Published:
In The Strand in 1924, also appears in 'The Case-book of Sherlock Holmes'
Story code:
3GAR
Summary:
Sherlock Holmes is approached by a Mr Nathan Garrideb, a
British scholar and eccentric, who in turn has been contacted by
John Garrideb, an American who is on a mission to assemble three male
adults sharing the same peculiar surname in order to fulfill the
conditions of the last will and testament of a millionaire back in
Topeka, Kansas. However, the American turns out to be one,
'Killer' Evans, a gangster of some renown, who is out to lure the
reclusive Nathan Garrideb out of his flat in order to access
the hidden cellar beneath it (the former occupant of the flat was a
quite accomplished counterfeiter who hid his gear in the cellar).
Needless to say, Holmes discovers the truth and the criminal is
apprehended after a brief fight scene.
Review:
The plot gimmick of this story is almost identical to the one in
'The Red-headed League', but apart from that it is a quite nicely
executed story. Holmes does some pretty obvious
sleuthing, like asking the supposed American about a
fictional acquaintance from his home town to see if he will lie about
that (he does), and there is a little bit of suspense as well. There are
two other points of interest in this story; in the beginning it is
noted that Holmes has turned down the honor of knighthood as a
reward for his services to the Crown, and after the fight, where
Watson gets shot in the leg, we get a rare glimpse of Holmes' sincere
affection for his comrade.