The Lost Radio Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Read Online Free PDF Page B

WOMAN,” Miss Norton had brought back to my dear friend
many thoughts and emotions that would remain his, and his alone, in this quiet
moment after her departure. Holmes turned slowly, seated himself comfortably in
his favorite chair, lit his pipe, then leaned his head back, eyes closed, deep
in thought. I sat across from him, myself in thought; but I wanted to ask him
some questions about these recent events. I waited for a moment longer, then
interrupted his reverie.
    “Holmes, forgive
me for disturbing your thoughts, but I found you surprisingly lenient with that
girl. Do you suppose her mother put her up to the whole thing?”
    “That
possibility had occurred to me,” he said, opening his eyes. “Yet I have a
feeling that—”
    Holmes was cut
short by a knocking on the front door.
    “Come in!” he
yelled in irritation. “The door is open!”
    “Were you
expecting anyone, Holmes?”
    “No.”
    There was no
mistaking the man in the doorway. It was Litton-Stanley.
    “Good evening,
sir,” Holmes said, “This is an unexpected honor.”
    “Sherlock Holmes,”
he blustered, “we haven’t been the best of friends, I know, but you’ve got to
help me now. I’m in serious trouble!”
    “Oh, indeed? Won’t
you sit down? This is my friend, Dr. Watson. And now, sir, what is your
trouble?”
    “I’ve been
robbed, Holmes!”
    “Robbed?” Holmes
said in mock surprise. “What was stolen?”
    “Well, my
greatest treasure. The Kitmanjar Emerald was removed from its case, and then
mysteriously returned, loose, in my desk afterwards. But there’s a priceless
Cellini missing.”
    “Have you any
idea who the burglars might be?”
    “It was a gang,
I’m sure of that! A couple disguised as a clergyman and a doctor came into the
house on the pretext of raising money for some hospital. They overpowered me
with chloroform.”
    “Dear me, dear
me, how very unpleasant for you,” said a chagrined Holmes.
    “When I came to,
I found my butler, Deevers, lying beside me in a pool of blood. The brave
fellow must have wrestled with the thieves, but they got away. He’s in hospital
now. Holmes, you’ve got to help me.”
    “The Kitmanjar
Emerald was returned, you say, but a Cellini is missing?”
    “Yes, it’s an
exquisite filigree box, in which I kept the emerald.”
    “A filigree box!”
Holmes exclaimed, standing up suddenly in total surprise.
    “Yes, it’s a
genuine Cellini. It’s worth several thousand pounds. Holmes, you must help me
solve this business!”
    Holmes sat down,
laughing under his breath.
    “I’m sorry, Mr.
Litton-Stanley, but I’m afraid I can’t help you. I’ve retired. Yes, and I
intend to remain in retirement. Good night, sir.”
    “But Mr. Holmes,
I’ll pay you any fee within reason!”
    “My decision is
final, sir.” Holmes insisted, returning to his pipe. “Good night.”
    “I might have
known I wouldn’t get any help from you,” he said in scoffing tones, then,
turning his great hulk away, slammed the door behind him. I looked at Holmes
who sat there laughing, his head bent back in glee.
    “Holmes, she
fooled you again!”
    “Yes, the little
devil! She knew that box was a Cellini all the time!”
    “Confound you,
Holmes, you don’t seem in the least bit angry at her!”
    “I know I should
be, but I’m not, Watson. What splendid audacity! What superb nerve the child
has.”
    “Holmes, you
MUST get that box back from her!”
    “And I shall,
Watson. Or rather, I shall persuade Deevers to do it for me, for the price of
our silence.”
    “But,” I asked
in complete confusion, “how can Deevers get it back for you?”
    “Remember that
Deevers walks out with Miss Norton’s maid. I am certain that when he explains
his predicament, he can prevail upon her to steal the box from her mistress so
that he can then return it to its rightful owner.”
    “Ingenious. I
would never have thought of that,” I added, now relaxing back into my chair. “By
George, Holmes, Miss Norton,