Part 2 of the naval treaty by Sir.
Arthur Conan Doyle. This LibriVox recording is in
the public domain part 2. It was 3:20 when we reached our
Terminus. And after a hasty, luncheon at
the buffet we pushed on at once to Scotland, Yard Holmes had
already wired to Forbes and we found him waiting to receive us
a small foxy man with a sharp. But by no means amiable
expression. He was decidedly frigid in his
manner to us, especially when he heard the errand upon, which we
had come. Although of your methods before
now. Mr. Holmes said he tartly,
you're ready enough to use all the information that the police
can lay at your disposal. And then you try to finish the
case yourself and bring discredit on him.
On the contrary said, Holmes out of my last 53 cases.
My name is only appeared in four and the police have had all the
credit in 49. I don't blame you for not
knowing this for you are young and inexperienced, but if you
wish to get on, in your new duties, You will work with me
and not against me. I'll be very glad of ain't all
to said the detective, changing his manner.
I've certainly had no credit from the case so far.
What steps have you taken Tangy? The commissionaire has been
shadowed. He left the guards with a good
character and we can find nothing against him.
His wife is a bad lot though. I fancy.
She knows more about this than appears.
Have you shadowed her? We have set one of our women on
to her. This is Tangy drinks.
And our woman has been with her twice when she was well on which
she could get nothing out of her.
I understand that they have brokers in the house.
Yes, but they were paid off. Where did the money come from?
That was? All right.
His pension was do have not shown any sign of being in
funds. What explanation did she give of
having answered the Bell when mr.
Phelps rang for the coffee? She said, that her husband was
very tired and she wished to relieve him.
Well, certainly that would agree with his being found a little
later. Asleep, in his chair.
There is nothing against them then.
But the woman's character. Did you ask her?
Why she hurried away that night, her haste, attracted the
attention of the police Constable.
She was later than usual and wanted to get home.
Did you point out to her that you and mr.
Phelps. Who started at least 20 minutes
after her got home before her? She explains that by the
difference between a bus and a handsome.
Did she make it? Clear, why on reaching her
house? She ran into the back kitchen
because she had the money there with which to pay off the
brokers. She has at least an answer for
everything. Did you ask her?
Whether in leaving? She met anyone, or saw anyone
loitering about Charles Street? She saw no one.
But the constable. Well, you seem to have
cross-examined her pretty thoroughly.
What else have you done? The Clark?
Goro has been shadowed, all these nine weeks, but without
result, we can show nothing against him, anything else.
Well, we have nothing else to go up on.
No evidence of any kind. Have you formed a theory about
how that bell rang? Well, I must confess that it
beats me. It was a cool and whoever it was
to go and give the alarm like that.
Yes. It was a queer thing to do.
Many, thanks to you for what you've told me, if I can put the
man into your hands. You shall hear from me.
Come along Watson where we going to.
Now I asked as we left the office.
We are now going to interview, Lord holdhurst, the cabinet
minister and future premiere of England.
We were fortunate in finding that Lord holdhurst was still in
his Chambers in Downing Street, and on homes, sending in his
card. We were instantly shown up the
Statesmen received us with that. Old-fashioned courtesy for,
which he is remarkable and seated us on the, to luxuriant
lounges on either side of the fireplace standing on the rug
between us with his slight tall figure.
His sharp features thoughtful face and curling hair
prematurely tinged with gray. He seemed to represent that not
too common type and nobleman who is in truth.
Noble or name is very familiar to me.
Mr. Holmes said he smiling. And of course, I cannot pretend
to be ignorant of the object of your visit.
There has only been one occurrence in these offices,
which could call for your attention.
In whose interest are you acting?
May? I ask in that of mr.
Percy, Phelps answered Holmes. Ah, my unfortunate nephew.
You can understand that our kinship makes it the more
impossible for me to screen him in any way.
I fear that the incident must have a very prejudicial effect
upon his career, but if the document is found, That of
course, would be different. I had one or two questions,
which I wish to ask you Lord holdhurst.
I shall be happy to give you any information in my power.
