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    Sherlock Holmes and The Star of Bithur
    Sherlock Holmes and The Star of Bithur
    Sherlock Holmes and The Star of Bithur
    Ebook58 pages38 minutes

    Sherlock Holmes and The Star of Bithur

    By Dick Gillman

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    About this ebook

    Holmes and Watson are retained by the Duke of Salcombe after the death of his father. A letter kept secret for many years holds a clue to a great treasure with a terrible past. They must seek out a military link to the late Duke and the events that lead to the discovery and then disappearance of the 'Star of Bithur'.

    Treachery in India during the Indian Mutiny of 1857 and the disappearance of the gem are closely linked. An attempted burglary to steal a family painting at Salcombe Grange alerts Holmes to the importance of the painting and the secrets it holds. Holmes and Watson are invited to Salcombe Grange to view the painting and valuable clues are gleaned regarding the identities of the burglars.

    An attempt is made to unearth the gem but the old Duke has created an enticing puzzle that only a superior intellect can solve.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherDick Gillman
    Release dateDec 12, 2012
    ISBN9781301646050
    Sherlock Holmes and The Star of Bithur
    Author

    Dick Gillman

    Dick Gillman is a Yorkshireman in his 70's. He retired from teaching Science in 2005 and moved from the UK to Brittany, France, in 2008 with his wife Alex, Truffle, the Black Labrador and Poppy, the cat. As well as writing, he is an accomplished digital artist and lives near the coast where the rugged landscape and the Atlantic Ocean influence his artwork. He still has strong links with the UK where he visits his two grown up children and his four grandchildren.During his retirement he has written well over thirty Sherlock Holmes short stories, many of which are published here. Successfully publishing both e-books and paperbacks, he has also been selected to contribute many stories to the superb, World Record beating and ongoing MX Sherlock Holmes anthology. His stories appear in several volumes published by MX Publishing and also in the monthly case solving letters entitled 'Dear Mr Holmes' published by Letterjoy. More are to follow in the latest volumes by MX and Letterjoy.Watch out for further Sherlock Holmes short stories throughout 2022 and treat yourself to his very latest seven story collection, 'Julia Moriarty - in memorium' which contains all seven stories in which Holmes crosses swords with the beautiful, but deadly, Julia Moriarty. This is available an e-book and can be found as a paperback at all major online bookstores.

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      Book preview

      Sherlock Holmes and The Star of Bithur - Dick Gillman

      Sherlock Holmes

      and

      The Star of Bithur

      Second Edition.

      By Dick Gillman

      Copyright 2012 Dick Gillman

      Published at Smashwords

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favourite online bookstore and purchase your own copy.

      Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      Table of Contents

      Chapter 1 - The Duke of Salcombe

      Chapter 2 - A family secret

      Chapter 3 - Memories of India 1857

      Chapter 4 - Salcombe Grange

      Chapter 5 - A helpful Landlord and intruders!

      Chapter 6 - Charles Stretton, Solicitor

      Chapter 7 - A little Trigonometry and Horticulture

      Sherlock Holmes and The Zhou Bell

      Chapter 1 - An invitation from afar!

      The Star of Bithur

      Second Edition

      By Dick Gillman

      Copyright 2012 Dick Gillman

      Cover image courtesy of Balaji,B. Flikr.

      Chapter 1 - The Duke of Salcombe

      It was a somewhat fresh morning at the beginning of April 1919 when Holmes and I first met his grace, the Duke of Salcombe. I had been away from Baker Street for several weeks due to the needs of my practice following the ravages of the Spanish influence, the influenza epidemic of 1918. This had gripped the capital but had declined over the months following Christmas. Now that the number of new cases I was seeing had dwindled, I found some respite by tending my garden. Over the years since my marriage, I had become a keen and knowledgeable gardener but as well as the solitude of the garden, I needed some hospitable company and so I sought out my good friend Sherlock Holmes.

      As I climbed the stairs of 221b Baker Street to Holmes’s rooms, I could detect the faint odour of kippers coming from below stairs, a clear sign that Holmes was awake and ready to take breakfast. On entering the room, I could see that Holmes was in one of his black moods and apart from a cursory wave in my direction motioning me to sit, he otherwise ignored me and said nothing. He had these deep depressions whenever there was nothing to challenge his formidable intellect and I could see that he had been this way for several days. There were copies of The Times strewn around the room, some were crumpled and torn and lay where they had been angrily cast aside.

      Holmes was wrapped in his old dressing gown and had slumped back into a leather armchair and then had drawn his knees up to his chin. He sat that way for several minutes and then looked up. I’m sorry old friend, but I am not much company.

      I picked up a copy of the previous days Times from the carpet and scanned the front page. Nothing of interest? The Fordingbridge murder?

      Holmes sprang from the chair and paced angrily. Pah! Blindingly obvious Watson, even Lestrade couldn’t fail to obtain a conviction and he threw himself back into the chair.

      I was deeply concerned that Holmes might already have turned to other more menacing ways of relieving his depression.

      Breakfast arrived and although an excellent pair of kippers and hot toast and marmalade had been provided, Holmes barely touched the food. He did manage to drink a cup of strong black coffee which seemed to lighten his spirits somewhat. Baker Street was quiet that morning and the sound of an approaching four-wheeler could be heard distinctly.

      Hello, what’s this? Holmes bounded from his chair and strode to the window, pulling the curtains to one side.

      Below us in the street was a black, closed carriage of quality pulled by two greys. A coat of arms was discreetly painted on the carriage door and a footman in full livery sprang down to open the door. The footman bent down and pulled out the step for a tall, well dressed young man to alight. Holmes was at once animated and

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