Kindle Edition
Amazon
amazon
Category:
Action/Thriller
Publisher: Createspace
ISBN-10: 154476068x
Type: Fiction
Pages: 158
Copyright: April 15, 2017
ISBN-13: 9781544760681
Price: $7.00 (eBook)
A fourth rediscovered case from the files of Sherlock Holmes.
A visit from a young woman with a guilty conscience causes Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson to investigate the arrest of her ex-fiance. Imprisoned while awaiting trial for the murder of the lover of his wife-to-be, he seems certain to receive the ultimate punishment.
When it is realised that the sister of the murdered man has also recently died in suspicious circumstances, Holmes turns his attention to another possibility. While in pursuit of information, their informant is killed in his own house. A subsequent interview with a prisoner in Pentonville prison confirms the name of a likely suspect, a criminal known as ‘The Phantom Killer’ because of his ability to change his appearance and evade capture.
Following the trail to Devon, both Holmes and Watson are surprised to find that their suspect lives there under another name, as a prominent and respectable citizen. The local police quickly make it clear that Holmes’ presence is resented, and dismiss his purpose as ridiculous.
Nevertheless, after an initial encounter with the suspect, during which he appears friendly, charming and an unlikely adversary, several ‘accidents’ almost claim the lives of the duo. When they discover that their quarry has suddenly departed for London they follow in haste, to be eventually confronted by his murderous wrath as he boasts of killing ‘for pleasure and for profit’.
Excerpt
We retraced our steps, rather than cause Mr Bersworth to attend the front door in his disturbed state. The dining-room was deserted, and I closed the windows after us before proceeding to the corridor. As we returned to the drawing-room Holmes came to a sudden halt, so that we almost collided.
I saw then the reason for his hesitation. Before us lay the body of Mr Bersworth, his head covered in blood. Upon the carpet near him, the heavy statuette that had been used to inflict the grievous blow had been broken by the impact.
I rushed to give what aid I could, but it was a hopeless gesture. Mr Bersworth was beyond my help, but now, it is to be hoped, in more merciful hands.
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