Was it in this room that you gave your instructions as to the
copying of the document? It was, then you could hardly
have been overheard. It is out of the question.
Did you ever mention to anyone that it was your intention to
give anyone the treaty to be copied?
Never you are certain of that. Absolutely.
Well, since you never said, so and mr.
Phelps never said, so, and nobody else knew anything of the
matter. Then the thief's presence in the
room was purely accidental. He saw his chance and he took it
the Statesman smiled. You take me out of my Province.
There said he, Holmes considered for a moment.
There is another very important point which I wish to discuss
with. You said he you feared as I
understand, very grave results might follow from the details of
this treaty becoming known as Shadow passed over the
expressive face of the Statesman, very grave results.
Indeed. And have they occurred?
Not yet. If the treaty had reached, let
us say the French or Russian foreign.
As you would expect to hear of it, I should said, Lord,
holdhurst with a wry face since nearly 10 weeks have elapsed
then and nothing has been heard. It is not unfair to suppose that
for some reason the treaty has not reached them.
Lord holdhurst Shrugged, his shoulders.
We can hardly suppose. Mr. Holmes, that the thief took
the treaty in order to frame it and hang it up.
Perhaps he's waiting for a better price, if he waits a
little longer, he will get no price at all.
The treaty will cease to be secret in a few months.
That is most important said, Holmes.
Of course, it is a possible supposition that the thief has
had a sudden illness an attack of brain-fever.
For example, a Statesman flashing, a swift glance at him.
I did not say so said Holmes imperturbably.
And now Lord holdhurst, we have already taken up too much of
your valuable time and we shall wish you good day.
Every success to your investigation, be the Criminal,
Who It May answer the nobleman. As he bowed us out the door.
He's a fine. Fellow said, Holmes, as we came
out into Whitehall, but he has a struggle to keep up his
position. He is far from Rich and has many
cause you noticed, of course, that his boots had been resold
now. Watson, I won't detain you from
your legitimate work. Any longer I shall do nothing
more today. Unless I have an answer to my
cab advertisement, but I should be extremely obliged to you.
If you would come down with me to woking tomorrow by the same
train, which we took yesterday. Today.
I met him accordingly. Next morning, and we travel down
to working together. He had had no answer to his
advertisement. He said, and no fresh Light had
been thrown upon the case. He had when he so willed it.
The utter immobility of countenance of a red Indian and
I could not gather from his appearance, whether he was
satisfied or not with the position of the case.
His conversation. I remember was about the Betty
Long system of measurements and he expressed his enthusiastic
admiration of the French savant. We found our client still under
the charge of his devoted nurse, but looking considerably better
than before. He rose from the sofa and
greeted us without difficulty. When we entered any news.
He asked eagerly my report as I expected is a negative.
One said, Holmes. I have seen Forbes and I've seen
your uncle and I have set one or two trains of inquiry upon foot,
which may lead to something. You have not lost heart, then by
no means, God bless you for saying that cried Miss Harrison.
If we keep our courage and our patients the truth must come
out. We have more to tell you than
you have for us said, Phelps reseating himself upon the
couch. I hoped you might have
something. Yes.
We've had an adventure during the night and one which might
have proved to be a serious one. His expression grew very grave,
as he spoke and the look of something akin to fear, sprang
up in his eyes. Do you know?
Said he. But I begin to believe that I am
the unconscious Center of some monstrous conspiracy and that my
life is aimed at as well as my honor.
Ah, cried Holmes. It sounds incredible for I have
not as far as I know an enemy in the world yet from last night's
experience. I can come to.
No other conclusion. Pray.
Let me hear it. You must know that last night
was a very first night that I've ever slept without a nurse in
the room. I was so much better that I
thought I could dispense with one.
I had a nightlight burning. However, well about two in the
morning. I had sunk into a light sleep
when I was suddenly aroused by a slight noise.
It was like the sound which a mouse makes when it is knowing a
plank and I lay listening to it for some time under the
impression that it must come from that cause then it grew
louder and suddenly there came from the window, a sharp.
