Part 17 (1/2)
”A violin concerto!” I exclaihed ”Now, Watson Breakfast!” he said, lighting his pipe and ringing the bell for Mrs Hudson ”There's a littlejewel”
The story of the Higha the peculiar events of which I have just given account would seem entirely prosaic
I sent word to Newbury that the matter had been successfully concluded and took pains to outline the story recited by Hol Xavier Gray's unfortunate circumstances and the true nature of the ht I received a brief note of thanks from Miss Hobbes, who explained that Newbury had been detained with other matters but wished to extend his thanks for the part I had played in proceedings, and to reassure iven over to the appropriate authorities
It would be nearly two years until I once again encountered Sir Maurice Newbury and Miss Veronica Hobbes, in connection with the incidents I have previously set out in ”The Case of the Five Bowler Hats” Events at that point would take a decidedly ht not have wished so readily to find ed in another mystery with that ineffable duo
As it was, I'd found orated by my association with Newbury and Miss Hobbes and knew that, should the circuain present the forces with theate a mystery of the improbable
Moreover, as I tucked into Mrs Hudson's excellent breakfast, I was content to know that for once in the long history of our friendshi+p, I had been able to successfully surprise Mr Sherlock Hole Mann was born in Darlington and is the author of over ten books, as well as nuinal audio scripts
The Affinity Bridge, the first novel in his Newbury & Hobbes Victorian fantasy series, was published in 2008 Other titles in the series include The Osiris Ritual, The I, The Executioner's Heart
His other novels include Ghosts of Manhattan and Ghosts of War, ainst the backdrop of a post-steainal Doctor Who novel, Paradox Lost, featuring the Eleventh Doctor alongside his companions, Aies, including The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction and The Solaris Book of New Fantasy, and has written new adventures for Sherlock Holmes and the worlds of Black Library
THE ADVENTURE OF THE LOCKED CARRIAGE
BY STUART DOUGLass
My old friend Mr Sherlock Hol public had little need to know the intimate details of certain of our cases Primarily, Holmes had in mind those rare occasions when he re, but safe to say failure was not the sole reason for his-and my-silence Some of our cases, in truth, were of a nature considered unsuitable for wider circulation than a brief sketch in my notebooks and a more detailed analysis in Holed As I sit here, an old man now, I can hear the clatter of motorcars outside in the street Should I reach my hand out to the left, a wireless radio sits within reach, ready to transht the telephone has been installed for so long that if feels like a coone, of course, and I reat deal of ti Perhaps this is the time to put on paper the last few unreported successes of the Great Detective's distinguished career If not now, after all, then never
It was (according to my notes) an overcast day in March when Hol into pieces with one of , Watson,” he said, without preaht down the page and pinched out the article which had evidently caught his attention I took it from his outstretched hand and read the text slowly back to him, as was then my custo at approxi for the Great Eastern Railwayprepared for the return journey from Liverpool Street to Leyton station A reporter for this newspaper discovered that the porter, Archibald Aberdeen, was alerted by a passenger wishi+ng to join the train that the compart lady, said lady apparently having fainted during her journey froure, a local physician was called for and he, upon exaer As the train was an express special, thus allowing no other passenger admittance to the compartment once the journey commenced, our correspondent understands that the police are satisfied that there is no reason to suspect foul play in this tragedy
Not for the first ti at me expectantly, while I frantically attely inconsequential fact which had piqued his interest
I admit that I was a little irked by his air of condescension and deter in intellect Unfortunately, nothing obvious suggested itself ”I'ues you, Holmes The unfortunate lady was in an otherwise e express train and assured, therefore, of no company until journey's end Given those circu other than natural causes A tragedy, Holesture with his hand, indicating neither agreereeers in front of his face and closed his eyes for a moment ”But equally, perhaps not,” he concluded, somewhat perversely I felt He pushed hiy ”There is also the snise, though from where I cannot say Lestrade should be able to clear thea railway porter is a task even he should not find beyond hirabbing his hat and coat as he passed and gesturing for me to follow
Later in life, Inspector Lestrade was pleased to ad career to his relationshi+p with Sherlock Holmes In the early years of their acquaintanceshi+p, however, he preferred, naturally if gracelessly, to stress his own solid police work and judgement of character and to skate quickly over any involvement by Holh for a policereed for popular acclaim which was anathema to racious enough to allow Holmes access to any case in which he expressed an interest Nothing attracts public approval so quickly as success, I find
So it was that within the hour ere ensconced with the inspector in his dusty Scotland Yard office, and the sallow-faced littlea file for information on Holmes' behalf
”No, Mr Hols no bells at all,” he said, handing the file over toback in his seat, with a surreptitious wink in h since you can't actually say ould know this gentleht have come across him, that's not entirely a surprise What's your interest, if I ht ask, Mr Hole, ere intending to close the file on this case Unless you have so lady's death?”
