Artie Conan Doyle and the Gravediggers' Club Page 12

  So saying, he reached inside his coat and brought out a large stack of bank notes, which he laid on the table between the teapot and the cake stand.

  Geraldine stared at the money uncertainly. “I suppose,” she said, “everyone here is entitled to a share.”

  “A knight doesn’t ask a reward for helping a fair lady,” Artie told her proudly.

  “I already have my reward,” said Ham, patting Berrybus’s huge head.

  “In that case,” said Geraldine, “if you feel the same way, Ben…”

  Warren smiled at the girl and nodded.

  “In that case,” she continued, “I will honour my father’s final wish and use this money to benefit the survivors of the Light Brigade.”

  “Well said, Miss Poulton,” Dr Harthill proclaimed. “There is more than enough here to create a charitable fund to aid those veterans who have fallen upon hard times.”

  Ham stared at Artie, who was deep in thought. “What’s going through your mind, Artie?” he asked. “When you have that pondering look on your face, it usually means trouble.”

  “No, not this time, Ham,” Artie laughed. “I was just thinking that even the most trying of times can sometimes end happily, just like a good story.”

  “I believe this calls for a toast,” said Dr Harthill. He poured two glasses of cordial for Artie and Ham and sherry for everyone else.

  “I do not normally partake of alcoholic beverages,” said Constable McCorkle, accepting the drink, “but as these are exceptional circumstances, I thank you for your hospitality.”

  They all raised their glasses as the doctor proposed the toast. “To old soldiers everywhere, and,” he added, casting a twinkling eye over the two boys, “to young adventurers too!”

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, was born and raised in Edinburgh, where he also studied to become a doctor. The background to his life as presented here is based on fact. The fictional aspect of the novel is the notion that young Artie experienced a series of adventures which would later inspire his famous Sherlock Holmes stories. Some of the events of The Gravediggers’ Club are mirrored in the two great Sherlock Holmes novels The Sign of Four and The Hound of the Baskervilles. One day you should go and read them.

  For more about The Artie Conan Doyle Mysteries and my other projects, visit my website: www.harris-authors.com

  Put your detective skills to the test! Are these fun facts about Arthur Conan Doyle TRUE or FALSE?

  Arthur Conan Doyle once worked as a surgeon aboard an Arctic whaling ship

  The character of Sherlock Holmes was based on one of Arthur Conan Doyle’s professors at medical school.

  The first published story featuring Sherlock Holmes was called A Study in Red.

  Arthur Conan Doyle was friends with the famous magician Harry Houdini.

  Sherlock Holmes was named after Arthur Conan Doyle’s family dog.

  True

  True; the professor’s name was Joseph Bell

  False; it was A Study in Scarlet

  True

  False

  Copyright

  Kelpies is an imprint of Floris Books

  First published in 2017 by Floris Books

  © 2017 Robert J. Harris

  This eBook edition published in 2017

  Robert J. Harris has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patent Act of 1988 to be identified as the Author of this work

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without the prior permission of Floris Books, Edinburgh

  www.florisbooks.co.uk

  This publisher acknowledges subsidy from Creative Scotland towards the publication of this volume

  British Library CIP data available

  ISBN 978-178250-385-9