Sherlock Holmes and the Plot to Assassinate the Tsar by Richard Krevolin & John Raffensperger

Author:Richard Krevolin & John Raffensperger
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Doctor Joseph Bell, sir arthur conan doyle, Russia, medical school, St Petersburg, cocaine, Tsar Alexander III, murder, Dostoyevsky, Rasputin, duel, bomb
ISBN: 9781787059238
Publisher: Andrews UK
Published: 2022-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

10 September 1881

The past week has been one of further recuperation, reading, and study shrouded in a constant fear of being arrested. All the while, I have been remiss in making daily entries, so I shall remedy that situation with this update.

I have not left the confines of Sechenov’s house. After my bloody horrific stay in the Peter and Paul Prison, I dream of returning home, sitting in my mother’s kitchen and eating her blissfully good bangers and mash. I spend my days in the library surrounded by books. At the end of each day, I do sprints and calisthenics within the walled garden to regain strength after my inactivity in prison.

What has made the past week tolerable is my daily Russian language lesson. I enticed a sweet, little kitchen maid named Marya to visit my room each night. She teaches me peasant Russian and cuddles in a most delightful manner. Her grammar is imperfect, but I am learning enough of the language to get by and she corrects my mistakes with a delicate kiss. I eagerly return each kiss and tend to make a few more mistakes than necessary. I have learned a great many terms of endearment and can carry on a very limited conversation in the Russian language.

In truth, I would be much better off taking Marya as my wife than Penelope, but I am mad about Penelope and my thoughts are of her even when I hold Marya. Would it be wrong to wed my own aunt? Could I even trust her? I know it would disturb many people, but there is something wonderfully compelling about the idea.

My rest was broken when, this morning, Mr. Tatum tapped on my door and announced that Dr. Bell requested my presence. I had scarcely seen him since my return. He was attired in a handsome dressing gown, and polishing off an omelet, a large beefsteak, and toast with marmalade. His cheeks were pink and he had gained weight. Holmes nibbled at buttered toast and seemed fresh as a daisy. Bell lit up his large, curved pipe and breathed out a wreath of fragrant smoke.

“Doyle, help yourself to coffee. There is another omelet and enough bacon for a whole battalion.”

I thanked him and was soon stuffing my face with delicious vittles. “Mr. Holmes are you quite well? I asked.”

“I have determined the proper dose of cocaine to avoid unpleasant side effects. It is a capital nerve tonic. A seven percent solution of cocaine is beneficial.” Holmes replied.

I was skeptical. Cocaine was a new drug. Was it addicting like opium? I said no more on the subject.

Bell delicately patted his lips with a damask napkin. “I’d like to discuss some matters of great import with you,” he said.

I put my fork down on my plate and sat back for a moment. “Aye, sir.”

“I’d appreciate it if you could tell me what you’ve observed over the past few weeks.”

“I’ve seen a great many exciting and awful things.”

“No, not what you’ve seen. Anybody can see, but only a trained eye can observe.

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