--- /dev/null
+THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES\r
+\r
+by\r
+\r
+SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE\r
+\r
+\r
+\r
+ I . A Scandal in Bohemia\r
+ II . The Red - headed League\r
+ III . A Case of Identity\r
+ IV . The Boscombe Valley Mystery\r
+ V . The Five Orange Pips\r
+ VI . The Man with the Twisted Lip\r
+ VII . The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle\r
+VIII . The Adventure of the Speckled Band\r
+ IX . The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb\r
+ X . The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor\r
+ XI . The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet\r
+ XII . The Adventure of the Copper Beeches\r
+\r
+\r
+\r
+\r
+ADVENTURE I . A SCANDAL IN BOHEMIA\r
+\r
+I .\r
+\r
+To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman . I have seldom heard\r
+him mention her under any other name . In his eyes she eclipses\r
+and predominates the whole of her sex . It was not that he felt\r
+any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler . All emotions , and that\r
+one particularly , were abhorrent to his cold , precise but\r
+admirably balanced mind . He was , I take it , the most perfect\r
+reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen , but as a\r
+lover he would have placed himself in a false position . He never\r
+spoke of the softer passions , save with a gibe and a sneer . They\r
+were admirable things for the observer - excellent for drawing the\r
+veil from men's motives and actions . But for the trained reasoner\r
+to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely\r
+adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which\r
+might throw a doubt upon all his mental results . Grit in a\r
+sensitive instrument , or a crack in one of his own high - power\r
+lenses , would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a\r
+nature such as his . And yet there was but one woman to him , and\r
+that woman was the late Irene Adler , of dubious and questionable\r
+memory .\r
+\r
+I had seen little of Holmes lately . My marriage had drifted us\r
+away from each other . My own complete happiness , and the\r
+home - centred interests which rise up around the man who first\r
+finds himself master of his own establishment , were sufficient to\r
+absorb all my attention , while Holmes , who loathed every form of\r
+society with his whole Bohemian soul , remained in our lodgings in\r
+Baker Street , buried among his old books , and alternating from\r
+week to week between cocaine and ambition , the drowsiness of the\r
+drug , and the fierce energy of his own keen nature . He was still ,\r
+as ever , deeply attracted by the study of crime , and occupied his\r
+immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in\r
+following out those clues , and clearing up those mysteries which\r
+had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police . From time\r
+to time I heard some vague account of his doings : of his summons\r
+to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder , of his clearing up\r
+of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee ,\r
+and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so\r
+delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland .\r
+Beyond these signs of his activity , however , which I merely\r
+shared with all the readers of the daily press , I knew little of\r
+my former friend and companion .\r
+\r
+One night - it was on the twentieth of March , 1888 - I was\r
+returning from a journey to a patient ( for I had now returned to\r
+civil practice , when my way led me through Baker Street . As I\r
+passed the well - remembered door , which must always be associated\r
+in my mind with my wooing , and with the dark incidents of the\r
+Study in Scarlet , I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes\r
+again , and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers .\r
+His rooms were brilliantly lit , and , even as I looked up , I saw\r
+his tall , spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against\r
+the blind . He was pacing the room swiftly , eagerly , with his head\r
+sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him . To me , who\r
+knew his every mood and habit , his attitude and manner told their\r
+own story . He was at work again . He had risen out of his\r
+drug - created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new\r
+problem . I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which\r
+had formerly been in part my own .\r
+\r
+His manner was not effusive . It seldom was ; but he was glad , I\r
+think , to see me . With hardly a word spoken , but with a kindly\r
+eye , he waved me to an armchair , threw across his case of cigars ,\r
+and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner . Then he\r
+stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular\r
+introspective fashion .\r
+\r
+" Wedlock suits you " he remarked . " I think , Watson , that you have\r
+put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you "\r
+\r
+" Seven " I answered .\r
+\r
+" Indeed , I should have thought a little more . Just a trifle more ,\r
+I fancy , Watson . And in practice again , I observe . You did not\r
+tell me that you intended to go into harness "\r
+\r
+" Then , how do you know "\r
+\r
+" I see it , I deduce it . How do I know that you have been getting\r
+yourself very wet lately , and that you have a most clumsy and\r
+careless servant girl "\r
+\r
+" My dear Holmes " said I , " this is too much . You would certainly\r
+have been burned , had you lived a few centuries ago . It is true\r
+that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful\r
+mess , but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you\r
+deduce it . As to Mary Jane , she is incorrigible , and my wife has\r
+given her notice , but there , again , I fail to see how you work it\r
+out "\r
+\r
+He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long , nervous hands\r
+together .\r
+\r
+" It is simplicity itself " said he ; " my eyes tell me that on the\r
+inside of your left shoe , just where the firelight strikes it ,\r
+the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts . Obviously they\r
+have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round\r
+the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it .\r
+Hence , you see , my double deduction that you had been out in vile\r
+weather , and that you had a particularly malignant boot - slitting\r
+specimen of the London slavey . As to your practice , if a\r
+gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform , with a black\r
+mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger , and a bulge\r
+on the right side of his top - hat to show where he has secreted\r
+his stethoscope , I must be dull , indeed , if I do not pronounce\r
+him to be an active member of the medical profession "\r
+\r
+I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his\r
+process of deduction . " When I hear you give your reasons " I\r
+remarked , " the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously\r
+simple that I could easily do it myself , though at each\r
+successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you\r
+explain your process . And yet I believe that my eyes are as good\r
+as yours "\r
+\r
+" Quite so " he answered , lighting a cigarette , and throwing\r
+himself down into an armchair . " You see , but you do not observe .\r
+The distinction is clear . For example , you have frequently seen\r
+the steps which lead up from the hall to this room "\r
+\r
+" Frequently "\r
+\r
+" How often "\r
+\r
+" Well , some hundreds of times "\r
+\r
+" Then how many are there "\r
+\r
+" How many ? I don't know "\r
+\r
+" Quite so ! You have not observed . And yet you have seen . That is\r
+just my point . Now , I know that there are seventeen steps ,\r
+because I have both seen and observed . By - the - way , since you are\r
+interested in these little problems , and since you are good\r
+enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences , you\r
+may be interested in this " He threw over a sheet of thick ,\r
+pink - tinted note - paper which had been lying open upon the table .\r
+" It came by the last post " said he . " Read it aloud "\r
+\r
+The note was undated , and without either signature or address .\r
+\r
+" There will call upon you to - night , at a quarter to eight\r
+o'clock " it said , " a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a\r
+matter of the very deepest moment . Your recent services to one of\r
+the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may\r
+safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which\r
+can hardly be exaggerated . This account of you we have from all\r
+quarters received . Be in your chamber then at that hour , and do\r
+not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask "\r
+\r
+" This is indeed a mystery " I remarked . " What do you imagine that\r
+it means "\r
+\r
+" I have no data yet . It is a capital mistake to theorize before\r
+one has data . Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit\r
+theories , instead of theories to suit facts . But the note itself .\r
+What do you deduce from it "\r
+\r
+I carefully examined the writing , and the paper upon which it was\r
+written .\r
+\r
+" The man who wrote it was presumably well to do " I remarked ,\r
+endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes . " Such paper\r
+could not be bought under half a crown a packet . It is peculiarly\r
+strong and stiff "\r
+\r
+" Peculiar - that is the very word " said Holmes . " It is not an\r
+English paper at all . Hold it up to the light "\r
+\r
+I did so , and saw a large " E " with a small " g " a " P " and a\r
+large " G " with a small " t " woven into the texture of the paper .\r
+\r
+" What do you make of that " asked Holmes .\r
+\r
+" The name of the maker , no doubt ; or his monogram , rather "\r
+\r
+" Not at all . The ' G ' with the small ' t ' stands for\r
+' Gesellschaft ' which is the German for ' Company ' It is a\r
+customary contraction like our ' Co ' ' P ' of course , stands for\r
+' Papier ' Now for the ' Eg ' Let us glance at our Continental\r
+Gazetteer " He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves .\r
+" Eglow , Eglonitz - here we are , Egria . It is in a German - speaking\r
+country - in Bohemia , not far from Carlsbad . ' Remarkable as being\r
+the scene of the death of Wallenstein , and for its numerous\r
+glass - factories and paper - mills ' Ha , ha , my boy , what do you\r
+make of that " His eyes sparkled , and he sent up a great blue\r
+triumphant cloud from his cigarette .\r
+\r
+" The paper was made in Bohemia " I said .\r
+\r
+" Precisely . And the man who wrote the note is a German . Do you\r
+note the peculiar construction of the sentence - ' This account of\r
+you we have from all quarters received ' A Frenchman or Russian\r
+could not have written that . It is the German who is so\r
+uncourteous to his verbs . It only remains , therefore , to discover\r
+what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and\r
+prefers wearing a mask to showing his face . And here he comes , if\r
+I am not mistaken , to resolve all our doubts "\r
+\r
+As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses ' hoofs and\r
+grating wheels against the curb , followed by a sharp pull at the\r
+bell . Holmes whistled .\r
+\r
+" A pair , by the sound " said he . " Yes " he continued , glancing\r
+out of the window . " A nice little brougham and a pair of\r
+beauties . A hundred and fifty guineas apiece . There's money in\r
+this case , Watson , if there is nothing else "\r
+\r
+" I think that I had better go , Holmes "\r
+\r
+" Not a bit , Doctor . Stay where you are . I am lost without my\r
+Boswell . And this promises to be interesting . It would be a pity\r
+to miss it "\r
+\r
+" But your client -"\r
+\r
+" Never mind him . I may want your help , and so may he . Here he\r
+comes . Sit down in that armchair , Doctor , and give us your best\r
+attention "\r
+\r
+A slow and heavy step , which had been heard upon the stairs and\r
+in the passage , paused immediately outside the door . Then there\r
+was a loud and authoritative tap .\r
+\r
+" Come in " said Holmes .\r
+\r
+A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six\r
+inches in height , with the chest and limbs of a Hercules . His\r
+dress was rich with a richness which would , in England , be looked\r
+upon as akin to bad taste . Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed\r
+across the sleeves and fronts of his double - breasted coat , while\r
+the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined\r
+with flame - coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch\r
+which consisted of a single flaming beryl . Boots which extended\r
+halfway up his calves , and which were trimmed at the tops with\r
+rich brown fur , completed the impression of barbaric opulence\r
+which was suggested by his whole appearance . He carried a\r
+broad - brimmed hat in his hand , while he wore across the upper\r
+part of his face , extending down past the cheekbones , a black\r
+vizard mask , which he had apparently adjusted that very moment ,\r
+for his hand was still raised to it as he entered . From the lower\r
+part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character ,\r
+with a thick , hanging lip , and a long , straight chin suggestive\r
+of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy .\r
+\r
+" You had my note " he asked with a deep harsh voice and a\r
+strongly marked German accent . " I told you that I would call " He\r
+looked from one to the other of us , as if uncertain which to\r
+address .\r
+\r
+" Pray take a seat " said Holmes . " This is my friend and\r
+colleague , Dr . Watson , who is occasionally good enough to help me\r
+in my cases . Whom have I the honour to address "\r
+\r
+" You may address me as the Count Von Kramm , a Bohemian nobleman .\r
+I understand that this gentleman , your friend , is a man of honour\r
+and discretion , whom I may trust with a matter of the most\r
+extreme importance . If not , I should much prefer to communicate\r
+with you alone "\r
+\r
+I rose to go , but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me\r
+back into my chair . " It is both , or none " said he . " You may say\r
+before this gentleman anything which you may say to me "\r
+\r
+The Count shrugged his broad shoulders . " Then I must begin " said\r
+he , " by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years ; at\r
+the end of that time the matter will be of no importance . At\r
+present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it\r
+may have an influence upon European history "\r
+\r
+" I promise " said Holmes .\r
+\r
+" And I "\r
+\r
+" You will excuse this mask " continued our strange visitor . " The\r
+august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to\r
+you , and I may confess at once that the title by which I have\r
+just called myself is not exactly my own "\r
+\r
+" I was aware of it " said Holmes dryly .\r
+\r
+" The circumstances are of great delicacy , and every precaution\r
+has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense\r
+scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of\r
+Europe . To speak plainly , the matter implicates the great House\r
+of Ormstein , hereditary kings of Bohemia "\r
+\r
+" I was also aware of that " murmured Holmes , settling himself\r
+down in his armchair and closing his eyes .\r
+\r
+Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid ,\r
+lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him\r
+as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe .\r
+Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his\r
+gigantic client .\r
+\r
+" If your Majesty would condescend to state your case " he\r
+remarked , " I should be better able to advise you "\r
+\r
+The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in\r
+uncontrollable agitation . Then , with a gesture of desperation , he\r
+tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground . " You\r
+are right " he cried ; " I am the King . Why should I attempt to\r
+conceal it "\r
+\r
+" Why , indeed " murmured Holmes . " Your Majesty had not spoken\r
+before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich\r
+Sigismond von Ormstein , Grand Duke of Cassel - Felstein , and\r
+hereditary King of Bohemia "\r
+\r
+" But you can understand " said our strange visitor , sitting down\r
+once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead , " you\r
+can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in\r
+my own person . Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not\r
+confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power . I\r
+have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting\r
+you "\r
+\r
+" Then , pray consult " said Holmes , shutting his eyes once more .\r
+\r
+" The facts are briefly these : Some five years ago , during a\r
+lengthy visit to Warsaw , I made the acquaintance of the well - known\r
+adventuress , Irene Adler . The name is no doubt familiar to you "\r
+\r
+" Kindly look her up in my index , Doctor " murmured Holmes without\r
+opening his eyes . For many years he had adopted a system of\r
+docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things , so that it\r
+was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not\r
+at once furnish information . In this case I found her biography\r
+sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a\r
+staff - commander who had written a monograph upon the deep - sea\r
+fishes .\r
+\r
+" Let me see " said Holmes . " Hum ! Born in New Jersey in the year\r
+1858 . Contralto - hum ! La Scala , hum ! Prima donna Imperial Opera\r
+of Warsaw - yes ! Retired from operatic stage - ha ! Living in\r
+London - quite so ! Your Majesty , as I understand , became entangled\r
+with this young person , wrote her some compromising letters , and\r
+is now desirous of getting those letters back "\r
+\r
+" Precisely so . But how -"\r
+\r
+" Was there a secret marriage "\r
+\r
+" None "\r
+\r
+" No legal papers or certificates "\r
+\r
+" None "\r
+\r
+" Then I fail to follow your Majesty . If this young person should\r
+produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes , how is\r
+she to prove their authenticity "\r
+\r
+" There is the writing "\r
+\r
+" Pooh , pooh ! Forgery "\r
+\r
+" My private note - paper "\r
+\r
+" Stolen "\r
+\r
+" My own seal "\r
+\r
+" Imitated "\r
+\r
+" My photograph "\r
+\r
+" Bought "\r
+\r
+" We were both in the photograph "\r
+\r
+" Oh , dear ! That is very bad ! Your Majesty has indeed committed an\r
+indiscretion "\r
+\r
+" I was mad - insane "\r
+\r
+" You have compromised yourself seriously "\r
+\r
+" I was only Crown Prince then . I was young . I am but thirty now "\r
+\r
+" It must be recovered "\r
+\r
+" We have tried and failed "\r
+\r
+" Your Majesty must pay . It must be bought "\r
+\r
+" She will not sell "\r
+\r
+" Stolen , then "\r
+\r
+" Five attempts have been made . Twice burglars in my pay ransacked\r
+her house . Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled . Twice\r
+she has been waylaid . There has been no result "\r
+\r
+" No sign of it "\r
+\r
+" Absolutely none "\r
+\r
+Holmes laughed . " It is quite a pretty little problem " said he .\r
+\r
+" But a very serious one to me " returned the King reproachfully .\r
+\r
+" Very , indeed . And what does she propose to do with the\r
+photograph "\r
+\r
+" To ruin me "\r
+\r
+" But how "\r
+\r
+" I am about to be married "\r
+\r
+" So I have heard "\r
+\r
+" To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe - Meningen , second daughter of the\r
+King of Scandinavia . You may know the strict principles of her\r
+family . She is herself the very soul of delicacy . A shadow of a\r
+doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end "\r
+\r
+" And Irene Adler "\r
+\r
+" Threatens to send them the photograph . And she will do it . I\r
+know that she will do it . You do not know her , but she has a soul\r
+of steel . She has the face of the most beautiful of women , and\r
+the mind of the most resolute of men . Rather than I should marry\r
+another woman , there are no lengths to which she would not\r
+go - none "\r
+\r
+" You are sure that she has not sent it yet "\r
+\r
+" I am sure "\r
+\r
+" And why "\r
+\r
+" Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the\r
+betrothal was publicly proclaimed . That will be next Monday "\r
+\r
+" Oh , then we have three days yet " said Holmes with a yawn . " That\r
+is very fortunate , as I have one or two matters of importance to\r
+look into just at present . Your Majesty will , of course , stay in\r
+London for the present "\r
+\r
+" Certainly . You will find me at the Langham under the name of the\r
+Count Von Kramm "\r
+\r
+" Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress "\r
+\r
+" Pray do so . I shall be all anxiety "\r
+\r
+" Then , as to money "\r
+\r
+" You have carte blanche "\r
+\r
+" Absolutely "\r
+\r
+" I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom\r
+to have that photograph "\r
+\r
+" And for present expenses "\r
+\r
+The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak\r
+and laid it on the table .\r
+\r
+" There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in\r
+notes " he said .\r
+\r
+Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note - book and\r
+handed it to him .\r
+\r
+" And Mademoiselle's address " he asked .\r
+\r
+" Is Briony Lodge , Serpentine Avenue , St . John's Wood "\r
+\r
+Holmes took a note of it . " One other question " said he . " Was the\r
+photograph a cabinet "\r
+\r
+" It was "\r
+\r
+" Then , good - night , your Majesty , and I trust that we shall soon\r
+have some good news for you . And good - night , Watson " he added ,\r
+as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street . " If\r
+you will be good enough to call to - morrow afternoon at three\r
+o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you "\r
+\r
+\r
+II .\r
+\r
+At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street , but Holmes had\r
+not yet returned . The landlady informed me that he had left the\r
+house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning . I sat down\r
+beside the fire , however , with the intention of awaiting him ,\r
+however long he might be . I was already deeply interested in his\r
+inquiry , for , though it was surrounded by none of the grim and\r
+strange features which were associated with the two crimes which\r
+I have already recorded , still , the nature of the case and the\r
+exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own .\r
+Indeed , apart from the nature of the investigation which my\r
+friend had on hand , there was something in his masterly grasp of\r
+a situation , and his keen , incisive reasoning , which made it a\r
+pleasure to me to study his system of work , and to follow the\r
+quick , subtle methods by which he disentangled the most\r
+inextricable mysteries . So accustomed was I to his invariable\r
+success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to\r
+enter into my head .\r
+\r
+It was close upon four before the door opened , and a\r
+drunken - looking groom , ill - kempt and side - whiskered , with an\r
+inflamed face and disreputable clothes , walked into the room .\r
+Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of\r
+disguises , I had to look three times before I was certain that it\r
+was indeed he . With a nod he vanished into the bedroom , whence he\r
+emerged in five minutes tweed - suited and respectable , as of old .\r
+Putting his hands into his pockets , he stretched out his legs in\r
+front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes .\r
+\r
+" Well , really " he cried , and then he choked and laughed again\r
+until he was obliged to lie back , limp and helpless , in the\r
+chair .\r
+\r
+" What is it "\r
+\r
+" It's quite too funny . I am sure you could never guess how I\r
+employed my morning , or what I ended by doing "\r
+\r
+" I can't imagine . I suppose that you have been watching the\r
+habits , and perhaps the house , of Miss Irene Adler "\r
+\r
+" Quite so ; but the sequel was rather unusual . I will tell you ,\r
+however . I left the house a little after eight o'clock this\r
+morning in the character of a groom out of work . There is a\r
+wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men . Be one of\r
+them , and you will know all that there is to know . I soon found\r
+Briony Lodge . It is a bijou villa , with a garden at the back , but\r
+built out in front right up to the road , two stories . Chubb lock\r
+to the door . Large sitting - room on the right side , well\r
+furnished , with long windows almost to the floor , and those\r
+preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open .\r
+Behind there was nothing remarkable , save that the passage window\r
+could be reached from the top of the coach - house . I walked round\r
+it and examined it closely from every point of view , but without\r
+noting anything else of interest .\r
+\r
+" I then lounged down the street and found , as I expected , that\r
+there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the\r
+garden . I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses ,\r
+and received in exchange twopence , a glass of half and half , two\r
+fills of shag tobacco , and as much information as I could desire\r
+about Miss Adler , to say nothing of half a dozen other people in\r
+the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested , but\r
+whose biographies I was compelled to listen to "\r
+\r
+" And what of Irene Adler " I asked .\r
+\r
+" Oh , she has turned all the men's heads down in that part . She is\r
+the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet . So say the\r
+Serpentine - mews , to a man . She lives quietly , sings at concerts ,\r
+drives out at five every day , and returns at seven sharp for\r
+dinner . Seldom goes out at other times , except when she sings .\r
+Has only one male visitor , but a good deal of him . He is dark ,\r
+handsome , and dashing , never calls less than once a day , and\r
+often twice . He is a Mr . Godfrey Norton , of the Inner Temple . See\r
+the advantages of a cabman as a confidant . They had driven him\r
+home a dozen times from Serpentine - mews , and knew all about him .\r
+When I had listened to all they had to tell , I began to walk up\r
+and down near Briony Lodge once more , and to think over my plan\r
+of campaign .\r
+\r
+" This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the\r
+matter . He was a lawyer . That sounded ominous . What was the\r
+relation between them , and what the object of his repeated\r
+visits ? Was she his client , his friend , or his mistress ? If the\r
+former , she had probably transferred the photograph to his\r
+keeping . If the latter , it was less likely . On the issue of this\r
+question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony\r
+Lodge , or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the\r
+Temple . It was a delicate point , and it widened the field of my\r
+inquiry . I fear that I bore you with these details , but I have to\r
+let you see my little difficulties , if you are to understand the\r
+situation "\r
+\r
+" I am following you closely " I answered .\r
+\r
+" I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab\r
+drove up to Briony Lodge , and a gentleman sprang out . He was a\r
+remarkably handsome man , dark , aquiline , and moustached - evidently\r
+the man of whom I had heard . He appeared to be in a\r
+great hurry , shouted to the cabman to wait , and brushed past the\r
+maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly\r
+at home .\r
+\r
+" He was in the house about half an hour , and I could catch\r
+glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting - room , pacing up and\r
+down , talking excitedly , and waving his arms . Of her I could see\r
+nothing . Presently he emerged , looking even more flurried than\r
+before . As he stepped up to the cab , he pulled a gold watch from\r
+his pocket and looked at it earnestly , ' Drive like the devil ' he\r
+shouted , ' first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street , and then to\r
+the Church of St . Monica in the Edgeware Road . Half a guinea if\r
+you do it in twenty minutes '\r
+\r
+" Away they went , and I was just wondering whether I should not do\r
+well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau ,\r
+the coachman with his coat only half - buttoned , and his tie under\r
+his ear , while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of\r
+the buckles . It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall\r
+door and into it . I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment ,\r
+but she was a lovely woman , with a face that a man might die for .\r
+\r
+ ' The Church of St . Monica , John ' she cried , ' and half a\r
+sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes '\r
+\r
+" This was quite too good to lose , Watson . I was just balancing\r
+whether I should run for it , or whether I should perch behind her\r
+landau when a cab came through the street . The driver looked\r
+twice at such a shabby fare , but I jumped in before he could\r
+object . ' The Church of St . Monica ' said I , ' and half a sovereign\r
+if you reach it in twenty minutes ' It was twenty - five minutes to\r
+twelve , and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind .\r
+\r
+" My cabby drove fast . I don't think I ever drove faster , but the\r
+others were there before us . The cab and the landau with their\r
+steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived . I paid\r
+the man and hurried into the church . There was not a soul there\r
+save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman , who\r
+seemed to be expostulating with them . They were all three\r
+standing in a knot in front of the altar . I lounged up the side\r
+aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church .\r
+Suddenly , to my surprise , the three at the altar faced round to\r
+me , and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards\r
+me .\r
+\r
+ ' Thank God ' he cried . ' You ' ll do . Come ! Come '\r
+\r
+ ' What then ' I asked .\r
+\r
+ ' Come , man , come , only three minutes , or it won't be legal '\r
+\r
+" I was half - dragged up to the altar , and before I knew where I was\r
+I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear ,\r
+and vouching for things of which I knew nothing , and generally\r
+assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler , spinster , to\r
+Godfrey Norton , bachelor . It was all done in an instant , and\r
+there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady\r
+on the other , while the clergyman beamed on me in front . It was\r
+the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my\r
+life , and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just\r
+now . It seems that there had been some informality about their\r
+license , that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them\r
+without a witness of some sort , and that my lucky appearance\r
+saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in\r
+search of a best man . The bride gave me a sovereign , and I mean\r
+to wear it on my watch - chain in memory of the occasion "\r
+\r
+" This is a very unexpected turn of affairs " said I ; " and what\r
+then "\r
+\r
+" Well , I found my plans very seriously menaced . It looked as if\r
+the pair might take an immediate departure , and so necessitate\r
+very prompt and energetic measures on my part . At the church\r
+door , however , they separated , he driving back to the Temple , and\r
+she to her own house . ' I shall drive out in the park at five as\r
+usual ' she said as she left him . I heard no more . They drove\r
+away in different directions , and I went off to make my own\r
+arrangements "\r
+\r
+" Which are "\r
+\r
+" Some cold beef and a glass of beer " he answered , ringing the\r
+bell . " I have been too busy to think of food , and I am likely to\r
+be busier still this evening . By the way , Doctor , I shall want\r
+your co - operation "\r
+\r
+" I shall be delighted "\r
+\r
+" You don't mind breaking the law "\r
+\r
+" Not in the least "\r
+\r
+" Nor running a chance of arrest "\r
+\r
+" Not in a good cause "\r
+\r
+" Oh , the cause is excellent "\r
+\r
+" Then I am your man "\r
+\r
+" I was sure that I might rely on you "\r
+\r
+" But what is it you wish "\r
+\r
+" When Mrs . Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to\r
+you . Now " he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that\r
+our landlady had provided , " I must discuss it while I eat , for I\r
+have not much time . It is nearly five now . In two hours we must\r
+be on the scene of action . Miss Irene , or Madame , rather , returns\r
+from her drive at seven . We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her "\r
+\r
+" And what then "\r
+\r
+" You must leave that to me . I have already arranged what is to\r
+occur . There is only one point on which I must insist . You must\r
+not interfere , come what may . You understand "\r
+\r
+" I am to be neutral "\r
+\r
+" To do nothing whatever . There will probably be some small\r
+unpleasantness . Do not join in it . It will end in my being\r
+conveyed into the house . Four or five minutes afterwards the\r
+sitting - room window will open . You are to station yourself close\r
+to that open window "\r
+\r
+" Yes "\r
+\r
+" You are to watch me , for I will be visible to you "\r
+\r
+" Yes "\r
+\r
+" And when I raise my hand - so - you will throw into the room what\r
+I give you to throw , and will , at the same time , raise the cry of\r
+fire . You quite follow me "\r
+\r
+" Entirely "\r
+\r
+" It is nothing very formidable " he said , taking a long cigar - shaped\r
+roll from his pocket . " It is an ordinary plumber's smoke - rocket ,\r
+fitted with a cap at either end to make it self - lighting .\r
+Your task is confined to that . When you raise your cry of fire ,\r
+it will be taken up by quite a number of people . You may then\r
+walk to the end of the street , and I will rejoin you in ten\r
+minutes . I hope that I have made myself clear "\r
+\r
+" I am to remain neutral , to get near the window , to watch you ,\r
+and at the signal to throw in this object , then to raise the cry\r
+of fire , and to wait you at the corner of the street "\r
+\r
+" Precisely "\r
+\r
+" Then you may entirely rely on me "\r
+\r
+" That is excellent . I think , perhaps , it is almost time that I\r
+prepare for the new role I have to play "\r
+\r
+He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in\r
+the character of an amiable and simple - minded Nonconformist\r
+clergyman . His broad black hat , his baggy trousers , his white\r
+tie , his sympathetic smile , and general look of peering and\r
+benevolent curiosity were such as Mr . John Hare alone could have\r
+equalled . It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume . His\r
+expression , his manner , his very soul seemed to vary with every\r
+fresh part that he assumed . The stage lost a fine actor , even as\r
+science lost an acute reasoner , when he became a specialist in\r
+crime .\r
+\r
+It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street , and it still\r
+wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in\r
+Serpentine Avenue . It was already dusk , and the lamps were just\r
+being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge ,\r
+waiting for the coming of its occupant . The house was just such\r
+as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes ' succinct description ,\r
+but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected . On\r
+the contrary , for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood , it was\r
+remarkably animated . There was a group of shabbily dressed men\r
+smoking and laughing in a corner , a scissors - grinder with his\r
+wheel , two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse - girl , and\r
+several well - dressed young men who were lounging up and down with\r
+cigars in their mouths .\r
+\r
+" You see " remarked Holmes , as we paced to and fro in front of\r
+the house , " this marriage rather simplifies matters . The\r
+photograph becomes a double - edged weapon now . The chances are\r
+that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr . Godfrey\r
+Norton , as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his\r
+princess . Now the question is , Where are we to find the\r
+photograph "\r
+\r
+" Where , indeed "\r
+\r
+" It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her . It is\r
+cabinet size . Too large for easy concealment about a woman's\r
+dress . She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid\r
+and searched . Two attempts of the sort have already been made . We\r
+may take it , then , that she does not carry it about with her "\r
+\r
+" Where , then "\r
+\r
+" Her banker or her lawyer . There is that double possibility . But\r
+I am inclined to think neither . Women are naturally secretive ,\r
+and they like to do their own secreting . Why should she hand it\r
+over to anyone else ? She could trust her own guardianship , but\r
+she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be\r
+brought to bear upon a business man . Besides , remember that she\r
+had resolved to use it within a few days . It must be where she\r
+can lay her hands upon it . It must be in her own house "\r
+\r
+" But it has twice been burgled "\r
+\r
+" Pshaw ! They did not know how to look "\r
+\r
+" But how will you look "\r
+\r
+" I will not look "\r
+\r
+" What then "\r
+\r
+" I will get her to show me "\r
+\r
+" But she will refuse "\r
+\r
+" She will not be able to . But I hear the rumble of wheels . It is\r
+her carriage . Now carry out my orders to the letter "\r
+\r
+As he spoke the gleam of the side - lights of a carriage came round\r
+the curve of the avenue . It was a smart little landau which\r
+rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge . As it pulled up , one of\r
+the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in\r
+the hope of earning a copper , but was elbowed away by another\r
+loafer , who had rushed up with the same intention . A fierce\r
+quarrel broke out , which was increased by the two guardsmen , who\r
+took sides with one of the loungers , and by the scissors - grinder ,\r
+who was equally hot upon the other side . A blow was struck , and\r
+in an instant the lady , who had stepped from her carriage , was\r
+the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men , who\r
+struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks . Holmes\r
+dashed into the crowd to protect the lady ; but just as he reached\r
+her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground , with the blood\r
+running freely down his face . At his fall the guardsmen took to\r
+their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other , while\r
+a number of better - dressed people , who had watched the scuffle\r
+without taking part in it , crowded in to help the lady and to\r
+attend to the injured man . Irene Adler , as I will still call her ,\r
+had hurried up the steps ; but she stood at the top with her\r
+superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall , looking\r
+back into the street .\r
+\r
+" Is the poor gentleman much hurt " she asked .\r
+\r
+" He is dead " cried several voices .\r
+\r
+" No , no , there's life in him " shouted another . " But he ' ll be\r
+gone before you can get him to hospital "\r
+\r
+" He's a brave fellow " said a woman . " They would have had the\r
+lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him . They were a\r
+gang , and a rough one , too . Ah , he's breathing now "\r
+\r
+" He can't lie in the street . May we bring him in , marm "\r
+\r
+" Surely . Bring him into the sitting - room . There is a comfortable\r
+sofa . This way , please "\r
+\r
+Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out\r
+in the principal room , while I still observed the proceedings\r
+from my post by the window . The lamps had been lit , but the\r
+blinds had not been drawn , so that I could see Holmes as he lay\r
+upon the couch . I do not know whether he was seized with\r
+compunction at that moment for the part he was playing , but I\r
+know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life\r
+than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was\r
+conspiring , or the grace and kindliness with which she waited\r
+upon the injured man . And yet it would be the blackest treachery\r
+to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted\r
+to me . I hardened my heart , and took the smoke - rocket from under\r
+my ulster . After all , I thought , we are not injuring her . We are\r
+but preventing her from injuring another .\r
+\r
+Holmes had sat up upon the couch , and I saw him motion like a man\r
+who is in need of air . A maid rushed across and threw open the\r
+window . At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the\r
+signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of " Fire " The\r
+word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of\r
+spectators , well dressed and ill - gentlemen , ostlers , and\r
+servant - maids - joined in a general shriek of " Fire " Thick clouds\r
+of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window . I\r
+caught a glimpse of rushing figures , and a moment later the voice\r
+of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm .\r
+Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner\r
+of the street , and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my\r
+friend's arm in mine , and to get away from the scene of uproar .\r
+He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we\r
+had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the\r
+Edgeware Road .\r
+\r
+" You did it very nicely , Doctor " he remarked . " Nothing could\r
+have been better . It is all right "\r
+\r
+" You have the photograph "\r
+\r
+" I know where it is "\r
+\r
+" And how did you find out "\r
+\r
+" She showed me , as I told you she would "\r
+\r
+" I am still in the dark "\r
+\r
+" I do not wish to make a mystery " said he , laughing . " The matter\r
+was perfectly simple . You , of course , saw that everyone in the\r
+street was an accomplice . They were all engaged for the evening "\r
+\r
+" I guessed as much "\r
+\r
+" Then , when the row broke out , I had a little moist red paint in\r
+the palm of my hand . I rushed forward , fell down , clapped my hand\r
+to my face , and became a piteous spectacle . It is an old trick "\r
+\r
+" That also I could fathom "\r
+\r
+" Then they carried me in . She was bound to have me in . What else\r
+could she do ? And into her sitting - room , which was the very room\r
+which I suspected . It lay between that and her bedroom , and I was\r
+determined to see which . They laid me on a couch , I motioned for\r
+air , they were compelled to open the window , and you had your\r
+chance "\r
+\r
+" How did that help you "\r
+\r
+" It was all - important . When a woman thinks that her house is on\r
+fire , her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she\r
+values most . It is a perfectly overpowering impulse , and I have\r
+more than once taken advantage of it . In the case of the\r
+Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me , and also in\r
+the Arnsworth Castle business . A married woman grabs at her baby ;\r
+an unmarried one reaches for her jewel - box . Now it was clear to\r
+me that our lady of to - day had nothing in the house more precious\r
+to her than what we are in quest of . She would rush to secure it .\r
+The alarm of fire was admirably done . The smoke and shouting were\r
+enough to shake nerves of steel . She responded beautifully . The\r
+photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the\r
+right bell - pull . She was there in an instant , and I caught a\r
+glimpse of it as she half - drew it out . When I cried out that it\r
+was a false alarm , she replaced it , glanced at the rocket , rushed\r
+from the room , and I have not seen her since . I rose , and , making\r
+my excuses , escaped from the house . I hesitated whether to\r
+attempt to secure the photograph at once ; but the coachman had\r
+come in , and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to\r
+wait . A little over - precipitance may ruin all "\r
+\r
+" And now " I asked .\r
+\r
+" Our quest is practically finished . I shall call with the King\r
+to - morrow , and with you , if you care to come with us . We will be\r
+shown into the sitting - room to wait for the lady , but it is\r
+probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the\r
+photograph . It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain\r
+it with his own hands "\r
+\r
+" And when will you call "\r
+\r
+" At eight in the morning . She will not be up , so that we shall\r
+have a clear field . Besides , we must be prompt , for this marriage\r
+may mean a complete change in her life and habits . I must wire to\r
+the King without delay "\r
+\r
+We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door . He was\r
+searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said :\r
+\r
+" Good - night , Mister Sherlock Holmes "\r
+\r
+There were several people on the pavement at the time , but the\r
+greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had\r
+hurried by .\r
+\r
+" I ' ve heard that voice before " said Holmes , staring down the\r
+dimly lit street . " Now , I wonder who the deuce that could have\r
+been "\r
+\r
+\r
+III .\r
+\r
+I slept at Baker Street that night , and we were engaged upon our\r
+toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed\r
+into the room .\r
+\r
+" You have really got it " he cried , grasping Sherlock Holmes by\r
+either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face .\r
+\r
+" Not yet "\r
+\r
+" But you have hopes "\r
+\r
+" I have hopes "\r
+\r
+" Then , come . I am all impatience to be gone "\r
+\r
+" We must have a cab "\r
+\r
+" No , my brougham is waiting "\r
+\r
+" Then that will simplify matters " We descended and started off\r
+once more for Briony Lodge .\r
+\r
+" Irene Adler is married " remarked Holmes .\r
+\r
+" Married ! When "\r
+\r
+" Yesterday "\r
+\r
+" But to whom "\r
+\r
+" To an English lawyer named Norton "\r
+\r
+" But she could not love him "\r
+\r
+" I am in hopes that she does "\r
+\r
+" And why in hopes "\r
+\r
+" Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future\r
+annoyance . If the lady loves her husband , she does not love your\r
+Majesty . If she does not love your Majesty , there is no reason\r
+why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan "\r
+\r
+" It is true . And yet - Well ! I wish she had been of my own\r
+station ! What a queen she would have made " He relapsed into a\r
+moody silence , which was not broken until we drew up in\r
+Serpentine Avenue .\r
+\r
+The door of Briony Lodge was open , and an elderly woman stood\r
+upon the steps . She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped\r
+from the brougham .\r
+\r
+" Mr . Sherlock Holmes , I believe " said she .\r
+\r
+" I am Mr . Holmes " answered my companion , looking at her with a\r
+questioning and rather startled gaze .\r
+\r
+" Indeed ! My mistress told me that you were likely to call . She\r
+left this morning with her husband by the 5 : 15 train from Charing\r
+Cross for the Continent "\r
+\r
+" What " Sherlock Holmes staggered back , white with chagrin and\r
+surprise . " Do you mean that she has left England "\r
+\r
+" Never to return "\r
+\r
+" And the papers " asked the King hoarsely . " All is lost "\r
+\r
+" We shall see " He pushed past the servant and rushed into the\r
+drawing - room , followed by the King and myself . The furniture was\r
+scattered about in every direction , with dismantled shelves and\r
+open drawers , as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before\r
+her flight . Holmes rushed at the bell - pull , tore back a small\r
+sliding shutter , and , plunging in his hand , pulled out a\r
+photograph and a letter . The photograph was of Irene Adler\r
+herself in evening dress , the letter was superscribed to\r
+" Sherlock Holmes , Esq . To be left till called for " My friend\r
+tore it open and we all three read it together . It was dated at\r
+midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way :\r
+\r
+" MY DEAR MR . SHERLOCK HOLMES -- You really did it very well . You\r
+took me in completely . Until after the alarm of fire , I had not a\r
+suspicion . But then , when I found how I had betrayed myself , I\r
+began to think . I had been warned against you months ago . I had\r
+been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly\r
+be you . And your address had been given me . Yet , with all this ,\r
+you made me reveal what you wanted to know . Even after I became\r
+suspicious , I found it hard to think evil of such a dear , kind\r
+old clergyman . But , you know , I have been trained as an actress\r
+myself . Male costume is nothing new to me . I often take advantage\r
+of the freedom which it gives . I sent John , the coachman , to\r
+watch you , ran up stairs , got into my walking - clothes , as I call\r
+them , and came down just as you departed .\r
+\r
+" Well , I followed you to your door , and so made sure that I was\r
+really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr . Sherlock\r
+Holmes . Then I , rather imprudently , wished you good - night , and\r
+started for the Temple to see my husband .\r
+\r
+" We both thought the best resource was flight , when pursued by\r
+so formidable an antagonist ; so you will find the nest empty when\r
+you call to - morrow . As to the photograph , your client may rest in\r
+peace . I love and am loved by a better man than he . The King may\r
+do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly\r
+wronged . I keep it only to safeguard myself , and to preserve a\r
+weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might\r
+take in the future . I leave a photograph which he might care to\r
+possess ; and I remain , dear Mr . Sherlock Holmes ,\r
+\r
+ " Very truly yours ,\r
+ " IRENE NORTON , nee ADLER "\r
+\r
+" What a woman - oh , what a woman " cried the King of Bohemia , when\r
+we had all three read this epistle . " Did I not tell you how quick\r
+and resolute she was ? Would she not have made an admirable queen ?\r
+Is it not a pity that she was not on my level "\r
+\r
+" From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a\r
+very different level to your Majesty " said Holmes coldly . " I am\r
+sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business\r
+to a more successful conclusion "\r
+\r
+" On the contrary , my dear sir " cried the King ; " nothing could be\r
+more successful . I know that her word is inviolate . The\r
+photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire "\r
+\r
+" I am glad to hear your Majesty say so "\r
+\r
+" I am immensely indebted to you . Pray tell me in what way I can\r
+reward you . This ring -" He slipped an emerald snake ring from\r
+his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand .\r
+\r
+" Your Majesty has something which I should value even more\r
+highly " said Holmes .\r
+\r
+" You have but to name it "\r
+\r
+" This photograph "\r
+\r
+The King stared at him in amazement .\r
+\r
+" Irene's photograph " he cried . " Certainly , if you wish it "\r
+\r
+" I thank your Majesty . Then there is no more to be done in the\r
+matter . I have the honour to wish you a very good - morning " He\r
+bowed , and , turning away without observing the hand which the\r
+King had stretched out to him , he set off in my company for his\r
+chambers .\r
+\r
+And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom\r
+of Bohemia , and how the best plans of Mr . Sherlock Holmes were\r
+beaten by a woman's wit . He used to make merry over the\r
+cleverness of women , but I have not heard him do it of late . And\r
+when he speaks of Irene Adler , or when he refers to her\r
+photograph , it is always under the honourable title of the woman .\r
+\r
+\r
+\r
+ADVENTURE II . THE RED - HEADED LEAGUE\r
+\r
+I had called upon my friend , Mr . Sherlock Holmes , one day in the\r
+autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a\r
+very stout , florid - faced , elderly gentleman with fiery red hair .\r
+With an apology for my intrusion , I was about to withdraw when\r
+Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door\r
+behind me .\r
+\r
+" You could not possibly have come at a better time , my dear\r
+Watson " he said cordially .\r
+\r
+" I was afraid that you were engaged "\r
+\r
+" So I am . Very much so "\r
+\r
+" Then I can wait in the next room "\r
+\r
+" Not at all . This gentleman , Mr . Wilson , has been my partner and\r
+helper in many of my most successful cases , and I have no\r
+doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also "\r
+\r
+The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of\r
+greeting , with a quick little questioning glance from his small\r
+fat - encircled eyes .\r
+\r
+" Try the settee " said Holmes , relapsing into his armchair and\r
+putting his fingertips together , as was his custom when in\r
+judicial moods . " I know , my dear Watson , that you share my love\r
+of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum\r
+routine of everyday life . You have shown your relish for it by\r
+the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle , and , if you\r
+will excuse my saying so , somewhat to embellish so many of my own\r
+little adventures "\r
+\r
+" Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me " I\r
+observed .\r
+\r
+" You will remember that I remarked the other day , just before we\r
+went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary\r
+Sutherland , that for strange effects and extraordinary\r
+combinations we must go to life itself , which is always far more\r
+daring than any effort of the imagination "\r
+\r
+" A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting "\r
+\r
+" You did , Doctor , but none the less you must come round to my\r
+view , for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you\r
+until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to\r
+be right . Now , Mr . Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call\r
+upon me this morning , and to begin a narrative which promises to\r
+be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some\r
+time . You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique\r
+things are very often connected not with the larger but with the\r
+smaller crimes , and occasionally , indeed , where there is room for\r
+doubt whether any positive crime has been committed . As far as I\r
+have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present\r
+case is an instance of crime or not , but the course of events is\r
+certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to .\r
+Perhaps , Mr . Wilson , you would have the great kindness to\r
+recommence your narrative . I ask you not merely because my friend\r
+Dr . Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the\r
+peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every\r
+possible detail from your lips . As a rule , when I have heard some\r
+slight indication of the course of events , I am able to guide\r
+myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my\r
+memory . In the present instance I am forced to admit that the\r
+facts are , to the best of my belief , unique "\r
+\r
+The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some\r
+little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the\r
+inside pocket of his greatcoat . As he glanced down the\r
+advertisement column , with his head thrust forward and the paper\r
+flattened out upon his knee , I took a good look at the man and\r
+endeavoured , after the fashion of my companion , to read the\r
+indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance .\r
+\r
+I did not gain very much , however , by my inspection . Our visitor\r
+bore every mark of being an average commonplace British\r
+tradesman , obese , pompous , and slow . He wore rather baggy grey\r
+shepherd's check trousers , a not over - clean black frock - coat ,\r
+unbuttoned in the front , and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy\r
+Albert chain , and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as\r
+an ornament . A frayed top - hat and a faded brown overcoat with a\r
+wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him . Altogether ,\r
+look as I would , there was nothing remarkable about the man save\r
+his blazing red head , and the expression of extreme chagrin and\r
+discontent upon his features .\r
+\r
+Sherlock Holmes ' quick eye took in my occupation , and he shook\r
+his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances .\r
+" Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual\r
+labour , that he takes snuff , that he is a Freemason , that he has\r
+been in China , and that he has done a considerable amount of\r
+writing lately , I can deduce nothing else "\r
+\r
+Mr . Jabez Wilson started up in his chair , with his forefinger\r
+upon the paper , but his eyes upon my companion .\r
+\r
+" How , in the name of good - fortune , did you know all that , Mr .\r
+Holmes " he asked . " How did you know , for example , that I did\r
+manual labour . It's as true as gospel , for I began as a ship's\r
+carpenter "\r
+\r
+" Your hands , my dear sir . Your right hand is quite a size larger\r
+than your left . You have worked with it , and the muscles are more\r
+developed "\r
+\r
+" Well , the snuff , then , and the Freemasonry "\r
+\r
+" I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that ,\r
+especially as , rather against the strict rules of your order , you\r
+use an arc - and - compass breastpin "\r
+\r
+" Ah , of course , I forgot that . But the writing "\r
+\r
+" What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for\r
+five inches , and the left one with the smooth patch near the\r
+elbow where you rest it upon the desk "\r
+\r
+" Well , but China "\r
+\r
+" The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right\r
+wrist could only have been done in China . I have made a small\r
+study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature\r
+of the subject . That trick of staining the fishes ' scales of a\r
+delicate pink is quite peculiar to China . When , in addition , I\r
+see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch - chain , the matter\r
+becomes even more simple "\r
+\r
+Mr . Jabez Wilson laughed heavily . " Well , I never " said he . " I\r
+thought at first that you had done something clever , but I see\r
+that there was nothing in it , after all "\r
+\r
+" I begin to think , Watson " said Holmes , " that I make a mistake\r
+in explaining . ' Omne ignotum pro magnifico ' you know , and my\r
+poor little reputation , such as it is , will suffer shipwreck if I\r
+am so candid . Can you not find the advertisement , Mr . Wilson "\r
+\r
+" Yes , I have got it now " he answered with his thick red finger\r
+planted halfway down the column . " Here it is . This is what began\r
+it all . You just read it for yourself , sir "\r
+\r
+I took the paper from him and read as follows :\r
+\r
+" TO THE RED - HEADED LEAGUE : On account of the bequest of the late\r
+Ezekiah Hopkins , of Lebanon , Pennsylvania , U . S . A , there is now\r
+another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a\r
+salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services . All\r
+red - headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age\r
+of twenty - one years , are eligible . Apply in person on Monday , at\r
+eleven o'clock , to Duncan Ross , at the offices of the League , 7\r
+Pope's Court , Fleet Street "\r
+\r
+" What on earth does this mean " I ejaculated after I had twice\r
+read over the extraordinary announcement .\r
+\r
+Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair , as was his habit when\r
+in high spirits . " It is a little off the beaten track , isn't it "\r
+said he . " And now , Mr . Wilson , off you go at scratch and tell us\r
+all about yourself , your household , and the effect which this\r
+advertisement had upon your fortunes . You will first make a note ,\r
+Doctor , of the paper and the date "\r
+\r
+" It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27 , 1890 . Just two months\r
+ago "\r
+\r
+" Very good . Now , Mr . Wilson "\r
+\r
+" Well , it is just as I have been telling you , Mr . Sherlock\r
+Holmes " said Jabez Wilson , mopping his forehead ; " I have a small\r
+pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square , near the City . It's not a\r
+very large affair , and of late years it has not done more than\r
+just give me a living . I used to be able to keep two assistants ,\r
+but now I only keep one ; and I would have a job to pay him but\r
+that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the\r
+business "\r
+\r
+" What is the name of this obliging youth " asked Sherlock Holmes .\r
+\r
+" His name is Vincent Spaulding , and he's not such a youth ,\r
+either . It's hard to say his age . I should not wish a smarter\r
+assistant , Mr . Holmes ; and I know very well that he could better\r
+himself and earn twice what I am able to give him . But , after\r
+all , if he is satisfied , why should I put ideas in his head "\r
+\r
+" Why , indeed ? You seem most fortunate in having an employe who\r
+comes under the full market price . It is not a common experience\r
+among employers in this age . I don't know that your assistant is\r
+not as remarkable as your advertisement "\r
+\r
+" Oh , he has his faults , too " said Mr . Wilson . " Never was such a\r
+fellow for photography . Snapping away with a camera when he ought\r
+to be improving his mind , and then diving down into the cellar\r
+like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures . That is his\r
+main fault , but on the whole he's a good worker . There's no vice\r
+in him "\r
+\r
+" He is still with you , I presume "\r
+\r
+" Yes , sir . He and a girl of fourteen , who does a bit of simple\r
+cooking and keeps the place clean - that's all I have in the\r
+house , for I am a widower and never had any family . We live very\r
+quietly , sir , the three of us ; and we keep a roof over our heads\r
+and pay our debts , if we do nothing more .\r
+\r
+" The first thing that put us out was that advertisement .\r
+Spaulding , he came down into the office just this day eight\r
+weeks , with this very paper in his hand , and he says :\r
+\r
+ ' I wish to the Lord , Mr . Wilson , that I was a red - headed man '\r
+\r
+ ' Why that ' I asks .\r
+\r
+ ' Why ' says he , ' here's another vacancy on the League of the\r
+Red - headed Men . It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who\r
+gets it , and I understand that there are more vacancies than\r
+there are men , so that the trustees are at their wits ' end what\r
+to do with the money . If my hair would only change colour , here's\r
+a nice little crib all ready for me to step into '\r
+\r
+ ' Why , what is it , then ' I asked . You see , Mr . Holmes , I am a\r
+very stay - at - home man , and as my business came to me instead of\r
