Chapter 9 of the sign of the four by Sir, Arthur Conan Doyle.
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Chapter 9, a break in the chain. It was late in the afternoon
before I woke strengthened and refreshed Sherlock Holmes still
sat exactly as I had left him say that he had laid aside his
violin and was deep in a book. He looked across at me as I
stirred and I noticed that his face was dark and troubled.
You have slept soundly. He said I feared that our talk
would wake you I heard nothing. I answered have.
You had fresh news then unfortunately?
No I confess that, I'm surprised and disappointed.
I expected something definite by this time.
Wiggins has just been up to report.
He says that no Trace can be found at the launch.
It is a provoking check for every hour is of importance.
Can I do anything? I am perfectly fresh now and
quite ready for another night's outing.
Now we can do nothing, we can only wait.
If we go ourselves, the message might come in our absence And
Delay because you can do what you will but I must remain on
guard. Then I shall run over to
camberwell and call upon mrs. Cecil Forrester she asked me to
yesterday on. Mrs. Cecil Forrester asked
Holmes with the twinkle of a smile in his eyes.
Well of course Miss morstan to they were anxious to hear what
happened. I would not tell them too much
said, Holmes, women are never to be entirely trusted, not the
best of them. I did not pause to argue over
this atrocious sentiment. I should be back in an hour or
two. I remarked All right, good luck.
But I say, if you are crossing the river, you may as well
return. Toby for, I don't think it is at
all likely that we shall have any use for him.
Now, I took our Mongrel accordingly and left him
together with a half-sovereign at the old naturalist sin,
Pinchin Lane at camberwell. I found miss morstan a little
weary after her nights Adventures, but very eager to
hear the news. Mrs. Forrester to was full of
curiosity. I told them all we had done
suppressing. However, the more Dreadful parts
of the tragedy thus, although I spoke of mr.
Sholto's death. I said, nothing of the exact
Manner and method of it with all my emissions.
However, there was enough to startled and amazed them.
It is a romance Pride. Mrs. Forrester an injured lady,
half a million and treasure a black cannibal in the
wooden-legged Ruffian. They take the Case of the
conventional dragon, all Wicked Earl and to knight-errant to the
rescue added Miss morstan with a bright glance at me.
Why marry your fortune depends upon the issue of this search?
I don't think that you are nearly excited enough.
Just imagine what it must be to be so rich and have the world at
your feet. It sent a little thrill of joy
to my heart. To notice that she showed no
sign of elation at the prospect. On the contrary.
She gave a toss of her proud head as though the matter one in
which she took small interest. It is for mr.
Thaddeus sholto that I'm anxious.
She said, nothing else is of any consequence.
But I think that he has behaved most kindly and honorably
throughout, it is our duty to clear him of this Dreadful and
unfounded charge it was evening before I left camberwell and
quite dark. By the time I reached home my
companions book and pipe lay by his chair.
But he had disappeared. I looked about in the hope of
seeing a note, but there. None, I suppose that mr.
Sherlock Holmes has gone out. I said to mrs.
Hudson, and she came up to lower the blinds.
No, sir. He's gone to his room, sir.
Do you know, sir, singing a voice into an impressive?
Whisper, I'm afraid for his health.
Why so mrs. Hudson.
Well, is that strange sir after he was gone?
He walked and he walked up and down and up and down until I was
weary of the sound of his footstep.
Then I heard him talking to himself and much ring.
And every time the bell rang out, he came on the stair head
with what is that? Mrs. Hudson and now he's slammed
off to his room but I can hear him walking away the same as
ever. I hope he's not going to be ill
sir. I ventured to say something to
him about cooling medicine, but he turned on me.
So is such a look that I don't know.
However, I got out of the room. I don't think you have any cause
to be uneasy. Mrs. Hudson.
I answered, I've seen him like this before, yes.
Some small matter upon his mind, which makes him Restless.
I tried to speak likely to are worthy landlady, but I was
myself, somewhat uneasy went through the long night.
