Read Sherlock Holmes and The Scarlet Thread of Murder for Free Online

Daniels’ house, but this Goblin somehow slips through all our nets. He’s just a man, but a bloody sly one, that’s for sure.”
    â€œWhat about the bullets?” I asked.
    â€œWhat bullets?” Lestrade questioned.
    â€œThe ones Daniels says the Goblin somehow took from his revolver.” Lestrade looked befuddled a moment. “Surely he informed you of this?”
    â€œI can’t say that he did. What did he tell you?”
    â€œHe told Holmes and I that he took a revolver with him to the club; on his way home the Goblin was waiting for him. When he tried to fire, he realised the gun was empty and somehow the Goblin had the bullets and dropped them on the ground before him.”
    â€œWell, this is news to me!” Lestrade exclaimed. “I’m going to send someone over to his house right away!”
    â€œHolmes and I are going there tonight,” I said.
    â€œThen find out what game this man is playing. He’s wasted enough of our time. I’m sorry I can’t give you any solid information on this Goblin, sometimes I’m not sure he exists.”
    ***
    I met Holmes at Lancaster Gate at nine o’clock; together we walked towards James Street. I told him all that Lestrade had said and that Daniels never spoke of the bullets to the authorities.
    â€œWhy would he tell us and not them?” I asked.
    â€œTime will tell, Watson,” Holmes said sagely.
    â€œLestrade questioned the very existence of this Goblin Man. Do you think it’s possible that Daniels is... well, maybe he isn’t in his right mind?”
    Holmes looked off into the distance a moment. “Lestrade may have a point.”
    â€œWhere have you been all day?” I asked.
    â€œWatching Daniels,” Holmes said.
    â€œDid you see anything of interest?”
    â€œI didn’t, no. He’s been holed up in his house all day. No one has been seen coming in or out.”
    We stopped when we reached the top of James Street. Holmes motioned to go down an alley. We passed by the back of Daniels’ house but saw nothing of interest. As we walked around the corner, Holmes pulled me back.
    â€œSomeone’s there,” Holmes whispered peering around the corner.
    My heart pounded:”The Goblin?”
    Holmes confirmed it was not with a slight shake of his head. “It’s a woman.”
    I looked and saw a tall slender woman standing on the porch of Daniels’ house. The light from inside poured over her, but she was too far away to make out any clear features. Her distinguishing feature was her blazing red hair. The front door was open and she was speaking with someone, presumably Daniels. She was handed a small box, after which she turned and left. Holmes and I hid in the shadows as she walked towards us. As she passed us, she paused and turned her head slightly in our direction. We both stood still in the darkness, hoping she would not see us. Finally, after a few moments, she continued on her way.
    â€œWho is she?” I asked when she had gone.
    â€œA curiosity. Come, Daniels will be waiting for us.”
    ***
    Mr. Daniels greeted us with a look of relief. “Oh Mr. Holmes, I am glad to see you!” He ushered us inside and quickly closed the door. “How has your day been?”
    â€œInformative,” Holmes returned. “Has anything of interest occurred since we last spoke?”
    â€œNo, no,” Daniels answered quickly.
    â€œNo sign of the Goblin?” I pressed.
    â€œNot tonight.”
    â€œShow us your room,” said Holmes.
    We followed Mr Daniels down a hall and up a staircase. We were shown into his room.
    â€œBurn marks on the floor?” Holmes asked in surprised as we stepped through the door.
    â€œYes, that’s right,” said Daniels admitted, looking at a charred bit of carpet and wood panelling.
    â€œI thought you said when you dropped the lamp, it didn’t catch fire,” said I.
    â€œDid