Holmes then laid the note aside and turned his attention to the tea.
Lestrad stopped by later that same day and over a whiskey told us that indeed there was no big fish among those he had netted.
“To a man,” he said, “they claim not to know the identity of the man who had hired them — said he was in disguise — things of that sort. Paid 'em well he did, though much good it will do them packed away in jail.”
When Lestrad departed, Holmes turned to me and said, “Watson, I do believe the inspector is mellowing. Not once did I hear him claim credit for our little adventure. By the way, old boy, it's such a fine evening and since we are among the newly rich, what say you to a fine meal at an expensive club — possibly the Palmerston?”
I quickly agreed and moments later we were strolling up Baker Street in the fine evening air. Somewhere in the distance, a train rumbled through the dark — its engine whistling at the stars.