Holmes smiled and shook his head

"It seems drawback, Hopkins, is intrinsically impossible tried to drive harpoon through body ? No ? Tut, tut, my , really pay attention details My friend Watson could tell you that I spent whole morning exercise no easy matter, and requires strong and practised arm But this blow was delivered violence head weapon sank deep wall imagine anaemic youth was capable of so frightful an assault ? Is he the man who hobnobbed in rum and water with Black Peter dead night ? his profile that was seen blind two nights before ? No, no, Hopkins; another and more formidable person for whom seek "

The detective's face had grown longer and longer during Holmes's speech His hopes ambitions were all crumbling about him But abandon his position without struggle

" 't deny that Neligan was present that night, Mr Holmes The book will prove that I fancy that evidence enough to satisfy jury, even able to pick hole Besides, Mr Holmes, laid my hand upon MY man terrible person of yours, where is he ? "

"I rather fancy that stair," said Holmes, serenely " , Watson, that do well that revolver where reach it " He rose, and laid written paper upon side-table "Now ready," said he

There some talking in gruff voices outside, and now Mrs Hudson opened the door that there were three men inquiring for Captain Basil

"Show them in one by one," said Holmes

The first who entered was little ribston-pippin of man, with ruddy cheeks and fluffy white side-whiskers Holmes had drawn letter pocket

"What name ? " he asked

"James Lancaster "

" sorry, Lancaster, but the berth is full half sovereign for your trouble Just step room and wait there "

The second man was long, dried-up creature, with lank hair and sallow cheeks His name was Hugh Pattins He also received his dismissal, his half-sovereign, order to wait

The third applicant was man of remarkable appearance fierce bull-dog face was framed in tangle of hair and beard, and two bold dark eyes gleamed behind the cover of thick, tufted, overhung eyebrows He saluted and stood sailor-fashion, turning his cap round hands

" ? " asked Holmes

"Patrick Cairns "

"Harpooner ? "

"Yes, sir Twenty-six voyages "

"Dundee, I suppose ? "

"Yes, sir "

"And ready to start with an exploring ship ? "

"Yes, sir "

"What wages ? "

"Eight pounds month "

"Could you start at once ? "

" I get my kit "

" your papers ? "

"Yes, sir " sheaf of worn and greasy forms pocket Holmes glanced over them and returned them

" just the man ," said he "Here's the agreement side-table sign it the whole matter settled "

The seaman lurched across the room and took up the pen

"Shall I sign here ? " he asked, stooping over the table

Holmes leaned over his shoulder and passed both hands over his neck

" do," said he

I heard click of steel and bellow like an enraged bull The next instant Holmes seaman were rolling ground together man gigantic strength that, even handcuffs which Holmes had so deftly fastened upon his wrists, very quickly overpowered my friend had Hopkins and I not rushed rescue Only when I pressed the cold muzzle revolver temple did he at last understand that resistance was vain We lashed his ankles with cord and rose breathless struggle

" really apologise, Hopkins," said Sherlock Holmes; " scrambled eggs are cold However, enjoy the rest of your breakfast all the better, not, thought that brought your case to triumphant conclusion "

Stanley Hopkins was speechless with amazement

"I don't know what , Mr Holmes," he blurted out at last, with very red face "It seems that making fool of myself beginning I understand now, what never have forgotten, that the pupil and the master Even now what you , but I don't know how it, or what it signifies "

"Well, well," said Holmes, good-humouredly "We all learn by experience, and your lesson never lose sight alternative You were so absorbed in young Neligan that spare thought to Patrick Cairns, the true murderer of Peter Carey "

The hoarse voice seaman broke in conversation

"See here, mister," said he, "I make no complaint of being man-handled fashion, but you call things by their right names You say I murdered Peter Carey; I Killed Peter Carey, and there's all the difference Maybe you don't believe what Maybe just slinging you yarn "

"Not at all," said Holmes " hear what "

"It's soon told, and, Lord, every word of truth Black Peter, and when he pulled out his knife I whipped harpoon through him sharp, for him or me That's how he died call it murder Anyhow, I'd as soon die with rope round my neck as with Black Peter's knife in my heart "

"How came you there ? " asked Holmes

"I'll tell it you beginning Just sit me up little so as speak easy in '83 happened -- August year Peter Carey was master SEA UNICORN, and spare harpooner We were coming ice-pack way home, with head winds and week's southerly gale, when we picked up little craft that blown north one man on her -- landsman The crew had thought founder, and had made Norwegian coast dinghy I guess they were all drowned Well, we took him on board, this man, and he skipper had some long talks cabin All the baggage we took off was one tin box as , the man's name was never mentioned, and second night he disappeared he had never been given out that he had either thrown himself overboard or fallen overboard heavy weather that we were having man knew what had happened to him, was me, for with my own eyes the skipper tip up his heels and put him over the rail middle watch of dark night, two days before we sighted the Shetland lights