The Secret Assassin
By Arthur Hall
()
About this ebook
Read more from Arthur Hall
The Additional Investigations of Sherlock Holmes Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSherlock Holmes: Tales from the Stranger's Room - Volume 3 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe One Hundred per Cent Society Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIn Pursuit of the Dead Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Demon of the Dusk: The Rediscovered Cases of Sherlock Holmes Book 1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Phantom Killer Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Experience Club Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to The Secret Assassin
Related ebooks
The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories - Part XXXII: 2022 Annual (1888–1898) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSherlock Holmes: A Double Barreled Detective Story Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Collected Papers of Sherlock Holmes - Volume 1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories - Part XXXIV: However Improbable (1878–1888) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Redacted Sherlock Holmes - Volume 3 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Egyptian Curse: Another Adventure of Enoch Hale with Sherlock Holmes Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Redacted Sherlock Holmes: Volume I Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories - Part XXXIII: 2022 Annual (1896–1919) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories - Part XII: Some Untold Cases (1894-1902) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Redacted Sherlock Holmes - Volume 2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSherlock Holmes Investigates. The Hampshire Expedition Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Darlington Substitution Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories - Part XXXI: 2022 Annual (1875–1887) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories - Part XXVII: 2021 Annual (1898–1928) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Collected Papers of Sherlock Holmes - Volume 4 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories - Part XXXVI: However Improbable (1897–1919) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Further Chronicles of Sherlock Holmes - Volume 2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Final Tales Of Sherlock Holmes - Volume Three: The Case of the Shepherds Bushman Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMy Dear Watson Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSherlock Holmes: The Ultimate Collection (Lecture Club Classics) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Collected Papers of Sherlock Holmes - Volume 5 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSherlock Holmes in The Adventure of The Magic Umbrella Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Ring of Thoth (Fantasy and Horror Classics) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories - Part XIII: 2019 Annual (1881-1890) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSherlock Holmes Plays the Game Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAdventures from Watson's Third Box Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Collected Papers of Sherlock Holmes - Volume 2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Historical Mystery For You
The ABC Murders: A Hercule Poirot Mystery: The Official Authorized Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Untitled Books Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Word Is Murder: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Spider's Web Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Stranger in the Lifeboat Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Universal Harvester: A Novel Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Sidney Chambers and The Shadow of Death: Grantchester Mysteries 1 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Line to Kill: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Girl from Rawblood: A Gothic Horror Story Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Little Men Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Watchmaker's Daughter Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Librarian of Crooked Lane Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Things in Jars: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Apothecary's Poison Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Eight Perfect Murders: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Mapmaker's Apprentice Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Mystery of Mrs. Christie: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries Volume One: Whose Body?, Clouds of Witness, and Unnatural Death Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Cater Street Hangman Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Sworn to Silence: A Kate Burkholder Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Maisie Dobbs: A Mysterious Profile Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5We Have Always Lived in the Castle Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Morbid Taste for Bones Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Sentence Is Death: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Curse of the Brimstone Contract Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Speaks the Nightbird Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Find Me: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Pale Blue Eye: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Murder Under a Red Moon: A 1920s Bangalore Mystery Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Related categories
Reviews for The Secret Assassin
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
The Secret Assassin - Arthur Hall
The Secret Assassin
The rediscovered cases of Sherlock Holmes Book 3
Arthur Hall
2017 digital version converted and published by
Andrews UK Limited
www.andrewsuk.com
Copyright © Arthur Hall 2015, 2017
The right of Arthur Hall to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1998.
All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be made without express prior written permission. No paragraph of this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted except with express prior written permission or in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1956 (as amended). Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damage.
All characters appearing in this work are fictitious or used fictitiously. Except for certain historical personages, any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Any opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of MX Publishing.
MX Publishing
335 Princess Park Manor, Royal Drive,
London, N11 3GX
www.mxpublishing.co.uk
Cover design by Brian Belanger
www.belangerbooks.com and www.redbubble.com/people/zhahadun
About the author
Arthur Hall was born in Aston, Birmingham, UK, in 1944. He discovered his interest in writing during his schooldays, along with a love of fictional adventure and suspense.
His first novel Sole Contact
was an espionage story about an ultra-secret government department known as Sector Three
and was followed, to date, by three sequels.
Other works include four rediscovered
cases from the files of Sherlock Holmes, two collections of bizarre short stories and two modern adventure novels, as well as several contributions to the continuing anthology, The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories
.
His only ambition, apart from being published more widely, is to attend the premier of a film based on one of his novels, possibly at The Odeon, Leicester Square.
