Sherlock Holmes: The Shadow From Beyond Read Online Free PDF

receding footprints to a small gate in the rear fence, the gate was unlocked and slightly ajar, a small dirt path ran just behind the fence from East to West. An empty field of yellowing grass lay beyond the rear grounds of the house, a few cottages could be seen off in the distance. The detective once again bent low to examine the ground with his magnifying glass, his eyes scanning over the minute details before him.
    “The intruder travelled from the East up this pathway,” he indicated, “It is a cautious approach, slightly staggered and in many areas the prints show a hesitation in pace.
    “Here the person stopped for a few moments.” Holmes motioned downward. “The prints then lead from this spot into the rear garden via the gate, over the grass, through the flowerbed and into the study, exiting and returning via the same route. These return prints, the further paced ones, exit from this gate and continue in a staggered run off along the dirt path but in the opposite direction. Come, let us follow the trail, perhaps there will be a fish at the end of the line.”
    Holmes began to walk down the trail that lead off to the West, Watson and Lestrade followed close behind.
    “Only one set of footprints Holmes?” enquired Lestrade as they trudged onward. “Could only one man do such immense damage to the patio doors of Harper’s study? He must be a monster of a man then! We should be on guard with pistols out!” Lestrade moved his hand toward his coat as he looked around nervously. Watson simply rolled his eyes at the inspector’s remark while Holmes grinned slyly.
     
     

Chapter 6

    The Vagrant
     
     
    The dirt trail followed a rather straight course for a while before leading down into a small overgrown glade. By now the sun was high in the sky and a slight breeze blew the loose leaves off their branches, the fields were a mix of bright autumn hues. Down in the glade the group spots a figure lying under a tree, from their vantage point they see no movement.
    “There’s our man Holmes,” Lestrade stated as he removed his pistol from beneath his jacket and raised the barrel toward the figure. “Be careful of the beast!” Watson felt the inspector was being melodramatic indeed and his expression showed it.
    As they slowly approach the prone form beneath the tree they noticed that the figure is not a beast at all, although the smell emanating off it could easily be confused with that of an unwashed animal.
    The body on the grass is that of an old vagrant, curled up near the base of the tree, snoring lightly. Beside his outstretch arm is an empty bottle of Warre’s Vintage port. The man is grubby and unkempt, his clothing is stained and he reeks of sweat and alcohol, his grey streaked black hair and bushy beard are a greasy, tangled mess. A few leaves have come to rest upon him, adding a little color to his dark form.
    “Fear not Lestrade. I doubt you need use that,” Holmes mentioned while pointing to the inspector’s pistol. “Unless our homeless friend here possess physical strength equal to that of his powerful stench, he will be of little threat.”
    Lestrade embarrassingly replaced the gun in its holster before giving the slumbering man a few light kicks on the leg. When the vagrant failed to awaken him from his deep sleep Lestrade increased the force of his attempts. The snoring man awoke with a start, slightly muddled and obviously surprised.
    “Eh? Wah? Wass diss all bouts eh? A man can’t (hic) sleep off a nights fun eh? What be you bout?..Leave me be!..” Babbled the vagrant in a gruff and haggard voice. He peered up at the group through bloodshot eyes, his pockmarked and furrowed brow held an expression of confusion. He even attempted to roll over and return to sleep.
    “Be advised there sir, that you are needed for questioning in regards to a murder committed last night in this area.” spoke Lestrade in a manner of fact.
    Upon that statement the vagrant rolled back and sat up with a