The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plan* by Arthur Conan Doyle
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there . bring with_you ajemmy, a dark lantern, a chisel, and a revolver .

S .H .

it_was a nice equipment for a respectable citizen to carry through_the dim, fog-draped streets .I stowed them all discreetly away in my overcoat and drove straight to_the address given . there sat my friend at a little round table near the door of_the garish Italian restaurant .

" have_you had something to eat ? then join me in a coffee and curacao . try one_of_the proprietor's cigars . they_are less poisonous than one would expect . have_you the tools ? "

" they_are here, in my overcoat ."

" excellent . let me give_you a short sketch of what I_have_done, with some indication of what we_are about to_do . now it must_be evident to_you, Watson, that_this young man's body was placed on_the roof of_the train . that was clear from_the instant that I determined the fact that_it_was from_the roof, and not from a carriage, that he had fallen ."

" could it not have_been dropped from a bridge ? "

" i_should say it_was impossible . if_you examine the roofs you_will_find that_they_are slightly rounded, and there_is no railing round them . therefore, we can_say for certain that young Cadogan west was placed on_it ."

" how could he be placed there ? "

" that was_the question which we had to answer . there_is only_one possible way . you_are aware that_the underground runs clear of tunnels at some points in_the west end .I had a vague memory that as I_have travelled by_it I_have occasionally seen windows just above my head . now, suppose that a train halted under such a window, would there be any difficulty in laying a body upon_the roof ? "

" it seems most improbable ."

" we_must fall back upon_the old axiom that when all other contingencies fail, whatever remains, however improbable, must_be the truth . here all other contingencies have failed . when I_found that_the leading international agent, who had just left London, lived in a row of houses which abutted upon_the underground, i_was so pleased that you were a little astonished at my sudden frivolity ."

"Oh, that was_it, was_it ? "

" yes, that was_it .Mr Hugo Oberstein, of 13 Caulfield Gardens, had become my objective .I began my operations at Gloucester road station, where a very helpful official walked with me along the track and allowed me to satisfy myself not_only that_the back- stair windows of Caulfield Gardens open on_the line but the even more essential fact that, owing to_the intersection of one_of_the larger railways, the underground trains are frequently held motionless for some minutes at_that very spot ."

" splendid, Holmes ! you_have got it ! "

" so_far- so_far, Watson . we advance, but the goal is afar . well, having seen the back of Caulfield Gardens, I visited the front and satisfied myself that_the bird was indeed flown . it_is a considerable house, unfurnished, so_far as I_could judge, in_the upper rooms .Oberstein lived there with a single valet, who was probably a confederate entirely in_his confidence . we_must bear in mind that Oberstein has gone to_the continent to dispose of_his booty, but not with any idea of flight; for he had no reason to fear a warrant, and_the idea of an amateur domiciliary visit would certainly never occur to him . yet that_is precisely what we_are about to_make ."

" could we not get a warrant and legalize it ? "

" hardly on_the evidence ."

" what can we_hope to_do ? "

" we_cannot tell what correspondence may_be there ."

"I don't like it, Holmes ."

" my dear fellow, you shall keep watch in_the street .I'll do_the criminal part . it's not a time to stick at trifles . think of Mycroft's note, of_the admiralty, the cabinet, the exalted person who waits for news . we_are bound to_go ."

my answer was to rise from_the table .

" you_are right, Holmes . we_are bound to_go ."

he sprang up and shook me by_the hand .

" I_knew you_would_not shrink at_the last," said he, and for a moment I_saw something in_his eyes which_was nearer to tenderness than I had ever seen . the next instant he_was his masterful, practical self once more .

" it_is nearly half a mile, but there_is no hurry . let_us walk," said he ."Don't drop the instruments, I beg . your arrest as a suspicious character would_be a most unfortunate complication ."

Caulfield Gardens was on of_those lines of flat- faced pillared, and porticoed houses which are so prominent a product of_the middle Victorian epoch in_the west end of London . next door there appeared to_be a children's party, for_the merry buzz of young voices and_the clatter of a piano resounded through_the night . the fog still hung about and screened us with its friendly shade .Holmes had lit his lantern and flashed it upon_the massive door .

" this_is a serious proposition," said he ." it_is certainly bolted as_well as locked . we_would do better in_the area . there_is an excellent archway down yonder in_case a too zealous policeman should intrude . give_me a hand, Watson, and I'll do_the same for_you ."

a minute later we were both in_the area . hardly had we reached the dark shadows before_the step of_the policeman was heard in_the fog above . as its soft rhythm died away, Holmes set to work upon_the lower door . I_saw him stoop and strain until with a sharp crash it flew open . we sprang through into_the dark passage, closing the area door behind us .Holmes led the way up the curving, uncarpeted stair . his little fan of yellow light shone upon a low window .

" here we_are, Watson- this must_be the one ." he threw it open, and as he_did so there_was a low, harsh murmur, growing steadily into a loud roar as a train dashed past us in_the darkness .Holmes swept his light along the window-sill . it_was thickly coated with soot from_the passing engines, but the black surface was blurred and rubbed in places .

" you_can see where they rested the body .Halloa, Watson ! what_is this ? there can_be no_doubt that_it_is a blood mark ." he_was pointing to faint discolourations along the woodwork of_the window ." here it_is on_the stone of_the stair also . the demonstration is complete . let_us stay here until a train stops ."

we had_not long to wait . the very next train roared from_the tunnel as before, but slowed in_the open, and then, with acreaking of brakes, pulled up immediately beneath us . it_was not four feet from_the window- ledge to_the roof of_the carriages .Holmes softly closed the window .

" so_far we_are justified," said he ." what do_you_think of it, Watson ? "

"A masterpiece . you_have never risen to a greater height ."

