Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of the Boer Wagon by Kieran McMullen

Author:Kieran McMullen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sherlock Holmes, mystery, crime, british crime, sherlock holmes novels, sherlock holmes fiction, sherlock holmes short fiction, boer war
ISBN: 9781780923079
Publisher: Andrews UK Limited 2012
Published: 2012-10-17T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

BOY-O GETS NEW SHOES

Burnham’s room was on the same floor as Lieutenant Murtry’s, but down the opposite end of the hallway. On Holmes’ knock came that deep American voice calling us to enter. Burnham was standing by the window.

“Ah, Doctor, how are you? What can I do for you this morning? I was just about to head downstairs.” He came forward and shook my hand.

“Captain, let me present my friend, Mr Sherlock Holmes.”

“Sherlock Holmes!” exclaimed Burnham, shaking hands enthusiastically, “A pleasure, I assure you. Why you’re quite famous in the States. Thanks to the doctor here.”

“I know much of you also, Captain.” replied Holmes.

“Not many places to sit down gentlemen, but grab a seat. What can I do for you?”

Holmes sat on a corner of the small table and I seated myself on the bed.

“Captain Burnham,” started Holmes, “I have come to you, a man of impeccable reputation, because I need some insight which you may have.”

“I’ll help you in whatever way I can, of course, but what exactly do you need to know?”

“You have been here some time with the headquarters. What is your opinion of Major Parker?”

“Why, as far as I know he’s a good man. I don’t have any reason to distrust him. Just what are you getting at Mr Holmes? What is all this about?”

“Captain, I believe I can trust you and I need an ally within the headquarters. It is my job to stop the transfer of secret information that is occurring. The Boers are finding out our movements almost before the orders go out.”

Holmes went on to explain all that had occurred. Burnham stood in rapt attention. When he had finished, he showed the two-headed coin and asked if Burnham had ever seen another like it.

“No, Mr Holmes, I have not. But what can I do to help?”

“Answer a few questions, if you would. Besides Major Parker, what are your thoughts on Majors Pelham and Drury, Captain Dunn and your new scout, Fredericks?”

“Pelham seems to be alright I guess. Bit stuck up, I think, but he backs Rhodes well enough. He drinks too much for me, as does the doctor’s friend, Drury. He’s a bit of a waster, but honest I’d say. Dunn I don’t know very well. He’s an operations officer, so he’d know plans ahead of time, and he drinks with Major Pelham, never to excess that I’ve ever seen. I don’t drink myself.”

Burnham stopped for a moment, obviously thinking.

“And Fredericks,” prompted Holmes.

“Yes, I was just thinking about him. He’s new, of course. I hunted and fought in this area for years. I’ve never heard of the man. But he’s young; maybe 22 or 23, and I’ve been gone for some time. He’s a first-class hunter and scout I’ve seen that. He was raised a Boer, but he speaks with an English accent. He went to school in England. If you want to know anything about him, just ask. He is definitely not shy about telling you about himself. Some of it is made, shall we say, bigger than life.

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