+my having to go to it , I was often weeks on end without putting\r
+my foot over the door - mat . In that way I didn't know much of what\r
+was going on outside , and I was always glad of a bit of news .\r
+\r
+ ' Have you never heard of the League of the Red - headed Men ' he\r
+asked with his eyes open .\r
+\r
+ ' Never '\r
+\r
+ ' Why , I wonder at that , for you are eligible yourself for one\r
+of the vacancies '\r
+\r
+ ' And what are they worth ' I asked .\r
+\r
+ ' Oh , merely a couple of hundred a year , but the work is slight ,\r
+and it need not interfere very much with one's other\r
+occupations '\r
+\r
+" Well , you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears ,\r
+for the business has not been over - good for some years , and an\r
+extra couple of hundred would have been very handy .\r
+\r
+ ' Tell me all about it ' said I .\r
+\r
+ ' Well ' said he , showing me the advertisement , ' you can see for\r
+yourself that the League has a vacancy , and there is the address\r
+where you should apply for particulars . As far as I can make out ,\r
+the League was founded by an American millionaire , Ezekiah\r
+Hopkins , who was very peculiar in his ways . He was himself\r
+red - headed , and he had a great sympathy for all red - headed men ;\r
+so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous\r
+fortune in the hands of trustees , with instructions to apply the\r
+interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of\r
+that colour . From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to\r
+do '\r
+\r
+ ' But ' said I , ' there would be millions of red - headed men who\r
+would apply '\r
+\r
+ ' Not so many as you might think ' he answered . ' You see it is\r
+really confined to Londoners , and to grown men . This American had\r
+started from London when he was young , and he wanted to do the\r
+old town a good turn . Then , again , I have heard it is no use your\r
+applying if your hair is light red , or dark red , or anything but\r
+real bright , blazing , fiery red . Now , if you cared to apply , Mr .\r
+Wilson , you would just walk in ; but perhaps it would hardly be\r
+worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a\r
+few hundred pounds '\r
+\r
+" Now , it is a fact , gentlemen , as you may see for yourselves ,\r
+that my hair is of a very full and rich tint , so that it seemed\r
+to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I\r
+stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met . Vincent\r
+Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might\r
+prove useful , so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for\r
+the day and to come right away with me . He was very willing to\r
+have a holiday , so we shut the business up and started off for\r
+the address that was given us in the advertisement .\r
+\r
+" I never hope to see such a sight as that again , Mr . Holmes . From\r
+north , south , east , and west every man who had a shade of red in\r
+his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement .\r
+Fleet Street was choked with red - headed folk , and Pope's Court\r
+looked like a coster's orange barrow . I should not have thought\r
+there were so many in the whole country as were brought together\r
+by that single advertisement . Every shade of colour they\r
+were - straw , lemon , orange , brick , Irish - setter , liver , clay ;\r
+but , as Spaulding said , there were not many who had the real\r
+vivid flame - coloured tint . When I saw how many were waiting , I\r
+would have given it up in despair ; but Spaulding would not hear\r
+of it . How he did it I could not imagine , but he pushed and\r
+pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd , and right up\r
+to the steps which led to the office . There was a double stream\r
+upon the stair , some going up in hope , and some coming back\r
+dejected ; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found\r
+ourselves in the office "\r
+\r
+" Your experience has been a most entertaining one " remarked\r
+Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge\r
+pinch of snuff . " Pray continue your very interesting statement "\r
+\r
+" There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs\r
+and a deal table , behind which sat a small man with a head that\r
+was even redder than mine . He said a few words to each candidate\r
+as he came up , and then he always managed to find some fault in\r
+them which would disqualify them . Getting a vacancy did not seem\r
+to be such a very easy matter , after all . However , when our turn\r
+came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of\r
+the others , and he closed the door as we entered , so that he\r
+might have a private word with us .\r
+\r
+ ' This is Mr . Jabez Wilson ' said my assistant , ' and he is\r
+willing to fill a vacancy in the League '\r
+\r
+ ' And he is admirably suited for it ' the other answered . ' He has\r
+every requirement . I cannot recall when I have seen anything so\r
+fine ' He took a step backward , cocked his head on one side , and\r
+gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful . Then suddenly he\r
+plunged forward , wrung my hand , and congratulated me warmly on my\r
+success .\r
+\r
+ ' It would be injustice to hesitate ' said he . ' You will ,\r
+however , I am sure , excuse me for taking an obvious precaution '\r
+With that he seized my hair in both his hands , and tugged until I\r
+yelled with the pain . ' There is water in your eyes ' said he as\r
+he released me . ' I perceive that all is as it should be . But we\r
+have to be careful , for we have twice been deceived by wigs and\r
+once by paint . I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which\r
+would disgust you with human nature ' He stepped over to the\r
+window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the\r
+vacancy was filled . A groan of disappointment came up from below ,\r
+and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there\r
+was not a red - head to be seen except my own and that of the\r
+manager .\r
+\r
+ ' My name ' said he , ' is Mr . Duncan Ross , and I am myself one of\r
+the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor . Are\r
+you a married man , Mr . Wilson ? Have you a family '\r
+\r
+" I answered that I had not .\r
+\r
+" His face fell immediately .\r
+\r
+ ' Dear me ' he said gravely , ' that is very serious indeed ! I am\r
+sorry to hear you say that . The fund was , of course , for the\r
+propagation and spread of the red - heads as well as for their\r
+maintenance . It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a\r
+bachelor '\r
+\r
+" My face lengthened at this , Mr . Holmes , for I thought that I was\r
+not to have the vacancy after all ; but after thinking it over for\r
+a few minutes he said that it would be all right .\r
+\r
+ ' In the case of another ' said he , ' the objection might be\r
+fatal , but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a\r
+head of hair as yours . When shall you be able to enter upon your\r
+new duties '\r
+\r
+ ' Well , it is a little awkward , for I have a business already '\r
+said I .\r
+\r
+ ' Oh , never mind about that , Mr . Wilson ' said Vincent Spaulding .\r
+' I should be able to look after that for you '\r
+\r
+ ' What would be the hours ' I asked .\r
+\r
+ ' Ten to two '\r
+\r
+" Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening , Mr .\r
+Holmes , especially Thursday and Friday evening , which is just\r
+before pay - day ; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in\r
+the mornings . Besides , I knew that my assistant was a good man ,\r
+and that he would see to anything that turned up .\r
+\r
+ ' That would suit me very well ' said I . ' And the pay '\r
+\r
+ ' Is 4 pounds a week '\r
+\r
+ ' And the work '\r
+\r
+ ' Is purely nominal '\r
+\r
+ ' What do you call purely nominal '\r
+\r
+ ' Well , you have to be in the office , or at least in the\r
+building , the whole time . If you leave , you forfeit your whole\r
+position forever . The will is very clear upon that point . You\r
+don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office\r
+during that time '\r
+\r
+ ' It's only four hours a day , and I should not think of leaving '\r
+said I .\r
+\r
+ ' No excuse will avail ' said Mr . Duncan Ross ; ' neither sickness\r
+nor business nor anything else . There you must stay , or you lose\r
+your billet '\r
+\r
+ ' And the work '\r
+\r
+ ' Is to copy out the " Encyclopaedia Britannica " There is the first\r
+volume of it in that press . You must find your own ink , pens , and\r
+blotting - paper , but we provide this table and chair . Will you be\r
+ready to - morrow '\r
+\r
+ ' Certainly ' I answered .\r
+\r
+ ' Then , good - bye , Mr . Jabez Wilson , and let me congratulate you\r
+once more on the important position which you have been fortunate\r
+enough to gain ' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with\r
+my assistant , hardly knowing what to say or do , I was so pleased\r
+at my own good fortune .\r
+\r
+" Well , I thought over the matter all day , and by evening I was in\r
+low spirits again ; for I had quite persuaded myself that the\r
+whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud , though what its\r
+object might be I could not imagine . It seemed altogether past\r
+belief that anyone could make such a will , or that they would pay\r
+such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the\r
+' Encyclopaedia Britannica ' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to\r
+cheer me up , but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the\r
+whole thing . However , in the morning I determined to have a look\r
+at it anyhow , so I bought a penny bottle of ink , and with a\r
+quill - pen , and seven sheets of foolscap paper , I started off for\r
+Pope's Court .\r
+\r
+" Well , to my surprise and delight , everything was as right as\r
+possible . The table was set out ready for me , and Mr . Duncan Ross\r
+was there to see that I got fairly to work . He started me off\r
+upon the letter A , and then he left me ; but he would drop in from\r
+time to time to see that all was right with me . At two o'clock he\r
+bade me good - day , complimented me upon the amount that I had\r
+written , and locked the door of the office after me .\r
+\r
+" This went on day after day , Mr . Holmes , and on Saturday the\r
+manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my\r
+week's work . It was the same next week , and the same the week\r
+after . Every morning I was there at ten , and every afternoon I\r
+left at two . By degrees Mr . Duncan Ross took to coming in only\r
+once of a morning , and then , after a time , he did not come in at\r
+all . Still , of course , I never dared to leave the room for an\r
+instant , for I was not sure when he might come , and the billet\r
+was such a good one , and suited me so well , that I would not risk\r
+the loss of it .\r
+\r
+" Eight weeks passed away like this , and I had written about\r
+Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica , and\r
+hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very\r
+long . It cost me something in foolscap , and I had pretty nearly\r
+filled a shelf with my writings . And then suddenly the whole\r
+business came to an end "\r
+\r
+" To an end "\r
+\r
+" Yes , sir . And no later than this morning . I went to my work as\r
+usual at ten o'clock , but the door was shut and locked , with a\r
+little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the\r
+panel with a tack . Here it is , and you can read for yourself "\r
+\r
+He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet\r
+of note - paper . It read in this fashion :\r
+\r
+ THE RED - HEADED LEAGUE\r
+\r
+ IS\r
+\r
+ DISSOLVED .\r
+\r
+ October 9 , 1890 .\r
+\r
+Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the\r
+rueful face behind it , until the comical side of the affair so\r
+completely overtopped every other consideration that we both\r
+burst out into a roar of laughter .\r
+\r
+" I cannot see that there is anything very funny " cried our\r
+client , flushing up to the roots of his flaming head . " If you can\r
+do nothing better than laugh at me , I can go elsewhere "\r
+\r
+" No , no " cried Holmes , shoving him back into the chair from\r
+which he had half risen . " I really wouldn't miss your case for\r
+the world . It is most refreshingly unusual . But there is , if you\r
+will excuse my saying so , something just a little funny about it .\r
+Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the\r
+door "\r
+\r
+" I was staggered , sir . I did not know what to do . Then I called\r
+at the offices round , but none of them seemed to know anything\r
+about it . Finally , I went to the landlord , who is an accountant\r
+living on the ground - floor , and I asked him if he could tell me\r
+what had become of the Red - headed League . He said that he had\r
+never heard of any such body . Then I asked him who Mr . Duncan\r
+Ross was . He answered that the name was new to him .\r
+\r
+ ' Well ' said I , ' the gentleman at No . 4 '\r
+\r
+ ' What , the red - headed man '\r
+\r
+ ' Yes '\r
+\r
+ ' Oh ' said he , ' his name was William Morris . He was a solicitor\r
+and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new\r
+premises were ready . He moved out yesterday '\r
+\r
+ ' Where could I find him '\r
+\r
+ ' Oh , at his new offices . He did tell me the address . Yes , 17\r
+King Edward Street , near St . Paul's '\r
+\r
+" I started off , Mr . Holmes , but when I got to that address it was\r
+a manufactory of artificial knee - caps , and no one in it had ever\r
+heard of either Mr . William Morris or Mr . Duncan Ross "\r
+\r
+" And what did you do then " asked Holmes .\r
+\r
+" I went home to Saxe - Coburg Square , and I took the advice of my\r
+assistant . But he could not help me in any way . He could only say\r
+that if I waited I should hear by post . But that was not quite\r
+good enough , Mr . Holmes . I did not wish to lose such a place\r
+without a struggle , so , as I had heard that you were good enough\r
+to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it , I came right\r
+away to you "\r
+\r
+" And you did very wisely " said Holmes . " Your case is an\r
+exceedingly remarkable one , and I shall be happy to look into it .\r
+From what you have told me I think that it is possible that\r
+graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear "\r
+\r
+" Grave enough " said Mr . Jabez Wilson . " Why , I have lost four\r
+pound a week "\r
+\r
+" As far as you are personally concerned " remarked Holmes , " I do\r
+not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary\r
+league . On the contrary , you are , as I understand , richer by some\r
+30 pounds , to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have\r
+gained on every subject which comes under the letter A . You have\r
+lost nothing by them "\r
+\r
+" No , sir . But I want to find out about them , and who they are ,\r
+and what their object was in playing this prank - if it was a\r
+prank - upon me . It was a pretty expensive joke for them , for it\r
+cost them two and thirty pounds "\r
+\r
+" We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you . And , first ,\r
+one or two questions , Mr . Wilson . This assistant of yours who\r
+first called your attention to the advertisement - how long had he\r
+been with you "\r
+\r
+" About a month then "\r
+\r
+" How did he come "\r
+\r
+" In answer to an advertisement "\r
+\r
+" Was he the only applicant "\r
+\r
+" No , I had a dozen "\r
+\r
+" Why did you pick him "\r
+\r
+" Because he was handy and would come cheap "\r
+\r
+" At half - wages , in fact "\r
+\r
+" Yes "\r
+\r
+" What is he like , this Vincent Spaulding "\r
+\r
+" Small , stout - built , very quick in his ways , no hair on his face ,\r
+though he's not short of thirty . Has a white splash of acid upon\r
+his forehead "\r
+\r
+Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement . " I thought\r
+as much " said he . " Have you ever observed that his ears are\r
+pierced for earrings "\r
+\r
+" Yes , sir . He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he\r
+was a lad "\r
+\r
+" Hum " said Holmes , sinking back in deep thought . " He is still\r
+with you "\r
+\r
+" Oh , yes , sir ; I have only just left him "\r
+\r
+" And has your business been attended to in your absence "\r
+\r
+" Nothing to complain of , sir . There's never very much to do of a\r
+morning "\r
+\r
+" That will do , Mr . Wilson . I shall be happy to give you an\r
+opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two . To - day is\r
+Saturday , and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion "\r
+\r
+" Well , Watson " said Holmes when our visitor had left us , " what\r
+do you make of it all "\r
+\r
+" I make nothing of it " I answered frankly . " It is a most\r
+mysterious business "\r
+\r
+" As a rule " said Holmes , " the more bizarre a thing is the less\r
+mysterious it proves to be . It is your commonplace , featureless\r
+crimes which are really puzzling , just as a commonplace face is\r
+the most difficult to identify . But I must be prompt over this\r
+matter "\r
+\r
+" What are you going to do , then " I asked .\r
+\r
+" To smoke " he answered . " It is quite a three pipe problem , and I\r
+beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes " He curled\r
+himself up in his chair , with his thin knees drawn up to his\r
+hawk - like nose , and there he sat with his eyes closed and his\r
+black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird .\r
+I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep , and\r
+indeed was nodding myself , when he suddenly sprang out of his\r
+chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put\r
+his pipe down upon the mantelpiece .\r
+\r
+" Sarasate plays at the St . James's Hall this afternoon " he\r
+remarked . " What do you think , Watson ? Could your patients spare\r
+you for a few hours "\r
+\r
+" I have nothing to do to - day . My practice is never very\r
+absorbing "\r
+\r
+" Then put on your hat and come . I am going through the City\r
+first , and we can have some lunch on the way . I observe that\r
+there is a good deal of German music on the programme , which is\r
+rather more to my taste than Italian or French . It is\r
+introspective , and I want to introspect . Come along "\r
+\r
+We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate ; and a short\r
+walk took us to Saxe - Coburg Square , the scene of the singular\r
+story which we had listened to in the morning . It was a poky ,\r
+little , shabby - genteel place , where four lines of dingy\r
+two - storied brick houses looked out into a small railed - in\r
+enclosure , where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded\r
+laurel - bushes made a hard fight against a smoke - laden and\r
+uncongenial atmosphere . Three gilt balls and a brown board with\r
+" JABEZ WILSON " in white letters , upon a corner house , announced\r
+the place where our red - headed client carried on his business .\r
+Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side\r
+and looked it all over , with his eyes shining brightly between\r
+puckered lids . Then he walked slowly up the street , and then down\r
+again to the corner , still looking keenly at the houses . Finally\r
+he returned to the pawnbroker's , and , having thumped vigorously\r
+upon the pavement with his stick two or three times , he went up\r
+to the door and knocked . It was instantly opened by a\r
+bright - looking , clean - shaven young fellow , who asked him to step\r
+in .\r
+\r
+" Thank you " said Holmes , " I only wished to ask you how you would\r
+go from here to the Strand "\r
+\r
+" Third right , fourth left " answered the assistant promptly ,\r
+closing the door .\r
+\r
+" Smart fellow , that " observed Holmes as we walked away . " He is ,\r
+in my judgment , the fourth smartest man in London , and for daring\r
+I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third . I have known\r
+something of him before "\r
+\r
+" Evidently " said I , " Mr . Wilson's assistant counts for a good\r
+deal in this mystery of the Red - headed League . I am sure that you\r
+inquired your way merely in order that you might see him "\r
+\r
+" Not him "\r
+\r
+" What then "\r
+\r
+" The knees of his trousers "\r
+\r
+" And what did you see "\r
+\r
+" What I expected to see "\r
+\r
+" Why did you beat the pavement "\r
+\r
+" My dear doctor , this is a time for observation , not for talk . We\r
+are spies in an enemy's country . We know something of Saxe - Coburg\r
+Square . Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it "\r
+\r
+The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the\r
+corner from the retired Saxe - Coburg Square presented as great a\r
+contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back . It was\r
+one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City\r
+to the north and west . The roadway was blocked with the immense\r
+stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward ,\r
+while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of\r
+pedestrians . It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line\r
+of fine shops and stately business premises that they really\r
+abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square\r
+which we had just quitted .\r
+\r
+" Let me see " said Holmes , standing at the corner and glancing\r
+along the line , " I should like just to remember the order of the\r
+houses here . It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of\r
+London . There is Mortimer's , the tobacconist , the little\r
+newspaper shop , the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank ,\r
+the Vegetarian Restaurant , and McFarlane's carriage - building\r
+depot . That carries us right on to the other block . And now ,\r
+Doctor , we ' ve done our work , so it's time we had some play . A\r
+sandwich and a cup of coffee , and then off to violin - land , where\r
+all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony , and there are no\r
+red - headed clients to vex us with their conundrums "\r
+\r
+My friend was an enthusiastic musician , being himself not only a\r
+very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit . All\r
+the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect\r
+happiness , gently waving his long , thin fingers in time to the\r
+music , while his gently smiling face and his languid , dreamy eyes\r
+were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth - hound , Holmes the\r
+relentless , keen - witted , ready - handed criminal agent , as it was\r
+possible to conceive . In his singular character the dual nature\r
+alternately asserted itself , and his extreme exactness and\r
+astuteness represented , as I have often thought , the reaction\r
+against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally\r
+predominated in him . The swing of his nature took him from\r
+extreme languor to devouring energy ; and , as I knew well , he was\r
+never so truly formidable as when , for days on end , he had been\r
+lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his\r
+black - letter editions . Then it was that the lust of the chase\r
+would suddenly come upon him , and that his brilliant reasoning\r
+power would rise to the level of intuition , until those who were\r
+unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a\r
+man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals . When I saw him\r
+that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St . James's Hall I\r
+felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set\r
+himself to hunt down .\r
+\r
+" You want to go home , no doubt , Doctor " he remarked as we\r
+emerged .\r
+\r
+" Yes , it would be as well "\r
+\r
+" And I have some business to do which will take some hours . This\r
+business at Coburg Square is serious "\r
+\r
+" Why serious "\r
+\r
+" A considerable crime is in contemplation . I have every reason to\r
+believe that we shall be in time to stop it . But to - day being\r
+Saturday rather complicates matters . I shall want your help\r
+to - night "\r
+\r
+" At what time "\r
+\r
+" Ten will be early enough "\r
+\r
+" I shall be at Baker Street at ten "\r
+\r
+" Very well . And , I say , Doctor , there may be some little danger ,\r
+so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket " He waved his\r
+hand , turned on his heel , and disappeared in an instant among the\r
+crowd .\r
+\r
+I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours , but I was\r
+always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings\r
+with Sherlock Holmes . Here I had heard what he had heard , I had\r
+seen what he had seen , and yet from his words it was evident that\r
+he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to\r
+happen , while to me the whole business was still confused and\r
+grotesque . As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought\r
+over it all , from the extraordinary story of the red - headed\r
+copier of the " Encyclopaedia " down to the visit to Saxe - Coburg\r
+Square , and the ominous words with which he had parted from me .\r
+What was this nocturnal expedition , and why should I go armed ?\r
+Where were we going , and what were we to do ? I had the hint from\r
+Holmes that this smooth - faced pawnbroker's assistant was a\r
+formidable man - a man who might play a deep game . I tried to\r
+puzzle it out , but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside\r
+until night should bring an explanation .\r
+\r
+It was a quarter - past nine when I started from home and made my\r
+way across the Park , and so through Oxford Street to Baker\r
+Street . Two hansoms were standing at the door , and as I entered\r
+the passage I heard the sound of voices from above . On entering\r
+his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men ,\r
+one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones , the official police\r
+agent , while the other was a long , thin , sad - faced man , with a\r
+very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock - coat .\r
+\r
+" Ha ! Our party is complete " said Holmes , buttoning up his\r
+pea - jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack .\r
+" Watson , I think you know Mr . Jones , of Scotland Yard ? Let me\r
+introduce you to Mr . Merryweather , who is to be our companion in\r
+to - night's adventure "\r
+\r
+" We ' re hunting in couples again , Doctor , you see " said Jones in\r
+his consequential way . " Our friend here is a wonderful man for\r
+starting a chase . All he wants is an old dog to help him to do\r
+the running down "\r
+\r
+" I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase "\r
+observed Mr . Merryweather gloomily .\r
+\r
+" You may place considerable confidence in Mr . Holmes , sir " said\r
+the police agent loftily . " He has his own little methods , which\r
+are , if he won't mind my saying so , just a little too theoretical\r
+and fantastic , but he has the makings of a detective in him . It\r
+is not too much to say that once or twice , as in that business of\r
+the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure , he has been more nearly\r
+correct than the official force "\r
+\r
+" Oh , if you say so , Mr . Jones , it is all right " said the\r
+stranger with deference . " Still , I confess that I miss my rubber .\r
+It is the first Saturday night for seven - and - twenty years that I\r
+have not had my rubber "\r
+\r
+" I think you will find " said Sherlock Holmes , " that you will\r
+play for a higher stake to - night than you have ever done yet , and\r
+that the play will be more exciting . For you , Mr . Merryweather ,\r
+the stake will be some 30 , 000 pounds ; and for you , Jones , it will\r
+be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands "\r
+\r
+" John Clay , the murderer , thief , smasher , and forger . He's a\r
+young man , Mr . Merryweather , but he is at the head of his\r
+profession , and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on\r
+any criminal in London . He's a remarkable man , is young John\r
+Clay . His grandfather was a royal duke , and he himself has been\r
+to Eton and Oxford . His brain is as cunning as his fingers , and\r
+though we meet signs of him at every turn , we never know where to\r
+find the man himself . He ' ll crack a crib in Scotland one week ,\r
+and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next .\r
+I ' ve been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him\r
+yet "\r
+\r
+" I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to - night .\r
+I ' ve had one or two little turns also with Mr . John Clay , and I\r
+agree with you that he is at the head of his profession . It is\r
+past ten , however , and quite time that we started . If you two\r
+will take the first hansom , Watson and I will follow in the\r
+second "\r
+\r
+Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive\r
+and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in\r
+the afternoon . We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas - lit\r
+streets until we emerged into Farrington Street .\r
+\r
+" We are close there now " my friend remarked . " This fellow\r
+Merryweather is a bank director , and personally interested in the\r
+matter . I thought it as well to have Jones with us also . He is\r
+not a bad fellow , though an absolute imbecile in his profession .\r
+He has one positive virtue . He is as brave as a bulldog and as\r
+tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone . Here we\r
+are , and they are waiting for us "\r
+\r
+We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had\r
+found ourselves in the morning . Our cabs were dismissed , and ,\r
+following the guidance of Mr . Merryweather , we passed down a\r
+narrow passage and through a side door , which he opened for us .\r
+Within there was a small corridor , which ended in a very massive\r
+iron gate . This also was opened , and led down a flight of winding\r
+stone steps , which terminated at another formidable gate . Mr .\r
+Merryweather stopped to light a lantern , and then conducted us\r
+down a dark , earth - smelling passage , and so , after opening a\r
+third door , into a huge vault or cellar , which was piled all\r
+round with crates and massive boxes .\r
+\r
+" You are not very vulnerable from above " Holmes remarked as he\r
+held up the lantern and gazed about him .\r
+\r
+" Nor from below " said Mr . Merryweather , striking his stick upon\r
+the flags which lined the floor . " Why , dear me , it sounds quite\r
+hollow " he remarked , looking up in surprise .\r
+\r
+" I must really ask you to be a little more quiet " said Holmes\r
+severely . " You have already imperilled the whole success of our\r
+expedition . Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit\r
+down upon one of those boxes , and not to interfere "\r
+\r
+The solemn Mr . Merryweather perched himself upon a crate , with a\r
+very injured expression upon his face , while Holmes fell upon his\r
+knees upon the floor and , with the lantern and a magnifying lens ,\r
+began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones . A few\r
+seconds sufficed to satisfy him , for he sprang to his feet again\r
+and put his glass in his pocket .\r
+\r
+" We have at least an hour before us " he remarked , " for they can\r
+hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed .\r
+Then they will not lose a minute , for the sooner they do their\r
+work the longer time they will have for their escape . We are at\r
+present , Doctor - as no doubt you have divined - in the cellar of\r
+the City branch of one of the principal London banks . Mr .\r
+Merryweather is the chairman of directors , and he will explain to\r
+you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of\r
+London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at\r
+present "\r
+\r
+" It is our French gold " whispered the director . " We have had\r
+several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it "\r
+\r
+" Your French gold "\r
+\r
+" Yes . We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources\r
+and borrowed for that purpose 30 , 000 napoleons from the Bank of\r
+France . It has become known that we have never had occasion to\r
+unpack the money , and that it is still lying in our cellar . The\r
+crate upon which I sit contains 2 , 000 napoleons packed between\r
+layers of lead foil . Our reserve of bullion is much larger at\r
+present than is usually kept in a single branch office , and the\r
+directors have had misgivings upon the subject "\r
+\r
+" Which were very well justified " observed Holmes . " And now it is\r
+time that we arranged our little plans . I expect that within an\r
+hour matters will come to a head . In the meantime Mr .\r
+Merryweather , we must put the screen over that dark lantern "\r
+\r
+" And sit in the dark "\r
+\r
+" I am afraid so . I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket , and\r
+I thought that , as we were a partie carree , you might have your\r
+rubber after all . But I see that the enemy's preparations have\r
+gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light . And ,\r
+first of all , we must choose our positions . These are daring men ,\r
+and though we shall take them at a disadvantage , they may do us\r
+some harm unless we are careful . I shall stand behind this crate ,\r
+and do you conceal yourselves behind those . Then , when I flash a\r
+light upon them , close in swiftly . If they fire , Watson , have no\r
+compunction about shooting them down "\r
+\r
+I placed my revolver , cocked , upon the top of the wooden case\r
+behind which I crouched . Holmes shot the slide across the front\r
+of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness - such an absolute\r
+darkness as I have never before experienced . The smell of hot\r
+metal remained to assure us that the light was still there , ready\r
+to flash out at a moment's notice . To me , with my nerves worked\r
+up to a pitch of expectancy , there was something depressing and\r
+subduing in the sudden gloom , and in the cold dank air of the\r
+vault .\r
+\r
+" They have but one retreat " whispered Holmes . " That is back\r
+through the house into Saxe - Coburg Square . I hope that you have\r
+done what I asked you , Jones "\r
+\r
+" I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door "\r
+\r
+" Then we have stopped all the holes . And now we must be silent\r
+and wait "\r
+\r
+What a time it seemed ! From comparing notes afterwards it was but\r
+an hour and a quarter , yet it appeared to me that the night must\r
+have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us . My limbs\r
+were weary and stiff , for I feared to change my position ; yet my\r
+nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension , and my\r
+hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle\r
+breathing of my companions , but I could distinguish the deeper ,\r
+heavier in - breath of the bulky Jones from the thin , sighing note\r
+of the bank director . From my position I could look over the case\r
+in the direction of the floor . Suddenly my eyes caught the glint\r
+of a light .\r
+\r
+At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement . Then\r
+it lengthened out until it became a yellow line , and then ,\r
+without any warning or sound , a gash seemed to open and a hand\r
+appeared , a white , almost womanly hand , which felt about in the\r
+centre of the little area of light . For a minute or more the\r
+hand , with its writhing fingers , protruded out of the floor . Then\r
+it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared , and all was dark\r
+again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between\r
+the stones .\r
+\r
+Its disappearance , however , was but momentary . With a rending ,\r
+tearing sound , one of the broad , white stones turned over upon\r
+its side and left a square , gaping hole , through which streamed\r
+the light of a lantern . Over the edge there peeped a clean - cut ,\r
+boyish face , which looked keenly about it , and then , with a hand\r
+on either side of the aperture , drew itself shoulder - high and\r
+waist - high , until one knee rested upon the edge . In another\r
+instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after\r
+him a companion , lithe and small like himself , with a pale face\r
+and a shock of very red hair .\r
+\r
+" It's all clear " he whispered . " Have you the chisel and the\r
+bags ? Great Scott ! Jump , Archie , jump , and I ' ll swing for it "\r
+\r
+Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the\r
+collar . The other dived down the hole , and I heard the sound of\r
+rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts . The light flashed\r
+upon the barrel of a revolver , but Holmes ' hunting crop came\r
+down on the man's wrist , and the pistol clinked upon the stone\r
+floor .\r
+\r
+" It's no use , John Clay " said Holmes blandly . " You have no\r
+chance at all "\r
+\r
+" So I see " the other answered with the utmost coolness . " I fancy\r
+that my pal is all right , though I see you have got his\r
+coat - tails "\r
+\r
+" There are three men waiting for him at the door " said Holmes .\r
+\r
+" Oh , indeed ! You seem to have done the thing very completely . I\r
+must compliment you "\r
+\r
+" And I you " Holmes answered . " Your red - headed idea was very new\r
+and effective "\r
+\r
+" You ' ll see your pal again presently " said Jones . " He's quicker\r
+at climbing down holes than I am . Just hold out while I fix the\r
+derbies "\r
+\r
+" I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands "\r
+remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists .\r
+" You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins . Have\r
+the goodness , also , when you address me always to say ' sir ' and\r
+' please '"\r
+\r
+" All right " said Jones with a stare and a snigger . " Well , would\r
+you please , sir , march upstairs , where we can get a cab to carry\r
+your Highness to the police - station "\r
+\r
+" That is better " said John Clay serenely . He made a sweeping bow\r
+to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the\r
+detective .\r
+\r
+" Really , Mr . Holmes " said Mr . Merryweather as we followed them\r
+from the cellar , " I do not know how the bank can thank you or\r
+repay you . There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated\r
+in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts\r
+at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience "\r
+\r
+" I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr .\r
+John Clay " said Holmes . " I have been at some small expense over\r
+this matter , which I shall expect the bank to refund , but beyond\r
+that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in\r
+many ways unique , and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of\r
+the Red - headed League "\r
+\r
+\r
+" You see , Watson " he explained in the early hours of the morning\r
+as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street , " it\r
+was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible\r
+object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of\r
+the League , and the copying of the ' Encyclopaedia ' must be to get\r
+this not over - bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of\r
+hours every day . It was a curious way of managing it , but ,\r
+really , it would be difficult to suggest a better . The method was\r
+no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his\r
+accomplice's hair . The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw\r
+him , and what was it to them , who were playing for thousands ?\r
+They put in the advertisement , one rogue has the temporary\r
+office , the other rogue incites the man to apply for it , and\r
+together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the\r
+week . From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for\r
+half wages , it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive\r
+for securing the situation "\r
+\r
+" But how could you guess what the motive was "\r
+\r
+" Had there been women in the house , I should have suspected a\r
+mere vulgar intrigue . That , however , was out of the question . The\r
+man's business was a small one , and there was nothing in his\r
+house which could account for such elaborate preparations , and\r
+such an expenditure as they were at . It must , then , be something\r
+out of the house . What could it be ? I thought of the assistant's\r
+fondness for photography , and his trick of vanishing into the\r
+cellar . The cellar ! There was the end of this tangled clue . Then\r
+I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I\r
+had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in\r
+London . He was doing something in the cellar - something which\r
+took many hours a day for months on end . What could it be , once\r
+more ? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel\r
+to some other building .\r
+\r
+" So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action . I\r
+surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick . I was\r
+ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind .\r
+It was not in front . Then I rang the bell , and , as I hoped , the\r
+assistant answered it . We have had some skirmishes , but we had\r
+never set eyes upon each other before . I hardly looked at his\r
+face . His knees were what I wished to see . You must yourself have\r
+remarked how worn , wrinkled , and stained they were . They spoke of\r
+those hours of burrowing . The only remaining point was what they\r
+were burrowing for . I walked round the corner , saw the City and\r
+Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises , and felt that I\r
+had solved my problem . When you drove home after the concert I\r
+called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank\r
+directors , with the result that you have seen "\r
+\r
+" And how could you tell that they would make their attempt\r
+to - night " I asked .\r
+\r
+" Well , when they closed their League offices that was a sign that\r
+they cared no longer about Mr . Jabez Wilson's presence - in other\r
+words , that they had completed their tunnel . But it was essential\r
+that they should use it soon , as it might be discovered , or the\r
+bullion might be removed . Saturday would suit them better than\r
+any other day , as it would give them two days for their escape .\r
+For all these reasons I expected them to come to - night "\r
+\r
+" You reasoned it out beautifully " I exclaimed in unfeigned\r
+admiration . " It is so long a chain , and yet every link rings\r
+true "\r
+\r
+" It saved me from ennui " he answered , yawning . " Alas ! I already\r
+feel it closing in upon me . My life is spent in one long effort\r
+to escape from the commonplaces of existence . These little\r
+problems help me to do so "\r
+\r
+" And you are a benefactor of the race " said I .\r
+\r
+He shrugged his shoulders . " Well , perhaps , after all , it is of\r
+some little use " he remarked . " ' L ' homme c ' est rien - l ' oeuvre\r
+c ' est tout ' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand "\r
+\r
+\r
+\r
+ADVENTURE III . A CASE OF IDENTITY\r
+\r
+" My dear fellow " said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side\r
+of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street , " life is infinitely\r
+stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent . We\r
+would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere\r
+commonplaces of existence . If we could fly out of that window\r
+hand in hand , hover over this great city , gently remove the\r
+roofs , and peep in at the queer things which are going on , the\r
+strange coincidences , the plannings , the cross - purposes , the\r
+wonderful chains of events , working through generations , and\r
+leading to the most outre results , it would make all fiction with\r
+its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and\r
+unprofitable "\r
+\r
+" And yet I am not convinced of it " I answered . " The cases which\r
+come to light in the papers are , as a rule , bald enough , and\r
+vulgar enough . We have in our police reports realism pushed to\r
+its extreme limits , and yet the result is , it must be confessed ,\r
+neither fascinating nor artistic "\r
+\r
+" A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a\r
+realistic effect " remarked Holmes . " This is wanting in the\r
+police report , where more stress is laid , perhaps , upon the\r
+platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details , which to an\r
+observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter . Depend\r
+upon it , there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace "\r
+\r
+I smiled and shook my head . " I can quite understand your thinking\r
+so " I said . " Of course , in your position of unofficial adviser\r
+and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled , throughout\r
+three continents , you are brought in contact with all that is\r
+strange and bizarre . But here -- I picked up the morning paper\r
+from the ground -" let us put it to a practical test . Here is the\r
+first heading upon which I come . ' A husband's cruelty to his\r
+wife ' There is half a column of print , but I know without\r
+reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me . There is , of\r
+course , the other woman , the drink , the push , the blow , the\r
+bruise , the sympathetic sister or landlady . The crudest of\r
+writers could invent nothing more crude "\r
+\r
+" Indeed , your example is an unfortunate one for your argument "\r
+said Holmes , taking the paper and glancing his eye down it . " This\r
+is the Dundas separation case , and , as it happens , I was engaged\r
+in clearing up some small points in connection with it . The\r
+husband was a teetotaler , there was no other woman , and the\r
+conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of\r
+winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling\r
+them at his wife , which , you will allow , is not an action likely\r
+to occur to the imagination of the average story - teller . Take a\r
+pinch of snuff , Doctor , and acknowledge that I have scored over\r
+you in your example "\r
+\r
+He held out his snuffbox of old gold , with a great amethyst in\r
+the centre of the lid . Its splendour was in such contrast to his\r
+homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon\r
+it .\r
+\r
+" Ah " said he , " I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks .\r
+It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my\r
+assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers "\r
+\r
+" And the ring " I asked , glancing at a remarkable brilliant which\r
+sparkled upon his finger .\r
+\r
+" It was from the reigning family of Holland , though the matter in\r
+which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it\r
+even to you , who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of\r
+my little problems "\r
+\r
+" And have you any on hand just now " I asked with interest .\r
+\r
+" Some ten or twelve , but none which present any feature of\r
+interest . They are important , you understand , without being\r
+interesting . Indeed , I have found that it is usually in\r
+unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation ,\r
+and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the\r
+charm to an investigation . The larger crimes are apt to be the\r
+simpler , for the bigger the crime the more obvious , as a rule , is\r
+the motive . In these cases , save for one rather intricate matter\r
+which has been referred to me from Marseilles , there is nothing\r
+which presents any features of interest . It is possible , however ,\r
+that I may have something better before very many minutes are\r
+over , for this is one of my clients , or I am much mistaken "\r
+\r
+He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted\r
+blinds gazing down into the dull neutral - tinted London street .\r
+Looking over his shoulder , I saw that on the pavement opposite\r
+there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck ,\r
+and a large curling red feather in a broad - brimmed hat which was\r
+tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her\r
+ear . From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous ,\r
+hesitating fashion at our windows , while her body oscillated\r
+backward and forward , and her fingers fidgeted with her glove\r
+buttons . Suddenly , with a plunge , as of the swimmer who leaves\r
+the bank , she hurried across the road , and we heard the sharp\r
+clang of the bell .\r
+\r
+" I have seen those symptoms before " said Holmes , throwing his\r
+cigarette into the fire . " Oscillation upon the pavement always\r
+means an affaire de coeur . She would like advice , but is not sure\r
+that the matter is not too delicate for communication . And yet\r
+even here we may discriminate . When a woman has been seriously\r
+wronged by a man she no longer oscillates , and the usual symptom\r
+is a broken bell wire . Here we may take it that there is a love\r
+matter , but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed , or\r
+grieved . But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts "\r
+\r
+As he spoke there was a tap at the door , and the boy in buttons\r
+entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland , while the lady herself\r
+loomed behind his small black figure like a full - sailed\r
+merchant - man behind a tiny pilot boat . Sherlock Holmes welcomed\r
+her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable , and ,\r
+having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair , he looked\r
+her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was\r
+peculiar to him .\r
+\r
+" Do you not find " he said , " that with your short sight it is a\r
+little trying to do so much typewriting "\r
+\r
+" I did at first " she answered , " but now I know where the letters\r
+are without looking " Then , suddenly realising the full purport\r
+of his words , she gave a violent start and looked up , with fear\r
+and astonishment upon her broad , good - humoured face . " You ' ve\r
+heard about me , Mr . Holmes " she cried , " else how could you know\r
+all that "\r
+\r
+" Never mind " said Holmes , laughing ; " it is my business to know\r
+things . Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others\r
+overlook . If not , why should you come to consult me "\r
+\r
+" I came to you , sir , because I heard of you from Mrs . Etherege ,\r
+whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had\r
+given him up for dead . Oh , Mr . Holmes , I wish you would do as\r
+much for me . I ' m not rich , but still I have a hundred a year in\r
+my own right , besides the little that I make by the machine , and\r
+I would give it all to know what has become of Mr . Hosmer Angel "\r
+\r
+" Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry " asked\r
+Sherlock Holmes , with his finger - tips together and his eyes to\r
+the ceiling .\r
+\r
+Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss\r
+Mary Sutherland . " Yes , I did bang out of the house " she said ,\r
+" for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr .\r
+Windibank - that is , my father - took it all . He would not go to\r
+the police , and he would not go to you , and so at last , as he\r
+would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done ,\r
+it made me mad , and I just on with my things and came right away\r
+to you "\r
+\r
+" Your father " said Holmes , " your stepfather , surely , since the\r
+name is different "\r
+\r
+" Yes , my stepfather . I call him father , though it sounds funny ,\r
+too , for he is only five years and two months older than myself "\r
+\r
+" And your mother is alive "\r
+\r
+" Oh , yes , mother is alive and well . I wasn't best pleased , Mr .\r
+Holmes , when she married again so soon after father's death , and\r
+a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself . Father\r
+was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road , and he left a tidy\r
+business behind him , which mother carried on with Mr . Hardy , the\r
+foreman ; but when Mr . Windibank came he made her sell the\r
+business , for he was very superior , being a traveller in wines .\r
+They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest , which wasn ' t\r
+near as much as father could have got if he had been alive "\r
+\r
+I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this\r
+rambling and inconsequential narrative , but , on the contrary , he\r
+had listened with the greatest concentration of attention .\r
+\r
+" Your own little income " he asked , " does it come out of the\r
+business "\r
+\r
+" Oh , no , sir . It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle\r
+Ned in Auckland . It is in New Zealand stock , paying 4 1 / 2 per\r
+cent . Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount , but I can\r
+only touch the interest "\r
+\r
+" You interest me extremely " said Holmes . " And since you draw so\r
+large a sum as a hundred a year , with what you earn into the\r
+bargain , you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in\r
+every way . I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely\r
+upon an income of about 60 pounds "\r
+\r
+" I could do with much less than that , Mr . Holmes , but you\r
+understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a\r
+burden to them , and so they have the use of the money just while\r
+I am staying with them . Of course , that is only just for the\r
+time . Mr . Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it\r
+over to mother , and I find that I can do pretty well with what I\r
+earn at typewriting . It brings me twopence a sheet , and I can\r
+often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day "\r
+\r
+" You have made your position very clear to me " said Holmes .\r
+" This is my friend , Dr . Watson , before whom you can speak as\r
+freely as before myself . Kindly tell us now all about your\r
+connection with Mr . Hosmer Angel "\r
+\r
+A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face , and she picked\r
+nervously at the fringe of her jacket . " I met him first at the\r
+gasfitters ' ball " she said . " They used to send father tickets\r
+when he was alive , and then afterwards they remembered us , and\r
+sent them to mother . Mr . Windibank did not wish us to go . He\r
+never did wish us to go anywhere . He would get quite mad if I\r
+wanted so much as to join a Sunday - school treat . But this time I\r
+was set on going , and I would go ; for what right had he to\r
+prevent ? He said the folk were not fit for us to know , when all\r
+father's friends were to be there . And he said that I had nothing\r
+fit to wear , when I had my purple plush that I had never so much\r
+as taken out of the drawer . At last , when nothing else would do ,\r
+he went off to France upon the business of the firm , but we went ,\r
+mother and I , with Mr . Hardy , who used to be our foreman , and it\r
+was there I met Mr . Hosmer Angel "\r
+\r
+" I suppose " said Holmes , " that when Mr . Windibank came back from\r
+France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball "\r
+\r
+" Oh , well , he was very good about it . He laughed , I remember , and\r
+shrugged his shoulders , and said there was no use denying\r
+anything to a woman , for she would have her way "\r
+\r
+" I see . Then at the gasfitters ' ball you met , as I understand , a\r
+gentleman called Mr . Hosmer Angel "\r
+\r
+" Yes , sir . I met him that night , and he called next day to ask if\r
+we had got home all safe , and after that we met him - that is to\r
+say , Mr . Holmes , I met him twice for walks , but after that father\r
+came back again , and Mr . Hosmer Angel could not come to the house\r
+any more "\r
+\r
+" No "\r
+\r
+" Well , you know father didn't like anything of the sort . He\r
+wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it , and he used to\r
+say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle . But\r
+then , as I used to say to mother , a woman wants her own circle to\r
+begin with , and I had not got mine yet "\r
+\r
+" But how about Mr . Hosmer Angel ? Did he make no attempt to see\r
+you "\r
+\r
+" Well , father was going off to France again in a week , and Hosmer\r
+wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each\r
+other until he had gone . We could write in the meantime , and he\r
+used to write every day . I took the letters in in the morning , so\r
+there was no need for father to know "\r
+\r
+" Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time "\r
+\r
+" Oh , yes , Mr . Holmes . We were engaged after the first walk that\r
+we took . Hosmer - Mr . Angel - was a cashier in an office in\r
+Leadenhall Street - and -"\r
+\r
+" What office "\r
+\r
+" That's the worst of it , Mr . Holmes , I don't know "\r
+\r
+" Where did he live , then "\r
+\r
+" He slept on the premises "\r
+\r
+" And you don't know his address "\r
+\r
+" No - except that it was Leadenhall Street "\r
+\r
+" Where did you address your letters , then "\r
+\r
+" To the Leadenhall Street Post Office , to be left till called\r
+for . He said that if they were sent to the office he would be\r
+chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady ,\r
+so I offered to typewrite them , like he did his , but he wouldn ' t\r
+have that , for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come\r
+from me , but when they were typewritten he always felt that the\r
+machine had come between us . That will just show you how fond he\r
+was of me , Mr . Holmes , and the little things that he would think\r
+of "\r
+\r
+" It was most suggestive " said Holmes . " It has long been an axiom\r
+of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important .\r
+Can you remember any other little things about Mr . Hosmer Angel "\r
+\r
+" He was a very shy man , Mr . Holmes . He would rather walk with me\r
+in the evening than in the daylight , for he said that he hated to\r
+be conspicuous . Very retiring and gentlemanly he was . Even his\r
+voice was gentle . He ' d had the quinsy and swollen glands when he\r
+was young , he told me , and it had left him with a weak throat ,\r
+and a hesitating , whispering fashion of speech . He was always\r
+well dressed , very neat and plain , but his eyes were weak , just\r
+as mine are , and he wore tinted glasses against the glare "\r
+\r
+" Well , and what happened when Mr . Windibank , your stepfather ,\r
+returned to France "\r
+\r
+" Mr . Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we\r
+should marry before father came back . He was in dreadful earnest\r
+and made me swear , with my hands on the Testament , that whatever\r
+happened I would always be true to him . Mother said he was quite\r
+right to make me swear , and that it was a sign of his passion .\r
+Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder\r
+of him than I was . Then , when they talked of marrying within the\r
+week , I began to ask about father ; but they both said never to\r
+mind about father , but just to tell him afterwards , and mother\r
+said she would make it all right with him . I didn't quite like\r
+that , Mr . Holmes . It seemed funny that I should ask his leave , as\r
+he was only a few years older than me ; but I didn't want to do\r
+anything on the sly , so I wrote to father at Bordeaux , where the\r
+company has its French offices , but the letter came back to me on\r
+the very morning of the wedding "\r
+\r
+" It missed him , then "\r
+\r
+" Yes , sir ; for he had started to England just before it arrived "\r
+\r
+" Ha ! that was unfortunate . Your wedding was arranged , then , for\r
+the Friday . Was it to be in church "\r
+\r
+" Yes , sir , but very quietly . It was to be at St . Saviour's , near\r
+King's Cross , and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St .\r
+Pancras Hotel . Hosmer came for us in a hansom , but as there were\r
+two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a\r
+four - wheeler , which happened to be the only other cab in the\r
+street . We got to the church first , and when the four - wheeler\r
+drove up we waited for him to step out , but he never did , and\r
+when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one\r
+there ! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become\r
+of him , for he had seen him get in with his own eyes . That was\r
+last Friday , Mr . Holmes , and I have never seen or heard anything\r
+since then to throw any light upon what became of him "\r
+\r
+" It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated " said\r
+Holmes .\r
+\r
+" Oh , no , sir ! He was too good and kind to leave me so . Why , all\r
+the morning he was saying to me that , whatever happened , I was to\r
+be true ; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to\r
+separate us , I was always to remember that I was pledged to him ,\r
+and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later . It seemed\r
+strange talk for a wedding - morning , but what has happened since\r
+gives a meaning to it "\r
+\r
+" Most certainly it does . Your own opinion is , then , that some\r
+unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him "\r
+\r
+" Yes , sir . I believe that he foresaw some danger , or else he\r
+would not have talked so . And then I think that what he foresaw\r
+happened "\r
+\r
+" But you have no notion as to what it could have been "\r
+\r
+" None "\r
+\r
+" One more question . How did your mother take the matter "\r
+\r
+" She was angry , and said that I was never to speak of the matter\r
+again "\r
+\r
+" And your father ? Did you tell him "\r
+\r
+" Yes ; and he seemed to think , with me , that something had\r
+happened , and that I should hear of Hosmer again . As he said ,\r
+what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of\r
+the church , and then leaving me ? Now , if he had borrowed my\r
+money , or if he had married me and got my money settled on him ,\r
+there might be some reason , but Hosmer was very independent about\r
+money and never would look at a shilling of mine . And yet , what\r
+could have happened ? And why could he not write ? Oh , it drives me\r
+half - mad to think of it , and I can't sleep a wink at night " She\r
+pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob\r
+heavily into it .\r
+\r
+" I shall glance into the case for you " said Holmes , rising , " and\r
+I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result . Let the\r
+weight of the matter rest upon me now , and do not let your mind\r
+dwell upon it further . Above all , try to let Mr . Hosmer Angel\r
+vanish from your memory , as he has done from your life "\r
+\r
+" Then you don't think I ' ll see him again "\r
+\r
+" I fear not "\r
+\r
+" Then what has happened to him "\r
+\r
+" You will leave that question in my hands . I should like an\r
+accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can\r
+spare "\r
+\r
+" I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle " said she .\r
+" Here is the slip and here are four letters from him "\r
+\r
+" Thank you . And your address "\r
+\r
+" No . 31 Lyon Place , Camberwell "\r
+\r
+" Mr . Angel's address you never had , I understand . Where is your\r
+father's place of business "\r
+\r
