Sherlock Holmes and the Ghosts of Bly Read Online Free

Whatever help I can give you, I will. Now of all times, we cannot afford a public scandal involving the Admiralty. Thanks to St Vincent’s, that is what we are threatened with. To use a lawyer’s phrase, I suppose I am empowered to retain you.”
    In my friend’s eye, there was the glint of the war-horse sighting or scenting battle. He replaced the muffin-dish and sat down.
    â€œVery well, Sir John. Then perhaps this is the moment when I should have sight of the postal order with its contentious signature. I have no doubt you are carrying it in that black attaché case of yours.”
    Admiral Fisher said nothing, but he sprang the two locks of the case and drew out a folder containing a single sheet of paper with a form pinned to it. He handed this to Holmes, who glanced over it with his pocket lens.
    While Mycroft Holmes and Fisher looked on, my friend held the postal order at one angle and then another, allowing light and shade to play upon it. Finally, he drew out his silver propelling-pencil and made two or three cryptic notes on the white starched cuff of his shirt.
    â€œYou will, of course, wish to retain it for a thorough examination,” said Fisher encouragingly.
    Holmes looked up as he handed it back.
    â€œYou are too kind. However, I believe I have seen all that is necessary to bring the case to a successful conclusion.”
    Mycroft Holmes scowled at his sibling.
    â€œYou are quite certain, dear brother?”
    â€œWhen I am certain, Mycroft, I am always quite certain. Now then, if you will allow me full discretion in the matter, I think I shall begin with the so-called attempted suicide.”
    â€œRather than the theft with which the boy is charged?” Fisher asked uneasily.
    â€œI believe so.”
    â€œBut as yet you know nothing of the boy and little of the incident on the railway line.”
    â€œIndeed not. That is precisely my point. I must know. I shall remedy my ignorance at the earliest possible moment. I do not know the boy, of course, but I know a little about self destruction. I have yet to hear any argument from you that would convince me of an attempt at suicide. However, I cannot help reflecting that Patrick Riley’s disappearance from this earth would have the convenient effect at St Vincent’s of confirming the charge against him with no likelihood that anyone else could prove otherwise.” He sat back with his cup of tea in one hand, a muffin in the other, and smiled.
    Sir John blinked and said, “Mr Holmes, you are to investigate the evidence of theft, if you please, not theories of suicide. This is not one of your murder mysteries.”
    â€œYou would be surprised to know, Sir John, how many inquiries of a quite different kind have turned into one of my murder mysteries, as you are kind enough to call them. As for Patrick Riley, it is of the greatest importance that he should remain where he is until Watson and I have had a chance to examine him. Indeed, you may tell the school that my colleague has been retained by their lordships or the boy’s family as a medical consultant. However it is done, I beg that you will use your best efforts to keep him where he is until we can get there.”
    â€œAnd of the utmost importance that we should have the opportunity to examine St Vincent’s itself,” I said quickly.
    â€œWell done, Watson! You see, gentlemen? Watson is ahead of you there!”
    â€œAnd when do you suggest your examinations will begin?” Mycroft Holmes inquired sceptically.
    Sherlock Holmes got up from his chair and walked across to the door of the room. Beside it, on the wall, hung a handsome wheel-barometer of polished walnut. It was inherited from his parents and made by an English craftsman a hundred years ago. He tapped the glass and watched the delicate metal hand move slowly round the dial in a clockwise direction. Its prediction settled midway between “fair” and “set