Sherlock Holmes and the Hammerford Will by Hall John

Author:Hall, John [Hall, John]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Published: 2015-02-10T16:00:00+00:00

Six

‘Lady Lewis, this is a most unexpected pleasure.’ Sir James, who had some acquaintance with the lady, was obviously taken aback at this meeting, but he very quickly recovered his composure and made the necessary introductions.

‘Delighted,’ said I, and meant it. Lady Lewis was around thirty years of age, strikingly beautiful, with a marvellous head of chestnut-coloured hair. I could quite see why the recently bereaved Sir George had lost no time in marrying her. She was dressed in the fashion, but the fashion of a couple of years earlier, subtly amended by the skilful use of a needle and thread; a suspicion of shininess at the elbows of her jacket, and a hint of darning at the collar, were further indications that the housekeeping budget was not overflowing.

Holmes, ever immune to feminine charms, said merely, ‘It is, as Sir James says, a pleasure to meet you, Lady Lewis. But, as he also says, it is most unexpected. You will, I am sure, excuse me one moment,’ and he darted to the window and looked out into the street.

Lady Lewis looked at him in some astonishment, but Holmes did not move from the window for a full two minutes, after which he returned to the centre of the room, and remarked, ‘It is just as I thought. You have been followed here, Lady Lewis. I trust you did not come here alone?’

‘Followed, Mr Holmes? Are you sure? I had no idea that such was the case. Indeed, I feel you must be quite mistaken there.’

Holmes shook his head. ‘There is no possibility of error, I assure you. I ask again, did you come here alone?’

‘No, Mr Holmes, George — my husband — is quite insistent that I should not leave the house unaccompanied, so I brought Mr Peterson along with me. He is in your kitchen at this very moment.’

‘That is excellent in its own way,’ said Holmes, ‘though I could wish that your escort were rather more substantial. Still, you are safe enough for the time being, so perhaps you could tell us what brings you here?’

Lady Lewis hesitated, and glanced at Sir James without speaking. Sir James, diplomatic as always, said, ‘I was just about to leave, madam, so with your permission I shall do so, unless I may be of any service.’ And when Lady Lewis shook her head, he suited his action to the words.

‘Now, madam,’ said Holmes in his most soothing voice, ‘we have just had luncheon, but if you would care for some tea? Some light refreshments? I can ask Mrs Hudson to prepare some sandwiches, perhaps?’

‘Thank you, a cup of tea would be delightful, but nothing else.’

When Mrs Hudson had brought the tea, Holmes went on, ‘I take it that it is this matter of Lord Hammerford’s will that brings you here?’

‘It is, Mr Holmes,’ said Lady Lewis, her voice taut.

Holmes waited, and when Lady Lewis said nothing further, he ventured, ‘It is in many ways an odd business, and perhaps a rather sad one.

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.