+" He travels for Westhouse & Marbank , the great claret importers\r
+of Fenchurch Street "\r
+\r
+" Thank you . You have made your statement very clearly . You will\r
+leave the papers here , and remember the advice which I have given\r
+you . Let the whole incident be a sealed book , and do not allow it\r
+to affect your life "\r
+\r
+" You are very kind , Mr . Holmes , but I cannot do that . I shall be\r
+true to Hosmer . He shall find me ready when he comes back "\r
+\r
+For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face , there was\r
+something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which\r
+compelled our respect . She laid her little bundle of papers upon\r
+the table and went her way , with a promise to come again whenever\r
+she might be summoned .\r
+\r
+Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips\r
+still pressed together , his legs stretched out in front of him ,\r
+and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling . Then he took down\r
+from the rack the old and oily clay pipe , which was to him as a\r
+counsellor , and , having lit it , he leaned back in his chair , with\r
+the thick blue cloud - wreaths spinning up from him , and a look of\r
+infinite languor in his face .\r
+\r
+" Quite an interesting study , that maiden " he observed . " I found\r
+her more interesting than her little problem , which , by the way ,\r
+is rather a trite one . You will find parallel cases , if you\r
+consult my index , in Andover in ' 77 , and there was something of\r
+the sort at The Hague last year . Old as is the idea , however ,\r
+there were one or two details which were new to me . But the\r
+maiden herself was most instructive "\r
+\r
+" You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite\r
+invisible to me " I remarked .\r
+\r
+" Not invisible but unnoticed , Watson . You did not know where to\r
+look , and so you missed all that was important . I can never bring\r
+you to realise the importance of sleeves , the suggestiveness of\r
+thumb - nails , or the great issues that may hang from a boot - lace .\r
+Now , what did you gather from that woman's appearance ? Describe\r
+it "\r
+\r
+" Well , she had a slate - coloured , broad - brimmed straw hat , with a\r
+feather of a brickish red . Her jacket was black , with black beads\r
+sewn upon it , and a fringe of little black jet ornaments . Her\r
+dress was brown , rather darker than coffee colour , with a little\r
+purple plush at the neck and sleeves . Her gloves were greyish and\r
+were worn through at the right forefinger . Her boots I didn ' t\r
+observe . She had small round , hanging gold earrings , and a\r
+general air of being fairly well - to - do in a vulgar , comfortable ,\r
+easy - going way "\r
+\r
+Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled .\r
+\r
+ ' Pon my word , Watson , you are coming along wonderfully . You have\r
+really done very well indeed . It is true that you have missed\r
+everything of importance , but you have hit upon the method , and\r
+you have a quick eye for colour . Never trust to general\r
+impressions , my boy , but concentrate yourself upon details . My\r
+first glance is always at a woman's sleeve . In a man it is\r
+perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser . As you\r
+observe , this woman had plush upon her sleeves , which is a most\r
+useful material for showing traces . The double line a little\r
+above the wrist , where the typewritist presses against the table ,\r
+was beautifully defined . The sewing - machine , of the hand type ,\r
+leaves a similar mark , but only on the left arm , and on the side\r
+of it farthest from the thumb , instead of being right across the\r
+broadest part , as this was . I then glanced at her face , and ,\r
+observing the dint of a pince - nez at either side of her nose , I\r
+ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting , which seemed\r
+to surprise her "\r
+\r
+" It surprised me "\r
+\r
+" But , surely , it was obvious . I was then much surprised and\r
+interested on glancing down to observe that , though the boots\r
+which she was wearing were not unlike each other , they were\r
+really odd ones ; the one having a slightly decorated toe - cap , and\r
+the other a plain one . One was buttoned only in the two lower\r
+buttons out of five , and the other at the first , third , and\r
+fifth . Now , when you see that a young lady , otherwise neatly\r
+dressed , has come away from home with odd boots , half - buttoned ,\r
+it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry "\r
+\r
+" And what else " I asked , keenly interested , as I always was , by\r
+my friend's incisive reasoning .\r
+\r
+" I noted , in passing , that she had written a note before leaving\r
+home but after being fully dressed . You observed that her right\r
+glove was torn at the forefinger , but you did not apparently see\r
+that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink . She had\r
+written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep . It must have been\r
+this morning , or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger .\r
+All this is amusing , though rather elementary , but I must go back\r
+to business , Watson . Would you mind reading me the advertised\r
+description of Mr . Hosmer Angel "\r
+\r
+I held the little printed slip to the light .\r
+\r
+" Missing " it said , " on the morning of the fourteenth , a gentleman\r
+named Hosmer Angel . About five ft . seven in . in height ;\r
+strongly built , sallow complexion , black hair , a little bald in\r
+the centre , bushy , black side - whiskers and moustache ; tinted\r
+glasses , slight infirmity of speech . Was dressed , when last seen ,\r
+in black frock - coat faced with silk , black waistcoat , gold Albert\r
+chain , and grey Harris tweed trousers , with brown gaiters over\r
+elastic - sided boots . Known to have been employed in an office in\r
+Leadenhall Street . Anybody bringing -"\r
+\r
+" That will do " said Holmes . " As to the letters " he continued ,\r
+glancing over them , " they are very commonplace . Absolutely no\r
+clue in them to Mr . Angel , save that he quotes Balzac once . There\r
+is one remarkable point , however , which will no doubt strike\r
+you "\r
+\r
+" They are typewritten " I remarked .\r
+\r
+" Not only that , but the signature is typewritten . Look at the\r
+neat little ' Hosmer Angel ' at the bottom . There is a date , you\r
+see , but no superscription except Leadenhall Street , which is\r
+rather vague . The point about the signature is very suggestive - in\r
+fact , we may call it conclusive "\r
+\r
+" Of what "\r
+\r
+" My dear fellow , is it possible you do not see how strongly it\r
+bears upon the case "\r
+\r
+" I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able\r
+to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were\r
+instituted "\r
+\r
+" No , that was not the point . However , I shall write two letters ,\r
+which should settle the matter . One is to a firm in the City , the\r
+other is to the young lady's stepfather , Mr . Windibank , asking\r
+him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow\r
+evening . It is just as well that we should do business with the\r
+male relatives . And now , Doctor , we can do nothing until the\r
+answers to those letters come , so we may put our little problem\r
+upon the shelf for the interim "\r
+\r
+I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers\r
+of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that\r
+he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy\r
+demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had\r
+been called upon to fathom . Once only had I known him to fail , in\r
+the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler\r
+photograph ; but when I looked back to the weird business of the\r
+Sign of Four , and the extraordinary circumstances connected with\r
+the Study in Scarlet , I felt that it would be a strange tangle\r
+indeed which he could not unravel .\r
+\r
+I left him then , still puffing at his black clay pipe , with the\r
+conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would\r
+find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up\r
+to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary\r
+Sutherland .\r
+\r
+A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own\r
+attention at the time , and the whole of next day I was busy at\r
+the bedside of the sufferer . It was not until close upon six\r
+o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a\r
+hansom and drive to Baker Street , half afraid that I might be too\r
+late to assist at the denouement of the little mystery . I found\r
+Sherlock Holmes alone , however , half asleep , with his long , thin\r
+form curled up in the recesses of his armchair . A formidable\r
+array of bottles and test - tubes , with the pungent cleanly smell\r
+of hydrochloric acid , told me that he had spent his day in the\r
+chemical work which was so dear to him .\r
+\r
+" Well , have you solved it " I asked as I entered .\r
+\r
+" Yes . It was the bisulphate of baryta "\r
+\r
+" No , no , the mystery " I cried .\r
+\r
+" Oh , that ! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon .\r
+There was never any mystery in the matter , though , as I said\r
+yesterday , some of the details are of interest . The only drawback\r
+is that there is no law , I fear , that can touch the scoundrel "\r
+\r
+" Who was he , then , and what was his object in deserting Miss\r
+Sutherland "\r
+\r
+The question was hardly out of my mouth , and Holmes had not yet\r
+opened his lips to reply , when we heard a heavy footfall in the\r
+passage and a tap at the door .\r
+\r
+" This is the girl's stepfather , Mr . James Windibank " said\r
+Holmes . " He has written to me to say that he would be here at\r
+six . Come in "\r
+\r
+The man who entered was a sturdy , middle - sized fellow , some\r
+thirty years of age , clean - shaven , and sallow - skinned , with a\r
+bland , insinuating manner , and a pair of wonderfully sharp and\r
+penetrating grey eyes . He shot a questioning glance at each of\r
+us , placed his shiny top - hat upon the sideboard , and with a\r
+slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair .\r
+\r
+" Good - evening , Mr . James Windibank " said Holmes . " I think that\r
+this typewritten letter is from you , in which you made an\r
+appointment with me for six o'clock "\r
+\r
+" Yes , sir . I am afraid that I am a little late , but I am not\r
+quite my own master , you know . I am sorry that Miss Sutherland\r
+has troubled you about this little matter , for I think it is far\r
+better not to wash linen of the sort in public . It was quite\r
+against my wishes that she came , but she is a very excitable ,\r
+impulsive girl , as you may have noticed , and she is not easily\r
+controlled when she has made up her mind on a point . Of course , I\r
+did not mind you so much , as you are not connected with the\r
+official police , but it is not pleasant to have a family\r
+misfortune like this noised abroad . Besides , it is a useless\r
+expense , for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel "\r
+\r
+" On the contrary " said Holmes quietly ; " I have every reason to\r
+believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr . Hosmer Angel "\r
+\r
+Mr . Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves . " I am\r
+delighted to hear it " he said .\r
+\r
+" It is a curious thing " remarked Holmes , " that a typewriter has\r
+really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting . Unless\r
+they are quite new , no two of them write exactly alike . Some\r
+letters get more worn than others , and some wear only on one\r
+side . Now , you remark in this note of yours , Mr . Windibank , that\r
+in every case there is some little slurring over of the ' e ' and\r
+a slight defect in the tail of the ' r ' There are fourteen other\r
+characteristics , but those are the more obvious "\r
+\r
+" We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office ,\r
+and no doubt it is a little worn " our visitor answered , glancing\r
+keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes .\r
+\r
+" And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study ,\r
+Mr . Windibank " Holmes continued . " I think of writing another\r
+little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its\r
+relation to crime . It is a subject to which I have devoted some\r
+little attention . I have here four letters which purport to come\r
+from the missing man . They are all typewritten . In each case , not\r
+only are the ' e's ' slurred and the ' r's ' tailless , but you will\r
+observe , if you care to use my magnifying lens , that the fourteen\r
+other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well "\r
+\r
+Mr . Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat . " I\r
+cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk , Mr . Holmes "\r
+he said . " If you can catch the man , catch him , and let me know\r
+when you have done it "\r
+\r
+" Certainly " said Holmes , stepping over and turning the key in\r
+the door . " I let you know , then , that I have caught him "\r
+\r
+" What ! where " shouted Mr . Windibank , turning white to his lips\r
+and glancing about him like a rat in a trap .\r
+\r
+" Oh , it won't do - really it won't " said Holmes suavely . " There\r
+is no possible getting out of it , Mr . Windibank . It is quite too\r
+transparent , and it was a very bad compliment when you said that\r
+it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question . That's\r
+right ! Sit down and let us talk it over "\r
+\r
+Our visitor collapsed into a chair , with a ghastly face and a\r
+glitter of moisture on his brow . " It - it's not actionable " he\r
+stammered .\r
+\r
+" I am very much afraid that it is not . But between ourselves ,\r
+Windibank , it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a\r
+petty way as ever came before me . Now , let me just run over the\r
+course of events , and you will contradict me if I go wrong "\r
+\r
+The man sat huddled up in his chair , with his head sunk upon his\r
+breast , like one who is utterly crushed . Holmes stuck his feet up\r
+on the corner of the mantelpiece and , leaning back with his hands\r
+in his pockets , began talking , rather to himself , as it seemed ,\r
+than to us .\r
+\r
+" The man married a woman very much older than himself for her\r
+money " said he , " and he enjoyed the use of the money of the\r
+daughter as long as she lived with them . It was a considerable\r
+sum , for people in their position , and the loss of it would have\r
+made a serious difference . It was worth an effort to preserve it .\r
+The daughter was of a good , amiable disposition , but affectionate\r
+and warm - hearted in her ways , so that it was evident that with\r
+her fair personal advantages , and her little income , she would\r
+not be allowed to remain single long . Now her marriage would\r
+mean , of course , the loss of a hundred a year , so what does her\r
+stepfather do to prevent it ? He takes the obvious course of\r
+keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of\r
+people of her own age . But soon he found that that would not\r
+answer forever . She became restive , insisted upon her rights , and\r
+finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain\r
+ball . What does her clever stepfather do then ? He conceives an\r
+idea more creditable to his head than to his heart . With the\r
+connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself ,\r
+covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses , masked the face with\r
+a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers , sunk that clear voice\r
+into an insinuating whisper , and doubly secure on account of the\r
+girl's short sight , he appears as Mr . Hosmer Angel , and keeps off\r
+other lovers by making love himself "\r
+\r
+" It was only a joke at first " groaned our visitor . " We never\r
+thought that she would have been so carried away "\r
+\r
+" Very likely not . However that may be , the young lady was very\r
+decidedly carried away , and , having quite made up her mind that\r
+her stepfather was in France , the suspicion of treachery never\r
+for an instant entered her mind . She was flattered by the\r
+gentleman's attentions , and the effect was increased by the\r
+loudly expressed admiration of her mother . Then Mr . Angel began\r
+to call , for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as\r
+far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced . There\r
+were meetings , and an engagement , which would finally secure the\r
+girl's affections from turning towards anyone else . But the\r
+deception could not be kept up forever . These pretended journeys\r
+to France were rather cumbrous . The thing to do was clearly to\r
+bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it\r
+would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and\r
+prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to\r
+come . Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament , and\r
+hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening\r
+on the very morning of the wedding . James Windibank wished Miss\r
+Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel , and so uncertain as to\r
+his fate , that for ten years to come , at any rate , she would not\r
+listen to another man . As far as the church door he brought her ,\r
+and then , as he could go no farther , he conveniently vanished\r
+away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a\r
+four - wheeler and out at the other . I think that was the chain of\r
+events , Mr . Windibank "\r
+\r
+Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes\r
+had been talking , and he rose from his chair now with a cold\r
+sneer upon his pale face .\r
+\r
+" It may be so , or it may not , Mr . Holmes " said he , " but if you\r
+are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is\r
+you who are breaking the law now , and not me . I have done nothing\r
+actionable from the first , but as long as you keep that door\r
+locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal\r
+constraint "\r
+\r
+" The law cannot , as you say , touch you " said Holmes , unlocking\r
+and throwing open the door , " yet there never was a man who\r
+deserved punishment more . If the young lady has a brother or a\r
+friend , he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders . By Jove "\r
+he continued , flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon\r
+the man's face , " it is not part of my duties to my client , but\r
+here's a hunting crop handy , and I think I shall just treat\r
+myself to -" He took two swift steps to the whip , but before he\r
+could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs ,\r
+the heavy hall door banged , and from the window we could see Mr .\r
+James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road .\r
+\r
+" There's a cold - blooded scoundrel " said Holmes , laughing , as he\r
+threw himself down into his chair once more . " That fellow will\r
+rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad , and\r
+ends on a gallows . The case has , in some respects , been not\r
+entirely devoid of interest "\r
+\r
+" I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning " I\r
+remarked .\r
+\r
+" Well , of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr .\r
+Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious\r
+conduct , and it was equally clear that the only man who really\r
+profited by the incident , as far as we could see , was the\r
+stepfather . Then the fact that the two men were never together ,\r
+but that the one always appeared when the other was away , was\r
+suggestive . So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice ,\r
+which both hinted at a disguise , as did the bushy whiskers . My\r
+suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in\r
+typewriting his signature , which , of course , inferred that his\r
+handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even\r
+the smallest sample of it . You see all these isolated facts ,\r
+together with many minor ones , all pointed in the same\r
+direction "\r
+\r
+" And how did you verify them "\r
+\r
+" Having once spotted my man , it was easy to get corroboration . I\r
+knew the firm for which this man worked . Having taken the printed\r
+description . I eliminated everything from it which could be the\r
+result of a disguise - the whiskers , the glasses , the voice , and I\r
+sent it to the firm , with a request that they would inform me\r
+whether it answered to the description of any of their\r
+travellers . I had already noticed the peculiarities of the\r
+typewriter , and I wrote to the man himself at his business\r
+address asking him if he would come here . As I expected , his\r
+reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but\r
+characteristic defects . The same post brought me a letter from\r
+Westhouse & Marbank , of Fenchurch Street , to say that the\r
+description tallied in every respect with that of their employe ,\r
+James Windibank . Voila tout "\r
+\r
+" And Miss Sutherland "\r
+\r
+" If I tell her she will not believe me . You may remember the old\r
+Persian saying , ' There is danger for him who taketh the tiger\r
+cub , and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman '\r
+There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace , and as much\r
+knowledge of the world "\r
+\r
+\r
+\r
+ADVENTURE IV . THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY\r
+\r
+We were seated at breakfast one morning , my wife and I , when the\r
+maid brought in a telegram . It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran\r
+in this way :\r
+\r
+" Have you a couple of days to spare ? Have just been wired for from\r
+the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy .\r
+Shall be glad if you will come with me . Air and scenery perfect .\r
+Leave Paddington by the 11 : 15 "\r
+\r
+" What do you say , dear " said my wife , looking across at me .\r
+" Will you go "\r
+\r
+" I really don't know what to say . I have a fairly long list at\r
+present "\r
+\r
+" Oh , Anstruther would do your work for you . You have been looking\r
+a little pale lately . I think that the change would do you good ,\r
+and you are always so interested in Mr . Sherlock Holmes ' cases "\r
+\r
+" I should be ungrateful if I were not , seeing what I gained\r
+through one of them " I answered . " But if I am to go , I must pack\r
+at once , for I have only half an hour "\r
+\r
+My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the\r
+effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller . My wants were\r
+few and simple , so that in less than the time stated I was in a\r
+cab with my valise , rattling away to Paddington Station . Sherlock\r
+Holmes was pacing up and down the platform , his tall , gaunt\r
+figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey\r
+travelling - cloak and close - fitting cloth cap .\r
+\r
+" It is really very good of you to come , Watson " said he . " It\r
+makes a considerable difference to me , having someone with me on\r
+whom I can thoroughly rely . Local aid is always either worthless\r
+or else biassed . If you will keep the two corner seats I shall\r
+get the tickets "\r
+\r
+We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of\r
+papers which Holmes had brought with him . Among these he rummaged\r
+and read , with intervals of note - taking and of meditation , until\r
+we were past Reading . Then he suddenly rolled them all into a\r
+gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack .\r
+\r
+" Have you heard anything of the case " he asked .\r
+\r
+" Not a word . I have not seen a paper for some days "\r
+\r
+" The London press has not had very full accounts . I have just\r
+been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the\r
+particulars . It seems , from what I gather , to be one of those\r
+simple cases which are so extremely difficult "\r
+\r
+" That sounds a little paradoxical "\r
+\r
+" But it is profoundly true . Singularity is almost invariably a\r
+clue . The more featureless and commonplace a crime is , the more\r
+difficult it is to bring it home . In this case , however , they\r
+have established a very serious case against the son of the\r
+murdered man "\r
+\r
+" It is a murder , then "\r
+\r
+" Well , it is conjectured to be so . I shall take nothing for\r
+granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into\r
+it . I will explain the state of things to you , as far as I have\r
+been able to understand it , in a very few words .\r
+\r
+" Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross , in\r
+Herefordshire . The largest landed proprietor in that part is a\r
+Mr . John Turner , who made his money in Australia and returned\r
+some years ago to the old country . One of the farms which he\r
+held , that of Hatherley , was let to Mr . Charles McCarthy , who was\r
+also an ex - Australian . The men had known each other in the\r
+colonies , so that it was not unnatural that when they came to\r
+settle down they should do so as near each other as possible .\r
+Turner was apparently the richer man , so McCarthy became his\r
+tenant but still remained , it seems , upon terms of perfect\r
+equality , as they were frequently together . McCarthy had one son ,\r
+a lad of eighteen , and Turner had an only daughter of the same\r
+age , but neither of them had wives living . They appear to have\r
+avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to\r
+have led retired lives , though both the McCarthys were fond of\r
+sport and were frequently seen at the race - meetings of the\r
+neighbourhood . McCarthy kept two servants - a man and a girl .\r
+Turner had a considerable household , some half - dozen at the\r
+least . That is as much as I have been able to gather about the\r
+families . Now for the facts .\r
+\r
+" On June 3rd , that is , on Monday last , McCarthy left his house at\r
+Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the\r
+Boscombe Pool , which is a small lake formed by the spreading out\r
+of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley . He had been\r
+out with his serving - man in the morning at Ross , and he had told\r
+the man that he must hurry , as he had an appointment of\r
+importance to keep at three . From that appointment he never came\r
+back alive .\r
+\r
+" From Hatherley Farm - house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a\r
+mile , and two people saw him as he passed over this ground . One\r
+was an old woman , whose name is not mentioned , and the other was\r
+William Crowder , a game - keeper in the employ of Mr . Turner . Both\r
+these witnesses depose that Mr . McCarthy was walking alone . The\r
+game - keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr .\r
+McCarthy pass he had seen his son , Mr . James McCarthy , going the\r
+same way with a gun under his arm . To the best of his belief , the\r
+father was actually in sight at the time , and the son was\r
+following him . He thought no more of the matter until he heard in\r
+the evening of the tragedy that had occurred .\r
+\r
+" The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder ,\r
+the game - keeper , lost sight of them . The Boscombe Pool is thickly\r
+wooded round , with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the\r
+edge . A girl of fourteen , Patience Moran , who is the daughter of\r
+the lodge - keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate , was in one of the\r
+woods picking flowers . She states that while she was there she\r
+saw , at the border of the wood and close by the lake , Mr .\r
+McCarthy and his son , and that they appeared to be having a\r
+violent quarrel . She heard Mr . McCarthy the elder using very\r
+strong language to his son , and she saw the latter raise up his\r
+hand as if to strike his father . She was so frightened by their\r
+violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached\r
+home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near\r
+Boscombe Pool , and that she was afraid that they were going to\r
+fight . She had hardly said the words when young Mr . McCarthy came\r
+running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead\r
+in the wood , and to ask for the help of the lodge - keeper . He was\r
+much excited , without either his gun or his hat , and his right\r
+hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood . On\r
+following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the\r
+grass beside the pool . The head had been beaten in by repeated\r
+blows of some heavy and blunt weapon . The injuries were such as\r
+might very well have been inflicted by the butt - end of his son's\r
+gun , which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the\r
+body . Under these circumstances the young man was instantly\r
+arrested , and a verdict of ' wilful murder ' having been returned\r
+at the inquest on Tuesday , he was on Wednesday brought before the\r
+magistrates at Ross , who have referred the case to the next\r
+Assizes . Those are the main facts of the case as they came out\r
+before the coroner and the police - court "\r
+\r
+" I could hardly imagine a more damning case " I remarked . " If\r
+ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so\r
+here "\r
+\r
+" Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing " answered Holmes\r
+thoughtfully . " It may seem to point very straight to one thing ,\r
+but if you shift your own point of view a little , you may find it\r
+pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something\r
+entirely different . It must be confessed , however , that the case\r
+looks exceedingly grave against the young man , and it is very\r
+possible that he is indeed the culprit . There are several people\r
+in the neighbourhood , however , and among them Miss Turner , the\r
+daughter of the neighbouring landowner , who believe in his\r
+innocence , and who have retained Lestrade , whom you may recollect\r
+in connection with the Study in Scarlet , to work out the case in\r
+his interest . Lestrade , being rather puzzled , has referred the\r
+case to me , and hence it is that two middle - aged gentlemen are\r
+flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly\r
+digesting their breakfasts at home "\r
+\r
+" I am afraid " said I , " that the facts are so obvious that you\r
+will find little credit to be gained out of this case "\r
+\r
+" There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact " he\r
+answered , laughing . " Besides , we may chance to hit upon some\r
+other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to\r
+Mr . Lestrade . You know me too well to think that I am boasting\r
+when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by\r
+means which he is quite incapable of employing , or even of\r
+understanding . To take the first example to hand , I very clearly\r
+perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right - hand\r
+side , and yet I question whether Mr . Lestrade would have noted\r
+even so self - evident a thing as that "\r
+\r
+" How on earth -"\r
+\r
+" My dear fellow , I know you well . I know the military neatness\r
+which characterises you . You shave every morning , and in this\r
+season you shave by the sunlight ; but since your shaving is less\r
+and less complete as we get farther back on the left side , until\r
+it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the\r
+jaw , it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated\r
+than the other . I could not imagine a man of your habits looking\r
+at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a\r
+result . I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and\r
+inference . Therein lies my metier , and it is just possible that\r
+it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before\r
+us . There are one or two minor points which were brought out in\r
+the inquest , and which are worth considering "\r
+\r
+" What are they "\r
+\r
+" It appears that his arrest did not take place at once , but after\r
+the return to Hatherley Farm . On the inspector of constabulary\r
+informing him that he was a prisoner , he remarked that he was not\r
+surprised to hear it , and that it was no more than his deserts .\r
+This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any\r
+traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the\r
+coroner's jury "\r
+\r
+" It was a confession " I ejaculated .\r
+\r
+" No , for it was followed by a protestation of innocence "\r
+\r
+" Coming on the top of such a damning series of events , it was at\r
+least a most suspicious remark "\r
+\r
+" On the contrary " said Holmes , " it is the brightest rift which I\r
+can at present see in the clouds . However innocent he might be ,\r
+he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the\r
+circumstances were very black against him . Had he appeared\r
+surprised at his own arrest , or feigned indignation at it , I\r
+should have looked upon it as highly suspicious , because such\r
+surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances ,\r
+and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man . His\r
+frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent\r
+man , or else as a man of considerable self - restraint and\r
+firmness . As to his remark about his deserts , it was also not\r
+unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of\r
+his father , and that there is no doubt that he had that very day\r
+so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him , and\r
+even , according to the little girl whose evidence is so\r
+important , to raise his hand as if to strike him . The\r
+self - reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark\r
+appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a\r
+guilty one "\r
+\r
+I shook my head . " Many men have been hanged on far slighter\r
+evidence " I remarked .\r
+\r
+" So they have . And many men have been wrongfully hanged "\r
+\r
+" What is the young man's own account of the matter "\r
+\r
+" It is , I am afraid , not very encouraging to his supporters ,\r
+though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive .\r
+You will find it here , and may read it for yourself "\r
+\r
+He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire\r
+paper , and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the\r
+paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own\r
+statement of what had occurred . I settled myself down in the\r
+corner of the carriage and read it very carefully . It ran in this\r
+way :\r
+\r
+" Mr . James McCarthy , the only son of the deceased , was then called\r
+and gave evidence as follows : ' I had been away from home for\r
+three days at Bristol , and had only just returned upon the\r
+morning of last Monday , the 3rd . My father was absent from home at\r
+the time of my arrival , and I was informed by the maid that he\r
+had driven over to Ross with John Cobb , the groom . Shortly after\r
+my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard , and ,\r
+looking out of my window , I saw him get out and walk rapidly out\r
+of the yard , though I was not aware in which direction he was\r
+going . I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of\r
+the Boscombe Pool , with the intention of visiting the rabbit\r
+warren which is upon the other side . On my way I saw William\r
+Crowder , the game - keeper , as he had stated in his evidence ; but\r
+he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father . I had\r
+no idea that he was in front of me . When about a hundred yards\r
+from the pool I heard a cry of " Cooee " which was a usual signal\r
+between my father and myself . I then hurried forward , and found\r
+him standing by the pool . He appeared to be much surprised at\r
+seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there . A\r
+conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows ,\r
+for my father was a man of a very violent temper . Seeing that his\r
+passion was becoming ungovernable , I left him and returned\r
+towards Hatherley Farm . I had not gone more than 150 yards ,\r
+however , when I heard a hideous outcry behind me , which caused me\r
+to run back again . I found my father expiring upon the ground ,\r
+with his head terribly injured . I dropped my gun and held him in\r
+my arms , but he almost instantly expired . I knelt beside him for\r
+some minutes , and then made my way to Mr . Turner's lodge - keeper ,\r
+his house being the nearest , to ask for assistance . I saw no one\r
+near my father when I returned , and I have no idea how he came by\r
+his injuries . He was not a popular man , being somewhat cold and\r
+forbidding in his manners , but he had , as far as I know , no\r
+active enemies . I know nothing further of the matter '\r
+\r
+" The Coroner : Did your father make any statement to you before\r
+he died ?\r
+\r
+" Witness : He mumbled a few words , but I could only catch some\r
+allusion to a rat .\r
+\r
+" The Coroner : What did you understand by that ?\r
+\r
+" Witness : It conveyed no meaning to me . I thought that he was\r
+delirious .\r
+\r
+" The Coroner : What was the point upon which you and your father\r
+had this final quarrel ?\r
+\r
+" Witness : I should prefer not to answer .\r
+\r
+" The Coroner : I am afraid that I must press it .\r
+\r
+" Witness : It is really impossible for me to tell you . I can\r
+assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which\r
+followed .\r
+\r
+" The Coroner : That is for the court to decide . I need not point\r
+out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case\r
+considerably in any future proceedings which may arise .\r
+\r
+" Witness : I must still refuse .\r
+\r
+" The Coroner : I understand that the cry of ' Cooee ' was a common\r
+signal between you and your father ?\r
+\r
+" Witness : It was .\r
+\r
+" The Coroner : How was it , then , that he uttered it before he saw\r
+you , and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol ?\r
+\r
+" Witness ( with considerable confusion : I do not know .\r
+\r
+" A Juryman : Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions\r
+when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father\r
+fatally injured ?\r
+\r
+" Witness : Nothing definite .\r
+\r
+" The Coroner : What do you mean ?\r
+\r
+" Witness : I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into\r
+the open , that I could think of nothing except of my father . Yet\r
+I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay\r
+upon the ground to the left of me . It seemed to me to be\r
+something grey in colour , a coat of some sort , or a plaid perhaps .\r
+When I rose from my father I looked round for it , but it was\r
+gone .\r
+\r
+ ' Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help '\r
+\r
+ ' Yes , it was gone '\r
+\r
+ ' You cannot say what it was '\r
+\r
+ ' No , I had a feeling something was there '\r
+\r
+ ' How far from the body '\r
+\r
+ ' A dozen yards or so '\r
+\r
+ ' And how far from the edge of the wood '\r
+\r
+ ' About the same '\r
+\r
+ ' Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen\r
+yards of it '\r
+\r
+ ' Yes , but with my back towards it '\r
+\r
+" This concluded the examination of the witness "\r
+\r
+" I see " said I as I glanced down the column , " that the coroner\r
+in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy .\r
+He calls attention , and with reason , to the discrepancy about his\r
+father having signalled to him before seeing him , also to his\r
+refusal to give details of his conversation with his father , and\r
+his singular account of his father's dying words . They are all ,\r
+as he remarks , very much against the son "\r
+\r
+Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon\r
+the cushioned seat . " Both you and the coroner have been at some\r
+pains " said he , " to single out the very strongest points in the\r
+young man's favour . Don't you see that you alternately give him\r
+credit for having too much imagination and too little ? Too\r
+little , if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would\r
+give him the sympathy of the jury ; too much , if he evolved from\r
+his own inner consciousness anything so outre as a dying\r
+reference to a rat , and the incident of the vanishing cloth . No ,\r
+sir , I shall approach this case from the point of view that what\r
+this young man says is true , and we shall see whither that\r
+hypothesis will lead us . And now here is my pocket Petrarch , and\r
+not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the\r
+scene of action . We lunch at Swindon , and I see that we shall be\r
+there in twenty minutes "\r
+\r
+It was nearly four o'clock when we at last , after passing through\r
+the beautiful Stroud Valley , and over the broad gleaming Severn ,\r
+found ourselves at the pretty little country - town of Ross . A\r
+lean , ferret - like man , furtive and sly - looking , was waiting for\r
+us upon the platform . In spite of the light brown dustcoat and\r
+leather - leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic\r
+surroundings , I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade , of\r
+Scotland Yard . With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a\r
+room had already been engaged for us .\r
+\r
+" I have ordered a carriage " said Lestrade as we sat over a cup\r
+of tea . " I knew your energetic nature , and that you would not be\r
+happy until you had been on the scene of the crime "\r
+\r
+" It was very nice and complimentary of you " Holmes answered . " It\r
+is entirely a question of barometric pressure "\r
+\r
+Lestrade looked startled . " I do not quite follow " he said .\r
+\r
+" How is the glass ? Twenty - nine , I see . No wind , and not a cloud\r
+in the sky . I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need\r
+smoking , and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country\r
+hotel abomination . I do not think that it is probable that I\r
+shall use the carriage to - night "\r
+\r
+Lestrade laughed indulgently . " You have , no doubt , already formed\r
+your conclusions from the newspapers " he said . " The case is as\r
+plain as a pikestaff , and the more one goes into it the plainer\r
+it becomes . Still , of course , one can't refuse a lady , and such a\r
+very positive one , too . She has heard of you , and would have your\r
+opinion , though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing\r
+which you could do which I had not already done . Why , bless my\r
+soul ! here is her carriage at the door "\r
+\r
+He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the\r
+most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life . Her\r
+violet eyes shining , her lips parted , a pink flush upon her\r
+cheeks , all thought of her natural reserve lost in her\r
+overpowering excitement and concern .\r
+\r
+" Oh , Mr . Sherlock Holmes " she cried , glancing from one to the\r
+other of us , and finally , with a woman's quick intuition ,\r
+fastening upon my companion , " I am so glad that you have come . I\r
+have driven down to tell you so . I know that James didn't do it .\r
+I know it , and I want you to start upon your work knowing it ,\r
+too . Never let yourself doubt upon that point . We have known each\r
+other since we were little children , and I know his faults as no\r
+one else does ; but he is too tender - hearted to hurt a fly . Such a\r
+charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him "\r
+\r
+" I hope we may clear him , Miss Turner " said Sherlock Holmes .\r
+" You may rely upon my doing all that I can "\r
+\r
+" But you have read the evidence . You have formed some conclusion ?\r
+Do you not see some loophole , some flaw ? Do you not yourself\r
+think that he is innocent "\r
+\r
+" I think that it is very probable "\r
+\r
+" There , now " she cried , throwing back her head and looking\r
+defiantly at Lestrade . " You hear ! He gives me hopes "\r
+\r
+Lestrade shrugged his shoulders . " I am afraid that my colleague\r
+has been a little quick in forming his conclusions " he said .\r
+\r
+" But he is right . Oh ! I know that he is right . James never did\r
+it . And about his quarrel with his father , I am sure that the\r
+reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because\r
+I was concerned in it "\r
+\r
+" In what way " asked Holmes .\r
+\r
+" It is no time for me to hide anything . James and his father had\r
+many disagreements about me . Mr . McCarthy was very anxious that\r
+there should be a marriage between us . James and I have always\r
+loved each other as brother and sister ; but of course he is young\r
+and has seen very little of life yet , and - and - well , he\r
+naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet . So there\r
+were quarrels , and this , I am sure , was one of them "\r
+\r
+" And your father " asked Holmes . " Was he in favour of such a\r
+union "\r
+\r
+" No , he was averse to it also . No one but Mr . McCarthy was in\r
+favour of it " A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as\r
+Holmes shot one of his keen , questioning glances at her .\r
+\r
+" Thank you for this information " said he . " May I see your father\r
+if I call to - morrow "\r
+\r
+" I am afraid the doctor won't allow it "\r
+\r
+" The doctor "\r
+\r
+" Yes , have you not heard ? Poor father has never been strong for\r
+years back , but this has broken him down completely . He has taken\r
+to his bed , and Dr . Willows says that he is a wreck and that his\r
+nervous system is shattered . Mr . McCarthy was the only man alive\r
+who had known dad in the old days in Victoria "\r
+\r
+" Ha ! In Victoria ! That is important "\r
+\r
+" Yes , at the mines "\r
+\r
+" Quite so ; at the gold - mines , where , as I understand , Mr . Turner\r
+made his money "\r
+\r
+" Yes , certainly "\r
+\r
+" Thank you , Miss Turner . You have been of material assistance to\r
+me "\r
+\r
+" You will tell me if you have any news to - morrow . No doubt you\r
+will go to the prison to see James . Oh , if you do , Mr . Holmes , do\r
+tell him that I know him to be innocent "\r
+\r
+" I will , Miss Turner "\r
+\r
+" I must go home now , for dad is very ill , and he misses me so if\r
+I leave him . Good - bye , and God help you in your undertaking " She\r
+hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered , and we\r
+heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street .\r
+\r
+" I am ashamed of you , Holmes " said Lestrade with dignity after a\r
+few minutes ' silence . " Why should you raise up hopes which you\r
+are bound to disappoint ? I am not over - tender of heart , but I\r
+call it cruel "\r
+\r
+" I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy " said\r
+Holmes . " Have you an order to see him in prison "\r
+\r
+" Yes , but only for you and me "\r
+\r
+" Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out . We have\r
+still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to - night "\r
+\r
+" Ample "\r
+\r
+" Then let us do so . Watson , I fear that you will find it very\r
+slow , but I shall only be away a couple of hours "\r
+\r
+I walked down to the station with them , and then wandered through\r
+the streets of the little town , finally returning to the hotel ,\r
+where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a\r
+yellow - backed novel . The puny plot of the story was so thin ,\r
+however , when compared to the deep mystery through which we were\r
+groping , and I found my attention wander so continually from the\r
+action to the fact , that I at last flung it across the room and\r
+gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the\r
+day . Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were\r
+absolutely true , then what hellish thing , what absolutely\r
+unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between\r
+the time when he parted from his father , and the moment when ,\r
+drawn back by his screams , he rushed into the glade ? It was\r
+something terrible and deadly . What could it be ? Might not the\r
+nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts ?\r
+I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper , which\r
+contained a verbatim account of the inquest . In the surgeon's\r
+deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left\r
+parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been\r
+shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon . I marked the spot\r
+upon my own head . Clearly such a blow must have been struck from\r
+behind . That was to some extent in favour of the accused , as when\r
+seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father . Still , it\r
+did not go for very much , for the older man might have turned his\r
+back before the blow fell . Still , it might be worth while to call\r
+Holmes ' attention to it . Then there was the peculiar dying\r
+reference to a rat . What could that mean ? It could not be\r
+delirium . A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become\r
+delirious . No , it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how\r
+he met his fate . But what could it indicate ? I cudgelled my\r
+brains to find some possible explanation . And then the incident\r
+of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy . If that were true the\r
+murderer must have dropped some part of his dress , presumably his\r
+overcoat , in his flight , and must have had the hardihood to\r
+return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was\r
+kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off . What a\r
+tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was ! I\r
+did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion , and yet I had so much faith\r
+in Sherlock Holmes ' insight that I could not lose hope as long\r
+as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young\r
+McCarthy's innocence .\r
+\r
+It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned . He came back alone ,\r
+for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town .\r
+\r
+" The glass still keeps very high " he remarked as he sat down .\r
+" It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able\r
+to go over the ground . On the other hand , a man should be at his\r
+very best and keenest for such nice work as that , and I did not\r
+wish to do it when fagged by a long journey . I have seen young\r
+McCarthy "\r
+\r
+" And what did you learn from him "\r
+\r
+" Nothing "\r
+\r
+" Could he throw no light "\r
+\r
+" None at all . I was inclined to think at one time that he knew\r
+who had done it and was screening him or her , but I am convinced\r
+now that he is as puzzled as everyone else . He is not a very\r
+quick - witted youth , though comely to look at and , I should think ,\r
+sound at heart "\r
+\r
+" I cannot admire his taste " I remarked , " if it is indeed a fact\r
+that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as\r
+this Miss Turner "\r
+\r
+" Ah , thereby hangs a rather painful tale . This fellow is madly ,\r
+insanely , in love with her , but some two years ago , when he was\r
+only a lad , and before he really knew her , for she had been away\r
+five years at a boarding - school , what does the idiot do but get\r
+into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a\r
+registry office ? No one knows a word of the matter , but you can\r
+imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not\r
+doing what he would give his very eyes to do , but what he knows\r
+to be absolutely impossible . It was sheer frenzy of this sort\r
+which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father ,\r
+at their last interview , was goading him on to propose to Miss\r
+Turner . On the other hand , he had no means of supporting himself ,\r
+and his father , who was by all accounts a very hard man , would\r
+have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth . It was with\r
+his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in\r
+Bristol , and his father did not know where he was . Mark that\r
+point . It is of importance . Good has come out of evil , however ,\r
+for the barmaid , finding from the papers that he is in serious\r
+trouble and likely to be hanged , has thrown him over utterly and\r
+has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the\r
+Bermuda Dockyard , so that there is really no tie between them . I\r
+think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all\r
+that he has suffered "\r
+\r
+" But if he is innocent , who has done it "\r
+\r
+" Ah ! who ? I would call your attention very particularly to two\r
+points . One is that the murdered man had an appointment with\r
+someone at the pool , and that the someone could not have been his\r
+son , for his son was away , and he did not know when he would\r
+return . The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry\r
+' Cooee ' before he knew that his son had returned . Those are the\r
+crucial points upon which the case depends . And now let us talk\r
+about George Meredith , if you please , and we shall leave all\r
+minor matters until to - morrow "\r
+\r
+There was no rain , as Holmes had foretold , and the morning broke\r
+bright and cloudless . At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with\r
+the carriage , and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe\r
+Pool .\r
+\r
+" There is serious news this morning " Lestrade observed . " It is\r
+said that Mr . Turner , of the Hall , is so ill that his life is\r
+despaired of "\r
+\r
+" An elderly man , I presume " said Holmes .\r
+\r
+" About sixty ; but his constitution has been shattered by his life\r
+abroad , and he has been in failing health for some time . This\r
+business has had a very bad effect upon him . He was an old friend\r
+of McCarthy's , and , I may add , a great benefactor to him , for I\r
+have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free "\r
+\r
+" Indeed ! That is interesting " said Holmes .\r
+\r
+" Oh , yes ! In a hundred other ways he has helped him . Everybody\r
+about here speaks of his kindness to him "\r
+\r
+" Really ! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this\r
+McCarthy , who appears to have had little of his own , and to have\r
+been under such obligations to Turner , should still talk of\r
+marrying his son to Turner's daughter , who is , presumably ,\r
+heiress to the estate , and that in such a very cocksure manner ,\r
+as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would\r
+follow ? It is the more strange , since we know that Turner himself\r
+was averse to the idea . The daughter told us as much . Do you not\r
+deduce something from that "\r
+\r
+" We have got to the deductions and the inferences " said\r
+Lestrade , winking at me . " I find it hard enough to tackle facts ,\r
+Holmes , without flying away after theories and fancies "\r
+\r
+" You are right " said Holmes demurely ; " you do find it very hard\r
+to tackle the facts "\r
+\r
+" Anyhow , I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it\r
+difficult to get hold of " replied Lestrade with some warmth .\r
+\r
+" And that is -"\r
+\r
+" That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that\r
+all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine "\r
+\r
+" Well , moonshine is a brighter thing than fog " said Holmes ,\r
+laughing . " But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley\r
+Farm upon the left "\r
+\r
+" Yes , that is it " It was a widespread , comfortable - looking\r
+building , two - storied , slate - roofed , with great yellow blotches\r
+of lichen upon the grey walls . The drawn blinds and the smokeless\r
+chimneys , however , gave it a stricken look , as though the weight\r
+of this horror still lay heavy upon it . We called at the door ,\r
+when the maid , at Holmes ' request , showed us the boots which her\r
+master wore at the time of his death , and also a pair of the\r
+son's , though not the pair which he had then had . Having measured\r
+these very carefully from seven or eight different points , Holmes\r
+desired to be led to the court - yard , from which we all followed\r
+the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool .\r
+\r
+Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent\r
+as this . Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of\r
+Baker Street would have failed to recognise him . His face flushed\r
+and darkened . His brows were drawn into two hard black lines ,\r
+while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter .\r
+His face was bent downward , his shoulders bowed , his lips\r
+compressed , and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long ,\r
+sinewy neck . His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal\r
+lust for the chase , and his mind was so absolutely concentrated\r
+upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell\r
+unheeded upon his ears , or , at the most , only provoked a quick ,\r
+impatient snarl in reply . Swiftly and silently he made his way\r
+along the track which ran through the meadows , and so by way of\r
+the woods to the Boscombe Pool . It was damp , marshy ground , as is\r
+all that district , and there were marks of many feet , both upon\r
+the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either\r
+side . Sometimes Holmes would hurry on , sometimes stop dead , and\r
+once he made quite a little detour into the meadow . Lestrade and\r
+I walked behind him , the detective indifferent and contemptuous ,\r
+while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the\r
+conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a\r
+definite end .\r
+\r
+The Boscombe Pool , which is a little reed - girt sheet of water\r
+some fifty yards across , is situated at the boundary between the\r
+Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr . Turner .\r
+Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see\r
+the red , jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich\r
+landowner's dwelling . On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods\r
+grew very thick , and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass\r
+twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds\r
+which lined the lake . Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which\r
+the body had been found , and , indeed , so moist was the ground ,\r
+that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the\r
+fall of the stricken man . To Holmes , as I could see by his eager\r
+face and peering eyes , very many other things were to be read\r
+upon the trampled grass . He ran round , like a dog who is picking\r
+up a scent , and then turned upon my companion .\r
+\r
+" What did you go into the pool for " he asked .\r
+\r
+" I fished about with a rake . I thought there might be some weapon\r
+or other trace . But how on earth -"\r
+\r
+" Oh , tut , tut ! I have no time ! That left foot of yours with its\r
+inward twist is all over the place . A mole could trace it , and\r
+there it vanishes among the reeds . Oh , how simple it would all\r
+have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo\r
+and wallowed all over it . Here is where the party with the\r
+lodge - keeper came , and they have covered all tracks for six or\r
+eight feet round the body . But here are three separate tracks of\r
+the same feet " He drew out a lens and lay down upon his\r
+waterproof to have a better view , talking all the time rather to\r
+himself than to us . " These are young McCarthy's feet . Twice he\r
+was walking , and once he ran swiftly , so that the soles are\r
+deeply marked and the heels hardly visible . That bears out his\r
+story . He ran when he saw his father on the ground . Then here are\r
+the father's feet as he paced up and down . What is this , then ? It\r
+is the butt - end of the gun as the son stood listening . And this ?\r
+Ha , ha ! What have we here ? Tiptoes ! tiptoes ! Square , too , quite\r
+unusual boots ! They come , they go , they come again - of course\r
+that was for the cloak . Now where did they come from " He ran up\r
+and down , sometimes losing , sometimes finding the track until we\r
+were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a\r
+great beech , the largest tree in the neighbourhood . Holmes traced\r
+his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon\r
+his face with a little cry of satisfaction . For a long time he\r
+remained there , turning over the leaves and dried sticks ,\r
+gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and\r
+examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of\r
+the tree as far as he could reach . A jagged stone was lying among\r
+the moss , and this also he carefully examined and retained . Then\r
+he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the\r
+highroad , where all traces were lost .\r
+\r
+" It has been a case of considerable interest " he remarked ,\r
+returning to his natural manner . " I fancy that this grey house on\r
+the right must be the lodge . I think that I will go in and have a\r
+word with Moran , and perhaps write a little note . Having done\r
+that , we may drive back to our luncheon . You may walk to the cab ,\r
+and I shall be with you presently "\r
+\r
+It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove\r
+back into Ross , Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he\r
+had picked up in the wood .\r
+\r
+" This may interest you , Lestrade " he remarked , holding it out .\r
+" The murder was done with it "\r
+\r
+" I see no marks "\r
+\r
+" There are none "\r
+\r
+" How do you know , then "\r
+\r
+" The grass was growing under it . It had only lain there a few\r
+days . There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken . It\r
+corresponds with the injuries . There is no sign of any other\r
+weapon "\r
+\r
+" And the murderer "\r
+\r
+" Is a tall man , left - handed , limps with the right leg , wears\r
+thick - soled shooting - boots and a grey cloak , smokes Indian\r
+cigars , uses a cigar - holder , and carries a blunt pen - knife in his\r
+pocket . There are several other indications , but these may be\r
+enough to aid us in our search "\r
+\r
+Lestrade laughed . " I am afraid that I am still a sceptic " he\r
+said . " Theories are all very well , but we have to deal with a\r
+hard - headed British jury "\r
+\r
+" Nous verrons " answered Holmes calmly . " You work your own\r
+method , and I shall work mine . I shall be busy this afternoon ,\r
+and shall probably return to London by the evening train "\r
+\r
+" And leave your case unfinished "\r
+\r
+" No , finished "\r
+\r
+" But the mystery "\r
+\r
+" It is solved "\r
+\r
+" Who was the criminal , then "\r
+\r
+" The gentleman I describe "\r
+\r
+" But who is he "\r
+\r
+" Surely it would not be difficult to find out . This is not such a\r
+populous neighbourhood "\r
+\r
+Lestrade shrugged his shoulders . " I am a practical man " he said ,\r
+" and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking\r
+for a left - handed gentleman with a game leg . I should become the\r
+laughing - stock of Scotland Yard "\r
+\r
+" All right " said Holmes quietly . " I have given you the chance .\r
+Here are your lodgings . Good - bye . I shall drop you a line before\r
+I leave "\r
+\r
+Having left Lestrade at his rooms , we drove to our hotel , where\r
