Adventure, Six of the return of Sherlock Holmes by Sir, Arthur
Conan Doyle. This LibriVox recording is in
the public domain. Adventure.
Six, the adventure of black Peter.
I have never known my friend to be in better form, both mental
and physical than in the year. 95 is increasing Fame.
Had brought with it, an immense practice and I should be guilty
of an indiscretion. If I were even to hint at the
identity of some of the illustrious clients who crossed
our humble threshold in Baker Street homes.
However, like all great artists lived for his art sake and Save,
in the case of the Duke of holdernesse, I have Known him
claim any large reward for his inestimable services.
So unworldly was he or so capricious but he frequently
refused his help to the powerful and Wealthy where the problem
made no appeal to his sympathies while he would devote weeks of
most intense application to the Affairs of some humble client,
whose case presented those strange and dramatic qualities,
which appealed to his imagination and challenged his
ingenuity. In this memorable year. 95, a
curious and incongruous. Succession of cases had engaged
his attention ranging from his famous investigation of the
sudden, death of cardinal, Tosca an inquiry, which was carried
out by him at the expressed desire of his Holiness, the pope
down to his arrest of Wilson, the notorious Canary trainer,
which removed a plague spot from the East End of London.
Close on the heels of these two famous cases, came the tragedy
of Woodman's Lee and the Very obscure circumstances, which
surrounded the death of Captain Peter Carey.
No record of the doings of mr. Sherlock Holmes would be
complete which did not include some account of this.
Very unusual affair. During the first week of July my
friend have been absent. So often and so long from our
lodgings that I knew he had something on hand, the fact that
several rough-looking men called during that time and inquired
for Captain basil, made me understand that Holmes was
working somewhere under one of the numerous disguises and names
with, which he concealed his own formidable identity.
He had at least five small refuges, in different parts of
London in which he was able to change his personality.
He said nothing of his business to me and it was not my Habit to
force a confidence. The first positive sign, which
he gave me of the direction, which is investigation was
taking was an extraordinary one. He had gone out before breakfast
and I had sat down to mine when he strode into the room, his hat
upon his head and a huge, Barbed headed spear tucked like an
umbrella under his arm. Good gracious homes.
I cried. You don't mean to say that
you've been walking about London with that thing.
I drove to the butchers and back The Butchers and I returned with
an excellent appetite. There can be no question.
My dear Watson of the value of exercise before breakfast, but I
am prepared to bet that you will not guess the form that my
exercise has taken. I will not attempt it.
He chuckled as he poured out, the coffee.
If you could have looked into allardyce's back shop, you would
have seen a dead pig. Swung from a hook in the
ceiling. And a gentleman in his
shirtsleeves furiously stabbing at it with this weapon.
I was that energetic person. And I have satisfied myself that
by no exertion of my strength. Can I transfer fix the pig with
a single blow, perhaps you would care to try Not for worlds, but
why were you doing this? Because it seemed to me to have
an indirect bearing upon the mystery of Woodman's Lee
Hopkins. I got your wire last night, and
I've been expecting, you come and join us.
Our visitor was an exceedingly alert man. 30 years of age
dressed in a quiet Tweed suit, but retaining, the erect bearing
of one who was accustomed to official uniform.
I recognized him at once as Stanley Hopkins, a young Police
Inspector for whose future homes.
Had High Hopes while he in turn professed, the admiration and
respect of a pupil for the scientific methods of the famous
amateur Hopkins. His brow was clouded.
And he sat down with an air of deep dejection.
Now, it's thank you, sir. I breakfasted before I came
around. I spent the night in town for I
came up yesterday to report and what have you to report?
Failure? Sir?
Absolute failure. You have made.
No progress. Non dear, me.
I must have a look at the matter.
I wish to Heavens that you would mr.
Holmes. It's my first big chance.
Yes, and I'm at when Wit's End for goodness sake, come down and
lend me a hand. Well, well, it just happens that
I have already read all the available evidence, including
the report of the inquest with some Care, by the way.
What do you make of that? Tobacco pouch found on the scene
of the crime is there? No clue there Hopkins.
Look surprised. It was the man's own pouch sir.
His initials were inside it and it was of sealskin and he was an
old sealer. But he had no pipe.
No sir. We could find now pipe.
Indeed. He smoked very little and yet he
might have kept some tobacco for his friends.
No doubt. I only mention it because if I
had been handling, the case I should have been inclined to
make that the starting point of my investigation.
However, my friend, dr. Watson knows nothing of this
matter. And I should be none, the worse
for hearing the sequence of events.
