Sherlock Holmes and the Chinese Junk Affair and Other Stories by Roy Templeman

Author:Roy Templeman [Templeman, Roy]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3
Tags: Mystery, Holmes
Amazon: B015Y01UEU
Goodreads: 26858378
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Published: 2015-09-27T11:00:00+00:00

Sherlock Holmes and the Trophy Room

My friend, Sherlock Holmes, was in a good mood. Mrs Hudson, our landlady, had cooked us her usual excellent breakfast, the papers had been read and the sun was already up and shining through the windows. The promise of another perfect day.

‘You know, Watson, I feel it in my bones that this glorious morning will bring us forth an interesting case.’

I looked across at Holmes and nodded. ‘Shall we delay our walk through the park a while then, say half an hour, in case this interesting case should come to our door?’

Holmes went to the window and looked down into Baker Street, busy already with people coming and going. He stroked his long chin and his eyes reminded me as always of a hawk, bright and missing nothing. A few moments later he turned to me.

‘If I’m not mistaken, Watson, from the coat of arms I observe on the coach door stopping outside our humble abode, our problem comes hotfoot in the form of a peer of the realm.’

There were voices outside the door. One was of Mrs Hudson, the other deep and booming. A moment later a knock at the door and Holmes went to answer it. Mrs Hudson stood there, and then stepped backwards, to allow the stranger to come forward.

‘A gentleman to see you, Mr Holmes.’

The stranger was a huge mountain of a man, in his middle thirties, with a military bearing. His chest massive, his face rugged. He thrust out his hand and said, ‘Viscount Siddems... I have the pleasure, I believe, of addressing Mr Sherlock Holmes and,’ he looked across the room to where I was standing, still holding a morning paper, ‘Dr Watson.’

Holmes, although this was hardly necessary, our visitor being far from the timid sort, ushered him in and, as was usual, put his visitor at ease. The viscount was clearly not a troubled man. He smiled and appeared happy and relaxed. Holmes said, ‘Well, sir, it is obvious that the problem you have is not a serious one. Perhaps intriguing more than sinister.’ The face of our visitor creased into a further smile.

‘Then you have heard all about the thefts from my trophy room?’

‘No,’ said Holmes, ‘but you appear in such good humour that it could not be sinister, or you would not smile so freely. Believe me, many who consult my good friend and I come with worried faces, and often are on the point of despair.’

The visitor smiled again. ‘No, indeed. My problem is not one of despair or serious really. Perplexing, intriguing, yes.’

Holmes settled back into his chair. ‘That is good to hear. On a fine morning like this, we should be involved in a puzzle to excite our minds, not depressed, with the worried face of a client at his wits’ end. Please speak freely. I shall interrupt you only if necessary to clear up any point I need to clarify.’

Against the background sounds of the street vendors, a rather raucous oyster seller and the clip-clop noise of a dozen horses, the noble viscount unfolded his story.

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