Sherlock Holmes meets Dr. Frankenstein: Part 1 Chance Letter

By

triviatrap1982

Notes: This is a project to fuse Conan Arthur Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, with Mary Shelly's Frankenstein, as both are now in public domain.

It was a very dreary day indeed on the streets of London where carriages were going on about their business of transport…the people were on about their business, including the day's gossip, and all around bustling. Well as bustling as it would be on a legendarily cloudy and dreary day. Though at 221B Baker Street, the day was just starting out for Sherlock Holmes…or as early as he wished it to be. It was half-past ten, and his associate John Watson came in with the mail. He was not amused that Holmes woke up this late in the morning.

"Mr. Holmes," Watson said strictly, "the mail has come in."

"Ah! I must apologize but I have had a late night!" Holmes powerfully said.

"In any case, we have a very strange letter in our mail," Watson returned.

"May I see it after breakfast?"

"Yes, but first, you must go bathe, we have a meeting with Lestrade later this afternoon, at half-past one."

"Of course, I shall make certain that things are organized."

'But of course,' Watson thought.

As a half hour passed, Holmes was cleaned up, shaven, dressed, hair combed, and he's neatly dressed in dark khaki pants, with a white button-down shirt to the gig line. Watson, on the other hand had his dark-blue woolen jacket on the back of a chair as he waited for Holmes. He came in and he sat down. Holmes looked through the mail, and there were a lot of case requests for him. Of course he took cases from the very rich, to the very poor. There was one letter that caused great interest to Holmes and he spoke up.

"Watson, this letter wants us to do something quite unusual," Holmes said rather bluntly.

"What do you mean?" Watson asked curiously.

"This letter wants us to go to a strange manor in Switzerland," Holmes answered.

"Should we take that up?

"I believe so. We should quickly get breakfast, and go see Lestrade about what's going on quickly!"

Holmes and Watson indeed had their breakfast, and hurried to see Lestrade at the Scotland Yard. Lestrade, who seemed to not have advanced in age despite his work, was surprised to see both in his office. He gave a scowl, but was surprised as to why this meeting had to take on this quickly! It was only about a quarter to eleven in the morning when all this came down.

"What's the alarm?" Lestrade asked surprised.

"We have received this letter," Holmes said very straight forward.

"Well, this is certainly startling," Lestrade remarked, brushing his fingers through his graying hair.

"I think we must go…something tells me that this is not going to be a regular case," Holmes admitted.

"It would be a good idea, if I can see to make arrangements to come with you," Lestrade said.

"That won't be necessary," Watson said. "I think you may be needed here."

"Right," Lestrade said, "however, I will insist on it."

"Then we'll hurry to make the arrangements to travel," Watson declared.

Lestrade let the two go on their way, and ended up going to his bosses to clear it. To his surprise, they allowed him to do so quickly, and made him get packed. However, there was something uneasy about what was going on. While they were getting ready…somewhere in Switzerland…there were rumors in a village outside a very cold, soulless, imposing castle. One of the villagers came and spoke to another in a hushed tone.

"What do you think he's doing in there?" the first villager asked.

"I don't know, it's quite grim," the second villager answered.

"Let's go, or he'll want to use our parts for his experiments," The first retorted.

They left the castle alone. That was the rumor…this scientist was using parts to build a monster…or something worse. Inside of the lower sanctum of the castle, the scientist was walking around. There were many crude methods of light, power, and preservation going on. He was roaring angrily…

"These damned experiments haven't worked!" He roared. "No matter…soon, I will have fresh bodies to come to me."

This scientist was the one who sent the letter, and he knew that he wanted to take out Holmes, Watson and whoever else came. He didn't realize how far gone he was. He also didn't realize that by trying to play God, he was putting himself and the villagers in harms way. Either way, he was going to toil with his experiments. He was run out of Germany for the stunt with making a monster, and having the villages turn against him. Here, at least he was relatively unknown, but knew the rumors about him was true. That's why he stayed intensely indoors, and never ventured out unless he had to. What of his experiment…it is a lot worse than the creation of his monster. Back in London, Holmes, Watson, and Lestrade made their way to a waiting boat to take them to Switzerland. It would also be a very long rail ride once they hit Normandy, France. The three arrived at the pier at just the appointed time of fifteen minutes past two.

"You made it," Lestrade said, rather unenthused.

"What is troubling you?" Holmes asked.

"I cannot shake the feeling that somebody wants us there for a nefarious purpose," Lestrade answered frankly.

"We have come too far now," Watson returned. "We must go and see what is going on."

"Yes, let's get on board," Holmes said, as he was restless.

"Of course," Lestrade said, "however, if nothing should happen…it would be of a great relief."

"It can't be overstated that we should be vigilant in our surroundings," Holmes warned.

Lestrade and Watson nodded as the three made their way onboard the ship to Normandy France. From there they would take a train, then a carriage to that part of Switzerland. It was going to take at most a few days to make it there. Once they were away from the gloomy skies of London they found themselves in a much brighter English channel, with the sky as blue as the eyes could see. Holmes was playing on his violin to keep himself entertained, but he had the attention of many of the passengers. He looked up when he was finished to applause. He decided he didn't want to be braggadocios, or as the uncultured would say…a right jackass. Lestrade came by and he smiled. It was the first time today he did so, and he came to adore Holmes' violin playing. He spoke up in a rather lightened tone.

"That was wonderful," Lestrade said rather lightly.

"Thank you," Holmes said, "I will do my best to improve."

"You needn't be so humble," Lestrade said.

"It would be quite rude of me to brag, or be an outright ninny!"

"I understand you have made it at least bearable."

"I do hope your fears have been allayed."

"I hope so too…however, our fortunes seem to be unfavorable."

Homes nodded, and realized that Lestrade is correct. It seems that Holmes has a knack for getting cases that are outlandish, but turns out to be true. However, Holmes had a feeling this wasn't going to be a case. Lestrade's fears became his own, and he tried to keep calm. Watson noticed this and decided it was time for both men to relax for the remainder of the trip. Little did they know was that, they were going to be on a very deadly adventure.

'I have the feeling that Holmes brought his pistol.' Watson thought. 'I should hope he doesn't draw it unless necessary.'

Watson didn't let on that he too figured out what was going on. However, as it was said, it is now out of their hands. Their survival now will depend on them keeping cool, and coming up with a way to get out of trouble. That was going to be secondary as they still have yet to make it to Normandy, and through to a tiny, non-descript village in Switzerland.