Chapter 6 of a study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
This LibriVox recording is in the public domain.
Chapter 6, Tobias Gregson shows what he can do.
The papers next day were full of the Brixton mystery as they
termed it. Each had a long account of the
affair and some had leaders upon it in addition.
There were some information in them, which was new to me.
I still retain in my scrapbook numerous clippings and extracts.
Bearing upon the case. Here is a condensation of a few
of them. The Daily Telegraph remarked
that in the history of crime. They had seldom been a tragedy
which presented stranger features.
The German name of the victim, the absence of all other motive
and the Sinister inscription on the wall.
All pointed to its perpetration by political refugees and
revolutionists. The Socialists had many branches
in America and the deceased had no doubt infringed.
Their Unwritten laws and been Tracked Down by them.
After eluding are early to the Wim gerecht Aqua tofana cabin,
re the marchioness to bring Billy a, the darwinian theory,
the principles of multis and the Ratcliff Highway murders, the
article concluded by admonishing, the government and
advocating a closer, watch over foreigners in England.
The standard commented upon the fact that Lawless outrages of
the sort usually occurred under a liberal Administration.
They arose from the unsettling of the minds of the masses and
the consequent weakening of all authority.
The deceased was an American gentleman who had been residing.
For some weeks in the Metropolis.
He had stayed at The Boarding. House of Madame, charpentier in,
Torquay Terrace camberwell. He was accompanied in his
travels by his private secretary.
Mr. Joseph stangerson. The to Beta Geo to their
landlady upon Tuesday, the 4th inst and departed to Euston
Station. With the avowed intention of
catching the Liverpool Express. They were afterwards seen
together upon the platform. Nothing more is known as them
until mr. Drivers body was as recorded
discovered in an empty house in the Brixton Road.
Many miles from Euston how he came there or how he met his
fate are questions, which are still in.
Involved in mystery. Nothing is known of the
whereabouts of stangerson. We're glad to learn that mr.
Lestrade and mr. Gregson of Scotland Yard are
both engaged upon the case and it is confidentially anticipated
that these well-known officers will speedily throw light upon
the matter. The Daily News.
Observed that there was no doubt as to the crime, being a
political one, the despotism, and hatred of liberalism, which
animated the Continental governments had had the effect
of driving to our Shores. A number of men who might have
made, excellent citizens. Were they not soured by the
recollection of all that they had undergone?
Among these men. There was a stringent code of
honor, any infringement of which was punished by death.
Every effort should be made to find the secretary stangerson
and to ascertain some particulars of the habits of the
deceased. A great step had been gained by
the discovery of the address of the house at which he had
boarded a result, which was entirely due to the acuteness
and energy of mr. Gregson of Scotland Yard.
Sherlock Holmes. And I read these notices over
together at breakfast and they appeared to afford him
considerable amusement. I told you the whatever happened
lestrade and Gregson will be sure to score.
That depends on how it turns out.
Oh, bless you. It doesn't matter in the least.
If the man is caught it'll be on account of their exertions, if
he escapes it will be in spite of their exertions.
It's heads. I win and Tails you lose,
whatever they do, they'll have followers.
And so, to prove to Jewel and Blue, so kill at Mia.
What on Earth is this? I cried for at this moment.
There came the patterning of many steps in the hall and on
the stairs accompanied by audible expressions of disgust
upon the part of our landlady. It's the Baker Street division
of the detective, police force said my companion, Gravely, and
as he spoke there, rushed into the room, half a dozen of the
dirtiest. And most ragged Street Arabs
that ever I clapped eyes on. Tension cried Holmes in a shop
tone and the six dirty little Scoundrels stood in a line, like
so many disreputable statuettes in future.
You shall send up Wiggins alone to report and the rest of you
must wait in the street. Have you found it Wiggins?
Now sir? We hate said one word to use.
I hardly expected. You.
Would you must keep on until you do here are your wages?
He handed each of them a shilling.
Now off you go and come back with a better report next time.
He waved his hand and they scampered away downstairs like
so many rats and we heard their shrill voices next moment in the
street. There's more work to be got out
of one of those little Beggars and out of a dozen of the force,
Holmes, remarked. The mere sight of an
official-looking person, seals men's lips, these youngsters.
However, go everywhere and hear everything.
They are as sharp as needles to all they want is organization.
Is it on this? Brixton case that you're
employing them. I asked yes, there is a point
which I wish to ascertain. It is, merely a matter of time.
Hello. We're going to hear some news
now, with a Vengeance here. Is Gregson, coming down the road
with beatitude written a boner every feature of his face Bound
for us. I know.
Yes, he is stopping. There he is.
There was a violent peel at the bell and in a few seconds, the
fair-haired detective came up the stairs three steps at a time
and burst into our sitting room. My dear fellow.
He cried, ringing homes, unresponsive hand, congratulate
me. I have made the whole thing as
clear as day shade of anxiety. Seem to me to cross my
companions expressive face. Do you mean that you are on the
right track? He asked the right track.
Why sir? We have the man under lock and
key and his name is Arthur. Sharp Aunty, a sub-lieutenant.
