Painting group

Sherlock Holmes story by the Painting Group

Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson were enjoying a cup of tea one afternoon at 221B Baker Street when suddenly Mrs Hudson the housekeeper introduced a distraught lady into the room. Her name was Lady Penelope. Through her tears and sobs she reported a crime that had taken place at McBaskerville Manor House on the Scottish moors. Her husband Lord Parker had mysteriously disappeared from his study leaving only a trail of blood. She strongly suspected foul play and possibly murder. Furthermore, her husband’s diary appeared to have be stolen from the top draw of his desk.

Lord Parker was a major player in the British intelligence service, hence Lady Penelope suspected that someone has stolen this diary to obtain national secrets. With haste Sherlock and Dr Watson boarded the next available train to Scotland, whilst Lady Penelope remained in London with her sister during this distressing time. Sherlock and Watson arrived at McBaskerville Manor and immediately set about searching for clues. The local constabulary had protected the crime scene ready for their arrival. The crime had taken place in the study and a set of unknown fingerprints had been discovered all over the desk. There were also blood smears leading all the way to the window. Sherlock immediately concluded that the body of Lord Parker had been dragged across the study floor and out of the window.

They continued their investigation outside the study window where they discovered a trail of footprints and drag marks which led across the courtyard to the stables. Dr Watson observed several lines outside the stable doors. The lines stretched out into the distance and Sherlock concluded that they must be tracks from the wheels of a horse and carriage.

Sherlock and Dr Watson followed the wheel tracks, which led them to a small hovel/game keeper’s cottage on the moors. Inside the building they discovered the motionless body of Lord Parker. Fortunately, he was still alive. Dr Watson was able to revive him from unconsciousness using his expert medical knowledge and a swig of Brandy! Meanwhile in London a group of young street boys named the Baker Street Irregulars were performing a task for Sherlock.

The great detective had been suspicious of the integrity of Lady Penelope ever since she set foot into his study. He had also observed that her dress had been tailored from a particular fabric which was only manufactured in Germany. The Baker Street Irregulars had been bribed to trail Lady Penelope and keep a close eye on her movements. This proved to be a wise strategy as Lady Penelope was observed in a London pub as she spoke with a suspicious looking gentleman. The boys sent a telegram of the man’s description to Sherlock and he
immediately replied with a plan. Moments later Sherlock also received another telegram from Inspector Lestrade from Scotland Yard. It stated that they had a positive match on the fingerprints.

Sherlock and Watson boarded the next train to London, just as Sherlock exclaimed “Watson! I do believe that I have solved the mystery!” On the train journey to London Sherlock explained that he had been suspicious of Lady Penelope from the beginning and that the material she wore had led him to suspect that she might have been a regular visitor to Germany. Her associate in the London pub had been identified as none other than Professor Moriarty. Together they had conspired to steal the diary of British military secrets and sell them to a potential rival nation, such as Germany as she was a regular visitor. Lady Penelope had known where Lord Parker kept these secrets, so she agreed to let Professor Moriarty into the house to force Lord Parker to give up the diary. Lord Parker was a brave former soldier and hence would not give up the diary without a fight. This was a fight that he unfortunately lost as he was beaten over the head with a crowbar. Professor Moriarty thought he had killed him
and hence took the body far away to hide the evidence.

When the train arrived in London, Sherlock and Watson met up with the Baker Street Irregulars as planned. The young boys were all disguised as a group of choir boys and they had also brought disguise kits for Sherlock and Watson. Sherlock suspected that the villains would attempt to leave England on the next ferry to Dover. Hence, the boys all boarded the next train with Sherlock and Watson also convincingly disguised as vicars! Their suspicion was proved correct as they observed Lady Penelope and Professor Moriarty boarding the train at the next station. Lady Penelope was clutching onto a case which presumably contained Lord Parker’s diary as well as possibly other stolen secrets. The train passed over a high bridge which covered a large expanse of so she stood up to make an escape. Sherlock and Watson seized the opportunity to pounce on her. In a panic Moriarty jumped up and pushed Lady Penelope over and her case split open sending the secrets flying all over the carriage.

Moriarty used the distraction as an opportunity to open one of the slam doors, then leapt out of the train into the water. Convinced that no one could survive the fall, Sherlock and Watson concentrated their efforts into restraining Lady Penelope. The Baker Street Irregulars hastily gathered the secrets documents back into the safety of the case.

At the next station they were greeted by Inspector Lestrade and his Police officers. They swiftly arrested Lady Penelope and she was subsequently put on trial as a traitor. The police thoroughly searched all of the waters nearby, but Moriarty’s body was not recovered. Sherlock and Watson had the honour of returning the diary of secrets to a very Grateful Lord Parker as he recovered in hospital.

Sherlock and Watson could think of nothing more than retiring back to Baker Street for an afternoon cup of tea.

Back in Baker Street Watson sipped his tea and asked “Do you think the contents of that diary really were of military interest to Germany?” Sherlock replied “My dear Watson I have a feeling that the coming century will be a peaceful time for all of Europe.” As Watson raised an eyebrow, there was a knock on the door from a telegram delivery boy. Sherlock gratefully accepted the telegram and squinted as he read the single written line- NOT THIS TIME.