Sherlock Holmes Never Dies- Collection Four

by Copland, Craig Stephen

  He handed the rifle over to his fellow Marine and picked up a second. Gerry similarly shuttled the bolt back and forth and raised the rifle to his shoulder and sighted it at some unknown enemy. Then slowly he brought it back down and raised the lock section to just below his eyes and stared at it intently.

  “Something’s wrong here, Jimmy.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “This thing is a piece of junk. It’s the Ross design, all right, but look. That bolt hasn’t been decently polished. The sights aren’t lined up properly. The varnish looks like it's been painted on by a five-year-old. The Canadian soldiers don’t like this gun, but I’ve never heard them say that it looks cheap. The ones I’ve held before are beautifully finished. This one is rubbish.”

  He handed it on to me, reached into the case and brought out another gun that he handed to Holmes. It had been over twenty-five years since I had held a military rifle in my hands but I could still tell the difference between a finely crafted weapon and cheap imitation. What I was holding was the latter.

  Holmes looked over the rifle in his hands. He put it back in the box and took out a second one. A curious look that I had seen appear many times over the years came across his face.

  “These guns have serial numbers stamped on the plate just above the trigger.”

  “They do,” said Gerry. “All our guns have those now.”

  “Is it normal,” asked Holmes, “for every gun to have the identical serial number?”

  “What!” sputtered Gerry. He grabbed another gun from the case, and then another. “Jeepers creepers! They’re all the same. Every one of them. That’s right goopy. What nut made these?”

  Together we pulled out and examined the rifles remaining in the case. All showed the same sloppy degree of manufacture and all bore the same serial numbers. We put the guns back and Holmes turned to the two Marines.

  “Gentlemen, again I ask you to help me solve a mystery. You know the world of weapons far better than I. If I wanted someone to copy a rifle design and provide cheap imitations, where would I go to have that done.”

  The two of them looked at each other and then in unison replied, “Russia.”

  They then provided several anecdotes giving additional examples of grenades, petards, artillery shells and the like that had been discovered to have been made in Russia and sold as if they had been made by Mauser or Remington. Holmes thanked then for their help and promised that their assistance would remain a confidential matter. (Reader: Please note that the names I have given them are not their true names).

  “Very well, Watson,” said Holmes as we walked away from the compound in search of a cab, “your further deductions.”

  “Now Holmes, you know it is never wise to form conclusions before you have sufficient data.”

  He laughed at the tease and, emboldened, I continued.

  “It would appear that our dead American was running a very profitable and utterly dishonest business of importing arms from Russia, but shipping them through Canada, and then selling them to the Japanese Military, pretending that they came from Canada.”

  “That is a reasonable conclusion, given the data at hand.”

  “If I were the chap in the Japanese Army that was buying them from him, and discovered that not only was I being sold a pig in a poke but that the money was going to the country with whom I was at war, I would imagine that I might not be a very happy fellow.”

  “Unhappy enough to have the man who had been robbing you murdered?”

  “Oh yes, I think so. These Oriental fellows are terribly big on not having their honor besmirched, and if I were the General who was exposed as giving the Emperor’s money to a Yankee swindler, I might add in a spot of torture as well.”

  “I agree, Watson. And do you recall the Russian supplier’s name?”

  “Yes. Federov.”

  Chapter Six The Very Second Minister

  WE FOUND OUR WAY BACK TO THE HOTEL. The Japanese cab driver did not need my efforts from the list of useful phrases. He took one look at us and said, “Ah …. Imperio Hotel-o?”

  As we entered the lobby, Tommy was waiting for us. He leapt up from his chair and rushed over to us.

  “Sherlock-san, and Dr. John-san, where have you been? It is not safe for you to wander around Tokyo by yourself. There are many places where foreigners can be robbed. Please, gentlemen, our government is very concerned for your safety. You must not go out like that again without me.”

  “Oh, dear,” said Holmes with feigned concern. “We went out to admire the blossoms. Had a lovely walk around the palace grounds. The cherry trees were quite splendid. I do not remember feeling unsafe at all. But I do thank you for your concern.”

