The particular house to which we were directed was a large, oldfashioned,Early Georgian edifice, with a flat brick face brokenonly by two deep bay windows on the ground floor. It was on thisground floor that our client lived, and, indeed, the low windowsproved to be the front of the huge room in which he spent hiswaking hours. Holmes pointed as we passed to the small brassplate which bore the curious name.
“Up some years, Watson,” he remarked, indicating its discolouredsurface. “It’s his real name, anyhow, and that is something to note.”
The house had a common stair, and there were a number ofnames painted in the hall, some indicating offices and some privatechambers. It was not a collection of residential flats, but ratherthe abode of Bohemian bachelors. Our client opened the doorfor us himself and apologized by saying that the woman in chargeleft at four o’clock. Mr. Nathan Garrideb proved to be a very tall,loose-jointed, round-backed person, gaunt and bald, some sixty-odd years of age. He had a cadaverous face, with the dull dead skinof a man to whom exercise was unknown. Large round spectaclesand a small projecting goat’s beard combined with his stoopingattitude to give him an expression of peering curiosity. The generaleffect, however, was amiable, though eccentric.
The room was as curious as its occupant. It looked like a smallmuseum. It was both broad and deep, with cupboards and cabinetsall round, crowded with specimens, geological and anatomical.
Cases of butterflies and moths flanked each side of the entrance. Alarge table in the centre was littered with all sorts of debris, whilethe tall brass tube of a powerful microscope bristled up amongthem. As I glanced round I was surprised at the universality ofthe man’s interests. Here was a case of ancient coins. There wasa cabinet of flint instruments. Behind his central table was alarge cupboard of fossil bones. Above was a line of plaster skullswith such names as “Neanderthal,” “ Heidelberg,” “Cro-Magnon”
printed beneath them. It was clear that he was a student of manysubjects. As he stood in front of us now, he held a piece of chamoisleather in his right hand with which he was polishing a coin.
“Syracusan—of the best period,” he explained, holding it up.
“They degenerated greatly towards the end. At their best I holdthem supreme, though some prefer the Alexandrian school. Youwill find a chair here, Mr. Holmes. Pray allow me to clear thesebones. And you, sir—ah, yes, Dr. Watson—if you would have thegoodness to put the Japanese vase to one side. You see roundme my little interests in life. My doctor lectures me about nevergoing out, but why should I go out when I have so much to holdme here? I can assure you that the adequate cataloguing of one ofthose cabinets would take me three good months.”
Holmes looked round him with curiosity.
“But do you tell me that you never go out?” he said.
“Now and again I drive down to Sotheby’s or Christie’s.
Otherwise I very seldom leave my room. I am not too strong,and my researches are very absorbing. But you can imagine, Mr.
Holmes, what a terrific shock—pleasant but terrific—it was forme when I heard of this unparalleled good fortune. It only needsone more Garrideb to complete the matter, and surely we canfind one. I had a brother, but he is dead, and female relatives aredisqualified. But there must surely be others in the world. I hadheard that you handled strange cases, and that was why I sentto you. Of course, this American gentleman is quite right, and Ishould have taken his advice first, but I acted for the best.”
“I think you acted very wisely indeed,” said Holmes. “But areyou really anxious to acquire an estate in America?”
“Certainly not, sir. Nothing would induce me to leave mycollection. But this gentleman has assured me that he will buy meout as soon as we have established our claim. Five million dollarswas the sum named. There are a dozen specimens in the marketat the present moment which fill gaps in my collection, and whichI am unable to purchase for want of a few hundred pounds. Justthink what I could do with five million dollars. Why, I have thenucleus of a national collection. I shall be the Hans Sloane of myage.”
His eyes gleamed behind his great spectacles. It was very clearthat no pains would be spared by Mr. Nathan Garrideb in findinga namesake.
“I merely called to make your acquaintance, and there is noreason why I should interrupt your studies,” said Holmes. “Iprefer to establish personal touch with those with whom I dobusiness. There are few questions I need ask, for I have your veryclear narrative in my pocket, and I filled up the blanks when thisAmerican gentleman called. I understand that up to this week youwere unaware of his existence.”
“That is so. He called last Tuesday.”
“Did he tell you of our interview to-day?”
“Yes, he came straight back to me. He had been very angry.”
“Why should he be angry?”
“He seemed to think it was some reflection on his honour. Buthe was quite cheerful again when he returned.”
“Did he suggest any course of action?”
“No, sir, he did not.”
“Has he had, or asked for, any money from you?”
“No, sir, never!”
“You see no possible object he has in view?”
“None, except what he states.”
“Did you tell him of our telephone appointment?”
“Yes, sir, I did.”
Holmes was lost in thought. I could see that he was puzzled.
“Have you any articles of great value in your collection?”
“No, sir. I am not a rich man. It is a good collection, but not avery valuable one.”
“You have no fear of burglars?”
“Not the least.”
“How long have you been in these rooms?”
“Nearly five years.”
Holmes’s cross-examination was interrupted by an imperativeknocking at the door. No sooner had our client unlatched it thanthe American lawyer burst excitedly into the room.
