"
"Well, Watson, what do you think of it?" asked Holmes,
as we travelled back next morning.
"I can see that you are not satisfied."
"Oh, yes, my dear Watson, I am perfectly satisfied. At the same
time Stanley Hopkins's methods do not commend themselves to me.
I am disappointed in Stanley Hopkins. I had hoped for better
things from him. One should always look for a possible
alternative and provide against it. It is the first rule of
criminal investigation."
"What, then, is the alternative?"
"The line of investigation which I have myself been pursuing.
It may give us nothing. I cannot tell. But at least I shall
follow it to the end."
Several letters were waiting for Holmes at Baker Street.
He snatched one of them up, opened it, and burst out into
a triumphant chuckle of laughter.
"Excellent, Watson. The alternative develops. Have you
telegraph forms? Just write a couple of messages for me:
`Sumner, Shipping Agent, Ratcliff Highway. Send three men on,
to arrive ten to-morrow morning. -- Basil.' That's my name in
those parts. The other is: `Inspector Stanley Hopkins, 46,
Lord Street, Brixton.
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