Once more just give us some short sketches of the
essentials. Stanley, Hopkins, drew a slip of
paper from his pocket. I'll have a few dates here,
which will give you the career of the Dead Man.
Captain, Peter Carey. He was born in 45, 50 years of
age, whose most daring and successful, seal, and whale
Fisher in 1883. He commanded the steam sealer,
sea unicorn of Dandy. He had then had several
successful voyages in succession and in the following year 1884,
he retired after that, it traveled for some years.
And finally he bought a small place called.
Woodman's Lee near Forest Row in Sussex there.
He lives lived for six years and there he died.
Just a week ago. Today.
There were some most singular points about the man in ordinary
life. He was a strict Puritan a Gloomy
fellow his household consisted of his wife, his daughter page,
20 and two female servants. These last were continually
changing there was never a very cheery situation and sometimes
it became past all bearing. The man was an intermittent
drunkard and when he had to fit on him, he was a perfect fiend.
He has been known to drive his wife and daughter out of doors
in the middle of the night and flogged them through the park
until the whole village. Outside.
The gates was aroused by their screams.
He was summoned once for a Savage assault.
Upon the old vicar who had called upon him to remonstrate
with him upon his conduct in short.
Mr. Holmes. You would go far before you
found a more dangerous man than Peter Carey.
And I've heard that he bore the same character when he commanded
his ship. He was known in his trade as
black Peter and the name was given him.
Not only on account of his swarthy features and the color
of his huge beard, but for the humors, which were the two Of
all around him. I need not say that.
He was loathe and avoided by every one of his neighbor's.
And that I have not heard one single word of Sorrow about his
terrible end. You must have read in the
account of the inquest about the man's cabin.
Mr. Ohms, but perhaps your friend here has not heard of it.
He had built himself, a wooden Outhouse.
He always called it the cabin a few hundred yards from his
house. And it was here that he slept
Every night. It was a little single room to
cut 16 feet by 10. He kept the key in his pocket.
Made his own bed, cleaned, it himself and Allowed, no other
foot to cross the threshold. There are small windows on each
side, which were covered by curtains, and never opened.
One of these windows was turned towards the high road, and when
the light burned in it, a night, the folk used to pointed out to
each other and wonder what black Peter was doing in.
That's the window. Mr. Holmes, which gave us one of
the few bits of positive evidence that came out at the
inquest. You remember that a stonemason
named Slater walking from forest row about 1:00 in the morning,
two days before the murder stopped.
As he passed the grounds and looked at the square of light.
Still shining among the trees. He swears that the shadow of a
man's head turned sideways was clearly visible on the blind.
And that this Shadow was certainly not that of Peter
Carey whom he knew. Well, it was that of a bearded
man, but the beard was short and bristled forward in a way, very
different from, that of the captain.
So he says, but he had been two hours in the public house and it
is some distance from the road to the window, besides this
refers to the Monday and the crime was done upon the
Wednesday. On the Tuesday, Peter Carey was
in one of his blackest. Moods flushed with drink, and as
Savage as a dangerous wild beasts around about the house
and the women ran for it. When they heard him come in late
in the evening. He went down to his own Hut
about two o'clock, the following morning, his daughter who slept
with her window open, heard a most fearful yell from that
direction, but it was now unusual thing for him to ball.
And Shout. When he was in drink, so no
notice was taken on rising at seven.
One of the maids noticed that the door of the heart was open.
But so great was the terror which the man caused that it was
Midday before anyone would venture down to see what had
become of him peeping into the open door.
They saw a sight which sent them flying with white faces into the
village. Within an hour, I was on the
spot and had taken over the case.
Well, hi. Fairly steady nerves as you
know, mr. Holmes, but I'll give you my
word, but I got to shake when I put my head into that little
house. It was droning like a harmonium
with flies and blue bottles and the floor and the walls were
like a slaughterhouse. He had called it a cabin and a
cabinet was sure enough for you to thought that you were in a
ship. There was Bunk at one end, a Sea
Chest, maps, and charts. A picture of the sea, unicorn, a
line of log books on a shelf, all exactly.
As one would expect to find it in a Captain's Room and they're
in the middle of it was the man himself his face twisted like a
lost soul in torment and his great brindled beard.
Stuck upward in his Agony right through his broad breast, a
steel Harpoon had been driven. And it did sunk deep into the
wood of the wall behind him. He was pinned like a beetle on a
card. Of course.
He was quite dead and add been. So from the instant that he had,
uttered that last yell of Agony. I know your methods sir, and I
applied them before. I permitted.
Anything to be moved. I examined most carefully, the
ground outside and also the floor of the room.
