The paradys lady
A Sherlock Holmes adventure
A few weeks after the Limekilns
Incident Scotald Yard's Inspector Hastings was notified that Lady Verdandi had been kidnapped! It
had happened one morning at a prestigious Bond Street gown makers. Shehad been accompanied by Miss Marigold Lees who had been hired by Sir Richard as
a duenna, an older woman hired a kind of governess and companion. They had gone
to the gown makers for the final fitting of a new ball gown for Lady Verdandi.
Once they were in the shop a female felon had overcome Miss Marigold with a chloroform pad, whilst
Lady Verdandi was in the dressing room. Then another female accomplice, this one
armed with a pistol had ordered the
staff into a back room and locked then in there. It is thought that Lady Verdandi herself was also overcome
with chloroform and carried off in the modiste’s own delivery van. This was later
found two miles away off Elgin Avenue in Paddington.
Inspector Hastings lost no time in consulting with Sherlock Holmes.