The Miskatonic Manuscript (Case Files of Matthew Hunter and Chantal Stevens Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

was on drugs,” his mother explained. “I said ‘I don’t think so. Go ahead and test him.’ They ran all their tests. Gilbert wasn’t on no drugs. But you know what’s crazy? Now the school put him on drugs. They say he’s dangerous. We just thought, we heard about Emilio, and we thought, what with his being here …”
    “We wondered if we could bring Gilbert to talk with Emilio, and with you, too, Mr. Hunter. We’re not sure what to do. The school says Marquita could get in trouble if she doesn’t make sure Gilbert takes these drugs, but we don’t think they’re good for him, we don’t like the way they’ve changed Gilbert.”
    “Yes,” said the old Apache at Matthew’s side, nodding. “I would like to talk to this boy. You should bring him to me while I’m here, as soon as possible.”
    “That would be wonderful,” Marquita said, smiling a little, finally. Pretty smile.
    “I think I know you,” Emilio said. “You’re Nde.” In Navajo, a closely related Athabascan tongue, the word was pronounced “Dine.” To both the Apache and the Navajo, the word meant “The People.”
    “Half Nde,” she said, hanging her head.
    “Emilio is here through tomorrow,” Matthew volunteered. “He was going to do some last-minute shopping tomorrow, and leave the next day. Why don’t you bring Gilbert to the store tomorrow, after Les and I meet with Worthy.”
    “I’m glad you came to me,” old Emilio smiled. “I hope I can be of help.”
    * * *
    Brittany Watson looked bigger on television. When you saw them in real life, a lot of these TV gals looked like skinny little Munchkins. A pretty face, no doubt. High cheekbones and that darling little turned-up nose. Though they sure could slather on the makeup.
    “Dave, I’m here at Books on Benefit with Matthew Hunter, the man who found that missing Sherlock Holmes story that just sold at auction in New York for more than a million dollars. Matthew, how does it feel to make that kind of discovery?”
    “It’s very gratifying to know Doyle’s work still commands that kind of loyalty and affection, after more than a century,” said Matthew, who’d figured the first question would be something like that.
    “And Doyle was?”
    Matthew blinked. “The author, Brittany: Arthur Conan Doyle, the man who created Sherlock Holmes.”
    “And did he write all the Sherlock Holmes stories, Matthew?”
    Beyond the earnest newsgal with the lovely little nose and the high cheekbones, out of the camera shot but in full view of Matthew, Marian the office manager, tall and plain though she did seem to have more color in her cheeks these days, and Chantal his lady love were breaking up, enjoying the hell out of this, covering their mouths to avoid laughing out loud. Only Matthew’s eyes moved.
    “He wrote all the original stories, Brittany. Since 1930 a lot of people have tried their hand writing imitations, parodies, the type of thing we call a ‘pastiche.’ But all the original Holmes stories were by Conan Doyle, yes.”
    “And who was it who paid that much for a few old, yellowed sheets of paper yesterday, can you tell us?”
    “As you know, Brittany, the buyer wants to remain anonymous, but I think what we’re all happiest about is that the buyer has agreed to place this hand-written piece of literary history on extended loan with Professor Richard St. Vincent’s rare manuscript collection here at the university, where it can be properly studied. I understand an annotated facsimile edition is also planned.”
    “While you were in England, you also had something to do with the discovery of the so-called ‘Heretical Quran,’ didn’t you, Matthew?”
    “No, no, I’m afraid you have me mixed up with someone else, Brittany. The early version of the Koran with the differing account of Mohammed’s life that’s been causing so much controversy, the doubts about his calling and so forth, was acquired by Lord Balmoral. Outside my area of expertise, I’m