There were no footmarks. Meaning you sewn on, I'll show
you sir. There were none my good Hopkins.
I have investigated many crimes, but I have never yet seen one
which was committed by a flying creature as long as the criminal
remains upon two legs. So long must there be some
indentation, some abrasion, some trifling displacement, which can
be detected by the scientific searcher.
It is incredible that this Blood bespattered room contained, no
Trace, which could have aided us.
I understand. However, from the inquest that
there were some objects, which you failed to overlook the young
inspector winced at my companions ironic or comments.
How is the fool not to call you in at the time?
Mr. Holmes? However, that's past praying for
now. Yes, there were several objects
in the room which called for special attention.
One was the Harpoon with which the deed was committed.
It had been snatched down from a rack on the wall two, others
remain there. And there was a vacant place for
the third on the stock was engraved.
SSC corn Dundee, the seem to establish that Crime has been
done in a moment of Fury and that the murderer had seized the
first weapon which came his way. The fact that the crime was
committed at two in the morning and yet Peter Carey was fully
dressed suggested that he had an appointment with the murderer,
which is borne out by the fact that a bottle of rum and to
dirty glasses, stood upon the table.
Yes. Said Holmes.
I think that both inferences are permissible.
Was there any other Spirit? But rum in the room?
Yes, and there was a Tantalus containing Brandy and whisky on
the Sea Chest. It is of no importance to us.
However, since the decanters were full and it had therefore
not been used. For all that its presence.
Has some significance said Holmes.
However, let us hear some more about the objects, which do seem
to you to Bear upon the case. There was this tobacco pouch
upon the table. What part of the table?
It lay in the middle. It was, of course, sealskin the
straight head skin with a leather thong to bind it inside
was PC on the flap. There was half an ounce of
strong ships. Tobacco in it.
Excellent. What more Stanley, Hopkins.
Drew from his pocket. Drab covered notebook.
The outside was rough and warned the leaves.
Discolored on, the first page were written the initials JH n
and the date 1883 Holmes laid it on the table and examined it in
his minut way while Hopkins. And I gazed over each shoulder
on the second page with a printed letters CPR.
And then came several sheets of numbers.
Another heading was Argentine another Costa Rica and another
San Paulo Peach with pages of signs and figures after it.
What do you make of these asked Holmes?
They appear to be list of Stock Exchange Securities.
I thought that jhn were the initials of a broker and that
CPR may have been his client. Try Canadian, Pacific Railway
said, Holmes Stanley, Hopkins war between his teeth and struck
his thigh with his clenched hand.
What a fool. I've been, he cried.
Of course it is. As you say, then jhn are the
only initials we have to solve. I've already examined the Old
Stock Exchange lists, and I can find no one in 1883 either in
the house or among the outside brokers whose initials
correspond with these yet. I feel that the clue is the most
important one that I hold. You will admit.
Mr. Holmes, that there is a possibility that these initials
are those of the second person who was present in other.
It's of the murderer. I would also urge the
introduction into the case of a document relating to large
masses of valuable. Securities gives us from the
first time, some indication of a motive for the crime.
Sherlock Holmes's face show that he was thoroughly taken aback by
this new development. I must admit both your points.
Said he I confess that this notebook which did not appear at
the inquest. Modifies any views, which I may
have formed. I had come to a theory of the
crime in which I didn't find no place for this.
Have you endeavored to trace any of the Securities here?
Mentioned? Inquiries are not being made at
the offices, but I fear the complete register of the
stockholders of these South American concerns is in South
America, and that some weeks must elapse before, we can trace
the shares. Holmes had been examining the
cover of the notebook with his magnifying lens.
Surely. There is some discoloration
here, said he, yes, sir. It is a blood-stained.
I told you that I picked the book off.
The floor was the blood-stained above or below on the side next
to boards, which proves, of course that the book was dropped
after the crime was committed. Exactly.
Mr. Holmes, my appreciated. That point.
And I conjectured that it was dropped by the murderer in his
hurried flight, it lay near the door.
I suppose that none of these Securities have been found among
the property of the dead, man. No, sir.
Have you any reason to suspect robbery now, sir?
Nothing seemed to have been touched.
Dear me, it is certainly a very interesting case.
Then there was a knife was a not a sheath knife, still in its
sheath, it lay at the feet of the dead man.
Mrs. Carrie has identified it as being her husband's property.
Holmes was lost in thought for some time.
Well said he at last I suppose I shall have to come out and have
a look at it. Stanley Hopkins gave a cry of
Joy. Thank you sir.
