Secret Archives of Sherlock Holmes, The, The by June Thomson Read Free Book Online Page B

on, Mr ’Olmes,’ the inspector declared. ‘It’s a pity in a way that we can’t ’ang the two of them and be done with them for good. But at least we can be sure they’ll serve long sentences in gaol, thanks to the efforts of both you gentlemen. You’ll be returning to London, I assume?’
    ‘I have one more small task to perform,’ Holmesreplied, ‘and one small gift to give to you, Inspector.’
    ‘A gift?’ Lestrade’s sallow features lit up with pleasurable anticipation.
    ‘Only a trifle, my dear Inspector, but I thought it might amuse you,’ Holmes replied with a smile, plunging his hand in his pocket and displaying on his open palm the object which he had picked up from the decking of the pier.
    Lestrade bent to examine it and then drew sharply back, his expression turning to one of mixed bewilderment and distaste.
    ‘What on earth is it, Mr Holmes? It looks like an ear!’
    ‘That is exactly what it is. An ear,’ Holmes assured him. ‘To be more precise, the ear which Holy Peters wore over his own to hide the injuries his real ear suffered when it was bitten in that bar-room brawl in Australia in ’89. The damage to it was too conspicuous a means of identification, so Holy Peters contrived to conceal it by attaching this wax ear over it.’
    Lestrade gave a little nervous laugh as if still not entirely comfortable with the sight of the object lying in Holmes’ palm.
    ‘It’s a very good likeness,’ he ventured at last, clearly at a loss as to what to say.
    ‘Made by an expert, I should imagine,’ Holmes replied. ‘Possibly by Monsieur Oscar Meunier of Grenoble who, if you recall, made a wax bust of myself to display in the window of our sitting-room in Baker Street to foolColonel Moran into thinking I was at home and to draw his fire. 12 Now if you will excuse me, Inspector. As I said, I have a small task to perform before Dr Watson and I return to London.’
    ‘What task, Holmes?’ I asked as we emerged from the police station.
    ‘To inquire after Miss Pilkington and Mrs Huxtable,’ Holmes replied, breaking off briefly to hail a cab. ‘I should like them to know what has happened and to reassure myself that both the ladies are well.’
    I know that on occasions in the past I have criticised Holmes for his lack of warmth and sympathy for others but at times like these, when he reveals the more caring side to his nature, there cannot be a more considerate person in the whole world.
    As soon as we had returned to the hotel and collected our luggage, we went in search of Miss Pilkington, whom we found seated alone in the ladies’ drawing-room, Mrs Huxtable, it seemed, on Holmes’ inquiry, having retired to her bedroom to recover from the shock of witnessing the arrest of Miss Wilberforce and of learning the truth about the criminal career of the lady and her so-called brother.
    ‘Thank goodness I wrote to you, Mr Holmes,’ Miss Pilkington declared. ‘I dread to think what would have happened to Mrs Huxtable had she gone to that clinic in Harrogate.’
    ‘Indeed,’ Holmes replied gravely. ‘But it is your future which concerns me at the moment, Miss Pilkington. Will you remain in Mrs Huxtable’s employ?’
    ‘I think not, Mr Holmes. I have come to the conclusion that children and elderly widows do not make the most agreeable of companions. I have a friend in Paris whom I met when I was working there as a governess. She owns a private school where she teaches English to French businessmen. She offered me a position there but unfortunately I had already accepted the post with Mrs Huxtable so I had to refuse. However, her offer is still open and I have decided to accept it. In fact, I have written a letter to her this morning. As soon as I receive her reply, I shall give my notice to Mrs Huxtable.’
    ‘A very wise decision,’ Holmes replied, rising to his feet and holding out his hand. ‘I wish you well.’
    It was sincerely meant and so, too, was her gratitude for the part