+we found lunch upon the table . Holmes was silent and buried in\r
+thought with a pained expression upon his face , as one who finds\r
+himself in a perplexing position .\r
+\r
+" Look here , Watson " he said when the cloth was cleared " just sit\r
+down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little . I don ' t\r
+know quite what to do , and I should value your advice . Light a\r
+cigar and let me expound "\r
+\r
+ " Pray do so "\r
+\r
+" Well , now , in considering this case there are two points about\r
+young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly ,\r
+although they impressed me in his favour and you against him . One\r
+was the fact that his father should , according to his account ,\r
+cry ' Cooee ' before seeing him . The other was his singular dying\r
+reference to a rat . He mumbled several words , you understand , but\r
+that was all that caught the son's ear . Now from this double\r
+point our research must commence , and we will begin it by\r
+presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true "\r
+\r
+" What of this ' Cooee ' then "\r
+\r
+" Well , obviously it could not have been meant for the son . The\r
+son , as far as he knew , was in Bristol . It was mere chance that\r
+he was within earshot . The ' Cooee ' was meant to attract the\r
+attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with . But\r
+' Cooee ' is a distinctly Australian cry , and one which is used\r
+between Australians . There is a strong presumption that the\r
+person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was\r
+someone who had been in Australia "\r
+\r
+" What of the rat , then "\r
+\r
+Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened\r
+it out on the table . " This is a map of the Colony of Victoria "\r
+he said . " I wired to Bristol for it last night " He put his hand\r
+over part of the map . " What do you read "\r
+\r
+" ARAT " I read .\r
+\r
+" And now " He raised his hand .\r
+\r
+" BALLARAT "\r
+\r
+" Quite so . That was the word the man uttered , and of which his\r
+son only caught the last two syllables . He was trying to utter\r
+the name of his murderer . So and so , of Ballarat "\r
+\r
+" It is wonderful " I exclaimed .\r
+\r
+" It is obvious . And now , you see , I had narrowed the field down\r
+considerably . The possession of a grey garment was a third point\r
+which , granting the son's statement to be correct , was a\r
+certainty . We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite\r
+conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak "\r
+\r
+" Certainly "\r
+\r
+" And one who was at home in the district , for the pool can only\r
+be approached by the farm or by the estate , where strangers could\r
+hardly wander "\r
+\r
+" Quite so "\r
+\r
+" Then comes our expedition of to - day . By an examination of the\r
+ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that\r
+imbecile Lestrade , as to the personality of the criminal "\r
+\r
+" But how did you gain them "\r
+\r
+" You know my method . It is founded upon the observation of\r
+trifles "\r
+\r
+" His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length\r
+of his stride . His boots , too , might be told from their traces "\r
+\r
+" Yes , they were peculiar boots "\r
+\r
+" But his lameness "\r
+\r
+" The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than\r
+his left . He put less weight upon it . Why ? Because he limped - he\r
+was lame "\r
+\r
+" But his left - handedness "\r
+\r
+" You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded\r
+by the surgeon at the inquest . The blow was struck from\r
+immediately behind , and yet was upon the left side . Now , how can\r
+that be unless it were by a left - handed man ? He had stood behind\r
+that tree during the interview between the father and son . He had\r
+even smoked there . I found the ash of a cigar , which my special\r
+knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian\r
+cigar . I have , as you know , devoted some attention to this , and\r
+written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different\r
+varieties of pipe , cigar , and cigarette tobacco . Having found the\r
+ash , I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss\r
+where he had tossed it . It was an Indian cigar , of the variety\r
+which are rolled in Rotterdam "\r
+\r
+" And the cigar - holder "\r
+\r
+" I could see that the end had not been in his mouth . Therefore he\r
+used a holder . The tip had been cut off , not bitten off , but the\r
+cut was not a clean one , so I deduced a blunt pen - knife "\r
+\r
+" Holmes " I said , " you have drawn a net round this man from which\r
+he cannot escape , and you have saved an innocent human life as\r
+truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him . I see the\r
+direction in which all this points . The culprit is -"\r
+\r
+" Mr . John Turner " cried the hotel waiter , opening the door of\r
+our sitting - room , and ushering in a visitor .\r
+\r
+The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure . His\r
+slow , limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of\r
+decrepitude , and yet his hard , deep - lined , craggy features , and\r
+his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual\r
+strength of body and of character . His tangled beard , grizzled\r
+hair , and outstanding , drooping eyebrows combined to give an air\r
+of dignity and power to his appearance , but his face was of an\r
+ashen white , while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were\r
+tinged with a shade of blue . It was clear to me at a glance that\r
+he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease .\r
+\r
+" Pray sit down on the sofa " said Holmes gently . " You had my\r
+note "\r
+\r
+" Yes , the lodge - keeper brought it up . You said that you wished to\r
+see me here to avoid scandal "\r
+\r
+" I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall "\r
+\r
+" And why did you wish to see me " He looked across at my\r
+companion with despair in his weary eyes , as though his question\r
+was already answered .\r
+\r
+" Yes " said Holmes , answering the look rather than the words . " It\r
+is so . I know all about McCarthy "\r
+\r
+The old man sank his face in his hands . " God help me " he cried .\r
+" But I would not have let the young man come to harm . I give you\r
+my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at\r
+the Assizes "\r
+\r
+" I am glad to hear you say so " said Holmes gravely .\r
+\r
+" I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl . It\r
+would break her heart - it will break her heart when she hears\r
+that I am arrested "\r
+\r
+" It may not come to that " said Holmes .\r
+\r
+" What "\r
+\r
+" I am no official agent . I understand that it was your daughter\r
+who required my presence here , and I am acting in her interests .\r
+Young McCarthy must be got off , however "\r
+\r
+" I am a dying man " said old Turner . " I have had diabetes for\r
+years . My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a\r
+month . Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol "\r
+\r
+Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand\r
+and a bundle of paper before him . " Just tell us the truth " he\r
+said . " I shall jot down the facts . You will sign it , and Watson\r
+here can witness it . Then I could produce your confession at the\r
+last extremity to save young McCarthy . I promise you that I shall\r
+not use it unless it is absolutely needed "\r
+\r
+" It's as well " said the old man ; " it's a question whether I\r
+shall live to the Assizes , so it matters little to me , but I\r
+should wish to spare Alice the shock . And now I will make the\r
+thing clear to you ; it has been a long time in the acting , but\r
+will not take me long to tell .\r
+\r
+" You didn't know this dead man , McCarthy . He was a devil\r
+incarnate . I tell you that . God keep you out of the clutches of\r
+such a man as he . His grip has been upon me these twenty years ,\r
+and he has blasted my life . I ' ll tell you first how I came to be\r
+in his power .\r
+\r
+" It was in the early ' 60's at the diggings . I was a young chap\r
+then , hot - blooded and reckless , ready to turn my hand at\r
+anything ; I got among bad companions , took to drink , had no luck\r
+with my claim , took to the bush , and in a word became what you\r
+would call over here a highway robber . There were six of us , and\r
+we had a wild , free life of it , sticking up a station from time\r
+to time , or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings .\r
+Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under , and our party\r
+is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang .\r
+\r
+" One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne , and\r
+we lay in wait for it and attacked it . There were six troopers\r
+and six of us , so it was a close thing , but we emptied four of\r
+their saddles at the first volley . Three of our boys were killed ,\r
+however , before we got the swag . I put my pistol to the head of\r
+the wagon - driver , who was this very man McCarthy . I wish to the\r
+Lord that I had shot him then , but I spared him , though I saw his\r
+wicked little eyes fixed on my face , as though to remember every\r
+feature . We got away with the gold , became wealthy men , and made\r
+our way over to England without being suspected . There I parted\r
+from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and\r
+respectable life . I bought this estate , which chanced to be in\r
+the market , and I set myself to do a little good with my money ,\r
+to make up for the way in which I had earned it . I married , too ,\r
+and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice .\r
+Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down\r
+the right path as nothing else had ever done . In a word , I turned\r
+over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past . All was\r
+going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me .\r
+\r
+" I had gone up to town about an investment , and I met him in\r
+Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his\r
+foot .\r
+\r
+ ' Here we are , Jack ' says he , touching me on the arm ; ' we ' ll be\r
+as good as a family to you . There's two of us , me and my son , and\r
+you can have the keeping of us . If you don't - it's a fine ,\r
+law - abiding country is England , and there's always a policeman\r
+within hail '\r
+\r
+" Well , down they came to the west country , there was no shaking\r
+them off , and there they have lived rent free on my best land\r
+ever since . There was no rest for me , no peace , no forgetfulness ;\r
+turn where I would , there was his cunning , grinning face at my\r
+elbow . It grew worse as Alice grew up , for he soon saw I was more\r
+afraid of her knowing my past than of the police . Whatever he\r
+wanted he must have , and whatever it was I gave him without\r
+question , land , money , houses , until at last he asked a thing\r
+which I could not give . He asked for Alice .\r
+\r
+" His son , you see , had grown up , and so had my girl , and as I was\r
+known to be in weak health , it seemed a fine stroke to him that\r
+his lad should step into the whole property . But there I was\r
+firm . I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine ; not that\r
+I had any dislike to the lad , but his blood was in him , and that\r
+was enough . I stood firm . McCarthy threatened . I braved him to do\r
+his worst . We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses\r
+to talk it over .\r
+\r
+" When I went down there I found him talking with his son , so I\r
+smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone .\r
+But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in\r
+me seemed to come uppermost . He was urging his son to marry my\r
+daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she\r
+were a slut from off the streets . It drove me mad to think that I\r
+and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a\r
+man as this . Could I not snap the bond ? I was already a dying and\r
+a desperate man . Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb ,\r
+I knew that my own fate was sealed . But my memory and my girl !\r
+Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue . I\r
+did it , Mr . Holmes . I would do it again . Deeply as I have sinned ,\r
+I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it . But that my girl\r
+should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more\r
+than I could suffer . I struck him down with no more compunction\r
+than if he had been some foul and venomous beast . His cry brought\r
+back his son ; but I had gained the cover of the wood , though I\r
+was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in\r
+my flight . That is the true story , gentlemen , of all that\r
+occurred "\r
+\r
+" Well , it is not for me to judge you " said Holmes as the old man\r
+signed the statement which had been drawn out . " I pray that we\r
+may never be exposed to such a temptation "\r
+\r
+" I pray not , sir . And what do you intend to do "\r
+\r
+" In view of your health , nothing . You are yourself aware that you\r
+will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the\r
+Assizes . I will keep your confession , and if McCarthy is\r
+condemned I shall be forced to use it . If not , it shall never be\r
+seen by mortal eye ; and your secret , whether you be alive or\r
+dead , shall be safe with us "\r
+\r
+" Farewell , then " said the old man solemnly . " Your own deathbeds ,\r
+when they come , will be the easier for the thought of the peace\r
+which you have given to mine " Tottering and shaking in all his\r
+giant frame , he stumbled slowly from the room .\r
+\r
+" God help us " said Holmes after a long silence . " Why does fate\r
+play such tricks with poor , helpless worms ? I never hear of such\r
+a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words , and say ,\r
+' There , but for the grace of God , goes Sherlock Holmes '"\r
+\r
+James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a\r
+number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and\r
+submitted to the defending counsel . Old Turner lived for seven\r
+months after our interview , but he is now dead ; and there is\r
+every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily\r
+together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their\r
+past .\r
+\r
+\r
+\r
+ADVENTURE V . THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS\r
+\r
+When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes\r
+cases between the years ' 82 and ' 90 , I am faced by so many which\r
+present strange and interesting features that it is no easy\r
+matter to know which to choose and which to leave . Some , however ,\r
+have already gained publicity through the papers , and others have\r
+not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend\r
+possessed in so high a degree , and which it is the object of\r
+these papers to illustrate . Some , too , have baffled his\r
+analytical skill , and would be , as narratives , beginnings without\r
+an ending , while others have been but partially cleared up , and\r
+have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and\r
+surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to\r
+him . There is , however , one of these last which was so remarkable\r
+in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted\r
+to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are\r
+points in connection with it which never have been , and probably\r
+never will be , entirely cleared up .\r
+\r
+The year ' 87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater\r
+or less interest , of which I retain the records . Among my\r
+headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the\r
+adventure of the Paradol Chamber , of the Amateur Mendicant\r
+Society , who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a\r
+furniture warehouse , of the facts connected with the loss of the\r
+British barque " Sophy Anderson , of the singular adventures of the\r
+Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa , and finally of the\r
+Camberwell poisoning case . In the latter , as may be remembered ,\r
+Sherlock Holmes was able , by winding up the dead man's watch , to\r
+prove that it had been wound up two hours before , and that\r
+therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time - a\r
+deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the\r
+case . All these I may sketch out at some future date , but none of\r
+them present such singular features as the strange train of\r
+circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe .\r
+\r
+It was in the latter days of September , and the equinoctial gales\r
+had set in with exceptional violence . All day the wind had\r
+screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows , so that\r
+even here in the heart of great , hand - made London we were forced\r
+to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and\r
+to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which\r
+shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation , like\r
+untamed beasts in a cage . As evening drew in , the storm grew\r
+higher and louder , and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in\r
+the chimney . Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the\r
+fireplace cross - indexing his records of crime , while I at the\r
+other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea - stories until\r
+the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text ,\r
+and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of\r
+the sea waves . My wife was on a visit to her mother's , and for a\r
+few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker\r
+Street .\r
+\r
+" Why " said I , glancing up at my companion , " that was surely the\r
+bell . Who could come to - night ? Some friend of yours , perhaps "\r
+\r
+" Except yourself I have none " he answered . " I do not encourage\r
+visitors "\r
+\r
+" A client , then "\r
+\r
+" If so , it is a serious case . Nothing less would bring a man out\r
+on such a day and at such an hour . But I take it that it is more\r
+likely to be some crony of the landlady's "\r
+\r
+Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture , however , for there\r
+came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door . He\r
+stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and\r
+towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit .\r
+\r
+" Come in " said he .\r
+\r
+The man who entered was young , some two - and - twenty at the\r
+outside , well - groomed and trimly clad , with something of\r
+refinement and delicacy in his bearing . The streaming umbrella\r
+which he held in his hand , and his long shining waterproof told\r
+of the fierce weather through which he had come . He looked about\r
+him anxiously in the glare of the lamp , and I could see that his\r
+face was pale and his eyes heavy , like those of a man who is\r
+weighed down with some great anxiety .\r
+\r
+" I owe you an apology " he said , raising his golden pince - nez to\r
+his eyes . " I trust that I am not intruding . I fear that I have\r
+brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug\r
+chamber "\r
+\r
+" Give me your coat and umbrella " said Holmes . " They may rest\r
+here on the hook and will be dry presently . You have come up from\r
+the south - west , I see "\r
+\r
+" Yes , from Horsham "\r
+\r
+" That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is\r
+quite distinctive "\r
+\r
+" I have come for advice "\r
+\r
+" That is easily got "\r
+\r
+" And help "\r
+\r
+" That is not always so easy "\r
+\r
+" I have heard of you , Mr . Holmes . I heard from Major Prendergast\r
+how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal "\r
+\r
+" Ah , of course . He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards "\r
+\r
+" He said that you could solve anything "\r
+\r
+" He said too much "\r
+\r
+" That you are never beaten "\r
+\r
+" I have been beaten four times - three times by men , and once by a\r
+woman "\r
+\r
+" But what is that compared with the number of your successes "\r
+\r
+" It is true that I have been generally successful "\r
+\r
+" Then you may be so with me "\r
+\r
+" I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me\r
+with some details as to your case "\r
+\r
+" It is no ordinary one "\r
+\r
+" None of those which come to me are . I am the last court of\r
+appeal "\r
+\r
+" And yet I question , sir , whether , in all your experience , you\r
+have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of\r
+events than those which have happened in my own family "\r
+\r
+" You fill me with interest " said Holmes . " Pray give us the\r
+essential facts from the commencement , and I can afterwards\r
+question you as to those details which seem to me to be most\r
+important "\r
+\r
+The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out\r
+towards the blaze .\r
+\r
+" My name " said he , " is John Openshaw , but my own affairs have ,\r
+as far as I can understand , little to do with this awful\r
+business . It is a hereditary matter ; so in order to give you an\r
+idea of the facts , I must go back to the commencement of the\r
+affair .\r
+\r
+" You must know that my grandfather had two sons - my uncle Elias\r
+and my father Joseph . My father had a small factory at Coventry ,\r
+which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling . He\r
+was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire , and his business\r
+met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire\r
+upon a handsome competence .\r
+\r
+" My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and\r
+became a planter in Florida , where he was reported to have done\r
+very well . At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army ,\r
+and afterwards under Hood , where he rose to be a colonel . When\r
+Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation , where\r
+he remained for three or four years . About 1869 or 1870 he came\r
+back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex , near Horsham .\r
+He had made a very considerable fortune in the States , and his\r
+reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes , and his\r
+dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to\r
+them . He was a singular man , fierce and quick - tempered , very\r
+foul - mouthed when he was angry , and of a most retiring\r
+disposition . During all the years that he lived at Horsham , I\r
+doubt if ever he set foot in the town . He had a garden and two or\r
+three fields round his house , and there he would take his\r
+exercise , though very often for weeks on end he would never leave\r
+his room . He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very\r
+heavily , but he would see no society and did not want any\r
+friends , not even his own brother .\r
+\r
+" He didn't mind me ; in fact , he took a fancy to me , for at the\r
+time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so . This\r
+would be in the year 1878 , after he had been eight or nine years\r
+in England . He begged my father to let me live with him and he\r
+was very kind to me in his way . When he was sober he used to be\r
+fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me , and he would\r
+make me his representative both with the servants and with the\r
+tradespeople , so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite\r
+master of the house . I kept all the keys and could go where I\r
+liked and do what I liked , so long as I did not disturb him in\r
+his privacy . There was one singular exception , however , for he\r
+had a single room , a lumber - room up among the attics , which was\r
+invariably locked , and which he would never permit either me or\r
+anyone else to enter . With a boy's curiosity I have peeped\r
+through the keyhole , but I was never able to see more than such a\r
+collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such\r
+a room .\r
+\r
+" One day - it was in March , 1883 - a letter with a foreign stamp\r
+lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate . It was not a\r
+common thing for him to receive letters , for his bills were all\r
+paid in ready money , and he had no friends of any sort . ' From\r
+India ' said he as he took it up , ' Pondicherry postmark ! What can\r
+this be ' Opening it hurriedly , out there jumped five little\r
+dried orange pips , which pattered down upon his plate . I began to\r
+laugh at this , but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight\r
+of his face . His lip had fallen , his eyes were protruding , his\r
+skin the colour of putty , and he glared at the envelope which he\r
+still held in his trembling hand , ' K . K . K ! ' he shrieked , and\r
+then , ' My God , my God , my sins have overtaken me '\r
+\r
+ ' What is it , uncle ' I cried .\r
+\r
+ ' Death ' said he , and rising from the table he retired to his\r
+room , leaving me palpitating with horror . I took up the envelope\r
+and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap , just above the\r
+gum , the letter K three times repeated . There was nothing else\r
+save the five dried pips . What could be the reason of his\r
+overpowering terror ? I left the breakfast - table , and as I\r
+ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key ,\r
+which must have belonged to the attic , in one hand , and a small\r
+brass box , like a cashbox , in the other .\r
+\r
+ ' They may do what they like , but I ' ll checkmate them still '\r
+said he with an oath . ' Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my\r
+room to - day , and send down to Fordham , the Horsham lawyer '\r
+\r
+" I did as he ordered , and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to\r
+step up to the room . The fire was burning brightly , and in the\r
+grate there was a mass of black , fluffy ashes , as of burned\r
+paper , while the brass box stood open and empty beside it . As I\r
+glanced at the box I noticed , with a start , that upon the lid was\r
+printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the\r
+envelope .\r
+\r
+ ' I wish you , John ' said my uncle , ' to witness my will . I leave\r
+my estate , with all its advantages and all its disadvantages , to\r
+my brother , your father , whence it will , no doubt , descend to\r
+you . If you can enjoy it in peace , well and good ! If you find you\r
+cannot , take my advice , my boy , and leave it to your deadliest\r
+enemy . I am sorry to give you such a two - edged thing , but I can ' t\r
+say what turn things are going to take . Kindly sign the paper\r
+where Mr . Fordham shows you '\r
+\r
+" I signed the paper as directed , and the lawyer took it away with\r
+him . The singular incident made , as you may think , the deepest\r
+impression upon me , and I pondered over it and turned it every\r
+way in my mind without being able to make anything of it . Yet I\r
+could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left\r
+behind , though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed\r
+and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives . I\r
+could see a change in my uncle , however . He drank more than ever ,\r
+and he was less inclined for any sort of society . Most of his\r
+time he would spend in his room , with the door locked upon the\r
+inside , but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy\r
+and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a\r
+revolver in his hand , screaming out that he was afraid of no man ,\r
+and that he was not to be cooped up , like a sheep in a pen , by\r
+man or devil . When these hot fits were over , however , he would\r
+rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him ,\r
+like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror\r
+which lies at the roots of his soul . At such times I have seen\r
+his face , even on a cold day , glisten with moisture , as though it\r
+were new raised from a basin .\r
+\r
+" Well , to come to an end of the matter , Mr . Holmes , and not to\r
+abuse your patience , there came a night when he made one of those\r
+drunken sallies from which he never came back . We found him , when\r
+we went to search for him , face downward in a little\r
+green - scummed pool , which lay at the foot of the garden . There\r
+was no sign of any violence , and the water was but two feet deep ,\r
+so that the jury , having regard to his known eccentricity ,\r
+brought in a verdict of ' suicide ' But I , who knew how he winced\r
+from the very thought of death , had much ado to persuade myself\r
+that he had gone out of his way to meet it . The matter passed ,\r
+however , and my father entered into possession of the estate , and\r
+of some 14 , 000 pounds , which lay to his credit at the bank "\r
+\r
+" One moment " Holmes interposed , " your statement is , I foresee ,\r
+one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened . Let me\r
+have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter , and\r
+the date of his supposed suicide "\r
+\r
+" The letter arrived on March 10 , 1883 . His death was seven weeks\r
+later , upon the night of May 2nd "\r
+\r
+" Thank you . Pray proceed "\r
+\r
+" When my father took over the Horsham property , he , at my\r
+request , made a careful examination of the attic , which had been\r
+always locked up . We found the brass box there , although its\r
+contents had been destroyed . On the inside of the cover was a\r
+paper label , with the initials of K . K . K . repeated upon it , and\r
+' Letters , memoranda , receipts , and a register ' written beneath .\r
+These , we presume , indicated the nature of the papers which had\r
+been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw . For the rest , there was\r
+nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many\r
+scattered papers and note - books bearing upon my uncle's life in\r
+America . Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had\r
+done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier .\r
+Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern\r
+states , and were mostly concerned with politics , for he had\r
+evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet - bag\r
+politicians who had been sent down from the North .\r
+\r
+" Well , it was the beginning of ' 84 when my father came to live at\r
+Horsham , and all went as well as possible with us until the\r
+January of ' 85 . On the fourth day after the new year I heard my\r
+father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the\r
+breakfast - table . There he was , sitting with a newly opened\r
+envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the\r
+outstretched palm of the other one . He had always laughed at what\r
+he called my cock - and - bull story about the colonel , but he looked\r
+very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon\r
+himself .\r
+\r
+ ' Why , what on earth does this mean , John ' he stammered .\r
+\r
+" My heart had turned to lead . ' It is K . K . K , ' said I .\r
+\r
+" He looked inside the envelope . ' So it is ' he cried . ' Here are\r
+the very letters . But what is this written above them '\r
+\r
+ ' Put the papers on the sundial ' I read , peeping over his\r
+shoulder .\r
+\r
+ ' What papers ? What sundial ' he asked .\r
+\r
+ ' The sundial in the garden . There is no other ' said I ; ' but the\r
+papers must be those that are destroyed '\r
+\r
+ ' Pooh ' said he , gripping hard at his courage . ' We are in a\r
+civilised land here , and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind .\r
+Where does the thing come from '\r
+\r
+ ' From Dundee ' I answered , glancing at the postmark .\r
+\r
+ ' Some preposterous practical joke ' said he . ' What have I to do\r
+with sundials and papers ? I shall take no notice of such\r
+nonsense '\r
+\r
+ ' I should certainly speak to the police ' I said .\r
+\r
+ ' And be laughed at for my pains . Nothing of the sort '\r
+\r
+ ' Then let me do so '\r
+\r
+ ' No , I forbid you . I won't have a fuss made about such\r
+nonsense '\r
+\r
+" It was in vain to argue with him , for he was a very obstinate\r
+man . I went about , however , with a heart which was full of\r
+forebodings .\r
+\r
+" On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went\r
+from home to visit an old friend of his , Major Freebody , who is\r
+in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill . I was glad\r
+that he should go , for it seemed to me that he was farther from\r
+danger when he was away from home . In that , however , I was in\r
+error . Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram\r
+from the major , imploring me to come at once . My father had\r
+fallen over one of the deep chalk - pits which abound in the\r
+neighbourhood , and was lying senseless , with a shattered skull . I\r
+hurried to him , but he passed away without having ever recovered\r
+his consciousness . He had , as it appears , been returning from\r
+Fareham in the twilight , and as the country was unknown to him ,\r
+and the chalk - pit unfenced , the jury had no hesitation in\r
+bringing in a verdict of ' death from accidental causes '\r
+Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death , I\r
+was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of\r
+murder . There were no signs of violence , no footmarks , no\r
+robbery , no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads .\r
+And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease ,\r
+and that I was well - nigh certain that some foul plot had been\r
+woven round him .\r
+\r
+" In this sinister way I came into my inheritance . You will ask me\r
+why I did not dispose of it ? I answer , because I was well\r
+convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an\r
+incident in my uncle's life , and that the danger would be as\r
+pressing in one house as in another .\r
+\r
+" It was in January , ' 85 , that my poor father met his end , and two\r
+years and eight months have elapsed since then . During that time\r
+I have lived happily at Horsham , and I had begun to hope that\r
+this curse had passed away from the family , and that it had ended\r
+with the last generation . I had begun to take comfort too soon ,\r
+however ; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in\r
+which it had come upon my father "\r
+\r
+The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope , and\r
+turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried\r
+orange pips .\r
+\r
+" This is the envelope " he continued . " The postmark is\r
+London - eastern division . Within are the very words which were\r
+upon my father's last message : ' K . K . K '; and then ' Put the\r
+papers on the sundial '"\r
+\r
+" What have you done " asked Holmes .\r
+\r
+" Nothing "\r
+\r
+" Nothing "\r
+\r
+" To tell the truth -- he sank his face into his thin , white\r
+hands -" I have felt helpless . I have felt like one of those poor\r
+rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it . I seem to be in\r
+the grasp of some resistless , inexorable evil , which no foresight\r
+and no precautions can guard against "\r
+\r
+" Tut ! tut " cried Sherlock Holmes . " You must act , man , or you are\r
+lost . Nothing but energy can save you . This is no time for\r
+despair "\r
+\r
+" I have seen the police "\r
+\r
+" Ah "\r
+\r
+" But they listened to my story with a smile . I am convinced that\r
+the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all\r
+practical jokes , and that the deaths of my relations were really\r
+accidents , as the jury stated , and were not to be connected with\r
+the warnings "\r
+\r
+Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air . " Incredible\r
+imbecility " he cried .\r
+\r
+" They have , however , allowed me a policeman , who may remain in\r
+the house with me "\r
+\r
+" Has he come with you to - night "\r
+\r
+" No . His orders were to stay in the house "\r
+\r
+Again Holmes raved in the air .\r
+\r
+" Why did you come to me " he cried , " and , above all , why did you\r
+not come at once "\r
+\r
+" I did not know . It was only to - day that I spoke to Major\r
+Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to\r
+you "\r
+\r
+" It is really two days since you had the letter . We should have\r
+acted before this . You have no further evidence , I suppose , than\r
+that which you have placed before us - no suggestive detail which\r
+might help us "\r
+\r
+" There is one thing " said John Openshaw . He rummaged in his coat\r
+pocket , and , drawing out a piece of discoloured , blue - tinted\r
+paper , he laid it out upon the table . " I have some remembrance "\r
+said he , " that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I\r
+observed that the small , unburned margins which lay amid the\r
+ashes were of this particular colour . I found this single sheet\r
+upon the floor of his room , and I am inclined to think that it\r
+may be one of the papers which has , perhaps , fluttered out from\r
+among the others , and in that way has escaped destruction . Beyond\r
+the mention of pips , I do not see that it helps us much . I think\r
+myself that it is a page from some private diary . The writing is\r
+undoubtedly my uncle's "\r
+\r
+Holmes moved the lamp , and we both bent over the sheet of paper ,\r
+which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from\r
+a book . It was headed , " March , 1869 " and beneath were the\r
+following enigmatical notices :\r
+\r
+" 4th . Hudson came . Same old platform .\r
+\r
+" 7th . Set the pips on McCauley , Paramore , and\r
+ John Swain , of St . Augustine .\r
+\r
+" 9th . McCauley cleared .\r
+\r
+" 10th . John Swain cleared .\r
+\r
+" 12th . Visited Paramore . All well "\r
+\r
+" Thank you " said Holmes , folding up the paper and returning it\r
+to our visitor . " And now you must on no account lose another\r
+instant . We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told\r
+me . You must get home instantly and act "\r
+\r
+" What shall I do "\r
+\r
+" There is but one thing to do . It must be done at once . You must\r
+put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass\r
+box which you have described . You must also put in a note to say\r
+that all the other papers were burned by your uncle , and that\r
+this is the only one which remains . You must assert that in such\r
+words as will carry conviction with them . Having done this , you\r
+must at once put the box out upon the sundial , as directed . Do\r
+you understand "\r
+\r
+" Entirely "\r
+\r
+" Do not think of revenge , or anything of the sort , at present . I\r
+think that we may gain that by means of the law ; but we have our\r
+web to weave , while theirs is already woven . The first\r
+consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens\r
+you . The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the\r
+guilty parties "\r
+\r
+" I thank you " said the young man , rising and pulling on his\r
+overcoat . " You have given me fresh life and hope . I shall\r
+certainly do as you advise "\r
+\r
+" Do not lose an instant . And , above all , take care of yourself in\r
+the meanwhile , for I do not think that there can be a doubt that\r
+you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger . How do you\r
+go back "\r
+\r
+" By train from Waterloo "\r
+\r
+" It is not yet nine . The streets will be crowded , so I trust that\r
+you may be in safety . And yet you cannot guard yourself too\r
+closely "\r
+\r
+" I am armed "\r
+\r
+" That is well . To - morrow I shall set to work upon your case "\r
+\r
+" I shall see you at Horsham , then "\r
+\r
+" No , your secret lies in London . It is there that I shall seek\r
+it "\r
+\r
+" Then I shall call upon you in a day , or in two days , with news\r
+as to the box and the papers . I shall take your advice in every\r
+particular " He shook hands with us and took his leave . Outside\r
+the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered\r
+against the windows . This strange , wild story seemed to have come\r
+to us from amid the mad elements - blown in upon us like a sheet\r
+of sea - weed in a gale - and now to have been reabsorbed by them\r
+once more .\r
+\r
+Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence , with his head sunk\r
+forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire . Then he\r
+lit his pipe , and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue\r
+smoke - rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling .\r
+\r
+" I think , Watson " he remarked at last , " that of all our cases we\r
+have had none more fantastic than this "\r
+\r
+" Save , perhaps , the Sign of Four "\r
+\r
+" Well , yes . Save , perhaps , that . And yet this John Openshaw seems\r
+to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the\r
+Sholtos "\r
+\r
+" But have you " I asked , " formed any definite conception as to\r
+what these perils are "\r
+\r
+" There can be no question as to their nature " he answered .\r
+\r
+" Then what are they ? Who is this K . K . K , and why does he pursue\r
+this unhappy family "\r
+\r
+Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the\r
+arms of his chair , with his finger - tips together . " The ideal\r
+reasoner " he remarked , " would , when he had once been shown a\r
+single fact in all its bearings , deduce from it not only all the\r
+chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which\r
+would follow from it . As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole\r
+animal by the contemplation of a single bone , so the observer who\r
+has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents\r
+should be able to accurately state all the other ones , both\r
+before and after . We have not yet grasped the results which the\r
+reason alone can attain to . Problems may be solved in the study\r
+which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the\r
+aid of their senses . To carry the art , however , to its highest\r
+pitch , it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to\r
+utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge ; and this\r
+in itself implies , as you will readily see , a possession of all\r
+knowledge , which , even in these days of free education and\r
+encyclopaedias , is a somewhat rare accomplishment . It is not so\r
+impossible , however , that a man should possess all knowledge\r
+which is likely to be useful to him in his work , and this I have\r
+endeavoured in my case to do . If I remember rightly , you on one\r
+occasion , in the early days of our friendship , defined my limits\r
+in a very precise fashion "\r
+\r
+" Yes " I answered , laughing . " It was a singular document .\r
+Philosophy , astronomy , and politics were marked at zero , I\r
+remember . Botany variable , geology profound as regards the\r
+mud - stains from any region within fifty miles of town , chemistry\r
+eccentric , anatomy unsystematic , sensational literature and crime\r
+records unique , violin - player , boxer , swordsman , lawyer , and\r
+self - poisoner by cocaine and tobacco . Those , I think , were the\r
+main points of my analysis "\r
+\r
+Holmes grinned at the last item . " Well " he said , " I say now , as\r
+I said then , that a man should keep his little brain - attic\r
+stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use , and the\r
+rest he can put away in the lumber - room of his library , where he\r
+can get it if he wants it . Now , for such a case as the one which\r
+has been submitted to us to - night , we need certainly to muster\r
+all our resources . Kindly hand me down the letter K of the\r
+' American Encyclopaedia ' which stands upon the shelf beside you .\r
+Thank you . Now let us consider the situation and see what may be\r
+deduced from it . In the first place , we may start with a strong\r
+presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for\r
+leaving America . Men at his time of life do not change all their\r
+habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for\r
+the lonely life of an English provincial town . His extreme love\r
+of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of\r
+someone or something , so we may assume as a working hypothesis\r
+that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from\r
+America . As to what it was he feared , we can only deduce that by\r
+considering the formidable letters which were received by himself\r
+and his successors . Did you remark the postmarks of those\r
+letters "\r
+\r
+" The first was from Pondicherry , the second from Dundee , and the\r
+third from London "\r
+\r
+" From East London . What do you deduce from that "\r
+\r
+" They are all seaports . That the writer was on board of a ship "\r
+\r
+" Excellent . We have already a clue . There can be no doubt that\r
+the probability - the strong probability - is that the writer was\r
+on board of a ship . And now let us consider another point . In the\r
+case of Pondicherry , seven weeks elapsed between the threat and\r
+its fulfilment , in Dundee it was only some three or four days .\r
+Does that suggest anything "\r
+\r
+" A greater distance to travel "\r
+\r
+" But the letter had also a greater distance to come "\r
+\r
+" Then I do not see the point "\r
+\r
+" There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man\r
+or men are is a sailing - ship . It looks as if they always send\r
+their singular warning or token before them when starting upon\r
+their mission . You see how quickly the deed followed the sign\r
+when it came from Dundee . If they had come from Pondicherry in a\r
+steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter .\r
+But , as a matter of fact , seven weeks elapsed . I think that those\r
+seven weeks represented the difference between the mail - boat which\r
+brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the\r
+writer "\r
+\r
+" It is possible "\r
+\r
+" More than that . It is probable . And now you see the deadly\r
+urgency of this new case , and why I urged young Openshaw to\r
+caution . The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which\r
+it would take the senders to travel the distance . But this one\r
+comes from London , and therefore we cannot count upon delay "\r
+\r
+" Good God " I cried . " What can it mean , this relentless\r
+persecution "\r
+\r
+" The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital\r
+importance to the person or persons in the sailing - ship . I think\r
+that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them .\r
+A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way\r
+as to deceive a coroner's jury . There must have been several in\r
+it , and they must have been men of resource and determination .\r
+Their papers they mean to have , be the holder of them who it may .\r
+In this way you see K . K . K . ceases to be the initials of an\r
+individual and becomes the badge of a society "\r
+\r
+" But of what society "\r
+\r
+" Have you never -" said Sherlock Holmes , bending forward and\r
+sinking his voice -" have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan "\r
+\r
+" I never have "\r
+\r
+Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee . " Here it\r
+is " said he presently :\r
+\r
+ ' Ku Klux Klan . A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to\r
+the sound produced by cocking a rifle . This terrible secret\r
+society was formed by some ex - Confederate soldiers in the\r
+Southern states after the Civil War , and it rapidly formed local\r
+branches in different parts of the country , notably in Tennessee ,\r
+Louisiana , the Carolinas , Georgia , and Florida . Its power was\r
+used for political purposes , principally for the terrorising of\r
+the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country\r
+of those who were opposed to its views . Its outrages were usually\r
+preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic\r
+but generally recognised shape - a sprig of oak - leaves in some\r
+parts , melon seeds or orange pips in others . On receiving this\r
+the victim might either openly abjure his former ways , or might\r
+fly from the country . If he braved the matter out , death would\r
+unfailingly come upon him , and usually in some strange and\r
+unforeseen manner . So perfect was the organisation of the\r
+society , and so systematic its methods , that there is hardly a\r
+case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with\r
+impunity , or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the\r
+perpetrators . For some years the organisation flourished in spite\r
+of the efforts of the United States government and of the better\r
+classes of the community in the South . Eventually , in the year\r
+1869 , the movement rather suddenly collapsed , although there have\r
+been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date '\r
+\r
+" You will observe " said Holmes , laying down the volume , " that\r
+the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the\r
+disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers . It may\r
+well have been cause and effect . It is no wonder that he and his\r
+family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track .\r
+You can understand that this register and diary may implicate\r
+some of the first men in the South , and that there may be many\r
+who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered "\r
+\r
+" Then the page we have seen -"\r
+\r
+" Is such as we might expect . It ran , if I remember right , ' sent\r
+the pips to A , B , and C -- that is , sent the society's warning to\r
+them . Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared , or\r
+left the country , and finally that C was visited , with , I fear , a\r
+sinister result for C . Well , I think , Doctor , that we may let\r
+some light into this dark place , and I believe that the only\r
+chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have\r
+told him . There is nothing more to be said or to be done\r
+to - night , so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for\r
+half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable\r
+ways of our fellow - men "\r
+\r
+\r
+It had cleared in the morning , and the sun was shining with a\r
+subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the\r
+great city . Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came\r
+down .\r
+\r
+" You will excuse me for not waiting for you " said he ; " I have , I\r
+foresee , a very busy day before me in looking into this case of\r
+young Openshaw's "\r
+\r
+" What steps will you take " I asked .\r
+\r
+" It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries .\r
+I may have to go down to Horsham , after all "\r
+\r
+" You will not go there first "\r
+\r
+" No , I shall commence with the City . Just ring the bell and the\r
+maid will bring up your coffee "\r
+\r
+As I waited , I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and\r
+glanced my eye over it . It rested upon a heading which sent a\r
+chill to my heart .\r
+\r
+" Holmes " I cried , " you are too late "\r
+\r
+" Ah " said he , laying down his cup , " I feared as much . How was it\r
+done " He spoke calmly , but I could see that he was deeply moved .\r
+\r
+" My eye caught the name of Openshaw , and the heading ' Tragedy\r
+Near Waterloo Bridge ' Here is the account :\r
+\r
+" Between nine and ten last night Police - Constable Cook , of the H\r
+Division , on duty near Waterloo Bridge , heard a cry for help and\r
+a splash in the water . The night , however , was extremely dark and\r
+stormy , so that , in spite of the help of several passers - by , it\r
+was quite impossible to effect a rescue . The alarm , however , was\r
+given , and , by the aid of the water - police , the body was\r
+eventually recovered . It proved to be that of a young gentleman\r
+whose name , as it appears from an envelope which was found in his\r
+pocket , was John Openshaw , and whose residence is near Horsham .\r
+It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch\r
+the last train from Waterloo Station , and that in his haste and\r
+the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge\r
+of one of the small landing - places for river steamboats . The body\r
+exhibited no traces of violence , and there can be no doubt that\r
+the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident ,\r
+which should have the effect of calling the attention of the\r
+authorities to the condition of the riverside landing - stages "\r
+\r
+We sat in silence for some minutes , Holmes more depressed and\r
+shaken than I had ever seen him .\r
+\r
+" That hurts my pride , Watson " he said at last . " It is a petty\r
+feeling , no doubt , but it hurts my pride . It becomes a personal\r
+matter with me now , and , if God sends me health , I shall set my\r
+hand upon this gang . That he should come to me for help , and that\r
+I should send him away to his death - " He sprang from his chair\r
+and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation , with a\r
+flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and\r
+unclasping of his long thin hands .\r
+\r
+" They must be cunning devils " he exclaimed at last . " How could\r
+they have decoyed him down there ? The Embankment is not on the\r
+direct line to the station . The bridge , no doubt , was too\r
+crowded , even on such a night , for their purpose . Well , Watson ,\r
+we shall see who will win in the long run . I am going out now "\r
+\r
+" To the police "\r
+\r
+" No ; I shall be my own police . When I have spun the web they may\r
+take the flies , but not before "\r
+\r
+All day I was engaged in my professional work , and it was late in\r
+the evening before I returned to Baker Street . Sherlock Holmes\r
+had not come back yet . It was nearly ten o'clock before he\r
+entered , looking pale and worn . He walked up to the sideboard ,\r
+and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously ,\r
+washing it down with a long draught of water .\r
+\r
+" You are hungry " I remarked .\r
+\r
+" Starving . It had escaped my memory . I have had nothing since\r
+breakfast "\r
+\r
+" Nothing "\r
+\r
+" Not a bite . I had no time to think of it "\r
+\r
+" And how have you succeeded "\r
+\r
+" Well "\r
+\r
+" You have a clue "\r
+\r
+" I have them in the hollow of my hand . Young Openshaw shall not\r
+long remain unavenged . Why , Watson , let us put their own devilish\r
+trade - mark upon them . It is well thought of "\r
+\r
+" What do you mean "\r
+\r
+He took an orange from the cupboard , and tearing it to pieces he\r
+squeezed out the pips upon the table . Of these he took five and\r
+thrust them into an envelope . On the inside of the flap he wrote\r
+" S . H . for J . O " Then he sealed it and addressed it to " Captain\r
+James Calhoun , Barque ' Lone Star ' Savannah , Georgia "\r
+\r
+" That will await him when he enters port " said he , chuckling .\r
+" It may give him a sleepless night . He will find it as sure a\r
+precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him "\r
+\r
+" And who is this Captain Calhoun "\r
+\r
+" The leader of the gang . I shall have the others , but he first "\r
+\r
+" How did you trace it , then "\r
+\r
+He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket , all covered with\r
+dates and names .\r
+\r
+" I have spent the whole day " said he , " over Lloyd's registers\r
+and files of the old papers , following the future career of every\r
+vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in\r
+' 83 . There were thirty - six ships of fair tonnage which were\r
+reported there during those months . Of these , one , the ' Lone Star '\r
+instantly attracted my attention , since , although it was reported\r
+as having cleared from London , the name is that which is given to\r
+one of the states of the Union "\r
+\r
+" Texas , I think "\r
+\r
+" I was not and am not sure which ; but I knew that the ship must\r
+have an American origin "\r
+\r
+" What then "\r
+\r
+" I searched the Dundee records , and when I found that the barque\r
+' Lone Star ' was there in January , ' 85 , my suspicion became a\r
+certainty . I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present\r
+in the port of London "\r
+\r
+" Yes "\r
+\r
+" The ' Lone Star ' had arrived here last week . I went down to the\r
+Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by\r
+the early tide this morning , homeward bound to Savannah . I wired\r
+to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago , and\r
+as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the\r
+Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight "\r
+\r
+" What will you do , then "\r
+\r
+" Oh , I have my hand upon him . He and the two mates , are as I\r
+learn , the only native - born Americans in the ship . The others are\r
+Finns and Germans . I know , also , that they were all three away\r
+from the ship last night . I had it from the stevedore who has\r
+been loading their cargo . By the time that their sailing - ship\r
+reaches Savannah the mail - boat will have carried this letter , and\r
+the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these\r
+three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder "\r
+\r
+There is ever a flaw , however , in the best laid of human plans ,\r
+and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the\r
+orange pips which would show them that another , as cunning and as\r
+resolute as themselves , was upon their track . Very long and very\r
+severe were the equinoctial gales that year . We waited long for\r
+news of the " Lone Star " of Savannah , but none ever reached us . We\r
+did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a\r
+shattered stern - post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough\r
+of a wave , with the letters " L . S " carved upon it , and that is\r
+all which we shall ever know of the fate of the " Lone Star "\r
+\r
+\r
+\r
+ADVENTURE VI . THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP\r
+\r
+Isa Whitney , brother of the late Elias Whitney , D . D , Principal\r
+of the Theological College of St . George's , was much addicted to\r
+opium . The habit grew upon him , as I understand , from some\r
+foolish freak when he was at college ; for having read De\r
+Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations , he had\r
+drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the\r
+same effects . He found , as so many more have done , that the\r
+practice is easier to attain than to get rid of , and for many\r
+years he continued to be a slave to the drug , an object of\r
+mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives . I can see\r
+him now , with yellow , pasty face , drooping lids , and pin - point\r
+pupils , all huddled in a chair , the wreck and ruin of a noble\r
+man .\r
+\r
+One night - it was in June , ' 89 - there came a ring to my bell ,\r
+about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the\r
+clock . I sat up in my chair , and my wife laid her needle - work\r
+down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment .\r
+\r
+" A patient " said she . " You ' ll have to go out "\r
+\r
+I groaned , for I was newly come back from a weary day .\r
+\r
+We heard the door open , a few hurried words , and then quick steps\r
+upon the linoleum . Our own door flew open , and a lady , clad in\r
+some dark - coloured stuff , with a black veil , entered the room .\r
+\r
+" You will excuse my calling so late " she began , and then ,\r
+suddenly losing her self - control , she ran forward , threw her arms\r
+about my wife's neck , and sobbed upon her shoulder . " Oh , I ' m in\r
+such trouble " she cried ; " I do so want a little help "\r
+\r
+" Why " said my wife , pulling up her veil , " it is Kate Whitney .\r
+How you startled me , Kate ! I had not an idea who you were when\r
+you came in "\r
+\r
+" I didn't know what to do , so I came straight to you " That was\r
+always the way . Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds\r
+to a light - house .\r
+\r
+" It was very sweet of you to come . Now , you must have some wine\r
+and water , and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it . Or\r
+should you rather that I sent James off to bed "\r
+\r
+" Oh , no , no ! I want the doctor's advice and help , too . It's about\r
+Isa . He has not been home for two days . I am so frightened about\r
+him "\r
+\r
+It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her\r
+husband's trouble , to me as a doctor , to my wife as an old friend\r
+and school companion . We soothed and comforted her by such words\r
+as we could find . Did she know where her husband was ? Was it\r
+possible that we could bring him back to her ?\r
+\r
+It seems that it was . She had the surest information that of late\r
+he had , when the fit was on him , made use of an opium den in the\r
+farthest east of the City . Hitherto his orgies had always been\r
+confined to one day , and he had come back , twitching and\r
+shattered , in the evening . But now the spell had been upon him\r
+eight - and - forty hours , and he lay there , doubtless among the\r
+dregs of the docks , breathing in the poison or sleeping off the\r
+effects . There he was to be found , she was sure of it , at the Bar\r
+of Gold , in Upper Swandam Lane . But what was she to do ? How could\r
+she , a young and timid woman , make her way into such a place and\r
+pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him ?\r
+\r
+There was the case , and of course there was but one way out of\r
+it . Might I not escort her to this place ? And then , as a second\r
+thought , why should she come at all ? I was Isa Whitney's medical\r
+adviser , and as such I had influence over him . I could manage it\r
+better if I were alone . I promised her on my word that I would\r
+send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the\r
+address which she had given me . And so in ten minutes I had left\r
+my armchair and cheery sitting - room behind me , and was speeding\r
+eastward in a hansom on a strange errand , as it seemed to me at\r
+the time , though the future only could show how strange it was to\r
+be .\r
+\r
+But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my\r
+adventure . Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the\r
+high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east\r
+of London Bridge . Between a slop - shop and a gin - shop , approached\r
+by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the\r
+mouth of a cave , I found the den of which I was in search .\r
+Ordering my cab to wait , I passed down the steps , worn hollow in\r
+the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet ; and by the\r
+light of a flickering oil - lamp above the door I found the latch\r
+and made my way into a long , low room , thick and heavy with the\r
+brown opium smoke , and terraced with wooden berths , like the\r
+forecastle of an emigrant ship .\r
+\r
+Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying\r
+in strange fantastic poses , bowed shoulders , bent knees , heads\r
+thrown back , and chins pointing upward , with here and there a\r
+dark , lack - lustre eye turned upon the newcomer . Out of the black\r
+shadows there glimmered little red circles of light , now bright ,\r
+now faint , as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of\r
+the metal pipes . The most lay silent , but some muttered to\r
+themselves , and others talked together in a strange , low ,\r
