The Sign of the Four Part 5 (2/2)
”Well, half a glass It is very hot for the tiood deal to worry and try me You know my theory about this Norwood case?”
”I reed to reconsider it I had htly round Mr Sholto, sir, when pop he went through a hole in the middle of it He was able to prove an alibi which could not be shaken From the tiht of some one or other So it could not be he who clih trap-doors It's a very dark case, and lad of a little assistance”
”We all need help sometimes,” said I
”Your friend Mr Sherlock Holmes is a wonderful man, sir,” said he, in a husky and confidential voice ”He's a o into a good many cases, but I never saw the case yet that he could not throw a light upon He is irregular in hisat theories, but, on the whole, I think he would haveofficer, and I don't care who knows it I have had a wire froot soe”
He took the telegram out of his pocket, and handed it to me It was dated from Poplar at twelve o'clock ”Go to Baker Street at once,” it said ”If I have not returned, wait forYou can coht if you want to be in at the finish”
”This sounds well He has evidently picked up the scent again,” said I
”Ah, then he has been at fault too,” exclaimed Jones, with evident satisfaction ”Even the best of us are thrown off sometimes Of course this may prove to be a false alarm; but it is my duty as an officer of the law to allow no chance to slip But there is some one at the door Perhaps this is he”
A heavy step was heard ascending the stair, with a great wheezing and rattling as from a man as sorely put to it for breath Once or twice he stopped, as though the climb were too much for him, but at last he made his way to our door and entered His appearance corresponded to the sounds which we had heard He was an aged arb, with an old pea-jacket buttoned up to his throat His back was bowed, his knees were shaky, and his breathing was painfully asthel his shoulders heaved in the effort to draw the air into his lungs He had a colored scarf round his chin, and I could see little of his face save a pair of keen dark eyes, overhung by bushy white brows, and long gray side-whiskers Altogether he gave me the impression of a respectable master mariner who had fallen into years and poverty
”What is it, my man?” I asked
He looked about hie
”Is Mr Sherlock Hol for hie you have for him”
”It was to him himself I was to tell it,” said he
”But I tell you that I a for him Was it about Mordecai Smith's boat?”
”Yes I knohere it is An' I knohere the men he is after are An' I knohere the treasure is I knows all about it”
”Then tell me, and I shall let him know”
”It was to him I was to tell it,” he repeated, with the petulant obstinacy of a very old man
”Well, you oin' to lose a whole day to please no one If Mr Holmes ain't here, then Mr Holmes must find it all out for himself I don't care about the look of either of you, and I won't tell a word”
He shuffled towards the door, but Athelney Jones got in front of him
”Wait a bit, my friend,” said he ”You have important information, and you must not walk off We shall keep you, whether you like or not, until our friend returns”
The old man made a little run towards the door, but, as Athelney Jones put his broad back up against it, he recognized the uselessness of resistance
”Pretty sort o' treat his stick ”I coentleman, and you tho I never saw in my life, seize me and treat me in this fashi+on!”
”You will be none the worse,” I said ”We shall recompense you for the loss of your ti to wait”
He cah, and seated hi on his hands Jones and I resuars and our talk Suddenly, however, Holht offer ar too,” he said
We both started in our chairs There was Hol close to us with an air of quiet amusement
”Holmes!” I exclaimed ”You here! But where is the oldout a heap of white hair ”Here he is,--hiskers, eyebrows, and all I thought ood, but I hardly expected that it would stand that test”
”Ah, You rogue!” cried Jones, highly delighted ”You would have made an actor, and a rare one You had the proper workhouse cough, and those weak legs of yours are worth ten pound a week I thought I knew the glint of your eye, though You didn't get away froet-up all day,” said he, lighting his cigar ”You see, a good in to knowsoo on the war-path under soot ht me here”
”How has your case prospered?”
”It has all co I have had to release two of ainst the other two”
”Never ive you two others in the place of them But you must put yourself under my orders You are welcome to all the official credit, but you reed?”
”Entirely, if you will help me to the men”
”Well, then, in the first place I shall want a fast police-boat--a steam launch--to be at the Wested There is always one about there; but I can step across the road and telephone to make sure”
”Then I shall want two stanch men, in case of resistance”
”There will be two or three in the boat What else?”
”When we secure the et the treasure I think that it would be a pleasure tolady to whos Let her be the first to open it--Eh, Watson?”
”It would be a great pleasure to ,” said Jones, shaking his head ”However, the whole thing is irregular, and I suppose we must wink at it The treasure must afterwards be handed over to the authorities until after the official investigation”
”Certainly That is easily ed One other point I should much like to have a few details about this matter from the lips of Jonathan Small himself You know I like to work the detail ofan unofficial intervieith hi as he is efficiently guarded?”
”Well, you are master of the situation I have had no proof yet of the existence of this Jonathan Small However, if you can catch him I don't see how I can refuse you an intervieith him”
”That is understood, then?”
”Perfectly Is there anything else?”
”Only that I insist upon your dining with us It will be ready in half an hour I have oysters and a brace of grouse, with so a little choice in white wines--Watson, you have never yet recognized my merits as a housekeeper”