The Adventure of the Three Garridebs

Arthur Conan Doyle

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I t may have been a comedy, or it may have
been a tragedy. It cost one man his rea-
son, it cost me a blood-letting, and it cost
yet another man the penalties of the law.
Yet there was certainly an element of comedy. Well,
you shall judge for yourselves.
morning. However, he is in a position to tell us a
good deal which I want to know.”
A moment later he was in the room. Mr. John
Garrideb, Counsellor at Law, was a short, powerful
man with the round, fresh, clean-shaven face char-
acteristic of so many American men of affairs. The
I remember the date very well, for it was in the general effect was chubby and rather childlike, so
same month that Holmes refused a knighthood for that one received the impression of quite a young
services which may perhaps some day be described. man with a broad set smile upon his face. His eyes,
I only refer to the matter in passing, for in my po- however, were arresting. Seldom in any human
sition of partner and confidant I am obliged to be head have I seen a pair which bespoke a more in-
particularly careful to avoid any indiscretion. I re- tense inward life, so bright were they, so alert, so
peat, however, that this enables me to fix the date, responsive to every change of thought. His accent
which was the latter end of June, 1902, shortly after was American, but was not accompanied by any
the conclusion of the South African War. Holmes eccentricity of speech.
had spent several days in bed, as was his habit from “Mr. Holmes?” he asked, glancing from one to
time to time, but he emerged that morning with a the other. “Ah, yes! Your pictures are not unlike
long foolscap document in his hand and a twinkle you, sir, if I may say so. I believe you have had
of amusement in his austere gray eyes. a letter from my namesake, Mr. Nathan Garrideb,
“There is a chance for you to make some money, have you not?”
friend Watson,” said he. “Have you ever heard the “Pray sit down,” said Sherlock Holmes. “We
name of Garrideb?” shall, I fancy, have a good deal to discuss.” He
I admitted that I had not. took up his sheets of foolscap. “You are, of course,
the Mr. John Garrideb mentioned in this document.
“Well, if you can lay your hand upon a Garrideb, But surely you have been in England some time?”
there’s money in it.”
“Why do you say that, Mr. Holmes?” I seemed
“Why?” to read sudden suspicion in those expressive eyes.
“Ah, that’s a long story—rather a whimsical one, “Your whole outfit is English.”
too. I don’t think in all our explorations of human Mr. Garrideb forced a laugh. “I’ve read of your
complexities we have ever come upon anything tricks, Mr. Holmes, but I never thought I would be
more singular. The fellow will be here presently for the subject of them. Where do you read that?”
cross-examination, so I won’t open the matter up “The shoulder cut of your coat, the toes of your
till he comes. But, meanwhile, that’s the name we boots—could anyone doubt it?”
want.”
“Well, well, I had no idea I was so obvious a
The telephone directory lay on the table beside Britisher. But business brought me over here some
me, and I turned over the pages in a rather hopeless time ago, and so, as you say, my outfit is nearly all
quest. But to my amazement there was this strange London. However, I guess your time is of value,
name in its due place. I gave a cry of triumph. and we did not meet to talk about the cut of my
“Here you are, Holmes! Here it is!” socks. What about getting down to that paper you
Holmes took the book from my hand. hold in your hand?”
Holmes had in some way ruffled our visitor,
“ ‘Garrideb, N.,’ ” he read, “ ‘136 Little Ryder
whose chubby face had assumed a far less amiable
Street, W.’ Sorry to disappoint you, my dear Wat-
expression.
son, but this is the man himself. That is the address
upon his letter. We want another to match him.” “Patience! Patience, Mr. Garrideb!” said my
friend in a soothing voice. “Dr. Watson would tell
Mrs. Hudson had come in with a card upon a you that these little digressions of mine sometimes
tray. I took it up and glanced at it. prove in the end to have some bearing on the mat-
“Why, here it is!” I cried in amazement. “This ter. But why did Mr. Nathan Garrideb not come
is a different initial. John Garrideb, Counsellor at with you?”