+monotonous voice , their conversation coming in gushes , and then\r
+suddenly tailing off into silence , each mumbling out his own\r
+thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour . At\r
+the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal , beside\r
+which on a three - legged wooden stool there sat a tall , thin old\r
+man , with his jaw resting upon his two fists , and his elbows upon\r
+his knees , staring into the fire .\r
+\r
+As I entered , a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe\r
+for me and a supply of the drug , beckoning me to an empty berth .\r
+\r
+" Thank you . I have not come to stay " said I . " There is a friend\r
+of mine here , Mr . Isa Whitney , and I wish to speak with him "\r
+\r
+There was a movement and an exclamation from my right , and\r
+peering through the gloom , I saw Whitney , pale , haggard , and\r
+unkempt , staring out at me .\r
+\r
+" My God ! It's Watson " said he . He was in a pitiable state of\r
+reaction , with every nerve in a twitter . " I say , Watson , what\r
+o'clock is it "\r
+\r
+" Nearly eleven "\r
+\r
+" Of what day "\r
+\r
+" Of Friday , June 19th "\r
+\r
+" Good heavens ! I thought it was Wednesday . It is Wednesday . What\r
+d ' you want to frighten a chap for " He sank his face onto his\r
+arms and began to sob in a high treble key .\r
+\r
+" I tell you that it is Friday , man . Your wife has been waiting\r
+this two days for you . You should be ashamed of yourself "\r
+\r
+" So I am . But you ' ve got mixed , Watson , for I have only been here\r
+a few hours , three pipes , four pipes - I forget how many . But I ' ll\r
+go home with you . I wouldn't frighten Kate - poor little Kate .\r
+Give me your hand ! Have you a cab "\r
+\r
+" Yes , I have one waiting "\r
+\r
+" Then I shall go in it . But I must owe something . Find what I\r
+owe , Watson . I am all off colour . I can do nothing for myself "\r
+\r
+I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of\r
+sleepers , holding my breath to keep out the vile , stupefying\r
+fumes of the drug , and looking about for the manager . As I passed\r
+the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my\r
+skirt , and a low voice whispered , " Walk past me , and then look\r
+back at me " The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear . I\r
+glanced down . They could only have come from the old man at my\r
+side , and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever , very thin , very\r
+wrinkled , bent with age , an opium pipe dangling down from between\r
+his knees , as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his\r
+fingers . I took two steps forward and looked back . It took all my\r
+self - control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of\r
+astonishment . He had turned his back so that none could see him\r
+but I . His form had filled out , his wrinkles were gone , the dull\r
+eyes had regained their fire , and there , sitting by the fire and\r
+grinning at my surprise , was none other than Sherlock Holmes . He\r
+made a slight motion to me to approach him , and instantly , as he\r
+turned his face half round to the company once more , subsided\r
+into a doddering , loose - lipped senility .\r
+\r
+" Holmes " I whispered , " what on earth are you doing in this den "\r
+\r
+" As low as you can " he answered ; " I have excellent ears . If you\r
+would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend\r
+of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with\r
+you "\r
+\r
+" I have a cab outside "\r
+\r
+" Then pray send him home in it . You may safely trust him , for he\r
+appears to be too limp to get into any mischief . I should\r
+recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to\r
+say that you have thrown in your lot with me . If you will wait\r
+outside , I shall be with you in five minutes "\r
+\r
+It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes ' requests , for\r
+they were always so exceedingly definite , and put forward with\r
+such a quiet air of mastery . I felt , however , that when Whitney\r
+was once confined in the cab my mission was practically\r
+accomplished ; and for the rest , I could not wish anything better\r
+than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular\r
+adventures which were the normal condition of his existence . In a\r
+few minutes I had written my note , paid Whitney's bill , led him\r
+out to the cab , and seen him driven through the darkness . In a\r
+very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den ,\r
+and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes . For two\r
+streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot .\r
+Then , glancing quickly round , he straightened himself out and\r
+burst into a hearty fit of laughter .\r
+\r
+" I suppose , Watson " said he , " that you imagine that I have added\r
+opium - smoking to cocaine injections , and all the other little\r
+weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical\r
+views "\r
+\r
+" I was certainly surprised to find you there "\r
+\r
+" But not more so than I to find you "\r
+\r
+" I came to find a friend "\r
+\r
+" And I to find an enemy "\r
+\r
+" An enemy "\r
+\r
+" Yes ; one of my natural enemies , or , shall I say , my natural\r
+prey . Briefly , Watson , I am in the midst of a very remarkable\r
+inquiry , and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent\r
+ramblings of these sots , as I have done before now . Had I been\r
+recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an\r
+hour's purchase ; for I have used it before now for my own\r
+purposes , and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have\r
+vengeance upon me . There is a trap - door at the back of that\r
+building , near the corner of Paul's Wharf , which could tell some\r
+strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless\r
+nights "\r
+\r
+" What ! You do not mean bodies "\r
+\r
+" Ay , bodies , Watson . We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds\r
+for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den . It\r
+is the vilest murder - trap on the whole riverside , and I fear that\r
+Neville St . Clair has entered it never to leave it more . But our\r
+trap should be here " He put his two forefingers between his\r
+teeth and whistled shrilly - a signal which was answered by a\r
+similar whistle from the distance , followed shortly by the rattle\r
+of wheels and the clink of horses ' hoofs .\r
+\r
+" Now , Watson " said Holmes , as a tall dog - cart dashed up through\r
+the gloom , throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from\r
+its side lanterns . " You ' ll come with me , won't you "\r
+\r
+" If I can be of use "\r
+\r
+" Oh , a trusty comrade is always of use ; and a chronicler still\r
+more so . My room at The Cedars is a double - bedded one "\r
+\r
+" The Cedars "\r
+\r
+" Yes ; that is Mr . St . Clair's house . I am staying there while I\r
+conduct the inquiry "\r
+\r
+" Where is it , then "\r
+\r
+" Near Lee , in Kent . We have a seven - mile drive before us "\r
+\r
+" But I am all in the dark "\r
+\r
+" Of course you are . You ' ll know all about it presently . Jump up\r
+here . All right , John ; we shall not need you . Here's half a\r
+crown . Look out for me to - morrow , about eleven . Give her her\r
+head . So long , then "\r
+\r
+He flicked the horse with his whip , and we dashed away through\r
+the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets , which\r
+widened gradually , until we were flying across a broad\r
+balustraded bridge , with the murky river flowing sluggishly\r
+beneath us . Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and\r
+mortar , its silence broken only by the heavy , regular footfall of\r
+the policeman , or the songs and shouts of some belated party of\r
+revellers . A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky , and a\r
+star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of\r
+the clouds . Holmes drove in silence , with his head sunk upon his\r
+breast , and the air of a man who is lost in thought , while I sat\r
+beside him , curious to learn what this new quest might be which\r
+seemed to tax his powers so sorely , and yet afraid to break in\r
+upon the current of his thoughts . We had driven several miles ,\r
+and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban\r
+villas , when he shook himself , shrugged his shoulders , and lit up\r
+his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he\r
+is acting for the best .\r
+\r
+" You have a grand gift of silence , Watson " said he . " It makes\r
+you quite invaluable as a companion . ' Pon my word , it is a great\r
+thing for me to have someone to talk to , for my own thoughts are\r
+not over - pleasant . I was wondering what I should say to this dear\r
+little woman to - night when she meets me at the door "\r
+\r
+" You forget that I know nothing about it "\r
+\r
+" I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before\r
+we get to Lee . It seems absurdly simple , and yet , somehow I can\r
+get nothing to go upon . There's plenty of thread , no doubt , but I\r
+can't get the end of it into my hand . Now , I ' ll state the case\r
+clearly and concisely to you , Watson , and maybe you can see a\r
+spark where all is dark to me "\r
+\r
+" Proceed , then "\r
+\r
+" Some years ago - to be definite , in May , 1884 - there came to Lee\r
+a gentleman , Neville St . Clair by name , who appeared to have\r
+plenty of money . He took a large villa , laid out the grounds very\r
+nicely , and lived generally in good style . By degrees he made\r
+friends in the neighbourhood , and in 1887 he married the daughter\r
+of a local brewer , by whom he now has two children . He had no\r
+occupation , but was interested in several companies and went into\r
+town as a rule in the morning , returning by the 5 : 14 from Cannon\r
+Street every night . Mr . St . Clair is now thirty - seven years of\r
+age , is a man of temperate habits , a good husband , a very\r
+affectionate father , and a man who is popular with all who know\r
+him . I may add that his whole debts at the present moment , as far\r
+as we have been able to ascertain , amount to 88 pounds 10s , while\r
+he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and\r
+Counties Bank . There is no reason , therefore , to think that money\r
+troubles have been weighing upon his mind .\r
+\r
+" Last Monday Mr . Neville St . Clair went into town rather earlier\r
+than usual , remarking before he started that he had two important\r
+commissions to perform , and that he would bring his little boy\r
+home a box of bricks . Now , by the merest chance , his wife\r
+received a telegram upon this same Monday , very shortly after his\r
+departure , to the effect that a small parcel of considerable\r
+value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the\r
+offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company . Now , if you are well up\r
+in your London , you will know that the office of the company is\r
+in Fresno Street , which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane , where\r
+you found me to - night . Mrs . St . Clair had her lunch , started for\r
+the City , did some shopping , proceeded to the company's office ,\r
+got her packet , and found herself at exactly 4 : 35 walking through\r
+Swandam Lane on her way back to the station . Have you followed me\r
+so far "\r
+\r
+" It is very clear "\r
+\r
+" If you remember , Monday was an exceedingly hot day , and Mrs . St .\r
+Clair walked slowly , glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab ,\r
+as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself .\r
+While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane , she suddenly\r
+heard an ejaculation or cry , and was struck cold to see her\r
+husband looking down at her and , as it seemed to her , beckoning\r
+to her from a second - floor window . The window was open , and she\r
+distinctly saw his face , which she describes as being terribly\r
+agitated . He waved his hands frantically to her , and then\r
+vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that\r
+he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind .\r
+One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that\r
+although he wore some dark coat , such as he had started to town\r
+in , he had on neither collar nor necktie .\r
+\r
+" Convinced that something was amiss with him , she rushed down the\r
+steps - for the house was none other than the opium den in which\r
+you found me to - night - and running through the front room she\r
+attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor . At\r
+the foot of the stairs , however , she met this Lascar scoundrel of\r
+whom I have spoken , who thrust her back and , aided by a Dane , who\r
+acts as assistant there , pushed her out into the street . Filled\r
+with the most maddening doubts and fears , she rushed down the\r
+lane and , by rare good - fortune , met in Fresno Street a number of\r
+constables with an inspector , all on their way to their beat . The\r
+inspector and two men accompanied her back , and in spite of the\r
+continued resistance of the proprietor , they made their way to\r
+the room in which Mr . St . Clair had last been seen . There was no\r
+sign of him there . In fact , in the whole of that floor there was\r
+no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect , who ,\r
+it seems , made his home there . Both he and the Lascar stoutly\r
+swore that no one else had been in the front room during the\r
+afternoon . So determined was their denial that the inspector was\r
+staggered , and had almost come to believe that Mrs . St . Clair had\r
+been deluded when , with a cry , she sprang at a small deal box\r
+which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it . Out there fell\r
+a cascade of children's bricks . It was the toy which he had\r
+promised to bring home .\r
+\r
+" This discovery , and the evident confusion which the cripple\r
+showed , made the inspector realise that the matter was serious .\r
+The rooms were carefully examined , and results all pointed to an\r
+abominable crime . The front room was plainly furnished as a\r
+sitting - room and led into a small bedroom , which looked out upon\r
+the back of one of the wharves . Between the wharf and the bedroom\r
+window is a narrow strip , which is dry at low tide but is covered\r
+at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water . The\r
+bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below . On\r
+examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill ,\r
+and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of\r
+the bedroom . Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were\r
+all the clothes of Mr . Neville St . Clair , with the exception of\r
+his coat . His boots , his socks , his hat , and his watch - all were\r
+there . There were no signs of violence upon any of these\r
+garments , and there were no other traces of Mr . Neville St .\r
+Clair . Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no\r
+other exit could be discovered , and the ominous bloodstains upon\r
+the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by\r
+swimming , for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of\r
+the tragedy .\r
+\r
+" And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately\r
+implicated in the matter . The Lascar was known to be a man of the\r
+vilest antecedents , but as , by Mrs . St . Clair's story , he was\r
+known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few\r
+seconds of her husband's appearance at the window , he could\r
+hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime . His defence\r
+was one of absolute ignorance , and he protested that he had no\r
+knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone , his lodger , and that he\r
+could not account in any way for the presence of the missing\r
+gentleman's clothes .\r
+\r
+" So much for the Lascar manager . Now for the sinister cripple who\r
+lives upon the second floor of the opium den , and who was\r
+certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St .\r
+Clair . His name is Hugh Boone , and his hideous face is one which\r
+is familiar to every man who goes much to the City . He is a\r
+professional beggar , though in order to avoid the police\r
+regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas . Some\r
+little distance down Threadneedle Street , upon the left - hand\r
+side , there is , as you may have remarked , a small angle in the\r
+wall . Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat ,\r
+cross - legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap , and as he\r
+is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the\r
+greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him . I\r
+have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of\r
+making his professional acquaintance , and I have been surprised\r
+at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time . His\r
+appearance , you see , is so remarkable that no one can pass him\r
+without observing him . A shock of orange hair , a pale face\r
+disfigured by a horrible scar , which , by its contraction , has\r
+turned up the outer edge of his upper lip , a bulldog chin , and a\r
+pair of very penetrating dark eyes , which present a singular\r
+contrast to the colour of his hair , all mark him out from amid\r
+the common crowd of mendicants and so , too , does his wit , for he\r
+is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be\r
+thrown at him by the passers - by . This is the man whom we now\r
+learn to have been the lodger at the opium den , and to have been\r
+the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest "\r
+\r
+" But a cripple " said I . " What could he have done single - handed\r
+against a man in the prime of life "\r
+\r
+" He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp ; but in\r
+other respects he appears to be a powerful and well - nurtured man .\r
+Surely your medical experience would tell you , Watson , that\r
+weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional\r
+strength in the others "\r
+\r
+" Pray continue your narrative "\r
+\r
+" Mrs . St . Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the\r
+window , and she was escorted home in a cab by the police , as her\r
+presence could be of no help to them in their investigations .\r
+Inspector Barton , who had charge of the case , made a very careful\r
+examination of the premises , but without finding anything which\r
+threw any light upon the matter . One mistake had been made in not\r
+arresting Boone instantly , as he was allowed some few minutes\r
+during which he might have communicated with his friend the\r
+Lascar , but this fault was soon remedied , and he was seized and\r
+searched , without anything being found which could incriminate\r
+him . There were , it is true , some blood - stains upon his right\r
+shirt - sleeve , but he pointed to his ring - finger , which had been\r
+cut near the nail , and explained that the bleeding came from\r
+there , adding that he had been to the window not long before , and\r
+that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from\r
+the same source . He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr .\r
+Neville St . Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in\r
+his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police . As to\r
+Mrs . St . Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband\r
+at the window , he declared that she must have been either mad or\r
+dreaming . He was removed , loudly protesting , to the\r
+police - station , while the inspector remained upon the premises in\r
+the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue .\r
+\r
+" And it did , though they hardly found upon the mud - bank what they\r
+had feared to find . It was Neville St . Clair's coat , and not\r
+Neville St . Clair , which lay uncovered as the tide receded . And\r
+what do you think they found in the pockets "\r
+\r
+" I cannot imagine "\r
+\r
+" No , I don't think you would guess . Every pocket stuffed with\r
+pennies and half - pennies - 421 pennies and 270 half - pennies . It\r
+was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide . But a\r
+human body is a different matter . There is a fierce eddy between\r
+the wharf and the house . It seemed likely enough that the\r
+weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked\r
+away into the river "\r
+\r
+" But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the\r
+room . Would the body be dressed in a coat alone "\r
+\r
+" No , sir , but the facts might be met speciously enough . Suppose\r
+that this man Boone had thrust Neville St . Clair through the\r
+window , there is no human eye which could have seen the deed .\r
+What would he do then ? It would of course instantly strike him\r
+that he must get rid of the tell - tale garments . He would seize\r
+the coat , then , and be in the act of throwing it out , when it\r
+would occur to him that it would swim and not sink . He has little\r
+time , for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried\r
+to force her way up , and perhaps he has already heard from his\r
+Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street .\r
+There is not an instant to be lost . He rushes to some secret\r
+hoard , where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary , and he\r
+stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the\r
+pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking . He throws it out , and\r
+would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard\r
+the rush of steps below , and only just had time to close the\r
+window when the police appeared "\r
+\r
+" It certainly sounds feasible "\r
+\r
+" Well , we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a\r
+better . Boone , as I have told you , was arrested and taken to the\r
+station , but it could not be shown that there had ever before\r
+been anything against him . He had for years been known as a\r
+professional beggar , but his life appeared to have been a very\r
+quiet and innocent one . There the matter stands at present , and\r
+the questions which have to be solved - what Neville St . Clair was\r
+doing in the opium den , what happened to him when there , where is\r
+he now , and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance - are\r
+all as far from a solution as ever . I confess that I cannot\r
+recall any case within my experience which looked at the first\r
+glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties "\r
+\r
+While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of\r
+events , we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great\r
+town until the last straggling houses had been left behind , and\r
+we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us .\r
+Just as he finished , however , we drove through two scattered\r
+villages , where a few lights still glimmered in the windows .\r
+\r
+" We are on the outskirts of Lee " said my companion . " We have\r
+touched on three English counties in our short drive , starting in\r
+Middlesex , passing over an angle of Surrey , and ending in Kent .\r
+See that light among the trees ? That is The Cedars , and beside\r
+that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already , I have\r
+little doubt , caught the clink of our horse's feet "\r
+\r
+" But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street " I\r
+asked .\r
+\r
+" Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here .\r
+Mrs . St . Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal , and\r
+you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for\r
+my friend and colleague . I hate to meet her , Watson , when I have\r
+no news of her husband . Here we are . Whoa , there , whoa "\r
+\r
+We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its\r
+own grounds . A stable - boy had run out to the horse's head , and\r
+springing down , I followed Holmes up the small , winding\r
+gravel - drive which led to the house . As we approached , the door\r
+flew open , and a little blonde woman stood in the opening , clad\r
+in some sort of light mousseline de soie , with a touch of fluffy\r
+pink chiffon at her neck and wrists . She stood with her figure\r
+outlined against the flood of light , one hand upon the door , one\r
+half - raised in her eagerness , her body slightly bent , her head\r
+and face protruded , with eager eyes and parted lips , a standing\r
+question .\r
+\r
+" Well " she cried , " well " And then , seeing that there were two\r
+of us , she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw\r
+that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders .\r
+\r
+" No good news "\r
+\r
+" None "\r
+\r
+" No bad "\r
+\r
+" No "\r
+\r
+" Thank God for that . But come in . You must be weary , for you have\r
+had a long day "\r
+\r
+" This is my friend , Dr . Watson . He has been of most vital use to\r
+me in several of my cases , and a lucky chance has made it\r
+possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this\r
+investigation "\r
+\r
+" I am delighted to see you " said she , pressing my hand warmly .\r
+" You will , I am sure , forgive anything that may be wanting in our\r
+arrangements , when you consider the blow which has come so\r
+suddenly upon us "\r
+\r
+" My dear madam " said I , " I am an old campaigner , and if I were\r
+not I can very well see that no apology is needed . If I can be of\r
+any assistance , either to you or to my friend here , I shall be\r
+indeed happy "\r
+\r
+" Now , Mr . Sherlock Holmes " said the lady as we entered a\r
+well - lit dining - room , upon the table of which a cold supper had\r
+been laid out , " I should very much like to ask you one or two\r
+plain questions , to which I beg that you will give a plain\r
+answer "\r
+\r
+" Certainly , madam "\r
+\r
+" Do not trouble about my feelings . I am not hysterical , nor given\r
+to fainting . I simply wish to hear your real , real opinion "\r
+\r
+" Upon what point "\r
+\r
+" In your heart of hearts , do you think that Neville is alive "\r
+\r
+Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question .\r
+" Frankly , now " she repeated , standing upon the rug and looking\r
+keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket - chair .\r
+\r
+" Frankly , then , madam , I do not "\r
+\r
+" You think that he is dead "\r
+\r
+" I do "\r
+\r
+" Murdered "\r
+\r
+" I don't say that . Perhaps "\r
+\r
+" And on what day did he meet his death "\r
+\r
+" On Monday "\r
+\r
+" Then perhaps , Mr . Holmes , you will be good enough to explain how\r
+it is that I have received a letter from him to - day "\r
+\r
+Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been\r
+galvanised .\r
+\r
+" What " he roared .\r
+\r
+" Yes , to - day " She stood smiling , holding up a little slip of\r
+paper in the air .\r
+\r
+" May I see it "\r
+\r
+" Certainly "\r
+\r
+He snatched it from her in his eagerness , and smoothing it out\r
+upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently . I\r
+had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder . The\r
+envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend\r
+postmark and with the date of that very day , or rather of the day\r
+before , for it was considerably after midnight .\r
+\r
+" Coarse writing " murmured Holmes . " Surely this is not your\r
+husband's writing , madam "\r
+\r
+" No , but the enclosure is "\r
+\r
+" I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go\r
+and inquire as to the address "\r
+\r
+" How can you tell that "\r
+\r
+" The name , you see , is in perfectly black ink , which has dried\r
+itself . The rest is of the greyish colour , which shows that\r
+blotting - paper has been used . If it had been written straight\r
+off , and then blotted , none would be of a deep black shade . This\r
+man has written the name , and there has then been a pause before\r
+he wrote the address , which can only mean that he was not\r
+familiar with it . It is , of course , a trifle , but there is\r
+nothing so important as trifles . Let us now see the letter . Ha !\r
+there has been an enclosure here "\r
+\r
+" Yes , there was a ring . His signet - ring "\r
+\r
+" And you are sure that this is your husband's hand "\r
+\r
+" One of his hands "\r
+\r
+" One "\r
+\r
+" His hand when he wrote hurriedly . It is very unlike his usual\r
+writing , and yet I know it well "\r
+\r
+ ' Dearest do not be frightened . All will come well . There is a\r
+huge error which it may take some little time to rectify .\r
+Wait in patience -- NEVILLE ' Written in pencil upon the fly - leaf\r
+of a book , octavo size , no water - mark . Hum ! Posted to - day in\r
+Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb . Ha ! And the flap has been\r
+gummed , if I am not very much in error , by a person who had been\r
+chewing tobacco . And you have no doubt that it is your husband's\r
+hand , madam "\r
+\r
+" None . Neville wrote those words "\r
+\r
+" And they were posted to - day at Gravesend . Well , Mrs . St . Clair ,\r
+the clouds lighten , though I should not venture to say that the\r
+danger is over "\r
+\r
+" But he must be alive , Mr . Holmes "\r
+\r
+" Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent .\r
+The ring , after all , proves nothing . It may have been taken from\r
+him "\r
+\r
+" No , no ; it is , it is his very own writing "\r
+\r
+" Very well . It may , however , have been written on Monday and only\r
+posted to - day "\r
+\r
+" That is possible "\r
+\r
+" If so , much may have happened between "\r
+\r
+" Oh , you must not discourage me , Mr . Holmes . I know that all is\r
+well with him . There is so keen a sympathy between us that I\r
+should know if evil came upon him . On the very day that I saw him\r
+last he cut himself in the bedroom , and yet I in the dining - room\r
+rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that\r
+something had happened . Do you think that I would respond to such\r
+a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death "\r
+\r
+" I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman\r
+may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical\r
+reasoner . And in this letter you certainly have a very strong\r
+piece of evidence to corroborate your view . But if your husband\r
+is alive and able to write letters , why should he remain away\r
+from you "\r
+\r
+" I cannot imagine . It is unthinkable "\r
+\r
+" And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you "\r
+\r
+" No "\r
+\r
+" And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane "\r
+\r
+" Very much so "\r
+\r
+" Was the window open "\r
+\r
+" Yes "\r
+\r
+" Then he might have called to you "\r
+\r
+" He might "\r
+\r
+" He only , as I understand , gave an inarticulate cry "\r
+\r
+" Yes "\r
+\r
+" A call for help , you thought "\r
+\r
+" Yes . He waved his hands "\r
+\r
+" But it might have been a cry of surprise . Astonishment at the\r
+unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands "\r
+\r
+" It is possible "\r
+\r
+" And you thought he was pulled back "\r
+\r
+" He disappeared so suddenly "\r
+\r
+" He might have leaped back . You did not see anyone else in the\r
+room "\r
+\r
+" No , but this horrible man confessed to having been there , and\r
+the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs "\r
+\r
+" Quite so . Your husband , as far as you could see , had his\r
+ordinary clothes on "\r
+\r
+" But without his collar or tie . I distinctly saw his bare\r
+throat "\r
+\r
+" Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane "\r
+\r
+" Never "\r
+\r
+" Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium "\r
+\r
+" Never "\r
+\r
+" Thank you , Mrs . St . Clair . Those are the principal points about\r
+which I wished to be absolutely clear . We shall now have a little\r
+supper and then retire , for we may have a very busy day\r
+to - morrow "\r
+\r
+A large and comfortable double - bedded room had been placed at our\r
+disposal , and I was quickly between the sheets , for I was weary\r
+after my night of adventure . Sherlock Holmes was a man , however ,\r
+who , when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind , would go for\r
+days , and even for a week , without rest , turning it over ,\r
+rearranging his facts , looking at it from every point of view\r
+until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his\r
+data were insufficient . It was soon evident to me that he was now\r
+preparing for an all - night sitting . He took off his coat and\r
+waistcoat , put on a large blue dressing - gown , and then wandered\r
+about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from\r
+the sofa and armchairs . With these he constructed a sort of\r
+Eastern divan , upon which he perched himself cross - legged , with\r
+an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front\r
+of him . In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there , an\r
+old briar pipe between his lips , his eyes fixed vacantly upon the\r
+corner of the ceiling , the blue smoke curling up from him ,\r
+silent , motionless , with the light shining upon his strong - set\r
+aquiline features . So he sat as I dropped off to sleep , and so he\r
+sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up , and I found\r
+the summer sun shining into the apartment . The pipe was still\r
+between his lips , the smoke still curled upward , and the room was\r
+full of a dense tobacco haze , but nothing remained of the heap of\r
+shag which I had seen upon the previous night .\r
+\r
+" Awake , Watson " he asked .\r
+\r
+" Yes "\r
+\r
+" Game for a morning drive "\r
+\r
+" Certainly "\r
+\r
+" Then dress . No one is stirring yet , but I know where the\r
+stable - boy sleeps , and we shall soon have the trap out " He\r
+chuckled to himself as he spoke , his eyes twinkled , and he seemed\r
+a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night .\r
+\r
+As I dressed I glanced at my watch . It was no wonder that no one\r
+was stirring . It was twenty - five minutes past four . I had hardly\r
+finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was\r
+putting in the horse .\r
+\r
+" I want to test a little theory of mine " said he , pulling on his\r
+boots . " I think , Watson , that you are now standing in the\r
+presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe . I deserve\r
+to be kicked from here to Charing Cross . But I think I have the\r
+key of the affair now "\r
+\r
+" And where is it " I asked , smiling .\r
+\r
+" In the bathroom " he answered . " Oh , yes , I am not joking " he\r
+continued , seeing my look of incredulity . " I have just been\r
+there , and I have taken it out , and I have got it in this\r
+Gladstone bag . Come on , my boy , and we shall see whether it will\r
+not fit the lock "\r
+\r
+We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible , and out into\r
+the bright morning sunshine . In the road stood our horse and\r
+trap , with the half - clad stable - boy waiting at the head . We both\r
+sprang in , and away we dashed down the London Road . A few country\r
+carts were stirring , bearing in vegetables to the metropolis , but\r
+the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as\r
+some city in a dream .\r
+\r
+" It has been in some points a singular case " said Holmes ,\r
+flicking the horse on into a gallop . " I confess that I have been\r
+as blind as a mole , but it is better to learn wisdom late than\r
+never to learn it at all "\r
+\r
+In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily\r
+from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey\r
+side . Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the\r
+river , and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the\r
+right and found ourselves in Bow Street . Sherlock Holmes was well\r
+known to the force , and the two constables at the door saluted\r
+him . One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in .\r
+\r
+" Who is on duty " asked Holmes .\r
+\r
+" Inspector Bradstreet , sir "\r
+\r
+" Ah , Bradstreet , how are you " A tall , stout official had come\r
+down the stone - flagged passage , in a peaked cap and frogged\r
+jacket . " I wish to have a quiet word with you , Bradstreet "\r
+" Certainly , Mr . Holmes . Step into my room here " It was a small ,\r
+office - like room , with a huge ledger upon the table , and a\r
+telephone projecting from the wall . The inspector sat down at his\r
+desk .\r
+\r
+" What can I do for you , Mr . Holmes "\r
+\r
+" I called about that beggarman , Boone - the one who was charged\r
+with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr . Neville St .\r
+Clair , of Lee "\r
+\r
+" Yes . He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries "\r
+\r
+" So I heard . You have him here "\r
+\r
+" In the cells "\r
+\r
+" Is he quiet "\r
+\r
+" Oh , he gives no trouble . But he is a dirty scoundrel "\r
+\r
+" Dirty "\r
+\r
+" Yes , it is all we can do to make him wash his hands , and his\r
+face is as black as a tinker's . Well , when once his case has been\r
+settled , he will have a regular prison bath ; and I think , if you\r
+saw him , you would agree with me that he needed it "\r
+\r
+" I should like to see him very much "\r
+\r
+" Would you ? That is easily done . Come this way . You can leave\r
+your bag "\r
+\r
+" No , I think that I ' ll take it "\r
+\r
+" Very good . Come this way , if you please " He led us down a\r
+passage , opened a barred door , passed down a winding stair , and\r
+brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each\r
+side .\r
+\r
+" The third on the right is his " said the inspector . " Here it\r
+is " He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door\r
+and glanced through .\r
+\r
+" He is asleep " said he . " You can see him very well "\r
+\r
+We both put our eyes to the grating . The prisoner lay with his\r
+face towards us , in a very deep sleep , breathing slowly and\r
+heavily . He was a middle - sized man , coarsely clad as became his\r
+calling , with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his\r
+tattered coat . He was , as the inspector had said , extremely\r
+dirty , but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its\r
+repulsive ugliness . A broad wheal from an old scar ran right\r
+across it from eye to chin , and by its contraction had turned up\r
+one side of the upper lip , so that three teeth were exposed in a\r
+perpetual snarl . A shock of very bright red hair grew low over\r
+his eyes and forehead .\r
+\r
+" He's a beauty , isn't he " said the inspector .\r
+\r
+" He certainly needs a wash " remarked Holmes . " I had an idea that\r
+he might , and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me "\r
+He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke , and took out , to my\r
+astonishment , a very large bath - sponge .\r
+\r
+" He ! he ! You are a funny one " chuckled the inspector .\r
+\r
+" Now , if you will have the great goodness to open that door very\r
+quietly , we will soon make him cut a much more respectable\r
+figure "\r
+\r
+" Well , I don't know why not " said the inspector . " He doesn ' t\r
+look a credit to the Bow Street cells , does he " He slipped his\r
+key into the lock , and we all very quietly entered the cell . The\r
+sleeper half turned , and then settled down once more into a deep\r
+slumber . Holmes stooped to the water - jug , moistened his sponge ,\r
+and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the\r
+prisoner's face .\r
+\r
+" Let me introduce you " he shouted , " to Mr . Neville St . Clair , of\r
+Lee , in the county of Kent "\r
+\r
+Never in my life have I seen such a sight . The man's face peeled\r
+off under the sponge like the bark from a tree . Gone was the\r
+coarse brown tint ! Gone , too , was the horrid scar which had\r
+seamed it across , and the twisted lip which had given the\r
+repulsive sneer to the face ! A twitch brought away the tangled\r
+red hair , and there , sitting up in his bed , was a pale ,\r
+sad - faced , refined - looking man , black - haired and smooth - skinned ,\r
+rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment .\r
+Then suddenly realising the exposure , he broke into a scream and\r
+threw himself down with his face to the pillow .\r
+\r
+" Great heavens " cried the inspector , " it is , indeed , the missing\r
+man . I know him from the photograph "\r
+\r
+The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons\r
+himself to his destiny . " Be it so " said he . " And pray what am I\r
+charged with "\r
+\r
+" With making away with Mr . Neville St -- Oh , come , you can't be\r
+charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of\r
+it " said the inspector with a grin . " Well , I have been\r
+twenty - seven years in the force , but this really takes the cake "\r
+\r
+" If I am Mr . Neville St . Clair , then it is obvious that no crime\r
+has been committed , and that , therefore , I am illegally\r
+detained "\r
+\r
+" No crime , but a very great error has been committed " said\r
+Holmes . " You would have done better to have trusted your wife "\r
+\r
+" It was not the wife ; it was the children " groaned the prisoner .\r
+" God help me , I would not have them ashamed of their father . My\r
+God ! What an exposure ! What can I do "\r
+\r
+Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him\r
+kindly on the shoulder .\r
+\r
+" If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up " said\r
+he , " of course you can hardly avoid publicity . On the other hand ,\r
+if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible\r
+case against you , I do not know that there is any reason that the\r
+details should find their way into the papers . Inspector\r
+Bradstreet would , I am sure , make notes upon anything which you\r
+might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities . The case\r
+would then never go into court at all "\r
+\r
+" God bless you " cried the prisoner passionately . " I would have\r
+endured imprisonment , ay , even execution , rather than have left\r
+my miserable secret as a family blot to my children .\r
+\r
+" You are the first who have ever heard my story . My father was a\r
+schoolmaster in Chesterfield , where I received an excellent\r
+education . I travelled in my youth , took to the stage , and\r
+finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London . One day\r
+my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the\r
+metropolis , and I volunteered to supply them . There was the point\r
+from which all my adventures started . It was only by trying\r
+begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to\r
+base my articles . When an actor I had , of course , learned all the\r
+secrets of making up , and had been famous in the green - room for\r
+my skill . I took advantage now of my attainments . I painted my\r
+face , and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good\r
+scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a\r
+small slip of flesh - coloured plaster . Then with a red head of\r
+hair , and an appropriate dress , I took my station in the business\r
+part of the city , ostensibly as a match - seller but really as a\r
+beggar . For seven hours I plied my trade , and when I returned\r
+home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no\r
+less than 26s . 4d .\r
+\r
+" I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until ,\r
+some time later , I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ\r
+served upon me for 25 pounds . I was at my wit's end where to get\r
+the money , but a sudden idea came to me . I begged a fortnight's\r
+grace from the creditor , asked for a holiday from my employers ,\r
+and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise . In\r
+ten days I had the money and had paid the debt .\r
+\r
+" Well , you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous\r
+work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in\r
+a day by smearing my face with a little paint , laying my cap on\r
+the ground , and sitting still . It was a long fight between my\r
+pride and the money , but the dollars won at last , and I threw up\r
+reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first\r
+chosen , inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets\r
+with coppers . Only one man knew my secret . He was the keeper of a\r
+low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane , where I could\r
+every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings\r
+transform myself into a well - dressed man about town . This fellow ,\r
+a Lascar , was well paid by me for his rooms , so that I knew that\r
+my secret was safe in his possession .\r
+\r
+" Well , very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of\r
+money . I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London\r
+could earn 700 pounds a year - which is less than my average\r
+takings - but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making\r
+up , and also in a facility of repartee , which improved by\r
+practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City .\r
+All day a stream of pennies , varied by silver , poured in upon me ,\r
+and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds .\r
+\r
+" As I grew richer I grew more ambitious , took a house in the\r
+country , and eventually married , without anyone having a\r
+suspicion as to my real occupation . My dear wife knew that I had\r
+business in the City . She little knew what .\r
+\r
+" Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my\r
+room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw ,\r
+to my horror and astonishment , that my wife was standing in the\r
+street , with her eyes fixed full upon me . I gave a cry of\r
+surprise , threw up my arms to cover my face , and , rushing to my\r
+confidant , the Lascar , entreated him to prevent anyone from\r
+coming up to me . I heard her voice downstairs , but I knew that\r
+she could not ascend . Swiftly I threw off my clothes , pulled on\r
+those of a beggar , and put on my pigments and wig . Even a wife's\r
+eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise . But then it\r
+occurred to me that there might be a search in the room , and that\r
+the clothes might betray me . I threw open the window , reopening\r
+by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in\r
+the bedroom that morning . Then I seized my coat , which was\r
+weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from\r
+the leather bag in which I carried my takings . I hurled it out of\r
+the window , and it disappeared into the Thames . The other clothes\r
+would have followed , but at that moment there was a rush of\r
+constables up the stair , and a few minutes after I found , rather ,\r
+I confess , to my relief , that instead of being identified as Mr .\r
+Neville St . Clair , I was arrested as his murderer .\r
+\r
+" I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain . I\r
+was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible , and\r
+hence my preference for a dirty face . Knowing that my wife would\r
+be terribly anxious , I slipped off my ring and confided it to the\r
+Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me , together\r
+with a hurried scrawl , telling her that she had no cause to\r
+fear "\r
+\r
+" That note only reached her yesterday " said Holmes .\r
+\r
+" Good God ! What a week she must have spent "\r
+\r
+" The police have watched this Lascar " said Inspector Bradstreet ,\r
+" and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to\r
+post a letter unobserved . Probably he handed it to some sailor\r
+customer of his , who forgot all about it for some days "\r
+\r
+" That was it " said Holmes , nodding approvingly ; " I have no doubt\r
+of it . But have you never been prosecuted for begging "\r
+\r
+" Many times ; but what was a fine to me "\r
+\r
+" It must stop here , however " said Bradstreet . " If the police are\r
+to hush this thing up , there must be no more of Hugh Boone "\r
+\r
+" I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take "\r
+\r
+" In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps\r
+may be taken . But if you are found again , then all must come out .\r
+I am sure , Mr . Holmes , that we are very much indebted to you for\r
+having cleared the matter up . I wish I knew how you reach your\r
+results "\r
+\r
+" I reached this one " said my friend , " by sitting upon five\r
+pillows and consuming an ounce of shag . I think , Watson , that if\r
+we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast "\r
+\r
+\r
+\r
+VII . THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE\r
+\r
+I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second\r
+morning after Christmas , with the intention of wishing him the\r
+compliments of the season . He was lounging upon the sofa in a\r
+purple dressing - gown , a pipe - rack within his reach upon the\r
+right , and a pile of crumpled morning papers , evidently newly\r
+studied , near at hand . Beside the couch was a wooden chair , and\r
+on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable\r
+hard - felt hat , much the worse for wear , and cracked in several\r
+places . A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair\r
+suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the\r
+purpose of examination .\r
+\r
+" You are engaged " said I ; " perhaps I interrupt you "\r
+\r
+" Not at all . I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss\r
+my results . The matter is a perfectly trivial one -- he jerked his\r
+thumb in the direction of the old hat -" but there are points in\r
+connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and\r
+even of instruction "\r
+\r
+I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his\r
+crackling fire , for a sharp frost had set in , and the windows\r
+were thick with the ice crystals . " I suppose " I remarked , " that ,\r
+homely as it looks , this thing has some deadly story linked on to\r
+it - that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of\r
+some mystery and the punishment of some crime "\r
+\r
+" No , no . No crime " said Sherlock Holmes , laughing . " Only one of\r
+those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have\r
+four million human beings all jostling each other within the\r
+space of a few square miles . Amid the action and reaction of so\r
+dense a swarm of humanity , every possible combination of events\r
+may be expected to take place , and many a little problem will be\r
+presented which may be striking and bizarre without being\r
+criminal . We have already had experience of such "\r
+\r
+" So much so " I remarked , " that of the last six cases which I\r
+have added to my notes , three have been entirely free of any\r
+legal crime "\r
+\r
+" Precisely . You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler\r
+papers , to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland , and to the\r
+adventure of the man with the twisted lip . Well , I have no doubt\r
+that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category .\r
+You know Peterson , the commissionaire "\r
+\r
+" Yes "\r
+\r
+" It is to him that this trophy belongs "\r
+\r
+" It is his hat "\r
+\r
+" No , no , he found it . Its owner is unknown . I beg that you will\r
+look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual\r
+problem . And , first , as to how it came here . It arrived upon\r
+Christmas morning , in company with a good fat goose , which is , I\r
+have no doubt , roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's\r
+fire . The facts are these : about four o'clock on Christmas\r
+morning , Peterson , who , as you know , is a very honest fellow , was\r
+returning from some small jollification and was making his way\r
+homeward down Tottenham Court Road . In front of him he saw , in\r
+the gaslight , a tallish man , walking with a slight stagger , and\r
+carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder . As he reached the\r
+corner of Goodge Street , a row broke out between this stranger\r
+and a little knot of roughs . One of the latter knocked off the\r
+man's hat , on which he raised his stick to defend himself and ,\r
+swinging it over his head , smashed the shop window behind him .\r
+Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his\r
+assailants ; but the man , shocked at having broken the window , and\r
+seeing an official - looking person in uniform rushing towards him ,\r
+dropped his goose , took to his heels , and vanished amid the\r
+labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham\r
+Court Road . The roughs had also fled at the appearance of\r
+Peterson , so that he was left in possession of the field of\r
+battle , and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this\r
+battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose "\r
+\r
+" Which surely he restored to their owner "\r
+\r
+" My dear fellow , there lies the problem . It is true that ' For\r
+Mrs . Henry Baker ' was printed upon a small card which was tied to\r
+the bird's left leg , and it is also true that the initials ' H .\r
+B ' are legible upon the lining of this hat , but as there are\r
+some thousands of Bakers , and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in\r
+this city of ours , it is not easy to restore lost property to any\r
+one of them "\r
+\r
+" What , then , did Peterson do "\r
+\r
+" He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning ,\r
+knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me .\r
+The goose we retained until this morning , when there were signs\r
+that , in spite of the slight frost , it would be well that it\r
+should be eaten without unnecessary delay . Its finder has carried\r
+it off , therefore , to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose ,\r
+while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who\r
+lost his Christmas dinner "\r
+\r
+" Did he not advertise "\r
+\r
+" No "\r
+\r
+" Then , what clue could you have as to his identity "\r
+\r
+" Only as much as we can deduce "\r
+\r
+" From his hat "\r
+\r
+" Precisely "\r
+\r
+" But you are joking . What can you gather from this old battered\r
+felt "\r
+\r
+" Here is my lens . You know my methods . What can you gather\r
+yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this\r
+article "\r
+\r
+I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather\r
+ruefully . It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round\r
+shape , hard and much the worse for wear . The lining had been of\r
+red silk , but was a good deal discoloured . There was no maker's\r
+name ; but , as Holmes had remarked , the initials " H . B " were\r
+scrawled upon one side . It was pierced in the brim for a\r
+hat - securer , but the elastic was missing . For the rest , it was\r
+cracked , exceedingly dusty , and spotted in several places ,\r
+although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the\r
+discoloured patches by smearing them with ink .\r
+\r
+" I can see nothing " said I , handing it back to my friend .\r
+\r
+" On the contrary , Watson , you can see everything . You fail ,\r
+however , to reason from what you see . You are too timid in\r
+drawing your inferences "\r
+\r
+" Then , pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat "\r
+\r
+He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective\r
+fashion which was characteristic of him . " It is perhaps less\r
+suggestive than it might have been " he remarked , " and yet there\r
+are a few inferences which are very distinct , and a few others\r
+which represent at least a strong balance of probability . That\r
+the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the\r
+face of it , and also that he was fairly well - to - do within the\r
+last three years , although he has now fallen upon evil days . He\r
+had foresight , but has less now than formerly , pointing to a\r
+moral retrogression , which , when taken with the decline of his\r
+fortunes , seems to indicate some evil influence , probably drink ,\r
+at work upon him . This may account also for the obvious fact that\r
+his wife has ceased to love him "\r
+\r
+" My dear Holmes "\r
+\r
+" He has , however , retained some degree of self - respect " he\r
+continued , disregarding my remonstrance . " He is a man who leads a\r
+sedentary life , goes out little , is out of training entirely , is\r
+middle - aged , has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the\r
+last few days , and which he anoints with lime - cream . These are\r
+the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat . Also ,\r
+by the way , that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid\r
+on in his house "\r
+\r
+" You are certainly joking , Holmes "\r
+\r
+" Not in the least . Is it possible that even now , when I give you\r
+these results , you are unable to see how they are attained "\r
+\r
+" I have no doubt that I am very stupid , but I must confess that I\r
+am unable to follow you . For example , how did you deduce that\r
+this man was intellectual "\r
+\r
+For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head . It came right\r
+over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose . " It is\r
+a question of cubic capacity " said he ; " a man with so large a\r
+brain must have something in it "\r
+\r
+" The decline of his fortunes , then "\r
+\r
+" This hat is three years old . These flat brims curled at the edge\r
+came in then . It is a hat of the very best quality . Look at the\r
+band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining . If this man could\r
+afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago , and has had no\r
+hat since , then he has assuredly gone down in the world "\r
+\r
+" Well , that is clear enough , certainly . But how about the\r
+foresight and the moral retrogression "\r
+\r
+Sherlock Holmes laughed . " Here is the foresight " said he putting\r
+his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat - securer .\r
+" They are never sold upon hats . If this man ordered one , it is a\r
+sign of a certain amount of foresight , since he went out of his\r
+way to take this precaution against the wind . But since we see\r
+that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace\r
+it , it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly ,\r
+which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature . On the other\r
+hand , he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the\r
+felt by daubing them with ink , which is a sign that he has not\r
+entirely lost his self - respect "\r
+\r
+" Your reasoning is certainly plausible "\r
+\r
+" The further points , that he is middle - aged , that his hair is\r
+grizzled , that it has been recently cut , and that he uses\r
+lime - cream , are all to be gathered from a close examination of the\r
+lower part of the lining . The lens discloses a large number of\r
+hair - ends , clean cut by the scissors of the barber . They all\r
+appear to be adhesive , and there is a distinct odour of\r
+lime - cream . This dust , you will observe , is not the gritty , grey\r
+dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house ,\r
+showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time , while\r
+the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the\r
+wearer perspired very freely , and could therefore , hardly be in\r
+the best of training "\r
+\r
+" But his wife - you said that she had ceased to love him "\r
+\r
+" This hat has not been brushed for weeks . When I see you , my dear\r
+Watson , with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat , and\r
+when your wife allows you to go out in such a state , I shall fear\r
+that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's\r
+affection "\r
+\r
+" But he might be a bachelor "\r
+\r
+" Nay , he was bringing home the goose as a peace - offering to his\r
+wife . Remember the card upon the bird's leg "\r
+\r
+" You have an answer to everything . But how on earth do you deduce\r
+that the gas is not laid on in his house "\r
+\r
+" One tallow stain , or even two , might come by chance ; but when I\r
+see no less than five , I think that there can be little doubt\r
+that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with\r
+burning tallow - walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in\r
+one hand and a guttering candle in the other . Anyhow , he never\r
+got tallow - stains from a gas - jet . Are you satisfied "\r
+\r
+" Well , it is very ingenious " said I , laughing ; " but since , as\r
+you said just now , there has been no crime committed , and no harm\r
+done save the loss of a goose , all this seems to be rather a\r
+waste of energy "\r
+\r
+Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply , when the door flew\r
+open , and Peterson , the commissionaire , rushed into the apartment\r
+with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with\r
+astonishment .\r
+\r
+" The goose , Mr . Holmes ! The goose , sir " he gasped .\r
+\r
+" Eh ? What of it , then ? Has it returned to life and flapped off\r
+through the kitchen window " Holmes twisted himself round upon\r
+the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face .\r
+\r
+" See here , sir ! See what my wife found in its crop " He held out\r
+his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly\r
+scintillating blue stone , rather smaller than a bean in size , but\r
+of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric\r
+point in the dark hollow of his hand .\r
+\r
+Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle . " By Jove , Peterson " said\r
+he , " this is treasure trove indeed . I suppose you know what you\r
+have got "\r
+\r
+" A diamond , sir ? A precious stone . It cuts into glass as though\r
+it were putty "\r
+\r
+" It's more than a precious stone . It is the precious stone "\r
+\r
+" Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle " I ejaculated .\r
+\r
+" Precisely so . I ought to know its size and shape , seeing that I\r
+have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day\r
+lately . It is absolutely unique , and its value can only be\r
+conjectured , but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly\r
+not within a twentieth part of the market price "\r
+\r
+" A thousand pounds ! Great Lord of mercy " The commissionaire\r
+plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us .\r
+\r
+" That is the reward , and I have reason to know that there are\r
+sentimental considerations in the background which would induce\r
+the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but\r
+recover the gem "\r
+\r
+" It was lost , if I remember aright , at the Hotel Cosmopolitan " I\r
+remarked .\r
+\r
+" Precisely so , on December 22nd , just five days ago . John Horner ,\r
+a plumber , was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's\r
+jewel - case . The evidence against him was so strong that the case\r
+has been referred to the Assizes . I have some account of the\r
+matter here , I believe " He rummaged amid his newspapers ,\r
+glancing over the dates , until at last he smoothed one out ,\r
+doubled it over , and read the following paragraph :\r
+\r
+" Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery . John Horner , 26 , plumber , was\r
+brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst ,\r
