Part 2 (1/2)
The explorer was a bigas an ox-but as I guided hiripping his elbow and ht arm about his waist, he seemed to deflate and wither
I kicked the door shut behind us and whispered, ”I don't knohat Hol at, but I don't believe a word of it He's up to so, of that you can be sure!”
”Bisown ”Don't let hiive up on ht as well die this very night You have no idea what it means to me”
I helped him to lie back on the bed, and felt his pulse It was fluttering wildly He was struggling for air
”I'll do what I can,” I said ”Don't speak Lie still and try to regulate your breathing I'ive you a sedative”
His fingers closed aroundthat'll save me now is chapter twenty-one My translation will be the crown of my life, Watson! The crown!”
I frowned ”But it's-it's pornography, Sir Richard!”
A hoarse chuckle escaped hi I used my handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his brow and waited for the fit to pass
”No one understands,” he wheezed ”What is illegal and shocking in 1888 was once the very basis of Plato's philosophy What we decry as unnatural and immoral today was considered the noblest for, Watson Everything! And if we refuse to record that which we disapprove of now, then the future will be erected upon foundations so riddled with holes, omissions and ht coe! It is-it is-essential!”
A trean to slip up into his head
”Hol!”
Seconds later, the door burst open and Sherlock Hol as rapidly as I could, I loaded a syringe with a solution of morphine and injected it into Burton's ar, his breathing became less laboured, and, when I placed my stethoscope to his chest, I found that his heart was beating regularly, though with the slight ”echo” I've often heard moments after a patient has experienced a heart attack
”Unconscious,” I said ”It was a close call but he'll live For how long I can't say What's your game, Holmes?”
”Later!” the detective replied in a brusque tone ”When you shouted, I sent Lestrade to fetch back Lady Burton They'll be here momentarily We must take this opportunity while we have it” He crossed to a large Saratoga trunk in the corner of the roo lens to its lock ”Scratches!” hebeen picked” He lifted the lid to reveal books and papers within ”It was from here that chapter twenty-one was removed, but the marks around the lock are an attempted deception It was opened in the normal manner, with a key”
”Deception by whoh the duplicity yet, Watson?”
”Duplicity? No, I can't say I have Why did you claim defeat?”
We heard the suite door open and feet crossing the carpet
”Hush!+” Holernon Swinburne and Lady Burton rushed in, the latter crying out ”dick!” and throwing herself down beside her husband
”He suffered a mild heart attack,” I told her ”I treated him with morphine It has stabilised him but he must sleep and avoid any further distress”
Bakerhis patient
Sherlock Holently upon her shoulder ”Mada of you”
She raised her face to him Tears streamed down her plump cheeks ”What is it, Mr Holmes?”
”I wish you to call uponIt is of the utmost importance”
”I can't leave my husband”
Holmes looked at me I said, ”The crisis has passed, Lady Burton I wouldn't allow you to leave Sir Richard's side were I not positive that you could afford to do so The drug will keep hier while you visit Baker Street”
Swinburne put in, ”I shall reone, Isabel”
”But-”
Holmes cut her off ”I must insist upon it”
She nodded ”Very well Ten o'clock”
”Good Then Watson and I will bid you farewell Get some sleep, dear lady You must be exhausted Mr Swinburne, may I speak with you in the other room for a moment?”
The little man nodded and followed us out Inspector Lestrade was standing at the suite entrance talking quietly with the two constables Holmes led Swinburne to the corner farthest from the policemen and the bedroom He whispered, ”Watson and I will take our leave now This entire matter will be resolved tomorrow and chapter twenty-one will be returned”
Swinburne gasped ”What? What? What? You've solved the case? Will Avery swing for it?”
”Can you call on me at three o'clock toerly
Holmes added, ”Keep the appointment secret, please Tell no one Not even the Burtons”
We left suite 106 just as a police coroner arrived to remove the body of Thomas Bendyshe
”You can't win 'em all, Holmes!” Lestrade called after us
”Well done, Lestrade,” Holmes responded cheerily ”It'll certainly raise your stock at the Yard if you find the murderer!” Under his breath, he added, ”Not that you will, you insufferable dolt!”
”Explain!” I demanded ”I'm completely in the dark!”
”To le had one of the hotel's four-wheelers carry us home By the time we arrived, it was half past three and I could barely keep ht to bed, fell asleep, and was shaken awake, it seemed, after just five ?” I ,” he said ”Lady Burton is due here in forty minutes”
I opened an eye and looked hiht Have you not been to bed?”
”I'll sleep when the manuscript is back in Sir Richard's hands Rouse yourself! Out of your nest!”
I heaved a sigh, opened ht! I'll be down presently”
I washed, shaved and dressed, and entered the consulting roo before the fireplace with his hands behind his back