Sherlock Holmes on the Western Front (1999) Novella by Val Andrews

Author:Val Andrews [Andrews, Val]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Historical, 20th Century, World War I, Mystery & Detective, Traditional
ISBN: 9780947533878
Google: enQDAAAACAAJ
Amazon: 0947533877
Publisher: Breese Books
Published: 1999-07-14T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five – ‘The Game is Afloat!’

A slightly bewildered police Inspector Garstang with a Sergeant Wilson and several constables, two of them in plain clothes, accompanied us to the King’s Head. The latter were sent into the public bar of the inn, to behave as patrons until the right moment arrived. Holmes and I led the inspector to a vantage place behind the bushes on the far bank. Two constables were sent to a spot upon the bank beside the inn. They were in gumboots. The river was neither wide nor deep at this point.

After what felt like hours but was only about thirty minutes in fact, a flap at the partly submerged side of the building was raised, and a boat dropped, or I suppose I should say, slithered crablike into the waters of the Adur. It was obvious that the cellar from which it emerged was partly submerged. It was almost dark, but we could see what was happening. Doubtless given a more suitable tidal situation our quarry would have waited until the black of night. I could just make out the figure of Ilona as she scrambled into the craft, which appeared to be some sort of a skiff. There were oars which she would scarcely need, as the tidal water would take her to the river mouth. Garstang, nudged by Holmes, blew sharply upon his whistle and the two constables waded around to apprehend Ilona and prevent the boat from floating down the Adur.

The lady put up quite a struggle but was soon handcuffed and on dry land. The boat was safely tied up and we all made for the little bridge which led us near the entrance to the inn. We entered the bar into which the plain clothes men had been sent, to find the landlord being restrained by them.

He was very vociferous in his protestations. ‘Can’t a bloke go about his normal business without being invaded by a gang of rozzers?’

Holmes spoke quickly and sharply. ‘We are here to intercept your normal business which involves treacherous acts, involving the safety of the realm. Take us to your cellars. If you cooperate with us, who knows, it might even prevent the judge from putting on the black cap at your trial!’

With muttered curses he led us down some steps and into a cellar cool and typical of a three-hundred-year-old hostelry. There were wine racks and barrels, but Holmes could not see what he was seeking. Then he suddenly brightened as he clutched at one of the large racks of bottles which lined one wall. With my help and that of a policeman he moved it, and we found that it opened like a door. He pointed at a semi-circular scar upon the floor, rather like that made by an ill-fitting door in a house.

‘That arc showed me which was the rack to inspect! See, there are further steps and the river laps below. I’ll wager this secret river exit has remained untouched since King Charles used it.

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