Sherlock Holmes & The Master Engraver (Sherlock Holmes Revival) Read Free

criminals do not cease their unremitting criminality simply because the rest of the city at the festive season shivers or starves, carols or carouses.” With a mischievous smile he added “Indeed, was I so inclined and of that disposition, I would choose this precise time of the year to perpetrate a crime of the very greatest audacity!”
    As Holmes finished speaking I observed Burridge, the elderly maitre d’hotel approaching our table bearing a card upon a silver salver. “I do beg your pardon Mr Holmes, but there is a gentleman of quality waiting on you in the lobby. Most perturbed he is too. It appears that your landlady advised him you were dining with us; I have told him you are in company, but he will not be put off. He insists he must see you this day, indeed this very instant, on a matter of the highest importance.”
    Holmes studied the card briefly and appeared oddly satisfied, almost as if he recognised the identity of this quite unanticipated visitor, perhaps even had expected him.
    “Aha Watson! It seems that merely to speak of the Devil brings him unbidden to our table! As I had very much hoped, the trio is complete – a case, unless I am very much mistaken. Pray show Mr Petch over directly.” I knew not to what trio he referred.
    Burridge ushered in a tall, silver-haired, wiry and distinguished-looking gentleman – possibly exhibiting Morfans syndrome – who was enjoying, I would guess, the middle years of his seventh decade; he appeared to me to be in extremely rude health, and also in a state of some considerable agitation. His attire was perfectly sober, but unmistakably of substantial cost and quality.
    He peered from Holmes to me and back again through extraordinarily thick, gold-rimmed eyeglasses. In some confusion he asked querulously “Mr Sherlock Holmes?”
    “I am he, Mr Petch” said my colleague genially; “The season’s greetings to you. This is my friend, confidant and close associate, Doctor John Watson. Perhaps you wish to remove your great-coat, draw that chair to the table and tell me how I may be of service. But you appear to be somewhat agitated; will you perhaps take a calming glass? I anticipated most keenly that I might hear from you.”
    Our visitor appeared puzzled by Holmes last statement, as was I; the moment passed. “The same to you, gentlemen, both, and I will take a small whisky with a little water Mr Holmes; perhaps it will settle my shattered nerves. I trust you will forgive my interrupting your lunch, but the matter is of the greatest exigency and, to be blunt, I am afraid I pressed your landlady into revealing your whereabouts.”
    Holmes gestured encouragingly for him to continue, and while the waiter poured out a liberal measure of whisky with a dash of carbonated water from the gasogene for our unexpected guest, he started to pour out his story.
    “Perhaps it would be as well if I begin by telling you a little of myself, and then shall I describe the dreadful events that have befallen our business, Mr Holmes?”
    My colleague glanced up from our visitor’s calling card.
    “That would be most helpful, as at present I can glean little more than that you are right-handed, and when you are not cultivating exotic flowers in your heated glass-house, you are an accomplished master engraver of printing plates for the production of banknotes and other valuable securities for The Bank of England; I much look forward to hearing of the matter you have come to bring to my attention. Your concern must be pressing indeed to warrant an unannounced visit, in such bitter weather, and at this season.”
    Our distinguished elderly visitor stared wide-eyed at my colleague in bewilderment.
    “Good Heavens Mr Holmes! That is either a baffling marvel of deduction, or a rather tasteless charlatan’s parlour trick. How and when did you learn these things? Be so good as to enlighten me.”
    Holmes smiled briefly with manifest satisfaction. I waited for his inevitable summation,