A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle

A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle
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Holmes

descended

walking

pursuer

, "

led

it_was upon nine when set out I had idea how long he_might_be , but I sat stolidly puffing pipe and skipping over the pages Henri Murger's " vie de Boheme " {12} Ten o'clock passed , and I heard the footsteps of_the maid as_they pattered off bed Eleven, and_the more stately tread of_the landlady passed door , bound for_the same destination it_was upon twelve before I heard the sharp sound of_his latch - key the instant entered I_saw his face that had_not_been successful amusement and chagrin seemed to_be struggling for_the mastery , until the former suddenly carried the day , and burst into hearty laugh

"I wouldn't have the Scotland Yarders know for_the world ," cried , dropping into his chair ; " I_have chaffed them so_much that they_would never have let hear the end I_can afford laugh , because I_know that i_will_be even with_them in_the long run "

" what_is then ? " I asked

"Oh, I don't mind telling story against myself that creature had gone little way when she began limp and show every sign being foot - sore presently she came halt , and hailed four-wheeler which_was passing I managed to_be her as_to hear the address , but I_need not have_been anxious , for she sang out loud enough to_be heard at_the other side of_the street , ` drive 13, Duncan street , Houndsditch,' she cried this begins look genuine , i_thought , and having seen her safely inside , I perched myself behind that 's art which every detective should_be expert well , away rattled , and never drew rein until reached the street in_question I hopped off before came to_the door , and strolled down the street easy , lounging way I_saw the cab pull the driver jumped down , and I_saw him open the door and stand expectantly nothing came out though when I reached him he_was groping about frantically in_the empty cab , and giving vent to_the finest assorted collection oaths that ever I listened there_was sign trace of_his passenger , and I_fear it_will_be some_time before gets his fare inquiring number 13 we_found that_the house belonged respectable paperhanger, named Keswick, and_that one_of_the name either Sawyer Dennis had ever been heard there "

" you don't mean to_say ," I cried , amazement , " that that tottering, feeble old woman was able to_get out_of_the cab while it_was motion , without either you the driver seeing her ? "

" old woman damned ! " said Sherlock Holmes, sharply " were the old women to_be taken must_have been young man , and active one , too , besides being incomparable actor the get - was inimitable he_saw that he_was followed , no_doubt , and used this_means giving the slip shows that_the man we_are after is_not lonely I imagined he_was , but has friends who_are ready risk something for him now , doctor , you_are looking done - take advice and turn "

i_was certainly feeling very weary , I obeyed his injunction I left Holmes seated front of_the smouldering fire , and long into_the watches of_the night I heard the low , melancholy wailings of_his violin , and knew that he_was still pondering over the strange problem which had set himself unravel

chapter

TOBIAS GREGSON SHOWS what he_can

the papers next_day were full of_the "Brixton mystery ," as_they termed each had long account of_the affair, and some had leaders upon in_addition there_was some information in_them which_was new to_me I still retain scrap - book numerous clippings and extracts bearing upon_the case here_is condensation few of_them :--

the daily telegraph remarked that in_the history crime there had seldom been tragedy which presented stranger features the German name of_the victim , the absence all other motive , and_the sinister inscription on_the wall , all pointed its perpetration political refugees and revolutionists the Socialists had many branches America, and_the deceased had , no_doubt , infringed their unwritten laws, and been tracked down by_them after alluding airily to_the Vehmgericht, aqua tofana, Carbonari, the marchioness de Brinvilliers, the Darwinian theory , the principles Malthus, and_the Ratcliff highway murders, the article concluded admonishing the government and advocating closer watch over foreigners England

the standard commented upon_the fact that lawless outrages of_the sort usually occurred under liberal administration they arose from_the unsettling of_the minds of_the masses, and_the consequent weakening all authority the deceased was American gentleman who had_been residing for some weeks in_the metropolis had stayed at_the boarding- house Madame Charpentier, Torquay terrace , Camberwell he_was accompanied in_his travels his private secretary , Mr Joseph Stangerson the two bade adieu to_their landlady upon Tuesday , the 4th inst , and departed Euston station with_the avowed intention catching the Liverpool express they were afterwards seen together upon_the platform nothing more known of_them until Mr Drebber's body was , recorded , discovered empty house in_the Brixton road , many miles from Euston how he_came there , how met his fate , are questions which are still involved mystery nothing known of_the whereabouts Stangerson we_are glad learn that Mr Lestrade and Mr Gregson, Scotland yard , are both engaged upon_the case , and it_is confidently anticipated that_these well - known officers will speedily throw light matter

the daily News observed that there_was no_doubt as_to_the crime being political one the despotism and hatred liberalism which animated the continental Governments had had the effect driving our shores number men who_might_have made excellent citizens were they not soured by_the recollection all that_they had undergone among_these men there_was stringent code honour, any infringement which_was punished death every effort should_be_made to_find the secretary , Stangerson, and ascertain some particulars of_the habits of_the deceased great step had_been gained by_the discovery of_the address of_the house which had boarded -- result which_was entirely due to_the acuteness and energy Mr Gregson Scotland yard

Sherlock Holmes and I_read these notices over together breakfast , and_they appeared afford him considerable amusement

