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diff --git a/old/834-h/834-h.htm b/old/834-h/834-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..537466c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/834-h/834-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,12304 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +Project Gutenberg's Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere 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 www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes + +Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle + +Release Date: March, 1997 [EBook #834] +Last Updated: March 6, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEMOIRS OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** + + + + +Produced by Angela M. Cable, and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + MEMOIRS OF SHERLOCK HOLMES + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> Adventure I. </a> + </td> + <td> + Silver Blaze + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> Adventure II. </a> + </td> + <td> + The Yellow Face + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> Adventure III. </a> + </td> + <td> + The Stock-Broker's Clerk + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> Adventure IV. </a> + </td> + <td> + The “<i>Gloria Scott</i>” + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> Adventure V. </a> + </td> + <td> + The Musgrave Ritual + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> Adventure VI. </a> + </td> + <td> + The Reigate Puzzle + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> Adventure VII. </a> + </td> + <td> + The Crooked Man + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> Adventure VIII. </a> + </td> + <td> + The Resident Patient + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> Adventure IX. </a> + </td> + <td> + The Greek Interpreter + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> Adventure X. </a> + </td> + <td> + The Naval Treaty + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> Adventure XI. </a> + </td> + <td> + The Final Problem + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + Adventure I. Silver Blaze + </h2> + <p> + “I am afraid, Watson, that I shall have to go,” said Holmes, as we sat + down together to our breakfast one morning. + </p> + <p> + “Go! Where to?” + </p> + <p> + “To Dartmoor; to King's Pyland.” + </p> + <p> + I was not surprised. Indeed, my only wonder was that he had not already + been mixed up in this extraordinary case, which was the one topic of + conversation through the length and breadth of England. For a whole day my + companion had rambled about the room with his chin upon his chest and his + brows knitted, charging and recharging his pipe with the strongest black + tobacco, and absolutely deaf to any of my questions or remarks. Fresh + editions of every paper had been sent up by our news agent, only to be + glanced over and tossed down into a corner. Yet, silent as he was, I knew + perfectly well what it was over which he was brooding. There was but one + problem before the public which could challenge his powers of analysis, + and that was the singular disappearance of the favorite for the Wessex + Cup, and the tragic murder of its trainer. When, therefore, he suddenly + announced his intention of setting out for the scene of the drama it was + only what I had both expected and hoped for. + </p> + <p> + “I should be most happy to go down with you if I should not be in the + way,” said I. + </p> + <p> + “My dear Watson, you would confer a great favor upon me by coming. And I + think that your time will not be misspent, for there are points about the + case which promise to make it an absolutely unique one. We have, I think, + just time to catch our train at Paddington, and I will go further into the + matter upon our journey. You would oblige me by bringing with you your + very excellent field-glass.” + </p> + <p> + And so it happened that an hour or so later I found myself in the corner + of a first-class carriage flying along en route for Exeter, while Sherlock + Holmes, with his sharp, eager face framed in his ear-flapped + travelling-cap, dipped rapidly into the bundle of fresh papers which he + had procured at Paddington. We had left Reading far behind us before he + thrust the last one of them under the seat, and offered me his cigar-case. + </p> + <p> + “We are going well,” said he, looking out the window and glancing at his + watch. “Our rate at present is fifty-three and a half miles an hour.” + </p> + <p> + “I have not observed the quarter-mile posts,” said I. + </p> + <p> + “Nor have I. But the telegraph posts upon this line are sixty yards apart, + and the calculation is a simple one. I presume that you have looked into + this matter of the murder of John Straker and the disappearance of Silver + Blaze?” + </p> + <p> + “I have seen what the Telegraph and the Chronicle have to say.” + </p> + <p> + “It is one of those cases where the art of the reasoner should be used + rather for the sifting of details than for the acquiring of fresh + evidence. The tragedy has been so uncommon, so complete and of such + personal importance to so many people, that we are suffering from a + plethora of surmise, conjecture, and hypothesis. The difficulty is to + detach the framework of fact—of absolute undeniable fact—from + the embellishments of theorists and reporters. Then, having established + ourselves upon this sound basis, it is our duty to see what inferences may + be drawn and what are the special points upon which the whole mystery + turns. On Tuesday evening I received telegrams from both Colonel Ross, the + owner of the horse, and from Inspector Gregory, who is looking after the + case, inviting my cooperation.” + </p> + <p> + “Tuesday evening!” I exclaimed. “And this is Thursday morning. Why didn't + you go down yesterday?” + </p> + <p> + “Because I made a blunder, my dear Watson—which is, I am afraid, a + more common occurrence than any one would think who only knew me through + your memoirs. The fact is that I could not believe it possible that the + most remarkable horse in England could long remain concealed, especially + in so sparsely inhabited a place as the north of Dartmoor. From hour to + hour yesterday I expected to hear that he had been found, and that his + abductor was the murderer of John Straker. When, however, another morning + had come, and I found that beyond the arrest of young Fitzroy Simpson + nothing had been done, I felt that it was time for me to take action. Yet + in some ways I feel that yesterday has not been wasted.” + </p> + <p> + “You have formed a theory, then?” + </p> + <p> + “At least I have got a grip of the essential facts of the case. I shall + enumerate them to you, for nothing clears up a case so much as stating it + to another person, and I can hardly expect your co-operation if I do not + show you the position from which we start.” + </p> + <p> + I lay back against the cushions, puffing at my cigar, while Holmes, + leaning forward, with his long, thin forefinger checking off the points + upon the palm of his left hand, gave me a sketch of the events which had + led to our journey. + </p> + <p> + “Silver Blaze,” said he, “is from the Somomy stock, and holds as brilliant + a record as his famous ancestor. He is now in his fifth year, and has + brought in turn each of the prizes of the turf to Colonel Ross, his + fortunate owner. Up to the time of the catastrophe he was the first + favorite for the Wessex Cup, the betting being three to one on him. He has + always, however, been a prime favorite with the racing public, and has + never yet disappointed them, so that even at those odds enormous sums of + money have been laid upon him. It is obvious, therefore, that there were + many people who had the strongest interest in preventing Silver Blaze from + being there at the fall of the flag next Tuesday. + </p> + <p> + “The fact was, of course, appreciated at King's Pyland, where the + Colonel's training-stable is situated. Every precaution was taken to guard + the favorite. The trainer, John Straker, is a retired jockey who rode in + Colonel Ross's colors before he became too heavy for the weighing-chair. + He has served the Colonel for five years as jockey and for seven as + trainer, and has always shown himself to be a zealous and honest servant. + Under him were three lads; for the establishment was a small one, + containing only four horses in all. One of these lads sat up each night in + the stable, while the others slept in the loft. All three bore excellent + characters. John Straker, who is a married man, lived in a small villa + about two hundred yards from the stables. He has no children, keeps one + maid-servant, and is comfortably off. The country round is very lonely, + but about half a mile to the north there is a small cluster of villas + which have been built by a Tavistock contractor for the use of invalids + and others who may wish to enjoy the pure Dartmoor air. Tavistock itself + lies two miles to the west, while across the moor, also about two miles + distant, is the larger training establishment of Mapleton, which belongs + to Lord Backwater, and is managed by Silas Brown. In every other direction + the moor is a complete wilderness, inhabited only by a few roaming + gypsies. Such was the general situation last Monday night when the + catastrophe occurred. + </p> + <p> + “On that evening the horses had been exercised and watered as usual, and + the stables were locked up at nine o'clock. Two of the lads walked up to + the trainer's house, where they had supper in the kitchen, while the + third, Ned Hunter, remained on guard. At a few minutes after nine the + maid, Edith Baxter, carried down to the stables his supper, which + consisted of a dish of curried mutton. She took no liquid, as there was a + water-tap in the stables, and it was the rule that the lad on duty should + drink nothing else. The maid carried a lantern with her, as it was very + dark and the path ran across the open moor. + </p> + <p> + “Edith Baxter was within thirty yards of the stables, when a man appeared + out of the darkness and called to her to stop. As he stepped into the + circle of yellow light thrown by the lantern she saw that he was a person + of gentlemanly bearing, dressed in a gray suit of tweeds, with a cloth + cap. He wore gaiters, and carried a heavy stick with a knob to it. She was + most impressed, however, by the extreme pallor of his face and by the + nervousness of his manner. His age, she thought, would be rather over + thirty than under it. + </p> + <p> + “'Can you tell me where I am?' he asked. 'I had almost made up my mind to + sleep on the moor, when I saw the light of your lantern.' + </p> + <p> + “'You are close to the King's Pyland training-stables,' said she. + </p> + <p> + “'Oh, indeed! What a stroke of luck!' he cried. 'I understand that a + stable-boy sleeps there alone every night. Perhaps that is his supper + which you are carrying to him. Now I am sure that you would not be too + proud to earn the price of a new dress, would you?' He took a piece of + white paper folded up out of his waistcoat pocket. 'See that the boy has + this to-night, and you shall have the prettiest frock that money can buy.' + </p> + <p> + “She was frightened by the earnestness of his manner, and ran past him to + the window through which she was accustomed to hand the meals. It was + already opened, and Hunter was seated at the small table inside. She had + begun to tell him of what had happened, when the stranger came up again. + </p> + <p> + “'Good-evening,' said he, looking through the window. 'I wanted to have a + word with you.' The girl has sworn that as he spoke she noticed the corner + of the little paper packet protruding from his closed hand. + </p> + <p> + “'What business have you here?' asked the lad. + </p> + <p> + “'It's business that may put something into your pocket,' said the other. + 'You've two horses in for the Wessex Cup—Silver Blaze and Bayard. + Let me have the straight tip and you won't be a loser. Is it a fact that + at the weights Bayard could give the other a hundred yards in five + furlongs, and that the stable have put their money on him?' + </p> + <p> + “'So, you're one of those damned touts!' cried the lad. 'I'll show you how + we serve them in King's Pyland.' He sprang up and rushed across the stable + to unloose the dog. The girl fled away to the house, but as she ran she + looked back and saw that the stranger was leaning through the window. A + minute later, however, when Hunter rushed out with the hound he was gone, + and though he ran all round the buildings he failed to find any trace of + him.” + </p> + <p> + “One moment,” I asked. “Did the stable-boy, when he ran out with the dog, + leave the door unlocked behind him?” + </p> + <p> + “Excellent, Watson, excellent!” murmured my companion. “The importance of + the point struck me so forcibly that I sent a special wire to Dartmoor + yesterday to clear the matter up. The boy locked the door before he left + it. The window, I may add, was not large enough for a man to get through. + </p> + <p> + “Hunter waited until his fellow-grooms had returned, when he sent a + message to the trainer and told him what had occurred. Straker was excited + at hearing the account, although he does not seem to have quite realized + its true significance. It left him, however, vaguely uneasy, and Mrs. + Straker, waking at one in the morning, found that he was dressing. In + reply to her inquiries, he said that he could not sleep on account of his + anxiety about the horses, and that he intended to walk down to the stables + to see that all was well. She begged him to remain at home, as she could + hear the rain pattering against the window, but in spite of her entreaties + he pulled on his large mackintosh and left the house. + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Straker awoke at seven in the morning, to find that her husband had + not yet returned. She dressed herself hastily, called the maid, and set + off for the stables. The door was open; inside, huddled together upon a + chair, Hunter was sunk in a state of absolute stupor, the favorite's stall + was empty, and there were no signs of his trainer. + </p> + <p> + “The two lads who slept in the chaff-cutting loft above the harness-room + were quickly aroused. They had heard nothing during the night, for they + are both sound sleepers. Hunter was obviously under the influence of some + powerful drug, and as no sense could be got out of him, he was left to + sleep it off while the two lads and the two women ran out in search of the + absentees. They still had hopes that the trainer had for some reason taken + out the horse for early exercise, but on ascending the knoll near the + house, from which all the neighboring moors were visible, they not only + could see no signs of the missing favorite, but they perceived something + which warned them that they were in the presence of a tragedy. + </p> + <p> + “About a quarter of a mile from the stables John Straker's overcoat was + flapping from a furze-bush. Immediately beyond there was a bowl-shaped + depression in the moor, and at the bottom of this was found the dead body + of the unfortunate trainer. His head had been shattered by a savage blow + from some heavy weapon, and he was wounded on the thigh, where there was a + long, clean cut, inflicted evidently by some very sharp instrument. It was + clear, however, that Straker had defended himself vigorously against his + assailants, for in his right hand he held a small knife, which was clotted + with blood up to the handle, while in his left he clasped a red and black + silk cravat, which was recognized by the maid as having been worn on the + preceding evening by the stranger who had visited the stables. Hunter, on + recovering from his stupor, was also quite positive as to the ownership of + the cravat. He was equally certain that the same stranger had, while + standing at the window, drugged his curried mutton, and so deprived the + stables of their watchman. As to the missing horse, there were abundant + proofs in the mud which lay at the bottom of the fatal hollow that he had + been there at the time of the struggle. But from that morning he has + disappeared, and although a large reward has been offered, and all the + gypsies of Dartmoor are on the alert, no news has come of him. Finally, an + analysis has shown that the remains of his supper left by the stable-lad + contain an appreciable quantity of powdered opium, while the people at the + house partook of the same dish on the same night without any ill effect. + </p> + <p> + “Those are the main facts of the case, stripped of all surmise, and stated + as baldly as possible. I shall now recapitulate what the police have done + in the matter. + </p> + <p> + “Inspector Gregory, to whom the case has been committed, is an extremely + competent officer. Were he but gifted with imagination he might rise to + great heights in his profession. On his arrival he promptly found and + arrested the man upon whom suspicion naturally rested. There was little + difficulty in finding him, for he inhabited one of those villas which I + have mentioned. His name, it appears, was Fitzroy Simpson. He was a man of + excellent birth and education, who had squandered a fortune upon the turf, + and who lived now by doing a little quiet and genteel book-making in the + sporting clubs of London. An examination of his betting-book shows that + bets to the amount of five thousand pounds had been registered by him + against the favorite. On being arrested he volunteered the statement that + he had come down to Dartmoor in the hope of getting some information about + the King's Pyland horses, and also about Desborough, the second favorite, + which was in charge of Silas Brown at the Mapleton stables. He did not + attempt to deny that he had acted as described upon the evening before, + but declared that he had no sinister designs, and had simply wished to + obtain first-hand information. When confronted with his cravat, he turned + very pale, and was utterly unable to account for its presence in the hand + of the murdered man. His wet clothing showed that he had been out in the + storm of the night before, and his stick, which was a Penang-lawyer + weighted with lead, was just such a weapon as might, by repeated blows, + have inflicted the terrible injuries to which the trainer had succumbed. + On the other hand, there was no wound upon his person, while the state of + Straker's knife would show that one at least of his assailants must bear + his mark upon him. There you have it all in a nutshell, Watson, and if you + can give me any light I shall be infinitely obliged to you.” + </p> + <p> + I had listened with the greatest interest to the statement which Holmes, + with characteristic clearness, had laid before me. Though most of the + facts were familiar to me, I had not sufficiently appreciated their + relative importance, nor their connection to each other. + </p> + <p> + “Is it not possible,” I suggested, “that the incised wound upon Straker + may have been caused by his own knife in the convulsive struggles which + follow any brain injury?” + </p> + <p> + “It is more than possible; it is probable,” said Holmes. “In that case one + of the main points in favor of the accused disappears.” + </p> + <p> + “And yet,” said I, “even now I fail to understand what the theory of the + police can be.” + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid that whatever theory we state has very grave objections to + it,” returned my companion. “The police imagine, I take it, that this + Fitzroy Simpson, having drugged the lad, and having in some way obtained a + duplicate key, opened the stable door and took out the horse, with the + intention, apparently, of kidnapping him altogether. His bridle is + missing, so that Simpson must have put this on. Then, having left the door + open behind him, he was leading the horse away over the moor, when he was + either met or overtaken by the trainer. A row naturally ensued. Simpson + beat out the trainer's brains with his heavy stick without receiving any + injury from the small knife which Straker used in self-defence, and then + the thief either led the horse on to some secret hiding-place, or else it + may have bolted during the struggle, and be now wandering out on the + moors. That is the case as it appears to the police, and improbable as it + is, all other explanations are more improbable still. However, I shall + very quickly test the matter when I am once upon the spot, and until then + I cannot really see how we can get much further than our present + position.” + </p> + <p> + It was evening before we reached the little town of Tavistock, which lies, + like the boss of a shield, in the middle of the huge circle of Dartmoor. + Two gentlemen were awaiting us in the station—the one a tall, fair + man with lion-like hair and beard and curiously penetrating light blue + eyes; the other a small, alert person, very neat and dapper, in a + frock-coat and gaiters, with trim little side-whiskers and an eye-glass. + The latter was Colonel Ross, the well-known sportsman; the other, + Inspector Gregory, a man who was rapidly making his name in the English + detective service. + </p> + <p> + “I am delighted that you have come down, Mr. Holmes,” said the Colonel. + “The Inspector here has done all that could possibly be suggested, but I + wish to leave no stone unturned in trying to avenge poor Straker and in + recovering my horse.” + </p> + <p> + “Have there been any fresh developments?” asked Holmes. + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry to say that we have made very little progress,” said the + Inspector. “We have an open carriage outside, and as you would no doubt + like to see the place before the light fails, we might talk it over as we + drive.” + </p> + <p> + A minute later we were all seated in a comfortable landau, and were + rattling through the quaint old Devonshire city. Inspector Gregory was + full of his case, and poured out a stream of remarks, while Holmes threw + in an occasional question or interjection. Colonel Ross leaned back with + his arms folded and his hat tilted over his eyes, while I listened with + interest to the dialogue of the two detectives. Gregory was formulating + his theory, which was almost exactly what Holmes had foretold in the + train. + </p> + <p> + “The net is drawn pretty close round Fitzroy Simpson,” he remarked, “and I + believe myself that he is our man. At the same time I recognize that the + evidence is purely circumstantial, and that some new development may upset + it.” + </p> + <p> + “How about Straker's knife?” + </p> + <p> + “We have quite come to the conclusion that he wounded himself in his + fall.” + </p> + <p> + “My friend Dr. Watson made that suggestion to me as we came down. If so, + it would tell against this man Simpson.” + </p> + <p> + “Undoubtedly. He has neither a knife nor any sign of a wound. The evidence + against him is certainly very strong. He had a great interest in the + disappearance of the favorite. He lies under suspicion of having poisoned + the stable-boy, he was undoubtedly out in the storm, he was armed with a + heavy stick, and his cravat was found in the dead man's hand. I really + think we have enough to go before a jury.” + </p> + <p> + Holmes shook his head. “A clever counsel would tear it all to rags,” said + he. “Why should he take the horse out of the stable? If he wished to + injure it why could he not do it there? Has a duplicate key been found in + his possession? What chemist sold him the powdered opium? Above all, where + could he, a stranger to the district, hide a horse, and such a horse as + this? What is his own explanation as to the paper which he wished the maid + to give to the stable-boy?” + </p> + <p> + “He says that it was a ten-pound note. One was found in his purse. But + your other difficulties are not so formidable as they seem. He is not a + stranger to the district. He has twice lodged at Tavistock in the summer. + The opium was probably brought from London. The key, having served its + purpose, would be hurled away. The horse may be at the bottom of one of + the pits or old mines upon the moor.” + </p> + <p> + “What does he say about the cravat?” + </p> + <p> + “He acknowledges that it is his, and declares that he had lost it. But a + new element has been introduced into the case which may account for his + leading the horse from the stable.” + </p> + <p> + Holmes pricked up his ears. + </p> + <p> + “We have found traces which show that a party of gypsies encamped on + Monday night within a mile of the spot where the murder took place. On + Tuesday they were gone. Now, presuming that there was some understanding + between Simpson and these gypsies, might he not have been leading the + horse to them when he was overtaken, and may they not have him now?” + </p> + <p> + “It is certainly possible.” + </p> + <p> + “The moor is being scoured for these gypsies. I have also examined every + stable and out-house in Tavistock, and for a radius of ten miles.” + </p> + <p> + “There is another training-stable quite close, I understand?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and that is a factor which we must certainly not neglect. As + Desborough, their horse, was second in the betting, they had an interest + in the disappearance of the favorite. Silas Brown, the trainer, is known + to have had large bets upon the event, and he was no friend to poor + Straker. We have, however, examined the stables, and there is nothing to + connect him with the affair.” + </p> + <p> + “And nothing to connect this man Simpson with the interests of the + Mapleton stables?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing at all.” + </p> + <p> + Holmes leaned back in the carriage, and the conversation ceased. A few + minutes later our driver pulled up at a neat little red-brick villa with + overhanging eaves which stood by the road. Some distance off, across a + paddock, lay a long gray-tiled out-building. In every other direction the + low curves of the moor, bronze-colored from the fading ferns, stretched + away to the sky-line, broken only by the steeples of Tavistock, and by a + cluster of houses away to the westward which marked the Mapleton stables. + We all sprang out with the exception of Holmes, who continued to lean back + with his eyes fixed upon the sky in front of him, entirely absorbed in his + own thoughts. It was only when I touched his arm that he roused himself + with a violent start and stepped out of the carriage. + </p> + <p> + “Excuse me,” said he, turning to Colonel Ross, who had looked at him in + some surprise. “I was day-dreaming.” There was a gleam in his eyes and a + suppressed excitement in his manner which convinced me, used as I was to + his ways, that his hand was upon a clue, though I could not imagine where + he had found it. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you would prefer at once to go on to the scene of the crime, Mr. + Holmes?” said Gregory. + </p> + <p> + “I think that I should prefer to stay here a little and go into one or two + questions of detail. Straker was brought back here, I presume?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; he lies upstairs. The inquest is to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “He has been in your service some years, Colonel Ross?” + </p> + <p> + “I have always found him an excellent servant.” + </p> + <p> + “I presume that you made an inventory of what he had in his pockets at the + time of his death, Inspector?” + </p> + <p> + “I have the things themselves in the sitting-room, if you would care to + see them.” + </p> + <p> + “I should be very glad.” We all filed into the front room and sat round + the central table while the Inspector unlocked a square tin box and laid a + small heap of things before us. There was a box of vestas, two inches of + tallow candle, an A D P brier-root pipe, a pouch of seal-skin with half an + ounce of long-cut Cavendish, a silver watch with a gold chain, five + sovereigns in gold, an aluminum pencil-case, a few papers, and an + ivory-handled knife with a very delicate, inflexible blade marked Weiss + & Co., London. + </p> + <p> + “This is a very singular knife,” said Holmes, lifting it up and examining + it minutely. “I presume, as I see blood-stains upon it, that it is the one + which was found in the dead man's grasp. Watson, this knife is surely in + your line?” + </p> + <p> + “It is what we call a cataract knife,” said I. + </p> + <p> + “I thought so. A very delicate blade devised for very delicate work. A + strange thing for a man to carry with him upon a rough expedition, + especially as it would not shut in his pocket.” + </p> + <p> + “The tip was guarded by a disk of cork which we found beside his body,” + said the Inspector. “His wife tells us that the knife had lain upon the + dressing-table, and that he had picked it up as he left the room. It was a + poor weapon, but perhaps the best that he could lay his hands on at the + moment.” + </p> + <p> + “Very possible. How about these papers?” + </p> + <p> + “Three of them are receipted hay-dealers' accounts. One of them is a + letter of instructions from Colonel Ross. This other is a milliner's + account for thirty-seven pounds fifteen made out by Madame Lesurier, of + Bond Street, to William Derbyshire. Mrs. Straker tells us that Derbyshire + was a friend of her husband's and that occasionally his letters were + addressed here.” + </p> + <p> + “Madam Derbyshire had somewhat expensive tastes,” remarked Holmes, + glancing down the account. “Twenty-two guineas is rather heavy for a + single costume. However there appears to be nothing more to learn, and we + may now go down to the scene of the crime.” + </p> + <p> + As we emerged from the sitting-room a woman, who had been waiting in the + passage, took a step forward and laid her hand upon the Inspector's + sleeve. Her face was haggard and thin and eager, stamped with the print of + a recent horror. + </p> + <p> + “Have you got them? Have you found them?” she panted. + </p> + <p> + “No, Mrs. Straker. But Mr. Holmes here has come from London to help us, + and we shall do all that is possible.” + </p> + <p> + “Surely I met you in Plymouth at a garden-party some little time ago, Mrs. + Straker?” said Holmes. + </p> + <p> + “No, sir; you are mistaken.” + </p> + <p> + “Dear me! Why, I could have sworn to it. You wore a costume of + dove-colored silk with ostrich-feather trimming.” + </p> + <p> + “I never had such a dress, sir,” answered the lady. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, that quite settles it,” said Holmes. And with an apology he followed + the Inspector outside. A short walk across the moor took us to the hollow + in which the body had been found. At the brink of it was the furze-bush + upon which the coat had been hung. + </p> + <p> + “There was no wind that night, I understand,” said Holmes. + </p> + <p> + “None; but very heavy rain.” + </p> + <p> + “In that case the overcoat was not blown against the furze-bush, but + placed there.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it was laid across the bush.” + </p> + <p> + “You fill me with interest, I perceive that the ground has been trampled + up a good deal. No doubt many feet have been here since Monday night.” + </p> + <p> + “A piece of matting has been laid here at the side, and we have all stood + upon that.” + </p> + <p> + “Excellent.” + </p> + <p> + “In this bag I have one of the boots which Straker wore, one of Fitzroy + Simpson's shoes, and a cast horseshoe of Silver Blaze.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear Inspector, you surpass yourself!” Holmes took the bag, and, + descending into the hollow, he pushed the matting into a more central + position. Then stretching himself upon his face and leaning his chin upon + his hands, he made a careful study of the trampled mud in front of him. + “Hullo!” said he, suddenly. “What's this?” It was a wax vesta half burned, + which was so coated with mud that it looked at first like a little chip of + wood. + </p> + <p> + “I cannot think how I came to overlook it,” said the Inspector, with an + expression of annoyance. + </p> + <p> + “It was invisible, buried in the mud. I only saw it because I was looking + for it.” + </p> + <p> + “What! You expected to find it?” + </p> + <p> + “I thought it not unlikely.” + </p> + <p> + He took the boots from the bag, and compared the impressions of each of + them with marks upon the ground. Then he clambered up to the rim of the + hollow, and crawled about among the ferns and bushes. + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid that there are no more tracks,” said the Inspector. “I have + examined the ground very carefully for a hundred yards in each direction.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed!” said Holmes, rising. “I should not have the impertinence to do + it again after what you say. But I should like to take a little walk over + the moor before it grows dark, that I may know my ground to-morrow, and I + think that I shall put this horseshoe into my pocket for luck.” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Ross, who had shown some signs of impatience at my companion's + quiet and systematic method of work, glanced at his watch. “I wish you + would come back with me, Inspector,” said he. “There are several points on + which I should like your advice, and especially as to whether we do not + owe it to the public to remove our horse's name from the entries for the + Cup.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly not,” cried Holmes, with decision. “I should let the name + stand.” + </p> + <p> + The Colonel bowed. “I am very glad to have had your opinion, sir,” said + he. “You will find us at poor Straker's house when you have finished your + walk, and we can drive together into Tavistock.” + </p> + <p> + He turned back with the Inspector, while Holmes and I walked slowly across + the moor. The sun was beginning to sink behind the stables of Mapleton, + and the long, sloping plain in front of us was tinged with gold, deepening + into rich, ruddy browns where the faded ferns and brambles caught the + evening light. But the glories of the landscape were all wasted upon my + companion, who was sunk in the deepest thought. + </p> + <p> + “It's this way, Watson,” said he at last. “We may leave the question of + who killed John Straker for the instant, and confine ourselves to finding + out what has become of the horse. Now, supposing that he broke away during + or after the tragedy, where could he have gone to? The horse is a very + gregarious creature. If left to himself his instincts would have been + either to return to King's Pyland or go over to Mapleton. Why should he + run wild upon the moor? He would surely have been seen by now. And why + should gypsies kidnap him? These people always clear out when they hear of + trouble, for they do not wish to be pestered by the police. They could not + hope to sell such a horse. They would run a great risk and gain nothing by + taking him. Surely that is clear.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is he, then?” + </p> + <p> + “I have already said that he must have gone to King's Pyland or to + Mapleton. He is not at King's Pyland. Therefore he is at Mapleton. Let us + take that as a working hypothesis and see what it leads us to. This part + of the moor, as the Inspector remarked, is very hard and dry. But it falls + away towards Mapleton, and you can see from here that there is a long + hollow over yonder, which must have been very wet on Monday night. If our + supposition is correct, then the horse must have crossed that, and there + is the point where we should look for his tracks.” + </p> + <p> + We had been walking briskly during this conversation, and a few more + minutes brought us to the hollow in question. At Holmes' request I walked + down the bank to the right, and he to the left, but I had not taken fifty + paces before I heard him give a shout, and saw him waving his hand to me. + The track of a horse was plainly outlined in the soft earth in front of + him, and the shoe which he took from his pocket exactly fitted the + impression. + </p> + <p> + “See the value of imagination,” said Holmes. “It is the one quality which + Gregory lacks. We imagined what might have happened, acted upon the + supposition, and find ourselves justified. Let us proceed.” + </p> + <p> + We crossed the marshy bottom and passed over a quarter of a mile of dry, + hard turf. Again the ground sloped, and again we came on the tracks. Then + we lost them for half a mile, but only to pick them up once more quite + close to Mapleton. It was Holmes who saw them first, and he stood pointing + with a look of triumph upon his face. A man's track was visible beside the + horse's. + </p> + <p> + “The horse was alone before,” I cried. + </p> + <p> + “Quite so. It was alone before. Hullo, what is this?” + </p> + <p> + The double track turned sharp off and took the direction of King's Pyland. + Holmes whistled, and we both followed along after it. His eyes were on the + trail, but I happened to look a little to one side, and saw to my surprise + the same tracks coming back again in the opposite direction. + </p> + <p> + “One for you, Watson,” said Holmes, when I pointed it out. “You have saved + us a long walk, which would have brought us back on our own traces. Let us + follow the return track.” + </p> + <p> + We had not to go far. It ended at the paving of asphalt which led up to + the gates of the Mapleton stables. As we approached, a groom ran out from + them. + </p> + <p> + “We don't want any loiterers about here,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “I only wished to ask a question,” said Holmes, with his finger and thumb + in his waistcoat pocket. “Should I be too early to see your master, Mr. + Silas Brown, if I were to call at five o'clock to-morrow morning?” + </p> + <p> + “Bless you, sir, if any one is about he will be, for he is always the + first stirring. But here he is, sir, to answer your questions for himself. + No, sir, no; it is as much as my place is worth to let him see me touch + your money. Afterwards, if you like.” + </p> + <p> + As Sherlock Holmes replaced the half-crown which he had drawn from his + pocket, a fierce-looking elderly man strode out from the gate with a + hunting-crop swinging in his hand. + </p> + <p> + “What's this, Dawson!” he cried. “No gossiping! Go about your business! + And you, what the devil do you want here?” + </p> + <p> + “Ten minutes' talk with you, my good sir,” said Holmes in the sweetest of + voices. + </p> + <p> + “I've no time to talk to every gadabout. We want no stranger here. Be off, + or you may find a dog at your heels.” + </p> + <p> + Holmes leaned forward and whispered something in the trainer's ear. He + started violently and flushed to the temples. + </p> + <p> + “It's a lie!” he shouted, “an infernal lie!” + </p> + <p> + “Very good. Shall we argue about it here in public or talk it over in your + parlor?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, come in if you wish to.” + </p> + <p> + Holmes smiled. “I shall not keep you more than a few minutes, Watson,” + said he. “Now, Mr. Brown, I am quite at your disposal.” + </p> + <p> + It was twenty minutes, and the reds had all faded into grays before Holmes + and the trainer reappeared. Never have I seen such a change as had been + brought about in Silas Brown in that short time. His face was ashy pale, + beads of perspiration shone upon his brow, and his hands shook until the + hunting-crop wagged like a branch in the wind. His bullying, overbearing + manner was all gone too, and he cringed along at my companion's side like + a dog with its master. + </p> + <p> + “Your instructions will be done. It shall all be done,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “There must be no mistake,” said Holmes, looking round at him. The other + winced as he read the menace in his eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Oh no, there shall be no mistake. It shall be there. Should I change it + first or not?” + </p> + <p> + Holmes thought a little and then burst out laughing. “No, don't,” said he; + “I shall write to you about it. No tricks, now, or—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you can trust me, you can trust me!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I think I can. Well, you shall hear from me to-morrow.” He turned + upon his heel, disregarding the trembling hand which the other held out to + him, and we set off for King's Pyland. + </p> + <p> + “A more perfect compound of the bully, coward, and sneak than Master Silas + Brown I have seldom met with,” remarked Holmes as we trudged along + together. + </p> + <p> + “He has the horse, then?” + </p> + <p> + “He tried to bluster out of it, but I described to him so exactly what his + actions had been upon that morning that he is convinced that I was + watching him. Of course you observed the peculiarly square toes in the + impressions, and that his own boots exactly corresponded to them. Again, + of course no subordinate would have dared to do such a thing. I described + to him how, when according to his custom he was the first down, he + perceived a strange horse wandering over the moor. How he went out to it, + and his astonishment at recognizing, from the white forehead which has + given the favorite its name, that chance had put in his power the only + horse which could beat the one upon which he had put his money. Then I + described how his first impulse had been to lead him back to King's + Pyland, and how the devil had shown him how he could hide the horse until + the race was over, and how he had led it back and concealed it at + Mapleton. When I told him every detail he gave it up and thought only of + saving his own skin.” + </p> + <p> + “But his stables had been searched?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, an old horse-faker like him has many a dodge.” + </p> + <p> + “But are you not afraid to leave the horse in his power now, since he has + every interest in injuring it?” + </p> + <p> + “My dear fellow, he will guard it as the apple of his eye. He knows that + his only hope of mercy is to produce it safe.” + </p> + <p> + “Colonel Ross did not impress me as a man who would be likely to show much + mercy in any case.” + </p> + <p> + “The matter does not rest with Colonel Ross. I follow my own methods, and + tell as much or as little as I choose. That is the advantage of being + unofficial. I don't know whether you observed it, Watson, but the + Colonel's manner has been just a trifle cavalier to me. I am inclined now + to have a little amusement at his expense. Say nothing to him about the + horse.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly not without your permission.” + </p> + <p> + “And of course this is all quite a minor point compared to the question of + who killed John Straker.” + </p> + <p> + “And you will devote yourself to that?” + </p> + <p> + “On the contrary, we both go back to London by the night train.” + </p> + <p> + I was thunderstruck by my friend's words. We had only been a few hours in + Devonshire, and that he should give up an investigation which he had begun + so brilliantly was quite incomprehensible to me. Not a word more could I + draw from him until we were back at the trainer's house. The Colonel and + the Inspector were awaiting us in the parlor. + </p> + <p> + “My friend and I return to town by the night-express,” said Holmes. “We + have had a charming little breath of your beautiful Dartmoor air.” + </p> + <p> + The Inspector opened his eyes, and the Colonel's lip curled in a sneer. + </p> + <p> + “So you despair of arresting the murderer of poor Straker,” said he. + </p> + <p> + Holmes shrugged his shoulders. “There are certainly grave difficulties in + the way,” said he. “I have every hope, however, that your horse will start + upon Tuesday, and I beg that you will have your jockey in readiness. Might + I ask for a photograph of Mr. John Straker?” + </p> + <p> + The Inspector took one from an envelope and handed it to him. + </p> + <p> + “My dear Gregory, you anticipate all my wants. If I might ask you to wait + here for an instant, I have a question which I should like to put to the + maid.” + </p> + <p> + “I must say that I am rather disappointed in our London consultant,” said + Colonel Ross, bluntly, as my friend left the room. “I do not see that we + are any further than when he came.” + </p> + <p> + “At least you have his assurance that your horse will run,” said I. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I have his assurance,” said the Colonel, with a shrug of his + shoulders. “I should prefer to have the horse.” + </p> + <p> + I was about to make some reply in defence of my friend when he entered the + room again. + </p> + <p> + “Now, gentlemen,” said he, “I am quite ready for Tavistock.” + </p> + <p> + As we stepped into the carriage one of the stable-lads held the door open + for us. A sudden idea seemed to occur to Holmes, for he leaned forward and + touched the lad upon the sleeve. + </p> + <p> + “You have a few sheep in the paddock,” he said. “Who attends to them?” + </p> + <p> + “I do, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you noticed anything amiss with them of late?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, not of much account; but three of them have gone lame, sir.” + </p> + <p> + I could see that Holmes was extremely pleased, for he chuckled and rubbed + his hands together. + </p> + <p> + “A long shot, Watson; a very long shot,” said he, pinching my arm. + “Gregory, let me recommend to your attention this singular epidemic among + the sheep. Drive on, coachman!” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Ross still wore an expression which showed the poor opinion which + he had formed of my companion's ability, but I saw by the Inspector's face + that his attention had been keenly aroused. + </p> + <p> + “You consider that to be important?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Exceedingly so.” + </p> + <p> + “Is there any point to which you would wish to draw my attention?” + </p> + <p> + “To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time.” + </p> + <p> + “The dog did nothing in the night-time.” + </p> + <p> + “That was the curious incident,” remarked Sherlock Holmes. + </p> + <p> + Four days later Holmes and I were again in the train, bound for Winchester + to see the race for the Wessex Cup. Colonel Ross met us by appointment + outside the station, and we drove in his drag to the course beyond the + town. His face was grave, and his manner was cold in the extreme. + </p> + <p> + “I have seen nothing of my horse,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose that you would know him when you saw him?” asked Holmes. + </p> + <p> + The Colonel was very angry. “I have been on the turf for twenty years, and + never was asked such a question as that before,” said he. “A child would + know Silver Blaze, with his white forehead and his mottled off-foreleg.” + </p> + <p> + “How is the betting?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, that is the curious part of it. You could have got fifteen to one + yesterday, but the price has become shorter and shorter, until you can + hardly get three to one now.” + </p> + <p> + “Hum!” said Holmes. “Somebody knows something, that is clear.” + </p> + <p> + As the drag drew up in the enclosure near the grand stand I glanced at the + card to see the entries. + </p> + <p> + Wessex Plate [it ran] 50 sovs each h ft with 1000 sovs added for four and + five year olds. Second, L300. Third, L200. New course (one mile and five + furlongs). Mr. Heath Newton's The Negro. Red cap. Cinnamon jacket. Colonel + Wardlaw's Pugilist. Pink cap. Blue and black jacket. Lord Backwater's + Desborough. Yellow cap and sleeves. Colonel Ross's Silver Blaze. Black + cap. Red jacket. Duke of Balmoral's Iris. Yellow and black stripes. Lord + Singleford's Rasper. Purple cap. Black sleeves. + </p> + <p> + “We scratched our other one, and put all hopes on your word,” said the + Colonel. “Why, what is that? Silver Blaze favorite?” + </p> + <p> + “Five to four against Silver Blaze!” roared the ring. “Five to four + against Silver Blaze! Five to fifteen against Desborough! Five to four on + the field!” + </p> + <p> + “There are the numbers up,” I cried. “They are all six there.” + </p> + <p> + “All six there? Then my horse is running,” cried the Colonel in great + agitation. “But I don't see him. My colors have not passed.” + </p> + <p> + “Only five have passed. This must be he.” + </p> + <p> + As I spoke a powerful bay horse swept out from the weighing enclosure and + cantered past us, bearing on its back the well-known black and red of the + Colonel. + </p> + <p> + “That's not my horse,” cried the owner. “That beast has not a white hair + upon its body. What is this that you have done, Mr. Holmes?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, well, let us see how he gets on,” said my friend, imperturbably. + For a few minutes he gazed through my field-glass. “Capital! An excellent + start!” he cried suddenly. “There they are, coming round the curve!” + </p> + <p> + From our drag we had a superb view as they came up the straight. The six + horses were so close together that a carpet could have covered them, but + half way up the yellow of the Mapleton stable showed to the front. Before + they reached us, however, Desborough's bolt was shot, and the Colonel's + horse, coming away with a rush, passed the post a good six lengths before + its rival, the Duke of Balmoral's Iris making a bad third. + </p> + <p> + “It's my race, anyhow,” gasped the Colonel, passing his hand over his + eyes. “I confess that I can make neither head nor tail of it. Don't you + think that you have kept up your mystery long enough, Mr. Holmes?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, Colonel, you shall know everything. Let us all go round and + have a look at the horse together. Here he is,” he continued, as we made + our way into the weighing enclosure, where only owners and their friends + find admittance. “You have only to wash his face and his leg in spirits of + wine, and you will find that he is the same old Silver Blaze as ever.” + </p> + <p> + “You take my breath away!” + </p> + <p> + “I found him in the hands of a faker, and took the liberty of running him + just as he was sent over.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear sir, you have done wonders. The horse looks very fit and well. It + never went better in its life. I owe you a thousand apologies for having + doubted your ability. You have done me a great service by recovering my + horse. You would do me a greater still if you could lay your hands on the + murderer of John Straker.” + </p> + <p> + “I have done so,” said Holmes quietly. + </p> + <p> + The Colonel and I stared at him in amazement. “You have got him! Where is + he, then?” + </p> + <p> + “He is here.” + </p> + <p> + “Here! Where?” + </p> + <p> + “In my company at the present moment.” + </p> + <p> + The Colonel flushed angrily. “I quite recognize that I am under + obligations to you, Mr. Holmes,” said he, “but I must regard what you have + just said as either a very bad joke or an insult.” + </p> + <p> + Sherlock Holmes laughed. “I assure you that I have not associated you with + the crime, Colonel,” said he. “The real murderer is standing immediately + behind you.” He stepped past and laid his hand upon the glossy neck of the + thoroughbred. + </p> + <p> + “The horse!” cried both the Colonel and myself. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, the horse. And it may lessen his guilt if I say that it was done in + self-defence, and that John Straker was a man who was entirely unworthy of + your confidence. But there goes the bell, and as I stand to win a little + on this next race, I shall defer a lengthy explanation until a more + fitting time.” + </p> + <p> + We had the corner of a Pullman car to ourselves that evening as we whirled + back to London, and I fancy that the journey was a short one to Colonel + Ross as well as to myself, as we listened to our companion's narrative of + the events which had occurred at the Dartmoor training-stables upon the + Monday night, and the means by which he had unravelled them. + </p> + <p> + “I confess,” said he, “that any theories which I had formed from the + newspaper reports were entirely erroneous. And yet there were indications + there, had they not been overlaid by other details which concealed their + true import. I went to Devonshire with the conviction that Fitzroy Simpson + was the true culprit, although, of course, I saw that the evidence against + him was by no means complete. It was while I was in the carriage, just as + we reached the trainer's house, that the immense significance of the + curried mutton occurred to me. You may remember that I was distrait, and + remained sitting after you had all alighted. I was marvelling in my own + mind how I could possibly have overlooked so obvious a clue.” + </p> + <p> + “I confess,” said the Colonel, “that even now I cannot see how it helps + us.” + </p> + <p> + “It was the first link in my chain of reasoning. Powdered opium is by no + means tasteless. The flavor is not disagreeable, but it is perceptible. + Were it mixed with any ordinary dish the eater would undoubtedly detect + it, and would probably eat no more. A curry was exactly the medium which + would disguise this taste. By no possible supposition could this stranger, + Fitzroy Simpson, have caused curry to be served in the trainer's family + that night, and it is surely too monstrous a coincidence to suppose that + he happened to come along with powdered opium upon the very night when a + dish happened to be served which would disguise the flavor. That is + unthinkable. Therefore Simpson becomes eliminated from the case, and our + attention centers upon Straker and his wife, the only two people who could + have chosen curried mutton for supper that night. The opium was added + after the dish was set aside for the stable-boy, for the others had the + same for supper with no ill effects. Which of them, then, had access to + that dish without the maid seeing them? + </p> + <p> + “Before deciding that question I had grasped the significance of the + silence of the dog, for one true inference invariably suggests others. The + Simpson incident had shown me that a dog was kept in the stables, and yet, + though some one had been in and had fetched out a horse, he had not barked + enough to arouse the two lads in the loft. Obviously the midnight visitor + was some one whom the dog knew well. + </p> + <p> + “I was already convinced, or almost convinced, that John Straker went down + to the stables in the dead of the night and took out Silver Blaze. For + what purpose? For a dishonest one, obviously, or why should he drug his + own stable-boy? And yet I was at a loss to know why. There have been cases + before now where trainers have made sure of great sums of money by laying + against their own horses, through agents, and then preventing them from + winning by fraud. Sometimes it is a pulling jockey. Sometimes it is some + surer and subtler means. What was it here? I hoped that the contents of + his pockets might help me to form a conclusion. + </p> + <p> + “And they did so. You cannot have forgotten the singular knife which was + found in the dead man's hand, a knife which certainly no sane man would + choose for a weapon. It was, as Dr. Watson told us, a form of knife which + is used for the most delicate operations known in surgery. And it was to + be used for a delicate operation that night. You must know, with your wide + experience of turf matters, Colonel Ross, that it is possible to make a + slight nick upon the tendons of a horse's ham, and to do it + subcutaneously, so as to leave absolutely no trace. A horse so treated + would develop a slight lameness, which would be put down to a strain in + exercise or a touch of rheumatism, but never to foul play.” + </p> + <p> + “Villain! Scoundrel!” cried the Colonel. + </p> + <p> + “We have here the explanation of why John Straker wished to take the horse + out on to the moor. So spirited a creature would have certainly roused the + soundest of sleepers when it felt the prick of the knife. It was + absolutely necessary to do it in the open air.” + </p> + <p> + “I have been blind!” cried the Colonel. “Of course that was why he needed + the candle, and struck the match.” + </p> + <p> + “Undoubtedly. But in examining his belongings I was fortunate enough to + discover not only the method of the crime, but even its motives. As a man + of the world, Colonel, you know that men do not carry other people's bills + about in their pockets. We have most of us quite enough to do to settle + our own. I at once concluded that Straker was leading a double life, and + keeping a second establishment. The nature of the bill showed that there + was a lady in the case, and one who had expensive tastes. Liberal as you + are with your servants, one can hardly expect that they can buy + twenty-guinea walking dresses for their ladies. I questioned Mrs. Straker + as to the dress without her knowing it, and having satisfied myself that + it had never reached her, I made a note of the milliner's address, and + felt that by calling there with Straker's photograph I could easily + dispose of the mythical Derbyshire. + </p> + <p> + “From that time on all was plain. Straker had led out the horse to a + hollow where his light would be invisible. Simpson in his flight had + dropped his cravat, and Straker had picked it up—with some idea, + perhaps, that he might use it in securing the horse's leg. Once in the + hollow, he had got behind the horse and had struck a light; but the + creature frightened at the sudden glare, and with the strange instinct of + animals feeling that some mischief was intended, had lashed out, and the + steel shoe had struck Straker full on the forehead. He had already, in + spite of the rain, taken off his overcoat in order to do his delicate + task, and so, as he fell, his knife gashed his thigh. Do I make it clear?” + </p> + <p> + “Wonderful!” cried the Colonel. “Wonderful! You might have been there!” + </p> + <p> + “My final shot was, I confess a very long one. It struck me that so astute + a man as Straker would not undertake this delicate tendon-nicking without + a little practice. What could he practice on? My eyes fell upon the sheep, + and I asked a question which, rather to my surprise, showed that my + surmise was correct. + </p> + <p> + “When I returned to London I called upon the milliner, who had recognized + Straker as an excellent customer of the name of Derbyshire, who had a very + dashing wife, with a strong partiality for expensive dresses. I have no + doubt that this woman had plunged him over head and ears in debt, and so + led him into this miserable plot.” + </p> + <p> + “You have explained all but one thing,” cried the Colonel. “Where was the + horse?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, it bolted, and was cared for by one of your neighbors. We must have + an amnesty in that direction, I think. This is Clapham Junction, if I am + not mistaken, and we shall be in Victoria in less than ten minutes. If you + care to smoke a cigar in our rooms, Colonel, I shall be happy to give you + any other details which might interest you.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Adventure II. The Yellow Face + </h2> + <p> + [In publishing these short sketches based upon the numerous cases in which + my companion's singular gifts have made us the listeners to, and + eventually the actors in, some strange drama, it is only natural that I + should dwell rather upon his successes than upon his failures. And this + not so much for the sake of his reputation—for, indeed, it was when + he was at his wits' end that his energy and his versatility were most + admirable—but because where he failed it happened too often that no + one else succeeded, and that the tale was left forever without a + conclusion. Now and again, however, it chanced that even when he erred, + the truth was still discovered. I have noted of some half-dozen cases of + the kind; the Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual and that which I am about + to recount are the two which present the strongest features of interest.] + </p> + <p> + Sherlock Holmes was a man who seldom took exercise for exercise's sake. + Few men were capable of greater muscular effort, and he was undoubtedly + one of the finest boxers of his weight that I have ever seen; but he + looked upon aimless bodily exertion as a waste of energy, and he seldom + bestirred himself save when there was some professional object to be + served. Then he was absolutely untiring and indefatigable. That he should + have kept himself in training under such circumstances is remarkable, but + his diet was usually of the sparest, and his habits were simple to the + verge of austerity. Save for the occasional use of cocaine, he had no + vices, and he only turned to the drug as a protest against the monotony of + existence when cases were scanty and the papers uninteresting. + </p> + <p> + One day in early spring he had so far relaxed as to go for a walk with me + in the Park, where the first faint shoots of green were breaking out upon + the elms, and the sticky spear-heads of the chestnuts were just beginning + to burst into their five-fold leaves. For two hours we rambled about + together, in silence for the most part, as befits two men who know each + other intimately. It was nearly five before we were back in Baker Street + once more. + </p> + <p> + “Beg pardon, sir,” said our page-boy, as he opened the door. “There's been + a gentleman here asking for you, sir.” + </p> + <p> + Holmes glanced reproachfully at me. “So much for afternoon walks!” said + he. “Has this gentleman gone, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Didn't you ask him in?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir; he came in.” + </p> + <p> + “How long did he wait?” + </p> + <p> + “Half an hour, sir. He was a very restless gentleman, sir, a-walkin' and + a-stampin' all the time he was here. I was waitin' outside the door, sir, + and I could hear him. At last he outs into the passage, and he cries, 'Is + that man never goin' to come?' Those were his very words, sir. 'You'll + only need to wait a little longer,' says I. 'Then I'll wait in the open + air, for I feel half choked,' says he. 'I'll be back before long.' And + with that he ups and he outs, and all I could say wouldn't hold him back.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, well, you did your best,” said Holmes, as we walked into our room. + “It's very annoying, though, Watson. I was badly in need of a case, and + this looks, from the man's impatience, as if it were of importance. Hullo! + That's not your pipe on the table. He must have left his behind him. A + nice old brier with a good long stem of what the tobacconists call amber. + I wonder how many real amber mouthpieces there are in London? Some people + think that a fly in it is a sign. Well, he must have been disturbed in his + mind to leave a pipe behind him which he evidently values highly.” + </p> + <p> + “How do you know that he values it highly?” I asked. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I should put the original cost of the pipe at seven and sixpence. + Now it has, you see, been twice mended, once in the wooden stem and once + in the amber. Each of these mends, done, as you observe, with silver + bands, must have cost more than the pipe did originally. The man must + value the pipe highly when he prefers to patch it up rather than buy a new + one with the same money.” + </p> + <p> + “Anything else?” I asked, for Holmes was turning the pipe about in his + hand, and staring at it in his peculiar pensive way. + </p> + <p> + He held it up and tapped on it with his long, thin fore-finger, as a + professor might who was lecturing on a bone. + </p> + <p> + “Pipes are occasionally of extraordinary interest,” said he. “Nothing has + more individuality, save perhaps watches and bootlaces. The indications + here, however, are neither very marked nor very important. The owner is + obviously a muscular man, left-handed, with an excellent set of teeth, + careless in his habits, and with no need to practise economy.” + </p> + <p> + My friend threw out the information in a very offhand way, but I saw that + he cocked his eye at me to see if I had followed his reasoning. + </p> + <p> + “You think a man must be well-to-do if he smokes a seven-shilling pipe,” + said I. + </p> + <p> + “This is Grosvenor mixture at eightpence an ounce,” Holmes answered, + knocking a little out on his palm. “As he might get an excellent smoke for + half the price, he has no need to practise economy.” + </p> + <p> + “And the other points?” + </p> + <p> + “He has been in the habit of lighting his pipe at lamps and gas-jets. You + can see that it is quite charred all down one side. Of course a match + could not have done that. Why should a man hold a match to the side of his + pipe? But you cannot light it at a lamp without getting the bowl charred. + And it is all on the right side of the pipe. From that I gather that he is + a left-handed man. You hold your own pipe to the lamp, and see how + naturally you, being right-handed, hold the left side to the flame. You + might do it once the other way, but not as a constancy. This has always + been held so. Then he has bitten through his amber. It takes a muscular, + energetic fellow, and one with a good set of teeth, to do that. But if I + am not mistaken I hear him upon the stair, so we shall have something more + interesting than his pipe to study.” + </p> + <p> + An instant later our door opened, and a tall young man entered the room. + He was well but quietly dressed in a dark-gray suit, and carried a brown + wide-awake in his hand. I should have put him at about thirty, though he + was really some years older. + </p> + <p> + “I beg your pardon,” said he, with some embarrassment; “I suppose I should + have knocked. Yes, of course I should have knocked. The fact is that I am + a little upset, and you must put it all down to that.” He passed his hand + over his forehead like a man who is half dazed, and then fell rather than + sat down upon a chair. + </p> + <p> + “I can see that you have not slept for a night or two,” said Holmes, in + his easy, genial way. “That tries a man's nerves more than work, and more + even than pleasure. May I ask how I can help you?” + </p> + <p> + “I wanted your advice, sir. I don't know what to do and my whole life + seems to have gone to pieces.” + </p> + <p> + “You wish to employ me as a consulting detective?” + </p> + <p> + “Not that only. I want your opinion as a judicious man—as a man of + the world. I want to know what I ought to do next. I hope to God you'll be + able to tell me.” + </p> + <p> + He spoke in little, sharp, jerky outbursts, and it seemed to me that to + speak at all was very painful to him, and that his will all through was + overriding his inclinations. + </p> + <p> + “It's a very delicate thing,” said he. “One does not like to speak of + one's domestic affairs to strangers. It seems dreadful to discuss the + conduct of one's wife with two men whom I have never seen before. It's + horrible to have to do it. But I've got to the end of my tether, and I + must have advice.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear Mr. Grant Munro—” began Holmes. + </p> + <p> + Our visitor sprang from his chair. “What!” he cried, “you know my name?” + </p> + <p> + “If you wish to preserve your incognito,” said Holmes, smiling, “I would + suggest that you cease to write your name upon the lining of your hat, or + else that you turn the crown towards the person whom you are addressing. I + was about to say that my friend and I have listened to a good many strange + secrets in this room, and that we have had the good fortune to bring peace + to many troubled souls. I trust that we may do as much for you. Might I + beg you, as time may prove to be of importance, to furnish me with the + facts of your case without further delay?” + </p> + <p> + Our visitor again passed his hand over his forehead, as if he found it + bitterly hard. From every gesture and expression I could see that he was a + reserved, self-contained man, with a dash of pride in his nature, more + likely to hide his wounds than to expose them. Then suddenly, with a + fierce gesture of his closed hand, like one who throws reserve to the + winds, he began. + </p> + <p> + “The facts are these, Mr. Holmes,” said he. “I am a married man, and have + been so for three years. During that time my wife and I have loved each + other as fondly and lived as happily as any two that ever were joined. We + have not had a difference, not one, in thought or word or deed. And now, + since last Monday, there has suddenly sprung up a barrier between us, and + I find that there is something in her life and in her thought of which I + know as little as if she were the woman who brushes by me in the street. + We are estranged, and I want to know why. + </p> + <p> + “Now there is one thing that I want to impress upon you before I go any + further, Mr. Holmes. Effie loves me. Don't let there be any mistake about + that. She loves me with her whole heart and soul, and never more than now. + I know it. I feel it. I don't want to argue about that. A man can tell + easily enough when a woman loves him. But there's this secret between us, + and we can never be the same until it is cleared.” + </p> + <p> + “Kindly let me have the facts, Mr. Munro,” said Holmes, with some + impatience. + </p> + <p> + “I'll tell you what I know about Effie's history. She was a widow when I + met her first, though quite young—only twenty-five. Her name then + was Mrs. Hebron. She went out to America when she was young, and lived in + the town of Atlanta, where she married this Hebron, who was a lawyer with + a good practice. They had one child, but the yellow fever broke out badly + in the place, and both husband and child died of it. I have seen his death + certificate. This sickened her of America, and she came back to live with + a maiden aunt at Pinner, in Middlesex. I may mention that her husband had + left her comfortably off, and that she had a capital of about four + thousand five hundred pounds, which had been so well invested by him that + it returned an average of seven per cent. She had only been six months at + Pinner when I met her; we fell in love with each other, and we married a + few weeks afterwards. + </p> + <p> + “I am a hop merchant myself, and as I have an income of seven or eight + hundred, we found ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice + eighty-pound-a-year villa at Norbury. Our little place was very + countrified, considering that it is so close to town. We had an inn and + two houses a little above us, and a single cottage at the other side of + the field which faces us, and except those there were no houses until you + got half way to the station. My business took me into town at certain + seasons, but in summer I had less to do, and then in our country home my + wife and I were just as happy as could be wished. I tell you that there + never was a shadow between us until this accursed affair began. + </p> + <p> + “There's one thing I ought to tell you before I go further. When we + married, my wife made over all her property to me—rather against my + will, for I saw how awkward it would be if my business affairs went wrong. + However, she would have it so, and it was done. Well, about six weeks ago + she came to me. + </p> + <p> + “'Jack,' said she, 'when you took my money you said that if ever I wanted + any I was to ask you for it.' + </p> + <p> + “'Certainly,' said I. 'It's all your own.' + </p> + <p> + “'Well,' said she, 'I want a hundred pounds.' + </p> + <p> + “I was a bit staggered at this, for I had imagined it was simply a new + dress or something of the kind that she was after. + </p> + <p> + “'What on earth for?' I asked. + </p> + <p> + “'Oh,' said she, in her playful way, 'you said that you were only my + banker, and bankers never ask questions, you know.' + </p> + <p> + “'If you really mean it, of course you shall have the money,' said I. + </p> + <p> + “'Oh, yes, I really mean it.' + </p> + <p> + “'And you won't tell me what you want it for?' + </p> + <p> + “'Some day, perhaps, but not just at present, Jack.' + </p> + <p> + “So I had to be content with that, though it was the first time that there + had ever been any secret between us. I gave her a check, and I never + thought any more of the matter. It may have nothing to do with what came + afterwards, but I thought it only right to mention it. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I told you just now that there is a cottage not far from our house. + There is just a field between us, but to reach it you have to go along the + road and then turn down a lane. Just beyond it is a nice little grove of + Scotch firs, and I used to be very fond of strolling down there, for trees + are always a neighborly kind of things. The cottage had been standing + empty this eight months, and it was a pity, for it was a pretty + two-storied place, with an old-fashioned porch and honeysuckle about it. I + have stood many a time and thought what a neat little homestead it would + make. + </p> + <p> + “Well, last Monday evening I was taking a stroll down that way, when I met + an empty van coming up the lane, and saw a pile of carpets and things + lying about on the grass-plot beside the porch. It was clear that the + cottage had at last been let. I walked past it, and wondered what sort of + folk they were who had come to live so near us. And as I looked I suddenly + became aware that a face was watching me out of one of the upper windows. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know what there was about that face, Mr. Holmes, but it seemed to + send a chill right down my back. I was some little way off, so that I + could not make out the features, but there was something unnatural and + inhuman about the face. That was the impression that I had, and I moved + quickly forwards to get a nearer view of the person who was watching me. + But as I did so the face suddenly disappeared, so suddenly that it seemed + to have been plucked away into the darkness of the room. I stood for five + minutes thinking the business over, and trying to analyze my impressions. + I could not tell if the face were that of a man or a woman. It had been + too far from me for that. But its color was what had impressed me most. It + was of a livid chalky white, and with something set and rigid about it + which was shockingly unnatural. So disturbed was I that I determined to + see a little more of the new inmates of the cottage. I approached and + knocked at the door, which was instantly opened by a tall, gaunt woman + with a harsh, forbidding face. + </p> + <p> + “'What may you be wantin'?' she asked, in a Northern accent. + </p> + <p> + “'I am your neighbor over yonder,' said I, nodding towards my house. 'I + see that you have only just moved in, so I thought that if I could be of + any help to you in any—' + </p> + <p> + “'Ay, we'll just ask ye when we want ye,' said she, and shut the door in + my face. Annoyed at the churlish rebuff, I turned my back and walked home. + All evening, though I tried to think of other things, my mind would still + turn to the apparition at the window and the rudeness of the woman. I + determined to say nothing about the former to my wife, for she is a + nervous, highly strung woman, and I had no wish that she would share the + unpleasant impression which had been produced upon myself. I remarked to + her, however, before I fell asleep, that the cottage was now occupied, to + which she returned no reply. + </p> + <p> + “I am usually an extremely sound sleeper. It has been a standing jest in + the family that nothing could ever wake me during the night. And yet + somehow on that particular night, whether it may have been the slight + excitement produced by my little adventure or not I know not, but I slept + much more lightly than usual. Half in my dreams I was dimly conscious that + something was going on in the room, and gradually became aware that my + wife had dressed herself and was slipping on her mantle and her bonnet. My + lips were parted to murmur out some sleepy words of surprise or + remonstrance at this untimely preparation, when suddenly my half-opened + eyes fell upon her face, illuminated by the candle-light, and astonishment + held me dumb. She wore an expression such as I had never seen before—such + as I should have thought her incapable of assuming. She was deadly pale + and breathing fast, glancing furtively towards the bed as she fastened her + mantle, to see if she had disturbed me. Then, thinking that I was still + asleep, she slipped noiselessly from the room, and an instant later I + heard a sharp creaking which could only come from the hinges of the front + door. I sat up in bed and rapped my knuckles against the rail to make + certain that I was truly awake. Then I took my watch from under the + pillow. It was three in the morning. What on this earth could my wife be + doing out on the country road at three in the morning? + </p> + <p> + “I had sat for about twenty minutes turning the thing over in my mind and + trying to find some possible explanation. The more I thought, the more + extraordinary and inexplicable did it appear. I was still puzzling over it + when I heard the door gently close again, and her footsteps coming up the + stairs. + </p> + <p> + “'Where in the world have you been, Effie?' I asked as she entered. + </p> + <p> + “She gave a violent start and a kind of gasping cry when I spoke, and that + cry and start troubled me more than all the rest, for there was something + indescribably guilty about them. My wife had always been a woman of a + frank, open nature, and it gave me a chill to see her slinking into her + own room, and crying out and wincing when her own husband spoke to her. + </p> + <p> + “'You awake, Jack!' she cried, with a nervous laugh. 'Why, I thought that + nothing could awake you.' + </p> + <p> + “'Where have you been?' I asked, more sternly. + </p> + <p> + “'I don't wonder that you are surprised,' said she, and I could see that + her fingers were trembling as she undid the fastenings of her mantle. + 'Why, I never remember having done such a thing in my life before. The + fact is that I felt as though I were choking, and had a perfect longing + for a breath of fresh air. I really think that I should have fainted if I + had not gone out. I stood at the door for a few minutes, and now I am + quite myself again.' + </p> + <p> + “All the time that she was telling me this story she never once looked in + my direction, and her voice was quite unlike her usual tones. It was + evident to me that she was saying what was false. I said nothing in reply, + but turned my face to the wall, sick at heart, with my mind filled with a + thousand venomous doubts and suspicions. What was it that my wife was + concealing from me? Where had she been during that strange expedition? I + felt that I should have no peace until I knew, and yet I shrank from + asking her again after once she had told me what was false. All the rest + of the night I tossed and tumbled, framing theory after theory, each more + unlikely than the last. + </p> + <p> + “I should have gone to the City that day, but I was too disturbed in my + mind to be able to pay attention to business matters. My wife seemed to be + as upset as myself, and I could see from the little questioning glances + which she kept shooting at me that she understood that I disbelieved her + statement, and that she was at her wits' end what to do. We hardly + exchanged a word during breakfast, and immediately afterwards I went out + for a walk, that I might think the matter out in the fresh morning air. + </p> + <p> + “I went as far as the Crystal Palace, spent an hour in the grounds, and + was back in Norbury by one o'clock. It happened that my way took me past + the cottage, and I stopped for an instant to look at the windows, and to + see if I could catch a glimpse of the strange face which had looked out at + me on the day before. As I stood there, imagine my surprise, Mr. Holmes, + when the door suddenly opened and my wife walked out. + </p> + <p> + “I was struck dumb with astonishment at the sight of her; but my emotions + were nothing to those which showed themselves upon her face when our eyes + met. She seemed for an instant to wish to shrink back inside the house + again; and then, seeing how useless all concealment must be, she came + forward, with a very white face and frightened eyes which belied the smile + upon her lips. + </p> + <p> + “'Ah, Jack,' she said, 'I have just been in to see if I can be of any + assistance to our new neighbors. Why do you look at me like that, Jack? + You are not angry with me?' + </p> + <p> + “'So,' said I, 'this is where you went during the night.' + </p> + <p> + “'What do you mean?' she cried. + </p> + <p> + “'You came here. I am sure of it. Who are these people, that you should + visit them at such an hour?' + </p> + <p> + “'I have not been here before.' + </p> + <p> + “'How can you tell me what you know is false?' I cried. 'Your very voice + changes as you speak. When have I ever had a secret from you? I shall + enter that cottage, and I shall probe the matter to the bottom.' + </p> + <p> + “'No, no, Jack, for God's sake!' she gasped, in uncontrollable emotion. + Then, as I approached the door, she seized my sleeve and pulled me back + with convulsive strength. + </p> + <p> + “'I implore you not to do this, Jack,' she cried. 'I swear that I will + tell you everything some day, but nothing but misery can come of it if you + enter that cottage.' Then, as I tried to shake her off, she clung to me in + a frenzy of entreaty. + </p> + <p> + “'Trust me, Jack!' she cried. 'Trust me only this once. You will never + have cause to regret it. You know that I would not have a secret from you + if it were not for your own sake. Our whole lives are at stake in this. If + you come home with me, all will be well. If you force your way into that + cottage, all is over between us.' + </p> + <p> + “There was such earnestness, such despair, in her manner that her words + arrested me, and I stood irresolute before the door. + </p> + <p> + “'I will trust you on one condition, and on one condition only,' said I at + last. 'It is that this mystery comes to an end from now. You are at + liberty to preserve your secret, but you must promise me that there shall + be no more nightly visits, no more doings which are kept from my + knowledge. I am willing to forget those which are passed if you will + promise that there shall be no more in the future.' + </p> + <p> + “'I was sure that you would trust me,' she cried, with a great sigh of + relief. 'It shall be just as you wish. Come away—oh, come away up to + the house.' + </p> + <p> + “Still pulling at my sleeve, she led me away from the cottage. As we went + I glanced back, and there was that yellow livid face watching us out of + the upper window. What link could there be between that creature and my + wife? Or how could the coarse, rough woman whom I had seen the day before + be connected with her? It was a strange puzzle, and yet I knew that my + mind could never know ease again until I had solved it. + </p> + <p> + “For two days after this I stayed at home, and my wife appeared to abide + loyally by our engagement, for, as far as I know, she never stirred out of + the house. On the third day, however, I had ample evidence that her solemn + promise was not enough to hold her back from this secret influence which + drew her away from her husband and her duty. + </p> + <p> + “I had gone into town on that day, but I returned by the 2.40 instead of + the 3.36, which is my usual train. As I entered the house the maid ran + into the hall with a startled face. + </p> + <p> + “'Where is your mistress?' I asked. + </p> + <p> + “'I think that she has gone out for a walk,' she answered. + </p> + <p> + “My mind was instantly filled with suspicion. I rushed upstairs to make + sure that she was not in the house. As I did so I happened to glance out + of one of the upper windows, and saw the maid with whom I had just been + speaking running across the field in the direction of the cottage. Then of + course I saw exactly what it all meant. My wife had gone over there, and + had asked the servant to call her if I should return. Tingling with anger, + I rushed down and hurried across, determined to end the matter once and + forever. I saw my wife and the maid hurrying back along the lane, but I + did not stop to speak with them. In the cottage lay the secret which was + casting a shadow over my life. I vowed that, come what might, it should be + a secret no longer. I did not even knock when I reached it, but turned the + handle and rushed into the passage. + </p> + <p> + “It was all still and quiet upon the ground floor. In the kitchen a kettle + was singing on the fire, and a large black cat lay coiled up in the + basket; but there was no sign of the woman whom I had seen before. I ran + into the other room, but it was equally deserted. Then I rushed up the + stairs, only to find two other rooms empty and deserted at the top. There + was no one at all in the whole house. The furniture and pictures were of + the most common and vulgar description, save in the one chamber at the + window of which I had seen the strange face. That was comfortable and + elegant, and all my suspicions rose into a fierce bitter flame when I saw + that on the mantelpiece stood a copy of a full-length photograph of my + wife, which had been taken at my request only three months ago. + </p> + <p> + “I stayed long enough to make certain that the house was absolutely empty. + Then I left it, feeling a weight at my heart such as I had never had + before. My wife came out into the hall as I entered my house; but I was + too hurt and angry to speak with her, and pushing past her, I made my way + into my study. She followed me, however, before I could close the door. + </p> + <p> + “'I am sorry that I broke my promise, Jack,' said she; 'but if you knew + all the circumstances I am sure that you would forgive me.' + </p> + <p> + “'Tell me everything, then,' said I. + </p> + <p> + “'I cannot, Jack, I cannot,' she cried. + </p> + <p> + “'Until you tell me who it is that has been living in that cottage, and + who it is to whom you have given that photograph, there can never be any + confidence between us,' said I, and breaking away from her, I left the + house. That was yesterday, Mr. Holmes, and I have not seen her since, nor + do I know anything more about this strange business. It is the first + shadow that has come between us, and it has so shaken me that I do not + know what I should do for the best. Suddenly this morning it occurred to + me that you were the man to advise me, so I have hurried to you now, and I + place myself unreservedly in your hands. If there is any point which I + have not made clear, pray question me about it. But, above all, tell me + quickly what I am to do, for this misery is more than I can bear.” + </p> + <p> + Holmes and I had listened with the utmost interest to this extraordinary + statement, which had been delivered in the jerky, broken fashion of a man + who is under the influence of extreme emotions. My companion sat silent + for some time, with his chin upon his hand, lost in thought. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me,” said he at last, “could you swear that this was a man's face + which you saw at the window?” + </p> + <p> + “Each time that I saw it I was some distance away from it, so that it is + impossible for me to say.” + </p> + <p> + “You appear, however, to have been disagreeably impressed by it.” + </p> + <p> + “It seemed to be of an unnatural color, and to have a strange rigidity + about the features. When I approached, it vanished with a jerk.” + </p> + <p> + “How long is it since your wife asked you for a hundred pounds?” + </p> + <p> + “Nearly two months.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you ever seen a photograph of her first husband?” + </p> + <p> + “No; there was a great fire at Atlanta very shortly after his death, and + all her papers were destroyed.” + </p> + <p> + “And yet she had a certificate of death. You say that you saw it.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; she got a duplicate after the fire.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you ever meet any one who knew her in America?” + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + “Did she ever talk of revisiting the place?” + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + “Or get letters from it?” + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you. I should like to think over the matter a little now. If the + cottage is now permanently deserted we may have some difficulty. If, on + the other hand, as I fancy is more likely, the inmates were warned of your + coming, and left before you entered yesterday, then they may be back now, + and we should clear it all up easily. Let me advise you, then, to return + to Norbury, and to examine the windows of the cottage again. If you have + reason to believe that it is inhabited, do not force your way in, but send + a wire to my friend and me. We shall be with you within an hour of + receiving it, and we shall then very soon get to the bottom of the + business.” + </p> + <p> + “And if it is still empty?” + </p> + <p> + “In that case I shall come out to-morrow and talk it over with you. + Good-by; and, above all, do not fret until you know that you really have a + cause for it.” + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid that this is a bad business, Watson,” said my companion, as + he returned after accompanying Mr. Grant Munro to the door. “What do you + make of it?” + </p> + <p> + “It had an ugly sound,” I answered. + </p> + <p> + “Yes. There's blackmail in it, or I am much mistaken.” + </p> + <p> + “And who is the blackmailer?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, it must be the creature who lives in the only comfortable room in + the place, and has her photograph above his fireplace. Upon my word, + Watson, there is something very attractive about that livid face at the + window, and I would not have missed the case for worlds.” + </p> + <p> + “You have a theory?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, a provisional one. But I shall be surprised if it does not turn out + to be correct. This woman's first husband is in that cottage.” + </p> + <p> + “Why do you think so?” + </p> + <p> + “How else can we explain her frenzied anxiety that her second one should + not enter it? The facts, as I read them, are something like this: This + woman was married in America. Her husband developed some hateful + qualities; or shall we say that he contracted some loathsome disease, and + became a leper or an imbecile? She flies from him at last, returns to + England, changes her name, and starts her life, as she thinks, afresh. She + has been married three years, and believes that her position is quite + secure, having shown her husband the death certificate of some man whose + name she has assumed, when suddenly her whereabouts is discovered by her + first husband; or, we may suppose, by some unscrupulous woman who has + attached herself to the invalid. They write to the wife, and threaten to + come and expose her. She asks for a hundred pounds, and endeavors to buy + them off. They come in spite of it, and when the husband mentions casually + to the wife that there are new-comers in the cottage, she knows in some + way that they are her pursuers. She waits until her husband is asleep, and + then she rushes down to endeavor to persuade them to leave her in peace. + Having no success, she goes again next morning, and her husband meets her, + as he has told us, as she comes out. She promises him then not to go there + again, but two days afterwards the hope of getting rid of those dreadful + neighbors was too strong for her, and she made another attempt, taking + down with her the photograph which had probably been demanded from her. In + the midst of this interview the maid rushed in to say that the master had + come home, on which the wife, knowing that he would come straight down to + the cottage, hurried the inmates out at the back door, into the grove of + fir-trees, probably, which was mentioned as standing near. In this way he + found the place deserted. I shall be very much surprised, however, if it + is still so when he reconnoitres it this evening. What do you think of my + theory?” + </p> + <p> + “It is all surmise.” + </p> + <p> + “But at least it covers all the facts. When new facts come to our + knowledge which cannot be covered by it, it will be time enough to + reconsider it. We can do nothing more until we have a message from our + friend at Norbury.” + </p> + <p> + But we had not a very long time to wait for that. It came just as we had + finished our tea. “The cottage is still tenanted,” it said. “Have seen the + face again at the window. Will meet the seven o'clock train, and will take + no steps until you arrive.” + </p> + <p> + He was waiting on the platform when we stepped out, and we could see in + the light of the station lamps that he was very pale, and quivering with + agitation. + </p> + <p> + “They are still there, Mr. Holmes,” said he, laying his hand hard upon my + friend's sleeve. “I saw lights in the cottage as I came down. We shall + settle it now once and for all.” + </p> + <p> + “What is your plan, then?” asked Holmes, as he walked down the dark + tree-lined road. + </p> + <p> + “I am going to force my way in and see for myself who is in the house. I + wish you both to be there as witnesses.” + </p> + <p> + “You are quite determined to do this, in spite of your wife's warning that + it is better that you should not solve the mystery?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I am determined.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I think that you are in the right. Any truth is better than + indefinite doubt. We had better go up at once. Of course, legally, we are + putting ourselves hopelessly in the wrong; but I think that it is worth + it.” + </p> + <p> + It was a very dark night, and a thin rain began to fall as we turned from + the high road into a narrow lane, deeply rutted, with hedges on either + side. Mr. Grant Munro pushed impatiently forward, however, and we stumbled + after him as best we could. + </p> + <p> + “There are the lights of my house,” he murmured, pointing to a glimmer + among the trees. “And here is the cottage which I am going to enter.” + </p> + <p> + We turned a corner in the lane as he spoke, and there was the building + close beside us. A yellow bar falling across the black foreground showed + that the door was not quite closed, and one window in the upper story was + brightly illuminated. As we looked, we saw a dark blur moving across the + blind. + </p> + <p> + “There is that creature!” cried Grant Munro. “You can see for yourselves + that some one is there. Now follow me, and we shall soon know all.” + </p> + <p> + We approached the door; but suddenly a woman appeared out of the shadow + and stood in the golden track of the lamp-light. I could not see her face + in the darkness, but her arms were thrown out in an attitude of entreaty. + </p> + <p> + “For God's sake, don't Jack!” she cried. “I had a presentiment that you + would come this evening. Think better of it, dear! Trust me again, and you + will never have cause to regret it.” + </p> + <p> + “I have trusted you too long, Effie,” he cried, sternly. “Leave go of me! + I must pass you. My friends and I are going to settle this matter once and + forever!” He pushed her to one side, and we followed closely after him. As + he threw the door open an old woman ran out in front of him and tried to + bar his passage, but he thrust her back, and an instant afterwards we were + all upon the stairs. Grant Munro rushed into the lighted room at the top, + and we entered at his heels. + </p> + <p> + It was a cosey, well-furnished apartment, with two candles burning upon + the table and two upon the mantelpiece. In the corner, stooping over a + desk, there sat what appeared to be a little girl. Her face was turned + away as we entered, but we could see that she was dressed in a red frock, + and that she had long white gloves on. As she whisked round to us, I gave + a cry of surprise and horror. The face which she turned towards us was of + the strangest livid tint, and the features were absolutely devoid of any + expression. An instant later the mystery was explained. Holmes, with a + laugh, passed his hand behind the child's ear, a mask peeled off from her + countenance, and there was a little coal black negress, with all her white + teeth flashing in amusement at our amazed faces. I burst out laughing, out + of sympathy with her merriment; but Grant Munro stood staring, with his + hand clutching his throat. + </p> + <p> + “My God!” he cried. “What can be the meaning of this?” + </p> + <p> + “I will tell you the meaning of it,” cried the lady, sweeping into the + room with a proud, set face. “You have forced me, against my own judgment, + to tell you, and now we must both make the best of it. My husband died at + Atlanta. My child survived.” + </p> + <p> + “Your child?” + </p> + <p> + She drew a large silver locket from her bosom. “You have never seen this + open.” + </p> + <p> + “I understood that it did not open.” + </p> + <p> + She touched a spring, and the front hinged back. There was a portrait + within of a man strikingly handsome and intelligent-looking, but bearing + unmistakable signs upon his features of his African descent. + </p> + <p> + “That is John Hebron, of Atlanta,” said the lady, “and a nobler man never + walked the earth. I cut myself off from my race in order to wed him, but + never once while he lived did I for an instant regret it. It was our + misfortune that our only child took after his people rather than mine. It + is often so in such matches, and little Lucy is darker far than ever her + father was. But dark or fair, she is my own dear little girlie, and her + mother's pet.” The little creature ran across at the words and nestled up + against the lady's dress. “When I left her in America,” she continued, “it + was only because her health was weak, and the change might have done her + harm. She was given to the care of a faithful Scotch woman who had once + been our servant. Never for an instant did I dream of disowning her as my + child. But when chance threw you in my way, Jack, and I learned to love + you, I feared to tell you about my child. God forgive me, I feared that I + should lose you, and I had not the courage to tell you. I had to choose + between you, and in my weakness I turned away from my own little girl. For + three years I have kept her existence a secret from you, but I heard from + the nurse, and I knew that all was well with her. At last, however, there + came an overwhelming desire to see the child once more. I struggled + against it, but in vain. Though I knew the danger, I determined to have + the child over, if it were but for a few weeks. I sent a hundred pounds to + the nurse, and I gave her instructions about this cottage, so that she + might come as a neighbor, without my appearing to be in any way connected + with her. I pushed my precautions so far as to order her to keep the child + in the house during the daytime, and to cover up her little face and hands + so that even those who might see her at the window should not gossip about + there being a black child in the neighborhood. If I had been less cautious + I might have been more wise, but I was half crazy with fear that you + should learn the truth. + </p> + <p> + “It was you who told me first that the cottage was occupied. I should have + waited for the morning, but I could not sleep for excitement, and so at + last I slipped out, knowing how difficult it is to awake you. But you saw + me go, and that was the beginning of my troubles. Next day you had my + secret at your mercy, but you nobly refrained from pursuing your + advantage. Three days later, however, the nurse and child only just + escaped from the back door as you rushed in at the front one. And now + to-night you at last know all, and I ask you what is to become of us, my + child and me?” She clasped her hands and waited for an answer. + </p> + <p> + It was a long ten minutes before Grant Munro broke the silence, and when + his answer came it was one of which I love to think. He lifted the little + child, kissed her, and then, still carrying her, he held his other hand + out to his wife and turned towards the door. + </p> + <p> + “We can talk it over more comfortably at home,” said he. “I am not a very + good man, Effie, but I think that I am a better one than you have given me + credit for being.” + </p> + <p> + Holmes and I followed them down the lane, and my friend plucked at my + sleeve as we came out. + </p> + <p> + “I think,” said he, “that we shall be of more use in London than in + Norbury.” + </p> + <p> + Not another word did he say of the case until late that night, when he was + turning away, with his lighted candle, for his bedroom. + </p> + <p> + “Watson,” said he, “if it should ever strike you that I am getting a + little over-confident in my powers, or giving less pains to a case than it + deserves, kindly whisper 'Norbury' in my ear, and I shall be infinitely + obliged to you.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Adventure III. The Stock-Broker's Clerk + </h2> + <p> + Shortly after my marriage I had bought a connection in the Paddington + district. Old Mr. Farquhar, from whom I purchased it, had at one time an + excellent general practice; but his age, and an affliction of the nature + of St. Vitus's dance from which he suffered, had very much thinned it. The + public not unnaturally goes on the principle that he who would heal others + must himself be whole, and looks askance at the curative powers of the man + whose own case is beyond the reach of his drugs. Thus as my predecessor + weakened his practice declined, until when I purchased it from him it had + sunk from twelve hundred to little more than three hundred a year. I had + confidence, however, in my own youth and energy, and was convinced that in + a very few years the concern would be as flourishing as ever. + </p> + <p> + For three months after taking over the practice I was kept very closely at + work, and saw little of my friend Sherlock Holmes, for I was too busy to + visit Baker Street, and he seldom went anywhere himself save upon + professional business. I was surprised, therefore, when, one morning in + June, as I sat reading the British Medical Journal after breakfast, I + heard a ring at the bell, followed by the high, somewhat strident tones of + my old companion's voice. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, my dear Watson,” said he, striding into the room, “I am very + delighted to see you! I trust that Mrs. Watson has entirely recovered from + all the little excitements connected with our adventure of the Sign of + Four.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, we are both very well,” said I, shaking him warmly by the + hand. + </p> + <p> + “And I hope, also,” he continued, sitting down in the rocking-chair, “that + the cares of medical practice have not entirely obliterated the interest + which you used to take in our little deductive problems.” + </p> + <p> + “On the contrary,” I answered, “it was only last night that I was looking + over my old notes, and classifying some of our past results.” + </p> + <p> + “I trust that you don't consider your collection closed.” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all. I should wish nothing better than to have some more of such + experiences.” + </p> + <p> + “To-day, for example?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, to-day, if you like.” + </p> + <p> + “And as far off as Birmingham?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, if you wish it.” + </p> + <p> + “And the practice?” + </p> + <p> + “I do my neighbor's when he goes. He is always ready to work off the + debt.” + </p> + <p> + “Ha! Nothing could be better,” said Holmes, leaning back in his chair and + looking keenly at me from under his half closed lids. “I perceive that you + have been unwell lately. Summer colds are always a little trying.” + </p> + <p> + “I was confined to the house by a severe chill for three days last week. I + thought, however, that I had cast off every trace of it.” + </p> + <p> + “So you have. You look remarkably robust.” + </p> + <p> + “How, then, did you know of it?” + </p> + <p> + “My dear fellow, you know my methods.” + </p> + <p> + “You deduced it, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly.” + </p> + <p> + “And from what?” + </p> + <p> + “From your slippers.” + </p> + <p> + I glanced down at the new patent leathers which I was wearing. “How on + earth—” I began, but Holmes answered my question before it was + asked. + </p> + <p> + “Your slippers are new,” he said. “You could not have had them more than a + few weeks. The soles which you are at this moment presenting to me are + slightly scorched. For a moment I thought they might have got wet and been + burned in the drying. But near the instep there is a small circular wafer + of paper with the shopman's hieroglyphics upon it. Damp would of course + have removed this. You had, then, been sitting with your feet outstretched + to the fire, which a man would hardly do even in so wet a June as this if + he were in his full health.” + </p> + <p> + Like all Holmes's reasoning the thing seemed simplicity itself when it was + once explained. He read the thought upon my features, and his smile had a + tinge of bitterness. + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid that I rather give myself away when I explain,” said he. + “Results without causes are much more impressive. You are ready to come to + Birmingham, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly. What is the case?” + </p> + <p> + “You shall hear it all in the train. My client is outside in a + four-wheeler. Can you come at once?” + </p> + <p> + “In an instant.” I scribbled a note to my neighbor, rushed upstairs to + explain the matter to my wife, and joined Holmes upon the door-step. + </p> + <p> + “Your neighbor is a doctor,” said he, nodding at the brass plate. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; he bought a practice as I did.” + </p> + <p> + “An old-established one?” + </p> + <p> + “Just the same as mine. Both have been ever since the houses were built.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! Then you got hold of the best of the two.” + </p> + <p> + “I think I did. But how do you know?” + </p> + <p> + “By the steps, my boy. Yours are worn three inches deeper than his. But + this gentleman in the cab is my client, Mr. Hall Pycroft. Allow me to + introduce you to him. Whip your horse up, cabby, for we have only just + time to catch our train.” + </p> + <p> + The man whom I found myself facing was a well built, fresh-complexioned + young fellow, with a frank, honest face and a slight, crisp, yellow + mustache. He wore a very shiny top hat and a neat suit of sober black, + which made him look what he was—a smart young City man, of the class + who have been labeled cockneys, but who give us our crack volunteer + regiments, and who turn out more fine athletes and sportsmen than any body + of men in these islands. His round, ruddy face was naturally full of + cheeriness, but the corners of his mouth seemed to me to be pulled down in + a half-comical distress. It was not, however, until we were all in a + first-class carriage and well started upon our journey to Birmingham that + I was able to learn what the trouble was which had driven him to Sherlock + Holmes. + </p> + <p> + “We have a clear run here of seventy minutes,” Holmes remarked. “I want + you, Mr. Hall Pycroft, to tell my friend your very interesting experience + exactly as you have told it to me, or with more detail if possible. It + will be of use to me to hear the succession of events again. It is a case, + Watson, which may prove to have something in it, or may prove to have + nothing, but which, at least, presents those unusual and outré features + which are as dear to you as they are to me. Now, Mr. Pycroft, I shall not + interrupt you again.” + </p> + <p> + Our young companion looked at me with a twinkle in his eye. + </p> + <p> + “The worst of the story is,” said he, “that I show myself up as such a + confounded fool. Of course it may work out all right, and I don't see that + I could have done otherwise; but if I have lost my crib and get nothing in + exchange I shall feel what a soft Johnnie I have been. I'm not very good + at telling a story, Dr. Watson, but it is like this with me: + </p> + <p> + “I used to have a billet at Coxon & Woodhouse's, of Draper's Gardens, + but they were let in early in the spring through the Venezuelan loan, as + no doubt you remember, and came a nasty cropper. I had been with them five + years, and old Coxon gave me a ripping good testimonial when the smash + came, but of course we clerks were all turned adrift, the twenty-seven of + us. I tried here and tried there, but there were lots of other chaps on + the same lay as myself, and it was a perfect frost for a long time. I had + been taking three pounds a week at Coxon's, and I had saved about seventy + of them, but I soon worked my way through that and out at the other end. I + was fairly at the end of my tether at last, and could hardly find the + stamps to answer the advertisements or the envelopes to stick them to. I + had worn out my boots paddling up office stairs, and I seemed just as far + from getting a billet as ever. + </p> + <p> + “At last I saw a vacancy at Mawson & Williams's, the great + stock-broking firm in Lombard Street. I dare say E. C. is not much in your + line, but I can tell you that this is about the richest house in London. + The advertisement was to be answered by letter only. I sent in my + testimonial and application, but without the least hope of getting it. + Back came an answer by return, saying that if I would appear next Monday I + might take over my new duties at once, provided that my appearance was + satisfactory. No one knows how these things are worked. Some people say + that the manager just plunges his hand into the heap and takes the first + that comes. Anyhow it was my innings that time, and I don't ever wish to + feel better pleased. The screw was a pound a week rise, and the duties + just about the same as at Coxon's. + </p> + <p> + “And now I come to the queer part of the business. I was in diggings out + Hampstead way, 17 Potter's Terrace. Well, I was sitting doing a smoke that + very evening after I had been promised the appointment, when up came my + landlady with a card which had 'Arthur Pinner, Financial Agent,' printed + upon it. I had never heard the name before and could not imagine what he + wanted with me; but, of course, I asked her to show him up. In he walked, + a middle-sized, dark-haired, dark-eyed, black-bearded man, with a touch of + the Sheeny about his nose. He had a brisk kind of way with him and spoke + sharply, like a man who knew the value of time.” + </p> + <p> + “'Mr. Hall Pycroft, I believe?'” said he. + </p> + <p> + “'Yes, sir,' I answered, pushing a chair towards him. + </p> + <p> + “'Lately engaged at Coxon & Woodhouse's?' + </p> + <p> + “'Yes, sir.' + </p> + <p> + “'And now on the staff of Mawson's.' + </p> + <p> + “'Quite so.' + </p> + <p> + “'Well,' said he, 'the fact is that I have heard some really extraordinary + stories about your financial ability. You remember Parker, who used to be + Coxon's manager? He can never say enough about it.' + </p> + <p> + “Of course I was pleased to hear this. I had always been pretty sharp in + the office, but I had never dreamed that I was talked about in the City in + this fashion. + </p> + <p> + “'You have a good memory?' said he. + </p> + <p> + “'Pretty fair,' I answered, modestly. + </p> + <p> + “'Have you kept in touch with the market while you have been out of work?' + he asked. + </p> + <p> + “'Yes. I read the stock exchange list every morning.' + </p> + <p> + “'Now that shows real application!' he cried. 'That is the way to prosper! + You won't mind my testing you, will you? Let me see. How are Ayrshires?' + </p> + <p> + “'A hundred and six and a quarter to a hundred and five and + seven-eighths.' + </p> + <p> + “'And New Zealand consolidated?' + </p> + <p> + “'A hundred and four. + </p> + <p> + “'And British Broken Hills?' + </p> + <p> + “'Seven to seven-and-six.' + </p> + <p> + “'Wonderful!' he cried, with his hands up. 'This quite fits in with all + that I had heard. My boy, my boy, you are very much too good to be a clerk + at Mawson's!' + </p> + <p> + “This outburst rather astonished me, as you can think. 'Well,' said I, + 'other people don't think quite so much of me as you seem to do, Mr. + Pinner. I had a hard enough fight to get this berth, and I am very glad to + have it.' + </p> + <p> + “'Pooh, man; you should soar above it. You are not in your true sphere. + Now, I'll tell you how it stands with me. What I have to offer is little + enough when measured by your ability, but when compared with Mawson's, + it's light to dark. Let me see. When do you go to Mawson's?' + </p> + <p> + “'On Monday.' + </p> + <p> + “'Ha, ha! I think I would risk a little sporting flutter that you don't go + there at all.' + </p> + <p> + “'Not go to Mawson's?' + </p> + <p> + “'No, sir. By that day you will be the business manager of the + Franco-Midland Hardware Company, Limited, with a hundred and thirty-four + branches in the towns and villages of France, not counting one in Brussels + and one in San Remo.' + </p> + <p> + “This took my breath away. 'I never heard of it,' said I. + </p> + <p> + “'Very likely not. It has been kept very quiet, for the capital was all + privately subscribed, and it's too good a thing to let the public into. My + brother, Harry Pinner, is promoter, and joins the board after allotment as + managing director. He knew I was in the swim down here, and asked me to + pick up a good man cheap. A young, pushing man with plenty of snap about + him. Parker spoke of you, and that brought me here to-night. We can only + offer you a beggarly five hundred to start with.' + </p> + <p> + “'Five hundred a year!' I shouted. + </p> + <p> + “'Only that at the beginning; but you are to have an overriding commission + of one per cent on all business done by your agents, and you may take my + word for it that this will come to more than your salary.' + </p> + <p> + “'But I know nothing about hardware.' + </p> + <p> + “'Tut, my boy; you know about figures.' + </p> + <p> + “My head buzzed, and I could hardly sit still in my chair. But suddenly a + little chill of doubt came upon me. + </p> + <p> + “'I must be frank with you,' said I. 'Mawson only gives me two hundred, + but Mawson is safe. Now, really, I know so little about your company that—' + </p> + <p> + “'Ah, smart, smart!' he cried, in a kind of ecstasy of delight. 'You are + the very man for us. You are not to be talked over, and quite right, too. + Now, here's a note for a hundred pounds, and if you think that we can do + business you may just slip it into your pocket as an advance upon your + salary.' + </p> + <p> + “'That is very handsome,' said I. 'When should I take over my new duties?' + </p> + <p> + “'Be in Birmingham to-morrow at one,' said he. 'I have a note in my pocket + here which you will take to my brother. You will find him at 126b + Corporation Street, where the temporary offices of the company are + situated. Of course he must confirm your engagement, but between ourselves + it will be all right.' + </p> + <p> + “'Really, I hardly know how to express my gratitude, Mr. Pinner,' said I. + </p> + <p> + “'Not at all, my boy. You have only got your deserts. There are one or two + small things—mere formalities—which I must arrange with you. + You have a bit of paper beside you there. Kindly write upon it “I am + perfectly willing to act as business manager to the Franco-Midland + Hardware Company, Limited, at a minimum salary of L500.”' + </p> + <p> + “I did as he asked, and he put the paper in his pocket. + </p> + <p> + “'There is one other detail,' said he. 'What do you intend to do about + Mawson's?' + </p> + <p> + “I had forgotten all about Mawson's in my joy. 'I'll write and resign,' + said I. + </p> + <p> + “'Precisely what I don't want you to do. I had a row over you with + Mawson's manager. I had gone up to ask him about you, and he was very + offensive; accused me of coaxing you away from the service of the firm, + and that sort of thing. At last I fairly lost my temper. “If you want good + men you should pay them a good price,” said I.' + </p> + <p> + “'He would rather have our small price than your big one,' said he. + </p> + <p> + “'I'll lay you a fiver,' said I, 'that when he has my offer you'll never + so much as hear from him again.' + </p> + <p> + “'Done!' said he. 'We picked him out of the gutter, and he won't leave us + so easily.' Those were his very words.” + </p> + <p> + “'The impudent scoundrel!' I cried. 'I've never so much as seen him in my + life. Why should I consider him in any way? I shall certainly not write if + you would rather I didn't.' + </p> + <p> + “'Good! That's a promise,' said he, rising from his chair. 'Well, I'm + delighted to have got so good a man for my brother. Here's your advance of + a hundred pounds, and here is the letter. Make a note of the address, 126b + Corporation Street, and remember that one o'clock to-morrow is your + appointment. Good-night; and may you have all the fortune that you + deserve!' + </p> + <p> + “That's just about all that passed between us, as near as I can remember. + You can imagine, Dr. Watson, how pleased I was at such an extraordinary + bit of good fortune. I sat up half the night hugging myself over it, and + next day I was off to Birmingham in a train that would take me in plenty + time for my appointment. I took my things to a hotel in New Street, and + then I made my way to the address which had been given me. + </p> + <p> + “It was a quarter of an hour before my time, but I thought that would make + no difference. 126b was a passage between two large shops, which led to a + winding stone stair, from which there were many flats, let as offices to + companies or professional men. The names of the occupants were painted at + the bottom on the wall, but there was no such name as the Franco-Midland + Hardware Company, Limited. I stood for a few minutes with my heart in my + boots, wondering whether the whole thing was an elaborate hoax or not, + when up came a man and addressed me. He was very like the chap I had seen + the night before, the same figure and voice, but he was clean shaven and + his hair was lighter. + </p> + <p> + “'Are you Mr. Hall Pycroft?' he asked. + </p> + <p> + “'Yes,' said I. + </p> + <p> + “'Oh! I was expecting you, but you are a trifle before your time. I had a + note from my brother this morning in which he sang your praises very + loudly.' + </p> + <p> + “'I was just looking for the offices when you came. + </p> + <p> + “'We have not got our name up yet, for we only secured these temporary + premises last week. Come up with me, and we will talk the matter over.' + </p> + <p> + “I followed him to the top of a very lofty stair, and there, right under + the slates, were a couple of empty, dusty little rooms, uncarpeted and + uncurtained, into which he led me. I had thought of a great office with + shining tables and rows of clerks, such as I was used to, and I dare say I + stared rather straight at the two deal chairs and one little table, which, + with a ledger and a waste paper basket, made up the whole furniture. + </p> + <p> + “'Don't be disheartened, Mr. Pycroft,' said my new acquaintance, seeing + the length of my face. 'Rome was not built in a day, and we have lots of + money at our backs, though we don't cut much dash yet in offices. Pray sit + down, and let me have your letter.' + </p> + <p> + “I gave it to him, and he read it over very carefully. + </p> + <p> + “'You seem to have made a vast impression upon my brother Arthur,' said + he; 'and I know that he is a pretty shrewd judge. He swears by London, you + know; and I by Birmingham; but this time I shall follow his advice. Pray + consider yourself definitely engaged.” + </p> + <p> + “'What are my duties?' I asked. + </p> + <p> + “'You will eventually manage the great depot in Paris, which will pour a + flood of English crockery into the shops of a hundred and thirty-four + agents in France. The purchase will be completed in a week, and meanwhile + you will remain in Birmingham and make yourself useful.' + </p> + <p> + “'How?' + </p> + <p> + “For answer, he took a big red book out of a drawer. + </p> + <p> + “'This is a directory of Paris,' said he, 'with the trades after the names + of the people. I want you to take it home with you, and to mark off all + the hardware sellers, with their addresses. It would be of the greatest + use to me to have them.' + </p> + <p> + “'Surely there are classified lists?' I suggested. + </p> + <p> + “'Not reliable ones. Their system is different from ours. Stick at it, and + let me have the lists by Monday, at twelve. Good-day, Mr. Pycroft. If you + continue to show zeal and intelligence you will find the company a good + master.' + </p> + <p> + “I went back to the hotel with the big book under my arm, and with very + conflicting feelings in my breast. On the one hand, I was definitely + engaged and had a hundred pounds in my pocket; on the other, the look of + the offices, the absence of name on the wall, and other of the points + which would strike a business man had left a bad impression as to the + position of my employers. However, come what might, I had my money, so I + settled down to my task. All Sunday I was kept hard at work, and yet by + Monday I had only got as far as H. I went round to my employer, found him + in the same dismantled kind of room, and was told to keep at it until + Wednesday, and then come again. On Wednesday it was still unfinished, so I + hammered away until Friday—that is, yesterday. Then I brought it + round to Mr. Harry Pinner. + </p> + <p> + “'Thank you very much,' said he; 'I fear that I underrated the difficulty + of the task. This list will be of very material assistance to me.' + </p> + <p> + “'It took some time,' said I. + </p> + <p> + “'And now,' said he, 'I want you to make a list of the furniture shops, + for they all sell crockery.' + </p> + <p> + “'Very good.' + </p> + <p> + “'And you can come up to-morrow evening, at seven, and let me know how you + are getting on. Don't overwork yourself. A couple of hours at Day's Music + Hall in the evening would do you no harm after your labors.' He laughed as + he spoke, and I saw with a thrill that his second tooth upon the left-hand + side had been very badly stuffed with gold.” + </p> + <p> + Sherlock Holmes rubbed his hands with delight, and I stared with + astonishment at our client. + </p> + <p> + “You may well look surprised, Dr. Watson; but it is this way,” said he: + “When I was speaking to the other chap in London, at the time that he + laughed at my not going to Mawson's, I happened to notice that his tooth + was stuffed in this very identical fashion. The glint of the gold in each + case caught my eye, you see. When I put that with the voice and figure + being the same, and only those things altered which might be changed by a + razor or a wig, I could not doubt that it was the same man. Of course you + expect two brothers to be alike, but not that they should have the same + tooth stuffed in the same way. He bowed me out, and I found myself in the + street, hardly knowing whether I was on my head or my heels. Back I went + to my hotel, put my head in a basin of cold water, and tried to think it + out. Why had he sent me from London to Birmingham? Why had he got there + before me? And why had he written a letter from himself to himself? It was + altogether too much for me, and I could make no sense of it. And then + suddenly it struck me that what was dark to me might be very light to Mr. + Sherlock Holmes. I had just time to get up to town by the night train to + see him this morning, and to bring you both back with me to Birmingham.” + </p> + <p> + There was a pause after the stock-broker's clerk had concluded his + surprising experience. Then Sherlock Holmes cocked his eye at me, leaning + back on the cushions with a pleased and yet critical face, like a + connoisseur who has just taken his first sip of a comet vintage. + </p> + <p> + “Rather fine, Watson, is it not?” said he. “There are points in it which + please me. I think that you will agree with me that an interview with Mr. + Arthur Harry Pinner in the temporary offices of the Franco-Midland + Hardware Company, Limited, would be a rather interesting experience for + both of us.” + </p> + <p> + “But how can we do it?” I asked. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, easily enough,” said Hall Pycroft, cheerily. “You are two friends of + mine who are in want of a billet, and what could be more natural than that + I should bring you both round to the managing director?” + </p> + <p> + “Quite so, of course,” said Holmes. “I should like to have a look at the + gentleman, and see if I can make anything of his little game. What + qualities have you, my friend, which would make your services so valuable? + or is it possible that—” He began biting his nails and staring + blankly out of the window, and we hardly drew another word from him until + we were in New Street. + </p> + <p> + At seven o'clock that evening we were walking, the three of us, down + Corporation Street to the company's offices. + </p> + <p> + “It is no use our being at all before our time,” said our client. “He only + comes there to see me, apparently, for the place is deserted up to the + very hour he names.” + </p> + <p> + “That is suggestive,” remarked Holmes. + </p> + <p> + “By Jove, I told you so!” cried the clerk. “That's he walking ahead of us + there.” + </p> + <p> + He pointed to a smallish, dark, well-dressed man who was bustling along + the other side of the road. As we watched him he looked across at a boy + who was bawling out the latest edition of the evening paper, and running + over among the cabs and busses, he bought one from him. Then, clutching it + in his hand, he vanished through a door-way. + </p> + <p> + “There he goes!” cried Hall Pycroft. “These are the company's offices into + which he has gone. Come with me, and I'll fix it up as easily as + possible.” + </p> + <p> + Following his lead, we ascended five stories, until we found ourselves + outside a half-opened door, at which our client tapped. A voice within + bade us enter, and we entered a bare, unfurnished room such as Hall + Pycroft had described. At the single table sat the man whom we had seen in + the street, with his evening paper spread out in front of him, and as he + looked up at us it seemed to me that I had never looked upon a face which + bore such marks of grief, and of something beyond grief—of a horror + such as comes to few men in a lifetime. His brow glistened with + perspiration, his cheeks were of the dull, dead white of a fish's belly, + and his eyes were wild and staring. He looked at his clerk as though he + failed to recognize him, and I could see by the astonishment depicted upon + our conductor's face that this was by no means the usual appearance of his + employer. + </p> + <p> + “You look ill, Mr. Pinner!” he exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I am not very well,” answered the other, making obvious efforts to + pull himself together, and licking his dry lips before he spoke. “Who are + these gentlemen whom you have brought with you?” + </p> + <p> + “One is Mr. Harris, of Bermondsey, and the other is Mr. Price, of this + town,” said our clerk, glibly. “They are friends of mine and gentlemen of + experience, but they have been out of a place for some little time, and + they hoped that perhaps you might find an opening for them in the + company's employment.” + </p> + <p> + “Very possibly! Very possibly!” cried Mr. Pinner with a ghastly smile. + “Yes, I have no doubt that we shall be able to do something for you. What + is your particular line, Mr. Harris?” + </p> + <p> + “I am an accountant,” said Holmes. + </p> + <p> + “Ah yes, we shall want something of the sort. And you, Mr. Price?” + </p> + <p> + “A clerk,” said I. + </p> + <p> + “I have every hope that the company may accommodate you. I will let you + know about it as soon as we come to any conclusion. And now I beg that you + will go. For God's sake leave me to myself!” + </p> + <p> + These last words were shot out of him, as though the constraint which he + was evidently setting upon himself had suddenly and utterly burst asunder. + Holmes and I glanced at each other, and Hall Pycroft took a step towards + the table. + </p> + <p> + “You forget, Mr. Pinner, that I am here by appointment to receive some + directions from you,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, Mr. Pycroft, certainly,” the other resumed in a calmer tone. + “You may wait here a moment; and there is no reason why your friends + should not wait with you. I will be entirely at your service in three + minutes, if I might trespass upon your patience so far.” He rose with a + very courteous air, and, bowing to us, he passed out through a door at the + farther end of the room, which he closed behind him. + </p> + <p> + “What now?” whispered Holmes. “Is he giving us the slip?” + </p> + <p> + “Impossible,” answered Pycroft. + </p> + <p> + “Why so?” + </p> + <p> + “That door leads into an inner room.” + </p> + <p> + “There is no exit?” + </p> + <p> + “None.