Section 7 of the casebook of Sherlock Holmes by Sir, Arthur
Conan Doyle. This leg arm has recording may
be distributed and adapted freely for any purpose.
The adventure of the three garridebs It may have been a
comedy or it may have been a tragedy it cost one man.
His reason it cost me a bloodletting 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. I remember the date very well
for it was in the same month that Holmes refused A Knighthood
for services which may perhaps someday.
A be described, I only refer to the matter in passing for in my
position of partner and Confidant.
I am obliged to be particularly careful to avoid any
indiscretion. I repeat, however, that this
enables me to fix the date which was the latter end of June 1902
shortly. After the conclusion of the
South African War. Holmes had spent several days in
bed as was his habit from time. To time, but he emerged that
morning with a long foolscap document in his hand and a
twinkle of amusement in his austere gray eyes.
There is a chance for you to make some money friend.
Watson said, he have you ever heard the name of garrideb I
admitted that I had not. Well, if you can lay your hand
upon a, garrideb there's money in it.
Why? Ah, that's a long story.
Rather a Whimsical 12, I don't think in all our explorations.
Of human complexities. We have ever come upon anything
more singular. The fellow will be here,
presently for cross-examination. So I won't open the matter up
till he comes. But meanwhile, that's the name
we want. The telephone directory, lay on
the table beside me and I turned over the pages in a rather
hopeless Quest. But to my amazement there was
this strange name in its do place.
I gave a cry of Triumph. Hey you our homes, here it is.
Holmes took the book from my hand.
Garrideb n, he read 136 little Riders, Street West.
Sorry to disappoint you, my dear Watson but this is the man
himself that is the address upon his letter.
We want another to match him. Mrs. Hudson had come in with a
card upon a tray, I took it up and glanced at it.
Why? Here it is.
I cried in amazement this is a different initial John garrideb
counselor at law morville. Kansas USA.
A Holmes smiled. As he looked at the card, I am
afraid. You must make yet another
effort. Watson said, he this gentleman
is also in the plot already though.
I certainly did not expect to see him this 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 counselor at law
was a short powerful man with the round fresh clean shaven
face. Characteristic of so many
American men of Affairs. The general effect was chubby
and rather childlike so that one received the impression of quite
a young man with a broad set smile upon his face, his eyes.
However, were Sting seldom in any human head.
Have I seen a pair which bespoke a more intense inward life.
So bright were they? So alert.
So responsive to every change of thought his accent was American
but was not accompanied by any eccentricity of speech.
Mr. Holmes, he asked glancing from one to the other.
Yes, you're a pictures. Are not unlike you sir.
If I may say so, I believe you have had a letter from my
namesake mr. Nathan garrideb.
Have you not? Pray.
Sit down said, Sherlock Holmes. We shall I fancy have a good
deal to discuss. He took up his sheets of
foolscap. You are, of course, the mr.
John garrideb mentioned in this document, but surely you have
been in England? Some time.
Why do you say that mr. Holmes, I seem to read sudden
suspicion in those expressive eyes.
Your whole outfit is English, mr.
Garrideb, forced a laugh. I have read of your tricks.
Mr. Holmes. But I never thought I would be
the subject of them. Where do you read that?
The shoulder cut of your coat, the toes of your boots.
A could anyone doubt it? Well, I had no idea.
I was so obvious, a britisher, but business brought me over
here some time ago and so as you say, my outfit is nearly all
London. However, I guess your time is a
value and we did not meet to talk about the cut of my socks.
What about getting? Down to that paper, you hold in
your hand. Holmes had in some way ruffled
our visitor. Who's chubby face had assumed a
far less amiable expression. Patience.
Patience, mr. Garrideb said, my friend in a
soothing voice. Dr. Watson would tell you that.
These little digressions of mine, sometimes proving the end
to have some bearing on the matter.
But why did mr. Nathan garrideb, not come with
you. Why did he ever drag you into it
at all? I'll start visitor with a sudden
out flame of anger. What in Thunder I'm you to do
with it. Here was a better professional
business between two gentlemen and one of them must need call
in a detective, saw him this morning and he told me this pool
trick, he had played me and that's why I am here.
