The Outstanding Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes by Gerard Kelly

Author:Gerard Kelly
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sherlock Holmes, mystery, crime, british crime, short fiction, watson, detective, murder
ISBN: 9781780920719
Publisher: Andrews UK Limited 2011
Published: 2011-11-25T00:00:00+00:00

Case closed. Under close questioning, Damian Applegate has confessed all. Appreciate your assistance.

Best regards,

Lestrade.

I exclaimed, ‘Great news, is it not?’ and looked up to see Holmes donning his hat and reaching for his cane. ‘But where are you going?’ I enquired.

‘I would very much like to speak to Damien Applegate myself, old fellow. Are you coming?’

‘Absolutely,’ I replied, snatching my own hat and following him through the door.

As our cab approached Scotland Yard, Holmes repeated, ‘Pray make no mention of my speculation regarding the magnifying lens at this stage, Watson.’

‘Of course not, Holmes.’

Presently we were ushered into Lestrade’s office and Holmes asked, ‘Did Applegate reveal how he initiated the fires, Inspector?’

‘Not yet, but I am on my way to question him again. Perhaps you would like to accompany me, gentlemen?’ Soon we were seated opposite the arsonist, who was a small, ferret-faced individual with lank greasy hair and a strabismus of his left eye. He watched us warily and licked his lips.

Holmes said, ‘We meet once more, Damian, and you’ve been up to your old tricks again, haven’t you?’

He smiled, displaying rotting teeth, and replied, ‘No use trying to fool you Mister ‘Olmes, but I never wanted no one to die, ‘onest I didn’t.’

Holmes asked, ‘How did you set the blazes, Damian?’

A crafty look came into Applegate’s eyes and he replied, ‘If I co-operate what’s in it for me?’

Lestrade replied, ‘Nothing, you little rat. You’ll hang for murder, I’ll see to it personally!’

Holmes said, ‘The inspector can do nothing for you, but I can. I could, for instance, see that your common law wife and children receive a little financial assistance. You’re not going to be much use to them now, are you?’

He stared at Holmes for a few moments before asking, ‘You’re a gentleman, and must ‘onour your word, right?’

Holmes nodded, ‘Yes that’s right.’

‘OK, I’ll tell you. I didn’t use clock timers ‘cause they leave traces. With this new method nothing’s left behind. Give me your matches and I’ll show you.’ Holmes took a box of vestas from his pocket and handed them to Applegate. The arsonist opened the box, took out one match and said, ‘If you trap a match like this…’ and he propped the match upright with one end inserted amongst the live ends of the other matches. He then slid home the tray to grip the match tightly, ‘all you’ve got to do is light the match and put the box amongst some paper or stuff that’ll burn. It takes about a minute to burn down, which is enough time to get away, before the flame reaches the other matches. Then WHOOSH! Up she goes!’

Holmes was nodding. ‘Ingenious and so simple. And you used this method for all the fires?’

‘Sure, what else?’

‘How did you secrete your matchbox in a first floor bedroom of the Spinners Arms? No one saw you enter or leave.’

Applegate smiled slyly. ‘A geezer can’t reveal all his trade secrets, can ‘e, Mister ‘Olmes?’

‘He’d better if he wants his family provided for!’

Applegate’s

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