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it furnished?” + </p> + <p> + “It was empty yesterday.” + </p> + <p> + “Then what on earth can he be doing? There is something which I don't + understand in this manner. If ever a man was three parts mad with terror, + that man's name is Pinner. What can have put the shivers on him?” + </p> + <p> + “He suspects that we are detectives,” I suggested. + </p> + <p> + “That's it,” cried Pycroft. + </p> + <p> + Holmes shook his head. “He did not turn pale. He was pale when we entered + the room,” said he. “It is just possible that—” + </p> + <p> + His words were interrupted by a sharp rat-tat from the direction of the + inner door. + </p> + <p> + “What the deuce is he knocking at his own door for?” cried the clerk. + </p> + <p> + Again and much louder came the rat-tat-tat. We all gazed expectantly at + the closed door. Glancing at Holmes, I saw his face turn rigid, and he + leaned forward in intense excitement. Then suddenly came a low guggling, + gargling sound, and a brisk drumming upon woodwork. Holmes sprang + frantically across the room and pushed at the door. It was fastened on the + inner side. Following his example, we threw ourselves upon it with all our + weight. One hinge snapped, then the other, and down came the door with a + crash. Rushing over it, we found ourselves in the inner room. It was + empty. + </p> + <p> + But it was only for a moment that we were at fault. At one corner, the + corner nearest the room which we had left, there was a second door. Holmes + sprang to it and pulled it open. A coat and waistcoat were lying on the + floor, and from a hook behind the door, with his own braces round his + neck, was hanging the managing director of the Franco-Midland Hardware + Company. His knees were drawn up, his head hung at a dreadful angle to his + body, and the clatter of his heels against the door made the noise which + had broken in upon our conversation. In an instant I had caught him round + the waist, and held him up while Holmes and Pycroft untied the elastic + bands which had disappeared between the livid creases of skin. Then we + carried him into the other room, where he lay with a clay-colored face, + puffing his purple lips in and out with every breath—a dreadful + wreck of all that he had been but five minutes before. + </p> + <p> + “What do you think of him, Watson?” asked Holmes. + </p> + <p> + I stooped over him and examined him. His pulse was feeble and + intermittent, but his breathing grew longer, and there was a little + shivering of his eyelids, which showed a thin white slit of ball beneath. + </p> + <p> + “It has been touch and go with him,” said I, “but he'll live now. Just + open that window, and hand me the water carafe.” I undid his collar, + poured the cold water over his face, and raised and sank his arms until he + drew a long, natural breath. “It's only a question of time now,” said I, + as I turned away from him. + </p> + <p> + Holmes stood by the table, with his hands deep in his trouser's pockets + and his chin upon his breast. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose we ought to call the police in now,” said he. “And yet I + confess that I'd like to give them a complete case when they come.” + </p> + <p> + “It's a blessed mystery to me,” cried Pycroft, scratching his head. + “Whatever they wanted to bring me all the way up here for, and then—” + </p> + <p> + “Pooh! All that is clear enough,” said Holmes impatiently. “It is this + last sudden move.” + </p> + <p> + “You understand the rest, then?” + </p> + <p> + “I think that it is fairly obvious. What do you say, Watson?” + </p> + <p> + I shrugged my shoulders. “I must confess that I am out of my depths,” said + I. + </p> + <p> + “Oh surely if you consider the events at first they can only point to one + conclusion.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you make of them?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, the whole thing hinges upon two points. The first is the making of + Pycroft write a declaration by which he entered the service of this + preposterous company. Do you not see how very suggestive that is?” + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid I miss the point.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, why did they want him to do it? Not as a business matter, for these + arrangements are usually verbal, and there was no earthly business reason + why this should be an exception. Don't you see, my young friend, that they + were very anxious to obtain a specimen of your handwriting, and had no + other way of doing it?” + </p> + <p> + “And why?” + </p> + <p> + “Quite so. Why? When we answer that we have made some progress with our + little problem. Why? There can be only one adequate reason. Some one + wanted to learn to imitate your writing, and had to procure a specimen of + it first. And now if we pass on to the second point we find that each + throws light upon the other. That point is the request made by Pinner that + you should not resign your place, but should leave the manager of this + important business in the full expectation that a Mr. Hall Pycroft, whom + he had never seen, was about to enter the office upon the Monday morning.” + </p> + <p> + “My God!” cried our client, “what a blind beetle I have been!” + </p> + <p> + “Now you see the point about the handwriting. Suppose that some one turned + up in your place who wrote a completely different hand from that in which + you had applied for the vacancy, of course the game would have been up. + But in the interval the rogue had learned to imitate you, and his position + was therefore secure, as I presume that nobody in the office had ever set + eyes upon you.” + </p> + <p> + “Not a soul,” groaned Hall Pycroft. + </p> + <p> + “Very good. Of course it was of the utmost importance to prevent you from + thinking better of it, and also to keep you from coming into contact with + any one who might tell you that your double was at work in Mawson's + office. Therefore they gave you a handsome advance on your salary, and ran + you off to the Midlands, where they gave you enough work to do to prevent + your going to London, where you might have burst their little game up. + That is all plain enough.” + </p> + <p> + “But why should this man pretend to be his own brother?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, that is pretty clear also. There are evidently only two of them in + it. The other is impersonating you at the office. This one acted as your + engager, and then found that he could not find you an employer without + admitting a third person into his plot. That he was most unwilling to do. + He changed his appearance as far as he could, and trusted that the + likeness, which you could not fail to observe, would be put down to a + family resemblance. But for the happy chance of the gold stuffing, your + suspicions would probably never have been aroused.” + </p> + <p> + Hall Pycroft shook his clinched hands in the air. “Good Lord!” he cried, + “while I have been fooled in this way, what has this other Hall Pycroft + been doing at Mawson's? What should we do, Mr. Holmes? Tell me what to + do.” + </p> + <p> + “We must wire to Mawson's.” + </p> + <p> + “They shut at twelve on Saturdays.” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind. There may be some door-keeper or attendant—” + </p> + <p> + “Ah yes, they keep a permanent guard there on account of the value of the + securities that they hold. I remember hearing it talked of in the City.” + </p> + <p> + “Very good; we shall wire to him, and see if all is well, and if a clerk + of your name is working there. That is clear enough; but what is not so + clear is why at sight of us one of the rogues should instantly walk out of + the room and hang himself.” + </p> + <p> + “The paper!” croaked a voice behind us. The man was sitting up, blanched + and ghastly, with returning reason in his eyes, and hands which rubbed + nervously at the broad red band which still encircled his throat. + </p> + <p> + “The paper! Of course!” yelled Holmes, in a paroxysm of excitement. “Idiot + that I was! I thought so much of our visit that the paper never entered my + head for an instant. To be sure, the secret must be there.” He flattened + it out upon the table, and a cry of triumph burst from his lips. “Look at + this, Watson,” he cried. “It is a London paper, an early edition of the + Evening Standard. Here is what we want. Look at the headlines: 'Crime in + the City. Murder at Mawson & Williams's. Gigantic attempted Robbery. + Capture of the Criminal.' Here, Watson, we are all equally anxious to hear + it, so kindly read it aloud to us.” + </p> + <p> + It appeared from its position in the paper to have been the one event of + importance in town, and the account of it ran in this way: + </p> + <p> + “A desperate attempt at robbery, culminating in the death of one man and + the capture of the criminal, occurred this afternoon in the City. For some + time back Mawson & Williams, the famous financial house, have been the + guardians of securities which amount in the aggregate to a sum of + considerably over a million sterling. So conscious was the manager of the + responsibility which devolved upon him in consequence of the great + interests at stake that safes of the very latest construction have been + employed, and an armed watchman has been left day and night in the + building. It appears that last week a new clerk named Hall Pycroft was + engaged by the firm. This person appears to have been none other than + Beddington, the famous forger and cracksman, who, with his brother, had + only recently emerged from a five years' spell of penal servitude. By some + means, which are not yet clear, he succeeded in winning, under a false + name, this official position in the office, which he utilized in order to + obtain moulding of various locks, and a thorough knowledge of the position + of the strong room and the safes. + </p> + <p> + “It is customary at Mawson's for the clerks to leave at midday on + Saturday. Sergeant Tuson, of the City Police, was somewhat surprised, + therefore to see a gentleman with a carpet bag come down the steps at + twenty minutes past one. His suspicions being aroused, the sergeant + followed the man, and with the aid of Constable Pollock succeeded, after a + most desperate resistance, in arresting him. It was at once clear that a + daring and gigantic robbery had been committed. Nearly a hundred thousand + pounds' worth of American railway bonds, with a large amount of scrip in + mines and other companies, was discovered in the bag. On examining the + premises the body of the unfortunate watchman was found doubled up and + thrust into the largest of the safes, where it would not have been + discovered until Monday morning had it not been for the prompt action of + Sergeant Tuson. The man's skull had been shattered by a blow from a poker + delivered from behind. There could be no doubt that Beddington had + obtained entrance by pretending that he had left something behind him, and + having murdered the watchman, rapidly rifled the large safe, and then made + off with his booty. His brother, who usually works with him, has not + appeared in this job as far as can at present be ascertained, although the + police are making energetic inquiries as to his whereabouts.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we may save the police some little trouble in that direction,” said + Holmes, glancing at the haggard figure huddled up by the window. “Human + nature is a strange mixture, Watson. You see that even a villain and + murderer can inspire such affection that his brother turns to suicide when + he learns that his neck is forfeited. However, we have no choice as to our + action. The doctor and I will remain on guard, Mr. Pycroft, if you will + have the kindness to step out for the police.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Adventure IV. The “<i>Gloria Scott</i>” + </h2> + <p> + “I have some papers here,” said my friend Sherlock Holmes, as we sat one + winter's night on either side of the fire, “which I really think, Watson, + that it would be worth your while to glance over. These are the documents + in the extraordinary case of the Gloria Scott, and this is the message + which struck Justice of the Peace Trevor dead with horror when he read + it.” + </p> + <p> + He had picked from a drawer a little tarnished cylinder, and, undoing the + tape, he handed me a short note scrawled upon a half-sheet of slate-gray + paper. + </p> + <p> + “The supply of game for London is going steadily up,” it ran. “Head-keeper + Hudson, we believe, has been now told to receive all orders for fly-paper + and for preservation of your hen-pheasant's life.” + </p> + <p> + As I glanced up from reading this enigmatical message, I saw Holmes + chuckling at the expression upon my face. + </p> + <p> + “You look a little bewildered,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “I cannot see how such a message as this could inspire horror. It seems to + me to be rather grotesque than otherwise.” + </p> + <p> + “Very likely. Yet the fact remains that the reader, who was a fine, robust + old man, was knocked clean down by it as if it had been the butt end of a + pistol.” + </p> + <p> + “You arouse my curiosity,” said I. “But why did you say just now that + there were very particular reasons why I should study this case?” + </p> + <p> + “Because it was the first in which I was ever engaged.” + </p> + <p> + I had often endeavored to elicit from my companion what had first turned + his mind in the direction of criminal research, but had never caught him + before in a communicative humor. Now he sat forward in this arm-chair and + spread out the documents upon his knees. Then he lit his pipe and sat for + some time smoking and turning them over. + </p> + <p> + “You never heard me talk of Victor Trevor?” he asked. “He was the only + friend I made during the two years I was at college. I was never a very + sociable fellow, Watson, always rather fond of moping in my rooms and + working out my own little methods of thought, so that I never mixed much + with the men of my year. Bar fencing and boxing I had few athletic tastes, + and then my line of study was quite distinct from that of the other + fellows, so that we had no points of contact at all. Trevor was the only + man I knew, and that only through the accident of his bull terrier + freezing on to my ankle one morning as I went down to chapel. + </p> + <p> + “It was a prosaic way of forming a friendship, but it was effective. I was + laid by the heels for ten days, but Trevor used to come in to inquire + after me. At first it was only a minute's chat, but soon his visits + lengthened, and before the end of the term we were close friends. He was a + hearty, full-blooded fellow, full of spirits and energy, the very opposite + to me in most respects, but we had some subjects in common, and it was a + bond of union when I found that he was as friendless as I. Finally, he + invited me down to his father's place at Donnithorpe, in Norfolk, and I + accepted his hospitality for a month of the long vacation. + </p> + <p> + “Old Trevor was evidently a man of some wealth and consideration, a J.P., + and a landed proprietor. Donnithorpe is a little hamlet just to the north + of Langmere, in the country of the Broads. The house was an old-fashioned, + wide-spread, oak-beamed brick building, with a fine lime-lined avenue + leading up to it. There was excellent wild-duck shooting in the fens, + remarkably good fishing, a small but select library, taken over, as I + understood, from a former occupant, and a tolerable cook, so that he would + be a fastidious man who could not put in a pleasant month there. + </p> + <p> + “Trevor senior was a widower, and my friend his only son. + </p> + <p> + “There had been a daughter, I heard, but she had died of diphtheria while + on a visit to Birmingham. The father interested me extremely. He was a man + of little culture, but with a considerable amount of rude strength, both + physically and mentally. He knew hardly any books, but he had traveled + far, had seen much of the world. And had remembered all that he had + learned. In person he was a thick-set, burly man with a shock of grizzled + hair, a brown, weather-beaten face, and blue eyes which were keen to the + verge of fierceness. Yet he had a reputation for kindness and charity on + the country-side, and was noted for the leniency of his sentences from the + bench. + </p> + <p> + “One evening, shortly after my arrival, we were sitting over a glass of + port after dinner, when young Trevor began to talk about those habits of + observation and inference which I had already formed into a system, + although I had not yet appreciated the part which they were to play in my + life. The old man evidently thought that his son was exaggerating in his + description of one or two trivial feats which I had performed. + </p> + <p> + “'Come, now, Mr. Holmes,' said he, laughing good-humoredly. 'I'm an + excellent subject, if you can deduce anything from me.' + </p> + <p> + “'I fear there is not very much,' I answered; 'I might suggest that you + have gone about in fear of some personal attack within the last + twelvemonth.' + </p> + <p> + “The laugh faded from his lips, and he stared at me in great surprise. + </p> + <p> + “'Well, that's true enough,' said he. 'You know, Victor,' turning to his + son, 'when we broke up that poaching gang they swore to knife us, and Sir + Edward Holly has actually been attacked. I've always been on my guard + since then, though I have no idea how you know it.' + </p> + <p> + “'You have a very handsome stick,' I answered. 'By the inscription I + observed that you had not had it more than a year. But you have taken some + pains to bore the head of it and pour melted lead into the hole so as to + make it a formidable weapon. I argued that you would not take such + precautions unless you had some danger to fear.' + </p> + <p> + “'Anything else?' he asked, smiling. + </p> + <p> + “'You have boxed a good deal in your youth.' + </p> + <p> + “'Right again. How did you know it? Is my nose knocked a little out of the + straight?' + </p> + <p> + “'No,' said I. 'It is your ears. They have the peculiar flattening and + thickening which marks the boxing man.' + </p> + <p> + “'Anything else?' + </p> + <p> + “'You have done a good deal of digging by your callosities.' + </p> + <p> + “'Made all my money at the gold fields.' + </p> + <p> + “'You have been in New Zealand.' + </p> + <p> + “'Right again.' + </p> + <p> + “'You have visited Japan.' + </p> + <p> + “'Quite true.' + </p> + <p> + “'And you have been most intimately associated with some one whose + initials were J. A., and whom you afterwards were eager to entirely + forget.' + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Trevor stood slowly up, fixed his large blue eyes upon me with a + strange wild stare, and then pitched forward, with his face among the + nutshells which strewed the cloth, in a dead faint. + </p> + <p> + “You can imagine, Watson, how shocked both his son and I were. His attack + did not last long, however, for when we undid his collar, and sprinkled + the water from one of the finger-glasses over his face, he gave a gasp or + two and sat up. + </p> + <p> + “'Ah, boys,' said he, forcing a smile, 'I hope I haven't frightened you. + Strong as I look, there is a weak place in my heart, and it does not take + much to knock me over. I don't know how you manage this, Mr. Holmes, but + it seems to me that all the detectives of fact and of fancy would be + children in your hands. That's your line of life, sir, and you may take + the word of a man who has seen something of the world.' + </p> + <p> + “And that recommendation, with the exaggerated estimate of my ability with + which he prefaced it, was, if you will believe me, Watson, the very first + thing which ever made me feel that a profession might be made out of what + had up to that time been the merest hobby. At the moment, however, I was + too much concerned at the sudden illness of my host to think of anything + else. + </p> + <p> + “'I hope that I have said nothing to pain you?' said I. + </p> + <p> + “'Well, you certainly touched upon rather a tender point. Might I ask how + you know, and how much you know?' He spoke now in a half-jesting fashion, + but a look of terror still lurked at the back of his eyes. + </p> + <p> + “'It is simplicity itself,' said I. 'When you bared your arm to draw that + fish into the boat I saw that J. A. had been tattooed in the bend of the + elbow. The letters were still legible, but it was perfectly clear from + their blurred appearance, and from the staining of the skin round them, + that efforts had been made to obliterate them. It was obvious, then, that + those initials had once been very familiar to you, and that you had + afterwards wished to forget them.' + </p> + <p> + “What an eye you have!” he cried, with a sigh of relief. 'It is just as + you say. But we won't talk of it. Of all ghosts the ghosts of our old + lovers are the worst. Come into the billiard-room and have a quiet cigar.' + </p> + <p> + “From that day, amid all his cordiality, there was always a touch of + suspicion in Mr. Trevor's manner towards me. Even his son remarked it. + 'You've given the governor such a turn,' said he, 'that he'll never be + sure again of what you know and what you don't know.' He did not mean to + show it, I am sure, but it was so strongly in his mind that it peeped out + at every action. At last I became so convinced that I was causing him + uneasiness that I drew my visit to a close. On the very day, however, + before I left, an incident occurred which proved in the sequel to be of + importance. + </p> + <p> + “We were sitting out upon the lawn on garden chairs, the three of us, + basking in the sun and admiring the view across the Broads, when a maid + came out to say that there was a man at the door who wanted to see Mr. + Trevor. + </p> + <p> + “'What is his name?' asked my host. + </p> + <p> + “'He would not give any.' + </p> + <p> + “'What does he want, then?' + </p> + <p> + “'He says that you know him, and that he only wants a moment's + conversation.' + </p> + <p> + “'Show him round here.' An instant afterwards there appeared a little + wizened fellow with a cringing manner and a shambling style of walking. He + wore an open jacket, with a splotch of tar on the sleeve, a red-and-black + check shirt, dungaree trousers, and heavy boots badly worn. His face was + thin and brown and crafty, with a perpetual smile upon it, which showed an + irregular line of yellow teeth, and his crinkled hands were half closed in + a way that is distinctive of sailors. As he came slouching across the lawn + I heard Mr. Trevor make a sort of hiccoughing noise in his throat, and + jumping out of his chair, he ran into the house. He was back in a moment, + and I smelt a strong reek of brandy as he passed me. + </p> + <p> + “'Well, my man,' said he. 'What can I do for you?' + </p> + <p> + “The sailor stood looking at him with puckered eyes, and with the same + loose-lipped smile upon his face. + </p> + <p> + “'You don't know me?' he asked. + </p> + <p> + “'Why, dear me, it is surely Hudson,' said Mr. Trevor in a tone of + surprise. + </p> + <p> + “'Hudson it is, sir,' said the seaman. 'Why, it's thirty year and more + since I saw you last. Here you are in your house, and me still picking my + salt meat out of the harness cask.' + </p> + <p> + “'Tut, you will find that I have not forgotten old times,' cried Mr. + Trevor, and, walking towards the sailor, he said something in a low voice. + 'Go into the kitchen,' he continued out loud, 'and you will get food and + drink. I have no doubt that I shall find you a situation.' + </p> + <p> + “'Thank you, sir,' said the seaman, touching his fore-lock. 'I'm just off + a two-yearer in an eight-knot tramp, short-handed at that, and I wants a + rest. I thought I'd get it either with Mr. Beddoes or with you.' + </p> + <p> + “'Ah!' cried Trevor. 'You know where Mr. Beddoes is?' + </p> + <p> + “'Bless you, sir, I know where all my old friends are,' said the fellow + with a sinister smile, and he slouched off after the maid to the kitchen. + Mr. Trevor mumbled something to us about having been shipmate with the man + when he was going back to the diggings, and then, leaving us on the lawn, + he went indoors. An hour later, when we entered the house, we found him + stretched dead drunk upon the dining-room sofa. The whole incident left a + most ugly impression upon my mind, and I was not sorry next day to leave + Donnithorpe behind me, for I felt that my presence must be a source of + embarrassment to my friend. + </p> + <p> + “All this occurred during the first month of the long vacation. I went up + to my London rooms, where I spent seven weeks working out a few + experiments in organic chemistry. One day, however, when the autumn was + far advanced and the vacation drawing to a close, I received a telegram + from my friend imploring me to return to Donnithorpe, and saying that he + was in great need of my advice and assistance. Of course I dropped + everything and set out for the North once more. + </p> + <p> + “He met me with the dog-cart at the station, and I saw at a glance that + the last two months had been very trying ones for him. He had grown thin + and careworn, and had lost the loud, cheery manner for which he had been + remarkable. + </p> + <p> + “'The governor is dying,' were the first words he said. + </p> + <p> + “'Impossible!' I cried. 'What is the matter?' + </p> + <p> + “'Apoplexy. Nervous shock, He's been on the verge all day. I doubt if we + shall find him alive.' + </p> + <p> + “I was, as you may think, Watson, horrified at this unexpected news. + </p> + <p> + “'What has caused it?' I asked. + </p> + <p> + “'Ah, that is the point. Jump in and we can talk it over while we drive. + You remember that fellow who came upon the evening before you left us?' + </p> + <p> + “'Perfectly.' + </p> + <p> + “'Do you know who it was that we let into the house that day?' + </p> + <p> + “'I have no idea.' + </p> + <p> + “'It was the devil, Holmes,' he cried. + </p> + <p> + “I stared at him in astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “'Yes, it was the devil himself. We have not had a peaceful hour since—not + one. The governor has never held up his head from that evening, and now + the life has been crushed out of him and his heart broken, all through + this accursed Hudson.' + </p> + <p> + “'What power had he, then?' + </p> + <p> + “'Ah, that is what I would give so much to know. The kindly, charitable, + good old governor—how could he have fallen into the clutches of such + a ruffian! But I am so glad that you have come, Holmes. I trust very much + to your judgment and discretion, and I know that you will advise me for + the best.' + </p> + <p> + “We were dashing along the smooth white country road, with the long + stretch of the Broads in front of us glimmering in the red light of the + setting sun. From a grove upon our left I could already see the high + chimneys and the flag-staff which marked the squire's dwelling. + </p> + <p> + “'My father made the fellow gardener,' said my companion, 'and then, as + that did not satisfy him, he was promoted to be butler. The house seemed + to be at his mercy, and he wandered about and did what he chose in it. The + maids complained of his drunken habits and his vile language. The dad + raised their wages all round to recompense them for the annoyance. The + fellow would take the boat and my father's best gun and treat himself to + little shooting trips. And all this with such a sneering, leering, + insolent face that I would have knocked him down twenty times over if he + had been a man of my own age. I tell you, Holmes, I have had to keep a + tight hold upon myself all this time; and now I am asking myself whether, + if I had let myself go a little more, I might not have been a wiser man. + </p> + <p> + “'Well, matters went from bad to worse with us, and this animal Hudson + became more and more intrusive, until at last, on making some insolent + reply to my father in my presence one day, I took him by the shoulders and + turned him out of the room. He slunk away with a livid face and two + venomous eyes which uttered more threats than his tongue could do. I don't + know what passed between the poor dad and him after that, but the dad came + to me next day and asked me whether I would mind apologizing to Hudson. I + refused, as you can imagine, and asked my father how he could allow such a + wretch to take such liberties with himself and his household. + </p> + <p> + “'"Ah, my boy,” said he, “it is all very well to talk, but you don't know + how I am placed. But you shall know, Victor. I'll see that you shall know, + come what may. You wouldn't believe harm of your poor old father, would + you, lad?” He was very much moved, and shut himself up in the study all + day, where I could see through the window that he was writing busily. + </p> + <p> + “'That evening there came what seemed to me to be a grand release, for + Hudson told us that he was going to leave us. He walked into the + dining-room as we sat after dinner, and announced his intention in the + thick voice of a half-drunken man. + </p> + <p> + “'"I've had enough of Norfolk,” said he. “I'll run down to Mr. Beddoes in + Hampshire. He'll be as glad to see me as you were, I dare say.” + </p> + <p> + “'"You're not going away in an unkind spirit, Hudson, I hope,” said my + father, with a tameness which made my blood boil. + </p> + <p> + “'"I've not had my 'pology,” said he sulkily, glancing in my direction. + </p> + <p> + “'"Victor, you will acknowledge that you have used this worthy fellow + rather roughly,” said the dad, turning to me. + </p> + <p> + “'"On the contrary, I think that we have both shown extraordinary patience + towards him,” I answered. + </p> + <p> + “'"Oh, you do, do you?” he snarls. “Very good, mate. We'll see about + that!” + </p> + <p> + “'He slouched out of the room, and half an hour afterwards left the house, + leaving my father in a state of pitiable nervousness. Night after night I + heard him pacing his room, and it was just as he was recovering his + confidence that the blow did at last fall.' + </p> + <p> + “'And how?' I asked eagerly. + </p> + <p> + “'In a most extraordinary fashion. A letter arrived for my father + yesterday evening, bearing the Fordingbridge post-mark. My father read it, + clapped both his hands to his head, and began running round the room in + little circles like a man who has been driven out of his senses. When I at + last drew him down on to the sofa, his mouth and eyelids were all puckered + on one side, and I saw that he had a stroke. Dr. Fordham came over at + once. We put him to bed; but the paralysis has spread, he has shown no + sign of returning consciousness, and I think that we shall hardly find him + alive.' + </p> + <p> + “'You horrify me, Trevor!' I cried. 'What then could have been in this + letter to cause so dreadful a result?' + </p> + <p> + “'Nothing. There lies the inexplicable part of it. The message was absurd + and trivial. Ah, my God, it is as I feared!' + </p> + <p> + “As he spoke we came round the curve of the avenue, and saw in the fading + light that every blind in the house had been drawn down. As we dashed up + to the door, my friend's face convulsed with grief, a gentleman in black + emerged from it. + </p> + <p> + “'When did it happen, doctor?' asked Trevor. + </p> + <p> + “'Almost immediately after you left.' + </p> + <p> + “'Did he recover consciousness?' + </p> + <p> + “'For an instant before the end.' + </p> + <p> + “'Any message for me.' + </p> + <p> + “'Only that the papers were in the back drawer of the Japanese cabinet.' + </p> + <p> + “My friend ascended with the doctor to the chamber of death, while I + remained in the study, turning the whole matter over and over in my head, + and feeling as sombre as ever I had done in my life. What was the past of + this Trevor, pugilist, traveler, and gold-digger, and how had he placed + himself in the power of this acid-faced seaman? Why, too, should he faint + at an allusion to the half-effaced initials upon his arm, and die of + fright when he had a letter from Fordingham? Then I remembered that + Fordingham was in Hampshire, and that this Mr. Beddoes, whom the seaman + had gone to visit and presumably to blackmail, had also been mentioned as + living in Hampshire. The letter, then, might either come from Hudson, the + seaman, saying that he had betrayed the guilty secret which appeared to + exist, or it might come from Beddoes, warning an old confederate that such + a betrayal was imminent. So far it seemed clear enough. But then how could + this letter be trivial and grotesque, as described by the son? He must + have misread it. If so, it must have been one of those ingenious secret + codes which mean one thing while they seem to mean another. I must see + this letter. If there were a hidden meaning in it, I was confident that I + could pluck it forth. For an hour I sat pondering over it in the gloom, + until at last a weeping maid brought in a lamp, and close at her heels + came my friend Trevor, pale but composed, with these very papers which lie + upon my knee held in his grasp. He sat down opposite to me, drew the lamp + to the edge of the table, and handed me a short note scribbled, as you + see, upon a single sheet of gray paper. 'The supply of game for London is + going steadily up,' it ran. 'Head-keeper Hudson, we believe, has been now + told to receive all orders for fly-paper and for preservation of your + hen-pheasant's life.' + </p> + <p> + “I dare say my face looked as bewildered as yours did just now when first + I read this message. Then I reread it very carefully. It was evidently as + I had thought, and some secret meaning must lie buried in this strange + combination of words. Or could it be that there was a prearranged + significance to such phrases as 'fly-paper' and 'hen-pheasant'? Such a + meaning would be arbitrary and could not be deduced in any way. And yet I + was loath to believe that this was the case, and the presence of the word + Hudson seemed to show that the subject of the message was as I had + guessed, and that it was from Beddoes rather than the sailor. I tried it + backwards, but the combination 'life pheasant's hen' was not encouraging. + Then I tried alternate words, but neither 'the of for' nor 'supply game + London' promised to throw any light upon it. + </p> + <p> + “And then in an instant the key of the riddle was in my hands, and I saw + that every third word, beginning with the first, would give a message + which might well drive old Trevor to despair. + </p> + <p> + “It was short and terse, the warning, as I now read it to my companion: + </p> + <p> + “'The game is up. Hudson has told all. Fly for your life.' + </p> + <p> + “Victor Trevor sank his face into his shaking hands. 'It must be that, I + suppose,' said he. “This is worse than death, for it means disgrace as + well. But what is the meaning of these “head-keepers” and + “hen-pheasants”?' + </p> + <p> + “'It means nothing to the message, but it might mean a good deal to us if + we had no other means of discovering the sender. You see that he has begun + by writing “The...game...is,” and so on. Afterwards he had, to fulfill the + prearranged cipher, to fill in any two words in each space. He would + naturally use the first words which came to his mind, and if there were so + many which referred to sport among them, you may be tolerably sure that he + is either an ardent shot or interested in breeding. Do you know anything + of this Beddoes?' + </p> + <p> + “'Why, now that you mention it,' said he, 'I remember that my poor father + used to have an invitation from him to shoot over his preserves every + autumn.' + </p> + <p> + “'Then it is undoubtedly from him that the note comes,' said I. 'It only + remains for us to find out what this secret was which the sailor Hudson + seems to have held over the heads of these two wealthy and respected men.' + </p> + <p> + “'Alas, Holmes, I fear that it is one of sin and shame!' cried my friend. + 'But from you I shall have no secrets. Here is the statement which was + drawn up by my father when he knew that the danger from Hudson had become + imminent. I found it in the Japanese cabinet, as he told the doctor. Take + it and read it to me, for I have neither the strength nor the courage to + do it myself.' + </p> + <p> + “These are the very papers, Watson, which he handed to me, and I will read + them to you, as I read them in the old study that night to him. They are + endorsed outside, as you see, 'Some particulars of the voyage of the bark + <i>Gloria Scott</i>, from her leaving Falmouth on the 8th October, 1855, + to her destruction in N. Lat. 15 degrees 20', W. Long. 25 degrees 14' on + Nov. 6th.' It is in the form of a letter, and runs in this way: + </p> + <p> + “'My dear, dear son, now that approaching disgrace begins to darken the + closing years of my life, I can write with all truth and honesty that it + is not the terror of the law, it is not the loss of my position in the + county, nor is it my fall in the eyes of all who have known me, which cuts + me to the heart; but it is the thought that you should come to blush for + me—you who love me and who have seldom, I hope, had reason to do + other than respect me. But if the blow falls which is forever hanging over + me, then I should wish you to read this, that you may know straight from + me how far I have been to blame. On the other hand, if all should go well + (which may kind God Almighty grant!), then if by any chance this paper + should be still undestroyed and should fall into your hands, I conjure + you, by all you hold sacred, by the memory of your dear mother, and by the + love which had been between us, to hurl it into the fire and to never give + one thought to it again. + </p> + <p> + “'If then your eye goes on to read this line, I know that I shall already + have been exposed and dragged from my home, or as is more likely, for you + know that my heart is weak, by lying with my tongue sealed forever in + death. In either case the time for suppression is past, and every word + which I tell you is the naked truth, and this I swear as I hope for mercy. + </p> + <p> + “'My name, dear lad, is not Trevor. I was James Armitage in my younger + days, and you can understand now the shock that it was to me a few weeks + ago when your college friend addressed me in words which seemed to imply + that he had surprised my secret. As Armitage it was that I entered a + London banking-house, and as Armitage I was convicted of breaking my + country's laws, and was sentenced to transportation. Do not think very + harshly of me, laddie. It was a debt of honor, so called, which I had to + pay, and I used money which was not my own to do it, in the certainty that + I could replace it before there could be any possibility of its being + missed. But the most dreadful ill-luck pursued me. The money which I had + reckoned upon never came to hand, and a premature examination of accounts + exposed my deficit. The case might have been dealt leniently with, but the + laws were more harshly administered thirty years ago than now, and on my + twenty-third birthday I found myself chained as a felon with thirty-seven + other convicts in 'tween-decks of the bark <i>Gloria Scott</i>, bound for + Australia. + </p> + <p> + “'It was the year '55 when the Crimean war was at its height, and the old + convict ships had been largely used as transports in the Black Sea. The + government was compelled, therefore, to use smaller and less suitable + vessels for sending out their prisoners. The Gloria Scott had been in the + Chinese tea-trade, but she was an old-fashioned, heavy-bowed, broad-beamed + craft, and the new clippers had cut her out. She was a five-hundred-ton + boat; and besides her thirty-eight jail-birds, she carried twenty-six of a + crew, eighteen soldiers, a captain, three mates, a doctor, a chaplain, and + four warders. Nearly a hundred souls were in her, all told, when we set + sail from Falmouth. + </p> + <p> + “'The partitions between the cells of the convicts, instead of being of + thick oak, as is usual in convict-ships, were quite thin and frail. The + man next to me, upon the aft side, was one whom I had particularly noticed + when we were led down the quay. He was a young man with a clear, hairless + face, a long, thin nose, and rather nut-cracker jaws. He carried his head + very jauntily in the air, had a swaggering style of walking, and was, + above all else, remarkable for his extraordinary height. I don't think any + of our heads would have come up to his shoulder, and I am sure that he + could not have measured less than six and a half feet. It was strange + among so many sad and weary faces to see one which was full of energy and + resolution. The sight of it was to me like a fire in a snow-storm. I was + glad, then, to find that he was my neighbor, and gladder still when, in + the dead of the night, I heard a whisper close to my ear, and found that + he had managed to cut an opening in the board which separated us. + </p> + <p> + “'"Hullo, chummy!” said he, “what's your name, and what are you here for?” + </p> + <p> + “'I answered him, and asked in turn who I was talking with. + </p> + <p> + “'"I'm Jack Prendergast,” said he, “and by God! You'll learn to bless my + name before you've done with me.” + </p> + <p> + “'I remembered hearing of his case, for it was one which had made an + immense sensation throughout the country some time before my own arrest. + He was a man of good family and of great ability, but of incurably vicious + habits, who had by an ingenious system of fraud obtained huge sums of + money from the leading London merchants. + </p> + <p> + “'"Ha, ha! You remember my case!” said he proudly. + </p> + <p> + “'"Very well, indeed.” + </p> + <p> + “'"Then maybe you remember something queer about it?” + </p> + <p> + “'"What was that, then?” + </p> + <p> + “'"I'd had nearly a quarter of a million, hadn't I?” + </p> + <p> + “'"So it was said.” + </p> + <p> + “'"But none was recovered, eh?” + </p> + <p> + “'"No.” + </p> + <p> + “'"Well, where d'ye suppose the balance is?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “'"I have no idea,” said I. + </p> + <p> + “'"Right between my finger and thumb,” he cried. “By God! I've got more + pounds to my name than you've hairs on your head. And if you've money, my + son, and know how to handle it and spread it, you can do anything. Now, + you don't think it likely that a man who could do anything is going to + wear his breeches out sitting in the stinking hold of a rat-gutted, + beetle-ridden, mouldy old coffin of a China coaster. No, sir, such a man + will look after himself and will look after his chums. You may lay to + that! You hold on to him, and you may kiss the book that he'll haul you + through.” + </p> + <p> + “'That was his style of talk, and at first I thought it meant nothing; but + after a while, when he had tested me and sworn me in with all possible + solemnity, he let me understand that there really was a plot to gain + command of the vessel. A dozen of the prisoners had hatched it before they + came aboard, Prendergast was the leader, and his money was the motive + power. + </p> + <p> + “'"I'd a partner,” said he, “a rare good man, as true as a stock to a + barrel. He's got the dibbs, he has, and where do you think he is at this + moment? Why, he's the chaplain of this ship—the chaplain, no less! + He came aboard with a black coat, and his papers right, and money enough + in his box to buy the thing right up from keel to main-truck. The crew are + his, body and soul. He could buy 'em at so much a gross with a cash + discount, and he did it before ever they signed on. He's got two of the + warders and Mereer, the second mate, and he'd get the captain himself, if + he thought him worth it.” + </p> + <p> + “'"What are we to do, then?” I asked. + </p> + <p> + “'"What do you think?” said he. “We'll make the coats of some of these + soldiers redder than ever the tailor did.” + </p> + <p> + “'"But they are armed,” said I. + </p> + <p> + “'"And so shall we be, my boy. There's a brace of pistols for every + mother's son of us, and if we can't carry this ship, with the crew at our + back, it's time we were all sent to a young misses' boarding-school. You + speak to your mate upon the left to-night, and see if he is to be + trusted.” + </p> + <p> + “'I did so, and found my other neighbor to be a young fellow in much the + same position as myself, whose crime had been forgery. His name was Evans, + but he afterwards changed it, like myself, and he is now a rich and + prosperous man in the south of England. He was ready enough to join the + conspiracy, as the only means of saving ourselves, and before we had + crossed the Bay there were only two of the prisoners who were not in the + secret. One of these was of weak mind, and we did not dare to trust him, + and the other was suffering from jaundice, and could not be of any use to + us. + </p> + <p> + “'From the beginning there was really nothing to prevent us from taking + possession of the ship. The crew were a set of ruffians, specially picked + for the job. The sham chaplain came into our cells to exhort us, carrying + a black bag, supposed to be full of tracts, and so often did he come that + by the third day we had each stowed away at the foot of our beds a file, a + brace of pistols, a pound of powder, and twenty slugs. Two of the warders + were agents of Prendergast, and the second mate was his right-hand man. + The captain, the two mates, two warders, Lieutenant Martin, his eighteen + soldiers, and the doctor were all that we had against us. Yet, safe as it + was, we determined to neglect no precaution, and to make our attack + suddenly by night. It came, however, more quickly than we expected, and in + this way. + </p> + <p> + “'One evening, about the third week after our start, the doctor had come + down to see one of the prisoners who was ill, and putting his hand down on + the bottom of his bunk he felt the outline of the pistols. If he had been + silent he might have blown the whole thing, but he was a nervous little + chap, so he gave a cry of surprise and turned so pale that the man knew + what was up in an instant and seized him. He was gagged before he could + give the alarm, and tied down upon the bed. He had unlocked the door that + led to the deck, and we were through it in a rush. The two sentries were + shot down, and so was a corporal who came running to see what was the + matter. There were two more soldiers at the door of the state-room, and + their muskets seemed not to be loaded, for they never fired upon us, and + they were shot while trying to fix their bayonets. Then we rushed on into + the captain's cabin, but as we pushed open the door there was an explosion + from within, and there he lay with his brains smeared over the chart of + the Atlantic which was pinned upon the table, while the chaplain stood + with a smoking pistol in his hand at his elbow. The two mates had both + been seized by the crew, and the whole business seemed to be settled. + </p> + <p> + “'The state-room was next the cabin, and we flocked in there and flopped + down on the settees, all speaking together, for we were just mad with the + feeling that we were free once more. There were lockers all round, and + Wilson, the sham chaplain, knocked one of them in, and pulled out a dozen + of brown sherry. We cracked off the necks of the bottles, poured the stuff + out into tumblers, and were just tossing them off, when in an instant + without warning there came the roar of muskets in our ears, and the saloon + was so full of smoke that we could not see across the table. When it + cleared again the place was a shambles. Wilson and eight others were + wriggling on the top of each other on the floor, and the blood and the + brown sherry on that table turn me sick now when I think of it. We were so + cowed by the sight that I think we should have given the job up if it had + not been for Prendergast. He bellowed like a bull and rushed for the door + with all that were left alive at his heels. Out we ran, and there on the + poop were the lieutenant and ten of his men. The swing skylights above the + saloon table had been a bit open, and they had fired on us through the + slit. We got on them before they could load, and they stood to it like + men; but we had the upper hand of them, and in five minutes it was all + over. My God! Was there ever a slaughter-house like that ship! Prendergast + was like a raging devil, and he picked the soldiers up as if they had been + children and threw them overboard alive or dead. There was one sergeant + that was horribly wounded and yet kept on swimming for a surprising time, + until some one in mercy blew out his brains. When the fighting was over + there was no one left of our enemies except just the warders, the mates, + and the doctor. + </p> + <p> + “'It was over them that the great quarrel arose. There were many of us who + were glad enough to win back our freedom, and yet who had no wish to have + murder on our souls. It was one thing to knock the soldiers over with + their muskets in their hands, and it was another to stand by while men + were being killed in cold blood. Eight of us, five convicts and three + sailors, said that we would not see it done. But there was no moving + Prendergast and those who were with him. Our only chance of safety lay in + making a clean job of it, said he, and he would not leave a tongue with + power to wag in a witness-box. It nearly came to our sharing the fate of + the prisoners, but at last he said that if we wished we might take a boat + and go. We jumped at the offer, for we were already sick of these + bloodthirsty doings, and we saw that there would be worse before it was + done. We were given a suit of sailor togs each, a barrel of water, two + casks, one of junk and one of biscuits, and a compass. Prendergast threw + us over a chart, told us that we were shipwrecked mariners whose ship had + foundered in Lat. 15 degrees and Long 25 degrees west, and then cut the + painter and let us go. + </p> + <p> + “'And now I come to the most surprising part of my story, my dear son. The + seamen had hauled the fore-yard aback during the rising, but now as we + left them they brought it square again, and as there was a light wind from + the north and east the bark began to draw slowly away from us. Our boat + lay, rising and falling, upon the long, smooth rollers, and Evans and I, + who were the most educated of the party, were sitting in the sheets + working out our position and planning what coast we should make for. It + was a nice question, for the Cape de Verdes were about five hundred miles + to the north of us, and the African coast about seven hundred to the east. + On the whole, as the wind was coming round to the north, we thought that + Sierra Leone might be best, and turned our head in that direction, the + bark being at that time nearly hull down on our starboard quarter. + Suddenly as we looked at her we saw a dense black cloud of smoke shoot up + from her, which hung like a monstrous tree upon the sky line. A few + seconds later a roar like thunder burst upon our ears, and as the smoke + thinned away there was no sign left of the <i>Gloria Scott</i>. In an + instant we swept the boat's head round again and pulled with all our + strength for the place where the haze still trailing over the water marked + the scene of this catastrophe. + </p> + <p> + “'It was a long hour before we reached it, and at first we feared that we + had come too late to save any one. A splintered boat and a number of + crates and fragments of spars rising and falling on the waves showed us + where the vessel had foundered; but there was no sign of life, and we had + turned away in despair when we heard a cry for help, and saw at some + distance a piece of wreckage with a man lying stretched across it. When we + pulled him aboard the boat he proved to be a young seaman of the name of + Hudson, who was so burned and exhausted that he could give us no account + of what had happened until the following morning. + </p> + <p> + “'It seemed that after we had left, Prendergast and his gang had proceeded + to put to death the five remaining prisoners. The two warders had been + shot and thrown overboard, and so also had the third mate. Prendergast + then descended into the 'tween-decks and with his own hands cut the throat + of the unfortunate surgeon. There only remained the first mate, who was a + bold and active man. When he saw the convict approaching him with the + bloody knife in his hand he kicked off his bonds, which he had somehow + contrived to loosen, and rushing down the deck he plunged into the + after-hold. A dozen convicts, who descended with their pistols in search + of him, found him with a match-box in his hand seated beside an open + powder-barrel, which was one of a hundred carried on board, and swearing + that he would blow all hands up if he were in any way molested. An instant + later the explosion occurred, though Hudson thought it was caused by the + misdirected bullet of one of the convicts rather than the mate's match. Be + the cause what it may, it was the end of the <i>Gloria Scott</i> and of + the rabble who held command of her. + </p> + <p> + “'Such, in a few words, my dear boy, is the history of this terrible + business in which I was involved. Next day we were picked up by the brig + <i>Hotspur</i>, bound for Australia, whose captain found no difficulty in + believing that we were the survivors of a passenger ship which had + foundered. The transport ship Gloria Scott was set down by the Admiralty + as being lost at sea, and no word has ever leaked out as to her true fate. + After an excellent voyage the <i>Hotspur</i> landed us at Sydney, where + Evans and I changed our names and made our way to the diggings, where, + among the crowds who were gathered from all nations, we had no difficulty + in losing our former identities. The rest I need not relate. We prospered, + we traveled, we came back as rich colonials to England, and we bought + country estates. For more than twenty years we have led peaceful and + useful lives, and we hoped that our past was forever buried. Imagine, + then, my feelings when in the seaman who came to us I recognized instantly + the man who had been picked off the wreck. He had tracked us down somehow, + and had set himself to live upon our fears. You will understand now how it + was that I strove to keep the peace with him, and you will in some measure + sympathize with me in the fears which fill me, now that he has gone from + me to his other victim with threats upon his tongue.' + </p> + <p> + “Underneath is written in a hand so shaky as to be hardly legible, + 'Beddoes writes in cipher to say H. has told all. Sweet Lord, have mercy + on our souls!' + </p> + <p> + “That was the narrative which I read that night to young Trevor, and I + think, Watson, that under the circumstances it was a dramatic one. The + good fellow was heart-broken at it, and went out to the Terai tea + planting, where I hear that he is doing well. As to the sailor and + Beddoes, neither of them was ever heard of again after that day on which + the letter of warning was written. They both disappeared utterly and + completely. No complaint had been lodged with the police, so that Beddoes + had mistaken a threat for a deed. Hudson had been seen lurking about, and + it was believed by the police that he had done away with Beddoes and had + fled. For myself I believe that the truth was exactly the opposite. I + think that it is most probable that Beddoes, pushed to desperation and + believing himself to have been already betrayed, had revenged himself upon + Hudson, and had fled from the country with as much money as he could lay + his hands on. Those are the facts of the case, Doctor, and if they are of + any use to your collection, I am sure that they are very heartily at your + service.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Adventure V. The Musgrave Ritual + </h2> + <p> + An anomaly which often struck me in the character of my friend Sherlock + Holmes was that, although in his methods of thought he was the neatest and + most methodical of mankind, and although also he affected a certain quiet + primness of dress, he was none the less in his personal habits one of the + most untidy men that ever drove a fellow-lodger to distraction. Not that I + am in the least conventional in that respect myself. The rough-and-tumble + work in Afghanistan, coming on the top of a natural Bohemianism of + disposition, has made me rather more lax than befits a medical man. But + with me there is a limit, and when I find a man who keeps his cigars in + the coal-scuttle, his tobacco in the toe end of a Persian slipper, and his + unanswered correspondence transfixed by a jack-knife into the very centre + of his wooden mantelpiece, then I begin to give myself virtuous airs. I + have always held, too, that pistol practice should be distinctly an + open-air pastime; and when Holmes, in one of his queer humors, would sit + in an arm-chair with his hair-trigger and a hundred Boxer cartridges, and + proceed to adorn the opposite wall with a patriotic V. R. done in + bullet-pocks, I felt strongly that neither the atmosphere nor the + appearance of our room was improved by it. + </p> + <p> + Our chambers were always full of chemicals and of criminal relics which + had a way of wandering into unlikely positions, and of turning up in the + butter-dish or in even less desirable places. But his papers were my great + crux. He had a horror of destroying documents, especially those which were + connected with his past cases, and yet it was only once in every year or + two that he would muster energy to docket and arrange them; for, as I have + mentioned somewhere in these incoherent memoirs, the outbursts of + passionate energy when he performed the remarkable feats with which his + name is associated were followed by reactions of lethargy during which he + would lie about with his violin and his books, hardly moving save from the + sofa to the table. Thus month after month his papers accumulated, until + every corner of the room was stacked with bundles of manuscript which were + on no account to be burned, and which could not be put away save by their + owner. One winter's night, as we sat together by the fire, I ventured to + suggest to him that, as he had finished pasting extracts into his + common-place book, he might employ the next two hours in making our room a + little more habitable. He could not deny the justice of my request, so + with a rather rueful face he went off to his bedroom, from which he + returned presently pulling a large tin box behind him. This he placed in + the middle of the floor and, squatting down upon a stool in front of it, + he threw back the lid. I could see that it was already a third full of + bundles of paper tied up with red tape into separate packages. + </p> + <p> + “There are cases enough here, Watson,” said he, looking at me with + mischievous eyes. “I think that if you knew all that I had in this box you + would ask me to pull some out instead of putting others in.” + </p> + <p> + “These are the records of your early work, then?” I asked. “I have often + wished that I had notes of those cases.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, my boy, these were all done prematurely before my biographer had + come to glorify me.” He lifted bundle after bundle in a tender, caressing + sort of way. “They are not all successes, Watson,” said he. “But there are + some pretty little problems among them. Here's the record of the Tarleton + murders, and the case of Vamberry, the wine merchant, and the adventure of + the old Russian woman, and the singular affair of the aluminium crutch, as + well as a full account of Ricoletti of the club-foot, and his abominable + wife. And here—ah, now, this really is something a little + recherché.” + </p> + <p> + He dived his arm down to the bottom of the chest, and brought up a small + wooden box with a sliding lid, such as children's toys are kept in. From + within he produced a crumpled piece of paper, an old-fashioned brass key, + a peg of wood with a ball of string attached to it, and three rusty old + disks of metal. + </p> + <p> + “Well, my boy, what do you make of this lot?” he asked, smiling at my + expression. + </p> + <p> + “It is a curious collection.” + </p> + <p> + “Very curious, and the story that hangs round it will strike you as being + more curious still.” + </p> + <p> + “These relics have a history then?” + </p> + <p> + “So much so that they are history.