The Wild Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Will Murray

Author:Will Murray [Murray, Will]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Mystery
Publisher: Altus Press
Published: 2020-08-07T04:00:00+00:00

The Enigma of Neptune’s Quandary

“A most peculiar visitor to see you,” announced Mrs. Hudson, the landlady.

I looked up from reading the newspaper. Sherlock Holmes did the same. It is an interesting commentary on our long friendship that we had been thus immersed in complete silence for over an hour, not engaged in conversation but instead silently enjoying one another’s company in our shared Baker Street sitting room.

“What is peculiar about him?” I asked.

“He complimented me on the fresh peonies in the window vase.”

I confess to being confused by the comment.

“What is so peculiar about that?” I further inquired.

Holmes remarked dryly, “If you were more observant, my dear Watson, you would not need to ask that question.”

“Please do not remind me of my deficiencies, Holmes. And the question stands unanswered.”

“With a little thought, you could answer it yourself,” Holmes continued, putting down his newspaper.

“The window flowers,” explained the housekeeper, “are not peonies. They are buttercups.”

“So they are!” I remarked. “I had forgotten. The man is obviously abjectly ignorant of botany.”

“Or perhaps merely a peculiar fellow,” noted Holmes. “Send him up, Mrs. Hudson.”

There was very little outwardly peculiar about the man who stepped into the study a moment later. He was well dressed, and had an air of prosperity. Perhaps his expression was not as serious as most of the clients who appealed to the deductive skills of the famed consulting detective, but there was nothing uncouth about it. His mustache was waxed to extreme points. There was a gleam in his eye that struck one as a trifle supercilious. But that was all.

His black wool Inverness cape was of the finest quality, but when he removed his trilby hat and white gloves, it fell open. I was shocked by what was revealed. Both his Windsor scarf and the matching waistcoat were an abominable chartreuse green, which clashed with his otherwise-tasteful ensemble. A golden scarf pin in the shape of a crab stood out against the vivid green of the silk knot.

The man offered Holmes his card, which the great detective glanced at and then tossed to me. It proclaimed him to be Roy Darlington. It showed an address and a telephone number, but nothing else to say what his occupation or station in life might be.

“You have a matter to lay before us?” asked Holmes casually.

“You might put it that way,” stated Darlington suavely. “But it is more in the nature of a challenge.”

Holmes nodded slightly. “Most of the conundrums that are brought to my attention are of the nature you characterize. Pray take a seat.”

Darlington took a comfortable chair and crossed one leg over the opposite knee in a jaunty fashion. Based upon that gesture alone, I took an immediate dislike to him.

“I have a baffling mystery for you, my dear Mr. Holmes, that I daresay will confound your renowned wits.”

Holmes regarded the fellow in prolonged silence. I knew that he was taking in every detail of the fellow’s appearance and mannerisms, analyzing and cataloguing all evident points like a human tabulating machine.

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