Alex Nick, I sat up in amazement, there could be no
doubt what the sounds were. Now, the first ones had been
caused by someone forcing an instrument through the slit
between the sashes and the second by the catch being
pressed back. There was a pause then for about
10 minutes as if the person were waiting to see whether the noise
had awakened me. Then I heard a gentle creaking
as the window is very slowly opened.
I could stand it no longer for my nerves are not what they used
to be. I sprang out of bed and flung,
open the shutters. A man was crouching at the
window. I could see little of him for.
He was gone like a flash. He was wrapped in some sort of
cloak, which came across the lower part of his face.
Face one thing only, I am sure of and that is, he had some
weapon in his hand. It looked to me like a long
knife. I distinctly saw The Gleam of it
as he turned to run. This is most interesting said,
Holmes, pray. What did you do?
Then? I should have followed him
through the open window. If I had been stronger as it was
I rang the bell and Rouse the house.
It took me some little time for the bell rings in the kitchen.
And the servants, all asleep upstairs.
I shouted. However, and that brought Joseph
down, and he roused the others Joseph, and the groom found
marks on the bed outside the window, but the weather has been
so dry lately that they found it hopeless to follow the trail
across the grass. There's a place however, on the
wooden fence, which skirts the road, which shows signs.
They tell me as if someone had got over and had snapped the top
of the rail in doing. So I have said nothing to the
Cool police yet. For I thought I'd best have your
opinion first. This tale of our clients appear
to have an extraordinary effect upon Sherlock Holmes.
He rose from his chair and paced about the room in uncontrollable
excitement misfortunes. Never.
Come single said, Phelps smiling though.
It was evident that his Adventure had somewhat shaken
him. You have certainly had your
share said, Holmes. Do you think you could walk
around the house with me? Oh, yes.
I should like a little sunshine. Joseph will come to.
And I also said, Miss Harrison. I am afraid not said Holmes
shaking his head. I think I must ask you to remain
sitting exactly where you are, the young lady.
Resumed, her seat with an air of displeasure her brother.
However, had joined us and we set off all four together.
We passed around the lawn to the outside of the young diploma
tests window. There were as he had said marks
upon the bed, but they were hopelessly blurred and vague
homes stooped over them for an instant.
And then Rose shrugging his shoulders.
I don't think anyone could make much of this said, he let us go
around the house and see why this particular room was chosen
by the burglar. I should have thought those
larger Windows of the drawing-room and Groom would
have had more attractions for him.
They are more visible from the road suggested.
Mr. Joseph Harrison. Oh, yes, of course.
There is a door here, which he might have attempted.
What is it for? It is a side entrance for
tradespeople. Of course.
It is locked at night. Have you ever had an alarm like
this before? Never said our client?
Do you keep plate in the house or anything to attract burglars?
Nothing of value? Home strolled around the house
with his hands in his pockets and a negligent are which was
unusual with him. By the way, said he to Joseph
Harrison, you found some place. I understand where the fellow
scaled the fence. Let us have a look at it.
The plump young man led us to a spot where the top of one of the
wooden rails have been cracked a small fragment of the wood was
hanging down Holmes. Pulled it off and examined.
It critically. Do you think that was done last
night? It looks rather old does it?
Not well possibly so there are no marks of any one jumping down
upon the other side. Now I fancy we shall get no help
here. Let us go back to the bedroom
and talked the matter over. Percy Phelps was walking.
Very slowly leaning upon the arm of his future brother-in-law.
Holmes walked swiftly across the lawn and we were at the open
window of the bedroom long before the others came.
Miss Harrison said, Holmes speaking with the utmost
intensity of manner. You must stay where you are all
day. Let nothing prevents you from
staying, where you are all day. It is of the utmost importance.
Certainly if you wish it. Mr. Holmes said, the girl in
astonishment. When you go to bed, lock the
door of this room on the outside and keep the key promise to do
this, but Percy, he will come to London with us.
And am I to remain. Here it is for his sake.
