Holmes stopped at this point and placed the great tome on the floor. “At this point we are on our own, for there is no longer an official record of either of these men. Somehow they must have made their way out of the Andamans to the mainland, probably as stowaways. Then, either by land or by sea, most likely the latter, they arrived in Europe. They chose to escape to America, and here let Inspector Vasquez pick up the thread.”
“What I say, of course, is at this moment is based on the available evidence, but may change as we talk. Let us see how far we can go . . .” continued the American detective.
“The two arrive in France, at the port of Marseilles, where one of them, possibly both, sneak aboard an American ship destined for New York and Baltimore. On the ship is one Gaetano Vetri, an Italian revolutionary disguised as a priest, Giovanni Agostini. He is one of three brothers on their way to the United States on different vessels to raise funds for Garibaldi’s army. Unfortunately for Garibaldi, Roberto is immediately killed and thrown overboard by Ranjit, who, bein’ roughly of the same stature and looks, replaces him immediately and becomes Padre Agostini. It bein’ the very beginnin’ of the voyage, Agostini is known to none. The number of passengers remains the same, the replacement is unnoticed. Ranjit, of course, is unaware at first that Agostini himself is in disguise. He befriends a wealthy New Mexican returnin’ home from a trip to Lourdes and Rome. He is one Carlos Romero, who offers Ranjit sanctuary in a distant place. It is a perfect place to hide for a time, even possibly for ever and to begin a new life without the danger of the British ever findin’ him. Agostini goes to New Mexico unaware that he was supposed to meet his brothers and engage in political activities for Italian unification. His companion, Sujat, accompanies him, but is rarely seen. He lurks in the shadows, his master’s faithful companion. The survivin’ brothers, of course, miss their compatriot and begin an inquiry. It takes them a long time to trace the priest, and they trace him to his lair, now called Hermit’s Peak. One of them, Roberto, gets there just as Agostini leaves. He follows him and finally catches up with him in Las Cruces. There Ranjit murders Vetri and does his second impersonation. In disguise as Roberto, he goes to New York, uses keys in Roberto’s clothes to get his money— almost fifty thousand dollars—and decides to create a new identity for himself. He must act quickly since he is only a step ahead of the Italian agents in America. He shaves his head close, removes his beard, and buys the most expensive clothes he can find, goes to London, and begins to move among the great of England. He establishes a new bank with his newly acquired wealth and the help of some interested business men. He is in the clear. No one know who he is. Only one man is looking for him: the third Italian brother, the one who lies dead today in London.”
“Or so it all seems,” said Holmes.
The discussion that followed lasted late into the evening, but it added nothing more. The guests left around eleven o’clock.
The following morning Lestrade issued a order for the arrest of the accomplice and murderer, Sujat, or A.I. 4, as we called him. He has yet to be apprehended.
Vasquez visited us frequently during his stay, and out of our many conversations a more detailed and correct version of events arose, as well as a deepening friendship between us. When he left, we thought that we had a complete account, which eventually, in written form, Holmes submitted to Lady Singh. Both Lady Singh and Holmes decided to keep the report secret, for Parliament had already decided to allow Sir Jaswant’s burial in Westminster. One day after his burial, Britain and the world were stunned to learn of the death of Queen Victoria.
“A bad week for our side,” said Holmes with a touch of irony.
“Indeed,” said I.
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