The Mystery of 31 New Inn (1912) by R. Austin Freeman

"The rain, the gold, the fire. It's all one story, you see." – James Ellroy, This Storm

Plot: The Mystery of 31 New Inn revolves around two apparently separate crimes. Key is the suspicious death of Jeffrey Blackmore and the discovery of a new will that leaves his estate to his brother, John.

But prior to the introduction of this “main case,” Dr. Jervis, a locum tenens, is called to attend a mysterious patient, Mr. Graves, who is being kept in a secret location. Jervis can only attend the man when he is sent for and delivered via sealed carriage to an undisclosed location. It's a similar ruse to the way Holmes and Watson begin their adventure of The Sign of Four. (Dr. Jervis eventually reflects that his Scottish cabman and the German Mr. Weiss who engages him are never together in his presence. Similar to the plain hard double duty Count Dracula has to put in over Jonathan Harker’s visit).

Jervis suspects foul play and consults his friend, Dr. Thorndyke, who devises a plan to locate the house where the patient Mr. Graves is being held.

Through careful observation and deduction, Thorndyke uncovers a complex web of deceit and murder, eventually exposing the truth behind Jeffrey Blackmore's death.

It's all one case…