Free Sherlock Holmes: The Shadow From Beyond by Erik Branz

straighter, with a wide smile that framed his stark white teeth.
    Afterwards, the Baker Street duo offered to escort him back to his ship in case the ruffians returned to finish what they had started.
    On the way Holmes explained to their Muslim companion of their desire to cross the Channel that evening. Hassan replied that the ship he crewed is actually departing in an hour or so for Le Havre, France, and although it was not their original destination of Calais the duo aimed for, it was still on the other side of the Channel. Perhaps his captain would grant them a berth on the ship.
    “He is a greedy man Mr. Holmes, but a decent man.” Hassan added. “I’m sure he would take you on for some form of payment. I will ask him to grant you passage.”
    The trio then wandered off into the thickening mist.
     
     

Chapter 15

    Across The Channel
     
     
    They soon arrived at a berthed cargo vessel, a twin stacked steamer by the name Aurora out of Cypress, carrying a full hold of hemp rope coils and fabric rolls destined for the European continent. Holmes and Watson were escorted up the gangplank and into the Captain’s quarters by Hassan and the few deckhands he had collected at the Sea Wolf pub.
    “What ‘appened to you Hassan? Did ya walk into a wall again?” Bellowed the Captain with a hearty laugh when he noticed his crewman’s battered and bruised face. “Or was it dem rat bastards again as we see in most western ports? Always looking fo trouble with my exotic sailors those damn haters are!”
    Captain Biggs was as large in voice as he was in physique. He stood about six foot, six inches tall and weighed at least 250 pounds. With scruffy black beard and multiple nautical themed tattoos he fit well the typical image of a ship captain. He was also doused in the popular cologne of the seaman: gin, and it wafted off him in waves.
    After recounting his tale, and painting them as quite the heroes, Hassan convinced the somewhat shady Captain Biggs to take the Baker Street companions on board.
    “As you were kind to my crewman Hassan ‘ere, comin’ to ‘is rescue one could say. I guess I got mind to return a favor to ya, for a modest price of course,” Biggs added with a wink. Hassan here will show you to yer cabin, per’aps you will meet me in the state room for a drink laters after we depart, we will discuss payment options then.”
    And on that remark Holmes and Watson were led below deck to stow their belongings and freshen up, thankful of the luck that had befallen them in so easily gaining transport across the Channel.
    A little less than an hour later the engines were started, secure lines cast off, and anchors drawn up as the Aurora departed into the misty night toward the coast of France only a few hours voyage away.
    Shortly after, the detective and the doctor were enjoying a brandy and some tobacco in the state room with the Captain. The ship rose and sank with the light waves as Biggs recounted one of his many tall sea tales. All laughed and joked, the atmosphere was jovial and relaxed, and Holmes and Watson finally were able to rest after a very hectic day of running about London.
     
    Later, while secured in one of the small personal berths on the ship, Holmes conveyed to Watson the contents of Harper’s journal as he had discovered so far: the Count, this Lebda fellow, had called upon Professor Harper to translate some ancient texts provided by him, as well as certain sections of the Necronomicon, notably rituals, and ceremonies on summation. There are very few copies of that tome in this world, so the proximity and ease of access afforded to Harper, as well as his background in occult studies, made him the perfect choice to do the groundwork.
    The meticulous translation work shown in the journal proved it was no easy task, with many language systems seemingly incorporating from the one more ancient. The older language is obviously the root to the rest, and based on the history of those subsequent