+abstracted from the jewel - case of the Countess of Morcar the\r
+valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle . James Ryder ,\r
+upper - attendant at the hotel , gave his evidence to the effect\r
+that he had shown Horner up to the dressing - room of the Countess\r
+of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might\r
+solder the second bar of the grate , which was loose . He had\r
+remained with Horner some little time , but had finally been\r
+called away . On returning , he found that Horner had disappeared ,\r
+that the bureau had been forced open , and that the small morocco\r
+casket in which , as it afterwards transpired , the Countess was\r
+accustomed to keep her jewel , was lying empty upon the\r
+dressing - table . Ryder instantly gave the alarm , and Horner was\r
+arrested the same evening ; but the stone could not be found\r
+either upon his person or in his rooms . Catherine Cusack , maid to\r
+the Countess , deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on\r
+discovering the robbery , and to having rushed into the room ,\r
+where she found matters as described by the last witness .\r
+Inspector Bradstreet , B division , gave evidence as to the arrest\r
+of Horner , who struggled frantically , and protested his innocence\r
+in the strongest terms . Evidence of a previous conviction for\r
+robbery having been given against the prisoner , the magistrate\r
+refused to deal summarily with the offence , but referred it to\r
+the Assizes . Horner , who had shown signs of intense emotion\r
+during the proceedings , fainted away at the conclusion and was\r
+carried out of court "\r
+\r
+" Hum ! So much for the police - court " said Holmes thoughtfully ,\r
+tossing aside the paper . " The question for us now to solve is the\r
+sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel - case at one end to\r
+the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other . You\r
+see , Watson , our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much\r
+more important and less innocent aspect . Here is the stone ; the\r
+stone came from the goose , and the goose came from Mr . Henry\r
+Baker , the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other\r
+characteristics with which I have bored you . So now we must set\r
+ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and\r
+ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery . To\r
+do this , we must try the simplest means first , and these lie\r
+undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers . If\r
+this fail , I shall have recourse to other methods "\r
+\r
+" What will you say "\r
+\r
+" Give me a pencil and that slip of paper . Now , then : ' Found at\r
+the corner of Goodge Street , a goose and a black felt hat . Mr .\r
+Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6 : 30 this evening at\r
+221B , Baker Street ' That is clear and concise "\r
+\r
+" Very . But will he see it "\r
+\r
+" Well , he is sure to keep an eye on the papers , since , to a poor\r
+man , the loss was a heavy one . He was clearly so scared by his\r
+mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson\r
+that he thought of nothing but flight , but since then he must\r
+have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his\r
+bird . Then , again , the introduction of his name will cause him to\r
+see it , for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to\r
+it . Here you are , Peterson , run down to the advertising agency\r
+and have this put in the evening papers "\r
+\r
+" In which , sir "\r
+\r
+" Oh , in the Globe , Star , Pall Mall , St . James's , Evening News ,\r
+Standard , Echo , and any others that occur to you "\r
+\r
+" Very well , sir . And this stone "\r
+\r
+" Ah , yes , I shall keep the stone . Thank you . And , I say ,\r
+Peterson , just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here\r
+with me , for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place\r
+of the one which your family is now devouring "\r
+\r
+When the commissionaire had gone , Holmes took up the stone and\r
+held it against the light . " It's a bonny thing " said he . " Just\r
+see how it glints and sparkles . Of course it is a nucleus and\r
+focus of crime . Every good stone is . They are the devil's pet\r
+baits . In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a\r
+bloody deed . This stone is not yet twenty years old . It was found\r
+in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable\r
+in having every characteristic of the carbuncle , save that it is\r
+blue in shade instead of ruby red . In spite of its youth , it has\r
+already a sinister history . There have been two murders , a\r
+vitriol - throwing , a suicide , and several robberies brought about\r
+for the sake of this forty - grain weight of crystallised charcoal .\r
+Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the\r
+gallows and the prison ? I ' ll lock it up in my strong box now and\r
+drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it "\r
+\r
+" Do you think that this man Horner is innocent "\r
+\r
+" I cannot tell "\r
+\r
+" Well , then , do you imagine that this other one , Henry Baker , had\r
+anything to do with the matter "\r
+\r
+" It is , I think , much more likely that Henry Baker is an\r
+absolutely innocent man , who had no idea that the bird which he\r
+was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made\r
+of solid gold . That , however , I shall determine by a very simple\r
+test if we have an answer to our advertisement "\r
+\r
+" And you can do nothing until then "\r
+\r
+" Nothing "\r
+\r
+" In that case I shall continue my professional round . But I shall\r
+come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned , for I\r
+should like to see the solution of so tangled a business "\r
+\r
+" Very glad to see you . I dine at seven . There is a woodcock , I\r
+believe . By the way , in view of recent occurrences , perhaps I\r
+ought to ask Mrs . Hudson to examine its crop "\r
+\r
+I had been delayed at a case , and it was a little after half - past\r
+six when I found myself in Baker Street once more . As I\r
+approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a\r
+coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the\r
+bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight . Just as I\r
+arrived the door was opened , and we were shown up together to\r
+Holmes ' room .\r
+\r
+" Mr . Henry Baker , I believe " said he , rising from his armchair\r
+and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he\r
+could so readily assume . " Pray take this chair by the fire , Mr .\r
+Baker . It is a cold night , and I observe that your circulation is\r
+more adapted for summer than for winter . Ah , Watson , you have\r
+just come at the right time . Is that your hat , Mr . Baker "\r
+\r
+" Yes , sir , that is undoubtedly my hat "\r
+\r
+He was a large man with rounded shoulders , a massive head , and a\r
+broad , intelligent face , sloping down to a pointed beard of\r
+grizzled brown . A touch of red in nose and cheeks , with a slight\r
+tremor of his extended hand , recalled Holmes ' surmise as to his\r
+habits . His rusty black frock - coat was buttoned right up in\r
+front , with the collar turned up , and his lank wrists protruded\r
+from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt . He spoke in a\r
+slow staccato fashion , choosing his words with care , and gave the\r
+impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had\r
+ill - usage at the hands of fortune .\r
+\r
+" We have retained these things for some days " said Holmes ,\r
+" because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your\r
+address . I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise "\r
+\r
+Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh . " Shillings have not\r
+been so plentiful with me as they once were " he remarked . " I had\r
+no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off\r
+both my hat and the bird . I did not care to spend more money in a\r
+hopeless attempt at recovering them "\r
+\r
+" Very naturally . By the way , about the bird , we were compelled to\r
+eat it "\r
+\r
+" To eat it " Our visitor half rose from his chair in his\r
+excitement .\r
+\r
+" Yes , it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so .\r
+But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard , which is\r
+about the same weight and perfectly fresh , will answer your\r
+purpose equally well "\r
+\r
+" Oh , certainly , certainly " answered Mr . Baker with a sigh of\r
+relief .\r
+\r
+" Of course , we still have the feathers , legs , crop , and so on of\r
+your own bird , so if you wish -"\r
+\r
+The man burst into a hearty laugh . " They might be useful to me as\r
+relics of my adventure " said he , " but beyond that I can hardly\r
+see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are\r
+going to be to me . No , sir , I think that , with your permission , I\r
+will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive\r
+upon the sideboard "\r
+\r
+Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug\r
+of his shoulders .\r
+\r
+" There is your hat , then , and there your bird " said he . " By the\r
+way , would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one\r
+from ? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier , and I have seldom seen a\r
+better grown goose "\r
+\r
+" Certainly , sir " said Baker , who had risen and tucked his newly\r
+gained property under his arm . " There are a few of us who\r
+frequent the Alpha Inn , near the Museum - we are to be found in\r
+the Museum itself during the day , you understand . This year our\r
+good host , Windigate by name , instituted a goose club , by which ,\r
+on consideration of some few pence every week , we were each to\r
+receive a bird at Christmas . My pence were duly paid , and the\r
+rest is familiar to you . I am much indebted to you , sir , for a\r
+Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity " With\r
+a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and\r
+strode off upon his way .\r
+\r
+" So much for Mr . Henry Baker " said Holmes when he had closed the\r
+door behind him . " It is quite certain that he knows nothing\r
+whatever about the matter . Are you hungry , Watson "\r
+\r
+" Not particularly "\r
+\r
+" Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow\r
+up this clue while it is still hot "\r
+\r
+" By all means "\r
+\r
+It was a bitter night , so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped\r
+cravats about our throats . Outside , the stars were shining coldly\r
+in a cloudless sky , and the breath of the passers - by blew out\r
+into smoke like so many pistol shots . Our footfalls rang out\r
+crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors ' quarter ,\r
+Wimpole Street , Harley Street , and so through Wigmore Street into\r
+Oxford Street . In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at\r
+the Alpha Inn , which is a small public - house at the corner of one\r
+of the streets which runs down into Holborn . Holmes pushed open\r
+the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from\r
+the ruddy - faced , white - aproned landlord .\r
+\r
+" Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese "\r
+said he .\r
+\r
+" My geese " The man seemed surprised .\r
+\r
+" Yes . I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr . Henry Baker ,\r
+who was a member of your goose club "\r
+\r
+" Ah ! yes , I see . But you see , sir , them's not our geese "\r
+\r
+" Indeed ! Whose , then "\r
+\r
+" Well , I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden "\r
+\r
+" Indeed ? I know some of them . Which was it "\r
+\r
+" Breckinridge is his name "\r
+\r
+" Ah ! I don't know him . Well , here's your good health landlord ,\r
+and prosperity to your house . Good - night "\r
+\r
+" Now for Mr . Breckinridge " he continued , buttoning up his coat\r
+as we came out into the frosty air . " Remember , Watson that though\r
+we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain , we\r
+have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years ' penal\r
+servitude unless we can establish his innocence . It is possible\r
+that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt ; but , in any case , we\r
+have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police ,\r
+and which a singular chance has placed in our hands . Let us\r
+follow it out to the bitter end . Faces to the south , then , and\r
+quick march "\r
+\r
+We passed across Holborn , down Endell Street , and so through a\r
+zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market . One of the largest\r
+stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it , and the proprietor\r
+a horsey - looking man , with a sharp face and trim side - whiskers was\r
+helping a boy to put up the shutters .\r
+\r
+" Good - evening . It's a cold night " said Holmes .\r
+\r
+The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my\r
+companion .\r
+\r
+" Sold out of geese , I see " continued Holmes , pointing at the\r
+bare slabs of marble .\r
+\r
+" Let you have five hundred to - morrow morning "\r
+\r
+" That's no good "\r
+\r
+" Well , there are some on the stall with the gas - flare "\r
+\r
+" Ah , but I was recommended to you "\r
+\r
+" Who by "\r
+\r
+" The landlord of the Alpha "\r
+\r
+" Oh , yes ; I sent him a couple of dozen "\r
+\r
+" Fine birds they were , too . Now where did you get them from "\r
+\r
+To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the\r
+salesman .\r
+\r
+" Now , then , mister " said he , with his head cocked and his arms\r
+akimbo , " what are you driving at ? Let's have it straight , now "\r
+\r
+" It is straight enough . I should like to know who sold you the\r
+geese which you supplied to the Alpha "\r
+\r
+" Well then , I shan't tell you . So now "\r
+\r
+" Oh , it is a matter of no importance ; but I don't know why you\r
+should be so warm over such a trifle "\r
+\r
+" Warm ! You ' d be as warm , maybe , if you were as pestered as I am .\r
+When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end\r
+of the business ; but it's ' Where are the geese ' and ' Who did you\r
+sell the geese to ' and ' What will you take for the geese ' One\r
+would think they were the only geese in the world , to hear the\r
+fuss that is made over them "\r
+\r
+" Well , I have no connection with any other people who have been\r
+making inquiries " said Holmes carelessly . " If you won't tell us\r
+the bet is off , that is all . But I ' m always ready to back my\r
+opinion on a matter of fowls , and I have a fiver on it that the\r
+bird I ate is country bred "\r
+\r
+" Well , then , you ' ve lost your fiver , for it's town bred " snapped\r
+the salesman .\r
+\r
+" It's nothing of the kind "\r
+\r
+" I say it is "\r
+\r
+" I don't believe it "\r
+\r
+" D ' you think you know more about fowls than I , who have handled\r
+them ever since I was a nipper ? I tell you , all those birds that\r
+went to the Alpha were town bred "\r
+\r
+" You ' ll never persuade me to believe that "\r
+\r
+" Will you bet , then "\r
+\r
+" It's merely taking your money , for I know that I am right . But\r
+I ' ll have a sovereign on with you , just to teach you not to be\r
+obstinate "\r
+\r
+The salesman chuckled grimly . " Bring me the books , Bill " said\r
+he .\r
+\r
+The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great\r
+greasy - backed one , laying them out together beneath the hanging\r
+lamp .\r
+\r
+" Now then , Mr . Cocksure " said the salesman , " I thought that I\r
+was out of geese , but before I finish you ' ll find that there is\r
+still one left in my shop . You see this little book "\r
+\r
+" Well "\r
+\r
+" That's the list of the folk from whom I buy . D ' you see ? Well ,\r
+then , here on this page are the country folk , and the numbers\r
+after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger .\r
+Now , then ! You see this other page in red ink ? Well , that is a\r
+list of my town suppliers . Now , look at that third name . Just\r
+read it out to me "\r
+\r
+" Mrs . Oakshott , 117 , Brixton Road - 249 " read Holmes .\r
+\r
+" Quite so . Now turn that up in the ledger "\r
+\r
+Holmes turned to the page indicated . " Here you are , ' Mrs .\r
+Oakshott , 117 , Brixton Road , egg and poultry supplier '"\r
+\r
+" Now , then , what's the last entry "\r
+\r
+ ' December 22nd . Twenty - four geese at 7s . 6d '"\r
+\r
+" Quite so . There you are . And underneath "\r
+\r
+ ' Sold to Mr . Windigate of the Alpha , at 12s '"\r
+\r
+" What have you to say now "\r
+\r
+Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined . He drew a sovereign from\r
+his pocket and threw it down upon the slab , turning away with the\r
+air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words . A few yards off\r
+he stopped under a lamp - post and laughed in the hearty , noiseless\r
+fashion which was peculiar to him .\r
+\r
+" When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the ' Pink ' un '\r
+protruding out of his pocket , you can always draw him by a bet "\r
+said he . " I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of\r
+him , that man would not have given me such complete information\r
+as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a\r
+wager . Well , Watson , we are , I fancy , nearing the end of our\r
+quest , and the only point which remains to be determined is\r
+whether we should go on to this Mrs . Oakshott to - night , or\r
+whether we should reserve it for to - morrow . It is clear from what\r
+that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves\r
+who are anxious about the matter , and I should -"\r
+\r
+His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke\r
+out from the stall which we had just left . Turning round we saw a\r
+little rat - faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of\r
+yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp , while\r
+Breckinridge , the salesman , framed in the door of his stall , was\r
+shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure .\r
+\r
+" I ' ve had enough of you and your geese " he shouted . " I wish you\r
+were all at the devil together . If you come pestering me any more\r
+with your silly talk I ' ll set the dog at you . You bring Mrs .\r
+Oakshott here and I ' ll answer her , but what have you to do with\r
+it ? Did I buy the geese off you "\r
+\r
+" No ; but one of them was mine all the same " whined the little\r
+man .\r
+\r
+" Well , then , ask Mrs . Oakshott for it "\r
+\r
+" She told me to ask you "\r
+\r
+" Well , you can ask the King of Proosia , for all I care . I ' ve had\r
+enough of it . Get out of this " He rushed fiercely forward , and\r
+the inquirer flitted away into the darkness .\r
+\r
+" Ha ! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road " whispered Holmes .\r
+" Come with me , and we will see what is to be made of this\r
+fellow " Striding through the scattered knots of people who\r
+lounged round the flaring stalls , my companion speedily overtook\r
+the little man and touched him upon the shoulder . He sprang\r
+round , and I could see in the gas - light that every vestige of\r
+colour had been driven from his face .\r
+\r
+" Who are you , then ? What do you want " he asked in a quavering\r
+voice .\r
+\r
+" You will excuse me " said Holmes blandly , " but I could not help\r
+overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now .\r
+I think that I could be of assistance to you "\r
+\r
+" You ? Who are you ? How could you know anything of the matter "\r
+\r
+" My name is Sherlock Holmes . It is my business to know what other\r
+people don't know "\r
+\r
+" But you can know nothing of this "\r
+\r
+" Excuse me , I know everything of it . You are endeavouring to\r
+trace some geese which were sold by Mrs . Oakshott , of Brixton\r
+Road , to a salesman named Breckinridge , by him in turn to Mr .\r
+Windigate , of the Alpha , and by him to his club , of which Mr .\r
+Henry Baker is a member "\r
+\r
+" Oh , sir , you are the very man whom I have longed to meet " cried\r
+the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers .\r
+" I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter "\r
+\r
+Sherlock Holmes hailed a four - wheeler which was passing . " In that\r
+case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this\r
+wind - swept market - place " said he . " But pray tell me , before we\r
+go farther , who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting "\r
+\r
+The man hesitated for an instant . " My name is John Robinson " he\r
+answered with a sidelong glance .\r
+\r
+" No , no ; the real name " said Holmes sweetly . " It is always\r
+awkward doing business with an alias "\r
+\r
+A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger . " Well then "\r
+said he , " my real name is James Ryder "\r
+\r
+" Precisely so . Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan . Pray\r
+step into the cab , and I shall soon be able to tell you\r
+everything which you would wish to know "\r
+\r
+The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with\r
+half - frightened , half - hopeful eyes , as one who is not sure\r
+whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe .\r
+Then he stepped into the cab , and in half an hour we were back in\r
+the sitting - room at Baker Street . Nothing had been said during\r
+our drive , but the high , thin breathing of our new companion , and\r
+the claspings and unclaspings of his hands , spoke of the nervous\r
+tension within him .\r
+\r
+" Here we are " said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room .\r
+" The fire looks very seasonable in this weather . You look cold ,\r
+Mr . Ryder . Pray take the basket - chair . I will just put on my\r
+slippers before we settle this little matter of yours . Now , then !\r
+You want to know what became of those geese "\r
+\r
+" Yes , sir "\r
+\r
+" Or rather , I fancy , of that goose . It was one bird , I imagine in\r
+which you were interested - white , with a black bar across the\r
+tail "\r
+\r
+Ryder quivered with emotion . " Oh , sir " he cried , " can you tell\r
+me where it went to "\r
+\r
+" It came here "\r
+\r
+" Here "\r
+\r
+" Yes , and a most remarkable bird it proved . I don't wonder that\r
+you should take an interest in it . It laid an egg after it was\r
+dead - the bonniest , brightest little blue egg that ever was seen .\r
+I have it here in my museum "\r
+\r
+Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece\r
+with his right hand . Holmes unlocked his strong - box and held up\r
+the blue carbuncle , which shone out like a star , with a cold ,\r
+brilliant , many - pointed radiance . Ryder stood glaring with a\r
+drawn face , uncertain whether to claim or to disown it .\r
+\r
+" The game's up , Ryder " said Holmes quietly . " Hold up , man , or\r
+you ' ll be into the fire ! Give him an arm back into his chair ,\r
+Watson . He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with\r
+impunity . Give him a dash of brandy . So ! Now he looks a little\r
+more human . What a shrimp it is , to be sure "\r
+\r
+For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen , but the brandy\r
+brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks , and he sat staring\r
+with frightened eyes at his accuser .\r
+\r
+" I have almost every link in my hands , and all the proofs which I\r
+could possibly need , so there is little which you need tell me .\r
+Still , that little may as well be cleared up to make the case\r
+complete . You had heard , Ryder , of this blue stone of the\r
+Countess of Morcar's "\r
+\r
+" It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it " said he in a\r
+crackling voice .\r
+\r
+" I see - her ladyship's waiting - maid . Well , the temptation of\r
+sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you , as it has\r
+been for better men before you ; but you were not very scrupulous\r
+in the means you used . It seems to me , Ryder , that there is the\r
+making of a very pretty villain in you . You knew that this man\r
+Horner , the plumber , had been concerned in some such matter\r
+before , and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him .\r
+What did you do , then ? You made some small job in my lady's\r
+room - you and your confederate Cusack - and you managed that he\r
+should be the man sent for . Then , when he had left , you rifled\r
+the jewel - case , raised the alarm , and had this unfortunate man\r
+arrested . You then -"\r
+\r
+Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my\r
+companion's knees . " For God's sake , have mercy " he shrieked .\r
+" Think of my father ! Of my mother ! It would break their hearts . I\r
+never went wrong before ! I never will again . I swear it . I ' ll\r
+swear it on a Bible . Oh , don't bring it into court ! For Christ's\r
+sake , don't "\r
+\r
+" Get back into your chair " said Holmes sternly . " It is very well\r
+to cringe and crawl now , but you thought little enough of this\r
+poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing "\r
+\r
+" I will fly , Mr . Holmes . I will leave the country , sir . Then the\r
+charge against him will break down "\r
+\r
+" Hum ! We will talk about that . And now let us hear a true account\r
+of the next act . How came the stone into the goose , and how came\r
+the goose into the open market ? Tell us the truth , for there lies\r
+your only hope of safety "\r
+\r
+Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips . " I will tell you\r
+it just as it happened , sir " said he . " When Horner had been\r
+arrested , it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get\r
+away with the stone at once , for I did not know at what moment\r
+the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my\r
+room . There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe .\r
+I went out , as if on some commission , and I made for my sister's\r
+house . She had married a man named Oakshott , and lived in Brixton\r
+Road , where she fattened fowls for the market . All the way there\r
+every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective ;\r
+and , for all that it was a cold night , the sweat was pouring down\r
+my face before I came to the Brixton Road . My sister asked me\r
+what was the matter , and why I was so pale ; but I told her that I\r
+had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel . Then I went\r
+into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would\r
+be best to do .\r
+\r
+" I had a friend once called Maudsley , who went to the bad , and\r
+has just been serving his time in Pentonville . One day he had met\r
+me , and fell into talk about the ways of thieves , and how they\r
+could get rid of what they stole . I knew that he would be true to\r
+me , for I knew one or two things about him ; so I made up my mind\r
+to go right on to Kilburn , where he lived , and take him into my\r
+confidence . He would show me how to turn the stone into money .\r
+But how to get to him in safety ? I thought of the agonies I had\r
+gone through in coming from the hotel . I might at any moment be\r
+seized and searched , and there would be the stone in my waistcoat\r
+pocket . I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at\r
+the geese which were waddling about round my feet , and suddenly\r
+an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the\r
+best detective that ever lived .\r
+\r
+" My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the\r
+pick of her geese for a Christmas present , and I knew that she\r
+was always as good as her word . I would take my goose now , and in\r
+it I would carry my stone to Kilburn . There was a little shed in\r
+the yard , and behind this I drove one of the birds - a fine big\r
+one , white , with a barred tail . I caught it , and prying its bill\r
+open , I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger\r
+could reach . The bird gave a gulp , and I felt the stone pass\r
+along its gullet and down into its crop . But the creature flapped\r
+and struggled , and out came my sister to know what was the\r
+matter . As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and\r
+fluttered off among the others .\r
+\r
+ ' Whatever were you doing with that bird , Jem ' says she .\r
+\r
+ ' Well ' said I , ' you said you ' d give me one for Christmas , and I\r
+was feeling which was the fattest '\r
+\r
+ ' Oh ' says she , ' we ' ve set yours aside for you - Jem's bird , we\r
+call it . It's the big white one over yonder . There's twenty - six\r
+of them , which makes one for you , and one for us , and two dozen\r
+for the market '\r
+\r
+ ' Thank you , Maggie ' says I ; ' but if it is all the same to you ,\r
+I ' d rather have that one I was handling just now '\r
+\r
+ ' The other is a good three pound heavier ' said she , ' and we\r
+fattened it expressly for you '\r
+\r
+ ' Never mind . I ' ll have the other , and I ' ll take it now ' said I .\r
+\r
+ ' Oh , just as you like ' said she , a little huffed . ' Which is it\r
+you want , then '\r
+\r
+ ' That white one with the barred tail , right in the middle of the\r
+flock '\r
+\r
+ ' Oh , very well . Kill it and take it with you '\r
+\r
+" Well , I did what she said , Mr . Holmes , and I carried the bird\r
+all the way to Kilburn . I told my pal what I had done , for he was\r
+a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to . He laughed\r
+until he choked , and we got a knife and opened the goose . My\r
+heart turned to water , for there was no sign of the stone , and I\r
+knew that some terrible mistake had occurred . I left the bird ,\r
+rushed back to my sister's , and hurried into the back yard . There\r
+was not a bird to be seen there .\r
+\r
+ ' Where are they all , Maggie ' I cried .\r
+\r
+ ' Gone to the dealer's , Jem '\r
+\r
+ ' Which dealer's '\r
+\r
+ ' Breckinridge , of Covent Garden '\r
+\r
+ ' But was there another with a barred tail ' I asked , ' the same\r
+as the one I chose '\r
+\r
+ ' Yes , Jem ; there were two barred - tailed ones , and I could never\r
+tell them apart '\r
+\r
+" Well , then , of course I saw it all , and I ran off as hard as my\r
+feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge ; but he had sold the\r
+lot at once , and not one word would he tell me as to where they\r
+had gone . You heard him yourselves to - night . Well , he has always\r
+answered me like that . My sister thinks that I am going mad .\r
+Sometimes I think that I am myself . And now - and now I am myself\r
+a branded thief , without ever having touched the wealth for which\r
+I sold my character . God help me ! God help me " He burst into\r
+convulsive sobbing , with his face buried in his hands .\r
+\r
+There was a long silence , broken only by his heavy breathing and\r
+by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes ' finger - tips upon the\r
+edge of the table . Then my friend rose and threw open the door .\r
+\r
+" Get out " said he .\r
+\r
+" What , sir ! Oh , Heaven bless you "\r
+\r
+" No more words . Get out "\r
+\r
+And no more words were needed . There was a rush , a clatter upon\r
+the stairs , the bang of a door , and the crisp rattle of running\r
+footfalls from the street .\r
+\r
+" After all , Watson " said Holmes , reaching up his hand for his\r
+clay pipe , " I am not retained by the police to supply their\r
+deficiencies . If Horner were in danger it would be another thing ;\r
+but this fellow will not appear against him , and the case must\r
+collapse . I suppose that I am commuting a felony , but it is just\r
+possible that I am saving a soul . This fellow will not go wrong\r
+again ; he is too terribly frightened . Send him to gaol now , and\r
+you make him a gaol - bird for life . Besides , it is the season of\r
+forgiveness . Chance has put in our way a most singular and\r
+whimsical problem , and its solution is its own reward . If you\r
+will have the goodness to touch the bell , Doctor , we will begin\r
+another investigation , in which , also a bird will be the chief\r
+feature "\r
+\r
+\r
+\r
+VIII . THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND\r
+\r
+On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I\r
+have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend\r
+Sherlock Holmes , I find many tragic , some comic , a large number\r
+merely strange , but none commonplace ; for , working as he did\r
+rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of\r
+wealth , he refused to associate himself with any investigation\r
+which did not tend towards the unusual , and even the fantastic .\r
+Of all these varied cases , however , I cannot recall any which\r
+presented more singular features than that which was associated\r
+with the well - known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran .\r
+The events in question occurred in the early days of my\r
+association with Holmes , when we were sharing rooms as bachelors\r
+in Baker Street . It is possible that I might have placed them\r
+upon record before , but a promise of secrecy was made at the\r
+time , from which I have only been freed during the last month by\r
+the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given . It\r
+is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light , for I\r
+have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the\r
+death of Dr . Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even\r
+more terrible than the truth .\r
+\r
+It was early in April in the year ' 83 that I woke one morning to\r
+find Sherlock Holmes standing , fully dressed , by the side of my\r
+bed . He was a late riser , as a rule , and as the clock on the\r
+mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter - past seven , I\r
+blinked up at him in some surprise , and perhaps just a little\r
+resentment , for I was myself regular in my habits .\r
+\r
+" Very sorry to knock you up , Watson " said he , " but it's the\r
+common lot this morning . Mrs . Hudson has been knocked up , she\r
+retorted upon me , and I on you "\r
+\r
+" What is it , then - a fire "\r
+\r
+" No ; a client . It seems that a young lady has arrived in a\r
+considerable state of excitement , who insists upon seeing me . She\r
+is waiting now in the sitting - room . Now , when young ladies wander\r
+about the metropolis at this hour of the morning , and knock\r
+sleepy people up out of their beds , I presume that it is\r
+something very pressing which they have to communicate . Should it\r
+prove to be an interesting case , you would , I am sure , wish to\r
+follow it from the outset . I thought , at any rate , that I should\r
+call you and give you the chance "\r
+\r
+" My dear fellow , I would not miss it for anything "\r
+\r
+I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his\r
+professional investigations , and in admiring the rapid\r
+deductions , as swift as intuitions , and yet always founded on a\r
+logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were\r
+submitted to him . I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in\r
+a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting - room . A\r
+lady dressed in black and heavily veiled , who had been sitting in\r
+the window , rose as we entered .\r
+\r
+" Good - morning , madam " said Holmes cheerily . " My name is Sherlock\r
+Holmes . This is my intimate friend and associate , Dr . Watson ,\r
+before whom you can speak as freely as before myself . Ha ! I am\r
+glad to see that Mrs . Hudson has had the good sense to light the\r
+fire . Pray draw up to it , and I shall order you a cup of hot\r
+coffee , for I observe that you are shivering "\r
+\r
+" It is not cold which makes me shiver " said the woman in a low\r
+voice , changing her seat as requested .\r
+\r
+" What , then "\r
+\r
+" It is fear , Mr . Holmes . It is terror " She raised her veil as\r
+she spoke , and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable\r
+state of agitation , her face all drawn and grey , with restless\r
+frightened eyes , like those of some hunted animal . Her features\r
+and figure were those of a woman of thirty , but her hair was shot\r
+with premature grey , and her expression was weary and haggard .\r
+Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick ,\r
+all - comprehensive glances .\r
+\r
+" You must not fear " said he soothingly , bending forward and\r
+patting her forearm . " We shall soon set matters right , I have no\r
+doubt . You have come in by train this morning , I see "\r
+\r
+" You know me , then "\r
+\r
+" No , but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm\r
+of your left glove . You must have started early , and yet you had\r
+a good drive in a dog - cart , along heavy roads , before you reached\r
+the station "\r
+\r
+The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my\r
+companion .\r
+\r
+" There is no mystery , my dear madam " said he , smiling . " The left\r
+arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven\r
+places . The marks are perfectly fresh . There is no vehicle save a\r
+dog - cart which throws up mud in that way , and then only when you\r
+sit on the left - hand side of the driver "\r
+\r
+" Whatever your reasons may be , you are perfectly correct " said\r
+she . " I started from home before six , reached Leatherhead at\r
+twenty past , and came in by the first train to Waterloo . Sir , I\r
+can stand this strain no longer ; I shall go mad if it continues .\r
+I have no one to turn to - none , save only one , who cares for me ,\r
+and he , poor fellow , can be of little aid . I have heard of you ,\r
+Mr . Holmes ; I have heard of you from Mrs . Farintosh , whom you\r
+helped in the hour of her sore need . It was from her that I had\r
+your address . Oh , sir , do you not think that you could help me ,\r
+too , and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness\r
+which surrounds me ? At present it is out of my power to reward\r
+you for your services , but in a month or six weeks I shall be\r
+married , with the control of my own income , and then at least you\r
+shall not find me ungrateful "\r
+\r
+Holmes turned to his desk and , unlocking it , drew out a small\r
+case - book , which he consulted .\r
+\r
+" Farintosh " said he . " Ah yes , I recall the case ; it was\r
+concerned with an opal tiara . I think it was before your time ,\r
+Watson . I can only say , madam , that I shall be happy to devote\r
+the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend . As to\r
+reward , my profession is its own reward ; but you are at liberty\r
+to defray whatever expenses I may be put to , at the time which\r
+suits you best . And now I beg that you will lay before us\r
+everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the\r
+matter "\r
+\r
+" Alas " replied our visitor , " the very horror of my situation\r
+lies in the fact that my fears are so vague , and my suspicions\r
+depend so entirely upon small points , which might seem trivial to\r
+another , that even he to whom of all others I have a right to\r
+look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it\r
+as the fancies of a nervous woman . He does not say so , but I can\r
+read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes . But I have\r
+heard , Mr . Holmes , that you can see deeply into the manifold\r
+wickedness of the human heart . You may advise me how to walk amid\r
+the dangers which encompass me "\r
+\r
+" I am all attention , madam "\r
+\r
+" My name is Helen Stoner , and I am living with my stepfather , who\r
+is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in\r
+England , the Roylotts of Stoke Moran , on the western border of\r
+Surrey "\r
+\r
+Holmes nodded his head . " The name is familiar to me " said he .\r
+\r
+" The family was at one time among the richest in England , and the\r
+estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north ,\r
+and Hampshire in the west . In the last century , however , four\r
+successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition ,\r
+and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the\r
+days of the Regency . Nothing was left save a few acres of ground ,\r
+and the two - hundred - year - old house , which is itself crushed under\r
+a heavy mortgage . The last squire dragged out his existence\r
+there , living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper ; but\r
+his only son , my stepfather , seeing that he must adapt himself to\r
+the new conditions , obtained an advance from a relative , which\r
+enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta ,\r
+where , by his professional skill and his force of character , he\r
+established a large practice . In a fit of anger , however , caused\r
+by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house , he\r
+beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital\r
+sentence . As it was , he suffered a long term of imprisonment and\r
+afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man .\r
+\r
+" When Dr . Roylott was in India he married my mother , Mrs . Stoner ,\r
+the young widow of Major - General Stoner , of the Bengal Artillery .\r
+My sister Julia and I were twins , and we were only two years old\r
+at the time of my mother's re - marriage . She had a considerable\r
+sum of money - not less than 1000 pounds a year - and this she\r
+bequeathed to Dr . Roylott entirely while we resided with him ,\r
+with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to\r
+each of us in the event of our marriage . Shortly after our return\r
+to England my mother died - she was killed eight years ago in a\r
+railway accident near Crewe . Dr . Roylott then abandoned his\r
+attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us\r
+to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran . The\r
+money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants , and\r
+there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness .\r
+\r
+" But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time .\r
+Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our\r
+neighbours , who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of\r
+Stoke Moran back in the old family seat , he shut himself up in\r
+his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious\r
+quarrels with whoever might cross his path . Violence of temper\r
+approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the\r
+family , and in my stepfather's case it had , I believe , been\r
+intensified by his long residence in the tropics . A series of\r
+disgraceful brawls took place , two of which ended in the\r
+police - court , until at last he became the terror of the village ,\r
+and the folks would fly at his approach , for he is a man of\r
+immense strength , and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger .\r
+\r
+" Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a\r
+stream , and it was only by paying over all the money which I\r
+could gather together that I was able to avert another public\r
+exposure . He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies ,\r
+and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few\r
+acres of bramble - covered land which represent the family estate ,\r
+and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents ,\r
+wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end . He has a\r
+passion also for Indian animals , which are sent over to him by a\r
+correspondent , and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon ,\r
+which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the\r
+villagers almost as much as their master .\r
+\r
+" You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I\r
+had no great pleasure in our lives . No servant would stay with\r
+us , and for a long time we did all the work of the house . She was\r
+but thirty at the time of her death , and yet her hair had already\r
+begun to whiten , even as mine has "\r
+\r
+" Your sister is dead , then "\r
+\r
+" She died just two years ago , and it is of her death that I wish\r
+to speak to you . You can understand that , living the life which I\r
+have described , we were little likely to see anyone of our own\r
+age and position . We had , however , an aunt , my mother's maiden\r
+sister , Miss Honoria Westphail , who lives near Harrow , and we\r
+were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's\r
+house . Julia went there at Christmas two years ago , and met there\r
+a half - pay major of marines , to whom she became engaged . My\r
+stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and\r
+offered no objection to the marriage ; but within a fortnight of\r
+the day which had been fixed for the wedding , the terrible event\r
+occurred which has deprived me of my only companion "\r
+\r
+Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes\r
+closed and his head sunk in a cushion , but he half opened his\r
+lids now and glanced across at his visitor .\r
+\r
+" Pray be precise as to details " said he .\r
+\r
+" It is easy for me to be so , for every event of that dreadful\r
+time is seared into my memory . The manor - house is , as I have\r
+already said , very old , and only one wing is now inhabited . The\r
+bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor , the sitting - rooms\r
+being in the central block of the buildings . Of these bedrooms\r
+the first is Dr . Roylott's , the second my sister's , and the third\r
+my own . There is no communication between them , but they all open\r
+out into the same corridor . Do I make myself plain "\r
+\r
+" Perfectly so "\r
+\r
+" The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn . That\r
+fatal night Dr . Roylott had gone to his room early , though we\r
+knew that he had not retired to rest , for my sister was troubled\r
+by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom\r
+to smoke . She left her room , therefore , and came into mine , where\r
+she sat for some time , chatting about her approaching wedding . At\r
+eleven o'clock she rose to leave me , but she paused at the door\r
+and looked back .\r
+\r
+ ' Tell me , Helen ' said she , ' have you ever heard anyone whistle\r
+in the dead of the night '\r
+\r
+ ' Never ' said I .\r
+\r
+ ' I suppose that you could not possibly whistle , yourself , in\r
+your sleep '\r
+\r
+ ' Certainly not . But why '\r
+\r
+ ' Because during the last few nights I have always , about three\r
+in the morning , heard a low , clear whistle . I am a light sleeper ,\r
+and it has awakened me . I cannot tell where it came from - perhaps\r
+from the next room , perhaps from the lawn . I thought that I would\r
+just ask you whether you had heard it '\r
+\r
+ ' No , I have not . It must be those wretched gipsies in the\r
+plantation '\r
+\r
+ ' Very likely . And yet if it were on the lawn , I wonder that you\r
+did not hear it also '\r
+\r
+ ' Ah , but I sleep more heavily than you '\r
+\r
+ ' Well , it is of no great consequence , at any rate ' She smiled\r
+back at me , closed my door , and a few moments later I heard her\r
+key turn in the lock "\r
+\r
+" Indeed " said Holmes . " Was it your custom always to lock\r
+yourselves in at night "\r
+\r
+" Always "\r
+\r
+" And why "\r
+\r
+" I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah\r
+and a baboon . We had no feeling of security unless our doors were\r
+locked "\r
+\r
+" Quite so . Pray proceed with your statement "\r
+\r
+" I could not sleep that night . A vague feeling of impending\r
+misfortune impressed me . My sister and I , you will recollect ,\r
+were twins , and you know how subtle are the links which bind two\r
+souls which are so closely allied . It was a wild night . The wind\r
+was howling outside , and the rain was beating and splashing\r
+against the windows . Suddenly , amid all the hubbub of the gale ,\r
+there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman . I knew\r
+that it was my sister's voice . I sprang from my bed , wrapped a\r
+shawl round me , and rushed into the corridor . As I opened my door\r
+I seemed to hear a low whistle , such as my sister described , and\r
+a few moments later a clanging sound , as if a mass of metal had\r
+fallen . As I ran down the passage , my sister's door was unlocked ,\r
+and revolved slowly upon its hinges . I stared at it\r
+horror - stricken , not knowing what was about to issue from it . By\r
+the light of the corridor - lamp I saw my sister appear at the\r
+opening , her face blanched with terror , her hands groping for\r
+help , her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a\r
+drunkard . I ran to her and threw my arms round her , but at that\r
+moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground .\r
+She writhed as one who is in terrible pain , and her limbs were\r
+dreadfully convulsed . At first I thought that she had not\r
+recognised me , but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out\r
+in a voice which I shall never forget , ' Oh , my God ! Helen ! It was\r
+the band ! The speckled band ' There was something else which she\r
+would fain have said , and she stabbed with her finger into the\r
+air in the direction of the doctor's room , but a fresh convulsion\r
+seized her and choked her words . I rushed out , calling loudly for\r
+my stepfather , and I met him hastening from his room in his\r
+dressing - gown . When he reached my sister's side she was\r
+unconscious , and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent\r
+for medical aid from the village , all efforts were in vain , for\r
+she slowly sank and died without having recovered her\r
+consciousness . Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister "\r
+\r
+" One moment " said Holmes , " are you sure about this whistle and\r
+metallic sound ? Could you swear to it "\r
+\r
+" That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry . It is\r
+my strong impression that I heard it , and yet , among the crash of\r
+the gale and the creaking of an old house , I may possibly have\r
+been deceived "\r
+\r
+" Was your sister dressed "\r
+\r
+" No , she was in her night - dress . In her right hand was found the\r
+charred stump of a match , and in her left a match - box "\r
+\r
+" Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when\r
+the alarm took place . That is important . And what conclusions did\r
+the coroner come to "\r
+\r
+" He investigated the case with great care , for Dr . Roylott's\r
+conduct had long been notorious in the county , but he was unable\r
+to find any satisfactory cause of death . My evidence showed that\r
+the door had been fastened upon the inner side , and the windows\r
+were blocked by old - fashioned shutters with broad iron bars ,\r
+which were secured every night . The walls were carefully sounded ,\r
+and were shown to be quite solid all round , and the flooring was\r
+also thoroughly examined , with the same result . The chimney is\r
+wide , but is barred up by four large staples . It is certain ,\r
+therefore , that my sister was quite alone when she met her end .\r
+Besides , there were no marks of any violence upon her "\r
+\r
+" How about poison "\r
+\r
+" The doctors examined her for it , but without success "\r
+\r
+" What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of , then "\r
+\r
+" It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock ,\r
+though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine "\r
+\r
+" Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time "\r
+\r
+" Yes , there are nearly always some there "\r
+\r
+" Ah , and what did you gather from this allusion to a band - a\r
+speckled band "\r
+\r
+" Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of\r
+delirium , sometimes that it may have referred to some band of\r
+people , perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation . I do not\r
+know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear\r
+over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which\r
+she used "\r
+\r
+Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied .\r
+\r
+" These are very deep waters " said he ; " pray go on with your\r
+narrative "\r
+\r
+" Two years have passed since then , and my life has been until\r
+lately lonelier than ever . A month ago , however , a dear friend ,\r
+whom I have known for many years , has done me the honour to ask\r
+my hand in marriage . His name is Armitage - Percy Armitage - the\r
+second son of Mr . Armitage , of Crane Water , near Reading . My\r
+stepfather has offered no opposition to the match , and we are to\r
+be married in the course of the spring . Two days ago some repairs\r
+were started in the west wing of the building , and my bedroom\r
+wall has been pierced , so that I have had to move into the\r
+chamber in which my sister died , and to sleep in the very bed in\r
+which she slept . Imagine , then , my thrill of terror when last\r
+night , as I lay awake , thinking over her terrible fate , I\r
+suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which\r
+had been the herald of her own death . I sprang up and lit the\r
+lamp , but nothing was to be seen in the room . I was too shaken to\r
+go to bed again , however , so I dressed , and as soon as it was\r
+daylight I slipped down , got a dog - cart at the Crown Inn , which\r
+is opposite , and drove to Leatherhead , from whence I have come on\r
+this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your\r
+advice "\r
+\r
+" You have done wisely " said my friend . " But have you told me\r
+all "\r
+\r
+" Yes , all "\r
+\r
+" Miss Roylott , you have not . You are screening your stepfather "\r
+\r
+" Why , what do you mean "\r
+\r
+For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which\r
+fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee . Five little\r
+livid spots , the marks of four fingers and a thumb , were printed\r
+upon the white wrist .\r
+\r
+" You have been cruelly used " said Holmes .\r
+\r
+The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist . " He\r
+is a hard man " she said , " and perhaps he hardly knows his own\r
+strength "\r
+\r
+There was a long silence , during which Holmes leaned his chin\r
+upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire .\r
+\r
+" This is a very deep business " he said at last . " There are a\r
+thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide\r
+upon our course of action . Yet we have not a moment to lose . If\r
+we were to come to Stoke Moran to - day , would it be possible for\r
+us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your\r
+stepfather "\r
+\r
+" As it happens , he spoke of coming into town to - day upon some\r
+most important business . It is probable that he will be away all\r
+day , and that there would be nothing to disturb you . We have a\r
+housekeeper now , but she is old and foolish , and I could easily\r
+get her out of the way "\r
+\r
+" Excellent . You are not averse to this trip , Watson "\r
+\r
+" By no means "\r
+\r
+" Then we shall both come . What are you going to do yourself "\r
+\r
+" I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am\r
+in town . But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train , so as to\r
+be there in time for your coming "\r
+\r
+" And you may expect us early in the afternoon . I have myself some\r
+small business matters to attend to . Will you not wait and\r
+breakfast "\r
+\r
+" No , I must go . My heart is lightened already since I have\r
+confided my trouble to you . I shall look forward to seeing you\r
+again this afternoon " She dropped her thick black veil over her\r
+face and glided from the room .\r
+\r
+" And what do you think of it all , Watson " asked Sherlock Holmes ,\r
+leaning back in his chair .\r
+\r
+" It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business "\r
+\r
+" Dark enough and sinister enough "\r
+\r
+" Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls\r
+are sound , and that the door , window , and chimney are impassable ,\r
+then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her\r
+mysterious end "\r
+\r
+" What becomes , then , of these nocturnal whistles , and what of the\r
+very peculiar words of the dying woman "\r
+\r
+" I cannot think "\r
+\r
+" When you combine the ideas of whistles at night , the presence of\r
+a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor ,\r
+the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has\r
+an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage , the dying\r
+allusion to a band , and , finally , the fact that Miss Helen Stoner\r
+heard a metallic clang , which might have been caused by one of\r
+those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its\r
+place , I think that there is good ground to think that the\r
+mystery may be cleared along those lines "\r
+\r
+" But what , then , did the gipsies do "\r
+\r
+" I cannot imagine "\r
+\r
+" I see many objections to any such theory "\r
+\r
+" And so do I . It is precisely for that reason that we are going\r
+to Stoke Moran this day . I want to see whether the objections are\r
+fatal , or if they may be explained away . But what in the name of\r
+the devil "\r
+\r
+The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that\r
+our door had been suddenly dashed open , and that a huge man had\r
+framed himself in the aperture . His costume was a peculiar\r
+mixture of the professional and of the agricultural , having a\r
+black top - hat , a long frock - coat , and a pair of high gaiters ,\r
+with a hunting - crop swinging in his hand . So tall was he that his\r
+hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway , and his\r
+breadth seemed to span it across from side to side . A large face ,\r
+seared with a thousand wrinkles , burned yellow with the sun , and\r
+marked with every evil passion , was turned from one to the other\r
+of us , while his deep - set , bile - shot eyes , and his high , thin ,\r
+fleshless nose , gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old\r
+bird of prey .\r
+\r
+" Which of you is Holmes " asked this apparition .\r
+\r
+" My name , sir ; but you have the advantage of me " said my\r
+companion quietly .\r
+\r
+" I am Dr . Grimesby Roylott , of Stoke Moran "\r
+\r
+" Indeed , Doctor " said Holmes blandly . " Pray take a seat "\r
+\r
+" I will do nothing of the kind . My stepdaughter has been here . I\r
+have traced her . What has she been saying to you "\r
+\r
+" It is a little cold for the time of the year " said Holmes .\r
+\r
+" What has she been saying to you " screamed the old man\r
+furiously .\r
+\r
+" But I have heard that the crocuses promise well " continued my\r
+companion imperturbably .\r
+\r
+" Ha ! You put me off , do you " said our new visitor , taking a step\r
+forward and shaking his hunting - crop . " I know you , you scoundrel !\r
+I have heard of you before . You are Holmes , the meddler "\r
+\r
+My friend smiled .\r
+\r
+" Holmes , the busybody "\r
+\r
+His smile broadened .\r
+\r
+" Holmes , the Scotland Yard Jack - in - office "\r
+\r
+Holmes chuckled heartily . " Your conversation is most\r
+entertaining " said he . " When you go out close the door , for\r
+there is a decided draught "\r
+\r
+" I will go when I have said my say . Don't you dare to meddle with\r
+my affairs . I know that Miss Stoner has been here . I traced her !\r
+I am a dangerous man to fall foul of ! See here " He stepped\r
+swiftly forward , seized the poker , and bent it into a curve with\r
+his huge brown hands .\r
+\r
+" See that you keep yourself out of my grip " he snarled , and\r
+hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the\r
+room .\r
+\r
+" He seems a very amiable person " said Holmes , laughing . " I am\r
+not quite so bulky , but if he had remained I might have shown him\r
+that my grip was not much more feeble than his own " As he spoke\r
+he picked up the steel poker and , with a sudden effort ,\r
+straightened it out again .\r
+\r
+" Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official\r
+detective force ! This incident gives zest to our investigation ,\r
+however , and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer\r
+from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her . And now ,\r
+Watson , we shall order breakfast , and afterwards I shall walk\r
+down to Doctors ' Commons , where I hope to get some data which may\r
+help us in this matter "\r
+\r
+\r
+It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his\r
+excursion . He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper , scrawled\r
+over with notes and figures .\r
+\r
+" I have seen the will of the deceased wife " said he . " To\r
+determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the\r
+present prices of the investments with which it is concerned . The\r
+total income , which at the time of the wife's death was little\r
+short of 1100 pounds , is now , through the fall in agricultural\r
+prices , not more than 750 pounds . Each daughter can claim an\r
+income of 250 pounds , in case of marriage . It is evident ,\r
+therefore , that if both girls had married , this beauty would have\r
+had a mere pittance , while even one of them would cripple him to\r
+a very serious extent . My morning's work has not been wasted ,\r
+since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for\r
+standing in the way of anything of the sort . And now , Watson ,\r
+this is too serious for dawdling , especially as the old man is\r
+aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs ; so if you\r
+are ready , we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo . I should be\r
+very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your\r
+pocket . An Eley's No . 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen\r
+who can twist steel pokers into knots . That and a tooth - brush\r
+are , I think , all that we need "\r
+\r
+At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for\r
+Leatherhead , where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove\r
+for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes . It was a\r
+perfect day , with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the\r
+heavens . The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out\r
+their first green shoots , and the air was full of the pleasant\r
+smell of the moist earth . To me at least there was a strange\r
+contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this\r
+sinister quest upon which we were engaged . My companion sat in\r
+the front of the trap , his arms folded , his hat pulled down over\r
+his eyes , and his chin sunk upon his breast , buried in the\r
+deepest thought . Suddenly , however , he started , tapped me on the\r
+shoulder , and pointed over the meadows .\r
+\r
+" Look there " said he .\r
+\r
+A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope ,\r
+thickening into a grove at the highest point . From amid the\r
+branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof - tree of a\r
+very old mansion .\r
+\r
+" Stoke Moran " said he .\r
+\r
+" Yes , sir , that be the house of Dr . Grimesby Roylott " remarked\r
+the driver .\r
+\r
+" There is some building going on there " said Holmes ; " that is\r
+where we are going "\r
+\r
+" There's the village " said the driver , pointing to a cluster of\r
+roofs some distance to the left ; " but if you want to get to the\r
+house , you ' ll find it shorter to get over this stile , and so by\r
+the foot - path over the fields . There it is , where the lady is\r
+walking "\r
+\r
+" And the lady , I fancy , is Miss Stoner " observed Holmes , shading\r