I still from time to time heard the dull sound of his tread and
knew how his Keen Spirit was chafing against this involuntary
in action. At breakfast time, he looked
worn and Haggard with a little Fleck of feverish color upon
either cheek. You're locking yourself up old
man. I remarked I heard you marching
about in the night. No, I could not sleep.
He answered this infernal problem is consuming me.
It is too much to be booked by so pity and obstacle when all
else have been overcome, I know the men, the launch everything,
and yet I can get no news. I have set other agencies at
work and used every means at my disposal.
The whole river has been searched on either side, but
there is no news nor has mrs. Smith heard of her husband, I
shall come to the conclusion soon that they have scuttled
crafts but there are objections to that Oh, that mrs.
Smith has put us on the wrong scent.
Now I think that may be dismissed.
I had inquiries made and there is a launch of that description.
Could it have gone up the river? I have considered that
possibility to and there is a search party who will work up as
far as Richmond if no news comes today.
I shall start off myself tomorrow and go for the men
rather than the boat. But surely surely we shall hear
something. We did not.
However, not a word came to us. Either from Wiggins or from the
other agencies, there were articles in most of the papers
upon the Norwood tragedy, All appeared to be rather hostile to
the unfortunate Thaddeus sholto no fresh details were to be
found. However, in any of them say that
an inquest was to be held upon the following day, I walked over
to camberwell in evening to report, our ill, success to the
ladies. And on my return, I found Holmes
dejected and somewhat morose. He would hardly reply to my
questions and busied himself all evening in an abstruse chemical
analysis which involved much Eating of retorts and Distilling
of vapors ending at last in a smell, which fairly drove me out
of the apartment up to the small hours of the morning.
I could hear the clinking of his test tubes, which told me that
he was still engaged in his malodorous experiment.
In the early Dawn, I woke with a start and was surprised to find
him standing by my bedside clad, in a rude, sailor dress with a
pea-jacket and a course, Red Scarf round his neck.
I'm off down the river. Watson said he, I have been
turning it over in my mind and I can see only one way out of it.
It is worth trying at all events.
Surely, I can come with you. Then said, I know you can be
much more useful. If you remain here as my
representative, I am loathe to go for.
It is quite on the cards, that some message may come during the
day. Wiggins was despondent about it.
Last night, I want you to open all notes and telegrams and to
act on your own judgment. If any news should come, can I
rely upon you? Most certainly, I am afraid that
you will not be able to wire to me for I Bobby tell yet where I
may find myself, if I am in luck.
However, I may not be gone. So very long, I shall have news
of some sort or other before I get back.
I had heard nothing of him by breakfast time, on opening the
standard. However, I found that there was
a fresh allusion to the business with reference to the upper
Norwood tragedy. It remarked.
We have reason to believe that the matter promises to be even
more complex and mysterious than was originally supposed fresh
evidence has shown that. It is quite impossible that mr.
Thaddeus sholto could have been in any way concerned in the
matter he and the housekeeper mrs.
Bernstone were both released yesterday evening.
It is believed, however, that the police have a clue as to the
real culprits and that it is being prosecuted.
By mr. Athelney Jones, of Scotland Yard
with all his well-known energy and suggest e further arrests.
May be expected at any moment. That is satisfactory so far as
it goes taut, I friend sholto is safe at any rate.
I wonder what the fresh clue maybe though.
It seems to be a stereotype form whenever the police have made a
blunder. I tossed a paper down upon the
table, but at that moment, my I caught an advertisement in the
agony column it ran in this way. Lost whereas Mordecai Smith
boatmen and his son. Jim left Smith's Wharf at or
about 3:00 last Tuesday Morning in the steam launch Aurora black
with two red stripes funnel, black with a white band.
The summer 5 pounds will be paid to anyone who can give
information to mrs. Smith at Smith's Wharf or at
221B Baker Street as to the whereabouts of the said,
Mordecai Smith and the lon Aurora.
