I recall it was the first week of a decidedly cold December evening 1900, which found Holmes and i in our sitting room at Baker street, each enjoying our early evening Pipes and warming our hands by the roaring fire.
If I have omitted mentioning it elsewhere in these chronicles, one publication that Holmes especially looked forward to each week was the Illustrated Police News; for Holmes it provided him little pieces of criminal tat whilst I enjoyed its unique brand of sensationalism, especially when Holmes, as was his want, would find a particularly interesting story and read it aloud.
That evening Holmes read the story of a man attired as a priest who had presented himself to the Clergy house of Father Murphy in New York. Introducing himself to the Priest as Father O’Malley of a Chicago Parish and showing his papers, he explained that he had been visiting the old country. He then asked if he may stay for the weekend before continuing his journey onto his Parish.
As is the custom of parochial houses, He was given a warm welcome and deposited his belongings in the upstairs spare bedroom before announcing that he might use his time in Manhattan to do a little shopping. Father O’Malley visited a local jewellery store and picked out three precious stones which he explained to the jeweller he planned fashioned into a ring which would be presented to the cardinal. He asked that the jeweller would bring the stones later to the Clergy house and he would provide payment then as he didn’t like to carry such large amounts of cash in dangerous New York City streets.
Later that evening the jeweller presented at the Clergy house to be met by both Father O’Malley and Father Murphy. Father Murphy chatted to the jeweller whilst Father O’Malley inspected the stones. Stating “let me go get the money,” he swiftly departed upstairs. After a few minutes, when he had not reappeared, Father Murphy and the jeweller went upstairs to find Father O'Malley's room empty, the window open, and….” said Holmes, with a smile “…he was never heard of again.”
I always enjoyed this aspect of Holmes theatrical side and laughed heartily “Some crimes really are quite ingenious Holmes” He was just turning to another story that he had earmarked for my amusement when just at that moment came a knock at the front door and Inspector Tobias Gregson’s voice speaking to Mrs Hudson before coming up the stairs.
The Scotland Yard detective entered with a handsome, well dressed medium sized man in his early 40s with dark features and wore eye glasses. Holmes bid them to take a seat saying to the Inspector “I see Mrs Gregson has gone to visit her poorly sister again.” Gregson looked surprised and replied “She has indeed Mr Holmes but I cannot fathom how you would know that?”
Holmes chuckled quietly and replied “Simplicity itself, when Mrs Gregson is home your boots are always well polished, when you are left to your own devices they accrue a somewhat duller appearance as you only quickly wipe them each morning.”
Holmes then relit his pipe and said “what brings you to see me this cold morning and indeed, please introduce me to this Gentleman.”
Inspector Gregson spoke “This is Mr Thomas Upton, the proprietor of Charbonnel et Walker chocolatiers of Bond Street. He brought me a curious case which seems befitting to your unusual talents”
Holmes merely smiled and looked at Mr Upton. The man addressed Holmes “Your deductive skills are apparently not exaggerated Mr Holmes, i would be most appreciative if you would use these deductive skills into investigating my blackmailer”
Holmes nodded and ushered them both into seats, “please commence your account from the beginning, Mr Upton.”
Mr Upton said “I have been the proprietor of Charbonnel et Walker for the past 5 years and business has been excellent. We almost exclusively sell to the upper end of the market and our patronage even extends shops like Fortnum and Masons and indeed to the Prince of Wales himself’
I could only agree with Mr Upton as the late Mrs Watson would always appreciate a box of their wonderful chocolates upon her birthday and Christmas and indeed I had my own particular favourite in their Framboise, a delicious milk chocolate with a Raspberry flavored fondant centre.
Thomas Upton continued “About two weeks ago I received a typewritten note stating our chocolates would be poisoned if we didn’t pay £5000.”
Holmes asked “have you replied to any?”
Mr Upton replied that he hadn’t yet. He stated that he hadn’t taken the first seriously and only became worried with the second which he had taken straight away to Scotland Yard.
Holmes asked “do you have these notes?” Mr Upton looked at Inspector Gregson who produced the two letters from Billfold and handed it to Holmes. To his surprise Holmes didn’t take it. Instead he asked “How many people have handled this note?” asked Holmes. “Only myself and the Inspector here” replied Mr Upton.