That will indeed be a way of my mind Holmes shook his finger at
the inspector. It would have been an easier
task a week ago said he. But even now my visits may not
be entirely fruitless Watson, if you can spare the time, I should
be very glad of your company. If you will call a four wheeler
Hopkins, we should be ready to start for Forest row in a
quarter of an hour. A lighting at the small Wayside
station, we drove for some miles through the remains of
widespread Woods, which were once part of that great Forest
which for so long held the Saxon, Invaders at Bay, the
impenetrable wheeled for 60 years, the bulwark of Britain.
Vast sections of it have been cleared for this is at the seat
of the first Iron Works of the country, and the trees have been
felled to smelt The Ore. Now, the Richer fields of the
north have absorbed, the trade and nothing, say those ravaged
Groves, and great scars in the earth.
Show the work of the past here in a clearing upon the green
slope of a hill stood, a long, low Stone House approached by a
curving Drive running through the fields.
Near the road and surrounded on three sides, by bushes was a
small Outhouse one window, and the door facing in our
Direction. It was the scene of the murder
Stanley Hopkins. Let us first to the house where
he introduced us to a Haggard gray-haired woman the Widow of
the murdered man, whose gaunt and deep-lined faced with the
furtive. Look of Terror in the depths of
her red-rimmed eyes told of the Of hardship and ill-usage, which
she had endured with her was her daughter, a pale fair-haired
girl, whose eyes, blazed defiantly at us.
And she told us that she was glad that her father was dead
and that she blessed the hand which had struck him down.
It was a terrible household. That black Peter Carey had made
for himself and it was with a sense of relief that we found
ourselves in the sunlight again and making our way along a path
which had been been worn across the fields by the feet of the
dead man. The Outhouse was the simplest of
dwellings. Wooden walled shingle roof.
Someone has been tampering with it.
He said there could be no doubt of the fact, the woodwork was
cut and the scratches showed white through the paint as if
they'd been that instant done. Holmes had been examining the
window. Someone has tried to force this.
Also, whoever it was has failed to make his way in.
He must have been a very poor burglar.
This is a most extraordinary thing said the inspector.
I could swear that these marks were not here yesterday evening.
Some curious person from the village perhaps I suggested very
unlikely, a few of them would dare to set foot in the grounds.
Far less try to force their way into the cabin.
What do you think of it? Mr. Holmes?
I think that fortune is very kind to us.
You mean that the person will come again.
It is very probable. He came expecting to find the
door open. He tried to get in with the
blade of a very small pen knife. He could not manage it.
What would he do? Come again next night with a
more useful tool so I should say it will be our fault if we are
not there to receive him. Let me see the inside of the
cabin, the traces of the tragedy had been removed, but the
furniture within the little room still stood, as it had been on
the night of the crime for two hours, with most intense
concentration, Holmes, examined, every object in turn.
But his face showed that his quest was not a successful one
only once he paused in his patient investigation.
Have you taken anything off? This shelf Hopkins?
Now? I've moved nothing.
Something has been taken. There is less dust in this
corner of the Shelf than elsewhere.
It may have been a book lying on its side.
It may have been a box. Well, well I can do nothing
more. Let us walk in these beautiful
Woods Watson and give a few hours to the birds and the
flowers. We shall meet you here later,
Hopkins. And See if we can come closer
quarters with the gentleman who has paid this visit in the
night. It was past 11:00, when we
formed our little ambuscade, Hopkins was for leaving the door
of the Hut open. But Holmes was of the opinion
that this would Rouse the suspicions of the stranger.
The lock was a perfectly simple one, and only a strong blade was
needed to push it back homes. Also suggested that we should
wait not inside the hut, but outside it among the bushes,
which grew round the father window in this way.
We should be able to watch our man.
He struck a light and see what his object was in this stealthy
nocturnal visit. It was a long and Melancholy
vigil, and yet brought with it, something of the thrill which
the hunter feels when he lies beside the water pool and waits
for the coming of the thirsty beast of prey, what Savage
creature was it which might steal upon us out of the
darkness. Was it, a fierce tiger of crime,
which could only be taken, fighting hard, with flashing,
Fang and Claw, or would it prove to be some skulking Jackal
dangerous only to the weak and Guarded in absolute silence, we
crouched amongst the bushes, waiting for, whatever might come
at first. The steps of a few belated
villagers or the sound of voices from the village light and our
vigil. But one by one, these
interruptions died away and an absolute Stillness fell Upon Us
say for the Chimes of the distant Church, which told us of
the progress of the night. And for the Russell and The
Whisper of a fine rain falling amid, the foliage age, which
roof Das in 2:30 at chimed and it was The Darkest Hour which
precedes the dawn when we all started as a low.
