�Holmes, you do not really agree with Lestrade�s explanation, do you?�
�Of course not.� he replied, �Lestrade will not be able to support his position in front of a jury. With a few simple questions a clever attorney could break his ridiculous hypothesis into pieces. For example, supposing the cook did it, how did he managed to poison only Sir Arthur? He could not guess which plate would be served to him and he could not dream on poisoning all the household. No, my dear Watson, this was done by someone else. Look what I found at the dinning hall.� From his pocket he drew a small capsule �The poison was contained in this. I picked it up while good Lestrade was telling us his adventures. Scotland Yarders are so blind in this situations, that they let pass a conclusive piece of evidence without giving it a second thought. There are still some traces of the toxin in here and I will like to examine it more carefully, so I will be busy for the next hour.�
He went to his chemical corner and sat in the acid stained table that stood purposely there. He tested the few particles he had in every imaginable way with his microscope and chemical components. When he finished he stood up and hastingly took his hat and scarf.
�Watson, I will return in a couple of hours. Wait for me and receive any telegrams that may come.�
�What about the case?� I inquired
�I have already solved it. By dinner time I will ascertain who my criminal is and by breakfast time we will have him down at Scotland Yard.�
Before I could say something, he had already closed the door behind him and was hurrying down the stairs towards the street. For the rest of the afternoon I uselessly tried to read some medical studies that I had just received, but the problem would not let me concentrate. I stood by the window turning the issue over and over again, but try as I might I could not make things clearer. Although Holmes had convinced me that it could not have been the cook, Lestrade�s hypothesis gradually became more and more feasible. As in response, a telegram sent by the inspector was brought for Holmes:
Will be there at six-thirty.
Lestrade
At six o� clock Holmes returned. �Watson, we are returning to Kingston. We will surprise our man in flagrante delicto. Are you armed?�
�I have my old army revolver. But wait a moment, surely you can now tell me who is behind this plot.�
�My dear fellow,� he replied �you are not of the patient type. No, Watson, I will not reveal this person�s name yet. I will give you a hint, how is that? Think, Watson, think! Who could have done without drawing too much light to his or her person?�
�You do not mean Lady Beatrice--�
�No, she is quite out of this.�
�By Jove! I think I can already see it. Holmes we must make haste!�
We arrived at the appointed time and were greeted by Lestrade and Richards.
�I hope this scheme of yours work, if not I will imprison that cook for the next fifteen years.� said the inspector.
�Now, Lestrade; leave that cook for a while and concentrate on what you will be doing.� Holmes said to Lestrade. Then he asked the butler: �Richards, have my orders been carried out exactly?�
�Yes sir, I have already contacted with the household and Sir Arthur has already been taken to the other wing of his house.�
�Well done Richards. You can return to your duties, we will take the matter in our hands now.�
The butler nodded and walked out of sight. �Now misters,� said Holmes �would you care to take a walk with me down to Sir Arthur�s residence?�
We arrived there fifteen minutes later taking care not to be seen. Holmes had already arranged access into the house and before we knew it, we were in Sir Arthur�s chamber. Holmes instructed us to conceal ourselves and be ready. That night�s vigil was not as lengthy as I had expected. Over the years Holmes and I had been in such situation almost a dozen times. I had already grown accustomed to it, but this time was different. Several minutes after it struck eleven, we heard something outside the window. Then it silently opened allowing entry to a dark figure. It drew nearer and nearer to the baronet�s empty bed. �What the--�.
�Over him!� ordered Holmes.
A struggle began. For the first moments we found that our combined strength was not enough to dominate our adversary. I was holding one of his arms and suddenly realized our danger. �Watch out,� I cried �he has a syringe!�. Two constables, that Lestrade had previously posted outside the door, came in to our aid. Thanks to them, we controlled him and the syringe fell to the floor.