Arthur Conan DoyleSherlock Holmes and the Boscombe Valley Mystery
by Arthur Conan Doyle
(Adapted book. Pre-Intermediate level)
One morning, I was having breakfast with my wife when a telegram arrived. It was from Sherlock Holmes. It read:
Are you free for a day or two? Must go to the west of England to help with the Boscombe Pool murder. Shall be glad if you can come with me. The change will be good for us. Leaving Paddington station on the 11.15 train.
'Will you go?' said my wife, looking across at me.
'I really don't know what to say,' I answered. 'I have a lot of sick people to visit.'
'Anstruther can do your work for you. You are looking tired and I think a change from your work will be good for you. You are always so interested in Mr Holmes's cases.'
'As always, you are right, my dear. But if I do go, I must get ready immediately, because the train leaves in half an hour.'
My early life as a soldier taught me to travel with very few things. In a few minutes, I was on my way to Paddington station. There I found my old friend in his long grey coat and his favourite hat. He was walking up and down the platform.
'It is really very good of you to come, Watson,' he said. 'I need a friend like you at times like this. No one can help me as you can. Please keep two corner places and I shall buy the tickets.'
We were alone during the train journey. Holmes had a large number of newspapers with him and for much of the time he wrote and thought. Finally, he made the papers into a very large ball and threw them away, keeping only one.
'Have you heard anything about this case?' he asked.
'No, nothing. I have not seen a newspaper for some days.'