Law, Moorville, Kansas, U. S. A.” “Why did he ever drag you into it at all?” asked
Holmes smiled as he looked at the card. “I am our visitor with a sudden outflame of anger. “What
afraid you must make yet another effort, Watson,” in thunder had you to do with it? Here was a bit of
said he. “This gentleman is also in the plot already, professional business between two gentlemen, and
though I certainly did not expect to see him this one of them must needs call in a detective! I saw

1
him this morning, and he told me this fool-trick he “For he died within a year of saying them, and
had played me, and that’s why I am here. But I feel he left a will behind him. It was the queerest will
bad about it, all the same.” that has ever been filed in the State of Kansas. His
“There was no reflection upon you, Mr. Gar- property was divided into three parts, and I was to
rideb. It was simply zeal upon his part to gain have one on condition that I found two Garridebs
your end—an end which is, I understand, equally who would share the remainder. It’s five million
vital for both of you. He knew that I had means dollars for each if it is a cent, but we can’t lay a
of getting information, and, therefore, it was very finger on it until we all three stand in a row.
natural that he should apply to me.” “It was so big a chance that I just let my le-
gal practice slide and I set forth looking for Gar-
Our visitor’s angry face gradually cleared.
ridebs. There is not one in the United States. I
“Well, that puts it different,” said he. “When I went through it, sir, with a fine-toothed comb and
went to see him this morning and he told me he never a Garrideb could I catch. Then I tried the
had sent to a detective, I just asked for your address old country. Sure enough there was the name in
and came right away. I don’t want police butting the London telephone directory. I went after him
into a private matter. But if you are content just two days ago and explained the whole matter to
to help us find the man, there can be no harm in him. But he is a lone man, like myself, with some
that.” women relations, but no men. It says three adult
“Well, that is just how it stands,” said Holmes. men in the will. So you see we still have a vacancy,
“And now, sir, since you are here, we had best have and if you can help to fill it we will be very ready
a clear account from your own lips. My friend here to pay your charges.”
knows nothing of the details.” “Well, Watson,” said Holmes with a smile, “I
Mr. Garrideb surveyed me with not too friendly said it was rather whimsical, did I not? I should
a gaze. have thought, sir, that your obvious way was to
advertise in the agony columns of the papers.”
“Need he know?” he asked.
“I have done that, Mr. Holmes. No replies.”
“We usually work together.”
“Dear me! Well, it is certainly a most curious lit-
“Well, there’s no reason it should be kept a se- tle problem. I may take a glance at it in my leisure.
cret. I’ll give you the facts as short as I can make By the way, it is curious that you should have come
them. If you came from Kansas I would not need to from Topeka. I used to have a correspondent—he is
explain to you who Alexander Hamilton Garrideb dead now—old Dr. Lysander Starr, who was mayor
was. He made his money in real estate, and after- in 1890.”
wards in the wheat pit at Chicago, but he spent it
“Good old Dr. Starr!” said our visitor. “His
in buying up as much land as would make one of
name is still honoured. Well, Mr. Holmes, I suppose
your counties, lying along the Arkansas River, west
all we can do is to report to you and let you know
of Fort Dodge. It’s grazing-land and lumber-land
how we progress. I reckon you will hear within
and arable-land and mineralized-land, and just ev-
a day or two.” With this assurance our American
ery sort of land that brings dollars to the man that
bowed and departed.
owns it.
Holmes had lit his pipe, and he sat for some
“He had no kith nor kin—or, if he had, I never time with a curious smile upon his face.
heard of it. But he took a kind of pride in the
queerness of his name. That was what brought us “Well?” I asked at last.
together. I was in the law at Topeka, and one day “I am wondering, Watson—just wondering!”
I had a visit from the old man, and he was tickled “At what?”
to death to meet another man with his own name.
It was his pet fad, and he was dead set to find Holmes took his pipe from his lips.
