The Adventure of the Duplicate Deaths

FROM THE JOURNAL OF DOCTOR WATSON

A series of appalling murders have Scotland Yard baffled. Each victim was killed in the area bounded by the Tobacconist, Pawnbroker, Theatre and Boar's Head by the thrust of a knife into the heart. The dreadful link between the murders was that each victim was a respected middle aged doctor engaged on house calls.

Seemingly amused by the fact that I might be in danger, Holmes had accepted with alacrity Scotland Yard's invitation to help in this case. Warning me only to attend to emergency calls, Holmes had then disappeared completely, no doubt engaged in his own peculiar way of solving the mystery.

Some days later I was aroused from my slumbers by a young man, Rollo Oldcastle, who implored me to attend to an elderly gentleman taken ill in his lodgings in the Docks area. With some trepidation I set out and treated the patient, Mr. Adrian Swallow.

As I left the house a raven haired young woman ask if I would escort her to the Carriage Depot. In the interests of our mutual safety I agreed. As we arrived at the Depot, she volunteered a grateful kiss on the cheek which I happily proffered. In the gas light I saw the flash of steel in her hand. Before I had time to cry out her hand was stayed by that of Inspector Lestrade who had appeared miraculously from the shadows.

My relief turned to amazement at his presence. "You owe your life to Holmes" said Lestrade. "It is on his instructions that we have been following you tonight".