Sherlock Holmes and the Rosetta Stone Mystery (The Early Casebook of Sherlock Holmes 1) by Linda Stratmann

Author:Linda Stratmann [Stratmann, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sapere Books
Published: 2021-10-25T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

As we left the museum, I found that Holmes was determined to linger awhile in Montague Place. It was a quiet and very respectable location. In those days there was a terrace of well-kept houses fronted by tall iron railings securely gated, with steps leading down to enclosed basement areas. Some had side alleys leading to rear gardens. If on the night of the robbery, thieves had lurked in the dusk waiting to be admitted to the museum there were enough places for them to do so.

Holmes walked up and down, surveying the scene, taking in the roadway, the pavement, the windows, the smartly painted doors, the polished gas lamps. Nothing escaped his notice. Nothing seemed to give him any comfort or lighten his dark mood.

I was wondering if Inspector Caldwell might, despite his continued confidence, eventually come to reconsider his conclusion. I said as much to Holmes and he gave a despondent snort.

‘Caldwell will never alter his views, and I am not sure I believe in either of his theories. He is most unlikely to spend any more time with the witnesses, something which I think is essential. I have already taken account of the light in this street at the time of the theft, which was adequate for identifying large objects, but I would very much like to speak to the witnesses, since I feel my questions might reveal further information. Unfortunately, I have no authority to do so, and any attempt would only arouse the inspector’s fury.’

He walked on a short way up the street still looking about him, and as I stood there wondering whether he would turn back, or if I should follow him, I heard footsteps behind me. The footsteps abruptly increased in pace, and I saw Holmes quickly turn around and stare, then he uttered a sharp cry of alarm. ‘Stamford! Look out!’

I spun around, and that one action I believe may have saved my life. The sight I saw then lives on in my memory after all these years, and occasionally wakes me in a nightmare — a man all in dark grey, with such an expression of sheer viciousness on his face, staring eyes and bared stumpy teeth, as I had never before seen on any human being. His arm was raised, and he held a weapon poised to strike. I had no time to avoid it entirely but due to Holmes’ warning it did not fall on the back of my head as intended; instead, there was a bolt of pain in my left shoulder, and something hard and heavy glanced on the side of my head knocking me dizzy. Little lights blinked and sparkled before my eyes, and a sudden wave of nausea ran through me.

My legs trembled and I fell to my knees. I was helpless. All I could do was raise my hands in a pathetic attempt to ward off the next blow. But it never fell. As the monster stood over me, raising the weapon

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