The Annals of Sherlock Holmes by Paul D. Gilbert

Author:Paul D. Gilbert [Paul D. Gilbert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780709093466
Publisher: Robert Hale
Published: 2012-10-14T16:00:00+00:00

3

THE ADVENTURE OF THE RELUCTANT SPIRIT

PART ONE

MRS CECIL FORRESTER

Mrs Cecil Forrester is a name that will forever retain a special place within my heart and mind, for it was she who first recommended the services of Sherlock Holmes, to her young governess, Miss Mary Morstan. That first meeting was to lead Holmes and me upon the most singular adventure of the ‘Sign of Four’. Furthermore, Mary became my first love and wife as a consequence of that auspicious encounter within the rooms of 221b Baker Street.

Mary’s tragic and premature passing is a pain that will, undoubtedly, endure within me until the day that my heart and memory both cease to function. Therefore it was understandably a most poignant moment when a letter arrived for me from the very same lady who had once employed my beloved Mary as her governess.

While it is true to say that I had maintained limited contact with Mrs Forrester and I had even, from time to time, made the journey to her home in Clerkenwell for afternoon tea, I was somewhat surprised to receive her letter so soon after the tragic boating accident that had taken her only daughter, Evangeline, so suddenly from her. The poor woman was now, sadly, alone.

For some reason I felt compelled to leave the envelope unopened for an hour or two, while my memories and feelings were given a chance to subside. Equally, I was in no mood to be lectured by Holmes on the subject of allowing my emotions to obstruct my objectivity. So I thrust the envelope within my breast pocket and decided to let it wait until I could read it within the sanctuary of my own room.

The concealment of the letter could not have been better timed. At that precise moment my friend made his abrupt and impromptu return from an enquiry that had seen him absent from Baker Street for a full three days. His outlandish appearance did not surprise me, for he had employed his disguise as an impoverished street peddler on many a similar occasion. However, I was somewhat taken aback by the manner of his return. It had been through the open back window of the house.

‘My dear fellow!’ I exclaimed. ‘What occurrence could have induced you to return in such a clandestine fashion? Surely your incomparable disguise would have provided you with sufficient security?’

‘Well, one would have thought so!’ In disgust Holmes threw his wig and his bedraggled greatcoat angrily down onto the floor by the fire, before systematically removing the remainder of his camouflage. His hands were, quite literally, quivering with rage as he attempted to light a cigarette and, once it was alight, Holmes smoked it with a feverish hunger.

Another smoke followed immediately afterwards then Holmes collapsed into his chair and proceeded to strum his fingers upon its arm in a most irritable and irritating fashion.

‘My goodness, Holmes, what event could have possibly brought about so ill-tempered and urgent a retreat?’ I asked hopefully, for it was quite often

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