Read Online The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by William Seil - Free Book Online
Authors: William Seil
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was married to someone who cared a great deal for her. Can you not be thankful for the happiness you gave her, and leave it at that? Youare an author; it is time to write the next chapter in your life.’
‘Your husband was a most fortunate man,’ I said. ‘Have you been able to write the next chapter in your life?’
‘I have begun,’ Miss Storm-Fleming smiled at me, then stared out into the rolling waves of the Atlantic. ‘I do not know how it is going to turn out yet, but that is what makes life interesting. Do you not agree?’
Before I could answer, we were interrupted by a stocky, well-dressed man whom I judged to be in his late forties. His dark, receding hair was combed straight back. Our visitor’s long sideburns came within an inch or two of his full, grey moustache. He showed no signs of discomfort over disturbing our conversation. On the contrary, his firm, impatient manner made it very clear that he expected our immediate attention.
‘Herr Watson! I was told that you are Doctor John Watson. Is this correct?’ While his English was fluent, his accent was decidedly German.
‘Yes, I am Doctor Watson. And who am I addressing?’
‘Good. My name is Hans Von Stern. I wish to consult you on a professional matter. It concerns my wife, Elisabeth.’
‘Is she ill?’
‘No, no, you misunderstand. You have worked for many years with the detective Sherlock Holmes. Correct?’
‘He is a friend of mine, yes. But I am afraid I do not understand you.’
‘Well then, my wife has received a threatening note. I would like you to investigate the matter.’
I laughed quietly to myself and Miss Storm-Fleming, after hesitating for a moment, joined in. I was not surprised to find that Von Stern neither understood nor appreciated my sense of humour.
‘Mr Von Stern, Mr Holmes is the detective. I am simply a doctor. While I have accompanied Holmes on many of his investigations, I have none of his skills.’
‘You underestimate yourself, Doctor. I have read your accounts ofHerr Holmes’s adventures. You are a man of great insight and have learned much from your association with your friend.’ Von Stern studied Miss Storm-Fleming for a moment, then shifted his attention back to me. ‘So, will you help me?’
Still amused by the situation, Miss Storm-Fleming ventured, ‘This could be the first Adventure of Doctor Watson. It looks like an opportunity to be your associate has come more quickly than I expected.’
‘Young lady, I do not believe that I have had the pleasure...’
‘Mr Von Stern, this is my friend, Miss Storm-Fleming.’ I added, with a smile, ‘You may speak as freely before her as you would to me.’
‘Very well, then. Here is the note Elisabeth received this morning. It was slipped under our cabin door during the night.’
Von Stern pulled a folded piece of paper from his jacket pocket. It contained words of various sizes that had been clipped from the headlines of magazines. Only her name had been printed by hand, in pencil.
‘Baroness Von Stern — Your past is known. You will be contacted. Pay or be exposed.’
‘You must show this to the captain at once,’ I said. ‘This is a most serious matter.’
‘No! I will not expose my wife to an official inquiry. Besides, it may be no more than a cruel joke.’
‘Are you a baron?’ asked Miss Storm-Fleming.
‘Yes, that is my title. Now then, Doctor Watson, will you help?’
Von Stern was impatient for answers. I wished that I could introduce him to Holmes. But I knew that would not be possible. ‘Baron Von Stern, do you have any idea what this is all about?’
‘None, Doctor. My wife has no secrets.’
‘Has she received any blackmail notes in the past?’
‘This is the first.’
‘Do you suspect anyone on this ship?’
‘So far, I have recognized no one on board, or on the passenger list... You will help, then?’
‘Baron Von Stern, I do not think that I will be of much assistance, but I will at least give the
‘Your husband was a most fortunate man,’ I said. ‘Have you been able to write the next chapter in your life?’
‘I have begun,’ Miss Storm-Fleming smiled at me, then stared out into the rolling waves of the Atlantic. ‘I do not know how it is going to turn out yet, but that is what makes life interesting. Do you not agree?’
Before I could answer, we were interrupted by a stocky, well-dressed man whom I judged to be in his late forties. His dark, receding hair was combed straight back. Our visitor’s long sideburns came within an inch or two of his full, grey moustache. He showed no signs of discomfort over disturbing our conversation. On the contrary, his firm, impatient manner made it very clear that he expected our immediate attention.
‘Herr Watson! I was told that you are Doctor John Watson. Is this correct?’ While his English was fluent, his accent was decidedly German.
‘Yes, I am Doctor Watson. And who am I addressing?’
‘Good. My name is Hans Von Stern. I wish to consult you on a professional matter. It concerns my wife, Elisabeth.’
‘Is she ill?’
‘No, no, you misunderstand. You have worked for many years with the detective Sherlock Holmes. Correct?’
‘He is a friend of mine, yes. But I am afraid I do not understand you.’
‘Well then, my wife has received a threatening note. I would like you to investigate the matter.’
I laughed quietly to myself and Miss Storm-Fleming, after hesitating for a moment, joined in. I was not surprised to find that Von Stern neither understood nor appreciated my sense of humour.
‘Mr Von Stern, Mr Holmes is the detective. I am simply a doctor. While I have accompanied Holmes on many of his investigations, I have none of his skills.’
‘You underestimate yourself, Doctor. I have read your accounts ofHerr Holmes’s adventures. You are a man of great insight and have learned much from your association with your friend.’ Von Stern studied Miss Storm-Fleming for a moment, then shifted his attention back to me. ‘So, will you help me?’
Still amused by the situation, Miss Storm-Fleming ventured, ‘This could be the first Adventure of Doctor Watson. It looks like an opportunity to be your associate has come more quickly than I expected.’
‘Young lady, I do not believe that I have had the pleasure...’
‘Mr Von Stern, this is my friend, Miss Storm-Fleming.’ I added, with a smile, ‘You may speak as freely before her as you would to me.’
‘Very well, then. Here is the note Elisabeth received this morning. It was slipped under our cabin door during the night.’
Von Stern pulled a folded piece of paper from his jacket pocket. It contained words of various sizes that had been clipped from the headlines of magazines. Only her name had been printed by hand, in pencil.
‘Baroness Von Stern — Your past is known. You will be contacted. Pay or be exposed.’
‘You must show this to the captain at once,’ I said. ‘This is a most serious matter.’
‘No! I will not expose my wife to an official inquiry. Besides, it may be no more than a cruel joke.’
‘Are you a baron?’ asked Miss Storm-Fleming.
‘Yes, that is my title. Now then, Doctor Watson, will you help?’
Von Stern was impatient for answers. I wished that I could introduce him to Holmes. But I knew that would not be possible. ‘Baron Von Stern, do you have any idea what this is all about?’
‘None, Doctor. My wife has no secrets.’
‘Has she received any blackmail notes in the past?’
‘This is the first.’
‘Do you suspect anyone on this ship?’
‘So far, I have recognized no one on board, or on the passenger list... You will help, then?’
‘Baron Von Stern, I do not think that I will be of much assistance, but I will at least give the
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