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Sergeant Tuson, of the City
Police, was somewhat surprised, therefore to see a
gentleman with a carpet bag come down the steps at
twenty minutes past one. His suspicions being
aroused, the sergeant followed the man, and with the
aid of Constable Pollock succeeded, after a most
desperate resistance, in arresting him. It was at
once clear that a daring and gigantic robbery had been
committed. Nearly a hundred thousand pounds' worth of
American railway bonds, with a large amount of scrip
in mines and other companies, was discovered in the
bag. On examining the premises the body of the
unfortunate watchman was found doubled up and thrust
into the largest of the safes, where it would not have
been discovered until Monday morning had it not been
for the prompt action of Sergeant Tuson. The man's
skull had been shattered by a blow from a poker
delivered from behind. There could be no doubt that
Beddington had obtained entrance by pretending that he
had left something behind him, and having murdered the
watchman, rapidly rifled the large safe, and then made
off with his booty. His brother, who usually works
with him, has not appeared in this job as far as can
at present be ascertained, although the police are
making energetic inquiries as to his whereabouts."

"Well, we may save the police some little trouble in
that direction," said Holmes, glancing at the haggard
figure huddled up by the window. "Human nature is a
strange mixture, Watson. You see that even a villain
and murderer can inspire such affection that his
brother turns to suicide when he learns that his neck
is forfeited. However, we have no choice as to our
action. The doctor and I will remain on guard, Mr.
Pycroft, if you will have the kindness to step out for
the police."



Adventure IV


The "_Gloria Scott_"


"I have some papers here," said my friend Sherlock
Holmes, as we sat one winter's night on either side of
the fire, "which I really think, Watson, that it would
be worth your while to glance over. These are the
documents in the extraordinary case of the Gloria
Scott, and this is the message which struck Justice of
the Peace Trevor dead with horror when he read it."

He had picked from a drawer a little tarnished
cylinder, and, undoing the tape, he handed me a short
note scrawled upon a half-sheet of slate-gray paper.

"The supply of game for London is going steadily up,"
it ran. "Head-keeper Hudson, we believe, has been now
told to receive all orders for fly-paper and for
preservation of your hen-pheasant's life."

As I glanced up from reading this enigmatical message,
I saw Holmes chuckling at the expression upon my face.

"You look a little bewildered," said he.

"I cannot see how such a message as this could inspire
horror. It seems to me to be rather grotesque than
otherwise."

"Very likely. Yet the fact remains that the reader,
who was a fine, robust old man, was knocked clean down
by it as if it had been the butt end of a pistol.

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