Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Sherlock Holmes and The Flying Scotsman
    Sherlock Holmes and The Flying Scotsman
    Sherlock Holmes and The Flying Scotsman
    Ebook86 pages1 hour

    Sherlock Holmes and The Flying Scotsman

    By John Worth

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    Into a complex international scenario of espionage, intrigue and assassination are thrown a mixed bag of characters. The young visitor to the household of Sir Adrian Fettice, himself something of an enigma, his opposite number of the German Secret Service, some almost innocent bystanders, a deadly assassin – and Sherlock Holmes. A trap is set, but the outcome is not as expected. Only the quickness of mind of the greatest detective is capable of achieving the most unexpected but brilliant final result.

    Following shortly after publication of John Worth’s brilliant evocation of the Victorian era East End of London in his novel ‘The Making of a Man’, this latest offering from the same writer is a fast moving Holmesian novella. It will engage all who enjoyed the first novel.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMX Publishing
    Release dateDec 11, 2013
    ISBN9781780925615
    Sherlock Holmes and The Flying Scotsman

    Related to Sherlock Holmes and The Flying Scotsman

    Related ebooks

    Mystery For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Une Affaire Dangereuse

      Feb 1, 2018

      Une Affaire Dangereuse
      10 min read

    • Article

      Hello, Grim Reaper

      Dec 15, 2021

      She was a babe. A fully paid-up, card-carrying babe. There was absolutely no doubt about it, and she was heading straight for me. She was almost sprinting towards me across the recently reimagined lobby of Claridge’s. She looked up, her scarlet-anoin

      3 min read

    • Article

      Readers’ Letters

      Dec 13, 2023

      SIR: I found Dunphy's cartoon about incompatible typefaces (November issue) most amusing, not least because it reminded me of a verse I wrote during a few moments of boredom in a meeting at which typefaces suitable for exhibition posters were being d

      3 min read

    • Article

      Cruel Means, Bitter Ends

      Nov 10, 2021

      “In order for this speech to mean anything to me, I’ll need to dispense with the usual demagoguery and, instead, make an attempt at honesty. With this in mind, there is one thing I have to make clear. I’m not in this race to serve your interests, but

      12 min read

    • Article

      The Clues To ROMANCE

      May 4, 2021

      The Clues To ROMANCE
      6 min read

    • Article

      La Otra Historia

      Jun 30, 2022

      La Otra Historia
      14 min read

    • Article

      In From The Cold

      Nov 13, 2023

      In From The Cold
      7 min read

    • Article

      Summer Books Special!

      Dec 28, 2023

      Summer Books Special!
      9 min read

    • Article

      The naked TRUTH

      Oct 27, 2021

      The naked TRUTH
      3 min read

    • Article

      The Emperors of Existence

      Dec 28, 2018

      The Emperors of Existence
      9 min read

    • Article

      Austin Heat

      Aug 2, 2018

      Austin Heat
      6 min read

    • Article

      A Nest Of VIPERS

      Jan 25, 2023

      A Nest Of VIPERS
      9 min read

    • Article

      Excerpts From The Works Of The 2024 Whiting Award Winners

      Apr 10, 2024

      The 2024 Whiting Award winners were announced Wednesday night. Below are excerpts from their work.

      19 min read

    • Article

      Too Much Ado About NOTHING

      Jun 8, 2022

      Too Much Ado About NOTHING
      3 min read

    • Article

      10 Literary Diss Tracks

      Apr 9, 2018

      10 Literary Diss Tracks
      11 min read

    • Article

      Clichés

      Jan 18, 2023

      Clichés
      6 min read

    • Article

      A Real Man

      Sep 18, 2020

      A Real Man
      6 min read

    • Article

      Vladimir

      May 22, 2022

      Vladimir
      4 min read

    • Article

      The Straw Hat

      Aug 2, 2018

      The Straw Hat
      6 min read

    • Article

      When the HEART MELTS

      Feb 23, 2022

      When the HEART MELTS
      8 min read

    • Article

      Fred Gardner’s Sawmill

      Mar 4, 2022

      Fred Gardner’s Sawmill
      9 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Sherlock Holmes and The Flying Scotsman

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Sherlock Holmes and The Flying Scotsman - John Worth

      www.staunch.com

      Introduction

      The fat man sat regarding his visitor with something approaching annoyance upon his usually imperturbably bland face. ‘I do wish you would try to be a little more punctual, Sherlock’ he grunted, ‘I did say in my note it was a matter of some importance - and good god man, I wish you would tidy yourself up sometimes’.

      Wish wish wish - If wishes were dishes, you would be even fatter than you are’, replied his brother airily, not in the least put out at is brothers tone.

