Read A Farewell to Baker Street for Free Online Page A

gunman, so unless the concierge is mistaken - or had, indeed, carried out the shooting himself - the assailant must have been one of those within the building at the time.”
    â€œA perfect summary, my friend. We will certainly need to ascertain whether the concierge can be trusted and whether he could have been mistaken about the apparent security of the building. Beyond that, it will be imperative to find out three things: firstly, some further information about the victim, this Mr Flanagan; secondly, full intelligence on the other occupants of the building and, crucially, where each was at the time of the shooting; and lastly, precise details of the layout and accessibility of the ground and five upper floors of Ravensmere Towers.”
    A large halo of grey smoke was caught momentarily in the sunlight that had begun to stream in through the large window of the study. Holmes stood and placed the churchwarden on the mantelpiece and lifted the top hat from the death mask, before adding: “Not an insubstantial task, I grant you, but one that I am confident you can achieve during my absence today.”
    Within a few minutes he was fully dressed and ready to depart. A prompt ring on the doorbell some moments later indicated that his carriage had arrived and with a cheery smile and a snappy wave of the hand, Holmes was off down the stairs for his appointment at the embassy. I watched from the window as the Hansom cab departed and then returned to my chair to prepare a long list of questions for Inspector Lestrade.
    ***
    The doughty inspector arrived some fifty minutes later and was visibly dejected and decidedly unimpressed when told that Holmes had departed for a hastily arranged appointment with a European royal. His pinched and drawn features and deep, hollow-set eyes took on a most unusual expression as he pondered how he might proceed in the light of the news. He then sat in the armchair that Holmes had vacated earlier.
    â€œWell, I suppose I can convey to you the key facts as we know them, Dr Watson. You are familiar with Mr Holmes’ methods I dare say, so you can prompt me if I fail to explain all of the finer details.” He then glanced across at the Daily Telegraph which still sat on the table. “I see that you have already read a little of the case.”
    â€œYes indeed, Inspector, but I would prefer to hear your first-hand account of what you discovered at Ravensmere Towers. Holmes was most insistent that I obtain all of the relevant particulars, so that he may assist you when he returns to Baker Street later this afternoon.”
    Lestrade’s demeanour was transformed instantly on hearing this. His face brightened and he at once sat upright in the chair and started to recount what had occurred the previous day. For my part, I began to take copious notes of everything the inspector presented.
    â€œWell, we arrived at Ravensmere Towers close to midday - my good self and two uniformed constables. The telegram requesting our assistance had been sent by the secretary of Archibald Cartwright, the owner of the building. He greeted us at the door and introduced us to the concierge, James Mount, who then escorted us around the building for the duration of our stay. I insisted that he lock the entrance at that point, to allow no one to leave the building.”
    â€œAnd could you describe the layout of the ground floor, Inspector?”
    â€œFairly straightforward. The main entrance consists of two large doors. Anyone wishing to enter Ravensmere Towers must pull a cord outside the building to ring a large internal bell. They are then afforded an entrance by Mr Mount. He has a reception desk and small office just inside the doors with a window looking out onto the street. In that way, he is able to view any entrants before admitting them. During the day, one of the doors is kept on a latch. It is possible to open the latch from the inside and get out of the building, but it cannot be opened