A Study in Terror Read Online Free PDF Page B

amazingly lenient with his younger son. The boy finally tried his father’s patience too far when he married a woman of the oldest profession; in fine, a prostitute.”
    â€œI begin to see,” muttered I. “Out of spite, or hatred, to besmirch the title he could not inherit.”
    â€œPerhaps,” said Holmes. “In any case, it would have been difficult for the Duke to assume otherwise.”
    â€œI did not know,” said I, humbly.
    â€œIt is human, my dear Watson, to side with the under-dog. But it is wise to discover beforehand exactly who the under-dog is. In the case of the Duke, I grant that he is a difficult man, but he bears a cross.”
    I replied, with some despair, “Then I suppose my evaluation of Lord Carfax is faulty, also.”
    â€œI do not know, Watson. We have very little data. However, he did fail on two accounts.”
    â€œI was not aware of it.”
    â€œNor was he.”
    My mind was centred upon a broader prospect. “Holmes,” said I, “this whole affair is curiously unsatisfactory. Surely this journey was not motivated by a simple desire on your part to restore lost property?”
    He gazed out of the carriage-window. “The surgeon’s-kit was delivered to our door. I doubt we were mistaken for a lost-and-found bureau.”
    â€œBut by whom was it sent?”
    â€œBy someone who wished us to have it.”
    â€œThen we can only wait.”
    â€œWatson, to say that I smell a devious purpose here is no doubt fanciful. But the stench is strong. Perhaps you will get your wish.”
    â€œMy wish?”
    â€œI believe you recently suggested that I give the Yard some assistance in the case of Jack the Ripper.”
    â€œHolmes—!”
    â€œOf course there is no evidence to connect the Ripper with the surgeon’s-kit. But the post-mortem knife is missing.”
    â€œThe implication has not escaped me. Why, this very night it may be plunged into the body of some unfortunate!”
    â€œA possibility, Watson. The removal of the scalpel may have been symbolical, a subtle allusion to the fiendish stalker.”
    â€œWhy did the sender not come forward?”
    â€œThere could be any number of reasons. I should put fear high on the list. In time, I think, we shall know the truth.”
    Holmes lapsed into the preoccupation I knew so well. Further probing on my part, I knew, would have been useless. I sat back and stared gloomily out the window as the train sped towards Paddington.

Ellery Tries
    Ellery looked up from the notebook.
    Grant Ames, finishing his nth drink, asked eagerly, “Well?”
    Ellery got up and went to a bookshelf, frowning. He took a book down and searched for something while Grant waited. He returned the book to the shelf and came back.
    â€œChristianson’s.”
    Grant looked blank.
    â€œAccording to the reference there, Christianson’s was a well-known stationery manufacturer of the period. Their watermark is on the paper of the notebook.”
    â€œThat does it, then!”
    â€œNot necessarily. Anyway, there’s no point in trying to authenticate the manuscript. If someone’s trying to sell it to me, I’m not buying. If it’s genuine, I can’t afford it. If it’s a phony—”
    â€œI don’t think that was the idea, old boy.”
    â€œThen what was the idea?”
    â€œHow should I know? I suppose someone wants you to read it.”
    Ellery pulled his nose fretfully. “You’re sure it was put into your car at that party?”
    â€œHad to be.”
    â€œAnd it was addressed by a woman. How many women were there?”
    Grant counted on his fingers. “Four.”
    â€œAny bookworms? Collectors? Librarians? Little old ladies smelling of lavender sachets and must?”
    â€œHell, no. Four slick young chicks trying to look seductive. After a husband. Frankly, Ellery, I can’t conceive one of them knowing Sherlock