He lives in the West Midlands, United Kingdom, where he often walks other people’s dogs as he attempts to create new plots.
The author welcomes comments and observations about his work, at arthurhall7777@aol.co.uk
1. Confessions of a Lady
I recall that it was on a bright April morning that I persuaded my friend Sherlock Holmes to contradict his usual languid nature, and accompany me on a short walk immediately after breakfast. After a half-hour tour of the West End, we found ourselves back in Baker Street almost opposite our rooms, strolling unhurriedly as neither my friend nor I had, at that precise time, any pressing engagements.
I see that she is still there, Watson,
Holmes said as we neared our destination.
I glanced around, but failed to see the object of his interest. To whom, pray, are you referring?
Surely,
he began with one of his quick smiles, you cannot have failed to notice the young woman walking indecisively back and forth as we set out?
I confess that I did not.
Probably you were absorbed in relating to me the results of your latest submission to your publisher. An exaggerated account of my efforts as usual, I am certain.
That may have been what occupied my attention at the time,
I conceded. But do you think that this lady intends to consult you?
Unless she is lost and seeks directions, I would say it is a near-certainty. She has clearly never set eyes on either of us before now, since she would have given some involuntary sign at our appearance.
I said nothing, because we were almost at our door. Holmes had his hand on the knob as the lady he had been speaking of rushed up to us, her eyes wide and anxious.Sir, please excuse me, but do you know if this is the residence of Mr. Sherlock Holmes?
My friend turned to face her. Indeed it is, and I am he. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Watson. Pray come in and tell us how we can be of service to you.
Having come to her decision she needed no further encouragement, and preceded us up the stairs to our rooms. At the top, Holmes called to Mrs. Hudson for tea before closing the door behind him.
Please, be seated.
He drew a chair from near the window for our visitor, and we hung up our hats before sitting on the opposite side of the fireplace where wood and paper had been left unlit.
When we were comfortable I took out my notebook, as I knew Holmes would want. At that moment, there came a knock at the door, and as he went to receive the tea tray, I looked upon the lady with interest.
I would have said she was in her middle thirties, a handsome woman with shining brown hair and quite tall. Her eyes were wide, and her expression indicated that she had lately undergone much uncertainty or strain. From her deportment and the few words I had heard her speak, I concluded that she had attended some sort of finishing school, such as the establishments in Switzerland that are popular with some society families.
Holmes brought over the tray and set it down on a side-table. I rose to pour for us, as is our usual way, as he resumed his seat.
Clearly,
he said, something is causing you great anxiety. Unburden yourself to us, in your own good time, and we will make every effort to put matters right. As you drink your tea, put your thoughts in order, and then begin at the beginning when you are ready.
She nodded at this suggestion, and took the cup from me. Since our meeting no more than ten minutes ago her eyes had been darting nervously from side to side, without being still for an instant.
Holmes and I had both finished our tea and replaced our cups before she did the same. Suddenly, she spoke:
I have come to confess!
Holmes and I glanced at each other in surprise.
If that is the case,
he said, it is to Scotland Yard you should go if you wish to disclose some involvement in a crime. Other than that, if it is your soul that is burdened, a priest would probably be of more assistance than I.
She cast her eyes to the floor, and made a gesture of helplessness and frustration. Gentlemen, I must apologise and beg your indulgence. My name is Mrs. Anne Foulkes, from South Croydon, and you see me in this pitiful state because I have placed my own life in danger.
Holmes looked at her with new interest, straightening his morning coat. Pray continue.
Mrs. Foulkes raised her head and her eyes swept from Holmes to me and back. When she spoke, her voice trembled. My husband, Mr. Seth Foulkes, ran a successful second-hand clothes business until six months ago. Indeed, he was often away from home for long periods, securing new stock. For some time he made a sizeable profit, much of which was at first intended to be saved for our old age. Then he decided, on a whim, to invest the entire sum in the Thurswell-Bolivian Gold Mine Corporation which as you may know, was very short-lived.
As I recall, the so-called mother lode quickly gave out. It was no more than a wide deposit with little else beyond it. According to the newspapers, many investors were ruined,
said I.
She nodded. Indeed, and we were among them. My husband had entered into debt, in order to buy more shares only days before the collapse. The business had to be sold, and we were left with nothing. Then I received some even more devastating news.
Mrs. Foulkes,
said Holmes as she paused to draw breath. All that I know of you at this moment is that your marriage is not your first, and that you have indeed fallen on hard times. This last I had deduced before you began to speak. Please tell us the rest of your story, keeping to the relevant facts, so that we can see what is to be done.
The lady was at once still,