No. 2 The Red Headed League by Arthur Conan Doyle

No. 2 The Red Headed League by Arthur Conan Doyle
Section [1 | 2 | 3 | 4]

banks

Mr Merryweather is_the

directors, and

reasons

daring criminals

" it_is our French gold ," whispered the director " we_have_had several warnings that attempt might_be made upon "

" your French gold ? "

" yes had occasion some months_ago strengthen our resources and borrowed for_that purpose 30,000 napoleons from_the bank France has become known that we_have never had unpack the money , and that_it_is still lying in_our cellar the crate upon_which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between layers lead foil our reserve bullion much larger present than usually kept single branch office , and_the directors have_had misgivings upon_the_subject "

" which were very_well justified ," observed Holmes " and now it_is time that arranged our little plans I expect that within hour matters will come head in_the meantime Mr Merryweather, we_must put the screen over that dark lantern "

" and sit in_the dark ? "

" I_am afraid I had brought pack cards pocket , and i_thought that , as_we were partie carree, you might_have your rubber after all but I_see that_the enemy 's preparations have_gone so_far that we_cannot risk the presence light and , first all , we_must choose our positions these are daring men , and though we_shall take them disadvantage , they_may some harm unless we_are careful I_shall stand behind this crate , and do_you conceal yourselves behind those then , when I flash light upon them , swiftly if_they fire , Watson, have compunction about shooting them down "

I placed revolver , cocked, upon_the top of_the wooden case behind which I crouched Holmes shot the slide across the front of_his lantern and left pitch darkness -- such absolute I_have never before experienced the smell hot metal remained assure that_the light was still there , ready flash out moment 's notice to_me , with nerves worked up_to pitch expectancy , there_was something depressing and subduing in_the sudden gloom , and in_the cold dank air of_the vault

" they_have but one retreat ," whispered Holmes " that_is back through_the house into Saxe-Coburg square I_hope_that you have_done what I asked you , Jones ? "

"l have inspector and two officers waiting at_the front door "

" then we_have stopped all the holes and now we_must_be silent and wait "

what time seemed ! from comparing notes afterwards it_was but hour and quarter , yet appeared to_me that_the night must_have almost gone and_the dawn breaking above limbs were weary and stiff , for I feared to_change position ; yet nerves were worked up_to_the highest pitch tension , and hearing was acute that I_could_not only hear the gentle breathing of_my companions, but I_could distinguish the deeper , heavier - breath of_the bulky Jones from_the thin , sighing note of_the bank director from position I_could look over the case in_the direction of_the floor suddenly eyes caught the glint light

first it_was but lurid spark upon_the stone pavement then lengthened out until became yellow line , and then , without any warning sound , gash seemed open and hand appeared ; white , almost womanly hand , which felt about in_the centre of_the little area light for minute more the hand , with its writhing fingers, protruded out_of_the floor then it_was withdrawn suddenly , and all was dark again save the single lurid spark which marked chink between_the stones

its disappearance , however , was but momentary with rending, tearing sound , one_of_the broad , white stones turned over upon its side and left square , gaping hole , through which streamed the light lantern over the edge there peeped clean - cut , boyish face , which looked keenly about_it , and then , with hand either side of_the aperture , drew itself shoulder - high and waist - high , until one knee rested upon_the edge another instant stood at_the side of_the hole and was hauling after him companion , lithe and small like himself , with pale face and shock very red hair

" 's all clear ," whispered " have_you the chisel and_the bags ? great Scott ! jump , Archie, jump , and I'll swing for_it ! "

Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by_the collar the other dived down the hole , and I heard the sound rending cloth Jones clutched his skirts the light flashed upon_the barrel revolver , but Holmes's hunting crop came down on_the man 's wrist , and_the pistol clinked stone floor

" 's use , John clay ," said Holmes blandly " you_have chance all "

" I_see ," the other answered with_the utmost coolness "I fancy that PAL all right , though I_see you_have got his coat -tails "

" there_are three men waiting for him at_the door ," said Holmes

"Oh, indeed ! you seem have_done the thing very completely I_must compliment you "

" and I you ," Holmes answered " your red - headed idea was very new and effective "

