrupted by seeing a four-wheeler stopping immediately below me and from which emerged Superintendent Shershay of the Yard and a gentleman. I assumed we were about to be visited. I was not mistaken. A moment later they entered our sitting room. The man with the superintendent was impeccably dressed. However, his clothes gave me no indication of his profession and definitely none from which I could deduce why he needed to see my friend. One thing I did observe was a gold device formed from entwined initials hanging from his watch chain. Perhaps that was of significance.

Shershay greeted us. ‘Good Morning, Mr Holmes and Dr Watson, this gentleman, Mr Cartwright, has suffered a great loss.’

‘As Superintendent Shershay has brought you to me then I surmise that a valuable horse has been lost or stolen.’

‘Sir, how could you know,’ exclaimed his companion.

‘It is my business to know such things,’ replied Holmes.

‘It is very valuable,’ responded Cartwright. ‘It is Son of Malvolio. It has been stolen. That is why I have asked Scotland Yard to help.’

‘The scoundrels who took your horse are, presumably, those who place large wagers and who are not averse to violence to further their ends,’ said Holmes.

‘We have no idea know who they are. Mr Cartwright has received this letter that demands a large sum for the safe return of the horse,’ said Shershay, handing it to Holmes.

‘Presumably, the absence of the horse as the favourite affects the odds offered on the other horses and, in the convoluted ways of the betting world, the villains hope to gain,’ observed my friend.

‘Essentially, that is what this is all about,’ replied the superintendent. ‘The villains have already placed bets at long odds on two of the other horses entered for the Rockingham Stakes. If this gentleman’s horse does not run then they stand to gain much.’

‘Superintendent, it appears, not for the first time, I am being asked to look for a horse’

‘Nothing more, nothing less, Mr Holmes,’ was the reply. ‘Except, of course, we also want to catch the villains who perpetrated the crime.’

‘Mr Cartwright, do you think that who ever took your horse intends it harm,’ said Holmes. ‘I doubt that such a famous animal could be disposed of as if it were a jewel.

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