You can serve him quick promise. She gave a quick nod of assent,
just as the other two came up. Why do you sit moping there?
Annie cried her brother come out into the sunshine.
No, thank you, Joseph. I have a slight headache.
And this room is deliciously. Cool.
And soothing. What do you propose now?
Mr. Holmes, asked, our client, well in investigating this minor
Affair. We must not lose sight of our
main inquiry. It will be a very great help to
me. If you would come up to London
with us at once. Well, as soon as you
conveniently can say, in an hour, I feel quite strong
enough. If I can really be of any help,
the greatest possible, perhaps you would like me to stay there
tonight. I was just going to propose it.
Then if my friend of the Night Comes to revisit me.
He will find the bird flown. We are all in your hands.
Mr. Holmes and you must tell us exactly what you would like
done. Perhaps you would prefer that
Joseph came with us. So as to look after me.
Oh, no, my friend Watson is a medical man, you know, and he'll
look after you, we'll have our lunch here.
If you will permit us and then we shall all three set off for
Town together. It was arranged as he suggested
though. Miss Harrison excused herself
from leaving the bedroom in accordance with Holmes is
suggestion. What the object of my friends
Maneuvers was. I could not conceive unless it
were to keep the lady away from Phelps who rejoiced by his
returning health and by the prospect of action lunched with
us in the dining room Holmes, had a still more startling
surprise for us. However, for after accompanying
us down to the station and seeing us into our carriage.
He called me announced that he had no intention of leaving
woking. There are one or two small
points, which I should desire to clear up.
Before I go said he, your absence.
Mr. Phelps will in some ways. Rather assist me Watson When You
Reach London, you would oblige Me by driving at once to Baker
Street with our friend here and remaining with him until I see
you again. It is fortunate that you are
old-school fellows as you must have much to talk over.
Mr. Phelps can have the spare bedroom tonight and I will be
with you in time for breakfast, for there is a train which will
take me into Waterloo at 8:00. But how about our investigation
in London asked Phelps? Ruefully, we can do that
tomorrow. I think that just at present.
I can be of more immediate use here.
You might tell them. It's briarbrae that I hope to be
back. Tomorrow night cried Phelps, as
we began to move from the platform.
I hardly expect to go back to briarbrae answered Holmes and
waved his hand to his cheerily as we shut out from the station.
Phelps, and I talked it over on our journey, but neither of us
could devise a satisfactory reason.
For this new development. I suppose he wants to find out
some clue as to the burglary last night.
If a burglar, it was for myself, I don't believe it was an
ordinary Thief. What is your own idea?
Then upon my word. You may put it down to my weak
nerves or not. But I believe there is some deep
political Intrigue going on around me and that for some
reason, Passes my understanding. My life is aimed at by the
conspirators. It sounds high-flown and absurd
but consider the facts. Why should a thief try to break
in at a bedroom window where there could be?
No, hope of any plunder? And why should he come with a
long knife in his hand? You're sure it was not a
housebreakers Jimmy. Oh, no, it was a knife.
I saw the flash of the blade quite distinctly.
But why on Earth should you be pursued with such animosity?
Ah, that is the question. Well, if homes takes the same
view that would account for his action.
Would it not presuming that? Your theory is correct, if he
can lay his hands upon the man who threatened you last night.
He'll have gone a long way toward finding who took the
naval treaty. It is absurd to suppose that you
had two enemies, one of whom Rob's you, while the other
threatened your life, but home said that he was not going to
briarbrae. I have known him for some time
said, I but I never know him to do anything yet without a very
good reason. And with that our conversation
drifted off on to other topics. But it was a weary day for me.
Phelps was still weak after his long illness and his Misfortune,
made him querulous and nervous in vain.
I endeavoured to interest him in Afghanistan, in India, in Social
questions in anything which might take his mind out of the
groove. He would always come back to his
lost treaty wondering, guessing speculating as to what Holmes
was doing. What steps Lord holdhurst was
taking what news we should have in the morning as the evening
wore on his excitement became quite painful.
You have implicit faith in Holmes.
