Sherlock Holmes - His Latest Bow

Arty Cohn

Description

The memoir "Sherlock Holmes - His Latest Bow" written by Watson after VE day in May, 1945, but before the world learned of the Atomic Bomb in August. During the war, a Nazi plan is afoot with British collaborators that could alter the course of history. Holmes and Watson serve a critical role in uncovering the plot. With sophisticated listening devices and with the help of a surprising indispensable ally leading to the recruit of a "private friend," Holmes again uses his gifts for observation and deduction to forestall the infiltration into Britain of a top Nazi leader.

Informations

• Publié par: Andrews UK
• Date de parution: 19 septembre 2016
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781780929873
• Langue: English

Extrait

Title page
Sherlock Holmes
His Latest Bow
John H. Watson, M.D.
May, 1945



Publisher information
First edition published in 2016
© Copyright 2016 Arty Cohn
The right of Arty Cohn to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1998.
All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be made without express prior written permission. No paragraph of this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted except with express prior written permission or in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1956 (as amended). Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damage.
All characters appearing in this work are fictitious or used fictitiously. Except for certain historical personages, any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Any opinions expressed herein are those of the author and not necessarily those of MX Publishing.
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Cover design by Brian Belanger



A Memoir by John H. Watson, M.D.
World War II in Europe has finally ended. There is still a long battle to go with the Japanese empire, but the highly destructive war with Hitler’s Germany is now finally over. Operatives of the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) have interviewed me asking what I know of Sherlock Holmes’ very important wartime activities. These interview notes are supposed to become available in 70 years. However, from the lack of interest from my interrogator, I do not think that the official report will be detailed or nuanced. Thus, I am writing these words so that, when they are also opened, the reader will have a more complete view of the extraordinary contributions of this most remarkable man.
In my previous writings about Sherlock Holmes I had often changed the names of the protagonists for various purposes. In this report, I will meticulously state the real names. Also, I have been criticized for being sloppy in my references of dates. I have tried to do better this time.
I have thought over when I should best begin, and decided on early 1933. I had remarried in 1929, a few years after my beloved Mary had died of pneumonia. If we only had then the penicillin which we have now, I feel certain that I would have been able to save her.
I was living with my new wife Maryann, a wonderful modern woman about ten years my junior, near Lords in St. Johns Wood. I spent much of my leisure time in the Pavilion, at Lords, watching cricket with my friends. Early in the new year of 1933, I received an invitation from Netley hospital for a reunion. I had first gone there in 1878, to take the course prescribed for surgeons in the Army, and after I was wounded, I had returned there to recover. During the Great War, I had volunteered there to treat wounded troops. I had told Maryann that it was unlikely that any of my classmates from 1878 would attend. She replied that it was most likely that many of the sisters from 1918 would attend, and she said: “John, I’m sure that they would be pleased to see you. I can’t go with you, but I am sure that you will have a good time”. So I drove my Wolseley down towards Southampton in Hampshire, and then over to Netley hospital.
After a week of pleasantness, I wished the sisters goodbye. As I drove through Portsmouth, I realized that I was close to the Sussex Downs where my old friend Sherlock Holmes was living. I had not seen him since August 1914. I sent him a wire that I would like to see him. He wired back that he would be very pleased to see me. I drove on the paved road from the south coast through the rise to the Sussex Downs. Then I switched to a dirt road, which, with its view of the coast, took me up to Holmes’ front gate. His tall, spare frame was at the gate. “Welcome Watson, it has been nearly 19 years since our Von Bork adventure... You are looking young and fresh; your stay at Netley, and trip to the Isle of Wight, must have been pleasant.” As I had not informed him about either Netley, or my little side trip to the Isle of Wight, I was, even knowing his methods, momentarily taken aback. “How did you know? My wire did not mention where I had been.” Holmes explained: “The papers have been filled with news about the Netley reunion. It is not hard to surmise that my old friend, Watson who served there 3 times, and now shows up on the south coast with an auburn tress on his collar, had attended. As for the Isle of Wight, that is even simpler. It has been my experience that the ferry assistants put a small mark, such as the one that I spotted on your motorcar, on the bumpers of those waiting cars that will fit on the ferry’s next trip.” “It’s so simple,” I exclaimed, which brought a slightly chagrinned look to his face. “Sorry,” I said; “I should have known better.”
Except for his hair, which was now thinner and whiter, Holmes had hardly aged. “Let’s walk up to my house, Watson.” As we walked from the gate, I noticed all sorts of metal contraptions on the fields within his fence. Some were cross-shaped, others were like clothes hangers, and some looked like over-sized colanders lying on their sides. I inquired of Holmes what these were. He replied: “They are various antenna designs. When I was at University some 60 years ago, I took the course on electricity and magnetism taught by Professor Maxwell, the discoverer of electromagnetic waves. Of course, my main interest was in chemistry, which I felt would be most useful for my prospective profession as a consulting detective. In more recent years though, I have found my interests have moved towards international affairs and intelligence. I am collaborating with Watson-Watt and Tizard in the development of Radio Direction Finding that will allow Britain to spot and identify enemy aircraft well before they reach our shores. The antenna testing is a key part of that program. More in my line of expertise are tiny listening devices and transmitters that will allow us to listen-in and know what the enemy is saying when they think that they won’t be overheard.” “How caddish!” I interjected. Holmes responded: “I remember the case which you titled ‘The Dying Detective’ where you had no compunctions about hiding behind the curtain and listening in on Mr. Culverton Smith’s threats and confession of his nefarious schemes. This is basically the same, except we are doing it with modern technology.”
“Speaking of our previous cases, I’m sure you remember our last before I retired: ‘The Priory School’, with the German Professor Heidegger. Well, his nephew Martin Heidegger is now a leading professor of Philosophy and Ethics at Albert-Ludwigs-Universität in Freiburg, Germany.” “What is important about that?” “He is also a rabid supporter of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party! This very evening, he is giving a speech in support of electing Nazi party members to the Reichstag.