I engaged with old Smith, and was to give him a big sum if he got us safe to our ship.

He knew, no doubt, that there was some screw loose, but he was not in our secrets.

All this is the truth, and if I tell it to you, gentlemen, it is not to amuse you,--for you have not done me a very good turn,--but it is because I believe the best defence I can make is just to hold back nothing, but let all the world know how badly I have myself been served by Major Sholto, and how innocent I am of the death of his son." "A very remarkable account," said Sherlock Holmes.

"A fitting wind-up to an extremely interesting case.

There is nothing at all new to me in the latter part of your narrative, except that you brought your own rope.