1908

1 The Singular Experience of Mr John Scott Eccles

it recorded in my notebook bleak and windy day, towards the end of March year 1892 Holmes had received telegram while we sat at our lunch, and he had scribbled reply no remark, but the matter remained thoughts, for he stood in front fire afterwards with thoughtful face, smoking his pipe, and casting an occasional glance message Suddenly he turned upon me with mischievous twinkle eyes

"I suppose, Watson, look upon you as man of letters," said he "How define the word 'grotesque' ? "

"Strange- remarkable," I suggested

He shook his head at my definition

" surely something more than that," said he; "some underlying suggestion tragic terrible cast your mind back to narratives afflicted long-suffering public, recognize how often the grotesque has deepened criminal Think little affair red-headed men That was grotesque enough outset and yet it ended in desperate attempt at robbery Or, again, that most grotesque affair five orange pips, which led straight to murderous conspiracy The word puts me alert "

" it there ? " I asked

He read the telegram aloud

"Have just had most incredible and grotesque experience May I consult you ? "

"SCOTT ECCLES,

"Post-Office, Charing Cross "

"Man or woman ? " I asked

"Oh, man, No woman would ever send reply-paid telegram She come "

" see him ? "

"My dear Watson, how bored since we locked up Colonel Carruthers My mind is like racing engine, tearing itself to pieces because connected up work built Life is commonplace; the papers are sterile; audacity and romance seem passed forever criminal world ask me, then, whether ready to look into any new problem, however trivial it may prove ? But here, unless mistaken, is our client "

measured step was heard stairs, and moment later stout, tall, gray-whiskered and solemnly respectable person was ushered room His life history was written heavy features and pompous manner spats gold-rimmed spectacles Conservative, churchman, good citizen, orthodox and conventional last degree But some amazing experience had disturbed his native composure and left its traces bristling hair, his flushed, angry cheeks, flurried, excited manner He plunged instantly into his business

" most singular and unpleasant experience, Mr Holmes," said he "Never in my life have I been placed situation most improper- most outrageous insist upon some explanation " He swelled and puffed anger

"Pray sit down, Mr Scott Eccles," said Holmes in soothing voice "May I ask, first place, why you came at all ? "

"Well, sir, it appear matter which concerned the police, and yet, have heard the facts, admit that leave it where Private detectives are class absolutely no sympathy, but none the less, having heard -"

"Quite so But, second place, why did you not come at once ? "

"What ? "

Holmes glanced at his watch

" quarter-past two," "Your telegram was dispatched about one But no one can glance at your toilet and attire without seeing that your disturbance dates moment of your waking "

Our client smoothed down his unbrushed hair and felt his unshaven chin

" right, Mr Holmes I never gave thought to my toilet only too glad out house But running round making inquiries before I went house agents, , said that Mr Garcia's rent was paid up all right everything was at Wisteria Lodge "

"Come, come, sir," said Holmes, laughing " like my friend, Dr Watson, who has bad habit of telling his stories wrong end foremost Please arrange your thoughts and let me know, in their due sequence, exactly what those events are sent you out unbrushed and unkempt, with dress boots and waistcoat buttoned awry, in search of advice and assistance "

Our client looked down with rueful face at his own unconventional appearance

"I'm sure it must look very bad, Mr Holmes, and not aware that in my whole life such thing has ever happened before But tell you the whole queer business, and when so admit , that enough to excuse me "

But his narrative was nipped bud bustle outside, and Mrs Hudson opened the door to usher in two robust and official-looking individuals, one of whom was well known as Inspector Gregson of Scotland Yard, an energetic, gallant and, within his limitations, capable officer He shook hands with Holmes and introduced his comrade as Inspector Baynes, Surrey Constabulary

" hunting together, Mr Holmes, trail lay direction " He turned his bulldog eyes upon our visitor " Mr John Scott Eccles, of Popham House, Lee ? "

" "

" following you about all the morning " "You traced him telegram, ," said Holmes

Exactly, Mr Holmes We picked up the scent at Charing Cross Post-Office and came on here "

"But why follow me ? What ? "

" statement, Mr Scott Eccles, events which led death last night of Mr Aloysius Garcia, of Wisteria Lodge, near Esher "

Our client had sat up with staring eyes and every tinge of colour struck astonished face

"Dead ? Did you say dead ? "

"Yes, sir, dead "

"But how ? An accident ? "

"Murder, if ever one upon earth "

"Good God ! awful ! You don't mean- you don't mean that suspected ? "

"A letter of yours was found dead man's pocket, and that you had planned last night at his house "

"So "

"Oh, , did you ? "

Out came the official notebook

"Wait bit Gregson," said Sherlock Holmes "All is plain statement not ? "

"And my duty to warn Mr Scott Eccles used against him "

" Mr Eccles was going us entered the room , Watson, brandy and soda would do him no harm Now, sir, I you take no notice addition to your audience, you proceed with your narrative exactly done had you never been interrupted "

Our visitor had gulped off the brandy colour had returned face With dubious glance inspector's notebook, he plunged at once into his extraordinary statement

" bachelor," said he, "and being of sociable turn I cultivate large number of friends are the family of retired brewer called Melville, living at Albemarle Mansion, Kensington at his table that I met some young fellow named Garcia , I understood, of Spanish descent and connected in some way embassy He spoke perfect English, was pleasing manners, and as good-looking man as ever in my life

"In some way we struck up quite friendship, this young fellow and I fancy first, and within two days meeting me at Lee led to another, and it ended inviting me out at his house, Wisteria Lodge, between Esher and Oxshott Yesterday evening I went to Esher to fulfil this engagement