LITMIR.BIZ

      COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

      The Sherlock Holmes Megapack is copyright © 2014 by Wildside Press LLC.

      * * * *

      “The Elusive Emeralds,” by Carla Coupe originally appeared in Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine #4. Copyright © 2010 by Wildside Press LLC. Reprinted by permission of the author.

      “The Adventure of the Second Round,” by Mark Wardecker, originally appeared in Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine #5. Copyright © 2011 by Mark Wardecker.

      “The Adventure of the Midnight Séance,” by Michael Mallory is copyright © 2013 by Michael Mallory. Reprinted by permission of the author.

      “The Case of the Tarleton Murders,” by Jack Grochot, originally appeared in Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine #10. Copyright © 2013 by Jack Grochot. Reprinted by permission of the author.

      “The Tattooed Arm,” by Marc Bilgrey, originally appeared in Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine #5. Copyright © 2011 by Marc Bilgrey.

      “The Incident of the Impecunious Chevalier,” by Richard A. Lupoff, originally appeared in My Sherlock Holmes: Untold Stories of the Great Detective. Copyright © 2004 by Richard A. Lupoff. Reprinted by permission of the author.

      “Sherlock Holmes—Stymied!” by Gary Lovisi. Copyright © 2010 by Gary Lovisi. Reprinted by permission of the author.

      “Years Ago and in a Different Place,” by Michael Kurland, originally appeared in My Sherlock Holmes: Untold Stories of the Great Detective. Copyright © 2004 by Michael Kurland. Reprinted by permission of the author.

      “A Study in Evil,” by Gary Lovisi, originally appeared in Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine #2. Copyright © 2009 by Wildside Press LLC. Reprinted by permission of the author.

      “The Adventure of the Amateur Mendicant Society,” by John Gregory Betancourt, originally appeared in The Resurrected Holmes. Copyright 1997 by John Gregory Betancourt. Reprinted by permission of the author.

      “The Case of Vamberry the Wine Merchant,” by Jack Grochot, originally appeared in Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine #9. Copyright ©2013 by Jack Grochot. Reprinted by permission of the author.

      “A House Gone Mad,” by Bruce I. Kilstein, originally appeared in Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine #5. Copyright © 2011 by Bruce I. Kilstein. Reprinted by permission of the author.

      “The Adventure of the Haunted Bagpipes,” by Carla Coupe, originally appeared in Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine #5. Copyright © 2011 by Carla Coupe. Reprinted by permission of the author.

      “Dr Watson’s Fairy Tale” is copyright © 2013 by Thos. Kent Miller. Reprinted by permission of the author.

      “The Dead House,” by Bruce Kilstein, originally appeared in Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine #7. Copyright © 2011 by Bruce I. Kilstein. Reprinted by permission of the author.

      “The Adventure of the Voorish Sign,” by Richard A. Lupoff, originally appeared in The Universal Holmes. Copyright © 2010 by Richard A. Lupoff. Reprinted by permission of the author.

      “Be Good or Begone,” by Stan Trybulski, originally appeared in Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine #5. Copyright © 2011 by Stan Trybulski. Reprinted by permission of the author.

      “Cutting for Sign,” by Linda Robertson, is copyright © 2013 by Linda Robertson. Reprinted by permission of the author.

      “The Curious Case of the Peacock Street Peculiars,” by Michael Mallory, originally appeared on amazon.com as an Amazon Short. Copyright © 2013 by Michael Mallory. Reprinted by permission of the author.

      “Second Fiddle,” by Kristine Kathryn Rusch, originally appeared in Sherlock Holmes in Orbit. Copyright © 1995 by Kristine Kathryn Rusch. Reprinted by permission of the author.

      “You See But You Do Not Observe,” by Robert J. Sawyer, originally appeared in Sherlock Holmes in Orbit. Copyright © 1995 by Robert J. Sawyer. Reprinted by permission of the author.

      “The Case of the Netherland-Sumatra Company,” by Jack Grochot is original to this ebook. Copyright © 2013 by Jack Grochot.

      “The Adventure of the Pearly Gates,” by Mike Resnick, originally appeared in Sherlock Holmes in Orbit. Copyright © 1995 by Mike Resnick. Reprinted by permission of the author.

      THE ADVENTURE OF THE ELUSIVE EMERALDS, by Carla Coupe

      Although these events occurred many years ago, I shall never forget the circumstances. For once, I played a rather dashing role, as the small gold locket on my watch chain constantly reminds me.

      Our adventure began on a cold winter morning. A thick fog had rolled between the houses, and the windows opposite formed dark, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow murk.

      Inside, our gas lamps glowed bright and banished the gloom. As we breakfasted, Holmes quickly sorted through the usual pile of correspondence. After opening and reading several letters, he examined a small parcel that had arrived in the morning’s post.

      “Where is that from?” I asked.

      “From Liverpool.” A reminiscent smile touched his lips.

      I repressed a shiver. My friend’s heroic efforts to clear the reputation of a young Naval officer remained fresh in my mind, and I could not share Holmes’s smile yet. Perhaps one day, after certain related events had faded from the public’s memory, I would be permitted to tell that singular tale which had so nearly resulted in tragedy.

      When opened, the parcel yielded a small jade dragon, exquisitely carved in the Oriental style. It was a lovely piece of work, a fitting token acknowledging the dangers Holmes had encountered and overcome.

      After setting the dragon in pride of place upon the mantelpiece, Holmes buried himself in the most recent issue of the Times.

      For the next hour or two, we sat on either side of the cheery fire, and only the rustle of the newspaper, the soft hiss of burning coal, and an occasional comment interrupted the quiet of our chambers. Shortly before eleven, Holmes rose and crossed to the window.

      “Ah. Set aside your paper, Watson. I believe our caller has arrived.”

      “Are we expecting a visitor?” I placed the newspaper on an untidy pile and joined him at the window. In the street below, a brougham with a pair of matched greys waited at the kerb.

      “This morning I received a note from Lord Maurice Denbeigh stating that he would call upon us at eleven. Would you look him up in Debretts?”

      “Denbeigh?” I paused on my way to the bookshelf, then returned to the window. “I am familiar with the name. He’s the second son of the Duke of Penfield. His Grace died five or six years ago, I believe, and Denbeigh’s elder brother succeeded to the title.”

      “You are acquainted with the family?” Holmes glanced at me inquiringly.

      “I met his mother, now the Dowager Duchess, at the Smythe-Parkinsons’ a number of years ago. Fascinating woman.”

      I smiled, recalling that carefree time. Although the Smythe-Parkinsons were remote relatives, they had welcomed my visit.

      A knock interrupted my reminiscences. At Holmes’s nod, I hurried across the room and opened the door. Mrs Hudson entered, followed by a middle-aged man with fair hair and a colourless complexion.

      “Lord Maurice Denbeigh,” she said.

      “Thank you, Mrs Hudson.” I held the door for her as she left.

      “How do you do,” said Holmes. “I am Sherlock Holmes, and this is my associate,

Скачать книгу