The Last Sherlock Holmes Story Read Online Free PDF

event,’ replied Lestrade with a touch of bitterness.
    ‘True. But I should have thought it was at least obvious that the man we are looking for is not some cringing shoemaker who, hearing that he is suspected, locks himself up in his room in terror of the pogrom. However, let that be. I have no wish to dwell on your failures, my dear Inspector. Life is too short. What is the present state of your enquiries? Have you been following up Coroner Baxter’s interesting suggestions?’
    Lestrade sneered.
    ‘Between you and me, Mr Holmes, the coroner woulddo better to stick to his job, and leave the investigation to those who are properly qualified for it.’
    ‘I could not agree more. But no doubt he was aware that I had not been invited to participate.’
    For a moment the two detectives, official and unofficial, stared at one another. Then Lestrade blinked and made a smile.
    ‘Oh you are a wag, sir. Highly humorous. Good ’un. Ha.’
    ‘You are too kind. But I see I am in danger of monopolising the conversation. Your wire, I believe, mentioned fresh news.’
    A sly look appeared on Lestrade’s face.
    ‘What would you say if I was to tell you that I have in my pocket a letter which we believe to be from the murderer?’
    If the Scotland Yarder had hoped to produce an effect, he was rewarded with a stunned silence. Holmes leant forward, now totally serious and alert.
    ‘I would say that I would very much like to see that letter.’
    Lestrade reached into his coat, producing with a flourish an envelope which he passed to Holmes. My friend drew from it a sheet of paper. He read it through with the utmost concentration, and then passed it on to me. It was a letter written in a good hand, with red ink. It ran this way:
    25 Sept. 1888
    Dear Boss,
    I keep on hearing the police have caught me, but they wont fix me just yet. I have laughed when they look so clever and talk about being on the right track. That joke about Leather Apron gave me real fits. I am down on whores and I shant quit ripping them till I do get buckled. Grand work the last job was. I gave the lady no time to squeal. How can they catch me now. I love my work andwant to start again. You will soon hear of me with my funny little games. I saved some of the proper red stuff in a ginger beer bottle over the last job to write with but it went thick like glue and I cant use it. Red ink is fit enough I hope ha, ha . The next job I do I shall clip the ladys ears off and send to the police officers just for jolly wouldnt you. Keep this letter back till I do a bit more work, then give it out straight. My knife’s so nice and sharp I want to get to work right away if I get a chance. Good luck.
    Yours truly
                   Jack the Ripper
    Dont mind me giving the trade name
     
    A few lines had been added to the letter crosswise, as a postscript.
     
    Wasnt good enough to post this before I got all the red ink off my hands curse it. No luck yet. They say I’m a doctor now ha ha
     
    I returned this extraordinary document to Holmes, who was studying the envelope intently through his magnifying glass.
    ‘Nothing to be learned from the paper,’ he murmured. ‘The letter is dated the 25th, yet the postmark gives the 27th. Why did he not post it sooner? Hm! “Keep this letter back till I do a bit more work, then give it out straight.” By Jove! He was worried lest the press lack the necessary patience! You realise what this means, of course?’
    Lestrade and I gazed mutely at Holmes, who rapped the letter with his fingertips.
    ‘Why, he is as good as telling you that he will attempt another murder within the next few nights!’
    ‘Oh, is that all?’ Lestrade laughed. ‘For a moment I thought you had spotted something. I can read as well as you, Mr Holmes, but why should we believe what he says? It is most likely all a trick.’
    Holmes shook his head impatiently.
    ‘Never mind what he says. Observe what he does! If he merely wished to confuse us,