Sherlock 6 by Stephen Gaspar is the new Sherlock Holmes book containing six Sherlock Holmes short stories in the canonical tradition taken from the original stories themselves.
In The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax, Holmes is sending Watson off to Lausanne.
The detective feels he cannot go himself:
You know that I cannot possibly leave London while old Abrahams is in such mortal terror of his life. Besides, on general principles it is best that I should not leave the country. Scotland Yard feels lonely without me, and it causes an unhealthy excitement among the criminal classes.
In Watson's absence Holmes receives a visit from Henry Barclay of the North-West Mounted Police whose first appearance was in The Canadian Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, and returned in Cold-Hearted Murder, A Sherlock Holmes Mystery.
Barclay agrees to assist Holmes in discovering what is plaguing old Abrahams. Is it something from his past? Very likely.
Excerpt from The Mortal Terror of Old Abrahams.
Just then there was a peal at the bell. Raised voices were heard, followed by a heavy tramp upon the stairs. An elderly man burst into the room. His large face was flushed and was bathed with perspiration. His tie was loosened about his thick neck and his entire body shook uncontrollably.
“Mr. Abrahams!” Holmes uttered and went over to the man who now leaned against the door jamb. “Mr. Abrahams, what is the matter? Come, come sit down for you have worked yourself up into such a state that you may require medical attention.”
Barclay was by Holmes’s side in an instant and the two led the older man to the basket chair that creaked under his weight. Holmes laid a reassuring hand on Abrahams’s shoulder and spoke calmly while Barclay went to the sideboard and poured the man a glass of water. The man took the glass with two trembling hands and poured the contents into his mouth. Some of the water ran down his chin and onto his clothes. In a moment or two the man’s breathing had returned to normal and he appeared a bit less terrified.
Holmes sat in his chair and Barclay stood by another.
“Now, Mr. Abrahams,” said Holmes, in the calmest of voices, “if you feel well enough, can you tell us what has brought you to such a pitiable state?”
Abrahams handed Barclay the empty glass, and took out a handkerchief to wipe his face. He pulled at his shirt collar, looked up and closed his eyes. His lips moved, but he spoke no words aloud. Barclay suspected the man was praying. Abrahams reached into the pocket of his jacket and withdrew a folded piece of paper which he handed to Holmes with a hand that still trembled.
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