"I will ask you to carry in two bundles of it.
I think it will be of the greatest assistance in producing the
witness whom I require. Thank you very much. I believe you
have some matches in your pocket, Watson. Now, Mr. Lestrade,
I will ask you all to accompany me to the top landing."
As I have said, there was a broad corridor there, which ran outside
three empty bedrooms. At one end of the corridor we were all
marshalled by Sherlock Holmes, the constables grinning and Lestrade
staring at my friend with amazement, expectation, and derision
chasing each other across his features. Holmes stood before us
with the air of a conjurer who is performing a trick.
"Would you kindly send one of your constables for two buckets
of water? Put the straw on the floor here, free from the wall
on either side. Now I think that we are all ready."
Lestrade's face had begun to grow red and angry.
"I don't know whether you are playing a game with us,
Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said he. "If you know anything,
you can surely say it without all this tomfoolery."
"I assure you, my good Lestrade, that I have an excellent reason
for everything that I do.
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