The Adventure of the Tired Captain A Sherlock Holmes Case Read Online Free

uneventful. The trip seemed to take an eternity, but in a little over an hour we were back at the hotel where we woke up a bleary eyed and surprised Herr Steiler. He gave us the use of the two empty beds which we had occupied the previous night and cheerily wished us a good night.
    The sun was high when I awoke and I quickly packed the few belongings which I had left there pending our return from Rosenlaui, and descended to the dining room. I greeted Holmes who was already seated and reading a newspaper. He ignored the savory looking breakfast which was in front of him.
    “Good morning Watson,” he said gaily. “I trust you enjoyed your sleep.” His breezy manner was betrayed by the weariness which was etched upon his face. Mumbling some reply I poured myself a cup of coffee. I slumped into a chair and sipped on the deliciously strong beverage. Following our simple repast we fondly bid farewell to our hosts and began our journey home. Holmes, I noticed, chose an opposite route to one which would take us past the falls of Reichenbach.
    It took us another three days to make our way out of Switzerland and across France, making a brief stop in Paris to admire Monsieur Eiffel’s magnificent new edifice on the banks of the Seine.
    Holmes all the while remained vigilant. My friend seemed ill at ease and while he could converse well and knowledgeably on almost any subject he barely spoke at all. Our trip though was almost anticlimactic after our adventures on the Continent and soon we were nestled in Holmes’ rooms in Baker Street.
    “Tomorrow, Holmes I shall be able to return to a normal life, my practice and most wonderfully of all I will be able to rejoin Mary,” I said accepting his offer of a brandy and a bed for the night.
    “Yes Watson, my former client can, no doubt, hardly wait to get her claws into you again,” he said with more than a hint of sarcasm.
    “Goodnight, Holmes,” I said wearily. “I will see you in the morning.”
    He made no reply, as he sat in his chair by the fire and stared into the flames.

CHAPTE R 2
    The week long excursion had taken its toll upon me, for despite my desire to rejoin my wife I did not awaken before noon on the following day.
    With the thrill of our adventure over I half expected to see Holmes sprawled indolently upon the settee but somewhat to my relief he was gone. It had been some four years since last I had roomed with him and having spent a week together t wenty four hours a day I felt a certain exhilaration at being alone.
    Despite the late hour I rang downstairs in the hope of having the parlour-maid bring up some toast and coffee for my breakfast. To my astonishment it was Mrs. Hudson herself who answered my summons. She was happy to see me, although a little put off at my request for breakfast at such an ungodly hour.
    “My dear Mrs. Hudson,” I said when she returned with a large pot of coffee, “I had expected you to still be in Scotland visiting your sister.”
    She set down the tray, upon which were not only several slices of toast but also a hearty serving of rashers and eggs. “Mr. Holmes sent a telegram from Paris three days ago and said it would be safe to return. Even though Mrs. Turner was good enough to look in on this place and feed my cats while I was gone it is wonderful to be home.”
    I remembered Holmes sending only one telegram from the French capita l and that one to his brother. As I thought I was privy to all of my friend’s correspondence I was at a loss as to when he may have sent this last message.
    “Mr. Holmes has gone out I see?”
    “Oh yes sir, he left hours ago.”
    As always I marveled at Holmes’ ability to get by with little or no sleep. As a doctor I felt this habit would eventually have a debilitating effec t on him but it seemed that the only thing to wear him down was inactivity.
    “You do not know where he went then?”
    “No, Doctor. I did hear him come down the stairs while I was putting the kettle on the boil. He