"Well, when I came to examine the box I found there was no money
in it, and nothing but papers that I would not dare to sell.
I had lost my hold on Black Peter, and was stranded in London
without a shilling. There was only my trade left. I saw these
advertisements about harpooners and high wages, so I went to
the shipping agents, and they sent me here. That's all I know,
and I say again that if I killed Black Peter the law should give
me thanks, for I saved them the price of a hempen rope."
"A very clear statement," said Holmes, rising and lighting
his pipe. "I think, Hopkins, that you should lose no time
in conveying your prisoner to a place of safety. This room
is not well adapted for a cell, and Mr. Patrick Cairns occupies
too large a proportion of our carpet."
"Mr. Holmes," said Hopkins, "I do not know how to express
my gratitude. Even now I do not understand how you attained
this result."
"Simply by having the good fortune to get the right clue from
the beginning. It is very possible if I had known about this
note-book it might have led away my thoughts, as it did yours.
But all I heard pointed in the one direction.
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