Holmes! I said in low voice, what on earth are you doing in this den?
As low as you can, he answered; I have excellent ears. If you would be so kind to get rid of your friend Ill be very glad to have a little talk with you.
I have a cab outside.
Then please send him home in it. You may safely trust him, because he looks too weak to get in any trouble. I recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you wait outside, I will be with you in five minutes.
It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmess requests, for they were always very definite, and put forward
in such imperative manner. I felt, however, that when Whitney was put in the cab my mission was practically over; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better than to be together with my friend in one of those adventures, which were the normal condition of his existence. In a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitneys bill, led him out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a very short time a figure of the old man had appeared from the opium den, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Then, looking quickly round, he straightened himself out and burst into hearty laughter.
I was certainly surprised to find you there, I said.
But not more so than I to find you.
I came to find a friend.
And I to find an enemy.
An enemy?
Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the middle of a very remarkable inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clew in the mumbling of these dregs, as I have done before. If I were recognized in that den my life would not have been worth an hours purchase; for I have used it before for my own purposes, and the evil Lascar who runs it has sworn to have vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that building, near the corner of Pauls Wharf, which could tell some strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless nights.
What! Do you mean bodies?
Yes, bodies, Watson. We would be rich if we had 1000 pounds for every poor man who died in that den. It is the most dangerous murder-trap on the whole riverside, and Im afraid that Neville St. Clair has entered it to never leave it. But our cart should be here. He put his two fingers between his teeth and whistled a signal which was answered by a similar whistle from the distance, followed by the cart, that appeared out of the darkness.
Now, Watson, said Holmes Youll come with me, wont you?
If I can help you.
Oh, a trusty friend and a chronicler can always help. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one.
The Cedars?
Yes; that is Mr. St. Clairs house. I am staying there while I conduct the inquiry.
Where is it, then?
Near Lee, in Kent. Its seven miles away from here.
But I am all in the dark.
Of course you are. Youll know all about it presently. Jump up here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Heres half a crown. Wait for me tomorrow, about eleven. Goodbye, then!
Exercises
I. Note the use of the phrasal verb to. What other phrasal verbs withdo you know? Find a synonym for each verb in the second column.II. Fill the gaps with the words from the table. NB! Youll need one more phrasal verb with put. Take notice of the correct word order.
Isa Whineys wife couldnt with her husbands long absence, so she her black veil and headed for her old friends in order to ask for their advice. Dr. Watson and his wife Mary were not at all by this late visit, on the contrary, they were eager to help. This commission couldnt have been , so Watson had to go to the opium den, to find Isa and to his request to return home immediately. It is possible,
that Isa hadnt enough money to pay for the opium and Watson did it for him, but he is too modest to mention that.
III. Suggest your own examples of the use of the phrasal verbs with put.
IV. Read the phrases below. In what order do they appear in the chapter? Fill the following table.
a) Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What do you want to frighten me for?
b) As low as you can. I have excellent ears.
c) Then I should go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself.
d) I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!
e) We would be rich if we had 1000 pounds for every poor man who died in that den. It is the most dangerous murder-trap on the whole riverside, and Im afraid that Neville St. Clair has entered it to never leave it. But our cart should be here.