But sharp click came from the direction of the gate.
Someone had entered the drive. Again, there was a long silence
and I had begun to fear that it was a false alarm.
When a stealthy step Was Heard upon the other side of the Hut
and a moment later and metallic scraping and clinking.
The man was trying to force the lock.
This time. His skill was greater or his
tool was better for there was a sudden snap and the Creak of the
hinges then a match was struck and next instant the A tea light
from a candle, fill the interior of the Hut, through the gauze
curtain. Our eyes were all riveted upon
the scene Within The nocturnal visitor was a young man frail
and thin with a black mustache, which intensified the deadly
pallor of his face. He could not have been much
above 20 years of age. I have never seen any human
being who appeared to be in such a pitiable fright for his teeth
were visibly chattering. And he was shaking in every
limb. He was dressed like a gentleman
in Norfolk jacket and Knickerbockers with a cloth cap
upon his head. We watched him staring round
with And eyes. Then he laid the candle end upon
the table and disappeared from our view into one of the
corners. He returned with a large book.
One of the log books, which formed a line upon the shelves
leaning on the table. He rapidly turned over the
leaves of this volume, until he came to the entry, which he
sought. Then with an angry gesture of
his clenched hand. He closed the book, replaced it
in the corner and put out the light.
He had hardly turned to leave the Hut.
When Hopkins hand was on the fellows collar and I heard his
loud gasp of Terror as he understood that he was taken,
the candle was real it. And there was our wretched
captive shivering and cowering in the grasp of the detective.
He sank down upon the Sea Chest and looked helplessly from one
of us to the other. Now.
My fine fellow said Stanley Hopkins, who are you?
And what do Entier. The man pulled himself together
and faced us with an effort at self composure.
You are detectives. I suppose said he you imagine.
I'm connected with the death of Captain Peter Carey.
I assure you that I am innocent. We'll see about that said,
Hopkins. First of all, what is your name?
It is John hopley. Nelligan.
I saw homes and Hopkins, exchange a quick glance.
What are you doing here? Can I speak confidentially now?
Certainly not. Why should I tell you?
If you have no answer, it may go badly with you at the trial.
The young man, winced. Well, I will tell you, he said,
why should I not? And yet?
I hate to think of this old Scandal.
Gaining a new lease of life. Did you ever hear of Dawson and
nelligan? I could see from Hopkins face
that he never had, but Holmes was keenly interested.
You mean the West country? Bankers said he very failed for
a million ruined half. The county families of Cornwall
and nelligan disappeared. Exactly.
Nelligan was my father. At last.
We were getting something positive and yet it seemed a
long gap between an absconding banker and Captain Peter Carey
pinned against the wall. With one of his own harpoons.
We all listened intently to the young man's words.
It was my father who was really concerned Dawson had retired.
I was only 10 years of age at the time, but I was old enough
to feel the shame and horror of it all.
It has always been said that my father stole all the Securities
and fled. It is not true.
It was his belief that if he were given time in which to
realize them all would be well and every creditor paid in full,
he started in his little Yacht for Norway just before.
The warrant was issued for his arrest.
I can remember that last night when he bade farewell to my
mother. He left us a list of the
Securities he was taking and he swore that he would come back
with his honor, cleared. And that non who had trusted him
would suffer. Well, no word was ever heard
from him. Again, both the yacht and he
vanished, utterly. We believed my mother and I that
he and it with the Securities that he had taken with him were
at the bottom of the sea. We had a faithful friend.
However, who is a businessman and it was, he who discovered
some time ago, but some of the Securities, which my father had
with him, had reappeared on the London Market.
You can imagine our amazement I spent Once in trying to trace
them. And at last after many doubting
's and difficulties, I discovered that the original
seller had been Captain Peter Carey, the owner of this Hut
naturally, I made some inquiries about the man.
I found that he had been in command of a way Le which was
due to return from the Arctic seas at the very time when my
father was crossing to Norway. The Autumn of that year was a
stormy one and there was a long succession of southerly Gail.
Al's. My father's yacht May well have
been blown to the north and they're met by Captain Peter
Carey ship if that was. So what had become of my father
in any case if I could prove from Peter, Carey's evidence,
how these Securities came on the market.
It would be a proof that my father had not sold them and
that he had no view to personal profit when he took them.
I came down to Sussex with the intention of seeing the captain,
but it was at this moment that his terrible death occurred.
I read at the inquest a description of his cabin, in
which it stated that the old logbooks of his vessel were
preserved in it. It struck me that if I could see
what occurred in the month of August 1883 on board, the sea
unicorn, I might settle the mystery of my father's fate.