      ‘Oh don’t play the fool, Sherlock. I called you here to discuss a serious matter, It involves a rather senior - how shall I put it - a very much covert Government official, whom I am afraid may have got himself into something rather murky; I want you to look into it. From what I have been informed, it seems to be something to do with infighting within the German Secret Service. Our man seems to have become involved, without my being informed, and I don’t like it one bit.’ He glared coldly at his brother. ‘And I won’t have it.’ He shoved a small dossier towards Sherlock, at the same time indicating with a jerk of his head that the interview was over.

      ‘Why me, if I may ask?’ The answer was blunt; ‘For one thing, I need this to be absolutely hush hush, not through official channels, and the other thing, I know because of your dissolute behavior of late, you are extremely short of funds.’ They exchanged a long look. ‘And also, by good chance, your friend John Watson knows this chap - take him along for an introduction.’

      Chapter One

      Sir Adrian Fettice went across to adjust the drapes at the window of the conservatory; the early sun came in across the lawn, flooding the room with warmth and light. He stood for a moment or two, surveying the scene, basking in this unexpected delight. He was snatched back from his pleasant contemplation by a half stifled groan of agony. His friend Ariel Stentz lay upon a chaise lounge beneath a tartan blanket, off to the side of the room. It was only days since they had made the dangerous, secret crossing from France, with Stentz wounded. Not sure at the time, by whom - or why - his friend had been shot, Sir Adrian had decided the safest haven was his own house, here in England.

      As he recuperated from his wound, the conservatory had become a favorite spot for Stentz to begin the day. Sir Adrian had just brought in to him his copy of the Times.

      ‘For goodness sake - what is it old chap? Is it your wound troubling you?’ as he rushed to the side of his friend.

      Stentz sat sunken, face in one hand, groaning. In answer to the concerned query, he mutely held out the newspaper. Hastily scanning the paper, Sir Adrian found it. In a small box on the inside of the paper, a brief news item. He read it intently.

      An explosion had killed the proprietor of a book antiquary in the old town quarter of Zurich. According to the Swiss police, the man had apparently been opening a box of books consigned to his premises; a police spokesman surmised it had been booby-trapped. The item was small, spare. There were no further details.

      ‘But Ariel, it doesn’t mention your partner Alois by name, we can’t be sure’ - Stentz cut him off.

      ‘The address. It said the Alt Stadt. Our bookshop is the only one in this district. And the books he was unpacking could only have been the very ones I myself consigned from Budapest. The swine! The, cold-blooded murdering bastard!’

      Stentz had slowly got to his feet, and he was a terrible sight. His face was ashen white, the student dueling scar upon his cheek showing livid, as though freshly made. He was trembling all over, as much from fury as from physical weakness. Very concerned, Fettice put out a hand to help his friend, but it was pushed gently away.

      Not for the first time in their long acquaintance, Sir Adrian was struck by the remarkable self-control of Stentz. When he spoke again, his voice was almost normal and his face more composed. Apart from his pallor, only a tick jerking in his left cheek betrayed his distressed state.

      ‘We’ll speak shortly Adrian, if you don’t mind.’ He said in a quiet voice. ‘I must go out into the garden to think over this, and to regain control of my emotions. If you will be so kind as to bear with me.’ And he let himself out through the French doors, holding himself very stiff and erect.

      Some time later, as Sir Adrian was preparing to leave for the City, Stentz came in from the garden. He was by now calm; icy cold in fact, thought Fettice. Stentz looked at him for a moment, seeking to marshal his thoughts. By the resolute set of his face, he seemed to have made some momentous decisions. He began without preamble: ‘Well Adrian, it has come to this. I blame myself’ - he held up a hand to stem Sir Adrian’s protest - ‘No old friend; I should have seen this coming, I should have protected Alois.’

      He swallowed and took a second or two to regain his hard wrought composure. ‘You see, my poor partner in the book business died because of me. His widow will never forgive me, and I don’t blame her. The swine was out to kill me; he obviously assumed that I would be opening that box myself. he’d already tried once in Zurich, then again in Paris, where without you, old friend, I believe he would have succeeded. Apparently he has decided that I am dangerous to him.’ His smile was grim, without humor. ‘He doesn’t know just how dangerous.’

      ‘But who?’ - Broke in Fettice, to be interrupted himself.

      ‘- My own Abteilung chief; his name is Haldemann. Heinz Dieter Haldemann.’ Came the calm reply, ‘he seems to be playing some mysterious game of his own; I foolishly threatened to go above his head with a report detailing some odd inconsistencies, some frankly blatant overstepping of his authority, etc. The long of it was I gave in my resignation.’

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1