The Mammoth Book of New Sherlock Holmes Adventures - Mike Ashley [254]
I was aghast. Apart from my disbelief at Holmes’s rejection of the oppressive and weighty problem that had been brought before us, I was taken aback to see our aged friend rebuffed in such a brusque manner. “Holmes,” I said, “What can this mean? Surely, you are not going to refuse to act in a matter of this kind? Think of the consequences – do you wish the world to be plunged into a horrific war, when it is in your hands to prevent it?” Holmes said nothing, but continued to look down at our guest with a face devoid of expression.
Orman Pasha sat with a frown of disappointment on his face and said nothing for some moments. At length he spoke. “Mr Holmes,” he said, “I fail to understand –”.
“Come, come, my dear Pasha,” said Holmes, firmly, “you understand only too well. I fear you have not told me the whole truth in this matter.”
“Mr Holmes!” The Pasha rose to his feet in indignation.
“Oh, I have no doubt that you have told me all the facts relating to the case as far as they are known to you,” said Holmes, “but I regret to say that you have not been fully open with me concerning your motives in asking me to investigate this matter. I cannot accept the case unless I am taken fully into your confidence.”
There was a silence, during which the Pasha stood looking at Holmes with a frown of displeasure on his face, while Holmes remained as impassive and as immovable as ever. At last, the Pasha spoke.
“Perhaps, you will explain what you mean, Mr Holmes,” he said.
“By all means,” replied my friend, “will you tell me the name of the young man you are trying to protect, or shall I?”
Orman Pasha stared at Holmes in disbelief. Slowly, he resumed his seat and soon his expression changed to one of wry amusement.
“In spite of everything I have heard about you, Mr Holmes, I still managed to underestimate you,” said Orman Pasha, “Your brother warned me that you have an uncanny ability to arrive at the truth. It encourages me a great deal. What you say is the truth; I am under instructions from the Sultan, not only to do my utmost to resolve this dangerous political crisis and to prevent a war, but to safeguard the reputation of Prince Murat, the Sultan’s nephew. But how could you possibly have known?”
Sherlock Holmes sat down on the edge of his seat and leaned forward towards the Pasha. “Two clues, both furnished by Your Excellency, revealed the truth to me. First, you told me that this Simeonov was attacked in the street about four weeks ago, which is shortly after the time young Prince Murat arrived in this country for an unofficial visit, as everyone knows from reading the papers. It became immediately apparent to me that you were concerned that no one should suggest any link between the two events, especially since the Prince has repeatedly made known his views concerning the Bulgarian question. Secondly, the very fact that the Sultan instructed you to seek my advice and did not put his faith in the regular police force suggests that he was anxious that if the truth be found out – and be found to be unpalatable – my discretion could be relied upon to keep the matter quiet until the Prince be removed from this country and, hopefully, be dealt with suitably in Constantinople. Am I correct?”
The Pasha was listening with an expression of mingled amusement and respect on his face as Holmes was speaking.
“Well done, Mr Holmes,” he said, when Holmes had finished, “His Imperial Majesty, had he been present here, would have approved. He is well acquainted with your achievements and, indeed, is an enthusiast like yourself, having made a detailed study of the structure of the wood of the different kinds of tree that abound on his estates.”
Holmes sat back in his seat. “His Majesty would seem to a most interesting man; I shall make a point of sending him a copy of my monograph upon the use of wooden objects as murder weapons,