  Tommy was visibly upset. While he continued to bow and express concern for our well-being, I noticed that his fists were clenched and perceived that he more than a little angry with us.

  “Gentlemen,” he said. “It is good that you have returned. An appointment has been arranged for you with your Legation in two hours from now. Your Second Minister wishes to meet with you to discuss the lecture tour of Mr. Holmes. I will wait for you here. May I ask you please to meet me here at one o’clock?”

  “Of course, we shall do that,” said Holmes, cheerily. Holmes bowed to Tommy and turned and headed for the staircase.

  I immediately began to write up our report on the day’s activities while Holmes read through the latest batch of cables and documents that had arrived from Mycroft. By just before one o’clock, I had it finished. Holmes and I went over the final version and we sent it off to the British Legation, to the attention of our Mr. Grant Munro, the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary.

  The British Legation was housed in a large red brick complex just across the moat from the north side of the Imperial Palace grounds. We entered through the large iron gates and into the graveled courtyard. A polished carriage stood at the entrance to the building and as we were approaching it a man and a woman emerged from the doorway and walked toward it. She had her arm through his, and they appeared to be chatting pleasantly. Both were elegantly dressed, but what struck me immediately was their stature. The man was broad-shouldered, slender, and considerably taller than Holmes. The woman, however, was as tall as he, although I noticed (as a result of years of tutoring by Holmes) that her boots accounted for an inch or two. She was not wearing her hair on the top of her head, as would be expected, but let her long black tresses down on her shoulders where they were bouncing gaily as she walked. Clearly, she must be an American.

  “Holmes, do you suppose those two might be who I think they are?”

  “Precisely. The gentleman is the Envoy and the lovely woman, according to the data we have received so far, is most likely our duplicitous villain. And a very intriguing set they are.”

  The carriage departed without its occupants taking notice of us, and we entered the Legation building. An attendant met us and escorted us to the office of the Second Minister.

  “Ah, Mr. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson,” said the man with whom we had our appointment. “Delighted to have you here in Japan. I am Redvers Humphrey, the Second Minister, the one who has been given the honor of overseeing your lecture tour and giving all of your adoring fans the opportunity to see their favorite detective in the flesh. Please, gentlemen. Be seated. I am sure you are most eager to hear what I have to tell you.”

  He then turned to Tommy, who had followed us into his office, gave him a shallow bow and said, “Thank you, my good man. Kindly wait in the hall. If you require anything, a cup of tea perhaps, one of our girls will be most happy to oblige.”

  Tommy did not look as if he wanted any of being dismissed. He bowed deeply and responded.

  “Honorable Minister, sir. As the tour of Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson is a cultural project arranged cooperatively between our two countries, it is important that I be part of this meeting, on behalf of our government, sir.” He bowed again.

  “Sorry, old sport,” replied Humphrey
. “This is just a meeting between a couple of British citizens with the British Legation. But do assure your lads over in the Diet that a report will be sent to them by tomorrow evening. Thank you, my good man. That will be all.” He gestured toward the door with his arm.

  Tommy did not move. Again he bowed deeply. “This will be very difficult, Mr. Minister, sir. But as the representative of the government of Japan, I am required to be present.”

  “No, old chap. I’m afraid to say that you are not. The authority of the Government of Japan stopped once you entered the grounds of the Legation of Great Britain. Did not anybody tell you that? Oh dear. They really must get up to snuff over there at the Diet. But please, old chap, do relax and have a cup of tea. We shan’t keep you long.”

  Again, Tommy bowed and again I could see that he was not at all happy. He said no more and left the room. The Minister closed the door behind him.

  “They really do wish to be oh-so-very-helpful. Lovely chaps. But I’m afraid that we have to cover some items that are more sensitive than your tour. However, gentlemen, let us address the official reason for your visit to Japan—your cultural exchange on behalf of His Majesty’s Government. What all will this tour entail, you ask? I can answer that question for you quite directly.”

  “Oh, yes, please do,” said Holmes.