But I feel bad about it and all the same.
There was no reflection upon you or mr.
Garrideb, it was simply Zeal upon his part to gain your end,
an end, which is, I understand equally vital for both of you.
He knew that I had means of getting information and
therefore it was very natural that he should apply to me, our
visitors angry face gradually cleared well that puts a
different city when I went to see him this morning and he told
me he had sent to a detective, I just asked for your address and
came right away. I don't want police button into
a private matter, but if you were content just To help us
find the man. There can be no harm in that.
Well, that is just how it stands said Holmes.
And now sir, since you are here we had best have a clear account
from your own lips, my friend here knows nothing of the
details. Mr. Garrideb surveyed me with
not too friendly against need. He now he asked we usually work
together. Wow there's no reason it should
be kept a secret, I'll give you the facts as short as I can make
them. If you came from Kansas, I would
not need to explain to you. Who Alexander Hamilton garrideb.
Was he made his money in real estate and afterwards in the
wheat Pita chick ago, But he spent it in buying up as much
land as would make one of your account.
He's lying along the Arkansas. River West of Fort Dodge, it's
grazing land and lumber land and arable land and mineralized
land. And just every sort of land that
brings dollars to the man that owns it.
He had no kistner kin or if he had, I never heard of it, but it
took a kind of pride in the queerness of his name.
That was what Brought us together.
I was in the Lord Topeka and one day I had a visit from the old
man and he was tickled to death to meet.
Another man was his own name. It was his pet fat, and he was
dead set to find out. If there were any more garridebs
in the world find me, another said, he told him I was a busy
man and could not spend my life, Hawking around the world in
search of garridebs. It's nonetheless said he that is
just what you will do if things pan out as I planned them.
So I thought he was joking but there was a powerful lot of
meaning in the words as I was soon to discover for he died
within a year of saying them and he left a will behind him.
It was the clearest will that has ever been filed in the state
of Kansas. His property was divided into
three parts. So now I was to have one on
condition that I found two garridebs who would share the
remainder. It's five million dollars for
each if it is a cent but we can't lay a finger on it until
we all three stand in a row. It was so big a chance that I'll
just let my legal practice slide and I set forth looking for
garridebs, there is not one in the United States.
I went through it sir with a fun.
Into Tome and never a garrideb, could I catch then?
I tried the old country. Sure enough.
There was the name in the London telephone directory.
I went after him two days ago and explained the whole matter
to him but he is alone man like myself with some women relations
but no man, it says three adults men in the will so you see, we
still have a vacancy. See.
And if you can help to fill it, we will be very ready to pay
your charges. Well, Watson said, Holmes, with
a smile, I said it was rather Whimsical.
Did I not? I should have thought sir, that
your obvious way was to advertising the agony Columns of
the papers. I have done that.
Mr. Holmes. No replies.
Dear me. Well, it is certainly a most
curious, little problem. I made take a glance at it in my
leisure, but By the way, it is curious that you should have
come from Topeka. I used to have a correspondent.
He is dead now. Old dr.
Elias and a star who was marinating 90 good.
I'll Dr. Starr said our visitor his name is still honored.
Well mr. Holmes I suppose all we can do
is to report to you and let you know how we progress.
I and you will hear within a day or two.
With this assurance, our American bowed and departed.
Holmes had lit his pipe and he sat, for some time with a
curious smile upon his face. Well, I asked at last, I am
wondering what sun' just wondering at what Holmes took
his pipe from his lips. I was wondering what sun', what
on Earth could be the object of this man in telling us, such a
rip Merle of Lies? I nearly asked him.
So for there are times when I brutal frontal attack is the
best policy, but I judged it better to let him think he had
fooled us. Here is a man with an English
coat, frayed at the elbow and trousers, bagged at the knee
with a years were. And yet by this document and by
his own account, he is a provincial American lately.
