A minute later we were both in the area. Hardly had we reachedthe dark shadows before the step of the policeman was heard inthe fog above. As its soft rhythm died away, Holmes set to workupon the lower door. I saw him stoop and strain until with a sharpcrash it flew open. We sprang through into the dark passage,closing the area door behind us. Holmes let the way up thecurving, uncarpeted stair. His little fan of yellow light shone upona low window.
“Here we are, Watson—this must be the one.” He threw it open,and as he did so there was a low, harsh murmur, growing steadilyinto a loud roar as a train dashed past us in the darkness. Holmesswept his light along the window-sill. It was thickly coated withsoot from the passing engines, but the black surface was blurredand rubbed in places.
“You can see where they rested the body. Halloa, Watson! whatis this? There can be no doubt that it is a blood mark.” He waspointing to faint discolourations along the woodwork of the window.
“Here it is on the stone of the stair also. The demonstration iscomplete. Let us stay here until a train stops.”
The Complete Sherlock Holmes
We had not long to wait. The very next train roared from thetunnel as before, but slowed in the open, and then, with a creakingof brakes, pulled up immediately beneath us. It was not four feetfrom the window-ledge to the roof of the carriages. Holmes softlyclosed the window.
“So far we are justified,” said he. “What do you think of it,Watson?”
“A masterpiece. You have never risen to a greater height.”
“I cannot agree with you there. From the moment that Iconceived the idea of the body being upon the roof, which surelywas not a very abstruse one, all the rest was inevitable. If it werenot for the grave interests involved the affair up to this pointwould be insignificant. Our difficulties are still before us. Butperhaps we may find something here which may help us.”
We had ascended the kitchen stair and entered the suite ofrooms upon the first floor. One was a dining-room, severelyfurnished and containing nothing of interest. A second was abedroom, which also drew blank. The remaining room appearedmore promising, and my companion settled down to a systematicexamination. It was littered with books and papers, and wasevidently used as a study. Swiftly and methodically Holmes turnedover the contents of drawer after drawer and cupboard aftercupboard, but no gleam of success came to brighten his austereface. At the end of an hour he was no further than when hestarted.
“The cunning dog has covered his tracks,” said he. “He has leftnothing to incriminate him. His dangerous correspondence hasbeen destroyed or removed. This is our last chance.”
It was a small tin cash-box which stood upon the writing-desk.
Holmes pried it open with his chisel. Several rolls of paper werewithin, covered with figures and calculations, without any note toshow to what they referred. The recurring words, “water pressure”
and “pressure to the square inch” suggested some possible relationto a submarine. Holmes tossed them all impatiently aside. Thereonly remained an envelope with some small newspaper slips insideit. He shook them out on the table, and at once I saw by his eagerface that his hopes had been raised.
“What’s this, Watson? Eh? What’s this? Record of a series ofmessages in the advertisements of a paper. Daily Telegraph agonycolumn by the print and paper. Right-hand top corner of a page.
No dates—but messages arrange themselves. This must be thefirst:
“Hoped to hear sooner. Terms agreed to. Write fully to addressgiven on card.
“Pierrot.
The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge 1165
“Next comes:
“Too complex for deion. Must have full report, Stuff awaitsyou when goods delivered.
“Pierrot.
“Then comes:
“Matter presses. Must withdraw offer unless contract completed.
Make appointment by letter. Will confirm by advertisement.
“Pierrot.
“Finally:
“Monday night after nine. Two taps. Only ourselves. Do not be sosuspicious. Payment in hard cash when goods delivered.
“Pierrot.
“A fairly complete record, Watson! If we could only get at theman at the other end!” He sat lost in thought, tapping his fingerson the table. Finally he sprang to his feet.
“Well, perhaps it won’t be so difficult, after all. There is nothingmore to be done here, Watson. I think we might drive round tothe offices of the Daily Telegraph, and so bring a good day’s workto a conclusion.”
Mycroft Holmes and Lestrade had come round by appointmentafter breakfast next day and Sherlock Holmes had recounted tothem our proceedings of the day before. The professional shookhis head over our confessed burglary.
“We can’t do these things in the force, Mr. Holmes,” said he. “Nowonder you get results that are beyond us. But some of these daysyou’ll go too far, and you’ll find yourself and your friend in trouble.”
“For England, home and beauty—eh, Watson? Martyrs on thealtar of our country. But what do you think of it, Mycroft?”
“Excellent, Sherlock! Admirable! But what use will you make ofit?”
Holmes picked up the Daily Telegraph which lay upon the table.
“Have you seen Pierrot’s advertisement to-day?”
“What? Another one?”
“Yes, here it is:
“To-night. Same hour. Same place. Two taps. Most vitally important.
Your own safety at stake.
“Pierrot.
“By George!” cried Lestrade. “If he answers that we’ve got him!”
“That was my idea when I put it in. I think if you could bothmake it convenient to come with us about eight o’clock to CaulfieldGardens we might possibly get a little nearer to a solution.”