+his eyes . " Yes , I think we had better do as you suggest "\r
+\r
+We got off , paid our fare , and the trap rattled back on its way\r
+to Leatherhead .\r
+\r
+" I thought it as well " said Holmes as we climbed the stile ,\r
+" that this fellow should think we had come here as architects , or\r
+on some definite business . It may stop his gossip .\r
+Good - afternoon , Miss Stoner . You see that we have been as good as\r
+our word "\r
+\r
+Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a\r
+face which spoke her joy . " I have been waiting so eagerly for\r
+you " she cried , shaking hands with us warmly . " All has turned\r
+out splendidly . Dr . Roylott has gone to town , and it is unlikely\r
+that he will be back before evening "\r
+\r
+" We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance "\r
+said Holmes , and in a few words he sketched out what had\r
+occurred . Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened .\r
+\r
+" Good heavens " she cried , " he has followed me , then "\r
+\r
+" So it appears "\r
+\r
+" He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him . What\r
+will he say when he returns "\r
+\r
+" He must guard himself , for he may find that there is someone\r
+more cunning than himself upon his track . You must lock yourself\r
+up from him to - night . If he is violent , we shall take you away to\r
+your aunt's at Harrow . Now , we must make the best use of our\r
+time , so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to\r
+examine "\r
+\r
+The building was of grey , lichen - blotched stone , with a high\r
+central portion and two curving wings , like the claws of a crab ,\r
+thrown out on each side . In one of these wings the windows were\r
+broken and blocked with wooden boards , while the roof was partly\r
+caved in , a picture of ruin . The central portion was in little\r
+better repair , but the right - hand block was comparatively modern ,\r
+and the blinds in the windows , with the blue smoke curling up\r
+from the chimneys , showed that this was where the family resided .\r
+Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall , and the\r
+stone - work had been broken into , but there were no signs of any\r
+workmen at the moment of our visit . Holmes walked slowly up and\r
+down the ill - trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the\r
+outsides of the windows .\r
+\r
+" This , I take it , belongs to the room in which you used to sleep ,\r
+the centre one to your sister's , and the one next to the main\r
+building to Dr . Roylott's chamber "\r
+\r
+" Exactly so . But I am now sleeping in the middle one "\r
+\r
+" Pending the alterations , as I understand . By the way , there does\r
+not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end\r
+wall "\r
+\r
+" There were none . I believe that it was an excuse to move me from\r
+my room "\r
+\r
+" Ah ! that is suggestive . Now , on the other side of this narrow\r
+wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open . There\r
+are windows in it , of course "\r
+\r
+" Yes , but very small ones . Too narrow for anyone to pass\r
+through "\r
+\r
+" As you both locked your doors at night , your rooms were\r
+unapproachable from that side . Now , would you have the kindness\r
+to go into your room and bar your shutters "\r
+\r
+Miss Stoner did so , and Holmes , after a careful examination\r
+through the open window , endeavoured in every way to force the\r
+shutter open , but without success . There was no slit through\r
+which a knife could be passed to raise the bar . Then with his\r
+lens he tested the hinges , but they were of solid iron , built\r
+firmly into the massive masonry . " Hum " said he , scratching his\r
+chin in some perplexity , " my theory certainly presents some\r
+difficulties . No one could pass these shutters if they were\r
+bolted . Well , we shall see if the inside throws any light upon\r
+the matter "\r
+\r
+A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which\r
+the three bedrooms opened . Holmes refused to examine the third\r
+chamber , so we passed at once to the second , that in which Miss\r
+Stoner was now sleeping , and in which her sister had met with her\r
+fate . It was a homely little room , with a low ceiling and a\r
+gaping fireplace , after the fashion of old country - houses . A\r
+brown chest of drawers stood in one corner , a narrow\r
+white - counterpaned bed in another , and a dressing - table on the\r
+left - hand side of the window . These articles , with two small\r
+wicker - work chairs , made up all the furniture in the room save\r
+for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre . The boards round and\r
+the panelling of the walls were of brown , worm - eaten oak , so old\r
+and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building\r
+of the house . Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat\r
+silent , while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down ,\r
+taking in every detail of the apartment .\r
+\r
+" Where does that bell communicate with " he asked at last\r
+pointing to a thick bell - rope which hung down beside the bed , the\r
+tassel actually lying upon the pillow .\r
+\r
+" It goes to the housekeeper's room "\r
+\r
+" It looks newer than the other things "\r
+\r
+" Yes , it was only put there a couple of years ago "\r
+\r
+" Your sister asked for it , I suppose "\r
+\r
+" No , I never heard of her using it . We used always to get what we\r
+wanted for ourselves "\r
+\r
+" Indeed , it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell - pull there .\r
+You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to\r
+this floor " He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in\r
+his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward , examining\r
+minutely the cracks between the boards . Then he did the same with\r
+the wood - work with which the chamber was panelled . Finally he\r
+walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and\r
+in running his eye up and down the wall . Finally he took the\r
+bell - rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug .\r
+\r
+" Why , it's a dummy " said he .\r
+\r
+" Won't it ring "\r
+\r
+" No , it is not even attached to a wire . This is very interesting .\r
+You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where\r
+the little opening for the ventilator is "\r
+\r
+" How very absurd ! I never noticed that before "\r
+\r
+" Very strange " muttered Holmes , pulling at the rope . " There are\r
+one or two very singular points about this room . For example ,\r
+what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another\r
+room , when , with the same trouble , he might have communicated\r
+with the outside air "\r
+\r
+" That is also quite modern " said the lady .\r
+\r
+" Done about the same time as the bell - rope " remarked Holmes .\r
+\r
+" Yes , there were several little changes carried out about that\r
+time "\r
+\r
+" They seem to have been of a most interesting character - dummy\r
+bell - ropes , and ventilators which do not ventilate . With your\r
+permission , Miss Stoner , we shall now carry our researches into\r
+the inner apartment "\r
+\r
+Dr . Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his\r
+step - daughter , but was as plainly furnished . A camp - bed , a small\r
+wooden shelf full of books , mostly of a technical character , an\r
+armchair beside the bed , a plain wooden chair against the wall , a\r
+round table , and a large iron safe were the principal things\r
+which met the eye . Holmes walked slowly round and examined each\r
+and all of them with the keenest interest .\r
+\r
+" What's in here " he asked , tapping the safe .\r
+\r
+" My stepfather's business papers "\r
+\r
+" Oh ! you have seen inside , then "\r
+\r
+" Only once , some years ago . I remember that it was full of\r
+papers "\r
+\r
+" There isn't a cat in it , for example "\r
+\r
+" No . What a strange idea "\r
+\r
+" Well , look at this " He took up a small saucer of milk which\r
+stood on the top of it .\r
+\r
+" No ; we don't keep a cat . But there is a cheetah and a baboon "\r
+\r
+" Ah , yes , of course ! Well , a cheetah is just a big cat , and yet a\r
+saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants , I\r
+daresay . There is one point which I should wish to determine " He\r
+squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat\r
+of it with the greatest attention .\r
+\r
+" Thank you . That is quite settled " said he , rising and putting\r
+his lens in his pocket . " Hullo ! Here is something interesting "\r
+\r
+The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on\r
+one corner of the bed . The lash , however , was curled upon itself\r
+and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord .\r
+\r
+" What do you make of that , Watson "\r
+\r
+" It's a common enough lash . But I don't know why it should be\r
+tied "\r
+\r
+" That is not quite so common , is it ? Ah , me ! it's a wicked world ,\r
+and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst\r
+of all . I think that I have seen enough now , Miss Stoner , and\r
+with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn "\r
+\r
+I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as\r
+it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation . We\r
+had walked several times up and down the lawn , neither Miss\r
+Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he\r
+roused himself from his reverie .\r
+\r
+" It is very essential , Miss Stoner " said he , " that you should\r
+absolutely follow my advice in every respect "\r
+\r
+" I shall most certainly do so "\r
+\r
+" The matter is too serious for any hesitation . Your life may\r
+depend upon your compliance "\r
+\r
+" I assure you that I am in your hands "\r
+\r
+" In the first place , both my friend and I must spend the night in\r
+your room "\r
+\r
+Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment .\r
+\r
+" Yes , it must be so . Let me explain . I believe that that is the\r
+village inn over there "\r
+\r
+" Yes , that is the Crown "\r
+\r
+" Very good . Your windows would be visible from there "\r
+\r
+" Certainly "\r
+\r
+" You must confine yourself to your room , on pretence of a\r
+headache , when your stepfather comes back . Then when you hear him\r
+retire for the night , you must open the shutters of your window ,\r
+undo the hasp , put your lamp there as a signal to us , and then\r
+withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want\r
+into the room which you used to occupy . I have no doubt that , in\r
+spite of the repairs , you could manage there for one night "\r
+\r
+" Oh , yes , easily "\r
+\r
+" The rest you will leave in our hands "\r
+\r
+" But what will you do "\r
+\r
+" We shall spend the night in your room , and we shall investigate\r
+the cause of this noise which has disturbed you "\r
+\r
+" I believe , Mr . Holmes , that you have already made up your mind "\r
+said Miss Stoner , laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve .\r
+\r
+" Perhaps I have "\r
+\r
+" Then , for pity's sake , tell me what was the cause of my sister's\r
+death "\r
+\r
+" I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak "\r
+\r
+" You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct , and\r
+if she died from some sudden fright "\r
+\r
+" No , I do not think so . I think that there was probably some more\r
+tangible cause . And now , Miss Stoner , we must leave you for if\r
+Dr . Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain .\r
+Good - bye , and be brave , for if you will do what I have told you ,\r
+you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers\r
+that threaten you "\r
+\r
+Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and\r
+sitting - room at the Crown Inn . They were on the upper floor , and\r
+from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate , and\r
+of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House . At dusk we saw\r
+Dr . Grimesby Roylott drive past , his huge form looming up beside\r
+the little figure of the lad who drove him . The boy had some\r
+slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates , and we heard\r
+the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which\r
+he shook his clinched fists at him . The trap drove on , and a few\r
+minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as\r
+the lamp was lit in one of the sitting - rooms .\r
+\r
+" Do you know , Watson " said Holmes as we sat together in the\r
+gathering darkness , " I have really some scruples as to taking you\r
+to - night . There is a distinct element of danger "\r
+\r
+" Can I be of assistance "\r
+\r
+" Your presence might be invaluable "\r
+\r
+" Then I shall certainly come "\r
+\r
+" It is very kind of you "\r
+\r
+" You speak of danger . You have evidently seen more in these rooms\r
+than was visible to me "\r
+\r
+" No , but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more . I imagine\r
+that you saw all that I did "\r
+\r
+" I saw nothing remarkable save the bell - rope , and what purpose\r
+that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine "\r
+\r
+" You saw the ventilator , too "\r
+\r
+" Yes , but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to\r
+have a small opening between two rooms . It was so small that a\r
+rat could hardly pass through "\r
+\r
+" I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to\r
+Stoke Moran "\r
+\r
+" My dear Holmes "\r
+\r
+" Oh , yes , I did . You remember in her statement she said that her\r
+sister could smell Dr . Roylott's cigar . Now , of course that\r
+suggested at once that there must be a communication between the\r
+two rooms . It could only be a small one , or it would have been\r
+remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry . I deduced a ventilator "\r
+\r
+" But what harm can there be in that "\r
+\r
+" Well , there is at least a curious coincidence of dates . A\r
+ventilator is made , a cord is hung , and a lady who sleeps in the\r
+bed dies . Does not that strike you "\r
+\r
+" I cannot as yet see any connection "\r
+\r
+" Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed "\r
+\r
+" No "\r
+\r
+" It was clamped to the floor . Did you ever see a bed fastened\r
+like that before "\r
+\r
+" I cannot say that I have "\r
+\r
+" The lady could not move her bed . It must always be in the same\r
+relative position to the ventilator and to the rope - or so we may\r
+call it , since it was clearly never meant for a bell - pull "\r
+\r
+" Holmes " I cried , " I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at .\r
+We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible\r
+crime "\r
+\r
+" Subtle enough and horrible enough . When a doctor does go wrong\r
+he is the first of criminals . He has nerve and he has knowledge .\r
+Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession .\r
+This man strikes even deeper , but I think , Watson , that we shall\r
+be able to strike deeper still . But we shall have horrors enough\r
+before the night is over ; for goodness ' sake let us have a quiet\r
+pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more\r
+cheerful "\r
+\r
+\r
+About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished ,\r
+and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House . Two hours\r
+passed slowly away , and then , suddenly , just at the stroke of\r
+eleven , a single bright light shone out right in front of us .\r
+\r
+" That is our signal " said Holmes , springing to his feet ; " it\r
+comes from the middle window "\r
+\r
+As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord ,\r
+explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance ,\r
+and that it was possible that we might spend the night there . A\r
+moment later we were out on the dark road , a chill wind blowing\r
+in our faces , and one yellow light twinkling in front of us\r
+through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand .\r
+\r
+There was little difficulty in entering the grounds , for\r
+unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall . Making our way\r
+among the trees , we reached the lawn , crossed it , and were about\r
+to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel\r
+bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted\r
+child , who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and\r
+then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness .\r
+\r
+" My God " I whispered ; " did you see it "\r
+\r
+Holmes was for the moment as startled as I . His hand closed like\r
+a vice upon my wrist in his agitation . Then he broke into a low\r
+laugh and put his lips to my ear .\r
+\r
+" It is a nice household " he murmured . " That is the baboon "\r
+\r
+I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected . There\r
+was a cheetah , too ; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders\r
+at any moment . I confess that I felt easier in my mind when ,\r
+after following Holmes ' example and slipping off my shoes , I\r
+found myself inside the bedroom . My companion noiselessly closed\r
+the shutters , moved the lamp onto the table , and cast his eyes\r
+round the room . All was as we had seen it in the daytime . Then\r
+creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand , he whispered\r
+into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to\r
+distinguish the words :\r
+\r
+" The least sound would be fatal to our plans "\r
+\r
+I nodded to show that I had heard .\r
+\r
+" We must sit without light . He would see it through the\r
+ventilator "\r
+\r
+I nodded again .\r
+\r
+" Do not go asleep ; your very life may depend upon it . Have your\r
+pistol ready in case we should need it . I will sit on the side of\r
+the bed , and you in that chair "\r
+\r
+I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table .\r
+\r
+Holmes had brought up a long thin cane , and this he placed upon\r
+the bed beside him . By it he laid the box of matches and the\r
+stump of a candle . Then he turned down the lamp , and we were left\r
+in darkness .\r
+\r
+How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil ? I could not hear a\r
+sound , not even the drawing of a breath , and yet I knew that my\r
+companion sat open - eyed , within a few feet of me , in the same\r
+state of nervous tension in which I was myself . The shutters cut\r
+off the least ray of light , and we waited in absolute darkness .\r
+\r
+From outside came the occasional cry of a night - bird , and once at\r
+our very window a long drawn catlike whine , which told us that\r
+the cheetah was indeed at liberty . Far away we could hear the\r
+deep tones of the parish clock , which boomed out every quarter of\r
+an hour . How long they seemed , those quarters ! Twelve struck , and\r
+one and two and three , and still we sat waiting silently for\r
+whatever might befall .\r
+\r
+Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the\r
+direction of the ventilator , which vanished immediately , but was\r
+succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal .\r
+Someone in the next room had lit a dark - lantern . I heard a gentle\r
+sound of movement , and then all was silent once more , though the\r
+smell grew stronger . For half an hour I sat with straining ears .\r
+Then suddenly another sound became audible - a very gentle ,\r
+soothing sound , like that of a small jet of steam escaping\r
+continually from a kettle . The instant that we heard it , Holmes\r
+sprang from the bed , struck a match , and lashed furiously with\r
+his cane at the bell - pull .\r
+\r
+" You see it , Watson " he yelled . " You see it "\r
+\r
+But I saw nothing . At the moment when Holmes struck the light I\r
+heard a low , clear whistle , but the sudden glare flashing into my\r
+weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which\r
+my friend lashed so savagely . I could , however , see that his face\r
+was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing . He had\r
+ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when\r
+suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most\r
+horrible cry to which I have ever listened . It swelled up louder\r
+and louder , a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled\r
+in the one dreadful shriek . They say that away down in the\r
+village , and even in the distant parsonage , that cry raised the\r
+sleepers from their beds . It struck cold to our hearts , and I\r
+stood gazing at Holmes , and he at me , until the last echoes of it\r
+had died away into the silence from which it rose .\r
+\r
+" What can it mean " I gasped .\r
+\r
+" It means that it is all over " Holmes answered . " And perhaps ,\r
+after all , it is for the best . Take your pistol , and we will\r
+enter Dr . Roylott's room "\r
+\r
+With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the\r
+corridor . Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply\r
+from within . Then he turned the handle and entered , I at his\r
+heels , with the cocked pistol in my hand .\r
+\r
+It was a singular sight which met our eyes . On the table stood a\r
+dark - lantern with the shutter half open , throwing a brilliant\r
+beam of light upon the iron safe , the door of which was ajar .\r
+Beside this table , on the wooden chair , sat Dr . Grimesby Roylott\r
+clad in a long grey dressing - gown , his bare ankles protruding\r
+beneath , and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers .\r
+Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we\r
+had noticed during the day . His chin was cocked upward and his\r
+eyes were fixed in a dreadful , rigid stare at the corner of the\r
+ceiling . Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band , with\r
+brownish speckles , which seemed to be bound tightly round his\r
+head . As we entered he made neither sound nor motion .\r
+\r
+" The band ! the speckled band " whispered Holmes .\r
+\r
+I took a step forward . In an instant his strange headgear began\r
+to move , and there reared itself from among his hair the squat\r
+diamond - shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent .\r
+\r
+" It is a swamp adder " cried Holmes ; " the deadliest snake in\r
+India . He has died within ten seconds of being bitten . Violence\r
+does , in truth , recoil upon the violent , and the schemer falls\r
+into the pit which he digs for another . Let us thrust this\r
+creature back into its den , and we can then remove Miss Stoner to\r
+some place of shelter and let the county police know what has\r
+happened "\r
+\r
+As he spoke he drew the dog - whip swiftly from the dead man's lap ,\r
+and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from\r
+its horrid perch and , carrying it at arm's length , threw it into\r
+the iron safe , which he closed upon it .\r
+\r
+Such are the true facts of the death of Dr . Grimesby Roylott , of\r
+Stoke Moran . It is not necessary that I should prolong a\r
+narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling\r
+how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl , how we conveyed\r
+her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow ,\r
+of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the\r
+conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly\r
+playing with a dangerous pet . The little which I had yet to learn\r
+of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back\r
+next day .\r
+\r
+" I had " said he , " come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which\r
+shows , my dear Watson , how dangerous it always is to reason from\r
+insufficient data . The presence of the gipsies , and the use of\r
+the word ' band ' which was used by the poor girl , no doubt , to\r
+explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of\r
+by the light of her match , were sufficient to put me upon an\r
+entirely wrong scent . I can only claim the merit that I instantly\r
+reconsidered my position when , however , it became clear to me\r
+that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not\r
+come either from the window or the door . My attention was\r
+speedily drawn , as I have already remarked to you , to this\r
+ventilator , and to the bell - rope which hung down to the bed . The\r
+discovery that this was a dummy , and that the bed was clamped to\r
+the floor , instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was\r
+there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and\r
+coming to the bed . The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me ,\r
+and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was\r
+furnished with a supply of creatures from India , I felt that I\r
+was probably on the right track . The idea of using a form of\r
+poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical\r
+test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless\r
+man who had had an Eastern training . The rapidity with which such\r
+a poison would take effect would also , from his point of view , be\r
+an advantage . It would be a sharp - eyed coroner , indeed , who could\r
+distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where\r
+the poison fangs had done their work . Then I thought of the\r
+whistle . Of course he must recall the snake before the morning\r
+light revealed it to the victim . He had trained it , probably by\r
+the use of the milk which we saw , to return to him when summoned .\r
+He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he\r
+thought best , with the certainty that it would crawl down the\r
+rope and land on the bed . It might or might not bite the\r
+occupant , perhaps she might escape every night for a week , but\r
+sooner or later she must fall a victim .\r
+\r
+" I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his\r
+room . An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in\r
+the habit of standing on it , which of course would be necessary\r
+in order that he should reach the ventilator . The sight of the\r
+safe , the saucer of milk , and the loop of whipcord were enough to\r
+finally dispel any doubts which may have remained . The metallic\r
+clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather\r
+hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant .\r
+Having once made up my mind , you know the steps which I took in\r
+order to put the matter to the proof . I heard the creature hiss\r
+as I have no doubt that you did also , and I instantly lit the\r
+light and attacked it "\r
+\r
+" With the result of driving it through the ventilator "\r
+\r
+" And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master\r
+at the other side . Some of the blows of my cane came home and\r
+roused its snakish temper , so that it flew upon the first person\r
+it saw . In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr .\r
+Grimesby Roylott's death , and I cannot say that it is likely to\r
+weigh very heavily upon my conscience "\r
+\r
+\r
+\r
+IX . THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER ' S THUMB\r
+\r
+Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend , Mr .\r
+Sherlock Holmes , for solution during the years of our intimacy ,\r
+there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his\r
+notice - that of Mr . Hatherley's thumb , and that of Colonel\r
+Warburton's madness . Of these the latter may have afforded a\r
+finer field for an acute and original observer , but the other was\r
+so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that\r
+it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record , even if it\r
+gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of\r
+reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results . The story\r
+has , I believe , been told more than once in the newspapers , but ,\r
+like all such narratives , its effect is much less striking when\r
+set forth en bloc in a single half - column of print than when the\r
+facts slowly evolve before your own eyes , and the mystery clears\r
+gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads\r
+on to the complete truth . At the time the circumstances made a\r
+deep impression upon me , and the lapse of two years has hardly\r
+served to weaken the effect .\r
+\r
+It was in the summer of ' 89 , not long after my marriage , that the\r
+events occurred which I am now about to summarise . I had returned\r
+to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker\r
+Street rooms , although I continually visited him and occasionally\r
+even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come\r
+and visit us . My practice had steadily increased , and as I\r
+happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington\r
+Station , I got a few patients from among the officials . One of\r
+these , whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease , was\r
+never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send\r
+me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence .\r
+\r
+One morning , at a little before seven o'clock , I was awakened by\r
+the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come\r
+from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting - room . I\r
+dressed hurriedly , for I knew by experience that railway cases\r
+were seldom trivial , and hastened downstairs . As I descended , my\r
+old ally , the guard , came out of the room and closed the door\r
+tightly behind him .\r
+\r
+" I ' ve got him here " he whispered , jerking his thumb over his\r
+shoulder ; " he's all right "\r
+\r
+" What is it , then " I asked , for his manner suggested that it was\r
+some strange creature which he had caged up in my room .\r
+\r
+" It's a new patient " he whispered . " I thought I ' d bring him\r
+round myself ; then he couldn't slip away . There he is , all safe\r
+and sound . I must go now , Doctor ; I have my dooties , just the\r
+same as you " And off he went , this trusty tout , without even\r
+giving me time to thank him .\r
+\r
+I entered my consulting - room and found a gentleman seated by the\r
+table . He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a\r
+soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books . Round one of\r
+his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped , which was mottled all\r
+over with bloodstains . He was young , not more than\r
+five - and - twenty , I should say , with a strong , masculine face ; but\r
+he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who\r
+was suffering from some strong agitation , which it took all his\r
+strength of mind to control .\r
+\r
+" I am sorry to knock you up so early , Doctor " said he , " but I\r
+have had a very serious accident during the night . I came in by\r
+train this morning , and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I\r
+might find a doctor , a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me\r
+here . I gave the maid a card , but I see that she has left it upon\r
+the side - table "\r
+\r
+I took it up and glanced at it . " Mr . Victor Hatherley , hydraulic\r
+engineer , 16A , Victoria Street ( 3rd floor ." That was the name ,\r
+style , and abode of my morning visitor . " I regret that I have\r
+kept you waiting " said I , sitting down in my library - chair . " You\r
+are fresh from a night journey , I understand , which is in itself\r
+a monotonous occupation "\r
+\r
+" Oh , my night could not be called monotonous " said he , and\r
+laughed . He laughed very heartily , with a high , ringing note ,\r
+leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides . All my medical\r
+instincts rose up against that laugh .\r
+\r
+" Stop it " I cried ; " pull yourself together " and I poured out\r
+some water from a caraffe .\r
+\r
+It was useless , however . He was off in one of those hysterical\r
+outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis\r
+is over and gone . Presently he came to himself once more , very\r
+weary and pale - looking .\r
+\r
+" I have been making a fool of myself " he gasped .\r
+\r
+" Not at all . Drink this " I dashed some brandy into the water ,\r
+and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks .\r
+\r
+" That's better " said he . " And now , Doctor , perhaps you would\r
+kindly attend to my thumb , or rather to the place where my thumb\r
+used to be "\r
+\r
+He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand . It gave even\r
+my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it . There were four\r
+protruding fingers and a horrid red , spongy surface where the\r
+thumb should have been . It had been hacked or torn right out from\r
+the roots .\r
+\r
+" Good heavens " I cried , " this is a terrible injury . It must have\r
+bled considerably "\r
+\r
+" Yes , it did . I fainted when it was done , and I think that I must\r
+have been senseless for a long time . When I came to I found that\r
+it was still bleeding , so I tied one end of my handkerchief very\r
+tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig "\r
+\r
+" Excellent ! You should have been a surgeon "\r
+\r
+" It is a question of hydraulics , you see , and came within my own\r
+province "\r
+\r
+" This has been done " said I , examining the wound , " by a very\r
+heavy and sharp instrument "\r
+\r
+" A thing like a cleaver " said he .\r
+\r
+" An accident , I presume "\r
+\r
+" By no means "\r
+\r
+" What ! a murderous attack "\r
+\r
+" Very murderous indeed "\r
+\r
+" You horrify me "\r
+\r
+I sponged the wound , cleaned it , dressed it , and finally covered\r
+it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages . He lay back\r
+without wincing , though he bit his lip from time to time .\r
+\r
+" How is that " I asked when I had finished .\r
+\r
+" Capital ! Between your brandy and your bandage , I feel a new man .\r
+I was very weak , but I have had a good deal to go through "\r
+\r
+" Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter . It is evidently\r
+trying to your nerves "\r
+\r
+" Oh , no , not now . I shall have to tell my tale to the police ;\r
+but , between ourselves , if it were not for the convincing\r
+evidence of this wound of mine , I should be surprised if they\r
+believed my statement , for it is a very extraordinary one , and I\r
+have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up ; and ,\r
+even if they believe me , the clues which I can give them are so\r
+vague that it is a question whether justice will be done "\r
+\r
+" Ha " cried I , " if it is anything in the nature of a problem\r
+which you desire to see solved , I should strongly recommend you\r
+to come to my friend , Mr . Sherlock Holmes , before you go to the\r
+official police "\r
+\r
+" Oh , I have heard of that fellow " answered my visitor , " and I\r
+should be very glad if he would take the matter up , though of\r
+course I must use the official police as well . Would you give me\r
+an introduction to him "\r
+\r
+" I ' ll do better . I ' ll take you round to him myself "\r
+\r
+" I should be immensely obliged to you "\r
+\r
+" We ' ll call a cab and go together . We shall just be in time to\r
+have a little breakfast with him . Do you feel equal to it "\r
+\r
+" Yes ; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story "\r
+\r
+" Then my servant will call a cab , and I shall be with you in an\r
+instant " I rushed upstairs , explained the matter shortly to my\r
+wife , and in five minutes was inside a hansom , driving with my\r
+new acquaintance to Baker Street .\r
+\r
+Sherlock Holmes was , as I expected , lounging about his\r
+sitting - room in his dressing - gown , reading the agony column of The\r
+Times and smoking his before - breakfast pipe , which was composed\r
+of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day\r
+before , all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the\r
+mantelpiece . He received us in his quietly genial fashion ,\r
+ordered fresh rashers and eggs , and joined us in a hearty meal .\r
+When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the\r
+sofa , placed a pillow beneath his head , and laid a glass of\r
+brandy and water within his reach .\r
+\r
+" It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one ,\r
+Mr . Hatherley " said he . " Pray , lie down there and make yourself\r
+absolutely at home . Tell us what you can , but stop when you are\r
+tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant "\r
+\r
+" Thank you " said my patient , " but I have felt another man since\r
+the doctor bandaged me , and I think that your breakfast has\r
+completed the cure . I shall take up as little of your valuable\r
+time as possible , so I shall start at once upon my peculiar\r
+experiences "\r
+\r
+Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary , heavy - lidded\r
+expression which veiled his keen and eager nature , while I sat\r
+opposite to him , and we listened in silence to the strange story\r
+which our visitor detailed to us .\r
+\r
+" You must know " said he , " that I am an orphan and a bachelor ,\r
+residing alone in lodgings in London . By profession I am a\r
+hydraulic engineer , and I have had considerable experience of my\r
+work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner &\r
+Matheson , the well - known firm , of Greenwich . Two years ago ,\r
+having served my time , and having also come into a fair sum of\r
+money through my poor father's death , I determined to start in\r
+business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria\r
+Street .\r
+\r
+" I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in\r
+business a dreary experience . To me it has been exceptionally so .\r
+During two years I have had three consultations and one small\r
+job , and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought\r
+me . My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s . Every day , from\r
+nine in the morning until four in the afternoon , I waited in my\r
+little den , until at last my heart began to sink , and I came to\r
+believe that I should never have any practice at all .\r
+\r
+" Yesterday , however , just as I was thinking of leaving the\r
+office , my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who\r
+wished to see me upon business . He brought up a card , too , with\r
+the name of ' Colonel Lysander Stark ' engraved upon it . Close at\r
+his heels came the colonel himself , a man rather over the middle\r
+size , but of an exceeding thinness . I do not think that I have\r
+ever seen so thin a man . His whole face sharpened away into nose\r
+and chin , and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over\r
+his outstanding bones . Yet this emaciation seemed to be his\r
+natural habit , and due to no disease , for his eye was bright , his\r
+step brisk , and his bearing assured . He was plainly but neatly\r
+dressed , and his age , I should judge , would be nearer forty than\r
+thirty .\r
+\r
+ ' Mr . Hatherley ' said he , with something of a German accent .\r
+' You have been recommended to me , Mr . Hatherley , as being a man\r
+who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet\r
+and capable of preserving a secret '\r
+\r
+" I bowed , feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an\r
+address . ' May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character '\r
+\r
+ ' Well , perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just\r
+at this moment . I have it from the same source that you are both\r
+an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London '\r
+\r
+ ' That is quite correct ' I answered ; ' but you will excuse me if\r
+I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional\r
+qualifications . I understand that it was on a professional matter\r
+that you wished to speak to me '\r
+\r
+ ' Undoubtedly so . But you will find that all I say is really to\r
+the point . I have a professional commission for you , but absolute\r
+secrecy is quite essential - absolute secrecy , you understand , and\r
+of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than\r
+from one who lives in the bosom of his family '\r
+\r
+ ' If I promise to keep a secret ' said I , ' you may absolutely\r
+depend upon my doing so '\r
+\r
+" He looked very hard at me as I spoke , and it seemed to me that I\r
+had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye .\r
+\r
+ ' Do you promise , then ' said he at last .\r
+\r
+ ' Yes , I promise '\r
+\r
+ ' Absolute and complete silence before , during , and after ? No\r
+reference to the matter at all , either in word or writing '\r
+\r
+ ' I have already given you my word '\r
+\r
+ ' Very good ' He suddenly sprang up , and darting like lightning\r
+across the room he flung open the door . The passage outside was\r
+empty .\r
+\r
+ ' That's all right ' said he , coming back . ' I know that clerks are\r
+sometimes curious as to their master's affairs . Now we can talk\r
+in safety ' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to\r
+stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look .\r
+\r
+" A feeling of repulsion , and of something akin to fear had begun\r
+to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man .\r
+Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from\r
+showing my impatience .\r
+\r
+ ' I beg that you will state your business , sir ' said I ; ' my time\r
+is of value ' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence , but the\r
+words came to my lips .\r
+\r
+ ' How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you ' he asked .\r
+\r
+ ' Most admirably '\r
+\r
+ ' I say a night's work , but an hour's would be nearer the mark . I\r
+simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which\r
+has got out of gear . If you show us what is wrong we shall soon\r
+set it right ourselves . What do you think of such a commission as\r
+that '\r
+\r
+ ' The work appears to be light and the pay munificent '\r
+\r
+ ' Precisely so . We shall want you to come to - night by the last\r
+train '\r
+\r
+ ' Where to '\r
+\r
+ ' To Eyford , in Berkshire . It is a little place near the borders\r
+of Oxfordshire , and within seven miles of Reading . There is a\r
+train from Paddington which would bring you there at about\r
+11 : 15 '\r
+\r
+ ' Very good '\r
+\r
+ ' I shall come down in a carriage to meet you '\r
+\r
+ ' There is a drive , then '\r
+\r
+ ' Yes , our little place is quite out in the country . It is a good\r
+seven miles from Eyford Station '\r
+\r
+ ' Then we can hardly get there before midnight . I suppose there\r
+would be no chance of a train back . I should be compelled to stop\r
+the night '\r
+\r
+ ' Yes , we could easily give you a shake - down '\r
+\r
+ ' That is very awkward . Could I not come at some more convenient\r
+hour '\r
+\r
+ ' We have judged it best that you should come late . It is to\r
+recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you , a\r
+young and unknown man , a fee which would buy an opinion from the\r
+very heads of your profession . Still , of course , if you would\r
+like to draw out of the business , there is plenty of time to do\r
+so '\r
+\r
+" I thought of the fifty guineas , and of how very useful they\r
+would be to me . ' Not at all ' said I , ' I shall be very happy to\r
+accommodate myself to your wishes . I should like , however , to\r
+understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to\r
+do '\r
+\r
+ ' Quite so . It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which\r
+we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity . I\r
+have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all\r
+laid before you . I suppose that we are absolutely safe from\r
+eavesdroppers '\r
+\r
+ ' Entirely '\r
+\r
+ ' Then the matter stands thus . You are probably aware that\r
+fuller's - earth is a valuable product , and that it is only found\r
+in one or two places in England '\r
+\r
+ ' I have heard so '\r
+\r
+ ' Some little time ago I bought a small place - a very small\r
+place - within ten miles of Reading . I was fortunate enough to\r
+discover that there was a deposit of fuller's - earth in one of my\r
+fields . On examining it , however , I found that this deposit was a\r
+comparatively small one , and that it formed a link between two\r
+very much larger ones upon the right and left - both of them ,\r
+however , in the grounds of my neighbours . These good people were\r
+absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was\r
+quite as valuable as a gold - mine . Naturally , it was to my\r
+interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value ,\r
+but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this . I\r
+took a few of my friends into the secret , however , and they\r
+suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little\r
+deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would\r
+enable us to buy the neighbouring fields . This we have now been\r
+doing for some time , and in order to help us in our operations we\r
+erected a hydraulic press . This press , as I have already\r
+explained , has got out of order , and we wish your advice upon the\r
+subject . We guard our secret very jealously , however , and if it\r
+once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our\r
+little house , it would soon rouse inquiry , and then , if the facts\r
+came out , it would be good - bye to any chance of getting these\r
+fields and carrying out our plans . That is why I have made you\r
+promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are\r
+going to Eyford to - night . I hope that I make it all plain '\r
+\r
+ ' I quite follow you ' said I . ' The only point which I could not\r
+quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press\r
+in excavating fuller's - earth , which , as I understand , is dug out\r
+like gravel from a pit '\r
+\r
+ ' Ah ' said he carelessly , ' we have our own process . We compress\r
+the earth into bricks , so as to remove them without revealing\r
+what they are . But that is a mere detail . I have taken you fully\r
+into my confidence now , Mr . Hatherley , and I have shown you how I\r
+trust you ' He rose as he spoke . ' I shall expect you , then , at\r
+Eyford at 11 : 15 '\r
+\r
+ ' I shall certainly be there '\r
+\r
+ ' And not a word to a soul ' He looked at me with a last long ,\r
+questioning gaze , and then , pressing my hand in a cold , dank\r
+grasp , he hurried from the room .\r
+\r
+" Well , when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very\r
+much astonished , as you may both think , at this sudden commission\r
+which had been intrusted to me . On the one hand , of course , I was\r
+glad , for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked\r
+had I set a price upon my own services , and it was possible that\r
+this order might lead to other ones . On the other hand , the face\r
+and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon\r
+me , and I could not think that his explanation of the\r
+fuller's - earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my\r
+coming at midnight , and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell\r
+anyone of my errand . However , I threw all fears to the winds , ate\r
+a hearty supper , drove to Paddington , and started off , having\r
+obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue .\r
+\r
+" At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station .\r
+However , I was in time for the last train to Eyford , and I\r
+reached the little dim - lit station after eleven o'clock . I was the\r
+only passenger who got out there , and there was no one upon the\r
+platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern . As I passed\r
+out through the wicket gate , however , I found my acquaintance of\r
+the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side . Without a\r
+word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage , the door\r
+of which was standing open . He drew up the windows on either\r
+side , tapped on the wood - work , and away we went as fast as the\r
+horse could go "\r
+\r
+" One horse " interjected Holmes .\r
+\r
+" Yes , only one "\r
+\r
+" Did you observe the colour "\r
+\r
+" Yes , I saw it by the side - lights when I was stepping into the\r
+carriage . It was a chestnut "\r
+\r
+" Tired - looking or fresh "\r
+\r
+" Oh , fresh and glossy "\r
+\r
+" Thank you . I am sorry to have interrupted you . Pray continue\r
+your most interesting statement "\r
+\r
+" Away we went then , and we drove for at least an hour . Colonel\r
+Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles , but I\r
+should think , from the rate that we seemed to go , and from the\r
+time that we took , that it must have been nearer twelve . He sat\r
+at my side in silence all the time , and I was aware , more than\r
+once when I glanced in his direction , that he was looking at me\r
+with great intensity . The country roads seem to be not very good\r
+in that part of the world , for we lurched and jolted terribly . I\r
+tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we\r
+were , but they were made of frosted glass , and I could make out\r
+nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light . Now\r
+and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the\r
+journey , but the colonel answered only in monosyllables , and the\r
+conversation soon flagged . At last , however , the bumping of the\r
+road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel - drive ,\r
+and the carriage came to a stand . Colonel Lysander Stark sprang\r
+out , and , as I followed after him , pulled me swiftly into a porch\r
+which gaped in front of us . We stepped , as it were , right out of\r
+the carriage and into the hall , so that I failed to catch the\r
+most fleeting glance of the front of the house . The instant that\r
+I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us ,\r
+and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage\r
+drove away .\r
+\r
+" It was pitch dark inside the house , and the colonel fumbled\r
+about looking for matches and muttering under his breath .\r
+Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage , and a\r
+long , golden bar of light shot out in our direction . It grew\r
+broader , and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand , which she\r
+held above her head , pushing her face forward and peering at us .\r
+I could see that she was pretty , and from the gloss with which\r
+the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich\r
+material . She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as\r
+though asking a question , and when my companion answered in a\r
+gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly\r
+fell from her hand . Colonel Stark went up to her , whispered\r
+something in her ear , and then , pushing her back into the room\r
+from whence she had come , he walked towards me again with the\r
+lamp in his hand .\r
+\r
+ ' Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a\r
+few minutes ' said he , throwing open another door . It was a\r
+quiet , little , plainly furnished room , with a round table in the\r
+centre , on which several German books were scattered . Colonel\r
+Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the\r
+door . ' I shall not keep you waiting an instant ' said he , and\r
+vanished into the darkness .\r
+\r
+" I glanced at the books upon the table , and in spite of my\r
+ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises\r
+on science , the others being volumes of poetry . Then I walked\r
+across to the window , hoping that I might catch some glimpse of\r
+the country - side , but an oak shutter , heavily barred , was folded\r
+across it . It was a wonderfully silent house . There was an old\r
+clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage , but otherwise\r
+everything was deadly still . A vague feeling of uneasiness began\r
+to steal over me . Who were these German people , and what were\r
+they doing living in this strange , out - of - the - way place ? And\r
+where was the place ? I was ten miles or so from Eyford , that was\r
+all I knew , but whether north , south , east , or west I had no\r
+idea . For that matter , Reading , and possibly other large towns ,\r
+were within that radius , so the place might not be so secluded ,\r
+after all . Yet it was quite certain , from the absolute stillness ,\r
+that we were in the country . I paced up and down the room ,\r
+humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling\r
+that I was thoroughly earning my fifty - guinea fee .\r
+\r
+" Suddenly , without any preliminary sound in the midst of the\r
+utter stillness , the door of my room swung slowly open . The woman\r
+was standing in the aperture , the darkness of the hall behind\r
+her , the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and\r
+beautiful face . I could see at a glance that she was sick with\r
+fear , and the sight sent a chill to my own heart . She held up one\r
+shaking finger to warn me to be silent , and she shot a few\r
+whispered words of broken English at me , her eyes glancing back ,\r
+like those of a frightened horse , into the gloom behind her .\r
+\r
+ ' I would go ' said she , trying hard , as it seemed to me , to\r
+speak calmly ; ' I would go . I should not stay here . There is no\r
+good for you to do '\r
+\r
+ ' But , madam ' said I , ' I have not yet done what I came for . I\r
+cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine '\r
+\r
+ ' It is not worth your while to wait ' she went on . ' You can pass\r
+through the door ; no one hinders ' And then , seeing that I smiled\r
+and shook my head , she suddenly threw aside her constraint and\r
+made a step forward , with her hands wrung together . ' For the love\r
+of Heaven ' she whispered , ' get away from here before it is too\r
+late '\r
+\r
+" But I am somewhat headstrong by nature , and the more ready to\r
+engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way . I\r
+thought of my fifty - guinea fee , of my wearisome journey , and of\r
+the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me . Was it all to\r
+go for nothing ? Why should I slink away without having carried\r
+out my commission , and without the payment which was my due ? This\r
+woman might , for all I knew , be a monomaniac . With a stout\r
+bearing , therefore , though her manner had shaken me more than I\r
+cared to confess , I still shook my head and declared my intention\r
+of remaining where I was . She was about to renew her entreaties\r
+when a door slammed overhead , and the sound of several footsteps\r
+was heard upon the stairs . She listened for an instant , threw up\r
+her hands with a despairing gesture , and vanished as suddenly and\r
+as noiselessly as she had come .\r
+\r
+" The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man\r
+with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double\r
+chin , who was introduced to me as Mr . Ferguson .\r
+\r
+ ' This is my secretary and manager ' said the colonel . ' By the\r
+way , I was under the impression that I left this door shut just\r
+now . I fear that you have felt the draught '\r
+\r
+ ' On the contrary ' said I , ' I opened the door myself because I\r
+felt the room to be a little close '\r
+\r
+" He shot one of his suspicious looks at me . ' Perhaps we had\r
+better proceed to business , then ' said he . ' Mr . Ferguson and I\r
+will take you up to see the machine '\r
+\r
+ ' I had better put my hat on , I suppose '\r
+\r
+ ' Oh , no , it is in the house '\r
+\r
+ ' What , you dig fuller's - earth in the house '\r
+\r
+ ' No , no . This is only where we compress it . But never mind that .\r
+All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us\r
+know what is wrong with it '\r
+\r
+" We went upstairs together , the colonel first with the lamp , the\r
+fat manager and I behind him . It was a labyrinth of an old house ,\r
+with corridors , passages , narrow winding staircases , and little\r
+low doors , the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the\r
+generations who had crossed them . There were no carpets and no\r
+signs of any furniture above the ground floor , while the plaster\r
+was peeling off the walls , and the damp was breaking through in\r
+green , unhealthy blotches . I tried to put on as unconcerned an\r
+air as possible , but I had not forgotten the warnings of the\r
+lady , even though I disregarded them , and I kept a keen eye upon\r
+my two companions . Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent\r
+man , but I could see from the little that he said that he was at\r
+least a fellow - countryman .\r
+\r
+" Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door , which\r
+he unlocked . Within was a small , square room , in which the three\r
+of us could hardly get at one time . Ferguson remained outside ,\r
+and the colonel ushered me in .\r
+\r
+ ' We are now ' said he , ' actually within the hydraulic press , and\r
+it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were\r
+to turn it on . The ceiling of this small chamber is really the\r
+end of the descending piston , and it comes down with the force of\r
+many tons upon this metal floor . There are small lateral columns\r
+of water outside which receive the force , and which transmit and\r
+multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you . The machine\r
+goes readily enough , but there is some stiffness in the working\r
+of it , and it has lost a little of its force . Perhaps you will\r
+have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set\r
+it right '\r
+\r
+" I took the lamp from him , and I examined the machine very\r
+thoroughly . It was indeed a gigantic one , and capable of\r
+exercising enormous pressure . When I passed outside , however , and\r
+pressed down the levers which controlled it , I knew at once by\r
+the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage , which allowed\r
+a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders . An\r
+examination showed that one of the india - rubber bands which was\r
+round the head of a driving - rod had shrunk so as not quite to\r
+fill the socket along which it worked . This was clearly the cause\r
+of the loss of power , and I pointed it out to my companions , who\r
+followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical\r
+questions as to how they should proceed to set it right . When I\r
+had made it clear to them , I returned to the main chamber of the\r
+machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity .\r
+It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's - earth\r
+was the merest fabrication , for it would be absurd to suppose\r
+that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a\r
+purpose . The walls were of wood , but the floor consisted of a\r
+large iron trough , and when I came to examine it I could see a\r
+crust of metallic deposit all over it . I had stooped and was\r
+scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a\r
+muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the\r
+colonel looking down at me .\r
+\r
+ ' What are you doing there ' he asked .\r
+\r
+" I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as\r
+that which he had told me . ' I was admiring your fuller's - earth '\r
+said I ; ' I think that I should be better able to advise you as to\r
+your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it\r
+was used '\r
+\r
+" The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of\r
+my speech . His face set hard , and a baleful light sprang up in\r
+his grey eyes .\r
+\r
+ ' Very well ' said he , ' you shall know all about the machine ' He\r
+took a step backward , slammed the little door , and turned the key\r
+in the lock . I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle , but it\r
+was quite secure , and did not give in the least to my kicks and\r
+shoves . ' Hullo ' I yelled . ' Hullo ! Colonel ! Let me out '\r
+\r
+" And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my\r
+heart into my mouth . It was the clank of the levers and the swish\r
+of the leaking cylinder . He had set the engine at work . The lamp\r
+still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining\r
+the trough . By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming\r
+down upon me , slowly , jerkily , but , as none knew better than\r
+myself , with a force which must within a minute grind me to a\r
+shapeless pulp . I threw myself , screaming , against the door , and\r
+dragged with my nails at the lock . I implored the colonel to let\r
+me out , but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my\r
+cries . The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head , and with\r
+my hand upraised I could feel its hard , rough surface . Then it\r
+flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend\r
+very much upon the position in which I met it . If I lay on my\r
+face the weight would come upon my spine , and I shuddered to\r
+think of that dreadful snap . Easier the other way , perhaps ; and\r
+yet , had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black\r
+shadow wavering down upon me ? Already I was unable to stand\r
+erect , when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope\r
+back to my heart .\r
+\r
+" I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron , the\r
+walls were of wood . As I gave a last hurried glance around , I saw\r
+a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards , which\r
+broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward . For\r
+an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door\r
+which led away from death . The next instant I threw myself\r
+through , and lay half - fainting upon the other side . The panel had\r
+closed again behind me , but the crash of the lamp , and a few\r
+moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal , told me\r
+how narrow had been my escape .\r
+\r
+" I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist , and\r
+I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor ,\r
+while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand ,\r
+while she held a candle in her right . It was the same good friend\r
+whose warning I had so foolishly rejected .\r
+\r
+ ' Come ! come ' she cried breathlessly . ' They will be here in a\r
+moment . They will see that you are not there . Oh , do not waste\r
+the so - precious time , but come '\r
+\r
+" This time , at least , I did not scorn her advice . I staggered to\r
+my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding\r
+stair . The latter led to another broad passage , and just as we\r
+reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of\r
+two voices , one answering the other from the floor on which we\r
+were and from the one beneath . My guide stopped and looked about\r
+her like one who is at her wit's end . Then she threw open a door\r
+which led into a bedroom , through the window of which the moon\r
+was shining brightly .\r
+\r
+ ' It is your only chance ' said she . ' It is high , but it may be\r
+that you can jump it '\r
+\r
+" As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the\r
+passage , and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark\r
+rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a\r
+butcher's cleaver in the other . I rushed across the bedroom ,\r
+flung open the window , and looked out . How quiet and sweet and\r
+wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight , and it could not be\r
+more than thirty feet down . I clambered out upon the sill , but I\r
+hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between\r