  “Of course, happy to oblige. Where all shall we be sending you? I am sure you are dying to know.”

  “Yes, just dying.”

  “Indeed. Of course, most of your lectures will be given in and around Tokyo and Yokohama since these are the most … the most … the most cosmopolitan shall we say, of the cities of Japan. I am sure you would agree.”

  “I’m sure.”

  “But, of course, we are very aware that you have quite the assortment of followers in other cities. You are aware of that, are you not, Mr. Holmes?”

  “Of course.”

  “Brilliant. Then you will be pleased to know that we also have excursions planned to the north, all the way up to Sapporo. You will have to take a ferry over to Hokkaido. It is a little risky, what with the Japanese and the Russian taking pot shots at each others’ boats, but I suppose that a detective is not going to be phased by a little spot of danger. Right, Mr. Holmes?”

  “Right.”

  “And we must not neglect what we in the Legation call the regional cities. You know – Sendai, Nagoya, Osaka, Hiroshima, and even all the way to the south, to Nagasaki. I do hope you will not object if we leave off the island of Shikoku?”

  “Not at all.”

  “Brilliant. There are just not enough people there, let alone those who are devoted to your adventures. Now. What is the next item on your schedule? The next item is your presence as the awarder of the prizes at the athletic events sponsored by our Legation and the twenty leading British firms that are doing business here in Japan. You really do not have to do anything except be there at the finish line and hand out the citation entitling the winners to their scholarships at Oxford. And why have we assigned you the task, Mr. Holmes? I am sure you are dying to know.”

  “Dying.”

  “Ah, yes. Quite the puzzle isn’t it? You see, all of the representatives of our British firms have been squabbling like school boys demanding that they should be the one to give the prize. So rather than choosing one of them and thereby creating a situation of one ingrate and nineteen malcontents, we came up with the brilliant idea of having you perform the task. All those chaps agreed that it was a top drawer decision as long as they had the opportunity to shake your hand and have you sign their latest copy of The Strand. You would be agreeable to doing that, would you not, Mr. Holmes?”

  “Quite agreeable. How many events will be held?”

  “Three. One each month beginning on the fifteenth of April, and then on the fifteenth of each succeeding month. And we are quite proud of the contests we have designed. Each will be progressively more difficult. The final one will be a bit grueling, and you will have to do a bit of climbing yourself, but I am sure you will not object, will you, Mr. Holmes?”

  “Not in the least.”

  “Excellent. Excellent. Now then, I do believe that your brother, Sir Mycroft, has given you some preliminary data on a couple of sticky wickets we are facing here in Tokyo, has he not?”

  “He has.”

  “Very well, then what are those situations? Strange secrets they are. I am sure you are eager to know more.”

  “I do believe that my heart is palpitating.”

  “Quite understandable. But do try to control yourself. We in His Majesty’s Foreign Service have to face difficult situations like these all the time. Well, perhaps not like the most difficult one we are facing today, but I will get to that momentarily. First, we require your skills as a detective to try to find out what in the world happened to the poor American bloke they found floating in the Sumida River. Are you are aware of that situation, Mr. Holmes?”

  “Somewhat. Wasn’t that the case we solved this morning, Watson?”

  I nodded, not sure whether to laugh or look bored.

  “I beg your pardon, Mr. Holmes. You say you solved it?”

  “Yes. Quite. Dr. Watson has a copy of the report in his pocket. We will leave it with you when we depart. And what is the second situation, please, Minister Humphrey?”

  The fellow was temporarily at a loss for words since he was clearly not expecting the response he received. However, being the polished diplomat he was, he recovered quickly and moved on.

  “The second sticky wicket, as I like to call them, is the disappearance of our Cultural Attaché Mr. Sean O’Neill, who took a properly scheduled and approved journey by ferry out to the island of Oshima, at the opening of Tokyo Bay. Are you familiar with that island, Mr. Holmes?”

  “Not in the least.”