He asked, I've seen him do some remarkable things, but he never
brought light into anything quite so dark as this.
Oh, yes. I have known him solve
questions, which presented fewer Clues than But not where such
large interests are at stake. I don't know that to my certain
knowledge. He has acted on behalf of three
of the reigning houses of Europe in very vital matters, but you
know him. Well Watson he is such an
inscrutable fellow that I never quite know what to make of him.
Do you think he is hopeful? Do you think he expects to make
a success of it? He has said nothing.
That is a bad sign. On the contrary.
I've noticed that when he is off the trail Heat.
Generally says, so it is when he's on a scent and is not quite
absolutely sure, yet, that it is the right, one that he is most
taciturn. Now, my dear fellow, we can't
help matters by making ourselves nervous about them.
So let me implore you to go to bed.
And so be fresh for whatever May await us tomorrow.
I was able at last to persuade my companion.
To take my advice, though. I knew from his excited manner
that there was not much hope of sleep for him.
Indeed. His mood was infectious for.
I lay tossing, half the night myself brooding over.
This strange problem and inventing a hundred series, Each
of which was more impossible than the last Wyatt.
Homes remained at woking. Why had he asked Miss Harrison
to remain in the sick room all day.
Why had he been so careful not to inform the people.
Briarbrae that he intended to remain near them.
I cudgelled my brains until I fell asleep in the Endeavor to
find some explanation which would cover all these facts.
It was 7:00. When I awoke, I set off at once
for Phelps has room to find him Haggard and spent after a
sleepless night. His first question was whether
Holmes had arrived yet. He'll be here.
When he promised said, I am not an instant sooner or later.
And my words were true for shortly after 8:00 a hansom,
dashed up to the door and our friend got out of it.
Standing. In the window.
We saw that, his left hand was swayed in a bandage and that his
face was very grim and pale. He entered the house, but it was
some little time before he came upstairs.
He looks like a beaten man cried Phelps.
I was forced to confess that he was right.
After all said I the glue of the matter lies probably here in
town. Phelps gave a groan.
I don't know how it is, said he, but I'd hope for so much from
his return. But surely his hand was not tied
up like that yesterday. What can be the matter?
You are not wounded homes. I asked, as my friend entered
the room touch. It is only a scratch through my
own clumsiness. He answered nodding, his good
mornings to us. This case of yours.
Mr. Phelps is certainly one of the darkest which I've ever
investigated. I feared that you would find it
Beyond you, it has been a most remarkable experience.
That bandage tells Adventures said, I won't you tell us what
has happened after breakfast. My dear Watson.
Remember that? I have breathed 30 miles of
sorry. Are this morning?
I suppose that there has been no answer from my cabman
advertisement. Well, well, we cannot expect to
score every time the table was all laid and just as I was about
to ring, mrs. Hudson entered with the tea and
coffee. A few minutes later, she brought
in three covers and we all Drew up to the table.
Holmes ravenous, I curious and Phelps in the gloomiest, state
of depression. Mrs. Hudson has risen to the
occasion said Holmes uncovering, a dish of curried chicken.
Her Cuisine is a little limited, but she has as good an idea of
breakfast, as a scotch woman. What have you here?
Watson have an egg's. I answered good.
What are you going to take? Mr. Phelps, courage, foul or
eggs, or will you help yourself? Thank you.
I can eat. Said Phelps.
Oh come try the dish before you. Thank you.
I would really rather not well then said Holmes with a
mischievous twinkle. I suppose that you have no
objection to helping me Phelps raise the cover and as he did.
So he uttered a scream and sat there staring with a face as
white as the plate upon, which he looked across the center of,
it was lying, a little cylinder of blue gray paper.
He caught it up, devoured, it. With his eyes and then danced,
madly about the room, pressing it to his bosom and shrieking
out in his Delight. Then he fell back into an
armchair, so limp and exhausted with his own emotions, but we
had to pour Brandy down his throat to keep him from fainting
there. There said, Holmes, soothing
patting him upon the shoulder. It was too bad to spring it on
you like this. But Watson here will tell you
that I never can resist a touch of the dramatic.
