“Why Belport?”

“Because X proposes to move there, bag and baggage, this very week.”

“Before his house is done?”

“Yes.  He hates the city.  Wants to have an eye to the changes being made. 
Perhaps he thinks a little work of this kind may distract him.”

“And you?”

“Was a master carpenter once, you know.”

“I see.”

“And have a friend on the spot who promises to recommend me.”

“Are workmen wanted there?”

“A good one, very much.”

“I’m sure you’ll fill the bill.”

“I shall try to, sir.”

“But for the risk you run of being recognized, I should bet on you, Sweetwater.”

“I know; people will not forget the unfortunate shape of my nose.”

“You were up and down the museum for hours.  He must know your face like a book.”

“It can’t be helped, I shall keep out of sight as much as possible whenever he is around.  I am an expert workman in the line wanted.  I understand my trade, and he will see that I do and doubt his eyes rather than stretch probabilities to the point of connecting me with the Force.  Besides, I get quite another expression when my hands get in touch with the wood; and I can look a man in the eye, if I have to, without a quiver of self-consciousness.  His will drop before mine will.”

“Your name as carpenter?”

“Jacob Shott.  It’s the name by which Holmes already knows me.”

“Well, well, the game may be worth the candle.  You can soon tell.  I will keep you posted.”

The rest was business with which we need not concern ourselves.

BOOK III

STORM IN THE MOUNTAINS

XVI

FRIENDS

A shaded walk, with a glimpse of sea beyond, embowering trees, a stretch of lawn on one side, and on the other the dormer windows of a fine old house half hidden by scaffolding, from which there came now and then the quick strokes of a workman’s hammer.

It was half-past four, if the sharp little note of a cuckoo-clock, snapping out one, told the time correctly.

Two men are pacing this leafy retreat, both of whom we have seen before, but under circumstances so distracting that we took little note of their appearance, fine as it undoubtedly was in either case.  However, we are more at leisure now, and will pause for an instant to give you some idea of these two prominent men, with one of whom our story will henceforth have very much to do.