Read Online Chronicles of the Lost Years (The Sherlock Holmes Series) by Tracy Cooper-Posey - Free Book Online Page B

was not only familiar with all that went on in Holmes’ life, she staunchly supported every aspect of it. It was quite plain she adored Elizabeth and could not do enough for her. She was discretion itself and I believe she found much delight in Holmes’ descent from the pedestal to common man.
    I began to suspect that everyone but me was familiar with that story. So, one afternoon when Elizabeth was reading to me, I reached out to close the book and requested the story from her.
    She put the book on the floor. “Holmes would never tell you,” she said.
    “I wouldn’t dare to ask,” I admitted. “But I feel I have been handed a fait accompli . Holmes meets you, you both disappear for three years and when you reappear, it is all over and done with.”
    Elizabeth smiled. “I do believe there’s a romantic hiding under that exterior of yours. Yet you spend so much time writing about Holmes’ feats of logic and deduction.”
    “Emotions and logic are like oil and water,” I said. “The two do not mix.”
    “Oh, but they do. Very well,” and Elizabeth laughed at my discomfort. “My dearest John, you have requested a story that will embarrass you, I know it. I cannot relate it without using unpolished truth and details. Do you still want your answer?”
    “Yes, as everyone seems to have the answer except me,” I said just a little petulantly.
    Again she laughed. “Mrs. Hudson received a much diluted version of the events. She is dedicated to Holmes, but I do not believe even her dedication could have withstood the full impact of the true circumstances.” She looked at me fondly for a moment. “You’re curious because Holmes presents such a cold exterior to the world, aren’t you?”
    I admitted I was.
    “I believe you think it was me that threw myself at Holmes,” she said, with her mischievous smile. I knew she was testing my resolve to accept the blunt facts.
    I smiled back. “It is difficult to imagine it happening any other way.”
    “You would have the end of the story before you have the beginning. No, if you insist on the tale, you must start at the beginning and wait for the end, or the story teller’s art is lost.” She lifted her feet and tucked them under her, getting herself comfortable for the telling.
    “Holmes didn’t wish to leave you believing he was dead. I argued that it was safer that way. I suppose he omitted to tell you that?” she asked.
    Much surprised, I nodded.
    “Yes, he is over-protective of me,” she said half to herself. “Perhaps I should start there.”
    I will use Elizabeth’s words as my own, for the story is lengthy and complicated….
    •ï¡÷¡ï• •ï¡÷¡ï• •ï¡÷¡ï•
     
    In response to the fraudulent plea for my medical help back at Meiringen, I left Holmes and Elizabeth paused on the path that led to the steep drop down into the heart of the Reichenbach Falls. Holmes was smoking a cigarette in quiet contemplation whilst Elizabeth watched my departure. She actually waved goodbye to me when I turned for my one last look before scrambling over the hill and out of sight.
    I didn’t know it then, but that image of Holmes and Elizabeth quietly waiting on the footpath was to be my last sight of them for three years. Compared to what was to happen in the next few minutes, it was a composed, tranquil scene.
    Holmes continued to smoke his cigarette in silence for a few moments, then glanced at Elizabeth. “Perhaps it would be as well for you to follow Watson. They may need some nursing assistance from an English woman.”
    Elizabeth considered the idea for a short second, then felt her blood run cold as she fathomed Holmes’ true intentions.
    Constantly throughout that week we had heard Holmes maintain he would consider his life’s work complete if he could only rid the world of Moriarty. I had quoted verbatim to Elizabeth Holmes’ breakfast-time conversation with that evil man, including Holmes’ acceptance of death, if death was necessary to