Nino. Majesty's.
Navy cried, Gregson. Pompously rubbing his fat hands
and inflating his chest. Sherlock Holmes, gave a sigh of
relief and relaxed into a smile. Take a seat and try one of these
cigars. He said we are anxious to know
how you managed it. Will you have some whiskey and
water. How I don't mind.
If I do the detective. Answered the tremendous
exertions, which I've gone through during the last day or
two. Have worn me out.
Not so much bodily exertion. You understand as the strain
upon the mind. You will appreciate that.
Mr. Sherlock Holmes for we are both brain workers.
You do me too much. Honor said, Holmes Gravely.
Let us hear how you arrived at this.
Most gratifying result. The detectives seated himself in
the armchair and puffed complacently at his cigar, then
suddenly. He slapped his thigh in a
paroxysm of amusement, of the fun of it.
Is he cried that that fool lestrade?
Who thinks himself. So, smart, as gone off on the
wrong track all together. He's after the secretary
stangerson who had no more to do with the crime than the Babe
Unborn. I have no doubt that he is
caught him. By this time.
T idea. Tickled gregson's so much that
he laughed until he choked. And how did you get your clue?
I'll tell you about, of course. Dr. Watson.
This is strictly between ourselves and the first
difficulty, which we had to contend with was the finding of
this Americans antecedents. Some people would have waited
until their advertisements were answered or until parties came
forward and volunteered information.
That is not Tobias. Gregson's.
We're going to work. You remember the Hat beside the
dead man. Yes.
Said Holmes by John Underwood and Sons 129 camberwell Road.
Grayson looked quite crestfallen.
And now I did it, you know, is that he said, have you been
there? No, ha ha cried.
Gregson in a relieved voice. You should never neglect a
chance. However, small.
It may seem to a great mind. Nothing is little remarked
Holmes sententiously. Well, I went to Underwood and
asked him if he had sold a hat of that size and description.
He looked over his books and came on it at once.
He had sent the hat to a mr. Drebber residing, at sharp nga's
boarding establishment. Torquay Terrace.
Thus I got his address smart. Very smart moment, Sherlock
Holmes. I next called upon Madame
charpentier continue to detective.
I found her very pale and distressed.
Her daughter was in the room and uncommonly fine.
Girl. She is To, she was looking read
about the eyes and her lips trembled, as I spoke to her,
that didn't escaped. My notice.
I began to smell a rat, you know the feeling mr.
Sherlock Holmes, when you come upon the right sent a kind of
thrilling your nerves. Have you heard of the mysterious
death of your late border? Mr. Enoch J drebber of
Cleveland. I asked.
The mother nodded, she didn't seem able to get out of word,
the door, burst into tears. I felt more than ever that these
people knew something of the matter.
At what o'clock? Did Doctor drebber?
Leave your ass for the train. I asked.
At 8:00. She said, gulping in her throat
to keep down. Her agitation is secretary.
Mr. Stangerson said that there were two trains one at 9:15 and
one at 11. He was to catch the first and
was that the last which you saw of him a terrible change, came
over the woman's face. As I asked a question, her
features turned perfectly livid. It was some seconds before she
could get out the single word. Yes.
And when it did come it was in your husky unnatural tone.
There was silence for a moment. And when the daughter spoke in a
calm, clear voice, no. Good.
Can ever come a falsehood mother.
She said let us be frank with this gentleman.
We did see mr. Drebber again.
God forgive, you cried Madame. Charpentier throwing up her
hands and sinking back in her chair.
You have murdered your brother. Arthur would rather.
We spoke the truth. The girl answered firmly.
You had best. Tell me all about it.
Now. I said, Off confidences are
worse than none. Besides you do not know how much
we know of it on your head, be it.
Alice, cried her mother and then turning to me I will tell you
all sir. Do not imagine that my agitation
on behalf of my son arises from any fear, lest.
He should have had. And in this terrible Affair, he
is utterly innocent of it. My dread is however that in your
eyes and in the eyes of others, he may have Here to be
compromised that however is surely impossible.
His eye character is profession is antecedents would all forbid
it. Your best ways to make a clean
breast of the facts. I answered depend upon it.
If your son is innocent, you will be none, the worse.
Perhaps Alice you had better leave us together.
She said, and her daughter was Drew.
Now sir. She continued.
I had no intention of telling you all this, but since my poor
daughter has disclosed it. I have no alternative having
once decided to speak. I will tell you all without
emitting any particular. it is your wisest course, said I Mr.
Drebber as been with us, nearly three weeks he and his
secretary. Mr. Stangerson had been
traveling on the continent. I noticed a Copenhagen label
upon each of their trunks showing that that had been their
last stop in place. Stangerson was a quiet reserved
man, but his employer. I'm sorry to say was Far.
Otherwise, he was causing his habits and brutish and his ways,
the very night of his arrival. He became very much the worse
for drink and Eat after 12:00 in the day.
He could. Only ever be said to be sober,
his manners towards the maid servants were disgustingly free
and familiar. Worst of all, he speedily assume
the same attitude towards my daughter, Alice, and spoke to
her more than once in a way, which, fortunately, she is too
innocent to understand on one occasion.
