The Complete Short Stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Illustrated Edition). Arthur Conan Doyle

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СКАЧАТЬ negative as yet," my friend answered. "I have inquired at every point where it might be, and I am sure that there is no danger to be apprehended."

      "But that is not enough, Mr. Holmes. We cannot live for ever on such a volcano. We must have something definite."

      "I am in hopes of getting it. That is why I am here. The more I think of the matter the more convinced I am that the letter has never left this house."

      "Mr. Holmes!"

      "If it had it would certainly have been public by now."

      "But why should anyone take it in order to keep it in his house?"

      "I am not convinced that anyone did take it."

      "Then how could it leave the despatch-box?"

      "I am not convinced that it ever did leave the despatch-box."

      "Mr. Holmes, this joking is very ill-timed. You have my assurance that it left the box."

      "Have you examined the box since Tuesday morning?"

      "No; it was not necessary."

      "You may conceivably have overlooked it."

      "Impossible, I say."

      "But I am not convinced of it; I have known such things to happen. I presume there are other papers there. Well, it may have got mixed with them."

      "It was on the top."

      "Someone may have shaken the box and displaced it."

      "No, no; I had everything out."

      "Surely it is easily decided, Hope," said the Premier. "Let us have the despatch-box brought in."

      The Secretary rang the bell.

      "Jacobs, bring down my despatch-box. This is a farcical waste of time, but still, if nothing else will satisfy you, it shall be done. Thank you, Jacobs; put it here. I have always had the key on my watch-chain. Here are the papers, you see. Letter from Lord Merrow, report from Sir Charles Hardy, memorandum from Belgrade, note on the Russo-German grain taxes, letter from Madrid, note from Lord Flowers—good heavens! what is this? Lord Bellinger! Lord Bellinger!"

      The Premier snatched the blue envelope from his hand.

      "Yes, it is it—and the letter is intact. Hope, I congratulate you."

      "Thank you! Thank you! What a weight from my heart. But this is inconceivable—impossible. Mr. Holmes, you are a wizard, a sorcerer! How did you know it was there?"

      "Because I knew it was nowhere else."

      "I cannot believe my eyes!" He ran wildly to the door. "Where is my wife? I must tell her that all is well. Hilda! Hilda!" we heard his voice on the stairs.

      The Premier looked at Holmes with twinkling eyes.

      "Come, sir," said he. "There is more in this than meets the eye. How came the letter back in the box?"

      Holmes turned away smiling from the keen scrutiny of those wonderful eyes.

      "We also have our diplomatic secrets," said he, and picking up his hat he turned to the door.

       THE END

      His Last Bow

       Table of Contents

Table of Contents

       His Last Bow: Preface

       The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

       The Adventure of the Red Circle

       The Adventure of the Cardboard Box

       The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans

       The Adventure of the Dying Detective

       The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax

       The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot

       His Last Bow: An Epilogue of Sherlock Holmes

      His Last Bow: Preface

       Table of Contents

      The friends of Mr. Sherlock Holmes will be glad to learn that he is still alive and well, though somewhat crippled by occasional attacks of rheumatism. He has, for many years, lived in a small farm upon the downs five miles from Eastbourne, where his time is divided between philosophy and agriculture. During this period of rest he has refused the most princely offers to take up various cases, having determined that his retirement was a permanent one. The approach of the German war caused him however, to lay his remarkable combination of intellectual and practical activity at the disposal of the government, with historical results which are recounted in His Last Bow. Several previous experiences which have lain long in my portfolio have been added to His Last Bow so as to complete the volume.

      JOHN H. WATSON, M. D.

      The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

       Table of Contents

      1. The Singular Experience of Mr. John Scott Eccles

      I find it recorded in my notebook that it was a bleak and windy day towards the end of March in the year 1892. Holmes had received a telegram while we sat at our lunch, and he had scribbled a reply. He made no remark, but the matter remained in his thoughts, for he stood in front of the fire afterwards with a thoughtful face, smoking his pipe, and casting an occasional glance at the message. Suddenly he turned upon me with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

      “I suppose, Watson, we must look upon you as a man of letters,” said he. “How do you define the word СКАЧАТЬ