Read Online Sherlock Holmes in Something the Cat Dragged In by Lyn McConchie - Free Book Online Page A

instructions to the nurse. That continued for some time, until a young man’s voice firmed into clarity.
    â€œWhat’s to do?” Then, “Oh, sir! Please excuse…”
    â€œLie down, lad, no need to stand on ceremony,” said Lestrade. “You’re in hospital. You were struck down and injured. You’re recovering, and you did your duty, no need to fret. Now, start with the last thing you remember clearly and go back from there. Don’t fuss and don’t try to force anything, let it come as it will, even if it sounds a bit confused. No need to put it into official language either, just tell it as it happened.”
    We moved closer to the door. Len Rogers remembered that he had been detailed to work as a footman in Northgate’s home. However, his primary job was to watch over Northgate, since his superiors had heard some whisper that His Lordship could be in danger. Northgate knew Rogers for what he was and had been always carelessly kind to the boy. In consequence, Rogers, who liked the man, had several times, and without His Lordship knowing, followed him in the city as Northgate went about his affairs. His Lordship disbelieved the warnings, Rogers said, and took no security precautions at all, so that Rogers was worried for him.
    â€œHis Lordship told the butler as he was going out. He got into a cab and I followed on foot, as traffic were bad so it weren’t going fast and I could keep up by cutting through some alleys. Lord Northgate got out of the cab after a while and went into a house, After a couple of minutes he came to the front door again and I thought he was leaving. There was movement behind His Lordship and he turned back inside seeming to hear someone speaking to him. Two men stood at the door with him. They took hold of His Lordship, tried to drag him back inside and there was a scuffle, so I ran up calling that they should release him at once, and that’s all I can recall, sir.”
    Holmes stepped into the doorway. “Do you remember a cat?” he asked. “A brown cat, very friendly? You gave him something.”
    Rogers’s pale face lit with a smile. “The cat, he was licking my face. He had a fancy collar on so I guessed he was a pet. I gave him my dad’s watch and he played with it, then he went off carrying it.”
    Holmes spoke in a soft, even voice. “And he came back, so you gave him…”
    â€œI gave him one of my gloves. Seemed like years after that and no one came. Lord Northgate was gone when next I came to. I found his handkerchief by me, spotted with blood, and I thought that might make someone notice. I gave that to the cat next time and he didn’t come back.”
    â€œNo, he took the handkerchief to his owner who knows me, and who came to ask my advice. Inspector Lestrade and I returned, and with the cat’s help we tracked down where you were held captive and freed you.”
    â€œA good cat,” Len said, his voice trailing off into silence as his eyes closed.
    The doctor made the usual checks and looked at us. “He’s weak and he’ll fall asleep like that for days. He mustn’t be tired out more than you can help, and I think it unlikely he’ll remember much more. The initial blows were to the back of the head and he would not have seen his attacker. Someone beat him badly after that; he has cracked ribs, a broken arm, and considerable bruising.”
    Harrison followed us to the waiting room and spoke quietly. “The doctor thinks Len will recover completely. I’m glad of that, for I like the boy; he’s honest, hard-working, sensible, and he’ll be a good detective, in time.”
    I looked at him. “Isn’t he a detective now?”
    Harrison grinned. “Well, he started as a constable, however he’s got some education has Len, and ambition. He was promoted to detective last year, just after he turned twenty-eight. I’ve been bringing