out if there were any more Garridebs in the world. “I was wondering, Watson, what on earth could
‘Find me another!’ said he. I told him I was a busy be the object of this man in telling us such a rig-
man and could not spend my life hiking round the marole of lies. I nearly asked him so—for there
world in search of Garridebs. ‘None the less,’ said are times when a brutal frontal attack is the best
he, ‘that is just what you will do if things pan out policy—but I judged it better to let him think he
as I planned them.’ I thought he was joking, but had fooled us. Here is a man with an English coat
there was a powerful lot of meaning in the words, frayed at the elbow and trousers bagged at the
as I was soon to discover. knee with a year’s wear, and yet by this document

2
and by his own account he is a provincial Ameri- collection of residential flats, but rather the abode
can lately landed in London. There have been no of Bohemian bachelors. Our client opened the door
advertisements in the agony columns. You know for us himself and apologized by saying that the
that I miss nothing there. They are my favourite woman in charge left at four o’clock. Mr. Nathan
covert for putting up a bird, and I would never have Garrideb proved to be a very tall, loose-jointed,
overlooked such a cock pheasant as that. I never round-backed person, gaunt and bald, some sixty-
knew a Dr. Lysander Starr, of Topeka. Touch him odd years of age. He had a cadaverous face, with
where you would he was false. I think the fellow the dull dead skin of a man to whom exercise was
is really an American, but he has worn his accent unknown. Large round spectacles and a small pro-
smooth with years of London. What is his game, jecting goat’s beard combined with his stooping
then, and what motive lies behind this preposter- attitude to give him an expression of peering cu-
ous search for Garridebs? It’s worth our attention, riosity. The general effect, however, was amiable,
for, granting that the man is a rascal, he is certainly though eccentric.
a complex and ingenious one. We must now find The room was as curious as its occupant. It
out if our other correspondent is a fraud also. Just looked like a small museum. It was both broad
ring him up, Watson.” and deep, with cupboards and cabinets all round,
I did so, and heard a thin, quavering voice at crowded with specimens, geological and anatom-
the other end of the line. ical. Cases of butterflies and moths flanked each
“Yes, yes, I am Mr. Nathan Garrideb. Is Mr. side of the entrance. A large table in the centre
Holmes there? I should very much like to have a was littered with all sorts of debris, while the tall
word with Mr. Holmes.” brass tube of a powerful microscope bristled up
among them. As I glanced round I was surprised
My friend took the instrument and I heard the
at the universality of the man’s interests. Here was
usual syncopated dialogue.
a case of ancient coins. There was a cabinet of
“Yes, he has been here. I understand that you flint instruments. Behind his central table was a
don’t know him. . . . How long? . . . Only two large cupboard of fossil bones. Above was a line of
days! . . . Yes, yes, of course, it is a most captivat- plaster skulls with such names as “Neanderthal,”
ing prospect. Will you be at home this evening? “Heidelberg,” “Cro-Magnon” printed beneath them.
I suppose your namesake will not be there? . . . It was clear that he was a student of many subjects.
Very good, we will come then, for I would rather As he stood in front of us now, he held a piece of
have a chat without him. . . . Dr. Watson will come chamois leather in his right hand with which he
with me. . . . I understand from your note that you was polishing a coin.
did not go out often. . . . Well, we shall be round “Syracusan—of the best period,” he explained,
about six. You need not mention it to the American holding it up. “They degenerated greatly towards
lawyer. . . . Very good. Good-bye!” the end. At their best I hold them supreme, though
It was twilight of a lovely spring evening, and some prefer the Alexandrian school. You will find
even Little Ryder Street, one of the smaller offshoots a chair here, Mr. Holmes. Pray allow me to clear
from the Edgware Road, within a stone-cast of old these bones. And you, sir—ah, yes, Dr. Watson—if
Tyburn Tree of evil memory, looked golden and you would have the goodness to put the Japanese
wonderful in the slanting rays of the setting sun. vase to one side. You see round me my little in-
The particular house to which we were directed terests in life. My doctor lectures me about never
was a large, old-fashioned, Early Georgian edifice, going out, but why should I go out when I have
with a flat brick face broken only by two deep bay so much to hold me here? I can assure you that
windows on the ground floor. It was on this ground the adequate cataloguing of one of those cabinets
floor that our client lived, and, indeed, the low win- would take me three good months.”
dows proved to be the front of the huge room in Holmes looked round him with curiosity.
which he spent his waking hours. Holmes pointed “But do you tell me that you never go out?” he
as we passed to the small brass plate which bore said.
the curious name.