Landed in I didn't, there have been no advertisements in the
agony columns, you know, that I miss nothing there.
They're my favorite cover for putting up a bird and I would
never have overlooked such a cock pheasant as that.
I never knew a doctor Lysander star of Topeka touch him.
Where you would, he was false. I think the fellow is really an
American, but he has Sworn his accent smooth with years of
London. What is his game then?
And what motive lies behind this Preposterous search for
garridebs. It's worth our attention for
granting. That the man is a rascal.
He is certainly a complex and ingenious one.
We must now find out if our other correspondent is a fraud.
Also just ring him up Watson. I did so.
And heard a thin, quavering voice at the other end of the
line. Yes.
I am mr.
Nathan garrideb, is mr. Holmes, there I should very much
like to have a word with mr. Holmes, my friend took the
instrument and I heard the usual syncopated dialogue.
Yes, he has been here. I understand that you don't know
him how long only two days. Yes yes of course.
It is a most captivating Prospect.
A will you be at home this evening?
I suppose your namesake will not be there.
Very good. We will come, then for I would
rather have a chat without him. Dr. Watson will come with me.
I understand from your note that you did not go out often.
Well we shall be round about six.
You need not mention it to the American lawyer.
Very good. Goodbye.
It was Twilight to the lovely spring evening and even Little
Rider Street, one of the smaller offshoots from the edgeware road
within a stone cast of old tyburn tree of evil memory.
Looked golden and wonderful in the slanting Rays of the Setting
Sun. The particular house to which we
were directed was a large old-fashioned.
Early Georgian edifice with a flat brick face broken only by
to deep bay windows on the ground floor. it was on this
ground floor that our client lived and indeed the low Windows
proved to be the front of the huge room in which he spent his
waking hours Holmes pointed as we passed to the small brass
plate, which bore the Curious name, Up some years Watson, he
remarked indicating, it's discolored surface, it's his
real name. Many ha.
And that is something to note the house had a common stare,
and there were a number of names painted in the hall.
Some indicating offices and some private Chambers.
It was not a collection of residential Flats, but rather
the Abode of Bohemian bachelors. Our client opened the door for
us himself and apologized by saying that the woman in charge
left at 4:00 mr. Nathan garrideb.
Proved to be a very tall. Loose-jointed round backed
person gaunt and bald some 60-odd years of age.
He had a cadaverous face with the dull dead skin of a man to
whom exercise was unknown. Large round spectacles and a
small projecting goats beard combined with his stooping
attitude to give him an expression of peering curiosity.
The general effect. However, was amiable though
eccentric, the room was as curious as its occupant, it
looked like a small Museum, it was both Broad and deep with
cupboards and cabinets, all around crowded with specimens
geological and anatomical. Cases of butterflies and moths
flanked each side of the entrance, a large table in the
center was littered with all sorts of debris.
While the tall brass tube of a powerful microscope, bristled
up, among them. As I glanced round, I was
surprised at the universality of the man's interests here was a
case of ancient coins. There was a cabinet to Flint
instruments behind his Central, table was a large cupboard of
fossil bones. Above was a line of plaster
skulls with such names as neandertal Heidelberg, Chrome
anyon, printed beneath them. It was clear that he was a
student of many subjects as he stood in front of us, now he
held a piece of Chamois leather in his right hand with which he
was polishing a coin. Sigh rikuson of the best period,
he explained holding it up the, a degenerated great blue towards
the end at their best. I hold them Supreme, though.
Some prefer the alexandrian school you will find a chair
here, mr. Holmes, allow me to clear these
bones and you sir. Yes Doctor Watson if you You
would have the goodness to put the Japanese vows to one side
and you'll see around me and my little interests in life.
My doctor lectures me about never going up.
But why should I go out when I have so much to hold me here?
I can assure you that the adequate cataloging of one of
those cabinets would take me three good months, Holmes looked
Found him with curiosity. But do you tell me that you
never go out? He said, no.
And again, I drive down to Sotheby's or Christie's,
otherwise, I very seldom. Leave my room.
