Sherlock Holmes and the Chinese Junk Affair and Other Stories Read Free Page B

too, and Rodger warned me not to touch the wires or put my hand between them as the vessel was being electrically energised.
    ‘I walked around the vessel in an almost bewildered state. What was it all about, I asked myself? To say I was perplexed would be putting it mildly. Was Rodger mad? Was I mad? I continued to walk around it in silence; my mind puzzled by the whole situation.
    ‘I followed Rodger up the steps and stopped; looked down on the extraordinary scene and, in the entrance hall, for the first time noticed the open door of what was the old cloakroom. I glanced inside and was amazed to see a sort of switch-board with all sorts of dials and switches on it. There were thick electric cables running across the floor, and I could hear the sound of what I presume were powerful generators, also the hiss of a steam engine, used to power the generators.
    ‘When I caught up with Rodger he turned and said, “I know you are surprised; you want to know what is going on, but I assure you, all will be made clear shortly.”
    ‘I was so surprised, I opened my mouth, but no words came forth. Rodger slapped me on the back. “Come on, old friend, let us eat, drink and forget all about what you have just seen until—” He looked at his watch. “It is ten minutes past seven now. If all goes well, in two hours’ time, all will be revealed and I will answer any questions you may care to ask.”
    ‘With that I followed Rodger into the dining-room and after the superb game pie and wines, I soon began to forget the shock I had experienced, and even began to look forward to having the mystery of the goings-on in the ballroom revealed.
    ‘Little did I realise, Mr Holmes, what I was to witness would soon cause me, and the government, the most monumental worry I have ever known. The shift of world power could be in the balance and the way of life altered for everyone.’
    Sir Simon rose and poured himself a drink, indicating to Holmes and me that we were welcome to the same if we so wished. Holmes and I shook our heads; we waited with bated breath for Sir Simon to continue, which he did after sitting down.
    ‘I well remember the aged grandfather clock in the dining-room striking the hour of nine. Rodger rose and, excusing himself, said he would be absent for a couple of minutes. It was five past the hour when he returned; he stood by the fireplace and looked down at me.
    ‘“Well, Simon, I told you that if all goes well in two hours’ time all would be revealed, the mystery would be no more, and you will know what it is all about. Now is the time; if you will be so good as to follow me, please.”
    ‘I followed Rodger out of the dining-room, into the hallway and down the ballroom steps. I looked and stood absolutely still. I could not believe what I was seeing. I continued to look. Rodger stood behind me and never said a word. There was not a sound to be heard; silence prevailed.
    ‘The electric humming from the generators had stopped, so had the hiss of the steam engine. It was as quiet as the grave. I continued to be speechless, rubbing my eyes as though it might help to explain what I was seeing, or, to put it more accurately, not seeing.’
    Sir Simon’s voice dropped to almost a whisper. Holmes and I leaned forward to enable us to catch whatever he was to say.
    ‘Mr Holmes, the ballroom was empty! Yes, empty! The electric lights around the room lit up that huge empty space.’
    He paused; the seconds ticked by, then he continued in that still muted voice. ‘The only things remaining were the wooden poles supporting the lengths of copper wire; still in place, forming a cage, but the vessel itself had vanished into thin air.
    ‘That huge Chinese junk, which only two hours before had taken up the whole space of the ballroom, was gone. I stood there, speechless, as though dumb. Perhaps a minute passed, it may have been more, I don’t really remember. My brain could not take it in. That huge vessel weighing thirty,