Phelps, seized his hand and kissed it.
God bless you. He cried you have saved my
honour. Well, my own was at stake, you
know, said Holmes. I assure you.
It is just as hateful to me to fail in a case as it can be to
you to blunder over a commission Phelps thrust away.
The precious document into the innermost pocket of his coat.
I have not the heart to interrupt your breakfast, any
further and yet I am dying to know how you got it and where it
was. Sherlock Holmes, swallowed a cup
of coffee and turned his attention to the ham and eggs.
Then he rose lit, his pipe and settled himself down into his
chair. I'll tell you what I did first
and how I came to do it afterwards.
Said he after leaving you at the station.
I went for a Charming, walk through some admirable, SRI
scenery to have pretty little village called Ripley where I
had my tea at an inn and took the precaution of filling my
flask and of putting a paper of sandwiches in my pocket.
There, I remained until evening when I set off for walking again
and found myself in the high road outside briarbrae, just
after Sunset. Well, I waited until the road
was clear. It is never a very frequent one
at any time I fancy and then I clambered over the fence into
the grounds. Surely the gate was open
ejaculated Phelps. Yes, but I have a peculiar taste
in these matters. I chose the place where the
three fir trees stand and behind their screens.
I mean, I got over without the least chance of anyone in the
house being able to see me. I crouched down among the bushes
on the other side and crawled from one to the other witness to
distributable, state of my trouser knees.
Until I had reached the clump of rhododendrons just opposite to
your bedroom window there. I squatted down and awaited
developments. The blind was not down in your
room and I could see Miss Harrison sitting there reading
by the table. It was 10:15 when she closed her
book, fastened the shutters and retired.
I heard a shut the door and felt quite sure that she had turned
the key in the lock the key ejaculated Phelps.
Yes. I had given Miss Harrison
instructions to lock the door on the outside and take the key
with her when she went to bed. She carried out every one of my
injunctions to the letter and certainly without her
cooperation. You would not have that.
Put in your coat pocket, she departed then and the lights
went out and I was left squatting in the Rhododendron
bush. The night was fine, but still it
was a very weary vigil. Of course.
It has the sort of excitement about it that the Sportsman
feels when he lies beside the Watercourse and waits for the
big gain. It was very long though, almost,
as long Watson, as when you and I waited in that deadly room
when we looked into the little problem of the Speckled Band.
There was a church clock down at woking, which struck the
quarters, and I thought, more than once that, it had stopped
at last, however, about two in the morning.
I suddenly heard the gentle sound of a bolt being pushed
back and the creaking of a key. A moment later.
The servants door was opened and mr.
Joseph Harrison stepped out into the Moonlight Joseph.
Ejaculated Phelps. He was bareheaded but he had a
black coat thrown over his shoulder so that he could
conceal his face in an instant. If there were any alarm, He
Walked on tiptoe under the shadow of the wall.
And when he reached the window, he worked along bladed knife
through the Sash and pushed back the catch.
Then he flung open the window and putting his nice through the
crack in the shutters. He thrust the bar up and swung
them open. From where I lay, I had a
perfect view of the inside of the room and of every one of his
movements. He lit the two candles which
stood upon the mantelpiece and then he proceeded to turn back
the corner of the carpet in the neighborhood of the door.
Presently. He stopped and picked out a
square piece of board such as his usually left to enable
plumbers to get at the joints of the gas pipes.
This one covered. As a matter of fact, the T joint
which gives off the pipe which supplies the kitchen underneath.
Out of this hiding place. He drew that little cylinder of
paper, push down the board. Rearrange the carpet blew out,
the candles and walked straight into my arms.
As I stood, waiting for him outside the window.
Well, he has rather more viciousness than I gave him
credit for as Master Joseph. He flew at me with his knife and
I had to grasp him twice and got a cut over the knuckles before I
had the upper hand of him. He looked murder out of the only
I could see with when we had finished.
But he listened to reason and gave up the papers having got
them. I let my man go but I wired full
particulars to Forbes this morning.