“Now and again I drive down to Sotheby’s or
“Up some years, Watson,” he remarked, indi- Christie’s. Otherwise I very seldom leave my room.
cating its discoloured surface. “It’s his real name, I am not too strong, and my researches are very
anyhow, and that is something to note.” absorbing. But you can imagine, Mr. Holmes, what
The house had a common stair, and there were a a terrific shock—pleasant but terrific—it was for
number of names painted in the hall, some indicat- me when I heard of this unparalleled good fortune.
ing offices and some private chambers. It was not a It only needs one more Garrideb to complete the

3
matter, and surely we can find one. I had a brother, Holmes was lost in thought. I could see that he
but he is dead, and female relatives are disquali- was puzzled.
fied. But there must surely be others in the world. I “Have you any articles of great value in your
had heard that you handled strange cases, and that collection?”
was why I sent to you. Of course, this American
gentleman is quite right, and I should have taken “No, sir. I am not a rich man. It is a good
his advice first, but I acted for the best.” collection, but not a very valuable one.”
“I think you acted very wisely indeed,” said “You have no fear of burglars?”
Holmes. “But are you really anxious to acquire an “Not the least.”
estate in America?” “How long have you been in these rooms?”
“Certainly not, sir. Nothing would induce me to “Nearly five years.”
leave my collection. But this gentleman has assured
Holmes’s cross-examination was interrupted by
me that he will buy me out as soon as we have es-
an imperative knocking at the door. No sooner had
tablished our claim. Five million dollars was the
our client unlatched it than the American lawyer
sum named. There are a dozen specimens in the
burst excitedly into the room.
market at the present moment which fill gaps in
my collection, and which I am unable to purchase “Here you are!” he cried, waving a paper over
for want of a few hundred pounds. Just think what his head. “I thought I should be in time to get you.
I could do with five million dollars. Why, I have Mr. Nathan Garrideb, my congratulations! You are
the nucleus of a national collection. I shall be the a rich man, sir. Our business is happily finished
Hans Sloane of my age.” and all is well. As to you, Mr. Holmes, we can only
His eyes gleamed behind his great spectacles. It say we are sorry if we have given you any useless
was very clear that no pains would be spared by trouble.”
Mr. Nathan Garrideb in finding a namesake. He handed over the paper to our client, who
“I merely called to make your acquaintance, and stood staring at a marked advertisement. Holmes
there is no reason why I should interrupt your stud- and I leaned forward and read it over his shoulder.
ies,” said Holmes. “I prefer to establish personal This is how it ran:
touch with those with whom I do business. There Howard Garrideb
are few questions I need ask, for I have your very Constructor of Agricultural Machinery
clear narrative in my pocket, and I filled up the Binders, reapers, steam and hand plows, drills,
blanks when this American gentleman called. I harrows, farmers’ carts, buckboards, and all other
understand that up to this week you were unaware appliances.
of his existence.” Estimates for Artesian Wells
“That is so. He called last Tuesday.” Apply Grosvenor Buildings, Aston
“Did he tell you of our interview to-day?” “Glorious!” gasped our host. “That makes our third
man.”
“Yes, he came straight back to me. He had been
very angry.” “I had opened up inquiries in Birmingham,”
said the American, “and my agent there has sent
“Why should he be angry?”
me this advertisement from a local paper. We must
“He seemed to think it was some reflection on hustle and put the thing through. I have written to
his honour. But he was quite cheerful again when this man and told him that you will see him in his
he returned.” office to-morrow afternoon at four o’clock.”
“Did he suggest any course of action?” “You want me to see him?”
“No, sir, he did not.” “What do you say, Mr. Holmes? Don’t you think
“Has he had, or asked for, any money from it would be wiser? Here am I, a wandering Ameri-
you?” can with a wonderful tale. Why should he believe
“No, sir, never!” what I tell him? But you are a Britisher with solid
references, and he is bound to take notice of what
“You see no possible object he has in view?”
you say. I would go with you if you wished, but
“None, except what he states.” I have a very busy day to-morrow, and I could
“Did you tell him of our telephone appoint- always follow you if you are in any trouble.”
ment?” “Well, I have not made such a journey for
“Yes, sir, I did.” years.”