He actually seized her in his arms and embraced her and
outrage, which caused his own secretary to reproach him for
his unmanly conduct. But why did you stand all this?
I asked I suppose that you can get rid of your borders When You
Wish. Mrs. Sharp NTA.
Blushed, at my pertinent question would to God that I had
given him notice on the very day that he came, she said, but it
was a saw Temptation. They were paying a pound a day
which 14 pounds a week. And this is a slack season.
I'm a widow and my boy in the Navy has cost me much.
I Grudge to lose the money. I acted for the best.
This last was too much. However, and I gave him notice
to leave on account of it. That was the Season of is going
well, my heart grew light. When I saw him drive away.
My son is on. Leave just now by did not tell
him anything of all this. For his temper is violent and he
is passionately fond of his sister.
When I closed the door behind them, a load seem to be lifted
from my mind alas in less than an hour.
There was a ring at the bell, and I learned that mr.
Drebber had returned. He was much excited and
evidently the worse for drink. He forced his way into the room
where I was sitting with my door and made some incoherent.
Remark about having missed his train.
He then turned to Alice, and before my very face proposed to
her that she should fly with him.
You are of age. He said, and there is no law to
stop you. I have money enough and to
spare, never mind the old girlier, but come along with me
now straight away. You should live like a princess.
Alex was so frightened that she shrunk away from him, but he
caught her by the wrist and Endeavour to draw towards the
door. I screamed and at that moment,
my son Arthur came into the room, what happened?
Then I do not know higher doze and the confused sounds of a
scuffle. I was too terrified to raise my
head when I did look up, I saw Arthur standing in the doorway
laughing with a stick in his hand.
I don't think that fine fellow Will trouble us again.
He said I'll just go after him and see what he does with
himself. With those words.
He took his hat and started off down the street.
The next morning. We heard of mr.
Draper's mysterious death. This statement came from mrs.
Sharp. Ncaa's.
Lips with many gasps. And pauses at time.
She spoke so low that I could hardly catch the words.
I made short and notes of all that she said, however, so there
should be no possibility of a mistake.
It's quite exciting, said, Sherlock Holmes with a yawn,
what happened next? When mrs.
Sharp ntia, paused, the detective continued.
I saw that the whole case hung up on one point.
Fixing her with my eye, in a way, which I always found
effective with women. I asked her what our other son
returned. I do not know.
She answered not, no. No, he has a latchkey and he let
himself in After you went to bed.
Yes. When did you go to bed about
eleven? So your son was gone.
At least two hours. Yes, possibly four or five.
Yes. What was he doing?
During that time? I do not know she answered
turning white to a very lips. Of course, after that.
There was nothing more to be done.
I found out where Lieutenant charpentier was two officers
with me and arrested him. When I touched him on the
shoulder and warned him to come quietly with us.
He answered us as bold as brass. I suppose you're arresting me
for being concerned in the death of that scoundrel, drebber.
He said, we had said nothing to him about it.
So it is alluding to it at a most suspicious aspect.
Very said, Holmes, he still carried their V stick, which the
mothers prescribed, as having with him when he followed
drebber. It was a stout Oak.
Cudgel. What is your theory then?
Well, my theory is that he followed Reber as far as the
Brixton Road when there are fresh altercation arose between
them in the course of which drebber received a blow from the
stick in the pit of the stomach perhaps, which killed Without
leaving any Mark, the night was so wet that no one was about.
So sharp, ntia dragged, the body of his victim into the empty
house as to the candle and the blood and the writing on the
wall. And the ring, they may all be so
many tricks to throw the police onto the wrong scent.
Well done said, Holmes in an encouraging voice.
Really Gregson. You are getting along.
We shall make something of you yet.
I flatter myself that I've managed it rather.
Neatly the detective answered proudly, the young man
volunteered a statement in, which he said that after
following drebber sometime the lab perceived him and took a
cab. In order to get away from him,
on his way home. He met an old shipmate and took
a long walk with him. On being asked where this old
shipmate lived. He was unable to give any
satisfactory reply. I think the old case fits
together uncommonly. Well, what amuses me is to think
of lestrade who started off on the wrong scent.
I'm afraid he won't make much of Why by jove.
He's the very man himself. It was indeed lestrade, who had
ascended the stairs while we were talking and who now entered
the room? The assurance and Georgina
switch, generally marked his demeanor and dress were however,
wanting his face was Disturbed and troubled.
While his clothes were disarranged and untidy.
He had evidently come with the intention of Consulting with
Sherlock, Holmes for on perceiving his colleague.
He appeared to be embarrassed and put out.
He stood in the center of the room, fumbling nervously with
his hat and uncertain, what to do.
This is a most extraordinary case.
He said at last a most incomprehensible Affair.
Are you find it? So, mr.
Lestrade tried Gregson triumphantly ha thought you
would come to that conclusion. Have you managed to find a
secretary? Mr. Joseph stangerson?
The secretary. Mr. Joseph stangerson said
lestrade, Gravely was murdered but halliday's, private Hotel
about 6:00 this morning. End of chapter 6.