I tried last night to get it. Logbooks, but was unable to open
the door tonight. I tried again and succeeded but
I find that the pages which deal with that month have been torn
from the book. It was that moment.
I found myself a prisoner in your hands.
Is that all asked Hopkins? Yes, that is all his eyes
shifted. As he said, you have nothing
else to tell us he hesitated. No, there is nothing.
You have not been here before last night.
No, then how do you account for that?
Cried Hopkins, as he held up the damning notebook with the
initials of our prisoner on the first leaf and the blood stain
on the cover. The Wretched Man collapsed.
He sank his face in his hands and trembled all over.
Where did you get it? He groaned.
I didn't know. I thought I'd lost it at the
hotel. That's enough said, Hopkins
sternly whatever else you have to say.
You must say it in court. You'll walk down with me now to
the police station. Well, mr.
Holmes. I am very much obliged to you
and to your friend for coming down to help me as it turns out.
Your presence was unnecessary and I would have brought the
case to this successful issue without you.
But nonetheless I am grateful rooms have been reserved for you
at the brahmos hotel so we can all walk down to the Village.
Gather well Watson, what do you think of it asked Holmes as we
travelled back next morning? I can see that you're not
satisfied. Oh, yes, my dear Watson.
I am perfectly satisfied. At the same time.
Stanley Hopkins is methods. Do not commend themselves to me.
I am disappointed in Stanley Hopkins.
I had hoped for better. Things from him.
One should always look for a possible alternative and provide
against it. It is the first rule of criminal
investigation. What then is the alternative?
The line of Investigation which I have myself been pursuing.
It may give us nothing. I cannot tell but at least I
shall follow it to the end. Several letters were waiting for
Homes at Baker Street. He snatched one of them opened
it and burst out into a triumphant chuckle of laughter.
Excellent Watson, the alternative develops.
Have you Telegraph forms just write a couple of messages for
me. Some A shipping agent, Ratcliff
Highway, send three men on to arrive 10:00 tomorrow morning,
basil. That's my name in those parts.
And the other is inspector Stanley, Hopkins 46, Lord
Street, Brixton come breakfast, tomorrow, at 9:30.
Important wire if unable to come Sherlock, Holmes, there Watson.
This infernal case has haunted me for 10 days.
I hereby banish it completely from my presence.
Tomorrow, I trust that we shall hear the last of it forever.
Shop at the our named inspector Stanley, Hopkins appeared, and
we sat down together to the excellent breakfast, which mrs.
Hudson had prepared. The young detective was in High
Spirits at his success. You really think that your
solution must be correct? Asked Holmes.
I could not imagine a more complete case.
It did not seem to me. Conclusive, you astonish me.
Mr. Holmes, what more could one ask for?
Does your explanation cover? Every Point undoubtedly are find
that young neligan arrived at the brown, multi hotel in the
very day of the crime. He came on the pretense of
playing golf. His room was on the ground floor
and he could get out when he liked that very night.
He went down to the Woodman's, Lee saw Peter Carey at the hut,
quarrelled with him and killed him with a harpoon.
Then horrified by what he done. He fled out of the hut.
Dropping the notebook which he had brought with him.
In order to question Peter Carey about those different
Securities. You may have observed that some
of them were marked with ticks and the others, the great
majority were not those which are ticked have been traced on
the London Market, but the others presumably was still in
the possession of Carrie and young neligan.
According to his own account, was anxious to recover them in
order to do the right thing by his father's creditors.
After his Light. He did not dare to approach the
Hut again for some time. But at last, he forced himself
to do. So in order to obtain the
information, which he needed surely, that is all simple and
obvious, Holmes smiled, and shook his head.
It seems to me to have only one drawback Hopkins.
And that, is that it is intrinsically impossible.
Have you tried to drive a harpoon through a body?
No touched, my dear sir. You must really pay attention to
these details. My friend.
Watson could tell you that I spent a whole morning in that
exercise. It is no easy matter and
requires a strong and practiced arm, but this blow was delivered
with such violence that the head of the weapon sank.
Deep into the wall. Do you imagine that this anemic
youth was capable of? So frightful and assault.
Is he the man who hobnobbed in rum and water with black Peter
in the dead of the night? Was it his profile that was seen
on the blind two nights before? No, no Hopkins.
It is another and more formidable person for whom we
must seek. The detectives face have grown
longer and longer during homes, his speech.
His hopes and his Ambitions were all crumbling about him, but he
would not abandon his position without a struggle.
You can't deny that neligan, was present.
That night. Mr. Holmes.
The book will prove that I fancy that I have evidence enough to
satisfy a jury, even if you are able to pick a hole in it
besides. Mr. Holmes.
