Sherlock Holmes and The Severed Finger

By Dick Gillman

Holmes and Watson's evening is disturbed by cabbie Henry Wiggins who has called after finding a grisly package in his cab. A cryptic note and a freshly severed finger found in the package triggers a desperate search for the owner of the finger. After a visit to one of the Queen's Heralds, Mycroft is summoned when the involvement of Julia Moriarty is discovered. Holmes has a rendezvous with Moriarty and after this tense encounter which involves cups of tea and drawn pistols, he must balance an arms shipment to a potential enemy against a man's life. Finally, it appears that Julia Moriarty has defeated Holmes...but all may not be as it seems.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dick Gillman
• Release date: May 24, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310392580

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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Sherlock Holmes and The Severed Finger

By Dick Gillman

Text Copyright © 2014 Dick Gillman

Smashwords Edition

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Original cover image courtesy of Hanna-, Flickr.

Chapter 1 – The mystery package

It was an unseasonably foggy evening in the July of 1899 when the knock at our door by cabbie, Henry Wiggins, was to begin the case I have here recorded as that of 'The Severed Finger'.

Holmes and I had settled down after dinner. I was engrossed in a somewhat intriguing article in 'The Lancet' on Stilton Cheese and Holmes was hidden from view by a copy of 'The Times'. The occasional plume of blue smoke rising from behind the broadsheet was the only sign that he was still awake.

The ringing of our doorbell at such a late hour was unusual and it took a minute or so for Mrs Hudson to answer the door. Of an evening, it was known to us that she busied herself with her hobby of crochet. Her latest endeavour was a rather fine tray-cloth that she had proudly displayed and upon which our afternoon tea had been served. Holmes was seen to examine the item closely and Mrs Hudson beamed as Holmes complimented her upon her skills in needlecraft.

A few moments passed before her footsteps could be heard on the stairs followed by those of a much heavier person. Holmes put down his paper and looked up, listening, before going to the window and pulling aside the heavy curtain.

Ah, I believe we are to have a visit from the uncle of young Wiggins. That is clearly his cab with ‘Daisy’ between the shafts and he is nowhere to be seen.

At that moment the door to our rooms opened and in walked a bespectacled and clearly miffed Mrs Hudson. Beside her stood the cabbie, Henry Wiggins.

Wiggins touched his cap and then removed it saying, Evenin’ Mr Holmes, Dr Watson. He stood for a moment, uncomfortably shuffling from one foot to the other and glancing at Mrs Hudson. It was clear that he didn’t want to say more whilst she was in the room.

Holmes nodded to Wiggins and with a grateful smile said, Thank you Mrs Hudson. I hope our visitor didn't interrupt your crochet too much?

Mrs Hudson's demeanour was seen to change slightly. She shook her head, No, Mr Holmes, I had only just started on a nice doily for your decanter. She gave Wiggins a hard look before going back downstairs to her needlework.

Holmes ran his expert eye over Henry Wiggins and smiled. I see that this unusually foggy weather is making you a wealthy man, Wiggins.

Henry Wiggins scratched his head, saying, Well, there is more custom on foggy nights, Mr Holmes. Folk don't want to be walking in it...but how did you know I was doing better?

Holmes chuckled. Well, I presume that you don't usually feed Daisy on oats when money is tight.

Wiggins's eyes grew wide. How did you know that Mr Holmes?

Your boots, man. Your boots! Sticking to the side of them is some bran but also some rolled oats, a clear sign of a cabbie’s prosperity.

Wiggins’s face softened as he smiled, saying, I does like to treat her when I'm a bit flush. She's a good horse and she works hard.

Holmes nodded