Sherlock Holmes and The Zhou Bell

By Dick Gillman

Holmes and Watson are invited by the Chinese Ambassador to the preview of an exhibition of Chinese antiquities. These are to be exhibited at the Victoria and Albert museum in London. The star exhibit is the Zhou bell, a 5th century B.C. bell made specifically for the Zhou king and the only one in existence.

It is a priceless artifact and is a personal loan from the Chinese emperor himself. The ambassador is concerned about its safety and trouble looms as the bell is stolen from under Mycroft's nose

Holmes and Watson become involved in Imperial intrigue as they try to retrieve the bell. A murder is committed and is linked to criminal elements bent on embarassing the Chinese Emperor and financial gain.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dick Gillman
• Release date: Oct 15, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301375608

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.

Book preview

Sherlock Holmes

and

The Zhou Bell

By Dick Gillman

Text Copyright © 2013 Dick Gillman

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - An invitation from afar!

Chapter 2 - Meeting the Chinese ambassador.

Chapter 3 - Frustrated by The Crown.

Chapter 4 - Holmes's fears are confirmed!

Chapter 5 - A curious clue and a musical olive branch

Chapter 6 - A murder and the bell returns

Chapter 7 - A visit to The Raven

Chapter 8 - The five bells

Chapter 9 - A ringing success!

Chapter 1 : An invitation from afar!

It was an invitation by none other than the Chinese ambassador that ignited the powder trail leading to the case that I have recorded here as that of The Zhou Bell.

The first week in April 1889 found Holmes and me enjoying an unseasonable spring in Baker Street. For the most part, the sun shone with a warmth not usually found until later in the year and we took full advantage of it when strolling through one of the great parks of London. Indeed, it was on the return from one such outing that the case began.

Holmes, invigorated by the exercise, bounded up the stairs to our rooms whilst I blamed the old war wound to my knee for preventing me from following suit.

Steady Holmes, I am not the man I once was called I. This blatant excuse from me only caused Holmes to chuckle as he burst into our sitting room.

Alert as ever, it took him but a moment to observe the envelope that was sitting on the silver tray reserved for our mail. As I entered, Holmes was already draped in his favourite armchair and amusing himself by closely examining the unopened envelope. I sat wearily on our sofa and began to regain my breath. Holmes had something of a wicked glint in his eye as he tossed the envelope across to me. What do you make of this Watson?

This was a game that he fully enjoyed and played at every opportunity whenever there was something of interest in the mail. I took it in good part and knew he took pleasure from my very amateurish attempts at detection...although my skills in observation were improving!

I looked at the envelope, held it to the light and then up to my nose before making my report. Well, it is a not quite a foolscap sized envelope in a delicate shade of cream with our address written in a strong but not entirely cursive hand. It carries no seal and was posted in Belgravia.

Holmes positively beamed and began to fill his favourite Meerschaum from the Persian slipper that held his tobacco. Excellent Watson, pray continue.

The envelope has a slight odour, almost a flowery fragrance and the contents appear to be a single piece of stiff card. Pleased with my report, I passed the envelope back to Holmes.

Holmes was still smiling and proceeded once again to be my mentor on the finer points of observation. "Capital Watson...but let us see if there is anything else we can glean. As you observed, the size of the envelope is not standard but not only that, the paper itself is hand made and not of European origin. The fibres are quite