I've laid my hand upon my man, as to this terrible.
Us and of yours, where is he? I rather fancy that he is on the
stair. Said, Holmes, serenely.
I think Watson that you would do well to put that revolver where
you can reach it Heroes and later written paper upon a side
table. Now.
We are ready, said he, there had been some talking in Gruff voice
has outside and now mrs. Hudson opened the door to say
that there were three men inquiring for Captain basil.
Show them in one by one said Holmes.
The first two entered was a little Richton.
Pippin of a man with Ruddy cheeks and fluffy white
side-whiskers. Homes are drawn a letter from
his pocket. What name?
He asked James Lancaster. I'm sorry.
Lancaster, but the birth is full here is half a sovereign for
your trouble. Just step into this room and
wait, there for a few minutes. The second man was a long dried
up creature with lank hair and sallow cheeks.
His name was Hugh patents. He also received his dismissal
his half-sovereign and the order to wait.
The third applicant was a man of remarkable appearance, a fierce
Bulldog face was framed in a tangle of hair and beard and too
bold dark eyes gleamed behind the cover of thick tufted
overhung eyebrows. He saluted and Sailor fashion,
turning his cap around in his hands.
Your name asked Holmes, Patrick Cairns harpooner.
Yes, sir. 26 voyages Dundee. I suppose we are sir and ready
to start with an exploring ship. Yes, sir.
What wages eight pounds a month. Could you start at once as soon
as I get my kit? Have your papers?
Yes, sir. He took a Sheaf of Warren and
greasy forms from his pocket, Holmes glanced over them and
return them. You are just the man.
I want said he here's the agreement on the side table.
If you sign it, the whole matter will be settled.
The semen lurched across the room and took up the pain.
Shall I sign here? He asked stooping over the
table. Holmes leaned over his shoulder
and passed both hands over his neck.
This will do said he I heard a click of Steel and a Bellow,
like an enraged bull, the next instant Holmes, and the seamen
were rolling on the ground together.
He was a man of such gigantic strength that even with the
handcuffs which Holmes had so deftly.
Fastened upon his wrists. He would have very quickly
overpowered my friend had Hopkins and I not rushed to his
rescue. Only when I press the cold
muzzle of the revolver to his Temple.
Did he at last? Understand that resistance was
vain? We lashed his ankles with cord
and Rose breathless from the struggle.
I must really apologize. Hopkins said Sherlock Holmes.
I fear that the scrambled eggs are cold.
However, you will enjoy the rest of your breakfast, all the
better. Will you not for the thought
that you have brought your case to a triumphant conclusion?
Stanley, Hopkins was speechless with amazement.
I don't know what to say. Mr. Holmes.
He blurted out of last with a very red face.
It seems to me that I've been making a fool of myself from the
beginning. I understand.
Now, what I should never have forgotten that I am the pupil,
and you are the master. Even now I see what you've done,
but I don't know how you did it or what it signifies.
Well, well said, Holmes good-humouredly, we all learn by
experience and your lesson, this time is that you should never
lose sight of the alternative. You are.
So absorbed in young neligan, that you could not spare a
thought to Patrick Cairns the true murderer of Peter Carey.
The hoarse voice of the seamen broke in on our conversation.
See here. Mr. Said he?
I make no complaint of being manhandled in this fashion.
But I would have you call Things by their right names.
You say I murdered Peter Carey. I say I killed Peter Carey and
there's all the difference. Maybe, you don't believe what I
say. Maybe you think I'm just
slinging you all yarn. Not at all said, Holmes.
Let us hear what you have to say.
It soon told and by the Lord every word of its truth.
I knew black Peter and when he pulled out his knife, I whipped
up harpoons. Room sharp for I knew that it
was him or me. That's how he died.
You can call it murder. Anyway, I'd assumed I with a
rope around my neck as with black Peters knife in my heart.
How came you there asked Holmes? I'll tell you from the
beginning. Just sit me up a little.
So as I can speak easy. It was in 83 that had happened,
August of that year. Peter Carey was Master of the
sea unicorn and I was spare harpooner.
We were coming out of the ice pack on our way home with
headwinds and a week southerly Gail.
When we picked up a little craft at had been blown North, there
was one man on her. I'll answer.
Button, the crew had thought she would found her and made for the
Norwegian Coast in the dinghy. I guess they were all drowned.
Well, we took him on board and this man and he in the skipper
had some long talks in the cabin.
All the baggage. We took off with him was in one
tin box. So far as I know, the man's name
was never mentioned and on the second night.