This was clearly Holmes is doing the Baker Street address was
enough to prove that it struck me as rather ingenious because
it might be read by the fugitives without their seeing
in it more than the natural anxiety of a wife for her
missing husband. It was a long day every time
that a knock came to the door or a sharp step past in the street,
I imagine that it was either homes returning or an answer to
his advertisement. I tried to read but my thoughts
would They're off to our Strange Quest and to the ill-assorted
and villainous pair whom we were pursuing.
Could there be, I wondered some radical floor in my companions
reasoning? Might he be suffering from some
huge self-deception? Was it not possible?
That is Nimble and speculative mind had built up.
This wild Theory upon faulty premises I'd never known him to
be wrong. And yet, the keenest reasoning
May occasionally be deceived. He was likely, I thought to fall
into error through the over refinement of his logic, his
preference for a subtle and bizarre explanation.
When a planer and more commonplace one.
Lay ready to his hand? Yet, on the other hand, I had
myself seen the evidence and I had heard the reasons for his
deductions. When I look back on a long chain
of curious circumstances, Many of them trivial in themselves,
but all tending in the same direction.
I could not disguise from myself, that even if homes is
explanation were incorrect, the true theory must be equally,
Ultra and startling at 3:00 in the afternoon, there was a loud
peel at the bell and authoritative voice in the hall.
And to my surprise, no less a person, a mr.
Athelney Jones was shown up to me very different, was he
however, from the Bruce, And masterful professor of Common
Sense who had taken over the case.
So confidently at upper Norwood, his expression was downcast and
his bearing Meek and even apologetic Good day, sir.
Good day said, he mr. Sherlock Holmes.
He's out. I understand.
Yes, and I can't be sure when he'll be back, but perhaps you
would care to wait, take that chair.
And try one of these cigars Thank you, I don't mind if I do
said he mopping his face with a red bandana handkerchief and a
whiskey and soda. Well, half a glass, it is very
odd for the time of year and I have had a good deal to worry
and try me. You know, my theory about this
Norwood case, I remember that you expressed one.
Well, I've been obliged to reconsider it at my net drawn.
Tightly round, mr. Sholto sir.
When Pop, he went through a hole in the middle of it.
He was able to prove an alibi which could not be shaken from
the time that he left his brother's room, he was never out
of sight of someone or other so it could not be here.
You climbed over roofs and through trap doors it's a very
dark case and my Professional Credit is at stake I should be
very glad of a little assistance.
We all need help. Sometimes said I your friend mr.
Sherlock Holmes is a wonderful man.
Sir said he in a Husky and confidential voice.
He's a man who is not to be beat.
I've known that young man going to a good many cases, but I
never saw the case yet. He could not throw a light upon.
He's a regular in his methods and a little quick, perhaps in
jumping at series, but on the whole I think you would have
made a most promising officer and I don't care who knows it.
I've had a wire from him this morning by which, I understand
that he has got some clue to this sholto business.
Here is a message. He took the telegram out of his
pocket and handed it to me. It was dated, From Poplar at
12:00 go to Baker Street at once.
It said, if I have not returned wait for me, I am close on the
track of the sholto gang. You can come with us tonight if
you want to be in at the Finish. This sounds well, he's evidently
picked up the scent. Again said I oh, then he has
been at fault to exclaimed Jones with evident satisfaction.
Even the best of us are thrown off sometimes.
Of course, this may prove to be a false alarm but it is my duty
as an officer of the law to allow no chance to slip.
But there is someone at the door Perhaps it is he I have you step
with her, I just sending the stair with a great wheezing and
rattling as from a man who is solely.
Put to it for breath once or twice.
He stopped as though the climb were too much for him, but at
last he made his way to our door and entered his appearance.
Corresponded to the sounds, which we had heard.
He was an agent man, clad in seafaring Garb with an old P
jacket. Buttoned up to his throat.
His back was bowed, his knees were shaky and is breathing.
Thing was painfully asthmatic, as he leaned Upon A thick Oak
and cudgel, his shoulders heaved in the effort to draw the air
into his lungs. He had a colored scarf around
his chin and I could see little of his face.
Save a pair of keen dark eyes overhung by bushy, white brows
and long grey side-whiskers, all together, he gave me the
impression of a respectable Master Mariner, who had fallen
into years and poverty. What is it?