If he is quick enough to catch his bird well and good.
But if as I shrewdly suspect, he finds the nest empty before he
gets there. Why?
All the better for the government.
I fancy that Lord holdhurst 41 and mr.
Percy Phelps for another would very much rather that the affair
never got as far as a police Court.
My God, gasps star client. Do you tell me that during these
long ten weeks of Agony, the stolen papers were within the
Very Room with me all the time. So it was and Joseph Joseph, a
villain and a thief. Hmm.
I'm afraid. Joseph character is a Rather
deeper and more dangerous one than one might judge from his
appearance. From what I have heard from him
this morning. I gather that he has lost
heavily in dabbling with stocks and at, he's ready to do
anything on Earth to better his fortunes being an absolutely
selfish, man. When a chance presented itself.
He did not allow. Either his sister's happiness or
your reputation to hold his hand.
Percy Phelps sank back in his chair.
My head, whirls said he your words have dazed me the
principal difficulty in your case remarked Holmes in his
didactic fashion. Lay in the fact, they're being
too much evidence. What was vital was overlaid and
hidden by what was irrelevant of all the facts which were
presented to us. We had to pick just those which
we deem to be essential and then piece them together in their
order. So as to Construct, this very
remarkable chain of events. I had already begun to suspect
Joseph from the fact that you had intended to travel home with
him that night and that therefore, it was a likely
enough thing that he should call for.
You knowing the foreign office. Well, upon his way, when I heard
that someone had been so anxious to get into the bedroom in which
no one, but Joseph could have concealed anything.
You told us in your narrative, how you would turn Joseph out
when you arrive with the doctor. My suspicions all changed to
certainties, especially as the attempt was made on the first
night upon which the nurse was absent showing that the Intruder
was well, acquainted with the ways of the house.
How blind I have been the facts of the case.
As far as I have worked them out, are these this Joseph
Harrison entered the office through the Charles Street door
and knowing his way. He walked straight into your
room. The instant after you left it,
finding no one there. He promptly rang the bell and at
the instant that he did. So his eyes caught the paper
upon the table, a glance showed him, that chance had put in his
way, a state document of Immense value.
And in an instant, he had thrust it into his pocket and was gone.
A few minutes elapsed. As you remember before the
Sleepy commission, are Drew your attention to the bell.
And those were just enough to give the thief time to make his
Escape. He made his way to woking by the
first train and having examined his booty and assured himself.
That it really was of immense value.
He had concealed it in what he thought was a very safe place
with the intention of taking Out again in a day or two and
carrying it to the French Embassy or wherever he thought
that a long price was to be had then came your sudden return.
He without a moment's warning was bundled out of his room.
And from that time onward, there were always at least two of you
there to prevent him from regaining.
His treasure the situation to him must have been a maddening
one. But at last he thought he saw
his chance. He tried to steal in but was
baffled by your wakefulness. You remember that you did not
take your usual draft that night.
I remember. I fancy that he had taken steps
to make that draft efficacious and that he quite relied upon
you being unconscious. Of course, I understood that he
would repeat the attempt whenever it could be done with
safety. You're leaving the room gave him
the chance. He wanted.
I kept Miss Harrison in it all day, so that he might not
anticipate us. Then having given him, the idea
that the coast was clear. I kept guard as I've described.
I already knew that the papers were probably in the room, but I
had no desire to rip up all the planking and skirting in search
of them. I let him take them therefore
from The Hiding Place and so saved myself an Infinity of
trouble. Is there any other point, which
I can make clear? Why did he try the window on the
first occasion? I asked when he might have
entered by the door. In reaching the door, he would
have to pass seven. Bedrooms on the other hand.
He could get out on to the lawn with ease.
Anything else? You do not think asked Phelps
that he had any murderous intention.
The knife was only meant as a tool.
It may be so answered Holmes, shrugging his shoulders.
I can only say for certain that. Mr. Joseph Harrison is a
gentleman to whose Mercy I should be extremely unwilling to
trust. End of the naval treaty.