The Last Sherlock Holmes Story Read Online Free PDF Page A

millions!’
    ‘Come, it’s hardly as bad as that. Of those millions, many will turn out to have an alibi for at least one of the nights in question. And most of the others can be ruled out as simply constitutionally incapable of any crimes as extraordinary as these. Besides, you err in stating that the killer leaves no clues. The case is rather the reverse. Why – where is it? Yes! – Thursday’s Times opined that “there is a perfect abundance of clues, provided they be followed up.” Not only that, but
    the police will be expected to follow up with the keenest vigilance the valuable clue elicited through the coroner’s inquest, and, since the lines of their investigation are plainly chalked out by information which they themselves failed to collect, it will be a signal disgrace if they do not succeed.
    No wonder poor Lestrade has decided to honour us with a visit!’
    ‘But what is this valuable clue to which they allude?’
    ‘Well, I cannot altogether agree as to its value,’ Holmes laughed. ‘It seems that the coroner, in his summing-up, noted the absence of various organs from the corpse, andsuggested that the motive for the killings might after all be simple financial gain. In other words –’
    I gasped.
    ‘Burke and Hare!’ ‡
    ‘Precisely. Resurrectionism resurrected. It is an ingenious theory, and Baxter did well to mention it. But I doubt if the police will meet with much success if they take it literally – and how else, after all, do they ever take anything? But unless I am much mistaken, here comes Lestrade to put their case in person. Are you aware that it is possible to distinguish thirty-three different trades and professions by the sound of their footsteps? I was thinking at one time of publishing a small monograph on the subject. Ah come in, Inspector! The cane chair is vacant. I gather you have finally come to seek my assistance in putting an end to these Whitechapel murders.’
    Lestrade looked pained.
    ‘I don’t know where you got that idea, Mr Holmes. The fact is I just happened to be passing this way, and knowing how you interest yourself in these matters I thought to myself –’
    ‘Quite so. Most kind, I’m sure. But do tell us how your investigation is proceeding. No doubt by now an arrest is imminent – if not indeed two or three.’
    ‘Oh, I can’t divulge that information. You can hardly expect that, Mr Holmes! This is only a private call, you know.’
    ‘Come, come!’ cried Holmes cordially. ‘No need to be bashful. Don’t spare my feelings! It is a blow, I admit, to learn that you are doing so well without me, but I shall get over it. Who is the guilty party? We are all agog to know.’
    Lestrade scratched his mutton-chops with a well-bitten fingernail.
    ‘I don’t say we can make a case against any one person as yet. But we have our suspicions, and as soon as they are confirmed we shall not hesitate to move.’
    ‘Of course! Very wise! After that fiasco with the Pizer fellow you will naturally want to tread warily. I understand that he is instituting legal action. It was a Sergeant Thicke who made the arrest, was it not? Strange how some names lodge in the memory.’
    ‘What is this, Holmes?’ I demanded. ‘Who is Pizer?’
    Holmes turned to Lestrade, and indicated with a theatrical gesture that the floor was his. The official coughed and shuffled uneasily.
    ‘John Pizer, also known as “Leather Apron”, was our first suspect in the Chapman killing. A leather apron was found beside the body. This alerted our suspicions. We then learned that the woman Nicholls had been friendly with a man known by the same alias. Acting upon this information, a sergeant of H division proceeded to premises in Mulberry Street, where he effected the arrest of –’
    ‘Unfortunately,’ Holmes cut in, ‘the fellow in question turned out to have an unbreakable alibi for the nights in question, and was duly released the next day.’
    ‘It’s easy to be wise after the