The Secret Journals of Sherlock Holmes (A&B Crime) by Thomson June

Author:Thomson, June [Thomson, June]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Published: 2012-09-23T22:00:00+00:00

THE CASE OF THE FRIESLAND OUTRAGE

I

It was, I recall, late one stormy evening in November 1894, some months after Sherlock Holmes’ miraculous return from death at the hands of his arch-enemy, Professor Moriarty, at the Reichenbach Falls,1 that the following remarkable events occurred which were so nearly to cost us both our lives.

Having dined, we had retired to our armchairs on either side of the blazing fire, Holmes deep in a volume on early Elizabethan ciphers, I absorbed in nothing more abstruse than the Evening Standard, content that my old friend had no case on hand to force us out of doors in such tempestuous weather.

Hardly had the thought crossed my mind than Holmes lifted his head and, laying aside his book, remarked, ‘A cab has just drawn up outside, Watson. I believe we have a visitor. Rather than allow the maid to be disturbed at such an hour, I shall let him in myself.’

‘Him?’ I enquired.

‘Oh, it is undoubtedly a man. Did you not hear the slam of the cab door? No woman would act in quite so positive a manner.’

I had heard nothing above the sound of the wind roaring in the chimney and rattling the windows in their frames, although I was not surprised that Holmes had discerned these distant noises. His hearing is keener than that of any other man I know.

He left the room, returning soon afterwards with a short, powerfully built, bearded man, so broad across the shoulders and so stocky of frame that he appeared quite square in shape. From his pea jacket and peaked cap, I took him to be a seafarer, a supposition which proved correct when Holmes introduced him.

‘This is Captain Hans Van Wyk, Watson.’ Turning to our visitor, he continued, ‘Pray be seated, sir.’

Van Wyk removed his cap, revealing a head of grey hair, as thick and as grizzled as his beard. His weather-beaten face was deeply creased about the eyes with humorous lines, suggesting a jovial nature, although the gravity of his general demeanour revealed that whatever business had brought him to consult Holmes was of a serious nature.

‘Master of the Dutch vessel, the SS Friesland,’ said he, sinking down into the chair which Holmes had indicated. Although his English was on the whole excellent, he spoke with a guttural accent. ‘I apologise for intruding on you so late in the evening, gentlemen. But the lady insisted I came to you, not the official police.’

‘I think,’ said Holmes, resuming his own seat, ‘that you had better begin by telling us who the lady is and why she is in such urgent need of my help.’

‘Of course, Mr Holmes. However, I ought first to explain a little of the background to the affair. The SS Friesland is a small cargo vessel, plying between the coasts of Germany and Holland and the south-east of England. We also carry passengers; not many, as there is cabin accommodation for only a dozen. Yesterday, we docked at the Free Trade Wharf2 in the

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.