Sherlock Holmes: Before Baker Street David Marcum (reading eggs books .TXT) 📖

Doctor,’ I interjected, ‘considering you have yet to examine the body.’

“‘I don’t need to examine him. Revevend Tunstall had a weak heart. I told him to take things easy, but he would have it his own way. This is the result. Well, he can’t say I didn’t warn him.’

“‘Quite so. Patients can be inconvenient, ignoring their doctor’s advice and interfering with his plans to leave for London by dying.’

“Meakin started. ‘Why do you say that? I do not deny it. My wife and I depart the day after tomorrow. Someone in the village told you of my plans, no doubt.’

“‘Not at all. Your enamelled silver tie-pin with the letter “T” intertwined with ivy is the emblem of the Tantamount Club in Pall Mall. I know it well. My brother is a member of the Diogenes, several doors along. The pin is new, for it has yet to tarnish or bear the wear of polish. Why should a man make such a lavish purchase unless he has expectations of attending the establishment in question on a regular basis. It can only be because he anticipates a move to the capital where he can avail himself of the club’s facilities. The chef, I understand, is first-rate, and his syllabub is without equal. The Reform Club tried to tempt him away, but he showed an admirable loyalty to the Tantamount.’

“Meakin sighed with a quiet sort of irritability.

“‘As you say, Mr. Holmes, I would prefer that Tunstall’s death did not cause us unnecessary delay. We moved to the town of Norton Deverill several years ago, seeking peace and solitude. It was enjoyable for a while, but in truth now I find myself hankering for a busy life and less of these rural customs. Do you know Mrs. Weatherall still keeps a deaf dog for the uprooting of mandrake? The screams of the dying plant are said to bring death to those who hear it, so she told me. And now this! Good heavens, you would think no one had ever died here before. Well, not like this, I dare say. At least it was instantaneous.’

“‘He lingered a moment or two, long enough to say a few words.’

“‘What were they?’

“‘Agnus Dei’.

“‘The Lamb of God’.

“The doctor’s gaze was drawn to the West Window where a roundel in the stained glass depicted a lamb holding a cross in the crook of its leg. It was positioned in a direct line of sight over the place I had been sitting.

“‘Before the service, Tunstall spoke of delusions,’ said I. ‘Had he mentioned it to you?’

“‘Softening of the brain,’ said the doctor dismissively. ‘He told me he had seen the serpent of Eden in his study. As for the cause of death, I see no reason to believe it was anything other than natural. That is what the death certificate shall say.’

“With that, he left. As it happened, I did not disagree with him. I am familiar with the effects of thirty-four poisons, none of which were displayed by Tunstall. Meakin’s visit, brief though it was, had however opened up a line of enquiry which required broader horizons than Norton Deverill to explore fully.

“With this in mind, I persuaded the sergeant to allow me to accompany him to break the news of the clergyman’s death to his bishop. Whilst there and after some explanation, I was able to question him about his reasons for sending Tunstall to the village. Concern for his advanced years and increasing frailty was the only motive to which the bishop would admit, although I gathered consideration had been given to isolating him in a place where his excesses would cause the least embarrassment.

“It was too late to return to the village, and so after our interview, I availed myself of the bishop’s library and his hospitality for the evening. I had difficulty finding transport back to the village the next day, and it was late afternoon before I found myself at Gallows’ Corner, courtesy of an ancient hay wagon and the reticent farmer who drove it.

“I knew by then what had happened. What I lacked was evidence and a motive. Because of that latter consideration, it was important that the culprit was made aware I had discovered the facts in the case. My hope was that my knowledge might be enough to prevent them from causing another death, if such were their plans.

“As I approached Lady Bulmer’s cottage, I observed Taylor outside heaving a trunk onto the tumbrel. He confirmed that the household was leaving.

“‘Can’t wonder at it after yesterday,’ said he, pausing to mop his brow. ‘Will you be staying at the Grange tonight, sir? I only ask because Mrs. Taylor wants to know whether she should serve ham or gammon.’

“It was as he spoke that I experienced one of those moments of clarity. The sense of gratification was over-whelming, enough to render me speechless. My reaction made quite an impression on the sullen fellow, for I caught him peering intently at me.

“‘You can tell Mrs. Hil that I may be delayed,’ I replied. ‘Forgive me, Mrs. Taylor. Ham will be sufficient for my needs.’

Taylor nodded, and, leaving him looking after me in mystification, I knocked on the cottage door. The maid let me in and I was shown into a sitting room, stripped now of all comforts, save for several armchairs and a small circular table. Lady Bulmer was waiting for me, her expression open and welcoming.

“‘Mr. Holmes, we had expected to see you before we departed.’

“‘Expected?’

“A smile lifted the corners of her mouth. ‘Hoped, then. Will you take a seat and join me? I have promised myself to take tea one last time in this place. I shall miss it so.’

“The maid returned with a tray and tea was served. Several lumps of sugar were added to my cup before I could refuse, and out of