I am not too strong and my research is a very absorbing but
you can imagine mr. Holmes, what a terrific shock
pleasant, but terrific. It was for me.
Me when I heard this, unparalleled Good Fortune.
It only needs one more garrideb to complete the matter and
surely we couldn't find one. I had a brother, but he is dead
and female relatives are disqualified, but there must
surely be others in the world. I had heard that, you handled
strange cases, and that was why I sent To you of course, this
American gentleman is quite right.
And I should have taken his advice first but I acted for the
best. I think you acted very wisely
indeed said Holmes but are you really anxious to acquire an
estate in America? Certainly not nothing would
induce me to leave my collection but this gentleman has assured
me that he will buy me out too soon as we have established our
claim 5 million dollars with the some named There are a dozen
specimens in the Market at the present moment, which fill gaps
in my collection and which I am unable to purchase for want of a
few hundred pounds. A just think what I could do
with five million dollars. Why I have the nucleus of a
National Collection, I shall be the hand Sloan of my age, his
eyes gleamed behind his great, spectacles it I was very clear
that no, pains would be spared by mr.
Nathan garrideb in finding a namesake, I am merely called to
make your acquaintance and there is no reason why I should
interrupt. Your studies said, Holmes, I
prefer to establish Personal Touch with those with whom I do
business. There are few questions I need
ask for. I have your very clear narrative
in my pocket and I have filled up the blanks.
When this American gentleman. Man called, I understand that up
to this week, you were unaware of his existence.
That is so he called last Tuesday.
Did he tell you of our interview today?
Yes, he came. Straight back to me.
He had been very angry. Why should he be angry?
He seemed to think it was some reflection on his honor, but he
was quite Awful again, when he returned, did he suggest any
course of action? No.
Sir. He did not has, he had asked for
any money from you. No sir.
Never see or see, no possible object.
He has in view, none. Except what he is stage?
Did you tell him of our telephone appointment?
Yes, sir. I did.
Holmes was lost in thought I could see that he was puzzled.
Have you any articles of Great Value in your collection?
No, sir. I am not a rich man.
It is a good collection but not a very valuable one.
Lll, have no fear of burglars. Not the least.
How long have you been in these rooms?
Nearly five years homes? His cross-examination was
interrupted by an imperative knocking at the door.
No. Sooner had our client, unlatched
it than the American lawyer. Burst excitedly into the room.
Here you are. He cried waving a paper over his
head. I thought I should be in time to
get here. You mr.
Nathan garrideb my congratulations.
You are a rich man. Sir, our business is happily
finished and all is well as to you mr.
Holmes. So we can only say, we are
sorry. If we have given you any useless
trouble, he handed over the paper to our client who stood
staring at a marked advertisement homes and I leaned
forward and read it over his shoulder.
This is how it ran. Howard garrideb, Constructor of
agricultural, Machinery, binders Reapers, Steam and hand, plows
drills, Harrows Farmers, carts buckboards, and all other
appliances estimates for Artesian Wells.
Apply, Grosvenor buildings, Aston glorious.
Gospel. Our host.
That makes our third man, I had opened up inquiries in Pam said,
the American and my agent. There has sent me this
advertisement from a local paper.
I've written to this man and told him that he will see him in
his office. Tomorrow afternoon at 4:00.
You want me to see him? What do you say, mr.
Holmes, don't you think it would be wiser here?
Am I wandering American with a wonderful tale?
Why should he believe what? I tell him about You are a
britisher with solid references and he is bound to take notice
of what you say, would go with you, if you wished.
But I have a very busy day tomorrow and I could always
follow you, if you are in any trouble.
Well, I have not made such a journey for years.
It is nothing. Mr. Garrideb, I figured out our
connections, you leave at 12 and should be there soon after.
To then you can be back the same night.
