The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - the Improbable Prisoner by Stuart Douglas

Author:Stuart Douglas [Douglas, Stuart]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B0768ZQZC9
Publisher: Titan Books
Published: 2018-07-03T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

True to his word, Chilton-Smith’s article appeared in the evening edition of the following day’s newspaper. As Holmes had requested, it alluded to new evidence uncovered by the police which, it stated, would undoubtedly soon lead to my full exoneration and a thoroughgoing apology from the authorities. I read it with the curious mix of pleasure and embarrassment that comes from seeing one’s name in print, though leavened with a degree of caution, for I could not for the life of me see what Holmes actually hoped to achieve by it.

I said as much, but Holmes had an answer.

“Someone went to great pains to place your neck in the noose, Watson, and until now they have gone without serious challenge. This little article will, I hope, force their hands and bring them out into the open. Whoever they might be.”

It was a sensible plan, though not one designed to provoke an immediate response. I folded the newspaper and laid it to one side, then prodded the fire into greater activity, for it was a cold morning, the coldest of the year so far.

“What of Alistair McLachlan, Holmes? Have your street Arabs turned up anything useful concerning his activities?” I enquired, remembering Holmes’s mention of “the other matter”.

“Alistair McLachlan?” he replied with a puzzled look. “Wiggins and his motley crew have not been checking on McLachlan, Watson. I did, however, make enquiries of my own while I was out yesterday afternoon. Mr. McLachlan was at home on the night of the murder, according to a footman who was happy to share his memories in exchange for a half crown. Of course, that does not of itself prove his innocence, and I have sent a telegram to Potter, requesting that he should be investigated thoroughly.

“I have other news, however. I met a messenger from Lestrade as I returned with the newspaper, and he passed on the information that a kukri knife has indeed been found to be missing from Major McLachlan’s collection. An old and damaged specimen, kept in a drawer, apparently, and so not missed until now. It has been identified as the same weapon that killed Miss McLachlan.”

“Taken from a house I had never visited before now!”

“True, but we cannot prove it. At the moment, we are not in a position to provide certain proof of your innocence. But each new doubt that we cast, each new fact that we uncover; these are bricks in the wall we are constructing between you and the gallows.”

“Will it be enough, though, Holmes?”

“By itself, no. But this single brick does not stand alone. We have an alternative suspect – Alistair McLachlan – with motive for the killing, if not for the attempt to place you on the gallows. We have the sworn testimony of Chilton-Smith that you arrived in tandem with a girl, at a time that makes it all but impossible for you to have carried out the murder in the manner we know it was performed. We have your own lack of motive.

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