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

every particular.
    “I pray that when I lay our difficulty before you, you may be able to shine some light on what appears to me to be the very darkest of situations? There is all at hazard here – indeed, most likely the very stability of the entire economy of the British Empire!”
    My colleague’s cold grey eyes glittered as he absorbed this grave statement and I could see that he was now as concentrated upon Mr Henry Petch as is a gun-dog upon a falling bird. I saw upon the instant that the case was entirely to his heart.
    With a trembling hand, our client set down his glass upon the table and said “Mr Holmes, I will be direct. I presume I may speak candidly and in absolute confidence?”
    “If you do not speak candidly, I will be unable to assist you. And unless you have come to confess your own criminality, my confidence is assured.” Petch took a long breath, like a man steeling himself for a terrible ordeal. Wary of the city-types all around he lowered his voice to an almost inaudible whisper.
    “Mr Holmes, the new printing plates for The Bank of England have been stolen!
    “To compound the disaster, a considerable supply of the unique security paper upon which they were to be impressed is also taken! A robbery has occurred yet there is no sign of forced entry! At this very moment, as we speak, some villain has all material and requirements to print as much money as the paper will allow, which could easily amount to more than a tenth part of all the sterling now in lawful circulation! “If it becomes public knowledge, as surely it must, that an immense quantity of unauthorised but apparently authentic money has been insinuated into general circulation, you may imagine the profound effect upon the world’s trust in the British pound! Its value will plunge in days; it will become suspect in any form of business or commerce, anywhere in England or the Empire! There may well be a run on The Bank of England!”
    He took a deep, shuddering breath, and proceeded to wring his bony hands in the most extraordinary agitation. “What am I to tell the Chief Cashier and the Governor Mr Holmes?
    “The implications are dreadful; nay, I do not overstate the case – ruinous!” He sat with his head in his hands, rocking to and fro, all self-possession now lost. Holmes gestured for the waiter to replenish our visitor’s glass.
    “Please do not exercise yourself so, Mr Petch – all may yet not be lost. From your brief account of the circumstances I am happy to declare instantly that I shall be pleased to act on your behalf in this matter, although to be perfectly candid, I doubt if there exists another agency in all of Europe that might be able to assist you in such dire circumstances.
    “You have done wisely to consult me. Have you also consulted the police?”
    “I have not, Mr Holmes; I judged the matter to be far too sensitive to become a matter for uninformed public discussion. I thought it preferable first to present you with the problem.”
    “Then you have been doubly wise.” He glanced circumspectly at the diners on the adjacent table, who were beginning to show an understandable but unwelcome curiosity in our highly-agitated visitor. Holmes glanced meaningfully around and very quietly said “I suggest that we retire to a more private place where we can talk freely; please finish your whisky and soda Mr Petch, perhaps lodge your game with the kitchen porter for safe-keeping, and follow on to Baker Street directly, when I assure you I shall devote my entire attention to the matter.
    “I cannot at this early stage warrant a successful outcome, but I will assure you of my most strenuous efforts to retrieve your plates and paper, and apprehend the criminals behind the theft.”
    I have observed many of Holmes’ prospective clients, both haughty and downcast. I have seen them fearful, importunate, and distraught, even begging, but seldom have I seen a man as completely and abjectly grateful at Holmes’ words