All you have to do is to see this man, explain the manner and
get an Affidavit of his existence by the Lord, he added
hotly. Considering I have come all the
way from the center of America. It is surely a little enough if
you go 100 miles in order to put this matter through quite so
said, Holmes. I think what this gentleman
says, it's very true. Mr. Nathan garrideb Shrugged,
his shoulders with a disconsolate are well, if you
insist I shall go said he it is certainly hard for me to refuse
you. Anything considering the glory
of hope that who have brought into my life.
Then that is a greed said Holmes and no doubt you will.
Let me have a report as soon as you can.
Our Cedar that said, the American Wow.
He added looking at his watch. I have to get on.
I'll call tomorrow, mr. Mason, and see you after
Birmingham coming my way, mr. Holmes.
Well then, goodbye. And we may have good news for
you tomorrow night. I noticed that my friend's face
cleared when the American left the room and the look of
thoughtful perplexity had vanished.
I wish I could look over your collection.
Mr. Garrideb said he in my profession, all sorts of odd
knowledge, comes useful. And this room of yours is a
storehouse of it. Our client shown with pleasure
and his eyes gleamed from behind his big glasses.
I had always heard that you were a very intelligent man said he,
I could take around now. If you have the time,
unfortunately, I have not but these specimens are so well,
labeled and classified that they hardly need your personal
explanation if I should be able to look in tomorrow.
I presume that there would be no objection to my glancing over
them, none at all. You are most welcome the place.
Well, of course, be shut up. But mrs.
Saunders is in the basement up to 4:00 and would let you in
with Key. Well, I happen to be clear
tomorrow afternoon, if you would sir word to mrs.
Saunders, it would be quite in order by the way, who is your
host agent? Our client was amazed at the
sudden question Hollow end still in the edgeware road but why?
And a bit of an archaeologist myself when it comes to houses
said Holmes laughing. I was wondering if this was
Queen Anne or Georgian Georgian Beyond doubt, really.
I should have thought a little earlier however it is easily
ascertained. Well goodbye mr.
Garrideb. And may you have every success
in your Birmingham Journey The house agents was close by but we
found that it was closed for the day so we made our way back to
Baker Street. It was not till after dinner
that Holmes reverted to the subject, our little problem
draws to a close said he no doubt you have outlined the
solution in your own mind. I can make neither head nor tail
of it. The head is surely clear enough
and Tail. We should see tomorrow.
Did you notice nothing? Curious.
About that advertisement. I saw that the word plow was
misspelled. Oh, you did.
Notice that. Did you come Watson, you improve
all the time? Yes, it was bad English.
But good American, the printer had set it up as received.
Then the buckboards that is American also and artesian wells
are commoner with them than with us.
It was a typical American advertisement but purporting to
be from an English firm. What do you make of that?
I can only suppose that this American lawyer, put it in
himself. But what his object was, I fail
to understand. Well, there are alternative,
explanations, anyhow. He wanted to get this.
Good old fossil up to Birmingham that is very clear.
I might have told him that he was clearly going on a wild
goose chase, but on second thoughts, it seemed better to
clear the Stage by letting him go tomorrow, Watson.
Well tomorrow will speak for itself.
Holmes was up and out early when he returned at lunchtime.
I noticed that his face was very grave.
This is a more serious matter than I had expected.
Watson said he it is there to tell you so though, I know, it
will only be an additional reason to you for running your
head into danger. I should know my Watson by now,
but there is danger and you should know it.
Well, Well it is not the first we have shared homes.
I hope it may not be the last, what is the particular danger
this time? We are up against a very hard
case. I have identified mr.
John garrideb counselor at law, he is none other than killer
Evans of sinister and murderous reputation.
I fear, I am none, the wiser. Oh, it is not part of your
profession to carry about a portable nougat calendar in your
memory. I have been done to see friend
lestrade at the yard. There, maybe an occasional want
of imaginative intuition down there but they lead the world
for thoroughness and Method. I had an idea that we might get
on the track of our American friend in their records.
Sure enough. I found his chubby face, smiling
up at me from the Rogues Portrait Gallery.
James winter. Alias moorcroft Alias, killer
Evans was the inscription below Holmes, Drew an envelope from
his pocket. I scribbled down a few points
from his dossier aged 44, native of Chicago known to have shops.
