Sherlock Holmes by George Mann Read Free Book Online

otherwise…”
    “I believe there is a distinct possibility that he was, Miss Brown,” replied Holmes, with a sad smile. “However, I do not care to speculate until I am in receipt of all of the facts.” He hesitated in the doorway, where Bates was holding the door open for him. “Come along, Watson. There’s work to be done.”
    “My thanks to you, Miss Brown,” I said to the sad, pretty woman, who was still standing behind her desk. “I will endeavour to inform you just as soon as there is any news to share.”
    “Thank you, Dr. Watson,” she said. She was holding herself together with remarkable dignity, although I knew that the moment the door was closed, she would once again lose herself in floods of tears. I decided to leave her my handkerchief. It was the very least I could do.
    Holmes had gone ahead and was waiting for me in the lobby while Bates – presumably – saw to the paperwork for the files Holmes wished to remove.
    “A devilish business this, Holmes,” I said wearily, as I came to stand beside him before one of the alcoves. He was staring up at the portrait of a mustachioed man in full military dress.
    “Indeed, Watson,” he murmured in reply. “Indeed.” He touched his index finger to his lips. “There is much still to learn regarding Grange’s interests, his habits, what sort of man he was. I cannot help but feel the answer to this puzzle lies outside this office, amongst matters more personal or private.”
    “You’re referring to this ‘spirit box’, are you not?” I said.
    “Quite so, Watson,” he replied. “Intriguing, is it not? So intriguing in fact, that I will ask for your forbearance for just a short while longer. There is one further stop I wish to make before we retire for the evening – the home of Mr. Herbert Grange.”
    I nodded my acquiescence. “Very well,” I said. “I’ll leave you here to await the return of Bates with your files, and in the meantime I shall prepare Carter for the worst.”
    Holmes laughed. “Watson?” he said.
    “Yes, Holmes?”
    “It is good, is it not, to be once again concerned with a new mystery?”
    I grinned. “Yes, Holmes,” I said. “It most certainly is.”

CHAPTER FOUR
    Herbert Grange’s house was a relatively modest property for a man of his standing; a mid-terraced home just of Theobald’s Road. The small front garden was not yet mature, but a row of glorious red roses spilled over the dwarf wall, poking out through gaps in the cast-iron railings.
    There were no lights on in the front room, although the curtains had been closed in the bay window. It simply looked as if nobody had arrived home from work that day; as if the house was still waiting for Grange to return. The thought made me shudder, recalling images of his bloated, distended body. If it hadn’t been for the soft yellow glow leaching out through the glass panel above the front door, offering evidence of recent occupation, the place would have seemed entirely unwelcoming. Clearly, however, Inspector Foulkes had arrived before us.
    Holmes had telephoned ahead to Scotland Yard, requesting that Foulkes meet us at Grange’s house, and judging by the light in the hall and the automobile parked in front of the building, he’d already arrived.
    My stomach was grumbling, and I hoped what remained of the evening’s endeavours would not take long. I was sure that both Holmes and I would benefit from a hot meal at my club.
    Despite this distinct lack of sustenance, I could not avoid the fact that I’d enjoyed myself more that day than I had in quite some years. It felt good to be working with Holmes again, not only because I had missed my friend dearly during the months since our last adventure, but because I felt that, finally, I was able to do some good. The war had left me feeling helpless and old, but Holmes’s arrival and insistence on my help had reminded me what it was to be useful. To be a man who made a difference.
    I glanced across at him, only to