”Heart proble to suffer such a fate, but it was not unheard of, and the suddenness of her collapse argued against the estion, Dr Watson! That was the very conclusion of the physician who examined the body A weak heart, he said, which could have failed at any time I must tell you, Mr Holmes, that a substantial ae, in addition to shop boxes containing sht of this, the matter is not viewed as a criht have in the case at all”
”A substantial a the rest of Lestrade's speech entirely
”Nine ten-pound notes, no less, as well as-” He consulted the file again ”As well as one five-pound note, two pound notes, five shi+llings and a ha'penny, all discovered in the young lady's handbag”
”Not theft then,” said Hole the entire time A corridorless express train, Lestrade, I think you said?” He nodded to himself in apparent confirmation ”Is there family?'
”There is Within the hour her father was able to identify the poor lady as Miss Emily Williams, a respectable sort who lives-lived- with her parents in Putney Miss Williaone to the station toher there, had enlisted her father to help him search The victim's body was discovered shortly after Mr Willia to the police There is a sister nearby, too, I believe She was not involved in the search but a constable was sent round to break the news”
”The fiance did not report it directly?” asked Hol for a response ”Not that itwoman”
”Nearly one hundred pounds!” I exclai a chance to speak ”What on earth was she doing carrying such a sum around with her? Where had she come from that she needed so much money to hand?”
Lestrade was, I believe, about to answer, but Holmes spoke first, irritation evident in his voice ”She was buying ite, Watson That much at least is obvious, surely?”
I have re ability to pluck facts fro air, but I admit that this pronounce, however, Holmes continued ”The money, Watson From her father, presumably, Lestrade?” The inspector nodded in confirmation as Holmes went on, ”Nine ten-pound notes, and a considerable aiven the ae froh left for further,wo to set up a ho lady in question was returning by train fro esplanades of the city, and that Lestrade mentioned items of jewellery, and the conclusion is inescapable I need hardly add that either soreat deal of distress before she boarded the train, or she had experienced second thoughts about her upco nuptials”
”Oh really, Holmes,” I complained ”This is sheer conjecture on your part There is no way you could possibly know intimate facts about Miss Williams' private life”
Holmes was in no way discomfited by my expression of doubt ”The lady returned with nearly all of the , Watson Have you ever heard of a wo for her oedding? Either she was forced to cut her trip short, or her heart was not entirely set on the expedition in the first place
”No sift for her future husband either, you will note, Watson I would hazard, therefore, that the tere not quite so close as one would i lovers Further, she was on the half-past two special express train, not the later andthat so led Miss Williams to abandon her plans and return hoht well have avoided the grisly fate which overcae”
”Really, Mr Holrisly fate,” interrupted Lestrade, with asperity ”I've already said, nobody else entered the carriage, and as the train was a special express there was no possibility of anyone getting on at another station Not toin her seat, as calm as you like She could not have beendisturbed?” I asked carefully
”The lady was not insulted in any other way, if that's what you're asking, Dr Watson,” replied Lestrade with some embarrassment ”Her clothes were essentially intact, thankfully In fact, with the exception of single glove, everything appears to be accounted for”