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diff --git a/old/69700-h/69700-h.htm b/old/69700-h/69700-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 4935b5c..0000000 --- a/old/69700-h/69700-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,17558 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.1//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml11/DTD/xhtml11.dtd"> - -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en"> - -<head> - -<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /> - -<title> -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes, by Arthur Conan Doyle -</title> - -<style type="text/css"> -body { color: black; - background: white; - margin-right: 10%; - margin-left: 10%; - font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; - text-align: justify } - -p {text-indent: 4% } - -p.noindent {text-indent: 0% } - -p.t1 {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 200%; - text-align: center } - -p.t2 {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 150%; - text-align: center } - -p.t2b {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 150%; - font-weight: bold; - text-align: center } - -p.t3 {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 100%; - text-align: center } - -p.t3b {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 100%; - font-weight: bold; - text-align: center } - -p.t4 {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 80%; - text-align: center } - -p.t4b {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 80%; - font-weight: bold; - text-align: center } - -p.t5 {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 60%; - text-align: center } - -h1 { text-align: center } -h2 { text-align: center } -h3 { text-align: center } -h4 { text-align: center } -h5 { text-align: center } - -p.poem {text-indent: 0%; - margin-left: 10%; } - -p.thought {text-indent: 0% ; - letter-spacing: 4em ; - text-align: center } - -p.letter {text-indent: 0%; - margin-left: 10% ; - margin-right: 10% } - -p.footnote {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 80%; - margin-left: 10% ; - margin-right: 10% } - -p.transnote {text-indent: 0% ; - margin-left: 10% ; - margin-right: 10% } - -p.quote {text-indent: 4% ; - margin-left: 0% ; - margin-right: 0% } - -p.finis { font-size: larger ; - text-align: center ; - text-indent: 0% ; - margin-left: 0% ; - margin-right: 0% } - -</style> - -</head> - -<body> -<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The case-book of Sherlock Holmes, by Arthur Conan Doyle</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The case-book of Sherlock Holmes</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Arthur Conan Doyle</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: January 4, 2023 [eBook #69700]<br> -[Last updated: November 6, 2023]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Al Haines</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CASE-BOOK OF SHERLOCK HOLMES ***</div> - -<h1> - THE CASE-BOOK OF<br /> - SHERLOCK HOLMES<br /> -</h1> - -<p class="t2"> - BY ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> - LONDON<br /> - JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET, W.<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t4"> -<i>First Published 1927</i> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t3b"> -PREFACE -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -I fear that Mr. Sherlock Holmes may become -like one of those popular tenors who, having -outlived their time, are still tempted to make -repeated farewell bows to their indulgent audiences. -This must cease and he must go the way of all flesh, -material or imaginary. One likes to think that -there is some fantastic limbo for the children of -imagination, some strange, impossible place where -the beaux of Fielding may still make love to the -belles of Richardson, where Scott's heroes still may -strut, Dickens's delightful Cockneys still raise a -laugh, and Thackeray's worldlings continue to carry -on their reprehensible careers. Perhaps in some -humble corner of such a Valhalla, Sherlock and his -Watson may for a time find a place, while some more -astute sleuth with some even less astute comrade -may fill the stage which they have vacated. -</p> - -<p> -His career has been a long one—though it is -possible to exaggerate it; decrepit gentlemen who -approach me and declare that his adventures formed -the reading of their boyhood do not meet the response -from me which they seem to expect. One is not -anxious to have one's personal dates handled so -unkindly. As a matter of cold fact Holmes made his -<i>début</i> in <i>A Study in Scarlet</i> and in <i>The Sign of Four</i>, -two small booklets which appeared between 1887 and -1889. It was in 1891 that "A Scandal in Bohemia," -the first of the long series of short stories, appeared -in <i>The Strand Magazine</i>. The public seemed -appreciative and desirous of more, so that from that date, -thirty-six years ago, they have been produced in a -broken series which now contains no fewer than -fifty-six stories, republished in <i>The Adventures</i>, <i>The -Memoirs</i>, <i>The Return</i>, and <i>His Last Bow</i>, and there -remain these twelve published during the last few -years which are here produced under the title of -<i>The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes</i>. He began his -adventures in the very heart of the later Victorian -Era, carried it through the all-too-short reign of -Edward, and has managed to hold his own little -niche even in these feverish days. Thus it would be -true to say that those who first read of him as young -men have lived to see their own grown-up children -following the same adventures in the same magazine. -It is a striking example of the patience and loyalty -of the British public. -</p> - -<p> -I had fully determined at the conclusion of <i>The -Memoirs</i> to bring Holmes to an end, as I felt that -my literary energies should not be directed too much -into one channel. That pale, clear-cut face and -loose-limbed figure were taking up an undue share -of my imagination. I did the deed, but, fortunately, -no coroner had pronounced upon the remains, and -so, after a long interval, it was not difficult for me to -respond to the flattering demand and to explain my -rash act away. I have never regretted it, for I have -not in actual practice found that these lighter -sketches have prevented me from exploring and -finding my limitations in such varied branches of -literature as history, poetry, historical novels, -psychic research, and the drama. Had Holmes -never existed I could not have done more, though -he may perhaps have stood a little in the way of the -recognition of my more serious literary work. -</p> - -<p> -And so, reader, farewell to Sherlock Holmes! -I thank you for your past constancy, and can but -hope that some return has been made in the shape -of that distraction from the worries of life and -stimulating change of thought which can only be -found in the fairy kingdom of romance. -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t3b"> - CONTENTS<br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - I <a href="#chap01">The Adventure of the Illustrious Client</a><br /> - II <a href="#chap02">The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier</a><br /> - III <a href="#chap03">The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone</a><br /> - IV <a href="#chap04">The Adventure of the Three Gables</a><br /> - V <a href="#chap05">The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire</a><br /> - VI <a href="#chap06">The Adventure of the Three Garridebs</a><br /> - VII <a href="#chap07">The Problem of Thor Bridge</a><br /> - VIII <a href="#chap08">The Adventure of the Creeping Man</a><br /> - IX <a href="#chap09">The Adventure of the Lion's Mane</a><br /> - X <a href="#chap10">The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger</a><br /> - XI <a href="#chap11">The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place</a><br /> - XII <a href="#chap12">The Adventure of the Retired Colourman</a><br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap01"></a></p> - -<h3> -I -</h3> - -<h3> -THE ADVENTURE OF THE ILLUSTRIOUS CLIENT -</h3> - -<p> -"It can't hurt now," was Mr. Sherlock Holmes's -comment when, for the tenth time in as many -years, I asked his leave to reveal the following -narrative. So it was that at last I obtained -permission to put on record what was, in some ways, -the supreme moment of my friend's career. -</p> - -<p> -Both Holmes and I had a weakness for the Turkish -Bath. It was over a smoke in the pleasant -lassitude of the drying-room that I have found him -less reticent and more human than anywhere else. -On the upper floor of the Northumberland Avenue -establishment there is an isolated corner where two -couches lie side by side, and it was on these that we -lay upon September 3, 1902, the day when my -narrative begins. I had asked him whether anything -was stirring, and for answer he had shot his long, -thin, nervous arm out of the sheets which enveloped -him and had drawn an envelope from the inside -pocket of the coat which hung beside him. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -"It may be some fussy, self-important fool, it -may be a matter of life or death," said he, as he -handed me the note. "I know no more than this -message tells me." -</p> - -<p> -It was from the Carlton Club, and dated the -evening before. This is what I read: -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -"Sir James Damery presents his compliments to -Mr. Sherlock Holmes, and will call upon him at 4.30 -to-morrow. Sir James begs to say that the matter -upon which he desires to consult Mr. Holmes is very -delicate, and also very important. He trusts, -therefore, that Mr. Holmes will make every effort to grant -this interview, and that he will confirm it over the -telephone to the Carlton Club." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -"I need not say that I have confirmed it, Watson," -said Holmes, as I returned the paper. "Do -you know anything of this man Damery?" -</p> - -<p> -"Only that his name is a household word in -Society." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, I can tell you a little more than that. He -has rather a reputation for arranging delicate -matters which are to be kept out of the papers. You -may remember his negotiations with Sir George -Lewis over the Hammerford Will case. He is a -man of the world with a natural turn for diplomacy. -I am bound, therefore, to hope that it is not a false -scent and that he has some real need for our assistance." -</p> - -<p> -"Our?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, if you will be so good, Watson." -</p> - -<p> -"I shall be honoured." -</p> - -<p> -"Then you have the hour—four-thirty. Until -then we can put the matter out of our heads." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -I was living in my own rooms in Queen Anne -Street at the time, but I was round at Baker Street -before the time named. Sharp to the half-hour, -Colonel Sir James Damery was announced. It is -hardly necessary to describe him, for many will -remember that large, bluff, honest personality, that -broad, clean-shaven face, above all, that pleasant, -mellow voice. Frankness shone from his grey Irish -eyes, and good humour played round his mobile, -smiling lips. His lucent top-hat, his dark frock-coat, -indeed, every detail, from the pearl pin in the -black satin cravat to the lavender spats over the -varnished shoes, spoke of the meticulous care in -dress for which he was famous. The big, masterful -aristocrat dominated the little room. -</p> - -<p> -"Of course, I was prepared to find Dr. Watson," -he remarked, with a courteous bow. "His collaboration -may be very necessary, for we are dealing on -this occasion, Mr. Holmes, with a man to whom -violence is familiar and who will, literally, stick at -nothing. I should say that there is no more -dangerous man in Europe." -</p> - -<p> -"I have had several opponents to whom that -flattering term has been applied," said Holmes, with a -smile. "Don't you smoke? Then you will excuse -me if I light my pipe. If your man is more dangerous -than the late Professor Moriarty, or than the -living Colonel Sebastian Moran, then he is indeed -worth meeting. May I ask his name?" -</p> - -<p> -"Have you ever heard of Baron Gruner? -</p> - -<p> -"You mean the Austrian murderer?" -</p> - -<p> -Colonel Damery threw up his kid-gloved hands -with a laugh. "There is no getting past you, -Mr. Holmes! Wonderful! So you have already sized -him up as a murderer?" -</p> - -<p> -"It is my business to follow the details of -Continental crime. Who could possibly have read -what happened at Prague and have any doubts as -to the man's guilt! It was a purely technical legal -point and the suspicious death of a witness that -saved him! I am as sure that he killed his wife -when the so-called 'accident' happened in the -Splügen Pass as if I had seen him do it. I knew, -also, that he had come to England, and had a -presentiment that sooner or later he would find me some -work to do. Well, what has Baron Gruner been up -to? I presume it is not this old tragedy which has -come up again?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, it is more serious than that. To revenge -crime is important, but to prevent it is more so. It -is a terrible thing, Mr. Holmes, to see a dreadful -event, an atrocious situation, preparing itself -before your eyes, to clearly understand whither it -will lead and yet to be utterly unable to avert it. -Can a human being be placed in a more trying -position?" -</p> - -<p> -"Perhaps not." -</p> - -<p> -"Then you will sympathize with the client in -whose interests I am acting." -</p> - -<p> -"I did not understand that you were merely an -intermediary. Who is the principal?" -</p> - -<p> -"Mr. Holmes, I must beg you not to press that -question. It is important that I should be able to -assure him that his honoured name has been in no -way dragged into the matter. His motives are, to -the last degree, honourable and chivalrous, but he -prefers to remain unknown. I need not say that -your fees will be assured and that you will be given -a perfectly free hand. Surely the actual name of -your client is immaterial?" -</p> - -<p> -"I am sorry," said Holmes. "I am accustomed -to have mystery at one end of my cases, but to have -it at both ends is too confusing. I fear, Sir James, -that I must decline to act." -</p> - -<p> -Our visitor was greatly disturbed. His large, -sensitive face was darkened with emotion and -disappointment. -</p> - -<p> -"You hardly realize the effect of your own action, -Mr. Holmes," said he. "You place me in a most -serious dilemma, for I am perfectly certain that you -would be proud to take over the case if I could give -you the facts, and yet a promise forbids me from -revealing them all. May I, at least, lay all that I -can before you?" -</p> - -<p> -"By all means, so long as it is understood that I -commit myself to nothing." -</p> - -<p> -"That is understood. In the first place, you have -no doubt heard of General de Merville?" -</p> - -<p> -"De Merville of Khyber fame? Yes, I have -heard of him." -</p> - -<p> -"He has a daughter, Violet de Merville, young, -rich, beautiful, accomplished, a wonder-woman in -every way. It is this daughter, this lovely, innocent -girl, whom we are endeavouring to save from the -clutches of a fiend." -</p> - -<p> -"Baron Gruner has some hold over her, then?" -</p> - -<p> -"The strongest of all holds where a woman is -concerned—the hold of love. The fellow is, as you -may have heard, extraordinarily handsome, with a -most fascinating manner, a gentle voice, and that -air of romance and mystery which means so much to -a woman. He is said to have the whole sex at his -mercy and to have made ample use of the fact. -</p> - -<p> -"But how came such a man to meet a lady of the -standing of Miss Violet de Merville?" -</p> - -<p> -"It was on a Mediterranean yachting voyage. -The company, though select, paid their own passages. -No doubt the promoters hardly realized the Baron's -true character until it was too late. The villain -attached himself to the lady, and with such effect -that he has completely and absolutely won her -heart. To say that she loves him hardly expresses -it. She dotes upon him, she is obsessed by him. -Outside of him there is nothing on earth. She will -not hear one word against him. Everything has -been done to cure her of her madness, but in vain. -To sum up, she proposes to marry him next month. -As she is of age and has a will of iron, it is hard to -know how to prevent her." -</p> - -<p> -"Does she know about the Austrian episode?" -</p> - -<p> -"The cunning devil has told her every unsavoury -public scandal of his past life, but always in such a -way as to make himself out to be an innocent martyr. -She absolutely accepts his version and will listen to -no other." -</p> - -<p> -"Dear me! But surely you have inadvertently -let out the name of your client? It is no doubt -General de Merville." -</p> - -<p> -Our visitor fidgeted in his chair. -</p> - -<p> -"I could deceive you by saying so, Mr. Holmes, -but it would not be true. De Merville is a broken -man. The strong soldier has been utterly demoralized -by this incident. He has lost the nerve which -never failed him on the battlefield and has become -a weak, doddering old man, utterly incapable of -contending with a brilliant, forceful rascal like this -Austrian. My client, however, is an old friend, one -who has known the General intimately for many -years and taken a paternal interest in this young -girl since she wore short frocks. He cannot see this -tragedy consummated without some attempt to -stop it. There is nothing in which Scotland Yard -can act. It was his own suggestion that you should -be called in, but it was, as I have said, on the express -stipulation that he should not be personally involved -in the matter. I have no doubt, Mr. Holmes, with -your great powers you could easily trace my client -back through me, but I must ask you, as a point of -honour, to refrain from doing so, and not to break -in upon his incognito." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes gave a whimsical smile. -</p> - -<p> -"I think I may safely promise that," said he. -"I may add that your problem interests me, and -that I shall be prepared to look into it. How shall -I keep in touch with you?" -</p> - -<p> -"The Carlton Club will find me. But, in case -of emergency, there is a private telephone call, -'XX.31.'" -</p> - -<p> -Holmes noted it down and sat, still smiling, with -the open memorandum-book upon his knee. -</p> - -<p> -"The Baron's present address, please?" -</p> - -<p> -"Vernon Lodge, near Kingston. It is a large -house. He has been fortunate in some rather shady -speculations and is a rich man, which, naturally, -makes him a more dangerous antagonist." -</p> - -<p> -"Is he at home at present?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes." -</p> - -<p> -"Apart from what you have told me, can you give -me any further information about the man?" -</p> - -<p> -"He has expensive tastes. He is a horse fancier. -For a short time he played polo at Hurlingham, but -then this Prague affair got noised about and he had -to leave. He collects books and pictures. He is a -man with a considerable artistic side to his nature. -He is, I believe, a recognized authority upon Chinese -pottery, and has written a book upon the subject." -</p> - -<p> -"A complex mind," said Holmes. "All great -criminals have that. My old friend Charlie Peace -was a violin virtuoso. Wainwright was no mean -artist. I could quote many more. Well, Sir James, -you will inform your client that I am turning my -mind upon Baron Gruner. I can say no more. I -have some sources of information of my own, and -dare say we may find some means of opening -matter up." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -When our visitor had left us, Holmes sat so long -in deep thought that it seemed to me that he had -forgotten my presence. At last, however, he came -briskly back to earth. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, Watson, any views?" he asked. -</p> - -<p> -"I should think you had better see the young -lady herself." -</p> - -<p> -"My dear Watson, if her poor old broken father -cannot move her, how shall I, a stranger, prevail? -And yet there is something in the suggestion if all -else fails. But I think we must begin from a different -angle. I rather fancy that Shinwell Johnson -might be a help." -</p> - -<p> -I have not had occasion to mention Shinwell -Johnson in these memoirs because I have seldom -drawn my cases from the latter phases of my friend's -career. During the first years of the century he -became a valuable assistant. Johnson, I grieve to -say, made his name first as a very dangerous villain -and served two terms at Parkhurst. Finally, he -repented and allied himself to Holmes, acting as his -agent in the huge criminal underworld of London, -and obtaining information which often proved to be -of vital importance. Had Johnson been a "nark" -of the police he would soon have been exposed, but as -he dealt with cases which never came directly into -the courts, his activities were never realized by his -companions. With the glamour of his two -convictions upon him, he had the <i>entrée</i> of every -night-club, doss-house, and gambling-den in the town, and -his quick observation and active brain made him -an ideal agent for gaining information. It was to -him that Sherlock Holmes now proposed to turn. -</p> - -<p> -It was not possible for me to follow the immediate -steps taken by my friend, for I had some pressing -professional business of my own, but I met him by -appointment that evening at Simpson's, where, -sitting at a small table in the front window, and -looking down at the rushing stream of life in the -Strand, he told me something of what had passed. -</p> - -<p> -"Johnson is on the prowl," said he. "He may -pick up some garbage in the darker recesses of the -underworld, for it is down there, amid the black roots -of crime, that we must hunt for this man's secrets." -</p> - -<p> -"But, if the lady will not accept what is already -known, why should any fresh discovery of yours -turn her from her purpose?" -</p> - -<p> -"Who knows, Watson? Woman's heart and -mind are insoluble puzzles to the male. Murder -might be condoned or explained, and yet some -smaller offence might rankle. Baron Gruner -remarked to me——" -</p> - -<p> -"He remarked to you!" -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, to be sure, I had not told you of my plans! -Well, Watson, I love to come to close grips with my -man. I like to meet him eye to eye and read for -myself the stuff that he is made of. When I had -given Johnson his instructions, I took a cab out to -Kingston and found the Baron in a most affable mood." -</p> - -<p> -"Did he recognize you?" -</p> - -<p> -"There was no difficulty about that, for I simply -sent in my card. He is an excellent antagonist, -cool as ice, silky voiced and soothing as one of your -fashionable consultants, and poisonous as a cobra. -He has breed in him, a real aristocrat of crime, with -a superficial suggestion of afternoon tea and all the -cruelty of the grave behind it. Yes, I am glad to -have had my attention called to Baron Adelbert -Gruner." -</p> - -<p> -"You say he was affable?" -</p> - -<p> -"A purring cat who thinks he sees prospective -mice. Some people's affability is more deadly than -the violence of coarser souls. His greeting was -characteristic. 'I rather thought I should see you -sooner or later, Mr. Holmes,' said he. 'You have -been engaged, no doubt, by General de Merville to -endeavour to stop my marriage with his daughter, -Violet. That is so, is it not?' -</p> - -<p> -"I acquiesced. -</p> - -<p> -"'My dear man,' said he, 'you will only ruin -your own well-deserved reputation. It is not a case -in which you can possibly succeed. You will have -barren work, to say nothing of incurring some -danger. Let me very strongly advise you to draw off -at once.' -</p> - -<p> -"'It is curious,' I answered, 'but that was the -very advice which I had intended to give you. I -have a respect for your brains, Baron, and the little -which I have seen of your personality has not -lessened it. Let me put it to you as man to man. -No one wants to rake up your past and make you -unduly uncomfortable. It is over, and you are now -in smooth waters, but if you persist in this marriage -you will raise up a swarm of powerful enemies who -will never leave you alone until they have made -England too hot to hold you. Is the game worth -it? Surely you would be wiser if you left the lady -alone. It would not be pleasant for you if these -facts of your past were brought to her notice.' -</p> - -<p> -"The Baron has little waxed tips of hair under -his nose, like the short antennae of an insect. These -quivered with amusement as he listened, and he -finally broke into a gentle chuckle. -</p> - -<p> -"'Excuse my amusement, Mr. Holmes,' said he, -'but it is really funny to see you trying to play -a hand with no cards in it. I don't think anyone -could do it better, but it is rather pathetic, all -the same. Not a colour card there, Mr. Holmes, -nothing but the smallest of the small.' -</p> - -<p> -"'So you think.' -</p> - -<p> -"'So I know. Let me make the thing clear to -you, for my own hand is so strong that I can afford -to show it. I have been fortunate enough to win the -entire affection of this lady. This was given to me -in spite of the fact that I told her very clearly of all -the unhappy incidents in my past life. I also told -her that certain wicked and designing persons—I -hope you recognize yourself—would come to her and -tell her these things, and I warned her how to treat -them. You have heard of post-hypnotic suggestion, -Mr. Holmes? Well, you will see how it works, for -a man of personality can use hypnotism without any -vulgar passes or tomfoolery. So she is ready for -you and, I have no doubt, would give you an -appointment, for she is quite amenable to her father's -will—save only in the one little matter.' -</p> - -<p> -"Well, Watson, there seemed to be no more to -say, so I took my leave with as much cold dignity as -I could summon, but, as I had my hand on the -door-handle, he stopped me. -</p> - -<p> -"'By the way, Mr. Holmes,' said he, 'did you -know Le Brun, the French agent?' -</p> - -<p> -"'Yes,' said I. -</p> - -<p> -"'Do you know what befell him?' -</p> - -<p> -"'I heard that he was beaten by some Apaches -in the Montmartre district and crippled for life.' -</p> - -<p> -"'Quite true, Mr. Holmes. By a curious coincidence -he had been inquiring into my affairs only a -week before. Don't do it, Mr. Holmes; it's not a -lucky thing to do. Several have found that out. -My last word to you is, go your own way and let me -go mine. Good-bye!' -</p> - -<p> -"So there you are, Watson. You are up to date now." -</p> - -<p> -"The fellow seems dangerous." -</p> - -<p> -"Mighty dangerous. I disregard the blusterer, -but this is the sort of man who says rather less than -he means." -</p> - -<p> -"Must you interfere? Does it really matter if -he marries the girl?" -</p> - -<p> -"Considering that he undoubtedly murdered his -last wife, I should say it mattered very much. -Besides, the client! Well, well, we need not discuss -that. When you have finished your coffee you had -best come home with me, for the blithe Shinwell will -be there with his report." -</p> - -<p> -We found him sure enough, a huge, coarse, red-faced, -scorbutic man, with a pair of vivid black eyes -which were the only external sign of the very -cunning mind within. It seems that he had dived down -into what was peculiarly his kingdom, and beside -him on the settee was a brand which he had brought -up in the shape of a slim, flame-like young woman -with a pale, intense face, youthful, and yet so worn -with sin and sorrow that one read the terrible years -which had left their leprous mark upon her. -</p> - -<p> -"This is Miss Kitty Winter," said Shinwell Johnson, -waving his fat hand as an introduction. "What -she don't know—well, there, she'll speak for herself. -Put my hand right on her, Mr. Holmes, within an -hour of your message." -</p> - -<p> -"I'm easy to find," said the young woman. -"Hell, London, gets me every time. Same address -for Porky Shinwell. We're old mates, Porky, you -and I. But, by Gripes! there is another who ought -to be down in a lower hell than we if there was any -justice in the world! That is the man you are -after, Mr. Holmes." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes smiled. "I gather we have your good -wishes, Miss Winter." -</p> - -<p> -"If I can help to put him where he belongs, I'm -yours to the rattle," said our visitor, with fierce -energy. There was an intensity of hatred in her -white, set face and her blazing eyes such as woman -seldom and man never can attain. "You needn't -go into my past, Mr. Holmes. That's neither here -nor there. But what I am Adelbert Gruner made -me. If I could pull him down!" She clutched -frantically with her hands into the air. "Oh, if I -could only pull him into the pit where he has pushed -so many!" -</p> - -<p> -"You know how the matter stands?" -</p> - -<p> -"Porky Shinwell has been telling me. He's after -some other poor fool and wants to marry her this -time. You want to stop it. Well, you surely know -enough about this devil to prevent any decent girl -in her senses wanting to be in the same parish with -him." -</p> - -<p> -"She is not in her senses. She is madly in love. -She has been told all about him. She cares nothing." -</p> - -<p> -"Told about the murder?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes." -</p> - -<p> -"My Lord, she must have a nerve!" -</p> - -<p> -"She puts them all down as slanders." -</p> - -<p> -"Couldn't you lay proofs before her silly eyes?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, can you help us do so?" -</p> - -<p> -"Ain't I a proof myself? If I stood before her -and told her how he used me——" -</p> - -<p> -"Would you do this?" -</p> - -<p> -"Would I? Would I not!" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, it might be worth trying. But he has told -her most of his sins and had pardon from her, and I -understand she will not reopen the question." -</p> - -<p> -"I'll lay he didn't tell her all," said Miss Winter. -"I caught a glimpse of one or two murders besides -the one that made such a fuss. He would speak of -someone in his velvet way and then look at me with a -steady eye and say: 'He died within a month.' It -wasn't hot air, either. But I took little notice—you -see, I loved him myself at that time. Whatever -he did went with me, same as with this poor fool! -There was just one thing that shook me. Yes, by -Gripes! if it had not been for his poisonous, lying -tongue that explains and soothes, I'd have left him -that very night. It's a book he has—a brown -leather book with a lock, and his arms in gold on the -outside. I think he was a bit drunk that night, or -he would not have shown it to me." -</p> - -<p> -"What was it, then?" -</p> - -<p> -"I tell you, Mr. Holmes, this man collects women, -and takes a pride in his collection, as some men -collect moths or butterflies. He had it all in that -book. Snapshot photographs, names, details, -everything about them. It was a beastly book—a book -no man, even if he had come from the gutter, could -have put together. But it was Adelbert Gruner's -book all the same. 'Souls I have ruined.' He could -have put that on the outside if he had been so -minded. However, that's neither here nor there, -for the book would not serve you, and, if it would, -you can't get it." -</p> - -<p> -"Where is it?" -</p> - -<p> -"How can I tell you where it is now? It's more -than a year since I left him. I know where he kept -it then. He's a precise, tidy cat of a man in many -of his ways, so maybe it is still in the pigeon-hole of -the old bureau in the inner study. Do you know his -house?" -</p> - -<p> -"I've been in the study," said Holmes. -</p> - -<p> -"Have you, though? You haven't been slow on -the job if you only started this morning. Maybe -dear Adelbert has met his match this time. The -outer study is the one with the Chinese crockery in -it—big glass cupboard between the windows. Then -behind his desk is the door that leads to the inner -study—a small room where he keeps papers and -things." -</p> - -<p> -"Is he not afraid of burglars?" -</p> - -<p> -"Adelbert is no coward. His worst enemy -couldn't say that of him. He can look after himself. -There's a burglar alarm at night. Besides, what is -there for a burglar—unless they got away with all -this fancy crockery?" -</p> - -<p> -"No good," said Shinwell Johnson, with the -decided voice of the expert. "No fence wants stuff -of that sort that you can neither melt nor sell." -</p> - -<p> -"Quite so," said Holmes. "Well, now, Miss -Winter, if you would call here to-morrow evening -at five, I would consider in the meanwhile whether -your suggestion of seeing this lady personally may -not be arranged. I am exceedingly obliged to you -for your co-operation. I need not say that my -clients will consider liberally——" -</p> - -<p> -"None of that, Mr. Holmes," cried the young -woman. "I am not out for money. Let me see -this man in the mud, and I've got all I worked -for—in the mud with my foot on his cursed face. That's -my price. I'm with you to-morrow or any other -day so long as you are on his track. Porky here can -tell you always where to find me." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -I did not see Holmes again until the following -evening, when we dined once more at our Strand -restaurant. He shrugged his shoulders when I -asked him what luck he had had in his interview. -Then he told the story, which I would repeat in this -way. His hard, dry statement needs some little -editing to soften it into the terms of real life. -</p> - -<p> -"There was no difficulty at all about the appointment," -said Holmes, "for the girl glories in showing -abject filial obedience in all secondary things in an -attempt to atone for her flagrant breach of it in her -engagement. The General 'phoned that all was -ready, and the fiery Miss W. turned up according to -schedule, so that at half-past five a cab deposited us -outside 104 Berkeley Square, where the old soldier -resides—one of those awful grey London castles -which would make a church seem frivolous. A -footman showed us into a great yellow-curtained -drawing-room, and there was the lady awaiting us, -demure, pale, self-contained, as inflexible and remote -as a snow image on a mountain. -</p> - -<p> -"I don't quite know how to make her clear to -you, Watson. Perhaps you may meet her before -we are through, and you can use your own gift of -words. She is beautiful, but with the ethereal -other-world beauty of some fanatic whose thoughts -are set on high. I have seen such faces in the pictures -of the old masters of the Middle Ages. How a -beast-man could have laid his vile paws upon such a being -of the beyond I cannot imagine. You may have -noticed how extremes call to each other, the spiritual -to the animal, the cave-man to the angel. You -never saw a worse case than this. -</p> - -<p> -"She knew what we had come for, of course—that -villain had lost no time in poisoning her mind -against us. Miss Winter's advent rather amazed -her, I think, but she waved us into our respective -chairs like a Reverend Abbess receiving two rather -leprous mendicants. If your head is inclined to -swell, my dear Watson, take a course of Miss Violet -de Merville. -</p> - -<p> -"'Well, sir,' said she, in a voice like the wind -from an iceberg, 'your name is familiar to me. -You have called, as I understand, to malign my -fiancé, Baron Gruner. It is only by my father's -request that I see you at all, and I warn you in -advance that anything you can say could not -possibly have the slightest effect upon my mind.' -</p> - -<p> -"I was sorry for her, Watson. I thought of her -for the moment as I would have thought of a -daughter of my own. I am not often eloquent. I use -my head, not my heart. But I really did plead with -her with all the warmth of words that I could find in -my nature. I pictured to her the awful position of -the woman who only wakes to a man's character -after she is his wife—a woman who has to submit to -be caressed by bloody hands and lecherous lips. I -spared her nothing—the shame, the fear, the agony, -the hopelessness of it all. All my hot words could -not bring one tinge of colour to those ivory cheeks -or one gleam of emotion to those abstracted eyes. I -thought of what the rascal had said about a -post-hypnotic influence. One could really believe that -she was living above the earth in some ecstatic -dream. Yet there was nothing indefinite in her -replies. -</p> - -<p> -"'I have listened to you with patience, -Mr. Holmes,' said she. 'The effect upon my mind is -exactly as predicted. I am aware that Adelbert, -that my fiancé, has had a stormy life in which he has -incurred bitter hatreds and most unjust aspersions. -You are only the last of a series who have brought -their slanders before me. Possibly you mean well, -though I learn that you are a paid agent who would -have been equally willing to act for the Baron as -against him. But in any case I wish you to understand -once for all that I love him and that he loves -me, and that the opinion of all the world is no more -to me than the twitter of those birds outside the -window. If his noble nature has ever for an instant -fallen, it may be that I have been specially sent to -raise it to its true and lofty level. I am not clear,' -here she turned her eyes upon my companion, 'who -this young lady may be.' -</p> - -<p> -"I was about to answer when the girl broke in -like a whirlwind. If ever you saw flame and ice -face to face, it was those two women. -</p> - -<p> -"'I'll tell you who I am,' she cried, springing out -of her chair, her mouth all twisted with passion—'I -am his last mistress. I am one of a hundred that -he has tempted and used and ruined and thrown into -the refuse heap, as he will you also. <i>Your</i> refuse -heap is more likely to be a grave, and maybe that's -the best. I tell you, you foolish woman, if you -marry this man he'll be the death of you. It may -be a broken heart or it may be a broken neck, but -he'll have you one way or the other. It's not out of -love for you I'm speaking. I don't care a tinker's -curse whether you live or die. It's out of hate for -him and to spite him and to get back on him for what -he did to me. But it's all the same, and you needn't -look at me like that, my fine lady, for you may be -lower than I am before you are through with it.' -</p> - -<p> -"'I should prefer not to discuss such matters,' -said Miss de Merville coldly. 'Let me say once for -all that I am aware of three passages in my fiancé's -life in which he became entangled with designing -women, and that I am assured of his hearty -repentance for any evil that he may have done.' -</p> - -<p> -"'Three passages!' screamed my companion. -'You fool! You unutterable fool!' -</p> - -<p> -"'Mr. Holmes, I beg that you will bring this -interview to an end,' said the icy voice. 'I have -obeyed my father's wish in seeing you, but I am not -compelled to listen to the ravings of this person.' -</p> - -<p> -"With an oath Miss Winter darted forward, and -if I had not caught her wrist she would have clutched -this maddening woman by the hair. I dragged her -towards the door, and was lucky to get her back into -the cab without a public scene, for she was beside -herself with rage. In a cold way I felt pretty furious -myself, Watson, for there was something indescribably -annoying in the calm aloofness and supreme -self-complaisance of the woman whom we were trying -to save. So now once again you know exactly how -we stand, and it is clear that I must plan some fresh -opening move, for this gambit won't work. I'll -keep in touch with you, Watson, for it is more than -likely that you will have your part to play, though -it is just possible that the next move may lie with -them rather than with us." -</p> - -<p> -And it did. Their blow fell—or his blow rather, -for never could I believe that the lady was privy to -it. I think I could show you the very paving-stone -upon which I stood when my eyes fell upon the -placard, and a pang of horror passed through my -very soul. It was between the "Grand Hotel" -and Charing Cross Station, where a one-legged -news-vendor displayed his evening papers. The date was -just two days after the last conversation. There, -black upon yellow, was the terrible news-sheet: -</p> - -<pre> - +-------------+ - | MURDEROUS | - | ATTACK | - | UPON | - | SHERLOCK | - | HOLMES. | - +-------------+ -</pre> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -I think I stood stunned for some moments. Then -I have a confused recollection of snatching at a -paper, of the remonstrance of the man, whom I had -not paid, and, finally, of standing in the doorway of -a chemist's shop while I turned up the fateful -paragraph. This was how it ran: -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -"We learn with regret that Mr. Sherlock Holmes, -the well-known private detective, was the victim -this morning of a murderous assault which has left -him in a precarious position. There are no exact -details to hand, but the event seems to have occurred -about twelve o'clock in Regent Street, outside the -Café Royal. The attack was made by two men -armed with sticks, and Mr. Holmes was beaten about -the head and body, receiving injuries which the -doctors describe as most serious. He was carried -to Charing Cross Hospital, and afterwards insisted -upon being taken to his rooms in Baker Street. The -miscreants who attacked him appear to have been -respectably dressed men, who escaped from the -bystanders by passing through the Café Royal and -out into Glasshouse Street behind it. No doubt -they belonged to that criminal fraternity which has -so often had occasion to bewail the activity and -ingenuity of the injured man." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -I need not say that my eyes had hardly glanced -over the paragraph before I had sprung into a -hansom and was on my way to Baker Street. I found -Sir Leslie Oakshott, the famous surgeon in the hall -and his brougham waiting at the kerb. -</p> - -<p> -"No immediate danger," was his report. "Two -lacerated scalp wounds and some considerable -bruises. Several stitches have been necessary. -Morphine has been injected and quiet is essential, but -an interview of a few minutes would not be -absolutely forbidden." -</p> - -<p> -With this permission I stole into the darkened -room. The sufferer was wide awake, and I heard -my name in a hoarse whisper. The blind was -three-quarters down, but one ray of sunlight slanted -through and struck the bandaged head of the injured -man. A crimson patch had soaked through the -white linen compress. I sat beside him and bent -my head. -</p> - -<p> -"All right, Watson. Don't look so scared," he -muttered in a very weak voice. "It's not as bad -as it seems." -</p> - -<p> -"Thank God for that!" -</p> - -<p> -"I'm a bit of a single-stick expert, as you know. -I took most of them on my guard. It was the second -man that was too much for me." -</p> - -<p> -"What can I do, Holmes? Of course, it was -that damned fellow who set them on. I'll go and -thrash the hide off him if you give the word." -</p> - -<p> -"Good old Watson! No, we can do nothing -there unless the police lay their hands on the men. -But their get-away had been well prepared. We -may be sure of that. Wait a little. I have my -plans. The first thing is to exaggerate my injuries. -They'll come to you for news. Put it on thick, -Watson. Lucky if I live the week -out—concussion—delirium—what you like! You can't overdo it." -</p> - -<p> -"But Sir Leslie Oakshott?" -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, he's all right. He shall see the worst side -of me. I'll look after that." -</p> - -<p> -"Anything else?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes. Tell Shinwell Johnson to get that girl out -of the way. Those beauties will be after her now. -They know, of course, that she was with me in the -case. If they dared to do me in it is not likely they -will neglect her. That is urgent. Do it to-night." -</p> - -<p> -"I'll go now. Anything more?" -</p> - -<p> -"Put my pipe on the table—and the tobacco-slipper. -Right! Come in each morning and we -will plan our campaign." -</p> - -<p> -I arranged with Johnson that evening to take Miss -Winter to a quiet suburb and see that she lay low -until the danger was past. -</p> - -<p> -For six days the public were under the impression -that Holmes was at the door of death. The bulletins -were very grave and there were sinister paragraphs -in the papers. My continual visits assured me that -it was not so bad as that. His wiry constitution and -his determined will were working wonders. He was -recovering fast, and I had suspicions at times that -he was really finding himself faster than he -pretended, even to me. There was a curious secretive -streak in the man which led to many dramatic effects, -but left even his closest friend guessing as to what -his exact plans might be. He pushed to an extreme -the axiom that the only safe plotter was he who -plotted alone. I was nearer him than anyone -else, and yet I was always conscious of the gap -between. -</p> - -<p> -On the seventh day the stitches were taken out, -in spite of which there was a report of erysipelas in -the evening papers. The same evening papers had -an announcement which I was bound, sick or well, -to carry to my friend. It was simply that among -the passengers on the Cunard boat <i>Ruritania</i>, -starting from Liverpool on Friday, was the Baron -Adelbert Gruner, who had some important financial -business to settle in the States before his impending -wedding to Miss Violet de Merville, only daughter of, -etc., etc. Holmes listened to the news with a cold, -concentrated look upon his pale face, which told me -that it hit him hard. -</p> - -<p> -"Friday!" he cried. "Only three clear days. -I believe the rascal wants to put himself out of -danger's way. But he won't, Watson! By the Lord -Harry, he won't! Now, Watson, I want you to do -something for me." -</p> - -<p> -"I am here to be used, Holmes." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, then, spend the next twenty-four hours in -an intensive study of Chinese pottery." -</p> - -<p> -He gave no explanations and I asked for none. -By long experience I had learned the wisdom of -obedience. But when I had left his room I walked -down Baker Street, revolving in my head how on -earth I was to carry out so strange an order. Finally -I drove to the London Library in St. James's Square, -put the matter to my friend Lomax, the sub-librarian, -and departed to my rooms with a goodly -volume under my arm. -</p> - -<p> -It is said that the barrister who crams up a case -with such care that he can examine an expert witness -upon the Monday has forgotten all his forced -knowledge before the Saturday. Certainly I should not -like now to pose as an authority upon ceramics. -And yet all that evening, and all that night with a -short interval for rest, and all next morning I was -sucking in knowledge and committing names to -memory. There I learned of the hall-marks of the -great artist-decorators, of the mystery of cyclical -dates, the marks of the Hung-wu and the beauties -of the Yung-lo, the writings of Tang-ying, and the -glories of the primitive period of the Sung and the -Yuan. I was charged with all this information when -I called upon Holmes next evening. He was out of -bed now, though you would not have guessed it from -the published reports, and he sat with his -much-bandaged head resting upon his hand in the depth -of his favourite arm-chair. -</p> - -<p> -"Why, Holmes," I said, "if one believed the -papers you are dying." -</p> - -<p> -"That," said he, "is the very impression which I -intended to convey. And now, Watson, have you -learned your lessons?" -</p> - -<p> -"At least I have tried to." -</p> - -<p> -"Good. You could keep up an intelligent -conversation on the subject?" -</p> - -<p> -"I believe I could." -</p> - -<p> -"Then hand me that little box from the mantel-piece." -</p> - -<p> -He opened the lid and took out a small object -most carefully wrapped in some fine Eastern silk. -This he unfolded, and disclosed a delicate little -saucer of the most beautiful deep-blue colour. -</p> - -<p> -"It needs careful handling, Watson. This is -the real egg-shell pottery of the Ming dynasty. No -finer piece ever passed through Christie's. A complete -set of this would be worth a king's ransom—in -fact, it is doubtful if there is a complete set outside -the Imperial palace of Peking. The sight of this -would drive a real connoisseur wild." -</p> - -<p> -"What am I to do with it?" -</p> - -<p> -Holmes handed me a card upon which was -printed: "Dr. Hill Barton, 369 Half Moon Street." -</p> - -<p> -"That is your name for the evening, Watson. -You will call upon Baron Gruner. I know something -of his habits, and at half-past eight he would -probably be disengaged. A note will tell him in -advance that you are about to call, and you will say -that you are bringing him a specimen of an absolutely -unique set of Ming china. You may as well be a -medical man, since that is a part which you can play -without duplicity. You are a collector, this set has -come your way, you have heard of the Baron's interest -in the subject, and you are not averse to selling -at a price." -</p> - -<p> -"What price?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well asked, Watson. You would certainly -fall down badly if you did not know the value of -your own wares. This saucer was got for me by Sir -James, and comes, I understand, from the collection -of his client. You will not exaggerate if you -say that it could hardly be matched in the world." -</p> - -<p> -"I could perhaps suggest that the set should be -valued by an expert." -</p> - -<p> -"Excellent, Watson! You scintillate to-day. -Suggest Christie or Sotheby. Your delicacy prevents -your putting a price for yourself." -</p> - -<p> -"But if he won't see me?" -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, yes, he will see you. He has the collection -mania in its most acute form—and especially on this -subject, on which he is an acknowledged authority. -Sit down, Watson, and I will dictate the letter. No -answer needed. You will merely say that you are -coming, and why." -</p> - -<p> -It was an admirable document, short, courteous, -and stimulating to the curiosity of the connoisseur. -A district messenger was duly dispatched with it. -On the same evening, with the precious saucer in my -hand and the card of Dr. Hill Barton in my pocket, -I set off on my own adventure. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -The beautiful house and grounds indicated that -Baron Gruner was, as Sir James had said, a man of -considerable wealth. A long winding drive, with -banks of rare shrubs on either side, opened out into -a great gravelled square adorned with statues. The -place had been built by a South African gold king -in the days of the great boom, and the long, low -house with the turrets at the corners, though an -architectural nightmare, was imposing in its size -and solidity. A butler who would have adorned a -bench of bishops showed me in, and handed me over -to a plush-clad footman, who ushered me into the -Baron's presence. -</p> - -<p> -He was standing at the open front of a great case -which stood between the windows, and which contained -part of his Chinese collection. He turned as -I entered with a small brown vase in his hand. -</p> - -<p> -"Pray sit down, doctor," said he. "I was -looking over my own treasures and wondering whether -I could really afford to add to them. This little -Tang specimen, which dates from the seventh -century, would probably interest you. I am sure you -never saw finer workmanship or a richer glaze. -Have you the Ming saucer with you of which you -spoke?" -</p> - -<p> -I carefully unpacked it and handed it to him. He -seated himself at his desk, pulled over the lamp, for -it was growing dark, and set himself to examine it. -As he did so the yellow light beat upon his own -features, and I was able to study them at my ease. -</p> - -<p> -He was certainly a remarkably handsome man. -His European reputation for beauty was fully -deserved. In figure he was not more than of middle -size, but was built upon graceful and active lines. -His face was swarthy, almost Oriental, with large, -dark, languorous eyes which might easily hold an -irresistible fascination for women. His hair and -moustache were raven black, the latter short, -pointed, and carefully waxed. His features were -regular and pleasing, save only his straight, -thin-lipped mouth. If ever I saw a murderer's mouth -it was there—a cruel, hard gash in the face, -compressed, inexorable, and terrible. He was -ill-advised to train his moustache away from it, for it -was Nature's danger-signal, set as a warning to his -victims. His voice was engaging and his manners -perfect. In age I should have put him at little over -thirty, though his record afterwards showed that he -was forty-two. -</p> - -<p> -"Very fine—very fine indeed!" he said at last. -"And you say you have a set of six to correspond. -What puzzles me is that I should not have heard of -such magnificent specimens. I only know of one in -England to match this, and it is certainly not likely to -be in the market. Would it be indiscreet if I were to -ask you, Dr. Hill Barton, how you obtained this?" -</p> - -<p> -"Does it really matter?" I asked, with as careless -an air as I could muster. "You can see that -the piece is genuine, and, as to the value, I am -content to take an expert's valuation." -</p> - -<p> -"Very mysterious," said he, with a quick, -suspicious flash of his dark eyes. "In dealing with -objects of such value, one naturally wishes to know -all about the transaction. That the piece is genuine -is certain. I have no doubts at all about that. But -suppose—I am bound to take every possibility into -account—that it should prove afterwards that you -had no right to sell?" -</p> - -<p> -"I would guarantee you against any claim of the sort." -</p> - -<p> -"That, of course, would open up the question as -to what your guarantee was worth." -</p> - -<p> -"My bankers would answer that." -</p> - -<p> -"Quite so. And yet the whole transaction strikes -me as rather unusual." -</p> - -<p> -"You can do business or not," said I, with -indifference. "I have given you the first offer as I -understood that you were a connoisseur, but I shall -have no difficulty in other quarters." -</p> - -<p> -"Who told you I was a connoisseur?" -</p> - -<p> -"I was aware that you had written a book upon -the subject." -</p> - -<p> -"Have you read the book?" -</p> - -<p> -"No." -</p> - -<p> -"Dear me, this becomes more and more difficult -for me to understand! You are a connoisseur and -collector with a very valuable piece in your collection, -and yet you have never troubled to consult the one -book which would have told you of the real meaning -and value of what you held. How do you explain that?" -</p> - -<p> -"I am a very busy man. I am a doctor in practice." -</p> - -<p> -"That is no answer. If a man has a hobby he -follows it up, whatever his other pursuits may be. -You said in your note that you were a connoisseur." -</p> - -<p> -"So I am." -</p> - -<p> -"Might I ask you a few questions to test you? I -am obliged to tell you, doctor—if you are indeed a -doctor—that the incident becomes more and more -suspicious. I would ask you what do you know of -the Emperor Shomu and how do you associate him -with the Shoso-in near Nara? Dear me, does that -puzzle you? Tell me a little about the Northern -Wei dynasty and its place in the history of ceramics." -</p> - -<p> -I sprang from my chair in simulated anger. -</p> - -<p> -"This is intolerable, sir," said I. "I came here -to do you a favour, and not to be examined as if I -were a schoolboy. My knowledge on these subjects -may be second only to your own, but I certainly -shall not answer questions which have been put in -so offensive a way." -</p> - -<p> -He looked at me steadily. The languor had gone -from his eyes. They suddenly glared. There was -a gleam of teeth from between those cruel lips. -</p> - -<p> -"What is the game? You are here as a spy. -You are an emissary of Holmes. This is a trick that -you are playing upon me. The fellow is dying, I hear, -so he sends his tools to keep watch upon me. You've -made your way in here without leave, and, by God! you -may find it harder to get out than to get in." -</p> - -<p> -He had sprung to his feet, and I stepped back, -bracing myself for an attack, for the man was beside -himself with rage. He may have suspected me from -the first; certainly this cross-examination had -shown him the truth; but it was clear that I could -not hope to deceive him. He dived his hand into a -side-drawer and rummaged furiously. Then -something struck upon his ear, for he stood listening -intently. -</p> - -<p> -"Ah!" he cried. "Ah!" and dashed into the -room behind him. -</p> - -<p> -Two steps took me to the open door, and my mind -will ever carry a clear picture of the scene within. -The window leading out to the garden was wide -open. Beside it, looking like some terrible ghost, -his head girt with bloody bandages, his face drawn -and white, stood Sherlock Holmes. The next instant -he was through the gap, and I heard the crash -of his body among the laurel bushes outside. With -a howl of rage the master of the house rushed after -him to the open window. -</p> - -<p> -And then! It was done in an instant, and yet I -clearly saw it. An arm—a woman's arm—shot out -from among the leaves. At the same instant the -Baron uttered a horrible cry—a yell which will -always ring in my memory. He clapped his two -hands to his face and rushed round the room, beating -his head horribly against the walls. Then he fell -upon the carpet, rolling and writhing, while scream -after scream resounded through the house. -</p> - -<p> -"Water! For God's sake, water!" was his cry. -</p> - -<p> -I seized a carafe from a side-table and rushed to -his aid. At the same moment the butler and several -footmen ran in from the hall. I remember that one -of them fainted as I knelt by the injured man and -turned that awful face to the light of the lamp. -The vitriol was eating into it everywhere and -dripping from the ears and the chin. One eye was -already white and glazed. The other was red and -inflamed. The features which I had admired a few -minutes before were now like some beautiful painting -over which the artist has passed a wet and foul -sponge. They were blurred, discoloured, inhuman, -terrible. -</p> - -<p> -In a few words I explained exactly what had -occurred, so far as the vitriol attack was concerned. -Some had climbed through the window and others -had rushed out on to the lawn, but it was dark and it -had begun to rain. Between his screams the victim -raged and raved against the avenger. "It was that -hell-cat, Kitty Winter!" he cried. "Oh, the -she-devil! She shall pay for it! She shall pay! Oh, -God in heaven, this pain is more than I can bear!" -</p> - -<p> -I bathed his face in oil, put cotton wadding on the -raw surfaces, and administered a hypodermic of -morphia. All suspicion of me had passed from his -mind in the presence of this shock, and he clung to -my hands as if I might have the power even yet to -clear those dead-fish eyes which gazed up at me. I -could have wept over the ruin had I not remembered -very clearly the vile life which had led up to so -hideous a change. It was loathsome to feel the -pawing of his burning hands, and I was relieved when his -family surgeon, closely followed by a specialist, came -to relieve me of my charge. An inspector of police -had also arrived, and to him I handed my real card. -It would have been useless as well as foolish to do -otherwise, for I was nearly as well known by sight at -the Yard as Holmes himself. Then I left that house -of gloom and terror. Within an hour I was at Baker -Street. -</p> - -<p> -Holmes was seated in his familiar chair, looking -very pale and exhausted. Apart from his injuries, -even his iron nerves had been shocked by the events -of the evening, and he listened with horror to my -account of the Baron's transformation. -</p> - -<p> -"The wages of sin, Watson—the wages of sin!" -said he. "Sooner or later it will always come. -God knows, there was sin enough," he added, taking -up a brown volume from the table. "Here is the -book the woman talked of. If this will not break off -the marriage, nothing ever could. But it will, -Watson. It must. No self-respecting woman could -stand it." -</p> - -<p> -"It is his love diary?" -</p> - -<p> -"Or his lust diary. Call it what you will. The -moment the woman told us of it I realized what a -tremendous weapon was there, if we could but lay -our hands on it. I said nothing at the time to -indicate my thoughts, for this woman might have given -it away. But I brooded over it. Then this assault -upon me gave me the chance of letting the Baron -think that no precautions need be taken against me. -That was all to the good. I would have waited a -little longer, but his visit to America forced my hand. -He would never have left so compromising a document -behind him. Therefore we had to act at once. -Burglary at night is impossible. He takes -precautions. But there was a chance in the evening if -I could only be sure that his attention was engaged. -That was where you and your blue saucer came in. -But I had to be sure of the position of the book, and -I knew I had only a few minutes in which to act, -for my time was limited by your knowledge of -Chinese pottery. Therefore I gathered the girl up -at the last moment. How could I guess what the -little packet was that she carried so carefully under -her cloak? I thought she had come altogether on -my business, but it seems she had some of her own." -</p> - -<p> -"He guessed I came from you." -</p> - -<p> -"I feared he would. But you held him in play -just long enough for me to get the book, though not -long enough for an unobserved escape. Ah, Sir -James, I am very glad you have come!" -</p> - -<p> -Our courtly friend had appeared in answer to a -previous summons. He listened with the deepest -attention to Holmes's account of what had occurred. -</p> - -<p> -"You have done wonders—wonders!" he cried, -when he had heard the narrative. "But if these -injuries are as terrible as Dr. Watson describes, then -surely our purpose of thwarting the marriage is -sufficiently gained without the use of this horrible -book." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes shook his head. -</p> - -<p> -"Women of the de Merville type do not act like -that. She would love him the more as a disfigured -martyr. No, no. It is his moral side, not his -physical, which we have to destroy. That book will -bring her back to earth—and I know nothing else -that could. It is in his own writing. She cannot -get past it." -</p> - -<p> -Sir James carried away both it and the precious -saucer. As I was myself overdue, I went down -with him into the street. A brougham was waiting -for him. He sprang in, gave a hurried order to the -cockaded coachman, and drove swiftly away. He -flung his overcoat half out of the window to cover -the armorial bearings upon the panel, but I had seen -them in the glare of our fanlight none the less. I -gasped with surprise. Then I turned back and -ascended the stair to Holmes's room. -</p> - -<p> -"I have found out who our client is," I cried, -bursting with my great news. "Why, Holmes, it -is——" -</p> - -<p> -"It is a loyal friend and a chivalrous gentleman," -said Holmes, holding up a restraining hand. "Let -that now and for ever be enough for us." -</p> - -<p> -I do not know how the incriminating book was -used. Sir James may have managed it. Or it is -more probable that so delicate a task was entrusted -to the young lady's father. The effect, at any rate, -was all that could be desired. Three days later -appeared a paragraph in <i>The Morning Post</i> to say -that the marriage between Baron Adelbert Gruner -and Miss Violet de Merville would not take place. -The same paper had the first police-court hearing of -the proceedings against Miss Kitty Winter on the -grave charge of vitriol-throwing. Such extenuating -circumstances came out in the trial that the sentence, -as will be remembered, was the lowest that was -possible for such an offence. Sherlock Holmes was -threatened with a prosecution for burglary, but -when an object is good and a client is sufficiently -illustrious, even the rigid British law becomes human -and elastic. My friend has not yet stood in the dock. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap02"></a></p> - -<h3> -II -</h3> - -<h3> -THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLANCHED SOLDIER -</h3> - -<p> -The ideas of my friend Watson, though limited, -are exceedingly pertinacious. For a long -time he has worried me to write an experience of -my own. Perhaps I have rather invited this persecution, -since I have often had occasion to point out -to him how superficial are his own accounts and to -accuse him of pandering to popular taste instead -of confining himself rigidly to facts and figures. -"Try it yourself, Holmes!" he has retorted, and -I am compelled to admit that, having taken my -pen in my hand, I do begin to realize that the -matter must be presented in such a way as may -interest the reader. The following case can hardly -fail to do so, as it is among the strangest happenings -in my collection, though it chanced that Watson had -no note of it in his collection. Speaking of my old -friend and biographer, I would take this opportunity -to remark that if I burden myself with a companion -in my various little inquiries it is not done -out of sentiment or caprice, but it is that Watson -has some remarkable characteristics of his own, to -which in his modesty he has given small attention -amid his exaggerated estimates of my own performances. -A confederate who foresees your conclusions -and course of action is always dangerous, but one -to whom each development comes as a perpetual -surprise, and to whom the future is always a closed -book, is, indeed, an ideal helpmate. -</p> - -<p> -I find from my notebook that it was in January, -1903, just after the conclusion of the Boer War, that -I had my visit from Mr. James M. Dodd, a big, -fresh, sunburned, upstanding Briton. The good -Watson had at that time deserted me for a wife, -the only selfish action which I can recall in our -association. I was alone. -</p> - -<p> -It is my habit to sit with my back to the window -and to place my visitors in the opposite chair, where -the light falls full upon them. Mr. James M. Dodd -seemed somewhat at a loss how to begin the interview. -I did not attempt to help him, for his silence -gave me more time for observation. I have found -it wise to impress clients with a sense of power, and -so I gave him some of my conclusions. -</p> - -<p> -"From South Africa, sir, I perceive." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, sir," he answered, with some surprise. -</p> - -<p> -"Imperial Yeomanry, I fancy." -</p> - -<p> -"Exactly." -</p> - -<p> -"Middlesex Corps, no doubt." -</p> - -<p> -"That is so. Mr. Holmes, you are a wizard." -</p> - -<p> -I smiled at his bewildered expression. -</p> - -<p> -"When a gentleman of virile appearance enters -my room with such tan upon his face as an English -sun could never give, and with his handkerchief in -his sleeve instead of in his pocket, it is not difficult -to place him. You wear a short beard, which -shows that you were not a regular. You have the -cut of a riding-man. As to Middlesex, your card -has already shown me that you are a stockbroker -from Throgmorton Street. What other regiment -would you join?" -</p> - -<p> -"You see everything." -</p> - -<p> -"I see no more than you, but I have trained -myself to notice what I see. However, Mr. Dodd, it -was not to discuss the science of observation that -you called upon me this morning. What has been -happening at Tuxbury Old Park?" -</p> - -<p> -"Mr. Holmes——!" -</p> - -<p> -"My dear sir, there is no mystery. Your letter -came with that heading, and as you fixed this -appointment in very pressing terms it was clear that -something sudden and important had occurred." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, indeed. But the letter was written in the -afternoon, and a good deal has happened since then. -If Colonel Emsworth had not kicked me out——" -</p> - -<p> -"Kicked you out!" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, that was what it amounted to. He is a -hard nail, is Colonel Emsworth. The greatest -martinet in the Army in his day, and it was a day -of rough language, too. I couldn't have stuck the -Colonel if it had not been for Godfrey's sake." -</p> - -<p> -I lit my pipe and leaned back in my chair. -</p> - -<p> -"Perhaps you will explain what you are talking -about." -</p> - -<p> -My client grinned mischievously. -</p> - -<p> -"I had got into the way of supposing that you -knew everything without being told," said he. -"But I will give you the facts, and I hope to God -that you will be able to tell me what they mean. -I've been awake all night puzzling my brain, and the -more I think the more incredible does it become. -</p> - -<p> -"When I joined up in January, 1901—just two -years ago—young Godfrey Emsworth had joined -the same squadron. He was Colonel Emsworth's -only son—Emsworth, the Crimean V.C.—and he had -the fighting blood in him, so it is no wonder he -volunteered. There was not a finer lad in the -regiment. We formed a friendship—the sort of -friendship which can only be made when one lives the -same life and shares the same joys and sorrows. He -was my mate—and that means a good deal in the -Army. We took the rough and the smooth together -for a year of hard fighting. Then he was hit with a -bullet from an elephant gun in the action near -Diamond Hill outside Pretoria. I got one letter from -the hospital at Cape Town and one from Southampton. -Since then not a word—not one word, Mr. Holmes, -for six months and more, and he my closest pal. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, when the war was over, and we all got -back, I wrote to his father and asked where Godfrey -was. No answer. I waited a bit and then I wrote -again. This time I had a reply, short and gruff. -Godfrey had gone on a voyage round the world, and -it was not likely that he would be back for a year. -That was all. -</p> - -<p> -"I wasn't satisfied, Mr. Holmes. The whole -thing seemed to me so damned unnatural. He was -a good lad and he would not drop a pal like that. It -was not like him. Then, again, I happened to know -that he was heir to a lot of money, and also that his -father and he did not always hit it off too well. The -old man was sometimes a bully, and young Godfrey -had too much spirit to stand it. No, I wasn't -satisfied, and I determined that I would get to the root -of the matter. It happened, however, that my own -affairs needed a lot of straightening out, after two -years' absence, and so it is only this week that I -have been able to take up Godfrey's case again. But -since I have taken it up I mean to drop everything -in order to see it through." -</p> - -<p> -Mr. James M. Dodd appeared to be the sort of -person whom it would be better to have as a friend -than as an enemy. His blue eyes were stern and -his square jaw had set hard as he spoke. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, what have you done?" I asked. -</p> - -<p> -"My first move was to get down to his home, Tuxbury -Old Park, near Bedford, and to see for myself -how the ground lay. I wrote to the mother, -therefore—I had had quite enough of the curmudgeon of a -father—and I made a clean frontal attack: Godfrey -was my chum, I had a great deal of interest which I -might tell her of our common experiences, I should -be in the neighbourhood, would there be any objection, -et cetera? In reply I had quite an amiable -answer from her and an offer to put me up for -the night. That was what took me down on Monday. -</p> - -<p> -"Tuxbury Old Hall is inaccessible—five miles -from anywhere. There was no trap at the station, -so I had to walk, carrying my suit-case, and it was -nearly dark before I arrived. It is a great wandering -house, standing in a considerable park. I should -judge it was of all sorts of ages and styles, starting -on a half-timbered Elizabethan foundation and ending -in a Victorian portico. Inside it was all panelling -and tapestry and half-effaced old pictures, a house -of shadows and mystery. There was a butler, old -Ralph, who seemed about the same age as the house -and there was his wife, who might have been older. -She had been Godfrey's nurse, and I had heard him -speak of her as second only to his mother in his -affections, so I was drawn to her in spite of her queer -appearance. The mother I liked also—a gentle little -white mouse of a woman. It was only the Colonel -himself whom I barred. -</p> - -<p> -"We had a bit of a barney right away, and I -should have walked back to the station if I had not -felt that it might be playing his game for me to do -so. I was shown straight into his study, and there -I found him, a huge, bow-backed man with a smoky -skin and a straggling grey beard, seated behind his -littered desk. A red-veined nose jutted out like a -vulture's beak, and two fierce grey eyes glared at -me from under tufted brows. I could understand -now why Godfrey seldom spoke of his father. -</p> - -<p> -"'Well, sir,' said he in a rasping voice. 'I should -be interested to know the real reasons for this visit.' -</p> - -<p> -"I answered that I had explained them in my -letter to his wife. -</p> - -<p> -"'Yes, yes; you said that you had known Godfrey -in Africa. We have, of course, only your word -for that.' -</p> - -<p> -"'I have his letters to me in my pocket.' -</p> - -<p> -"'Kindly let me see them.' -</p> - -<p> -"He glanced at the two which I handed him, and -then he tossed them back. -</p> - -<p> -"'Well, what then?' he asked. -</p> - -<p> -"'I was fond of your son Godfrey, sir. Many -ties and memories united us. Is it not natural that -I should wonder at his sudden silence and should -wish to know what has become of him?' -</p> - -<p> -"'I have some recollection, sir, that I had already -corresponded with you and had told you what had -become of him. He has gone upon a voyage round -the world. His health was in a poor way after his -African experiences, and both his mother and I were -of opinion that complete rest and change were -needed. Kindly pass that explanation on to any -other friends who may be interested in the matter.' -</p> - -<p> -"'Certainly,' I answered. 'But perhaps you -would have the goodness to let me have the name of -the steamer and of the line by which he sailed, -together with the date. I have no doubt that I should -be able to get a letter through to him.' -</p> - -<p> -"My request seemed both to puzzle and to irritate -my host. His great eyebrows came down over his -eyes and he tapped his fingers impatiently on the -table. He looked up at last with the expression of -one who has seen his adversary make a dangerous -move at chess, and has decided how to meet it. -</p> - -<p> -"'Many people, Mr. Dodd,' said he, 'would take -offence at your infernal pertinacity and would think -that this insistence had reached the point of damned -impertinence.' -</p> - -<p> -"'You must put it down, sir, to my real love for -your son.' -</p> - -<p> -"'Exactly. I have already made every allowance -upon that score. I must ask you, however, to -drop these inquiries. Every family has its own -inner knowledge and its own motives, which cannot -always be made clear to outsiders, however -well-intentioned. My wife is anxious to hear something -of Godfrey's past which you are in a position to tell -her, but I would ask you to let the present and the -future alone. Such inquiries serve no useful -purpose, sir, and place us in a delicate and difficult -position.' -</p> - -<p> -"So I came to a dead end, Mr. Holmes. There -was no getting past it. I could only pretend to -accept the situation and register a vow inwardly that -I would never rest until my friend's fate had been -cleared up. It was a dull evening. We dined -quietly, the three of us, in a gloomy, faded old room. -The lady questioned me eagerly about her son, but -the old man seemed morose and depressed. I was -so bored by the whole proceeding that I made an -excuse as soon as I decently could and retired to my -bedroom. It was a large, bare room on the ground -floor, as gloomy as the rest of the house, but after a -year of sleeping upon the veldt, Mr. Holmes, one is -not too particular about one's quarters. I opened -the curtains and looked out into the garden, remarking -that it was a fine night with a bright half-moon. -Then I sat down by the roaring fire with the lamp on -a table beside me, and endeavoured to distract my -mind with a novel. I was interrupted, however, by -Ralph, the old butler, who came in with a fresh -supply of coals. -</p> - -<p> -"'I thought you might run short in the night-time, -sir. It is bitter weather and these rooms are -cold.' -</p> - -<p> -"He hesitated before leaving the room, and when -I looked round he was standing facing me with a -wistful look upon his wrinkled face. -</p> - -<p> -"'Beg your pardon, sir, but I could not help -hearing what you said of young Master Godfrey at -dinner. You know, sir, that my wife nursed him, -and so I may say I am his foster-father. It's natural -we should take an interest. And you say he carried -himself well, sir?' -</p> - -<p> -"'There was no braver man in the regiment. He -pulled me out once from under the rifles of the Boers, -or maybe I should not be here.' -</p> - -<p> -"The old butler rubbed his skinny hands. -</p> - -<p> -"'Yes, sir, yes, that is Master Godfrey all over. -He was always courageous. There's not a tree in -the park, sir, that he has not climbed. Nothing -would stop him. He was a fine boy—and oh, sir, he -was a fine man.' -</p> - -<p> -"I sprang to my feet. -</p> - -<p> -"'Look here!' I cried. 'You say he was. You -speak as if he were dead. What is all this mystery? -What has become of Godfrey Emsworth?' -</p> - -<p> -"I gripped the old man by the shoulder, but he -shrank away. -</p> - -<p> -"'I don't know what you mean, sir. Ask the -master about Master Godfrey. He knows. It is -not for me to interfere.' -</p> - -<p> -"He was leaving the room, but I held his arm. -</p> - -<p> -"'Listen,' I said. 'You are going to answer one -question before you leave if I have to hold you all -night. Is Godfrey dead?' -</p> - -<p> -"He could not face my eyes. He was like a man -hypnotized. The answer was dragged from his lips. -It was a terrible and unexpected one. -</p> - -<p> -"'I wish to God he was!' he cried, and, tearing -himself free, he dashed from the room. -</p> - -<p> -"You will think, Mr. Holmes, that I returned to -my chair in no very happy state of mind. The old -man's words seemed to me to bear only one -interpretation. Clearly my poor friend had become -involved in some criminal, or, at the least, disreputable, -transaction which touched the family honour. -That stern old man had sent his son away and hidden -him from the world lest some scandal should come -to light. Godfrey was a reckless fellow. He was -easily influenced by those around him. No doubt -he had fallen into bad hands and been misled to his -ruin. It was a piteous business, if it was indeed so, -but even now it was my duty to hunt him out and -see if I could aid him. I was anxiously pondering -the matter when I looked up, and there was Godfrey -Emsworth standing before me." -</p> - -<p> -My client had paused as one in deep emotion. -</p> - -<p> -"Pray continue," I said. "Your problem presents -some very unusual features." -</p> - -<p> -"He was outside the window, Mr. Holmes, with -his face pressed against the glass. I have told you -that I looked out at the night. When I did so, I -left the curtains partly open. His figure was framed -in this gap. The window came down to the ground -and I could see the whole length of it, but it was his -face which held my gaze. He was deadly pale—never -have I seen a man so white. I reckon ghosts -may look like that; but his eyes met mine, and they -were the eyes of a living man. He sprang back when -he saw that I was looking at him, and he vanished -into the darkness. -</p> - -<p> -"There was something shocking about the man, -Mr. Holmes. It wasn't merely that ghastly face -glimmering as white as cheese in the darkness. It -was more subtle than that—something slinking, -something furtive, something guilty—something -very unlike the frank, manly lad that I had known. -It left a feeling of horror in my mind. -</p> - -<p> -"But when a man has been soldiering for a year -or two with brother Boer as a playmate, he keeps -his nerve and acts quickly. Godfrey had hardly -vanished before I was at the window. There was -an awkward catch, and I was some little time before -I could throw it up. Then I nipped through and -ran down the garden path in the direction that I -thought he might have taken. -</p> - -<p> -"It was a long path and the light was not very -good but it seemed to me something was moving -ahead of me. I ran on and called his name, but it -was no use. When I got to the end of the path -there were several others branching in different -directions to various outhouses. I stood hesitating, -and as I did so I heard distinctly the sound of a -closing door. It was not behind me in the house, but -ahead of me, somewhere in the darkness. That was -enough, Mr. Holmes, to assure me that what I had -seen was not a vision. Godfrey had run away from -me and he had shut a door behind him. Of that I -was certain. -</p> - -<p> -"There was nothing more I could do, and I spent -an uneasy night turning the matter over in my mind -and trying to find some theory which would cover the -facts. Next day I found the Colonel rather more -conciliatory, and as his wife remarked that there -were some places of interest in the neighbourhood, -it gave me an opening to ask whether my presence -for one more night would incommode them. A -somewhat grudging acquiescence from the old man -gave me a clear day in which to make my observations. -I was already perfectly convinced that Godfrey -was in hiding somewhere near, but where and -why remained to be solved. -</p> - -<p> -"The house was so large and so rambling that a -regiment might be hid away in it and no one the -wiser. If the secret lay there, it was difficult for me -to penetrate it. But the door which I had heard -close was certainly not in the house. I must explore -the garden and see what I could find. There was -no difficulty in the way, for the old people were -busy in their own fashion and left me to my own -devices. -</p> - -<p> -"There were several small outhouses, but at the -end of the garden there was a detached building of -some size—large enough for a gardener's or a -gamekeeper's residence. Could this be the place whence -the sound of that shutting door had come? I -approached it in a careless fashion, as though I were -strolling aimlessly round the grounds. As I did so, -a small, brisk, bearded man in a black coat and -bowler hat—not at all the gardener type—came out -of the door. To my surprise, he locked it after him -and put the key in his pocket. Then he looked at -me with some surprise on his face. -</p> - -<p> -"'Are you a visitor here?' he asked. -</p> - -<p> -"I explained that I was and that I was a friend -of Godfrey's. -</p> - -<p> -"'What a pity that he should be away on his -travels, for he would have so liked to see me,' I -continued. -</p> - -<p> -"'Quite so. Exactly,' said he, with a rather -guilty air. 'No doubt you will renew your visit at -some more propitious time.' He passed on, but -when I turned I observed that he was standing -watching me, half-concealed by the laurels at the -far end of the garden. -</p> - -<p> -"I had a good look at the little house as I passed -it, but the windows were heavily curtained, and, so -far as one could see, it was empty. I might spoil -my own game, and even be ordered off the premises, -if I were too audacious, for I was still conscious that -I was being watched. Therefore, I strolled back to -the house and waited for night before I went on with -my inquiry. When all was dark and quiet, I slipped -out of my window and made my way as silently as -possible to the mysterious lodge. -</p> - -<p> -"I have said that it was heavily curtained, but -now I found that the windows were shuttered as well. -Some light, however, was breaking through one of -them, so I concentrated my attention upon this. I -was in luck, for the curtain had not been quite closed, -and there was a crack in the shutter so that I could -see the inside of the room. It was a cheery place -enough, a bright lamp and a blazing fire. Opposite -to me was seated the little man whom I had seen in -the morning. He was smoking a pipe and reading a -paper." -</p> - -<p> -"What paper?" I asked. -</p> - -<p> -My client seemed annoyed at the interruption of -his narrative. -</p> - -<p> -"Can it matter?" he asked. -</p> - -<p> -"It is most essential." -</p> - -<p> -"I really took no notice." -</p> - -<p> -"Possibly you observed whether it was a -broad-leafed paper or of that smaller type which one -associates with weeklies." -</p> - -<p> -"Now that you mention it, it was not large. It -might have been <i>The Spectator</i>. However, I had -little thought to spare upon such details, for a second -man was seated with his back to the window, and I -could swear that this second man was Godfrey. I -could not see his face, but I knew the familiar slope -of his shoulders. He was leaning upon his elbow in -an attitude of great melancholy, his body turned -towards the fire. I was hesitating as to what I -should do when there was a sharp tap on my -shoulder, and there was Colonel Emsworth beside me. -</p> - -<p> -"'This way, sir!' said he in a low voice. He -walked in silence to the house and I followed him -into my own bedroom. He had picked up a -timetable in the hall. -</p> - -<p> -"'There is a train to London at eight-thirty,' said -he. 'The trap will be at the door at eight.' -</p> - -<p> -"He was white with rage, and, indeed, I felt myself -in so difficult a position that I could only stammer -out a few incoherent apologies, in which I tried -to excuse myself by urging my anxiety for my friend. -</p> - -<p> -"'The matter will not bear discussion,' said he -abruptly. 'You have made a most damnable intrusion -into the privacy of our family. You were here -as a guest and you have become a spy. I have -nothing more to say, sir, save that I have no wish -ever to see you again.' -</p> - -<p> -"At this I lost my temper, Mr. Holmes, and I -spoke with some warmth. -</p> - -<p> -"'I have seen your son, and I am convinced that -for some reason of your own you are concealing him -from the world. I have no idea what your motives -are in cutting him off in this fashion, but I am sure -that he is no longer a free agent. I warn you, -Colonel Emsworth, that until I am assured as to the -safety and well-being of my friend I shall never -desist in my efforts to get to the bottom of the -mystery, and I shall certainly not allow myself to be -intimidated by anything which you may say or do.' -</p> - -<p> -"The old fellow looked diabolical, and I really -thought he was about to attack me. I have said -that he was a gaunt, fierce old giant, and though I -am no weakling I might have been hard put to it to -hold my own against him. However, after a long -glare of rage he turned upon his heel and walked out -of the room. For my part, I took the appointed -train in the morning, with the full intention of -coming straight to you and asking for your advice and -assistance at the appointment for which I had -already written." -</p> - -<p> -Such was the problem which my visitor laid before -me. It presented, as the astute reader will have -already perceived, few difficulties in its solution, for -a very limited choice of alternatives must get to the -root of the matter. Still, elementary as it was, -there were points of interest and novelty about it -which may excuse my placing it upon record. I now -proceeded, using my familiar method of logical -analysis, to narrow down the possible solutions. -</p> - -<p> -"The servants," I asked; "how many were in -the house?" -</p> - -<p> -"To the best of my belief there were only the old -butler and his wife. They seemed to live in the -simplest fashion." -</p> - -<p> -"There was no servant, then, in the detached -house?" -</p> - -<p> -"None, unless the little man with the beard acted -as such. He seemed, however, to be quite a superior -person." -</p> - -<p> -"That seems very suggestive. Had you any indication -that food was conveyed from the one house -to the other?" -</p> - -<p> -"Now that you mention it, I did see old Ralph -carrying a basket down the garden walk and going -in the direction of this house. The idea of food did -not occur to me at the moment." -</p> - -<p> -"Did you make any local inquiries?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, I did. I spoke to the station-master and -also to the innkeeper in the village. I simply asked -if they knew anything of my old comrade, Godfrey -Emsworth. Both of them assured me that he had -gone for a voyage round the world. He had come -home and then had almost at once started off again. -The story was evidently universally accepted." -</p> - -<p> -"You said nothing of your suspicions?" -</p> - -<p> -"Nothing." -</p> - -<p> -"That was very wise. The matter should certainly -be inquired into. I will go back with you to -Tuxbury Old Park." -</p> - -<p> -"To-day?" -</p> - -<p> -It happened that at the moment I was clearing -up the case which my friend Watson has described -as that of the Abbey School, in which the Duke of -Greyminster was so deeply involved. I had also a -commission from the Sultan of Turkey which called -for immediate action, as political consequences of -the gravest kind might arise from its neglect. -Therefore it was not until the beginning of the next week, -as my diary records, that I was able to start forth -on my mission to Bedfordshire in company with -Mr. James M. Dodd. As we drove to Euston we picked -up a grave and taciturn gentleman of iron-grey -aspect, with whom I had made the necessary -arrangements. -</p> - -<p> -"This is an old friend," said I to Dodd. "It is -possible that his presence may be entirely unnecessary, -and, on the other hand, it may be essential. -It is not necessary at the present stage to go further -into the matter." -</p> - -<p> -The narratives of Watson have accustomed the -reader, no doubt, to the fact that I do not waste -words or disclose my thoughts while a case is actually -under consideration. Dodd seemed surprised, but -nothing more was said and the three of us continued -our journey together. In the train I asked Dodd -one more question which I wished our companion to -hear. -</p> - -<p> -"You say that you saw your friend's face quite -clearly at the window, so clearly that you are sure -of his identity?" -</p> - -<p> -"I have no doubt about it whatever. His nose -was pressed against the glass. The lamplight shone -full upon him." -</p> - -<p> -"It could not have been someone resembling him?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, no; it was he." -</p> - -<p> -"But you say he was changed?" -</p> - -<p> -"Only in colour. His face was—how shall I -describe it?—it was of a fish-belly whiteness. It -was bleached." -</p> - -<p> -"Was it equally pale all over?" -</p> - -<p> -"I think not. It was his brow which I saw so -clearly as it was pressed against the window." -</p> - -<p> -"Did you call to him?" -</p> - -<p> -"I was too startled and horrified for the moment. -Then I pursued him, as I have told you, but without -result." -</p> - -<p> -My case was practically complete, and there was -only one small incident needed to round it off. -When, after a considerable drive, we arrived at the -strange old rambling house which my client had -described, it was Ralph, the elderly butler, who -opened the door. I had requisitioned the carriage -for the day and had asked my elderly friend to -remain within it unless we should summon him. -Ralph, a little wrinkled old fellow, was in the -conventional costume of black coat and pepper-and-salt -trousers, with only one curious variant. He wore -brown leather gloves, which at sight of us he -instantly shuffled off, laying them down on the -hall-table as we passed in. I have, as my friend Watson -may have remarked, an abnormally acute set of -senses, and a faint but incisive scent was apparent. -It seemed to centre on the hall-table. I turned, -placed my hat there, knocked it off, stooped to pick -it up, and contrived to bring my nose within a foot -of the gloves. Yes, it was undoubtedly from them -that the curious tarry odour was oozing. I passed -on into the study with my case complete. Alas, -that I should have to show my hand so when I tell -my own story! It was by concealing such links in -the chain that Watson was enabled to produce his -meretricious finales. -</p> - -<p> -Colonel Emsworth was not in his room, but he -came quickly enough on receipt of Ralph's message. -We heard his quick, heavy step in the passage. The -door was flung open and he rushed in with bristling -beard and twisted features, as terrible an old man as -ever I have seen. He held our cards in his hand, and -he tore them up and stamped on the fragments. -</p> - -<p> -"Have I not told you, you infernal busybody, that -you are warned off the premises? Never dare to -show your damned face here again. If you enter -again without my leave I shall be within my rights -if I use violence. I'll shoot you, sir! By God, I -will! As to you, sir," turning upon me, "I extend -the same warning to you. I am familiar with your -ignoble profession, but you must take your reputed -talents to some other field. There is no opening -for them here." -</p> - -<p> -"I cannot leave here," said my client firmly, -"until I hear from Godfrey's own lips that he is -under no restraint." -</p> - -<p> -Our involuntary host rang the bell. -</p> - -<p> -"Ralph," he said, "telephone down to the county -police and ask the inspector to send up two -constables. Tell him there are burglars in the house." -</p> - -<p> -"One moment," said I. "You must be aware, -Mr. Dodd, that Colonel Emsworth is within his rights -and that we have no legal status within his house. -On the other hand, he should recognize that your -action is prompted entirely by solicitude for his son. -I venture to hope that, if I were allowed to have five -minutes' conversation with Colonel Emsworth, I -could certainly alter his view of the matter." -</p> - -<p> -"I am not so easily altered," said the old soldier. -"Ralph, do what I have told you. What the devil -are you waiting for? Ring up the police!" -</p> - -<p> -"Nothing of the sort," I said, putting my back -to the door. "Any police interference would bring -about the very catastrophe which you dread." I -took out my notebook and scribbled one word upon -a loose sheet. "That," said I, as I handed it to -Colonel Emsworth, "is what has brought us here." -</p> - -<p> -He stared at the writing with a face from which -every expression save amazement had vanished. -</p> - -<p> -"How do you know?" he gasped, sitting down -heavily in his chair. -</p> - -<p> -"It is my business to know things. That is my -trade." -</p> - -<p> -He sat in deep thought, his gaunt hand tugging at -his straggling beard. Then he made a gesture of -resignation. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, if you wish to see Godfrey, you shall. It -is no doing of mine, but you have forced my hand. -Ralph, tell Mr. Godfrey and Mr. Kent that in five -minutes we shall be with them." -</p> - -<p> -At the end of that time we passed down the garden -path and found ourselves in front of the mystery -house at the end. A small bearded man stood at the -door with a look of considerable astonishment upon -his face. -</p> - -<p> -"This is very sudden, Colonel Emsworth," said -he. "This will disarrange all our plans." -</p> - -<p> -"I can't help it, Mr. Kent. Our hands have been -forced. Can Mr. Godfrey see us?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes; he is waiting inside." He turned and -led us into a large, plainly furnished front room. A -man was standing with his back to the fire, and at -the sight of him my client sprang forward with -outstretched hand. -</p> - -<p> -"Why, Godfrey, old man, this is fine!" -</p> - -<p> -But the other waved him back. -</p> - -<p> -"Don't touch me, Jimmie. Keep your distance. -Yes, you may well stare! I don't quite look the -smart Lance-Corporal Emsworth, of B Squadron, -do I?" -</p> - -<p> -His appearance was certainly extraordinary. -One could see that he had indeed been a handsome -man with clear-cut features sunburned by an African -sun, but mottled in patches over this darker surface -were curious whitish patches which had bleached his -skin. -</p> - -<p> -"That's why I don't court visitors," said he. "I -don't mind you, Jimmie, but I could have done -without your friend. I suppose there is some good -reason for it, but you have me at a disadvantage." -</p> - -<p> -"I wanted to be sure that all was well with you, -Godfrey. I saw you that night when you looked -into my window, and I could not let the matter rest -till I had cleared things up." -</p> - -<p> -"Old Ralph told me you were there, and I couldn't -help taking a peep at you. I hoped you would not -have seen me, and I had to run to my burrow when -I heard the window go up." -</p> - -<p> -"But what in Heaven's name is the matter?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, it's not a long story to tell," said he, -lighting a cigarette. "You remember that morning -fight at Buffelsspruit, outside Pretoria, on the -Eastern railway line? You heard I was hit?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, I heard that, but I never got particulars." -</p> - -<p> -"Three of us got separated from the others. It -was very broken country, you may remember. -There was Simpson—the fellow we called Baldy -Simpson—and Anderson, and I. We were clearing -brother Boer, but he lay low and got the three of us. -The other two were killed. I got an elephant bullet -through my shoulder. I stuck on to my horse, however, -and he galloped several miles before I fainted -and rolled off the saddle. -</p> - -<p> -"When I came to myself it was nightfall, and I -raised myself up, feeling very weak and ill. To my -surprise there was a house close beside me, a fairly -large house with a broad stoep and many windows. -It was deadly cold. You remember the kind of -numb cold which used to come at evening, a deadly, -sickening sort of cold, very different from a crisp -healthy frost. Well, I was chilled to the bone, and -my only hope seemed to lie in reaching that house. -I staggered to my feet and dragged myself along, -hardly conscious of what I did. I have a dim -memory of slowly ascending the steps, entering a -wide-opened door, passing into a large room which -contained several beds, and throwing myself down -with a gasp of satisfaction upon one of them. It -was unmade, but that troubled me not at all. I -drew the clothes over my shivering body and in a -moment I was in a deep sleep. -</p> - -<p> -"It was morning when I wakened, and it seemed -to me that instead of coming out into a world of -sanity I had emerged into some extraordinary -nightmare. The African sun flooded through the big, -curtainless windows, and every detail of the great, -bare, whitewashed dormitory stood out hard and -clear. In front of me was standing a small, -dwarf-like man with a huge, bulbous head, who was -jabbering excitedly in Dutch, waving two horrible hands -which looked to me like brown sponges. Behind him -stood a group of people who seemed to be intensely -amused by the situation, but a chill came over me as -I looked at them. Not one of them was a normal -human being. Every one was twisted or swollen or -disfigured in some strange way. The laughter of -these strange monstrosities was a dreadful thing to -hear. -</p> - -<p> -"It seemed that none of them could speak English, -but the situation wanted clearing up, for the -creature with the big head was growing furiously -angry and, uttering wild beast cries, he had laid his -deformed hands upon me and was dragging me out -of bed, regardless of the fresh flow of blood from my -wound. The little monster was as strong as a bull, -and I don't know what he might have done to me -had not an elderly man who was clearly in authority -been attracted to the room by the hubbub. He -said a few stern words in Dutch and my persecutor -shrank away. Then he turned upon me, gazing at -me in the utmost amazement. -</p> - -<p> -"'How in the world did you come here?' he -asked, in amazement. 'Wait a bit! I see that -you are tired out and that wounded shoulder of yours -wants looking after. I am a doctor, and I'll soon -have you tied up. But, man alive! you are in far -greater danger here than ever you were on the -battlefield. You are in the Leper Hospital, and you have -slept in a leper's bed.' -</p> - -<p> -"Need I tell you more, Jimmie? It seems that -in view of the approaching battle all these poor -creatures had been evacuated the day before. Then, -as the British advanced, they had been brought back -by this, their medical superintendent, who assured -me that, though he believed he was immune to the -disease, he would none the less never have dared to -do what I had done. He put me in a private room, -treated me kindly, and within a week or so I was -removed to the general hospital at Pretoria. -</p> - -<p> -"So there you have my tragedy. I hoped against -hope, but it was not until I had reached home that -the terrible signs which you see upon my face told me -that I had not escaped. What was I to do? I was -in this lonely house. We had two servants whom we -could utterly trust. There was a house where I -could live. Under pledge of secrecy, Mr. Kent, who -is a surgeon, was prepared to stay with me. It -seemed simple enough on those lines. The -alternative was a dreadful one—segregation for life -among strangers with never a hope of release. But -absolute secrecy was necessary, or even in this quiet -country-side there would have been an outcry, and I -should have been dragged to my horrible doom. -Even you, Jimmie—even you had to be kept in the -dark. Why my father has relented I cannot -imagine." -</p> - -<p> -Colonel Emsworth pointed to me. -</p> - -<p> -"This is the gentleman who forced my hand." He -unfolded the scrap of paper on which I had -written the word "Leprosy." "It seemed to me that -if he knew so much as that it was safer that he should -know all." -</p> - -<p> -"And so it was," said I. "Who knows but good -may come of it? I understand that only Mr. Kent -has seen the patient. May I ask, sir, if you are an -authority on such complaints, which are, I understand, -tropical or semi-tropical in their nature?" -</p> - -<p> -"I have the ordinary knowledge of the educated -medical man," he observed, with some stiffness. -</p> - -<p> -"I have no doubt, sir, that you are fully -competent, but I am sure that you will agree that in -such a case a second opinion is valuable. You have -avoided this, I understand, for fear that pressure -should be put upon you to segregate the patient." -</p> - -<p> -"That is so," said Colonel Emsworth. -</p> - -<p> -"I foresaw this situation," I explained, "and I -have brought with me a friend whose discretion may -absolutely be trusted. I was able once to do him a -professional service, and he is ready to advise as a -friend rather than as a specialist. His name is Sir -James Saunders." -</p> - -<p> -The prospect of an interview with Lord Roberts -would not have excited greater wonder and pleasure -in a raw subaltern than was now reflected upon the -face of Mr. Kent. -</p> - -<p> -"I shall indeed be proud," he murmured. -</p> - -<p> -"Then I will ask Sir James to step this way. He -is at present in the carriage outside the door. -Meanwhile, Colonel Emsworth, we may perhaps assemble -in your study, where I could give the necessary -explanations." -</p> - -<p> -And here it is that I miss my Watson. By cunning -questions and ejaculations of wonder he could -elevate my simple art, which is but systematized -common sense, into a prodigy. When I tell my own -story I have no such aid. And yet I will give my -process of thought even as I gave it to my small -audience, which included Godfrey's mother, in the -study of Colonel Emsworth. -</p> - -<p> -"That process," said I, "starts upon the supposition -that when you have eliminated all which is -impossible, then whatever remains however improbable, -must be the truth. It may well be that several -explanations remain, in which case one tries test after -test until one or other of them has a convincing -amount of support. We will now apply this principle -to the case in point. As it was first presented -to me, there were three possible explanations of the -seclusion or incarceration of this gentleman in an -outhouse of his father's mansion. There was the -explanation that he was in hiding for a crime, or -that he was mad and that they wished to avoid an -asylum, or that he had some disease which caused -his segregation. I could think of no other adequate -solutions. These, then, had to be sifted and -balanced against each other. -</p> - -<p> -"The criminal solution would not bear inspection. -No unsolved crime had been reported from that -district. I was sure of that. If it were some crime -not yet discovered, then clearly it would be to the -interest of the family to get rid of the delinquent and -send him abroad rather than keep him concealed at -home. I could see no explanation for such a line of -conduct. -</p> - -<p> -"Insanity was more plausible. The presence of -the second person in the outhouse suggested a keeper. -The fact that he locked the door when he came out -strengthened the supposition and gave the idea of -constraint. On the other hand, this constraint could -not be severe or the young man could not have got -loose and come down to have a look at his friend. -You will remember, Mr. Dodd, that I felt round for -points, asking you, for example, about the paper -which Mr. Kent was reading. Had it been <i>The -Lancet</i> or <i>The British Medical Journal</i> it would have -helped me. It is not illegal, however, to keep a -lunatic upon private premises so long as there is a -qualified person in attendance and that the authorities -have been duly notified. Why, then, all this -desperate desire for secrecy? Once again I could -not get the theory to fit the facts. -</p> - -<p> -"There remained the third possibility, into which, -rare and unlikely as it was, everything seemed to fit. -Leprosy is not uncommon in South Africa. By -some extraordinary chance this youth might have -contracted it. His people would be placed in a very -dreadful position, since they would desire to save -him from segregation. Great secrecy would be -needed to prevent rumours from getting about and -subsequent interference by the authorities. A -devoted medical man, if sufficiently paid, would -easily be found to take charge of the sufferer. There -would be no reason why the latter should not be -allowed freedom after dark. Bleaching of the skin -is a common result of the disease. The case was a -strong one—so strong that I determined to act as if -it were actually proved. When on arriving here I -noticed that Ralph, who carries out the meals, had -gloves which are impregnated with disinfectants, my -last doubts were removed. A single word showed -you, sir, that your secret was discovered, and if I -wrote rather than said it, it was to prove to you that -my discretion was to be trusted." -</p> - -<p> -I was finishing this little analysis of the case when -the door was opened and the austere figure of the -great dermatologist was ushered in. But for once -his sphinx-like features had relaxed and there was a -warm humanity in his eyes. He strode up to Colonel -Emsworth and shook him by the hand. -</p> - -<p> -"It is often my lot to bring ill-tidings, and seldom -good," said he. "This occasion is the more -welcome. It is not leprosy." -</p> - -<p> -"What?" -</p> - -<p> -"A well-marked case of pseudo-leprosy or ichthyosis, -a scale-like affection of the skin, unsightly, -obstinate, but possibly curable, and certainly -non-infective. Yes, Mr. Holmes, the coincidence is a -remarkable one. But is it coincidence? Are there -not subtle forces at work of which we know little? -Are we assured that the apprehension, from which -this young man has no doubt suffered terribly since -his exposure to its contagion, may not produce a -physical effect which simulates that which it fears? -At any rate, I pledge my professional reputation—— But -the lady has fainted! I think that Mr. Kent -had better be with her until she recovers from -this joyous shock." -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap03"></a></p> - -<h3> -III -</h3> - -<h3> -THE ADVENTURE OF THE MAZARIN STONE -</h3> - -<p> -It was pleasant to Dr. Watson to find himself -once more in the untidy room of the first floor -in Baker Street which had been the starting-point of -so many remarkable adventures. He looked round -him at the scientific charts upon the wall, the -acid-charred bench of chemicals, the violin-case leaning -in the corner, the coal-scuttle, which contained of -old the pipes and tobacco. Finally, his eyes came -round to the fresh and smiling face of Billy, the -young but very wise and tactful page, who had -helped a little to fill up the gap of loneliness and -isolation which surrounded the saturnine figure of -the great detective. -</p> - -<p> -"It all seems very unchanged, Billy. You don't -change, either. I hope the same can be said of -him?" -</p> - -<p> -Billy glanced, with some solicitude, at the closed -door of the bedroom. -</p> - -<p> -"I think he's in bed and asleep," he said. -</p> - -<p> -It was seven in the evening of a lovely summer's -day, but Dr. Watson was sufficiently familiar with -the irregularity of his old friend's hours to feel no -surprise at the idea. -</p> - -<p> -"That means a case, I suppose?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, sir; he is very hard at it just now. I'm -frightened for his health. He gets paler and thinner, -and he eats nothing. 'When will you be pleased to -dine, Mr. Holmes?' Mrs. Hudson asked. 'Seven-thirty, -the day after to-morrow,' said he. You -know his way when he is keen on a case." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, Billy, I know." -</p> - -<p> -"He's following someone. Yesterday he was out -as a workman looking for a job. To-day he was an -old woman. Fairly took me in, he did, and I ought -to know his ways by now." Billy pointed with a -grin to a very baggy parasol which leaned against the -sofa. "That's part of the old woman's outfit," he -said. -</p> - -<p> -"But what is it all about, Billy?" -</p> - -<p> -Billy sank his voice, as one who discusses great -secrets of State. "I don't mind telling you, sir, but -it should go no farther. It's this case of the Crown -diamond." -</p> - -<p> -"What—the hundred-thousand-pound burglary?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, sir. They must get it back, sir. Why, we -had the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary -both sitting on that very sofa. Mr. Holmes was -very nice to them. He soon put them at their ease -and promised he would do all he could. Then there -is Lord Cantlemere——" -</p> - -<p> -"Ah!" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, sir; you know what that means. He's a -stiff 'un, sir, if I may say so. I can get along with -the Prime Minister, and I've nothing against the -Home Secretary, who seemed a civil, obliging sort of -man, but I can't stand his lordship. Neither can -Mr. Holmes, sir. You see, he don't believe in -Mr. Holmes and he was against employing him. He'd -rather he failed." -</p> - -<p> -"And Mr. Holmes knows it?" -</p> - -<p> -"Mr. Holmes always knows whatever there is to know." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, we'll hope he won't fail and that Lord -Cantlemere will be confounded. But I say, Billy, -what is that curtain for across the window?" -</p> - -<p> -"Mr. Holmes had it put up there three days ago. -We've got something funny behind it." -</p> - -<p> -Billy advanced and drew away the drapery which -screened the alcove of the bow window. -</p> - -<p> -Dr. Watson could not restrain a cry of amazement. -There was a facsimile of his old friend, -dressing-gown and all, the face turned three-quarters -towards the window and downwards, as though reading -an invisible book, while the body was sunk deep -in an arm-chair. Billy detached the head and held -it in the air. -</p> - -<p> -"We put it at different angles, so that it may -seem more life-like. I wouldn't dare touch it if the -blind were not down. But when it's up you can see -this from across the way." -</p> - -<p> -"We used something of the sort once before." -</p> - -<p> -"Before my time," said Billy. He drew the -window curtains apart and looked out into the street. -"There are folk who watch us from over yonder. -I can see a fellow now at the window. Have a look -for yourself." -</p> - -<p> -Watson had taken a step forward when the bedroom -door opened, and the long, thin form of Holmes -emerged, his face pale and drawn, but his step and -bearing as active as ever. With a single spring he -was at the window, and had drawn the blind once -more. -</p> - -<p> -"That will do, Billy," said he. "You were in -danger of your life then, my boy, and I can't do -without you just yet. Well, Watson, it is good to see -you in your old quarters once again. You come at -a critical moment." -</p> - -<p> -"So I gather." -</p> - -<p> -"You can go, Billy. That boy is a problem, -Watson. How far am I justified in allowing him to -be in danger?" -</p> - -<p> -"Danger of what, Holmes?" -</p> - -<p> -"Of sudden death. I'm expecting something -this evening." -</p> - -<p> -"Expecting what?" -</p> - -<p> -"To be murdered, Watson." -</p> - -<p> -"No, no; you are joking, Holmes!" -</p> - -<p> -"Even my limited sense of humour could evolve -a better joke than that. But we may be comfortable -in the meantime, may we not? Is alcohol permitted? -The gasogene and cigars are in the old -place. Let me see you once more in the customary -arm-chair. You have not, I hope, learned to despise -my pipe and my lamentable tobacco? It has to -take the place of food these days." -</p> - -<p> -"But why not eat?" -</p> - -<p> -"Because the faculties become refined when you -starve them. Why, surely, as a doctor, my dear -Watson, you must admit that what your digestion -gains in the way of blood supply is so much lost to the -brain. I am a brain, Watson. The rest of me is a mere -appendix. Therefore, it is the brain I must consider." -</p> - -<p> -"But this danger, Holmes?" -</p> - -<p> -"Ah, yes; in case it should come off, it would -perhaps be as well that you should burden your -memory with the name and address of the murderer. -You can give it to Scotland Yard, with my love and -a parting blessing. Sylvius is the name—Count -Negretto Sylvius. Write it down, man, write it -down! 136 Moorside Gardens, N.W. Got it?" -</p> - -<p> -Watson's honest face was twitching with anxiety. -He knew only too well the immense risks taken by -Holmes, and was well aware that what he said was -more likely to be under-statement than exaggeration. -Watson was always the man of action, and -he rose to the occasion. -</p> - -<p> -"Count me in, Holmes. I have nothing to do for -a day or two." -</p> - -<p> -"Your morals don't improve, Watson. You have -added fibbing to your other vices. You bear every -sign of the busy medical man, with calls on him -every hour." -</p> - -<p> -"Not such important ones. But can't you have -this fellow arrested?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, Watson, I could. That's what worries -him so." -</p> - -<p> -"But why don't you?" -</p> - -<p> -"Because I don't know where the diamond is." -</p> - -<p> -"Ah! Billy told me—the missing Crown jewel!" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, the great yellow Mazarin stone. I've cast -my net and I have my fish. But I have not got the -stone. What is the use of taking <i>them</i>? We can -make the world a better place by laying them by the -heels. But that is not what I am out for. It's the -stone I want." -</p> - -<p> -"And is this Count Sylvius one of your fish?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, and he's a shark. He bites. The other is -Sam Merton, the boxer. Not a bad fellow, Sam, -but the Count has used him. Sam's not a shark. -He is a great big silly bull-headed gudgeon. But he -is flopping about in my net all the same." -</p> - -<p> -"Where is this Count Sylvius?" -</p> - -<p> -"I've been at his very elbow all the morning. -You've seen me as an old lady, Watson. I was -never more convincing. He actually picked up my -parasol for me once. 'By your leave, madame,' -said he—half-Italian, you know, and with the -Southern graces of manner when in the mood, but a -devil incarnate in the other mood. Life is full of -whimsical happenings, Watson." -</p> - -<p> -"It might have been tragedy." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, perhaps it might. I followed him to old -Straubenzee's workshop in the Minories. Straubenzee -made the air-gun—a very pretty bit of work, -as I understand, and I rather fancy it is in the -opposite window at the present moment. Have you -seen the dummy? Of course, Billy showed it to -you. Well, it may get a bullet through its beautiful -head at any moment. Ah, Billy, what is it?" -</p> - -<p> -The boy had reappeared in the room with a card -upon a tray. Holmes glanced at it with raised -eyebrows and an amused smile. -</p> - -<p> -"The man himself. I had hardly expected this. -Grasp the nettle, Watson! A man of nerve. Possibly -you have heard of his reputation as a shooter -of big game. It would indeed be a triumphant ending -to his excellent sporting record if he added me to -his bag. This is a proof that he feels my toe very -close behind his heel." -</p> - -<p> -"Send for the police." -</p> - -<p> -"I probably shall. But not just yet. Would -you glance carefully out of the window, Watson, and -see if anyone is hanging about in the street?" -</p> - -<p> -Watson looked warily round the edge of the curtain. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, there is one rough fellow near the door." -</p> - -<p> -"That will be Sam Merton—the faithful but -rather fatuous Sam. Where is this gentleman, -Billy?" -</p> - -<p> -"In the waiting-room, sir." -</p> - -<p> -"Show him up when I ring." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, sir." -</p> - -<p> -"If I am not in the room, show him in all the same." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, sir." -</p> - -<p> -Watson waited until the door was closed, and then -he turned earnestly to his companion. -</p> - -<p> -"Look here, Holmes, this is simply impossible. -This is a desperate man, who sticks at nothing. He -may have come to murder you." -</p> - -<p> -"I should not be surprised." -</p> - -<p> -"I insist upon staying with you." -</p> - -<p> -"You would be horribly in the way." -</p> - -<p> -"In his way?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, my dear fellow—in my way." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, I can't possibly leave you." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, you can, Watson. And you will, for you -have never failed to play the game. I am sure you -will play it to the end. This man has come for his -own purpose, but he may stay for mine." Holmes -took out his notebook and scribbled a few lines. -"Take a cab to Scotland Yard and give this to -Youghal of the C.I.D. Come back with the police. -The fellow's arrest will follow." -</p> - -<p> -"I'll do that with joy." -</p> - -<p> -"Before you return I may have just time enough -to find out where the stone is." He touched the -bell. "I think we will go out through the bedroom. -This second exit is exceedingly useful. I rather -want to see my shark without his seeing me, and I -have, as you will remember, my own way of doing it." -</p> - -<p> -It was, therefore, an empty room into which Billy, -a minute later, ushered Count Sylvius. The famous -game-shot, sportsman, and man-about-town was a -big, swarthy fellow, with a formidable dark moustache, -shading a cruel, thin-lipped mouth, and surmounted -by a long, curved nose, like the beak of an -eagle. He was well dressed, but his brilliant necktie, -shining pin, and glittering rings were flamboyant in -their effect. As the door closed behind him he -looked round him with fierce, startled eyes, like one -who suspects a trap at every turn. Then he gave a -violent start as he saw the impassive head and the -collar of the dressing-gown which projected above -the arm-chair in the window. At first his expression -was one of pure amazement. Then the light of a -horrible hope gleamed in his dark, murderous eyes. -He took one more glance round to see that there were -no witnesses, and then, on tiptoe, his thick stick -half raised, he approached the silent figure. He -was crouching for his final spring and blow when a -cool, sardonic voice greeted him from the open -bedroom door: -</p> - -<p> -"Don't break it, Count! Don't break it!" -</p> - -<p> -The assassin staggered back, amazement in his -convulsed face. For an instant he half raised his -loaded cane once more, as if he would turn his -violence from the effigy to the original; but there was -something in that steady grey eye and mocking smile -which caused his hand to sink to his side. -</p> - -<p> -"It's a pretty little thing," said Holmes, -advancing towards the image. "Tavernier, the -French modeller, made it. He is as good at -waxworks as your friend Straubenzee is at air-guns." -</p> - -<p> -"Air-guns, sir! What do you mean?" -</p> - -<p> -"Put your hat and stick on the side-table. Thank -you! Pray take a seat. Would you care to put -your revolver out also? Oh, very good, if you -prefer to sit upon it. Your visit is really most -opportune, for I wanted badly to have a few minutes' -chat with you." -</p> - -<p> -The Count scowled, with heavy, threatening eyebrows. -</p> - -<p> -"I, too, wished to have some words with you, -Holmes. That is why I am here. I won't deny -that I intended to assault you just now." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes swung his leg on the edge of the table. -</p> - -<p> -"I rather gathered that you had some idea of the -sort in your head," said he. "But why these -personal attentions?" -</p> - -<p> -"Because you have gone out of your way to annoy -me. Because you have put your creatures upon my -track." -</p> - -<p> -"My creatures! I assure you no!" -</p> - -<p> -"Nonsense! I have had them followed. Two -can play at that game, Holmes." -</p> - -<p> -"It is a small point, Count Sylvius, but perhaps -you would kindly give me my prefix when you -address me. You can understand that, with my -routine of work, I should find myself on familiar -terms with half the rogues' gallery, and you will -agree that exceptions are invidious." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, <i>Mr.