" you 'll see your PAL again presently ," said Jones " 's quicker climbing down holes than I_am just hold out while I fix the derbies "

"I beg that you_will_not touch with your filthy hands," remarked our prisoner as_the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists " you_may not aware that I_have royal blood veins have the goodness , also , when_you address always to_say ' sir ' and ' please '"

" all right ," said Jones with stare and snigger " well , would you please , sir , march upstairs , where we_can get cab carry your highness to_the police - station ? "

" that_is better ," said John clay serenely he_made sweeping bow to_the three and walked quietly off in_the custody of_the detective

" really , Mr Holmes," said Mr Merryweather as_we followed them from_the cellar , " I_do_not know how the bank can thank_you repay you there_is no_doubt that you_have detected and defeated in_the most complete manner one_of_the_most determined attempts bank robbery that_have ever come within experience "

" I_have_had one_or_two little scores of_my own settle with Mr John clay ," said Holmes " I_have_been some small expense over this_matter , which I_shall expect the bank refund , but beyond that I_am amply repaid having had experience which_is many ways unique , and hearing the very remarkable narrative of_the red - headed league "

" you_see , Watson," explained in_the early hours of_the morning as_we sat over glass whisky and soda baker street , " it_was perfectly obvious from_the first that_the only possible object of_this rather fantastic business of_the advertisement of_the league , and_the copying of_the Encyclopaedia, must_be to_get this not over - bright pawnbroker out_of_the way for number hours every day it_was curious way managing , but , really , would_be difficult suggest better the method was no_doubt suggested clay 's ingenious mind by_the color of_his accomplice 's hair the 4 pounds week was lure which_must draw him , and what_was to_them , who were playing for thousands ? they put in_the advertisement , one rogue has_the temporary office , the other rogue incites the man apply for_it and together they manage secure his absence every morning in_the week from_the time that I heard of_the assistant having come for half wages , it_was obvious to_me that had some strong motive for securing the situation "

" but how could you guess what the motive was ? "

" had there been women in_the house , i_should_have suspected mere vulgar intrigue that , however , was out_of_the_question the man 's business was small one , and there_was nothing in_his house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and such expenditure as_they were must , then , something house what could ? i_thought of_the assistant 's fondness for photography , and_his trick vanishing into_the cellar the cellar ! there_was the end of_this tangled clew then I_made inquiries as_to_this mysterious and found that I had deal with one_of_the coolest and most daring criminals London he_was doing something in_the cellar -- which took many hours day for months end what could , once more ? I_could think nothing save that he_was running tunnel some other building

" so_far I had got when went visit the scene action I surprised you beating upon_the pavement with stick i_was ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out front behind it_was not front then I rang the bell , and , I hoped, the assistant answered we_have_had some skirmishes, but had never set eyes upon each_other before I hardly looked his face his knees were what I wished to_see you_must yourself have remarked how worn , wrinkled , and stained they were they spoke of_those hours burrowing the only remaining point was what they were burrowing for I walked round the corner , saw the city and suburban bank abutted on_our friend 's premises , and felt that I had solved problem when_you drove home after_the concert I called upon Scotland yard and upon_the chairman of_the bank directors, with_the result that you_have seen "

" and how could you tell that they_would make their attempt - night ? " I asked

" well , when_they closed their league offices that was sign that_they cared longer about Mr Jabez Wilson 's presence -- other words, had completed their tunnel but it_was essential should use soon , might_be discovered , the bullion removed Saturday would suit them better than any_other day , would give them two days for their escape for all these reasons I expected them to_come - night "

" you reasoned out beautifully ," I exclaimed unfeigned admiration " it_is so_long chain , and yet every link rings true "

" saved from ennui," answered , yawning " alas ! I already feel closing upon life spent one long effort escape from_the commonplaces existence these little problems help to_do_so "

" and you_are benefactor of_the race ," said I

shrugged his shoulders " well , perhaps , after all , it_is some little use ," remarked " 'L'homme c' EST rien--l'oeuvre c' EST tout ,' Gustave Flaubert wrote George sand "

Section [1 | 2 | 3 | 4]