Page 46 - The Noorwood Mistery

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Holmes held up a hand. l\gain!' said Holmes.
'You will understand, Inspector. Now could you please 'Fire!'
call your men?' l\nd again!'
It was obvious that Lestrade was not happy, but he left the 'Fire!' This time the shout was so loud that Lestrade
room and went to look for Sergeant Judd and the others. put his fingers in his ears. Just then a very strange thing
Five minutes later Holmes and Watson found Lestrade in happened: a secret door in the wall opened suddenly and a
the hall with his men. little man ran out.
'Sergeant Judd, you will find some hay in the timber yard. 'Here's your man, Inspector,' said Holmes with a laugh.
Could you please bring it into the house?' asked Holmes. 'Sergeant Judd, please put some water on the hay to put out
Judd looked at Lestrade, who nodded. He came back a few our little fire. Thank you. Inspector, this is Mr Jonas Oldacre,
minutes later with a bag of hay. the Norwood builder. I think we will learn that he also has
'This will help us to find our man,' said Holmes. 'Now, another name - Mr Cornelius.'
Watson, do you have any matches in your pocket?' Watson and the policemen looked long and hard at the
II Watson nodded.

'Then we are ready. Follow me, please.'
I The policemen followed Holmes and Watson as they climbed
the stairs to the top of the house. When they arrived,
Lestrade's face was very red.
'What are you doing, Mr Holmes?' he asked crossly. 'I hope
that this is not a joke.'
'You will not have to wait much longer, Inspector,' said
Holmes with a smile. " Could you please ask one of your men
(
to bring some wate :c_ from the bathroom?'
'Water! ' Lestrade replied. 'Mr Holmes, I really must . . . '
i
'Please, nspector.'
Lestrade thought for a long moment, but in the end sent
one of his men to the bathroom for water. When he returned,
Holmes opened a window and then asked Watson to light
the hay with a match. The hay caught fire immediately and
suddenly there was smoke everywhere.
'Now we will find our man, Lestrade,' said Holmes. 'Could
match you use
this to light a fire we all please shout "fire"? One, two, three . . . '
joke something Holmes, Watson and the four policemen all shouted 'fire!'
that you do to
make people laugh in loud voices.

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