The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire: Part Two

Sherlock Holmes Short Stories - NOISER

Holmes investigates a suspected vampire case involving a child's neck marks, uncovering a shocking family secret rooted in jealousy and a desperate act of protection.

Key takeaways

• The 'vampire' marks were caused by a poisoned arrow, not a real vampire.
• The stepson, Jack, was the attacker out of jealousy toward his healthy half-brother.
• The mother protected the child by sucking out the poison, hiding the truth to protect her husband.

Transcript preview

Welcome to Sherlock Holmes Short Stories. I'm Hugh Bonneville and from the Noiser Podcast Network. This is The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire, part two. Last time Holmes and Watson were summoned to the countryside. Robert Ferguson, an old rugby chum of Watson, begged them to investigate his second wife. They met five years ago in Peru. and she recently gave birth to a baby boy. But now the child has been found with strange marks on his neck. Robert is starting to think that the second Mrs Ferguson may be a vampire. She certainly has a violent temper. She's been known to beat her 15-year-old stepson, Jack, who already has a spinal injury to contend with. Holmes will have to get to the bottom of the Ferguson's complex family dynamic. and separate suspicion from superstition if he's to uncover the terrible truth. It was an evening of a dull fog-a-de-a-de-a-de-foggie November day when, having left our bags at the Chequers, Lambele, we drove through the Sussex clay of a long winding lane and finally, reached the isolated and ancient farmhouse in which Ferguson dwelt. It was a large straggling building, very old in the centre, very new at the wings, with towering Tudor chimneys and a lichen-spotted high-pitched roof of Horsham slabs. The doorsteps were worn into curves, and the ancient tiles which lined the porch were marked with the reebus of a cheese and a man. after the original builder. Within, the ceilings were corrugated with heavy oaken beams and the uneven floors sagged into sharp curves. An odour of age and decay pervaded the whole crumbling building. There was one very large central room into which Ferguson led us. Here, in a huge old-fashioned fireplace with an iron screen behind it, dated 1670. They're blazed and spluttered a splendid log fire. The room, as I gazed round, was a most singular mixture of dates and of places. The half-paneled walls may well have belonged to the original Yeoman farmer of the 17th century. They were ornamented, however, on the lower part by a line of well-chosen modern watercolours. While above, where yellow plaster took the place of oak, there was hung a fine collection of South American utensils and weapons, which had been brought no doubt by the Peruvian lady upstairs. Holmes rose with that quick curiosity which sprang from his eager mind and examined them with some care. He returned with his eyes full of thought. Hello? he cried. Hello. A spaniel had lain in a basket in the corner. It came slowly forward towards its master, walking with difficulty. Its hind legs moved irregularly and its tail was on the ground. It licked Ferguson's hand. What is it, Mr Holmes? The dog, what's the matter with it? Well that's what puzzled the vet a sort of paralysis, spinal meningitis, he thought, but it is passing. He'll be all right soon. Won't you, Carlo? A shiver of a scent passed through the drooping tail. The dog's mournful eyes passed through the drooping tail. The dog's mournful eyes passed through the drooping. The from one of us to the other. He knew that we were discussing his case. Did it come on suddenly? In a single night. How long ago? It may have been four months ago? Very remarkable, very suggestive. What do you see in it, Mr Holmes? A confirmation of what I had already thought. For God's sake, what do you think, Mr Holmes? intellectual puzzle to you but it is life and death to me. My wife a would-be murderer my child in constant danger don't play with me Mr Holmes it is too terribly serious the big rugby three-quarter was trembling all over Holmes put his hand soothingly upon his arm I fear that there is pain for you Mr Ferguson whatever the solution may be said he I would spare you all I can. I cannot say more for the instant, but before I leave this house, I hope I may have something definite. Please God, you may. If you will excuse me, gentlemen, I will go up to my wife's room and see if there has been any change. He was away some minutes during which Holmes resumed his examination of the curiosities upon the wall. When our host returned, it was clear from his downcast face that he had made no progress. He brought with him a tall, slim, brown-skinned girl. The tea is ready Dolores, said Ferguson. See that your mistress has everything she can wish. She very ill, cried the girl, looking with indignant eyes at her master. She not ask for food. She very ill, she need doctor. She needs doctor. She very ill, she need doctor. She needs doctor. She need doctor. I frightened stay alone with her without doctor Ferguson looked at me with a question in his eyes I should be so glad if I could be of use would your mistress