The Sofa 

A Detective Policeman’s Story

by Charles Dickens

“What young men will do, sometimes, to ruin themselves and break their friends hearts,” said Sergeant Dornton, “it’s surprising! I had a case at Saint Blank’s Hospital which was of this sort. A bad case, indeed, with a bad end!”

The Secretary, and the House-Surgeon, and the Treasurer, of Saint Blank’s Hospital, came to Scotland Yard to give information of numerous robberies having been committed on the students. The students could leave nothing in the pockets of their great-coats, while the great-coats were hanging at the hospital, but it was almost certain to be stolen. Property of various descriptions was constantly being lost; and the gentlemen were naturally uneasy about it, and anxious, for the credit of the institution, that the thief or thieves should be discovered. The case [was] entrusted to me, and I went to the Hospital.

“Now, gentlemen,” said I, after we had talked it over, “I understand this property is usually lost from one room.”

Yes, they said. It was.

“I should wish, if you please,” said I “to see that room.”

It was a good sized bare room down stairs, with a few tables and forms in it, and a row of pegs, all round, for hats and coats.

“Next, gentlemen,” said I, “do you suspect anybody?”

Yes, they said. They did suspect one of the porters.

“I should like,” said I, “to have that man pointed out to me, and have a little time to look after him.”

He was pointed out, and I looked after him, and then I went back to the Hospital, and said, “Now, gentlemen, it’s not the porter. He’s unfortunately for himself, a little too fond of drink, but he’s nothing worse. My suspicion is that these robberies are committed by one of the students; and if you’ll put me a sofa into that room where the pegs… Read More