A Study In Scarlet Part 3 (2/2)
”I wouldn't have the Scotland Yarders know it for the world,” he cried, dropping into his chair; ”I have chaffed them so much that they would never have let h, because I know that I will be even with the run”
”What is it then?” I asked
”Oh, I don't one a little hen she began to li foot-sore Presently she ca I ed to be close to her so as to hear the address, but I need not have been so anxious, for she sang it out loud enough to be heard at the other side of the street, `Drive to 13, Duncan Street, Houndsditch,' she cried This begins to look genuine, I thought, and having seen her safely inside, I perched myself behind That's an art which every detective should be an expert at Well, ae rattled, and never drew rein until we reached the street in question I hopped off before we caing way I saw the cab pull up The driver jumped down, and I saw hih When I reached hiiving vent to the finest assorted collection of oaths that ever I listened to There was no sign or trace of his passenger, and I fear it will be so at Nued to a respectable paperhanger, named Keswick, and that no one of the name either of Sawyer or Dennis had ever been heard of there”
”You don't , feeble old woet out of the cab while it was inher?”
”Old woman be damned!” said Sherlock Holmes, sharply ”We were the old woan incoet-up was inimitable He saw that he was followed, no doubt, and used thisme the slip It shows that the ined he was, but has friends who are ready to risk so done-up Takevery weary, so I obeyed his injunction I left Hol into the watches of the night I heard the low, s of his violin, and knew that he was still pondering over the strange problem which he had set himself to unravel
CHAPTER VI
TOBIAS GREGSON SHOWS WHAT HE CAN DO
THE papers next day were full of the ”Brixton Mystery,” as they ter account of the affair, and some had leaders upon it in addition There was some information in them which was new to s and extracts bearing upon the case Here is a condensation of a few of theraph remarked that in the history of crier features The German name of the victim, the absence of all other motive, and the sinister inscription on the wall, all pointed to its perpetration by political refugees and revolutionists The Socialists had many branches in Aed their unwritten laws, and been tracked down by theericht, aqua tofana, Carbonari, the Marchioness de Brinvilliers, the Darwinian theory, the principles of Malthus, and the Ratcliff Highwaythe Governland
The Standard coes of the sort usually occurred under a Liberal Ad of theof all authority The deceased was an A for so-house of Madame Charpentier, in Torquay Terrace, Camberwell He was accompanied in his travels by his private secretary, Mr Joseph Stangerson The two bade adieu to their landlady upon Tuesday, the 4th inst, and departed to Euston Station with the avowed intention of catching the Liverpool express They were afterwards seen together upon the platfor more is known of them until Mr Drebber's body was, as recorded, discovered in an empty house in the Brixton Road, many miles from Euston How he came there, or how he met his fate, are questions which are still involved in erson We are glad to learn that Mr Lestrade and Mr Gregson, of Scotland Yard, are both engaged upon the case, and it is confidently anticipated that these well-known officers will speedily throw light upon the matter
The Daily News observed that there was no doubt as to the cri a political one The despotism and hatred of Liberalism which animated the Continental Govern to our shores a nuht have made excellent citizens were they not soured by the recollection of all that they had undergone Aent code of honour, any infringement of which was punished by death Every effort should be erson, and to ascertain soreat step had been gained by the discovery of the address of the house at which he had boarded -- a result which was entirely due to the acuteness and energy of Mr Gregson of Scotland Yard
Sherlock Holether at breakfast, and they appeared to afford him considerable amusement
”I told you that, whatever happened, Lestrade and Gregson would be sure to score”
”That depends on how it turns out”
”Oh, bless you, it doesn't ht, it will be on account of their exertions; if he escapes, it will be in spite of their exertions It's heads I win and tails you lose Whatever they do, they will have followers `Un sot trouve toujours un plus sot qui l'admire'”
”What on earth is this?” I cried, for at thisof many steps in the hall and on the stairs, accoust upon the part of our landlady
”It's the Baker Street division of the detective police force,” said ravely; and as he spoke there rushed into the rooed street Arabs that ever I clapped eyes on
”'Tention!” cried Holmes, in a sharp tone, and the six dirty little scoundrels stood in a line like so gins alone to report, and the rest of you ins?”
”No, sir, we hain't,” said one of the youths
”I hardly expected you would You es {13} He handed each of theo, and come back with a better report next time”
He waved his hand, and they scampered away downstairs like so many rats, and we heard their shrill voices next ot out of one of those little beggars than out of a dozen of the force,” Hol person seals o everywhere and hear everything They are as sharp as needles, too; all they want is organisation”
”Is it on this Brixton case that you are e them?” I asked
”Yes; there is a point which I wish to ascertain It isto hear so down the road with beatitude written upon every feature of his face Bound for us, I know Yes, he is stopping There he is!”
There was a violent peal at the bell, and in a few seconds the fair-haired detective came up the stairs, three steps at a ti-roo Holratulateas clear as day”
A shade of anxiety seemed to me to cross my companion's expressive face
”Do you ht track?” he asked
”The right track! Why, sir, we have the man under lock and key”
”And his name is?”
”Arthur Charpentier, sub-lieutenant in Her Majesty's navy,” cried Gregson, po his chest
Sherlock Holh of relief, and relaxed into a sars,” he said ”We are anxious to kno you ed it Will you have some whiskey and water?”
”I don't mind if I do,” the detective answered ”The tre the last day or two have worn me out Not so much bodily exertion, you understand, as the strain upon the mind You will appreciate that, Mr Sherlock Holmes, for we are both brain-workers”
”You do ravely ”Let us hear how you arrived at thisresult”
The detective seated hiar Then suddenly he slapped his thigh in a paroxysm of amusement
”The fun of it is,” he cried, ”that that fool Lestrade, who thinks hiether He is after the secretary Stangerson, who had no more to do with the criht hison so et your clue?”
”Ah, I'll tell you all about it Of course, Doctor Watson, this is strictly between ourselves The first difficulty which we had to contend as the finding of this American's antecedents Some people would have waited until their advertisements were answered, or until parties came forward and volunteered infor to work You remember the hat beside the dead man?”
”Yes,” said Holmes; ”by John Underwood and Sons, 129, Cason looked quite crest-fallen
”I had no idea that you noticed that,” he said ”Have you been there?”
”No”
”Ha!” cried Gregson, in a relieved voice; ”you should never neglect a chance, however s is little,” remarked Holmes, sententiously
”Well, I went to Underwood, and asked him if he had sold a hat of that size and description He looked over his books, and came on it at once He had sent the hat to a Mr Drebber, residing at Charpentier's Boarding Establishot at his address”