4
 “It is nothing, Mr. Garrideb. I have figured out “Holloway and Steele, in the Edgware Road.
our connections. You leave at twelve and should But why?”
be there soon after two. Then you can be back the “I am a bit of an archaeologist myself when it
same night. All you have to do is to see this man, comes to houses,” said Holmes, laughing. “I was
explain the matter, and get an affidavit of his exis- wondering if this was Queen Anne or Georgian.”
tence. By the Lord!” he added hotly, “considering “Georgian, beyond doubt.”
I’ve come all the way from the centre of America, it “Really. I should have thought a little earlier.
is surely little enough if you go a hundred miles in However, it is easily ascertained. Well, good-bye,
order to put this matter through.” Mr. Garrideb, and may you have every success in
“Quite so,” said Holmes. “I think what this your Birmingham journey.”
gentleman says is very true.” The house-agent’s was close by, but we found
Mr. Nathan Garrideb shrugged his shoulders that it was closed for the day, so we made our way
with a disconsolate air. “Well, if you insist I shall back to Baker Street. It was not till after dinner that
go,” said he. “It is certainly hard for me to refuse Holmes reverted to the subject.
you anything, considering the glory of hope that “Our little problem draws to a close,” said he.
you have brought into my life.” “No doubt you have outlined the solution in your
own mind.”
“Then that is agreed,” said Holmes, “and no
“I can make neither head nor tail of it.”
doubt you will let me have a report as soon as you
“The head is surely clear enough and the tail
can.”
we should see to-morrow. Did you notice nothing
“I’ll see to that,” said the American. “Well,” he curious about that advertisement?”
added, looking at his watch, “I’ll have to get on. “I saw that the word ‘plough’ was misspelt.”
I’ll call to-morrow, Mr. Nathan, and see you off to “Oh, you did notice that, did you? Come, Wat-
Birmingham. Coming my way, Mr. Holmes? Well, son, you improve all the time. Yes, it was bad
then, good-bye, and we may have good news for English but good American. The printer had set
you to-morrow night.” it up as received. Then the buckboards. That is
I noticed that my friend’s face cleared when the American also. And artesian wells are commoner
American left the room, and the look of thoughtful with them than with us. It was a typical Ameri-
perplexity had vanished. can advertisement, but purporting to be from an
“I wish I could look over your collection, Mr. English firm. What do you make of that?”
Garrideb,” said he. “In my profession all sorts of “I can only suppose that this American lawyer
odd knowledge comes useful, and this room of put it in himself. What his object was I fail to
yours is a storehouse of it.” understand.”
“Well, there are alternative explanations. Any-
Our client shone with pleasure and his eyes
how, he wanted to get this good old fossil up to
gleamed from behind his big glasses.
Birmingham. That is very clear. I might have told
“I had always heard, sir, that you were a very him that he was clearly going on a wild-goose
intelligent man,” said he. “I could take you round chase, but, on second thoughts, it seemed better
now if you have the time.” to clear the stage by letting him go. To-morrow,
“Unfortunately, I have not. But these specimens Watson—well, to-morrow will speak for itself.”
are so well labelled and classified that they hardly Holmes was up and out early. When he re-
need your personal explanation. If I should be able turned at lunchtime I noticed that his face was very
to look in to-morrow, I presume that there would grave.
be no objection to my glancing over them?” “This is a more serious matter than I had ex-
pected, Watson,” said he. “It is fair to tell you so,
“None at all. You are most welcome. The place
though I know it will only be an additional reason
will, of course, be shut up, but Mrs. Saunders is in
to you for running your head into danger. I should
the basement up to four o’clock and would let you
know my Watson by now. But there is danger, and
in with her key.”
you should know it.”
Well, I happen to be clear to-morrow afternoon. “Well, it is not the first we have shared, Holmes.
If you would say a word to Mrs. Saunders it would I hope it may not be the last. What is the particular
be quite in order. By the way, who is your house- danger this time?”
agent?” “We are up against a very hard case. I have
Our client was amazed at the sudden question. identified Mr. John Garrideb, Counsellor at Law.

5
He is none other than ‘Killer’ Evans, of sinister and siesta, Watson, and then I think it will be time for
murderous reputation.” our Ryder Street adventure.”
