Part 30 (1/2)
”Manders?”
I had to look twice, but there was nosheepishly in the sudden light, was Bunny Manders! I have to say, he was the last person I had been expecting!
”Mr Manders, a pleasure to renew our acquaintance,” said Hol? A tiara, perhaps?”
”Oh, very funny,” frowned the unfortunate cove
”What have you got to say for yourself?” I de the fellon onto my chair
”Absolutely nothing,” he said, affecting a petulant defiance that had not been present before
”I is to ask you,” I said
”I iine they will”
”A brilliant plan, Mr Manders, quite brilliant And it nearly succeeded” Manders looked sullenly back at Holmes and stayed silent
”What are we to do with hi those tireless bastions of law enforcement For noe should restrain Mr Manders until such time as we can avail ourselves of the services of the nearest police station” Holaslae, Watson, if you would be so good?”
”With pleasure” As Holuest, I moved quickly to theto retrieve the shackles A lanced out onto the darkened Baker Street to see a unifor the road A beat bobby walking fearlessly through the night, laht his way
”Holmes, there's a bobby out there That's a stroke of luck”
”Indeed it is Quickly, Watson, before they have passed froed down the staircase, safe in the knowledge that Mrs Hudson was so acclies that she could have slept through the Boer War I unlocked the door and stepped out onto the street
”Constable,” I called out, jogging towards his receding forlow of his la at me as I approached
”Is there a proble the heavily whiskered features and corpulent frame
”Yes, Officer, if you can come please, there has been a break-in at 221b Baker Street”
”Very well, sir,” he said, scratching at an impressive sideburn, ”lead on”
The officer didn't seem in much of a hurry as I led the way back to 221b I desperately wanted to urge hi, but soed back into the now fully lit sitting rooress up the stairs
”Officer, and just in the nick of time,” declared Holmes enthusiastically on our arrival
”Indeed, sir,” responded the officer ”Mr Holmes, is it?” Holmes nodded ”Pleasure, sir Dr Watson 'ere has just been explaining what has occurred” He turned to Manders, still seated, but now cuffed ”This the intruder?”
”Indeed it is, Constable,” I confirmed
”Oh dear, oh dear, we are in trouble, aren't we, sir?” said the constable, looking down at Manders disapprovingly
”Yes,” replied the villain quietly ”I suppose I am”
The officer pursed chapped lips ”If it's all the saentleet him safely locked up in the nearest station”
Holreement ”I do think that would be wise, Constable”
”I'd be grateful if you two gentle, and we can take down particulars at the appropriate hour”
”Of course, anything we can do to help”
”Right you, on yer feet,” the officer said to Manders, ith his hands cuffed, was forced to wriggle this way and that until he eventually struggled to his feet It would have been comical in different circumstances
”You should be ashamed of yourself,” I felt compelled to say as the officer placed a firm hand on Manders' shoulder and led him towards the door He looked at me with sad, weary eyes as he passed
”Watson, could you get the door?” asked Hole, I stepped ahead of the officer and opened the sitting-room door
”Much appreciated, sir,” said the constable
”Oh, Officer?” Holmes called out just before he reached the door The constable turned to Holmes
”Sir?”
”I do think it would be safer if you took the tiara,” said Hol it out to the police until it can be returned to its owners I'm sure it will beroolinted in the light of the laht you are, sir”
The an to push Manders towards the door once more
”Tell me, Officer,” said Holmes airily, ”how is Inspector Leach?”
”Inspector Leach, sir?” the officer replied, stilltowards the door ”Very well, as I understand it Very well”
”I aards of Sherlock Holmes”
”Of course, sir”
The officer was almost at the door, the silent Manders ahead of hie, his whole body tensing for action ”Watson, quickly, the door!”