The Adventure at Baskerville Hall & Other Cases Read Free Page B

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    I can honestly say that I do not know how I survived that week. Looking back at my patient records, I see that I worked a great deal, doubtless attempting to keep my mind so occupied that I would have no time to dwell on my situation. Very soon I would either have to find three thousand pounds that I did not possess, confess my situation to Holmes and beg his assistance, or watch our entire lives come crashing down around our ears.
    Fortunately, Holmes was much preoccupied with Lady Blackwell's case – upon his return in the evening he would answer only "Hampstead" in response to my desultory questions and was not inclined to elaborate. For my part, it was possibly the only time in my life that I have been glad to see less of Holmes. If this was to be our last week together then I ought to have been cherishing every moment, but every sight of the tall, brilliant, handsome figure striding about our rooms or leaning intently over his chemistry table only served to remind me of all that I would soon no longer have.
    As may be imagined, my mood was not enhanced by another meeting with Milverton a few days later. He enquired cordially whether I thought I would be able to find the amount required, and I could only repeat my request for more time. Upon my return to Baker Street I sat at my desk and attempted to formulate a strategy, but rose after an hour with no more insight than I had had previously. The simple fact was that I had no friends in London from whom I could ask to borrow such a sum, and on the rare occasions that I had seen Holmes that week I had not had the courage to broach the subject with him.
    At the end of a week upon which I do not care to dwell overmuch, Holmes entered our rooms on a wild, tempestuous evening where the snow whirled giddily outside the window and the wind howled in the chimney. He removed his disguise and came to sit opposite me before the fire, laughing to himself at some private joke.
    "You would not call me a marrying man, Watson?"
    "No, indeed!"
    "You'll be interested to hear that I am engaged."
    "My dear fellow!" I exclaimed, thankful that I was not expected to hide my outright shock, and inwardly feeling that the impossible had happened and my week had gone from bad to worse.
    Holmes's eyes gleamed at me as he said, "To Milverton's housemaid."
    "Good heavens, Holmes!"
    "I wanted information, Watson."
    "Surely you have gone too far?"
    "It was a most necessary step. I am a plumber with a rising business, Escott by name. I have walked out with her each evening, and I have talked with her. Good heavens, those talks! However, I have got all I wanted. I know Milverton's house as I know the palm of my hand."
    "But the girl, Holmes?"
    He shrugged his shoulders.
    "You can't help it, my dear Watson. You must play your cards as best you can when such a stake is on the table. What a splendid night it is!"
    "You like this weather?"
    "It suits my purpose. Watson, I mean to burgle Milverton's house tonight."
    At this point, I ought to have acted as a voice of reason and attempted to dissuade him, showing him all the potentially terrible consequences of such an act. However, I was all in favour of the plan. That it was morally justifiable I never doubted – what could be more justifiable than to deprive a foul blackmailer of his livelihood? The only point upon which I was insistent and yet destined to be disappointed was my attempt to convince Holmes that we should both go. I reasoned with him, I swore that he would need my assistance; I threatened to take a cab straight to the nearest police station, but to no avail.
    "Watson, it is impossible. I can act quicker alone, and should I have any callers this evening then I will need you here in our sitting-room, to assure them that I am present at Baker Street but confined to my room with an incapacitating headache."
    "I do not like it," I persisted stubbornly, "you cannot know what may happen."
    "If you prefer, you may render me indisposed due to a