The Valley of Fear (Sherlock Holmes 7)

"I don't doubt it, Mr. Holmes; but that is no business of ours."

"Is it not? Is it not? Breadth of view, my dear Mr. Mac, is one of theessentials of our profession. The interplay of ideas and the obliqueuses of knowledge are often of extraordinary interest. You will excusethese remarks from one who, though a mere connoisseur of crime, isstill rather older and perhaps more experienced than yourself."

"I'm the first to admit that," said the detective heartily. "You get toyour point, I admit; but you have such a deuced round-the-corner way ofdoing it."

"Well, well, I'll drop past history and get down to present-day facts.I called last night, as I have already said, at the Manor House. I didnot see either Barker or Mrs. Douglas. I saw no necessity to disturbthem; but I was pleased to hear that the lady was not visibly piningand that she had partaken of an excellent dinner. My visit wasspecially made to the good Mr. Ames, with whom I exchanged someamiabilities, which culminated in his allowing me, without reference toanyone else, to sit alone for a time in the study."

"What! With that?" I ejaculated.

"No, no, everything is now in order. You gave permission for that, Mr.Mac, as I am informed. The room was in its normal state, and in it Ipassed an instructive quarter of an hour."

"What were you doing?"

"Well, not to make a mystery of so simple a matter, I was looking forthe missing dumb-bell. It has always bulked rather large in my estimateof the case. I ended by finding it."

"Where?"

"Ah, there we come to the edge of the unexplored. Let me go a littlefurther, a very little further, and I will promise that you shall shareeverything that I know."

"Well, we're bound to take you on your own terms," said the inspector;"but when it comes to telling us to abandon the case--why in the nameof goodness should we abandon the case?"

"For the simple reason, my dear Mr. Mac, that you have not got thefirst idea what it is that you are investigating."

"We are investigating the murder of Mr. John Douglas of BirlstoneManor."

"Yes, yes, so you are. But don't trouble to trace the mysteriousgentleman upon the bicycle. I assure you that it won't help you."

"Then what do you suggest that we do?"

"I will tell you exactly what to do, if you will do it."

"Well, I'm bound to say I've always found you had reason behind allyour queer ways. I'll do what you advise."

"And you, Mr. White Mason?"

The country detective looked helplessly from one to the other. Holmesand his methods were new to him. "Well, if it is good enough for theinspector, it is good enough for me," he said at last.

"Capital!" said Holmes. "Well, then, I should recommend a nice, cheerycountry walk for both of you. They tell me that the views fromBirlstone Ridge over the Weald are very remarkable. No doubt lunchcould be got at some suitable hostelry; though my ignorance of thecountry prevents me from recommending one. In the evening, tired buthappy--"

"Man, this is getting past a joke!" cried MacDonald, rising angrilyfrom his chair.

"Well, well, spend the day as you like," said Holmes, patting himcheerfully upon the shoulder. "Do what you like and go where you will,but meet me here before dusk without fail--without fail, Mr. Mac."

"That sounds more like sanity."

"All of it was excellent advice; but I don't insist, so long as you arehere when I need you. But now, before we part, I want you to write anote to Mr. Barker."

"Well?"

"I'll dictate it, if you like. Ready?

"Dear Sir:

"It has struck me that it is our duty to drain the moat, in the hope that we may find some--"

"It's impossible," said the inspector. "I've made inquiry."

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