Three men in the state's escaped, from Penitentiary
through political influence, came to London in a 1893 shorter
man over cards in a nightclub in the Waterloo Road, in January,
1895 man died, but he was shown to have been the aggressor in
the Rara dead. Man was identified as Roger
Prescott famous says, forger and coiner in Chicago.
Killer Evans released in 1901 has been under police
supervision since. But so far as known has led an
honest. Life very dangerous man, usually
carries arms and is prepared to use them.
That is our bird Watson a sporting bird as you must admit.
That what is his game? Well, it begins to Define
itself. I have been to the house agents,
our client as he told us has been there five years.
It was unlit for a year before. Then the previous tenant was a
gentleman at large named Waldron Waldron is appearance was were
Remembered at the office. He had suddenly vanished and
nothing more. Being heard of him.
He was a Tall Bearded man with very dark features.
Now Prescott the man whom killer Evans had shot, was according to
Scotland Yard a tall dark man with a beard.
As a working hypothesis. I think we may take it that
Prescott. The American criminal used to
live in The Very Room, which I innocent friend.
Now devotes to his Museum. So at last we get a link, you
see and the next link well we must go now and look for that.
He took a revolver from the draw and handed it to me.
I have my old favorite with me, if our Wild West friend tries to
live up to his nickname, we must be ready for him.
I'll give you an hour for a siesta Watson and then I think
it will be time for our Riders Street Adventure.
It was just four o'clock when we reached the Curious apartment,
of, Nathan, garrideb mrs. Saunders.
The caretaker was about to leave, but she had no hesitation
in admitting us for the door shut with a spring lock and
Holmes promise to see that all was safe.
Before we left shortly afterwards, the outer door
closed her Bonnet past the bow window.
And we knew that we were alone in the lower floor of the house.
Holmes made a rapid examination of the premises.
There was one cupboard in a dark corner, which stood out a little
from the wall. It was behind this that we
eventually crouched while homes in a whisper outlined his
intentions. He wanted to get our amiable
friend out of his room. That is very clear and as The
Collector never went out, it took some planning to do it.
The whole of this garrideb invention was apparently for no
other end. I must say Watson that there is
a certain devilish Ingenuity about it.
Even if the queer name of the tenant did give him an opening.
Knowing that he could hardly have expected, he wove, his plot
was remarkable cunning, but what did he want?
Well, that is what we are here to find out.
It has nothing whatever to do with our client.
So far, as I can read the situation, it is something
connected with the man. He murdered the man who may have
been his Confederate in crime. There is some guilty secret in
the room, that is how I read it at first.
I thought our friend might have something in his collection more
valuable than he knew something worth the attention of a big
criminal, but the fact that Roger Prescott of evil memory
inhabited, these rooms points to some deeper reason.
Well, Watson we can but possess our souls in patience and see
what they are. May bring That I was not long in
Striking, we crouched closer in the shadow, as we heard, the
outer door, open, and shut, then came the sharp metallic snap of
a key, and the American was in the room, he closed the door,
softly behind him, took a sharp, glance around him to see that
all was safe. Threw off his overcoat and
walked up to the central table, with the brisk, manner of one,
who knows exactly what he has to do and how to do it.
He pushed the table to one side, tore up, the square of carpet on
which it rested rolled it to completely back.
And then drawing a Jamie from his inside pocket.
He knelt down and worked vigorously upon the floor
presently. We heard the sound of sliding
boards and an instant later, a square had opened in the planks.
Killer Evans struck a match litter stump of candle and
vanished from our view. Clearly I'm A moment had come
Holmes touched my wrist as a signal and together.
We stole across to the open trap door.
Gently as we moved. However, the old floor must have
creaked under our feet for the head of our American peering
anxiously round emerged suddenly from the open space.
His face turned upon us with a glare of baffled Rage which
gradually softened into a rather shamefaced grin as he realized
that too. Two Pistols were pointed at his
head. Wow.
