Sherlock Holmes & The Master Engraver (Sherlock Holmes Revival) by Ross Husband Page A

arrangements with the owner of the residence.
    “With that he sprang down and walked over to the front door, where I observed him in conversation with the lady of the house; I directed old Noah around to the back as instructed. There, from the seat on the wagon, I could see a large, most ornate hot-house with all manner of strange flowers within, but there appeared to be numerous missing or broken panes, and I perceived what looked like old sheets and blankets fixed over them. I also noticed that the white garden palings were broken down, and several shrubs seemed to have been uprooted and left on the lawn.”
    Holmes nodded in satisfaction.
    “Anyway, a little time after this my odd companion emerged from the rear door of the villa and summoned me over to the hot-house. He required me to replace all the broken panes, while he would repair the palings and gate, and replant the shrubs; this we did and the work was completed comfortably by two o’clock, when Mrs Petch came over to inspect all, and most happy with our work she seemed too. At this point she said to us something much like ‘Excellent gentlemen, my husband will be quite delighted; I believe, Mr Bormanstein, the sum we agreed upon was seven pounds five shillings was it not?’ ”
    “Well gentlemen, you might well imagine, that set me right back on my heels; my materials amounted to more than five pounds on their own, let alone my time, extra feed for Noah and all the travelling!
    “I was about to protest when Bormanstein gave me a very dark hard look; I don’t mind telling you Mr Watson, I was chilled by his expression at that moment; he did not appear to me to be a man to cross lightly.
    “When we mounted the wagon, I was yet again much startled when he very cheerfully passed me ten pounds, which was more than enough for my trouble.
    “I made to remonstrate with him but he appeared to take this as dissatisfaction, and upon the instant pressed another tenner on me. You can be sure that with that, I piped down pretty smartly, and privately blessed him for a gentleman! So, strange affair or not, that day’s work meant that the missus got the brooch she had set her heart on, and the little ones got their rocking-horse after all, with enough over for a fat goose, a fine ham, and this excellent wine we’re enjoying.”
    Holmes took a polite but minute sip of the abominable brew, pondered, and then raised a quizzical eyebrow. “I wish to be wholly clear on this point Mr Madgwick – you say that this Mr Bormanstein paid almost three times the disbursement he had received from Mrs Petch?”
    “That is so Mr Watson.”
    “Remarkably generous do you not think?” The rotund builder shifted uneasily in his chair but made no reply. Holmes smiled lightly. “Well, no matter; all things considered it was a pleasant Christmas surprise for you and your family, and I wish you joy of it” and with this he made to rise. “Did Mr Bormanstein give you his card, by any chance?”
    “No Mr Watson; he said he had neglected to bring them with him, but he did refer to interests east of the City near the docks – somewhere around Rotherhithe and The Isle of Dogs, I recollect. However, I understood that you came to speak to me about some work for your friend?”
    “Ah yes, of course; if you will kindly give me your calling card I shall be sure to pass it to my friend, along
    with a hearty recommendation – on that you may depend; I expect you will hear from him in due course.” And so with thanks and further earnest assurances, we departed the house of Mr Nathan Madgwick, builder, of Clerkenwell Road, and presently, hailed a cab for the lengthy drive to Richmond – as cabmen call it, a clock-and-a-half. Consequently we had some little time to ponder...
     
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    From the look of quiet satisfaction on his pale, lean countenance, I felt that Holmes was content, pleased even, with what he had learned thus far; indeed, I sensed that the facts