2 The Old Book Collector

Chapter 2 The Old Book Collector I had only been back in my study for five minutes when the maid informed me I had a visitor. To my astonishment, it was the old book collector who I'd bumped into on Park Lane. His sharp, wrinkled face jutted out from beneath a fringe of white hair. Wedged under his arm were at least a dozen of his precious volumes. "You're surprised to see me, sir," he said in a croaking voice. "I am indeed."

"Well, to tell you the truth, I was feeling guilty after our encounter just now. I wanted to let you know that if I was gruff in my manner there was no harm meant, and I'm most grateful to you for picking up my books." "It was nothing, really," I said. "May I ask how you knew who I was?" "Well, sir, as it happens, I live very near to you. You'll find my little bookshop at the corner of Church Street. Maybe you collect yourself, sir. I have volumes here on swiss birds, unsolved crimes, and travels in Tibet—a bargain, every one of them. Just five of these books would fill up that gap on your second shelf very nicely, wouldn't you say so, sir?" I glanced briefly at the bookshelf. When I turned back, the old man was transformed. In his place stood Sherlock Holmes. I stared at him for several seconds. Then a faint mist swirled before my eyes and, for the first and last time in my life, I fainted.

I woke to find myself seated in an armchair, my collar open at the neck. Holmes was standing over me, a look of tender concern on his face. "My dear Watson," he said in that familiar voice, "I owe you a thousand apologies. I had no idea you'd be so affected." I gripped his arm. "Holmes, is it really you? Are you alive? How did you climb out of that waterfall?" "I'll happily tell you the whole story," smiled Holmes, "but are you sure you're in a fit state to hear it?"

"I'm fine," I promised him. "Holmes, I can hardly believe my eyes. It's so incredible seeing you standing here in my study." Again, I grabbed his sleeve and felt the thin, muscular arm beneath it. "You're not a spirit, that's for sure... My dear chap, I'm so happy to see you. Sit down and tell me everything."