Sherlock Holmes and The Return of The Whitechapel Vampire by Dean P. Turnbloom

Author:Dean P. Turnbloom
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sherlock Holmes, mystery, crime, british crime, sherlock holmes novels, sherlock holmes fiction, jack the ripper, vampire fiction
ISBN: 9781780928197
Publisher: Andrews UK Limited 2016
Published: 2016-06-29T00:00:00+00:00

Unexpected Visitor...

As I entered the lobby of the Gilsey, I was at the low ebb of my emotion. I’d stopped by the 42 nd Street station to see if there’d been any word on Holmes, but when I’d discovered there had been none I walked the short distance to the telephone pay station at the Grand Central Terminal. From there I again called Commissioner Strumm, this time to see if there’d been any news. He assured me the entire network of ventilation shafting, from its northernmost reaches at 46 th Street south to 20 th Street had been searched without result. They were still working the cross connections to other subway line ventilation systems as there was a complex system of cross and inter-connects, but the outlook was not hopeful. So, I was most dejected when I returned to the hotel.

As I crossed the lobby on my way to the lift, Abel Jenkins approached and said, “Doctor, I have your table ready for you. We have an excellent steak and kidney pie today I thought you might enjoy.”

I tried to put on a pleasant face to Jenkins. He was aware, of course, that Holmes was missing and that I was gravely concerned for his safety. I supposed this was his way of trying to provide a bit of consolation, although at this particular juncture I was not in the least interested in food. I didn’t wish to appear ungrateful to Abel, who after all was only trying to provide some comfort to me in my hour of need, so I turned to him and with a sad smile said, “I’m afraid I’m not very hungry for lunch today. Please forgive me if I turn down your kind gesture.” I thought that would be the end of it, and turned back toward the lifts, but Jenkins quickened his pace to put himself between me and my destination.

“But it’s a most exquisite kidney pie...” he said, and then after a pause, during which he inched backwards keeping himself between me and the lifts, he added, “...and you have a guest awaiting you.”

Exasperated at this new invasion upon my dour mood I said, “I’m afraid I’m in no frame of mind to receive company. I’m sure you understand.”

“But I’m afraid he was very insistent that I urge your attendance.”

More than a little piqued, I said, “Oh, very well. I shall meet with this gentleman. What name did he give?”

“Well, uh, he... he didn’t give me a name, Doctor.”

I was now becoming incensed. Not only was Jenkins intruding on my solitary worry for my friend but now he was insisting on expanding that intrusion to one who did not have the decency to proffer his card for introduction. However, under the circumstances, I felt it would be less than charitable to poor Jenkins than to do other than accede to his entreaty. “Very, well,” I said. “Lead on, then.”

“Very good, Doctor.” And with that he led me into the dining room, to my customary table where to my great surprise and greater joy sat Mr.

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