" i_told you that , whatever happened , Lestrade and Gregson would_be sure score "

" that depends how turns out "

"Oh, bless you , doesn't matter in_the least if_the man caught , it_will_be account of_their exertions; escapes, in_spite exertions '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 earth is_this ? " I cried , for at_this moment there came the pattering many steps in_the hall and on_the stairs, accompanied audible expressions disgust upon_the part of_our landlady

" 's the baker street division of_the detective police force ," said companion , gravely; and spoke there rushed into_the room half dozen of_the dirtiest and most ragged street Arabs that ever I clapped eyes

"'Tention ! " cried Holmes, sharp tone , and_the six dirty little scoundrels stood line like so_many disreputable statuettes " future you shall send Wiggins alone report , and_the rest you_must wait in_the street have_you found , Wiggins ? "

" , sir , hain't," said one_of_the youths

"I hardly expected you_would you_must keep until you_do here are your wages {13} handed each of_them shilling " now , off you , and come back with better report next_time "

waved his hand , and_they scampered away downstairs like so_many rats, and heard their shrill voices next moment in_the street

" there 's more work to_be got out one of_those little beggars than out dozen of_the force ," Holmes remarked " the mere sight official - looking person seals men 's lips these youngsters, however , everywhere and hear everything they_are sharp needles, too ; all they_want organisation "

" is_it on_this Brixton case that you_are employing them ? " I asked

" yes ; there_is point which i_wish ascertain it_is merely matter of_time Hullo ! we_are going hear some news now with vengeance ! here_is Gregson coming 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 violent peal at_the bell , and few seconds the fair -haired detective came the stairs, three steps at_a_time , and burst into our sitting- room

" dear fellow ," cried , wringing Holmes' unresponsive hand , " congratulate ! I_have_made the whole thing clear day "

shade anxiety seemed to_me cross companion 's expressive face

" do_you_mean that you_are on_the right track ? " asked

" the right track ! why , sir , we_have the man under lock and key "

" and_his name ? "

" Arthur Charpentier, sub- lieutenant her majesty 's navy ," cried Gregson, pompously, rubbing his fat hands and inflating his chest

Sherlock Holmes gave sigh relief , and relaxed into smile

" take seat , and try one_of_these cigars," he_said " we_are anxious to_know how you managed will_you have some whiskey and water ? "

"I don't mind I_do ," the detective answered " the tremendous exertions which I have_gone through during_the_last day_or_two have worn out not so_much bodily , you understand , as_the strain upon_the mind you_will appreciate that , Mr Sherlock Holmes, for we_are both brain -workers "

" you_do too_much honour," said Holmes, gravely " let_us hear how you arrived at_this most gratifying result "

the detective seated himself in_the arm - chair , and puffed complacently his cigar then suddenly slapped his thigh paroxysm amusement

" the fun it_is ," cried , " that that fool Lestrade, who thinks himself smart , has gone off upon_the wrong track altogether he_is after_the secretary Stangerson, who had more to_do with_the crime than_the babe unborn I_have no_doubt that has caught him by_this_time "

the idea tickled Gregson so_much that laughed until choked

" and how did you get your clue ? "

"Ah, I'll tell you all about_it of_course , doctor Watson, this_is strictly between ourselves the first difficulty which had contend with was_the finding of_this American 's antecedents some people would_have waited until their advertisements were answered , until parties came forward and volunteered information that_is_not Tobias Gregson's way going work you remember the hat beside the dead man ? "

" yes ," said Holmes; " John Underwood and Sons, 129, Camberwell road "

Gregson looked quite crest - fallen

"I had idea that you noticed that ," he_said " have_you been there ? "

" "

"Ha ! " cried Gregson, relieved voice ; " you_should never neglect chance , however small may seem "

" great mind , nothing little ," remarked Holmes, sententiously

" well , I went Underwood, and asked him had sold hat of_that size and description looked over his books, and came on_it once had sent the hat Mr Drebber, residing Charpentier's Boarding establishment , Torquay terrace thus I got his address "

" smart -- very smart ! " murmured Sherlock Holmes

"I next called upon Madame Charpentier," continued the detective " I_found her very pale and distressed her daughter was in_the room , too -- uncommonly fine girl she_is , too ; she was looking red about_the eyes and her lips trembled I spoke her that didn't escape notice I began smell rat you_know the feeling, Mr Sherlock Holmes, when_you come upon_the right scent -- kind thrill your nerves ` have_you heard of_the mysterious death your late boarder Mr Enoch J Drebber, Cleveland ? ' I asked

" the mother nodded she didn't seem able to_get out word the daughter burst into tears I_felt more than ever that_these people knew something of_the matter

"` what o'clock did Mr Drebber leave your house for_the train ? ' I asked

"` eight o'clock,' she said , gulping her throat to_keep down her agitation ` his secretary , Mr Stangerson, said that there were two trains -- one 9 15 and one 11 he_was catch the first {14}

"` and was_that the last which you saw him ? '

"A terrible change came over the woman 's face I asked the question her features turned perfectly livid it_was some seconds before she_could get out the single word ` yes ' -- and when did come it_was husky unnatural tone