Georgian edifice, with a flat brick face broken only by two 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 its discoloured
surface. "It's his real name, anyhow, and that is something to note."
The house had a common stair, 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
four o'clock. Mr. Nathan Garrideb proved to be a very tall,
loose-jointed, round-backed person, gaunt and bald, some sixty-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 goat's 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
round, crowded with specimens, geological and anatomical. Cases of
butterflies and moths flanked each side of the entrance. A large
table in the centre 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 of
flint instruments. Behind his central table was a large cupboard of
fossil bones. Above was a line of plaster skulls with such names as
"Neanderthal," "Heidelberg," "Cro-Magnon" 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.
"Syracusan--of the best period," he explained, holding it up. "They
degenerated greatly towards the end. At their best I hold them
supreme, though some prefer the Alexandrian school. You will find a
chair here, Mr. Holmes. Pray allow me to clear these bones. And you,
sir--ah, yes, Dr. Watson--if you would have the goodness to put the
Japanese vase to one side. You see round me my little interests in
life. My doctor lectures me about never going out, but why should I
go out when I have so much to hold me here? I can assure you that the
adequate cataloguing of one of those cabinets would take me three
good months."
Holmes looked round him with curiosity.
"But do you tell me that you never go out?" he said.
"Now 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 researches are
very absorbing. But you can imagine, Mr. Holmes, what a terrific
shock--pleasant but terrific--it was for me when I heard of this
unparalleled good fortune. It only needs one more Garrideb to
complete the matter, and surely we can 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, sir. Nothing would induce me to leave my collection.
But this gentleman has assured me that he will buy me out as soon as
we have established our claim. Five million dollars was the sum
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. Just think what I could do
with five million dollars. Why, I have the nucleus of a national
collection. I shall be the Hans Sloane of my age."
His eyes gleamed behind his great spectacles. It was very clear that
no pains would be spared by Mr. Nathan Garrideb in finding a
namesake.
"I 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 filled up the blanks when this American gentleman
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 to-day?"
"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 honour. But he was
quite cheerful again when he returned."
"Did he suggest any course of action?"
"No, sir, he did not."
"Has he had, or asked for, any money from you?"
"No, sir, never!"
"You see no possible object he has in view?"
"None, except what he states."
"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."
"You have no fear of burglars?"
"Not the least."
"How long have you been in these rooms?"
"Nearly five years."
Holmes's 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 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, 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. Holmes 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!" gasped our host. "That makes our third man."
"I had opened up inquiries in Birmingham," said the American, "and my
agent there has sent me this advertisement from a local paper. We
must hustle and put the thing through. I have written to this man and
told him that you will see him in his office to-morrow afternoon at
four o'clock."
"You want me to see him?"
"What do you say, Mr. Holmes? Don't you think it would be wiser? Here
am I, a wandering American with a wonderful tale. Why should he
believe what I tell him? But you are a Britisher with solid
references, and he is bound to take notice of what you say. I would
go with you if you wished, but I have a very busy day to-morrow, 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 have figured out our connections. You
leave at twelve and should be there soon after two. Then you can be
back the same night. All you have to do is to see this man, explain
the matter, and get an affidavit of his existence. By the Lord!" he
added hotly, "considering I've come all the way from the centre of
America, it is surely little enough if you go a hundred miles in
order to put this matter through."
"Quite so," said Holmes. "I think what this gentleman says is very
true."
Mr. Nathan Garrideb shrugged his shoulders with a disconsolate air.
"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 you
have brought into my life."
"Then that is agreed," said Holmes, "and no doubt you will let me
have a report as soon as you can."
"I'll see to that," said the American. "Well," he added, looking at
his watch, "I'll have to get on. I'll call to-morrow, Mr. Nathan, and
see you off to Birmingham. Coming my way, Mr. Holmes? Well, then,
good-bye, and we may have good news for you to-morrow 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 shone with pleasure and his eyes gleamed from behind his
big glasses.
"I had always heard, sir, that you were a very intelligent man," said
he. "I could take you round now if you have the time."
"Unfortunately, I have not. But these specimens are so well labelled
and classified that they hardly need your personal explanation. If I
should be able to look in to-morrow, I presume that there would be no
objection to my glancing over them?"
"None at all. You are most welcome. The place will, of course, be
shut up, but Mrs. Saunders is in the basement up to four o'clock and
would let you in with her key."
Well, I happen to be clear to-morrow afternoon. If you would say a
word to Mrs. Saunders it would be quite in order. By the way, who is
your house-agent?"
Our client was amazed at the sudden question.
"Holloway and Steele, in the Edgware Road. But why?"
"I am 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, good-bye, Mr. Garrideb, and may you have
every success in your Birmingham journey."
The house-agent's 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 the tail we should see
to-morrow. Did you notice nothing curious about that advertisement?"
"I saw that the word 'plough' was misspelt."
"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. 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. To-morrow, Watson--well, to-morrow 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 fair 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, it is not the first we have shared, Holmes. 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, Counsellor at Law. He is none other than 'Killer' Evans, of
sinister and murderous reputation."
"I fear I am none the wiser."
"Ah, it is not part of your profession to carry about a portable
Newgate Calendar in your memory. I have been down to see friend