Wow said he coolly as he scrambled to the surface, I
guess you have been one too many for me.
Mr. Holmes saw through my game I suppose and played me for a
sucker from the first. Well sir I hand it to you.
You have me beaten in an instant, he had whisked out a
revolver from his breast and had fired two shots.
I felt a sudden hot sear as if her red-hot iron, had been
pressed to my thigh there was a crash.
As Holmes's pistol came down on the man's head.
I had a vision of him sprawling upon the floor, with blood
running down his face while Holmes, rummaged him for
weapons, then my friends wiry arms were around me and he was
leading me to a chair. You're not hurt Watson for God's
sake, so that you are not hurt. It was worse a wound.
It was worse. Many wounds to know the depth of
loyalty and love, which lay behind that cold mask.
The clear hard eyes were dimmed for a moment and the firm lips
were shaking for the one. And only time I caught a glimpse
of a great heart as well as of a Great Brain, all my years of
humble but single-minded service culminated in that.
Moment of Revelation, it's nothing homes.
It's a mere scratch. He had ripped up my trousers
with his pocketknife. You are right.
He cried with an immense sigh of relief.
It is quite superficial his face set, Like Flint as he glared at
our prisoner who was sitting up with a dazed face.
By the Lord. It is well for you if you had
killed. What's, and you would not have
got out of this room alive. Now, sir, what have you to say
for yourself? He had nothing to say for
himself. He only sat and scowled I
leaned, on homes, his arm and together, we look down into the
small Cellar, which had been disclosed by the secret flap.
It was still illuminated by the candle.
Which Evans had taken down with him.
Our eyes fell upon a massive rusted, Machinery, great rolls
of paper, a litter of bottles and neatly arranged upon a small
table and number of neat little Bundles. our printing, press a
counterfeiters outfit said, Holmes, yes, sir said our
prisoner staggering slowly to his feet and then sinking into
the chair, the greatest Carla Federal London ever saw, that's
Prescott's machine and those bundles on the table are two
thousand of Prescott's notes, worth a hundred each and fit to
pass anywhere help Selves gentleman, call it a deal and
let me beat it. Holmes laughed.
We don't do things like that. Mr. Evans there is no boat over
for you in this country. You will shot this man.
Prescott, did you not? Yes, sir, and got five years for
it though. It was healed.
Pulled on me five years, when I should have had a metal, the
size of a soup plate. No living man, could tell a
press card from a bank of England and if I hadn't pulled
him out, he would have flooded London with them.
I was the only one in the world who knew where he made them.
Can you wonder that? I wanted to get to the place and
can you wonder that when I found this crazy boob of a bug Hunter
with the queer name squatting right on the top of it, to never
quitting his room, I had to do the best I could to shift him.
Maybe I would have been wiser. If I'd put him away, it would
have been easy enough. But I'm a soft-hearted guy that
can't begin shooting. Unless the other man has a gun
also, That's a mr. Holmes, what have I done?
Wrong? Many?
How I've not used this plant. I've not heard this old stiff.
Where do you get me? Only attempted murder so far as
I can see, said, Holmes. But that's not our job.
They take that at the next stage.
What we wanted at present was just your sweet self.
Please give the yard a call Watson, it won't be entirely
unexpected. So those were the facts about
killer Evans and his remarkable invention of the three
garridebs. We heard later that our poor old
friend. Never got over the shock of his
dissipated dreams. When his castle in the air fell
down, it buried him beneath the ruins.
He was last heard of at a nursing home in Brixton.
It was a glad day at the yard when the Prescott outfit was
discovered for though. They knew that it existed they
had never been able after the death of the man to find out
where it was Evans. Had indeed done great service
and caused several worthy. CID meant asleep to Sounder for
the counterfeiters stands in a Class by Himself as a public
danger. They would willingly have
subscribed to that soup plate, medal of which the criminal will
had spoken but an unappreciative bench took a less favorable View
and the killer returned to those Shades from which he had just
emerged. End of the adventure of the
three garridebs.