Gaslight Grimoire_ Fantastic Tales of Sherlock Holmes - Barbara Hambly [43]
“But why did this guardian not venture outside that one room?” asked Mr. Fitzgerald. Like his wife a few minutes earlier, he now looked considerably more relieved than he had been since we arrived; the prospect of putting an end to his troubles by following Low’s advice had obviously taken a weight from his shoulders.
“Without knowing the specifics of what Karswell did to conjure it up in the first place, I cannot say. I do know, however, that very powerful constraints must be laid on these creatures, lest they turn on those who create them. It could well be that Karswell’s guardian was restricted to that place, near its master’s treasure.” He paused, and gazed thoughtfully at his hosts. “From the manner in which the sounds it made changed, I should say that it was growing stronger as time passed, and that it is as well that we arrived when we did, before it grew even more powerful.”
“And what did you make of the note, Mr. Low?” asked our host. Low smiled gently.
“I, too, took it as a taunt, although I interpreted it somewhat differently to Mr. Holmes. He seized on the word ‘treasure’, whereas I was struck by the use of the word ‘vengeance’, and the reference to ‘the things that shall come upon them’.”
There was silence then, as we all pondered what we had just heard. Looking upon the faces of Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald, I could see that their troubles were, if not quite at an end, at least fading rapidly. Mr. Fitzgerald, it was clear, was prepared to believe Flaxman Low’s interpretation of events, while his wife believed that Holmes had hit upon the correct solution. I caught the latter’s eye as I thought this, and he must have read my thoughts, for he laughed and said, “Well, we have two solutions, and three listeners. I know that two of you have already made up your minds, so it remains for Dr. Watson to cast the deciding vote. Which shall it be, friend Watson? Tell us your verdict.”
I glanced from the one detective to the other: both so alike in their methods, so sure of their case, yet so different in their explanations. I took a deep breath.
“I am glad of my Scottish heritage at this moment,” I said, “for it allows me to answer, quite properly, ‘Not Proven’.” And further than that I would not be drawn.
There remains little to tell of this strange case. The following morning, as soon as it was light, a proper investigation of the secret chamber was made. Nothing more was found beyond what we had already seen; and the stone steps did, as surmised, lead down through the thickness of the outer wall to a tunnel which stretched away from the house and emerged in a small outbuilding some distance away. The tunnel was in surprisingly good repair, leading Holmes to believe that his theory of treasure-seekers was correct. Low said nothing, but I noted that he spent some time scrutinising the floor of the tunnel, which was, I saw, free from any marks that would seem to indicate the recent passage of any corporeal trespasser. The entrances to both chamber and tunnel were sealed shut so as to make both impassable; but not before everything had been removed from the chamber, and everything of Karswell’s taken from the study, and burned.
I have not heard that the Fitzgeralds have been troubled since that time; nor did I ever hear of any treasures being found in the house.
One other item, perhaps, bears mentioning. Low had been invited to travel back to London with us, and we found ourselves with some time to spare in the village before our train was due to arrive. We walked, by common accord, over to the small parish