</i> Holmes, then." -</p> - -<p> -"Excellent! But I assure you you are mistaken -about my alleged agents." -</p> - -<p> -Count Sylvius laughed contemptuously. -</p> - -<p> -"Other people can observe as well as you. Yesterday -there was an old sporting man. To-day it -was an elderly woman. They held me in view all -day." -</p> - -<p> -"Really, sir, you compliment me. Old Baron -Dowson said the night before he was hanged that -in my case what the law had gained the stage had -lost. And now you give my little impersonations -your kindly praise!" -</p> - -<p> -"It was you—you yourself?" -</p> - -<p> -Holmes shrugged his shoulders. "You can see in -the corner the parasol which you so politely handed -to me in the Minories before you began to suspect." -</p> - -<p> -"If I had known, you might never——" -</p> - -<p> -"Have seen this humble home again. I was well -aware of it. We all have neglected opportunities to -deplore. As it happens, you did not know, so here -we are!" -</p> - -<p> -The Count's knotted brows gathered more heavily -over his menacing eyes. "What you say only makes -the matter worse. It was not your agents, but your -play-acting, busybody self! You admit that you -have dogged me. Why?" -</p> - -<p> -"Come now, Count. You used to shoot lions in -Algeria." -</p> - -<p> -"Well?" -</p> - -<p> -"But why?" -</p> - -<p> -"Why? The sport—the excitement—the danger!" -</p> - -<p> -"And, no doubt, to free the country from a pest?" -</p> - -<p> -"Exactly!" -</p> - -<p> -"My reasons in a nutshell!" -</p> - -<p> -The Count sprang to his feet, and his hand -involuntarily moved back to his hip-pocket. -</p> - -<p> -"Sit down, sir, sit down! There was another, -more practical, reason. I want that yellow diamond!" -</p> - -<p> -Count Sylvius lay back in his chair with an evil -smile. -</p> - -<p> -"Upon my word!" said he. -</p> - -<p> -"You knew that I was after you for that. The -real reason why you are here to-night is to find out -how much I know about the matter and how far my -removal is absolutely essential. Well, I should say -that, from your point of view, it is absolutely -essential, for I know all about it, save only one thing, -which you are about to tell me." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, indeed! And, pray, what is this missing fact?" -</p> - -<p> -"Where the Crown diamond now is." -</p> - -<p> -The Count looked sharply at his companion. -"Oh, you want to know that, do you? How the -devil should I be able to tell you where it is?" -</p> - -<p> -"You can, and you will." -</p> - -<p> -"Indeed!" -</p> - -<p> -"You can't bluff me, Count Sylvius." Holmes's -eyes, as he gazed at him, contracted and lightened -until they were like two menacing points of steel. -"You are absolute plate-glass. I see to the very -back of your mind." -</p> - -<p> -"Then, of course, you see where the diamond is!" -</p> - -<p> -Holmes clapped his hands with amusement, and -then pointed a derisive finger. "Then you do -know. You have admitted it!" -</p> - -<p> -"I admit nothing." -</p> - -<p> -"Now, Count, if you will be reasonable, we can -do business. If not, you will get hurt." -</p> - -<p> -Count Sylvius threw up his eyes to the ceiling. -"And you talk about bluff!" said he. -</p> - -<p> -Holmes looked at him thoughtfully, like a master -chess-player who meditates his crowning move. -Then he threw open the table drawer and drew out -a squat notebook. -</p> - -<p> -"Do you know what I keep in this book?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, sir, I do not!" -</p> - -<p> -"You!" -</p> - -<p> -"Me?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, sir, <i>you</i>! You are all here—every action -of your vile and dangerous life." -</p> - -<p> -"Damn you, Holmes!" cried the Count, with -blazing eyes. "There are limits to my patience!" -</p> - -<p> -"It's all here, Count. The real facts as to the -death of old Mrs. Harold, who left you the Blymer -estate, which you so rapidly gambled away." -</p> - -<p> -"You are dreaming!" -</p> - -<p> -"And the complete life history of Miss Minnie -Warrender." -</p> - -<p> -"Tut! You will make nothing of that!" -</p> - -<p> -"Plenty more here, Count. Here is the robbery -in the train-de-luxe to the Riviera on February 13, -1892. Here is the forged cheque in the same year -on the Crédit Lyonnais." -</p> - -<p> -"No; you're wrong there." -</p> - -<p> -"Then I am right on the others! Now, Count, -you are a card-player. When the other fellow has all -the trumps, it saves time to throw down your hand." -</p> - -<p> -"What has all this talk to do with the jewel of -which you spoke?" -</p> - -<p> -"Gently, Count. Restrain that eager mind! -Let me get to the points in my own humdrum -fashion. I have all this against you; but, above -all, I have a clear case against both you and your -fighting bully in the case of the Crown diamond." -</p> - -<p> -"Indeed!" -</p> - -<p> -"I have the cabman who took you to Whitehall -and the cabman who brought you away. I have -the Commissionaire who saw you near the case. I -have Ikey Sanders, who refused to cut it up for you. -Ikey has peached, and the game is up." -</p> - -<p> -The veins stood out on the Count's forehead. His -dark, hairy hands were clenched in a convulsion of -restrained emotion. He tried to speak, but the -words would not shape themselves. -</p> - -<p> -"That's the hand I play from," said Holmes. "I -put it all upon the table. But one card is missing. -It's the King of Diamonds. I don't know where the -stone is." -</p> - -<p> -"You never shall know." -</p> - -<p> -"No? Now, be reasonable, Count. Consider -the situation. You are going to be locked up for -twenty years. So is Sam Merton. What good are -you going to get out of your diamond? None in -the world. But if you hand it over—well, I'll -compound a felony. We don't want you or Sam. -We want the stone. Give that up, and so far as I -am concerned you can go free so long as you behave -yourself in the future. If you make another -slip—well, it will be the last. But this time my -commission is to get the stone, not you." -</p> - -<p> -"But if I refuse?" -</p> - -<p> -"Why, then—alas!—it must be you and not the -stone." -</p> - -<p> -Billy had appeared in answer to a ring. -</p> - -<p> -"I think, Count, that it would be as well to have -your friend Sam at this conference. After all, his -interests should be represented. Billy, you will see -a large and ugly gentleman outside the front door. -Ask him to come up." -</p> - -<p> -"If he won't come, sir?" -</p> - -<p> -"No violence, Billy. Don't be rough with him. -If you tell him that Count Sylvius wants him he will -certainly come." -</p> - -<p> -"What are you going to do now?" asked the -Count, as Billy disappeared. -</p> - -<p> -"My friend Watson was with me just now. I told -him that I had a shark and a gudgeon in my net; -now I am drawing the net and up they come -together." -</p> - -<p> -The Count had risen from his chair, and his hand -was behind his back. Holmes held something half -protruding from the pocket of his dressing-gown. -</p> - -<p> -"You won't die in your bed, Holmes." -</p> - -<p> -"I have often had the same idea. Does it matter -very much? After all, Count, your own exit is more -likely to be perpendicular than horizontal. But -these anticipations of the future are morbid. Why -not give ourselves up to the unrestrained enjoyment -of the present?" -</p> - -<p> -A sudden wild-beast light sprang up in the dark, -menacing eyes of the master criminal. Holmes's -figure seemed to grow taller as he grew tense and -ready. -</p> - -<p> -"It is no use your fingering your revolver, my -friend," he said, in a quiet voice. "You know -perfectly well that you dare not use it, even if I gave -you time to draw it. Nasty, noisy things, revolvers, -Count. Better stick to air-guns. Ah! I think I -hear the fairy footstep of your estimable partner. -Good day, Mr. Merton. Rather dull in the street, -is it not?" -</p> - -<p> -The prize-fighter, a heavily built young man with -a stupid, obstinate, slab-sided face, stood awkwardly -at the door, looking about him with a puzzled expression. -Holmes's debonair manner was a new experience, -and though he vaguely felt that it was hostile, -he did not know how to counter it. He turned to -his more astute comrade for help. -</p> - -<p> -"What's the game now, Count? What's this -fellow want? What's up?" His voice was deep -and raucous. -</p> - -<p> -The Count shrugged his shoulders and it was -Holmes who answered. -</p> - -<p> -"If I may put it in a nutshell, Mr. Merton, I -should say it was <i>all</i> up." -</p> - -<p> -The boxer still addressed his remarks to his -associate. -</p> - -<p> -"Is this cove trying to be funny, or what? I'm -not in the funny mood myself." -</p> - -<p> -"No, I expect not," said Holmes. "I think I -can promise you that you will feel even less -humorous as the evening advances. Now, look here, -Count Sylvius. I'm a busy man and I can't waste -time. I'm going into that bedroom. Pray make -yourselves quite at home in my absence. You can -explain to your friend how the matter lies without -the restraint of my presence. I shall try over the -Hoffmann Barcarolle upon my violin. In five -minutes I shall return for your final answer. You -quite grasp the alternative, do you not? Shall we -take you, or shall we have the stone?" -</p> - -<p> -Holmes withdrew, picking up his violin from the -corner as he passed. A few moments later the -long-drawn, wailing notes of that most haunting of tunes -came faintly through the closed door of the bedroom. -</p> - -<p> -"What is it, then?" asked Merton anxiously, as -his companion turned to him. "Does he know -about the stone?" -</p> - -<p> -"He knows a damned sight too much about it. -I'm not sure that he doesn't know all about it." -</p> - -<p> -"Good Lord!" The boxer's sallow face turned -a shade whiter. -</p> - -<p> -"Ikey Sanders has split on us." -</p> - -<p> -"He has, has he? I'll do him down a thick 'un -for that if I swing for it." -</p> - -<p> -"That won't help us much. We've got to make -up our minds what to do." -</p> - -<p> -"Half a mo'," said the boxer, looking suspiciously -at the bedroom door. "He's a leary cove that wants -watching. I suppose he's not listening?" -</p> - -<p> -"How can he be listening with that music going?" -</p> - -<p> -"That's right. Maybe somebody's behind a curtain. -Too many curtains in this room." As he -looked round he suddenly saw for the first time the -effigy in the window, and stood staring and pointing, -too amazed for words. -</p> - -<p> -"Tut! it's only a dummy," said the Count. -</p> - -<p> -"A fake, is it? Well, strike me! Madame -Tussaud ain't in it. It's the living spit of him, -gown and all. But them curtains, Count!" -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, confound the curtains! We are wasting our -time, and there is none too much. He can lag us -over this stone." -</p> - -<p> -"The deuce he can!" -</p> - -<p> -"But he'll let us slip if we only tell him where the -swag is." -</p> - -<p> -"What! Give it up? Give up a hundred thousand quid?" -</p> - -<p> -"It's one or the other." -</p> - -<p> -Merton scratched his short-cropped pate. -</p> - -<p> -"He's alone in there. Let's do him in. If his -light were out we should have nothing to fear." -</p> - -<p> -The Count shook his head. -</p> - -<p> -"He is armed and ready. If we shot him we -could hardly get away in a place like this. Besides, -it's likely enough that the police know whatever -evidence he has got. Hallo! What was that?" -</p> - -<p> -There was a vague sound which seemed to come -from the window. Both men sprang round, but all -was quiet. Save for the one strange figure seated in -the chair, the room was certainly empty. -</p> - -<p> -"Something in the street," said Merton. "Now -look here, guv'nor, you've got the brains. Surely -you can think a way out of it. If slugging is no use -then it's up to you." -</p> - -<p> -"I've fooled better men than he," the Count -answered. "The stone is here in my secret pocket. -I take no chances leaving it about. It can be out -of England to-night and cut into four pieces in -Amsterdam before Sunday. He knows nothing -of Van Seddar." -</p> - -<p> -"I thought Van Seddar was going next week." -</p> - -<p> -"He <i>was</i>. But now he must get off by the next -boat. One or other of us must slip round with the -stone to Lime Street and tell him." -</p> - -<p> -"But the false bottom ain't ready." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, he must take it as it is and chance it. -There's not a moment to lose." Again, with the -sense of danger which becomes an instinct with the -sportsman, he paused and looked hard at the window. -Yes, it was surely from the street that the faint -sound had come. -</p> - -<p> -"As to Holmes," he continued, "we can fool him -easily enough. You see, the damned fool won't -arrest us if he can get the stone. Well, we'll promise -him the stone. We'll put him on the wrong track -about it, and before he finds that it is the wrong -track it will be in Holland and we out of the -country." -</p> - -<p> -"That sounds good to me!" cried Sam Merton, -with a grin. -</p> - -<p> -"You go on and tell the Dutchman to get a move -on him. I'll see this sucker and fill him up with a -bogus confession. I'll tell him that the stone is in -Liverpool. Confound that whining music; it gets -on my nerves! By the time he finds it isn't in -Liverpool it will be in quarters and we on the blue -water. Come back here, out of a line with that -keyhole. Here is the stone." -</p> - -<p> -"I wonder you dare carry it." -</p> - -<p> -"Where could I have it safer? If we could take -it out of Whitehall someone else could surely take it -out of my lodgings." -</p> - -<p> -"Let's have a look at it." -</p> - -<p> -Count Sylvius cast a somewhat unflattering -glance at his associate, and disregarded the -unwashed hand which was extended towards him. -</p> - -<p> -"What—d'ye think I'm going to snatch it off -you? See here, mister, I'm getting a bit tired of -your ways." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, well; no offence, Sam. We can't afford -to quarrel. Come over to the window if you want -to see the beauty properly. Now hold it to the -light! Here!" -</p> - -<p> -"Thank you!" -</p> - -<p> -With a single spring Holmes had leaped from the -dummy's chair and had grasped the precious jewel. -He held it now in one hand, while his other pointed -a revolver at the Count's head. The two villains -staggered back in utter amazement. Before they -had recovered Holmes had pressed the electric bell. -</p> - -<p> -"No violence, gentlemen—no violence, I beg of -you! Consider the furniture! It must be very -clear to you that your position is an impossible one. -The police are waiting below." -</p> - -<p> -The Count's bewilderment overmastered his rage -and fear. -</p> - -<p> -"But how the deuce——?" he gasped. -</p> - -<p> -"Your surprise is very natural. You are not -aware that a second door from my bedroom leads -behind that curtain. I fancied that you must have -heard me when I displaced the figure, but luck was -on my side. It gave me a chance of listening to -your racy conversation which would have been -painfully constrained had you been aware of my -presence." -</p> - -<p> -The Count gave a gesture of resignation. -</p> - -<p> -"We give you best, Holmes. I believe you are -the devil himself." -</p> - -<p> -"Not far from him, at any rate," Holmes answered, -with a polite smile. -</p> - -<p> -Sam Merton's slow intellect had only gradually -appreciated the situation. Now, as the sound of -heavy steps came from the stairs outside, he broke -silence at last. -</p> - -<p> -"A fair cop!" said he. "But, I say, what -about that bloomin' fiddle! I hear it yet." -</p> - -<p> -"Tut, tut!" Holmes answered. "You are perfectly -right. Let it play! These modern gramophones -are a remarkable invention." -</p> - -<p> -There was an inrush of police, the handcuffs -clicked and the criminals were led to the waiting -cab. Watson lingered with Holmes, congratulating -him upon this fresh leaf added to his laurels. Once -more their conversation was interrupted by the -imperturbable Billy with his card-tray. -</p> - -<p> -"Lord Cantlemere, sir." -</p> - -<p> -"Show him up, Billy. This is the eminent peer -who represents the very highest interests," said -Holmes. "He is an excellent and loyal person, but -rather of the old regime. Shall we make him -unbend? Dare we venture upon a slight liberty? -He knows, we may conjecture, nothing of what has -occurred." -</p> - -<p> -The door opened to admit a thin, austere figure -with a hatchet face and drooping mid-Victorian whiskers -of a glossy blackness which hardly corresponded -with the rounded shoulders and feeble gait. Holmes -advanced affably, and shook an unresponsive hand. -</p> - -<p> -"How-do-you-do, Lord Cantlemere? It is chilly, -for the time of year, but rather warm indoors. May -I take your overcoat?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, I thank you; I will not take it off." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes laid his hand insistently upon the sleeve. -</p> - -<p> -"Pray allow me! My friend Dr. Watson would -assure you that these changes of temperature are -most insidious." -</p> - -<p> -His lordship shook himself free with some impatience. -</p> - -<p> -"I am quite comfortable, sir. I have no need to -stay. I have simply looked in to know how your -self-appointed task was progressing." -</p> - -<p> -"It is difficult—very difficult." -</p> - -<p> -"I feared that you would find it so." -</p> - -<p> -There was a distinct sneer in the old courtier's -words and manner. -</p> - -<p> -"Every man finds his limitations, Mr. Holmes, -but at least it cures us of the weakness of -self-satisfaction." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, sir, I have been much perplexed." -</p> - -<p> -"No doubt." -</p> - -<p> -"Especially upon one point. Possibly you could -help me upon it?" -</p> - -<p> -"You apply for my advice rather late in the day. -I thought that you had your own all-sufficient -methods. Still, I am ready to help you." -</p> - -<p> -"You see, Lord Cantlemere, we can no doubt -frame a case against the actual thieves." -</p> - -<p> -"When you have caught them." -</p> - -<p> -"Exactly. But the question is—how shall we -proceed against the receiver?" -</p> - -<p> -"Is this not rather premature?" -</p> - -<p> -"It is as well to have our plans ready. Now, -what would you regard as final evidence against -the receiver?" -</p> - -<p> -"The actual possession of the stone." -</p> - -<p> -"You would arrest him upon that?" -</p> - -<p> -"Most undoubtedly." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes seldom laughed, but he got as near it as -his old friend Watson could remember. -</p> - -<p> -"In that case, my dear sir, I shall be under the -painful necessity of advising your arrest." -</p> - -<p> -Lord Cantlemere was very angry. Some of the -ancient fires flickered up into his sallow cheeks. -</p> - -<p> -"You take a great liberty, Mr. Holmes. In fifty -years of official life I cannot recall such a case. I -am a busy man, sir, engaged upon important affairs, -and I have no time or taste for foolish jokes. I may -tell you frankly, sir, that I have never been a -believer in your powers, and that I have always been -of the opinion that the matter was far safer in the -hands of the regular police force. Your conduct -confirms all my conclusions. I have the honour, -sir, to wish you good evening." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes had swiftly changed his position and was -between the peer and the door. -</p> - -<p> -"One moment, sir," said he. "To actually go off -with the Mazarin stone would be a more serious -offence than to be found in temporary possession -of it." -</p> - -<p> -"Sir, this is intolerable! Let me pass." -</p> - -<p> -"Put your hand in the right-hand pocket of your -overcoat." -</p> - -<p> -"What do you mean, sir?" -</p> - -<p> -"Come—come; do what I ask." -</p> - -<p> -An instant later the amazed peer was standing, -blinking and stammering, with the great yellow stone -on his shaking palm. -</p> - -<p> -"What! What! How is this, Mr. Holmes?" -</p> - -<p> -"Too bad, Lord Cantlemere, too bad!" cried -Holmes. "My old friend here will tell you that I -have an impish habit of practical joking. Also that -I can never resist a dramatic situation. I took the -liberty—the very great liberty, I admit—of putting -the stone into your pocket at the beginning of our -interview." -</p> - -<p> -The old peer stared from the stone to the smiling -face before him. -</p> - -<p> -"Sir, I am bewildered. But—yes—it is indeed -the Mazarin stone. We are greatly your debtors, -Mr. Holmes. Your sense of humour may, as you -admit, be somewhat perverted, and its exhibition -remarkably untimely, but at least I withdraw any -reflection I have made upon your amazing -professional powers. But how——" -</p> - -<p> -"The case is but half finished; the details can -wait. No doubt, Lord Cantlemere, your pleasure in -telling of this successful result in the exalted circle -to which you return will be some small atonement -for my practical joke. Billy, you will show his -lordship out, and tell Mrs. Hudson that I should be -glad if she would send up dinner for two as soon as -possible." -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap04"></a></p> - -<h3> -IV -</h3> - -<h3> -THE ADVENTURE OF THE THREE GABLES -</h3> - -<p> -I don't think that any of my adventures with -Mr. Sherlock Holmes opened quite so abruptly, -or so dramatically, as that which I associate with -The Three Gables. I had not seen Holmes for some -days, and had no idea of the new channel into which -his activities had been directed. He was in a chatty -mood that morning, however, and had just settled -me into the well-worn low arm-chair on one side of -the fire, while he had curled down with his pipe in his -mouth upon the opposite chair, when our visitor -arrived. If I had said that a mad bull had arrived, -it would give a clearer impression of what occurred. -</p> - -<p> -The door had flown open and a huge negro had -burst into the room. He would have been a comic -figure if he had not been terrific, for he was dressed -in a very loud grey check suit with a flowing -salmon-coloured tie. His broad face and flattened nose were -thrust forward, as his sullen dark eyes, with a -smouldering gleam of malice in them, turned from -one of us to the other. -</p> - -<p> -"Which of you genelmen is Masser Holmes?" he asked. -</p> - -<p> -Holmes raised his pipe with a languid smile. -</p> - -<p> -"Oh! it's you, is it?" said our visitor, coming -with an unpleasant, stealthy step round the angle of -the table. "See here, Masser Holmes, you keep your -hands out of other folks' business. Leave folks to -manage their own affairs. Got that, Masser Holmes?" -</p> - -<p> -"Keep on talking," said Holmes. "It's fine." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh! it's fine, is it?" growled the savage. "It -won't be so damn fine if I have to trim you up a bit. -I've handled your kind before now, and they didn't -look fine when I was through with them. Look at -that, Masser Holmes!" -</p> - -<p> -He swung a huge knotted lump of a fist under my -friend's nose. Holmes examined it closely with an -air of great interest. "Were you born so?" he -asked. "Or did it come by degrees?" -</p> - -<p> -It may have been the icy coolness of my friend, or -it may have been the slight clatter which I made as -I picked up the poker. In any case, our visitor's -manner became less flamboyant. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, I've given you fair warnin'," said he. -"I've a friend that's interested out Harrow way—you -know what I'm meaning—and he don't intend -to have no buttin' in by you. Got that? You -ain't the law, and I ain't the law either, and if you -come in I'll be on hand also. Don't you forget it." -</p> - -<p> -"I've wanted to meet you for some time," said -Holmes. "I won't ask you to sit down, for I don't -like the smell of you, but aren't you Steve Dixie, the -bruiser? -</p> - -<p> -"That's my name, Masser Holmes, and you'll get -put through it for sure if you give me any lip." -</p> - -<p> -"It is certainly the last thing you need," said -Holmes, staring at our visitor's hideous mouth. -"But it was the killing of young Perkins outside the -Holborn Bar—— What! you're not going?" -</p> - -<p> -The negro had sprung back, and his face was -leaden. "I won't listen to no such talk," said he. -"What have I to do with this 'ere Perkins, Masser -Holmes? I was trainin' at the Bull Ring in -Birmingham when this boy done gone get into trouble." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, you'll tell the magistrate about it, Steve," -said Holmes. "I've been watching you and Barney -Stockdale——" -</p> - -<p> -"So help me the Lord! Masser Holmes——" -</p> - -<p> -"That's enough. Get out of it. I'll pick you up -when I want you." -</p> - -<p> -"Good mornin', Masser Holmes. I hope there -ain't no hard feelin's about this 'ere visit?" -</p> - -<p> -"There will be unless you tell me who sent you." -</p> - -<p> -"Why, there ain't no secret about that, Masser -Holmes. It was that same genelman that you have -just done gone mention." -</p> - -<p> -"And who set him on to it?" -</p> - -<p> -"S'elp me. I don't know, Masser Holmes. He -just say, 'Steve, you go see Mr. Holmes, and tell him -his life ain't safe if he go down Harrow way.' That's -the whole truth." -</p> - -<p> -Without waiting for any further questioning, our -visitor bolted out of the room almost as precipitately -as he had entered. Holmes knocked out the ashes -of his pipe with a quiet chuckle. -</p> - -<p> -"I am glad you were not forced to break his -woolly head, Watson. I observed your manoeuvres -with the poker. But he is really rather a harmless -fellow, a great muscular, foolish, blustering baby, -and easily cowed, as you have seen. He is one of the -Spencer John gang and has taken part in some dirty -work of late which I may clear up when I have time. -His immediate principal, Barney, is a more astute -person. They specialize in assaults, intimidation, -and the like. What I want to know is, who is at the -back of them on this particular occasion?" -</p> - -<p> -"But why do they want to intimidate you?" -</p> - -<p> -"It is this Harrow Weald case. It decides me -to look into the matter, for if it is worth anyone's -while to take so much trouble, there must be -something in it." -</p> - -<p> -"But what is it?" -</p> - -<p> -"I was going to tell you when we had this comic -interlude. Here is Mrs. Maberley's note. If you -care to come with me we will wire her and go out at -once." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="noindent"> -DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES, (I read)— -</p> - -<p> -I have had a succession of strange incidents occur -to me in connection with this house, and I should -much value your advice. You would find me at -home any time to-morrow. The house is within a -short walk of the Weald Station. I believe that my -late husband, Mortimer Maberley, was one of your -early clients. -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -Yours faithfully,<br /> - MARY MABERLEY.<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -The address was "The Three Gables, Harrow Weald." -</p> - -<p> -"So that's that!" said Holmes. "And now, if -you can spare the time, Watson, we will get upon our -way." -</p> - -<p> -A short railway journey, and a shorter drive, -brought us to the house, a brick and timber villa, -standing in its own acre of undeveloped grassland. -Three small projections above the upper windows -made a feeble attempt to justify its name. Behind -was a grove of melancholy, half-grown pines, and the -whole aspect of the place was poor and depressing. -None the less, we found the house to be well -furnished, and the lady who received us was a most -engaging elderly person, who bore every mark of -refinement and culture. -</p> - -<p> -"I remember your husband well, madam," said -Holmes, "though it is some years since he used my -services in some trifling matter." -</p> - -<p> -"Probably you would be more familiar with the -name of my son Douglas." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes looked at her with great interest. -</p> - -<p> -"Dear me! Are you the mother of Douglas -Maberley? I knew him slightly. But, of course, -all London knew him. What a magnificent creature -he was! Where is he now?" -</p> - -<p> -"Dead, Mr. Holmes, dead! He was Attaché at -Rome, and he died there of pneumonia last month." -</p> - -<p> -"I am sorry. One could not connect death with -such a man. I have never known anyone so vitally -alive. He lived intensely—every fibre of him!" -</p> - -<p> -"Too intensely, Mr. Holmes. That was the ruin -of him. You remember him as he was—debonair -and splendid. You did not see the moody, morose, -brooding creature into which he developed. His -heart was broken. In a single month I seemed to see -my gallant boy turn into a worn-out cynical man." -</p> - -<p> -"A love affair—a woman?" -</p> - -<p> -"Or a fiend. Well, it was not to talk of my poor -lad that I asked you to come, Mr. Holmes." -</p> - -<p> -"Dr. Watson and I are at your service." -</p> - -<p> -"There have been some very strange happenings. -I have been in this house more than a year now, and -as I wished to lead a retired life I have seen little of -my neighbours. Three days ago I had a call from -a man who said that he was a house agent. He said -that this house would exactly suit a client of his and -that if I would part with it money would be no -object. It seemed to me very strange, as there are -several empty houses on the market which appear -to be equally eligible, but naturally I was interested -in what he said. I therefore named a price which -was five hundred pounds more than I gave. He at -once closed with the offer, but added that his client -desired to buy the furniture as well and would I put -a price upon it. Some of this furniture is from my -old home, and it is, as you see, very good, so that I -named a good round sum. To this also he at once -agreed. I had always wanted to travel, and the -bargain was so good a one that it really seemed that -I should be my own mistress for the rest of my life. -</p> - -<p> -"Yesterday the man arrived with the agreement -all drawn out. Luckily I showed it to Mr. Sutro, -my lawyer, who lives in Harrow. He said to me, -'This is a very strange document. Are you aware -that if you sign it you could not legally take -<i>anything</i> out of the house—not even your own private -possessions?' When the man came again in the evening -I pointed this out, and I said that I meant only to -sell the furniture. -</p> - -<p> -"'No, no; everything,' said he. -</p> - -<p> -"'But my clothes? My jewels?' -</p> - -<p> -"'Well, well, some concession might be made for -your personal effects. But nothing shall go out of -the house unchecked. My client is a very liberal -man, but he has his fads and his own way of doing -things. It is everything or nothing with him.' -</p> - -<p> -"'Then it must be nothing,' said I. And there -the matter was left, but the whole thing seemed to -me to be so unusual that I thought——" -</p> - -<p> -Here we had a very extraordinary interruption. -</p> - -<p> -Holmes raised his hand for silence. Then he -strode across the room, flung open the door, and -dragged in a great gaunt woman whom he had -seized by the shoulder. She entered with ungainly -struggles, like some huge awkward chicken, torn -squawking out of its coop. -</p> - -<p> -"Leave me alone! What are you a-doin' of?" -she screeched. -</p> - -<p> -"Why, Susan, what is this?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, ma'am, I was comin' in to ask if the visitors -was stayin' for lunch when this man jumped out -at me." -</p> - -<p> -"I have been listening to her for the last five -minutes, but did not wish to interrupt your most -interesting narrative. Just a little wheezy, Susan, -are you not? You breathe too heavily for that kind -of work." -</p> - -<p> -Susan turned a sulky but amazed face upon her -captor. "Who be you, anyhow, and what right -have you a-pullin' me about like this?" -</p> - -<p> -"It was merely that I wished to ask a question in -your presence. Did you, Mrs. Maberley, mention to -anyone that you were going to write to me and -consult me?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, Mr. Holmes, I did not." -</p> - -<p> -"Who posted your letter?" -</p> - -<p> -"Susan did." -</p> - -<p> -"Exactly. Now, Susan, to whom was it that -you wrote or sent a message to say that your mistress -was asking advice from me?" -</p> - -<p> -"It's a lie. I sent no message." -</p> - -<p> -"Now, Susan, wheezy people may not live long, -you know. It's a wicked thing to tell fibs. Whom -did you tell?" -</p> - -<p> -"Susan!" cried her mistress, "I believe you are a -bad, treacherous woman. I remember now that I -saw you speaking to someone over the hedge." -</p> - -<p> -"That was my own business," said the woman -sullenly. -</p> - -<p> -"Suppose I tell you that it was Barney Stockdale -to whom you spoke?" said Holmes. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, if you know, what do you want to ask for?" -</p> - -<p> -"I was not sure, but I know now. Well now, -Susan, it will be worth ten pounds to you if you will -tell me who is at the back of Barney." -</p> - -<p> -"Someone that could lay down a thousand pounds -for every ten you have in the world." -</p> - -<p> -"So, a rich man? No; you smiled—a rich -woman. Now we have got so far, you may as well -give the name and earn the tenner." -</p> - -<p> -"I'll see you in hell first." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, Susan! Language!" -</p> - -<p> -"I am clearing out of here. I've had enough of -you all. I'll send for my box to-morrow." She -flounced for the door. -</p> - -<p> -"Good-bye, Susan. Paregoric is the stuff.... -Now," he continued, turning suddenly from lively -to severe when the door had closed behind the -flushed and angry woman, "this gang means -business. Look how close they play the game. Your -letter to me had the 10 p.m. postmark. And yet -Susan passes the word to Barney. Barney has -time to go to his employer and get instructions; he -or she—I incline to the latter from Susan's grin when -she thought I had blundered—forms a plan. Black -Steve is called in, and I am warned off by eleven -o'clock next morning. That's quick work, you know." -</p> - -<p> -"But what do they want?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, that's the question. Who had the house -before you?" -</p> - -<p> -"A retired sea captain, called Ferguson." -</p> - -<p> -"Anything remarkable about him?" -</p> - -<p> -"Not that ever I heard of." -</p> - -<p> -"I was wondering whether he could have buried -something. Of course, when people bury treasure -nowadays they do it in the Post Office bank. But -there are always some lunatics about. It would be -a dull world without them. At first I thought of -some buried valuable. But why, in that case, -should they want your furniture? You don't -happen to have a Raphael or a first folio Shakespeare -without knowing it?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, I don't think I have anything rarer than a -Crown Derby tea-set." -</p> - -<p> -"That would hardly justify all this mystery. -Besides, why should they not openly state what they -want? If they covet your tea-set, they can surely -offer a price for it without buying you out, lock, -stock, and barrel. No, as I read it, there is -something which you do not know that you have, and -which you would not give up if you did know." -</p> - -<p> -"That is how I read it," said I. -</p> - -<p> -"Dr. Watson agrees, so that settles it." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, Mr. Holmes, what can it be?" -</p> - -<p> -"Let us see whether by this purely mental analysis -we can get it to a finer point. You have been in this -house a year." -</p> - -<p> -"Nearly two." -</p> - -<p> -"All the better. During this long period no one -wants anything from you. Now suddenly within -three or four days you have urgent demands. What -would you gather from that?" -</p> - -<p> -"It can only mean," said I, "that the object, -whatever it may be, has only just come into the -house." -</p> - -<p> -"Settled once again," said Holmes. "Now, -Mrs. Maberley, has any object just arrived?" -</p> - -<p> -"No; I have bought nothing new this year." -</p> - -<p> -"Indeed! That is very remarkable. Well, I -think we had best let matters develop a little further -until we have clearer data. Is that lawyer of yours -a capable man?" -</p> - -<p> -"Mr. Sutro is most capable." -</p> - -<p> -"Have you another maid, or was the fair Susan, -who has just banged your front door, alone?" -</p> - -<p> -"I have a young girl." -</p> - -<p> -"Try and get Sutro to spend a night or two in the -house. You might possibly want protection." -</p> - -<p> -"Against whom?" -</p> - -<p> -"Who knows? The matter is certainly obscure. -If I can't find what they are after, I must approach -the matter from the other end, and try to get at the -principal. Did this house-agent man give any -address?" -</p> - -<p> -"Simply his card and occupation. Haines-Johnson, -Auctioneer and Valuer." -</p> - -<p> -"I don't think we shall find him in the Directory. -Honest business men don't conceal their place of -business. Well, you will let me know any fresh -development. I have taken up your case, and you -may rely upon it that I shall see it through." -</p> - -<p> -As we passed through the hall Holmes's eyes, -which missed nothing, lighted upon several trunks -and cases which were piled in the corner. The -labels shone out upon them. -</p> - -<p> -"'Milano.' 'Lucerne.' These are from Italy." -</p> - -<p> -"They are poor Douglas's things." -</p> - -<p> -"You have not unpacked them? How long have -you had them?" -</p> - -<p> -"They arrived last week." -</p> - -<p> -"But you said—why, surely this might be the -missing link. How do we know that there is not -something of value there?" -</p> - -<p> -"There could not possibly be, Mr. Holmes. Poor -Douglas had only his pay and a small annuity. -What could he have of value?" -</p> - -<p> -Holmes was lost in thought. -</p> - -<p> -"Delay no longer, Mrs. Maberley," he said at last. -"Have these things taken upstairs to your bedroom. -Examine them as soon as possible and see what they -contain. I will come to-morrow and hear your -report." -</p> - -<p> -It was quite evident that The Three Gables was -under very close surveillance, for as we came round -the high hedge at the end of the lane there was the -negro prize-fighter standing in the shadow. We -came on him quite suddenly, and a grim and menacing -figure he looked in that lonely place. Holmes -clapped his hand to his pocket. -</p> - -<p> -"Lookin' for your gun, Masser Holmes?" -</p> - -<p> -"No; for my scent-bottle, Steve." -</p> - -<p> -"You are funny, Masser Holmes, ain't you?" -</p> - -<p> -"It won't be funny for you, Steve, if I get after -you. I gave you fair warning this morning." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, Masser Holmes, I done gone think over -what you said, and I don't want no more talk about -that affair of Masser Perkins. S'pose I can help you, -Masser Holmes, I will." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, then, tell me who is behind you on this job?" -</p> - -<p> -"So help me the Lord! Masser Holmes, I told -you the truth before. I don't know. My boss -Barney gives me orders and that's all." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, just bear in mind, Steve, that the lady in -that house, and everything under that roof, is under -my protection. Don't you forget it." -</p> - -<p> -"All right, Masser Holmes. I'll remember.' -</p> - -<p> -"I've got him thoroughly frightened for his own -skin, Watson," Holmes remarked as we walked on. -"I think he would double-cross his employer if he -knew who he was. It was lucky I had some knowledge -of the Spencer John crowd, and that Steve was -one of them. Now, Watson, this is a case for -Langdale Pike, and I am going to see him now. When I -get back I may be clearer in the matter." -</p> - -<p> -I saw no more of Holmes during the day, but I -could well imagine how he spent it, for Langdale Pike -was his human book of reference upon all matters -of social scandal. This strange, languid creature -spent his waking hours in the bow window of a -St. James's Street club, and was the receiving-station, -as well as the transmitter, for all the gossip of the -Metropolis. He made, it was said, a four-figure -income by the paragraphs which he contributed every -week to the garbage papers which cater for an -inquisitive public. If ever, far down in the turbid -depths of London life, there was some strange swirl -or eddy, it was marked with automatic exactness -by this human dial upon the surface. Holmes -discreetly helped Langdale to knowledge, and on -occasion was helped in turn. -</p> - -<p> -When I met my friend in his room early next -morning, I was conscious from his bearing that all -was well, but none the less a most unpleasant -surprise was awaiting us. It took the shape of the -following telegram: -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -"Please come out at once. Client's house burgled -in the night. Police in possession. -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -"SUTRO." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Holmes whistled. "The drama has come to a -crisis, and quicker than I had expected. There is -a great driving-power at the back of this business, -Watson, which does not surprise me after what I -have heard. This Sutro, of course, is her lawyer. I -made a mistake, I fear, in not asking you to spend -the night on guard. This fellow has clearly proved -a broken reed. Well, there is nothing for it but -another journey to Harrow Weald." -</p> - -<p> -We found The Three Gables a very different -establishment to the orderly household of the previous -day. A small group of idlers had assembled at the -garden gate, while a couple of constables were -examining the windows and the geranium beds. -Within we met a grey old gentleman, who introduced -himself as the lawyer, together with a bustling, -rubicund Inspector, who greeted Holmes as an old -friend. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, Mr. Holmes, no chance for you in this -case, I'm afraid. Just a common, ordinary burglary, -and well within the capacity of the poor old police. -No experts need apply." -</p> - -<p> -"I am sure the case is in very good hands," -said Holmes. "Merely a common burglary, you say?" -</p> - -<p> -"Quite so. We know pretty well who the men -are and where to find them. It is that gang of -Barney Stockdale, with the big nigger in -it—they've been seen about here." -</p> - -<p> -"Excellent! What did they get?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, they don't seem to have got much. Mrs. Maberley -was chloroformed and the house was—— Ah! here -is the lady herself." -</p> - -<p> -Our friend of yesterday, looking very pale and ill, -had entered the room, leaning upon a little -maid-servant. -</p> - -<p> -"You gave me good advice, Mr. Holmes," said -she, smiling ruefully. "Alas, I did not take it! I -did not wish to trouble Mr. Sutro, and so I was -unprotected." -</p> - -<p> -"I only heard of it this morning," the lawyer -explained. -</p> - -<p> -"Mr. Holmes advised me to have some friend in -the house. I neglected his advice, and I have paid -for it." -</p> - -<p> -"You look wretchedly ill," said Holmes. "Perhaps -you are hardly equal to telling me what -occurred." -</p> - -<p> -"It is all here," said the Inspector, tapping a -bulky notebook. -</p> - -<p> -"Still, if the lady is not too exhausted——" -</p> - -<p> -"There is really so little to tell. I have no doubt -that wicked Susan had planned an entrance for -them. They must have known the house to an inch. -I was conscious for a moment of the chloroform rag -which was thrust over my mouth, but I have no -notion how long I may have been senseless. When -I woke, one man was at the bedside and another was -rising with a bundle in his hand from among my son's -baggage, which was partially opened and littered -over the floor. Before he could get away I sprang -up and seized him." -</p> - -<p> -"You took a big risk," said the Inspector. -</p> - -<p> -"I clung to him, but he shook me off, and the -other may have struck me, for I can remember no -more. Mary the maid heard the noise and began -screaming out of the window. That brought the -police, but the rascals had got away." -</p> - -<p> -"What did they take?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, I don't think there is anything of value missing. -I am sure there was nothing in my son's trunks." -</p> - -<p> -"Did the men leave no clue?" -</p> - -<p> -"There was one sheet of paper which I may have -torn from the man that I grasped. It was lying all -crumpled on the floor. It is in my son's handwriting." -</p> - -<p> -"Which means that it is not of much use," said -the Inspector. "Now if it had been in the burglar's——" -</p> - -<p> -"Exactly," said Holmes. "What rugged common -sense! None the less, I should be curious to -see it." -</p> - -<p> -The Inspector drew a folded sheet of foolscap -from his pocket-book. -</p> - -<p> -"I never pass anything, however trifling," said -he, with some pomposity. "That is my advice to -you, Mr. Holmes. In twenty-five years' experience -I have learned my lesson. There is always the -chance of finger-marks or something." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes inspected the sheet of paper. -</p> - -<p> -"What do you make of it, Inspector?" -</p> - -<p> -"Seems to be the end of some queer novel, so far -as I can see." -</p> - -<p> -"It may certainly prove to be the end of a queer -tale," said Holmes. "You have noticed the number -on the top of the page. It is two hundred and -forty-five. Where are the odd two hundred and -forty-four pages?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, I suppose the burglars got those. Much -good may it do them!" -</p> - -<p> -"It seems a queer thing to break into a house in -order to steal such papers as that. Does it suggest -anything to you, Inspector?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, sir; it suggests that in their hurry the -rascals just grabbed at what came first to hand. I -wish them joy of what they got." -</p> - -<p> -"Why should they go to my son's things?" -asked Mrs. Maberley. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, they found nothing valuable downstairs, -so they tried their luck upstairs. That is how I read -it. What do you make of it, Mr. Holmes?" -</p> - -<p> -"I must think it over, Inspector. Come to the -window, Watson." Then, as we stood together, he -read over the fragment of paper. It began in the -middle of a sentence and ran like this: -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -"... face bled considerably from the cuts and -blows, but it was nothing to the bleeding of his heart -as he saw that lovely face, the face for which he had -been prepared to sacrifice his very life, looking out -at his agony and humiliation. She smiled—yes, by -Heaven! she smiled, like the heartless fiend she was, -as he looked up at her. It was at that moment that -love died and hate was born. Man must live for -something. If it is not for your embrace, my lady, -then it shall surely be for your undoing and my -complete revenge." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -"Queer grammar!" said Holmes, with a smile, -as he handed the paper back to the Inspector. "Did -you notice how the 'he' suddenly changed to 'my.' The -writer was so carried away by his own story that -he imagined himself at the supreme moment to be -the hero." -</p> - -<p> -"It seemed mighty poor stuff," said the Inspector, -as he replaced it in his book. "What! are you off, -Mr. Holmes?" -</p> - -<p> -"I don't think there is anything more for me to -do now that the case is in such capable hands. By -the way, Mrs. Maberley, did you say you wished to -travel?" -</p> - -<p> -"It has always been my dream, Mr. Holmes." -</p> - -<p> -"Where would you like to go—Cairo, Madeira, -the Riviera?" -</p> - -<p> -"Oh! if I had the money I would go round the -world." -</p> - -<p> -"Quite so. Round the world. Well, good morning. -I may drop you a line in the evening." As -we passed the window I caught a glimpse of the -Inspector's smile and shake of the head. "These -clever fellows have always a touch of madness." That -was what I read in the Inspector's smile. -</p> - -<p> -"Now, Watson, we are at the last lap of our little -journey," said Holmes, when we were back in the -roar of Central London once more. "I think we had -best clear the matter up at once, and it would be -well that you should come with me, for it is safer to -have a witness when you are dealing with such a lady -as Isadora Klein." -</p> - -<p> -We had taken a cab and were speeding to some -address in Grosvenor Square. Holmes had been -sunk in thought, but he roused himself suddenly. -</p> - -<p> -"By the way, Watson, I suppose you see it all -clearly?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, I can't say that I do. I only gather that -we are going to see the lady who is behind all this -mischief." -</p> - -<p> -"Exactly! But does the name Isadora Klein -convey nothing to you? She was, of course, the -celebrated beauty. There was never a woman to -touch her. She is pure Spanish, the real blood of -the masterful Conquistadors, and her people have -been leaders in Pernambuco for generations. She -married the aged German sugar king, Klein, and -presently found herself the richest as well as the most -lovely widow upon earth. Then there was an -interval of adventure when she pleased her own tastes. -She had several lovers, and Douglas Maberley, one -of the most striking men in London, was one of them. -It was by all accounts more than an adventure with -him. He was not a Society butterfly, but a strong, -proud man who gave and expected all. But she is -the '<i>belle dame sans merci</i>' of fiction. When her -caprice is satisfied, the matter is ended, and if the -other party in the matter can't take her word for it, -she knows how to bring it home to him." -</p> - -<p> -"Then that was his own story——" -</p> - -<p> -"Ah! you are piecing it together now. I hear -that she is about to marry the young Duke of -Lomond, who might almost be her son. His Grace's -ma might overlook the age, but a big scandal would -be a different matter, so it is imperative—— Ah! here -we are." -</p> - -<p> -It was one of the finest corner-houses of the West -End. A machine-like footman took up our cards -and returned with word that the lady was not at -home. "Then we shall wait until she is," said -Holmes cheerfully. -</p> - -<p> -The machine broke down. -</p> - -<p> -"Not at home means not at home to <i>you</i>," said -the footman. -</p> - -<p> -"Good," Holmes answered. "That means that -we shall not have to wait. Kindly give this note to -your mistress." -</p> - -<p> -He scribbled three or four words upon a sheet -of his notebook, folded it, and handed it to the -man. -</p> - -<p> -"What did you say, Holmes?" I asked. -</p> - -<p> -"I simply wrote 'Shall it be the police, then?' -I think that should pass us in." -</p> - -<p> -It did—with amazing celerity. A minute later -we were in an Arabian-nights' drawing-room, vast -and wonderful, in a half gloom, picked out with an -occasional pink electric light. The lady had come, -I felt, to that time of life when even the proudest -beauty finds the half-light more welcome. She rose -from a settee as we entered: tall, queenly, a perfect -figure, a lovely mask-like face, with two wonderful -Spanish eyes which looked murder at us both. -</p> - -<p> -"What is this intrusion—and this insulting -message?" she asked, holding up the slip of paper. -</p> - -<p> -"I need not explain, madame. I have too much -respect for your intelligence to do so—though I -confess that intelligence has been surprisingly at fault -of late." -</p> - -<p> -"How so, sir?" -</p> - -<p> -"By supposing that your hired bullies could -frighten me from my work. Surely no man would -take up my profession if it were not that danger -attracts him. It was you, then, who forced me to -examine the case of young Maberley." -</p> - -<p> -"I have no idea what you are talking about. -What have I to do with hired bullies?" -</p> - -<p> -Holmes turned away wearily. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, I have underrated your intelligence. Well, -good afternoon!" -</p> - -<p> -"Stop! Where are you going?" -</p> - -<p> -"To Scotland Yard." -</p> - -<p> -We had not got half-way to the door before she -had overtaken us and was holding his arm. She had -turned in a moment from steel to velvet. -</p> - -<p> -"Come and sit down, gentlemen. Let us talk -this matter over. I feel that I may be frank with -you, Mr. Holmes. You have the feelings of a gentleman. -How quick a woman's instinct is to find it -out. I will treat you as a friend." -</p> - -<p> -"I cannot promise to reciprocate, madame. I -am not the law, but I represent justice so far as my -feeble powers go. I am ready to listen, and then I -will tell you how I will act." -</p> - -<p> -"No doubt it was foolish of me to threaten a -brave man like yourself." -</p> - -<p> -"What was really foolish, madame, is that you -have placed yourself in the power of a band of rascals -who may blackmail or give you away." -</p> - -<p> -"No, no! I am not so simple. Since I have -promised to be frank, I may say that no one, save -Barney Stockdale and Susan, his wife, have the least -idea who their employer is. As to them, well, it is -not the first——" She smiled and nodded, with a -charming coquettish intimacy. -</p> - -<p> -"I see. You've tested them before." -</p> - -<p> -"They are good hounds who run silent." -</p> - -<p> -"Such hounds have a way sooner or later of biting -the hand that feeds them. They will be arrested for -this burglary. The police are already after them." -</p> - -<p> -"They will take what comes to them. That is -what they are paid for. I shall not appear in the -matter." -</p> - -<p> -"Unless I bring you into it." -</p> - -<p> -"No, no; you would not. You are a gentleman. -It is a woman's secret." -</p> - -<p> -"In the first place you must give back this manuscript." -</p> - -<p> -She broke into a ripple of laughter, and walked to -the fireplace. There was a calcined mass which she -broke up with the poker. "Shall I give this back?" -she asked. So roguish and exquisite did she look as -she stood before us with a challenging smile that I -felt of all Holmes's criminals this was the one whom -he would find it hardest to face. However, he was -immune from sentiment. -</p> - -<p> -"That seals your fate," he said coldly. "You -are very prompt in your actions, madame, but you -have overdone it on this occasion." -</p> - -<p> -She threw the poker down with a clatter. -</p> - -<p> -"How hard you are!" she cried. "May I tell -you the whole story?" -</p> - -<p> -"I fancy I could tell it to you." -</p> - -<p> -"But you must look at it with my eyes, Mr. Holmes. -You must realize it from the point of view -of a woman who sees all her life's ambition about to -be ruined at the last moment. Is such a woman to -be blamed if she protects herself?" -</p> - -<p> -"The original sin was yours." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, yes! I admit it. He was a dear boy, -Douglas, but it so chanced that he could not fit into -my plans. He wanted marriage—marriage, -Mr. Holmes—with a penniless commoner. Nothing less -would serve him. Then he became pertinacious. -Because I had given he seemed to think that I still -must give, and to him only. It was intolerable. At -last I had to make him realize it." -</p> - -<p> -"By hiring ruffians to beat him under your own -window." -</p> - -<p> -"You do indeed seem to know everything. Well, -it is true. Barney and the boys drove him away, -and were, I admit, a little rough in doing so. But -what did he do then? Could I have believed that a -gentleman would do such an act? He wrote a book -in which he described his own story. I, of course, -was the wolf; he the lamb. It was all there, under -different names, of course; but who in all London -would have failed to recognize it? What do you -say to that, Mr. Holmes?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, he was within his rights." -</p> - -<p> -"It was as if the air of Italy had got into his blood -and brought with it the old cruel Italian spirit. -He wrote to me and sent me a copy of his book that -I might have the torture of anticipation. There -were two copies, he said—one for me, one for his -publisher." -</p> - -<p> -"How did you know the publisher's had not -reached him?" -</p> - -<p> -"I knew who his publisher was. It is not his only -novel, you know. I found out that he had not heard -from Italy. Then came Douglas's sudden death. -So long as that other manuscript was in the world -there was no safety for me. Of course, it must be -among his effects, and these would be returned to -his mother. I set the gang at work. One of them -got into the house as servant. I wanted to do the -thing honestly. I really and truly did. I was -ready to buy the house and everything in it. I -offered any price she cared to ask. I only tried the -other way when everything else had failed. Now, -Mr. Holmes, granting that I was too hard on -Douglas—and, God knows, I am sorry for it!—what else -could I do with my whole future at stake?" -</p> - -<p> -Sherlock Holmes shrugged his shoulders. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, well," said he, "I suppose I shall have to -compound a felony as usual. How much does it -cost to go round the world in first-class style?" -</p> - -<p> -The lady stared in amazement. -</p> - -<p> -"Could it be done on five thousand pounds?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, I should think so, indeed!" -</p> - -<p> -"Very good. I think you will sign me a cheque -for that, and I will see that it comes to Mrs. Maberley. -You owe her a little change of air. Meantime, -lady"—he wagged a cautionary forefinger—"have -a care! Have a care! You can't play with edged -tools for ever without cutting those dainty hands." -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap05"></a></p> - -<h3> -V -</h3> - -<h3> -THE ADVENTURE OF THE SUSSEX VAMPIRE -</h3> - -<p> -Holmes had read carefully a note which the -last post had brought him. Then, with the -dry chuckle which was his nearest approach to a -laugh, he tossed it over to me. -</p> - -<p> -"For a mixture of the modern and the mediæval, -of the practical and of the wildly fanciful, I think -this is surely the limit," said he. "What do you -make of it, Watson?" -</p> - -<p> -I read as follows: -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="noindent"> -46, OLD JEWRY, - <i>Nov.</i> 19<i>th.</i><br /> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -<i>Re</i> Vampires. -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -SIR,— -</p> - -<p> -Our client, Mr. Robert Ferguson, of Ferguson and -Muirhead, tea brokers, of Mincing Lane, has made -some inquiry from us in a communication of even -date concerning vampires. As our firm specializes -entirely upon the assessment of machinery the -matter hardly comes within our purview, and we -have therefore recommended Mr. Ferguson to call -upon you and lay the matter before you. We have -not forgotten your successful action in the case of -Matilda Briggs. -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -We are, Sir, Faithfully yours,<br /> - MORRISON, MORRISON, AND DODD.<br /> - per E. J. C.<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -"Matilda Briggs was not the name of a young -woman, Watson," said Holmes, in a reminiscent -voice. "It was a ship which is associated with the -giant rat of Sumatra, a story for which the world is -not yet prepared. But what do we know about -vampires? Does it come within our purview -either? Anything is better than stagnation, but -really we seem to have been switched on to a Grimm's -fairy tale. Make a long arm, Watson, and see what -V has to say." -</p> - -<p> -I leaned back and took down the great index -volume to which he referred. Holmes balanced it -on his knee and his eyes moved slowly and lovingly -over the record of old cases, mixed with the -accumulated information of a lifetime. -</p> - -<p> -"Voyage of the Gloria Scott," he read. "That -was a bad business. I have some recollection that -you made a record of it, Watson, though I was -unable to congratulate you upon the result. Victor -Lynch, the forger. Venomous lizard or gila. -Remarkable case, that! Vittoria, the circus belle. -Vanderbilt and the Yeggman. Vipers. Vigor, the -Hammersmith wonder. Hullo! Hullo! Good old -index. You can't beat it. Listen to this, Watson. -Vampirism in Hungary. And again, Vampires in -Transylvania." He turned over the pages with -eagerness, but after a short intent perusal he threw -down the great book with a snarl of disappointment. -</p> - -<p> -"Rubbish, Watson, rubbish! What have we to -do with walking corpses who can only be held in their -grave by stakes driven through their hearts? It's -pure lunacy." -</p> - -<p> -"But surely," said I, "the vampire was not -necessarily a dead man? A living person might -have the habit. I have read, for example, of the -old sucking the blood of the young in order to retain -their youth." -</p> - -<p> -"You are right, Watson. It mentions the legend -in one of these references. But are we to give serious -attention to such things? This Agency stands -flat-footed upon the ground, and there it must remain. -The world is big enough for us. No ghosts need -apply. I fear that we cannot take Mr. Robert -Ferguson very seriously. Possibly this note may be -from him, and may throw some light upon what is -worrying him." -</p> - -<p> -He took up a second letter which had lain -unnoticed upon the table whilst he had been absorbed -with the first. This he began to read with a smile of -amusement upon his face which gradually faded -away into an expression of intense interest and -concentration. When he had finished he sat for some -little time lost in thought with the letter dangling -from his fingers. Finally, with a start, he aroused -himself from his reverie. -</p> - -<p> -"Cheeseman's, Lamberley. Where is Lamberley, -Watson?" -</p> - -<p> -"It is in Sussex, south of Horsham." -</p> - -<p> -"Not very far, eh? And Cheeseman's?" -</p> - -<p> -"I know that country, Holmes. It is full of old -houses which are named after the men who built -them centuries ago. You get Odley's and Harvey's -and Carriton's—the folk are forgotten but their -names live in their houses." -</p> - -<p> -"Precisely," said Holmes coldly. It was one of -the peculiarities of his proud, self-contained nature -that, though he docketed any fresh information very -quickly and accurately in his brain, he seldom made -any acknowledgment to the giver. "I rather fancy -we shall know a good deal more about Cheeseman's, -Lamberley, before we are through. The letter is, as -I had hoped, from Robert Ferguson. By the way, -he claims acquaintance with you." -</p> - -<p> -"With me!" -</p> - -<p> -"You had better read it." -</p> - -<p> -He handed the letter across. It was headed with -the address quoted. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="noindent"> -DEAR MR. HOLMES, (it said)—I have been recommended -to you by my lawyers, but indeed the matter -is so extraordinarily delicate that it is most difficult -to discuss. It concerns a friend for whom I am -acting. This gentleman married some five years ago -a Peruvian lady, the daughter of a Peruvian -merchant, whom he had met in connection with the -importation of nitrates. The lady was very beautiful, -but the fact of her foreign birth and of her alien -religion always caused a separation of interests and -of feelings between husband and wife, so that after -a time his love may have cooled towards her and he -may have come to regard their union as a mistake. -He felt there were sides of her character which he -could never explore or understand. This was the -more painful as she was as loving a wife as a man -could have—to all appearance absolutely devoted. -</p> - -<p> -Now for the point which I will make more plain -when we meet. Indeed, this note is merely to give -you a general idea of the situation and to ascertain -whether you would care to interest yourself in the -matter. The lady began to show some curious traits -quite alien to her ordinarily sweet and gentle -disposition. The gentleman had been married twice -and he had one son by the first wife. This boy was -now fifteen, a very charming and affectionate youth, -though unhappily injured through an accident in -childhood. Twice the wife was caught in the act of -assaulting this poor lad in the most unprovoked way. -Once she struck him with a stick and left a great -weal on his arm. -</p> - -<p> -This was a small matter, however, compared with -her conduct to her own child, a dear boy just under -one year of age. On one occasion about a month -ago this child had been left by its nurse for a few -minutes. A loud cry from the baby, as of pain, -called the nurse back. As she ran into the room she -saw her employer, the lady, leaning over the baby -and apparently biting his neck. There was a small -wound in the neck, from which a stream of blood -had escaped. The nurse was so horrified that she -wished to call the husband, but the lady implored -her not to do so, and actually gave her five pounds -as a price for her silence. No explanation was ever -given, and for the moment the matter was passed -over. -</p> - -<p> -It left, however, a terrible impression upon the -nurse's mind, and from that time she began to watch -her mistress closely, and to keep a closer guard upon -the baby, whom she tenderly loved. It seemed to -her that even as she watched the mother, so the -mother watched her, and that every time she was -compelled to leave the baby alone the mother was -waiting to get at it. Day and night the nurse -covered the child, and day and night the silent, -watchful mother seemed to be lying in wait as a wolf -waits for a lamb. It must read most incredible to -you, and yet I beg you to take it seriously, for a -child's life and a man's sanity may depend upon it. -</p> - -<p> -At last there came one dreadful day when the -facts could no longer be concealed from the husband. -The nurse's nerve had given way; she could stand -the strain no longer, and she made a clean breast of -it all to the man. To him it seemed as wild a tale -as it may now seem to you. He knew his wife to be -a loving wife, and, save for the assaults upon her -stepson, a loving mother. Why, then, should she -wound her own dear little baby? He told the nurse -that she was dreaming, that her suspicions were -those of a lunatic, and that such libels upon her -mistress were not to be tolerated. Whilst they were -talking, a sudden cry of pain was heard. Nurse and -master rushed together to the nursery. Imagine -his feelings, Mr. Holmes, as he saw his wife rise from -a kneeling position beside the cot, and saw blood -upon the child's exposed neck and upon the sheet. -With a cry of horror, he turned his wife's face to the -light and saw blood all round her lips. It was -she—she beyond all question—who had drunk the poor -baby's blood. -</p> - -<p> -So the matter stands. She is now confined to her -room. There has been no explanation. The -husband is half demented. He knows, and I know, -little of Vampirism beyond the name. We had -thought it was some wild tale of foreign parts. And -yet here in the very heart of the English Sussex—well, -all this can be discussed with you in the -morning. Will you see me? Will you use your great -powers in aiding a distracted man? If so, kindly -wire to Ferguson, Cheeseman's, Lamberley, and I -will be at your rooms by ten o'clock. -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -Yours faithfully,<br /> - ROBERT FERGUSON.<br /> -</p> - -<p> -PS.—I believe your friend Watson played Rugby -for Blackheath when I was three-quarter for Richmond. -It is the only personal introduction which I -can give. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -"Of course I remember him," said I, as I laid -down the letter. "Big Bob Ferguson, the finest -three-quarter Richmond ever had. He was always -a good-natured chap. It's like him to be so -concerned over a friend's case." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes looked at me thoughtfully and shook his -head. -</p> - -<p> -"I never get your limits, Watson," said he. -"There are unexplored possibilities about you. -Take a wire down, like a good fellow. 'Will examine -your case with pleasure.'" -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Your</i> case!" -</p> - -<p> -"We must not let him think that this Agency is a -home for the weak-minded. Of course it is his case. -Send him that wire and let the matter rest till morning." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Promptly at ten o'clock next morning Ferguson -strode into our room. I had remembered him as a -long, slab-sided man with loose limbs and a fine turn -of speed, which had carried him round many an -opposing back. There is surely nothing in life more -painful than to meet the wreck of a fine athlete -whom one has known in his prime. His great frame -had fallen in, his flaxen hair was scanty, and his -shoulders were bowed. I fear that I roused -corresponding emotions in him. -</p> - -<p> -"Hullo, Watson," said he, and his voice was still -deep and hearty. "You don't look quite the man -you did when I threw you over the ropes into the -crowd at the Old Deer Park. I expect I have -changed a bit also. But it's this last day or two -that has aged me. I see by your telegram, -Mr. Holmes, that it is no use my pretending to be -anyone's deputy." -</p> - -<p> -"It is simpler to deal direct," said Holmes. -</p> - -<p> -"Of course it is. But you can imagine how -difficult it is when you are speaking of the one -woman whom you are bound to protect and help. -What can I do? How am I to go to the police with -such a story? And yet the kiddies have got to -be protected. Is it madness, Mr. Holmes? Is it -something in the blood? Have you any similar -case in your experience? For God's sake, give me -some advice, for I am at my wits' end." -</p> - -<p> -"Very naturally, Mr. Ferguson. Now sit here -and pull yourself together and give me a few clear -answers. I can assure you that I am very far from -being at my wits' end, and that I am confident we -shall find some solution. First of all, tell me what -steps you have taken. Is your wife still near the -children?" -</p> - -<p> -"We had a dreadful scene. She is a most loving -woman, Mr. Holmes. If ever a woman loved a man -with all her heart and soul, she loves me. She was -cut to the heart that I should have discovered this -horrible, this incredible, secret. She would not even -speak. She gave no answer to my reproaches, save -to gaze at me with a sort of wild, despairing look in -her eyes. Then she rushed to her room and locked -herself in. Since then she has refused to see me. -She has a maid who was with her before her marriage, -Dolores by name—a friend rather than a servant. -She takes her food to her." -</p> - -<p> -"Then the child is in no immediate danger?" -</p> - -<p> -"Mrs. Mason, the nurse, has sworn that she will -not leave it night or day. I can absolutely trust her. -I am more uneasy about poor little Jack, for, as I -told you in my note, he has twice been assaulted by -her." -</p> - -<p> -"But never wounded?" -</p> - -<p> -"No; she struck him savagely. It is the more -terrible as he is a poor little inoffensive -cripple." Ferguson's gaunt features softened as he spoke of -his boy. "You would think that the dear lad's -condition would soften anyone's heart. A fall in -childhood and a twisted spine, Mr. Holmes. But -the dearest, most loving heart within." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes had picked up the letter of yesterday and -was reading it over. "What other inmates are -there in your house, Mr. Ferguson?" -</p> - -<p> -"Two servants who have not been long with us. -One stable-hand, Michael, who sleeps in the house. -My wife, myself, my boy Jack, baby, Dolores, and -Mrs. Mason. That is all." -</p> - -<p> -"I gather that you did not know your wife well -at the time of your marriage?" -</p> - -<p> -"I had only known her a few weeks." -</p> - -<p> -"How long had this maid Dolores been with her?" -</p> - -<p> -"Some years." -</p> - -<p> -"Then your wife's character would really be better -known by Dolores than by you?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, you may say so." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes made a note. -</p> - -<p> -"I fancy," said he, "that I may be of more use -at Lamberley than here. It is eminently a case for -personal investigation. If the lady remains in her -room, our presence could not annoy or inconvenience -her. Of course, we would stay at the inn." -</p> - -<p> -Ferguson gave a gesture of relief. -</p> - -<p> -"It is what I hoped, Mr. Holmes. There is an -excellent train at two from Victoria, if you could -come." -</p> - -<p> -"Of course we could come. There is a lull at -present. I can give you my undivided energies. -Watson, of course, comes with us. But there are -one or two points upon which I wish to be very sure -before I start. This unhappy lady, as I understand -it, has appeared to assault both the children, her -own baby and your little son?" -</p> - -<p> -"That is so." -</p> - -<p> -"But the assaults take different forms, do they -not? She has beaten your son." -</p> - -<p> -"Once with a stick and once very savagely with -her hands." -</p> - -<p> -"Did she give no explanation why she struck him?" -</p> - -<p> -"None, save that she hated him. Again and -again she said so." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, that is not unknown among stepmothers. -A posthumous jealousy, we will say. Is the lady -jealous by nature?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, she is very jealous—jealous with all the -strength of her fiery tropical love." -</p> - -<p> -"But the boy—he is fifteen, I understand, and -probably very developed in mind, since his body -has been circumscribed in action. Did he give you -no explanation of these assaults?" -</p> - -<p> -"No; he declared there was no reason." -</p> - -<p> -"Were they good friends at other times?" -</p> - -<p> -"No; there was never any love between them." -</p> - -<p> -"Yet you say he is affectionate?" -</p> - -<p> -"Never in the world could there be so devoted a -son. My life is his life. He is absorbed in what I -say or do." -</p> - -<p> -Once again Holmes made a note. For some time -he sat lost in thought. -</p> - -<p> -"No doubt you and the boy were great comrades -before this second marriage. You were thrown -very close together, were you not?" -</p> - -<p> -"Very much so." -</p> - -<p> -"And the boy, having so affectionate a nature, -was devoted, no doubt, to the memory of his -mother?" -</p> - -<p> -"Most devoted." -</p> - -<p> -"He would certainly seem to be a most interesting -lad. There is one other point about these assaults. -Were the strange attacks upon the baby and the -assaults upon your son at the same period?" -</p> - -<p> -"In the first case it was so. It was as if some -frenzy had seized her, and she had vented her rage -upon both. In the second case it was only Jack who -suffered. Mrs. Mason had no complaint to make -about the baby." -</p> - -<p> -"That certainly complicates matters." -</p> - -<p> -"I don't quite follow you, Mr. Holmes." -</p> - -<p> -"Possibly not. One forms provisional theories -and waits for time or fuller knowledge to explode -them. A bad habit, Mr. Ferguson; but human -nature is weak. I fear that your old friend here has -given an exaggerated view of my scientific methods. -However, I will only say at the present stage that -your problem does not appear to me to be insoluble, -and that you may expect to find us at Victoria at -two o'clock." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -It was evening of a dull, foggy November day when, -having left our bags at the "Chequers," Lamberley, -we drove through the Sussex clay of a long winding -lane, and finally reached the isolated and ancient -farm-house in which Ferguson dwelt. It was a large, -straggling building, very old in the centre, very new -at the wings, with towering Tudor chimneys and a -lichen-spotted, high-pitched roof of Horsham slabs. -The doorsteps were worn into curves, and the ancient -tiles which lined the porch were marked with the -rebus of a cheese and a man, after the original -builder. Within, the ceilings were corrugated with -heavy oaken beams, and the uneven floors sagged -into sharp curves. An odour of age and decay -pervaded the whole crumbling building. -</p> - -<p> -There was one very large central room, into which -Ferguson led us. Here, in a huge old-fashioned -fireplace with an iron screen behind it dated 1670, there -blazed and spluttered a splendid log fire. -</p> - -<p> -The room, as I gazed round, was a most singular -mixture of dates and of places. The half-panelled -walls may well have belonged to the original yeoman -farmer of the seventeenth century. They were -ornamented, however, on the lower part by a line -of well-chosen modern water-colours; while above, -where yellow plaster took the place of oak, there was -hung a fine collection of South American utensils -and weapons, which had been brought, no doubt, -by the Peruvian lady upstairs. Holmes rose, with -that quick curiosity which sprang from his eager -mind, and examined them with some care. He -returned with his eyes full of thought. -</p> - -<p> -"Hullo!" he cried. "Hullo!" -</p> - -<p> -A spaniel had lain in a basket in the corner. It -came slowly forward towards its master, walking -with difficulty. Its hind-legs moved irregularly -and its tail was on the ground. It licked Ferguson's -hand. -</p> - -<p> -"What is it, Mr. Holmes?" -</p> - -<p> -"The dog. What's the matter with it?" -</p> - -<p> -"That's what puzzled the vet. A sort of paralysis. -Spinal meningitis, he thought. But it is -passing. He'll be all right soon—won't you, -Carlo?" -</p> - -<p> -A shiver of assent passed through the drooping -tail. The dog's mournful eyes passed from one of -us to the other. He knew that we were discussing -his case. -</p> - -<p> -"Did it come on suddenly?" -</p> - -<p> -"In a single night." -</p> - -<p> -"How long ago?" -</p> - -<p> -"It may have been four months ago." -</p> - -<p> -"Very remarkable. Very suggestive." -</p> - -<p> -"What do you see in it, Mr. Holmes?" -</p> - -<p> -"A confirmation of what I had already thought." -</p> - -<p> -"For God's sake, what do you think, Mr. Holmes? -It may be a mere intellectual puzzle to you, but it is -life and death to me! My wife a would-be -murderer—my child in constant danger! Don't play with -me, Mr. Holmes. It is too terribly serious." -</p> - -<p> -The big Rugby three-quarter was trembling all -over. Holmes put his hand soothingly upon his arm. -</p> - -<p> -"I fear that there is pain for you, Mr. Ferguson, -whatever the solution may be," said he. "I would -spare you all I can. I cannot say more for the -instant, but before I leave this house I hope I may have -something definite." -</p> - -<p> -"Please God you may! If you will excuse me, -gentlemen, I will go up to my wife's room and see if -there has been any change." -</p> - -<p> -He was away some minutes, during which Holmes -resumed his examination of the curiosities upon the -wall. When our host returned it was clear from his -downcast face that he had made no progress. He -brought with him a tall, slim, brown-faced girl. -</p> - -<p> -"The tea is ready, Dolores," said Ferguson. -"See that your mistress has everything she can wish." -</p> - -<p> -"She verra ill," cried the girl, looking with -indignant eyes at her master. "She no ask for food. -She verra ill. She need doctor. I frightened stay -alone with her without doctor." -</p> - -<p> -Ferguson looked at me with a question in his eyes. -</p> - -<p> -"I should be so glad if I could be of use." -</p> - -<p> -"Would your mistress see Dr. Watson?" -</p> - -<p> -"I take him. I no ask leave. She needs doctor." -</p> - -<p> -"Then I'll come with you at once." -</p> - -<p> -I followed the girl, who was quivering with strong -emotion, up the staircase and down an ancient -corridor. At the end was an iron-clamped and massive -door. It struck me as I looked at it that if Ferguson -tried to force his way to his wife he would find it no -easy matter. The girl drew a key from her pocket, -and the heavy oaken planks creaked upon their old -hinges. I passed in and she swiftly followed, -fastening the door behind her. -</p> - -<p> -On the bed a woman was lying who was clearly in -a high fever. She was only half conscious, but as I -entered she raised a pair of frightened but beautiful -eyes and glared at me in apprehension. Seeing a -stranger, she appeared to be relieved, and sank back -with a sigh upon the pillow. I stepped up to her -with a few reassuring words, and she lay still while I -took her pulse and temperature. Both were high, -and yet my impression was that the condition was -rather that of mental and nervous excitement than -of any actual seizure. -</p> - -<p> -"She lie like that one day, two day. I 'fraid she -die," said the girl. -</p> - -<p> -The woman turned her flushed and handsome face -towards me. -</p> - -<p> -"Where is my husband?" -</p> - -<p> -"He is below, and would wish to see you." -</p> - -<p> -"I will not see him. I will not see him." Then -she seemed to wander off into delirium. "A fiend! -A fiend! Oh, what shall I do with this devil?" -</p> - -<p> -"Can I help you in any way?" -</p> - -<p> -"No. No one can help. It is finished. All is -destroyed. Do what I will, all is destroyed." -</p> - -<p> -The woman must have some strange delusion. I -could not see honest Bob Ferguson in the character -of fiend or devil. -</p> - -<p> -"Madame," I said, "your husband loves you -dearly. He is deeply grieved at this happening." -</p> - -<p> -Again she turned on me those glorious eyes. -</p> - -<p> -"He loves me. Yes. But do I not love him? -Do I not love him even to sacrifice myself rather -than break his dear heart. That is how I love him. -And yet he could think of me—he could speak of -me so." -</p> - -<p> -"He is full of grief, but he cannot understand. -</p> - -<p> -"No, he cannot understand. But he should trust." -</p> - -<p> -"Will you not see him?" I suggested. -</p> - -<p> -"No, no; I cannot forget those terrible words -nor the look upon his face. I will not see him. Go -now. You can do nothing for me. Tell him only -one thing. I want my child. I have a right to my -child. That is the only message I can send him." She -turned her face to the wall and would say no more. -</p> - -<p> -I returned to the room downstairs, where Ferguson -and Holmes still sat by the fire. Ferguson listened -moodily to my account of the interview. -</p> - -<p> -"How can I send her the child?" he said. "How -do I know what strange impulse might come upon -her? How can I ever forget how she rose from -beside it with its blood upon her lips?" He shuddered -at the recollection. "The child is safe with -Mrs. Mason, and there he must remain." -</p> - -<p> -A smart maid, the only modern thing which we -had seen in the house, had brought in some tea. -As she was serving it the door opened and a youth -entered the room. He was a remarkable lad, pale-faced -and fair-haired, with excitable light blue eyes -which blazed into a sudden flame of emotion and joy -as they rested upon his father. He rushed forward -and threw his arms round his neck with the abandon -of a loving girl. -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, daddy," he cried, "I did not know that you -were due yet. I should have been here to meet you. -Oh, I am so glad to see you!" -</p> - -<p> -Ferguson gently disengaged himself from the -embrace with some little show of embarrassment. -</p> - -<p> -"Dear old chap," said he, patting the flaxen head -with a very tender hand. "I came early because -my friends, Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson, have been -persuaded to come down and spend an evening with us." -</p> - -<p> -"Is that Mr. Holmes, the detective?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes." -</p> - -<p> -The youth looked at us with a very penetrating -and, as it seemed to me, unfriendly gaze. -</p> - -<p> -"What about your other child, Mr. Ferguson?" -asked Holmes. "Might we make the acquaintance -of the baby?" -</p> - -<p> -"Ask Mrs. Mason to bring baby down," said Ferguson. -The boy went off with a curious, shambling -gait which told my surgical eyes that he was suffering -from a weak spine. Presently he returned, and -behind him came a tall, gaunt woman bearing in her -arms a very beautiful child, dark-eyed, golden-haired, -a wonderful mixture of the Saxon and the -Latin. Ferguson was evidently devoted to it, for he -took it into his arms and fondled it most tenderly. -</p> - -<p> -"Fancy anyone having the heart to hurt him," -he muttered, as he glanced down at the small, angry -red pucker upon the cherub throat. -</p> - -<p> -It was at this moment that I chanced to glance -at Holmes, and saw a most singular intentness in his -expression. His face was as set as if it had been -carved out of old ivory, and his eyes, which had -glanced for a moment at father and child, were now -fixed with eager curiosity upon something at the -other side of the room. Following his gaze I could -only guess that he was looking out through the -window at the melancholy, dripping garden. It is true -that a shutter had half closed outside and obstructed -the view, but none the less it was certainly at the -window that Holmes was fixing his concentrated -attention. Then he smiled, and his eyes came back -to the baby. On its chubby neck there was this -small puckered mark. Without speaking, Holmes -examined it with care. Finally he shook one of the -dimpled fists which waved in front of him. -</p> - -<p> -"Good-bye, little man. You have made a strange -start in life. Nurse, I should wish to have a word -with you in private." -</p> - -<p> -He took her aside and spoke earnestly for a few -minutes. I only heard the last words, which were: -"Your anxiety will soon, I hope, be set at rest." The -woman, who seemed to be a sour, silent kind of -creature, withdrew with the child. -</p> - -<p> -"What is Mrs. Mason like?" asked Holmes. -</p> - -<p> -"Not very prepossessing externally, as you can -see, but a heart of gold, and devoted to the child." -</p> - -<p> -"Do you like her, Jack?" Holmes turned suddenly -upon the boy. His expressive mobile face -shadowed over, and he shook his head. -</p> - -<p> -"Jacky has very strong likes and dislikes," said -Ferguson, putting his arm round the boy. "Luckily -I am one of his likes." -</p> - -<p> -The boy cooed and nestled his head upon his -father's breast. Ferguson gently disengaged him. -</p> - -<p> -"Run away, little Jacky," said he, and he watched -his son with loving eyes until he disappeared. -"Now, Mr. Holmes," he continued, when the boy -was gone, "I really feel that I have brought you on -a fool's errand, for what can you possibly do, save -give me your sympathy? It must be an exceedingly -delicate and complex affair from your point -of view." -</p> - -<p> -"It is certainly delicate," said my friend, with an -amused smile, "but I have not been struck up to -now with its complexity. It has been a case for -intellectual deduction, but when this original -intellectual deduction is confirmed point by point by -quite a number of independent incidents, then the -subjective becomes objective and we can say -confidently that we have reached our goal. I had, in -fact, reached it before we left Baker Street, and the -rest has merely been observation and confirmation." -</p> - -<p> -Ferguson put his big hand to his furrowed forehead. -</p> - -<p> -"For Heaven's sake, Holmes," he said hoarsely, -"if you can see the truth in this matter, do not keep -me in suspense. How do I stand? What shall I -do? I care nothing as to how you have found your -facts so long as you have really got them." -</p> - -<p> -"Certainly I owe you an explanation, and you -shall have it. But you will permit me to handle the -matter in my own way? Is the lady capable of -seeing us, Watson?" -</p> - -<p> -"She is ill, but she is quite rational." -</p> - -<p> -"Very good. It is only in her presence that we -can clear the matter up. Let us go up to her." -</p> - -<p> -"She will not see me," cried Ferguson. -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, yes, she will," said Holmes. He scribbled -a few lines upon a sheet of paper. "You at least -have the <i>entrée</i>, Watson. Will you have the -goodness to give the lady this note?" -</p> - -<p> -I ascended again and handed the note to Dolores, -who cautiously opened the door. A minute later I -heard a cry from within, a cry in which joy and -surprise seemed to be blended. Dolores looked out. -</p> - -<p> -"She will see them. She will leesten," said she. -</p> - -<p> -At my summons Ferguson and Holmes came up. -As we entered the room Ferguson took a step or two -towards his wife, who had raised herself in the bed, -but she held out her hand to repulse him. He sank -into an arm-chair, while Holmes seated himself -beside him, after bowing to the lady, who looked at -him with wide-eyed amazement. -</p> - -<p> -"I think we can dispense with Dolores," said -Holmes. "Oh, very well, madame, if you would -rather she stayed I can see no objection. Now, -Mr. Ferguson, I am a busy man with many calls, and my -methods have to be short and direct. The swiftest -surgery is the least painful. Let me first say what -will ease your mind. Your wife is a very good, a -very loving, and a very ill-used woman." -</p> - -<p> -Ferguson sat up with a cry of joy. -</p> - -<p> -"Prove that, Mr. Holmes, and I am your debtor -for ever." -</p> - -<p> -"I will do so, but in doing so I must wound you -deeply in another direction." -</p> - -<p> -"I care nothing so long as you clear my wife. -Everything on earth is insignificant compared to -that." -</p> - -<p> -"Let me tell you, then, the train of reasoning -which passed through my mind in Baker Street. -The idea of a vampire was to me absurd. Such -things do not happen in criminal practice in England. -And yet your observation was precise. You had -seen the lady rise from beside the child's cot with the -blood upon her lips." -</p> - -<p> -"I did." -</p> - -<p> -"Did it not occur to you that a bleeding wound -may be sucked for some other purpose than to draw -the blood from it? Was there not a Queen in -English history who sucked such a wound to draw -poison from it?" -</p> - -<p> -"Poison!" -</p> - -<p> -"A South American household. My instinct felt -the presence of those weapons upon the wall before -my eyes ever saw them. It might have been other -poison, but that was what occurred to me. When I -saw that little empty quiver beside the small bird-bow, -it was just what I expected to see. If the child -were pricked with one of those arrows dipped in -curare or some other devilish drug, it would mean -death if the venom were not sucked out. -</p> - -<p> -"And the dog! If one were to use such a poison, -would one not try it first in order to see that it had -not lost its power? I did not foresee the dog, but -at least I understood him and he fitted into my -reconstruction. -</p> - -<p> -"Now do you understand? Your wife feared -such an attack. She saw it made and saved the -child's life, and yet she shrank from telling you all -the truth, for she knew how you loved the boy and -feared lest it break your heart." -</p> - -<p> -"Jacky!" -</p> - -<p> -"I watched him as you fondled the child just -now. His face was clearly reflected in the glass of -the window where the shutter formed a background. -I saw such jealousy, such cruel hatred, as I have -seldom seen in a human face." -</p> - -<p> -"My Jacky!" -</p> - -<p> -"You have to face it, Mr. Ferguson. It is the -more painful because it is a distorted love, a maniacal -exaggerated love for you, and possibly for his dead -mother, which has prompted his action. His very -soul is consumed with hatred for this splendid child, -whose health and beauty are a contrast to his own -weakness." -</p> - -<p> -"Good God! It is incredible!" -</p> - -<p> -"Have I spoken the truth, madame?" -</p> - -<p> -The lady was sobbing, with her face buried in the -pillows. Now she turned to her husband. -</p> - -<p> -"How could I tell you, Bob? I felt the blow it -would be to you. It was better that I should wait -and that it should come from some other lips than -mine. When this gentleman, who seems to have -powers of magic, wrote that he knew all, I was glad." -</p> - -<p> -"I think a year at sea would be my prescription -for Master Jacky," said Holmes, rising from his -chair. "Only one thing is still clouded, madame. -We can quite understand your attacks upon Master -Jacky. There is a limit to a mother's patience. But -how did you dare to leave the child these last two -days?" -</p> - -<p> -"I had told Mrs. Mason. She knew." -</p> - -<p> -"Exactly. So I imagined." -</p> - -<p> -Ferguson was standing by the bed, choking, his -hands outstretched and quivering. -</p> - -<p> -"This, I fancy, is the time for our exit, Watson," -said Holmes in a whisper. "If you will take one -elbow of the too faithful Dolores, I will take the -other. There, now," he added, as he closed the -door behind him, "I think we may leave them to -settle the rest among themselves." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -I have only one further note of this case. It is -the letter which Holmes wrote in final answer to that -with which the narrative begins. It ran thus: -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="noindent"> -BAKER STREET,<br /> - <i>Nov.</i> 21st.<br /> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -<i>Re</i> Vampires. -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -SIR,— -</p> - -<p> -Referring to your letter of the 19th, I beg to state -that I have looked into the inquiry of your client, -Mr. Robert Ferguson, of Ferguson and Muirhead, tea -brokers, of Mincing Lane, and that the matter has -been brought to a satisfactory conclusion. With -thanks for your recommendation, -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -I am, Sir,<br /> - Faithfully yours,<br /> - SHERLOCK HOLMES.<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap06"></a></p> - -<h3> -VI -</h3> - -<h3> -THE ADVENTURE OF THE THREE GARRIDEBS -</h3> - -<p> -It may have been a comedy, or it may have been -a tragedy. It cost one man his reason, it cost -me a blood-letting, and it cost yet another man the -penalties of the law. Yet there was certainly an -element of comedy. Well, you shall judge for yourselves. -</p> - -<p> -I remember the date very well, for it was in the -same month that Holmes refused a knighthood for -services which may perhaps some day be described. -I only refer to the matter in passing, for in my -position of partner and confidant I am obliged to be -particularly careful to avoid any indiscretion. I -repeat, however, that this enables me to fix the -date, which was the latter end of June, 1902, shortly -after the conclusion of the South African War. -Holmes had spent several days in bed, as was his -habit from time to time, but he emerged that -morning with a long foolscap document in his hand -and a twinkle of amusement in his austere grey eyes. -</p> - -<p> -"There is a chance for you to make some money, -friend Watson," said he. "Have you ever heard -the name of Garrideb?" -</p> - -<p> -I admitted that I had not. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, if you can lay your hand upon a Garrideb, -there's money in it." -</p> - -<p> -"Why?" -</p> - -<p> -"Ah, that's a long story—rather a whimsical one, -too. I don't think in all our explorations of human -complexities we have ever come upon anything more -singular. The fellow will be here presently for -cross-examination, so I won't open the matter up till he -comes. But meanwhile, that's the name we want." -</p> - -<p> -The telephone directory lay on the table beside -me, and I turned over the pages in a rather hopeless -quest. But to my amazement there was this strange -name in its due place. I gave a cry of triumph. -</p> - -<p> -"Here you are, Holmes! Here it is!" -</p> - -<p> -Holmes took the book from my hand. -</p> - -<p> -"'Garrideb, N.,'" he read, "'136 Little Ryder -Street, W.' Sorry to disappoint you, my dear Watson, -but this is the man himself. That is the address -upon his letter. We want another to match him." -</p> - -<p> -Mrs. Hudson had come in with a card upon a tray. -I took it up and glanced at it. -</p> - -<p> -"Why, here it is!" I cried in amazement. "This -is a different initial. John Garrideb, Counsellor at -Law, Moorville, Kansas, U.S.A." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes smiled as he looked at the card. "I am -afraid you must make yet another effort, Watson," -said he. "This gentleman is also in the plot already, -though I certainly did not expect to see him this -morning. However, he is in a position to tell us a -good deal which I want to know." -</p> - -<p> -A moment later he was in the room. Mr. John -Garrideb, Counsellor at Law, was a short, powerful -man with the round, fresh, clean-shaven face -characteristic of so many American men of affairs. The -general effect was chubby and rather childlike, so -that one received the impression of quite a young -man with a broad set smile upon his face. His eyes, -however, were arresting. Seldom in any human -head have I seen a pair which bespoke a more intense -inward life, so bright were they, so alert, so -responsive to every change of thought. His accent was -American, but was not accompanied by any -eccentricity of speech. -</p> - -<p> -"Mr. Holmes?" he asked, glancing from one to -the other. "Ah, yes! Your pictures are not unlike -you, sir, if I may say so. I believe you have had a -letter from my namesake, Mr. Nathan Garrideb, -have you not?" -</p> - -<p> -"Pray sit down," said Sherlock Holmes. "We -shall, I fancy, have a good deal to discuss." He -took up his sheets of foolscap. "You are, of course, -the Mr. John Garrideb mentioned in this document. -But surely you have been in England some time?" -</p> - -<p> -"Why do you say that, Mr. Holmes?" I seemed -to read sudden suspicion in those expressive eyes. -</p> - -<p> -"Your whole outfit is English." -</p> - -<p> -Mr. Garrideb forced a laugh. "I've read of -your tricks, Mr. Holmes, but I never thought I would -be the subject of them. Where do you read that?" -</p> - -<p> -"The shoulder cut of your coat, the toes of your -boots—could anyone doubt it?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, well, I had no idea I was so obvious a -Britisher. But business brought me over here some -time ago, and so, as you say, my outfit is nearly all -London. However, I guess your time is of value, -and we did not meet to talk about the cut of my -socks. What about getting down to that paper -you hold in your hand?" -</p> - -<p> -Holmes had in some way ruffled our visitor, whose -chubby face had assumed a far less amiable expression. -</p> - -<p> -"Patience! Patience, Mr. Garrideb!" said my -friend in a soothing voice. "Dr. Watson would tell -you that these little digressions of mine sometimes -prove in the end to have some bearing on the matter. -But why did Mr. Nathan Garrideb not come with you?" -</p> - -<p> -"Why did he ever drag you into it at all?" asked -our visitor, with a sudden outflame of anger. "What -in thunder had you to do with it? Here was a bit -of professional business between two gentlemen, and -one of them must needs call in a detective! I saw -him this morning, and he told me this fool-trick he -had played me, and that's why I am here. But I -feel bad about it, all the same." -</p> - -<p> -"There was no reflection upon you, Mr. Garrideb. -It was simply zeal upon his part to gain your -end—an end which is, I understand, equally vital for -both of you. He knew that I had means of getting -information, and, therefore, it was very natural that -he should apply to me." -</p> - -<p> -Our visitor's angry face gradually cleared. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, that puts it different," said he. "When -I went to see him this morning and he told me he -had sent to a detective, I just asked for your address -and came right away. I don't want police butting -into a private matter. But if you are content just -to help us find the man, there can be no harm in -that." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, that is just how it stands," said Holmes. -"And now, sir, since you are here, we had best have -a clear account from your own lips. My friend -here knows nothing of the details." -</p> - -<p> -Mr. Garrideb surveyed me with not too friendly a gaze. -</p> - -<p> -"Need he know?" he asked. -</p> - -<p> -"We usually work together." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, there's no reason it should be kept a secret. -I'll give you the facts as short as I can make them. -If you came from Kansas I would not need to -explain to you who Alexander Hamilton Garrideb -was. He made his money in real estate, and afterwards -in the wheat pit at Chicago, but he spent it -in buying up as much land as would make one of -your counties, lying along the Arkansas River, west -of Fort Dodge. It's grazing-land and lumber-land -and arable-land and mineralized-land, and just every -sort of land that brings dollars to the man that -owns it. -</p> - -<p> -"He had no kith nor kin—or, if he had, I never -heard of it. But he took a kind of pride in the -queerness of his name. That was what brought us -together. I was in the law at Topeka, and one day I -had a visit from the old man, and he was tickled to -death to meet another man with his own name. It -was his pet fad, and he was dead set to find out if -there were any more Garridebs in the world. 'Find -me another!' said he. I told him I was a busy -man and could not spend my life hiking round the -world in search of Garridebs. 'None the less,' said -he, 'that is just what you will do if things pan out -as I planned them.' I thought he was joking, but -there was a powerful lot of meaning in the words, as -I was soon to discover. -</p> - -<p> -"For he died within a year of saying them, and -he left a will behind him. It was the queerest will -that has ever been filed in the State of Kansas. His -property was divided into three parts, and I was to -have one on condition that I found two Garridebs -who would share the remainder. It's five million -dollars for each if it is a cent, but we can't -lay a finger on it until we all three stand in a row. -</p> - -<p> -"It was so big a chance that I just let my legal -practice slide and I set forth looking for Garridebs. -There is not one in the United States. I went -through it, sir, with a fine-toothed comb and never -a Garrideb could I catch. Then I tried the old -country. Sure enough there was the name in the -London Telephone Directory. I went after him two -days ago and explained the whole matter to him. -But he is a lone man, like myself, with some women -relations, but no men. It says three adult men in -the will. So you see we still have a vacancy, and if -you can help to fill it we will be very ready to pay -your charges." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, Watson," said Holmes, with a smile, "I -said it was rather whimsical, did I not? I should -have thought, sir, that your obvious way was to -advertise in the agony columns of the papers." -</p> - -<p> -"I have done that, Mr. Holmes. No replies." -</p> - -<p> -"Dear me! Well, it is certainly a most curious -little problem. I may take a glance at it in my -leisure. By the way, it is curious that you should -have come from Topeka. I used to have a -correspondent—he is dead now—old Dr. Lysander Starr, -who was Mayor in 1890." -</p> - -<p> -"Good old Dr. Starr!" said our visitor. "His -name is still honoured. Well, Mr. Holmes, I -suppose all we can do is to report to you and let you -know how we progress. I reckon you will hear -within a day or two." With this assurance our -American bowed and departed. -</p> - -<p> -Holmes had lit his pipe, and he sat for some time -with a curious smile upon his face. -</p> - -<p> -"Well?" I asked at last. -</p> - -<p> -"I am wondering, Watson—just wondering!" -</p> - -<p> -"At what?" -</p> - -<p> -Holmes took his pipe from his lips. -</p> - -<p> -"I was wondering, Watson, what on earth could -be the object of this man in telling us such a -rigmarole of lies. I nearly asked him so—for there -are times when a brutal frontal attack is the best -policy—but I judged it better to let him think he -had fooled us. Here is a man with an English coat -frayed at the elbow and trousers bagged at the knee -with a year's wear, and yet by this document and -by his own account he is a provincial American -lately landed in London. There have been no -advertisements in the agony columns. You know that I -miss nothing there. They are my favourite covert -for putting up a bird, and I would never have -overlooked such a cock pheasant as that. I never knew -a Dr. Lysander Starr of Topeka. Touch him where -you would he was false. I think the fellow is really -an American, but he has worn his accent smooth -with years of London. What is his game, then, -and what motive lies behind this preposterous search -for Garridebs? It's worth our attention, for, granting -that the man is a rascal, he is certainly a complex -and ingenious one. We must now find out if our -other correspondent is a fraud also. Just ring him -up, Watson." -</p> - -<p> -I did so, and heard a thin, quavering voice at the -other end of the line. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, yes, I am Mr. Nathan Garrideb. Is Mr. Holmes -there? I should very much like to have a -word with Mr. Holmes." -</p> - -<p> -My friend took the instrument and I heard the -usual syncopated dialogue. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, he has been here. I understand that you -don't know him.... How long? ... Only two -days! ... Yes, yes, of course, it is a most -captivating prospect. Will you be at home this -evening? I suppose your namesake will not be there? -... Very good, we will come then, for I would -rather have a chat without him.... Dr. Watson -will come with me.... I understood from your -note that you did not go out often.... Well, we -shall be round about six. You need not mention it -to the American lawyer.... Very good. Good-bye!" -</p> - -<p> -It was twilight of a lovely spring evening, and -even Little Ryder Street, one of the smaller -offshoots from the Edgware Road, within a stone-cast -of old Tyburn Tree of evil memory, looked golden -and wonderful in the slanting rays of the setting sun. -The particular house to which we were directed was -a large, old-fashioned, Early Georgian edifice with a -flat brick face broken only by two deep bay windows -on the ground floor. It was on this ground floor -that our client lived, and, indeed, the low windows -proved to be the front of the huge room in which -he spent his waking hours. Holmes pointed as we -passed to the small brass plate which bore the -curious name. -</p> - -<p> -"Up some years, Watson," he remarked, indicating -its discoloured surface. "It's his real name, -anyhow, and that is something to note." -</p> - -<p> -The house had a common stair, and there were a -number of names painted in the hall some indicating -offices and some private chambers. It was not a -collection of residential flats, but rather the abode of -Bohemian bachelors. Our client opened the door -for us himself and apologized by saying that the -woman in charge left at four o'clock. Mr. Nathan -Garrideb proved to be a very tall, loose-jointed, -round-backed person, gaunt and bald, some sixty-odd -years of age. He had a cadaverous face, with -the dull dead skin of a man to whom exercise was -unknown. Large round spectacles and a small -projecting goat's beard combined with his stooping -attitude to give him an expression of peering -curiosity. The general effect, however, was amiable, -though eccentric. -</p> - -<p> -The room was as curious as its occupant. It -looked like a small museum. It was both broad -and deep, with cupboards and cabinets all round, -crowded with specimens, geological and anatomical. -Cases of butterflies and moths flanked each side of -the entrance. A large table in the centre was littered -with all sorts of debris, while the tall brass tube of a -powerful microscope bristled up amongst them. As -I glanced round I was surprised at the universality -of the man's interests. Here was a case of ancient -coins. There was a cabinet of flint instruments. -Behind his central table was a large cupboard of -fossil bones. Above was a line of plaster skulls -with such names as "Neanderthal," "Heidelberg," -"Cromagnon" printed beneath them. It was -clear that he was a student of many subjects. As -he stood in front of us now, he held a piece of chamois -leather in his right hand with which he was polishing -a coin. -</p> - -<p> -"Syracusan—of the best period," he explained, -holding it up. "They degenerated greatly towards -the end. At their best I hold them supreme, though -some prefer the Alexandrian school. You will find -a chair here, Mr. Holmes. Pray allow me to clear -these bones. And you, sir—ah, yes, Dr. Watson—if -you would have the goodness to put the Japanese -vase to one side. You see round me my little -interests in life. My doctor lectures me about never -going out, but why should I go out when I have so -much to hold me here? I can assure you that the -adequate cataloguing of one of those cabinets would -take me three good months." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes looked round him with curiosity. -</p> - -<p> -"But do you tell me that you <i>never</i> go out?" he said -</p> - -<p> -"Now and again I drive down to Sotheby's or -Christie's. Otherwise I very seldom leave my room. -I am not too strong, and my researches are very -absorbing. But you can imagine, Mr. Holmes, what -a terrific shock—pleasant but terrific—it was for me -when I heard of this unparalleled good fortune. It -only needs one more Garrideb to complete the -matter, and surely we can find one. I had a brother, -but he is dead, and female relatives are disqualified. -But there must surely be others in the world. I -had heard that you handled strange cases, and that -was why I sent to you. Of course, this American -gentleman is quite right, and I should have taken -his advice first, but I acted for the best." -</p> - -<p> -"I think you acted very wisely indeed," said -Holmes. "But are you really anxious to acquire an -estate in America?" -</p> - -<p> -"Certainly not, sir. Nothing would induce me -to leave my collection. But this gentleman has -assured me that he will buy me out as soon as we -have established our claim. Five million dollars -was the sum named. There are a dozen specimens -in the market at the present moment which fill gaps -in my collection, and which I am unable to purchase -for want of a few hundred pounds. Just think what -I could do with five million dollars. Why, I have -the nucleus of a national collection. I shall be the -Hans Sloane of my age." -</p> - -<p> -His eyes gleamed behind his great spectacles. It -was very clear that no pains would be spared by -Mr. Nathan Garrideb in finding a namesake. -</p> - -<p> -"I merely called to make your acquaintance, and -there is no reason why I should interrupt your -studies," said Holmes. "I prefer to establish -personal touch with those with whom I do business. -There are few questions I need ask, for I have your -very clear narrative in my pocket, and I filled up the -blanks when this American gentleman called. I -understand that up to this week you were unaware -of his existence." -</p> - -<p> -"That is so. He called last Tuesday." -</p> - -<p> -"Did he tell you of our interview to-day?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, he came straight back to me. He had been -very angry." -</p> - -<p> -"Why should he be angry?" -</p> - -<p> -"He seemed to think it was some reflection on -his honour. But he was quite cheerful again when -he returned." -</p> - -<p> -"Did he suggest any course of action?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, sir, he did not." -</p> - -<p> -"Has he had, or asked for, any money from you?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, sir, never!" -</p> - -<p> -"You see no possible object he has in view?" -</p> - -<p> -"None, except what he states." -</p> - -<p> -"Did you tell him of our telephone appointment?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, sir, I did." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes was lost in thought. I could see that he -was puzzled. -</p> - -<p> -"Have you any articles of great value in your -collection?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, sir. I am not a rich man. It is a good -collection, but not a very valuable one." -</p> - -<p> -"You have no fear of burglars?" -</p> - -<p> -"Not the least." -</p> - -<p> -"How long have you been in these rooms?" -</p> - -<p> -"Nearly five years." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes's cross-examination was interrupted by -an imperative knocking at the door. No sooner -had our client unlatched it than the American lawyer -burst excitedly into the room. -</p> - -<p> -"Here you are!" he cried, waving a paper over -his head. "I thought I should be in time to get -you. Mr. Nathan Garrideb, my congratulations! -You are a rich man, sir. Our business is happily -finished and all is well. As to you, Mr. Holmes, we -can only say we are sorry if we have given you any -useless trouble." -</p> - -<p> -He handed over the paper to our client, who stood -staring at a marked advertisement. Holmes and I -leaned forward and read it over his shoulder. This -is how it ran: -</p> - -<pre> - +-----------------------------------------------------+ - | | - | HOWARD GARRIDEB. | - | | - | Constructor of Agricultural Machinery. | - | | - | Binders, reapers' steam and hand plows, drills, | - | harrows, farmers' carts, buckboards, and all other | - | appliances. | - | | - | Estimates for Artesian Wells. | - | | - | Apply Grosvenor Buildings, Aston. | - | | - +-----------------------------------------------------+ -</pre> - -<p> -"Glorious!" gasped our host. "That makes -our third man." -</p> - -<p> -"I had opened up inquiries in Birmingham," said -the American, "and my agent there has sent me -this advertisement from a local paper. We must -hustle and put the thing through. I have written -to this man and told him that you will see him in -his office to-morrow afternoon at four o'clock." -</p> - -<p> -"You want <i>me</i> to see him?" -</p> - -<p> -"What do you say, Mr. Holmes? Don't you -think it would be wiser? Here am I, a wandering -American with a wonderful tale. Why should he -believe what I tell him? But you are a Britisher -with solid references, and he is bound to take notice -of what you say. I would go with you if you wished, -but I have a very busy day to-morrow, and I could -always follow you if you are in any trouble." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, I have not made such a journey for years." -</p> - -<p> -"It is nothing, Mr. Garrideb. I have figured out -your connections. You leave at twelve and should -be there soon after two. Then you can be back the -same night. All you have to do is to see this man, -explain the matter, and get an affidavit of his -existence. By the Lord!" he added hotly, "considering -I've come all the way from the centre of America, -it is surely little enough if you go a hundred miles -in order to put this matter through." -</p> - -<p> -"Quite so," said Holmes. "I think what this -gentleman says is very true." -</p> - -<p> -Mr. Nathan Garrideb shrugged his shoulders with -a disconsolate air. "Well, if you insist I shall go," -said he. "It is certainly hard for me to refuse you -anything, considering the glory of hope that you -have brought into my life." -</p> - -<p> -"Then that is agreed," said Holmes, "and no -doubt you will let me have a report as soon as you -can." -</p> - -<p> -"I'll see to that," said the American. "Well," -he added, looking at his watch, "I'll have to get on. -I'll call to-morrow, Mr. Nathan, and see you off -to Birmingham. Coming my way, Mr. Holmes? -Well, then, good-bye, and we may have good news -for you to-morrow night." -</p> - -<p> -I noticed that my friend's face cleared when the -American left the room, and the look of thoughtful -perplexity had vanished. -</p> - -<p> -"I wish I could look over your collection, -Mr. Garrideb," said he. "In my profession all sorts of -odd knowledge comes useful, and this room of yours -is a storehouse of it." -</p> - -<p> -Our client shone with pleasure and his eyes -gleamed from behind his big glasses. -</p> - -<p> -"I had always heard, sir, that you were a very -intelligent man," said he. "I could take you round -now, if you have the time." -</p> - -<p> -"Unfortunately, I have not. But these specimens -are so well labelled and classified that they -hardly need your personal explanation. If I should -be able to look in to-morrow, I presume that there -would be no objection to my glancing over them?" -</p> - -<p> -"None at all. You are most welcome. The -place will, of course, be shut up, but Mrs. Saunders -is in the basement up to four o'clock and would let -you in with her key." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, I happen to be clear to-morrow afternoon. -If you would say a word to Mrs. Saunders it would -be quite in order. By the way, who is your house-agent?" -</p> - -<p> -Our client was amazed at the sudden question. -</p> - -<p> -"Holloway and Steele, in the Edgware Road. -But why?" -</p> - -<p> -"I am a bit of an archæologist myself when it -comes to houses," said Holmes, laughing. "I was -wondering if this was Queen Anne or Georgian." -</p> - -<p> -"Georgian, beyond doubt." -</p> - -<p> -"Really. I should have thought a little earlier. -However, it is easily ascertained. Well, good-bye, -Mr. Garrideb, and may you have every success in -your Birmingham journey." -</p> - -<p> -The house-agent's was close by, but we found that -it was closed for the day, so we made our way back -to Baker Street. It was not till after dinner that -Holmes reverted to the subject. -</p> - -<p> -"Our little problem draws to a close," said he. -"No doubt you have outlined the solution in your -own mind." -</p> - -<p> -"I can make neither head nor tail of it." -</p> - -<p> -"The head is surely clear enough and the tail -we should see to-morrow. Did you notice nothing -curious about that advertisement?" -</p> - -<p> -"I saw that the word 'plough' was misspelt." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, you did notice that, did you? Come, Watson, -you improve all the time. Yes, it was bad -English but good American. The printer had set -it up as received. Then the buckboards. That is -American also. And artesian wells are commoner -with them than with us. It was a typical American -advertisement, but purporting to be from an -English firm. What do you make of that?" -</p> - -<p> -"I can only suppose that this American lawyer -put it in himself. What his object was I fail to -understand." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, there are alternative explanations. Anyhow, -he wanted to get this good old fossil up to -Birmingham. That is very clear. I might have told -him that he was clearly going on a wild-goose chase, -but, on second thoughts, it seemed better to clear -the stage by letting him go. To-morrow, Watson—well, -to-morrow will speak for itself." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Holmes was up and out early. When he returned -at lunch-time I noticed that his face was very grave. -</p> - -<p> -"This is a more serious matter than I had expected, -Watson," said he. "It is fair to tell you so, -though I know it will only be an additional reason -to you for running your head into danger. I should -know my Watson by now. But there is danger, -and you should know it." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, it is not the first we have shared, Holmes. -I hope it may not be the last. What is the particular -danger this time?" -</p> - -<p> -"We are up against a very hard case. I have -identified Mr. John Garrideb, Counsellor at Law. -He is none other than 'Killer' Evans, of sinister -and murderous reputation." -</p> - -<p> -"I fear I am none the wiser." -</p> - -<p> -"Ah, it is not part of your profession to carry -about a portable Newgate Calendar in your memory. -I have been down to see friend Lestrade at the Yard. -There may be an occasional want of imaginative -intuition down there, but they lead the world for -thoroughness and method. I had an idea that we -might get on the track of our American friend in their -records. Sure enough, I found his chubby face -smiling up at me from the Rogues' Portrait Gallery. -James Winter, <i>alias</i> Morecroft, <i>alias</i> Killer Evans, -was the inscription below." Holmes drew an -envelope from his pocket. "I scribbled down a few -points from his dossier. Aged forty-four. Native -of Chicago. Known to have shot three men in the -States. Escaped from penitentiary through political -influence. Came to London in 1893. Shot a man -over cards in a night club in the Waterloo Road in -January, 1895. Man died, but he was shown to have -been the aggressor in the row. Dead man was -identified as Rodger Prescott, famous as forger and -coiner in Chicago. Killer Evans released in 1901. -Has been under police supervision since, but so far -as known has led an honest life. Very dangerous -man, usually carries arms and is prepared to use -them. That is our bird, Watson—a sporting bird, -as you must admit." -</p> - -<p> -"But what is his game?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, it begins to define itself. I have been to -the house-agents. Our client, as he told us, has -been there five years. It was unlet for a year before -then. The previous tenant was a gentleman at -large named Waldron. Waldron's appearance was -well remembered at the office. He had suddenly -vanished and nothing more been heard of him. He -was a tall, bearded man with very dark features. -Now, Prescott, the man whom Killer Evans had -shot, was, according to Scotland Yard, a tall, dark -man with a beard. As a working hypothesis, I -think we may take it that Prescott, the American -criminal, used to live in the very room which our -innocent friend now devotes to his museum. So at -last we get a link, you see." -</p> - -<p> -"And the next link?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, we must go now and look for that." -</p> - -<p> -He took a revolver from the drawer and handed -it to me. -</p> - -<p> -"I have my old favourite with me. If our Wild -West friend tries to live up to his nickname, we must -be ready for him. I'll give you an hour for a siesta, -Watson, and then I think it will be time for our -Ryder Street adventure." -</p> - -<p> -It was just four o'clock when we reached the -curious apartment of Nathan Garrideb. Mrs. Saunders, -the caretaker, was about to leave, but she had -no hesitation in admitting us, for the door shut with -a spring lock and Holmes promised to see that all -was safe before we left. Shortly afterwards the outer -door closed, her bonnet passed the bow window, and -we knew that we were alone in the lower floor of the -house. Holmes made a rapid examination of the -premises. There was one cupboard in a dark corner -which stood out a little from the wall. It was -behind this that we eventually crouched, while Holmes -in a whisper outlined his intentions. -</p> - -<p> -"He wanted to get our amiable friend out of his -room—that is very clear, and, as the collector never -went out, it took some planning to do it. The whole -of this Garrideb invention was apparently for no -other end. I must say, Watson, that there is a -certain devilish ingenuity about it, even if the queer -name of the tenant did give him an opening which -he could hardly have expected. He wove his plot -with remarkable cunning." -</p> - -<p> -"But what did he want?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, that is what we are here to find out. It -has nothing whatever to do with our client, so far as -I can read the situation. It is something connected -with the man he murdered—the man who may have -been his confederate in crime. There is some guilty -secret in the room. That is how I read it. At first -I thought our friend might have something in his -collection more valuable than he knew—something -worth the attention of a big criminal. But the fact -that Rodger Prescott of evil memory inhabited -these rooms points to some deeper reason. Well, -Watson, we can but possess our souls in patience and -see what the hour may bring." -</p> - -<p> -That hour was not long in striking. We crouched -closer in the shadow as we heard the outer door -open and shut. Then came the sharp, metallic snap -of a key, and the American was in the room. He -closed the door softly behind him, took a sharp -glance around him to see that all was safe, threw -off his overcoat, and walked up to the central table -with the brisk manner of one who knows exactly -what he has to do and how to do it. He pushed the -table to one side, tore up the square of carpet on -which it rested, rolled it completely back, and then, -drawing a jemmy from his inside pocket, he knelt -down and worked vigorously upon the floor. Presently -we heard the sound of sliding boards, and an -instant later a square had opened in the planks. -Killer Evans struck a match, lit a stump of candle, -and vanished from our view. -</p> - -<p> -Clearly our moment had come. Holmes touched -my wrist as a signal, and together we stole across to -the open trapdoor. Gently as we moved, however, -the old floor must have creaked under our feet, for -the head of our American, peering anxiously round, -emerged suddenly from the open space. His face -turned upon us with a glare of baffled rage, which -gradually softened into a rather shamefaced grin -as he realized that two pistols were pointed at his -head. