The Pandora Plague: A Posthumous Memoir of John H. Watson, M.D. by Matthias Lee

Author:Matthias, Lee [Matthias, Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-07-10T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

The Evil Residing Within

T hat evening, little more of consequence occurred, save for one disturbing setback in an otherwise rapidly advancing series of events. We were about to leave after our lengthy discussion, and turned toward the door to file out, when a doctor appeared on the threshold, followed by two of Mycroft’s men. They wore downcast expressions, and Mycroft impatiently knocked his stick on the floor.

“Well, what is it?” he said.

“Sir,” said one of his men, “the prisoner...”

“What about him? You were to conduct him to the detention cell. What happened?”

The doctor intoned at this point, “He had a capsule of cyanide hidden somewhere. He managed to swallow it before they could stop him. They rushed him back, but...”

“Why were not I or my brother alerted?” asked Sherlock Holmes.

Mycroft looked at his brother soberly, “Sherlock, they were not in the building. The hospital staff are well-equipped to save people---”

“---Then why didn’t they?” snapped the detective.

“Cyanide is too fast working, Holmes,” said I, “believe me, it was quite impossible.”

“Pshaw,” he replied, “In some cases, it can be stopped and the victim saved through artificial respiration.”

“How can you say this?” I asked in surprise.

“Because I have done it. I have, through my researches, found that the poison oxidizes rather quickly. Artificial respiration, applied in sufficient amounts, and quickly enough, can cause the oxidation and save the victim.”

“This is incredible, Holmes,” I said, “Why have you not made this information public?”

“You remember, I was amending my monograph on poisons when this affair began. That information was to take up a new division.”

We all were amazed, this time, at my friend’s enormous wealth of knowledge. His researches, as in this case, were of profound importance at times. Never, before or since, have I known a man of such genius who has put that genius to such valuable and practical use. For the most recent of many times, I marveled at my good fortune to have known him. The evening was at its end. As we set the morning’s meeting for 9:00 sharp, and we made ready to leave, Holmes beckoned me back to his bedside.

“Would you mind stopping at Bradley’s for some shag, old man? Good, and while in the vicinity, stop at our rooms and fetch the large envelope resting alongside my photographic equipment on the lower chemical shelf. There’s a friend. Bring everything with you in the morning.”

I gazed at him in puzzlement, but knew he would say nothing more, so I promised him I would carry out the request. After collecting Houdini, who until then had been sound asleep in one of the waiting room chairs, I departed the hospital for our hotel, weary and intent on rest. Once we had checked in with Franz and Theo, we retired, and I, for one, fell immediately asleep.

* * * * * *

The morning dawned calm and bright. Both the magician and myself were up and breakfasted early, in order that the items requested by Holmes could be assembled and we could arrive at St.

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