Before retiring for the night, I employed a messenger to carry a note to Holmes regarding our intended visit. I included in it the full names of both Captain and Colonel Warburton, so that Holmes could check his index prior to the meeting.

The next morning, not finding any reply to my note, I felt sure that our visit would not be an inconvenience to Holmes. Captain Warburton, dressed very smartly, arrived at our house on time. During the cab ride to Baker Street, Warburton had little to say, having that reluctance to engage in conversation that is sometimes noticed in persons about to be interviewed by a potential employer.

On arriving, I enjoyed some pleasant and amusing recollections with Mrs. Hudson. Warburton and I were then announced, and hearing a sharp "Come up!", we ascended those steps so familiar to me, and so intimidating to Warburton. On entering the room, Warburton seemed to be very much awed by Holmes, whose firm handshake finally relieved some of his tension.

After introductions, Warburton did not need prompting to tell his story. I noticed that, although the same information was shared that I had already heard, there was no rambling or displays of emotion. Instead, there was a clarity in description that I had to admire. Meanwhile, Holmes leaned back, calmly listening to the story without interruption. Only when Warburton came to the part about the Colonel's excavations in the cellar, did Holmes lean forward and rub his hands together.

At the completion of Warburton's narrative, Holmes was not long in replying. "By its very nature, madness is difficult to define. If Colonel Warburton is touched by it, from your narrative it is evident that does not affect him all of the time. Even the strangest part of his behavior displays some intelligence. Nor would I dismiss the problem as only a personal animosity between a father and a son. No, you were wise to seek my advice. If the problem were only madness, you would have been wise to take it to Harley Street. But madness with method, and possibly intelligent purpose, might be appropriately taken to Baker Street."

As Holmes uttered the words "intelligent purpose", Warburton's mouth dropped open. When Holmes ceased speaking, Warburton asked, "How could excavating in one's cellar have any intelligent purpose in it?"

"I said 'possibly'. Ruins of buildings from the Roman occupation are scattered through much of Britain, and there were civilizations before that. If the Colonel's house in Sussex had been built over some previous ruins... Perhaps it is only madness. Still, there are some points of interest, such as letting the dog taste everything the Colonel is about to eat or drink. I would gladly conduct some inquiries concerning what you have described. Before commencing, however, I would want a doctor's opinion of the Colonel's physical state of health."

"I am most grateful for your willingness to help. Perhaps I could persuade my father to allow Dr. Watson to examine him. I could say that it is only to ease my own mind about the state of his health, which he claims is perfectly fine."

"Very well. If he refuses, do not assume that I would then have nothing to do with the problem, for it intrigues me. The grid of stakes and strings almost demands that the positions of objects being sought, if objects are being sought, would be recorded in a notebook. Otherwise, why have the grid? If you could find such a notebook, it might contain the very information needed to solve some of the Colonel's curious behavior."

At the conclusion of our meeting, I felt that if anyone could bring light into such darkness, it would be Sherlock Holmes.

Go to Part Four