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, well!" said he, coolly, as he scrambled to -the surface. "I guess you have been one too many -for me, Mr. Holmes. Saw through my game, I -suppose, and played me for a sucker from the first. -Well, sir, I hand it to you; you have me beat -and——" -</p> - -<p> -In an instant he had whisked out a revolver from -his breast and had fired two shots. I felt a sudden -hot sear as if a red-hot iron had been pressed to my -thigh. There was a crash as Holmes's pistol came -down on the man's head. I had a vision of him -sprawling upon the floor with blood running down -his face while Holmes rummaged him for weapons. -Then my friend's wiry arms were round me and he -was leading me to a chair. -</p> - -<p> -"You're not hurt, Watson? For God's sake, say -that you are not hurt!" -</p> - -<p> -It was worth a wound—it was worth many wounds—to -know the depth of loyalty and love which lay -behind that cold mask. The clear, hard eyes were -dimmed for a moment, and the firm lips were shaking. -For the one and only time I caught a glimpse -of a great heart as well as of a great brain. All -my years of humble but single-minded service -culminated in that moment of revelation. -</p> - -<p> -"It's nothing, Holmes. It's a mere scratch." -</p> - -<p> -He had ripped up my trousers with his pocket-knife. -</p> - -<p> -"You are right," he cried, with an immense sigh -of relief. "It is quite superficial." His face set -like flint as he glared at our prisoner, who was sitting -up with a dazed face. "By the Lord, it is as well -for you. If you had killed Watson, you would not -have got out of this room alive. Now, sir, what have -you to say for yourself?" -</p> - -<p> -He had nothing to say for himself. He only lay -and scowled. I leaned on Holmes's arm, and -together we looked down into the small cellar which -had been disclosed by the secret flap. It was still -illuminated by the candle which Evans had taken -down with him. Our eyes fell upon a mass of rusted -machinery, great rolls of paper, a litter of bottles, -and, neatly arranged upon a small table, a number of -neat little bundles. -</p> - -<p> -"A printing press—a counterfeiter's outfit," said -Holmes. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, sir," said our prisoner, staggering slowly to -his feet and then sinking into the chair. "The -greatest counterfeiter London ever saw. That's -Prescott's machine, and those bundles on the table -are two thousand of Prescott's notes worth a hundred -each and fit to pass anywhere. Help yourselves, -gentlemen. Call it a deal and let me beat it." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes laughed. -</p> - -<p> -"We don't do things like that, Mr. Evans. There -is no bolt-hole for you in this country. You shot -this man Prescott, did you not?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, sir, and got five years for it, though it was -he who pulled on me. Five years—when I should -have had a medal the size of a soup plate. No living -man could tell a Prescott from a Bank of England, -and if I hadn't put him out he would have flooded -London with them. I was the only one in the world -who knew where he made them. Can you wonder -that I wanted to get to the place? And can you -wonder that when I found this crazy boob of a -bug-hunter with the queer name squatting right on the -top of it, and never quitting his room, I had to do the -best I could to shift him? Maybe I would have -been wiser if I had put him away. It would have -been easy enough, but I'm a soft-hearted guy that -can't begin shooting unless the other man has a -gun also. But say, Mr. Holmes, what have I done -wrong, anyhow? I've not used this plant. I've -not hurt this old stiff. Where do you get me?" -</p> - -<p> -"Only attempted murder, so far as I can see," -said Holmes. "But that's not our job. They take -that at the next stage. What we wanted at present -was just your sweet self. Please give the Yard a -call, Watson. It won't be entirely unexpected." -</p> - -<p> -So those were the facts about Killer Evans and his -remarkable invention of the three Garridebs. We -heard later that our poor old friend never got over -the shock of his dissipated dreams. When his castle -in the air fell down, it buried him beneath the ruins. -He was last heard of at a nursing-home in Brixton. -It was a glad day at the Yard when the Prescott -outfit was discovered, for, though they knew that it -existed, they had never been able, after the death of -the man, to find out where it was. Evans had indeed -done great service and caused several worthy C.I.D. men -to sleep the sounder, for the counterfeiter stands -in a class by himself as a public danger. They would -willingly have subscribed to that soup-plate medal -of which the criminal had spoken, but an unappreciative -Bench took a less favourable view, and the -Killer returned to those shades from which he had -just emerged. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap07"></a></p> - -<h3> -VII -</h3> - -<h3> -THE PROBLEM OF THOR BRIDGE -</h3> - -<p> -Somewhere in the vaults of the bank of Cox -and Co., at Charing Cross, there is a travel-worn -and battered tin dispatch-box with my name, -John H. Watson, M.D., Late Indian Army, painted -upon the lid. It is crammed with papers, nearly -all of which are records of cases to illustrate the -curious problems which Mr. Sherlock Holmes had -at various times to examine. Some, and not the -least interesting, were complete failures, and as -such will hardly bear narrating, since no final -explanation is forthcoming. A problem without a -solution may interest the student, but can hardly -fail to annoy the casual reader. Among these -unfinished tales is that of Mr. James Phillimore, who, -stepping back into his own house to get his umbrella, -was never more seen in this world. No less remarkable -is that of the cutter <i>Alicia</i>, which sailed one -spring morning into a small patch of mist from where -she never again emerged, nor was anything further -ever heard of herself and her crew. A third case -worthy of note is that of Isadora Persano, the -well-known journalist and duellist, who was found stark -staring mad with a matchbox in front of him which -contained a remarkable worm, said to be unknown -to science. Apart from these unfathomed cases, -there are some which involve the secrets of private -families to an extent which would mean consternation -in many exalted quarters if it were thought -possible that they might find their way into print. -I need not say that such a breach of confidence is -unthinkable, and that these records will be separated -and destroyed now that my friend has time to turn -his energies to the matter. There remain a considerable -residue of cases of greater or less interest which -I might have edited before had I not feared to give -the public a surfeit which might react upon the -reputation of the man whom above all others I -revere. In some I was myself concerned and can -speak as an eye-witness, while in others I was either -not present or played so small a part that they could -only be told as by a third person. The following -narrative is drawn from my own experience. -</p> - -<p> -It was a wild morning in October, and I observed -as I was dressing how the last remaining leaves were -being whirled from the solitary plane tree which -graces the yard behind our house. I descended -to breakfast prepared to find my companion in -depressed spirits, for, like all great artists, he was -easily impressed by his surroundings. On the -contrary, I found that he had nearly finished his meal, -and that his mood was particularly bright and -joyous, with that somewhat sinister cheerfulness which -was characteristic of his lighter moments. -</p> - -<p> -"You have a case, Holmes?" I remarked. -</p> - -<p> -"The faculty of deduction is certainly contagious, -Watson," he answered. "It has enabled you to probe -my secret. Yes, I have a case. After a month of -trivialities and stagnation the wheels move once more." -</p> - -<p> -"Might I share it?" -</p> - -<p> -"There is little to share, but we may discuss it -when you have consumed the two hard-boiled eggs -with which our new cook has favoured us. Their -condition may not be unconnected with the copy of -the <i>Family Herald</i> which I observed yesterday upon -the hall-table. Even so trivial a matter as cooking -an egg demands an attention which is conscious of -the passage of time, and incompatible with the love -romance in that excellent periodical." -</p> - -<p> -A quarter of an hour later the table had been -cleared and we were face to face. He had drawn a -letter from his pocket. -</p> - -<p> -"You have heard of Neil Gibson, the Gold -King?" he said. -</p> - -<p> -"You mean the American Senator?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, he was once Senator for some Western -State, but is better known as the greatest -gold-mining magnate in the world." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, I know of him. He has surely lived in -England for some time. His name is very familiar." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes; he bought a considerable estate in -Hampshire some five years ago. Possibly you have -already heard of the tragic end of his wife?" -</p> - -<p> -"Of course. I remember it now. That is why -the name is familiar. But I really know nothing of -the details." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes waved his hand towards some papers on -a chair. "I had no idea that the case was coming -my way or I should have had my extracts ready," -said he. "The fact is that the problem, though -exceedingly sensational, appeared to present no -difficulty. The interesting personality of the -accused does not obscure the clearness of the -evidence. That was the view taken by the coroner's -jury and also in the police-court proceedings. It -is now referred to the Assizes at Winchester. I fear -it is a thankless business. I can discover facts, -Watson, but I cannot change them. Unless some -entirely new and unexpected ones come to light I do -not see what my client can hope for." -</p> - -<p> -"Your client?" -</p> - -<p> -"Ah, I forgot I had not told you. I am getting -into your involved habit, Watson, of telling a story -backwards. You had best read this first." -</p> - -<p> -The letter which he handed to me, written in a -bold, masterful hand, ran as follows: -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="noindent"> -CLARIDGE'S HOTEL, <i>October</i> 3<i>rd</i>. -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,— -</p> - -<p> -I can't see the best woman God ever made go to -her death without doing all that is possible to save -her. I can't explain things—I can't even try to -explain them, but I know beyond all doubt that Miss -Dunbar is innocent. You know the facts—who -doesn't? It has been the gossip of the country. -And never a voice raised for her! It's the damned -injustice of it all that makes me crazy. That woman -has a heart that wouldn't let her kill a fly. Well, -I'll come at eleven to-morrow and see if you can get -some ray of light in the dark. Maybe I have a clue -and don't know it. Anyhow, all I know and all I -have and all I am are for your use if only you can -save her. If ever in your life you showed your -powers, put them now into this case. -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -Yours faithfully,<br /> - J. NEIL GIBSON.<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -"There you have it," said Sherlock Holmes, -knocking out the ashes of his after-breakfast pipe -and slowly refilling it. "That is the gentleman I -await. As to the story, you have hardly time to -master all these papers, so I must give it to you in -a nutshell if you are to take an intelligent interest -in the proceedings. This man is the greatest -financial power in the world, and a man, as I -understand, of most violent and formidable character. -He married a wife, the victim of this tragedy, of -whom I know nothing save that she was past her -prime, which was the more unfortunate as a very -attractive governess superintended the education -of two young children. These are the three people -concerned, and the scene is a grand old manor-house, -the centre of an historical English estate. Then as -to the tragedy. The wife was found in the grounds -nearly half a mile from the house, late at night, clad -in her dinner dress, with a shawl over her shoulders -and a revolver bullet through her brain. No weapon -was found near her and there was no local clue as -to the murder. No weapon near her, Watson—mark -that! The crime seems to have been committed -late in the evening, and the body was found -by a gamekeeper about eleven o'clock, when it was -examined by the police and by a doctor before being -carried up to the house. Is this too condensed, or -can you follow it clearly?" -</p> - -<p> -"It is all very clear. But why suspect the -governess?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, in the first place there is some very direct -evidence. A revolver with one discharged chamber -and a calibre which corresponded with the bullet -was found on the floor of her wardrobe." His eyes -fixed and he repeated in broken words, -"On—the—floor—of—her—wardrobe." Then he sank into -silence, and I saw that some train of thought had -been set moving which I should be foolish to -interrupt. Suddenly with a start he emerged into brisk -life once more. "Yes, Watson, it was found. -Pretty damning, eh? So the two juries thought. -Then the dead woman had a note upon her making -an appointment at that very place and signed by the -governess. How's that? Finally, there is the -motive. Senator Gibson is an attractive person. -If his wife dies, who more likely to succeed her than -the young lady who had already by all accounts -received pressing attentions from her employer. -Love, fortune, power, all depending upon one -middle-aged life. Ugly, Watson—very ugly!" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, indeed, Holmes." -</p> - -<p> -"Nor could she prove an alibi. On the contrary, -she had to admit that she was down near Thor -Bridge—that was the scene of the tragedy—about -that hour. She couldn't deny it, for some passing -villager had seen her there." -</p> - -<p> -"That really seems final." -</p> - -<p> -"And yet, Watson—and yet! This bridge—a -single broad span of stone with balustraded -sides—carries the drive over the narrowest part of a long, -deep, reed-girt sheet of water. Thor Mere it is -called. In the mouth of the bridge lay the dead -woman. Such are the main facts. But here, if I -mistake not, is our client, considerably before his time." -</p> - -<p> -Billy had opened the door, but the name which -he announced was an unexpected one. Mr. Marlow -Bates was a stranger to both of us. He was a thin, -nervous wisp of a man with frightened eyes, and a -twitching, hesitating manner—a man whom my own -professional eye would judge to be on the brink of -an absolute nervous breakdown. -</p> - -<p> -"You seem agitated, Mr. Bates," said Holmes. -"Pray sit down. I fear I can only give you a short -time, for I have an appointment at eleven." -</p> - -<p> -"I know you have," our visitor gasped, shooting -out short sentences like a man who is out of breath. -"Mr. Gibson is coming. Mr. Gibson is my employer. -I am manager of his estate. Mr. Holmes, he is a -villain—an infernal villain." -</p> - -<p> -"Strong language, Mr. Bates." -</p> - -<p> -"I have to be emphatic, Mr. Holmes, for the time -is so limited. I would not have him find me here -for the world. He is almost due now. But I was -so situated that I could not come earlier. His -secretary, Mr. Ferguson, only told me this morning -of his appointment with you." -</p> - -<p> -"And you are his manager?" -</p> - -<p> -"I have given him notice. In a couple of weeks -I shall have shaken off his accursed slavery. A hard -man, Mr. Holmes, hard to all about him. Those -public charities are a screen to cover his private -iniquities. But his wife was his chief victim. He -was brutal to her—yes, sir, brutal! How she came -by her death I do not know, but I am sure that he -had made her life a misery to her. She was a -creature of the Tropics, a Brazilian by birth, as no -doubt you know?" -</p> - -<p> -"No; it had escaped me." -</p> - -<p> -"Tropical by birth and tropical by nature. A -child of the sun and of passion. She had loved him -as such women can love, but when her own physical -charms had faded—I am told that they once were -great—there was nothing to hold him. We all liked -her and felt for her and hated him for the way that -he treated her. But he is plausible and cunning. -That is all I have to say to you. Don't take him at -his face value. There is more behind. Now I'll go. -No, no, don't detain me! He is almost due." -</p> - -<p> -With a frightened look at the clock our strange -visitor literally ran to the door and disappeared. -</p> - -<p> -"Well! Well!" said Holmes, after an interval -of silence. "Mr. Gibson seems to have a nice loyal -household. But the warning is a useful one, and -now we can only wait till the man himself appears." -</p> - -<p> -Sharp at the hour we heard a heavy step upon the -stairs and the famous millionaire was shown into -the room. As I looked upon him I understood not -only the fears and dislike of his manager, but also -the execrations which so many business rivals have -heaped upon his head. If I were a sculptor and -desired to idealize the successful man of affairs, iron -of nerve and leathery of conscience, I should choose -Mr. Neil Gibson as my model. His tall, gaunt -craggy figure had a suggestion of hunger and -rapacity. An Abraham Lincoln keyed to base uses -instead of high ones would give some idea of the -man. His face might have been chiselled in granite, -hard-set, craggy, remorseless, with deep lines upon -it, the scars of many a crisis. Cold grey eyes, -looking shrewdly out from under bristling brows, -surveyed us each in turn. He bowed in perfunctory -fashion as Holmes mentioned my name, and then -with a masterful air of possession he drew a chair -up to my companion and seated himself with his -bony knees almost touching him. -</p> - -<p> -"Let me say right here, Mr. Holmes," he began, -"that money is nothing to me in this case. You -can burn it if it's any use in lighting you to the -truth. This woman is innocent and this woman has -to be cleared, and it's up to you to do it. Name -your figure!" -</p> - -<p> -"My professional charges are upon a fixed scale," -said Holmes coldly. "I do not vary them, save -when I remit them altogether." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, if dollars make no difference to you, think -of the reputation. If you pull this off every paper -in England and America will be booming you. -You'll be the talk of two continents." -</p> - -<p> -"Thank you, Mr. Gibson, I do not think that I -am in need of booming. It may surprise you to -know that I prefer to work anonymously, and that -it is the problem itself which attracts me. But we -are wasting time. Let us get down to the facts." -</p> - -<p> -"I think that you will find all the main ones in -the Press reports. I don't know that I can add -anything which will help you. But if there is -anything you would wish more light upon—well, I am -here to give it." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, there is just one point." -</p> - -<p> -"What is it?" -</p> - -<p> -"What were the exact relations between you and -Miss Dunbar?" -</p> - -<p> -The Gold King gave a violent start, and half rose -from his chair. Then his massive calm came back -to him. -</p> - -<p> -"I suppose you are within your rights—and maybe -doing your duty—in asking such a question, -Mr. Holmes." -</p> - -<p> -"We will agree to suppose so," said Holmes. -</p> - -<p> -"Then I can assure you that our relations were -entirely and always those of an employer towards a -young lady whom he never conversed with, or ever saw, -save when she was in the company of his children." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes rose from his chair. -</p> - -<p> -"I am a rather busy man, Mr. Gibson," said he, -"and I have no time or taste for aimless conversations. -I wish you good morning." -</p> - -<p> -Our visitor had risen also and his great loose figure -towered above Holmes. There was an angry gleam -from under those bristling brows and a tinge of -colour in the sallow cheeks. -</p> - -<p> -"What the devil do you mean by this, Mr. Holmes? -Do you dismiss my case?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, Mr. Gibson, at least I dismiss you. I -should have thought my words were plain." -</p> - -<p> -"Plain enough, but what's at the back of it? -Raising the price on me, or afraid to tackle it, or -what? I've a right to a plain answer." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, perhaps you have," said Holmes. "I'll -give you one. This case is quite sufficiently complicated -to start with, without the further difficulty -of false information." -</p> - -<p> -"Meaning that I lie." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, I was trying to express it as delicately as -I could, but if you insist upon the word I will not -contradict you." -</p> - -<p> -I sprang to my feet, for the expression upon the -millionaire's face was fiendish in its intensity, and -he had raised his great knotted fist. Holmes smiled -languidly and reached his hand out for his pipe. -</p> - -<p> -"Don't be noisy, Mr. Gibson. I find that after -breakfast even the smallest argument is unsettling. -I suggest that a stroll in the morning air and a little -quiet thought will be greatly to your advantage." -</p> - -<p> -With an effort the Gold King mastered his fury. -I could not but admire him, for by a supreme -self-command he had turned in a minute from a hot flame -of anger to a frigid and contemptuous indifference. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, it's your choice. I guess you know how -to run your own business. I can't make you touch -the case against your will. You've done yourself no -good this morning, Mr. Holmes, for I have broken -stronger men than you. No man ever crossed me -and was the better for it." -</p> - -<p> -"So many have said so, and yet here I am," said -Holmes, smiling. "Well, good morning, Mr. Gibson. -You have a good deal yet to learn." -</p> - -<p> -Our visitor made a noisy exit, but Holmes smoked -in imperturbable silence with dreamy eyes fixed -upon the ceiling. -</p> - -<p> -"Any views, Watson?" he asked at last. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, Holmes, I must confess that when I consider -that this is a man who would certainly brush -any obstacle from his path, and when I remember -that his wife may have been an obstacle and an -object of dislike, as that man Bates plainly told us, -it seems to me——" -</p> - -<p> -"Exactly. And to me also." -</p> - -<p> -"But what were his relations with the governess -and how did you discover them?" -</p> - -<p> -"Bluff, Watson, bluff! When I considered the -passionate, unconventional, unbusinesslike tone of -his letter, and contrasted it with his self-contained -manner and appearance, it was pretty clear that -there was some deep emotion which centred upon -the accused woman rather than upon the victim. -We've got to understand the exact relations of those -three people if we are to reach the truth. You saw -the frontal attack which I made upon him and how -imperturbably he received it. Then I bluffed him by -giving him the impression that I was absolutely -certain, when in reality I was only extremely suspicious. -</p> - -<p> -"Perhaps he will come back?" -</p> - -<p> -"He is sure to come back. He must come back. -He can't leave it where it is. Ha! isn't that a -ring? Yes, there is his footstep. Well, Mr. Gibson, -I was just saying to Dr. Watson that you were -somewhat overdue." -</p> - -<p> -The Gold King had re-entered the room in a more -chastened mood than he had left it. His wounded -pride still showed in his resentful eyes, but his -common sense had shown him that he must yield if -he would attain his end. -</p> - -<p> -"I've been thinking it over, Mr. Holmes, and I -feel that I have been hasty in taking your remarks -amiss. You are justified in getting down to the -facts, whatever they may be, and I think the more -of you for it. I can assure you, however, that the -relations between Miss Dunbar and me don't really -touch this case." -</p> - -<p> -"That is for me to decide, is it not?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, I guess that is so. You're like a surgeon -who wants every symptom before he can give his -diagnosis." -</p> - -<p> -"Exactly. That expresses it. And it is only a -patient who has an object in deceiving his surgeon -who would conceal the facts of his case." -</p> - -<p> -"That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, -that most men would shy off a bit when they are -asked point-blank what their relations with a woman -may be—if there is really some serious feeling in the -case. I guess most men have a little private reserve -of their own in some corner of their souls where they -don't welcome intruders. And you burst suddenly -into it. But the object excuses you, since it was to -try and save her. Well, the stakes are down and the -reserve open and you can explore where you will. -What is it you want?" -</p> - -<p> -"The truth." -</p> - -<p> -The Gold King paused for a moment as one who -marshals his thoughts. His grim, deep-lined face -had become even sadder and more grave. -</p> - -<p> -"I can give it to you in a very few words, -Mr. Holmes," said he at last. "There are some things -that are painful as well as difficult to say, so I won't -go deeper than is needful. I met my wife when I -was gold-hunting in Brazil. Maria Pinto was the -daughter of a Government official at Manaos, and -she was very beautiful. I was young and ardent -in those days, but even now, as I look back with -colder blood and a more critical eye, I can see that -she was rare and wonderful in her beauty. It was a -deep rich nature, too, passionate, whole-hearted, -tropical, ill-balanced, very different from the -American women whom I had known. Well, to make -a long story short, I loved her and I married her. -It was only when the romance had passed—and -it lingered for years—that I realized that we had -nothing—absolutely nothing—in common. My love -faded. If hers had faded also it might have been -easier. But you know the wonderful way of women! -Do what I might nothing could turn her from me. -If I have been harsh to her, even brutal as some have -said, it has been because I knew that if I could kill -her love, or if it turned to hate, it would be easier -for both of us. But nothing changed her. She -adored me in those English woods as she had adored -me twenty years ago on the banks of the Amazon. -Do what I might, she was as devoted as ever. -</p> - -<p> -"Then came Miss Grace Dunbar. She answered -our advertisement and became governess to our two -children. Perhaps you have seen her portrait in the -papers. The whole world has proclaimed that she -also is a very beautiful woman. Now, I make no -pretence to be more moral than my neighbours, and -I will admit to you that I could not live under the -same roof with such a woman and in daily contact -with her without feeling a passionate regard for her. -Do you blame me, Mr. Holmes?" -</p> - -<p> -"I do not blame you for feeling it. I should -blame you if you expressed it, since this young lady -was in a sense under your protection." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, maybe so," said the millionaire, though -for a moment the reproof had brought the old angry -gleam into his eyes. "I'm not pretending to be -any better than I am. I guess all my life I've been -a man that reached out his hand for what he wanted, -and I never wanted anything more than the love and -possession of that woman. I told her so." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, you did, did you?" -</p> - -<p> -Holmes could look very formidable when he was moved. -</p> - -<p> -"I said to her that if I could marry her I would, -but that it was out of my power. I said that money -was no object and that all I could do to make her -happy and comfortable would be done." -</p> - -<p> -"Very generous, I am sure," said Holmes, with a -sneer. -</p> - -<p> -"See here, Mr. Holmes. I came to you on a -question of evidence, not on a question of morals. -I'm not asking for your criticism." -</p> - -<p> -"It is only for the young lady's sake that I touch -your case at all," said Holmes sternly. "I don't -know that anything she is accused of is really worse -than what you have yourself admitted, that you have -tried to ruin a defenceless girl who was under your roof. -Some of you rich men have to be taught that all the -world cannot be bribed into condoning your offences." -</p> - -<p> -To my surprise the Gold King took the reproof -with equanimity. -</p> - -<p> -"That's how I feel myself about it now. I thank -God that my plans did not work out as I intended. -She would have none of it, and she wanted to leave -the house instantly." -</p> - -<p> -"Why did she not?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, in the first place, others were dependent -upon her, and it was no light matter for her to let -them all down by sacrificing her living. When I -had sworn—as I did—that she should never be -molested again, she consented to remain. But there -was another reason. She knew the influence she had -over me, and that it was stronger than any other -influence in the world. She wanted to use it for good." -</p> - -<p> -"How?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, she knew something of my affairs. They -are large, Mr. Holmes—large beyond the belief of -an ordinary man. I can make or break—and it is -usually break. It wasn't individuals only. It was -communities, cities, even nations. Business is a -hard game, and the weak go to the wall. I played -the game for all it was worth. I never squealed -myself and I never cared if the other fellow squealed. -But she saw it different. I guess she was right. -She believed and said that a fortune for one man -that was more than he needed should not be built -on ten thousand ruined men who were left without -the means of life. That was how she saw it, and I -guess she could see past the dollars to something that -was more lasting. She found that I listened to -what she said, and she believed she was serving the -world by influencing my actions. So she stayed—and -then this came along." -</p> - -<p> -"Can you throw any light upon that?" -</p> - -<p> -The Gold King paused for a minute or more, his -head sunk in his hands, lost in deep thought. -</p> - -<p> -"It's very black against her. I can't deny that. -And women lead an inward life and may do things -beyond the judgment of a man. At first I was so -rattled and taken aback that I was ready to think -she had been led away in some extraordinary fashion -that was clean against her usual nature. One -explanation came into my head. I give it to you, -Mr. Holmes, for what it is worth. There is no -doubt that my wife was bitterly jealous. There is -a soul-jealousy that can be as frantic as any -body-jealousy, and though my wife had no cause—and I -think she understood this—for the latter, she was -aware that this English girl exerted an influence -upon my mind and my acts that she herself never -had. It was an influence for good, but that did not -mend the matter. She was crazy with hatred, and -the heat of the Amazon was always in her blood. -She might have planned to murder Miss Dunbar—or -we will say to threaten her with a gun and so frighten -her into leaving us. Then there might have been a -scuffle and the gun gone off and shot the woman -who held it." -</p> - -<p> -"That possibility had already occurred to me," -said Holmes. "Indeed, it is the only obvious -alternative to deliberate murder." -</p> - -<p> -"But she utterly denies it." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, that is not final—is it? One can understand -that a woman placed in so awful a position -might hurry home still in her bewilderment holding -the revolver. She might even throw it down among -her clothes, hardly knowing what she was doing, and -when it was found she might try to lie her way out -by a total denial, since all explanation was -impossible. What is against such a supposition?" -</p> - -<p> -"Miss Dunbar herself." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, perhaps." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes looked at his watch. "I have no doubt -we can get the necessary permits this morning and -reach Winchester by the evening train. When I -have seen this young lady, it is very possible that I -may be of more use to you in the matter, though I -cannot promise that my conclusions will necessarily -be such as you desire." -</p> - -<p> -There was some delay in the official pass, and -instead of reaching Winchester that day we went -down to Thor Place, the Hampshire estate of -Mr. Neil Gibson. He did not accompany us himself, -but we had the address of Sergeant Coventry, of the -local police, who had first examined into the affair. -He was a tall, thin, cadaverous man, with a secretive -and mysterious manner, which conveyed the idea -that he knew or suspected a very great deal more -than he dared say. He had a trick, too, of suddenly -sinking his voice to a whisper as if he had come upon -something of vital importance, though the information -was usually commonplace enough. Behind -these tricks of manner he soon showed himself to -be a decent, honest fellow who was not too proud -to admit that he was out of his depth and would -welcome any help. -</p> - -<p> -"Anyhow, I'd rather have you than Scotland -Yard, Mr. Holmes," said he. "If the Yard gets -called into a case, then the local loses all credit for -success and may be blamed for failure. Now, you -play straight, so I've heard." -</p> - -<p> -"I need not appear in the matter at all," said -Holmes, to the evident relief of our melancholy -acquaintance. "If I can clear it up I don't ask to -have my name mentioned." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, it's very handsome of you, I am sure. -And your friend, Dr. Watson, can be trusted, I know. -Now, Mr. Holmes, as we walk down to the place -there is one question I should like to ask you. I'd -breathe it to no soul but you." He looked round as -though he hardly dare utter the words. "Don't -you think there might be a case against Mr. Neil -Gibson himself?" -</p> - -<p> -"I have been considering that." -</p> - -<p> -"You've not seen Miss Dunbar. She is a wonderful -fine woman in every way. He may well have -wished his wife out of the road. And these Americans -are readier with pistols than our folk are. It -was his pistol, you know." -</p> - -<p> -"Was that clearly made out?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, sir. It was one of a pair that he had." -</p> - -<p> -"One of a pair? Where is the other?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, the gentleman has a lot of fire-arms of -one sort and another. We never quite matched that -particular pistol—but the box was made for two." -</p> - -<p> -"If it was one of a pair you should surely be able -to match it." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, we have them all laid out at the house if -you would care to look them over." -</p> - -<p> -"Later, perhaps. I think we will walk down -together and have a look at the scene of the tragedy." -</p> - -<p> -This conversation had taken place in the little -front room of Sergeant Coventry's humble cottage -which served as the local police-station. A walk of -half a mile or so across a wind-swept heath, all gold -and bronze with the fading ferns, brought us to a -side-gate opening into the grounds of the Thor Place -estate. A path led us through the pheasant -preserves, and then from a clearing we saw the -wide-spread, half-timbered house, half Tudor and half -Georgian, upon the crest of the hill. Beside us there -was a long, reedy pool, constricted in the centre -where the main carriage drive passed over a stone -bridge, but swelling into small lakes on either side. -Our guide paused at the mouth of this bridge, and -he pointed to the ground. -</p> - -<p> -"That was where Mrs. Gibson's body lay. I -marked it by that stone." -</p> - -<p> -"I understand that you were there before it was -moved?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes; they sent for me at once." -</p> - -<p> -"Who did?" -</p> - -<p> -"Mr. Gibson himself. The moment the alarm -was given and he had rushed down with others from -the house, he insisted that nothing should be moved -until the police should arrive." -</p> - -<p> -"That was sensible. I gathered from the newspaper -report that the shot was fired from close quarters." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, sir, very close." -</p> - -<p> -"Near the right temple?" -</p> - -<p> -"Just behind it, sir." -</p> - -<p> -"How did the body lie?" -</p> - -<p> -"On the back, sir. No trace of a struggle. No -marks. No weapon. The short note from Miss -Dunbar was clutched in her left hand." -</p> - -<p> -"Clutched, you say?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, sir; we could hardly open the fingers." -</p> - -<p> -"That is of great importance. It excludes the -idea that anyone could have placed the note there -after death in order to furnish a false clue. Dear -me! The note, as I remember, was quite short. -'I will be at Thor Bridge at nine -o'clock.—G. Dunbar.' Was that not so?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, sir." -</p> - -<p> -"Did Miss Dunbar admit writing it?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, sir." -</p> - -<p> -"What was her explanation?" -</p> - -<p> -"Her defence was reserved for the Assizes. She -would say nothing." -</p> - -<p> -"The problem is certainly a very interesting one. -The point of the letter is very obscure, is it not?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, sir," said the guide, "it seemed, if I may -be so bold as to say so, the only really clear point -in the whole case." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes shook his head. -</p> - -<p> -"Granting that the letter is genuine and was really -written, it was certainly received some time before—say -one hour or two. Why, then, was this lady still -clasping it in her left hand? Why should she carry -it so carefully? She did not need to refer to it in -the interview. Does it not seem remarkable?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, sir, as you put it, perhaps it does." -</p> - -<p> -"I think I should like to sit quietly for a few -minutes and think it out." He seated himself -upon the stone ledge of the bridge, and I could see -his quick grey eyes darting their questioning glances -in every direction. Suddenly he sprang up again and -ran across to the opposite parapet, whipped his lens -from his pocket, and began to examine the stonework. -</p> - -<p> -"This is curious," said he. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, sir; we saw the chip on the ledge. I -expect it's been done by some passer-by." -</p> - -<p> -The stonework was grey, but at this one point it -showed white for a space not larger than a sixpence. -When examined closely one could see that the -surface was chipped as by a sharp blow. -</p> - -<p> -"It took some violence to do that," said Holmes -thoughtfully. With his cane he struck the ledge -several times without leaving a mark. "Yes, it was -a hard knock. In a curious place, too. It was not -from above but from below, for you see that it is -on the <i>lower</i> edge of the parapet." -</p> - -<p> -"But it is at least fifteen feet from the body." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, it is fifteen feet from the body. It may -have nothing to do with the matter, but it is a point -worth noting. I do not think that we have anything -more to learn here. There were no footsteps, you -say?" -</p> - -<p> -"The ground was iron hard, sir. There were no -traces at all." -</p> - -<p> -"Then we can go. We will go up to the house -first and look over these weapons of which you speak. -Then we shall get on to Winchester, for I should -desire to see Miss Dunbar before we go farther." -</p> - -<p> -Mr. Neil Gibson had not returned from town, but -we saw in the house the neurotic Mr. Bates who had -called upon us in the morning. He showed us with -a sinister relish the formidable array of fire-arms of -various shapes and sizes which his employer had -accumulated in the course of an adventurous life. -</p> - -<p> -"Mr. Gibson has his enemies, as anyone would -expect who knew him and his methods," said he. -"He sleeps with a loaded revolver in the drawer -beside his bed. He is a man of violence, sir, and -there are times when all of us are afraid of him. I -am sure that the poor lady who has passed was often -terrified." -</p> - -<p> -"Did you ever witness physical violence towards her?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, I cannot say that. But I have heard words -which were nearly as bad—words of cold, cutting -contempt, even before the servants." -</p> - -<p> -"Our millionaire does not seem to shine in private -life," remarked Holmes, as we made our way to the -station. "Well, Watson, we have come on a good -many facts, some of them new ones, and yet I seem -some way from my conclusion. In spite of the very -evident dislike which Mr. Bates has to his employer, -I gather from him that when the alarm came he was -undoubtedly in his library. Dinner was over at -eight-thirty and all was normal up to then. It is -true that the alarm was somewhat late in the evening, -but the tragedy certainly occurred about the hour -named in the note. There is no evidence at all that -Mr. Gibson had been out of doors since his return -from town at five o'clock. On the other hand, Miss -Dunbar, as I understand it, admits that she had -made an appointment to meet Mrs. Gibson at the -bridge. Beyond this she would say nothing, as her -lawyer had advised her to reserve her defence. We -have several very vital questions to ask that young -lady, and my mind will not be easy until we have -seen her. I must confess that the case would seem -to me to be very black against her if it were not for -one thing." -</p> - -<p> -"And what is that, Holmes?" -</p> - -<p> -"The finding of the pistol in her wardrobe." -</p> - -<p> -"Dear me, Holmes!" I cried, "that seemed to -me to be the most damning incident of all." -</p> - -<p> -"Not so, Watson. It had struck me even at my -first perfunctory reading as very strange, and now -that I am in closer touch with the case it is my only -firm ground for hope. We must look for consistency. -Where there is a want of it we must suspect -deception." -</p> - -<p> -"I hardly follow you." -</p> - -<p> -"Well now, Watson, suppose for a moment that -we visualize you in the character of a woman who, -in a cold, premeditated fashion, is about to get rid -of a rival. You have planned it. A note has been -written. The victim has come. You have your -weapon. The crime is done. It has been workman-like -and complete. Do you tell me that after carrying -out so crafty a crime you would now ruin your -reputation as a criminal by forgetting to fling your -weapon into those adjacent reed-beds which would -for ever cover it, but you must needs carry it -carefully home and put it in your own wardrobe, the -very first place that would be searched? Your best -friends would hardly call you a schemer, Watson, -and yet I could not picture you doing anything so -crude as that." -</p> - -<p> -"In the excitement of the moment——" -</p> - -<p> -"No, no, Watson, I will not admit that it is -possible. Where a crime is coolly premeditated, -then the means of covering it are coolly premeditated -also. I hope, therefore, that we are in the presence -of a serious misconception." -</p> - -<p> -"But there is so much to explain." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, we shall set about explaining it. When -once your point of view is changed, the very thing -which was so damning becomes a clue to the truth. -For example, there is this revolver. Miss Dunbar -disclaims all knowledge of it. On our new theory -she is speaking truth when she says so. Therefore, -it was placed in her wardrobe. Who placed it there? -Someone who wished to incriminate her. Was not -that person the actual criminal? You see how we -come at once upon a most fruitful line of inquiry." -</p> - -<p> -We were compelled to spend the night at Winchester, -as the formalities had not yet been -completed, but next morning, in the company of -Mr. Joyce Cummings, the rising barrister who was -entrusted with the defence, we were allowed to see -the young lady in her cell. I had expected from all -that we had heard to see a beautiful woman, but I -can never forget the effect which Miss Dunbar -produced upon me. It was no wonder that even the -masterful millionaire had found in her something -more powerful than himself—something which could -control and guide him. One felt, too, as one looked -at that strong, clear-cut, and yet sensitive face, that -even should she be capable of some impetuous deed, -none the less there was an innate nobility of -character which would make her influence always for -the good. She was a brunette, tall, with a noble -figure and commanding presence, but her dark -eyes had in them the appealing, helpless expression -of the hunted creature who feels the nets around it, -but can see no way out from the toils. Now, as -she realized the presence and the help of my famous -friend, there came a touch of colour in her wan -cheeks and a light of hope began to glimmer in the -glance which she turned upon us. -</p> - -<p> -"Perhaps Mr. Neil Gibson has told you something -of what occurred between us?" she asked, in a low, -agitated voice. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes," Holmes answered; "you need not pain -yourself by entering into that part of the story. -After seeing you, I am prepared to accept Mr. Gibson's -statement both as to the influence which -you had over him and as to the innocence of your -relations with him. But why was the whole -situation not brought out in court?" -</p> - -<p> -"It seemed to me incredible that such a charge -could be sustained. I thought that if we waited the -whole thing must clear itself up without our being -compelled to enter into painful details of the inner -life of the family. But I understand that far from -clearing it has become even more serious." -</p> - -<p> -"My dear young lady," cried Holmes earnestly, -"I beg you to have no illusions upon the point. -Mr. Cummings here would assure you that all the cards -are at present against us, and that we must do -everything that is possible if we are to win clear. It -would be a cruel deception to pretend that you are -not in very great danger. Give me all the help you -can, then, to get at the truth." -</p> - -<p> -"I will conceal nothing." -</p> - -<p> -"Tell us, then, of your true relations with -Mr. Gibson's wife." -</p> - -<p> -"She hated me, Mr. Holmes. She hated me with -all the fervour of her tropical nature. She was a -woman who would do nothing by halves, and the -measure of her love for her husband was the measure -also of her hatred for me. It is probable that she -misunderstood our relations. I would not wish to -wrong her, but she loved so vividly in a physical -sense that she could hardly understand the mental, -and even spiritual, tie which held her husband to me, -or imagine that it was only my desire to influence -his power to good ends which kept me under his -roof. I can see now that I was wrong. Nothing -could justify me in remaining where I was a cause of -unhappiness, and yet it is certain that the unhappiness -would have remained even if I had left the house." -</p> - -<p> -"Now, Miss Dunbar," said Holmes, "I beg you -to tell us exactly what occurred that evening." -</p> - -<p> -"I can tell you the truth so far as I know it, -Mr. Holmes, but I am in a position to prove nothing, -and there are points—the most vital points—which -I can neither explain nor can I imagine any -explanation." -</p> - -<p> -"If you will find the facts, perhaps others may -find the explanation." -</p> - -<p> -"With regard, then, to my presence at Thor -Bridge that night, I received a note from Mrs. Gibson -in the morning. It lay on the table of the -schoolroom, and it may have been left there by her -own hand. It implored me to see her there after -dinner, said she had something important to say to -me, and asked me to leave an answer on the sundial -in the garden, as she desired no one to be in our -confidence. I saw no reason for such secrecy, but -I did as she asked, accepting the appointment. -She asked me to destroy her note and I burned it -in the schoolroom grate. She was very much afraid -of her husband, who treated her with a harshness -for which I frequently reproached him, and I could -only imagine that she acted in this way because she -did not wish him to know of our interview." -</p> - -<p> -"Yet she kept your reply very carefully?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes. I was surprised to hear that she had it -in her hand when she died." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, what happened then?" -</p> - -<p> -"I went down as I had promised. When I -reached the bridge she was waiting for me. Never -did I realize till that moment how this poor creature -hated me. She was like a mad woman—indeed, I -think she was a mad woman, subtly mad with the -deep power of deception which insane people may -have. How else could she have met me with unconcern -every day and yet had so raging a hatred of me -in her heart? I will not say what she said. She -poured her whole wild fury out in burning and -horrible words. I did not even answer—I could not. -It was dreadful to see her. I put my hands to my -ears and rushed away. When I left her she was -standing still shrieking out her curses at me, in the -mouth of the bridge." -</p> - -<p> -"Where she was afterwards found?" -</p> - -<p> -"Within a few yards from the spot." -</p> - -<p> -"And yet, presuming that she met her death -shortly after you left her, you heard no shot?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, I heard nothing. But, indeed, Mr. Holmes, -I was so agitated and horrified by this terrible -outbreak that I rushed to get back to the peace of my -own room, and I was incapable of noticing anything -which happened." -</p> - -<p> -"You say that you returned to your room. Did -you leave it again before next morning?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes; when the alarm came that the poor -creature had met her death I ran out with the others." -</p> - -<p> -"Did you see Mr. Gibson?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes; he had just returned from the bridge when I -saw him. He had sent for the doctor and the police." -</p> - -<p> -"Did he seem to you much perturbed?" -</p> - -<p> -"Mr. Gibson is a very strong, self-contained man. -I do not think that he would ever show his emotions -on the surface. But I, who knew him so well, could -see that he was deeply concerned." -</p> - -<p> -"Then we come to the all-important point. This -pistol that was found in your room. Had you ever -seen it before?" -</p> - -<p> -"Never, I swear it." -</p> - -<p> -"When was it found?" -</p> - -<p> -"Next morning, when the police made their search." -</p> - -<p> -"Among your clothes?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes; on the floor of my wardrobe under my dresses." -</p> - -<p> -"You could not guess how long it had been there?" -</p> - -<p> -"It had not been there the morning before." -</p> - -<p> -"How do you know?" -</p> - -<p> -"Because I tidied out the wardrobe." -</p> - -<p> -"That is final. Then someone came into your -room and placed the pistol there in order to inculpate -you." -</p> - -<p> -"It must have been so." -</p> - -<p> -"And when?" -</p> - -<p> -"It could only have been at meal-time, or else at -the hours when I would be in the schoolroom with -the children." -</p> - -<p> -"As you were when you got the note?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes; from that time onwards for the whole -morning." -</p> - -<p> -"Thank you, Miss Dunbar. Is there any other -point which could help me in the investigation?" -</p> - -<p> -"I can think of none." -</p> - -<p> -"There was some sign of violence on the stonework -of the bridge—a perfectly fresh chip just -opposite the body. Could you suggest any possible -explanation of that?" -</p> - -<p> -"Surely it must be a mere coincidence." -</p> - -<p> -"Curious, Miss Dunbar, very curious. Why -should it appear at the very time of the tragedy and -why at the very place?" -</p> - -<p> -"But what could have caused it? Only great -violence could have such an effect." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes did not answer. His pale, eager face had -suddenly assumed that tense, far-away expression -which I had learned to associate with the supreme -manifestations of his genius. So evident was the -crisis in his mind that none of us dared to speak, and -we sat, barrister, prisoner, and myself, watching -him in a concentrated and absorbed silence. -Suddenly he sprang from his chair, vibrating with -nervous energy and the pressing need for action. -</p> - -<p> -"Come, Watson, come!" he cried. -</p> - -<p> -"What is it, Mr. Holmes?" -</p> - -<p> -"Never mind, my dear lady. You will hear from -me, Mr. Cummings. With the help of the God of -justice I will give you a case which will make -England ring. You will get news by to-morrow, Miss -Dunbar, and meanwhile take my assurance that the -clouds are lifting and that I have every hope that -the light of truth is breaking through." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -It was not a long journey from Winchester to -Thor Place, but it was long to me in my impatience, -while for Holmes it was evident that it seemed endless; -for, in his nervous restlessness, he could not sit -still, but paced the carriage or drummed with his -long, sensitive fingers upon the cushions beside him. -Suddenly, however, as we neared our destination he -seated himself opposite to me—we had a first-class -carriage to ourselves—and laying a hand upon each -of my knees he looked into my eyes with the peculiarly -mischievous gaze which was characteristic of -his more imp-like moods. -</p> - -<p> -"Watson," said he, "I have some recollection that -you go armed upon these excursions of ours." -</p> - -<p> -It was as well for him that I did so, for he took -little care for his own safety when his mind was once -absorbed by a problem, so that more than once my -revolver had been a good friend in need. I -reminded him of the fact. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, yes, I am a little absent-minded in such -matters. But have you your revolver on you?" -</p> - -<p> -I produced it from my hip-pocket, a short, handy, -but very serviceable little weapon. He undid the -catch, shook out the cartridges, and examined it -with care. -</p> - -<p> -"It's heavy—remarkably heavy," said he. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, it is a solid bit of work." -</p> - -<p> -He mused over it for a minute. -</p> - -<p> -"Do you know, Watson," said he, "I believe your -revolver is going to have a very intimate connection -with the mystery which we are investigating." -</p> - -<p> -"My dear Holmes, you are joking." -</p> - -<p> -"No, Watson, I am very serious. There is a test -before us. If the test comes off, all will be clear. -And the test will depend upon the conduct of this -little weapon. One cartridge out. Now we will -replace the other five and put on the safety-catch. -So! That increases the weight and makes it a better -reproduction." -</p> - -<p> -I had no glimmer of what was in his mind nor did -he enlighten me, but sat lost in thought until we -pulled up in the little Hampshire station. We -secured a ramshackle trap, and in a quarter of an -hour were at the house of our confidential friend, -the sergeant. -</p> - -<p> -"A clue, Mr. Holmes? What is it?" -</p> - -<p> -"It all depends upon the behaviour of Dr. Watson's -revolver," said my friend. "Here it is. -Now, officer, can you give me ten yards of string?" -</p> - -<p> -The village shop provided a ball of stout twine. -</p> - -<p> -"I think that this is all we will need," said Holmes. -"Now, if you please, we will get off on what I hope -is the last stage of our journey." -</p> - -<p> -The sun was setting and turning the rolling -Hampshire moor into a wonderful autumnal panorama. -The sergeant, with many critical and incredulous -glances, which showed his deep doubts of the sanity -of my companion, lurched along beside us. As we -approached the scene of the crime I could see that -my friend under all his habitual coolness was in truth -deeply agitated. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes," he said, in answer to my remark, "you -have seen me miss my mark before, Watson. I have -an instinct for such things, and yet it has sometimes -played me false. It seemed a certainty when first it -flashed across my mind in the cell at Winchester, but -one drawback of an active mind is that one can -always conceive alternative explanations which -would make our scent a false one. And yet—and -yet—— Well, Watson, we can but try." -</p> - -<p> -As he walked he had firmly tied one end of the -string to the handle of the revolver. We had now -reached the scene of the tragedy. With great care -he marked out under the guidance of the policeman -the exact spot where the body had been stretched. -He then hunted among the heather and the ferns -until he found a considerable stone. This he secured -to the other end of his line of string, and he hung it -over the parapet of the bridge so that it swung clear -above the water. He then stood on the fatal spot, -some distance from the edge of the bridge, with my -revolver in his hand, the string being taut between -the weapon and the heavy stone on the farther side. -</p> - -<p> -"Now for it!" he cried. -</p> - -<p> -At the words he raised the pistol to his head, and -then let go his grip. In an instant it had been -whisked away by the weight of the stone, had struck -with a sharp crack against the parapet, and had -vanished over the side into the water. It had hardly -gone before Holmes was kneeling beside the stonework, -and a joyous cry showed that he had found -what he expected. -</p> - -<p> -"Was there ever a more exact demonstration?" -he cried. "See, Watson, your revolver has solved -the problem!" As he spoke he pointed to a second -chip of the exact size and shape of the first which -had appeared on the under edge of the stone balustrade. -</p> - -<p> -"We'll stay at the inn to-night," he continued, as -he rose and faced the astonished sergeant. "You -will, of course, get a grappling-hook and you will -easily restore my friend's revolver. You will also -find beside it the revolver, string and weight with -which this vindictive woman attempted to disguise -her own crime and to fasten a charge of murder upon -an innocent victim. You can let Mr. Gibson know -that I will see him in the morning, when steps can -be taken for Miss Dunbar's vindication." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Late that evening, as we sat together smoking our -pipes in the village inn, Holmes gave me a brief -review of what had passed. -</p> - -<p> -"I fear, Watson," said he, "that you will not -improve any reputation which I may have acquired -by adding the Case of the Thor Bridge Mystery to -your annals. I have been sluggish in mind and -wanting in that mixture of imagination and reality -which is the basis of my art. I confess that the chip -in the stonework was a sufficient clue to suggest the -true solution, and that I blame myself for not having -attained it sooner. -</p> - -<p> -"It must be admitted that the workings of this -unhappy woman's mind were deep and subtle, so -that it was no very simple matter to unravel her -plot. I do not think that in our adventures we have -ever come across a stranger example of what -perverted love can bring about. Whether Miss Dunbar -was her rival in a physical or in a merely mental -sense seems to have been equally unforgivable in her -eyes. No doubt she blamed this innocent lady for -all those harsh dealings and unkind words with which -her husband tried to repel her too demonstrative -affection. Her first resolution was to end her own -life. Her second was to do it in such a way as to -involve her victim in a fate which was worse far -than any sudden death could be. -</p> - -<p> -"We can follow the various steps quite clearly, -and they show a remarkable subtlety of mind. A -note was extracted very cleverly from Miss Dunbar -which would make it appear that she had chosen -the scene of the crime. In her anxiety that it -should be discovered she somewhat overdid it, by -holding it in her hand to the last. This alone should -have excited my suspicions earlier than it did. -</p> - -<p> -"Then she took one of her husband's revolvers—there -was, as you saw, an arsenal in the house—and -kept it for her own use. A similar one she concealed -that morning in Miss Dunbar's wardrobe after -discharging one barrel, which she could easily do in the -woods without attracting attention. She then went -down to the bridge where she had contrived this -exceedingly ingenious method for getting rid of her -weapon. When Miss Dunbar appeared she used her -last breath in pouring out her hatred, and then, -when she was out of hearing, carried out her terrible -purpose. Every link is now in its place and the -chain is complete. The papers may ask why the -mere was not dragged in the first instance, but it is -easy to be wise after the event, and in any case the -expanse of a reed-filled lake is no easy matter to -drag unless you have a clear perception of what you -are looking for and where. Well, Watson, we have -helped a remarkable woman, and also a formidable -man. Should they in the future join their forces, -as seems not unlikely, the financial world may find -that Mr. Neil Gibson has learned something in that -schoolroom of Sorrow where our earthly lessons are -taught." -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap08"></a></p> - -<h3> -VIII -</h3> - -<h3> -THE ADVENTURE OF THE CREEPING MAN -</h3> - -<p> -Mr. Sherlock Holmes was always of -opinion that I should publish the singular -facts connected with Professor Presbury, if only to -dispel once for all the ugly rumours which some -twenty years ago agitated the University and were -echoed in the learned societies of London. There -were, however, certain obstacles in the way, and the -true history of this curious case remained entombed -in the tin box which contains so many records of my -friend's adventures. Now we have at last obtained -permission to ventilate the facts which formed one -of the very last cases handled by Holmes before his -retirement from practice. Even now a certain -reticence and discretion have to be observed in laying -the matter before the public. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -It was one Sunday evening early in September of -the year 1903 that I received one of Holmes's laconic -messages: "Come at once if convenient—if -inconvenient come all the same.—S.H." The relations -between us in those latter days were peculiar. He -was a man of habits, narrow and concentrated habits, -and I had become one of them. As an institution I -was like the violin, the shag tobacco, the old black -pipe, the index books, and others perhaps less -excusable. When it was a case of active work and -a comrade was needed upon whose nerve he could -place some reliance, my role was obvious. But apart -from this I had uses. I was a whetstone for his -mind. I stimulated him. He liked to think aloud -in my presence. His remarks could hardly be said -to be made to me—many of them would have been -as appropriately addressed to his bedstead—but -none the less, having formed the habit, it had become -in some way helpful that I should register and -interject. If I irritated him by a certain methodical -slowness in my mentality, that irritation served only -to make his own flame-like intuitions and impressions -flash up the more vividly and swiftly. Such was my -humble role in our alliance. -</p> - -<p> -When I arrived at Baker Street I found him -huddled up in his arm-chair with updrawn knees, -his pipe in his mouth and his brow furrowed with -thought. It was clear that he was in the throes of -some vexatious problem. With a wave of his hand -he indicated my old arm-chair, but otherwise for -half an hour he gave no sign that he was aware of -my presence. Then with a start he seemed to come -from his reverie, and, with his usual whimsical smile, -he greeted me back to what had once been my home. -</p> - -<p> -"You will excuse a certain abstraction of mind, -my dear Watson," said he. "Some curious facts -have been submitted to me within the last twenty-four -hours, and they in turn have given rise to some -speculations of a more general character. I have -serious thoughts of writing a small monograph upon -the uses of dogs in the work of the detective." -</p> - -<p> -"But surely, Holmes, this has been explored," -said I. "Bloodhounds—sleuth-hounds——" -</p> - -<p> -"No, no, Watson; that side of the matter is, of -course, obvious. But there is another which is far -more subtle. You may recollect that in the case -which you, in your sensational way, coupled with -the Copper Beeches, I was able, by watching the -mind of the child, to form a deduction as to the -criminal habits of the very smug and respectable -father." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, I remember it well." -</p> - -<p> -"My line of thoughts about dogs is analogous. A -dog reflects the family life. Whoever saw a frisky -dog in a gloomy family, or a sad dog in a happy one? -Snarling people have snarling dogs, dangerous people -have dangerous ones. And their passing moods may -reflect the passing moods of others." -</p> - -<p> -I shook my head. "Surely, Holmes, this is a -little far-fetched," said I. -</p> - -<p> -He had refilled his pipe and resumed his seat, -taking no notice of my comment. -</p> - -<p> -"The practical application of what I have said is -very close to the problem which I am investigating. -It is a tangled skein, you understand, and I am looking -for a loose end. One possible loose end lies in the -question: Why does Professor Presbury's faithful -wolf-hound, Roy, endeavour to bite him?" -</p> - -<p> -I sank back in my chair in some disappointment. -Was it for so trivial a question as this that I had -been summoned from my work? Holmes glanced -across at me. -</p> - -<p> -"The same old Watson!" said he. "You never -learn that the gravest issues may depend upon the -smallest things. But is it not on the face of it -strange that a staid, elderly philosopher—you've -heard of Presbury, of course, the famous Camford -physiologist?—that such a man, whose friend has -been his devoted wolf-hound, should now have been -twice attacked by his own dog? What do you make -of it?" -</p> - -<p> -"The dog is ill." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, that has to be considered. But he attacks -no one else, nor does he apparently molest his master, -save on very special occasions. Curious, Watson—very -curious. But young Mr. Bennett is before his -time, if that is his ring. I had hoped to have a -longer chat with you before he came." -</p> - -<p> -There was a quick step on the stairs, a sharp tap -at the door, and a moment later the new client -presented himself. He was a tall, handsome youth -about thirty, well dressed and elegant, but with -something in his bearing which suggested the -shyness of the student rather than the self-possession -of the man of the world. He shook hands with -Holmes, and then looked with some surprise at me. -</p> - -<p> -"This matter is very delicate, Mr. Holmes," he -said. "Consider the relation in which I stand to -Professor Presbury, both privately and publicly. -I really can hardly justify myself if I speak before -any third person." -</p> - -<p> -"Have no fear, Mr. Bennett. Dr. Watson is the -very soul of discretion, and I can assure you that -this is a matter in which I am very likely to need an -assistant." -</p> - -<p> -"As you like, Mr. Holmes. You will, I am sure, -understand my having some reserves in the matter." -</p> - -<p> -"You will appreciate it, Watson, when I tell you -that this gentleman, Mr. Trevor Bennett, is professional -assistant to the great scientist, lives under -his roof, and is engaged to his only daughter. -Certainly we must agree that the Professor has every -claim upon his loyalty and devotion. But it may -best be shown by taking the necessary steps to clear -up this strange mystery." -</p> - -<p> -"I hope so, Mr. Holmes. That is my one object. -Does Dr. Watson know the situation?" -</p> - -<p> -"I have not had time to explain it." -</p> - -<p> -"Then perhaps I had better go over the ground -again before explaining some fresh developments." -</p> - -<p> -"I will do so myself," said Holmes, "in order to -show that I have the events in their due order. The -Professor, Watson, is a man of European reputation. -His life has been academic. There has never been -a breath of scandal. He is a widower with one -daughter, Edith. He is, I gather, a man of very -virile and positive, one might almost say combative, -character. So the matter stood until a very few -months ago. -</p> - -<p> -"Then the current of his life was broken. He is -sixty-one years of age, but he became engaged to -the daughter of Professor Morphy, his colleague in -the chair of Comparative Anatomy. It was not, as -I understand, the reasoned courting of an elderly -man, but rather the passionate frenzy of youth, for -no one could have shown himself a more devoted -lover. The lady, Alice Morphy, was a very perfect -girl both in mind and body, so that there was every -excuse for the Professor's infatuation. Nonetheless, -it did not meet with full approval in his own family." -</p> - -<p> -"We thought it rather excessive," said our -visitor. -</p> - -<p> -"Exactly. Excessive and a little violent and -unnatural. Professor Presbury was rich, however, -and there was no objection upon the part of the -father. The daughter, however, had other views, -and there were already several candidates for her -hand, who, if they were less eligible from a worldly -point of view, were at least more of an age. The -girl seemed to like the Professor in spite of his -eccentricities. It was only age which stood in the -way. -</p> - -<p> -"About this time a little mystery suddenly -clouded the normal routine of the Professor's life. -He did what he had never done before. He left -home and gave no indication where he was going. -He was away a fortnight, and returned looking rather -travel-worn. He made no allusion to where he had -been, although he was usually the frankest of men. -It chanced, however, that our client here, -Mr. Bennett, received a letter from a fellow-student in -Prague, who said that he was glad to have seen -Professor Presbury there, although he had not been able -to talk to him. Only in this way did his own -household learn where he had been. -</p> - -<p> -"Now comes the point. From that time onwards -a curious change came over the Professor. He -became furtive and sly. Those around him had -always the feeling that he was not the man that -they had known, but that he was under some shadow -which had darkened his higher qualities. His -intellect was not affected. His lectures were as -brilliant as ever. But always there was something -new, something sinister and unexpected. His -daughter, who was devoted to him, tried again and -again to resume the old relations and to penetrate -this mask which her father seemed to have put on. -You, sir, as I understand, did the same—but all -was in vain. And now, Mr. Bennett, tell in your -own words the incident of the letters." -</p> - -<p> -"You must understand, Dr. Watson, that the -Professor had no secrets from me. If I were his -son or his younger brother, I could not have more -completely enjoyed his confidence. As his secretary -I handled every paper which came to him, and I -opened and subdivided his letters. Shortly after -his return all this was changed. He told me that -certain letters might come to him from London which -would be marked by a cross under the stamp. -These were to be set aside for his own eyes only. -I may say that several of these did pass through my -hands, that they had the E.C. mark, and were in an -illiterate handwriting. If he answered them at all -the answers did not pass through my hands nor -into the letter-basket in which our correspondence -was collected." -</p> - -<p> -"And the box," said Holmes. -</p> - -<p> -"Ah, yes, the box. The Professor brought back -a little wooden box from his travels. It was the -one thing which suggested a Continental tour, for -it was one of those quaint carved things which one -associates with Germany. This he placed in his -instrument cupboard. One day, in looking for a -cannula, I took up the box. To my surprise he was -very angry, and reproved me in words which were -quite savage for my curiosity. It was the first time -such a thing had happened and I was deeply hurt. -I endeavoured to explain that it was a mere accident -that I had touched the box, but all the evening I -was conscious that he looked at me harshly and that -the incident was rankling in his mind." Mr. Bennett -drew a little diary book from his pocket. "That -was on July 2," said he. -</p> - -<p> -"You are certainly an admirable witness," said -Holmes. "I may need some of these dates which -you have noted." -</p> - -<p> -"I learned method among other things from my -great teacher. From the time that I observed -abnormality in his behaviour I felt that it was my -duty to study his case. Thus I have it here that it -was on that very day, July 2, that Roy attacked the -Professor, as he came from his study into the hall. -Again on July 11, there was a scene of the same sort -and then I have a note of yet another upon July 20. -After that we had to banish Roy to the stables. He -was a dear, affectionate animal—but I fear I weary -you." -</p> - -<p> -Mr. Bennett spoke in a tone of reproach, for it -was very clear that Holmes was not listening. His -face was rigid and his eyes gazed abstractedly at -the ceiling. With an effort he recovered himself. -</p> - -<p> -"Singular! Most singular!" he murmured. -"These details were new to me, Mr. Bennett. I -think we have now fairly gone over the old ground, -have we not? But you spoke of some fresh developments." -</p> - -<p> -The pleasant, open face of our visitor clouded over, -shadowed by some grim remembrance. "What I -speak of occurred the night before last," said he. "I -was lying awake about two in the morning, when I -was aware of a dull muffled sound coming from the -passage. I opened my door and peeped out. I -should explain that the Professor sleeps at the end -of the passage——" -</p> - -<p> -"The date being——?" asked Holmes. -</p> - -<p> -Our visitor was clearly annoyed at so irrelevant -an interruption. -</p> - -<p> -"I have said, sir, that it was the night before -last—that is, September 4." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes nodded and smiled. -</p> - -<p> -"Pray continue," said he. -</p> - -<p> -"He sleeps at the end of the passage, and would -have to pass my door in order to reach the staircase. -It was a really terrifying experience, Mr. Holmes. -I think that I am as strong-nerved as my neighbours, -but I was shaken by what I saw. The passage was -dark save that one window half-way along it threw -a patch of light. I could see that something was -coming along the passage, something dark and -crouching. Then suddenly it emerged into the light, -and I saw that it was he. He was crawling, -Mr. Holmes—crawling! He was not quite on his hands -and knees. I should rather say on his hands and -feet, with his face sunk between his hands. Yet -he seemed to move with ease. I was so paralysed -by the sight that it was not until he had reached my -door that I was able to step forward and ask if I -could assist him. His answer was extraordinary. -He sprang up, spat out some atrocious word at me, -and hurried on past me, and down the staircase. I -waited about for an hour, but he did not come back. It -must have been daylight before he regained his room." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, Watson, what make you of that?" asked -Holmes, with the air of the pathologist who presents -a rare specimen. -</p> - -<p> -"Lumbago, possibly. I have known a severe -attack make a man walk in just such a way, and -nothing would be more trying to the temper." -</p> - -<p> -"Good, Watson! You always keep us flat-footed -on the ground. But we can hardly accept -lumbago, since he was able to stand erect in a -moment." -</p> - -<p> -"He was never better in health," said Bennett. -"In fact, he is stronger than I have known him for -years. But there are the facts, Mr. Holmes. It is -not a case in which we can consult the police, and -yet we are utterly at our wits' end as to what to -do, and we feel in some strange way that we are -drifting towards disaster. Edith—Miss Presbury—feels -as I do, that we cannot wait passively any -longer." -</p> - -<p> -"It is certainly a very curious and suggestive -case. What do you think, Watson?" -</p> - -<p> -"Speaking as a medical man," said I, "it appears -to be a case for an alienist. The old gentleman's -cerebral processes were disturbed by the love affair. -He made a journey abroad in the hope of breaking -himself of the passion. His letters and the box may -be connected with some other private transaction—a -loan, perhaps, or share certificates, which are in -the box." -</p> - -<p> -"And the wolf-hound no doubt disapproved of -the financial bargain. No, no, Watson, there is -more in it than this. Now, I can only suggest——" -</p> - -<p> -What Sherlock Holmes was about to suggest will -never be known, for at this moment the door opened -and a young lady was shown into the room. As -she appeared Mr. Bennett sprang up with a cry and -ran forward with his hands out to meet those which -she had herself outstretched. -</p> - -<p> -"Edith, dear! Nothing the matter, I hope?" -</p> - -<p> -"I felt I must follow you. Oh, Jack, I have -been so dreadfully frightened! It is awful to be -there alone." -</p> - -<p> -"Mr. Holmes, this is the young lady I spoke of. -This is my fiancée." -</p> - -<p> -"We were gradually coming to that conclusion, -were we not, Watson?" Holmes answered, with a -smile. "I take it, Miss Presbury, that there is -some fresh development in the case, and that you -thought we should know?" -</p> - -<p> -Our new visitor, a bright, handsome girl of a -conventional English type, smiled back at Holmes as -she seated herself beside Mr. Bennett. -</p> - -<p> -"When I found Mr. Bennett had left his hotel -I thought I should probably find him here. Of -course, he had told me that he would consult you. -But, oh, Mr. Holmes, can you do nothing for my -poor father?" -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -"I have hopes, Miss Presbury, but the case is still -obscure. Perhaps what you have to say may throw -some fresh light upon it." -</p> - -<p> -"It was last night, Mr. Holmes. He had been -very strange all day. I am sure that there are -times when he has no recollection of what he does. -He lives as in a strange dream. Yesterday was such -a day. It was not my father with whom I lived. -His outward shell was there, but it was not really he." -</p> - -<p> -"Tell me what happened." -</p> - -<p> -"I was awakened in the night by the dog barking -most furiously. Poor Roy, he is chained now near -the stable. I may say that I always sleep with my -door locked; for, as Jack—as Mr. Bennett—will -tell you, we all have a feeling of impending danger. -My room is on the second floor. It happened that -the blind was up in my window, and there was -bright moonlight outside. As I lay with my eyes -fixed upon the square of light, listening to the -frenzied barkings of the dog, I was amazed to see -my father's face looking in at me. Mr. Holmes, I -nearly died of surprise and horror. There it was -pressed against the window-pane, and one hand -seemed to be raised as if to push up the window. If -that window had opened, I think I should have gone -mad. It was no delusion, Mr. Holmes. Don't -deceive yourself by thinking so. I dare say it was -twenty seconds or so that I lay paralysed and -watched the face. Then it vanished, but I could -not—I could not spring out of bed and look out -after it. I lay cold and shivering till morning. At -breakfast he was sharp and fierce in manner, and -made no allusion to the adventure of the night. -Neither did I, but I gave an excuse for coming to -town—and here I am." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes looked thoroughly surprised at Miss Presbury's -narrative. -</p> - -<p> -"My dear young lady, you say that your room -is on the second floor. Is there a long ladder in -the garden?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, Mr. Holmes; that is the amazing part of -it. There is no possible way of reaching the -window—and yet he was there." -</p> - -<p> -"The date being September 5," said Holmes. -"That certainly complicates matters." -</p> - -<p> -It was the young lady's turn to look surprised. -"This is the second time that you have alluded -to the date, Mr. Holmes," said Bennett. "Is it -possible that it has any bearing upon the case?" -</p> - -<p> -"It is possible—very possible—and yet I have not -my full material at present." -</p> - -<p> -"Possibly you are thinking of the connection -between insanity and phases of the moon?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, I assure you. It was quite a different line -of thought. Possibly you can leave your notebook -with me and I will check the dates. Now I think, -Watson, that our line of action is perfectly clear. -This young lady has informed us—and I have the -greatest confidence in her intuition—that her father -remembers little or nothing which occurs upon -certain dates. We will therefore call upon him as if -he had given us an appointment upon such a date. -He will put it down to his own lack of memory. -Thus we will open our campaign by having a good -close view of him." -</p> - -<p> -"That is excellent," said Mr. Bennett. "I warn -you, however, that the Professor is irascible and -violent at times." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes smiled. "There are reasons why we -should come at once—very cogent reasons if my -theories hold good. To-morrow, Mr. Bennett, will -certainly see us in Camford. There is, if I -remember right, an inn called the 'Chequers' where the -port used to be above mediocrity, and the linen was -above reproach. I think, Watson, that our lot for -the next few days might lie in less pleasant places." -</p> - -<p> -Monday morning found us on our way to the -famous University town—an easy effort on the part -of Holmes, who had no roots to pull up, but one -which involved frantic planning and hurrying on my -part, as my practice was by this time not -inconsiderable. Holmes made no allusion to the case -until after we had deposited our suit-cases at the -ancient hostel of which he had spoken. -</p> - -<p> -"I think, Watson, that we can catch the Professor -just before lunch. He lectures at eleven, and -should have an interval at home." -</p> - -<p> -"What possible excuse have we for calling?" -</p> - -<p> -Holmes glanced at his notebook. -</p> - -<p> -"There was a period of excitement upon August -26. We will assume that he is a little hazy as to -what he does at such times. If we insist that we -are there by appointment I think he will hardly -venture to contradict us. Have you the effrontery -necessary to put it through?" -</p> - -<p> -"We can but try." -</p> - -<p> -"Excellent, Watson! Compound of the Busy -Bee and Excelsior. We can but try—the motto of -the firm. A friendly native will surely guide us." -</p> - -<p> -Such a one on the back of a smart hansom swept -us past a row of ancient colleges, and finally turning -into a tree-lined drive pulled up at the door of a -charming house, girt round with lawns and covered -with purple wistaria. Professor Presbury was -certainly surrounded with every sign not only of -comfort but of luxury. Even as we pulled up a -grizzled head appeared at the front window, and we -were aware of a pair of keen eyes from under shaggy -brows which surveyed us through large horn glasses. -A moment later we were actually in his sanctum, -and the mysterious scientist, whose vagaries had -brought us from London, was standing before us. -There was certainly no sign of eccentricity either in -his manner or appearance, for he was a portly, -large-featured man, grave, tall, and frock-coated, with the -dignity of bearing which a lecturer needs. His eyes -were his most remarkable feature, keen, observant, -and clever to the verge of cunning. -</p> - -<p> -He looked at our cards. "Pray sit down, -gentlemen. What can I do for you?" -</p> - -<p> -Mr. Holmes smiled amiably. -</p> - -<p> -"It was the question which I was about to put -to you, Professor." -</p> - -<p> -"To me, sir!" -</p> - -<p> -"Possibly there is some mistake. I heard -through a second person that Professor Presbury of -Camford had need of my services." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, indeed!" It seemed to me that there was -a malicious sparkle in the intense grey eyes. "You -heard that, did you? May I ask the name of your -informant?" -</p> - -<p> -"I am sorry, Professor, but the matter was rather -confidential. If I have made a mistake there is no -harm done. I can only express my regret." -</p> - -<p> -"Not at all. I should wish to go further into -this matter. It interests me. Have you any scrap -of writing, any letter or telegram, to bear out your -assertion?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, I have not." -</p> - -<p> -"I presume that you do not go so far as to assert -that I summoned you?" -</p> - -<p> -"I would rather answer no questions," said -Holmes. -</p> - -<p> -"No, I dare say not," said the Professor, with -asperity. "However, that particular one can be -answered very easily without your aid." -</p> - -<p> -He walked across the room to the bell. Our -London friend, Mr. Bennett, answered the call. -</p> - -<p> -"Come in, Mr. Bennett. These two gentlemen -have come from London under the impression that -they have been summoned. You handle all my -correspondence. Have you a note of anything -going to a person named Holmes?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, sir," Bennett answered, with a flush. -</p> - -<p> -"That is conclusive," said the Professor, glaring -angrily at my companion. "Now, sir"—he leaned -forward with his two hands upon the table—"it -seems to me that your position is a very -questionable one." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes shrugged his shoulders. -</p> - -<p> -"I can only repeat that I am sorry that we have -made a needless intrusion." -</p> - -<p> -"Hardly enough, Mr. Holmes!" the old man -cried, in a high screaming voice, with extraordinary -malignancy upon his face. He got between us and -the door as he spoke, and he shook his two hands at -us with furious passion. "You can hardly get out -of it so easily as that." His face was convulsed and -he grinned and gibbered at us in his senseless rage. -I am convinced that we should have had to fight -our way out of the room if Mr. Bennett had not -intervened. -</p> - -<p> -"My dear Professor," he cried, "consider your -position! Consider the scandal at the University! -Mr. Holmes is a well-known man. You cannot -possibly treat him with such discourtesy." -</p> - -<p> -Sulkily our host—if I may call him so—cleared -the path to the door. We were glad to find ourselves -outside the house, and in the quiet of the -tree-lined drive. Holmes seemed greatly amused by the -episode. -</p> - -<p> -"Our learned friend's nerves are somewhat out -of order," said he. "Perhaps our intrusion was a -little crude, and yet we have gained that personal -contact which I desired. But, dear me, Watson, he -is surely at our heels. The villain still pursues us." -</p> - -<p> -There were the sounds of running feet behind, but -it was, to my relief, not the formidable Professor but -his assistant who appeared round the curve of the -drive. He came panting up to us. -</p> - -<p> -"I am so sorry, Mr. Holmes. I wished to apologize." -</p> - -<p> -"My dear sir, there is no need. It is all in the -way of professional experience." -</p> - -<p> -"I have never seen him in a more dangerous -mood. But he grows more sinister. You can -understand now why his daughter and I are alarmed. -And yet his mind is perfectly clear." -</p> - -<p> -"Too clear!" said Holmes. "That was my -miscalculation. It is evident that his memory is much -more reliable than I had thought. By the way, -can we, before we go, see the window of Miss -Presbury's room?" -</p> - -<p> -Mr. Bennett pushed his way through some shrubs -and we had a view of the side of the house. -</p> - -<p> -"It is there. The second on the left." -</p> - -<p> -"Dear me, it seems hardly accessible. And yet -you will observe that there is a creeper below and a -water-pipe above which give some foothold." -</p> - -<p> -"I could not climb it myself," said Mr. Bennett. -</p> - -<p> -"Very likely. It would certainly be a dangerous -exploit for any normal man." -</p> - -<p> -"There was one other thing I wished to tell you, -Mr. Holmes. I have the address of the man in -London to whom the Professor writes. He seems -to have written this morning and I got it from his -blotting-paper. It is an ignoble position for a -trusted secretary, but what else can I do?" -</p> - -<p> -Holmes glanced at the paper and put it into his -pocket. -</p> - -<p> -"Dorak—a curious name. Slavonic, I imagine. -Well, it is an important link in the chain. We -return to London this afternoon, Mr. Bennett. I -see no good purpose to be served by our remaining. -We cannot arrest the Professor, because he has done -no crime, nor can we place him under constraint, -for he cannot be proved to be mad. No action is as -yet possible." -</p> - -<p> -"Then what on earth are we to do?" -</p> - -<p> -"A little patience, Mr. Bennett. Things will soon -develop. Unless I am mistaken next Tuesday -may mark a crisis. Certainly we shall be in -Camford on that day. Meanwhile, the general position -is undeniably unpleasant, and if Miss Presbury can -prolong her visit——" -</p> - -<p> -"That is easy." -</p> - -<p> -"Then let her stay till we can assure her that all -danger is past. Meanwhile, let him have his way -and do not cross him. So long as he is in a good -humour all is well." -</p> - -<p> -"There he is!" said Bennett, in a startled -whisper. Looking between the branches we saw -the tall, erect figure emerge from the hall door and -look around him. He stood leaning forward, his -hands swinging straight before him, his head -turning from side to side. The secretary with a last -wave slipped off among the trees, and we saw him -presently rejoin his employer, the two entering the -house together in what seemed to be animated and -even excited conversation. -</p> - -<p> -"I expect the old gentleman has been putting -two and two together," said Holmes, as we walked -hotelwards. "He struck me as having a particularly -clear and logical brain, from the little I saw -of him. Explosive, no doubt, but then from his -point of view he has something to explode about if -detectives are put on his track and he suspects his -own household of doing it. I rather fancy that -friend Bennett is in for an uncomfortable time." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes stopped at a post office and sent off a -telegram on our way. The answer reached us in -the evening, and he tossed it across to me. "Have -visited the Commercial Road and seen Dorak. -Suave person, Bohemian, elderly. Keeps large -general store.—Mercer." -</p> - -<p> -"Mercer is since your time," said Holmes. "He -is my general utility man who looks up routine -business. It was important to know something of -the man with whom our Professor was so secretly -corresponding. His nationality connects up with -the Prague visit." -</p> - -<p> -"Thank goodness that something connects with -something," said I. "At present we seem to be -faced by a long series of inexplicable incidents with -no bearing upon each other. For example, what -possible connection can there be between an angry -wolf-hound and a visit to Bohemia, or either of them -with a man crawling down a passage at night? As -to your dates, that is the biggest mystification of all." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes smiled and rubbed his hands. We were, -I may say, seated in the old sitting-room of the -ancient hotel, with a bottle of the famous vintage of -which Holmes had spoken on the table between us. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, now, let us take the dates first," said he, -his finger-tips together and his manner as if he were -addressing a class. "This excellent young man's -diary shows that there was trouble upon July 2, -and from then onwards it seems to have been at -nine-day intervals, with, so far as I remember, only -one exception. Thus the last outbreak upon Friday -was on September 3, which also falls into the series, -as did August 26, which preceded it. The thing -is beyond coincidence." -</p> - -<p> -I was forced to agree. -</p> - -<p> -"Let us, then, form the provisional theory that -every nine days the Professor takes some strong drug -which has a passing but highly poisonous effect. -His naturally violent nature is intensified by it. He -learned to take this drug while he was in Prague, -and is now supplied with it by a Bohemian -intermediary in London. This all hangs together, -Watson!" -</p> - -<p> -"But the dog, the face at the window, the creeping -man in the passage?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, well, we have made a beginning. I -should not expect any fresh developments until next -Tuesday. In the meantime we can only keep in -touch with friend Bennett and enjoy the amenities -of this charming town." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -In the morning Mr. Bennett slipped round to -bring us the latest report. As Holmes had imagined, -times had not been easy with him. Without exactly -accusing him of being responsible for our presence, -the Professor had been very rough and rude in his -speech, and evidently felt some strong grievance. -This morning he was quite himself again, however, -and had delivered his usual brilliant lecture to a -crowded class. "Apart from his queer fits," said -Bennett, "he has actually more energy and vitality -than I can ever remember, nor was his brain ever -clearer. But it's not he—it's never the man whom -we have known." -</p> - -<p> -"I don't think you have anything to fear now -for a week at least," Holmes answered. "I am a -busy man, and Dr. Watson has his patients to attend -to. Let us agree that we meet here at this hour -next Tuesday, and I shall be surprised if before we -leave you again we are not able to explain, even if -we cannot perhaps put an end to, your troubles. -Meanwhile, keep us posted in what occurs." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -I saw nothing of my friend for the next few days, -but on the following Monday evening I had a short -note asking me to meet him next day at the train. -From what he told me as we travelled up to Camford -all was well, the peace of the Professor's house had -been unruffled, and his own conduct perfectly normal. -This also was the report which was given us by -Mr. Bennett himself when he called upon us that -evening at our old quarters in the "Chequers." "He -heard from his London correspondent to-day. -There was a letter and there was a small packet, -each with the cross under the stamp which warned -me not to touch them. There has been nothing else." -</p> - -<p> -"That may prove quite enough," said Holmes -grimly. "Now, Mr. Bennett, we shall, I think, come -to some conclusion to-night. If my deductions are -correct we should have an opportunity of bringing -matters to a head. In order to do so it is necessary -to hold the Professor under observation. I would -suggest, therefore, that you remain awake and on -the look out. Should you hear him pass your door -do not interrupt him, but follow him as discreetly -as you can. Dr. Watson and I will not be far off. -By the way, where is the key of that little box of -which you spoke?" -</p> - -<p> -"Upon his watch-chain." -</p> - -<p> -"I fancy our researches must lie in that direction. -At the worst the lock should not be very formidable. -Have you any other able-bodied man on the -premises?" -</p> - -<p> -"There is the coachman, Macphail." -</p> - -<p> -"Where does he sleep?" -</p> - -<p> -"Over the stables." -</p> - -<p> -"We might possibly want him. Well, we can do -no more until we see how things develop. -Good-bye—but I expect that we shall see you before -morning." -</p> - -<p> -It was nearly midnight before we took our station -among some bushes immediately opposite the hall -door of the Professor. It was a fine night, but chilly, -and we were glad of our warm overcoats. There was -a breeze, and clouds were scudding across the sky, -obscuring from time to time the half-moon. It -would have been a dismal vigil were it not for the -expectation and excitement which carried us along, -and the assurance of my comrade that we had -probably reached the end of the strange sequence of -events which had engaged our attention. -</p> - -<p> -"If the cycle of nine days holds good then we -shall have the Professor at his worst to-night," said -Holmes. "The fact that these strange symptoms -began after his visit to Prague, that he is in secret -correspondence with a Bohemian dealer in London, who -presumably represents someone in Prague, and that -he received a packet from him this very day, all -point in one direction. What he takes and why he -takes it are still beyond our ken, but that it emanates -in some way from Prague is clear enough. He takes -it under definite directions which regulate this -ninth-day system, which was the first point which attracted -my attention. But his symptoms are most remarkable. -Did you observe his knuckles?" -</p> - -<p> -I had to confess that I did not. -</p> - -<p> -"Thick and horny in a way which is quite new -in my experience. Always look at the hands first, -Watson. Then cuffs, trouser-knees, and boots. Very -curious knuckles which can only be explained by the -mode of progression observed by——" Holmes -paused, and suddenly clapped his hand to his -forehead. "Oh, Watson, Watson, what a fool I have -been! It seems incredible, and yet it must be true. -All points in one direction. How could I miss seeing -the connection of ideas? Those knuckles—how -could I have passed those knuckles? And the dog! -And the ivy! It's surely time that I disappeared -into that little farm of my dreams. Look out, -Watson! Here he is! We shall have the chance -of seeing for ourselves." -</p> - -<p> -The hall door had slowly opened, and against the -lamp-lit background we saw the tall figure of -Professor Presbury. He was clad in his dressing-gown. -As he stood outlined in the doorway he was erect -but leaning forward with dangling arms, as when we -saw him last. -</p> - -<p> -Now he stepped forward into the drive, and an -extraordinary change came over him. He sank -down into a crouching position, and moved along -upon his hands and feet, skipping every now and -then as if he were overflowing with energy and -vitality. He moved along the face of the house and -then round the corner. As he disappeared Bennett -slipped through the hall door and softly followed him. -</p> - -<p> -"Come, Watson, come!" cried Holmes, and we -stole as softly as we could through the bushes until -we had gained a spot whence we could see the other -side of the house, which was bathed in the light of -the half-moon. The Professor was clearly visible -crouching at the foot of the ivy-covered wall. As -we watched him he suddenly began with incredible -agility to ascend it. From branch to branch he -sprang, sure of foot and firm of grasp, climbing -apparently in mere joy at his own powers, with no -definite object in view. With his dressing-gown -flapping on each side of him he looked like some huge -bat glued against the side of his own house, a great -square dark patch upon the moonlit wall. Presently -he tired of this amusement, and, dropping from -branch to branch, he squatted down into the old -attitude and moved towards the stables, creeping -along in the same strange way as before. The -wolf-hound was out now, barking furiously, and more -excited than ever when it actually caught sight -of its master. It was straining on its chain, and -quivering with eagerness and rage. The Professor -squatted down very deliberately just out of reach -of the hound, and began to provoke it in every -possible way. He took handfuls of pebbles from -the drive and threw them in the dog's face, prodded -him with a stick which he had picked up, flicked his -hands about only a few inches from the gaping -mouth, and endeavoured in every way to increase -the animal's fury, which was already beyond all -control. In all our adventures I do not know that -I have ever seen a more strange sight than this -impassive and still dignified figure crouching -frog-like upon the ground and goading to a wilder -exhibition of passion the maddened hound, which ramped -and raged in front of him, by all manner of ingenious -and calculated cruelty. -</p> - -<p> -And then in a moment it happened! It was not -the chain that broke, but it was the collar that -slipped, for it had been made for a thick-necked -Newfoundland. We heard the rattle of falling metal, -and the next instant dog and man were rolling on -the ground together, the one roaring in rage, the -other screaming in a strange shrill falsetto of terror. -It was a very narrow thing for the Professor's life. -The savage creature had him fairly by the throat, -its fangs had bitten deep, and he was senseless before -we could reach them and drag the two apart. It -might have been a dangerous task for us, but -Bennett's voice and presence brought the great -wolf-hound instantly to reason. The uproar had brought -the sleepy and astonished coachman from his room -above the stables. "I'm not surprised," said he, -shaking his head. "I've seen him at it before. I -knew the dog would get him sooner or later." -</p> - -<p> -The hound was secured, and together we carried -the Professor up to his room, where Bennett, who -had a medical degree, helped me to dress his torn -throat. The sharp teeth had passed dangerously -near the carotid artery, and the hemorrhage was -serious. In half an hour the danger was past, I -had given the patient an injection of morphia, and -he had sunk into deep sleep. Then, and only then, -were we able to look at each other and to take stock -of the situation. -</p> - -<p> -"I think a first-class surgeon should see him," -said I. -</p> - -<p> -"For God's sake, no!" cried Bennett. "At -present the scandal is confined to our own household. -It is safe with us. If it gets beyond these walls it -will never stop. Consider his position at the -University, his European reputation, the feelings of -his daughter." -</p> - -<p> -"Quite so," said Holmes. "I think it may be -quite possible to keep the matter to ourselves, and -also to prevent its recurrence now that we have a -free hand. The key from the watch-chain, -Mr. Bennett. Macphail will guard the patient and -let us know if there is any change. Let us see -what we can find in the Professor's mysterious box." -</p> - -<p> -There was not much, but there was enough—an -empty phial, another nearly full, a hypodermic -syringe, several letters in a crabbed, foreign hand. -The marks on the envelopes showed that they were -those which had disturbed the routine of the -secretary, and each was dated from the Commercial Road -and signed "A. Dorak." They were mere invoices -to say that a fresh bottle was being sent to Professor -Presbury, or receipts to acknowledge money. There -was one other envelope, however, in a more educated -hand and bearing the Austrian stamp with the -postmark of Prague. "Here we have our material!" -cried Holmes, as he tore out the enclosure. -</p> - -<p><br /> -</p> - -<p> -"HONOURED COLLEAGUE," it ran. "Since your -esteemed visit I have thought much of your case, -and though in your circumstances there are some -special reasons for the treatment, I would none the -less enjoin caution, as my results have shown that -it is not without danger of a kind. -</p> - -<p> -"It is possible that the Serum of Anthropoid -would have been better. I have, as I explained to -you, used black-faced Langur because a specimen -was accessible. Langur is, of course, a crawler and -climber, while Anthropoid walks erect, and is in all -ways nearer. -</p> - -<p> -"I beg you to take every possible precaution that -there be no premature revelation of the process. I -have one other client in England, and Dorak is my -agent for both. -</p> - -<p> -"Weekly reports will oblige. -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -"Yours with high esteem,<br /> - "H. LOWENSTEIN."<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Lowenstein! The name brought back to me the -memory of some snippet from a newspaper which -spoke of an obscure scientist who was striving in -some unknown way for the secret of rejuvenescence -and the elixir of life. Lowenstein of Prague! -Lowenstein with the wondrous strength-giving -serum, tabooed by the profession because he refused -to reveal its source. In a few words I said what -I remembered. Bennett had taken a manual of -Zoology from the shelves. "'Langur,'" he read, -"'the great black-faced monkey of the Himalayan -slopes, biggest and most human of climbing -monkeys.' Many details are added. Well, thanks to -you, Mr. Holmes, it is very clear that we have traced -the evil to its source." -</p> - -<p> -"The real source," said Holmes, "lies, of course, -in that untimely love affair which gave our impetuous -Professor the idea that he could only gain his -wish by turning himself into a younger man. When -one tries to rise above Nature one is liable to fall -below it. The highest type of man may revert to -the animal if he leaves the straight road of destiny." He -sat musing for a little with the phial in his hand, -looking at the clear liquid within. "When I have -written to this man and told him that I hold him -criminally responsible for the poisons which he -circulates, we will have no more trouble. But it -may recur. Others may find a better way. There -is danger there—a very real danger to humanity. -Consider, Watson, that the material, the sensual, -the worldly would all prolong their worthless lives. -The spiritual would not avoid the call to something -higher. It would be the survival of the least fit. -What sort of cesspool may not our poor world -become?" Suddenly the dreamer disappeared, and -Holmes, the man of action, sprang from his chair. -"I think there is nothing more to be said, -Mr. Bennett. The various incidents will now fit -themselves easily into the general scheme. The dog, of -course, was aware of the change far more quickly -than you. His smell would ensure that. It was -the monkey, not the Professor, whom Roy attacked, -just as it was the monkey who teased Roy. Climbing -was a joy to the creature, and it was a mere -chance, I take it, that the pastime brought him to -the young lady's window. There is an early train -to town, Watson, but I think we shall just have -time for a cup of tea at the 'Chequers' before we -catch it." -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap09"></a></p> - -<h3> -IX -</h3> - -<h3> -THE ADVENTURE OF THE LION'S MANE -</h3> - -<p> -It is a most singular thing that a problem which -was certainly as abstruse and unusual as any -which I have faced in my long professional career -should have come to me after my retirement; and -be brought, as it were, to my very door. It occurred -after my withdrawal to my little Sussex home, when -I had given myself up entirely to that soothing life -of Nature for which I had so often yearned during -the long years spent amid the gloom of London. At -this period of my life the good Watson had passed -almost beyond my ken. An occasional week-end -visit was the most that I ever saw of him. Thus -I must act as my own chronicler. Ah! had he but -been with me, how much he might have made of -so wonderful a happening and of my eventual -triumph against every difficulty! As it is, however, -I must needs tell my tale in my own plain way, -showing by my words each step upon the difficult -road which lay before me as I searched for the -mystery of the Lion's Mane. -</p> - -<p> -My villa is situated upon the southern slope of -the Downs, commanding a great view of the Channel. -At this point the coast-line is entirely of chalk cliffs, -which can only be descended by a single, long, -tortuous path, which is steep and slippery. At the -bottom of the path lie a hundred yards of pebbles and -shingle, even when the tide is at full. Here and -there, however, there are curves and hollows which -make splendid swimming-pools filled afresh with -each flow. This admirable beach extends for some -miles in each direction, save only at one point where -the little cove and village of Fulworth break the -line. -</p> - -<p> -My house is lonely. I, my old housekeeper, and -my bees have the estate all to ourselves. Half a -mile off, however, is Harold Stackhurst's well-known -coaching establishment. The Gables, quite a large -place, which contains some score of young fellows -preparing for various professions, with a staff of -several masters. Stackhurst himself was a -well-known rowing Blue in his day, and an excellent -all-round scholar. He and I were always friendly from -the day I came to the coast, and he was the one -man who was on such terms with me that we could -drop in on each other in the evenings without an -invitation. -</p> - -<p> -Towards the end of July, 1907, there was a severe -gale, the wind blowing up-Channel, heaping the seas -to the base of the cliffs, and leaving a lagoon at the -turn of the tide. On the morning of which I speak -the wind had abated, and all Nature was newly -washed and fresh. It was impossible to work upon -so delightful a day, and I strolled out before -breakfast to enjoy the exquisite air. I walked along the -cliff path which led to the steep descent to the beach. -As I walked I heard a shout behind me, and there -was Harold Stackhurst waving his hand in cheery -greeting. -</p> - -<p> -"What a morning, Mr. Holmes! I thought I -should see you out." -</p> - -<p> -"Going for a swim, I see." -</p> - -<p> -"At your old tricks again," he laughed, patting -his bulging pocket. "Yes. McPherson started -early, and I expect I may find him there." -</p> - -<p> -Fitzroy McPherson was the science master, a -fine upstanding young fellow whose life had been -crippled by heart trouble following rheumatic fever. -He was a natural athlete, however, and excelled in -every game which did not throw too great a strain -upon him. Summer and winter he went for his -swim, and, as I am a swimmer myself, I have often -joined him. -</p> - -<p> -At this moment we saw the man himself. His -head showed above the edge of the cliff where the -path ends. Then his whole figure appeared at the -top, staggering like a drunken man. The next -instant he threw up his hands, and, with a terrible -cry, fell upon his face. Stackhurst and I rushed -forward—it may have been fifty yards—and turned -him on his back. He was obviously dying. Those -glazed sunken eyes and dreadful livid cheeks could -mean nothing else. One glimmer of life came into -his face for an instant, and he uttered two or three -words with an eager air of warning. They were -slurred and indistinct, but to my ear the last of them, -which burst in a shriek from his lips, were "the -lion's mane." It was utterly irrelevant and -unintelligible, and yet I could twist the sound into no -other sense. Then he half raised himself from the -ground, threw his arms into the air and fell forward -on his side. He was dead. -</p> - -<p> -My companion was paralysed by the sudden -horror of it, but I, as may well be imagined, had -every sense on the alert. And I had need, for it -was speedily evident that we were in the presence of -an extraordinary case. The man was dressed only -in his Burberry overcoat, his trousers, and an unlaced -pair of canvas shoes. As he fell over, his Burberry, -which had been simply thrown round his shoulders, -slipped off, exposing his trunk. We stared at it in -amazement. His back was covered with dark red -lines as though he had been terribly flogged by a -thin wire scourge. The instrument with which this -punishment had been inflicted was clearly flexible, -for the long, angry weals curved round his shoulders -and ribs. There was blood dripping down his chin, -for he had bitten through his lower lip in the -paroxysm of his agony. His drawn and distorted -face told how terrible that agony had been. -</p> - -<p> -I was kneeling and Stackhurst standing by the -body when a shadow fell across us, and we found that -Ian Murdoch was by our side. Murdoch was the -mathematical coach at the establishment, a tall, -dark, thin man, so taciturn and aloof that none can -be said to have been his friend. He seemed to live -in some high, abstract region of surds and conic -sections with little to connect him with ordinary -life. He was looked upon as an oddity by the -students, and would have been their butt, but there -was some strange outlandish blood in the man, -which showed itself not only in his coal-black eyes -and swarthy face, but also in occasional outbreaks -of temper, which could only be described as ferocious. -On one occasion, being plagued by a little dog -belonging to McPherson, he had caught the creature up -and hurled it through the plate-glass window, an -action for which Stackhurst would certainly have -given him his dismissal had he not been a very -valuable teacher. Such was the strange, complex -man who now appeared beside us. He seemed to -be honestly shocked at the sight before him, though -the incident of the dog may show that there was no -great sympathy between the dead man and himself. -</p> - -<p> -"Poor fellow! Poor fellow! What can I do? -How can I help?" -</p> - -<p> -"Were you with him? Can you tell us what -has happened?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, no, I was late this morning. I was not on -the beach at all. I have come straight from The -Gables. What can I do?" -</p> - -<p> -"You can hurry to the police-station at Fulworth. -Report the matter at once." -</p> - -<p> -Without a word he made off at top speed, and I -proceeded to take the matter in hand, while Stackhurst, -dazed at this tragedy, remained by the body. -My first task naturally was to note who was on the -beach. From the top of the path I could see the -whole sweep of it, and it was absolutely deserted -save that two or three dark figures could be seen -far away moving towards the village of Fulworth. -Having satisfied myself upon this point, I walked -slowly down the path. There was clay or soft marl -mixed with the chalk, and every here and there I -saw the same footstep, both ascending and -descending. No one else had gone down to the beach by -this track that morning. At one place I observed -the print of an open hand with the fingers towards -the incline. This could only mean that poor -McPherson had fallen as he ascended. There were -rounded depressions, too, which suggested that he -had come down upon his knees more than once. At -the bottom of the path was the considerable lagoon -left by the retreating tide. At the side of it -McPherson had undressed, for there lay his towel on a rock. -It was folded and dry, so that it would seem that -after all he had never entered the water. Once or -twice as I hunted round amid the hard shingle I came -on little patches of sand where the print of his canvas -shoe, and also of his naked foot, could be seen. The -latter fact proved that he had made all ready to -bathe, though the towel indicated that he had not -actually done so. -</p> - -<p> -And here was the problem clearly defined—as -strange a one as had ever confronted me. The man -had not been on the beach more than a quarter of -an hour at the most. Stackhurst had followed him -from The Gables, so there could be no doubt about -that. He had gone to bathe and had stripped, as -the naked footsteps showed. Then he had suddenly -huddled on his clothes again—they were all -dishevelled and unfastened—and he had returned -without bathing, or at any rate without drying himself. -And the reason for his change of purpose had been -that he had been scourged in some savage, inhuman -fashion, tortured until he bit his lip through in his -agony, and was left with only strength enough to -crawl away and to die. Who had done this barbarous -deed? There were, it is true, small grottos -and caves in the base of the cliffs, but the low sun -shone directly into them, and there was no place for -concealment. Then, again, there were those distant -figures on the beach. They seemed too far away to -have been connected with the crime, and the broad -lagoon in which McPherson had intended to bathe -lay between him and them, lapping up to the rocks. -On the sea two or three fishing-boats were at no -great distance. Their occupants might be examined -at our leisure. There were several roads for inquiry, -but none which led to any very obvious goal. -</p> - -<p> -When I at last returned to the body I found that -a little group of wandering folk had gathered round -it. Stackhurst was, of course, still there, and Ian -Murdoch had just arrived with Anderson, the village -constable, a big, ginger-moustached man of the slow, -solid Sussex breed—a breed which covers much good -sense under a heavy, silent exterior. He listened to -everything, took note of all we said, and finally drew -me aside. -</p> - -<p> -"I'd be glad of your advice, Mr. Holmes. This -is a big thing for me to handle, and I'll hear of it -from Lewes if I go wrong." -</p> - -<p> -I advised him to send for his immediate superior, -and for a doctor; also to allow nothing to be moved, -and as few fresh footmarks as possible to be made, -until they came. In the meantime I searched the -dead man's pockets. There were his handkerchief, -a large knife, and a small folding card-case. From -this projected a slip of paper, which I unfolded and -handed to the constable. There was written on it -in a scrawling, feminine hand: "I will be there, you -may be sure.—Maudie." It read like a love affair, -an assignation, though when and where were a blank. -The constable replaced it in the card-case and -returned it with the other things to the pockets of -the Burberry. Then, as nothing more suggested -itself, I walked back to my house for breakfast, -having first arranged that the base of the cliffs -should be thoroughly searched. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Stackhurst was round in an hour or two to tell -me that the body had been removed to The Gables, -where the inquest would be held. He brought with -him some serious and definite news. As I expected, -nothing had been found in the small caves below the -cliff, but he had examined the papers in McPherson's -desk, and there were several which showed an -intimate correspondence with a certain Miss Maud -Bellamy, of Fulworth. We had then established -the identity of the writer of the note. -</p> - -<p> -"The police have the letters," he explained. -"I could not bring them. But there is no doubt -that it was a serious love affair. I see no reason, -however, to connect it with that horrible happening -save, indeed, that the lady had made an appointment -with him." -</p> - -<p> -"But hardly at a bathing-pool which all of you -were in the habit of using," I remarked. -</p> - -<p> -"It is mere chance," said he, "that several of -the students were not with McPherson." -</p> - -<p> -"Was it mere chance?" -</p> - -<p> -Stackhurst knit his brows in thought. -</p> - -<p> -"Ian Murdoch held them back," said he; "he -would insist upon some algebraic demonstration -before breakfast. Poor chap, he is dreadfully cut -up about it all." -</p> - -<p> -"And yet I gather that they were not friends." -</p> - -<p> -"At one time they were not. But for a year or -more Murdoch has been as near to McPherson as he -ever could be to anyone. He is not of a very -sympathetic disposition by nature." -</p> - -<p> -"So I understand. I seem to remember your -telling me once about a quarrel over the ill-usage of -a dog." -</p> - -<p> -"That blew over all right." -</p> - -<p> -"But left some vindictive feeling, perhaps." -</p> - -<p> -"No, no; I am sure they were real friends." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, then, we must explore the matter of the -girl. Do you know her?" -</p> - -<p> -"Everyone knows her. She is the beauty of the -neighbourhood—a real beauty, Holmes, who would -draw attention everywhere. I knew that McPherson -was attracted by her, but I had no notion that it -had gone so far as these letters would seem to -indicate." -</p> - -<p> -"But who is she?" -</p> - -<p> -"She is the daughter of old Tom Bellamy, who -owns all the boats and bathing-cots at Fulworth. He -was a fisherman to start with, but is now a man of -some substance. He and his son William run the -business." -</p> - -<p> -"Shall we walk into Fulworth and see them?" -</p> - -<p> -"On what pretext?" -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, we can easily find a pretext. After all, this -poor man did not ill-use himself in this outrageous -way. Some human hand was on the handle of that -scourge, if indeed it was a scourge which inflicted -the injuries. His circle of acquaintances in this -lonely place was surely limited. Let us follow it up -in every direction and we can hardly fail to come -upon the motive, which in turn should lead us to -the criminal." -</p> - -<p> -It would have been a pleasant walk across the -thyme-scented Downs had our minds not been -poisoned by the tragedy we had witnessed. The -village of Fulworth lies in a hollow curving in a -semicircle round the bay. Behind the old-fashioned -hamlet several modern houses have been built upon -the rising ground. It was to one of these that -Stackhurst guided me. -</p> - -<p> -"That's The Haven, as Bellamy called it. The -one with the corner tower and slate roof. Not bad -for a man who started with nothing but—— By -Jove, look at that!" -</p> - -<p> -The garden gate of The Haven had opened and -a man had emerged. There was no mistaking that -tall, angular, straggling figure. It was Ian Murdoch, -the mathematician. A moment later we confronted -him upon the road. -</p> - -<p> -"Hullo!" said Stackhurst. The man nodded, -gave us a sideways glance from his curious dark -eyes, and would have passed us, but his principal -pulled him up. -</p> - -<p> -"What were you doing there?" he asked. -</p> - -<p> -Murdoch's face flushed with anger. "I am -your subordinate, sir, under your roof. I am not -aware that I owe you any account of my private -actions." -</p> - -<p> -Stackhurst's nerves were near the surface after all -he had endured. Otherwise, perhaps, he would have -waited. Now he lost his temper completely. -</p> - -<p> -"In the circumstances your answer is pure impertinence, -Mr. Murdoch." -</p> - -<p> -"Your own question might perhaps come under -the same heading." -</p> - -<p> -"This is not the first time that I have had to -overlook your insubordinate ways. It will certainly -be the last. You will kindly make fresh arrangements -for your future as speedily as you can." -</p> - -<p> -"I had intended to do so. I have lost to-day the -only person who made The Gables habitable." -</p> - -<p> -He strode off upon his way, while Stackhurst, with -angry eyes, stood glaring after him. "Is he not an -impossible, intolerable man?" he cried. -</p> - -<p> -The one thing that impressed itself forcibly upon -my mind was that Mr. Ian Murdoch was taking the -first chance to open a path of escape from the scene -of the crime. Suspicion, vague and nebulous, was -now beginning to take outline in my mind. Perhaps -the visit to the Bellamys might throw some further -light upon the matter. Stackhurst pulled himself -together and we went forward to the house. -</p> - -<p> -Mr. Bellamy proved to be a middle-aged man with -a flaming red beard. He seemed to be in a very -angry mood, and his face was soon as florid as his -hair. -</p> - -<p> -"No, sir, I do not desire any particulars. My -son here"—indicating a powerful young man, with -a heavy, sullen face, in the corner of the -sitting-room—"is of one mind with me that Mr. McPherson's -attentions to Maud were insulting. Yes, sir, the -word 'marriage' was never mentioned, and yet there -were letters and meetings, and a great deal more -of which neither of us could approve. She has no -mother, and we are her only guardians. We are -determined——" -</p> - -<p> -But the words were taken from his mouth by the -appearance of the lady herself. There was no -gainsaying that she would have graced any assembly in -the world. Who could have imagined that so rare -a flower would grow from such a root and in such an -atmosphere? Women have seldom been an attraction -to me, for my brain has always governed my -heart, but I could not look upon her perfect clear-cut -face, with all the soft freshness of the Downlands -in her delicate colouring, without realizing that no -young man would cross her path unscathed. Such -was the girl who had pushed open the door and stood -now, wide-eyed and intense, in front of Harold -Stackhurst. -</p> - -<p> -"I know already that Fitzroy is dead," she said. -"Do not be afraid to tell me the particulars." -</p> - -<p> -"This other gentleman of yours let us know the -news," explained the father. -</p> - -<p> -"There is no reason why my sister should be -brought into the matter," growled the younger man. -The sister turned a sharp, fierce look upon him. -"This is my business, William. Kindly leave me -to manage it in my own way. By all accounts there -has been a crime committed. If I can help to show -who did it, it is the least I can do for him who is -gone." -</p> - -<p> -She listened to a short account from my -companion, with a composed concentration which -showed me that she possessed strong character as -well as great beauty. Maud Bellamy will always -remain in my memory as a most complete and -remarkable woman. It seems that she already knew -me by sight, for she turned to me at the end. -</p> - -<p> -"Bring them to justice, Mr. Holmes. You have -my sympathy and my help, whoever they may be." It -seemed to me that she glanced defiantly at her -father and brother as she spoke. -</p> - -<p> -"Thank you," said I. "I value a woman's -instinct in such matters. You use the word -'they.' You think that more than one was concerned?" -</p> - -<p> -"I knew Mr. McPherson well enough to be aware -that he was a brave and a strong man. No single -person could ever have inflicted such an outrage -upon him." -</p> - -<p> -"Might I have one word with you alone?" -</p> - -<p> -"I tell you, Maud, not to mix yourself up in the -matter," cried her father angrily. -</p> - -<p> -She looked at me helplessly. "What can I do?" -</p> - -<p> -"The whole world will know the facts presently, -so there can be no harm if I discuss them here," said -I. "I should have preferred privacy, but if your -father will not allow it, he must share the -deliberations." Then I spoke of the note which had been -found in the dead man's pocket. "It is sure to be -produced at the inquest. May I ask you to throw -any light upon it that you can?" -</p> - -<p> -"I see no reason for mystery," she answered. -"We were engaged to be married, and we only kept -it secret because Fitzroy's uncle, who is very old and -said to be dying, might have disinherited him if he -had married against his wish. There was no other -reason." -</p> - -<p> -"You could have told us," growled Mr. Bellamy. -</p> - -<p> -"So I would, father, if you had ever shown -sympathy." -</p> - -<p> -"I object to my girl picking up with men outside -her own station." -</p> - -<p> -"It was your prejudice against him which prevented -us from telling you. As to this appointment"—she -fumbled in her dress and produced a -crumpled note—"it was in answer to this." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -"DEAREST," ran the message: "The old place on -the beach just after sunset on Tuesday. It is the -only time I can get away.—F.M." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -"Tuesday was to-day, and I had meant to meet -him to-night." -</p> - -<p> -I turned over the paper. "This never came by -post. How did you get it?" -</p> - -<p> -"I would rather not answer that question. It -has really nothing to do with the matter which you -are investigating. But anything which bears upon -that I will most freely answer." -</p> - -<p> -She was as good as her word, but there was nothing -which was helpful in our investigation. She -had no reason to think that her fiancé had any hidden -enemy, but she admitted that she had had several -warm admirers. -</p> - -<p> -"May I ask if Mr. Ian Murdoch was one of them?" -</p> - -<p> -She blushed and seemed confused. -</p> - -<p> -"There was a time when I thought he was. But -that was all changed when he understood the -relations between Fitzroy and myself." -</p> - -<p> -Again the shadow round this strange man seemed -to me to be taking more definite shape. His record -must be examined. His rooms must be privately -searched. Stackhurst was a willing collaborator, -for in his mind also suspicions were forming. We -returned from our visit to The Haven with the hope -that one free end of this tangled skein was already -in our hands. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -A week passed. The inquest had thrown no light -upon the matter and had been adjourned for further -evidence. Stackhurst had made discreet inquiry -about his subordinate, and there had been a superficial -search of his room, but without result. Personally, -I had gone over the whole ground again, both -physically and mentally, but with no new conclusions. -In all my chronicles the reader will find -no case which brought me so completely to the limit -of my powers. Even my imagination could conceive -no solution to the mystery. And then there came -the incident of the dog. -</p> - -<p> -It was my old housekeeper who heard of it first -by that strange wireless by which such people collect -the news of the country-side. -</p> - -<p> -"Sad story this, sir, about Mr. McPherson's dog," -said she one evening. -</p> - -<p> -I do not encourage such conversations, but the -words arrested my attention. -</p> - -<p> -"What of Mr. McPherson's dog?" -</p> - -<p> -"Dead, sir. Died of grief for its master." -</p> - -<p> -"Who told you this?" -</p> - -<p> -"Why, sir, everyone is talking of it. It took on -terrible, and has eaten nothing for a week. Then -to-day two of the young gentlemen from The Gables -found it dead—down on the beach, sir, at the very -place where its master met his end." -</p> - -<p> -"At the very place." The words stood out clear -in my memory. Some dim perception that the -matter was vital rose in my mind. That the dog -should die was after the beautiful, faithful nature of -dogs. But 'in the very place'! Why should this -lonely beach be fatal to it? Was it possible that -it also, had been sacrificed to some revengeful feud? -Was it possible——? Yes, the perception was dim, -but already something was building up in my mind. -In a few minutes I was on my way to The Gables, -where I found Stackhurst in his study. At my -request he sent for Sudbury and Blount, the two -students who had found the dog. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, it lay on the very edge of the pool," said -one of them. "It must have followed the trail of -its dead master." -</p> - -<p> -I saw the faithful little creature, an Airedale -terrier, laid out upon the mat in the hall. The body -was stiff and rigid, the eyes projecting, and the limbs -contorted. There was agony in every line of it. -</p> - -<p> -From The Gables I walked down to the bathing-pool. -The sun had sunk and the shadow of the great -cliff lay black across the water, which glimmered -dully like a sheet of lead, The place was deserted -and there was no sign of life save for two sea-birds -circling and screaming overhead. In the fading -light I could dimly make out the little dog's spoor -upon the sand round the very rock on which his -master's towel had been laid. For a long time I -stood in deep meditation while the shadows grew -darker around me. My mind was filled with racing -thoughts. You have known what it was to be in -a nightmare in which you feel that there is some -all-important thing for which you search and which -you know is there, though it remains for ever just -beyond your reach. That was how I felt that -evening as I stood alone by that place of death. Then -at last I turned and walked slowly homewards. -I had just reached the top of the path when it -came to me. Like a flash, I remembered the thing -for which I had so eagerly and vainly grasped. You -will know, or Watson has written in vain, that I -hold a vast store of out-of-the-way knowledge, without -scientific system, but very available for the needs -of my work. My mind is like a crowded box-room -with packets of all sorts stowed away therein—so -many that I may well have but a vague perception -of what was there. I had known that there was -something which might bear upon this matter. It -was still vague, but at least I knew how I could make -it clear. It was monstrous, incredible, and yet it -was always a possibility. I would test it to the full. -There is a great garret in my little house which is -stuffed with books. It was into this that I plunged -and rummaged for an hour. At the end of that time -I emerged with a little chocolate and silver volume. -Eagerly I turned up the chapter of which I had a dim -remembrance. Yes, it was indeed a far-fetched and -unlikely proposition, and yet I could not be at rest -until I had made sure if it might, indeed, be so. It -was late when I retired, with my mind eagerly -awaiting the work of the morrow. -</p> - -<p> -But that work met with an annoying interruption. -I had hardly swallowed my early cup of tea and was -starting for the beach when I had a call from -Inspector Bardie of the Sussex Constabulary—a -steady, solid, bovine man with thoughtful eyes, which -looked at me now with a very troubled expression. -</p> - -<p> -"I know your immense experience, sir," said he. -"This is quite unofficial, of course, and need go no -farther. But I am fairly up against it in this -McPherson case. The question is, shall I make -an arrest, or shall I not?" -</p> - -<p> -"Meaning Mr. Ian Murdoch?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, sir. There is really no one else when you -come to think of it. That's the advantage of this -solitude. We narrow it down to a very small -compass. If he did not do it, then who did?" -</p> - -<p> -"What have you against him?" -</p> - -<p> -He had gleaned along the same furrows as I had. -There was Murdoch's character and the mystery -which seemed to hang round the man. His furious -bursts of temper, as shown in the incident of the dog. -The fact that he had quarrelled with McPherson in -the past, and that there was some reason to think -that he might have resented his attentions to Miss -Bellamy. He had all my points, but no fresh ones, -save that Murdoch seemed to be making every -preparation for departure. -</p> - -<p> -"What would my position be if I let him slip -away with all this evidence against him?" The -burly, phlegmatic man was sorely troubled in his -mind. -</p> - -<p> -"Consider," I said, "all the essential gaps in your -case. On the morning of the crime he can surely -prove an alibi. He had been with his scholars till -the last moment, and within a few minutes of -McPherson's appearance he came upon us from behind. -Then bear in mind the absolute impossibility that -he could single-handed have inflicted this outrage -upon a man quite as strong as himself. Finally, -there is this question of the instrument with which -these injuries were inflicted." -</p> - -<p> -"What could it be but a scourge or flexible whip -of some sort?" -</p> - -<p> -"Have you examined the marks?" I asked. -</p> - -<p> -"I have seen them. So has the doctor." -</p> - -<p> -"But I have examined them very carefully with a -lens. They have peculiarities." -</p> - -<p> -"What are they, Mr. Holmes?" -</p> - -<p> -I stepped to my bureau and brought out an -enlarged photograph. "This is my method in such -cases," I explained. -</p> - -<p> -"You certainly do things thoroughly, Mr. Holmes." -</p> - -<p> -"I should hardly be what I am if I did not. Now -let us consider this weal which extends round the -right shoulder. Do you observe nothing remarkable?" -</p> - -<p> -"I can't say I do." -</p> - -<p> -"Surely it is evident that it is unequal in its -intensity. There is a dot of extravasated blood, -here, and another there. There are similar indications -in this other weal down here. What can that mean?" -</p> - -<p> -"I have no idea. Have you?" -</p> - -<p> -"Perhaps I have. Perhaps I haven't. I may -be able to say more soon. Anything which will -define what made that mark will bring us a long way -towards the criminal." -</p> - -<p> -"It is, of course, an absurd idea," said the policeman, -"but if a red-hot net of wire had been laid -across the back, then these better-marked points -would represent where the meshes crossed each other." -</p> - -<p> -"A most ingenious comparison. Or shall we -say a very stiff cat-o'-nine-tails with small hard -knots upon it?" -</p> - -<p> -"By Jove, Mr. Holmes, I think you have hit it." -</p> - -<p> -"Or there may be some very different cause, Mr. Bardie. -But your case is far too weak for an arrest. -Besides, we have those last words—'Lion's Mane.'" -</p> - -<p> -"I have wondered whether Ian——" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, I have considered that. If the second -word had borne any resemblance to Murdoch—but -it did not. He gave it almost in a shriek. I am -sure that it was 'Mane.'" -</p> - -<p> -"Have you no alternative, Mr. Holmes?" -</p> - -<p> -"Perhaps I have. But I do not care to discuss it -until there is something more solid to discuss." -</p> - -<p> -"And when will that be?" -</p> - -<p> -"In an hour—possibly less." -</p> - -<p> -The Inspector rubbed his chin and looked at me -with dubious eyes. -</p> - -<p> -"I wish I could see what was in your mind, -Mr. Holmes. Perhaps it's those fishing-boats." -</p> - -<p> -"No, no; they were too far out." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, then, is it Bellamy and that big son of -his? They were not too sweet upon Mr. McPherson. -Could they have done him a mischief?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, no; you won't draw me until I am ready," -said I with a smile. "Now, Inspector, we each have -our own work to do. Perhaps if you were to meet -me here at midday——?" -</p> - -<p> -So far we had got when there came the tremendous -interruption which was the beginning of the end. -My outer door was flung open, there were blundering -footsteps in the passage, and Ian Murdoch -staggered into the room, pallid, dishevelled, his -clothes in wild disorder, clawing with his bony hands -at the furniture to hold himself erect. "Brandy! -Brandy!" he gasped, and fell groaning upon the sofa. -</p> - -<p> -He was not alone. Behind him came Stackhurst, -hatless and panting, almost as distrait as his companion. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, yes, brandy!" he cried. "The man is at -his last gasp. It was all I could do to bring him -here. He fainted twice upon the way." -</p> - -<p> -Half a tumbler of the raw spirit brought about a -wondrous change. He pushed himself up on one -arm and swung his coat from off his shoulders. "For -God's sake! oil, opium, morphia!" he cried. -"Anything to ease this infernal agony!" -</p> - -<p> -The Inspector and I cried out at the sight. There, -criss-crossed upon the man's naked shoulder, was -the same strange reticulated pattern of red, inflamed -lines which had been the death-mark of Fitzroy -McPherson. -</p> - -<p> -The pain was evidently terrible and was more -than local, for the sufferer's breathing would stop -for a time, his face would turn black, and then with -loud gasps he would clap his hand to his heart, while -his brow dropped beads of sweat. At any moment -he might die. More and more brandy was poured -down his throat, each fresh dose bringing him back -to life. Pads of cotton-wool soaked in salad-oil -seemed to take the agony from the strange wounds. -At last his head fell heavily upon the cushion. -Exhausted Nature had taken refuge in its last -storehouse of vitality. It was half a sleep and half a -faint, but at least it was ease from pain. -</p> - -<p> -To question him had been impossible, but the -moment we were assured of his condition Stackhurst -turned upon me. -</p> - -<p> -"My God!" he cried, "what is it, Holmes? -What is it?" -</p> - -<p> -"Where did you find him?" -</p> - -<p> -"Down on the beach. Exactly where poor -McPherson met his end. If this man's heart had -been weak as McPherson's was, he would not be here -now. More than once I thought he was gone as I -brought him up. It was too far to The Gables, so -I made for you." -</p> - -<p> -"Did you see him on the beach?" -</p> - -<p> -"I was walking on the cliff when I heard his cry. -He was at the edge of the water, reeling about like -a drunken man. I ran down, threw some clothes -about him, and brought him up. For Heaven's -sake, Holmes, use all the powers you have and spare -no pains to lift the curse from this place, for life is -becoming unendurable. Can you, with all your -world-wide reputation, do nothing for us?" -</p> - -<p> -"I think I can, Stackhurst. Come with me now! -And you, Inspector, come along! We will see if we -cannot deliver this murderer into your hands." -</p> - -<p> -Leaving the unconscious man in the charge of my -housekeeper, we all three went down to the deadly -lagoon. On the shingle there was piled a little heap -of towels and clothes, left by the stricken man. -Slowly I walked round the edge of the water, my -comrades in Indian file behind me. Most of the -pool was quite shallow, but under the cliff where the -beach was hollowed out it was four or five feet deep. -It was to this part that a swimmer would naturally -go, for it formed a beautiful pellucid green pool as -clear as crystal. A line of rocks lay above it at the -base of the cliff, and along this I led the way, peering -eagerly into the depths beneath me. I had reached -the deepest and stillest pool when my eyes caught -that for which they were searching, and I burst into -a shout of triumph. -</p> - -<p> -"Cyanea!" I cried. "Cyanea! Behold the Lion's Mane!" -</p> - -<p> -The strange object at which I pointed did indeed -look like a tangled mass torn from the mane of a lion. -It lay upon a rocky shelf some three feet under -the water, a curious waving, vibrating, hairy -creature with streaks of silver among its yellow -tresses. It pulsated with a slow, heavy dilation and -contraction. -</p> - -<p> -"It has done mischief enough. Its day is over!" -I cried. "Help me, Stackhurst! Let us end the -murderer for ever." -</p> - -<p> -There was a big boulder just above the ledge, and -we pushed it until it fell with a tremendous splash -into the water. When the ripples had cleared we -saw that it had settled upon the ledge below. One -flapping edge of yellow membrane showed that our -victim was beneath it. A thick oily scum oozed -out from below the stone and stained the water -round, rising slowly to the surface. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, this gets me!" cried the Inspector. -"What was it, Mr. Holmes? I'm born and bred -in these parts, but I never saw such a thing. It -don't belong to Sussex." -</p> - -<p> -"Just as well for Sussex," I remarked. "It may -have been the south-west gale that brought it up. -Come back to my house, both of you, and I will give -you the terrible experience of one who has good -reason to remember his own meeting with the same -peril of the seas." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -When we reached my study, we found that -Murdoch was so far recovered that he could sit up. -He was dazed in mind, and every now and then was -shaken by a paroxysm of pain. In broken words -he explained that he had no notion what had occurred -to him, save that terrific pangs had suddenly shot -through him, and that it had taken all his fortitude -to reach the bank. -</p> - -<p> -"Here is a book," I said, taking up the little -volume, "which first brought light into what might -have been for ever dark. It is <i>Out of Doors</i>, by the -famous observer J. G. Wood. Wood himself very -nearly perished from contact with this vile creature, -so he wrote with a very full knowledge. <i>Cyanea -Capillata</i> is the miscreant's full name, and he can -be as dangerous to life as, and far more painful than, -the bite of the cobra. Let me briefly give this -extract. -</p> - -<p> -"'If the bather should see a loose roundish mass -of tawny membranes and fibres, something like very -large handfuls of lion's mane and silver paper, let -him beware, for this is the fearful stinger, <i>Cyanea -Capillata</i>.' Could our sinister acquaintance be more -clearly described? -</p> - -<p> -"He goes on to tell his own encounter with one -when swimming off the coast of Kent. He found -that the creature radiated almost invisible filaments -to the distance of fifty feet, and that anyone within -that circumference from the deadly centre was in -danger of death. Even at a distance the effect upon -Wood was almost fatal. 'The multitudinous -threads caused light scarlet lines upon the skin -which on closer examination resolved into minute -dots or pustules, each dot charged as it were with a -red-hot needle making its way through the nerves.' -</p> - -<p> -"The local pain was, as he explains, the least part -of the exquisite torment. 'Pangs shot through the -chest, causing me to fall as if struck by a bullet. -The pulsation would cease, and then the heart would -give six or seven leaps as if it would force its way -through the chest.' -</p> - -<p> -"It nearly killed him, although he had only been -exposed to it in the disturbed ocean and not in the -narrow calm waters of a bathing-pool. He says -that he could hardly recognize himself afterwards, so -white, wrinkled and shrivelled was his face. He -gulped down brandy, a whole bottleful, and it seems -to have saved his life. There is the book, Inspector. -I leave it with you, and you cannot doubt that it -contains a full explanation of the tragedy of poor -McPherson." -</p> - -<p> -"And incidentally exonerates me," remarked -Ian Murdoch with a wry smile. "I do not blame -you, Inspector, nor you, Mr. Holmes, for your -suspicions were natural. I feel that on the very eve -of my arrest I have only cleared myself by sharing -the fate of my poor friend." -</p> - -<p> -"No, Mr. Murdoch. I was already upon the -track, and had I been out as early as I intended -I might well have saved you from this terrific -experience." -</p> - -<p> -"But how did you know, Mr. Holmes?" -</p> - -<p> -"I am an omnivorous reader with a strangely -retentive memory for trifles. That phrase 'Lion's -Mane' haunted my mind. I knew that I had seen -it somewhere in an unexpected context. You have -seen that it does describe the creature. I have no -doubt that it was floating on the water when McPherson -saw it, and that this phrase was the only one by -which he could convey to us a warning as to the -creature which had been his death." -</p> - -<p> -"Then I, at least, am cleared," said Murdoch, -rising slowly to his feet. "There are one or two -words of explanation which I should give, for I -know the direction in which your inquiries have run. -It is true that I loved this lady, but from the day -when she chose my friend McPherson my one desire -was to help her to happiness. I was well content -to stand aside and act as their go-between. Often -I carried their messages, and it was because I was -in their confidence and because she was so dear to -me that I hastened to tell her of my friend's death, -lest someone should forestall me in a more sudden -and heartless manner. She would not tell you, sir, -of our relations lest you should disapprove and I -might suffer. But with your leave I must try to -get back to The Gables, for my bed will be very -welcome." -</p> - -<p> -Stackhurst held out his hand. "Our nerves have -all been at concert-pitch," said he. "Forgive what -is past, Murdoch. We shall understand each other -better in the future." They passed out together -with their arms linked in friendly fashion. The -Inspector remained, staring at me in silence with his -ox-like eyes. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, you've done it!" he cried at last. "I -had read of you, but I never believed it. It's -wonderful!" -</p> - -<p> -I was forced to shake my head. To accept such -praise was to lower one's own standards. -</p> - -<p> -"I was slow at the outset—culpably slow. Had -the body been found in the water I could hardly -have missed it. It was the towel which misled me. -The poor fellow had never thought to dry himself, -and so I in turn was led to believe that he had never -been in the water. Why, then, should the attack -of any water creature suggest itself to me? That -was where I went astray. Well, well, Inspector, I -often ventured to chaff you gentlemen of the police -force, but <i>Cyanea Capillata</i> very nearly avenged -Scotland Yard." -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap10"></a></p> - -<h3> -X -</h3> - -<h3> -THE ADVENTURE OF THE VEILED LODGER -</h3> - -<p> -When one considers that Mr. Sherlock Holmes -was in active practice for twenty-three -years, and that during seventeen of these I was -allowed to co-operate with him and to keep notes of -his doings, it will be clear that I have a mass of -material at my command. The problem has always -been, not to find, but to choose. There is the long -row of year-books which fill a shelf, and there are -the dispatch-cases filled with documents, a perfect -quarry for the student, not only of crime, but of the -social and official scandals of the late Victorian era. -Concerning these latter, I may say that the writers -of agonized letters, who beg that the honour of their -families or the reputation of famous forbears may -not be touched, have nothing to fear. The discretion -and high sense of professional honour which have -always distinguished my friend are still at work in -the choice of these memoirs, and no confidence will -be abused. I deprecate, however, in the strongest -way the attempts which have been made lately to -get at and to destroy these papers. The source of -these outrages is known, and if they are repeated I -have Mr. Holmes's authority for saying that the -whole story concerning the politician, the lighthouse -and the trained cormorant will be given to the -public. There is at least one reader who will understand. -</p> - -<p> -It is not reasonable to suppose that every one of -these cases gave Holmes the opportunity of showing -those curious gifts of instinct and observation which -I have endeavoured to set forth in these memoirs. -Sometimes he had with much effort to pick the fruit, -sometimes it fell easily into his lap. But the most -terrible human tragedies were often involved in these -cases which brought him the fewest personal opportunities, -and it is one of these which I now desire to -record. In telling it, I have made a slight change -of name and place, but otherwise the facts are as -stated. -</p> - -<p> -One forenoon—it was late in 1896—I received a -hurried note from Holmes asking for my attendance. -When I arrived, I found him seated in a smoke-laden -atmosphere, with an elderly, motherly woman -of the buxom landlady type in the corresponding -chair in front of him. -</p> - -<p> -"This is Mrs. Merrilow, of South Brixton," said -my friend, with a wave of the hand. "Mrs. Merrilow -does not object to tobacco, Watson, if you wish to -indulge your filthy habits. Mrs. Merrilow has an -interesting story to tell which may well lead to -further developments in which your presence may be -useful." -</p> - -<p> -"Anything I can do——" -</p> - -<p> -"You will understand, Mrs. Merrilow, that if I -come to Mrs. Ronder I should prefer to have a -witness. You will make her understand that before -we arrive." -</p> - -<p> -"Lord bless you, Mr. Holmes," said our visitor, -"she is that anxious to see you that you might bring -the whole parish at your heels!" -</p> - -<p> -"Then we shall come early in the afternoon. -Let us see that we have our facts correct before we -start. If we go over them it will help Dr. Watson -to understand the situation. You say that Mrs. Ronder -has been your lodger for seven years and that -you have only once seen her face." -</p> - -<p> -"And I wish to God I had not!" said Mrs. Merrilow. -</p> - -<p> -"It was, I understand, terribly mutilated." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, Mr. Holmes, you would hardly say it was -a face at all. That's how it looked. Our milkman -got a glimpse of her once peeping out of the upper -window, and he dropped his tin and the milk all over -the front garden. That is the kind of face it is. -When I saw her—I happened on her unawares—she -covered up quick, and then she said, 'Now, -Mrs. Merrilow, you know at last why it is that I never -raise my veil.'" -</p> - -<p> -"Do you know anything about her history?" -</p> - -<p> -"Nothing at all." -</p> - -<p> -"Did she give references when she came?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, sir, but she gave hard cash, and plenty of -it. A quarter's rent right down on the table in -advance and no arguing about terms. In these -times a poor woman like me can't afford to turn down -a chance like that." -</p> - -<p> -"Did she give any reason for choosing your house?" -</p> - -<p> -"Mine stands well back from the road and is more -private than most. Then, again, I only take the -one, and I have no family of my own. I reckon she -had tried others and found that mine suited her best. -It's privacy she is after, and she is ready to pay for it." -</p> - -<p> -"You say that she never showed her face from -first to last save on the one accidental occasion. -Well, it is a very remarkable story, most remarkable, -and I don't wonder that you want it examined." -</p> - -<p> -"I don't, Mr. Holmes. I am quite satisfied so -long as I get my rent. You could not have a quieter -lodger, or one who gives less trouble." -</p> - -<p> -"Then what has brought matters to a head?" -</p> - -<p> -"Her health, Mr. Holmes. She seems to be wasting -away. And there's something terrible on her -mind. 'Murder!' she cries. 'Murder!' And -once I heard her, 'You cruel beast! You monster!' -she cried. It was in the night, and it fair rang -through the house and sent the shivers through me. -So I went to her in the morning. 'Mrs. Ronder,' I -says, 'if you have anything that is troubling your -soul, there's the clergy,' I says, 'and there's the -police. Between them you should get some help.' 'For -God's sake, not the police!' says she, 'and the -clergy can't change what is past. And yet,' she says, -'it would ease my mind if someone knew the truth -before I died.' 'Well,' says I, 'if you won't have -the regulars, there is this detective man what we -read about'—beggin' your pardon, Mr. Holmes. -And she, she fair jumped at it. 'That's the man,' -says she. 'I wonder I never thought of it before. -Bring him here, Mrs. Merrilow, and if he won't come, -tell him I am the wife of Ronder's wild beast show. -Say that, and give him the name Abbas Parva.' -Here it is as she wrote it, Abbas Parva. 'That will -bring him, if he's the man I think he is.'" -</p> - -<p> -"And it will, too," remarked Holmes. "Very -good, Mrs. Merrilow. I should like to have a little -chat with Dr. Watson. That will carry us till lunch-time. -About three o'clock you may expect to see -us at your house in Brixton." -</p> - -<p> -Our visitor had no sooner waddled out of the room—no -other verb can describe Mrs. Merrilow's method -of progression—than Sherlock Holmes threw himself -with fierce energy upon the pile of commonplace -books in the corner. For a few minutes there was -a constant swish of the leaves, and then with a -grunt of satisfaction he came upon what he sought. -So excited was he that he did not rise, but sat upon -the floor like some strange Buddha, with crossed -legs, the huge books all round him, and one open -upon his knees. -</p> - -<p> -"The case worried me at the time, Watson. Here -are my marginal notes to prove it. I confess that -I could make nothing of it. And yet I was convinced -that the coroner was wrong. Have you no -recollection of the Abbas Parva tragedy?" -</p> - -<p> -"None, Holmes." -</p> - -<p> -"And yet you were with me then. But certainly -my own impression was very superficial, for there -was nothing to go by, and none of the parties had -engaged my services. Perhaps you would care to -read the papers?" -</p> - -<p> -"Could you not give me the points?" -</p> - -<p> -"That is very easily done. It will probably come -back to your memory as I talk. Ronder, of course, -was a household word. He was the rival of Wombwell, -and of Sanger, one of the greatest showmen of -his day. There is evidence, however, that he took -to drink, and that both he and his show were on the -down grade at the time of the great tragedy. The -caravan had halted for the night at Abbas Parva, -which is a small village in Berkshire, when this horror -occurred. They were on their way to Wimbledon, -travelling by road, and they were simply camping, -and not exhibiting, as the place is so small a one that -it would not have paid them to open. -</p> - -<p> -"They had among their exhibits a very fine North -African lion. Sahara King was its name, and it -was the habit, both of Ronder and his wife, to give -exhibitions inside its cage. Here, you see, is a -photograph of the performance, by which you will -perceive that Ronder was a huge porcine person and -that his wife was a very magnificent woman. It was -deposed at the inquest that there had been some signs -that the lion was dangerous, but, as usual, familiarity -begat contempt, and no notice was taken of the fact. -</p> - -<p> -"It was usual for either Ronder or his wife to feed -the lion at night. Sometimes one went, sometimes -both, but they never allowed anyone else to do it, -for they believed that so long as they were the -food-carriers he would regard them as benefactors, and -would never molest them. On this particular night, -seven years ago, they both went, and a very terrible -happening followed, the details of which have never -been made clear. -</p> - -<p> -"It seems that the whole camp was roused near -midnight by the roars of the animal and the screams -of the woman. The different grooms and <i>employés</i> -rushed from their tents, carrying lanterns, and by -their light an awful sight was revealed. Ronder lay, -with the back of his head crushed in and deep -claw-marks across his scalp, some ten yards from the cage, -which was open. Close to the door of the cage lay -Mrs. Ronder, upon her back, with the creature -squatting and snarling above her. It had torn her -face in such a fashion that it was never thought that -she could live. Several of the circus men, headed -by Leonardo, the strongman, and Griggs, the clown, -drove the creature off with poles, upon which it sprang -back into the cage, and was at once locked in. How -it had got loose was a mystery. It was conjectured -that the pair intended to enter the cage, but that -when the door was loosed the creature bounded out -upon them. There was no other point of interest -in the evidence, save that the woman in a delirium -of agony kept screaming, 'Coward! Coward!' as -she was carried back to the van in which they lived. -It was six months before she was fit to give evidence, -but the inquest was duly held, with the obvious -verdict of death from misadventure." -</p> - -<p> -"What alternative could be conceived?" said I. -</p> - -<p> -"You may well say so. And yet there were one -or two points which worried young Edmunds, of -the Berkshire Constabulary. A smart lad that! -He was sent later to Allahabad. That was how I -came into the matter, for he dropped in and smoked -a pipe or two over it." -</p> - -<p> -"A thin, yellow-haired man?" -</p> - -<p> -"Exactly. I was sure you would pick up the -trail presently." -</p> - -<p> -"But what worried him?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, we were both worried. It was so deucedly -difficult to reconstruct the affair. Look at it from -the lion's point of view. He is liberated. What -does he do? He takes half a dozen bounds forward, -which brings him to Ronder. Ronder turns to fly,—the -claw-marks were on the back of his head—but -the lion strikes him down. Then, instead of -bounding on and escaping, he returns to the woman, who -was close to the cage, and he knocks her over and -chews her face up. Then, again, those cries of hers -would seem to imply that her husband had in some -way failed her. What could the poor devil have -done to help her? You see the difficulty?" -</p> - -<p> -"Quite." -</p> - -<p> -"And then there was another thing. It comes -back to me now as I think it over. There was some -evidence that, just at the time the lion roared and -the woman screamed, a man began shouting in -terror." -</p> - -<p> -"This man Ronder, no doubt." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, if his skull was smashed in you would -hardly expect to hear from him again. There were -at least two witnesses who spoke of the cries of a -man being mingled with those of a woman." -</p> - -<p> -"I should think the whole camp was crying out -by then. As to the other points, I think I could -suggest a solution." -</p> - -<p> -"I should be glad to consider it." -</p> - -<p> -"The two were together, ten yards from the cage, -when the lion got loose. The man turned and was -struck down. The woman conceived the idea of -getting into the cage and shutting the door. It was -her only refuge. She made for it, and just as she -reached it the beast bounded after her and knocked -her over. She was angry with her husband for -having encouraged the beast's rage by turning. If -they had faced it, they might have cowed it. Hence -her cries of 'Coward!'" -</p> - -<p> -"Brilliant, Watson! Only one flaw in your diamond." -</p> - -<p> -"What is the flaw, Holmes?" -</p> - -<p> -"If they were both ten paces from the cage, how -came the beast to get loose?" -</p> - -<p> -"Is it possible that they had some enemy who -loosed it?" -</p> - -<p> -"And why should it attack them savagely when -it was in the habit of playing with them, and doing -tricks with them inside the cage?" -</p> - -<p> -"Possibly the same enemy had done something to -enrage it." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes looked thoughtful and remained in silence -for some moments. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, Watson, there is this to be said for your -theory. Ronder was a man of many enemies. -Edmunds told me that in his cups he was horrible. -A huge bully of a man, he cursed and slashed at -everyone who came in his way. I expect those cries -about a monster, of which our visitor has spoken, -were nocturnal reminiscences of the dear departed. -However, our speculations are futile until we have -all the facts. There is a cold partridge on the -sideboard, Watson, and a bottle of Montrachet. Let us -renew our energies before we make a fresh call upon -them." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -When our hansom deposited us at the house of -Mrs. Merrilow, we found that plump lady blocking -up the open door of her humble but retired abode. -It was very clear that her chief preoccupation was -lest she should lose a valuable lodger, and she -implored us, before showing us up, to say and do -nothing which could lead to so undesirable an end. -Then, having reassured her, we followed her up the -straight, badly-carpeted staircase and were shown -into the room of the mysterious lodger. -</p> - -<p> -It was a close, musty, ill-ventilated place, as might -be expected, since its inmate seldom left it. From -keeping beasts in a cage, the woman seemed, by -some retribution of Fate, to have become herself a -beast in a cage. She sat now in a broken arm-chair -in the shadowy corner of the room. Long years of -inaction had coarsened the lines of her figure, but -at some period it must have been beautiful, and was -still full and voluptuous. A thick dark veil covered -her face, but it was cut off close at her upper lip, -and disclosed a perfectly-shaped mouth and a -delicately-rounded chin. I could well conceive that -she had indeed been a very remarkable woman. -Her voice, too, was well-modulated and pleasing. -</p> - -<p> -"My name is not unfamiliar to you, Mr. Holmes," -said she. "I thought that it would bring you." -</p> - -<p> -"That is so, madam, though I do not know -how you are aware that I was interested in your -case." -</p> - -<p> -"I learned it when I had recovered my health -and was examined by Mr. Edmunds, the County -detective. I fear I lied to him. Perhaps it would -have been wiser had I told the truth." -</p> - -<p> -"It is usually wiser to tell the truth. But why -did you lie to him?" -</p> - -<p> -"Because the fate of someone else depended upon -it. I know that he was a very worthless being, and -yet I would not have his destruction upon my -conscience. We had been so close—so close!" -</p> - -<p> -"But has this impediment been removed?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, sir. The person that I allude to is dead." -</p> - -<p> -"Then why should you not now tell the police -anything you know?" -</p> - -<p> -"Because there is another person to be considered. -That other person is myself. I could not stand the -scandal and publicity which would come from a police -examination. I have not long to live, but I wish to -die undisturbed. And yet I wanted to find one man -of judgment to whom I could tell my terrible story, -so that when I am gone all might be understood." -</p> - -<p> -"You compliment me, madam. At the same -time, I am a responsible person. I do not promise -you that when you have spoken I may not myself -think it my duty to refer the case to the police." -</p> - -<p> -"I think not, Mr. Holmes. I know your character -and methods too well, for I have followed your work -for some years. Reading is the only pleasure which -Fate has left me, and I miss little which passes in -the world. But in any case, I will take my chance -of the use which you may make of my tragedy. It -will ease my mind to tell it." -</p> - -<p> -"My friend and I would be glad to hear it." -</p> - -<p> -The woman rose and took from a drawer the -photograph of a man. He was clearly a professional -acrobat, a man of magnificent physique, taken with -his huge arms folded across his swollen chest and -a smile breaking from under his heavy moustache—the -self-satisfied smile of the man of many conquests. -</p> - -<p> -"That is Leonardo," she said. -</p> - -<p> -"Leonardo, the strongman, who gave evidence?" -</p> - -<p> -"The same. And this—this is my husband." -</p> - -<p> -It was a dreadful face—a human pig, or rather -a human wild boar, for it was formidable in its -bestiality. One could imagine that vile mouth -champing and foaming in its rage, and one could -conceive those small, vicious eyes darting pure -malignancy as they looked forth upon the world, -Ruffian, bully, beast—it was all written on that -heavy-jowled face. -</p> - -<p> -"Those two pictures will help you, gentlemen, -to understand the story. I was a poor circus girl -brought up on the sawdust, and doing springs -through the hoop before I was ten. When I became -a woman this man loved me, if such lust as his can -be called love, and in an evil moment I became his -wife. From that day I was in hell, and he the devil -who tormented me. There was no one in the show -who did not know of his treatment. He deserted -me for others. He tied me down and lashed me with -his riding-whip when I complained. They all pitied -me and they all loathed him, but what could they -do? They feared him, one and all. For he was -terrible at all times, and murderous when he was -drunk. Again and again he was had for assault, and -for cruelty to the beasts, but he had plenty of money -and the fines were nothing to him. The best men -all left us and the show began to go downhill. It -was only Leonardo and I who kept it up—with little -Jimmy Griggs, the clown. Poor devil, he had not -much to be funny about, but he did what he could -to hold things together. -</p> - -<p> -"Then Leonardo came more and more into my life. -You see what he was like. I know now the poor -spirit that was hidden in that splendid body, but -compared to my husband he seemed like the Angel -Gabriel. He pitied me and helped me, till at last -our intimacy turned to love—deep, deep, passionate -love, such love as I had dreamed of but never hoped -to feel. My husband suspected it, but I think that -he was a coward as well as a bully, and that Leonardo -was the one man that he was afraid of. He took -revenge in his own way by torturing me more than -ever. One night my cries brought Leonardo to -the door of our van. We were near tragedy that -night, and soon my lover and I understood that it -could not be avoided. My husband was not fit to -live. We planned that he should die. -</p> - -<p> -"Leonardo had a clever, scheming brain. It was -he who planned it. I do not say that to blame him, -for I was ready to go with him every inch of the way. -But I should never have had the wit to think of such -a plan. We made a club—Leonardo made it—and -in the leaden head he fastened five long steel nails, -the points outwards, with just such a spread as the -lion's paw. This was to give my husband his death-blow, -and yet to leave the evidence that it was -the lion which we would loose who had done the deed. -</p> - -<p> -"It was a pitch-dark night when my husband and -I went down, as was our custom, to feed the beast. -We carried with us the raw meat in a zinc pail. -Leonardo was waiting at the corner of the big van -which we should have to pass before we reached the -cage. He was too slow, and we walked past him -before he could strike, but he followed us on tiptoe -and I heard the crash as the club smashed my -husband's skull. My heart leaped with joy at the -sound. I sprang forward, and I undid the catch -which held the door of the great lion's cage. -</p> - -<p> -"And then the terrible thing happened. You -may have heard how quick these creatures are to -scent human blood, and how it excites them. Some -strange instinct had told the creature in one instant -that a human being had been slain. As I slipped -the bars it bounded out, and was on me in an instant. -Leonardo could have saved me. If he had rushed -forward and struck the beast with his club he might -have cowed it. But the man lost his nerve. I heard -him shout in his terror, and then I saw him turn and -fly. At the same instant the teeth of the lion met -in my face. Its hot, filthy breath had already -poisoned me and I was hardly conscious of pain. -With the palms of my hands I tried to push the great -steaming, blood-stained jaws away from me, and I -screamed for help. I was conscious that the camp -was stirring, and then dimly I remember a group of -men, Leonardo, Griggs and others, dragging me -from under the creature's paws. That was my last -memory, Mr. Holmes, for many a weary month. -When I came to myself, and saw myself in the -mirror, I cursed that lion—oh, how I cursed -him!—-not because he had torn away my beauty, but -because he had not torn away my life. I had but -one desire, Mr. Holmes, and I had enough money to -gratify it. It was that I should cover myself so -that my poor face should be seen by none, and that -I should dwell where none whom I had ever known -should find me. That was all that was left to me to -do—and that is what I have done. A poor wounded -beast that has crawled into its hole to die—that is -the end of Eugenia Ronder." -</p> - -<p> -We sat in silence for some time after the unhappy -woman had told her story. Then Holmes stretched -out his long arm and patted her hand with such a -show of sympathy as I had seldom known him to -exhibit. -</p> - -<p> -"Poor girl!" he said. "Poor girl! The ways -of Fate are indeed hard to understand. If there is -not some compensation hereafter, then the world is -a cruel jest. But what of this man Leonardo?" -</p> - -<p> -"I never saw him or heard from him again. -Perhaps I have been wrong to feel so bitterly against -him. He might as soon have loved one of the freaks -whom we carried round the country as the thing -which the lion had left. But a woman's love is not -so easily set aside. He had left me under the beast's -claws, he had deserted me in my need, and yet I -could not bring myself to give him to the gallows. -For myself, I cared nothing what became of me. -What could be more dreadful than my actual life? -But I stood between Leonardo and his fate." -</p> - -<p> -"And he is dead?" -</p> - -<p> -"He was drowned last month when bathing near -Margate. I saw his death in the paper." -</p> - -<p> -"And what did he do with this five-clawed club, -which is the most singular and ingenious part of all -your story?" -</p> - -<p> -"I cannot tell, Mr. Holmes. There is a chalk-pit -by the camp, with a deep green pool at the base -of it. Perhaps in the depths of that pool——" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, well, it is of little consequence now. The -case is closed." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes," said the woman, "the case is closed." -</p> - -<p> -We had risen to go, but there was something in -the woman's voice which arrested Holmes's -attention. He turned swiftly upon her. -</p> - -<p> -"Your life is not your own," he said. "Keep -your hands off it." -</p> - -<p> -"What use is it to anyone?" -</p> - -<p> -"How can you tell? The example of patient -suffering is in itself the most precious of all lessons -to an impatient world." -</p> - -<p> -The woman's answer was a terrible one. She -raised her veil and stepped forward into the light. -</p> - -<p> -"I wonder if you would bear it," she said. -</p> - -<p> -It was horrible. No words can describe the framework -of a face when the face itself is gone. Two -living and beautiful brown eyes looking sadly out -from that grisly ruin did but make the view more -awful. Holmes held up his hand in a gesture of pity -and protest, and together we left the room. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Two days later, when I called upon my friend, he -pointed with some pride to a small blue bottle upon -his mantelpiece. I picked it up. There was a red -poison label. A pleasant almondy odour rose when -I opened it. -</p> - -<p> -"Prussic acid?" said I. -</p> - -<p> -"Exactly. It came by post. 'I send you my -temptation. I will follow your advice.' That was -the message. I think, Watson, we can guess the -name of the brave woman who sent it." -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap11"></a></p> - -<h3> -XI -</h3> - -<h3> -THE ADVENTURE OF SHOSCOMBE OLD PLACE -</h3> - -<p> -Sherlock Holmes had been bending for a long -time over a low-power microscope. Now he -straightened himself up and looked round at me in -triumph. -</p> - -<p> -"It is glue, Watson," said he. "Unquestionably -it is glue. Have a look at these scattered objects -in the field!" -</p> - -<p> -I stooped to the eyepiece and focused for my vision. -</p> - -<p> -"Those hairs are threads from a tweed coat. The -irregular grey masses are dust. There are epithelial -scales on the left. Those brown blobs in the centre -are undoubtedly glue." -</p> - -<p> -"Well," I said, laughing, "I am prepared to take -your word for it. Does anything depend upon it?" -</p> - -<p> -"It is a very fine demonstration," he answered. -"In the St. Pancras case you may remember that -a cap was found beside the dead policeman. The -accused man denies that it is his. But he is a -picture-frame maker who habitually handles glue." -</p> - -<p> -"Is it one of your cases?" -</p> - -<p> -"No; my friend, Merivale of the Yard, asked me -to look into the case. Since I ran down that coiner -by the zinc and copper filings in the seam of his cuff -they have begun to realize the importance of the -microscope." He looked impatiently at his watch. -"I had a new client calling, but he is overdue. By -the way, Watson, you know something of racing?" -</p> - -<p> -"I ought to. I pay for it with about half my -wound pension." -</p> - -<p> -"Then I'll make you my 'Handy Guide to the -Turf.' What about Sir Robert Norberton? Does -the name recall anything?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, I should say so. He lives at Shoscombe -Old Place, and I know it well, for my summer -quarters were down there once. Norberton nearly -came within your province once." -</p> - -<p> -"How was that?" -</p> - -<p> -"It was when he horsewhipped Sam Brewer, the -well-known Curzon Street moneylender, on -Newmarket Heath. He nearly killed the man." -</p> - -<p> -"Ah, he sounds interesting! Does he often -indulge in that way?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, he has the name of being a dangerous man. -He is about the most daredevil rider in England—second -in the Grand National a few years back. He -is one of those men who have overshot their true -generation. He should have been a buck in the days -of the Regency—a boxer, an athlete, a plunger on -the Turf, a lover of fair ladies, and, by all account, -so far down Queer Street that he may never find his -way back again." -</p> - -<p> -"Capital, Watson! A thumb-nail sketch. I -seem to know the man. Now, can you give me some -idea of Shoscombe Old Place?" -</p> - -<p> -"Only that it is in the centre of Shoscombe Park, -and that the famous Shoscombe stud and training -quarters are to be found there." -</p> - -<p> -"And the head trainer," said Holmes, "is John -Mason. You need not look surprised at my knowledge, -Watson, for this is a letter from him which I -am unfolding. But let us have some more about -Shoscombe. I seem to have struck a rich vein." -</p> - -<p> -"There are the Shoscombe spaniels," said I. -"You hear of them at every dog show. The most -exclusive breed in England. They are the special -pride of the lady of Shoscombe Old Place." -</p> - -<p> -"Sir Robert Norberton's wife, I presume!" -</p> - -<p> -"Sir Robert has never married. Just as well, I -think, considering his prospects. He lives with his -widowed sister, Lady Beatrice Falder." -</p> - -<p> -"You mean that she lives with him?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, no. The place belonged to her late husband, -Sir James. Norberton has no claim on it at all. -It is only a life interest and reverts to her husband's -brother. Meantime, she draws the rents every -year." -</p> - -<p> -"And brother Robert, I suppose, spends the said -rents?" -</p> - -<p> -"That is about the size of it. He is a devil of a -fellow and must lead her a most uneasy life. Yet I -have heard that she is devoted to him. But what is -amiss at Shoscombe?" -</p> - -<p> -"Ah, that is just what I want to know. And -here, I expect, is the man who can tell us." -</p> - -<p> -The door had opened and the page had shown in -a tall, clean-shaven man with the firm, austere -expression which is only seen upon those who have -to control horses or boys. Mr. John Mason had many -of both under his sway, and he looked equal to the -task. He bowed with cold self-possession and seated -himself upon the chair to which Holmes had waved -him. -</p> - -<p> -"You had my note, Mr. Holmes?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, but it explained nothing." -</p> - -<p> -"It was too delicate a thing for me to put the -details on paper. And too complicated. It was -only face to face I could do it." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, we are at your disposal." -</p> - -<p> -"First of all, Mr. Holmes, I think that my -employer, Sir Robert, has gone mad." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes raised his eyebrows. "This is Baker -Street, not Harley Street," said he. "But why do -you say so?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, sir, when a man does one queer thing, or -two queer things, there may be a meaning to it, but -when everything he does is queer, then you begin -to wonder. I believe Shoscombe Prince and the -Derby have turned his brain." -</p> - -<p> -"That is a colt you are running?" -</p> - -<p> -"The best in England, Mr. Holmes. I should -know, if anyone does. Now, I'll be plain with you, -for I know you are gentlemen of honour and that it -won't go beyond the room. Sir Robert has got to -win this Derby. He's up to the neck, and it's his -last chance. Everything he could raise or borrow -is on the horse—and at fine odds, too! You can -get forties now, but it was nearer the hundred when -he began to back him." -</p> - -<p> -"But how is that, if the horse is so good?" -</p> - -<p> -"The public don't know how good he is. Sir -Robert has been too clever for the touts. He has -the Prince's half-brother out for spins. You can't -tell 'em apart. But there are two lengths in a -furlong between them when it comes to a gallop. -He thinks of nothing but the horse and the race. -His whole life is on it. He's holding off the Jews -till then. If the Prince fails him, he is done." -</p> - -<p> -"It seems a rather desperate gamble, but where -does the madness come in?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, first of all, you have only to look at him. -I don't believe he sleeps at night. He is down at -the stables at all hours. His eyes are wild. It has -all been too much for his nerves. Then there is his -conduct to Lady Beatrice!" -</p> - -<p> -"Ah! what is that?" -</p> - -<p> -"They have always been the best of friends. -They had the same tastes, the two of them, and she -loved the horses as much as he did. Every day at -the same hour she would drive down to see them—and, -above all, she loved the Prince. He would -prick up his ears when he heard the wheels on the -gravel, and he would trot out each morning to the -carriage to get his lump of sugar. But that's all -over now." -</p> - -<p> -"Why?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, she seems to have lost all interest in the -horses. For a week now she has driven past the -stables with never so much as 'good morning'!" -</p> - -<p> -"You think there has been a quarrel?" -</p> - -<p> -"And a bitter, savage, spiteful quarrel at that. -Why else would he give away her pet spaniel that she -loved as if he were her child? He gave it a few days -ago to old Barnes, what keeps the 'Green Dragon,' -three miles off, at Crendall." -</p> - -<p> -"That certainly did seem strange." -</p> - -<p> -"Of course, with her weak heart and dropsy one -couldn't expect that she could get about with him, -but he spent two hours every evening in her room. -He might well do what he could, for she has been a -rare good friend to him. But that's all over, too. -He never goes near her. And she takes it to heart. -She is brooding and sulky and drinking, Mr. Holmes—drinking -like a fish." -</p> - -<p> -"Did she drink before this estrangement?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, she took her glass, but now it is often a -whole bottle of an evening. So Stephens, the butler, -told me. It's all changed, Mr. Holmes, and there is -something damned rotten about it. But then, again, -what is master doing down at the old church crypt -at night? And who is the man that meets him -there?" -</p> - -<p> -Holmes rubbed his hands. -</p> - -<p> -"Go on, Mr. Mason. You get more and more -interesting." -</p> - -<p> -"It was the butler who saw him go. Twelve -o'clock at night and raining hard. So next night I -was up at the house and, sure enough, master was -off again. Stephens and I went after him, but it -was jumpy work, for it would have been a bad job -if he had seen us. He's a terrible man with his fists -if he gets started, and no respecter of persons. So -we were shy of getting too near, but we marked -him down all right. It was the haunted crypt that -he was making for, and there was a man waiting -for him there." -</p> - -<p> -"What is this haunted crypt?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, sir, there is an old ruined chapel in the -park. It is so old that nobody could fix its date. -And under it there's a crypt which has a bad name -among us. It's a dark, damp, lonely place by day, -but there are few in that county that would have the -nerve to go near it at night. But master's not afraid. -He never feared anything in his life. But what is -he doing there in the night-time?" -</p> - -<p> -"Wait a bit!" said Holmes. "You say there is -another man there. It must be one of your own -stable-men, or someone from the house! Surely -you have only to spot who it is and question him?" -</p> - -<p> -"It's no one I know." -</p> - -<p> -"How can you say that?" -</p> - -<p> -"Because I have seen him, Mr. Holmes. It was -on that second night. Sir Robert turned and passed -us—me and Stephens, quaking in the bushes like -two bunny-rabbits, for there was a bit of moon that -night. But we could hear the other moving about -behind. We were not afraid of him. So we up -when Sir Robert was gone and pretended we were -just having a walk like in the moonlight, and so we -came right on him as casual and innocent as you -please. 