" I_cannot agree with_you there . from_the moment that I conceived the idea of_the body being upon_the roof, which surely was not a very abstruse one, all the rest was inevitable . if_it were_not for_the grave interests involved the affair up to_this point would_be insignificant . our difficulties are still before_us . but perhaps we_may find something here which_may help_us ."

we had ascended the kitchen stair and entered the suite of rooms upon_the first floor . one was adining- room, severely furnished and containing nothing of interest .a second was a bedroom, which also drew blank . the remaining room appeared more promising and my companion settled down to asystematic examination . it_was littered with books and papers, and was evidently used as a study . swiftly and methodically Holmes turned over the contents of drawer after drawer and cupboard after cupboard, but no gleam of success came to brighten his austere face . at_the end of an hour he_was no further than when he started .

" the cunning dog has covered his tracks," said he ." he has left nothing to incriminate him . his dangerous correspondence has_been destroyed or removed . this_is our last chance ."

it_was a small tin cash- box which stood upon_the writing- desk .Holmes pried it open with_his chisel . several rolls of paper were within, covered with figures and calculations, without any note to show to what they referred . the recurring words, ' water pressure' and ' pressure to_the square inch' suggested some possible relation to a submarine .Holmes tossed them all impatiently aside . there only remained an envelope with some small newspaper slips inside it . he shook them out on_the table, and at once I_saw by his eager face that his hopes had_been raised .

" what's this, Watson ? Eh ? what's this ? record of a series of messages in_the advertisements of a paper . daily telegraph agony column by_the print and paper . right- hand top corner of a page . no dates- but messages arrange themselves . this must_be the first:

"Hoped to hear sooner . terms agreed to . write fully to address given on card ."PIERROT .

" next comes:

" too complex for description . must_have full report . stuff awaits you when goods delivered ."PIERROT .

" then comes:

" matter presses . must withdraw offer unless contract completed . make appointment by letter . will confirm by advertisement .

"PIERROT .

" finally:

" Monday night after nine . two taps . only ourselves . do_not be so suspicious . payment in hard cash when goods delivered .

"PIERROT .

"A fairly complete record, Watson ! if_we_could only get at_the man at_the other end ! " he sat lost in thought, tapping his fingers on_the table . finally he sprang to_his feet .

" well, perhaps it won't be so difficult, after all . there_is nothing more to_be_done here, Watson . i_think we_might drive round to_the offices of_the daily telegraph, and so bring a good day's work to a conclusion ."

Mycroft Holmes and Lestrade had come round by appointment after breakfast next_day and Sherlock Holmes had recounted to_them our proceedings of_the day before . the professional shook his head over our confessed burglary .

" we_can't do these things in_the force, Mr Holmes," said he ." no wonder you get results that_are beyond us . but some_of_these days you'll go too far, and you'll find yourself and your friend in trouble ."

" for England, home and beauty- eh, Watson ? Martyrs on_the altar of_our country . but what do_you_think of it, Mycroft ? "

" excellent, Sherlock ! admirable ! but what use will_you make of it ? "

Holmes picked up the daily telegraph which lay upon_the table .

" have_you seen Pierrot's advertisement to- day ? "

" what ? another one ? "

" yes, here it_is:

" to- night . same hour . same place . two taps . most vitally important . your own safety at stake .

"PIERROT .

" by George ! " cried Lestrade ." if he answers that we've got him ! "

" that was my idea when I put it in . i_think if_you_could both make it convenient to_come with_us about eight o'clock to Caulfield Gardens we_might possibly get a little nearer to a solution ."

one_of_the_most remarkable characteristics of Sherlock Holmes was his power of throwing his brain out of action and switching all his thoughts on to lighter things whenever he had convinced himself that he_could no longer work to advantage .I remember that during the whole of_that memorable day he_lost himself in a monograph which he had undertaken upon_the Polyphonic Motets of Lassus . for_my own part I had none of_this power of detachment, and_the day, in consequence, appeared to_be interminable . the great national importance of_the issue, the suspense in high quarters, the direct nature of_the experiment which we were trying- all combined to work upon my nerve . it_was a relief to_me when at last, after a light dinner, we set out upon our expedition .Lestrade and Mycroft met us by appointment at_the outside of Gloucester road station . the area door of Oberstein's house had_been left open the night before, and it_was necessary for_me, as Mycroft Holmes absolutely and indignantly declined to climb the railings, to_pass in and open the hall door . by nine o'clock we were all seated in_the study, waiting patiently for_our man .

an hour passed and yet another . when eleven struck, the measured beat of_the great church clock seemed to sound the dirge of_our hopes .Lestrade and Mycroft were fidgeting in their seats and looking twice a minute at their watches .Holmes sat silent and composed, his eyelids half shut, but every sense on_the alert . he raised his head with a sudden jerk .

" he_is coming," said he .

there had_been a furtive step past the door . now it returned . we heard ashuffling sound outside, and then two sharp taps with_the knocker .Holmes rose, motioning to_us to remain seated . the gas in_the hall was amere point of light . he opened the outer door, and then as a dark figure slipped past him he closed and fastened it ." this_way ! " we heard him say, and a moment later our man stood before_us .Holmes had followed him closely, and as_the man turned with a cry of surprise and alarm he caught him by_the collar and threw him back into_the room . before our prisoner had recovered his balance the door was shut and Holmes standing with_his back against it . the man glared round him, staggered, and fell senseless upon_the floor . with_the shock, his broad- brimmed hat flew from_his head, his cravat slipped down from_his lips, and there were the long light beard and_the soft, handsome delicate features of colonel valentine Walter .

Holmes gave a whistle of surprise

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