Sherlock Holmes 02 Adventures Beyond the Canon by David Marcum

Author:David Marcum [Marcum, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Belanger Books
Published: 2018-10-01T22:00:00+00:00

To WHOMSOEVER steams this open: I hope you are as edified at the accompanying letter as I am over having to write it!!

The size of individual letters, the degree and regularity of slanting, angularity, ornamentation, and curvature were identical to the writing on the postal card sent by Giles Gilchrist from the Egyptian Sudan two years earlier.

Holmes held out a hand to the tutor. “And the letter he mentions, please.”

“That’s the very reason I’m here,” Soames replied excitably. “I don’t have it!” He dipped a hand into a pocket and drew out an envelope. “I only have the note and this. As you can see, it was delivered to the College addressed to me. I am certain the writing’s Gilchrist’s.” He paused. “Oh, hello, Dr. Watson – I’m sorry to barge in on you, but it’s the most damnable thing – there was nothing else in the envelope except that slip of paper.”

“Then the envelope,” Holmes ordered. After a single glance he muttered, “Postmarked ‘Holborn and St. Pancras’. A significant clue to the sender’s travel plans, don’t you agree, Watson?” He passed the envelope back to Soames. “The author of the note anticipated correctly. This envelope has indeed been steamed open. Although addressed to you, someone else got there first.”

Holmes seemed to be sniffing a scent, like a trained bloodhound.

“What do you make of it?” I asked.

He pointed at the window. “Five guineas to your one we’ll not have to wait long before the present beneficiary of the letter reveals himself.”

Even as he spoke, we heard an authoritative rap on the front door, followed by the firm, rapid step of one who knew well the ground upon which he walked. Our door was flung open.

“Mr. Soames,” Holmes called out, “may I introduce Inspector Lestrade of the Yard. I have no doubt it was he who arranged for the letter to be purloined.”

Holmes turned to address the newcomer. “Inspector, if I’m not mistaken, you knew that Mr. Soames was on his way here and – knowing when his train was due to arrive – you waited across the street before joining us.

Lestrade scowled but nodded, and Holmes continued. “Are here to bring us up to date on the life and times of young Gilchrist, starting with the stolen letter?”

“‘Stolen’ is a little harsh, Mr. Holmes,” the inspector chortled. “The beadle at St Luke’s . . . (he paused, looking with some embarrassment at Soames) . . . intercepted it. On my authority,” he added hurriedly. “We suspected that Mr. Gilchrist might be in touch.”

As he spoke, his hand went into a pocket. It reappeared holding a letter some three pages in length. With a sense of ceremony kindled by our keen attention, he began reading aloud:

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