'Hullo, mate! who may you be?' says I. -I guess he had not heard us coming, so he looked -over his shoulder with a face as if he had seen the -Devil coming out of Hell. He let out a yell, and away -he went as hard as he could lick it in the darkness. -He could run!—I'll give him that. In a minute he -was out of sight and hearing, and who he was, or -what he was, we never found." -</p> - -<p> -"But you saw him clearly in the moonlight?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, I would swear to his yellow face—a mean -dog, I should say. What could he have in common -with Sir Robert?" -</p> - -<p> -Holmes sat for some time lost in thought. -</p> - -<p> -"Who keeps Lady Beatrice Falder company?" -he asked at last. -</p> - -<p> -"There is her maid, Carrie Evans. She has been -with her this five years." -</p> - -<p> -"And is, no doubt, devoted?" -</p> - -<p> -Mr. Mason shuffled uncomfortably. -</p> - -<p> -"She's devoted enough," he answered at last. -"But I won't say to whom." -</p> - -<p> -"Ah!" said Holmes. -</p> - -<p> -"I can't tell tales out of school." -</p> - -<p> -"I quite understand, Mr. Mason. Of course, the -situation is clear enough. From Dr. Watson's -description of Sir Robert I can realize that no woman -is safe from him. Don't you think the quarrel -between brother and sister may lie there?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, the scandal has been pretty clear for a long -time." -</p> - -<p> -"But she may not have seen it before. Let us -suppose that she has suddenly found it out. She -wants to get rid of the woman. Her brother will -not permit it. The invalid, with her weak heart and -inability to get about, has no means of enforcing her -will. The hated maid is still tied to her. The lady -refuses to speak, sulks, takes to drink. Sir Robert -in his anger takes her pet spaniel away from her. -Does not all this hang together?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, it might do—so far as it goes." -</p> - -<p> -"Exactly! As far as it goes. How would all -that bear upon the visits by night to the old crypt? -We can't fit that into our plot." -</p> - -<p> -"No, sir, and there is something more that I can't -fit in. Why should Sir Robert want to dig up a -dead body?" -</p> - -<p> -Holmes sat up abruptly. -</p> - -<p> -"We only found it out yesterday—after I had -written to you. Yesterday Sir Robert had gone to -London, so Stephens and I went down to the crypt. -It was all in order, sir, except that in one corner was -a bit of a human body." -</p> - -<p> -"You informed the police, I suppose?" -</p> - -<p> -Our visitor smiled grimly. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, sir, I think it would hardly interest them. -It was just the head and a few bones of a mummy. -It may have been a thousand years old. But it -wasn't there before. That I'll swear, and so will -Stephens. It had been stowed away in a corner and -covered over with a board, but that corner had -always been empty before." -</p> - -<p> -"What did you do with it?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, we just left it there." -</p> - -<p> -"That was wise. You say Sir Robert was away -yesterday. Has he returned?" -</p> - -<p> -"We expect him back to-day." -</p> - -<p> -"When did Sir Robert give away his sister's dog?" -</p> - -<p> -"It was just a week ago to-day. The creature -was howling outside the old well-house, and Sir -Robert was in one of his tantrums that morning. -He caught it up and I thought he would have killed -it. Then he gave it to Sandy Bain, the jockey, and -told him to take the dog to old Barnes at the 'Green -Dragon,' for he never wished to see it again." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes sat for some time in silent thought. He -had lit the oldest and foulest of his pipes. -</p> - -<p> -"I am not clear yet what you want me to do in -this matter, Mr. Mason," he said at last. "Can't -you make it more definite?" -</p> - -<p> -"Perhaps this will make it more definite, Mr. Holmes," -said our visitor. -</p> - -<p> -He took a paper from his pocket and, unwrapping -it carefully, he exposed a charred fragment of bone. -</p> - -<p> -Holmes examined it with interest. -</p> - -<p> -"Where did you get it?" -</p> - -<p> -"There is a central heating furnace in the cellar -under Lady Beatrice's room. It's been off for some -time, but Sir Robert complained of cold and had it -on again. Harvey runs it—he's one of my lads. -This very morning he came to me with this which -he found raking out the cinders. He didn't like the -look of it." -</p> - -<p> -"Nor do I," said Holmes. "What do you make -of it, Watson?" -</p> - -<p> -It was burned to a black cinder, but there could -be no question as to its anatomical significance. -</p> - -<p> -"It's the upper condyle of a human femur," said I. -</p> - -<p> -"Exactly!" Holmes had become very serious. -"When does this lad tend to the furnace?" -</p> - -<p> -"He makes it up every evening and then leaves it." -</p> - -<p> -"Then anyone could visit it during the night? -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, sir." -</p> - -<p> -"Can you enter it from outside?" -</p> - -<p> -"There is one door from outside. There is another -which leads up by a stair to the passage in which -Lady Beatrice's room is situated." -</p> - -<p> -"These are deep waters, Mr. Mason; deep and -rather dirty. You say that Sir Robert was not at -home last night?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, sir." -</p> - -<p> -"Then, whoever was burning bones, it was not he." -</p> - -<p> -"That's true, sir." -</p> - -<p> -"What is the name of that inn you spoke of?" -</p> - -<p> -"The 'Green Dragon.'" -</p> - -<p> -"Is there good fishing in that part of Berkshire?" -</p> - -<p> -The honest trainer showed very clearly upon his -face that he was convinced that yet another lunatic -had come into his harassed life. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, sir, I've heard there are trout in the -millstream and pike in the Hall lake." -</p> - -<p> -"That's good enough. Watson and I are famous -fishermen—are we not, Watson? You may address -us in future at the 'Green Dragon.' We should reach -it to-night. I need not say that we don't want to -see you, Mr. Mason, but a note will reach us, and no -doubt I could find you if I want you. When we have -gone a little farther into the matter I will let you have -a considered opinion." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Thus it was that on a bright May evening Holmes -and I found ourselves alone in a first-class carriage -and bound for the little "halt-on-demand" station -of Shoscombe. The rack above us was covered with -a formidable litter of rods, reels and baskets. On -reaching our destination a short drive took us to -an old-fashioned tavern, where a sporting host, -Josiah Barnes, entered eagerly into our plans for the -extirpation of the fish of the neighbourhood. -</p> - -<p> -"What about the Hall lake and the chance of a -pike?" said Holmes. -</p> - -<p> -The face of the innkeeper clouded. -</p> - -<p> -"That wouldn't do, sir. You might chance to -find yourself in the lake before you were through." -</p> - -<p> -"How's that, then?" -</p> - -<p> -"It's Sir Robert, sir. He's terrible jealous of -touts. If you two strangers were as near his training -quarters as that he'd be after you as sure as fate. -He ain't taking no chances, Sir Robert ain't." -</p> - -<p> -"I've heard he has a horse entered for the Derby." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, and a good colt, too. He carries all our -money for the race, and all Sir Robert's into the -bargain. By the way"—he looked at us with -thoughtful eyes—"I suppose you ain't on the Turf -yourselves?" -</p> - -<p> -"No, indeed. Just two weary Londoners who -badly need some good Berkshire air." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, you are in the right place for that. There -is a deal of it lying about. But mind what I have -told you about Sir Robert. He's the sort that strikes -first and speaks afterwards. Keep clear of the park." -</p> - -<p> -"Surely, Mr. Barnes! We certainly shall. By -the way, that was a most beautiful spaniel that was -whining in the hall." -</p> - -<p> -"I should say it was. That was the real Shoscombe -breed. There ain't a better in England." -</p> - -<p> -"I am a dog-fancier myself," said Holmes. -"Now, if it is a fair question, what would a prize -dog like that cost?" -</p> - -<p> -"More than I could pay, sir. It was Sir Robert -himself who gave me this one. That's why I have -to keep it on a lead. It would be off to the Hall in -a jiffy if I gave it its head." -</p> - -<p> -"We are getting some cards in our hand, Watson," -said Holmes, when the landlord had left us. "It's -not an easy one to play, but we may see our way in -a day or two. By the way Sir Robert is still in -London, I hear. We might, perhaps, enter the -sacred domain to-night without fear of bodily -assault. There are one or two points on which I -should like reassurance." -</p> - -<p> -"Have you any theory, Holmes?" -</p> - -<p> -"Only this, Watson, that something happened a -week or so ago which has cut deep into the life of the -Shoscombe household. What is that something? -We can only guess at it from its effects. They seem -to be of a curiously mixed character. But that -should surely help us. It is only the colourless, -uneventful case which is hopeless. -</p> - -<p> -"Let us consider our data. The brother no longer -visits the beloved invalid sister. He gives away her -favourite dog. Her dog, Watson! Does that suggest -nothing to you?" -</p> - -<p> -"Nothing but the brother's spite." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, it might be so. Or—well, there is an -alternative. Now to continue our review of the -situation from the time that the quarrel, if there is -a quarrel, began. The lady keeps her room, alters -her habits, is not seen save when she drives out with -her maid, refuses to stop at the stables to greet her -favourite horse, and apparently takes to drink. -That covers the case, does it not?" -</p> - -<p> -"Save for the business in the crypt." -</p> - -<p> -"That is another line of thought. There are two, -and I beg you will not tangle them. Line A, which -concerns Lady Beatrice, has a vaguely sinister -flavour, has it not?" -</p> - -<p> -"I can make nothing of it." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, now, let us take up line B, which concerns -Sir Robert. He is mad keen upon winning the -Derby. He is in the hands of the Jews, and may at -any moment be sold up and his racing stables seized -by his creditors. He is a daring and desperate man. -He derives his income from his sister. His sister's -maid is his willing tool. So far we seem to be on -fairly safe ground, do we not?" -</p> - -<p> -"But the crypt?" -</p> - -<p> -"Ah, yes, the crypt! Let us suppose, Watson—it -is merely a scandalous supposition, a hypothesis -put forward for argument's sake—that Sir Robert -has done away with his sister." -</p> - -<p> -"My dear Holmes, it is out of the question." -</p> - -<p> -"Very possibly, Watson. Sir Robert is a man of -an honourable stock. But you do occasionally find -a carrion crow among the eagles. Let us for a -moment argue upon this supposition. He could not -fly the country until he had realized his fortune, -and that fortune could only be realized by bringing -off this coup with Shoscombe Prince. Therefore, he -has still to stand his ground. To do this he would -have to dispose of the body of his victim, and he -would also have to find a substitute who would -impersonate her. With the maid as his confidante -that would not be impossible. The woman's body -might be conveyed to the crypt, which is a place so -seldom visited, and it might be secretly destroyed at -night in the furnace, leaving behind it such evidence -as we have already seen. What say you to that, -Watson?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, it is all possible if you grant the original -monstrous supposition." -</p> - -<p> -"I think that there is a small experiment which -we may try to-morrow, Watson, in order to throw -some light on the matter. Meanwhile, if we mean -to keep up our characters, I suggest that we have -our host in for a glass of his own wine and hold some -high converse upon eels and dace, which seems to be -the straight road to his affections. We may chance -to come upon some useful local gossip in the process." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -In the morning Holmes discovered that we had -come without our spoon-bait for jack, which absolved -us from fishing for the day. About eleven o'clock -we started for a walk, and he obtained leave to take -the black spaniel with us. -</p> - -<p> -"This is the place," said he, as we came to two -high park gates with heraldic griffins towering above -them. "About midday, Mr. Barnes informs me, -the old lady takes a drive, and the carriage must -slow down while the gates are opened. When it -comes through, and before it gathers speed, I want -you, Watson, to stop the coachman with some -question. Never mind me. I shall stand behind -this holly-bush and see what I can see." -</p> - -<p> -It was not a long vigil. Within a quarter of an -hour we saw the big open yellow barouche coming -down the long avenue, with two splendid, high-stepping -grey carriage horses in the shafts. Holmes -crouched behind his bush with the dog. I stood -unconcernedly swinging a cane in the roadway. A -keeper ran out and the gates swung open. -</p> - -<p> -The carriage had slowed to a walk and I was able -to get a good look at the occupants. A -highly-coloured young woman with flaxen hair and -impudent eyes sat on the left. At her right was an elderly -person with rounded back and a huddle of shawls -about her face and shoulders which proclaimed the -invalid. When the horses reached the high road I -held up my hand with an authoritative gesture, and -as the coachman pulled up I inquired if Sir Robert -was at Shoscombe Old Place. -</p> - -<p> -At the same moment Holmes stepped out and -released the spaniel. With a joyous cry it dashed -forward to the carriage and sprang upon the step. -Then in a moment its eager greeting changed to -furious rage, and it snapped at the black skirt above it. -</p> - -<p> -"Drive on! Drive on!" shrieked a harsh voice. -The coachman lashed the horses, and we were left -standing in the roadway. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, Watson, that's done it," said Holmes, as -he fastened the lead to the neck of the excited spaniel. -"He thought it was his mistress and he found it was -a stranger. Dogs don't make mistakes." -</p> - -<p> -"But it was the voice of a man!" I cried. -</p> - -<p> -"Exactly! We have added one card to our hand, -Watson, but it needs careful playing, all the same." -</p> - -<p> -My companion seemed to have no further plans -for the day, and we did actually use our fishing tackle -in the mill-stream, with the result that we had a -dish of trout for our supper. It was only after that -meal that Holmes showed signs of renewed activity. -Once more we found ourselves upon the same road -as in the morning, which led us to the park gates. -A tall, dark figure was awaiting us there, who proved -to be our London acquaintance, Mr. John Mason, -the trainer. -</p> - -<p> -"Good evening, gentlemen," said he. "I got -your note, Mr. Holmes. Sir Robert has not returned -yet, but I hear that he is expected to-night." -</p> - -<p> -"How far is this crypt from the house?" asked Holmes. -</p> - -<p> -"A good quarter of a mile." -</p> - -<p> -"Then I think we can disregard him altogether." -</p> - -<p> -"I can't afford to do that, Mr. Holmes. The -moment he arrives he will want to see me to get the -last news of Shoscombe Prince." -</p> - -<p> -"I see! In that case we must work without you, -Mr. Mason. You can show us the crypt and then -leave us." -</p> - -<p> -It was pitch-dark and without a moon, but Mason -led us over the grass-lands until a dark mass loomed -up in front of us which proved to be the ancient -chapel. We entered the broken gap which was once -the porch and our guide, stumbling among heaps of -loose masonry, picked his way to the corner of the -building, where a steep stair led down into the crypt. -Striking a match, he illuminated the melancholy -place—dismal and evil-smelling, with ancient crumbling -walls of rough-hewn stone, and piles of coffins, some -of lead and some of stone, extending upon one side -right up to the arched and groined roof which lost -itself in the shadows above our heads. Holmes had -lit his lantern, which shot a tiny tunnel of vivid -yellow light upon the mournful scene. Its rays were -reflected back from the coffin-plates, many of them -adorned with the griffin and coronet of this old family -which carried its honours even to the gate of -Death. -</p> - -<p> -"You spoke of some bones, Mr. Mason. Could -you show them before you go?" -</p> - -<p> -"They are here in this corner." The trainer -strode across and then stood in silent surprise as -our light was turned upon the place. "They are -gone," said he. -</p> - -<p> -"So I expected," said Holmes, chuckling. "I -fancy the ashes of them might even now be found in -that oven which had already consumed a part." -</p> - -<p> -"But why in the world would anyone want -to burn the bones of a man who has been dead a -thousand years?" asked John Mason. -</p> - -<p> -"That is what we are here to find out," said -Holmes. "It may mean a long search, and we need -not detain you. I fancy that we shall get our -solution before morning." -</p> - -<p> -When John Mason had left us, Holmes set to work -making a very careful examination of the graves, -ranging from a very ancient one, which appeared to -be Saxon, in the centre, through a long line of -Norman Hugos and Odos, until we reached the Sir -William and Sir Denis Falder of the eighteenth -century. It was an hour or more before Holmes -came to a leaden coffin standing on end before the -entrance to the vault. I heard his little cry of -satisfaction, and was aware from his hurried but -purposeful movements that he had reached a goal. -With his lens he was eagerly examining the edges of -the heavy lid. Then he drew from his pocket a -short jemmy, a box-opener, which he thrust into a -chink, levering back the whole front, which seemed -to be secured by only a couple of clamps. There -was a rending, tearing sound as it gave way, but it -had hardly hinged back and partly revealed the -contents before we had an unforeseen interruption. -</p> - -<p> -Someone was walking in the chapel above. It was -the firm, rapid step of one who came with a definite -purpose and knew well the ground upon which he -walked. A light streamed down the stairs, and an -instant later the man who bore it was framed in -the Gothic archway. He was a terrible figure, huge -in stature and fierce in manner. A large stable-lantern -which he held in front of him shone upwards -upon a strong, heavily-moustached face and angry -eyes, which glared round him into every recess of -the vault, finally fixing themselves with a deadly -stare upon my companion and myself. -</p> - -<p> -"Who the devil are you?" he thundered. "And -what are you doing upon my property?" Then, -as Holmes returned no answer, he took a couple of -steps forward and raised a heavy stick which he -carried. "Do you hear me?" he cried. "Who -are you? What are you doing here?" His cudgel -quivered in the air. -</p> - -<p> -But instead of shrinking, Holmes advanced to -meet him. -</p> - -<p> -"I also have a question to ask you, Sir Robert," -he said in his sternest tone. "Who is this? And -what is it doing here?" -</p> - -<p> -He turned and tore open the coffin-lid behind him. -In the glare of the lantern I saw a body swathed in -a sheet from head to foot, with dreadful, witch-like -features, all nose and chin, projecting at one end, -the dim, glazed eyes staring from a discoloured and -crumbling face. -</p> - -<p> -The Baronet had staggered back with a cry and -supported himself against a stone sarcophagus. -</p> - -<p> -"How came you to know of this?" he cried. -And then, with some return of his truculent manner: -"What business is it of yours?" -</p> - -<p> -"My name is Sherlock Holmes," said my companion. -"Possibly it is familiar to you. In any -case, my business is that of every other good citizen—to -uphold the law. It seems to me that you have -much to answer for." -</p> - -<p> -Sir Robert glared for a moment, but Holmes's -quiet voice and cool, assured manner had their effect. -</p> - -<p> -"'Fore God, Mr. Holmes, it's all right," said he. -"Appearances are against me, I'll admit, but I -could act no otherwise." -</p> - -<p> -"I should be happy to think so, but I fear your -explanations must be for the police." -</p> - -<p> -Sir Robert shrugged his broad shoulders. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, if it must be, it must. Come up to the -house and you can judge for yourself how the matter -stands." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Quarter of an hour later we found ourselves in -what I judge, from the lines of polished barrels -behind glass covers, to be the gun-room of the old -house. It was comfortably furnished, and here Sir -Robert left us for a few moments. When he -returned he had two companions with him; the one, -the florid young woman whom we had seen in the -carriage; the other, a small rat-faced man with a -disagreeably furtive manner. These two wore an -appearance of utter bewilderment, which showed -that the Baronet had not yet had time to explain -to them the turn events had taken. -</p> - -<p> -"There," said Sir Robert, with a wave of his hand, -"are Mr. and Mrs. Norlett. Mrs. Norlett, under -her maiden name of Evans, has for some years been -my sister's confidential maid. I have brought them -here because I feel that my best course is to explain -the true position to you, and they are the two people -upon earth who can substantiate what I say." -</p> - -<p> -"Is this necessary, Sir Robert? Have you -thought what you are doing?" cried the woman. -</p> - -<p> -"As to me, I entirely disclaim all responsibility," -said her husband. -</p> - -<p> -Sir Robert gave him a glance of contempt. "I -will take all responsibility," said he. "Now, -Mr. Holmes, listen to a plain statement of the facts. -</p> - -<p> -"You have clearly gone pretty deeply into my -affairs or I should not have found you where I did. -Therefore, you know already, in all probability, -that I am running a dark horse for the Derby and -that everything depends upon my success. If I -win, all is easy. If I lose—well, I dare not think of -that!" -</p> - -<p> -"I understand the position," said Holmes. -</p> - -<p> -"I am dependent upon my sister, Lady Beatrice, -for everything. But it is well known that her -interest in the estate is for her own life only. For -myself, I am deeply in the hands of the Jews. I -have always known that if my sister were to die my -creditors would be on to my estate like a flock of -vultures. Everything would be seized; my stables, -my horses—everything. Well, Mr. Holmes, my sister -<i>did</i> die just a week ago." -</p> - -<p> -"And you told no one!" -</p> - -<p> -"What could I do? Absolute ruin faced me. -If I could stave things off for three weeks all would -be well. Her maid's husband—this man here—is -an actor. It came into our heads—it came into my -head—that he could for that short period personate -my sister. It was but a case of appearing daily in -the carriage, for no one need enter her room save -the maid. It was not difficult to arrange. My sister -died of the dropsy which had long afflicted her." -</p> - -<p> -"That will be for a coroner to decide." -</p> - -<p> -"Her doctor would certify that for months her -symptoms have threatened such an end." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, what did you do?" -</p> - -<p> -"The body could not remain there. On the first -night Norlett and I carried it out to the old -well-house, which is now never used. We were followed, -however, by her pet spaniel, which yapped continually -at the door, so I felt some safer place was -needed. I got rid of the spaniel and we carried the -body to the crypt of the church. There was no -indignity or irreverence, Mr. Holmes. I do not feel -that I have wronged the dead." -</p> - -<p> -"Your conduct seems to me inexcusable, Sir Robert." -</p> - -<p> -The Baronet shook his head impatiently. "It -is easy to preach," said he. "Perhaps you would -have felt differently if you had been in my position. -One cannot see all one's hopes and all one's plans -shattered at the last moment and make no effort -to save them. It seemed to me that it would be -no unworthy resting-place if we put her for the time -in one of the coffins of her husband's ancestors lying -in what is still consecrated ground. We opened -such a coffin, removed the contents, and placed her -as you have seen her. As to the old relics which we -took out, we could not leave them on the floor of -the crypt. Norlett and I removed them, and he -descended at night and burned them in the central -furnace. There is my story, Mr. Holmes, though -how you forced my hand so that I have to tell it is -more than I can say." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes sat for some time lost in thought. -</p> - -<p> -"There is one flaw in your narrative, Sir Robert," -he said at last. "Your bets on the race, and therefore -your hopes for the future, would hold good even -if your creditors seized your estate." -</p> - -<p> -"The horse would be part of the estate. What -do they care for my bets? As likely as not they -would not run him at all. My chief creditor is, -unhappily, my most bitter enemy—a rascally fellow, -Sam Brewer, whom I was once compelled to horsewhip -on Newmarket Heath. Do you suppose that -he would try to save me?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, Sir Robert," said Holmes, rising, "this -matter must, of course, be referred to the police. -It was my duty to bring the facts to light and there -I must leave it. As to the morality or decency of -your own conduct, it is not for me to express an -opinion. It is nearly midnight, Watson, and I -think we may make our way back to our humble abode." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -It is generally known now that this singular -episode ended upon a happier note than Sir Robert's -actions deserved. Shoscombe Prince did win the -Derby, the sporting owner did net eighty thousand -pounds in bets, and the creditors did hold their hand -until the race was over, when they were paid in full, -and enough was left to re-establish Sir Robert in a -fair position in life. Both police and coroner took -a lenient view of the transaction, and beyond a mild -censure for the delay in registering the lady's decease, -the lucky owner got away scatheless from this strange -incident in a career which has now outlived its -shadows and promises to end in an honoured old age. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap12"></a></p> - -<h3> -XII -</h3> - -<h3> -THE ADVENTURE OF THE RETIRED COLOURMAN -</h3> - -<p> -Sherlock Holmes was in a melancholy and -philosophic mood that morning. His alert -practical nature was subject to such reactions. -</p> - -<p> -"Did you see him?" he asked. -</p> - -<p> -"You mean the old fellow who has just gone out?" -</p> - -<p> -"Precisely." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, I met him at the door." -</p> - -<p> -"What did you think of him?" -</p> - -<p> -"A pathetic, futile, broken creature." -</p> - -<p> -"Exactly, Watson. Pathetic and futile. But is -not all life pathetic and futile? Is not his story a -microcosm of the whole? We reach. We grasp. -And what is left in our hands at the end? A shadow. -Or worse than a shadow—misery." -</p> - -<p> -"Is he one of your clients?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, I suppose I may call him so. He has been -sent on by the Yard. Just as medical men occasionally -send their incurables to a quack. They argue -that they can do nothing more, and that whatever -happens the patient can be no worse than he is." -</p> - -<p> -"What is the matter?" -</p> - -<p> -Holmes took a rather soiled card from the table. -"Josiah Amberley. He says he was junior partner -of Brickfall and Amberley, who are manufacturers -of artistic materials. You will see their names upon -paint-boxes. He made his little pile, retired from -business at the age of sixty-one, bought a house at -Lewisham, and settled down to rest after a life of -ceaseless grind. One would think his future was -tolerably assured." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, indeed." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes glanced over some notes which he had -scribbled upon the back of an envelope. -</p> - -<p> -"Retired in 1896, Watson. Early in 1897 he -married a woman twenty years younger than -himself—a good-looking woman, too, if the photograph -does not flatter. A competence, a wife, leisure—it -seemed a straight road which lay before him. And -yet within two years he is, as you have seen, as -broken and miserable a creature as crawls beneath -the sun." -</p> - -<p> -"But what has happened?" -</p> - -<p> -"The old story, Watson. A treacherous friend -and a fickle wife. It would appear that Amberley -has one hobby in life, and it is chess. Not far from -him at Lewisham there lives a young doctor who is -also a chess-player. I have noted his name as -Dr. Ray Ernest. Ernest was frequently in the house, -and an intimacy between him and Mrs. Amberley -was a natural sequence, for you must admit that our -unfortunate client has few outward graces, whatever -his inner virtues may be. The couple went off -together last week—destination untraced. What -is more, the faithless spouse carried off the old man's -deed-box as her personal luggage with a good part -of his life's savings within. Can we find the lady? -Can we save the money? A commonplace problem -so far as it has developed, and yet a vital one for -Josiah Amberley." -</p> - -<p> -"What will you do about it?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, the immediate question, my dear Watson, -happens to be, What will <i>you</i> do?—if you will be -good enough to understudy me. You know that I -am preoccupied with this case of the two Coptic -Patriarchs, which should come to a head to-day. I -really have not time to go out to Lewisham, and yet -evidence taken on the spot has a special value. The -old fellow was quite insistent that I should go, but -I explained my difficulty. He is prepared to meet a -representative." -</p> - -<p> -"By all means," I answered. "I confess I don't -see that I can be of much service, but I am willing -to do my best." And so it was that on a summer -afternoon I set forth to Lewisham, little dreaming -that within a week the affair in which I was engaging -would be the eager debate of all England. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -It was late that evening before I returned to Baker -Street and gave an account of my mission. Holmes -lay with his gaunt figure stretched in his deep chair, -his pipe curling forth slow wreaths of acrid tobacco, -while his eyelids drooped over his eyes so lazily that -he might almost have been asleep were it not that -at any halt or questionable passage of my narrative -they half lifted, and two grey eyes, as bright and keen -as rapiers, transfixed me with their searching glance. -</p> - -<p> -"The Haven is the name of Mr. Josiah Amberley's -house," I explained. "I think it would interest -you, Holmes. It is like some penurious patrician -who has sunk into the company of his inferiors. -You know that particular quarter, the monotonous -brick streets, the weary suburban highways. Right -in the middle of them, a little island of ancient -culture and comfort, lies this old home, surrounded -by a high sun-baked wall mottled with lichens and -topped with moss, the sort of wall——" -</p> - -<p> -"Cut out the poetry, Watson," said Holmes -severely. "I note that it was a high brick wall." -</p> - -<p> -"Exactly. I should not have known which was -The Haven had I not asked a lounger who was -smoking in the street. I have a reason for mentioning -him. He was a tall, dark, heavily-moustached, -rather military-looking man. He nodded in answer -to my inquiry and gave me a curiously questioning -glance, which came back to my memory a little -later. -</p> - -<p> -"I had hardly entered the gateway before I saw -Mr. Amberley coming down the drive. I only had -a glimpse of him this morning, and he certainly gave -me the impression of a strange creature, but when I -saw him in full light his appearance was even more -abnormal." -</p> - -<p> -"I have, of course, studied it, and yet I should -be interested to have your impression," said Holmes. -</p> - -<p> -"He seemed to me like a man who was literally -bowed down by care. His back was curved as -though he carried a heavy burden. Yet he was not -the weakling that I had at first imagined, for his -shoulders and chest have the framework of a giant, -though his figure tapers away into a pair of spindled -legs." -</p> - -<p> -"Left shoe wrinkled, right one smooth." -</p> - -<p> -"I did not observe that." -</p> - -<p> -"No, you wouldn't. I spotted his artificial limb. -But proceed." -</p> - -<p> -"I was struck by the snaky locks of grizzled hair -which curled from under his old straw hat, and his -face with its fierce, eager expression and the -deeply-lined features." -</p> - -<p> -"Very good, Watson. What did he say?" -</p> - -<p> -"He began pouring out the story of his grievances. -We walked down the drive together, and of course -I took a good look round. I have never seen a -worse-kept place. The garden was all running to seed, -giving me an impression of wild neglect in which the -plants had been allowed to find the way of nature -rather than of art. How any decent woman could -have tolerated such a state of things, I don't know. -The house, too, was slatternly to the last degree, but -the poor man seemed himself to be aware of it and -to be trying to remedy it, for a great pot of green -paint stood in the centre of the hall and he was -carrying a thick brush in his left hand. He had been -working on the woodwork. -</p> - -<p> -"He took me into his dingy sanctum, and we had -a long chat. Of course, he was disappointed that -you had not come yourself. 'I hardly expected,' -he said, 'that so humble an individual as myself, -especially after my heavy financial loss, could obtain -the complete attention of so famous a man as -Mr. Sherlock Holmes.' -</p> - -<p> -"I assured him that the financial question did -not arise. 'No, of course, it is art for art's sake -with him,' said he; 'but even on the artistic side of -crime he might have found something here to study. -And human nature, Dr. Watson—the black ingratitude -of it all! When did I ever refuse one of her -requests? Was ever a woman so pampered? -And that young man—he might have been my own -son. He had the run of my house. And yet see -how they have treated me! Oh, Dr. Watson, it is -a dreadful, dreadful world!' -</p> - -<p> -"That was the burden of his song for an hour or -more. He had, it seems, no suspicion of an intrigue. -They lived alone save for a woman who comes in -by the day and leaves every evening at six. On that -particular evening old Amberley, wishing to give -his wife a treat, had taken two upper circle seats at -the Haymarket Theatre. At the last moment she -had complained of a headache and had refused to -go. He had gone alone. There seemed to be no -doubt about the fact, for he produced the unused -ticket which he had taken for his wife." -</p> - -<p> -"That is remarkable—most remarkable," said -Holmes, whose interest in the case seemed to be -rising. "Pray continue, Watson. I find your -narrative most arresting. Did you personally -examine this ticket? You did not, perchance, take -the number?" -</p> - -<p> -"It so happens that I did," I answered with some -pride. "It chanced to be my old school number, -thirty-one, and so it stuck in my head." -</p> - -<p> -"Excellent, Watson! His seat, then, was either -thirty or thirty-two." -</p> - -<p> -"Quite so," I answered, with some mystification. -"And on B row." -</p> - -<p> -"That is most satisfactory. What else did he tell -you?" -</p> - -<p> -"He showed me his strong-room, as he called it. -It really is a strong-room—like a bank—with iron -door and shutter—burglar-proof, as he claimed. -However, the woman seems to have had a duplicate -key, and between them they had carried off some -seven thousand pounds' worth of cash and -securities." -</p> - -<p> -"Securities! How could they dispose of those?" -</p> - -<p> -"He said that he had given the police a list and -that he hoped they would be unsalable. He had -got back from the theatre about midnight, and found -the place plundered, the door and window open and -the fugitives gone. There was no letter or message, -nor has he heard a word since. He at once gave the -alarm to the police." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes brooded for some minutes. -</p> - -<p> -"You say he was painting. What was he painting?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, he was painting the passage. But he had -already painted the door and woodwork of this -room I spoke of." -</p> - -<p> -"Does it not strike you as a strange occupation -in the circumstances?" -</p> - -<p> -"'One must do something to ease an aching -heart.' That was his own explanation. It was -eccentric, no doubt, but he is clearly an eccentric -man. He tore up one of his wife's photographs in -my presence—tore it up furiously in a tempest of -passion. 'I never wish to see her damned face -again,' he shrieked." -</p> - -<p> -"Anything more, Watson?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, one thing which struck me more than anything -else. I had driven to the Blackheath Station -and had caught my train there, when just as it was -starting I saw a man dart into the carriage next to -my own. You know that I have a quick eye for -faces, Holmes. It was undoubtedly the tall, dark -man whom I had addressed in the street. I saw -him once more at London Bridge, and then I lost -him in the crowd. But I am convinced that he was -following me." -</p> - -<p> -"No doubt! No doubt!" said Holmes. "A -tall, dark, heavily-moustached man, you say, with -grey-tinted sun-glasses?" -</p> - -<p> -"Holmes, you are a wizard. I did not say so, -but he had grey-tinted sun-glasses." -</p> - -<p> -"And a Masonic tie-pin?" -</p> - -<p> -"Holmes!" -</p> - -<p> -"Quite simple, my dear Watson. But let us get -down to what is practical. I must admit to you -that the case, which seemed to me to be so absurdly -simple as to be hardly worth my notice, is rapidly -assuming a very different aspect. It is true that -though in your mission you have missed everything -of importance, yet even those things which have -obtruded themselves upon your notice give rise to -serious thought." -</p> - -<p> -"What have I missed?" -</p> - -<p> -"Don't be hurt, my dear fellow. You know that -I am quite impersonal. No one else would have done -better. Some possibly not so well. But clearly -you have missed some vital points. What is the -opinion of the neighbours about this man Amberley -and his wife? That surely is of importance. What -of Dr. Ernest? Was he the gay Lothario one would -expect? With your natural advantages, Watson, -every lady is your helper and accomplice. What -about the girl at the post office, or the wife of the -greengrocer? I can picture you whispering soft -nothings with the young lady at the 'Blue Anchor,' -and receiving hard somethings in exchange. All this -you have left undone." -</p> - -<p> -"It can still be done." -</p> - -<p> -"It has been done. Thanks to the telephone and -the help of the Yard, I can usually get my essentials -without leaving this room. As a matter of fact, my -information confirms the man's story. He has the -local repute of being a miser as well as a harsh and -exacting husband. That he had a large sum of -money in that strong-room of his is certain. So also -is it that young Dr. Ernest, an unmarried man, -played chess with Amberley, and probably played -the fool with his wife. All this seems plain sailing, -and one would think that there was no more to be -said—and yet!—and yet!" -</p> - -<p> -"Where lies the difficulty?" -</p> - -<p> -"In my imagination, perhaps. Well, leave it -there, Watson. Let us escape from this weary -workaday world by the side door of music. Carina -sings to-night at the Albert Hall, and we still have -time to dress, dine and enjoy." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -In the morning I was up betimes, but some toast -crumbs and two empty egg-shells told me that my -companion was earlier still. I found a scribbled -note upon the table. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="noindent"> -DEAR WATSON,— -</p> - -<p> -There are one or two points of contact which -I should wish to establish with Mr. Josiah Amberley. -When I have done so we can dismiss the case—or -not. I would only ask you to be on hand about -three o'clock, as I conceive it possible that I may -want you. -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -S. H. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -I saw nothing of Holmes all day, but at the hour -named he returned, grave, preoccupied and aloof. -At such times it was wiser to leave him to himself. -</p> - -<p> -"Has Amberley been here yet?" -</p> - -<p> -"No." -</p> - -<p> -"Ah! I am expecting him." -</p> - -<p> -He was not disappointed, for presently the old -fellow arrived with a very worried and puzzled -expression upon his austere face. -</p> - -<p> -"I've had a telegram, Mr. Holmes. I can make -nothing of it." He handed it over, and Holmes -read it aloud. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -"Come at once without fail. Can give you -information as to your recent loss.—ELMAN. The -Vicarage." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -"Dispatched at two-ten from Little Turlington," -said Holmes. "Little Turlington is in Essex, I -believe, not far from Frinton. Well, of course you -will start at once. This is evidently from a responsible -person, the vicar of the place. Where is my -Crockford? Yes, here we have him. J. C. Elman, -M.A., Living of Mossmoor cum Little Purlington. -Look up the trains, Watson." -</p> - -<p> -"There is one at five-twenty from Liverpool -Street." -</p> - -<p> -"Excellent. You had best go with him, Watson. -He may need help or advice. Clearly we have come -to a crisis in this affair." -</p> - -<p> -But our client seemed by no means eager to start. -</p> - -<p> -"It's perfectly absurd, Mr. Holmes," he said. -"What can this man possibly know of what has -occurred? It is waste of time and money." -</p> - -<p> -"He would not have telegraphed to you if he did -not know something. Wire at once that you are -coming." -</p> - -<p> -"I don't think I shall go." -</p> - -<p> -Holmes assumed his sternest aspect. -</p> - -<p> -"It would make the worst possible impression -both on the police and upon myself, Mr. Amberley, -if when so obvious a clue arose you should refuse to -follow it up. We should feel that you were not -really in earnest in this investigation." -</p> - -<p> -Our client seemed horrified at the suggestion. -</p> - -<p> -"Why, of course I shall go if you look at it in that -way," said he. "On the face of it, it seems absurd -to suppose that this parson knows anything, but if -you think——" -</p> - -<p> -"I <i>do</i> think," said Holmes, with emphasis, and -so we were launched upon our journey. Holmes -took me aside before we left the room and gave me -one word of counsel which showed that he considered -the matter to be of importance. "Whatever you -do, see that he really <i>does</i> go," said he. "Should -he break away or return, get to the nearest telephone -exchange and send the single word 'Bolted.' I will -arrange here that it shall reach me wherever I am." -</p> - -<p> -Little Purlington is not an easy place to reach, for -it is on a branch line. My remembrance of the -journey is not a pleasant one, for the weather was -hot, the train slow, and my companion sullen and -silent, hardly talking at all, save to make an -occasional sardonic remark as to the futility of our -proceedings. When we at last reached the little station -it was a two-mile drive before we came to the -Vicarage, where a big, solemn, rather pompous -clergyman received us in his study. Our telegram -lay before him. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, gentlemen," he asked, "what can I do for you?" -</p> - -<p> -"We came," I explained, "in answer to your wire." -</p> - -<p> -"My wire! I sent no wire." -</p> - -<p> -"I mean the wire which you sent to Mr. Josiah -Amberley about his wife and his money." -</p> - -<p> -"If this is a joke, sir, it is a very questionable -one," said the vicar angrily. "I have never heard -of the gentleman you name, and I have not sent a -wire to anyone." -</p> - -<p> -Our client and I looked at each other in amazement. -</p> - -<p> -"Perhaps there is some mistake," said I; "are -there perhaps two vicarages? Here is the wire -itself, signed Elman, and dated from the Vicarage." -</p> - -<p> -"There is only one vicarage, sir, and only one -vicar, and this wire is a scandalous forgery, the -origin of which shall certainly be investigated by the -police. Meanwhile, I can see no possible object in -prolonging this interview." -</p> - -<p> -So Mr. Amberley and I found ourselves on the roadside -in what seemed to me to be the most primitive -village in England. We made for the telegraph -office, but it was already closed. There was a -telephone, however, at the little 'Railway Arms,' and by -it I got into touch with Holmes, who shared in our -amazement at the result of our journey. -</p> - -<p> -"Most singular!" said the distant voice. "Most -remarkable! I much fear, my dear Watson, that -there is no return train to-night. I have unwittingly -condemned you to the horrors of a country inn. -However, there is always Nature, Watson—Nature -and Josiah Amberley—you can be in close commune -with both." I heard his dry chuckle as he turned -away. -</p> - -<p> -It was soon apparent to me that my companion's -reputation as a miser was not undeserved. He had -grumbled at the expense of the journey, had insisted -upon travelling third-class, and was now clamorous -in his objections to the hotel bill. Next morning, -when we did at last arrive in London, it was hard -to say which of us was in the worse humour. -</p> - -<p> -"You had best take Baker Street as we pass," -said I. "Mr. Holmes may have some fresh instructions." -</p> - -<p> -"If they are not worth more than the last ones -they are not of much use," said Amberley, with a -malevolent scowl. None the less, he kept me -company. I had already warned Holmes by telegram -of the hour of our arrival, but we found a message -waiting that he was at Lewisham, and would expect -us there. That was a surprise, but an even greater -one was to find that he was not alone in the -sitting-room of our client. A stern-looking, impassive -man sat beside him, a dark man with grey-tinted -glasses and a large Masonic pin projecting from his tie. -</p> - -<p> -"This is my friend Mr. Barker," said Holmes. -"He has been interesting himself also in your -business, Mr. Josiah Amberley, though we have been -working independently. But we both have the same -question to ask you!" -</p> - -<p> -Mr. Amberley sat down heavily. He sensed -impending danger. I read it in his straining eyes -and his twitching features. -</p> - -<p> -"What is the question, Mr. Holmes?" -</p> - -<p> -"Only this: What did you do with the bodies?" -</p> - -<p> -The man sprang to his feet with a hoarse scream. -He clawed into the air with his bony hands. His -mouth was open, and for the instant he looked like -some horrible bird of prey. In a flash we got a -glimpse of the real Josiah Amberley, a misshapen -demon with a soul as distorted as his body. As he -fell back into his chair he clapped his hand to his -lips as if to stifle a cough. Holmes sprang at his -throat like a tiger, and twisted his face towards the -ground. A white pellet fell from between his gasping -lips. -</p> - -<p> -"No short cuts, Josiah Amberley. Things must -be done decently and in order. What about it, -Barker?" -</p> - -<p> -"I have a cab at the door," said our taciturn -companion. -</p> - -<p> -"It is only a few hundred yards to the station. -We will go together. You can stay here, Watson. -I shall be back within half an hour." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -The old colourman had the strength of a lion -in that great trunk of his, but he was helpless in -the hands of the two experienced man-handlers. -Wriggling and twisting he was dragged to the waiting -cab, and I was left to my solitary vigil in the -ill-omened house. In less time than he had named, -however, Holmes was back, in company with a -smart young police inspector. -</p> - -<p> -"I've left Barker to look after the formalities," -said Holmes. "You had not met Barker, Watson. -He is my hated rival upon the Surrey shore. When -you said a tall dark man it was not difficult for me -to complete the picture. He has several good cases -to his credit, has he not, Inspector?" -</p> - -<p> -"He has certainly interfered several times," the -Inspector answered with reserve. -</p> - -<p> -"His methods are irregular, no doubt, like my -own. The irregulars are useful sometimes, you -know. You, for example, with your compulsory -warning about whatever he said being used against -him, could never have bluffed this rascal into what is -virtually a confession." -</p> - -<p> -"Perhaps not. But we get there all the same, -Mr. Holmes. Don't imagine that we had not formed -our own views of this case, and that we would not -have laid our hands on our man. You will excuse -us for feeling sore when you jump in with methods -which we cannot use, and so rob us of the credit." -</p> - -<p> -"There shall be no such robbery, MacKinnon. -I assure you that I efface myself from now onwards, -and as to Barker, he has done nothing save what I -told him." -</p> - -<p> -The Inspector seemed considerably relieved. -</p> - -<p> -"That is very handsome of you, Mr. Holmes. -Praise or blame can matter little to you, but it is -very different to us when the newspapers begin to -ask questions." -</p> - -<p> -"Quite so. But they are pretty sure to ask -questions anyhow, so it would be as well to have -answers. What will you say, for example, when the -intelligent and enterprising reporter asks you what -the exact points were which aroused your suspicion, -and finally gave you a certain conviction as to the -real facts?" -</p> - -<p> -The Inspector looked puzzled. -</p> - -<p> -"We don't seem to have got any real facts yet, -Mr. Holmes. You say that the prisoner, in the -presence of three witnesses, practically confessed, -by trying to commit suicide, that he had murdered -his wife and her lover. What other facts have you?" -</p> - -<p> -"Have you arranged for a search?" -</p> - -<p> -"There are three constables on their way." -</p> - -<p> -"Then you will soon get the clearest fact of all. -The bodies cannot be far away. Try the cellars and -the garden. It should not take long to dig up the -likely places. This house is older than the -water-pipes. There must be a disused well somewhere. -Try your luck there." -</p> - -<p> -"But how did you know of it, and how was it done?" -</p> - -<p> -"I'll show you first how it was done, and then I -will give the explanation which is due to you, and -even more to my long-suffering friend here, who has -been invaluable throughout. But, first, I would -give you an insight into this man's mentality. It -is a very unusual one—so much so that I think his -destination is more likely to be Broadmoor than the -scaffold. He has, to a high degree, the sort of mind -which one associates with the mediæval Italian -nature rather than with the modern Briton. He -was a miserable miser who made his wife so wretched -by his niggardly ways that she was a ready prey -for any adventurer. Such a one came upon the -scene in the person of this chess-playing doctor. -Amberley excelled at chess—one mark, Watson, of -a scheming mind. Like all misers, he was a jealous -man, and his jealousy became a frantic mania. -Rightly or wrongly, he suspected an intrigue. He -determined to have his revenge, and he planned it -with diabolical cleverness. Come here!" -</p> - -<p> -Holmes led us along the passage with as much -certainty as if he had lived in the house, and halted -at the open door of the strong-room. -</p> - -<p> -"Pooh! What an awful smell of paint!" cried -the Inspector. -</p> - -<p> -"That was our first clue," said Holmes. "You -can thank Dr. Watson's observation for that, though -he failed to draw the inference. It set my foot upon -the trail. Why should this man at such a time be -filling his house with strong odours? Obviously, -to cover some other smell which he wished to -conceal—some guilty smell which would suggest -suspicions. Then came the idea of a room such as you -see here with iron door and shutter—a hermetically -sealed room. Put those two facts together, and -whither do they lead? I could only determine -that by examining the house myself. I was already -certain that the case was serious, for I had examined -the box-office chart at the Haymarket Theatre—another -of Dr. Watson's bull's-eyes—and ascertained -that neither B thirty nor thirty-two of the upper -circle had been occupied that night. Therefore, -Amberley had not been to the theatre, and his alibi -fell to the ground. He made a bad slip when he -allowed my astute friend to notice the number of -the seat taken for his wife. The question now arose -how I might be able to examine the house. I sent -an agent to the most impossible village I could -think of, and summoned my man to it at such an -hour that he could not possibly get back. To -prevent any miscarriage, Dr. Watson accompanied -him. The good vicar's name I took, of course, out -of my Crockford. Do I make it all clear to you?" -</p> - -<p> -"It is masterly," said the Inspector, in an awed -voice. -</p> - -<p> -"There being no fear of interruption I proceeded -to burgle the house. Burglary has always been an -alternative profession, had I cared to adopt it, and -I have little doubt that I should have come to the -front. Observe what I found. You see the gas-pipe -along the skirting here. Very good. It rises -in the angle of the wall, and there is a tap here in -the corner. The pipe runs out into the strong-room, -as you can see, and ends in that plaster rose in the -centre of the ceiling, where it is concealed by the -ornamentation. That end is wide open. At any -moment by turning the outside tap the room could -be flooded with gas. With door and shutter closed -and the tap full on I would not give two minutes of -conscious sensation to anyone shut up in that little -chamber. By what devilish device he decoyed them -there I do not know, but once inside the door they -were at his mercy." -</p> - -<p> -The Inspector examined the pipe with interest. -"One of our officers mentioned the smell of gas," -said he, "but, of course, the window and door were -open then, and the paint—or some of it—was -already about. He had begun the work of painting -the day before, according to his story. But what -next, Mr. Holmes?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, then came an incident which was rather -unexpected to myself. I was slipping through the -pantry window in the early dawn when I felt a hand -inside my collar, and a voice said: 'Now, you -rascal, what are you doing in there?' When I -could twist my head round I looked into the tinted -spectacles of my friend and rival, Mr. Barker. It -was a curious forgathering, and set us both smiling. -It seems that he had been engaged by Dr. Ray -Ernest's family to make some investigations, and -had come to the same conclusion as to foul play. He -had watched the house for some days, and had -spotted Dr. Watson as one of the obviously -suspicious characters who had called there. He could -hardly arrest Watson, but when he saw a man -actually climbing out of the pantry window there -came a limit to his restraint. Of course, I told -him how matters stood and we continued the case -together." -</p> - -<p> -"Why him? Why not us?" -</p> - -<p> -"Because it was in my mind to put that little -test which answered so admirably. I fear you would -not have gone so far." -</p> - -<p> -The Inspector smiled. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, maybe not. I understand that I have -your word, Mr. Holmes, that you step right out of -the case now and that you turn all your results over -to us." -</p> - -<p> -"Certainly, that is always my custom." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, in the name of the Force I thank you. -It seems a clear case, as you put it, and there can't -be much difficulty over the bodies." -</p> - -<p> -"I'll show you a grim little bit of evidence," said -Holmes, "and I am sure Amberley himself never -observed it. You'll get results, Inspector, by -always putting yourself in the other fellow's place, -and thinking what you would do yourself. It takes -some imagination, but it pays. Now, we will -suppose that you were shut up in this little room, -had not two minutes to live, but wanted to get even -with the fiend who was probably mocking at you -from the other side of the door. What would you do?" -</p> - -<p> -"Write a message." -</p> - -<p> -"Exactly. You would like to tell people how you -died. No use writing on paper. That would be -seen. If you wrote on the wall some eye might -rest upon it. Now, look here! Just above the -skirting is scribbled with a purple indelible pencil: -'We we——' That's all." -</p> - -<p> -"What do you make of that?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, it's only a foot above the ground. The -poor devil was on the floor and dying when he wrote -it. He lost his senses before he could finish." -</p> - -<p> -"He was writing, 'We were murdered.'" -</p> - -<p> -"That's how I read it. If you find an indelible -pencil on the body——" -</p> - -<p> -"We'll look out for it, you may be sure. But -those securities? Clearly there was no robbery at -all. And yet he <i>did</i> possess those bonds. We -verified that." -</p> - -<p> -"You may be sure he has them hidden in a safe -place. When the whole elopement had passed into -history he would suddenly discover them, and -announce that the guilty couple had relented and -sent back the plunder or had dropped it on the way." -</p> - -<p> -"You certainly seem to have met every difficulty," -said the Inspector. "Of course, he was -bound to call us in, but why he should have gone -to you I can't understand." -</p> - -<p> -"Pure swank!" Holmes answered. "He felt -so clever and so sure of himself that he imagined no -one could touch him. He could say to any suspicious -neighbour, 'Look at the steps I have taken. I have -consulted not only the police, but even Sherlock -Holmes.'" -</p> - -<p> -The Inspector laughed. -</p> - -<p> -"We must forgive you your 'even,' Mr. Holmes," -said he; "it's as workmanlike a job as I can -remember." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -A couple of days later my friend tossed across to -me a copy of the bi-weekly <i>North Surrey Observer</i>. -Under a series of flaming headlines, which began -with "The Haven Horror" and ended with -"Brilliant Police Investigation," there was a packed -column of print which gave the first consecutive -account of the affair. The concluding paragraph -is typical of the whole. It ran thus: -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -"The remarkable acumen by which Inspector -MacKinnon deduced from the smell of paint that -some other smell, that of gas, for example, might -be concealed; the bold deduction that the strongroom -might also be the death-chamber, and the -subsequent inquiry which led to the discovery of -the bodies in a disused well, cleverly concealed by a -dog-kennel, should live in the history of crime as a -standing example of the intelligence of our -professional detectives." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -"Well, well, MacKinnon is a good fellow," said -Holmes, with a tolerant smile. "You can file it -in our archives, Watson. Some day the true story -may be told." -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t4"> -Printed in Great Britain by Butler & Tanner Ltd., Frome and London -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="thought"> -******** -<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap13"></a></p> - -<p class="t3b"> - By A. CONAN DOYLE -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES.<br /> - THE MEMOIRS OF SHERLOCK HOLMES.<br /> - THE RETURN OF SHERLOCK HOLMES.<br /> - MICAH CLARKE.<br /> - THE CAPTAIN OF THE POLE STAR.<br /> - THE SIGN OF FOUR.<br /> - THE WHITE COMPANY<br /> - THE REFUGEES.<br /> - THE STARK MUNRO LETTERS.<br /> - THE EXPLOITS OF BRIGADIER GERARD.<br /> - RODNEY STONE.<br /> - UNCLE BERNAC.<br /> - THE TRAGEDY OF THE "KOROSKO."<br /> - A DUET, WITH AN OCCASIONAL CHORUS.<br /> - THE GREEN FLAG.<br /> - THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES.<br /> - THE ADVENTURES OF GERARD.<br /> - SIR NIGEL.<br /> - THROUGH THE MAGIC DOOR.<br /> - ROUND THE FIRE STORIES.<br /> - THE LAST GALLEY.<br /> - THE LOST WORLD.<br /> - ROUND THE RED LAMP.<br /> - THE VALLEY OF FEAR.<br /> - HIS LAST BOW.<br /> - DANGER! AND OTHER STORIES.<br /> - THE FIRM OF GIRDLESTONE.<br /> - TALES OF ADVENTURE AND MEDICAL LIFE.<br /> - TALES OF LONG AGO.<br /> - TALES OF PIRATES AND BLUE WATER.<br /> - TALES OF THE RING AND CAMP.<br /> - TALES OF TERROR AND MYSTERY.<br /> - TALES OF TWILIGHT AND THE UNSEEN.<br /> - SONGS OF ACTION.<br /> - SONGS OF THE ROAD.<br /> - THE GUARDS CAME THROUGH, AND OTHER POEMS.<br /> - POEMS: COLLECTED EDITION.<br /> - THREE OF THEM: A REMINISCENCE.<br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - THE MYSTERY OF JOAN OF ARC. BY LÉON<br /> - DENIS. Translated from the French by<br /> - A. CONAN DOYLE.<br /> -</p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CASE-BOOK OF SHERLOCK HOLMES ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ -concept and trademark. 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