My man I asked he looked about him in the slow methodical
fashion of old age is mr. Sherlock Holmes here said he no
but I'm acting for him. You can tell me any message you
have for him. It was to him himself.
I was to tell it said he But I tell you that I'm acting for
him. It was it about Mordecai Smith,
boat? Yes, I know as well where he is
and I knows where the many is after our and I knows where the
treasure is. Hi knows all about it.
Then tell me and I shall let him know.
I was to him I was to tell it you repeated with a petulant.
Obstinacy of A Very Old Man. Well, you must wait for him.
No, no. I ain't going to lose a whole
day to please, no one. If mr.
Owns a near then, mr. Owns must find it all out for
himself. I don't care about the look of
either you and I won't tell a word.
He shuffled towards the door, but athelney Jones got in front
of him. Wait a bit, my friend said he,
you have important information and you must not walk off.
We shall keep you whether you like it or not until our friend
returns. The old man made a little run
towards the door, but as athelney Jones put his broad
back up against it. He recognized the uselessness of
resistance. Pretty sore treatment.
This he cried stamping, his stick, I come here to see it
gentlemen and you too, who I never saw in my life sees me and
treat me in this fashion. You will be none.
The worse. I said, we shall recompense you
for the loss of your time. Sit over here on the sofa and
you will not have long to wait. he came across sullenly, enough
and seated himself with his face resting on his hands Jones and I
resumed our cigars and our talk suddenly, however, homes, his
voice broke in upon us, I think that you might offer me a cigar
to. He said we both started in our
chairs. There was homes sitting close to
us with an air of quiet. Amusement homes.
I exclaimed you here but where's the old man?
Here is the old man said he holding out a heap of white hair
here. He is wig, whiskers eyebrows.
And all I thought my disguise was pretty good, but I hardly
expected that it would stand. That tests, are you Rogue?
Cried, Jones, highly delighted. You would have made an actor and
a rare one. You had the proper workout scoff
and those weak legs of yours are worth 10 pound a week.
I thought I knew the glint of your, I though you didn't get
away from us so easily, you see. I have been working in that
getup all day. Said he lighting a cigar.
You see a good many of the criminal classes begin to know
me especially since our friend here, took to publishing some of
my cases. So I can only go on the warpath
under some simple disguise, like this.
You got my wire? Yes, that was what brought me
here. How has your case prospered?
It has all come to nothing. I've had to release two of my
prisoners and there is no evidence against the other two,
never mind, which will give you two others in the place of them.
But you must put yourself under my orders.
You are welcome to all the official credit.
But you must act on the line that I point out is that agreed
entirely if you'll help me to the men.
Well, then, in the first place, I shall want a fast police.
And a steam launch to be at the Westminster stares at 7:00, Matt
is easily managed. There's always one about there,
but I can step across the road and telephone to make sure then
I shall want to stanch men in case of resistance, there will
be two or three in the boat. What else when we secure the
man? We shall get the treasure.
I think that it would be a pleasure to my friend here to
take the box round to the young lady to whom half of it
rightfully belongs. Let her be the first open it.
Hey Watson. It will be a great pleasure to
me. Rather an irregular proceeding
said Jones shaking his head. However, the whole Is it regular
when I suppose? He must wink at it.
The treasure must after was behind it.
Over to the authorities until after the official
investigation. Certainly that is easily managed
one other point. I should much like to have a few
details about this matter, from the lips of Jonathan small
himself. You know, I like to work the
detail of my cases out there is no objection to my having an
unofficial interview with him. Either here in my rooms or
elsewhere as long as he is efficiently guarded.
Well, you are Master of the situation.
I've had no proof yet of the existence of this Jonathan
small. However, if you can catch him, I
don't see how I can refuse. You an interview with him.
That is understood, then perfectly.
Is there anything else only that I insist upon your dining with
us, it will be ready in half an hour, I have Oysters and a brace
of grouse with something a little choice in white, wines
Watson. You've never yet recognized my
merits as a housekeeper. End of chapter 9.