"
"Well, I have been obliged to reconsider it. I had my net drawn
tightly round Mr. Sholto, sir, when pop he went through a hole in
the middle of it. He was able to prove an alibi which could not
be shaken. From the time that he left his brother's room he was
never out of sight of some one or other. So it could not be he
who climbed over roofs and through trap-doors. It's a very dark
case, and my professional credit is at stake. I should be very
glad of a little assistance."
"We all need help sometimes," said I.
"Your friend Mr. Sherlock Holmes is a wonderful man, sir," said
he, in a husky and confidential voice. "He's a man who is not to
be beat. I have known that young man go into a good many cases,
but I never saw the case yet that he could not throw a light
upon. He is irregular in his methods, and a little quick perhaps
in jumping at theories, but, on the whole, I think he would have
made a most promising officer, and I don't care who knows it. I
have had a wire from him this morning, by which I understand that
he has got some clue to this Sholto business. Here is the
message."
He took the telegram out of his pocket, and handed it to me. It
was dated from Poplar at twelve o'clock.
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