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean by that?” + </p> + <p> + Sherlock Holmes picked them up one by one, and laid them along the edge of + the table. Then he reseated himself in his chair and looked them over with + a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes. + </p> + <p> + “These,” said he, “are all that I have left to remind me of the adventure + of the Musgrave Ritual.” + </p> + <p> + I had heard him mention the case more than once, though I had never been + able to gather the details. “I should be so glad,” said I, “if you would + give me an account of it.” + </p> + <p> + “And leave the litter as it is?” he cried, mischievously. “Your tidiness + won't bear much strain after all, Watson. But I should be glad that you + should add this case to your annals, for there are points in it which make + it quite unique in the criminal records of this or, I believe, of any + other country. A collection of my trifling achievements would certainly be + incomplete which contained no account of this very singular business. + </p> + <p> + “You may remember how the affair of the <i>Gloria Scott</i>, and my + conversation with the unhappy man whose fate I told you of, first turned + my attention in the direction of the profession which has become my life's + work. You see me now when my name has become known far and wide, and when + I am generally recognized both by the public and by the official force as + being a final court of appeal in doubtful cases. Even when you knew me + first, at the time of the affair which you have commemorated in 'A Study + in Scarlet,' I had already established a considerable, though not a very + lucrative, connection. You can hardly realize, then, how difficult I found + it at first, and how long I had to wait before I succeeded in making any + headway. + </p> + <p> + “When I first came up to London I had rooms in Montague Street, just round + the corner from the British Museum, and there I waited, filling in my too + abundant leisure time by studying all those branches of science which + might make me more efficient. Now and again cases came in my way, + principally through the introduction of old fellow-students, for during my + last years at the University there was a good deal of talk there about + myself and my methods. The third of these cases was that of the Musgrave + Ritual, and it is to the interest which was aroused by that singular chain + of events, and the large issues which proved to be at stake, that I trace + my first stride towards the position which I now hold. + </p> + <p> + “Reginald Musgrave had been in the same college as myself, and I had some + slight acquaintance with him. He was not generally popular among the + undergraduates, though it always seemed to me that what was set down as + pride was really an attempt to cover extreme natural diffidence. In + appearance he was a man of exceedingly aristocratic type, thin, + high-nosed, and large-eyed, with languid and yet courtly manners. He was + indeed a scion of one of the very oldest families in the kingdom, though + his branch was a cadet one which had separated from the northern Musgraves + some time in the sixteenth century, and had established itself in western + Sussex, where the Manor House of Hurlstone is perhaps the oldest inhabited + building in the county. Something of his birth place seemed to cling to + the man, and I never looked at his pale, keen face or the poise of his + head without associating him with gray archways and mullioned windows and + all the venerable wreckage of a feudal keep. Once or twice we drifted into + talk, and I can remember that more than once he expressed a keen interest + in my methods of observation and inference. + </p> + <p> + “For four years I had seen nothing of him until one morning he walked into + my room in Montague Street. He had changed little, was dressed like a + young man of fashion—he was always a bit of a dandy—and + preserved the same quiet, suave manner which had formerly distinguished + him. + </p> + <p> + “'How has all gone with you Musgrave?' I asked, after we had cordially + shaken hands. + </p> + <p> + “'You probably heard of my poor father's death,' said he; 'he was carried + off about two years ago. Since then I have of course had the Hurlstone + estates to manage, and as I am member for my district as well, my life has + been a busy one. But I understand, Holmes, that you are turning to + practical ends those powers with which you used to amaze us?' + </p> + <p> + “'Yes,' said I, 'I have taken to living by my wits.' + </p> + <p> + “'I am delighted to hear it, for your advice at present would be + exceedingly valuable to me. We have had some very strange doings at + Hurlstone, and the police have been able to throw no light upon the + matter. It is really the most extraordinary and inexplicable business.' + </p> + <p> + “You can imagine with what eagerness I listened to him, Watson, for the + very chance for which I had been panting during all those months of + inaction seemed to have come within my reach. In my inmost heart I + believed that I could succeed where others failed, and now I had the + opportunity to test myself. + </p> + <p> + “'Pray, let me have the details,' I cried. + </p> + <p> + “Reginald Musgrave sat down opposite to me, and lit the cigarette which I + had pushed towards him. + </p> + <p> + “'You must know,' said he, 'that though I am a bachelor, I have to keep up + a considerable staff of servants at Hurlstone, for it is a rambling old + place, and takes a good deal of looking after. I preserve, too, and in the + pheasant months I usually have a house-party, so that it would not do to + be short-handed. Altogether there are eight maids, the cook, the butler, + two footmen, and a boy. The garden and the stables of course have a + separate staff. + </p> + <p> + “'Of these servants the one who had been longest in our service was + Brunton the butler. He was a young school-master out of place when he was + first taken up by my father, but he was a man of great energy and + character, and he soon became quite invaluable in the household. He was a + well-grown, handsome man, with a splendid forehead, and though he has been + with us for twenty years he cannot be more than forty now. With his + personal advantages and his extraordinary gifts—for he can speak + several languages and play nearly every musical instrument—it is + wonderful that he should have been satisfied so long in such a position, + but I suppose that he was comfortable, and lacked energy to make any + change. The butler of Hurlstone is always a thing that is remembered by + all who visit us. + </p> + <p> + “'But this paragon has one fault. He is a bit of a Don Juan, and you can + imagine that for a man like him it is not a very difficult part to play in + a quiet country district. When he was married it was all right, but since + he has been a widower we have had no end of trouble with him. A few months + ago we were in hopes that he was about to settle down again for he became + engaged to Rachel Howells, our second house-maid; but he has thrown her + over since then and taken up with Janet Tregellis, the daughter of the + head game-keeper. Rachel—who is a very good girl, but of an + excitable Welsh temperament—had a sharp touch of brain-fever, and + goes about the house now—or did until yesterday—like a + black-eyed shadow of her former self. That was our first drama at + Hurlstone; but a second one came to drive it from our minds, and it was + prefaced by the disgrace and dismissal of butler Brunton. + </p> + <p> + “'This was how it came about. I have said that the man was intelligent, + and this very intelligence has caused his ruin, for it seems to have led + to an insatiable curiosity about things which did not in the least concern + him. I had no idea of the lengths to which this would carry him, until the + merest accident opened my eyes to it. + </p> + <p> + “'I have said that the house is a rambling one. One day last week—on + Thursday night, to be more exact—I found that I could not sleep, + having foolishly taken a cup of strong café noir after my dinner. After + struggling against it until two in the morning, I felt that it was quite + hopeless, so I rose and lit the candle with the intention of continuing a + novel which I was reading. The book, however, had been left in the + billiard-room, so I pulled on my dressing-gown and started off to get it. + </p> + <p> + “'In order to reach the billiard-room I had to descend a flight of stairs + and then to cross the head of a passage which led to the library and the + gun-room. You can imagine my surprise when, as I looked down this + corridor, I saw a glimmer of light coming from the open door of the + library. I had myself extinguished the lamp and closed the door before + coming to bed. Naturally my first thought was of burglars. The corridors + at Hurlstone have their walls largely decorated with trophies of old + weapons. From one of these I picked a battle-axe, and then, leaving my + candle behind me, I crept on tiptoe down the passage and peeped in at the + open door. + </p> + <p> + “'Brunton, the butler, was in the library. He was sitting, fully dressed, + in an easy-chair, with a slip of paper which looked like a map upon his + knee, and his forehead sunk forward upon his hand in deep thought. I stood + dumb with astonishment, watching him from the darkness. A small taper on + the edge of the table shed a feeble light which sufficed to show me that + he was fully dressed. Suddenly, as I looked, he rose from his chair, and + walking over to a bureau at the side, he unlocked it and drew out one of + the drawers. From this he took a paper, and returning to his seat he + flattened it out beside the taper on the edge of the table, and began to + study it with minute attention. My indignation at this calm examination of + our family documents overcame me so far that I took a step forward, and + Brunton, looking up, saw me standing in the doorway. He sprang to his + feet, his face turned livid with fear, and he thrust into his breast the + chart-like paper which he had been originally studying. + </p> + <p> + “'"So!” said I. “This is how you repay the trust which we have reposed in + you. You will leave my service to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “'He bowed with the look of a man who is utterly crushed, and slunk past + me without a word. The taper was still on the table, and by its light I + glanced to see what the paper was which Brunton had taken from the bureau. + To my surprise it was nothing of any importance at all, but simply a copy + of the questions and answers in the singular old observance called the + Musgrave Ritual. It is a sort of ceremony peculiar to our family, which + each Musgrave for centuries past has gone through on his coming of age—a + thing of private interest, and perhaps of some little importance to the + archaeologist, like our own blazonings and charges, but of no practical + use whatever.' + </p> + <p> + “'We had better come back to the paper afterwards,' said I. + </p> + <p> + “'If you think it really necessary,' he answered, with some hesitation. + 'To continue my statement, however: I relocked the bureau, using the key + which Brunton had left, and I had turned to go when I was surprised to + find that the butler had returned, and was standing before me. + </p> + <p> + “'"Mr. Musgrave, sir,” he cried, in a voice which was hoarse with emotion, + “I can't bear disgrace, sir. I've always been proud above my station in + life, and disgrace would kill me. My blood will be on your head, sir—it + will, indeed—if you drive me to despair. If you cannot keep me after + what has passed, then for God's sake let me give you notice and leave in a + month, as if of my own free will. I could stand that, Mr. Musgrave, but + not to be cast out before all the folk that I know so well.” + </p> + <p> + “'"You don't deserve much consideration, Brunton,” I answered. “Your + conduct has been most infamous. However, as you have been a long time in + the family, I have no wish to bring public disgrace upon you. A month, + however is too long. Take yourself away in a week, and give what reason + you like for going.” + </p> + <p> + “'"Only a week, sir?” he cried, in a despairing voice. “A fortnight—say + at least a fortnight!” + </p> + <p> + “'"A week,” I repeated, “and you may consider yourself to have been very + leniently dealt with.” + </p> + <p> + “'He crept away, his face sunk upon his breast, like a broken man, while I + put out the light and returned to my room. + </p> + <p> + “'"For two days after this Brunton was most assiduous in his attention to + his duties. I made no allusion to what had passed, and waited with some + curiosity to see how he would cover his disgrace. On the third morning, + however he did not appear, as was his custom, after breakfast to receive + my instructions for the day. As I left the dining-room I happened to meet + Rachel Howells, the maid. I have told you that she had only recently + recovered from an illness, and was looking so wretchedly pale and wan that + I remonstrated with her for being at work. + </p> + <p> + “'"You should be in bed,” I said. “Come back to your duties when you are + stronger.” + </p> + <p> + “'She looked at me with so strange an expression that I began to suspect + that her brain was affected. + </p> + <p> + “'"I am strong enough, Mr. Musgrave,” said she. + </p> + <p> + “'"We will see what the doctor says,” I answered. “You must stop work now, + and when you go downstairs just say that I wish to see Brunton.” + </p> + <p> + “'"The butler is gone,” said she. + </p> + <p> + “'"Gone! Gone where?” + </p> + <p> + “'"He is gone. No one has seen him. He is not in his room. Oh, yes, he is + gone, he is gone!” She fell back against the wall with shriek after shriek + of laughter, while I, horrified at this sudden hysterical attack, rushed + to the bell to summon help. The girl was taken to her room, still + screaming and sobbing, while I made inquiries about Brunton. There was no + doubt about it that he had disappeared. His bed had not been slept in, he + had been seen by no one since he had retired to his room the night before, + and yet it was difficult to see how he could have left the house, as both + windows and doors were found to be fastened in the morning. His clothes, + his watch, and even his money were in his room, but the black suit which + he usually wore was missing. His slippers, too, were gone, but his boots + were left behind. Where then could butler Brunton have gone in the night, + and what could have become of him now? + </p> + <p> + “'Of course we searched the house from cellar to garret, but there was no + trace of him. It is, as I have said, a labyrinth of an old house, + especially the original wing, which is now practically uninhabited; but we + ransacked every room and cellar without discovering the least sign of the + missing man. It was incredible to me that he could have gone away leaving + all his property behind him, and yet where could he be? I called in the + local police, but without success. Rain had fallen on the night before and + we examined the lawn and the paths all round the house, but in vain. + Matters were in this state, when a new development quite drew our + attention away from the original mystery. + </p> + <p> + “'For two days Rachel Howells had been so ill, sometimes delirious, + sometimes hysterical, that a nurse had been employed to sit up with her at + night. On the third night after Brunton's disappearance, the nurse, + finding her patient sleeping nicely, had dropped into a nap in the + arm-chair, when she woke in the early morning to find the bed empty, the + window open, and no signs of the invalid. I was instantly aroused, and, + with the two footmen, started off at once in search of the missing girl. + It was not difficult to tell the direction which she had taken, for, + starting from under her window, we could follow her footmarks easily + across the lawn to the edge of the mere, where they vanished close to the + gravel path which leads out of the grounds. The lake there is eight feet + deep, and you can imagine our feelings when we saw that the trail of the + poor demented girl came to an end at the edge of it. + </p> + <p> + “'Of course, we had the drags at once, and set to work to recover the + remains, but no trace of the body could we find. On the other hand, we + brought to the surface an object of a most unexpected kind. It was a linen + bag which contained within it a mass of old rusted and discolored metal + and several dull-colored pieces of pebble or glass. This strange find was + all that we could get from the mere, and, although we made every possible + search and inquiry yesterday, we know nothing of the fate either of Rachel + Howells or of Richard Brunton. The county police are at their wits' end, + and I have come up to you as a last resource.' + </p> + <p> + “You can imagine, Watson, with what eagerness I listened to this + extraordinary sequence of events, and endeavored to piece them together, + and to devise some common thread upon which they might all hang. The + butler was gone. The maid was gone. The maid had loved the butler, but had + afterwards had cause to hate him. She was of Welsh blood, fiery and + passionate. She had been terribly excited immediately after his + disappearance. She had flung into the lake a bag containing some curious + contents. These were all factors which had to be taken into consideration, + and yet none of them got quite to the heart of the matter. What was the + starting-point of this chain of events? There lay the end of this tangled + line. + </p> + <p> + “'I must see that paper, Musgrave,' said I, 'which this butler of yours + thought it worth his while to consult, even at the risk of the loss of his + place.' + </p> + <p> + “'It is rather an absurd business, this ritual of ours,' he answered. 'But + it has at least the saving grace of antiquity to excuse it. I have a copy + of the questions and answers here if you care to run your eye over them.' + </p> + <p> + “He handed me the very paper which I have here, Watson, and this is the + strange catechism to which each Musgrave had to submit when he came to + man's estate. I will read you the questions and answers as they stand. + </p> + <p> + “'Whose was it?' + </p> + <p> + “'His who is gone.' + </p> + <p> + “'Who shall have it?' + </p> + <p> + “'He who will come.' + </p> + <p> + “'Where was the sun?' + </p> + <p> + “'Over the oak.' + </p> + <p> + “'Where was the shadow?' + </p> + <p> + “'Under the elm.' + </p> + <p> + “How was it stepped?' + </p> + <p> + “'North by ten and by ten, east by five and by five, south by two and by + two, west by one and by one, and so under.' + </p> + <p> + “'What shall we give for it?' + </p> + <p> + “'All that is ours.' + </p> + <p> + “'Why should we give it?' + </p> + <p> + “'For the sake of the trust.' + </p> + <p> + “'The original has no date, but is in the spelling of the middle of the + seventeenth century,' remarked Musgrave. 'I am afraid, however, that it + can be of little help to you in solving this mystery.' + </p> + <p> + “'At least,' said I, 'it gives us another mystery, and one which is even + more interesting than the first. It may be that the solution of the one + may prove to be the solution of the other. You will excuse me, Musgrave, + if I say that your butler appears to me to have been a very clever man, + and to have had a clearer insight than ten generations of his masters.' + </p> + <p> + “'I hardly follow you,' said Musgrave. 'The paper seems to me to be of no + practical importance.' + </p> + <p> + “'But to me it seems immensely practical, and I fancy that Brunton took + the same view. He had probably seen it before that night on which you + caught him.' + </p> + <p> + “'It is very possible. We took no pains to hide it.' + </p> + <p> + “'He simply wished, I should imagine, to refresh his memory upon that last + occasion. He had, as I understand, some sort of map or chart which he was + comparing with the manuscript, and which he thrust into his pocket when + you appeared.' + </p> + <p> + “'That is true. But what could he have to do with this old family custom + of ours, and what does this rigmarole mean?' + </p> + <p> + “'I don't think that we should have much difficulty in determining that,' + said I; 'with your permission we will take the first train down to Sussex, + and go a little more deeply into the matter upon the spot.' + </p> + <p> + “The same afternoon saw us both at Hurlstone. Possibly you have seen + pictures and read descriptions of the famous old building, so I will + confine my account of it to saying that it is built in the shape of an L, + the long arm being the more modern portion, and the shorter the ancient + nucleus, from which the other had developed. Over the low, + heavily-lintelled door, in the centre of this old part, is chiseled the + date, 1607, but experts are agreed that the beams and stone-work are + really much older than this. The enormously thick walls and tiny windows + of this part had in the last century driven the family into building the + new wing, and the old one was used now as a store-house and a cellar, when + it was used at all. A splendid park with fine old timber surrounds the + house, and the lake, to which my client had referred, lay close to the + avenue, about two hundred yards from the building. + </p> + <p> + “I was already firmly convinced, Watson, that there were not three + separate mysteries here, but one only, and that if I could read the + Musgrave Ritual aright I should hold in my hand the clue which would lead + me to the truth concerning both the butler Brunton and the maid Howells. + To that then I turned all my energies. Why should this servant be so + anxious to master this old formula? Evidently because he saw something in + it which had escaped all those generations of country squires, and from + which he expected some personal advantage. What was it then, and how had + it affected his fate? + </p> + <p> + “It was perfectly obvious to me, on reading the ritual, that the + measurements must refer to some spot to which the rest of the document + alluded, and that if we could find that spot, we should be in a fair way + towards finding what the secret was which the old Musgraves had thought it + necessary to embalm in so curious a fashion. There were two guides given + us to start with, an oak and an elm. As to the oak there could be no + question at all. Right in front of the house, upon the left-hand side of + the drive, there stood a patriarch among oaks, one of the most magnificent + trees that I have ever seen. + </p> + <p> + “'That was there when your ritual was drawn up,' said I, as we drove past + it. + </p> + <p> + “'It was there at the Norman Conquest in all probability,' he answered. + 'It has a girth of twenty-three feet.' + </p> + <p> + “'Have you any old elms?' I asked. + </p> + <p> + “'There used to be a very old one over yonder but it was struck by + lightning ten years ago, and we cut down the stump.' + </p> + <p> + “'You can see where it used to be?' + </p> + <p> + “'Oh, yes.' + </p> + <p> + “'There are no other elms?' + </p> + <p> + “'No old ones, but plenty of beeches.' + </p> + <p> + “'I should like to see where it grew.' + </p> + <p> + “We had driven up in a dog-cart, and my client led me away at once, + without our entering the house, to the scar on the lawn where the elm had + stood. It was nearly midway between the oak and the house. My + investigation seemed to be progressing. + </p> + <p> + “'I suppose it is impossible to find out how high the elm was?' I asked. + </p> + <p> + “'I can give you it at once. It was sixty-four feet.' + </p> + <p> + “'How do you come to know it?' I asked, in surprise. + </p> + <p> + “'When my old tutor used to give me an exercise in trigonometry, it always + took the shape of measuring heights. When I was a lad I worked out every + tree and building in the estate.' + </p> + <p> + “This was an unexpected piece of luck. My data were coming more quickly + than I could have reasonably hoped. + </p> + <p> + “'Tell me,' I asked, 'did your butler ever ask you such a question?' + </p> + <p> + “Reginald Musgrave looked at me in astonishment. 'Now that you call it to + my mind,' he answered, 'Brunton did ask me about the height of the tree + some months ago, in connection with some little argument with the groom.' + </p> + <p> + “This was excellent news, Watson, for it showed me that I was on the right + road. I looked up at the sun. It was low in the heavens, and I calculated + that in less than an hour it would lie just above the topmost branches of + the old oak. One condition mentioned in the Ritual would then be + fulfilled. And the shadow of the elm must mean the farther end of the + shadow, otherwise the trunk would have been chosen as the guide. I had, + then, to find where the far end of the shadow would fall when the sun was + just clear of the oak.” + </p> + <p> + “That must have been difficult, Holmes, when the elm was no longer there.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, at least I knew that if Brunton could do it, I could also. Besides, + there was no real difficulty. I went with Musgrave to his study and + whittled myself this peg, to which I tied this long string with a knot at + each yard. Then I took two lengths of a fishing-rod, which came to just + six feet, and I went back with my client to where the elm had been. The + sun was just grazing the top of the oak. I fastened the rod on end, marked + out the direction of the shadow, and measured it. It was nine feet in + length. + </p> + <p> + “Of course the calculation now was a simple one. If a rod of six feet + threw a shadow of nine, a tree of sixty-four feet would throw one of + ninety-six, and the line of the one would of course be the line of the + other. I measured out the distance, which brought me almost to the wall of + the house, and I thrust a peg into the spot. You can imagine my + exultation, Watson, when within two inches of my peg I saw a conical + depression in the ground. I knew that it was the mark made by Brunton in + his measurements, and that I was still upon his trail. + </p> + <p> + “From this starting-point I proceeded to step, having first taken the + cardinal points by my pocket-compass. Ten steps with each foot took me + along parallel with the wall of the house, and again I marked my spot with + a peg. Then I carefully paced off five to the east and two to the south. + It brought me to the very threshold of the old door. Two steps to the west + meant now that I was to go two paces down the stone-flagged passage, and + this was the place indicated by the Ritual. + </p> + <p> + “Never have I felt such a cold chill of disappointment, Watson. For a + moment is seemed to me that there must be some radical mistake in my + calculations. The setting sun shone full upon the passage floor, and I + could see that the old, foot-worn gray stones with which it was paved were + firmly cemented together, and had certainly not been moved for many a long + year. Brunton had not been at work here. I tapped upon the floor, but it + sounded the same all over, and there was no sign of any crack or crevice. + But, fortunately, Musgrave, who had begun to appreciate the meaning of my + proceedings, and who was now as excited as myself, took out his manuscript + to check my calculation. + </p> + <p> + “'And under,' he cried. 'You have omitted the “and under.”' + </p> + <p> + “I had thought that it meant that we were to dig, but now, of course, I + saw at once that I was wrong. 'There is a cellar under this then?' I + cried. + </p> + <p> + “'Yes, and as old as the house. Down here, through this door.' + </p> + <p> + “We went down a winding stone stair, and my companion, striking a match, + lit a large lantern which stood on a barrel in the corner. In an instant + it was obvious that we had at last come upon the true place, and that we + had not been the only people to visit the spot recently. + </p> + <p> + “It had been used for the storage of wood, but the billets, which had + evidently been littered over the floor, were now piled at the sides, so as + to leave a clear space in the middle. In this space lay a large and heavy + flagstone with a rusted iron ring in the centre to which a thick + shepherd's-check muffler was attached. + </p> + <p> + “'By Jove!' cried my client. 'That's Brunton's muffler. I have seen it on + him, and could swear to it. What has the villain been doing here?' + </p> + <p> + “At my suggestion a couple of the county police were summoned to be + present, and I then endeavored to raise the stone by pulling on the + cravat. I could only move it slightly, and it was with the aid of one of + the constables that I succeeded at last in carrying it to one side. A + black hole yawned beneath into which we all peered, while Musgrave, + kneeling at the side, pushed down the lantern. + </p> + <p> + “A small chamber about seven feet deep and four feet square lay open to + us. At one side of this was a squat, brass-bound wooden box, the lid of + which was hinged upwards, with this curious old-fashioned key projecting + from the lock. It was furred outside by a thick layer of dust, and damp + and worms had eaten through the wood, so that a crop of livid fungi was + growing on the inside of it. Several discs of metal, old coins apparently, + such as I hold here, were scattered over the bottom of the box, but it + contained nothing else. + </p> + <p> + “At the moment, however, we had no thought for the old chest, for our eyes + were riveted upon that which crouched beside it. It was the figure of a + man, clad in a suit of black, who squatted down upon his hams with his + forehead sunk upon the edge of the box and his two arms thrown out on each + side of it. The attitude had drawn all the stagnant blood to the face, and + no man could have recognized that distorted liver-colored countenance; but + his height, his dress, and his hair were all sufficient to show my client, + when we had drawn the body up, that it was indeed his missing butler. He + had been dead some days, but there was no wound or bruise upon his person + to show how he had met his dreadful end. When his body had been carried + from the cellar we found ourselves still confronted with a problem which + was almost as formidable as that with which we had started. + </p> + <p> + “I confess that so far, Watson, I had been disappointed in my + investigation. I had reckoned upon solving the matter when once I had + found the place referred to in the Ritual; but now I was there, and was + apparently as far as ever from knowing what it was which the family had + concealed with such elaborate precautions. It is true that I had thrown a + light upon the fate of Brunton, but now I had to ascertain how that fate + had come upon him, and what part had been played in the matter by the + woman who had disappeared. I sat down upon a keg in the corner and thought + the whole matter carefully over. + </p> + <p> + “You know my methods in such cases, Watson. I put myself in the man's + place and, having first gauged his intelligence, I try to imagine how I + should myself have proceeded under the same circumstances. In this case + the matter was simplified by Brunton's intelligence being quite + first-rate, so that it was unnecessary to make any allowance for the + personal equation, as the astronomers have dubbed it. He knew that + something valuable was concealed. He had spotted the place. He found that + the stone which covered it was just too heavy for a man to move unaided. + What would he do next? He could not get help from outside, even if he had + some one whom he could trust, without the unbarring of doors and + considerable risk of detection. It was better, if he could, to have his + helpmate inside the house. But whom could he ask? This girl had been + devoted to him. A man always finds it hard to realize that he may have + finally lost a woman's love, however badly he may have treated her. He + would try by a few attentions to make his peace with the girl Howells, and + then would engage her as his accomplice. Together they would come at night + to the cellar, and their united force would suffice to raise the stone. So + far I could follow their actions as if I had actually seen them. + </p> + <p> + “But for two of them, and one a woman, it must have been heavy work the + raising of that stone. A burly Sussex policeman and I had found it no + light job. What would they do to assist them? Probably what I should have + done myself. I rose and examined carefully the different billets of wood + which were scattered round the floor. Almost at once I came upon what I + expected. One piece, about three feet in length, had a very marked + indentation at one end, while several were flattened at the sides as if + they had been compressed by some considerable weight. Evidently, as they + had dragged the stone up they had thrust the chunks of wood into the + chink, until at last, when the opening was large enough to crawl through, + they would hold it open by a billet placed lengthwise, which might very + well become indented at the lower end, since the whole weight of the stone + would press it down on to the edge of this other slab. So far I was still + on safe ground. + </p> + <p> + “And now how was I to proceed to reconstruct this midnight drama? Clearly, + only one could fit into the hole, and that one was Brunton. The girl must + have waited above. Brunton then unlocked the box, handed up the contents + presumably—since they were not to be found—and then—and + then what happened? + </p> + <p> + “What smouldering fire of vengeance had suddenly sprung into flame in this + passionate Celtic woman's soul when she saw the man who had wronged her—wronged + her, perhaps, far more than we suspected—in her power? Was it a + chance that the wood had slipped, and that the stone had shut Brunton into + what had become his sepulchre? Had she only been guilty of silence as to + his fate? Or had some sudden blow from her hand dashed the support away + and sent the slab crashing down into its place? Be that as it might, I + seemed to see that woman's figure still clutching at her treasure trove + and flying wildly up the winding stair, with her ears ringing perhaps with + the muffled screams from behind her and with the drumming of frenzied + hands against the slab of stone which was choking her faithless lover's + life out. + </p> + <p> + “Here was the secret of her blanched face, her shaken nerves, her peals of + hysterical laughter on the next morning. But what had been in the box? + What had she done with that? Of course, it must have been the old metal + and pebbles which my client had dragged from the mere. She had thrown them + in there at the first opportunity to remove the last trace of her crime. + </p> + <p> + “For twenty minutes I had sat motionless, thinking the matter out. + Musgrave still stood with a very pale face, swinging his lantern and + peering down into the hole. + </p> + <p> + “'These are coins of Charles the First,' said he, holding out the few + which had been in the box; 'you see we were right in fixing our date for + the Ritual.' + </p> + <p> + “'We may find something else of Charles the First,' I cried, as the + probable meaning of the first two questions of the Ritual broke suddenly + upon me. 'Let me see the contents of the bag which you fished from the + mere.' + </p> + <p> + “We ascended to his study, and he laid the debris before me. I could + understand his regarding it as of small importance when I looked at it, + for the metal was almost black and the stones lustreless and dull. I + rubbed one of them on my sleeve, however, and it glowed afterwards like a + spark in the dark hollow of my hand. The metal work was in the form of a + double ring, but it had been bent and twisted out of its original shape. + </p> + <p> + “'You must bear in mind,' said I, 'that the royal party made head in + England even after the death of the king, and that when they at last fled + they probably left many of their most precious possessions buried behind + them, with the intention of returning for them in more peaceful times.' + </p> + <p> + “'My ancestor, Sir Ralph Musgrave, was a prominent Cavalier and the + right-hand man of Charles the Second in his wanderings,' said my friend. + </p> + <p> + “'Ah, indeed!' I answered. 'Well now, I think that really should give us + the last link that we wanted. I must congratulate you on coming into the + possession, though in rather a tragic manner of a relic which is of great + intrinsic value, but of even greater importance as an historical + curiosity.' + </p> + <p> + “'What is it, then?' he gasped in astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “'It is nothing less than the ancient crown of the kings of England.' + </p> + <p> + “'The crown!' + </p> + <p> + “'Precisely. Consider what the Ritual says: How does it run? “Whose was + it?” “His who is gone.” That was after the execution of Charles. Then, + “Who shall have it?” “He who will come.” That was Charles the Second, + whose advent was already foreseen. There can, I think, be no doubt that + this battered and shapeless diadem once encircled the brows of the royal + Stuarts.' + </p> + <p> + “'And how came it in the pond?' + </p> + <p> + “'Ah, that is a question that will take some time to answer.' And with + that I sketched out to him the whole long chain of surmise and of proof + which I had constructed. The twilight had closed in and the moon was + shining brightly in the sky before my narrative was finished. + </p> + <p> + “'And how was it then that Charles did not get his crown when he + returned?' asked Musgrave, pushing back the relic into its linen bag. + </p> + <p> + “'Ah, there you lay your finger upon the one point which we shall probably + never be able to clear up. It is likely that the Musgrave who held the + secret died in the interval, and by some oversight left this guide to his + descendant without explaining the meaning of it. From that day to this it + has been handed down from father to son, until at last it came within + reach of a man who tore its secret out of it and lost his life in the + venture.' + </p> + <p> + “And that's the story of the Musgrave Ritual, Watson. They have the crown + down at Hurlstone—though they had some legal bother and a + considerable sum to pay before they were allowed to retain it. I am sure + that if you mentioned my name they would be happy to show it to you. Of + the woman nothing was ever heard, and the probability is that she got away + out of England and carried herself and the memory of her crime to some + land beyond the seas.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Adventure VI. The Reigate Puzzle + </h2> + <p> + It was some time before the health of my friend Mr. Sherlock Holmes + recovered from the strain caused by his immense exertions in the spring of + '87. The whole question of the Netherland-Sumatra Company and of the + colossal schemes of Baron Maupertuis are too recent in the minds of the + public, and are too intimately concerned with politics and finance to be + fitting subjects for this series of sketches. They led, however, in an + indirect fashion to a singular and complex problem which gave my friend an + opportunity of demonstrating the value of a fresh weapon among the many + with which he waged his life-long battle against crime. + </p> + <p> + On referring to my notes I see that it was upon the 14th of April that I + received a telegram from Lyons which informed me that Holmes was lying ill + in the Hotel Dulong. Within twenty-four hours I was in his sick-room, and + was relieved to find that there was nothing formidable in his symptoms. + Even his iron constitution, however, had broken down under the strain of + an investigation which had extended over two months, during which period + he had never worked less than fifteen hours a day, and had more than once, + as he assured me, kept to his task for five days at a stretch. Even the + triumphant issue of his labors could not save him from reaction after so + terrible an exertion, and at a time when Europe was ringing with his name + and when his room was literally ankle-deep with congratulatory telegrams I + found him a prey to the blackest depression. Even the knowledge that he + had succeeded where the police of three countries had failed, and that he + had outmanoeuvred at every point the most accomplished swindler in Europe, + was insufficient to rouse him from his nervous prostration. + </p> + <p> + Three days later we were back in Baker Street together; but it was evident + that my friend would be much the better for a change, and the thought of a + week of spring time in the country was full of attractions to me also. My + old friend, Colonel Hayter, who had come under my professional care in + Afghanistan, had now taken a house near Reigate in Surrey, and had + frequently asked me to come down to him upon a visit. On the last occasion + he had remarked that if my friend would only come with me he would be glad + to extend his hospitality to him also. A little diplomacy was needed, but + when Holmes understood that the establishment was a bachelor one, and that + he would be allowed the fullest freedom, he fell in with my plans and a + week after our return from Lyons we were under the Colonel's roof. Hayter + was a fine old soldier who had seen much of the world, and he soon found, + as I had expected, that Holmes and he had much in common. + </p> + <p> + On the evening of our arrival we were sitting in the Colonel's gun-room + after dinner, Holmes stretched upon the sofa, while Hayter and I looked + over his little armory of Eastern weapons. + </p> + <p> + “By the way,” said he suddenly, “I think I'll take one of these pistols + upstairs with me in case we have an alarm.” + </p> + <p> + “An alarm!” said I. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, we've had a scare in this part lately. Old Acton, who is one of our + county magnates, had his house broken into last Monday. No great damage + done, but the fellows are still at large.” + </p> + <p> + “No clue?” asked Holmes, cocking his eye at the Colonel. + </p> + <p> + “None as yet. But the affair is a petty one, one of our little country + crimes, which must seem too small for your attention, Mr. Holmes, after + this great international affair.” + </p> + <p> + Holmes waved away the compliment, though his smile showed that it had + pleased him. + </p> + <p> + “Was there any feature of interest?” + </p> + <p> + “I fancy not. The thieves ransacked the library and got very little for + their pains. The whole place was turned upside down, drawers burst open, + and presses ransacked, with the result that an odd volume of Pope's + 'Homer,' two plated candlesticks, an ivory letter-weight, a small oak + barometer, and a ball of twine are all that have vanished.” + </p> + <p> + “What an extraordinary assortment!” I exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, the fellows evidently grabbed hold of everything they could get.” + </p> + <p> + Holmes grunted from the sofa. + </p> + <p> + “The county police ought to make something of that,” said he; “why, it is + surely obvious that—” + </p> + <p> + But I held up a warning finger. + </p> + <p> + “You are here for a rest, my dear fellow. For Heaven's sake don't get + started on a new problem when your nerves are all in shreds.” + </p> + <p> + Holmes shrugged his shoulders with a glance of comic resignation towards + the Colonel, and the talk drifted away into less dangerous channels. + </p> + <p> + It was destined, however, that all my professional caution should be + wasted, for next morning the problem obtruded itself upon us in such a way + that it was impossible to ignore it, and our country visit took a turn + which neither of us could have anticipated. We were at breakfast when the + Colonel's butler rushed in with all his propriety shaken out of him. + </p> + <p> + “Have you heard the news, sir?” he gasped. “At the Cunningham's sir!” + </p> + <p> + “Burglary!” cried the Colonel, with his coffee-cup in mid-air. + </p> + <p> + “Murder!” + </p> + <p> + The Colonel whistled. “By Jove!” said he. “Who's killed, then? The J.P. or + his son?” + </p> + <p> + “Neither, sir. It was William the coachman. Shot through the heart, sir, + and never spoke again.” + </p> + <p> + “Who shot him, then?” + </p> + <p> + “The burglar, sir. He was off like a shot and got clean away. He'd just + broke in at the pantry window when William came on him and met his end in + saving his master's property.” + </p> + <p> + “What time?” + </p> + <p> + “It was last night, sir, somewhere about twelve.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, then, we'll step over afterwards,” said the Colonel, coolly settling + down to his breakfast again. “It's a baddish business,” he added when the + butler had gone; “he's our leading man about here, is old Cunningham, and + a very decent fellow too. He'll be cut up over this, for the man has been + in his service for years and was a good servant. It's evidently the same + villains who broke into Acton's.” + </p> + <p> + “And stole that very singular collection,” said Holmes, thoughtfully. + </p> + <p> + “Precisely.” + </p> + <p> + “Hum! It may prove the simplest matter in the world, but all the same at + first glance this is just a little curious, is it not? A gang of burglars + acting in the country might be expected to vary the scene of their + operations, and not to crack two cribs in the same district within a few + days. When you spoke last night of taking precautions I remember that it + passed through my mind that this was probably the last parish in England + to which the thief or thieves would be likely to turn their attention—which + shows that I have still much to learn.” + </p> + <p> + “I fancy it's some local practitioner,” said the Colonel. “In that case, + of course, Acton's and Cunningham's are just the places he would go for, + since they are far the largest about here.” + </p> + <p> + “And richest?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, they ought to be, but they've had a lawsuit for some years which + has sucked the blood out of both of them, I fancy. Old Acton has some + claim on half Cunningham's estate, and the lawyers have been at it with + both hands.” + </p> + <p> + “If it's a local villain there should not be much difficulty in running + him down,” said Holmes with a yawn. “All right, Watson, I don't intend to + meddle.” + </p> + <p> + “Inspector Forrester, sir,” said the butler, throwing open the door. + </p> + <p> + The official, a smart, keen-faced young fellow, stepped into the room. + “Good-morning, Colonel,” said he; “I hope I don't intrude, but we hear + that Mr. Holmes of Baker Street is here.” + </p> + <p> + The Colonel waved his hand towards my friend, and the Inspector bowed. + </p> + <p> + “We thought that perhaps you would care to step across, Mr. Holmes.” + </p> + <p> + “The fates are against you, Watson,” said he, laughing. “We were chatting + about the matter when you came in, Inspector. Perhaps you can let us have + a few details.” As he leaned back in his chair in the familiar attitude I + knew that the case was hopeless. + </p> + <p> + “We had no clue in the Acton affair. But here we have plenty to go on, and + there's no doubt it is the same party in each case. The man was seen.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir. But he was off like a deer after the shot that killed poor + William Kirwan was fired. Mr. Cunningham saw him from the bedroom window, + and Mr. Alec Cunningham saw him from the back passage. It was quarter to + twelve when the alarm broke out. Mr. Cunningham had just got into bed, and + Mr. Alec was smoking a pipe in his dressing-gown. They both heard William + the coachman calling for help, and Mr. Alec ran down to see what was the + matter. The back door was open, and as he came to the foot of the stairs + he saw two men wrestling together outside. One of them fired a shot, the + other dropped, and the murderer rushed across the garden and over the + hedge. Mr. Cunningham, looking out of his bedroom, saw the fellow as he + gained the road, but lost sight of him at once. Mr. Alec stopped to see if + he could help the dying man, and so the villain got clean away. Beyond the + fact that he was a middle-sized man and dressed in some dark stuff, we + have no personal clue; but we are making energetic inquiries, and if he is + a stranger we shall soon find him out.” + </p> + <p> + “What was this William doing there? Did he say anything before he died?” + </p> + <p> + “Not a word. He lives at the lodge with his mother, and as he was a very + faithful fellow we imagine that he walked up to the house with the + intention of seeing that all was right there. Of course this Acton + business has put every one on their guard. The robber must have just burst + open the door—the lock has been forced—when William came upon + him.” + </p> + <p> + “Did William say anything to his mother before going out?” + </p> + <p> + “She is very old and deaf, and we can get no information from her. The + shock has made her half-witted, but I understand that she was never very + bright. There is one very important circumstance, however. Look at this!” + </p> + <p> + He took a small piece of torn paper from a note-book and spread it out + upon his knee. + </p> + <p> + “This was found between the finger and thumb of the dead man. It appears + to be a fragment torn from a larger sheet. You will observe that the hour + mentioned upon it is the very time at which the poor fellow met his fate. + You see that his murderer might have torn the rest of the sheet from him + or he might have taken this fragment from the murderer. It reads almost as + though it were an appointment.” + </p> + <p> + Holmes took up the scrap of paper, a fac-simile of which is here + reproduced. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + at quarter to twelve + learn what + maybe + +</pre> + <p> + “Presuming that it is an appointment,” continued the Inspector, “it is of + course a conceivable theory that this William Kirwan—though he had + the reputation of being an honest man, may have been in league with the + thief. He may have met him there, may even have helped him to break in the + door, and then they may have fallen out between themselves.” + </p> + <p> + “This writing is of extraordinary interest,” said Holmes, who had been + examining it with intense concentration. “These are much deeper waters + than I had thought.” He sank his head upon his hands, while the Inspector + smiled at the effect which his case had had upon the famous London + specialist. + </p> + <p> + “Your last remark,” said Holmes, presently, “as to the possibility of + there being an understanding between the burglar and the servant, and this + being a note of appointment from one to the other, is an ingenious and not + entirely impossible supposition. But this writing opens up—” He sank + his head into his hands again and remained for some minutes in the deepest + thought. When he raised his face again, I was surprised to see that his + cheek was tinged with color, and his eyes as bright as before his illness. + He sprang to his feet with all his old energy. + </p> + <p> + “I'll tell you what,” said he, “I should like to have a quiet little + glance into the details of this case. There is something in it which + fascinates me extremely. If you will permit me, Colonel, I will leave my + friend Watson and you, and I will step round with the Inspector to test + the truth of one or two little fancies of mine. I will be with you again + in half an hour.” + </p> + <p> + An hour and half had elapsed before the Inspector returned alone. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Holmes is walking up and down in the field outside,” said he. “He + wants us all four to go up to the house together.” + </p> + <p> + “To Mr. Cunningham's?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “What for?” + </p> + <p> + The Inspector shrugged his shoulders. “I don't quite know, sir. Between + ourselves, I think Mr. Holmes had not quite got over his illness yet. He's + been behaving very queerly, and he is very much excited.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't think you need alarm yourself,” said I. “I have usually found + that there was method in his madness.” + </p> + <p> + “Some folks might say there was madness in his method,” muttered the + Inspector. “But he's all on fire to start, Colonel, so we had best go out + if you are ready.” + </p> + <p> + We found Holmes pacing up and down in the field, his chin sunk upon his + breast, and his hands thrust into his trousers pockets. + </p> + <p> + “The matter grows in interest,” said he. “Watson, your country-trip has + been a distinct success. I have had a charming morning.” + </p> + <p> + “You have been up to the scene of the crime, I understand,” said the + Colonel. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; the Inspector and I have made quite a little reconnaissance + together.” + </p> + <p> + “Any success?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we have seen some very interesting things. I'll tell you what we + did as we walk. First of all, we saw the body of this unfortunate man. He + certainly died from a revolver wound as reported.” + </p> + <p> + “Had you doubted it, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, it is as well to test everything. Our inspection was not wasted. We + then had an interview with Mr. Cunningham and his son, who were able to + point out the exact spot where the murderer had broken through the + garden-hedge in his flight. That was of great interest.” + </p> + <p> + “Naturally.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we had a look at this poor fellow's mother. We could get no + information from her, however, as she is very old and feeble.” + </p> + <p> + “And what is the result of your investigations?” + </p> + <p> + “The conviction that the crime is a very peculiar one. Perhaps our visit + now may do something to make it less obscure. I think that we are both + agreed, Inspector that the fragment of paper in the dead man's hand, + bearing, as it does, the very hour of his death written upon it, is of + extreme importance.” + </p> + <p> + “It should give a clue, Mr. Holmes.” + </p> + <p> + “It does give a clue. Whoever wrote that note was the man who brought + William Kirwan out of his bed at that hour. But where is the rest of that + sheet of paper?” + </p> + <p> + “I examined the ground carefully in the hope of finding it,” said the + Inspector. + </p> + <p> + “It was torn out of the dead man's hand. Why was some one so anxious to + get possession of it? Because it incriminated him. And what would he do + with it? Thrust it into his pocket, most likely, never noticing that a + corner of it had been left in the grip of the corpse. If we could get the + rest of that sheet it is obvious that we should have gone a long way + towards solving the mystery.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but how can we get at the criminal's pocket before we catch the + criminal?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, well, it was worth thinking over. Then there is another obvious + point. The note was sent to William. The man who wrote it could not have + taken it; otherwise, of course, he might have delivered his own message by + word of mouth. Who brought the note, then? Or did it come through the + post?” + </p> + <p> + “I have made inquiries,” said the Inspector. “William received a letter by + the afternoon post yesterday. The envelope was destroyed by him.” + </p> + <p> + “Excellent!” cried Holmes, clapping the Inspector on the back. “You've + seen the postman. It is a pleasure to work with you. Well, here is the + lodge, and if you will come up, Colonel, I will show you the scene of the + crime.” + </p> + <p> + We passed the pretty cottage where the murdered man had lived, and walked + up an oak-lined avenue to the fine old Queen Anne house, which bears the + date of Malplaquet upon the lintel of the door. Holmes and the Inspector + led us round it until we came to the side gate, which is separated by a + stretch of garden from the hedge which lines the road. A constable was + standing at the kitchen door. + </p> + <p> + “Throw the door open, officer,” said Holmes. “Now, it was on those stairs + that young Mr. Cunningham stood and saw the two men struggling just where + we are. Old Mr. Cunningham was at that window—the second on the left—and + he saw the fellow get away just to the left of that bush. Then Mr. Alec + ran out and knelt beside the wounded man. The ground is very hard, you + see, and there are no marks to guide us.” As he spoke two men came down + the garden path, from round the angle of the house. The one was an elderly + man, with a strong, deep-lined, heavy-eyed face; the other a dashing young + fellow, whose bright, smiling expression and showy dress were in strange + contrast with the business which had brought us there. + </p> + <p> + “Still at it, then?” said he to Holmes. “I thought you Londoners were + never at fault. You don't seem to be so very quick, after all.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, you must give us a little time,” said Holmes good-humoredly. + </p> + <p> + “You'll want it,” said young Alec Cunningham. “Why, I don't see that we + have any clue at all.” + </p> + <p> + “There's only one,” answered the Inspector. “We thought that if we could + only find—Good heavens, Mr. Holmes! What is the matter?” + </p> + <p> + My poor friend's face had suddenly assumed the most dreadful expression. + His eyes rolled upwards, his features writhed in agony, and with a + suppressed groan he dropped on his face upon the ground. Horrified at the + suddenness and severity of the attack, we carried him into the kitchen, + where he lay back in a large chair, and breathed heavily for some minutes. + Finally, with a shamefaced apology for his weakness, he rose once more. + </p> + <p> + “Watson would tell you that I have only just recovered from a severe + illness,” he explained. “I am liable to these sudden nervous attacks.” + </p> + <p> + “Shall I send you home in my trap?” asked old Cunningham. + </p> + <p> + “Well, since I am here, there is one point on which I should like to feel + sure. We can very easily verify it.” + </p> + <p> + “What was it?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, it seems to me that it is just possible that the arrival of this + poor fellow William was not before, but after, the entrance of the burglar + into the house. You appear to take it for granted that, although the door + was forced, the robber never got in.” + </p> + <p> + “I fancy that is quite obvious,” said Mr. Cunningham, gravely. “Why, my + son Alec had not yet gone to bed, and he would certainly have heard any + one moving about.” + </p> + <p> + “Where was he sitting?” + </p> + <p> + “I was smoking in my dressing-room.” + </p> + <p> + “Which window is that?” + </p> + <p> + “The last on the left next my father's.” + </p> + <p> + “Both of your lamps were lit, of course?” + </p> + <p> + “Undoubtedly.” + </p> + <p> + “There are some very singular points here,” said Holmes, smiling. “Is it + not extraordinary that a burglar—and a burglar who had had some + previous experience—should deliberately break into a house at a time + when he could see from the lights that two of the family were still + afoot?” + </p> + <p> + “He must have been a cool hand.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, of course, if the case were not an odd one we should not have been + driven to ask you for an explanation,” said young Mr. Alec. “But as to + your ideas that the man had robbed the house before William tackled him, I + think it a most absurd notion. Wouldn't we have found the place + disarranged, and missed the things which he had taken?” + </p> + <p> + “It depends on what the things were,” said Holmes. “You must remember that + we are dealing with a burglar who is a very peculiar fellow, and who + appears to work on lines of his own. Look, for example, at the queer lot + of things which he took from Acton's—what was it?—a ball of + string, a letter-weight, and I don't know what other odds and ends.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we are quite in your hands, Mr. Holmes,” said old Cunningham. + “Anything which you or the Inspector may suggest will most certainly be + done.” + </p> + <p> + “In the first place,” said Holmes, “I should like you to offer a reward—coming + from yourself, for the officials may take a little time before they would + agree upon the sum, and these things cannot be done too promptly. I have + jotted down the form here, if you would not mind signing it. Fifty pounds + was quite enough, I thought.” + </p> + <p> + “I would willingly give five hundred,” said the J.P., taking the slip of + paper and the pencil which Holmes handed to him. “This is not quite + correct, however,” he added, glancing over the document. + </p> + <p> + “I wrote it rather hurriedly.” + </p> + <p> + “You see you begin, 'Whereas, at about a quarter to one on Tuesday morning + an attempt was made,' and so on. It was at a quarter to twelve, as a + matter of fact.” + </p> + <p> + I was pained at the mistake, for I knew how keenly Holmes would feel any + slip of the kind. It was his specialty to be accurate as to fact, but his + recent illness had shaken him, and this one little incident was enough to + show me that he was still far from being himself. He was obviously + embarrassed for an instant, while the Inspector raised his eyebrows, and + Alec Cunningham burst into a laugh. The old gentleman corrected the + mistake, however, and handed the paper back to Holmes. + </p> + <p> + “Get it printed as soon as possible,” he said; “I think your idea is an + excellent one.” + </p> + <p> + Holmes put the slip of paper carefully away into his pocket-book. + </p> + <p> + “And now,” said he, “it really would be a good thing that we should all go + over the house together and make certain that this rather erratic burglar + did not, after all, carry anything away with him.” + </p> + <p> + Before entering, Holmes made an examination of the door which had been + forced. It was evident that a chisel or strong knife had been thrust in, + and the lock forced back with it. We could see the marks in the wood where + it had been pushed in. + </p> + <p> + “You don't use bars, then?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “We have never found it necessary.” + </p> + <p> + “You don't keep a dog?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but he is chained on the other side of the house.” + </p> + <p> + “When do the servants go to bed?” + </p> + <p> + “About ten.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand that William was usually in bed also at that hour.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “It is singular that on this particular night he should have been up. Now, + I should be very glad if you would have the kindness to show us over the + house, Mr. Cunningham.” + </p> + <p> + A stone-flagged passage, with the kitchens branching away from it, led by + a wooden staircase directly to the first floor of the house. It came out + upon the landing opposite to a second more ornamental stair which came up + from the front hall. Out of this landing opened the drawing-room and + several bedrooms, including those of Mr. Cunningham and his son. Holmes + walked slowly, taking keen note of the architecture of the house. I could + tell from his expression that he was on a hot scent, and yet I could not + in the least imagine in what direction his inferences were leading him. + </p> + <p> + “My good sir,” said Mr. Cunningham with some impatience, “this is surely + very unnecessary. That is my room at the end of the stairs, and my son's + is the one beyond it. I leave it to your judgment whether it was possible + for the thief to have come up here without disturbing us.” + </p> + <p> + “You must try round and get on a fresh scent, I fancy,” said the son with + a rather malicious smile. + </p> + <p> + “Still, I must ask you to humor me a little further. I should like, for + example, to see how far the windows of the bedrooms command the front. + This, I understand is your son's room”—he pushed open the door—“and + that, I presume, is the dressing-room in which he sat smoking when the + alarm was given. Where does the window of that look out to?” He stepped + across the bedroom, pushed open the door, and glanced round the other + chamber. + </p> + <p> + “I hope that you are satisfied now?” said Mr. Cunningham, tartly. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, I think I have seen all that I wished.” + </p> + <p> + “Then if it is really necessary we can go into my room.” + </p> + <p> + “If it is not too much trouble.” + </p> + <p> + The J. P. shrugged his shoulders, and led the way into his own chamber, + which was a plainly furnished and commonplace room. As we moved across it + in the direction of the window, Holmes fell back until he and I were the + last of the group. Near the foot of the bed stood a dish of oranges and a + carafe of water. As we passed it Holmes, to my unutterable astonishment, + leaned over in front of me and deliberately knocked the whole thing over. + The glass smashed into a thousand pieces and the fruit rolled about into + every corner of the room. + </p> + <p> + “You've done it now, Watson,” said he, coolly. “A pretty mess you've made + of the carpet.” + </p> + <p> + I stooped in some confusion and began to pick up the fruit, understanding + for some reason my companion desired me to take the blame upon myself. The + others did the same, and set the table on its legs again. + </p> + <p> + “Hullo!” cried the Inspector, “where's he got to?” + </p> + <p> + Holmes had disappeared. + </p> + <p> + “Wait here an instant,” said young Alec Cunningham. “The fellow is off his + head, in my opinion. Come with me, father, and see where he has got to!” + </p> + <p> + They rushed out of the room, leaving the Inspector, the Colonel, and me + staring at each other. + </p> + <p> + “'Pon my word, I am inclined to agree with Master Alec,” said the + official. “It may be the effect of this illness, but it seems to me that—” + </p> + <p> + His words were cut short by a sudden scream of “Help! Help! Murder!” With + a thrill I recognized the voice of that of my friend. I rushed madly from + the room on to the landing. The cries, which had sunk down into a hoarse, + inarticulate shouting, came from the room which we had first visited. I + dashed in, and on into the dressing-room beyond. The two Cunninghams were + bending over the prostrate figure of Sherlock Holmes, the younger + clutching his throat with both hands, while the elder seemed to be + twisting one of his wrists. In an instant the three of us had torn them + away from him, and Holmes staggered to his feet, very pale and evidently + greatly exhausted. + </p> + <p> + “Arrest these men, Inspector,” he gasped. + </p> + <p> + “On what charge?” + </p> + <p> + “That of murdering their coachman, William Kirwan.” + </p> + <p> + The Inspector stared about him in bewilderment. “Oh, come now, Mr. + Holmes,” said he at last, “I'm sure you don't really mean to—” + </p> + <p> + “Tut, man, look at their faces!” cried Holmes, curtly. + </p> + <p> + Never certainly have I seen a plainer confession of guilt upon human + countenances. The older man seemed numbed and dazed with a heavy, sullen + expression upon his strongly-marked face. The son, on the other hand, had + dropped all that jaunty, dashing style which had characterized him, and + the ferocity of a dangerous wild beast gleamed in his dark eyes and + distorted his handsome features. The Inspector said nothing, but, stepping + to the door, he blew his whistle. Two of his constables came at the call. + </p> + <p> + “I have no alternative, Mr. Cunningham,” said he. “I trust that this may + all prove to be an absurd mistake, but you can see that—Ah, would + you? Drop it!” He struck out with his hand, and a revolver which the + younger man was in the act of cocking clattered down upon the floor. + </p> + <p> + “Keep that,” said Holmes, quietly putting his foot upon it; “you will find + it useful at the trial. But this is what we really wanted.” He held up a + little crumpled piece of paper. + </p> + <p> + “The remainder of the sheet!” cried the Inspector. + </p> + <p> + “Precisely.” + </p> + <p> + “And where was it?” + </p> + <p> + “Where I was sure it must be. I'll make the whole matter clear to you + presently. I think, Colonel, that you and Watson might return now, and I + will be with you again in an hour at the furthest. The Inspector and I + must have a word with the prisoners, but you will certainly see me back at + luncheon time.” + </p> + <p> + Sherlock Holmes was as good as his word, for about one o'clock he rejoined + us in the Colonel's smoking-room. He was accompanied by a little elderly + gentleman, who was introduced to me as the Mr. Acton whose house had been + the scene of the original burglary. + </p> + <p> + “I wished Mr. Acton to be present while I demonstrated this small matter + to you,” said Holmes, “for it is natural that he should take a keen + interest in the details. I am afraid, my dear Colonel, that you must + regret the hour that you took in such a stormy petrel as I am.” + </p> + <p> + “On the contrary,” answered the Colonel, warmly, “I consider it the + greatest privilege to have been permitted to study your methods of + working. I confess that they quite surpass my expectations, and that I am + utterly unable to account for your result. I have not yet seen the vestige + of a clue.” + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid that my explanation may disillusion you but it has always + been my habit to hide none of my methods, either from my friend Watson or + from any one who might take an intelligent interest in them. But, first, + as I am rather shaken by the knocking about which I had in the + dressing-room, I think that I shall help myself to a dash of your brandy, + Colonel. My strength had been rather tried of late.” + </p> + <p> + “I trust that you had no more of those nervous attacks.” + </p> + <p> + Sherlock Holmes laughed heartily. “We will come to that in its turn,” said + he. “I will lay an account of the case before you in its due order, + showing you the various points which guided me in my decision. Pray + interrupt me if there is any inference which is not perfectly clear to + you. + </p> + <p> + “It is of the highest importance in the art of detection to be able to + recognize, out of a number of facts, which are incidental and which vital. + Otherwise your energy and attention must be dissipated instead of being + concentrated. Now, in this case there was not the slightest doubt in my + mind from the first that the key of the whole matter must be looked for in + the scrap of paper in the dead man's hand. + </p> + <p> + “Before going into this, I would draw your attention to the fact that, if + Alec Cunningham's narrative was correct, and if the assailant, after + shooting William Kirwan, had instantly fled, then it obviously could not + be he who tore the paper from the dead man's hand. But if it was not he, + it must have been Alec Cunningham himself, for by the time that the old + man had descended several servants were upon the scene. The point is a + simple one, but the Inspector had overlooked it because he had started + with the supposition that these county magnates had had nothing to do with + the matter. Now, I make a point of never having any prejudices, and of + following docilely wherever fact may lead me, and so, in the very first + stage of the investigation, I found myself looking a little askance at the + part which had been played by Mr. Alec Cunningham. + </p> + <p> + “And now I made a very careful examination of the corner of paper which + the Inspector had submitted to us. It was at once clear to me that it + formed part of a very remarkable document. Here it is. Do you not now + observe something very suggestive about it?” + </p> + <p> + “It has a very irregular look,” said the Colonel. + </p> + <p> + “My dear sir,” cried Holmes, “there cannot be the least doubt in the world + that it has been written by two persons doing alternate words. When I draw + your attention to the strong t's of 'at' and 'to', and ask you to compare + them with the weak ones of 'quarter' and 'twelve,' you will instantly + recognize the fact. A very brief analysis of these four words would enable + you to say with the utmost confidence that the 'learn' and the 'maybe' are + written in the stronger hand, and the 'what' in the weaker.” + </p> + <p> + “By Jove, it's as clear as day!” cried the Colonel. “Why on earth should + two men write a letter in such a fashion?” + </p> + <p> + “Obviously the business was a bad one, and one of the men who distrusted + the other was determined that, whatever was done, each should have an + equal hand in it. Now, of the two men, it is clear that the one who wrote + the 'at' and 'to' was the ringleader.” + </p> + <p> + “How do you get at that?” + </p> + <p> + “We might deduce it from the mere character of the one hand as compared + with the other. But we have more assured reasons than that for supposing + it. If you examine this scrap with attention you will come to the + conclusion that the man with the stronger hand wrote all his words first, + leaving blanks for the other to fill up. These blanks were not always + sufficient, and you can see that the second man had a squeeze to fit his + 'quarter' in between the 'at' and the 'to,' showing that the latter were + already written. The man who wrote all his words first is undoubtedly the + man who planned the affair.” + </p> + <p> + “Excellent!” cried Mr. Acton. + </p> + <p> + “But very superficial,” said Holmes. “We come now, however, to a point + which is of importance. You may not be aware that the deduction of a man's + age from his writing is one which has been brought to considerable + accuracy by experts. In normal cases one can place a man in his true + decade with tolerable confidence. I say normal cases, because ill-health + and physical weakness reproduce the signs of old age, even when the + invalid is a youth. In this case, looking at the bold, strong hand of the + one, and the rather broken-backed appearance of the other, which still + retains its legibility although the t's have begun to lose their crossing, + we can say that the one was a young man and the other was advanced in + years without being positively decrepit.” + </p> + <p> + “Excellent!” cried Mr. Acton again. + </p> + <p> + “There is a further point, however, which is subtler and of greater + interest. There is something in common between these hands. They belong to + men who are blood-relatives. It may be most obvious to you in the Greek + e's, but to me there are many small points which indicate the same thing. + I have no doubt at all that a family mannerism can be traced in these two + specimens of writing. I am only, of course, giving you the leading results + now of my examination of the paper. There were twenty-three other + deductions which would be of more interest to experts than to you. They + all tend to deepen the impression upon my mind that the Cunninghams, + father and son, had written this letter. + </p> + <p> + “Having got so far, my next step was, of course, to examine into the + details of the crime, and to see how far they would help us. I went up to + the house with the Inspector, and saw all that was to be seen. The wound + upon the dead man was, as I was able to determine with absolute + confidence, fired from a revolver at the distance of something over four + yards. There was no powder-blackening on the clothes. Evidently, + therefore, Alec Cunningham had lied when he said that the two men were + struggling when the shot was fired. Again, both father and son agreed as + to the place where the man escaped into the road. At that point, however, + as it happens, there is a broadish ditch, moist at the bottom. As there + were no indications of bootmarks about this ditch, I was absolutely sure + not only that the Cunninghams had again lied, but that there had never + been any unknown man upon the scene at all. + </p> + <p> + “And now I have to consider the motive of this singular crime. To get at + this, I endeavored first of all to solve the reason of the original + burglary at Mr. Acton's. I understood, from something which the Colonel + told us, that a lawsuit had been going on between you, Mr. Acton, and the + Cunninghams. Of course, it instantly occurred to me that they had broken + into your library with the intention of getting at some document which + might be of importance in the case.” + </p> + <p> + “Precisely so,” said Mr. Acton. “There can be no possible doubt as to + their intentions. I have the clearest claim upon half of their present + estate, and if they could have found a single paper—which, + fortunately, was in the strong-box of my solicitors—they would + undoubtedly have crippled our case.” + </p> + <p> + “There you are,” said Holmes, smiling. “It was a dangerous, reckless + attempt, in which I seem to trace the influence of young Alec. Having + found nothing they tried to divert suspicion by making it appear to be an + ordinary burglary, to which end they carried off whatever they could lay + their hands upon. That is all clear enough, but there was much that was + still obscure. What I wanted above all was to get the missing part of that + note. I was certain that Alec had torn it out of the dead man's hand, and + almost certain that he must have thrust it into the pocket of his + dressing-gown. Where else could he have put it? The only question was + whether it was still there. It was worth an effort to find out, and for + that object we all went up to the house. + </p> + <p> + “The Cunninghams joined us, as you doubtless remember, outside the kitchen + door. It was, of course, of the very first importance that they should not + be reminded of the existence of this paper, otherwise they would naturally + destroy it without delay. The Inspector was about to tell them the + importance which we attached to it when, by the luckiest chance in the + world, I tumbled down in a sort of fit and so changed the conversation. + </p> + <p> + “Good heavens!” cried the Colonel, laughing, “do you mean to say all our + sympathy was wasted and your fit an imposture?” + </p> + <p> + “Speaking professionally, it was admirably done,” cried I, looking in + amazement at this man who was forever confounding me with some new phase + of his astuteness. + </p> + <p> + “It is an art which is often useful,” said he. “When I recovered I + managed, by a device which had perhaps some little merit of ingenuity, to + get old Cunningham to write the word 'twelve,' so that I might compare it + with the 'twelve' upon the paper.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, what an ass I have been!” I exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + “I could see that you were commiserating me over my weakness,” said + Holmes, laughing. “I was sorry to cause you the sympathetic pain which I + know that you felt. We then went upstairs together, and having entered the + room and seen the dressing-gown hanging up behind the door, I contrived, + by upsetting a table, to engage their attention for the moment, and + slipped back to examine the pockets. I had hardly got the paper, however—which + was, as I had expected, in one of them—when the two Cunninghams were + on me, and would, I verily believe, have murdered me then and there but + for your prompt and friendly aid. As it is, I feel that young man's grip + on my throat now, and the father has twisted my wrist round in the effort + to get the paper out of my hand. They saw that I must know all about it, + you see, and the sudden change from absolute security to complete despair + made them perfectly desperate. + </p> + <p> + “I had a little talk with old Cunningham afterwards as to the motive of + the crime. He was tractable enough, though his son was a perfect demon, + ready to blow out his own or anybody else's brains if he could have got to + his revolver. When Cunningham saw that the case against him was so strong + he lost all heart and made a clean breast of everything. It seems that + William had secretly followed his two masters on the night when they made + their raid upon Mr. Acton's, and having thus got them into his power, + proceeded, under threats of exposure, to levy blackmail upon them. Mr. + Alec, however, was a dangerous man to play games of that sort with. It was + a stroke of positive genius on his part to see in the burglary scare which + was convulsing the country side an opportunity of plausibly getting rid of + the man whom he feared. William was decoyed up and shot, and had they only + got the whole of the note and paid a little more attention to detail in + the accessories, it is very possible that suspicion might never have been + aroused.” + </p> + <p> + “And the note?” I asked. + </p> + <p> + Sherlock Holmes placed the subjoined paper before us. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + If you will only come round at quarter to twelve + to the east gate you will learn what + will very much surprise you and maybe [sic] + be of the greatest service to you and also + to Annie Morrison. But say nothing to anyone + upon the matter. + +</pre> + <p> + “It is very much the sort of thing that I expected,” said he. “Of course, + we do not yet know what the relations may have been between Alec + Cunningham, William Kirwan, and Annie Morrison. The results shows that the + trap was skillfully baited. I am sure that you cannot fail to be delighted + with the traces of heredity shown in the p's and in the tails of the g's. + The absence of the i-dots in the old man's writing is also most + characteristic. Watson, I think our quiet rest in the country has been a + distinct success, and I shall certainly return much invigorated to Baker + Street to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Adventure VII. The Crooked Man + </h2> + <p> + One summer night, a few months after my marriage, I was seated by my own + hearth smoking a last pipe and nodding over a novel, for my day's work had + been an exhausting one. My wife had already gone upstairs, and the sound + of the locking of the hall door some time before told me that the servants + had also retired. I had risen from my seat and was knocking out the ashes + of my pipe when I suddenly heard the clang of the bell. + </p> + <p> + I looked at the clock. It was a quarter to twelve. This could not be a + visitor at so late an hour. A patient, evidently, and possibly an + all-night sitting. With a wry face I went out into the hall and opened the + door. To my astonishment it was Sherlock Holmes who stood upon my step. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, Watson,” said he, “I hoped that I might not be too late to catch + you.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear fellow, pray come in.” + </p> + <p> + “You look surprised, and no wonder! Relieved, too, I fancy! Hum! You still + smoke the Arcadia mixture of your bachelor days then! There's no mistaking + that fluffy ash upon your coat. It's easy to tell that you have been + accustomed to wear a uniform, Watson. You'll never pass as a pure-bred + civilian as long as you keep that habit of carrying your handkerchief in + your sleeve. Could you put me up to-night?” + </p> + <p> + “With pleasure.” + </p> + <p> + “You told me that you had bachelor quarters for one, and I see that you + have no gentleman visitor at present. Your hat-stand proclaims as much.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall be delighted if you will stay.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you. I'll fill the vacant peg then. Sorry to see that you've had + the British workman in the house. He's a token of evil. Not the drains, I + hope?” + </p> + <p> + “No, the gas.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! He has left two nail-marks from his boot upon your linoleum just + where the light strikes it. No, thank you, I had some supper at Waterloo, + but I'll smoke a pipe with you with pleasure.” + </p> + <p> + I handed him my pouch, and he seated himself opposite to me and smoked for + some time in silence. I was well aware that nothing but business of + importance would have brought him to me at such an hour, so I waited + patiently until he should come round to it. + </p> + <p> + “I see that you are professionally rather busy just now,” said he, + glancing very keenly across at me. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I've had a busy day,” I answered. “It may seem very foolish in your + eyes,” I added, “but really I don't know how you deduced it.” + </p> + <p> + Holmes chuckled to himself. + </p> + <p> + “I have the advantage of knowing your habits, my dear Watson,” said he. + “When your round is a short one you walk, and when it is a long one you + use a hansom. As I perceive that your boots, although used, are by no + means dirty, I cannot doubt that you are at present busy enough to justify + the hansom.” + </p> + <p> + “Excellent!” I cried. + </p> + <p> + “Elementary,” said he. “It is one of those instances where the reasoner + can produce an effect which seems remarkable to his neighbor, because the + latter has missed the one little point which is the basis of the + deduction. The same may be said, my dear fellow, for the effect of some of + these little sketches of yours, which is entirely meretricious, depending + as it does upon your retaining in your own hands some factors in the + problem which are never imparted to the reader. Now, at present I am in + the position of these same readers, for I hold in this hand several + threads of one of the strangest cases which ever perplexed a man's brain, + and yet I lack the one or two which are needful to complete my theory. But + I'll have them, Watson, I'll have them!” His eyes kindled and a slight + flush sprang into his thin cheeks. For an instant only. When I glanced + again his face had resumed that red-Indian composure which had made so + many regard him as a machine rather than a man. + </p> + <p> + “The problem presents features of interest,” said he. “I may even say + exceptional features of interest. I have already looked into the matter, + and have come, as I think, within sight of my solution. If you could + accompany me in that last step you might be of considerable service to + me.” + </p> + <p> + “I should be delighted.” + </p> + <p> + “Could you go as far as Aldershot to-morrow?” + </p> + <p> + “I have no doubt Jackson would take my practice.” + </p> + <p> + “Very good. I want to start by the 11.10 from Waterloo.” + </p> + <p> + “That would give me time.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, if you are not too sleepy, I will give you a sketch of what has + happened, and of what remains to be done.” + </p> + <p> + “I was sleepy before you came. I am quite wakeful now.” + </p> + <p> + “I will compress the story as far as may be done without omitting anything + vital to the case. It is conceivable that you may even have read some + account of the matter. It is the supposed murder of Colonel Barclay, of + the Royal Munsters, at Aldershot, which I am investigating.” + </p> + <p> + “I have heard nothing of it.” + </p> + <p> + “It has not excited much attention yet, except locally. The facts are only + two days old. Briefly they are these: + </p> + <p> + “The Royal Munsters is, as you know, one of the most famous Irish + regiments in the British army. It did wonders both in the Crimea and the + Mutiny, and has since that time distinguished itself upon every possible + occasion. It was commanded up to Monday night by James Barclay, a gallant + veteran, who started as a full private, was raised to commissioned rank + for his bravery at the time of the Mutiny, and so lived to command the + regiment in which he had once carried a musket. + </p> + <p> + “Colonel Barclay had married at the time when he was a sergeant, and his + wife, whose maiden name was Miss Nancy Devoy, was the daughter of a former + color-sergeant in the same corps. There was, therefore, as can be + imagined, some little social friction when the young couple (for they were + still young) found themselves in their new surroundings. They appear, + however, to have quickly adapted themselves, and Mrs. Barclay has always, + I understand, been as popular with the ladies of the regiment as her + husband was with his brother officers. I may add that she was a woman of + great beauty, and that even now, when she has been married for upwards of + thirty years, she is still of a striking and queenly appearance. + </p> + <p> + “Colonel Barclay's family life appears to have been a uniformly happy one. + Major Murphy, to whom I owe most of my facts, assures me that he has never + heard of any misunderstanding between the pair. On the whole, he thinks + that Barclay's devotion to his wife was greater than his wife's to + Barclay. He was acutely uneasy if he were absent from her for a day. She, + on the other hand, though devoted and faithful, was less obtrusively + affectionate. But they were regarded in the regiment as the very model of + a middle-aged couple. There was absolutely nothing in their mutual + relations to prepare people for the tragedy which was to follow. + </p> + <p> + “Colonel Barclay himself seems to have had some singular traits in his + character. He was a dashing, jovial old soldier in his usual mood, but + there were occasions on which he seemed to show himself capable of + considerable violence and vindictiveness. This side of his nature, + however, appears never to have been turned towards his wife. Another fact, + which had struck Major Murphy and three out of five of the other officers + with whom I conversed, was the singular sort of depression which came upon + him at times. As the major expressed it, the smile had often been struck + from his mouth, as if by some invisible hand, when he has been joining the + gayeties and chaff of the mess-table. For days on end, when the mood was + on him, he has been sunk in the deepest gloom. This and a certain tinge of + superstition were the only unusual traits in his character which his + brother officers had observed. The latter peculiarity took the form of a + dislike to being left alone, especially after dark. This puerile feature + in a nature which was conspicuously manly had often given rise to comment + and conjecture. + </p> + <p> + “The first battalion of the Royal Munsters (which is the old 117th) has + been stationed at Aldershot for some years. The married officers live out + of barracks, and the Colonel has during all this time occupied a villa + called Lachine, about half a mile from the north camp. The house stands in + its own grounds, but the west side of it is not more than thirty yards + from the high-road. A coachman and two maids form the staff of servants. + These with their master and mistress were the sole occupants of Lachine, + for the Barclays had no children, nor was it usual for them to have + resident visitors. + </p> + <p> + “Now for the events at Lachine between nine and ten on the evening of last + Monday.” + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Barclay was, it appears, a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and + had interested herself very much in the establishment of the Guild of St. + George, which was formed in connection with the Watt Street Chapel for the + purpose of supplying the poor with cast-off clothing. A meeting of the + Guild had been held that evening at eight, and Mrs. Barclay had hurried + over her dinner in order to be present at it. When leaving the house she + was heard by the coachman to make some commonplace remark to her husband, + and to assure him that she would be back before very long. She then called + for Miss Morrison, a young lady who lives in the next villa, and the two + went off together to their meeting. It lasted forty minutes, and at a + quarter-past nine Mrs. Barclay returned home, having left Miss Morrison at + her door as she passed. + </p> + <p> + “There is a room which is used as a morning-room at Lachine. This faces + the road and opens by a large glass folding-door on to the lawn. The lawn + is thirty yards across, and is only divided from the highway by a low wall + with an iron rail above it. It was into this room that Mrs. Barclay went + upon her return. The blinds were not down, for the room was seldom used in + the evening, but Mrs. Barclay herself lit the lamp and then rang the bell, + asking Jane Stewart, the house-maid, to bring her a cup of tea, which was + quite contrary to her usual habits. The Colonel had been sitting in the + dining-room, but hearing that his wife had returned he joined her in the + morning-room. The coachman saw him cross the hall and enter it. He was + never seen again alive. + </p> + <p> + “The tea which had been ordered was brought up at the end of ten minutes; + but the maid, as she approached the door, was surprised to hear the voices + of her master and mistress in furious altercation. She knocked without + receiving any answer, and even turned the handle, but only to find that + the door was locked upon the inside. Naturally enough she ran down to tell + the cook, and the two women with the coachman came up into the hall and + listened to the dispute which was still raging. They all agreed that only + two voices were to be heard, those of Barclay and of his wife. Barclay's + remarks were subdued and abrupt, so that none of them were audible to the + listeners. The lady's, on the other hand, were most bitter, and when she + raised her voice could be plainly heard. 'You coward!' she repeated over + and over again. 'What can be done now? What can be done now? Give me back + my life. I will never so much as breathe the same air with you again! You + coward! You coward!' Those were scraps of her conversation, ending in a + sudden dreadful cry in the man's voice, with a crash, and a piercing + scream from the woman. Convinced that some tragedy had occurred, the + coachman rushed to the door and strove to force it, while scream after + scream issued from within. He was unable, however, to make his way in, and + the maids were too distracted with fear to be of any assistance to him. A + sudden thought struck him, however, and he ran through the hall door and + round to the lawn upon which the long French windows open. One side of the + window was open, which I understand was quite usual in the summer-time, + and he passed without difficulty into the room. His mistress had ceased to + scream and was stretched insensible upon a couch, while with his feet + tilted over the side of an arm-chair, and his head upon the ground near + the corner of the fender, was lying the unfortunate soldier stone dead in + a pool of his own blood. + </p> + <p> + “Naturally, the coachman's first thought, on finding that he could do + nothing for his master, was to open the door. But here an unexpected and + singular difficulty presented itself. The key was not in the inner side of + the door, nor could he find it anywhere in the room. He went out again, + therefore, through the window, and having obtained the help of a policeman + and of a medical man, he returned. The lady, against whom naturally the + strongest suspicion rested, was removed to her room, still in a state of + insensibility. The Colonel's body was then placed upon the sofa, and a + careful examination made of the scene of the tragedy. + </p> + <p> + “The injury from which the unfortunate veteran was suffering was found to + be a jagged cut some two inches long at the back part of his head, which + had evidently been caused by a violent blow from a blunt weapon. Nor was + it difficult to guess what that weapon may have been. Upon the floor, + close to the body, was lying a singular club of hard carved wood with a + bone handle. The Colonel possessed a varied collection of weapons brought + from the different countries in which he had fought, and it is conjectured + by the police that his club was among his trophies. The servants deny + having seen it before, but among the numerous curiosities in the house it + is possible that it may have been overlooked. Nothing else of importance + was discovered in the room by the police, save the inexplicable fact that + neither upon Mrs. Barclay's person nor upon that of the victim nor in any + part of the room was the missing key to be found. The door had eventually + to be opened by a locksmith from Aldershot. + </p> + <p> + “That was the state of things, Watson, when upon the Tuesday morning I, at + the request of Major Murphy, went down to Aldershot to supplement the + efforts of the police. I think that you will acknowledge that the problem + was already one of interest, but my observations soon made me realize that + it was in truth much more extraordinary than would at first sight appear. + </p> + <p> + “Before examining the room I cross-questioned the servants, but only + succeeded in eliciting the facts which I have already stated. One other + detail of interest was remembered by Jane Stewart, the housemaid. You will + remember that on hearing the sound of the quarrel she descended and + returned with the other servants. On that first occasion, when she was + alone, she says that the voices of her master and mistress were sunk so + low that she could hear hardly anything, and judged by their tones rather + than their words that they had fallen out. On my pressing her, however, + she remembered that she heard the word David uttered twice by the lady. + The point is of the utmost importance as guiding us towards the reason of + the sudden quarrel. The Colonel's name, you remember, was James. + </p> + <p> + “There was one thing in the case which had made the deepest impression + both upon the servants and the police. This was the contortion of the + Colonel's face. It had set, according to their account, into the most + dreadful expression of fear and horror which a human countenance is + capable of assuming. More than one person fainted at the mere sight of + him, so terrible was the effect. It was quite certain that he had foreseen + his fate, and that it had caused him the utmost horror. This, of course, + fitted in well enough with the police theory, if the Colonel could have + seen his wife making a murderous attack upon him. Nor was the fact of the + wound being on the back of his head a fatal objection to this, as he might + have turned to avoid the blow. No information could be got from the lady + herself, who was temporarily insane from an acute attack of brain-fever. + </p> + <p> + “From the police I learned that Miss Morrison, who you remember went out + that evening with Mrs. Barclay, denied having any knowledge of what it was + which had caused the ill-humor in which her companion had returned. + </p> + <p> + “Having gathered these facts, Watson, I smoked several pipes over them, + trying to separate those which were crucial from others which were merely + incidental. There could be no question that the most distinctive and + suggestive point in the case was the singular disappearance of the + door-key. A most careful search had failed to discover it in the room. + Therefore it must have been taken from it. But neither the Colonel nor the + Colonel's wife could have taken it. That was perfectly clear. Therefore a + third person must have entered the room. And that third person could only + have come in through the window. It seemed to me that a careful + examination of the room and the lawn might possibly reveal some traces of + this mysterious individual. You know my methods, Watson. There was not one + of them which I did not apply to the inquiry. And it ended by my + discovering traces, but very different ones from those which I had + expected. There had been a man in the room, and he had crossed the lawn + coming from the road. I was able to obtain five very clear impressions of + his foot-marks: one in the roadway itself, at the point where he had + climbed the low wall, two on the lawn, and two very faint ones upon the + stained boards near the window where he had entered. He had apparently + rushed across the lawn, for his toe-marks were much deeper than his heels. + But it was not the man who surprised me. It was his companion.” + </p> + <p> + “His companion!” + </p> + <p> + Holmes pulled a large sheet of tissue-paper out of his pocket and + carefully unfolded it upon his knee. + </p> + <p> + “What do you make of that?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + The paper was covered with the tracings of the foot-marks of some small + animal. It had five well-marked foot-pads, an indication of long nails, + and the whole print might be nearly as large as a dessert-spoon. + </p> + <p> + “It's a dog,” said I. + </p> + <p> + “Did you ever hear of a dog running up a curtain? I found distinct traces + that this creature had done so.” + </p> + <p> + “A monkey, then?” + </p> + <p> + “But it is not the print of a monkey.” + </p> + <p> + “What can it be, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Neither dog nor cat nor monkey nor any creature that we are familiar + with. I have tried to reconstruct it from the measurements. Here are four + prints where the beast has been standing motionless. You see that it is no + less than fifteen inches from fore-foot to hind. Add to that the length of + neck and head, and you get a creature not much less than two feet long—probably + more if there is any tail. But now observe this other measurement. The + animal has been moving, and we have the length of its stride. In each case + it is only about three inches. You have an indication, you see, of a long + body with very short legs attached to it. It has not been considerate + enough to leave any of its hair behind it. But its general shape must be + what I have indicated, and it can run up a curtain, and it is + carnivorous.” + </p> + <p> + “How do you deduce that?” + </p> + <p> + “Because it ran up the curtain. A canary's cage was hanging in the window, + and its aim seems to have been to get at the bird.” + </p> + <p> + “Then what was the beast?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, if I could give it a name it might go a long way towards solving the + case. On the whole, it was probably some creature of the weasel and stoat + tribe—and yet it is larger than any of these that I have seen.” + </p> + <p> + “But what had it to do with the crime?” + </p> + <p> + “That, also, is still obscure. But we have learned a good deal, you + perceive. We know that a man stood in the road looking at the quarrel + between the Barclays—the blinds were up and the room lighted. We + know, also, that he ran across the lawn, entered the room, accompanied by + a strange animal, and that he either struck the Colonel or, as is equally + possible, that the Colonel fell down from sheer fright at the sight of + him, and cut his head on the corner of the fender. Finally, we have the + curious fact that the intruder carried away the key with him when he + left.” + </p> + <p> + “Your discoveries seem to have left the business more obscure that it was + before,” said I. + </p> + <p> + “Quite so. They undoubtedly showed that the affair was much deeper than + was at first conjectured. I thought the matter over, and I came to the + conclusion that I must approach the case from another aspect. But really, + Watson, I am keeping you up, and I might just as well tell you all this on + our way to Aldershot to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, you have gone rather too far to stop.” + </p> + <p> + “It is quite certain that when Mrs. Barclay left the house at half-past + seven she was on good terms with her husband. She was never, as I think I + have said, ostentatiously affectionate, but she was heard by the coachman + chatting with the Colonel in a friendly fashion. Now, it was equally + certain that, immediately on her return, she had gone to the room in which + she was least likely to see her husband, had flown to tea as an agitated + woman will, and finally, on his coming in to her, had broken into violent + recriminations. Therefore something had occurred between seven-thirty and + nine o'clock which had completely altered her feelings towards him. But + Miss Morrison had been with her during the whole of that hour and a half. + It was absolutely certain, therefore, in spite of her denial, that she + must know something of the matter. + </p> + <p> + “My first conjecture was, that possibly there had been some passages + between this young lady and the old soldier, which the former had now + confessed to the wife. That would account for the angry return, and also + for the girl's denial that anything had occurred. Nor would it be entirely + incompatible with most of the words overheard. But there was the reference + to David, and there was the known affection of the Colonel for his wife, + to weigh against it, to say nothing of the tragic intrusion of this other + man, which might, of course, be entirely disconnected with what had gone + before. It was not easy to pick one's steps, but, on the whole, I was + inclined to dismiss the idea that there had been anything between the + Colonel and Miss Morrison, but more than ever convinced that the young + lady held the clue as to what it was which had turned Mrs. Barclay to + hatred of her husband. I took the obvious course, therefore, of calling + upon Miss M., of explaining to her that I was perfectly certain that she + held the facts in her possession, and of assuring her that her friend, + Mrs. Barclay, might find herself in the dock upon a capital charge unless + the matter were cleared up. + </p> + <p> + “Miss Morrison is a little ethereal slip of a girl, with timid eyes and + blond hair, but I found her by no means wanting in shrewdness and + common-sense. She sat thinking for some time after I had spoken, and then, + turning to me with a brisk air of resolution, she broke into a remarkable + statement which I will condense for your benefit. + </p> + <p> + “'I promised my friend that I would say nothing of the matter, and a + promise is a promise,' said she; 'but if I can really help her when so + serious a charge is laid against her, and when her own mouth, poor + darling, is closed by illness, then I think I am absolved from my promise. + I will tell you exactly what happened upon Monday evening. + </p> + <p> + “'We were returning from the Watt Street Mission about a quarter to nine + o'clock. On our way we had to pass through Hudson Street, which is a very + quiet thoroughfare. There is only one lamp in it, upon the left-hand side, + and as we approached this lamp I saw a man coming towards us with his back + very bent, and something like a box slung over one of his shoulders. He + appeared to be deformed, for he carried his head low and walked with his + knees bent. We were passing him when he raised his face to look at us in + the circle of light thrown by the lamp, and as he did so he stopped and + screamed out in a dreadful voice, “My God, it's Nancy!” Mrs. Barclay + turned as white as death, and would have fallen down had the + dreadful-looking creature not caught hold of her. I was going to call for + the police, but she, to my surprise, spoke quite civilly to the fellow. + </p> + <p> + “'"I thought you had been dead this thirty years, Henry,” said she, in a + shaking voice. + </p> + <p> + “'"So I have,” said he, and it was awful to hear the tones that he said it + in. He had a very dark, fearsome face, and a gleam in his eyes that comes + back to me in my dreams. His hair and whiskers were shot with gray, and + his face was all crinkled and puckered like a withered apple. + </p> + <p> + “'"Just walk on a little way, dear,” said Mrs. Barclay; “I want to have a + word with this man. There is nothing to be afraid of.” She tried to speak + boldly, but she was still deadly pale and could hardly get her words out + for the trembling of her lips. + </p> + <p> + “'I did as she asked me, and they talked together for a few minutes. Then + she came down the street with her eyes blazing, and I saw the crippled + wretch standing by the lamp-post and shaking his clenched fists in the air + as if he were mad with rage. She never said a word until we were at the + door here, when she took me by the hand and begged me to tell no one what + had happened. + </p> + <p> + “'"It's an old acquaintance of mine who has come down in the world,” said + she. When I promised her I would say nothing she kissed me, and I have + never seen her since. I have told you now the whole truth, and if I + withheld it from the police it is because I did not realize then the + danger in which my dear friend stood. I know that it can only be to her + advantage that everything should be known.' + </p> + <p> + “There was her statement, Watson, and to me, as you can imagine, it was + like a light on a dark night. Everything which had been disconnected + before began at once to assume its true place, and I had a shadowy + presentiment of the whole sequence of events. My next step obviously was + to find the man who had produced such a remarkable impression upon Mrs. + Barclay. If he were still in Aldershot it should not be a very difficult + matter. There are not such a very great number of civilians, and a + deformed man was sure to have attracted attention. I spent a day in the + search, and by evening—this very evening, Watson—I had run him + down. The man's name is Henry Wood, and he lives in lodgings in this same + street in which the ladies met him. He has only been five days in the + place. In the character of a registration-agent I had a most interesting + gossip with his landlady. The man is by trade a conjurer and performer, + going round the canteens after nightfall, and giving a little + entertainment at each. He carries some creature about with him in that + box; about which the landlady seemed to be in considerable trepidation, + for she had never seen an animal like it. He uses it in some of his tricks + according to her account. So much the woman was able to tell me, and also + that it was a wonder the man lived, seeing how twisted he was, and that he + spoke in a strange tongue sometimes, and that for the last two nights she + had heard him groaning and weeping in his bedroom. He was all right, as + far as money went, but in his deposit he had given her what looked like a + bad florin. She showed it to me, Watson, and it was an Indian rupee. + </p> + <p> + “So now, my dear fellow, you see exactly how we stand and why it is I want + you. It is perfectly plain that after the ladies parted from this man he + followed them at a distance, that he saw the quarrel between husband and + wife through the window, that he rushed in, and that the creature which he + carried in his box got loose. That is all very certain. But he is the only + person in this world who can tell us exactly what happened in that room.” + </p> + <p> + “And you intend to ask him?” + </p> + <p> + “Most certainly—but in the presence of a witness.” + </p> + <p> + “And I am the witness?” + </p> + <p> + “If you will be so good. If he can clear the matter up, well and good. If + he refuses, we have no alternative but to apply for a warrant.” + </p> + <p> + “But how do you know he'll be there when we return?” + </p> + <p> + “You may be sure that I took some precautions. I have one of my Baker + Street boys mounting guard over him who would stick to him like a burr, go + where he might. We shall find him in Hudson Street to-morrow, Watson, and + meanwhile I should be the criminal myself if I kept you out of bed any + longer.” + </p> + <p> + It was midday when we found ourselves at the scene of the tragedy, and, + under my companion's guidance, we made our way at once to Hudson Street. + In spite of his capacity for concealing his emotions, I could easily see + that Holmes was in a state of suppressed excitement, while I was myself + tingling with that half-sporting, half-intellectual pleasure which I + invariably experienced when I associated myself with him in his + investigations. + </p> + <p> + “This is the street,” said he, as we turned into a short thoroughfare + lined with plain two-storied brick houses. “Ah, here is Simpson to + report.” + </p> + <p> + “He's in all right, Mr. Holmes,” cried a small street Arab, running up to + us. + </p> + <p> + “Good, Simpson!” said Holmes, patting him on the head. “Come along, + Watson. This is the house.” He sent in his card with a message that he had + come on important business, and a moment later we were face to face with + the man whom we had come to see. In spite of the warm weather he was + crouching over a fire, and the little room was like an oven. The man sat + all twisted and huddled in his chair in a way which gave an indescribable + impression of deformity; but the face which he turned towards us, though + worn and swarthy, must at some time have been remarkable for its beauty. + He looked suspiciously at us now out of yellow-shot, bilious eyes, and, + without speaking or rising, he waved towards two chairs. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Henry Wood, late of India, I believe,” said Holmes, affably. “I've + come over this little matter of Colonel Barclay's death.” + </p> + <p> + “What should I know about that?” + </p> + <p> + “That's what I want to ascertain. You know, I suppose, that unless the + matter is cleared up, Mrs. Barclay, who is an old friend of yours, will in + all probability be tried for murder.” + </p> + <p> + The man gave a violent start. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know who you are,” he cried, “nor how you come to know what you + do know, but will you swear that this is true that you tell me?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, they are only waiting for her to come to her senses to arrest her.” + </p> + <p> + “My God! Are you in the police yourself?” + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + “What business is it of yours, then?” + </p> + <p> + “It's every man's business to see justice done.” + </p> + <p> + “You can take my word that she is innocent.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you are guilty.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I am not.” + </p> + <p> + “Who killed Colonel James Barclay, then?” + </p> + <p> + “It was a just providence that killed him. But, mind you this, that if I + had knocked his brains out, as it was in my heart to do, he would have had + no more than his due from my hands. If his own guilty conscience had not + struck him down it is likely enough that I might have had his blood upon + my soul. You want me to tell the story. Well, I don't know why I + shouldn't, for there's no cause for me to be ashamed of it. + </p> + <p> + “It was in this way, sir. You see me now with my back like a camel and my + ribs all awry, but there was a time when Corporal Henry Wood was the + smartest man in the 117th foot. We were in India then, in cantonments, at + a place we'll call Bhurtee. Barclay, who died the other day, was sergeant + in the same company as myself, and the belle of the regiment, ay, and the + finest girl that ever had the breath of life between her lips, was Nancy + Devoy, the daughter of the color-sergeant. There were two men that loved + her, and one that she loved, and you'll smile when you look at this poor + thing huddled before the fire, and hear me say that it was for my good + looks that she loved me. + </p> + <p> + “Well, though I had her heart, her father was set upon her marrying + Barclay. I was a harum-scarum, reckless lad, and he had had an education, + and was already marked for the sword-belt. But the girl held true to me, + and it seemed that I would have had her when the Mutiny broke out, and all + hell was loose in the country. + </p> + <p> + “We were shut up in Bhurtee, the regiment of us with half a battery of + artillery, a company of Sikhs, and a lot of civilians and women-folk. + There were ten thousand rebels round us, and they were as keen as a set of + terriers round a rat-cage. About the second week of it our water gave out, + and it was a question whether we could communicate with General Neill's + column, which was moving up country. It was our only chance, for we could + not hope to fight our way out with all the women and children, so I + volunteered to go out and to warn General Neill of our danger. My offer + was accepted, and I talked it over with Sergeant Barclay, who was supposed + to know the ground better than any other man, and who drew up a route by + which I might get through the rebel lines. At ten o'clock the same night I + started off upon my journey. There were a thousand lives to save, but it + was of only one that I was thinking when I dropped over the wall that + night. + </p> + <p> + “My way ran down a dried-up watercourse, which we hoped would screen me + from the enemy's sentries; but as I crept round the corner of it I walked + right into six of them, who were crouching down in the dark waiting for + me. In an instant I was stunned with a blow and bound hand and foot. But + the real blow was to my heart and not to my head, for as I came to and + listened to as much as I could understand of their talk, I heard enough to + tell me that my comrade, the very man who had arranged the way that I was + to take, had betrayed me by means of a native servant into the hands of + the enemy. + </p> + <p> + “Well, there's no need for me to dwell on that part of it. You know now + what James Barclay was capable of. Bhurtee was relieved by Neill next day, + but the rebels took me away with them in their retreat, and it was many a + long year before ever I saw a white face again. I was tortured and tried + to get away, and was captured and tortured again. You can see for + yourselves the state in which I was left. Some of them that fled into + Nepaul took me with them, and then afterwards I was up past Darjeeling. + The hill-folk up there murdered the rebels who had me, and I became their + slave for a time until I escaped; but instead of going south I had to go + north, until I found myself among the Afghans. There I wandered about for + many a year, and at last came back to the Punjab, where I lived mostly + among the natives and picked up a living by the conjuring tricks that I + had learned. What use was it for me, a wretched cripple, to go back to + England or to make myself known to my old comrades? Even my wish for + revenge would not make me do that. I had rather that Nancy and my old pals + should think of Harry Wood as having died with a straight back, than see + him living and crawling with a stick like a chimpanzee. They never doubted + that I was dead, and I meant that they never should. I heard that Barclay + had married Nancy, and that he was rising rapidly in the regiment, but + even that did not make me speak. + </p> + <p> + “But when one gets old one has a longing for home. For years I've been + dreaming of the bright green fields and the hedges of England. At last I + determined to see them before I died. I saved enough to bring me across, + and then I came here where the soldiers are, for I know their ways and how + to amuse them and so earn enough to keep me.” + </p> + <p> + “Your narrative is most interesting,” said Sherlock Holmes. “I have + already heard of your meeting with Mrs. Barclay, and your mutual + recognition. You then, as I understand, followed her home and saw through + the window an altercation between her husband and her, in which she + doubtless cast his conduct to you in his teeth. Your own feelings overcame + you, and you ran across the lawn and broke in upon them.” + </p> + <p> + “I did, sir, and at the sight of me he looked as I have never seen a man + look before, and over he went with his head on the fender. But he was dead + before he fell. I read death on his face as plain as I can read that text + over the fire. The bare sight of me was like a bullet through his guilty + heart.” + </p> + <p> + “And then?” + </p> + <p> + “Then Nancy fainted, and I caught up the key of the door from her hand, + intending to unlock it and get help. But as I was doing it it seemed to me + better to leave it alone and get away, for the thing might look black + against me, and any way my secret would be out if I were taken. In my + haste I thrust the key into my pocket, and dropped my stick while I was + chasing Teddy, who had run up the curtain. When I got him into his box, + from which he had slipped, I was off as fast as I could run.” + </p> + <p> + “Who's Teddy?” asked Holmes. + </p> + <p> + The man leaned over and pulled up the front of a kind of hutch in the + corner. In an instant out there slipped a beautiful reddish-brown + creature, thin and lithe, with the legs of a stoat, a long, thin nose, and + a pair of the finest red eyes that ever I saw in an animal's head. + </p> + <p> + “It's a mongoose,” I cried. + </p> + <p> + “Well, some call them that, and some call them ichneumon,” said the man. + “Snake-catcher is what I call them, and Teddy is amazing quick on cobras. + I have one here without the fangs, and Teddy catches it every night to + please the folk in the canteen. + </p> + <p> + “Any other point, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we may have to apply to you again if Mrs. Barclay should prove to + be in serious trouble.” + </p> + <p> + “In that case, of course, I'd come forward.” + </p> + <p> + “But if not, there is no object in raking up this scandal against a dead + man, foully as he has acted. You have at least the satisfaction of knowing + that for thirty years of his life his conscience bitterly reproached him + for this wicked deed. Ah, there goes Major Murphy on the other side of the + street. Good-by, Wood. I want to learn if anything has happened since + yesterday.” + </p> + <p> + We were in time to overtake the major before he reached the corner. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, Holmes,” he said: “I suppose you have heard that all this fuss has + come to nothing?” + </p> + <p> + “What then?” + </p> + <p> + “The inquest is just over. The medical evidence showed conclusively that + death was due to apoplexy. You see it was quite a simple case after all.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, remarkably superficial,” said Holmes, smiling. “Come, Watson, I don't + think we shall be wanted in Aldershot any more.” + </p> + <p> + “There's one thing,” said I, as we walked down to the station. “If the + husband's name was James, and the other was Henry, what was this talk + about David?” + </p> + <p> + “That one word, my dear Watson, should have told me the whole story had I + been the ideal reasoner which you are so fond of depicting. It was + evidently a term of reproach.” + </p> + <p> + “Of reproach?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; David strayed a little occasionally, you know, and on one occasion + in the same direction as Sergeant James Barclay. You remember the small + affair of Uriah and Bathsheba? My biblical knowledge is a trifle rusty, I + fear, but you will find the story in the first or second of Samuel.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Adventure VIII. The Resident Patient + </h2> + <p> + In glancing over the somewhat incoherent series of Memoirs with which I have + endeavored to illustrate a few of the mental peculiarities of my friend + Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I have been struck by the difficulty which I have + experienced in picking out examples which shall in every way answer my + purpose. For in those cases in which Holmes has performed some tour de + force of analytical reasoning, and has demonstrated the value of his + peculiar methods of investigation, the facts themselves have often been so + slight or so commonplace that I could not feel justified in laying them + before the public. On the other hand, it has frequently happened that he + has been concerned in some research where the facts have been of the most + remarkable and dramatic character, but where the share which he has + himself taken in determining their causes has been less pronounced than I, + as his biographer, could wish. The small matter which I have chronicled + under the heading of “A Study in Scarlet,” and that other later one + connected with the loss of the Gloria Scott, may serve as examples of this + Scylla and Charybdis which are forever threatening the historian. It may + be that in the business of which I am now about to write the part which my + friend played is not sufficiently accentuated; and yet the whole train of + circumstances is so remarkable that I cannot bring myself to omit it + entirely from this series. + </p> + <p> + It had been a close, rainy day in October. Our blinds were half-drawn, and + Holmes lay curled upon the sofa, reading and re-reading a letter which he + had received by the morning post. For myself, my term of service in India + had trained me to stand heat better than cold, and a thermometer of 90 was + no hardship. But the paper was uninteresting. Parliament had risen. + Everybody was out of town, and I yearned for the glades of the New Forest + or the shingle of Southsea. A depleted bank account had caused me to + postpone my holiday, and as to my companion, neither the country nor the + sea presented the slightest attraction to him. He loved to lie in the very + centre of five millions of people, with his filaments stretching out and + running through them, responsive to every little rumor or suspicion of + unsolved crime. Appreciation of Nature found no place among his many + gifts, and his only change was when he turned his mind from the evil-doer + of the town to track down his brother of the country. + </p> + <p> + Finding that Holmes was too absorbed for conversation, I had tossed aside + the barren paper, and leaning back in my chair, I fell into a brown study. + Suddenly my companion's voice broke in upon my thoughts. + </p> + <p> + “You are right, Watson,” said he. “It does seem a very preposterous way of + settling a dispute.” + </p> + <p> + “Most preposterous!” I exclaimed, and then, suddenly realizing how he had + echoed the inmost thought of my soul, I sat up in my chair and stared at + him in blank amazement. + </p> + <p> + “What is this, Holmes?” I cried. “This is beyond anything which I could + have imagined.” + </p> + <p> + He laughed heartily at my perplexity. + </p> + <p> + “You remember,” said he, “that some little time ago, when I read you the + passage in one of Poe's sketches, in which a close reasoner follows the + unspoken thought of his companion, you were inclined to treat the matter + as a mere tour de force of the author. On my remarking that I was + constantly in the habit of doing the same thing you expressed + incredulity.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no!” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps not with your tongue, my dear Watson, but certainly with your + eyebrows. So when I saw you throw down your paper and enter upon a train + of thought, I was very happy to have the opportunity of reading it off, + and eventually of breaking into it, as a proof that I had been in rapport + with you.” + </p> + <p> + But I was still far from satisfied. “In the example which you read to me,” + said I, “the reasoner drew his conclusions from the actions of the man + whom he observed. If I remember right, he stumbled over a heap of stones, + looked up at the stars, and so on. But I have been seated quietly in my + chair, and what clues can I have given you?” + </p> + <p> + “You do yourself an injustice. The features are given to man as the means + by which he shall express his emotions, and yours are faithful servants.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean to say that you read my train of thoughts from my features?” + </p> + <p> + “Your features, and especially your eyes. Perhaps you cannot yourself + recall how your reverie commenced?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I cannot.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I will tell you. After throwing down your paper, which was the + action which drew my attention to you, you sat for half a minute with a + vacant expression. Then your eyes fixed themselves upon your newly-framed + picture of General Gordon, and I saw by the alteration in your face that a + train of thought had been started. But it did not lead very far. Your eyes + turned across to the unframed portrait of Henry Ward Beecher which stands + upon the top of your books. You then glanced up at the wall, and of course + your meaning was obvious. You were thinking that if the portrait were + framed it would just cover that bare space and correspond with Gordon's + picture over there.” + </p> + <p> + “You have followed me wonderfully!” I exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + “So far I could hardly have gone astray. But now your thoughts went back + to Beecher, and you looked hard across as if you were studying the + character in his features. Then your eyes ceased to pucker, but you + continued to look across, and your face was thoughtful. You were recalling + the incidents of Beecher's career. I was well aware that you could not do + this without thinking of the mission which he undertook on behalf of the + North at the time of the Civil War, for I remember you expressing your + passionate indignation at the way in which he was received by the more + turbulent of our people. You felt so strongly about it that I knew you + could not think of Beecher without thinking of that also. When a moment + later I saw your eyes wander away from the picture, I suspected that your + mind had now turned to the Civil War, and when I observed that your lips + set, your eyes sparkled, and your hands clinched, I was positive that you + were indeed thinking of the gallantry which was shown by both sides in + that desperate struggle. But then, again, your face grew sadder; you shook + your head. You were dwelling upon the sadness and horror and useless waste + of life. Your hand stole towards your own old wound, and a smile quivered + on your lips, which showed me that the ridiculous side of this method of + settling international questions had forced itself upon your mind. At this + point I agreed with you that it was preposterous, and was glad to find + that all my deductions had been correct.” + </p> + <p> + “Absolutely!” said I. “And now that you have explained it, I confess that + I am as amazed as before.” + </p> + <p> + “It was very superficial, my dear Watson, I assure you. I should not have + intruded it upon your attention had you not shown some incredulity the + other day. But the evening has brought a breeze with it. What do you say + to a ramble through London?” + </p> + <p> + I was weary of our little sitting-room and gladly acquiesced. For three + hours we strolled about together, watching the ever-changing kaleidoscope + of life as it ebbs and flows through Fleet Street and the Strand. His + characteristic talk, with its keen observance of detail and subtle power + of inference held me amused and enthralled. It was ten o'clock before we + reached Baker Street again. A brougham was waiting at our door. + </p> + <p> + “Hum! A doctor's—general practitioner, I perceive,” said Holmes. + “Not been long in practice, but has had a good deal to do. Come to consult + us, I fancy! Lucky we came back!” + </p> + <p> + I was sufficiently conversant with Holmes's methods to be able to follow + his reasoning, and to see that the nature and state of the various medical + instruments in the wicker basket which hung in the lamplight inside the + brougham had given him the data for his swift deduction. The light in our + window above showed that this late visit was indeed intended for us. With + some curiosity as to what could have sent a brother medico to us at such + an hour, I followed Holmes into our sanctum. + </p> + <p> + A pale, taper-faced man with sandy whiskers rose up from a chair by the + fire as we entered. His age may not have been more than three or four and + thirty, but his haggard expression and unhealthy hue told of a life which + has sapped his strength and robbed him of his youth. His manner was + nervous and shy, like that of a sensitive gentleman, and the thin white + hand which he laid on the mantelpiece as he rose was that of an artist + rather than of a surgeon. His dress was quiet and sombre—a black + frock-coat, dark trousers, and a touch of color about his necktie. + </p> + <p> + “Good-evening, doctor,” said Holmes, cheerily. “I am glad to see that you + have only been waiting a very few minutes.” + </p> + <p> + “You spoke to my coachman, then?” + </p> + <p> + “No, it was the candle on the side-table that told me. Pray resume your + seat and let me know how I can serve you.” + </p> + <p> + “My name is Doctor Percy Trevelyan,” said our visitor, “and I live at 403 + Brook Street.