The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories Part II by David Marcum Page A

stairs. The front door slammed closed.
    â€œWell, that was unsettling. What do you make of him?” I asked.
    â€œWhat I make of him is that whomever we were just addressing is not who he says he is. Also, he was wearing lifts in his shoes to make himself appear taller. His high-heeled boots added to that deception. Did you notice how slowly he descended the stairs? He is not comfortable wearing the lifts.”
    â€œIncredible.”
    â€œHis moustache was real enough, but it and his hair were dyed darker.”
    â€œSo, who were we talking to?”
    Holmes peered out the window. “I have a suspicion, but I cannot commit at the moment.”
    â€œShould we follow him?”
    â€œNo. I saw the unmistakable shape of a revolver in his right-hand pocket, and any man who is brazen enough to pay off a policeman and then bribe others for data regarding a murder is not a man to be taken lightly.
    â€œWatson, I need to step out for a few moments. I shall return shortly.” Holmes grabbed his hat and was downstairs in seconds.
    Mrs. Hudson appeared with a tray. “I apologize for the delay, Doctor. Where is Mr. Holmes going?”
    â€œThank you, Mrs. Hudson. He’ll be back soon. I’ll keep the pot warm for him until he gets back.”
    No more than fifteen minutes passed before Holmes reappeared. “I think we should have this little problem unknotted by tonight, at least if my sources don’t fail me.”
    â€œWhere did you go?”
    â€œWhen one wishes to know what happens on the streets of London, one has to go to those streets.”
    â€œAh. You’ve been to see the Irregulars, haven’t you?”
    â€œThey are the most valuable institution for information, next to the press. As you know, they have been helpful on a number of occasions. I have Wiggins and his friends gathering some data for me, and if my suspicions are correct, we should have an answer to my query in no more than a couple hours.”
    â€œAnd until then?”
    â€œI have sent for Inspector Chamberlain. I would prefer having an official member of the Force with us. Unless I am very much mistaken, he will have learned nothing about the murder of Jacob Collier. Ah! I see you’ve kept the tea warm. Excellent.”
    As the clock on the mantel sounded four, we heard heavy footsteps climbing our stairs. The Inspector appeared at the door.
    â€œWhat’s this all about, Mr. Holmes?”
    â€œI was hoping you might bring us up to date on what you know concerning the murder of Mr. Collier,” Holmes said.
    â€œI’m afraid there isn’t much to tell.” Chamberlain sat. “Since we have no witnesses to give us a description of the killer, no usable evidence left at the crime scene, and no way to know what happened at the bookshop, my men have come up with nothing.”
    â€œAny theories?” Holmes asked as he rose and stood at the window.
    â€œI still believe the man in the shop who signed for the package was the murderer. It all went so. Collier left for work that morning and arrived at his usual time - probably about seven, as I understand it. Sometime around eight he realized he had forgotten something important at home and returned to retrieve it. In doing so he unintentionally left the shop door unlocked. When he arrived home he must have interrupted a robbery and was stabbed while running away. The killer then went to his shop to rob the place, and was nearly unmasked when the postman arrived. After that he disappeared. I’ve yet to find him, but I will.”
    â€œExcellent, Inspector. However, I believe there is more to this story than you may have realized,” Holmes said as he gazed down at the busy street. Suddenly a slight smile crossed his lips and he started across the room. “And unless I am mistaken part of the answer should be coming through our door in seconds.”
    Holmes opened the door just in time for a young page to