47054 The cabman had described a somewhat shorter man, but such an impression might easily have been erroneous.
47055 How could I settle the point for ever?
47056 Obviously the first thing to do was to see the Grimpen postmaster, and find whether the test telegram had really been placed in Barrymore's own hands.
47057 Be the answer what it might, I should at least have something to report to Sherlock Holmes.
47058 Sir Henry had numerous papers to examine after breakfast, so that the time was propitious for my excursion.
47059 It was a pleasant walk of four miles along the edge of the moor, leading me at last to a small grey hamlet, in which two larger buildings, which proved to be the inn and the house of Dr Mortimer, stood high above the rest.
47060 The postmaster, who was also the village grocer, had a clear recollection of the telegram.
47061 'Certainly, sir,' said he, 'I had the telegram delivered to Mr Barrymore exactly as directed.'
47062 'Who delivered it?'
47063 'My boy here.
47064 James, you delivered that telegram to Mr Barrymore at the Hall last week, did you not?'
47065 'Yes, father, I delivered it.'
47066 'Into his own hands?' I asked.
47067 'Well, he was up in the loft at the time, so that I could not put it into his own hands, but I gave it into Mrs Barrymore's hands, and she promised to deliver it at once.'