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you not the author of a monograph upon obscure nervous lesions?” I + asked. + </p> + <p> + His pale cheeks flushed with pleasure at hearing that his work was known + to me. + </p> + <p> + “I so seldom hear of the work that I thought it was quite dead,” said he. + “My publishers gave me a most discouraging account of its sale. You are + yourself, I presume, a medical man?” + </p> + <p> + “A retired army surgeon.” + </p> + <p> + “My own hobby has always been nervous disease. I should wish to make it an + absolute specialty, but, of course, a man must take what he can get at + first. This, however, is beside the question, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, and I + quite appreciate how valuable your time is. The fact is that a very + singular train of events has occurred recently at my house in Brook + Street, and to-night they came to such a head that I felt it was quite + impossible for me to wait another hour before asking for your advice and + assistance.” + </p> + <p> + Sherlock Holmes sat down and lit his pipe. “You are very welcome to both,” + said he. “Pray let me have a detailed account of what the circumstances + are which have disturbed you.” + </p> + <p> + “One or two of them are so trivial,” said Dr. Trevelyan, “that really I am + almost ashamed to mention them. But the matter is so inexplicable, and the + recent turn which it has taken is so elaborate, that I shall lay it all + before you, and you shall judge what is essential and what is not. + </p> + <p> + “I am compelled, to begin with, to say something of my own college career. + I am a London University man, you know, and I am sure that you will not + think that I am unduly singing my own praises if I say that my student + career was considered by my professors to be a very promising one. After I + had graduated I continued to devote myself to research, occupying a minor + position in King's College Hospital, and I was fortunate enough to excite + considerable interest by my research into the pathology of catalepsy, and + finally to win the Bruce Pinkerton prize and medal by the monograph on + nervous lesions to which your friend has just alluded. I should not go too + far if I were to say that there was a general impression at that time that + a distinguished career lay before me. + </p> + <p> + “But the one great stumbling-block lay in my want of capital. As you will + readily understand, a specialist who aims high is compelled to start in + one of a dozen streets in the Cavendish Square quarter, all of which + entail enormous rents and furnishing expenses. Besides this preliminary + outlay, he must be prepared to keep himself for some years, and to hire a + presentable carriage and horse. To do this was quite beyond my power, and + I could only hope that by economy I might in ten years' time save enough + to enable me to put up my plate. Suddenly, however, an unexpected incident + opened up quite a new prospect to me. + </p> + <p> + “This was a visit from a gentleman of the name of Blessington, who was a + complete stranger to me. He came up to my room one morning, and plunged + into business in an instant. + </p> + <p> + “'You are the same Percy Trevelyan who has had so distinguished a career + and won a great prize lately?' said he. + </p> + <p> + “I bowed. + </p> + <p> + “'Answer me frankly,' he continued, 'for you will find it to your interest + to do so. You have all the cleverness which makes a successful man. Have + you the tact?' + </p> + <p> + “I could not help smiling at the abruptness of the question. + </p> + <p> + “'I trust that I have my share,' I said. + </p> + <p> + “'Any bad habits? Not drawn towards drink, eh?' + </p> + <p> + “'Really, sir!' I cried. + </p> + <p> + “'Quite right! That's all right! But I was bound to ask. With all these + qualities, why are you not in practice?' + </p> + <p> + “I shrugged my shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “'Come, come!' said he, in his bustling way. 'It's the old story. More in + your brains than in your pocket, eh? What would you say if I were to start + you in Brook Street?' + </p> + <p> + “I stared at him in astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “'Oh, it's for my sake, not for yours,' he cried. 'I'll be perfectly frank + with you, and if it suits you it will suit me very well. I have a few + thousands to invest, d'ye see, and I think I'll sink them in you.' + </p> + <p> + “'But why?' I gasped. + </p> + <p> + “'Well, it's just like any other speculation, and safer than most.' + </p> + <p> + “'What am I to do, then?' + </p> + <p> + “'I'll tell you. I'll take the house, furnish it, pay the maids, and run + the whole place. All you have to do is just to wear out your chair in the + consulting-room. I'll let you have pocket-money and everything. Then you + hand over to me three quarters of what you earn, and you keep the other + quarter for yourself.' + </p> + <p> + “This was the strange proposal, Mr. Holmes, with which the man Blessington + approached me. I won't weary you with the account of how we bargained and + negotiated. It ended in my moving into the house next Lady-day, and + starting in practice on very much the same conditions as he had suggested. + He came himself to live with me in the character of a resident patient. + His heart was weak, it appears, and he needed constant medical + supervision. He turned the two best rooms of the first floor into a + sitting-room and bedroom for himself. He was a man of singular habits, + shunning company and very seldom going out. His life was irregular, but in + one respect he was regularity itself. Every evening, at the same hour, he + walked into the consulting-room, examined the books, put down five and + three-pence for every guinea that I had earned, and carried the rest off + to the strong-box in his own room. + </p> + <p> + “I may say with confidence that he never had occasion to regret his + speculation. From the first it was a success. A few good cases and the + reputation which I had won in the hospital brought me rapidly to the + front, and during the last few years I have made him a rich man. + </p> + <p> + “So much, Mr. Holmes, for my past history and my relations with Mr. + Blessington. It only remains for me now to tell you what has occurred to + bring me here to-night. + </p> + <p> + “Some weeks ago Mr. Blessington came down to me in, as it seemed to me, a + state of considerable agitation. He spoke of some burglary which, he said, + had been committed in the West End, and he appeared, I remember, to be + quite unnecessarily excited about it, declaring that a day should not pass + before we should add stronger bolts to our windows and doors. For a week + he continued to be in a peculiar state of restlessness, peering + continually out of the windows, and ceasing to take the short walk which + had usually been the prelude to his dinner. From his manner it struck me + that he was in mortal dread of something or somebody, but when I + questioned him upon the point he became so offensive that I was compelled + to drop the subject. Gradually, as time passed, his fears appeared to die + away, and he had renewed his former habits, when a fresh event reduced him + to the pitiable state of prostration in which he now lies. + </p> + <p> + “What happened was this. Two days ago I received the letter which I now + read to you. Neither address nor date is attached to it. + </p> + <p> + “'A Russian nobleman who is now resident in England,' it runs, 'would be + glad to avail himself of the professional assistance of Dr. Percy + Trevelyan. He has been for some years a victim to cataleptic attacks, on + which, as is well known, Dr. Trevelyan is an authority. He proposes to + call at about quarter past six to-morrow evening, if Dr. Trevelyan will + make it convenient to be at home.' + </p> + <p> + “This letter interested me deeply, because the chief difficulty in the + study of catalepsy is the rareness of the disease. You may believe, then, + that I was in my consulting-room when, at the appointed hour, the page + showed in the patient. + </p> + <p> + “He was an elderly man, thin, demure, and commonplace—by no means + the conception one forms of a Russian nobleman. I was much more struck by + the appearance of his companion. This was a tall young man, surprisingly + handsome, with a dark, fierce face, and the limbs and chest of a Hercules. + He had his hand under the other's arm as they entered, and helped him to a + chair with a tenderness which one would hardly have expected from his + appearance. + </p> + <p> + “'You will excuse my coming in, doctor,' said he to me, speaking English + with a slight lisp. 'This is my father, and his health is a matter of the + most overwhelming importance to me.' + </p> + <p> + “I was touched by this filial anxiety. 'You would, perhaps, care to remain + during the consultation?' said I. + </p> + <p> + “'Not for the world,' he cried with a gesture of horror. 'It is more + painful to me than I can express. If I were to see my father in one of + these dreadful seizures I am convinced that I should never survive it. My + own nervous system is an exceptionally sensitive one. With your + permission, I will remain in the waiting-room while you go into my + father's case.' + </p> + <p> + “To this, of course, I assented, and the young man withdrew. The patient + and I then plunged into a discussion of his case, of which I took + exhaustive notes. He was not remarkable for intelligence, and his answers + were frequently obscure, which I attributed to his limited acquaintance + with our language. Suddenly, however, as I sat writing, he ceased to give + any answer at all to my inquiries, and on my turning towards him I was + shocked to see that he was sitting bolt upright in his chair, staring at + me with a perfectly blank and rigid face. He was again in the grip of his + mysterious malady. + </p> + <p> + “My first feeling, as I have just said, was one of pity and horror. My + second, I fear, was rather one of professional satisfaction. I made notes + of my patient's pulse and temperature, tested the rigidity of his muscles, + and examined his reflexes. There was nothing markedly abnormal in any of + these conditions, which harmonized with my former experiences. I had + obtained good results in such cases by the inhalation of nitrite of amyl, + and the present seemed an admirable opportunity of testing its virtues. + The bottle was downstairs in my laboratory, so leaving my patient seated + in his chair, I ran down to get it. There was some little delay in finding + it—five minutes, let us say—and then I returned. Imagine my + amazement to find the room empty and the patient gone. + </p> + <p> + “Of course, my first act was to run into the waiting-room. The son had + gone also. The hall door had been closed, but not shut. My page who admits + patients is a new boy and by no means quick. He waits downstairs, and runs + up to show patients out when I ring the consulting-room bell. He had heard + nothing, and the affair remained a complete mystery. Mr. Blessington came + in from his walk shortly afterwards, but I did not say anything to him + upon the subject, for, to tell the truth, I have got in the way of late of + holding as little communication with him as possible. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I never thought that I should see anything more of the Russian and + his son, so you can imagine my amazement when, at the very same hour this + evening, they both came marching into my consulting-room, just as they had + done before. + </p> + <p> + “'I feel that I owe you a great many apologies for my abrupt departure + yesterday, doctor,' said my patient. + </p> + <p> + “'I confess that I was very much surprised at it,' said I. + </p> + <p> + “'Well, the fact is,' he remarked, 'that when I recover from these attacks + my mind is always very clouded as to all that has gone before. I woke up + in a strange room, as it seemed to me, and made my way out into the street + in a sort of dazed way when you were absent.' + </p> + <p> + “'And I,' said the son, 'seeing my father pass the door of the + waiting-room, naturally thought that the consultation had come to an end. + It was not until we had reached home that I began to realize the true + state of affairs.' + </p> + <p> + “'Well,' said I, laughing, 'there is no harm done except that you puzzled + me terribly; so if you, sir, would kindly step into the waiting-room I + shall be happy to continue our consultation which was brought to so abrupt + an ending.' + </p> + <p> + “'For half an hour or so I discussed that old gentleman's symptoms with + him, and then, having prescribed for him, I saw him go off upon the arm of + his son. + </p> + <p> + “I have told you that Mr. Blessington generally chose this hour of the day + for his exercise. He came in shortly afterwards and passed upstairs. An + instant later I heard him running down, and he burst into my + consulting-room like a man who is mad with panic. + </p> + <p> + “'Who has been in my room?' he cried. + </p> + <p> + “'No one,' said I. + </p> + <p> + “'It's a lie! He yelled. 'Come up and look!' + </p> + <p> + “I passed over the grossness of his language, as he seemed half out of his + mind with fear. When I went upstairs with him he pointed to several + footprints upon the light carpet. + </p> + <p> + “'D'you mean to say those are mine?' he cried. + </p> + <p> + “They were certainly very much larger than any which he could have made, + and were evidently quite fresh. It rained hard this afternoon, as you + know, and my patients were the only people who called. It must have been + the case, then, that the man in the waiting-room had, for some unknown + reason, while I was busy with the other, ascended to the room of my + resident patient. Nothing had been touched or taken, but there were the + footprints to prove that the intrusion was an undoubted fact. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Blessington seemed more excited over the matter than I should have + thought possible, though of course it was enough to disturb anybody's + peace of mind. He actually sat crying in an arm-chair, and I could hardly + get him to speak coherently. It was his suggestion that I should come + round to you, and of course I at once saw the propriety of it, for + certainly the incident is a very singular one, though he appears to + completely overrate its importance. If you would only come back with me in + my brougham, you would at least be able to soothe him, though I can hardly + hope that you will be able to explain this remarkable occurrence.” + </p> + <p> + Sherlock Holmes had listened to this long narrative with an intentness + which showed me that his interest was keenly aroused. His face was as + impassive as ever, but his lids had drooped more heavily over his eyes, + and his smoke had curled up more thickly from his pipe to emphasize each + curious episode in the doctor's tale. As our visitor concluded, Holmes + sprang up without a word, handed me my hat, picked his own from the table, + and followed Dr. Trevelyan to the door. Within a quarter of an hour we had + been dropped at the door of the physician's residence in Brook Street, one + of those sombre, flat-faced houses which one associates with a West-End + practice. A small page admitted us, and we began at once to ascend the + broad, well-carpeted stair. + </p> + <p> + But a singular interruption brought us to a standstill. The light at the + top was suddenly whisked out, and from the darkness came a reedy, + quivering voice. + </p> + <p> + “I have a pistol,” it cried. “I give you my word that I'll fire if you + come any nearer.” + </p> + <p> + “This really grows outrageous, Mr. Blessington,” cried Dr. Trevelyan. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, then it is you, doctor,” said the voice, with a great heave of + relief. “But those other gentlemen, are they what they pretend to be?” + </p> + <p> + We were conscious of a long scrutiny out of the darkness. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes, it's all right,” said the voice at last. “You can come up, and + I am sorry if my precautions have annoyed you.” + </p> + <p> + He relit the stair gas as he spoke, and we saw before us a + singular-looking man, whose appearance, as well as his voice, testified to + his jangled nerves. He was very fat, but had apparently at some time been + much fatter, so that the skin hung about his face in loose pouches, like + the cheeks of a blood-hound. He was of a sickly color, and his thin, sandy + hair seemed to bristle up with the intensity of his emotion. In his hand + he held a pistol, but he thrust it into his pocket as we advanced. + </p> + <p> + “Good-evening, Mr. Holmes,” said he. “I am sure I am very much obliged to + you for coming round. No one ever needed your advice more than I do. I + suppose that Dr. Trevelyan has told you of this most unwarrantable + intrusion into my rooms.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite so,” said Holmes. “Who are these two men Mr. Blessington, and why + do they wish to molest you?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, well,” said the resident patient, in a nervous fashion, “of course + it is hard to say that. You can hardly expect me to answer that, Mr. + Holmes.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean that you don't know?” + </p> + <p> + “Come in here, if you please. Just have the kindness to step in here.” + </p> + <p> + He led the way into his bedroom, which was large and comfortably + furnished. + </p> + <p> + “You see that,” said he, pointing to a big black box at the end of his + bed. “I have never been a very rich man, Mr. Holmes—never made but + one investment in my life, as Dr. Trevelyan would tell you. But I don't + believe in bankers. I would never trust a banker, Mr. Holmes. Between + ourselves, what little I have is in that box, so you can understand what + it means to me when unknown people force themselves into my rooms.” + </p> + <p> + Holmes looked at Blessington in his questioning way and shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “I cannot possibly advise you if you try to deceive me,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “But I have told you everything.” + </p> + <p> + Holmes turned on his heel with a gesture of disgust. “Good-night, Dr. + Trevelyan,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “And no advice for me?” cried Blessington, in a breaking voice. + </p> + <p> + “My advice to you, sir, is to speak the truth.” + </p> + <p> + A minute later we were in the street and walking for home. We had crossed + Oxford Street and were half way down Harley Street before I could get a + word from my companion. + </p> + <p> + “Sorry to bring you out on such a fool's errand, Watson,” he said at last. + “It is an interesting case, too, at the bottom of it.” + </p> + <p> + “I can make little of it,” I confessed. + </p> + <p> + “Well, it is quite evident that there are two men—more, perhaps, but + at least two—who are determined for some reason to get at this + fellow Blessington. I have no doubt in my mind that both on the first and + on the second occasion that young man penetrated to Blessington's room, + while his confederate, by an ingenious device, kept the doctor from + interfering.” + </p> + <p> + “And the catalepsy?” + </p> + <p> + “A fraudulent imitation, Watson, though I should hardly dare to hint as + much to our specialist. It is a very easy complaint to imitate. I have + done it myself.” + </p> + <p> + “And then?” + </p> + <p> + “By the purest chance Blessington was out on each occasion. Their reason + for choosing so unusual an hour for a consultation was obviously to insure + that there should be no other patient in the waiting-room. It just + happened, however, that this hour coincided with Blessington's + constitutional, which seems to show that they were not very well + acquainted with his daily routine. Of course, if they had been merely + after plunder they would at least have made some attempt to search for it. + Besides, I can read in a man's eye when it is his own skin that he is + frightened for. It is inconceivable that this fellow could have made two + such vindictive enemies as these appear to be without knowing of it. I + hold it, therefore, to be certain that he does know who these men are, and + that for reasons of his own he suppresses it. It is just possible that + to-morrow may find him in a more communicative mood.” + </p> + <p> + “Is there not one alternative,” I suggested, “grotesquely improbable, no + doubt, but still just conceivable? Might the whole story of the cataleptic + Russian and his son be a concoction of Dr. Trevelyan's, who has, for his + own purposes, been in Blessington's rooms?” + </p> + <p> + I saw in the gaslight that Holmes wore an amused smile at this brilliant + departure of mine. + </p> + <p> + “My dear fellow,” said he, “it was one of the first solutions which + occurred to me, but I was soon able to corroborate the doctor's tale. This + young man has left prints upon the stair-carpet which made it quite + superfluous for me to ask to see those which he had made in the room. When + I tell you that his shoes were square-toed instead of being pointed like + Blessington's, and were quite an inch and a third longer than the + doctor's, you will acknowledge that there can be no doubt as to his + individuality. But we may sleep on it now, for I shall be surprised if we + do not hear something further from Brook Street in the morning.” + </p> + <p> + Sherlock Holmes's prophecy was soon fulfilled, and in a dramatic fashion. + At half-past seven next morning, in the first glimmer of daylight, I found + him standing by my bedside in his dressing-gown. + </p> + <p> + “There's a brougham waiting for us, Watson,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “What's the matter, then?” + </p> + <p> + “The Brook Street business.” + </p> + <p> + “Any fresh news?” + </p> + <p> + “Tragic, but ambiguous,” said he, pulling up the blind. “Look at this—a + sheet from a note-book, with 'For God's sake come at once—P. T.,' + scrawled upon it in pencil. Our friend, the doctor, was hard put to it + when he wrote this. Come along, my dear fellow, for it's an urgent call.” + </p> + <p> + In a quarter of an hour or so we were back at the physician's house. He + came running out to meet us with a face of horror. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, such a business!” he cried, with his hands to his temples. + </p> + <p> + “What then?” + </p> + <p> + “Blessington has committed suicide!” + </p> + <p> + Holmes whistled. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he hanged himself during the night.” + </p> + <p> + We had entered, and the doctor had preceded us into what was evidently his + waiting-room. + </p> + <p> + “I really hardly know what I am doing,” he cried. “The police are already + upstairs. It has shaken me most dreadfully.” + </p> + <p> + “When did you find it out?” + </p> + <p> + “He has a cup of tea taken in to him early every morning. When the maid + entered, about seven, there the unfortunate fellow was hanging in the + middle of the room. He had tied his cord to the hook on which the heavy + lamp used to hang, and he had jumped off from the top of the very box that + he showed us yesterday.” + </p> + <p> + Holmes stood for a moment in deep thought. + </p> + <p> + “With your permission,” said he at last, “I should like to go upstairs and + look into the matter.” + </p> + <p> + We both ascended, followed by the doctor. + </p> + <p> + It was a dreadful sight which met us as we entered the bedroom door. I + have spoken of the impression of flabbiness which this man Blessington + conveyed. As he dangled from the hook it was exaggerated and intensified + until he was scarce human in his appearance. The neck was drawn out like a + plucked chicken's, making the rest of him seem the more obese and + unnatural by the contrast. He was clad only in his long night-dress, and + his swollen ankles and ungainly feet protruded starkly from beneath it. + Beside him stood a smart-looking police-inspector, who was taking notes in + a pocket-book. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, Mr. Holmes,” said he, heartily, as my friend entered, “I am delighted + to see you.” + </p> + <p> + “Good-morning, Lanner,” answered Holmes; “you won't think me an intruder, + I am sure. Have you heard of the events which led up to this affair?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I heard something of them.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you formed any opinion?” + </p> + <p> + “As far as I can see, the man has been driven out of his senses by fright. + The bed has been well slept in, you see. There's his impression deep + enough. It's about five in the morning, you know, that suicides are most + common. That would be about his time for hanging himself. It seems to have + been a very deliberate affair.” + </p> + <p> + “I should say that he has been dead about three hours, judging by the + rigidity of the muscles,” said I. + </p> + <p> + “Noticed anything peculiar about the room?” asked Holmes. + </p> + <p> + “Found a screw-driver and some screws on the wash-hand stand. Seems to + have smoked heavily during the night, too. Here are four cigar-ends that I + picked out of the fireplace.” + </p> + <p> + “Hum!” said Holmes, “have you got his cigar-holder?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I have seen none.” + </p> + <p> + “His cigar-case, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it was in his coat-pocket.” + </p> + <p> + Holmes opened it and smelled the single cigar which it contained. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, this is an Havana, and these others are cigars of the peculiar sort + which are imported by the Dutch from their East Indian colonies. They are + usually wrapped in straw, you know, and are thinner for their length than + any other brand.” He picked up the four ends and examined them with his + pocket-lens. + </p> + <p> + “Two of these have been smoked from a holder and two without,” said he. + “Two have been cut by a not very sharp knife, and two have had the ends + bitten off by a set of excellent teeth. This is no suicide, Mr. Lanner. It + is a very deeply planned and cold-blooded murder.” + </p> + <p> + “Impossible!” cried the inspector. + </p> + <p> + “And why?” + </p> + <p> + “Why should any one murder a man in so clumsy a fashion as by hanging + him?” + </p> + <p> + “That is what we have to find out.” + </p> + <p> + “How could they get in?” + </p> + <p> + “Through the front door.” + </p> + <p> + “It was barred in the morning.” + </p> + <p> + “Then it was barred after them.” + </p> + <p> + “How do you know?” + </p> + <p> + “I saw their traces. Excuse me a moment, and I may be able to give you + some further information about it.” + </p> + <p> + He went over to the door, and turning the lock he examined it in his + methodical way. Then he took out the key, which was on the inside, and + inspected that also. The bed, the carpet, the chairs the mantelpiece, the + dead body, and the rope were each in turn examined, until at last he + professed himself satisfied, and with my aid and that of the inspector cut + down the wretched object and laid it reverently under a sheet. + </p> + <p> + “How about this rope?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “It is cut off this,” said Dr. Trevelyan, drawing a large coil from under + the bed. “He was morbidly nervous of fire, and always kept this beside + him, so that he might escape by the window in case the stairs were + burning.” + </p> + <p> + “That must have saved them trouble,” said Holmes, thoughtfully. “Yes, the + actual facts are very plain, and I shall be surprised if by the afternoon + I cannot give you the reasons for them as well. I will take this + photograph of Blessington, which I see upon the mantelpiece, as it may + help me in my inquiries.” + </p> + <p> + “But you have told us nothing!” cried the doctor. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, there can be no doubt as to the sequence of events,” said Holmes. + “There were three of them in it: the young man, the old man, and a third, + to whose identity I have no clue. The first two, I need hardly remark, are + the same who masqueraded as the Russian count and his son, so we can give + a very full description of them. They were admitted by a confederate + inside the house. If I might offer you a word of advice, Inspector, it + would be to arrest the page, who, as I understand, has only recently come + into your service, Doctor.” + </p> + <p> + “The young imp cannot be found,” said Dr. Trevelyan; “the maid and the + cook have just been searching for him.” + </p> + <p> + Holmes shrugged his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “He has played a not unimportant part in this drama,” said he. “The three + men having ascended the stairs, which they did on tiptoe, the elder man + first, the younger man second, and the unknown man in the rear—” + </p> + <p> + “My dear Holmes!” I ejaculated. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, there could be no question as to the superimposing of the footmarks. + I had the advantage of learning which was which last night. They ascended, + then, to Mr. Blessington's room, the door of which they found to be + locked. With the help of a wire, however, they forced round the key. Even + without the lens you will perceive, by the scratches on this ward, where + the pressure was applied. + </p> + <p> + “On entering the room their first proceeding must have been to gag Mr. + Blessington. He may have been asleep, or he may have been so paralyzed + with terror as to have been unable to cry out. These walls are thick, and + it is conceivable that his shriek, if he had time to utter one, was + unheard. + </p> + <p> + “Having secured him, it is evident to me that a consultation of some sort + was held. Probably it was something in the nature of a judicial + proceeding. It must have lasted for some time, for it was then that these + cigars were smoked. The older man sat in that wicker chair; it was he who + used the cigar-holder. The younger man sat over yonder; he knocked his ash + off against the chest of drawers. The third fellow paced up and down. + Blessington, I think, sat upright in the bed, but of that I cannot be + absolutely certain. + </p> + <p> + “Well, it ended by their taking Blessington and hanging him. The matter + was so prearranged that it is my belief that they brought with them some + sort of block or pulley which might serve as a gallows. That screw-driver + and those screws were, as I conceive, for fixing it up. Seeing the hook, + however they naturally saved themselves the trouble. Having finished their + work they made off, and the door was barred behind them by their + confederate.” + </p> + <p> + We had all listened with the deepest interest to this sketch of the + night's doings, which Holmes had deduced from signs so subtle and minute + that, even when he had pointed them out to us, we could scarcely follow + him in his reasoning. The inspector hurried away on the instant to make + inquiries about the page, while Holmes and I returned to Baker Street for + breakfast. + </p> + <p> + “I'll be back by three,” said he, when we had finished our meal. “Both the + inspector and the doctor will meet me here at that hour, and I hope by + that time to have cleared up any little obscurity which the case may still + present.” + </p> + <p> + Our visitors arrived at the appointed time, but it was a quarter to four + before my friend put in an appearance. From his expression as he entered, + however, I could see that all had gone well with him. + </p> + <p> + “Any news, Inspector?” + </p> + <p> + “We have got the boy, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Excellent, and I have got the men.” + </p> + <p> + “You have got them!” we cried, all three. + </p> + <p> + “Well, at least I have got their identity. This so-called Blessington is, + as I expected, well known at headquarters, and so are his assailants. + Their names are Biddle, Hayward, and Moffat.” + </p> + <p> + “The Worthingdon bank gang,” cried the inspector. + </p> + <p> + “Precisely,” said Holmes. + </p> + <p> + “Then Blessington must have been Sutton.” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly,” said Holmes. + </p> + <p> + “Why, that makes it as clear as crystal,” said the inspector. + </p> + <p> + But Trevelyan and I looked at each other in bewilderment. + </p> + <p> + “You must surely remember the great Worthingdon bank business,” said + Holmes. “Five men were in it—these four and a fifth called + Cartwright. Tobin, the care-taker, was murdered, and the thieves got away + with seven thousand pounds. This was in 1875. They were all five arrested, + but the evidence against them was by no means conclusive. This Blessington + or Sutton, who was the worst of the gang, turned informer. On his evidence + Cartwright was hanged and the other three got fifteen years apiece. When + they got out the other day, which was some years before their full term, + they set themselves, as you perceive, to hunt down the traitor and to + avenge the death of their comrade upon him. Twice they tried to get at him + and failed; a third time, you see, it came off. Is there anything further + which I can explain, Dr. Trevelyan?” + </p> + <p> + “I think you have made it all remarkably clear,” said the doctor. “No + doubt the day on which he was perturbed was the day when he had seen of + their release in the newspapers.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite so. His talk about a burglary was the merest blind.” + </p> + <p> + “But why could he not tell you this?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, my dear sir, knowing the vindictive character of his old + associates, he was trying to hide his own identity from everybody as long + as he could. His secret was a shameful one, and he could not bring himself + to divulge it. However, wretch as he was, he was still living under the + shield of British law, and I have no doubt, Inspector, that you will see + that, though that shield may fail to guard, the sword of justice is still + there to avenge.” + </p> + <p> + Such were the singular circumstances in connection with the Resident + Patient and the Brook Street Doctor. From that night nothing has been seen + of the three murderers by the police, and it is surmised at Scotland Yard + that they were among the passengers of the ill-fated steamer Norah Creina, + which was lost some years ago with all hands upon the Portuguese coast, + some leagues to the north of Oporto. The proceedings against the page + broke down for want of evidence, and the Brook Street Mystery, as it was + called, has never until now been fully dealt with in any public print. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Adventure IX. The Greek Interpreter + </h2> + <p> + During my long and intimate acquaintance with Mr. Sherlock Holmes I had + never heard him refer to his relations, and hardly ever to his own early + life. This reticence upon his part had increased the somewhat inhuman + effect which he produced upon me, until sometimes I found myself regarding + him as an isolated phenomenon, a brain without a heart, as deficient in + human sympathy as he was pre-eminent in intelligence. His aversion to + women and his disinclination to form new friendships were both typical of + his unemotional character, but not more so than his complete suppression + of every reference to his own people. I had come to believe that he was an + orphan with no relatives living, but one day, to my very great surprise, + he began to talk to me about his brother. + </p> + <p> + It was after tea on a summer evening, and the conversation, which had + roamed in a desultory, spasmodic fashion from golf clubs to the causes of + the change in the obliquity of the ecliptic, came round at last to the + question of atavism and hereditary aptitudes. The point under discussion + was, how far any singular gift in an individual was due to his ancestry + and how far to his own early training. + </p> + <p> + “In your own case,” said I, “from all that you have told me, it seems + obvious that your faculty of observation and your peculiar facility for + deduction are due to your own systematic training.” + </p> + <p> + “To some extent,” he answered, thoughtfully. “My ancestors were country + squires, who appear to have led much the same life as is natural to their + class. But, none the less, my turn that way is in my veins, and may have + come with my grandmother, who was the sister of Vernet, the French artist. + Art in the blood is liable to take the strangest forms.” + </p> + <p> + “But how do you know that it is hereditary?” + </p> + <p> + “Because my brother Mycroft possesses it in a larger degree than I do.” + </p> + <p> + This was news to me indeed. If there were another man with such singular + powers in England, how was it that neither police nor public had heard of + him? I put the question, with a hint that it was my companion's modesty + which made him acknowledge his brother as his superior. Holmes laughed at + my suggestion. + </p> + <p> + “My dear Watson,” said he, “I cannot agree with those who rank modesty + among the virtues. To the logician all things should be seen exactly as + they are, and to underestimate one's self is as much a departure from + truth as to exaggerate one's own powers. When I say, therefore, that + Mycroft has better powers of observation than I, you may take it that I am + speaking the exact and literal truth.” + </p> + <p> + “Is he your junior?” + </p> + <p> + “Seven years my senior.” + </p> + <p> + “How comes it that he is unknown?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, he is very well known in his own circle.” + </p> + <p> + “Where, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, in the Diogenes Club, for example.” + </p> + <p> + I had never heard of the institution, and my face must have proclaimed as + much, for Sherlock Holmes pulled out his watch. + </p> + <p> + “The Diogenes Club is the queerest club in London, and Mycroft one of the + queerest men. He's always there from quarter to five to twenty to eight. + It's six now, so if you care for a stroll this beautiful evening I shall + be very happy to introduce you to two curiosities.” + </p> + <p> + Five minutes later we were in the street, walking towards Regent's Circus. + </p> + <p> + “You wonder,” said my companion, “why it is that Mycroft does not use his + powers for detective work. He is incapable of it.” + </p> + <p> + “But I thought you said—” + </p> + <p> + “I said that he was my superior in observation and deduction. If the art + of the detective began and ended in reasoning from an arm-chair, my + brother would be the greatest criminal agent that ever lived. But he has + no ambition and no energy. He will not even go out of his way to verify + his own solutions, and would rather be considered wrong than take the + trouble to prove himself right. Again and again I have taken a problem to + him, and have received an explanation which has afterwards proved to be + the correct one. And yet he was absolutely incapable of working out the + practical points which must be gone into before a case could be laid + before a judge or jury.” + </p> + <p> + “It is not his profession, then?” + </p> + <p> + “By no means. What is to me a means of livelihood is to him the merest + hobby of a dilettante. He has an extraordinary faculty for figures, and + audits the books in some of the government departments. Mycroft lodges in + Pall Mall, and he walks round the corner into Whitehall every morning and + back every evening. From year's end to year's end he takes no other + exercise, and is seen nowhere else, except only in the Diogenes Club, + which is just opposite his rooms.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot recall the name.” + </p> + <p> + “Very likely not. There are many men in London, you know, who, some from + shyness, some from misanthropy, have no wish for the company of their + fellows. Yet they are not averse to comfortable chairs and the latest + periodicals. It is for the convenience of these that the Diogenes Club was + started, and it now contains the most unsociable and unclubable men in + town. No member is permitted to take the least notice of any other one. + Save in the Stranger's Room, no talking is, under any circumstances, + allowed, and three offences, if brought to the notice of the committee, + render the talker liable to expulsion. My brother was one of the founders, + and I have myself found it a very soothing atmosphere.” + </p> + <p> + We had reached Pall Mall as we talked, and were walking down it from the + St. James's end. Sherlock Holmes stopped at a door some little distance + from the Carlton, and, cautioning me not to speak, he led the way into the + hall. Through the glass paneling I caught a glimpse of a large and + luxurious room, in which a considerable number of men were sitting about + and reading papers, each in his own little nook. Holmes showed me into a + small chamber which looked out into Pall Mall, and then, leaving me for a + minute, he came back with a companion whom I knew could only be his + brother. + </p> + <p> + Mycroft Holmes was a much larger and stouter man than Sherlock. His body + was absolutely corpulent, but his face, though massive, had preserved + something of the sharpness of expression which was so remarkable in that + of his brother. His eyes, which were of a peculiarly light, watery gray, + seemed to always retain that far-away, introspective look which I had only + observed in Sherlock's when he was exerting his full powers. + </p> + <p> + “I am glad to meet you, sir,” said he, putting out a broad, fat hand like + the flipper of a seal. “I hear of Sherlock everywhere since you became his + chronicler. By the way, Sherlock, I expected to see you round last week, + to consult me over that Manor House case. I thought you might be a little + out of your depth.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I solved it,” said my friend, smiling. + </p> + <p> + “It was Adams, of course.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it was Adams.” + </p> + <p> + “I was sure of it from the first.” The two sat down together in the + bow-window of the club. “To any one who wishes to study mankind this is + the spot,” said Mycroft. “Look at the magnificent types! Look at these two + men who are coming towards us, for example.” + </p> + <p> + “The billiard-marker and the other?” + </p> + <p> + “Precisely. What do you make of the other?” + </p> + <p> + The two men had stopped opposite the window. Some chalk marks over the + waistcoat pocket were the only signs of billiards which I could see in one + of them. The other was a very small, dark fellow, with his hat pushed back + and several packages under his arm. + </p> + <p> + “An old soldier, I perceive,” said Sherlock. + </p> + <p> + “And very recently discharged,” remarked the brother. + </p> + <p> + “Served in India, I see.” + </p> + <p> + “And a non-commissioned officer.” + </p> + <p> + “Royal Artillery, I fancy,” said Sherlock. + </p> + <p> + “And a widower.” + </p> + <p> + “But with a child.” + </p> + <p> + “Children, my dear boy, children.” + </p> + <p> + “Come,” said I, laughing, “this is a little too much.” + </p> + <p> + “Surely,” answered Holmes, “it is not hard to say that a man with that + bearing, expression of authority, and sunbaked skin, is a soldier, is more + than a private, and is not long from India.” + </p> + <p> + “That he has not left the service long is shown by his still wearing his + ammunition boots, as they are called,” observed Mycroft. + </p> + <p> + “He had not the cavalry stride, yet he wore his hat on one side, as is + shown by the lighter skin of that side of his brow. His weight is against + his being a sapper. He is in the artillery.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, of course, his complete mourning shows that he has lost some one + very dear. The fact that he is doing his own shopping looks as though it + were his wife. He has been buying things for children, you perceive. There + is a rattle, which shows that one of them is very young. The wife probably + died in childbed. The fact that he has a picture-book under his arm shows + that there is another child to be thought of.” + </p> + <p> + I began to understand what my friend meant when he said that his brother + possessed even keener faculties that he did himself. He glanced across at + me and smiled. Mycroft took snuff from a tortoise-shell box, and brushed + away the wandering grains from his coat front with a large, red silk + handkerchief. + </p> + <p> + “By the way, Sherlock,” said he, “I have had something quite after your + own heart—a most singular problem—submitted to my judgment. I + really had not the energy to follow it up save in a very incomplete + fashion, but it gave me a basis for some pleasing speculation. If you + would care to hear the facts—” + </p> + <p> + “My dear Mycroft, I should be delighted.” + </p> + <p> + The brother scribbled a note upon a leaf of his pocket-book, and, ringing + the bell, he handed it to the waiter. + </p> + <p> + “I have asked Mr. Melas to step across,” said he. “He lodges on the floor + above me, and I have some slight acquaintance with him, which led him to + come to me in his perplexity. Mr. Melas is a Greek by extraction, as I + understand, and he is a remarkable linguist. He earns his living partly as + interpreter in the law courts and partly by acting as guide to any wealthy + Orientals who may visit the Northumberland Avenue hotels. I think I will + leave him to tell his very remarkable experience in his own fashion.” + </p> + <p> + A few minutes later we were joined by a short, stout man whose olive face + and coal-black hair proclaimed his Southern origin, though his speech was + that of an educated Englishman. He shook hands eagerly with Sherlock + Holmes, and his dark eyes sparkled with pleasure when he understood that + the specialist was anxious to hear his story. + </p> + <p> + “I do not believe that the police credit me—on my word, I do not,” + said he in a wailing voice. “Just because they have never heard of it + before, they think that such a thing cannot be. But I know that I shall + never be easy in my mind until I know what has become of my poor man with + the sticking-plaster upon his face.” + </p> + <p> + “I am all attention,” said Sherlock Holmes. + </p> + <p> + “This is Wednesday evening,” said Mr. Melas. “Well then, it was Monday + night—only two days ago, you understand—that all this + happened. I am an interpreter, as perhaps my neighbor there has told you. + I interpret all languages—or nearly all—but as I am a Greek by + birth and with a Grecian name, it is with that particular tongue that I am + principally associated. For many years I have been the chief Greek + interpreter in London, and my name is very well known in the hotels. + </p> + <p> + “It happens not unfrequently that I am sent for at strange hours by + foreigners who get into difficulties, or by travelers who arrive late and + wish my services. I was not surprised, therefore, on Monday night when a + Mr. Latimer, a very fashionably dressed young man, came up to my rooms and + asked me to accompany him in a cab which was waiting at the door. A Greek + friend had come to see him upon business, he said, and as he could speak + nothing but his own tongue, the services of an interpreter were + indispensable. He gave me to understand that his house was some little + distance off, in Kensington, and he seemed to be in a great hurry, + bustling me rapidly into the cab when we had descended to the street. + </p> + <p> + “I say into the cab, but I soon became doubtful as to whether it was not a + carriage in which I found myself. It was certainly more roomy than the + ordinary four-wheeled disgrace to London, and the fittings, though frayed, + were of rich quality. Mr. Latimer seated himself opposite to me and we + started off through Charing Cross and up the Shaftesbury Avenue. We had + come out upon Oxford Street and I had ventured some remark as to this + being a roundabout way to Kensington, when my words were arrested by the + extraordinary conduct of my companion. + </p> + <p> + “He began by drawing a most formidable-looking bludgeon loaded with lead + from his pocket, and switching it backward and forward several times, as + if to test its weight and strength. Then he placed it without a word upon + the seat beside him. Having done this, he drew up the windows on each + side, and I found to my astonishment that they were covered with paper so + as to prevent my seeing through them. + </p> + <p> + “'I am sorry to cut off your view, Mr. Melas,' said he. 'The fact is that + I have no intention that you should see what the place is to which we are + driving. It might possibly be inconvenient to me if you could find your + way there again.' + </p> + <p> + “As you can imagine, I was utterly taken aback by such an address. My + companion was a powerful, broad-shouldered young fellow, and, apart from + the weapon, I should not have had the slightest chance in a struggle with + him. + </p> + <p> + “'This is very extraordinary conduct, Mr. Latimer,' I stammered. 'You must + be aware that what you are doing is quite illegal.' + </p> + <p> + “'It is somewhat of a liberty, no doubt,' said he, 'but we'll make it up + to you. I must warn you, however, Mr. Melas, that if at any time to-night + you attempt to raise an alarm or do anything which is against my + interests, you will find it a very serious thing. I beg you to remember + that no one knows where you are, and that, whether you are in this + carriage or in my house, you are equally in my power.' + </p> + <p> + “His words were quiet, but he had a rasping way of saying them which was + very menacing. I sat in silence wondering what on earth could be his + reason for kidnapping me in this extraordinary fashion. Whatever it might + be, it was perfectly clear that there was no possible use in my resisting, + and that I could only wait to see what might befall. + </p> + <p> + “For nearly two hours we drove without my having the least clue as to + where we were going. Sometimes the rattle of the stones told of a paved + causeway, and at others our smooth, silent course suggested asphalt; but, + save by this variation in sound, there was nothing at all which could in + the remotest way help me to form a guess as to where we were. The paper + over each window was impenetrable to light, and a blue curtain was drawn + across the glass work in front. It was a quarter-past seven when we left + Pall Mall, and my watch showed me that it was ten minutes to nine when we + at last came to a standstill. My companion let down the window, and I + caught a glimpse of a low, arched doorway with a lamp burning above it. As + I was hurried from the carriage it swung open, and I found myself inside + the house, with a vague impression of a lawn and trees on each side of me + as I entered. Whether these were private grounds, however, or bona-fide + country was more than I could possibly venture to say. + </p> + <p> + “There was a colored gas-lamp inside which was turned so low that I could + see little save that the hall was of some size and hung with pictures. In + the dim light I could make out that the person who had opened the door was + a small, mean-looking, middle-aged man with rounded shoulders. As he + turned towards us the glint of the light showed me that he was wearing + glasses. + </p> + <p> + “'Is this Mr. Melas, Harold?' said he. + </p> + <p> + “'Yes.' + </p> + <p> + “'Well done, well done! No ill-will, Mr. Melas, I hope, but we could not + get on without you. If you deal fair with us you'll not regret it, but if + you try any tricks, God help you!' He spoke in a nervous, jerky fashion, + and with little giggling laughs in between, but somehow he impressed me + with fear more than the other. + </p> + <p> + “'What do you want with me?' I asked. + </p> + <p> + “'Only to ask a few questions of a Greek gentleman who is visiting us, and + to let us have the answers. But say no more than you are told to say, or—' + here came the nervous giggle again—'you had better never have been + born.' + </p> + <p> + “As he spoke he opened a door and showed the way into a room which + appeared to be very richly furnished, but again the only light was + afforded by a single lamp half-turned down. The chamber was certainly + large, and the way in which my feet sank into the carpet as I stepped + across it told me of its richness. I caught glimpses of velvet chairs, a + high white marble mantel-piece, and what seemed to be a suit of Japanese + armor at one side of it. There was a chair just under the lamp, and the + elderly man motioned that I should sit in it. The younger had left us, but + he suddenly returned through another door, leading with him a gentleman + clad in some sort of loose dressing-gown who moved slowly towards us. As + he came into the circle of dim light which enables me to see him more + clearly I was thrilled with horror at his appearance. He was deadly pale + and terribly emaciated, with the protruding, brilliant eyes of a man whose + spirit was greater than his strength. But what shocked me more than any + signs of physical weakness was that his face was grotesquely criss-crossed + with sticking-plaster, and that one large pad of it was fastened over his + mouth. + </p> + <p> + “'Have you the slate, Harold?' cried the older man, as this strange being + fell rather than sat down into a chair. 'Are his hands loose? Now, then, + give him the pencil. You are to ask the questions, Mr. Melas, and he will + write the answers. Ask him first of all whether he is prepared to sign the + papers?' + </p> + <p> + “The man's eyes flashed fire. + </p> + <p> + “'Never!' he wrote in Greek upon the slate. + </p> + <p> + “'On no condition?' I asked, at the bidding of our tyrant. + </p> + <p> + “'Only if I see her married in my presence by a Greek priest whom I know.' + </p> + <p> + “The man giggled in his venomous way. + </p> + <p> + “'You know what awaits you, then?' + </p> + <p> + “'I care nothing for myself.' + </p> + <p> + “These are samples of the questions and answers which made up our strange + half-spoken, half-written conversation. Again and again I had to ask him + whether he would give in and sign the documents. Again and again I had the + same indignant reply. But soon a happy thought came to me. I took to + adding on little sentences of my own to each question, innocent ones at + first, to test whether either of our companions knew anything of the + matter, and then, as I found that they showed no signs I played a more + dangerous game. Our conversation ran something like this: + </p> + <p> + “'You can do no good by this obstinacy. Who are you?' + </p> + <p> + “'I care not. I am a stranger in London.' + </p> + <p> + “'Your fate will be upon your own head. How long have you been here?' + </p> + <p> + “'Let it be so. Three weeks.' + </p> + <p> + “'The property can never be yours. What ails you?' + </p> + <p> + “'It shall not go to villains. They are starving me.' + </p> + <p> + “'You shall go free if you sign. What house is this?' + </p> + <p> + “'I will never sign. I do not know.' + </p> + <p> + “'You are not doing her any service. What is your name?' + </p> + <p> + “'Let me hear her say so. Kratides.' + </p> + <p> + “'You shall see her if you sign. Where are you from?' + </p> + <p> + “'Then I shall never see her. Athens.' + </p> + <p> + “Another five minutes, Mr. Holmes, and I should have wormed out the whole + story under their very noses. My very next question might have cleared the + matter up, but at that instant the door opened and a woman stepped into + the room. I could not see her clearly enough to know more than that she + was tall and graceful, with black hair, and clad in some sort of loose + white gown. + </p> + <p> + “'Harold,' said she, speaking English with a broken accent. 'I could not + stay away longer. It is so lonely up there with only—Oh, my God, it + is Paul!' + </p> + <p> + “These last words were in Greek, and at the same instant the man with a + convulsive effort tore the plaster from his lips, and screaming out + 'Sophy! Sophy!' rushed into the woman's arms. Their embrace was but for an + instant, however, for the younger man seized the woman and pushed her out + of the room, while the elder easily overpowered his emaciated victim, and + dragged him away through the other door. For a moment I was left alone in + the room, and I sprang to my feet with some vague idea that I might in + some way get a clue to what this house was in which I found myself. + Fortunately, however, I took no steps, for looking up I saw that the older + man was standing in the door-way with his eyes fixed upon me. + </p> + <p> + “'That will do, Mr. Melas,' said he. 'You perceive that we have taken you + into our confidence over some very private business. We should not have + troubled you, only that our friend who speaks Greek and who began these + negotiations has been forced to return to the East. It was quite necessary + for us to find some one to take his place, and we were fortunate in + hearing of your powers.' + </p> + <p> + “I bowed. + </p> + <p> + “'There are five sovereigns here,' said he, walking up to me, 'which will, + I hope, be a sufficient fee. But remember,' he added, tapping me lightly + on the chest and giggling, 'if you speak to a human soul about this—one + human soul, mind—well, may God have mercy upon your soul!” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot tell you the loathing and horror with which this + insignificant-looking man inspired me. I could see him better now as the + lamp-light shone upon him. His features were peaky and sallow, and his + little pointed beard was thready and ill-nourished. He pushed his face + forward as he spoke and his lips and eyelids were continually twitching + like a man with St. Vitus's dance. I could not help thinking that his + strange, catchy little laugh was also a symptom of some nervous malady. + The terror of his face lay in his eyes, however, steel gray, and + glistening coldly with a malignant, inexorable cruelty in their depths. + </p> + <p> + “'We shall know if you speak of this,' said he. 'We have our own means of + information. Now you will find the carriage waiting, and my friend will + see you on your way.' + </p> + <p> + “I was hurried through the hall and into the vehicle, again obtaining that + momentary glimpse of trees and a garden. Mr. Latimer followed closely at + my heels, and took his place opposite to me without a word. In silence we + again drove for an interminable distance with the windows raised, until at + last, just after midnight, the carriage pulled up. + </p> + <p> + “'You will get down here, Mr. Melas,' said my companion. 'I am sorry to + leave you so far from your house, but there is no alternative. Any attempt + upon your part to follow the carriage can only end in injury to yourself.' + </p> + <p> + “He opened the door as he spoke, and I had hardly time to spring out when + the coachman lashed the horse and the carriage rattled away. I looked + around me in astonishment. I was on some sort of a heathy common mottled + over with dark clumps of furze-bushes. Far away stretched a line of + houses, with a light here and there in the upper windows. On the other + side I saw the red signal-lamps of a railway. + </p> + <p> + “The carriage which had brought me was already out of sight. I stood + gazing round and wondering where on earth I might be, when I saw some one + coming towards me in the darkness. As he came up to me I made out that he + was a railway porter. + </p> + <p> + “'Can you tell me what place this is?' I asked. + </p> + <p> + “'Wandsworth Common,' said he. + </p> + <p> + “'Can I get a train into town?' + </p> + <p> + “'If you walk on a mile or so to Clapham Junction,' said he, 'you'll just + be in time for the last to Victoria.' + </p> + <p> + “So that was the end of my adventure, Mr. Holmes. I do not know where I + was, nor whom I spoke with, nor anything save what I have told you. But I + know that there is foul play going on, and I want to help that unhappy man + if I can. I told the whole story to Mr. Mycroft Holmes next morning, and + subsequently to the police.” + </p> + <p> + We all sat in silence for some little time after listening to this + extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock looked across at his brother. + </p> + <p> + “Any steps?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + Mycroft picked up the Daily News, which was lying on the side-table. + </p> + <p> + “'Anybody supplying any information to the whereabouts of a Greek + gentleman named Paul Kratides, from Athens, who is unable to speak + English, will be rewarded. A similar reward paid to any one giving + information about a Greek lady whose first name is Sophy. X 2473.' That + was in all the dailies. No answer.” + </p> + <p> + “How about the Greek Legation?” + </p> + <p> + “I have inquired. They know nothing.” + </p> + <p> + “A wire to the head of the Athens police, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Sherlock has all the energy of the family,” said Mycroft, turning to me. + “Well, you take the case up by all means, and let me know if you do any + good.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly,” answered my friend, rising from his chair. “I'll let you + know, and Mr. Melas also. In the meantime, Mr. Melas, I should certainly + be on my guard, if I were you, for of course they must know through these + advertisements that you have betrayed them.” + </p> + <p> + As we walked home together, Holmes stopped at a telegraph office and sent + off several wires. + </p> + <p> + “You see, Watson,” he remarked, “our evening has been by no means wasted. + Some of my most interesting cases have come to me in this way through + Mycroft. The problem which we have just listened to, although it can admit + of but one explanation, has still some distinguishing features.” + </p> + <p> + “You have hopes of solving it?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, knowing as much as we do, it will be singular indeed if we fail to + discover the rest. You must yourself have formed some theory which will + explain the facts to which we have listened.” + </p> + <p> + “In a vague way, yes.” + </p> + <p> + “What was your idea, then?” + </p> + <p> + “It seemed to me to be obvious that this Greek girl had been carried off + by the young Englishman named Harold Latimer.” + </p> + <p> + “Carried off from where?” + </p> + <p> + “Athens, perhaps.” + </p> + <p> + Sherlock Holmes shook his head. “This young man could not talk a word of + Greek. The lady could talk English fairly well. Inference—that she + had been in England some little time, but he had not been in Greece.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, we will presume that she had come on a visit to England, and + that this Harold had persuaded her to fly with him.” + </p> + <p> + “That is more probable.” + </p> + <p> + “Then the brother—for that, I fancy, must be the relationship—comes + over from Greece to interfere. He imprudently puts himself into the power + of the young man and his older associate. They seize him and use violence + towards him in order to make him sign some papers to make over the girl's + fortune—of which he may be trustee—to them. This he refuses to + do. In order to negotiate with him they have to get an interpreter, and + they pitch upon this Mr. Melas, having used some other one before. The + girl is not told of the arrival of her brother, and finds it out by the + merest accident.” + </p> + <p> + “Excellent, Watson!” cried Holmes. “I really fancy that you are not far + from the truth. You see that we hold all the cards, and we have only to + fear some sudden act of violence on their part. If they give us time we + must have them.” + </p> + <p> + “But how can we find where this house lies?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if our conjecture is correct and the girl's name is or was Sophy + Kratides, we should have no difficulty in tracing her. That must be our + main hope, for the brother is, of course, a complete stranger. It is clear + that some time has elapsed since this Harold established these relations + with the girl—some weeks, at any rate—since the brother in + Greece has had time to hear of it and come across. If they have been + living in the same place during this time, it is probable that we shall + have some answer to Mycroft's advertisement.” + </p> + <p> + We had reached our house in Baker Street while we had been talking. Holmes + ascended the stair first, and as he opened the door of our room he gave a + start of surprise. Looking over his shoulder, I was equally astonished. + His brother Mycroft was sitting smoking in the arm-chair. + </p> + <p> + “Come in, Sherlock! Come in, sir,” said he blandly, smiling at our + surprised faces. “You don't expect such energy from me, do you, Sherlock? + But somehow this case attracts me.” + </p> + <p> + “How did you get here?” + </p> + <p> + “I passed you in a hansom.” + </p> + <p> + “There has been some new development?” + </p> + <p> + “I had an answer to my advertisement.