Sherlock Holmes and the Ghoul of Glastonbury by Allan Mitchell

Author:Allan Mitchell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: sherlock holmes, mystery, crime, british crime, sherlock holmes fiction, sherlock holmes novel
ISBN: 9781787052284
Publisher: Andrews UK Limited 2018
Published: 2018-01-23T00:00:00+00:00

“Yes,” was Watson’s short but amused reply. “Holmes is always saying that, especially when he is one up in our mutual deductions. Still, the countryside of Somerset is glorious and history just oozes from its ancient settlements, as does murder in recent times.”

“Quite!” was Randall’s reply, one echoed by Holmes and extended with, “We should be focussing on method and motive and leave sightseeing until the guilty party is behind bars.”

“It’d be a sad world if one couldn’t take what time was available to see the beauty around us,” countered Watson who then anticipated the coming refutation by Holmes by adding, “We have come to do a job of work, nasty in its character, and must steel our minds to that purpose, but while we ride back to our respective tasks it would do no harm to remember just what we are trying to save from the evil which has beset it.”

The trap’s driver had remained virtually silent throughout the journey, such as it had been, but was moved to speak, having heard and noted the nature of his passengers’ conversations, something he normally would have had little interest in and would have deliberately shown none. Albert Rutledge was a man of few words when business depended on his discretion but was as prone to listen to and spread gossip as the next man when amongst his convivial like-minded fellows. He had information, of a sort, and was uncertain if and to whom it ought to be offered but, on hearing Holmes describe his native region in such flowery terms, he had decided that the time and opportunity had come.

“Pardon me, gents,” started the driver, “I don’t generally interrupt my passengers’ conversation but I couldn’t help overhearing what you’ve been saying about those folks who died, those four who the mayor is so concerned about. It may not be anything but I do know something which may be of interest.”

“Indeed,” a suddenly interested Holmes responded, “and what might that something be?”

“Well, I drive folks all about these parts,” the driver continued, “and people say all manner of things forgetting that I have a pair of ears too, though I don’t generally take much notice of what’s being said. It’s not my business to know their business but sometimes it’s hard not to hear some things.”

“Go on,” Holmes encouraged the man.

“It was last year,” the driver began, “I’d say around November, well before Christmas anyway, that I had to pick them all up on a single day in my little dog cart, in two trips mind you, and carry them over here to Street and deposit them near to the old Manor House we passed on the way here. I took them all back in this trap when they were finished and they seemed a little quiet as I recall it, troubled you might say. I don’t know what had gone on but it did seem to unsettle them.”

“Point is,” he continued, “these four are connected in some way, or they were on that day.

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