He disappeared. As if he'd never been, it was
given out that he had either thrown himself overboard or
Fallen. The board in the heavy weather
that we were having only one man knew what had happened to him.
And that was me for with my own eyes.
I saw the skipper tip up his heels and put him over the rail,
in the middle. Watch of a dark night, two days
before we cited the Shetland lights.
Well, I kept my knowledge to myself and waited to see what
would come of it. When we got back to Scotland.
It was easily hushed up and nobody asked any questions.
A stranger died by accident and it was nobody's business to
inquire shortly after Peter Carey gave up the sea and it was
long years before I could find where he was.
I guessed that he had done the deed for the sake of what was in
that tin box and that he could afford now to pay me.
Well, for keeping my mouth, shut, I found out where he was
from a sailor man that had met him in London and down.
I went to squeeze him. The first night he was
reasonably enough and was ready to give me.
What would make me free of the sea for life.
We were to fix it all two nights later.
When I came I found him three parts drunk and in a vile temper
we sat down and we drank and we yarn about old times.
But the more he drank the less. I like the look on his face.
I spotted that Harpoon upon the wall and I thought I might need
it before. I was through then at last he
broke out of me spitting and cursing with murder in his eyes
and a great clasp knife in his hand.
He had not time to get it from the sheath before.
I had the Harpoon through him Heavens.
What a yell he gave and his face gets between me and my sleep.
I stood there with his blood splashing around me and I
waited. A bit but all was quiet.
So, I took heart. Once more.
I looked round and there was the tin box on the Shelf.
I had as much right to it as Peter Carey.
Anyhow, so I took it with me and left the Hut, like a fool.
I left my backe pouch upon the table.
Now, I'll tell you, the queer is part of the whole story.
I had hardly got outside the Hut.
When I heard someone coming and I hid among the bushes, a man
came slinking along went into the Hut, gave a cries.
If he'd seen a ghost and leged it, as hard as he could run,
until he was out of sight who he was, or what he wanted, is more
than I can tell. For my part.
I walked 10 miles. Got a train at Tunbridge Wells
and so reached London and no one the wiser.
Well, when I came to examine the box, I found there was no money
in it and nothing but papers that I would not dare to sell.
I had lost my, hold on, black Peter, and was stranded in
London without a shilling. It was only my trade left.
I saw these advertisements about harpooners and high wages.
So I went to the shipping agents and they sent me here.
That's all I know. And I say, again, that if I
killed black Peter, the law. Give me.
Thanks for I save them the price of a hemp and rope.
A very clear statement said, Holmes rising and lighting his
pipe. I think Hopkins that you should
lose no time in conveying your prisoner to a place of safety.
This room is not well adapted for a cell and mr.
Patrick Cairns occupies to larger proportion of our carpet.
Mr. Holmes said, Hopkins. I do not know how to express my
gratitude even. Now.
I don't understand how you obtain this result.
Simply by having the Good Fortune to get the right clue
from the beginning. It is very possible.
If I had known about this notebook.
It might have led away my thoughts as it did yours, but
all I heard pointed in the One Direction, the amazing strength,
the skill in the use of the Harpoon, the rum and water.
The sealskin tobacco pouch with the course.
Tobacco. All these pointed to a seaman
and one who had been away, Le I was convinced that the initials
PC upon the pouch were a coincidence.
And not, those of Peter Carey since he seldom smoked and no.
Pipe was found in his cabin. You remember that.
I asked whether whiskey and Brandy were in the cabin.
You said they were How many lands men are there?
Who would drink rum when they could get these other Spirits?
Yes. I was certain it was a seaman.
And how did you find him? My dear sir?
The problem had become a very simple one.
If it were a seaman, It could only be a seaman who had been
with him on the sea unicorn so far as I could learn.
He had sailed in no other ship. I spent three days in wiring to
Dundee and at the end of that time.
I'm I had ascertained the names of the crew of The Sea unicorn
in 1883. When I found Patrick Cairns
among the Harpoon has my research was nearing its end.
I argued that the man was probably in London and that he
would desire to leave the country for a time.
I therefore spent some Days in the East End, devised, an Arctic
Expedition put forth, tempting terms for harpooners who would
serve under Captain basil. And behold the result.
Wonderful tried Hopkins. Wonderful.
You must obtain the release of young neligan as soon as
possible said Holmes, I confess that I think you owe him some
apology the tin box must be returned to him.
But of course the security is which Peter Carey has sold are
lost forever. There's the cab Hopkins and you
can remove your man if you want me for the trial, my address and
that of Watson will be somewhere in Norway.
I'll send particulars later. End of the adventure of black
Peter.