Sherlock Holmes in Something the Cat Dragged In by Lyn McConchie

she stared at us grimly.
    â€œWhat do you want of me?”
    â€œOnly what is owed,” Holmes informed her. “On the day that Mr. Pierce the lawyer died, he carried a large sum of money. It was never found. He held it in a briefcase, in which was also a letter concerning an important bequest, and it too was never found. Mr. Pierce visited you, and left these items in your care.” He overrode her faint protest. “You used the money to buy yourself items which your husband would not provide. It was an unfortunate match, as you never wished to be wed to him….”
    â€œNo,” the lady broke in. “I didn’t. I was told that it was my duty and that it was necessary to save the family because my father had suffered business reverses. I was only seventeen, and I have been married to that old brute for almost twenty years. But now he’s dying. Once he’s dead, I’ll inherit, marry my cousin John, and be happy for once. You’ve no proof I spent any of Mr. Pierce’s money.”
    â€œAh, but the gossip, Mrs. Edwards. The gossip,” Holmes said gently.
    â€œWhat gossip?”
    â€œWhy, what if I come openly to town, seeking documents regarding a bequest? I shall mention that it is well known Mr. Pierce was something of a rake in his private life. I shall hint of scandal and a married mistress, mention some of my suspicions privately—and how long would such interesting talk remain confidential—and how long before your cousin hears the talk? How long before he asks you for an accounting? But then, of course, he knows how unhappy you are in your marriage, and he will forgive you a single, early indiscretion.”
    He leaned forward and she flinched. “Or is it merely a single indiscretion? If he looked, would he find that there have been others? And even if he forgave you all of them, what would he say if you are accused of stealing a large sum of money from a dead man, or of withholding vital legal documents? The man who should have received that letter could bring charges.”
    Mrs. Edwards collapsed. In short order we drew out of her the admission that yes, she had taken the money. Pierce being dead she thought no one would know. Three hundred and fifty pounds had allowed her to buy pretty things for years. She told her husband that she won the money at private card-parties. Once it was gone, she told him that she had lost too often of late and was ceasing to play. He had never queried it.
    â€œAnd the case and document?”
    â€œI have them hidden.” A few more questions and it was clear to us that she had retained them in case she ever found an opportunity to blackmail Western. She knew the estate and the position and knew too that he would have paid high for the restoration of that letter and his recovery of Marshford. That she had not done so already was solely that she had been afraid of being found out and could see no way to act safely.
    â€œWe will return home with you,” Holmes said firmly. “You will give us the case and all its contents. I shall know if you remove anything further. The money you shall repay once your husband dies and all that is his is sold.”
    â€œAnd if I do, you won’t say anything? You won’t tell anyone?”
    â€œWe shall remain silent, if you fulfill your promise.”
    We returned to the house and she entered, returning with the case and subsequently we said nothing to anyone. Holmes opened the envelope once we were well away and found the letter. Written in Pierce’s hand, it contained instructions to leave the Marshford estate to Western. He was to have clear and absolute title, but it was suggested that he go to a lawyer once he was in possession and place a caveat on the property in case a descendant should be another wastrel such as his father. A second paper in the case indicated that the money had also come from Western’s great-grandfather. It was an inheritance from