Dr. Watson

I call it The Strange Case of the Demon Barber.

Come in, come in.

How would you like to hear a story that took place in Italy?

In Italy?

What took you there, Doctor?

We'd gone to Rome to investigate the sudden death of Cardinal Tosca.

An inquiry, which I may tell you, Mr. Bartell, was carried out by Holmes at the expressed desire of His Holiness the Pope.

Say, Doctor, that sounds like a wonderful... No, no, Mr. Bartell, that's a story that I'm afraid I can never tell you.

However, tonight's adventure took place a few days after Holmes had brought his case to a satisfactory, though somewhat terrifying, conclusion.

I suggested to the great man that a short holiday would be good for us before returning to England.

And so we spent some happy days browsing among the architectural treasures of old Rome.

The Colosseum, the Baths of Caracalla, the Forum, the wonderful ruins on the Palatine Hill.

I couldn't drag Holmes away from the Mr. Bartell.

And at night time he was able to indulge to his heart's content his great love of music.

Finally, it was two nights before we were to sail for England, I remember.

We went to the Opera House to hear the famous Italian soprano Gina Valchese singing Verdi's Immortal La Traviata.

I can hear that explicit voice now, Mr. Bartell.

As Holmes and I, seated in a box, listened spellbound to the great Valkyrie singing her last act aria.

What a voice, Watson.

What a magnificent voice.