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it came within a few minutes of your leaving.” + </p> + <p> + “And to what effect?” + </p> + <p> + Mycroft Holmes took out a sheet of paper. + </p> + <p> + “Here it is,” said he, “written with a J pen on royal cream paper by a + middle-aged man with a weak constitution. 'Sir,' he says, 'in answer to + your advertisement of to-day's date, I beg to inform you that I know the + young lady in question very well. If you should care to call upon me I + could give you some particulars as to her painful history. She is living + at present at The Myrtles, Beckenham. Yours faithfully, J. Davenport.' + </p> + <p> + “He writes from Lower Brixton,” said Mycroft Holmes. “Do you not think + that we might drive to him now, Sherlock, and learn these particulars?” + </p> + <p> + “My dear Mycroft, the brother's life is more valuable than the sister's + story. I think we should call at Scotland Yard for Inspector Gregson, and + go straight out to Beckenham. We know that a man is being done to death, + and every hour may be vital.” + </p> + <p> + “Better pick up Mr. Melas on our way,” I suggested. “We may need an + interpreter.” + </p> + <p> + “Excellent,” said Sherlock Holmes. “Send the boy for a four-wheeler, and + we shall be off at once.” He opened the table-drawer as he spoke, and I + noticed that he slipped his revolver into his pocket. “Yes,” said he, in + answer to my glance; “I should say from what we have heard, that we are + dealing with a particularly dangerous gang.” + </p> + <p> + It was almost dark before we found ourselves in Pall Mall, at the rooms of + Mr. Melas. A gentleman had just called for him, and he was gone. + </p> + <p> + “Can you tell me where?” asked Mycroft Holmes. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know, sir,” answered the woman who had opened the door; “I only + know that he drove away with the gentleman in a carriage.” + </p> + <p> + “Did the gentleman give a name?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “He wasn't a tall, handsome, dark young man?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, sir. He was a little gentleman, with glasses, thin in the face, + but very pleasant in his ways, for he was laughing all the time that he + was talking.” + </p> + <p> + “Come along!” cried Sherlock Holmes, abruptly. “This grows serious,” he + observed, as we drove to Scotland Yard. “These men have got hold of Melas + again. He is a man of no physical courage, as they are well aware from + their experience the other night. This villain was able to terrorize him + the instant that he got into his presence. No doubt they want his + professional services, but, having used him, they may be inclined to + punish him for what they will regard as his treachery.” + </p> + <p> + Our hope was that, by taking train, we might get to Beckenham as soon or + sooner than the carriage. On reaching Scotland Yard, however, it was more + than an hour before we could get Inspector Gregson and comply with the + legal formalities which would enable us to enter the house. It was a + quarter to ten before we reached London Bridge, and half past before the + four of us alighted on the Beckenham platform. A drive of half a mile + brought us to The Myrtles—a large, dark house standing back from the + road in its own grounds. Here we dismissed our cab, and made our way up + the drive together. + </p> + <p> + “The windows are all dark,” remarked the inspector. “The house seems + deserted.” + </p> + <p> + “Our birds are flown and the nest empty,” said Holmes. + </p> + <p> + “Why do you say so?” + </p> + <p> + “A carriage heavily loaded with luggage has passed out during the last + hour.” + </p> + <p> + The inspector laughed. “I saw the wheel-tracks in the light of the + gate-lamp, but where does the luggage come in?” + </p> + <p> + “You may have observed the same wheel-tracks going the other way. But the + outward-bound ones were very much deeper—so much so that we can say + for a certainty that there was a very considerable weight on the + carriage.” + </p> + <p> + “You get a trifle beyond me there,” said the inspector, shrugging his + shoulder. “It will not be an easy door to force, but we will try if we + cannot make some one hear us.” + </p> + <p> + He hammered loudly at the knocker and pulled at the bell, but without any + success. Holmes had slipped away, but he came back in a few minutes. + </p> + <p> + “I have a window open,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “It is a mercy that you are on the side of the force, and not against it, + Mr. Holmes,” remarked the inspector, as he noted the clever way in which + my friend had forced back the catch. “Well, I think that under the + circumstances we may enter without an invitation.” + </p> + <p> + One after the other we made our way into a large apartment, which was + evidently that in which Mr. Melas had found himself. The inspector had lit + his lantern, and by its light we could see the two doors, the curtain, the + lamp, and the suit of Japanese mail as he had described them. On the table + lay two glasses, and empty brandy-bottle, and the remains of a meal. + </p> + <p> + “What is that?” asked Holmes, suddenly. + </p> + <p> + We all stood still and listened. A low moaning sound was coming from + somewhere over our heads. Holmes rushed to the door and out into the hall. + The dismal noise came from upstairs. He dashed up, the inspector and I at + his heels, while his brother Mycroft followed as quickly as his great bulk + would permit. + </p> + <p> + Three doors faced up upon the second floor, and it was from the central of + these that the sinister sounds were issuing, sinking sometimes into a dull + mumble and rising again into a shrill whine. It was locked, but the key + had been left on the outside. Holmes flung open the door and rushed in, + but he was out again in an instant, with his hand to his throat. + </p> + <p> + “It's charcoal,” he cried. “Give it time. It will clear.” + </p> + <p> + Peering in, we could see that the only light in the room came from a dull + blue flame which flickered from a small brass tripod in the centre. It + threw a livid, unnatural circle upon the floor, while in the shadows + beyond we saw the vague loom of two figures which crouched against the + wall. From the open door there reeked a horrible poisonous exhalation + which set us gasping and coughing. Holmes rushed to the top of the stairs + to draw in the fresh air, and then, dashing into the room, he threw up the + window and hurled the brazen tripod out into the garden. + </p> + <p> + “We can enter in a minute,” he gasped, darting out again. “Where is a + candle? I doubt if we could strike a match in that atmosphere. Hold the + light at the door and we shall get them out, Mycroft, now!” + </p> + <p> + With a rush we got to the poisoned men and dragged them out into the + well-lit hall. Both of them were blue-lipped and insensible, with swollen, + congested faces and protruding eyes. Indeed, so distorted were their + features that, save for his black beard and stout figure, we might have + failed to recognize in one of them the Greek interpreter who had parted + from us only a few hours before at the Diogenes Club. His hands and feet + were securely strapped together, and he bore over one eye the marks of a + violent blow. The other, who was secured in a similar fashion, was a tall + man in the last stage of emaciation, with several strips of + sticking-plaster arranged in a grotesque pattern over his face. He had + ceased to moan as we laid him down, and a glance showed me that for him at + least our aid had come too late. Mr. Melas, however, still lived, and in + less than an hour, with the aid of ammonia and brandy I had the + satisfaction of seeing him open his eyes, and of knowing that my hand had + drawn him back from that dark valley in which all paths meet. + </p> + <p> + It was a simple story which he had to tell, and one which did but confirm + our own deductions. His visitor, on entering his rooms, had drawn a + life-preserver from his sleeve, and had so impressed him with the fear of + instant and inevitable death that he had kidnapped him for the second + time. Indeed, it was almost mesmeric, the effect which this giggling + ruffian had produced upon the unfortunate linguist, for he could not speak + of him save with trembling hands and a blanched cheek. He had been taken + swiftly to Beckenham, and had acted as interpreter in a second interview, + even more dramatic than the first, in which the two Englishmen had menaced + their prisoner with instant death if he did not comply with their demands. + Finally, finding him proof against every threat, they had hurled him back + into his prison, and after reproaching Melas with his treachery, which + appeared from the newspaper advertisement, they had stunned him with a + blow from a stick, and he remembered nothing more until he found us + bending over him. + </p> + <p> + And this was the singular case of the Grecian Interpreter, the explanation + of which is still involved in some mystery. We were able to find out, by + communicating with the gentleman who had answered the advertisement, that + the unfortunate young lady came of a wealthy Grecian family, and that she + had been on a visit to some friends in England. While there she had met a + young man named Harold Latimer, who had acquired an ascendancy over her + and had eventually persuaded her to fly with him. Her friends, shocked at + the event, had contented themselves with informing her brother at Athens, + and had then washed their hands of the matter. The brother, on his arrival + in England, had imprudently placed himself in the power of Latimer and of + his associate, whose name was Wilson Kemp—a man of the foulest + antecedents. These two, finding that through his ignorance of the language + he was helpless in their hands, had kept him a prisoner, and had + endeavored by cruelty and starvation to make him sign away his own and his + sister's property. They had kept him in the house without the girl's + knowledge, and the plaster over the face had been for the purpose of + making recognition difficult in case she should ever catch a glimpse of + him. Her feminine perception, however, had instantly seen through the + disguise when, on the occasion of the interpreter's visit, she had seen + him for the first time. The poor girl, however, was herself a prisoner, + for there was no one about the house except the man who acted as coachman, + and his wife, both of whom were tools of the conspirators. Finding that + their secret was out, and that their prisoner was not to be coerced, the + two villains with the girl had fled away at a few hours' notice from the + furnished house which they had hired, having first, as they thought, taken + vengeance both upon the man who had defied and the one who had betrayed + them. + </p> + <p> + Months afterwards a curious newspaper cutting reached us from Buda-Pesth. + It told how two Englishmen who had been traveling with a woman had met + with a tragic end. They had each been stabbed, it seems, and the Hungarian + police were of opinion that they had quarreled and had inflicted mortal + injuries upon each other. Holmes, however, is, I fancy, of a different way + of thinking, and holds to this day that, if one could find the Grecian + girl, one might learn how the wrongs of herself and her brother came to be + avenged. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Adventure X. The Naval Treaty + </h2> + <p> + The July which immediately succeeded my marriage was made memorable by + three cases of interest, in which I had the privilege of being associated + with Sherlock Holmes and of studying his methods. I find them recorded in + my notes under the headings of “The Adventure of the Second Stain,” “The + Adventure of the Naval Treaty,” and “The Adventure of the Tired Captain.” + The first of these, however, deals with interest of such importance and + implicates so many of the first families in the kingdom that for many + years it will be impossible to make it public. No case, however, in which + Holmes was engaged has ever illustrated the value of his analytical + methods so clearly or has impressed those who were associated with him so + deeply. I still retain an almost verbatim report of the interview in which + he demonstrated the true facts of the case to Monsieur Dubugue of the + Paris police, and Fritz von Waldbaum, the well-known specialist of + Dantzig, both of whom had wasted their energies upon what proved to be + side-issues. The new century will have come, however, before the story can + be safely told. Meanwhile I pass on to the second on my list, which + promised also at one time to be of national importance, and was marked by + several incidents which give it a quite unique character. + </p> + <p> + During my school-days I had been intimately associated with a lad named + Percy Phelps, who was of much the same age as myself, though he was two + classes ahead of me. He was a very brilliant boy, and carried away every + prize which the school had to offer, finished his exploits by winning a + scholarship which sent him on to continue his triumphant career at + Cambridge. He was, I remember, extremely well connected, and even when we + were all little boys together we knew that his mother's brother was Lord + Holdhurst, the great conservative politician. This gaudy relationship did + him little good at school. On the contrary, it seemed rather a piquant + thing to us to chevy him about the playground and hit him over the shins + with a wicket. But it was another thing when he came out into the world. I + heard vaguely that his abilities and the influences which he commanded had + won him a good position at the Foreign Office, and then he passed + completely out of my mind until the following letter recalled his + existence: + </p> + <p> + Briarbrae, Woking. My dear Watson,—I have no doubt that you can + remember “Tadpole” Phelps, who was in the fifth form when you were in the + third. It is possible even that you may have heard that through my uncle's + influence I obtained a good appointment at the Foreign Office, and that I + was in a situation of trust and honor until a horrible misfortune came + suddenly to blast my career. + </p> + <p> + There is no use writing of the details of that dreadful event. In the + event of your acceding to my request it is probable that I shall have to + narrate them to you. I have only just recovered from nine weeks of + brain-fever, and am still exceedingly weak. Do you think that you could + bring your friend Mr. Holmes down to see me? I should like to have his + opinion of the case, though the authorities assure me that nothing more + can be done. Do try to bring him down, and as soon as possible. Every + minute seems an hour while I live in this state of horrible suspense. + Assure him that if I have not asked his advice sooner it was not because I + did not appreciate his talents, but because I have been off my head ever + since the blow fell. Now I am clear again, though I dare not think of it + too much for fear of a relapse. I am still so weak that I have to write, + as you see, by dictating. Do try to bring him. + </p> + <p> + Your old school-fellow, + </p> + <p> + Percy Phelps. + </p> + <p> + There was something that touched me as I read this letter, something + pitiable in the reiterated appeals to bring Holmes. So moved was I that + even had it been a difficult matter I should have tried it, but of course + I knew well that Holmes loved his art, so that he was ever as ready to + bring his aid as his client could be to receive it. My wife agreed with me + that not a moment should be lost in laying the matter before him, and so + within an hour of breakfast-time I found myself back once more in the old + rooms in Baker Street. + </p> + <p> + Holmes was seated at his side-table clad in his dressing-gown, and working + hard over a chemical investigation. A large curved retort was boiling + furiously in the bluish flame of a Bunsen burner, and the distilled drops + were condensing into a two-litre measure. My friend hardly glanced up as I + entered, and I, seeing that his investigation must be of importance, + seated myself in an arm-chair and waited. He dipped into this bottle or + that, drawing out a few drops of each with his glass pipette, and finally + brought a test-tube containing a solution over to the table. In his right + hand he held a slip of litmus-paper. + </p> + <p> + “You come at a crisis, Watson,” said he. “If this paper remains blue, all + is well. If it turns red, it means a man's life.” He dipped it into the + test-tube and it flushed at once into a dull, dirty crimson. “Hum! I + thought as much!” he cried. “I will be at your service in an instant, + Watson. You will find tobacco in the Persian slipper.” He turned to his + desk and scribbled off several telegrams, which were handed over to the + page-boy. Then he threw himself down into the chair opposite, and drew up + his knees until his fingers clasped round his long, thin shins. + </p> + <p> + “A very commonplace little murder,” said he. “You've got something better, + I fancy. You are the stormy petrel of crime, Watson. What is it?” + </p> + <p> + I handed him the letter, which he read with the most concentrated + attention. + </p> + <p> + “It does not tell us very much, does it?” he remarked, as he handed it + back to me. + </p> + <p> + “Hardly anything.” + </p> + <p> + “And yet the writing is of interest.” + </p> + <p> + “But the writing is not his own.” + </p> + <p> + “Precisely. It is a woman's.” + </p> + <p> + “A man's surely,” I cried. + </p> + <p> + “No, a woman's, and a woman of rare character. You see, at the + commencement of an investigation it is something to know that your client + is in close contact with some one who, for good or evil, has an + exceptional nature. My interest is already awakened in the case. If you + are ready we will start at once for Woking, and see this diplomatist who + is in such evil case, and the lady to whom he dictates his letters.” + </p> + <p> + We were fortunate enough to catch an early train at Waterloo, and in a + little under an hour we found ourselves among the fir-woods and the + heather of Woking. Briarbrae proved to be a large detached house standing + in extensive grounds within a few minutes' walk of the station. On sending + in our cards we were shown into an elegantly appointed drawing-room, where + we were joined in a few minutes by a rather stout man who received us with + much hospitality. His age may have been nearer forty than thirty, but his + cheeks were so ruddy and his eyes so merry that he still conveyed the + impression of a plump and mischievous boy. + </p> + <p> + “I am so glad that you have come,” said he, shaking our hands with + effusion. “Percy has been inquiring for you all morning. Ah, poor old + chap, he clings to any straw! His father and his mother asked me to see + you, for the mere mention of the subject is very painful to them.” + </p> + <p> + “We have had no details yet,” observed Holmes. “I perceive that you are + not yourself a member of the family.” + </p> + <p> + Our acquaintance looked surprised, and then, glancing down, he began to + laugh. + </p> + <p> + “Of course you saw the J H monogram on my locket,” said he. “For a moment + I thought you had done something clever. Joseph Harrison is my name, and + as Percy is to marry my sister Annie I shall at least be a relation by + marriage. You will find my sister in his room, for she has nursed him + hand-and-foot this two months back. Perhaps we'd better go in at once, for + I know how impatient he is.” + </p> + <p> + The chamber in which we were shown was on the same floor as the + drawing-room. It was furnished partly as a sitting and partly as a + bedroom, with flowers arranged daintily in every nook and corner. A young + man, very pale and worn, was lying upon a sofa near the open window, + through which came the rich scent of the garden and the balmy summer air. + A woman was sitting beside him, who rose as we entered. + </p> + <p> + “Shall I leave, Percy?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + He clutched her hand to detain her. “How are you, Watson?” said he, + cordially. “I should never have known you under that moustache, and I dare + say you would not be prepared to swear to me. This I presume is your + celebrated friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes?” + </p> + <p> + I introduced him in a few words, and we both sat down. The stout young man + had left us, but his sister still remained with her hand in that of the + invalid. She was a striking-looking woman, a little short and thick for + symmetry, but with a beautiful olive complexion, large, dark, Italian + eyes, and a wealth of deep black hair. Her rich tints made the white face + of her companion the more worn and haggard by the contrast. + </p> + <p> + “I won't waste your time,” said he, raising himself upon the sofa. “I'll + plunge into the matter without further preamble. I was a happy and + successful man, Mr. Holmes, and on the eve of being married, when a sudden + and dreadful misfortune wrecked all my prospects in life. + </p> + <p> + “I was, as Watson may have told you, in the Foreign Office, and through + the influences of my uncle, Lord Holdhurst, I rose rapidly to a + responsible position. When my uncle became foreign minister in this + administration he gave me several missions of trust, and as I always + brought them to a successful conclusion, he came at last to have the + utmost confidence in my ability and tact. + </p> + <p> + “Nearly ten weeks ago—to be more accurate, on the 23d of May—he + called me into his private room, and, after complimenting me on the good + work which I had done, he informed me that he had a new commission of + trust for me to execute. + </p> + <p> + “'This,' said he, taking a gray roll of paper from his bureau, 'is the + original of that secret treaty between England and Italy of which, I + regret to say, some rumors have already got into the public press. It is + of enormous importance that nothing further should leak out. The French or + the Russian embassy would pay an immense sum to learn the contents of + these papers. They should not leave my bureau were it not that it is + absolutely necessary to have them copied. You have a desk in your office?” + </p> + <p> + “'Yes, sir.' + </p> + <p> + “'Then take the treaty and lock it up there. I shall give directions that + you may remain behind when the others go, so that you may copy it at your + leisure without fear of being overlooked. When you have finished, relock + both the original and the draft in the desk, and hand them over to me + personally to-morrow morning.' + </p> + <p> + “I took the papers and—” + </p> + <p> + “Excuse me an instant,” said Holmes. “Were you alone during this + conversation?” + </p> + <p> + “Absolutely.” + </p> + <p> + “In a large room?” + </p> + <p> + “Thirty feet each way.” + </p> + <p> + “In the centre?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, about it.” + </p> + <p> + “And speaking low?” + </p> + <p> + “My uncle's voice is always remarkably low. I hardly spoke at all.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you,” said Holmes, shutting his eyes; “pray go on.” + </p> + <p> + “I did exactly what he indicated, and waited until the other clerks had + departed. One of them in my room, Charles Gorot, had some arrears of work + to make up, so I left him there and went out to dine. When I returned he + was gone. I was anxious to hurry my work, for I knew that Joseph—the + Mr. Harrison whom you saw just now—was in town, and that he would + travel down to Woking by the eleven-o'clock train, and I wanted if + possible to catch it. + </p> + <p> + “When I came to examine the treaty I saw at once that it was of such + importance that my uncle had been guilty of no exaggeration in what he had + said. Without going into details, I may say that it defined the position + of Great Britain towards the Triple Alliance, and fore-shadowed the policy + which this country would pursue in the event of the French fleet gaining a + complete ascendancy over that of Italy in the Mediterranean. The questions + treated in it were purely naval. At the end were the signatures of the + high dignitaries who had signed it. I glanced my eyes over it, and then + settled down to my task of copying. + </p> + <p> + “It was a long document, written in the French language, and containing + twenty-six separate articles. I copied as quickly as I could, but at nine + o'clock I had only done nine articles, and it seemed hopeless for me to + attempt to catch my train. I was feeling drowsy and stupid, partly from my + dinner and also from the effects of a long day's work. A cup of coffee + would clear my brain. A commissionnaire remains all night in a little + lodge at the foot of the stairs, and is in the habit of making coffee at + his spirit-lamp for any of the officials who may be working over time. I + rang the bell, therefore, to summon him. + </p> + <p> + “To my surprise, it was a woman who answered the summons, a large, + coarse-faced, elderly woman, in an apron. She explained that she was the + commissionnaire's wife, who did the charing, and I gave her the order for + the coffee. + </p> + <p> + “I wrote two more articles and then, feeling more drowsy than ever, I rose + and walked up and down the room to stretch my legs. My coffee had not yet + come, and I wondered what the cause of the delay could be. Opening the + door, I started down the corridor to find out. There was a straight + passage, dimly lighted, which led from the room in which I had been + working, and was the only exit from it. It ended in a curving staircase, + with the commissionnaire's lodge in the passage at the bottom. Half way + down this staircase is a small landing, with another passage running into + it at right angles. This second one leads by means of a second small stair + to a side door, used by servants, and also as a short cut by clerks when + coming from Charles Street. Here is a rough chart of the place.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you. I think that I quite follow you,” said Sherlock Holmes. + </p> + <p> + “It is of the utmost importance that you should notice this point. I went + down the stairs and into the hall, where I found the commissionnaire fast + asleep in his box, with the kettle boiling furiously upon the spirit-lamp. + I took off the kettle and blew out the lamp, for the water was spurting + over the floor. Then I put out my hand and was about to shake the man, who + was still sleeping soundly, when a bell over his head rang loudly, and he + woke with a start. + </p> + <p> + “'Mr. Phelps, sir!' said he, looking at me in bewilderment. + </p> + <p> + “'I came down to see if my coffee was ready.' + </p> + <p> + “'I was boiling the kettle when I fell asleep, sir.' He looked at me and + then up at the still quivering bell with an ever-growing astonishment upon + his face. + </p> + <p> + “'If you was here, sir, then who rang the bell?' he asked. + </p> + <p> + “'The bell!' I cried. 'What bell is it?' + </p> + <p> + “'It's the bell of the room you were working in.' + </p> + <p> + “A cold hand seemed to close round my heart. Some one, then, was in that + room where my precious treaty lay upon the table. I ran frantically up the + stair and along the passage. There was no one in the corridors, Mr. + Holmes. There was no one in the room. All was exactly as I left it, save + only that the papers which had been committed to my care had been taken + from the desk on which they lay. The copy was there, and the original was + gone.” + </p> + <p> + Holmes sat up in his chair and rubbed his hands. I could see that the + problem was entirely to his heart. “Pray, what did you do then?” he + murmured. + </p> + <p> + “I recognized in an instant that the thief must have come up the stairs + from the side door. Of course I must have met him if he had come the other + way.” + </p> + <p> + “You were satisfied that he could not have been concealed in the room all + the time, or in the corridor which you have just described as dimly + lighted?” + </p> + <p> + “It is absolutely impossible. A rat could not conceal himself either in + the room or the corridor. There is no cover at all.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you. Pray proceed.” + </p> + <p> + “The commissionnaire, seeing by my pale face that something was to be + feared, had followed me upstairs. Now we both rushed along the corridor + and down the steep steps which led to Charles Street. The door at the + bottom was closed, but unlocked. We flung it open and rushed out. I can + distinctly remember that as we did so there came three chimes from a + neighboring clock. It was quarter to ten.” + </p> + <p> + “That is of enormous importance,” said Holmes, making a note upon his + shirt-cuff. + </p> + <p> + “The night was very dark, and a thin, warm rain was falling. There was no + one in Charles Street, but a great traffic was going on, as usual, in + Whitehall, at the extremity. We rushed along the pavement, bare-headed as + we were, and at the far corner we found a policeman standing. + </p> + <p> + “'A robbery has been committed,' I gasped. 'A document of immense value + has been stolen from the Foreign Office. Has any one passed this way?' + </p> + <p> + “'I have been standing here for a quarter of an hour, sir,' said he; 'only + one person has passed during that time—a woman, tall and elderly, + with a Paisley shawl.' + </p> + <p> + “'Ah, that is only my wife,' cried the commissionnaire; 'has no one else + passed?' + </p> + <p> + “'No one.' + </p> + <p> + “'Then it must be the other way that the thief took,' cried the fellow, + tugging at my sleeve. + </p> + <p> + “'But I was not satisfied, and the attempts which he made to draw me away + increased my suspicions. + </p> + <p> + “'Which way did the woman go?' I cried. + </p> + <p> + “'I don't know, sir. I noticed her pass, but I had no special reason for + watching her. She seemed to be in a hurry.' + </p> + <p> + “'How long ago was it?' + </p> + <p> + “'Oh, not very many minutes.' + </p> + <p> + “'Within the last five?' + </p> + <p> + “'Well, it could not be more than five.' + </p> + <p> + “'You're only wasting your time, sir, and every minute now is of + importance,' cried the commissionnaire; 'take my word for it that my old + woman has nothing to do with it, and come down to the other end of the + street. Well, if you won't, I will.' And with that he rushed off in the + other direction. + </p> + <p> + “But I was after him in an instant and caught him by the sleeve. + </p> + <p> + “'Where do you live?' said I. + </p> + <p> + “'16 Ivy Lane, Brixton,' he answered. 'But don't let yourself be drawn + away upon a false scent, Mr. Phelps. Come to the other end of the street + and let us see if we can hear of anything.' + </p> + <p> + “Nothing was to be lost by following his advice. With the policeman we + both hurried down, but only to find the street full of traffic, many + people coming and going, but all only too eager to get to a place of + safety upon so wet a night. There was no lounger who could tell us who had + passed. + </p> + <p> + “Then we returned to the office, and searched the stairs and the passage + without result. The corridor which led to the room was laid down with a + kind of creamy linoleum which shows an impression very easily. We examined + it very carefully, but found no outline of any footmark.” + </p> + <p> + “Had it been raining all evening?” + </p> + <p> + “Since about seven.” + </p> + <p> + “How is it, then, that the woman who came into the room about nine left no + traces with her muddy boots?” + </p> + <p> + “I am glad you raised the point. It occurred to me at the time. The + charwomen are in the habit of taking off their boots at the + commissionnaire's office, and putting on list slippers.” + </p> + <p> + “That is very clear. There were no marks, then, though the night was a wet + one? The chain of events is certainly one of extraordinary interest. What + did you do next? + </p> + <p> + “We examined the room also. There is no possibility of a secret door, and + the windows are quite thirty feet from the ground. Both of them were + fastened on the inside. The carpet prevents any possibility of a + trap-door, and the ceiling is of the ordinary whitewashed kind. I will + pledge my life that whoever stole my papers could only have come through + the door.” + </p> + <p> + “How about the fireplace?” + </p> + <p> + “They use none. There is a stove. The bell-rope hangs from the wire just + to the right of my desk. Whoever rang it must have come right up to the + desk to do it. But why should any criminal wish to ring the bell? It is a + most insoluble mystery.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly the incident was unusual. What were your next steps? You + examined the room, I presume, to see if the intruder had left any traces—any + cigar-end or dropped glove or hairpin or other trifle?” + </p> + <p> + “There was nothing of the sort.” + </p> + <p> + “No smell?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we never thought of that.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, a scent of tobacco would have been worth a great deal to us in such + an investigation.” + </p> + <p> + “I never smoke myself, so I think I should have observed it if there had + been any smell of tobacco. There was absolutely no clue of any kind. The + only tangible fact was that the commissionnaire's wife—Mrs. Tangey + was the name—had hurried out of the place. He could give no + explanation save that it was about the time when the woman always went + home. The policeman and I agreed that our best plan would be to seize the + woman before she could get rid of the papers, presuming that she had them. + </p> + <p> + “The alarm had reached Scotland Yard by this time, and Mr. Forbes, the + detective, came round at once and took up the case with a great deal of + energy. We hired a hansom, and in half an hour we were at the address + which had been given to us. A young woman opened the door, who proved to + be Mrs. Tangey's eldest daughter. Her mother had not come back yet, and we + were shown into the front room to wait. + </p> + <p> + “About ten minutes later a knock came at the door, and here we made the + one serious mistake for which I blame myself. Instead of opening the door + ourselves, we allowed the girl to do so. We heard her say, 'Mother, there + are two men in the house waiting to see you,' and an instant afterwards we + heard the patter of feet rushing down the passage. Forbes flung open the + door, and we both ran into the back room or kitchen, but the woman had got + there before us. She stared at us with defiant eyes, and then, suddenly + recognizing me, an expression of absolute astonishment came over her face. + </p> + <p> + “'Why, if it isn't Mr. Phelps, of the office!' she cried. + </p> + <p> + “'Come, come, who did you think we were when you ran away from us?' asked + my companion. + </p> + <p> + “'I thought you were the brokers,' said she, 'we have had some trouble + with a tradesman.' + </p> + <p> + “'That's not quite good enough,' answered Forbes. 'We have reason to + believe that you have taken a paper of importance from the Foreign Office, + and that you ran in here to dispose of it. You must come back with us to + Scotland Yard to be searched.' + </p> + <p> + “It was in vain that she protested and resisted. A four-wheeler was + brought, and we all three drove back in it. We had first made an + examination of the kitchen, and especially of the kitchen fire, to see + whether she might have made away with the papers during the instant that + she was alone. There were no signs, however, of any ashes or scraps. When + we reached Scotland Yard she was handed over at once to the female + searcher. I waited in an agony of suspense until she came back with her + report. There were no signs of the papers. + </p> + <p> + “Then for the first time the horror of my situation came in its full + force. Hitherto I had been acting, and action had numbed thought. I had + been so confident of regaining the treaty at once that I had not dared to + think of what would be the consequence if I failed to do so. But now there + was nothing more to be done, and I had leisure to realize my position. It + was horrible. Watson there would tell you that I was a nervous, sensitive + boy at school. It is my nature. I thought of my uncle and of his + colleagues in the Cabinet, of the shame which I had brought upon him, upon + myself, upon every one connected with me. What though I was the victim of + an extraordinary accident? No allowance is made for accidents where + diplomatic interests are at stake. I was ruined, shamefully, hopelessly + ruined. I don't know what I did. I fancy I must have made a scene. I have + a dim recollection of a group of officials who crowded round me, + endeavoring to soothe me. One of them drove down with me to Waterloo, and + saw me into the Woking train. I believe that he would have come all the + way had it not been that Dr. Ferrier, who lives near me, was going down by + that very train. The doctor most kindly took charge of me, and it was well + he did so, for I had a fit in the station, and before we reached home I + was practically a raving maniac. + </p> + <p> + “You can imagine the state of things here when they were roused from their + beds by the doctor's ringing and found me in this condition. Poor Annie + here and my mother were broken-hearted. Dr. Ferrier had just heard enough + from the detective at the station to be able to give an idea of what had + happened, and his story did not mend matters. It was evident to all that I + was in for a long illness, so Joseph was bundled out of this cheery + bedroom, and it was turned into a sick-room for me. Here I have lain, Mr. + Holmes, for over nine weeks, unconscious, and raving with brain-fever. If + it had not been for Miss Harrison here and for the doctor's care I should + not be speaking to you now. She has nursed me by day and a hired nurse has + looked after me by night, for in my mad fits I was capable of anything. + Slowly my reason has cleared, but it is only during the last three days + that my memory has quite returned. Sometimes I wish that it never had. The + first thing that I did was to wire to Mr. Forbes, who had the case in + hand. He came out, and assures me that, though everything has been done, + no trace of a clue has been discovered. The commissionnaire and his wife + have been examined in every way without any light being thrown upon the + matter. The suspicions of the police then rested upon young Gorot, who, as + you may remember, stayed over time in the office that night. His remaining + behind and his French name were really the only two points which could + suggest suspicion; but, as a matter of fact, I did not begin work until he + had gone, and his people are of Huguenot extraction, but as English in + sympathy and tradition as you and I are. Nothing was found to implicate + him in any way, and there the matter dropped. I turn to you, Mr. Holmes, + as absolutely my last hope. If you fail me, then my honor as well as my + position are forever forfeited.” + </p> + <p> + The invalid sank back upon his cushions, tired out by this long recital, + while his nurse poured him out a glass of some stimulating medicine. + Holmes sat silently, with his head thrown back and his eyes closed, in an + attitude which might seem listless to a stranger, but which I knew + betokened the most intense self-absorption. + </p> + <p> + “You statement has been so explicit,” said he at last, “that you have + really left me very few questions to ask. There is one of the very utmost + importance, however. Did you tell any one that you had this special task + to perform?” + </p> + <p> + “No one.” + </p> + <p> + “Not Miss Harrison here, for example?” + </p> + <p> + “No. I had not been back to Woking between getting the order and executing + the commission.” + </p> + <p> + “And none of your people had by chance been to see you?” + </p> + <p> + “None.” + </p> + <p> + “Did any of them know their way about in the office?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, all of them had been shown over it.” + </p> + <p> + “Still, of course, if you said nothing to any one about the treaty these + inquiries are irrelevant.” + </p> + <p> + “I said nothing.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you know anything of the commissionnaire?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing except that he is an old soldier.” + </p> + <p> + “What regiment?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I have heard—Coldstream Guards.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you. I have no doubt I can get details from Forbes. The authorities + are excellent at amassing facts, though they do not always use them to + advantage. What a lovely thing a rose is!” + </p> + <p> + He walked past the couch to the open window, and held up the drooping + stalk of a moss-rose, looking down at the dainty blend of crimson and + green. It was a new phase of his character to me, for I had never before + seen him show any keen interest in natural objects. + </p> + <p> + “There is nothing in which deduction is so necessary as in religion,” said + he, leaning with his back against the shutters. “It can be built up as an + exact science by the reasoner. Our highest assurance of the goodness of + Providence seems to me to rest in the flowers. All other things, our + powers our desires, our food, are all really necessary for our existence + in the first instance. But this rose is an extra. Its smell and its color + are an embellishment of life, not a condition of it. It is only goodness + which gives extras, and so I say again that we have much to hope from the + flowers.” + </p> + <p> + Percy Phelps and his nurse looked at Holmes during this demonstration with + surprise and a good deal of disappointment written upon their faces. He + had fallen into a reverie, with the moss-rose between his fingers. It had + lasted some minutes before the young lady broke in upon it. + </p> + <p> + “Do you see any prospect of solving this mystery, Mr. Holmes?” she asked, + with a touch of asperity in her voice. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, the mystery!” he answered, coming back with a start to the realities + of life. “Well, it would be absurd to deny that the case is a very + abstruse and complicated one, but I can promise you that I will look into + the matter and let you know any points which may strike me.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you see any clue?” + </p> + <p> + “You have furnished me with seven, but, of course, I must test them before + I can pronounce upon their value.” + </p> + <p> + “You suspect some one?” + </p> + <p> + “I suspect myself.” + </p> + <p> + “What!” + </p> + <p> + “Of coming to conclusions too rapidly.” + </p> + <p> + “Then go to London and test your conclusions.” + </p> + <p> + “Your advice is very excellent, Miss Harrison,” said Holmes, rising. “I + think, Watson, we cannot do better. Do not allow yourself to indulge in + false hopes, Mr. Phelps. The affair is a very tangled one.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall be in a fever until I see you again,” cried the diplomatist. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I'll come out by the same train to-morrow, though it's more than + likely that my report will be a negative one.” + </p> + <p> + “God bless you for promising to come,” cried our client. “It gives me + fresh life to know that something is being done. By the way, I have had a + letter from Lord Holdhurst.” + </p> + <p> + “Ha! What did he say?” + </p> + <p> + “He was cold, but not harsh. I dare say my severe illness prevented him + from being that. He repeated that the matter was of the utmost importance, + and added that no steps would be taken about my future—by which he + means, of course, my dismissal—until my health was restored and I + had an opportunity of repairing my misfortune.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, that was reasonable and considerate,” said Holmes. “Come, Watson, + for we have a good day's work before us in town.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Joseph Harrison drove us down to the station, and we were soon + whirling up in a Portsmouth train. Holmes was sunk in profound thought, + and hardly opened his mouth until we had passed Clapham Junction. + </p> + <p> + “It's a very cheery thing to come into London by any of these lines which + run high, and allow you to look down upon the houses like this.” + </p> + <p> + I thought he was joking, for the view was sordid enough, but he soon + explained himself. + </p> + <p> + “Look at those big, isolated clumps of building rising up above the + slates, like brick islands in a lead-colored sea.” + </p> + <p> + “The board-schools.” + </p> + <p> + “Light-houses, my boy! Beacons of the future! Capsules with hundreds of + bright little seeds in each, out of which will spring the wise, better + England of the future. I suppose that man Phelps does not drink?” + </p> + <p> + “I should not think so.” + </p> + <p> + “Nor should I, but we are bound to take every possibility into account. + The poor devil has certainly got himself into very deep water, and it's a + question whether we shall ever be able to get him ashore. What did you + think of Miss Harrison?” + </p> + <p> + “A girl of strong character.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but she is a good sort, or I am mistaken. She and her brother are + the only children of an iron-master somewhere up Northumberland way. He + got engaged to her when traveling last winter, and she came down to be + introduced to his people, with her brother as escort. Then came the smash, + and she stayed on to nurse her lover, while brother Joseph, finding + himself pretty snug, stayed on too. I've been making a few independent + inquiries, you see. But to-day must be a day of inquiries.” + </p> + <p> + “My practice—” I began. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, if you find your own cases more interesting than mine—” said + Holmes, with some asperity. + </p> + <p> + “I was going to say that my practice could get along very well for a day + or two, since it is the slackest time in the year.” + </p> + <p> + “Excellent,” said he, recovering his good-humor. “Then we'll look into + this matter together. I think that we should begin by seeing Forbes. He + can probably tell us all the details we want until we know from what side + the case is to be approached.” + </p> + <p> + “You said you had a clue?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we have several, but we can only test their value by further + inquiry. The most difficult crime to track is the one which is + purposeless. Now this is not purposeless. Who is it who profits by it? + There is the French ambassador, there is the Russian, there is whoever + might sell it to either of these, and there is Lord Holdhurst.” + </p> + <p> + “Lord Holdhurst!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, it is just conceivable that a statesman might find himself in a + position where he was not sorry to have such a document accidentally + destroyed.” + </p> + <p> + “Not a statesman with the honorable record of Lord Holdhurst?” + </p> + <p> + “It is a possibility and we cannot afford to disregard it. We shall see + the noble lord to-day and find out if he can tell us anything. Meanwhile I + have already set inquiries on foot.” + </p> + <p> + “Already?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I sent wires from Woking station to every evening paper in London. + This advertisement will appear in each of them.” + </p> + <p> + He handed over a sheet torn from a note-book. On it was scribbled in + pencil: “L10 reward. The number of the cab which dropped a fare at or + about the door of the Foreign Office in Charles Street at quarter to ten + in the evening of May 23d. Apply 221 B, Baker Street.” + </p> + <p> + “You are confident that the thief came in a cab?” + </p> + <p> + “If not, there is no harm done. But if Mr. Phelps is correct in stating + that there is no hiding-place either in the room or the corridors, then + the person must have come from outside. If he came from outside on so wet + a night, and yet left no trace of damp upon the linoleum, which was + examined within a few minutes of his passing, then it is exceeding + probable that he came in a cab. Yes, I think that we may safely deduce a + cab.” + </p> + <p> + “It sounds plausible.” + </p> + <p> + “That is one of the clues of which I spoke. It may lead us to something. + And then, of course, there is the bell—which is the most distinctive + feature of the case. Why should the bell ring? Was it the thief who did it + out of bravado? Or was it some one who was with the thief who did it in + order to prevent the crime? Or was it an accident? Or was it—?” He + sank back into the state of intense and silent thought from which he had + emerged; but it seemed to me, accustomed as I was to his every mood, that + some new possibility had dawned suddenly upon him. + </p> + <p> + It was twenty past three when we reached our terminus, and after a hasty + luncheon at the buffet we pushed on at once to Scotland Yard. Holmes had + already wired to Forbes, and we found him waiting to receive us—a + small, foxy man with a sharp but by no means amiable expression. He was + decidedly frigid in his manner to us, especially when he heard the errand + upon which we had come. + </p> + <p> + “I've heard of your methods before now, Mr. Holmes,” said he, tartly. “You + are ready enough to use all the information that the police can lay at + your disposal, and then you try to finish the case yourself and bring + discredit on them.” + </p> + <p> + “On the contrary,” said Holmes, “out of my last fifty-three cases my name + has only appeared in four, and the police have had all the credit in + forty-nine. I don't blame you for not knowing this, for you are young and + inexperienced, but if you wish to get on in your new duties you will work + with me and not against me.” + </p> + <p> + “I'd be very glad of a hint or two,” said the detective, changing his + manner. “I've certainly had no credit from the case so far.” + </p> + <p> + “What steps have you taken?” + </p> + <p> + “Tangey, the commissionnaire, has been shadowed. He left the Guards with a + good character and we can find nothing against him. His wife is a bad lot, + though. I fancy she knows more about this than appears.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you shadowed her?” + </p> + <p> + “We have set one of our women on to her. Mrs. Tangey drinks, and our woman + has been with her twice when she was well on, but she could get nothing + out of her.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand that they have had brokers in the house?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but they were paid off.” + </p> + <p> + “Where did the money come from?” + </p> + <p> + “That was all right. His pension was due. They have not shown any sign of + being in funds.” + </p> + <p> + “What explanation did she give of having answered the bell when Mr. Phelps + rang for the coffee?” + </p> + <p> + “She said that her husband was very tired and she wished to relieve him.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, certainly that would agree with his being found a little later + asleep in his chair. There is nothing against them then but the woman's + character. Did you ask her why she hurried away that night? Her haste + attracted the attention of the police constable.” + </p> + <p> + “She was later than usual and wanted to get home.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you point out to her that you and Mr. Phelps, who started at least + twenty minutes after her, got home before her?” + </p> + <p> + “She explains that by the difference between a 'bus and a hansom.” + </p> + <p> + “Did she make it clear why, on reaching her house, she ran into the back + kitchen?” + </p> + <p> + “Because she had the money there with which to pay off the brokers.” + </p> + <p> + “She has at least an answer for everything. Did you ask her whether in + leaving she met any one or saw any one loitering about Charles Street?” + </p> + <p> + “She saw no one but the constable.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you seem to have cross-examined her pretty thoroughly. What else + have you done?” + </p> + <p> + “The clerk Gorot has been shadowed all these nine weeks, but without + result. We can show nothing against him.” + </p> + <p> + “Anything else?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we have nothing else to go upon—no evidence of any kind.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you formed a theory about how that bell rang?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I must confess that it beats me. It was a cool hand, whoever it + was, to go and give the alarm like that.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it was a queer thing to do. Many thanks to you for what you have + told me. If I can put the man into your hands you shall hear from me. Come + along, Watson.” + </p> + <p> + “Where are we going to now?” I asked, as we left the office. + </p> + <p> + “We are now going to interview Lord Holdhurst, the cabinet minister and + future premier of England.” + </p> + <p> + We were fortunate in finding that Lord Holdhurst was still in his chambers + in Downing Street, and on Holmes sending in his card we were instantly + shown up. The statesman received us with that old-fashioned courtesy for + which he is remarkable, and seated us on the two luxuriant lounges on + either side of the fireplace. Standing on the rug between us, with his + slight, tall figure, his sharp features, thoughtful face, and curling hair + prematurely tinged with gray, he seemed to represent that not too common + type, a nobleman who is in truth noble. + </p> + <p> + “Your name is very familiar to me, Mr. Holmes,” said he, smiling. “And, of + course, I cannot pretend to be ignorant of the object of your visit. There + has only been one occurrence in these offices which could call for your + attention. In whose interest are you acting, may I ask?” + </p> + <p> + “In that of Mr. Percy Phelps,” answered Holmes. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, my unfortunate nephew! You can understand that our kinship makes it + the more impossible for me to screen him in any way. I fear that the + incident must have a very prejudicial effect upon his career.” + </p> + <p> + “But if the document is found?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, that, of course, would be different.” + </p> + <p> + “I had one or two questions which I wished to ask you, Lord Holdhurst.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall be happy to give you any information in my power.” + </p> + <p> + “Was it in this room that you gave your instructions as to the copying of + the document?” + </p> + <p> + “It was.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you could hardly have been overheard?” + </p> + <p> + “It is out of the question.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you ever mention to any one that it was your intention to give any + one the treaty to be copied?” + </p> + <p> + “Never.” + </p> + <p> + “You are certain of that?” + </p> + <p> + “Absolutely.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, since you never said so, and Mr. Phelps never said so, and nobody + else knew anything of the matter, then the thief's presence in the room + was purely accidental. He saw his chance and he took it.” + </p> + <p> + The statesman smiled. “You take me out of my province there,” said he. + </p> + <p> + Holmes considered for a moment. “There is another very important point + which I wish to discuss with you,” said he. “You feared, as I understand, + that very grave results might follow from the details of this treaty + becoming known.” + </p> + <p> + A shadow passed over the expressive face of the statesman. “Very grave + results indeed.” + </p> + <p> + “And have they occurred?” + </p> + <p> + “Not yet.” + </p> + <p> + “If the treaty had reached, let us say, the French or Russian Foreign + Office, you would expect to hear of it?” + </p> + <p> + “I should,” said Lord Holdhurst, with a wry face. + </p> + <p> + “Since nearly ten weeks have elapsed, then, and nothing has been heard, it + is not unfair to suppose that for some reason the treaty has not reached + them.” + </p> + <p> + Lord Holdhurst shrugged his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “We can hardly suppose, Mr. Holmes, that the thief took the treaty in + order to frame it and hang it up.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps he is waiting for a better price.” + </p> + <p> + “If he waits a little longer he will get no price at all. The treaty will + cease to be secret in a few months.” + </p> + <p> + “That is most important,” said Holmes. “Of course, it is a possible + supposition that the thief has had a sudden illness—” + </p> + <p> + “An attack of brain-fever, for example?” asked the statesman, flashing a + swift glance at him. + </p> + <p> + “I did not say so,” said Holmes, imperturbably. “And now, Lord Holdhurst, + we have already taken up too much of your valuable time, and we shall wish + you good-day.” + </p> + <p> + “Every success to your investigation, be the criminal who it may,” + answered the nobleman, as he bowed us out the door. + </p> + <p> + “He's a fine fellow,” said Holmes, as we came out into Whitehall. “But he + has a struggle to keep up his position. He is far from rich and has many + calls. You noticed, of course, that his boots had been resoled. Now, + Watson, I won't detain you from your legitimate work any longer. I shall + do nothing more to-day, unless I have an answer to my cab advertisement. + But I should be extremely obliged to you if you would come down with me to + Woking to-morrow, by the same train which we took yesterday.” + </p> + <p> + I met him accordingly next morning and we traveled down to Woking + together. He had had no answer to his advertisement, he said, and no fresh + light had been thrown upon the case. He had, when he so willed it, the + utter immobility of countenance of a red Indian, and I could not gather + from his appearance whether he was satisfied or not with the position of + the case. His conversation, I remember, was about the Bertillon system of + measurements, and he expressed his enthusiastic admiration of the French + savant. + </p> + <p> + We found our client still under the charge of his devoted nurse, but + looking considerably better than before. He rose from the sofa and greeted + us without difficulty when we entered. + </p> + <p> + “Any news?” he asked, eagerly. + </p> + <p> + “My report, as I expected, is a negative one,” said Holmes. “I have seen + Forbes, and I have seen your uncle, and I have set one or two trains of + inquiry upon foot which may lead to something.” + </p> + <p> + “You have not lost heart, then?” + </p> + <p> + “By no means.” + </p> + <p> + “God bless you for saying that!” cried Miss Harrison. “If we keep our + courage and our patience the truth must come out.” + </p> + <p> + “We have more to tell you than you have for us,” said Phelps, reseating + himself upon the couch. + </p> + <p> + “I hoped you might have something.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, we have had an adventure during the night, and one which might have + proved to be a serious one.” His expression grew very grave as he spoke, + and a look of something akin to fear sprang up in his eyes. “Do you know,” + said he, “that I begin to believe that I am the unconscious centre of some + monstrous conspiracy, and that my life is aimed at as well as my honor?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” cried Holmes. + </p> + <p> + “It sounds incredible, for I have not, as far as I know, an enemy in the + world. Yet from last night's experience I can come to no other + conclusion.” + </p> + <p> + “Pray let me hear it.” + </p> + <p> + “You must know that last night was the very first night that I have ever + slept without a nurse in the room. I was so much better that I thought I + could dispense with one. I had a night-light burning, however. Well, about + two in the morning I had sunk into a light sleep when I was suddenly + aroused by a slight noise. It was like the sound which a mouse makes when + it is gnawing a plank, and I lay listening to it for some time under the + impression that it must come from that cause. Then it grew louder, and + suddenly there came from the window a sharp metallic snick. I sat up in + amazement. There could be no doubt what the sounds were now. The first + ones had been caused by some one forcing an instrument through the slit + between the sashes, and the second by the catch being pressed back. + </p> + <p> + “There was a pause then for about ten minutes, as if the person were + waiting to see whether the noise had awakened me. Then I heard a gentle + creaking as the window was very slowly opened. I could stand it no longer, + for my nerves are not what they used to be. I sprang out of bed and flung + open the shutters. A man was crouching at the window. I could see little + of him, for he was gone like a flash. He was wrapped in some sort of cloak + which came across the lower part of his face. One thing only I am sure of, + and that is that he had some weapon in his hand. It looked to me like a + long knife. I distinctly saw the gleam of it as he turned to run.” + </p> + <p> + “This is most interesting,” said Holmes. “Pray what did you do then?” + </p> + <p> + “I should have followed him through the open window if I had been + stronger. As it was, I rang the bell and roused the house. It took me some + little time, for the bell rings in the kitchen and the servants all sleep + upstairs. I shouted, however, and that brought Joseph down, and he roused + the others. Joseph and the groom found marks on the bed outside the + window, but the weather has been so dry lately that they found it hopeless + to follow the trail across the grass. There's a place, however, on the + wooden fence which skirts the road which shows signs, they tell me, as if + some one had got over, and had snapped the top of the rail in doing so. I + have said nothing to the local police yet, for I thought I had best have + your opinion first.” + </p> + <p> + This tale of our client's appeared to have an extraordinary effect upon + Sherlock Holmes. He rose from his chair and paced about the room in + uncontrollable excitement. + </p> + <p> + “Misfortunes never come single,” said Phelps, smiling, though it was + evident that his adventure had somewhat shaken him. + </p> + <p> + “You have certainly had your share,” said Holmes. “Do you think you could + walk round the house with me?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, I should like a little sunshine. Joseph will come, too.” + </p> + <p> + “And I also,” said Miss Harrison. + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid not,” said Holmes, shaking his head. “I think I must ask you + to remain sitting exactly where you are.” + </p> + <p> + The young lady resumed her seat with an air of displeasure. Her brother, + however, had joined us and we set off all four together. We passed round + the lawn to the outside of the young diplomatist's window. There were, as + he had said, marks upon the bed, but they were hopelessly blurred and + vague. Holmes stopped over them for an instant, and then rose shrugging + his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “I don't think any one could make much of this,” said he. “Let us go round + the house and see why this particular room was chosen by the burglar. I + should have thought those larger windows of the drawing-room and + dining-room would have had more attractions for him.” + </p> + <p> + “They are more visible from the road,” suggested Mr. Joseph Harrison. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, yes, of course. There is a door here which he might have attempted. + What is it for?” + </p> + <p> + “It is the side entrance for trades-people. Of course it is locked at + night.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you ever had an alarm like this before?” + </p> + <p> + “Never,” said our client. + </p> + <p> + “Do you keep plate in the house, or anything to attract burglars?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing of value.” + </p> + <p> + Holmes strolled round the house with his hands in his pockets and a + negligent air which was unusual with him. + </p> + <p> + “By the way,” said he to Joseph Harrison, “you found some place, I + understand, where the fellow scaled the fence. Let us have a look at + that!” + </p> + <p> + The plump young man led us to a spot where the top of one of the wooden + rails had been cracked. A small fragment of the wood was hanging down. + Holmes pulled it off and examined it critically. + </p> + <p> + “Do you think that was done last night? It looks rather old, does it not?