  “I feared as much. Very well, it is a volcanic island that is famed, and very proud of I might add, of its camellia blossoms. Not the cherry blossoms, which you have been enjoying since arriving in Tokyo, but the camellia blossoms, which appeared in late February. Quite the pleasant event. Entire trees, row upon row of them, covered with these lovely large blooms. Sean requested that he be permitted to attend their festival, and his request was approved. Now, you are asking, what happened to him?”

  “The question was on the tip of my tongue.”

  “And so it should be. And the answer is that we do not know. No idea, whatsoever. Nothing. Nada. Nichts. Absolument rien. And therein, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, is your second assignment. Please, sir, find our boy. His disappearance is most embarrassing. Whitehall is very patient about these matters, but not for long.”

  “If you can furnish such data as you have, I shall give it my attention.”

  “Very well. I will have the latest dossier delivered to you. All I can say is that Sean arrived at the port of Atami. I assume you know all about that place.”

  “Not the foggiest.”

  “I feared as much. So how shall I put this without being indelicate? You should be aware that Atami is one of the great centers in Japan for tourists from all over the world. Now, do I have to spell out what that means, Mr. Holmes?”

  “I can imagine.”

  “I am sure you can. Very well, now then, for the pièce de résistance: The wife of Mr. Grant Munro, our Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, the former Miss Ekaterina Federov. Had the lady married Mr. Grant immediately after he completed his degree at Cambridge, she would have learned by now how to behave as a proper diplomatic wife. But, sad to say, that did not happen. She was, quite frankly, well past her prime when she met him here in Tokyo less than a year ago. And since she was already established as a nurse and a teacher, she had some fifteen years to become far too independent-minded and headstrong. Just what you might expect from an American. And she has this habit, as I believe Sir Mycroft has told you, of vanishing for several days at a time whenever she jolly well feels like it. And it just won’t do. It won’t do at all. It is terribly alarming to all of us.”
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  “Is Mr. Munro not alarmed?”

  “No. And that is the most annoying part of it all. He is positively smitten with her. Besotted, if you will. Bewitched, as far as I am concerned. He can hear no wrong said of her, or even the least hinted. He is all for progressive, egalitarian marriage. He is forever placing his arm around her shoulders, and he’s all ‘My darling; my dearest; my sweet one,’ and those are just the terms he uses in public. What has been overheard of how he addresses his wife in private is not fit for repeating in polite company. Shocking. It makes the pages of The Pearl seem like Mary Slessor’s Diary.”

  “Yes. That would be shocking were I familiar with either of those publications.”

  “No? Very well. It matters not. What matters is that he will not hear of anything said against her.”

  “Surely, Mr. Minister, you have had her followed. Where does she go?”

  “Of course, we have had her followed. She takes herself down to Minato. First, she pays a visit to the Girls’ School that is run by the Society of Friends out of Philadelphia, and then she stays in the house of a Japanese family that provides boarding for students.”

  “I fail to see the treachery in that. Please explain.”

  “Did your brother not fully pass on the data we had sent him? Oh well, it matters not. Here it is. This house in which she stays is just a few doors away from the house where a known Russian agent boards and she makes regular visits to that house. His disguise, if I may call it that, is that he teaches mathematics at the Friends’ School. Not only that, but she sends him regular letters, all in code mind you. What is in those letters? I am sure you are desperate to know?”

  “I am a desperate man, indeed.”

  “Right. We have been able to intercept all of them and copy them before they are passed on to the Czar’s agent. How are we able to do that? We are able because we have recruited a young secretary in the school office, a simple young thing, hailing from Scranton, Pennsylvania, who is far from pretty and bordering on bovine. She is a faithful Quaker, but we assured her that she was helping us secure world peace. And, of course, we invite her to any of the parties we hold for our sailors when their ships are in port. As a result, she has been splendidly diligent. Never careless. Since the school serves in loco parentis, all correspondence to and from students and staff is opened and reviewed before being sent so as to avoid anything that should not be communicated. Our girl has the job of reviewing all correspondence and so she copies everything that is received by the Russian agent. Quite the good little gem she is, Mr. Holmes. Do you see?”