“I fear I am none the wiser.” It was just four o’clock when we reached the
curious apartment of Nathan Garrideb. Mrs. Saun-
“Ah, it is not part of your profession to carry ders, the caretaker, was about to leave, but she had
about a portable Newgate Calendar in your mem- no hesitation in admitting us, for the door shut with
ory. I have been down to see friend Lestrade at the a spring lock, and Holmes promised to see that all
Yard. There may be an occasional want of imagina- was safe before we left. Shortly afterwards the outer
tive intuition down there, but they lead the world door closed, her bonnet passed the bow window,
for thoroughness and method. I had an idea that and we knew that we were alone in the lower floor
we might get on the track of our American friend in of the house. Holmes made a rapid examination of
their records. Sure enough, I found his chubby face the premises. There was one cupboard in a dark
smiling up at me from the rogues’ portrait gallery. corner which stood out a little from the wall. It
‘James Winter, alias Morecroft, alias Killer Evans,’ was behind this that we eventually crouched while
was the inscription below.” Holmes drew an en- Holmes in a whisper outlined his intentions.
velope from his pocket. “I scribbled down a few “He wanted to get our amiable friend out of his
points from his dossier: Aged forty-four. Native room—that is very clear, and, as the collector never
of Chicago. Known to have shot three men in the went out, it took some planning to do it. The whole
States. Escaped from penitentiary through political of this Garrideb invention was apparently for no
influence. Came to London in 1893. Shot a man other end. I must say, Watson, that there is a certain
over cards in a night-club in the Waterloo Road devilish ingenuity about it, even if the queer name
in January, 1895. Man died, but he was shown to of the tenant did give him an opening which he
have been the aggressor in the row. Dead man was could hardly have expected. He wove his plot with
identified as Rodger Prescott, famous as forger and remarkable cunning.”
coiner in Chicago. Killer Evans released in 1901.
“But what did he want?”
Has been under police supervision since, but so far
“Well, that is what we are here to find out. It
as known has led an honest life. Very dangerous
has nothing whatever to do with our client, so far
man, usually carries arms and is prepared to use
as I can read the situation. It is something con-
them. That is our bird, Watson—a sporting bird, as
nected with the man he murdered—the man who
you must admit.”
may have been his confederate in crime. There
“But what is his game?” is some guilty secret in the room. That is how I
“Well, it begins to define itself. I have been to read it. At first I thought our friend might have
the house-agent’s. Our client, as he told us, has something in his collection more valuable than he
been there five years. It was unlet for a year before knew—something worth the attention of a big crim-
then. The previous tenant was a gentleman at large inal. But the fact that Rodger Prescott of evil mem-
named Waldron. Waldron’s appearance was well ory inhabited these rooms points to some deeper
remembered at the office. He had suddenly van- reason. Well, Watson, we can but possess our souls
ished and nothing more been heard of him. He was in patience and see what the hour may bring.”
a tall, bearded man with very dark features. Now, That hour was not long in striking. We crouched
Prescott, the man whom Killer Evans had shot, was, closer in the shadow as we heard the outer door
according to Scotland Yard, a tall, dark man with open and shut. Then came the sharp, metallic snap
a beard. As a working hypothesis, I think we may of a key, and the American was in the room. He
take it that Prescott, the American criminal, used closed the door softly behind him, took a sharp
to live in the very room which our innocent friend glance around him to see that all was safe, threw
now devotes to his museum. So at last we get a off his overcoat, and walked up to the central table
link, you see.” with the brisk manner of one who knows exactly
what he has to do and how to do it. He pushed
“And the next link?” the table to one side, tore up the square of carpet
“Well, we must go now and look for that.” on which it rested, rolled it completely back, and
then, drawing a jemmy from his inside pocket, he
He took a revolver from the drawer and handed
knelt down and worked vigorously upon the floor.
it to me.
Presently we heard the sound of sliding boards,
“I have my old favourite with me. If our Wild and an instant later a square had opened in the
West friend tries to live up to his nickname, we planks. Killer Evans struck a match, lit a stump of
must be ready for him. I’ll give you an hour for a candle, and vanished from our view.

