Chronicles of Sherlock Holmes by David B. Beckwith

Author:David B. Beckwith [Beckwith, David B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781796008548
Publisher: Xlibris AU
Published: 2020-01-13T05:00:00+00:00

The Adventures of the Grice Patersons in the Island of Uffa

In June 1887, I had taken 2 weeks leave from my medical practice, I had decided not to rush into any matter regarding travelling somewhere for my holiday, so Sunday the 19th marked the first day of my break, not that I usually worked on Sundays anyway. I was disappointed with the weather, for it was not the bright and sunny summer I had hoped for, the temperature was warm, but the sky overcast, although it did not look like it would rain. I had gone for a constitutional to Regent’s Park, murmured a few quiet words at the place where my dog Marcus was buried amongst the roses, and I had not long returned to Baker Street. Holmes had declined to join me for a walk, even though he had nothing to do, I hoped the inactivity would not lead to the needle of a 7% solution of cocaine. I found him re-reading the agony columns of yesterday’s newspapers.

“What do you think this one can mean Watson? ‘RAM wishes to meet BBW, object S&D’, These people should at least give a clue, I could waste the day trying to solve it!” he said.

“I have no idea Holmes, I never bother with those columns myself. Could it be ‘Romantic Amiable Morrisman… Blonde Beautiful Waltzer… Sport & Dancing?’ Shall I send for some tea or coffee?” I replied, but as I paused for Holmes’s reply, we heard the 7th step of the stairs creak twice.

“We have a visitor!” I exclaimed.

Mrs. Hudson knocked on the door, opened it and entered, leaving our visitor on the landing,

“Mr. Barnabas Boyde, to see Mr. Holmes.” she said.

“Then show him in Mrs. Hudson, and wait a moment, we were just considering elevenses.” said Holmes.

Mrs. Hudson showed our guest in. He was tall, muscular, with sandy hair and a handle-bar moustache, a ruddy complexion, wearing tweeds and carrying a gnarled stick. The stick was not an aid to his walking, for he strode in. He pulled off a flat cap revealing a balding pate, I guessed his age to be in his early sixties.

“I am Sherlock Holmes, this is Dr. Watson my colleague. Will you take a seat? We were just considering having elevenses, can we offer you tea or coffee?” said Holmes.

The man sat on the settee and replied:

“A cup of tea would be most welcome, thank you.”

“Mrs. Hudson, tea for three and some biscuits, if you please!” said Holmes, and after our landlady had departed, he continued:

“I perceive that you have come up to town by train from the country, your stick is not for walking rather it is a tool for prodding and poking, you spend considerable time out-of-doors, you are married, but your wife does not check your attire, the matter that brings you to me has become of considerable concern to you.”

“I had heard reports of your perceptiveness, but personally I have not read Dr. Watson’s accounts. You astound me Mr. Holmes, exceeding my expectations.

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.