attempted to bag me with that thing, but fate has been kinder to me than to the Colonel’s tigers.’
‘But he will surely try again,’ I expostulated, ‘if we do not manage to arrest or incapacitate him. It is a most dangerous situation for your life and limb, Mr Holmes.’
‘I am by no means a nervous man, Huree, but I see your point of view. What course of action would you recommend?’
‘Discretion being the better part of valour, I would advise a speedy retreat from this most insalubrious metropolis,’ I suggested.
‘Huree is right, Mr Holmes,’ said Strickland, ‘Colonel Moran has tremendous advantages here. Apart from the size and turmoil of the city, which hinders effective police work, there are numerous criminal organisations in Bombay that Moran could easily recruit for his foul purpose.’
‘I would recommend a sojourn to Simla, Mr Holmes,’ said I. ‘The climate there is delightful at this time of the year and is admirably adapted to the European constitution. Ah… “the verdant hills, the crystal streams, the cool mountain winds perfumed by the breath of eternal pine trees…” or so we are informed in Towell’s Handbook to Simla!
‘You mustn’t let Hurree’s poetry discourage you, Mr Holmes,’ said Strickland. ‘Yes, Simla is the best place for you to retire at the moment. Though it’s the summer capital of the government, it is small enough for us to keep an eye on all unusual visitors, and the natives are simple, honest hill-folk. Moreover, Hurree here is in his element up in the hills, and could watch your back effectively.’
I was glad to learn that I would be accompanying Sherlock Holmes to Simla. Just the two days I had known him assured me that furthering the acquaintance of this remarkable person would not only prove instructive, but exciting as well.
‘The Frontier Mail to Peshawar leaves tonight at one o’clock, Mr Strickland,’ said I, consulting my Indian Bradshaw and the large silver turnip watch I had inherited from my father. ‘If it would not be rushing things for Mr Holmes, we have about two hours in which to catch it.’
‘Well, I am an old campaigner,’ replied Sherlock Holmes, ‘and two hours would be more than sufficient for me to collect my gladstone from the hotel.’
‘Then it’s settled,’ said Strickland, as the carriage stopped in front of the hotel door. ‘The sooner you leave Bombay the less chance of Moran being able to have another go at you. Hurree …‘he turned to me,’… collect your kit from your lodgings and meet us at the Victoria Terminus — at the book stall by the first class waiting room.’
1. In spite of its seeming novelty, the air-rifle had been in use earlier in history. Louis XIV hunted deer with one. It even saw military service when the French used it quite successfully against the Austrians in the Napoleonic Wars. An air-rifle was also used by Lewis and Clark on their celebrated expedition.
7
The Frontier Mail
Surely the Victoria Terminus is the most magnificent railway station in the world. It was openedfive years ago on the happy occasion of our August Sovereign the Queen Empress’s Golden Jubilee, and its splendour and opulence was acclaimed throughout the land — only Lady Dufferin, the Vicereine, not approving, considering it’… much too magnificent for a bustiing crowd of railway passengers.’ This vast edifice is architecturally a harmonious blend of Venetian, Gothic, Neo-classical, Hindu and Islamic styles. The columns supporting the roofs are made from dark granite especially imported from Aberdeen, providing the whole majestic composition with a touch of Imperial sternness.
With my back to one of these stern granite columns and my suitcase and bedding-roll at my feet, I observed the milling multitudes arriving and departing, picking their way through supine, sheeted figures — third class passengers, who had taken their tickets overnight and were sleeping on the platforms. Sweetmeat sellers,
‘But he will surely try again,’ I expostulated, ‘if we do not manage to arrest or incapacitate him. It is a most dangerous situation for your life and limb, Mr Holmes.’
‘I am by no means a nervous man, Huree, but I see your point of view. What course of action would you recommend?’
‘Discretion being the better part of valour, I would advise a speedy retreat from this most insalubrious metropolis,’ I suggested.
‘Huree is right, Mr Holmes,’ said Strickland, ‘Colonel Moran has tremendous advantages here. Apart from the size and turmoil of the city, which hinders effective police work, there are numerous criminal organisations in Bombay that Moran could easily recruit for his foul purpose.’
‘I would recommend a sojourn to Simla, Mr Holmes,’ said I. ‘The climate there is delightful at this time of the year and is admirably adapted to the European constitution. Ah… “the verdant hills, the crystal streams, the cool mountain winds perfumed by the breath of eternal pine trees…” or so we are informed in Towell’s Handbook to Simla!
‘You mustn’t let Hurree’s poetry discourage you, Mr Holmes,’ said Strickland. ‘Yes, Simla is the best place for you to retire at the moment. Though it’s the summer capital of the government, it is small enough for us to keep an eye on all unusual visitors, and the natives are simple, honest hill-folk. Moreover, Hurree here is in his element up in the hills, and could watch your back effectively.’
I was glad to learn that I would be accompanying Sherlock Holmes to Simla. Just the two days I had known him assured me that furthering the acquaintance of this remarkable person would not only prove instructive, but exciting as well.
‘The Frontier Mail to Peshawar leaves tonight at one o’clock, Mr Strickland,’ said I, consulting my Indian Bradshaw and the large silver turnip watch I had inherited from my father. ‘If it would not be rushing things for Mr Holmes, we have about two hours in which to catch it.’
‘Well, I am an old campaigner,’ replied Sherlock Holmes, ‘and two hours would be more than sufficient for me to collect my gladstone from the hotel.’
‘Then it’s settled,’ said Strickland, as the carriage stopped in front of the hotel door. ‘The sooner you leave Bombay the less chance of Moran being able to have another go at you. Hurree …‘he turned to me,’… collect your kit from your lodgings and meet us at the Victoria Terminus — at the book stall by the first class waiting room.’
1. In spite of its seeming novelty, the air-rifle had been in use earlier in history. Louis XIV hunted deer with one. It even saw military service when the French used it quite successfully against the Austrians in the Napoleonic Wars. An air-rifle was also used by Lewis and Clark on their celebrated expedition.
7
The Frontier Mail
Surely the Victoria Terminus is the most magnificent railway station in the world. It was openedfive years ago on the happy occasion of our August Sovereign the Queen Empress’s Golden Jubilee, and its splendour and opulence was acclaimed throughout the land — only Lady Dufferin, the Vicereine, not approving, considering it’… much too magnificent for a bustiing crowd of railway passengers.’ This vast edifice is architecturally a harmonious blend of Venetian, Gothic, Neo-classical, Hindu and Islamic styles. The columns supporting the roofs are made from dark granite especially imported from Aberdeen, providing the whole majestic composition with a touch of Imperial sternness.
With my back to one of these stern granite columns and my suitcase and bedding-roll at my feet, I observed the milling multitudes arriving and departing, picking their way through supine, sheeted figures — third class passengers, who had taken their tickets overnight and were sleeping on the platforms. Sweetmeat sellers,
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