Part 8 (2/2)
”Why, our little transaction of Monday night-or was it Tuesday morning?” said Grouch.
”Oh-that!” said Holmes. ”Well, I'm glad to hear you managed to pull it off satisfactorily. I was a little worried about it. I was afraid you were done for.”
”Done for?” said Grouch. ”No, indeed. The little plan when off without a hitch.”
”Good,” said Holmes. ”I congratulate you. Whom did you get to do the job?”
”Who-what-what-why, what do you mean, Mr. Holmes?” gasped Grouch.
”Precisely what I say-or maybe you don't like to tell me-such things are apt to be on a confidential basis. Anyhow, I'm glad you're safe, Mr. Grouch, and I hope your troubles are over.”
”They will be when you give me back my $30,000,” said Grouch.
”Your what?” demanded Holmes, with well-feigned surprise.
”My $30,000,” repeated Blank, his voice rising to a shout.
”My dear Mr. Grouch,” said Holmes, ”how should I know anything about your $30,000?”
”Didn't your-your man take it?” demanded Grouch, huskily.
”My man? Really, Mr. Grouch, you speak in riddles this evening. Pray make yourself more clear.”
”Your reformed burglar, who broke open my safe, and-” Grouch went on.
”I have no such man, Mr. Grouch.”
”Didn't you send a man to my house, Mr. Raffles, to break open my safe, and take certain specified parcels of negotiable property therefrom?” said Grouch, rising and pounding the table with his fists.
”I did not!” returned Holmes, with equal emphasis. ”I have never in my life sent anybody to your house, sir.”
”Then who in the name of Heaven did?” roared Grouch. ”The stuff is gone.”
Holmes shrugged his shoulders.
”I am willing,” said he, calmly, ”to undertake to find out who did it, if anybody, if that is what you mean, Mr. Grouch. Ferreting out crime is my profession. Otherwise, I beg to a.s.sure you that my interest in the case ceases at this moment.”
Here Holmes rose with quiet dignity and walked to the door.
”You will find me at my office in the morning, Mr. Grouch.” he remarked, ”in case you wish to consult me professionally.”
”Hah!” sneered Grouch. ”You think you can put me off this way, do you?”
”I think so,” said Holmes, with a glittering eye. ”No gentleman or other person may try to raise a disturbance in my private apartments and remain there.”
”We'll see what the police have to say about this, Mr. Raffles Holmes,”
Grouch shrieked, as he made for the door.
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