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, possibly so.” + </p> + <p> + “There are no marks of any one jumping down upon the other side. No, I + fancy we shall get no help here. Let us go back to the bedroom and talk + the matter over.” + </p> + <p> + Percy Phelps was walking very slowly, leaning upon the arm of his future + brother-in-law. Holmes walked swiftly across the lawn, and we were at the + open window of the bedroom long before the others came up. + </p> + <p> + “Miss Harrison,” said Holmes, speaking with the utmost intensity of + manner, “you must stay where you are all day. Let nothing prevent you from + staying where you are all day. It is of the utmost importance.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, if you wish it, Mr. Holmes,” said the girl in astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “When you go to bed lock the door of this room on the outside and keep the + key. Promise to do this.” + </p> + <p> + “But Percy?” + </p> + <p> + “He will come to London with us.” + </p> + <p> + “And am I to remain here?” + </p> + <p> + “It is for his sake. You can serve him. Quick! Promise!” + </p> + <p> + She gave a quick nod of assent just as the other two came up. + </p> + <p> + “Why do you sit moping there, Annie?” cried her brother. “Come out into + the sunshine!” + </p> + <p> + “No, thank you, Joseph. I have a slight headache and this room is + deliciously cool and soothing.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you propose now, Mr. Holmes?” asked our client. + </p> + <p> + “Well, in investigating this minor affair we must not lose sight of our + main inquiry. It would be a very great help to me if you would come up to + London with us.” + </p> + <p> + “At once?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, as soon as you conveniently can. Say in an hour.” + </p> + <p> + “I feel quite strong enough, if I can really be of any help.” + </p> + <p> + “The greatest possible.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you would like me to stay there to-night?” + </p> + <p> + “I was just going to propose it.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, if my friend of the night comes to revisit me, he will find the + bird flown. We are all in your hands, Mr. Holmes, and you must tell us + exactly what you would like done. Perhaps you would prefer that Joseph + came with us so as to look after me?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no; my friend Watson is a medical man, you know, and he'll look after + you. We'll have our lunch here, if you will permit us, and then we shall + all three set off for town together.” + </p> + <p> + It was arranged as he suggested, though Miss Harrison excused herself from + leaving the bedroom, in accordance with Holmes's suggestion. What the + object of my friend's manoeuvres was I could not conceive, unless it were + to keep the lady away from Phelps, who, rejoiced by his returning health + and by the prospect of action, lunched with us in the dining-room. Holmes + had a still more startling surprise for us, however, for, after + accompanying us down to the station and seeing us into our carriage, he + calmly announced that he had no intention of leaving Woking. + </p> + <p> + “There are one or two small points which I should desire to clear up + before I go,” said he. “Your absence, Mr. Phelps, will in some ways rather + assist me. Watson, when you reach London you would oblige me by driving at + once to Baker Street with our friend here, and remaining with him until I + see you again. It is fortunate that you are old school-fellows, as you + must have much to talk over. Mr. Phelps can have the spare bedroom + to-night, and I will be with you in time for breakfast, for there is a + train which will take me into Waterloo at eight.” + </p> + <p> + “But how about our investigation in London?” asked Phelps, ruefully. + </p> + <p> + “We can do that to-morrow. I think that just at present I can be of more + immediate use here.” + </p> + <p> + “You might tell them at Briarbrae that I hope to be back to-morrow night,” + cried Phelps, as we began to move from the platform. + </p> + <p> + “I hardly expect to go back to Briarbrae,” answered Holmes, and waved his + hand to us cheerily as we shot out from the station. + </p> + <p> + Phelps and I talked it over on our journey, but neither of us could devise + a satisfactory reason for this new development. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose he wants to find out some clue as to the burglary last night, + if a burglar it was. For myself, I don't believe it was an ordinary + thief.” + </p> + <p> + “What is your own idea, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Upon my word, you may put it down to my weak nerves or not, but I believe + there is some deep political intrigue going on around me, and that for + some reason that passes my understanding my life is aimed at by the + conspirators. It sounds high-flown and absurd, but consider the facts! Why + should a thief try to break in at a bedroom window, where there could be + no hope of any plunder, and why should he come with a long knife in his + hand?” + </p> + <p> + “You are sure it was not a house-breaker's jimmy?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, it was a knife. I saw the flash of the blade quite distinctly.” + </p> + <p> + “But why on earth should you be pursued with such animosity?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, that is the question.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if Holmes takes the same view, that would account for his action, + would it not? Presuming that your theory is correct, if he can lay his + hands upon the man who threatened you last night he will have gone a long + way towards finding who took the naval treaty. It is absurd to suppose + that you have two enemies, one of whom robs you, while the other threatens + your life.” + </p> + <p> + “But Holmes said that he was not going to Briarbrae.” + </p> + <p> + “I have known him for some time,” said I, “but I never knew him do + anything yet without a very good reason,” and with that our conversation + drifted off on to other topics. + </p> + <p> + But it was a weary day for me. Phelps was still weak after his long + illness, and his misfortune made him querulous and nervous. In vain I + endeavored to interest him in Afghanistan, in India, in social questions, + in anything which might take his mind out of the groove. He would always + come back to his lost treaty, wondering, guessing, speculating, as to what + Holmes was doing, what steps Lord Holdhurst was taking, what news we + should have in the morning. As the evening wore on his excitement became + quite painful. + </p> + <p> + “You have implicit faith in Holmes?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “I have seen him do some remarkable things.” + </p> + <p> + “But he never brought light into anything quite so dark as this?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes; I have known him solve questions which presented fewer clues + than yours.” + </p> + <p> + “But not where such large interests are at stake?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know that. To my certain knowledge he has acted on behalf of + three of the reigning houses of Europe in very vital matters.” + </p> + <p> + “But you know him well, Watson. He is such an inscrutable fellow that I + never quite know what to make of him. Do you think he is hopeful? Do you + think he expects to make a success of it?” + </p> + <p> + “He has said nothing.” + </p> + <p> + “That is a bad sign.” + </p> + <p> + “On the contrary, I have noticed that when he is off the trail he + generally says so. It is when he is on a scent and is not quite absolutely + sure yet that it is the right one that he is most taciturn. Now, my dear + fellow, we can't help matters by making ourselves nervous about them, so + let me implore you to go to bed and so be fresh for whatever may await us + to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + I was able at last to persuade my companion to take my advice, though I + knew from his excited manner that there was not much hope of sleep for + him. Indeed, his mood was infectious, for I lay tossing half the night + myself, brooding over this strange problem, and inventing a hundred + theories, each of which was more impossible than the last. Why had Holmes + remained at Woking? Why had he asked Miss Harrison to remain in the + sick-room all day? Why had he been so careful not to inform the people at + Briarbrae that he intended to remain near them? I cudgelled my brains + until I fell asleep in the endeavor to find some explanation which would + cover all these facts. + </p> + <p> + It was seven o'clock when I awoke, and I set off at once for Phelps's + room, to find him haggard and spent after a sleepless night. His first + question was whether Holmes had arrived yet. + </p> + <p> + “He'll be here when he promised,” said I, “and not an instant sooner or + later.” + </p> + <p> + And my words were true, for shortly after eight a hansom dashed up to the + door and our friend got out of it. Standing in the window we saw that his + left hand was swathed in a bandage and that his face was very grim and + pale. He entered the house, but it was some little time before he came + upstairs. + </p> + <p> + “He looks like a beaten man,” cried Phelps. + </p> + <p> + I was forced to confess that he was right. “After all,” said I, “the clue + of the matter lies probably here in town.” + </p> + <p> + Phelps gave a groan. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know how it is,” said he, “but I had hoped for so much from his + return. But surely his hand was not tied up like that yesterday. What can + be the matter?” + </p> + <p> + “You are not wounded, Holmes?” I asked, as my friend entered the room. + </p> + <p> + “Tut, it is only a scratch through my own clumsiness,” he answered, + nodding his good-mornings to us. “This case of yours, Mr. Phelps, is + certainly one of the darkest which I have ever investigated.” + </p> + <p> + “I feared that you would find it beyond you.” + </p> + <p> + “It has been a most remarkable experience.” + </p> + <p> + “That bandage tells of adventures,” said I. “Won't you tell us what has + happened?” + </p> + <p> + “After breakfast, my dear Watson. Remember that I have breathed thirty + miles of Surrey air this morning. I suppose that there has been no answer + from my cabman advertisement? Well, well, we cannot expect to score every + time.” + </p> + <p> + The table was all laid, and just as I was about to ring Mrs. Hudson + entered with the tea and coffee. A few minutes later she brought in three + covers, and we all drew up to the table, Holmes ravenous, I curious, and + Phelps in the gloomiest state of depression. + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Hudson has risen to the occasion,” said Holmes, uncovering a dish of + curried chicken. “Her cuisine is a little limited, but she has as good an + idea of breakfast as a Scotch-woman. What have you here, Watson?” + </p> + <p> + “Ham and eggs,” I answered. + </p> + <p> + “Good! What are you going to take, Mr. Phelps—curried fowl or eggs, + or will you help yourself?” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you. I can eat nothing,” said Phelps. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, come! Try the dish before you.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, I would really rather not.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then,” said Holmes, with a mischievous twinkle, “I suppose that you + have no objection to helping me?” + </p> + <p> + Phelps raised the cover, and as he did so he uttered a scream, and sat + there staring with a face as white as the plate upon which he looked. + Across the centre of it was lying a little cylinder of blue-gray paper. He + caught it up, devoured it with his eyes, and then danced madly about the + room, pressing it to his bosom and shrieking out in his delight. Then he + fell back into an arm-chair so limp and exhausted with his own emotions + that we had to pour brandy down his throat to keep him from fainting. + </p> + <p> + “There! there!” said Holmes, soothing, patting him upon the shoulder. “It + was too bad to spring it on you like this, but Watson here will tell you + that I never can resist a touch of the dramatic.” + </p> + <p> + Phelps seized his hand and kissed it. “God bless you!” he cried. “You have + saved my honor.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, my own was at stake, you know,” said Holmes. “I assure you it is + just as hateful to me to fail in a case as it can be to you to blunder + over a commission.” + </p> + <p> + Phelps thrust away the precious document into the innermost pocket of his + coat. + </p> + <p> + “I have not the heart to interrupt your breakfast any further, and yet I + am dying to know how you got it and where it was.” + </p> + <p> + Sherlock Holmes swallowed a cup of coffee, and turned his attention to the + ham and eggs. Then he rose, lit his pipe, and settled himself down into + his chair. + </p> + <p> + “I'll tell you what I did first, and how I came to do it afterwards,” said + he. “After leaving you at the station I went for a charming walk through + some admirable Surrey scenery to a pretty little village called Ripley, + where I had my tea at an inn, and took the precaution of filling my flask + and of putting a paper of sandwiches in my pocket. There I remained until + evening, when I set off for Woking again, and found myself in the + high-road outside Briarbrae just after sunset. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I waited until the road was clear—it is never a very + frequented one at any time, I fancy—and then I clambered over the + fence into the grounds.” + </p> + <p> + “Surely the gate was open!” ejaculated Phelps. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but I have a peculiar taste in these matters. I chose the place + where the three fir-trees stand, and behind their screen I got over + without the least chance of any one in the house being able to see me. I + crouched down among the bushes on the other side, and crawled from one to + the other—witness the disreputable state of my trouser knees—until + I had reached the clump of rhododendrons just opposite to your bedroom + window. There I squatted down and awaited developments. + </p> + <p> + “The blind was not down in your room, and I could see Miss Harrison + sitting there reading by the table. It was quarter-past ten when she + closed her book, fastened the shutters, and retired. + </p> + <p> + “I heard her shut the door, and felt quite sure that she had turned the + key in the lock.” + </p> + <p> + “The key!” ejaculated Phelps. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; I had given Miss Harrison instructions to lock the door on the + outside and take the key with her when she went to bed. She carried out + every one of my injunctions to the letter, and certainly without her + cooperation you would not have that paper in your coat-pocket. She departed + then and the lights went out, and I was left squatting in the + rhododendron-bush. + </p> + <p> + “The night was fine, but still it was a very weary vigil. Of course it has + the sort of excitement about it that the sportsman feels when he lies + beside the water-course and waits for the big game. It was very long, + though—almost as long, Watson, as when you and I waited in that + deadly room when we looked into the little problem of the Speckled Band. + There was a church-clock down at Woking which struck the quarters, and I + thought more than once that it had stopped. At last however about two in + the morning, I suddenly heard the gentle sound of a bolt being pushed back + and the creaking of a key. A moment later the servants' door was opened, + and Mr. Joseph Harrison stepped out into the moonlight.” + </p> + <p> + “Joseph!” ejaculated Phelps. + </p> + <p> + “He was bare-headed, but he had a black coat thrown over his shoulder so + that he could conceal his face in an instant if there were any alarm. He + walked on tiptoe under the shadow of the wall, and when he reached the + window he worked a long-bladed knife through the sash and pushed back the + catch. Then he flung open the window, and putting his knife through the + crack in the shutters, he thrust the bar up and swung them open. + </p> + <p> + “From where I lay I had a perfect view of the inside of the room and of + every one of his movements. He lit the two candles which stood upon the + mantelpiece, and then he proceeded to turn back the corner of the carpet + in the neighborhood of the door. Presently he stopped and picked out a + square piece of board, such as is usually left to enable plumbers to get + at the joints of the gas-pipes. This one covered, as a matter of fact, the + T joint which gives off the pipe which supplies the kitchen underneath. + Out of this hiding-place he drew that little cylinder of paper, pushed + down the board, rearranged the carpet, blew out the candles, and walked + straight into my arms as I stood waiting for him outside the window. + </p> + <p> + “Well, he has rather more viciousness than I gave him credit for, has + Master Joseph. He flew at me with his knife, and I had to grasp him twice, + and got a cut over the knuckles, before I had the upper hand of him. He + looked murder out of the only eye he could see with when we had finished, + but he listened to reason and gave up the papers. Having got them I let my + man go, but I wired full particulars to Forbes this morning. If he is + quick enough to catch his bird, well and good. But if, as I shrewdly + suspect, he finds the nest empty before he gets there, why, all the better + for the government. I fancy that Lord Holdhurst for one, and Mr. Percy + Phelps for another, would very much rather that the affair never got as + far as a police-court. + </p> + <p> + “My God!” gasped our client. “Do you tell me that during these long ten + weeks of agony the stolen papers were within the very room with me all the + time?” + </p> + <p> + “So it was.” + </p> + <p> + “And Joseph! Joseph a villain and a thief!” + </p> + <p> + “Hum! I am afraid Joseph's character is a rather deeper and more dangerous + one than one might judge from his appearance. From what I have heard from + him this morning, I gather that he has lost heavily in dabbling with + stocks, and that he is ready to do anything on earth to better his + fortunes. Being an absolutely selfish man, when a chance presented itself + he did not allow either his sister's happiness or your reputation to hold + his hand.” + </p> + <p> + Percy Phelps sank back in his chair. “My head whirls,” said he. “Your + words have dazed me.” + </p> + <p> + “The principal difficulty in your case,” remarked Holmes, in his didactic + fashion, “lay in the fact of there being too much evidence. What was vital + was overlaid and hidden by what was irrelevant. Of all the facts which + were presented to us we had to pick just those which we deemed to be + essential, and then piece them together in their order, so as to + reconstruct this very remarkable chain of events. I had already begun to + suspect Joseph, from the fact that you had intended to travel home with + him that night, and that therefore it was a likely enough thing that he + should call for you, knowing the Foreign Office well, upon his way. When I + heard that some one had been so anxious to get into the bedroom, in which + no one but Joseph could have concealed anything—you told us in your + narrative how you had turned Joseph out when you arrived with the doctor—my + suspicions all changed to certainties, especially as the attempt was made + on the first night upon which the nurse was absent, showing that the + intruder was well acquainted with the ways of the house.” + </p> + <p> + “How blind I have been!” + </p> + <p> + “The facts of the case, as far as I have worked them out, are these: this + Joseph Harrison entered the office through the Charles Street door, and + knowing his way he walked straight into your room the instant after you + left it. Finding no one there he promptly rang the bell, and at the + instant that he did so his eyes caught the paper upon the table. A glance + showed him that chance had put in his way a State document of immense + value, and in an instant he had thrust it into his pocket and was gone. A + few minutes elapsed, as you remember, before the sleepy commissionnaire + drew your attention to the bell, and those were just enough to give the + thief time to make his escape. + </p> + <p> + “He made his way to Woking by the first train, and having examined his + booty and assured himself that it really was of immense value, he had + concealed it in what he thought was a very safe place, with the intention + of taking it out again in a day or two, and carrying it to the French + embassy, or wherever he thought that a long price was to be had. Then came + your sudden return. He, without a moment's warning, was bundled out of his + room, and from that time onward there were always at least two of you + there to prevent him from regaining his treasure. The situation to him + must have been a maddening one. But at last he thought he saw his chance. + He tried to steal in, but was baffled by your wakefulness. You remember + that you did not take your usual draught that night.” + </p> + <p> + “I remember.” + </p> + <p> + “I fancy that he had taken steps to make that draught efficacious, and + that he quite relied upon your being unconscious. Of course, I understood + that he would repeat the attempt whenever it could be done with safety. + Your leaving the room gave him the chance he wanted. I kept Miss Harrison + in it all day so that he might not anticipate us. Then, having given him + the idea that the coast was clear, I kept guard as I have described. I + already knew that the papers were probably in the room, but I had no + desire to rip up all the planking and skirting in search of them. I let + him take them, therefore, from the hiding-place, and so saved myself an + infinity of trouble. Is there any other point which I can make clear?” + </p> + <p> + “Why did he try the window on the first occasion,” I asked, “when he might + have entered by the door?” + </p> + <p> + “In reaching the door he would have to pass seven bedrooms. On the other + hand, he could get out on to the lawn with ease. Anything else?” + </p> + <p> + “You do not think,” asked Phelps, “that he had any murderous intention? + The knife was only meant as a tool.” + </p> + <p> + “It may be so,” answered Holmes, shrugging his shoulders. “I can only say + for certain that Mr. Joseph Harrison is a gentleman to whose mercy I + should be extremely unwilling to trust.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Adventure XI. The Final Problem + </h2> + <p> + It is with a heavy heart that I take up my pen to write these the last + words in which I shall ever record the singular gifts by which my friend + Mr. Sherlock Holmes was distinguished. In an incoherent and, as I deeply + feel, an entirely inadequate fashion, I have endeavored to give some + account of my strange experiences in his company from the chance which + first brought us together at the period of the “Study in Scarlet,” up to + the time of his interference in the matter of the “Naval Treaty”—an + interference which had the unquestionable effect of preventing a serious + international complication. It was my intention to have stopped there, and + to have said nothing of that event which has created a void in my life + which the lapse of two years has done little to fill. My hand has been + forced, however, by the recent letters in which Colonel James Moriarty + defends the memory of his brother, and I have no choice but to lay the + facts before the public exactly as they occurred. I alone know the + absolute truth of the matter, and I am satisfied that the time has come + when no good purpose is to be served by its suppression. As far as I know, + there have been only three accounts in the public press: that in the + Journal de Geneve on May 6th, 1891, the Reuter's despatch in the English + papers on May 7th, and finally the recent letter to which I have alluded. + Of these the first and second were extremely condensed, while the last is, + as I shall now show, an absolute perversion of the facts. It lies with me + to tell for the first time what really took place between Professor + Moriarty and Mr. Sherlock Holmes. + </p> + <p> + It may be remembered that after my marriage, and my subsequent start in + private practice, the very intimate relations which had existed between + Holmes and myself became to some extent modified. He still came to me from + time to time when he desired a companion in his investigation, but these + occasions grew more and more seldom, until I find that in the year 1890 + there were only three cases of which I retain any record. During the + winter of that year and the early spring of 1891, I saw in the papers that + he had been engaged by the French government upon a matter of supreme + importance, and I received two notes from Holmes, dated from Narbonne and + from Nimes, from which I gathered that his stay in France was likely to be + a long one. It was with some surprise, therefore, that I saw him walk into + my consulting-room upon the evening of April 24th. It struck me that he + was looking even paler and thinner than usual. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I have been using myself up rather too freely,” he remarked, in + answer to my look rather than to my words; “I have been a little pressed + of late. Have you any objection to my closing your shutters?” + </p> + <p> + The only light in the room came from the lamp upon the table at which I + had been reading. Holmes edged his way round the wall and flinging the + shutters together, he bolted them securely. + </p> + <p> + “You are afraid of something?” I asked. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I am.” + </p> + <p> + “Of what?” + </p> + <p> + “Of air-guns.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear Holmes, what do you mean?” + </p> + <p> + “I think that you know me well enough, Watson, to understand that I am by + no means a nervous man. At the same time, it is stupidity rather than + courage to refuse to recognize danger when it is close upon you. Might I + trouble you for a match?” He drew in the smoke of his cigarette as if the + soothing influence was grateful to him. + </p> + <p> + “I must apologize for calling so late,” said he, “and I must further beg + you to be so unconventional as to allow me to leave your house presently + by scrambling over your back garden wall.” + </p> + <p> + “But what does it all mean?” I asked. + </p> + <p> + He held out his hand, and I saw in the light of the lamp that two of his + knuckles were burst and bleeding. + </p> + <p> + “It is not an airy nothing, you see,” said he, smiling. “On the contrary, + it is solid enough for a man to break his hand over. Is Mrs. Watson in?” + </p> + <p> + “She is away upon a visit.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed! You are alone?” + </p> + <p> + “Quite.” + </p> + <p> + “Then it makes it the easier for me to propose that you should come away + with me for a week to the Continent.” + </p> + <p> + “Where?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, anywhere. It's all the same to me.” + </p> + <p> + There was something very strange in all this. It was not Holmes's nature + to take an aimless holiday, and something about his pale, worn face told + me that his nerves were at their highest tension. He saw the question in + my eyes, and, putting his finger-tips together and his elbows upon his + knees, he explained the situation. + </p> + <p> + “You have probably never heard of Professor Moriarty?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Never.” + </p> + <p> + “Aye, there's the genius and the wonder of the thing!” he cried. “The man + pervades London, and no one has heard of him. That's what puts him on a + pinnacle in the records of crime. I tell you, Watson, in all seriousness, + that if I could beat that man, if I could free society of him, I should + feel that my own career had reached its summit, and I should be prepared + to turn to some more placid line in life. Between ourselves, the recent + cases in which I have been of assistance to the royal family of + Scandinavia, and to the French republic, have left me in such a position + that I could continue to live in the quiet fashion which is most congenial + to me, and to concentrate my attention upon my chemical researches. But I + could not rest, Watson, I could not sit quiet in my chair, if I thought + that such a man as Professor Moriarty were walking the streets of London + unchallenged.” + </p> + <p> + “What has he done, then?” + </p> + <p> + “His career has been an extraordinary one. He is a man of good birth and + excellent education, endowed by nature with a phenomenal mathematical + faculty. At the age of twenty-one he wrote a treatise upon the Binomial + Theorem, which has had a European vogue. On the strength of it he won the + Mathematical Chair at one of our smaller universities, and had, to all + appearances, a most brilliant career before him. But the man had + hereditary tendencies of the most diabolical kind. A criminal strain ran + in his blood, which, instead of being modified, was increased and rendered + infinitely more dangerous by his extraordinary mental powers. Dark rumors + gathered round him in the university town, and eventually he was compelled + to resign his chair and to come down to London, where he set up as an army + coach. So much is known to the world, but what I am telling you now is + what I have myself discovered. + </p> + <p> + “As you are aware, Watson, there is no one who knows the higher criminal + world of London so well as I do. For years past I have continually been + conscious of some power behind the malefactor, some deep organizing power + which forever stands in the way of the law, and throws its shield over the + wrong-doer. Again and again in cases of the most varying sorts—forgery + cases, robberies, murders—I have felt the presence of this force, + and I have deduced its action in many of those undiscovered crimes in + which I have not been personally consulted. For years I have endeavored to + break through the veil which shrouded it, and at last the time came when I + seized my thread and followed it, until it led me, after a thousand + cunning windings, to ex-Professor Moriarty of mathematical celebrity. + </p> + <p> + “He is the Napoleon of crime, Watson. He is the organizer of half that is + evil and of nearly all that is undetected in this great city. He is a + genius, a philosopher, an abstract thinker. He has a brain of the first + order. He sits motionless, like a spider in the center of its web, but + that web has a thousand radiations, and he knows well every quiver of each + of them. He does little himself. He only plans. But his agents are + numerous and splendidly organized. Is there a crime to be done, a paper to + be abstracted, we will say, a house to be rifled, a man to be removed—the + word is passed to the Professor, the matter is organized and carried out. + The agent may be caught. In that case money is found for his bail or his + defence. But the central power which uses the agent is never caught—never + so much as suspected. This was the organization which I deduced, Watson, + and which I devoted my whole energy to exposing and breaking up. + </p> + <p> + “But the Professor was fenced round with safeguards so cunningly devised + that, do what I would, it seemed impossible to get evidence which would + convict in a court of law. You know my powers, my dear Watson, and yet at + the end of three months I was forced to confess that I had at last met an + antagonist who was my intellectual equal. My horror at his crimes was lost + in my admiration at his skill. But at last he made a trip—only a + little, little trip—but it was more than he could afford when I was + so close upon him. I had my chance, and, starting from that point, I have + woven my net round him until now it is all ready to close. In three days—that + is to say, on Monday next—matters will be ripe, and the Professor, + with all the principal members of his gang, will be in the hands of the + police. Then will come the greatest criminal trial of the century, the + clearing up of over forty mysteries, and the rope for all of them; but if + we move at all prematurely, you understand, they may slip out of our hands + even at the last moment. + </p> + <p> + “Now, if I could have done this without the knowledge of Professor + Moriarty, all would have been well. But he was too wily for that. He saw + every step which I took to draw my toils round him. Again and again he + strove to break away, but I as often headed him off. I tell you, my + friend, that if a detailed account of that silent contest could be + written, it would take its place as the most brilliant bit of + thrust-and-parry work in the history of detection. Never have I risen to + such a height, and never have I been so hard pressed by an opponent. He + cut deep, and yet I just undercut him. This morning the last steps were + taken, and three days only were wanted to complete the business. I was + sitting in my room thinking the matter over, when the door opened and + Professor Moriarty stood before me. + </p> + <p> + “My nerves are fairly proof, Watson, but I must confess to a start when I + saw the very man who had been so much in my thoughts standing there on my + threshhold. His appearance was quite familiar to me. He is extremely tall + and thin, his forehead domes out in a white curve, and his two eyes are + deeply sunken in his head. He is clean-shaven, pale, and ascetic-looking, + retaining something of the professor in his features. His shoulders are + rounded from much study, and his face protrudes forward, and is forever + slowly oscillating from side to side in a curiously reptilian fashion. He + peered at me with great curiosity in his puckered eyes. + </p> + <p> + “'You have less frontal development than I should have expected,' said he, + at last. 'It is a dangerous habit to finger loaded firearms in the pocket + of one's dressing-gown.' + </p> + <p> + “The fact is that upon his entrance I had instantly recognized the extreme + personal danger in which I lay. The only conceivable escape for him lay in + silencing my tongue. In an instant I had slipped the revolver from the + drawer into my pocket, and was covering him through the cloth. At his + remark I drew the weapon out and laid it cocked upon the table. He still + smiled and blinked, but there was something about his eyes which made me + feel very glad that I had it there. + </p> + <p> + “'You evidently don't know me,' said he. + </p> + <p> + “'On the contrary,' I answered, 'I think it is fairly evident that I do. + Pray take a chair. I can spare you five minutes if you have anything to + say.' + </p> + <p> + “'All that I have to say has already crossed your mind,' said he. + </p> + <p> + “'Then possibly my answer has crossed yours,' I replied. + </p> + <p> + “'You stand fast?' + </p> + <p> + “'Absolutely.' + </p> + <p> + “He clapped his hand into his pocket, and I raised the pistol from the + table. But he merely drew out a memorandum-book in which he had scribbled + some dates. + </p> + <p> + “'You crossed my path on the 4th of January,' said he. 'On the 23d you + incommoded me; by the middle of February I was seriously inconvenienced by + you; at the end of March I was absolutely hampered in my plans; and now, + at the close of April, I find myself placed in such a position through + your continual persecution that I am in positive danger of losing my + liberty. The situation is becoming an impossible one.' + </p> + <p> + “'Have you any suggestion to make?' I asked. + </p> + <p> + “'You must drop it, Mr. Holmes,' said he, swaying his face about. 'You + really must, you know.' + </p> + <p> + “'After Monday,' said I. + </p> + <p> + “'Tut, tut,' said he. 'I am quite sure that a man of your intelligence + will see that there can be but one outcome to this affair. It is necessary + that you should withdraw. You have worked things in such a fashion that we + have only one resource left. It has been an intellectual treat to me to + see the way in which you have grappled with this affair, and I say, + unaffectedly, that it would be a grief to me to be forced to take any + extreme measure. You smile, sir, but I assure you that it really would.' + </p> + <p> + “'Danger is part of my trade,' I remarked. + </p> + <p> + “'That is not danger,' said he. 'It is inevitable destruction. You stand + in the way not merely of an individual, but of a mighty organization, the + full extent of which you, with all your cleverness, have been unable to + realize. You must stand clear, Mr. Holmes, or be trodden under foot.' + </p> + <p> + “'I am afraid,' said I, rising, 'that in the pleasure of this conversation + I am neglecting business of importance which awaits me elsewhere.' + </p> + <p> + “He rose also and looked at me in silence, shaking his head sadly. + </p> + <p> + “'Well, well,' said he, at last. 'It seems a pity, but I have done what I + could. I know every move of your game. You can do nothing before Monday. + It has been a duel between you and me, Mr. Holmes. You hope to place me in + the dock. I tell you that I will never stand in the dock. You hope to beat + me. I tell you that you will never beat me. If you are clever enough to + bring destruction upon me, rest assured that I shall do as much to you.' + </p> + <p> + “'You have paid me several compliments, Mr. Moriarty,' said I. 'Let me pay + you one in return when I say that if I were assured of the former + eventuality I would, in the interests of the public, cheerfully accept the + latter.' + </p> + <p> + “'I can promise you the one, but not the other,' he snarled, and so turned + his rounded back upon me, and went peering and blinking out of the room. + </p> + <p> + “That was my singular interview with Professor Moriarty. I confess that it + left an unpleasant effect upon my mind. His soft, precise fashion of + speech leaves a conviction of sincerity which a mere bully could not + produce. Of course, you will say: 'Why not take police precautions against + him?' the reason is that I am well convinced that it is from his agents + the blow will fall. I have the best proofs that it would be so.” + </p> + <p> + “You have already been assaulted?” + </p> + <p> + “My dear Watson, Professor Moriarty is not a man who lets the grass grow + under his feet. I went out about mid-day to transact some business in + Oxford Street. As I passed the corner which leads from Bentinck Street on + to the Welbeck Street crossing a two-horse van furiously driven whizzed + round and was on me like a flash. I sprang for the foot-path and saved + myself by the fraction of a second. The van dashed round by Marylebone + Lane and was gone in an instant. I kept to the pavement after that, + Watson, but as I walked down Vere Street a brick came down from the roof + of one of the houses, and was shattered to fragments at my feet. I called + the police and had the place examined. There were slates and bricks piled + up on the roof preparatory to some repairs, and they would have me believe + that the wind had toppled over one of these. Of course I knew better, but + I could prove nothing. I took a cab after that and reached my brother's + rooms in Pall Mall, where I spent the day. Now I have come round to you, + and on my way I was attacked by a rough with a bludgeon. I knocked him + down, and the police have him in custody; but I can tell you with the most + absolute confidence that no possible connection will ever be traced + between the gentleman upon whose front teeth I have barked my knuckles and + the retiring mathematical coach, who is, I dare say, working out problems + upon a black-board ten miles away. You will not wonder, Watson, that my + first act on entering your rooms was to close your shutters, and that I + have been compelled to ask your permission to leave the house by some less + conspicuous exit than the front door.” + </p> + <p> + I had often admired my friend's courage, but never more than now, as he + sat quietly checking off a series of incidents which must have combined to + make up a day of horror. + </p> + <p> + “You will spend the night here?” I said. + </p> + <p> + “No, my friend, you might find me a dangerous guest. I have my plans laid, + and all will be well. Matters have gone so far now that they can move + without my help as far as the arrest goes, though my presence is necessary + for a conviction. It is obvious, therefore, that I cannot do better than + get away for the few days which remain before the police are at liberty to + act. It would be a great pleasure to me, therefore, if you could come on + to the Continent with me.” + </p> + <p> + “The practice is quiet,” said I, “and I have an accommodating neighbor. I + should be glad to come.” + </p> + <p> + “And to start to-morrow morning?” + </p> + <p> + “If necessary.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh yes, it is most necessary. Then these are your instructions, and I + beg, my dear Watson, that you will obey them to the letter, for you are + now playing a double-handed game with me against the cleverest rogue and + the most powerful syndicate of criminals in Europe. Now listen! You will + dispatch whatever luggage you intend to take by a trusty messenger + unaddressed to Victoria to-night. In the morning you will send for a + hansom, desiring your man to take neither the first nor the second which + may present itself. Into this hansom you will jump, and you will drive to + the Strand end of the Lowther Arcade, handing the address to the cabman + upon a slip of paper, with a request that he will not throw it away. Have + your fare ready, and the instant that your cab stops, dash through the + Arcade, timing yourself to reach the other side at a quarter-past nine. + You will find a small brougham waiting close to the curb, driven by a + fellow with a heavy black cloak tipped at the collar with red. Into this + you will step, and you will reach Victoria in time for the Continental + express.” + </p> + <p> + “Where shall I meet you?” + </p> + <p> + “At the station. The second first-class carriage from the front will be + reserved for us.” + </p> + <p> + “The carriage is our rendezvous, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + It was in vain that I asked Holmes to remain for the evening. It was + evident to me that he thought he might bring trouble to the roof he was + under, and that that was the motive which impelled him to go. With a few + hurried words as to our plans for the morrow he rose and came out with me + into the garden, clambering over the wall which leads into Mortimer + Street, and immediately whistling for a hansom, in which I heard him drive + away. + </p> + <p> + In the morning I obeyed Holmes's injunctions to the letter. A hansom was + procured with such precaution as would prevent its being one which was + placed ready for us, and I drove immediately after breakfast to the + Lowther Arcade, through which I hurried at the top of my speed. A brougham + was waiting with a very massive driver wrapped in a dark cloak, who, the + instant that I had stepped in, whipped up the horse and rattled off to + Victoria Station. On my alighting there he turned the carriage, and dashed + away again without so much as a look in my direction. + </p> + <p> + So far all had gone admirably. My luggage was waiting for me, and I had no + difficulty in finding the carriage which Holmes had indicated, the less so + as it was the only one in the train which was marked “Engaged.” My only + source of anxiety now was the non-appearance of Holmes. The station clock + marked only seven minutes from the time when we were due to start. In vain + I searched among the groups of travellers and leave-takers for the lithe + figure of my friend. There was no sign of him. I spent a few minutes in + assisting a venerable Italian priest, who was endeavoring to make a porter + understand, in his broken English, that his luggage was to be booked + through to Paris. Then, having taken another look round, I returned to my + carriage, where I found that the porter, in spite of the ticket, had given + me my decrepit Italian friend as a traveling companion. It was useless for + me to explain to him that his presence was an intrusion, for my Italian + was even more limited than his English, so I shrugged my shoulders + resignedly, and continued to look out anxiously for my friend. A chill of + fear had come over me, as I thought that his absence might mean that some + blow had fallen during the night. Already the doors had all been shut and + the whistle blown, when— + </p> + <p> + “My dear Watson,” said a voice, “you have not even condescended to say + good-morning.” + </p> + <p> + I turned in uncontrollable astonishment. The aged ecclesiastic had turned + his face towards me. For an instant the wrinkles were smoothed away, the + nose drew away from the chin, the lower lip ceased to protrude and the + mouth to mumble, the dull eyes regained their fire, the drooping figure + expanded. The next the whole frame collapsed again, and Holmes had gone as + quickly as he had come. + </p> + <p> + “Good heavens!” I cried; “how you startled me!” + </p> + <p> + “Every precaution is still necessary,” he whispered. “I have reason to + think that they are hot upon our trail. Ah, there is Moriarty himself.” + </p> + <p> + The train had already begun to move as Holmes spoke. Glancing back, I saw + a tall man pushing his way furiously through the crowd, and waving his + hand as if he desired to have the train stopped. It was too late, however, + for we were rapidly gathering momentum, and an instant later had shot + clear of the station. + </p> + <p> + “With all our precautions, you see that we have cut it rather fine,” said + Holmes, laughing. He rose, and throwing off the black cassock and hat + which had formed his disguise, he packed them away in a hand-bag. + </p> + <p> + “Have you seen the morning paper, Watson?” + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + “You haven't' seen about Baker Street, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Baker Street?” + </p> + <p> + “They set fire to our rooms last night. No great harm was done.” + </p> + <p> + “Good heavens, Holmes! this is intolerable.” + </p> + <p> + “They must have lost my track completely after their bludgeon-man was + arrested. Otherwise they could not have imagined that I had returned to my + rooms. They have evidently taken the precaution of watching you, however, + and that is what has brought Moriarty to Victoria. You could not have made + any slip in coming?” + </p> + <p> + “I did exactly what you advised.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you find your brougham?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it was waiting.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you recognize your coachman?” + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + “It was my brother Mycroft. It is an advantage to get about in such a case + without taking a mercenary into your confidence. But we must plan what we + are to do about Moriarty now.” + </p> + <p> + “As this is an express, and as the boat runs in connection with it, I + should think we have shaken him off very effectively.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear Watson, you evidently did not realize my meaning when I said that + this man may be taken as being quite on the same intellectual plane as + myself. You do not imagine that if I were the pursuer I should allow + myself to be baffled by so slight an obstacle. Why, then, should you think + so meanly of him?” + </p> + <p> + “What will he do?” + </p> + <p> + “What I should do?” + </p> + <p> + “What would you do, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Engage a special.” + </p> + <p> + “But it must be late.” + </p> + <p> + “By no means. This train stops at Canterbury; and there is always at least + a quarter of an hour's delay at the boat. He will catch us there.” + </p> + <p> + “One would think that we were the criminals. Let us have him arrested on + his arrival.” + </p> + <p> + “It would be to ruin the work of three months. We should get the big fish, + but the smaller would dart right and left out of the net. On Monday we + should have them all. No, an arrest is inadmissible.” + </p> + <p> + “What then?” + </p> + <p> + “We shall get out at Canterbury.” + </p> + <p> + “And then?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then we must make a cross-country journey to Newhaven, and so over + to Dieppe. Moriarty will again do what I should do. He will get on to + Paris, mark down our luggage, and wait for two days at the depot. In the + meantime we shall treat ourselves to a couple of carpet-bags, encourage + the manufactures of the countries through which we travel, and make our + way at our leisure into Switzerland, via Luxembourg and Basle.” + </p> + <p> + At Canterbury, therefore, we alighted, only to find that we should have to + wait an hour before we could get a train to Newhaven. + </p> + <p> + I was still looking rather ruefully after the rapidly disappearing + luggage-van which contained my wardrobe, when Holmes pulled my sleeve and + pointed up the line. + </p> + <p> + “Already, you see,” said he. + </p> + <p> + Far away, from among the Kentish woods there rose a thin spray of smoke. A + minute later a carriage and engine could be seen flying along the open + curve which leads to the station. We had hardly time to take our place + behind a pile of luggage when it passed with a rattle and a roar, beating + a blast of hot air into our faces. + </p> + <p> + “There he goes,” said Holmes, as we watched the carriage swing and rock + over the points. “There are limits, you see, to our friend's intelligence. + It would have been a coup-de-maitre had he deduced what I would deduce and + acted accordingly.” + </p> + <p> + “And what would he have done had he overtaken us?” + </p> + <p> + “There cannot be the least doubt that he would have made a murderous + attack upon me. It is, however, a game at which two may play. The question + now is whether we should take a premature lunch here, or run our chance of + starving before we reach the buffet at Newhaven.” + </p> + <p> + We made our way to Brussels that night and spent two days there, moving on + upon the third day as far as Strasburg. On the Monday morning Holmes had + telegraphed to the London police, and in the evening we found a reply + waiting for us at our hotel. Holmes tore it open, and then with a bitter + curse hurled it into the grate. + </p> + <p> + “I might have known it!” he groaned. “He has escaped!” + </p> + <p> + “Moriarty?” + </p> + <p> + “They have secured the whole gang with the exception of him. He has given + them the slip. Of course, when I had left the country there was no one to + cope with him. But I did think that I had put the game in their hands. I + think that you had better return to England, Watson.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” + </p> + <p> + “Because you will find me a dangerous companion now. This man's occupation + is gone. He is lost if he returns to London. If I read his character right + he will devote his whole energies to revenging himself upon me. He said as + much in our short interview, and I fancy that he meant it. I should + certainly recommend you to return to your practice.” + </p> + <p> + It was hardly an appeal to be successful with one who was an old + campaigner as well as an old friend. We sat in the Strasburg + salle-à-manger arguing the question for half an hour, but the same night + we had resumed our journey and were well on our way to Geneva. + </p> + <p> + For a charming week we wandered up the Valley of the Rhone, and then, + branching off at Leuk, we made our way over the Gemmi Pass, still deep in + snow, and so, by way of Interlaken, to Meiringen. It was a lovely trip, + the dainty green of the spring below, the virgin white of the winter + above; but it was clear to me that never for one instant did Holmes forget + the shadow which lay across him. In the homely Alpine villages or in the + lonely mountain passes, I could tell by his quick glancing eyes and his + sharp scrutiny of every face that passed us, that he was well convinced + that, walk where we would, we could not walk ourselves clear of the danger + which was dogging our footsteps. + </p> + <p> + Once, I remember, as we passed over the Gemmi, and walked along the border + of the melancholy Daubensee, a large rock which had been dislodged from + the ridge upon our right clattered down and roared into the lake behind + us. In an instant Holmes had raced up on to the ridge, and, standing upon + a lofty pinnacle, craned his neck in every direction. It was in vain that + our guide assured him that a fall of stones was a common chance in the + spring-time at that spot. He said nothing, but he smiled at me with the + air of a man who sees the fulfillment of that which he had expected. + </p> + <p> + And yet for all his watchfulness he was never depressed. On the contrary, + I can never recollect having seen him in such exuberant spirits. Again and + again he recurred to the fact that if he could be assured that society was + freed from Professor Moriarty he would cheerfully bring his own career to + a conclusion. + </p> + <p> + “I think that I may go so far as to say, Watson, that I have not lived + wholly in vain,” he remarked. “If my record were closed to-night I could + still survey it with equanimity. The air of London is the sweeter for my + presence. In over a thousand cases I am not aware that I have ever used my + powers upon the wrong side. Of late I have been tempted to look into the + problems furnished by nature rather than those more superficial ones for + which our artificial state of society is responsible. Your memoirs will + draw to an end, Watson, upon the day that I crown my career by the capture + or extinction of the most dangerous and capable criminal in Europe.” + </p> + <p> + I shall be brief, and yet exact, in the little which remains for me to + tell. It is not a subject on which I would willingly dwell, and yet I am + conscious that a duty devolves upon me to omit no detail. + </p> + <p> + It was on the 3d of May that we reached the little village of Meiringen, + where we put up at the Englischer Hof, then kept by Peter Steiler the + elder. Our landlord was an intelligent man, and spoke excellent English, + having served for three years as waiter at the Grosvenor Hotel in London. + At his advice, on the afternoon of the 4th we set off together, with the + intention of crossing the hills and spending the night at the hamlet of + Rosenlaui. We had strict injunctions, however, on no account to pass the + falls of Reichenbach, which are about half-way up the hill, without making + a small detour to see them. + </p> + <p> + It is indeed, a fearful place. The torrent, swollen by the melting snow, + plunges into a tremendous abyss, from which the spray rolls up like the + smoke from a burning house. The shaft into which the river hurls itself is + an immense chasm, lined by glistening coal-black rock, and narrowing into + a creaming, boiling pit of incalculable depth, which brims over and shoots + the stream onward over its jagged lip. The long sweep of green water + roaring forever down, and the thick flickering curtain of spray hissing + forever upward, turn a man giddy with their constant whirl and clamor. We + stood near the edge peering down at the gleam of the breaking water far + below us against the black rocks, and listening to the half-human shout + which came booming up with the spray out of the abyss. + </p> + <p> + The path has been cut half-way round the fall to afford a complete view, + but it ends abruptly, and the traveler has to return as he came. We had + turned to do so, when we saw a Swiss lad come running along it with a + letter in his hand. It bore the mark of the hotel which we had just left, + and was addressed to me by the landlord. It appeared that within a very + few minutes of our leaving, an English lady had arrived who was in the + last stage of consumption. She had wintered at Davos Platz, and was + journeying now to join her friends at Lucerne, when a sudden hemorrhage + had overtaken her. It was thought that she could hardly live a few hours, + but it would be a great consolation to her to see an English doctor, and, + if I would only return, etc. The good Steiler assured me in a postscript + that he would himself look upon my compliance as a very great favor, since + the lady absolutely refused to see a Swiss physician, and he could not but + feel that he was incurring a great responsibility. + </p> + <p> + The appeal was one which could not be ignored. It was impossible to refuse + the request of a fellow-countrywoman dying in a strange land. Yet I had my + scruples about leaving Holmes. It was finally agreed, however, that he + should retain the young Swiss messenger with him as guide and companion + while I returned to Meiringen. My friend would stay some little time at + the fall, he said, and would then walk slowly over the hill to Rosenlaui, + where I was to rejoin him in the evening. As I turned away I saw Holmes, + with his back against a rock and his arms folded, gazing down at the rush + of the waters. It was the last that I was ever destined to see of him in + this world. + </p> + <p> + When I was near the bottom of the descent I looked back. It was + impossible, from that position, to see the fall, but I could see the + curving path which winds over the shoulder of the hill and leads to it. + Along this a man was, I remember, walking very rapidly. + </p> + <p> + I could see his black figure clearly outlined against the green behind + him. I noted him, and the energy with which he walked but he passed from + my mind again as I hurried on upon my errand. + </p> + <p> + It may have been a little over an hour before I reached Meiringen. Old + Steiler was standing at the porch of his hotel. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said I, as I came hurrying up, “I trust that she is no worse?” + </p> + <p> + A look of surprise passed over his face, and at the first quiver of his + eyebrows my heart turned to lead in my breast. + </p> + <p> + “You did not write this?” I said, pulling the letter from my pocket. + “There is no sick Englishwoman in the hotel?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly not!” he cried. “But it has the hotel mark upon it! Ha, it must + have been written by that tall Englishman who came in after you had gone. + He said—” + </p> + <p> + But I waited for none of the landlord's explanations. In a tingle of fear + I was already running down the village street, and making for the path + which I had so lately descended. It had taken me an hour to come down. For + all my efforts two more had passed before I found myself at the fall of + Reichenbach once more. There was Holmes's Alpine-stock still leaning + against the rock by which I had left him. But there was no sign of him, + and it was in vain that I shouted. My only answer was my own voice + reverberating in a rolling echo from the cliffs around me. + </p> + <p> + It was the sight of that Alpine-stock which turned me cold and sick. He + had not gone to Rosenlaui, then. He had remained on that three-foot path, + with sheer wall on one side and sheer drop on the other, until his enemy + had overtaken him. The young Swiss had gone too. He had probably been in + the pay of Moriarty, and had left the two men together. And then what had + happened? Who was to tell us what had happened then? + </p> + <p> + I stood for a minute or two to collect myself, for I was dazed with the + horror of the thing. Then I began to think of Holmes's own methods and to + try to practise them in reading this tragedy. It was, alas, only too easy + to do. During our conversation we had not gone to the end of the path, and + the Alpine-stock marked the place where we had stood. The blackish soil is + kept forever soft by the incessant drift of spray, and a bird would leave + its tread upon it. Two lines of footmarks were clearly marked along the + farther end of the path, both leading away from me. There were none + returning. A few yards from the end the soil was all ploughed up into a + patch of mud, and the branches and ferns which fringed the chasm were torn + and bedraggled. I lay upon my face and peered over with the spray spouting + up all around me. It had darkened since I left, and now I could only see + here and there the glistening of moisture upon the black walls, and far + away down at the end of the shaft the gleam of the broken water. I + shouted; but only the same half-human cry of the fall was borne back to my + ears. + </p> + <p> + But it was destined that I should after all have a last word of greeting + from my friend and comrade. I have said that his Alpine-stock had been + left leaning against a rock which jutted on to the path. From the top of + this bowlder the gleam of something bright caught my eye, and, raising my + hand, I found that it came from the silver cigarette-case which he used to + carry. As I took it up a small square of paper upon which it had lain + fluttered down on to the ground. Unfolding it, I found that it consisted + of three pages torn from his note-book and addressed to me. It was + characteristic of the man that the direction was a precise, and the + writing as firm and clear, as though it had been written in his study. + </p> + <p> + My dear Watson [it said], I write these few lines through the courtesy of + Mr. Moriarty, who awaits my convenience for the final discussion of those + questions which lie between us. He has been giving me a sketch of the + methods by which he avoided the English police and kept himself informed + of our movements. They certainly confirm the very high opinion which I had + formed of his abilities. I am pleased to think that I shall be able to + free society from any further effects of his presence, though I fear that + it is at a cost which will give pain to my friends, and especially, my + dear Watson, to you. I have already explained to you, however, that my + career had in any case reached its crisis, and that no possible conclusion + to it could be more congenial to me than this. Indeed, if I may make a + full confession to you, I was quite convinced that the letter from + Meiringen was a hoax, and I allowed you to depart on that errand under the + persuasion that some development of this sort would follow. Tell Inspector + Patterson that the papers which he needs to convict the gang are in + pigeonhole M., done up in a blue envelope and inscribed “Moriarty.” I made + every disposition of my property before leaving England, and handed it to + my brother Mycroft. Pray give my greetings to Mrs. Watson, and believe me + to be, my dear fellow, + </p> + <p> + Very sincerely yours, + </p> + <p> + Sherlock Holmes + </p> + <p> + A few words may suffice to tell the little that remains. An examination by + experts leaves little doubt that a personal contest between the two men + ended, as it could hardly fail to end in such a situation, in their + reeling over, locked in each other's arms. Any attempt at recovering the + bodies was absolutely hopeless, and there, deep down in that dreadful + caldron of swirling water and seething foam, will lie for all time the + most dangerous criminal and the foremost champion of the law of their + generation. The Swiss youth was never found again, and there can be no + doubt that he was one of the numerous agents whom Moriarty kept in his + employ. As to the gang, it will be within the memory of the public how + completely the evidence which Holmes had accumulated exposed their + organization, and how heavily the hand of the dead man weighed upon them. + Of their terrible chief few details came out during the proceedings, and + if I have now been compelled to make a clear statement of his career it is + due to those injudicious champions who have endeavored to clear his memory + by attacks upon him whom I shall ever regard as the best and the wisest + man whom I have ever known. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by +Sir Arthur Conan Doyle + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEMOIRS OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** + +***** This file should be named 834-h.htm or 834-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/8/3/834/ + +Produced by Angela M. 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