6
 Clearly our moment had come. Holmes touched “A printing press—a counterfeiter’s outfit,” said
my wrist as a signal, and together we stole across to Holmes.
the open trap-door. Gently as we moved, however, “Yes, sir,” said our prisoner, staggering slowly to
the old floor must have creaked under our feet, for his feet and then sinking into the chair. “The great-
the head of our American, peering anxiously round, est counterfeiter London ever saw. That’s Prescott’s
emerged suddenly from the open space. His face machine, and those bundles on the table are two
turned upon us with a glare of baffled rage, which thousand of Prescott’s notes worth a hundred each
gradually softened into a rather shamefaced grin and fit to pass anywhere. Help yourselves, gentle-
as he realized that two pistols were pointed at his men. Call it a deal and let me beat it.”
head.
Holmes laughed.
“Well, well!” said he coolly as he scrambled to
“We don’t do things like that, Mr. Evans. There
the surface. “I guess you have been one too many
is no bolt-hole for you in this country. You shot this
for me, Mr. Holmes. Saw through my game, I sup-
man Prescott, did you not?”
pose, and played me for a sucker from the first.
Well, sir, I hand it to you; you have me beat and—” “Yes, sir, and got five years for it, though it was
he who pulled on me. Five years—when I should
In an instant he had whisked out a revolver have had a medal the size of a soup plate. No living
from his breast and had fired two shots. I felt a sud- man could tell a Prescott from a Bank of England,
den hot sear as if a red-hot iron had been pressed and if I hadn’t put him out he would have flooded
to my thigh. There was a crash as Holmes’s pistol London with them. I was the only one in the world
came down on the man’s head. I had a vision of who knew where he made them. Can you wonder
him sprawling upon the floor with blood running that I wanted to get to the place? And can you
down his face while Holmes rummaged him for wonder that when I found this crazy boob of a bug-
weapons. Then my friend’s wiry arms were round hunter with the queer name squatting right on the
me, and he was leading me to a chair. top of it, and never quitting his room, I had to do
“You’re not hurt, Watson? For God’s sake, say the best I could to shift him? Maybe I would have
that you are not hurt!” been wiser if I had put him away. It would have
It was worth a wound—it was worth many been easy enough, but I’m a soft-hearted guy that
wounds—to know the depth of loyalty and love can’t begin shooting unless the other man has a
which lay behind that cold mask. The clear, hard gun also. But say, Mr. Holmes, what have I done
eyes were dimmed for a moment, and the firm lips wrong, anyhow? I’ve not used this plant. I’ve not
were shaking. For the one and only time I caught a hurt this old stiff. Where do you get me?”
glimpse of a great heart as well as of a great brain. “Only attempted murder, so far as I can see,”
All my years of humble but single-minded service said Holmes. “But that’s not our job. They take
culminated in that moment of revelation. that at the next stage. What we wanted at present
“It’s nothing, Holmes. It’s a mere scratch.” was just your sweet self. Please give the Yard a call,
Watson. It won’t be entirely unexpected.”
He had ripped up my trousers with his pocket-
knife. So those were the facts about Killer Evans and
his remarkable invention of the three Garridebs.
“You are right,” he cried with an immense sigh We heard later that our poor old friend never got
of relief. “It is quite superficial.” His face set like over the shock of his dissipated dreams. When his
flint as he glared at our prisoner, who was sitting castle in the air fell down, it buried him beneath
up with a dazed face. “By the Lord, it is as well for the ruins. He was last heard of at a nursing-home
you. If you had killed Watson, you would not have in Brixton. It was a glad day at the Yard when
got out of this room alive. Now, sir, what have you the Prescott outfit was discovered, for, though they
to say for yourself?” knew that it existed, they had never been able, af-
He had nothing to say for himself. He only sat ter the death of the man, to find out where it was.
and scowled. I leaned on Holmes’s arm, and to- Evans had indeed done great service and caused
gether we looked down into the small cellar which several worthy C. I. D. men to sleep the sounder,
had been disclosed by the secret flap. It was still for the counterfeiter stands in a class by himself
illuminated by the candle which Evans had taken as a public danger. They would willingly have
down with him. Our eyes fell upon a mass of rusted subscribed to that soup-plate medal of which the
machinery, great rolls of paper, a litter of bottles, criminal had spoken, but an unappreciative bench
and, neatly arranged upon a small table, a number took a less favourable view, and the Killer returned
of neat little bundles. to those shades from which he had just emerged.