+my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me . If she were ill - used ,\r
+then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance .\r
+The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at\r
+the door , pushing his way past her ; but she threw her arms round\r
+him and tried to hold him back .\r
+\r
+ ' Fritz ! Fritz ' she cried in English , ' remember your promise\r
+after the last time . You said it should not be again . He will be\r
+silent ! Oh , he will be silent '\r
+\r
+ ' You are mad , Elise ' he shouted , struggling to break away from\r
+her . ' You will be the ruin of us . He has seen too much . Let me\r
+pass , I say ' He dashed her to one side , and , rushing to the\r
+window , cut at me with his heavy weapon . I had let myself go , and\r
+was hanging by the hands to the sill , when his blow fell . I was\r
+conscious of a dull pain , my grip loosened , and I fell into the\r
+garden below .\r
+\r
+" I was shaken but not hurt by the fall ; so I picked myself up and\r
+rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run , for I\r
+understood that I was far from being out of danger yet . Suddenly ,\r
+however , as I ran , a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me .\r
+I glanced down at my hand , which was throbbing painfully , and\r
+then , for the first time , saw that my thumb had been cut off and\r
+that the blood was pouring from my wound . I endeavoured to tie my\r
+handkerchief round it , but there came a sudden buzzing in my\r
+ears , and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the\r
+rose - bushes .\r
+\r
+" How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell . It must have been\r
+a very long time , for the moon had sunk , and a bright morning was\r
+breaking when I came to myself . My clothes were all sodden with\r
+dew , and my coat - sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded\r
+thumb . The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the\r
+particulars of my night's adventure , and I sprang to my feet with\r
+the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers . But\r
+to my astonishment , when I came to look round me , neither house\r
+nor garden were to be seen . I had been lying in an angle of the\r
+hedge close by the highroad , and just a little lower down was a\r
+long building , which proved , upon my approaching it , to be the\r
+very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night . Were\r
+it not for the ugly wound upon my hand , all that had passed\r
+during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream .\r
+\r
+" Half dazed , I went into the station and asked about the morning\r
+train . There would be one to Reading in less than an hour . The\r
+same porter was on duty , I found , as had been there when I\r
+arrived . I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel\r
+Lysander Stark . The name was strange to him . Had he observed a\r
+carriage the night before waiting for me ? No , he had not . Was\r
+there a police - station anywhere near ? There was one about three\r
+miles off .\r
+\r
+" It was too far for me to go , weak and ill as I was . I determined\r
+to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the\r
+police . It was a little past six when I arrived , so I went first\r
+to have my wound dressed , and then the doctor was kind enough to\r
+bring me along here . I put the case into your hands and shall do\r
+exactly what you advise "\r
+\r
+We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to\r
+this extraordinary narrative . Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down\r
+from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he\r
+placed his cuttings .\r
+\r
+" Here is an advertisement which will interest you " said he . " It\r
+appeared in all the papers about a year ago . Listen to this :\r
+' Lost , on the 9th inst , Mr . Jeremiah Hayling , aged\r
+twenty - six , a hydraulic engineer . Left his lodgings at ten\r
+o'clock at night , and has not been heard of since . Was\r
+dressed in ' etc , etc . Ha ! That represents the last time that\r
+the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled , I fancy "\r
+\r
+" Good heavens " cried my patient . " Then that explains what the\r
+girl said "\r
+\r
+" Undoubtedly . It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and\r
+desperate man , who was absolutely determined that nothing should\r
+stand in the way of his little game , like those out - and - out\r
+pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship . Well ,\r
+every moment now is precious , so if you feel equal to it we shall\r
+go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for\r
+Eyford "\r
+\r
+Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train\r
+together , bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village .\r
+There were Sherlock Holmes , the hydraulic engineer , Inspector\r
+Bradstreet , of Scotland Yard , a plain - clothes man , and myself .\r
+Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the\r
+seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford\r
+for its centre .\r
+\r
+" There you are " said he . " That circle is drawn at a radius of\r
+ten miles from the village . The place we want must be somewhere\r
+near that line . You said ten miles , I think , sir "\r
+\r
+" It was an hour's good drive "\r
+\r
+" And you think that they brought you back all that way when you\r
+were unconscious "\r
+\r
+" They must have done so . I have a confused memory , too , of having\r
+been lifted and conveyed somewhere "\r
+\r
+" What I cannot understand " said I , " is why they should have\r
+spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden .\r
+Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties "\r
+\r
+" I hardly think that likely . I never saw a more inexorable face\r
+in my life "\r
+\r
+" Oh , we shall soon clear up all that " said Bradstreet . " Well , I\r
+have drawn my circle , and I only wish I knew at what point upon\r
+it the folk that we are in search of are to be found "\r
+\r
+" I think I could lay my finger on it " said Holmes quietly .\r
+\r
+" Really , now " cried the inspector , " you have formed your\r
+opinion ! Come , now , we shall see who agrees with you . I say it is\r
+south , for the country is more deserted there "\r
+\r
+" And I say east " said my patient .\r
+\r
+" I am for west " remarked the plain - clothes man . " There are\r
+several quiet little villages up there "\r
+\r
+" And I am for north " said I , " because there are no hills there ,\r
+and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up\r
+any "\r
+\r
+" Come " cried the inspector , laughing ; " it's a very pretty\r
+diversity of opinion . We have boxed the compass among us . Who do\r
+you give your casting vote to "\r
+\r
+" You are all wrong "\r
+\r
+" But we can't all be "\r
+\r
+" Oh , yes , you can . This is my point " He placed his finger in the\r
+centre of the circle . " This is where we shall find them "\r
+\r
+" But the twelve - mile drive " gasped Hatherley .\r
+\r
+" Six out and six back . Nothing simpler . You say yourself that the\r
+horse was fresh and glossy when you got in . How could it be that\r
+if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads "\r
+\r
+" Indeed , it is a likely ruse enough " observed Bradstreet\r
+thoughtfully . " Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature\r
+of this gang "\r
+\r
+" None at all " said Holmes . " They are coiners on a large scale ,\r
+and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the\r
+place of silver "\r
+\r
+" We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work "\r
+said the inspector . " They have been turning out half - crowns by\r
+the thousand . We even traced them as far as Reading , but could\r
+get no farther , for they had covered their traces in a way that\r
+showed that they were very old hands . But now , thanks to this\r
+lucky chance , I think that we have got them right enough "\r
+\r
+But the inspector was mistaken , for those criminals were not\r
+destined to fall into the hands of justice . As we rolled into\r
+Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed\r
+up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and\r
+hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape .\r
+\r
+" A house on fire " asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off\r
+again on its way .\r
+\r
+" Yes , sir " said the station - master .\r
+\r
+" When did it break out "\r
+\r
+" I hear that it was during the night , sir , but it has got worse ,\r
+and the whole place is in a blaze "\r
+\r
+" Whose house is it "\r
+\r
+" Dr . Becher's "\r
+\r
+" Tell me " broke in the engineer , " is Dr . Becher a German , very\r
+thin , with a long , sharp nose "\r
+\r
+The station - master laughed heartily . " No , sir , Dr . Becher is an\r
+Englishman , and there isn't a man in the parish who has a\r
+better - lined waistcoat . But he has a gentleman staying with him ,\r
+a patient , as I understand , who is a foreigner , and he looks as\r
+if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm "\r
+\r
+The station - master had not finished his speech before we were all\r
+hastening in the direction of the fire . The road topped a low\r
+hill , and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in\r
+front of us , spouting fire at every chink and window , while in\r
+the garden in front three fire - engines were vainly striving to\r
+keep the flames under .\r
+\r
+" That's it " cried Hatherley , in intense excitement . " There is\r
+the gravel - drive , and there are the rose - bushes where I lay . That\r
+second window is the one that I jumped from "\r
+\r
+" Well , at least " said Holmes , " you have had your revenge upon\r
+them . There can be no question that it was your oil - lamp which ,\r
+when it was crushed in the press , set fire to the wooden walls ,\r
+though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to\r
+observe it at the time . Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for\r
+your friends of last night , though I very much fear that they are\r
+a good hundred miles off by now "\r
+\r
+And Holmes ' fears came to be realised , for from that day to this\r
+no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman , the\r
+sinister German , or the morose Englishman . Early that morning a\r
+peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very\r
+bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading , but\r
+there all traces of the fugitives disappeared , and even Holmes '\r
+ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their\r
+whereabouts .\r
+\r
+The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements\r
+which they had found within , and still more so by discovering a\r
+newly severed human thumb upon a window - sill of the second floor .\r
+About sunset , however , their efforts were at last successful , and\r
+they subdued the flames , but not before the roof had fallen in ,\r
+and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that , save\r
+some twisted cylinders and iron piping , not a trace remained of\r
+the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so\r
+dearly . Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored\r
+in an out - house , but no coins were to be found , which may have\r
+explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been\r
+already referred to .\r
+\r
+How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to\r
+the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained\r
+forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould , which told us a\r
+very plain tale . He had evidently been carried down by two\r
+persons , one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other\r
+unusually large ones . On the whole , it was most probable that the\r
+silent Englishman , being less bold or less murderous than his\r
+companion , had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out\r
+of the way of danger .\r
+\r
+" Well " said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return\r
+once more to London , " it has been a pretty business for me ! I\r
+have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty - guinea fee , and what\r
+have I gained "\r
+\r
+" Experience " said Holmes , laughing . " Indirectly it may be of\r
+value , you know ; you have only to put it into words to gain the\r
+reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your\r
+existence "\r
+\r
+\r
+\r
+X . THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR\r
+\r
+The Lord St . Simon marriage , and its curious termination , have\r
+long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles\r
+in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves . Fresh scandals have\r
+eclipsed it , and their more piquant details have drawn the\r
+gossips away from this four - year - old drama . As I have reason to\r
+believe , however , that the full facts have never been revealed to\r
+the general public , and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a\r
+considerable share in clearing the matter up , I feel that no\r
+memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of\r
+this remarkable episode .\r
+\r
+It was a few weeks before my own marriage , during the days when I\r
+was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street , that he came\r
+home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table\r
+waiting for him . I had remained indoors all day , for the weather\r
+had taken a sudden turn to rain , with high autumnal winds , and\r
+the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as\r
+a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence .\r
+With my body in one easy - chair and my legs upon another , I had\r
+surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last ,\r
+saturated with the news of the day , I tossed them all aside and\r
+lay listless , watching the huge crest and monogram upon the\r
+envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's\r
+noble correspondent could be .\r
+\r
+" Here is a very fashionable epistle " I remarked as he entered .\r
+" Your morning letters , if I remember right , were from a\r
+fish - monger and a tide - waiter "\r
+\r
+" Yes , my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety " he\r
+answered , smiling , " and the humbler are usually the more\r
+interesting . This looks like one of those unwelcome social\r
+summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie "\r
+\r
+He broke the seal and glanced over the contents .\r
+\r
+" Oh , come , it may prove to be something of interest , after all "\r
+\r
+" Not social , then "\r
+\r
+" No , distinctly professional "\r
+\r
+" And from a noble client "\r
+\r
+" One of the highest in England "\r
+\r
+" My dear fellow , I congratulate you "\r
+\r
+" I assure you , Watson , without affectation , that the status of my\r
+client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his\r
+case . It is just possible , however , that that also may not be\r
+wanting in this new investigation . You have been reading the\r
+papers diligently of late , have you not "\r
+\r
+" It looks like it " said I ruefully , pointing to a huge bundle in\r
+the corner . " I have had nothing else to do "\r
+\r
+" It is fortunate , for you will perhaps be able to post me up . I\r
+read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column . The\r
+latter is always instructive . But if you have followed recent\r
+events so closely you must have read about Lord St . Simon and his\r
+wedding "\r
+\r
+" Oh , yes , with the deepest interest "\r
+\r
+" That is well . The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord\r
+St . Simon . I will read it to you , and in return you must turn\r
+over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter .\r
+This is what he says :\r
+\r
+ ' MY DEAR MR . SHERLOCK HOLMES -- Lord Backwater tells me that I\r
+may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion . I\r
+have determined , therefore , to call upon you and to consult you\r
+in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in\r
+connection with my wedding . Mr . Lestrade , of Scotland Yard , is\r
+acting already in the matter , but he assures me that he sees no\r
+objection to your co - operation , and that he even thinks that\r
+it might be of some assistance . I will call at four o'clock in\r
+the afternoon , and , should you have any other engagement at that\r
+time , I hope that you will postpone it , as this matter is of\r
+paramount importance . Yours faithfully , ST . SIMON '\r
+\r
+" It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions , written with a quill pen ,\r
+and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink\r
+upon the outer side of his right little finger " remarked Holmes\r
+as he folded up the epistle .\r
+\r
+" He says four o'clock . It is three now . He will be here in an\r
+hour "\r
+\r
+" Then I have just time , with your assistance , to get clear upon\r
+the subject . Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in\r
+their order of time , while I take a glance as to who our client\r
+is " He picked a red - covered volume from a line of books of\r
+reference beside the mantelpiece . " Here he is " said he , sitting\r
+down and flattening it out upon his knee . " ' Lord Robert Walsingham\r
+de Vere St . Simon , second son of the Duke of Balmoral ' Hum ! ' Arms :\r
+Azure , three caltrops in chief over a fess sable . Born in 1846 '\r
+He's forty - one years of age , which is mature for marriage . Was\r
+Under - Secretary for the colonies in a late administration . The\r
+Duke , his father , was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs .\r
+They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent , and Tudor on\r
+the distaff side . Ha ! Well , there is nothing very instructive in\r
+all this . I think that I must turn to you Watson , for something\r
+more solid "\r
+\r
+" I have very little difficulty in finding what I want " said I ,\r
+" for the facts are quite recent , and the matter struck me as\r
+remarkable . I feared to refer them to you , however , as I knew\r
+that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the\r
+intrusion of other matters "\r
+\r
+" Oh , you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square\r
+furniture van . That is quite cleared up now - though , indeed , it\r
+was obvious from the first . Pray give me the results of your\r
+newspaper selections "\r
+\r
+" Here is the first notice which I can find . It is in the personal\r
+column of the Morning Post , and dates , as you see , some weeks\r
+back : ' A marriage has been arranged ' it says , ' and will , if\r
+rumour is correct , very shortly take place , between Lord Robert\r
+St . Simon , second son of the Duke of Balmoral , and Miss Hatty\r
+Doran , the only daughter of Aloysius Doran . Esq , of San\r
+Francisco , Cal , U . S . A ' That is all "\r
+\r
+" Terse and to the point " remarked Holmes , stretching his long ,\r
+thin legs towards the fire .\r
+\r
+" There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society\r
+papers of the same week . Ah , here it is : ' There will soon be a\r
+call for protection in the marriage market , for the present\r
+free - trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home\r
+product . One by one the management of the noble houses of Great\r
+Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across\r
+the Atlantic . An important addition has been made during the last\r
+week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by\r
+these charming invaders . Lord St . Simon , who has shown himself\r
+for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows , has\r
+now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty\r
+Doran , the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire . Miss\r
+Doran , whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much\r
+attention at the Westbury House festivities , is an only child ,\r
+and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to\r
+considerably over the six figures , with expectancies for the\r
+future . As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has\r
+been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years ,\r
+and as Lord St . Simon has no property of his own save the small\r
+estate of Birchmoor , it is obvious that the Californian heiress\r
+is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to\r
+make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a\r
+British peeress '"\r
+\r
+" Anything else " asked Holmes , yawning .\r
+\r
+" Oh , yes ; plenty . Then there is another note in the Morning Post\r
+to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one , that it\r
+would be at St . George's , Hanover Square , that only half a dozen\r
+intimate friends would be invited , and that the party would\r
+return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been\r
+taken by Mr . Aloysius Doran . Two days later - that is , on\r
+Wednesday last - there is a curt announcement that the wedding had\r
+taken place , and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord\r
+Backwater's place , near Petersfield . Those are all the notices\r
+which appeared before the disappearance of the bride "\r
+\r
+" Before the what " asked Holmes with a start .\r
+\r
+" The vanishing of the lady "\r
+\r
+" When did she vanish , then "\r
+\r
+" At the wedding breakfast "\r
+\r
+" Indeed . This is more interesting than it promised to be ; quite\r
+dramatic , in fact "\r
+\r
+" Yes ; it struck me as being a little out of the common "\r
+\r
+" They often vanish before the ceremony , and occasionally during\r
+the honeymoon ; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt\r
+as this . Pray let me have the details "\r
+\r
+" I warn you that they are very incomplete "\r
+\r
+" Perhaps we may make them less so "\r
+\r
+" Such as they are , they are set forth in a single article of a\r
+morning paper of yesterday , which I will read to you . It is\r
+headed , ' Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding :\r
+\r
+ ' The family of Lord Robert St . Simon has been thrown into the\r
+greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which\r
+have taken place in connection with his wedding . The ceremony , as\r
+shortly announced in the papers of yesterday , occurred on the\r
+previous morning ; but it is only now that it has been possible to\r
+confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently\r
+floating about . In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush\r
+the matter up , so much public attention has now been drawn to it\r
+that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what\r
+is a common subject for conversation .\r
+\r
+ ' The ceremony , which was performed at St . George's , Hanover\r
+Square , was a very quiet one , no one being present save the\r
+father of the bride , Mr . Aloysius Doran , the Duchess of Balmoral ,\r
+Lord Backwater , Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St . Simon ( the\r
+younger brother and sister of the bridegroom , and Lady Alicia\r
+Whittington . The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of\r
+Mr . Aloysius Doran , at Lancaster Gate , where breakfast had been\r
+prepared . It appears that some little trouble was caused by a\r
+woman , whose name has not been ascertained , who endeavoured to\r
+force her way into the house after the bridal party , alleging\r
+that she had some claim upon Lord St . Simon . It was only after a\r
+painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler\r
+and the footman . The bride , who had fortunately entered the house\r
+before this unpleasant interruption , had sat down to breakfast\r
+with the rest , when she complained of a sudden indisposition and\r
+retired to her room . Her prolonged absence having caused some\r
+comment , her father followed her , but learned from her maid that\r
+she had only come up to her chamber for an instant , caught up an\r
+ulster and bonnet , and hurried down to the passage . One of the\r
+footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus\r
+apparelled , but had refused to credit that it was his mistress ,\r
+believing her to be with the company . On ascertaining that his\r
+daughter had disappeared , Mr . Aloysius Doran , in conjunction with\r
+the bridegroom , instantly put themselves in communication with\r
+the police , and very energetic inquiries are being made , which\r
+will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very\r
+singular business . Up to a late hour last night , however , nothing\r
+had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady . There\r
+are rumours of foul play in the matter , and it is said that the\r
+police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the\r
+original disturbance , in the belief that , from jealousy or some\r
+other motive , she may have been concerned in the strange\r
+disappearance of the bride '"\r
+\r
+" And is that all "\r
+\r
+" Only one little item in another of the morning papers , but it is\r
+a suggestive one "\r
+\r
+" And it is -"\r
+\r
+" That Miss Flora Millar , the lady who had caused the disturbance ,\r
+has actually been arrested . It appears that she was formerly a\r
+danseuse at the Allegro , and that she has known the bridegroom\r
+for some years . There are no further particulars , and the whole\r
+case is in your hands now - so far as it has been set forth in the\r
+public press "\r
+\r
+" And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be . I would\r
+not have missed it for worlds . But there is a ring at the bell ,\r
+Watson , and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four , I\r
+have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client . Do not\r
+dream of going , Watson , for I very much prefer having a witness ,\r
+if only as a check to my own memory "\r
+\r
+" Lord Robert St . Simon " announced our page - boy , throwing open\r
+the door . A gentleman entered , with a pleasant , cultured face ,\r
+high - nosed and pale , with something perhaps of petulance about\r
+the mouth , and with the steady , well - opened eye of a man whose\r
+pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed . His\r
+manner was brisk , and yet his general appearance gave an undue\r
+impression of age , for he had a slight forward stoop and a little\r
+bend of the knees as he walked . His hair , too , as he swept off\r
+his very curly - brimmed hat , was grizzled round the edges and thin\r
+upon the top . As to his dress , it was careful to the verge of\r
+foppishness , with high collar , black frock - coat , white waistcoat ,\r
+yellow gloves , patent - leather shoes , and light - coloured gaiters .\r
+He advanced slowly into the room , turning his head from left to\r
+right , and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his\r
+golden eyeglasses .\r
+\r
+" Good - day , Lord St . Simon " said Holmes , rising and bowing . " Pray\r
+take the basket - chair . This is my friend and colleague , Dr .\r
+Watson . Draw up a little to the fire , and we will talk this\r
+matter over "\r
+\r
+" A most painful matter to me , as you can most readily imagine ,\r
+Mr . Holmes . I have been cut to the quick . I understand that you\r
+have already managed several delicate cases of this sort , sir ,\r
+though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of\r
+society "\r
+\r
+" No , I am descending "\r
+\r
+" I beg pardon "\r
+\r
+" My last client of the sort was a king "\r
+\r
+" Oh , really ! I had no idea . And which king "\r
+\r
+" The King of Scandinavia "\r
+\r
+" What ! Had he lost his wife "\r
+\r
+" You can understand " said Holmes suavely , " that I extend to the\r
+affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to\r
+you in yours "\r
+\r
+" Of course ! Very right ! very right ! I ' m sure I beg pardon . As to\r
+my own case , I am ready to give you any information which may\r
+assist you in forming an opinion "\r
+\r
+" Thank you . I have already learned all that is in the public\r
+prints , nothing more . I presume that I may take it as correct - this\r
+article , for example , as to the disappearance of the bride "\r
+\r
+Lord St . Simon glanced over it . " Yes , it is correct , as far as it\r
+goes "\r
+\r
+" But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could\r
+offer an opinion . I think that I may arrive at my facts most\r
+directly by questioning you "\r
+\r
+" Pray do so "\r
+\r
+" When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran "\r
+\r
+" In San Francisco , a year ago "\r
+\r
+" You were travelling in the States "\r
+\r
+" Yes "\r
+\r
+" Did you become engaged then "\r
+\r
+" No "\r
+\r
+" But you were on a friendly footing "\r
+\r
+" I was amused by her society , and she could see that I was\r
+amused "\r
+\r
+" Her father is very rich "\r
+\r
+" He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope "\r
+\r
+" And how did he make his money "\r
+\r
+" In mining . He had nothing a few years ago . Then he struck gold ,\r
+invested it , and came up by leaps and bounds "\r
+\r
+" Now , what is your own impression as to the young lady's - your\r
+wife's character "\r
+\r
+The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down\r
+into the fire . " You see , Mr . Holmes " said he , " my wife was\r
+twenty before her father became a rich man . During that time she\r
+ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or\r
+mountains , so that her education has come from Nature rather than\r
+from the schoolmaster . She is what we call in England a tomboy ,\r
+with a strong nature , wild and free , unfettered by any sort of\r
+traditions . She is impetuous - volcanic , I was about to say . She\r
+is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her\r
+resolutions . On the other hand , I would not have given her the\r
+name which I have the honour to bear -- he gave a little stately\r
+cough -" had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman . I\r
+believe that she is capable of heroic self - sacrifice and that\r
+anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her "\r
+\r
+" Have you her photograph "\r
+\r
+" I brought this with me " He opened a locket and showed us the\r
+full face of a very lovely woman . It was not a photograph but an\r
+ivory miniature , and the artist had brought out the full effect\r
+of the lustrous black hair , the large dark eyes , and the\r
+exquisite mouth . Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it . Then he\r
+closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St . Simon .\r
+\r
+" The young lady came to London , then , and you renewed your\r
+acquaintance "\r
+\r
+" Yes , her father brought her over for this last London season . I\r
+met her several times , became engaged to her , and have now\r
+married her "\r
+\r
+" She brought , I understand , a considerable dowry "\r
+\r
+" A fair dowry . Not more than is usual in my family "\r
+\r
+" And this , of course , remains to you , since the marriage is a\r
+fait accompli "\r
+\r
+" I really have made no inquiries on the subject "\r
+\r
+" Very naturally not . Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the\r
+wedding "\r
+\r
+" Yes "\r
+\r
+" Was she in good spirits "\r
+\r
+" Never better . She kept talking of what we should do in our\r
+future lives "\r
+\r
+" Indeed ! That is very interesting . And on the morning of the\r
+wedding "\r
+\r
+" She was as bright as possible - at least until after the\r
+ceremony "\r
+\r
+" And did you observe any change in her then "\r
+\r
+" Well , to tell the truth , I saw then the first signs that I had\r
+ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp . The incident\r
+however , was too trivial to relate and can have no possible\r
+bearing upon the case "\r
+\r
+" Pray let us have it , for all that "\r
+\r
+" Oh , it is childish . She dropped her bouquet as we went towards\r
+the vestry . She was passing the front pew at the time , and it\r
+fell over into the pew . There was a moment's delay , but the\r
+gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again , and it did not\r
+appear to be the worse for the fall . Yet when I spoke to her of\r
+the matter , she answered me abruptly ; and in the carriage , on our\r
+way home , she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause "\r
+\r
+" Indeed ! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew . Some of\r
+the general public were present , then "\r
+\r
+" Oh , yes . It is impossible to exclude them when the church is\r
+open "\r
+\r
+" This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends "\r
+\r
+" No , no ; I call him a gentleman by courtesy , but he was quite a\r
+common - looking person . I hardly noticed his appearance . But\r
+really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point "\r
+\r
+" Lady St . Simon , then , returned from the wedding in a less\r
+cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it . What did she do\r
+on re - entering her father's house "\r
+\r
+" I saw her in conversation with her maid "\r
+\r
+" And who is her maid "\r
+\r
+" Alice is her name . She is an American and came from California\r
+with her "\r
+\r
+" A confidential servant "\r
+\r
+" A little too much so . It seemed to me that her mistress allowed\r
+her to take great liberties . Still , of course , in America they\r
+look upon these things in a different way "\r
+\r
+" How long did she speak to this Alice "\r
+\r
+" Oh , a few minutes . I had something else to think of "\r
+\r
+" You did not overhear what they said "\r
+\r
+" Lady St . Simon said something about ' jumping a claim ' She was\r
+accustomed to use slang of the kind . I have no idea what she\r
+meant "\r
+\r
+" American slang is very expressive sometimes . And what did your\r
+wife do when she finished speaking to her maid "\r
+\r
+" She walked into the breakfast - room "\r
+\r
+" On your arm "\r
+\r
+" No , alone . She was very independent in little matters like that .\r
+Then , after we had sat down for ten minutes or so , she rose\r
+hurriedly , muttered some words of apology , and left the room . She\r
+never came back "\r
+\r
+" But this maid , Alice , as I understand , deposes that she went to\r
+her room , covered her bride's dress with a long ulster , put on a\r
+bonnet , and went out "\r
+\r
+" Quite so . And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in\r
+company with Flora Millar , a woman who is now in custody , and who\r
+had already made a disturbance at Mr . Doran's house that\r
+morning "\r
+\r
+" Ah , yes . I should like a few particulars as to this young lady ,\r
+and your relations to her "\r
+\r
+Lord St . Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows .\r
+" We have been on a friendly footing for some years - I may say on\r
+a very friendly footing . She used to be at the Allegro . I have\r
+not treated her ungenerously , and she had no just cause of\r
+complaint against me , but you know what women are , Mr . Holmes .\r
+Flora was a dear little thing , but exceedingly hot - headed and\r
+devotedly attached to me . She wrote me dreadful letters when she\r
+heard that I was about to be married , and , to tell the truth , the\r
+reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I\r
+feared lest there might be a scandal in the church . She came to\r
+Mr . Doran's door just after we returned , and she endeavoured to\r
+push her way in , uttering very abusive expressions towards my\r
+wife , and even threatening her , but I had foreseen the\r
+possibility of something of the sort , and I had two police\r
+fellows there in private clothes , who soon pushed her out again .\r
+She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a\r
+row "\r
+\r
+" Did your wife hear all this "\r
+\r
+" No , thank goodness , she did not "\r
+\r
+" And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards "\r
+\r
+" Yes . That is what Mr . Lestrade , of Scotland Yard , looks upon as\r
+so serious . It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid\r
+some terrible trap for her "\r
+\r
+" Well , it is a possible supposition "\r
+\r
+" You think so , too "\r
+\r
+" I did not say a probable one . But you do not yourself look upon\r
+this as likely "\r
+\r
+" I do not think Flora would hurt a fly "\r
+\r
+" Still , jealousy is a strange transformer of characters . Pray\r
+what is your own theory as to what took place "\r
+\r
+" Well , really , I came to seek a theory , not to propound one . I\r
+have given you all the facts . Since you ask me , however , I may\r
+say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of\r
+this affair , the consciousness that she had made so immense a\r
+social stride , had the effect of causing some little nervous\r
+disturbance in my wife "\r
+\r
+" In short , that she had become suddenly deranged "\r
+\r
+" Well , really , when I consider that she has turned her back - I\r
+will not say upon me , but upon so much that many have aspired to\r
+without success - I can hardly explain it in any other fashion "\r
+\r
+" Well , certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis " said\r
+Holmes , smiling . " And now , Lord St . Simon , I think that I have\r
+nearly all my data . May I ask whether you were seated at the\r
+breakfast - table so that you could see out of the window "\r
+\r
+" We could see the other side of the road and the Park "\r
+\r
+" Quite so . Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer .\r
+I shall communicate with you "\r
+\r
+" Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem " said our\r
+client , rising .\r
+\r
+" I have solved it "\r
+\r
+" Eh ? What was that "\r
+\r
+" I say that I have solved it "\r
+\r
+" Where , then , is my wife "\r
+\r
+" That is a detail which I shall speedily supply "\r
+\r
+Lord St . Simon shook his head . " I am afraid that it will take\r
+wiser heads than yours or mine " he remarked , and bowing in a\r
+stately , old - fashioned manner he departed .\r
+\r
+" It is very good of Lord St . Simon to honour my head by putting\r
+it on a level with his own " said Sherlock Holmes , laughing . " I\r
+think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all\r
+this cross - questioning . I had formed my conclusions as to the\r
+case before our client came into the room "\r
+\r
+" My dear Holmes "\r
+\r
+" I have notes of several similar cases , though none , as I\r
+remarked before , which were quite as prompt . My whole examination\r
+served to turn my conjecture into a certainty . Circumstantial\r
+evidence is occasionally very convincing , as when you find a\r
+trout in the milk , to quote Thoreau's example "\r
+\r
+" But I have heard all that you have heard "\r
+\r
+" Without , however , the knowledge of pre - existing cases which\r
+serves me so well . There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some\r
+years back , and something on very much the same lines at Munich\r
+the year after the Franco - Prussian War . It is one of these\r
+cases - but , hullo , here is Lestrade ! Good - afternoon , Lestrade !\r
+You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard , and there are\r
+cigars in the box "\r
+\r
+The official detective was attired in a pea - jacket and cravat ,\r
+which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance , and he carried a\r
+black canvas bag in his hand . With a short greeting he seated\r
+himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him .\r
+\r
+" What's up , then " asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye . " You\r
+look dissatisfied "\r
+\r
+" And I feel dissatisfied . It is this infernal St . Simon marriage\r
+case . I can make neither head nor tail of the business "\r
+\r
+" Really ! You surprise me "\r
+\r
+" Who ever heard of such a mixed affair ? Every clue seems to slip\r
+through my fingers . I have been at work upon it all day "\r
+\r
+" And very wet it seems to have made you " said Holmes laying his\r
+hand upon the arm of the pea - jacket .\r
+\r
+" Yes , I have been dragging the Serpentine "\r
+\r
+" In heaven's name , what for "\r
+\r
+" In search of the body of Lady St . Simon "\r
+\r
+Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily .\r
+\r
+" Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain " he\r
+asked .\r
+\r
+" Why ? What do you mean "\r
+\r
+" Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in\r
+the one as in the other "\r
+\r
+Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion . " I suppose you\r
+know all about it " he snarled .\r
+\r
+" Well , I have only just heard the facts , but my mind is made up "\r
+\r
+" Oh , indeed ! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in\r
+the matter "\r
+\r
+" I think it very unlikely "\r
+\r
+" Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found\r
+this in it " He opened his bag as he spoke , and tumbled onto the\r
+floor a wedding - dress of watered silk , a pair of white satin\r
+shoes and a bride's wreath and veil , all discoloured and soaked\r
+in water . " There " said he , putting a new wedding - ring upon the\r
+top of the pile . " There is a little nut for you to crack , Master\r
+Holmes "\r
+\r
+" Oh , indeed " said my friend , blowing blue rings into the air .\r
+" You dragged them from the Serpentine "\r
+\r
+" No . They were found floating near the margin by a park - keeper .\r
+They have been identified as her clothes , and it seemed to me\r
+that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off "\r
+\r
+" By the same brilliant reasoning , every man's body is to be found\r
+in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe . And pray what did you hope\r
+to arrive at through this "\r
+\r
+" At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance "\r
+\r
+" I am afraid that you will find it difficult "\r
+\r
+" Are you , indeed , now " cried Lestrade with some bitterness . " I\r
+am afraid , Holmes , that you are not very practical with your\r
+deductions and your inferences . You have made two blunders in as\r
+many minutes . This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar "\r
+\r
+" And how "\r
+\r
+" In the dress is a pocket . In the pocket is a card - case . In the\r
+card - case is a note . And here is the very note " He slapped it\r
+down upon the table in front of him . " Listen to this : ' You will\r
+see me when all is ready . Come at once . F . H . M ' Now my theory all\r
+along has been that Lady St . Simon was decoyed away by Flora\r
+Millar , and that she , with confederates , no doubt , was\r
+responsible for her disappearance . Here , signed with her\r
+initials , is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped\r
+into her hand at the door and which lured her within their\r
+reach "\r
+\r
+" Very good , Lestrade " said Holmes , laughing . " You really are\r
+very fine indeed . Let me see it " He took up the paper in a\r
+listless way , but his attention instantly became riveted , and he\r
+gave a little cry of satisfaction . " This is indeed important "\r
+said he .\r
+\r
+" Ha ! you find it so "\r
+\r
+" Extremely so . I congratulate you warmly "\r
+\r
+Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look . " Why " he\r
+shrieked , " you ' re looking at the wrong side "\r
+\r
+" On the contrary , this is the right side "\r
+\r
+" The right side ? You ' re mad ! Here is the note written in pencil\r
+over here "\r
+\r
+" And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel\r
+bill , which interests me deeply "\r
+\r
+" There's nothing in it . I looked at it before " said Lestrade .\r
+ ' Oct . 4th , rooms 8s , breakfast 2s . 6d , cocktail 1s , lunch 2s .\r
+6d , glass sherry , 8d ' I see nothing in that "\r
+\r
+" Very likely not . It is most important , all the same . As to the\r
+note , it is important also , or at least the initials are , so I\r
+congratulate you again "\r
+\r
+" I ' ve wasted time enough " said Lestrade , rising . " I believe in\r
+hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories .\r
+Good - day , Mr . Holmes , and we shall see which gets to the bottom\r
+of the matter first " He gathered up the garments , thrust them\r
+into the bag , and made for the door .\r
+\r
+" Just one hint to you , Lestrade " drawled Holmes before his rival\r
+vanished ; " I will tell you the true solution of the matter . Lady\r
+St . Simon is a myth . There is not , and there never has been , any\r
+such person "\r
+\r
+Lestrade looked sadly at my companion . Then he turned to me ,\r
+tapped his forehead three times , shook his head solemnly , and\r
+hurried away .\r
+\r
+He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on\r
+his overcoat . " There is something in what the fellow says about\r
+outdoor work " he remarked , " so I think , Watson , that I must\r
+leave you to your papers for a little "\r
+\r
+It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me , but I had\r
+no time to be lonely , for within an hour there arrived a\r
+confectioner's man with a very large flat box . This he unpacked\r
+with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him , and\r
+presently , to my very great astonishment , a quite epicurean\r
+little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble\r
+lodging - house mahogany . There were a couple of brace of cold\r
+woodcock , a pheasant , a pate de foie gras pie with a group of\r
+ancient and cobwebby bottles . Having laid out all these luxuries ,\r
+my two visitors vanished away , like the genii of the Arabian\r
+Nights , with no explanation save that the things had been paid\r
+for and were ordered to this address .\r
+\r
+Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the\r
+room . His features were gravely set , but there was a light in his\r
+eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his\r
+conclusions .\r
+\r
+" They have laid the supper , then " he said , rubbing his hands .\r
+\r
+" You seem to expect company . They have laid for five "\r
+\r
+" Yes , I fancy we may have some company dropping in " said he . " I\r
+am surprised that Lord St . Simon has not already arrived . Ha ! I\r
+fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs "\r
+\r
+It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in ,\r
+dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever , and with a very\r
+perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features .\r
+\r
+" My messenger reached you , then " asked Holmes .\r
+\r
+" Yes , and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure .\r
+Have you good authority for what you say "\r
+\r
+" The best possible "\r
+\r
+Lord St . Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his\r
+forehead .\r
+\r
+" What will the Duke say " he murmured , " when he hears that one of\r
+the family has been subjected to such humiliation "\r
+\r
+" It is the purest accident . I cannot allow that there is any\r
+humiliation "\r
+\r
+" Ah , you look on these things from another standpoint "\r
+\r
+" I fail to see that anyone is to blame . I can hardly see how the\r
+lady could have acted otherwise , though her abrupt method of\r
+doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted . Having no mother , she\r
+had no one to advise her at such a crisis "\r
+\r
+" It was a slight , sir , a public slight " said Lord St . Simon ,\r
+tapping his fingers upon the table .\r
+\r
+" You must make allowance for this poor girl , placed in so\r
+unprecedented a position "\r
+\r
+" I will make no allowance . I am very angry indeed , and I have\r
+been shamefully used "\r
+\r
+" I think that I heard a ring " said Holmes . " Yes , there are steps\r
+on the landing . If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view\r
+of the matter , Lord St . Simon , I have brought an advocate here\r
+who may be more successful " He opened the door and ushered in a\r
+lady and gentleman . " Lord St . Simon " said he " allow me to\r
+introduce you to Mr . and Mrs . Francis Hay Moulton . The lady , I\r
+think , you have already met "\r
+\r
+At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his\r
+seat and stood very erect , with his eyes cast down and his hand\r
+thrust into the breast of his frock - coat , a picture of offended\r
+dignity . The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out\r
+her hand to him , but he still refused to raise his eyes . It was\r
+as well for his resolution , perhaps , for her pleading face was\r
+one which it was hard to resist .\r
+\r
+" You ' re angry , Robert " said she . " Well , I guess you have every\r
+cause to be "\r
+\r
+" Pray make no apology to me " said Lord St . Simon bitterly .\r
+\r
+" Oh , yes , I know that I have treated you real bad and that I\r
+should have spoken to you before I went ; but I was kind of\r
+rattled , and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just\r
+didn't know what I was doing or saying . I only wonder I didn ' t\r
+fall down and do a faint right there before the altar "\r
+\r
+" Perhaps , Mrs . Moulton , you would like my friend and me to leave\r
+the room while you explain this matter "\r
+\r
+" If I may give an opinion " remarked the strange gentleman ,\r
+" we ' ve had just a little too much secrecy over this business\r
+already . For my part , I should like all Europe and America to\r
+hear the rights of it " He was a small , wiry , sunburnt man ,\r
+clean - shaven , with a sharp face and alert manner .\r
+\r
+" Then I ' ll tell our story right away " said the lady . " Frank here\r
+and I met in ' 84 , in McQuire's camp , near the Rockies , where pa\r
+was working a claim . We were engaged to each other , Frank and I ;\r
+but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile ,\r
+while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to\r
+nothing . The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank ; so at last pa\r
+wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer , and he took\r
+me away to ' Frisco . Frank wouldn't throw up his hand , though ; so\r
+he followed me there , and he saw me without pa knowing anything\r
+about it . It would only have made him mad to know , so we just\r
+fixed it all up for ourselves . Frank said that he would go and\r
+make his pile , too , and never come back to claim me until he had\r
+as much as pa . So then I promised to wait for him to the end of\r
+time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived .\r
+' Why shouldn't we be married right away , then ' said he , ' and\r
+then I will feel sure of you ; and I won't claim to be your\r
+husband until I come back ' Well , we talked it over , and he had\r
+fixed it all up so nicely , with a clergyman all ready in waiting ,\r
+that we just did it right there ; and then Frank went off to seek\r
+his fortune , and I went back to pa .\r
+\r
+" The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana , and then\r
+he went prospecting in Arizona , and then I heard of him from New\r
+Mexico . After that came a long newspaper story about how a\r
+miners ' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians , and there was\r
+my Frank's name among the killed . I fainted dead away , and I was\r
+very sick for months after . Pa thought I had a decline and took\r
+me to half the doctors in ' Frisco . Not a word of news came for a\r
+year and more , so that I never doubted that Frank was really\r
+dead . Then Lord St . Simon came to ' Frisco , and we came to London ,\r
+and a marriage was arranged , and pa was very pleased , but I felt\r
+all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place\r
+in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank .\r
+\r
+" Still , if I had married Lord St . Simon , of course I ' d have done\r
+my duty by him . We can't command our love , but we can our\r
+actions . I went to the altar with him with the intention to make\r
+him just as good a wife as it was in me to be . But you may\r
+imagine what I felt when , just as I came to the altar rails , I\r
+glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the\r
+first pew . I thought it was his ghost at first ; but when I looked\r
+again there he was still , with a kind of question in his eyes , as\r
+if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him . I wonder I\r
+didn't drop . I know that everything was turning round , and the\r
+words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my\r
+ear . I didn't know what to do . Should I stop the service and make\r
+a scene in the church ? I glanced at him again , and he seemed to\r
+know what I was thinking , for he raised his finger to his lips to\r
+tell me to be still . Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper ,\r
+and I knew that he was writing me a note . As I passed his pew on\r
+the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him , and he slipped the\r
+note into my hand when he returned me the flowers . It was only a\r
+line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so .\r
+Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now\r
+to him , and I determined to do just whatever he might direct .\r
+\r
+" When I got back I told my maid , who had known him in California ,\r
+and had always been his friend . I ordered her to say nothing , but\r
+to get a few things packed and my ulster ready . I know I ought to\r
+have spoken to Lord St . Simon , but it was dreadful hard before\r
+his mother and all those great people . I just made up my mind to\r
+run away and explain afterwards . I hadn't been at the table ten\r
+minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of\r
+the road . He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park .\r
+I slipped out , put on my things , and followed him . Some woman\r
+came talking something or other about Lord St . Simon to\r
+me - seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little\r
+secret of his own before marriage also - but I managed to get away\r
+from her and soon overtook Frank . We got into a cab together , and\r
+away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square , and\r
+that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting . Frank\r
+had been a prisoner among the Apaches , had escaped , came on to\r
+' Frisco , found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to\r
+England , followed me there , and had come upon me at last on the\r
+very morning of my second wedding "\r
+\r
+" I saw it in a paper " explained the American . " It gave the name\r
+and the church but not where the lady lived "\r
+\r
+" Then we had a talk as to what we should do , and Frank was all\r
+for openness , but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I\r
+should like to vanish away and never see any of them again - just\r
+sending a line to pa , perhaps , to show him that I was alive . It\r
+was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting\r
+round that breakfast - table and waiting for me to come back . So\r
+Frank took my wedding - clothes and things and made a bundle of\r
+them , so that I should not be traced , and dropped them away\r
+somewhere where no one could find them . It is likely that we\r
+should have gone on to Paris to - morrow , only that this good\r
+gentleman , Mr . Holmes , came round to us this evening , though how\r
+he found us is more than I can think , and he showed us very\r
+clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right , and\r
+that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so\r
+secret . Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord\r
+St . Simon alone , and so we came right away round to his rooms at\r
+once . Now , Robert , you have heard it all , and I am very sorry if\r
+I have given you pain , and I hope that you do not think very\r
+meanly of me "\r
+\r
+Lord St . Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude , but\r
+had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this\r
+long narrative .\r
+\r
+" Excuse me " he said , " but it is not my custom to discuss my most\r
+intimate personal affairs in this public manner "\r
+\r
+" Then you won't forgive me ? You won't shake hands before I go "\r
+\r
+" Oh , certainly , if it would give you any pleasure " He put out\r
+his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him .\r
+\r
+" I had hoped " suggested Holmes , " that you would have joined us\r
+in a friendly supper "\r
+\r
+" I think that there you ask a little too much " responded his\r
+Lordship . " I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent\r
+developments , but I can hardly be expected to make merry over\r
+them . I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a\r
+very good - night " He included us all in a sweeping bow and\r
+stalked out of the room .\r
+\r
+" Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your\r
+company " said Sherlock Holmes . " It is always a joy to meet an\r
+American , Mr . Moulton , for I am one of those who believe that the\r
+folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far - gone\r
+years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens\r
+of the same world - wide country under a flag which shall be a\r
+quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes "\r
+\r
+" The case has been an interesting one " remarked Holmes when our\r
+visitors had left us , " because it serves to show very clearly how\r
+simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight\r
+seems to be almost inexplicable . Nothing could be more natural\r
+than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady , and nothing\r
+stranger than the result when viewed , for instance , by Mr .\r
+Lestrade of Scotland Yard "\r
+\r
+" You were not yourself at fault at all , then "\r
+\r
+" From the first , two facts were very obvious to me , the one that\r
+the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony ,\r
+the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of\r
+returning home . Obviously something had occurred during the\r
+morning , then , to cause her to change her mind . What could that\r
+something be ? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was\r
+out , for she had been in the company of the bridegroom . Had she\r
+seen someone , then ? If she had , it must be someone from America\r
+because she had spent so short a time in this country that she\r
+could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence\r
+over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change\r
+her plans so completely . You see we have already arrived , by a\r
+process of exclusion , at the idea that she might have seen an\r
+American . Then who could this American be , and why should he\r
+possess so much influence over her ? It might be a lover ; it might\r
+be a husband . Her young womanhood had , I knew , been spent in\r
+rough scenes and under strange conditions . So far I had got\r
+before I ever heard Lord St . Simon's narrative . When he told us\r
+of a man in a pew , of the change in the bride's manner , of so\r
+transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a\r
+bouquet , of her resort to her confidential maid , and of her very\r
+significant allusion to claim - jumping - which in miners ' parlance\r
+means taking possession of that which another person has a prior\r
+claim to - the whole situation became absolutely clear . She had\r
+gone off with a man , and the man was either a lover or was a\r
+previous husband - the chances being in favour of the latter "\r
+\r
+" And how in the world did you find them "\r
+\r
+" It might have been difficult , but friend Lestrade held\r
+information in his hands the value of which he did not himself\r
+know . The initials were , of course , of the highest importance ,\r
+but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had\r
+settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels "\r
+\r
+" How did you deduce the select "\r
+\r
+" By the select prices . Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence\r
+for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive\r
+hotels . There are not many in London which charge at that rate .\r
+In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue , I\r
+learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H . Moulton , an\r
+American gentleman , had left only the day before , and on looking\r
+over the entries against him , I came upon the very items which I\r
+had seen in the duplicate bill . His letters were to be forwarded\r
+to 226 Gordon Square ; so thither I travelled , and being fortunate\r
+enough to find the loving couple at home , I ventured to give them\r
+some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be\r
+better in every way that they should make their position a little\r
+clearer both to the general public and to Lord St . Simon in\r
+particular . I invited them to meet him here , and , as you see , I\r
+made him keep the appointment "\r
+\r
+" But with no very good result " I remarked . " His conduct was\r
+certainly not very gracious "\r
+\r
+" Ah , Watson " said Holmes , smiling , " perhaps you would not be\r
+very gracious either , if , after all the trouble of wooing and\r
+wedding , you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of\r
+fortune . I think that we may judge Lord St . Simon very mercifully\r
+and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in\r
+the same position . Draw your chair up and hand me my violin , for\r
+the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away\r
+these bleak autumnal evenings "\r
+\r
+\r
+\r
+XI . THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET\r
+\r
+" Holmes " said I as I stood one morning in our bow - window looking\r
+down the street , " here is a madman coming along . It seems rather\r
+sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone "\r
+\r
+My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands\r
+in the pockets of his dressing - gown , looking over my shoulder . It\r
+was a bright , crisp February morning , and the snow of the day\r
+before still lay deep upon the ground , shimmering brightly in the\r
+wintry sun . Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed\r
+into a brown crumbly band by the traffic , but at either side and\r
+on the heaped - up edges of the foot - paths it still lay as white as\r
+when it fell . The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped , but\r
+was still dangerously slippery , so that there were fewer\r
+passengers than usual . Indeed , from the direction of the\r
+Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman\r
+whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention .\r
+\r
+He was a man of about fifty , tall , portly , and imposing , with a\r
+massive , strongly marked face and a commanding figure . He was\r
+dressed in a sombre yet rich style , in black frock - coat , shining\r
+hat , neat brown gaiters , and well - cut pearl - grey trousers . Yet\r
+his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress\r
+and features , for he was running hard , with occasional little\r
+springs , such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to\r
+set any tax upon his legs . As he ran he jerked his hands up and\r
+down , waggled his head , and writhed his face into the most\r
+extraordinary contortions .\r
+\r
+" What on earth can be the matter with him " I asked . " He is\r
+looking up at the numbers of the houses "\r
+\r
+" I believe that he is coming here " said Holmes , rubbing his\r
+hands .\r
+\r
+" Here "\r
+\r
+" Yes ; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally . I\r
+think that I recognise the symptoms . Ha ! did I not tell you " As\r
+he spoke , the man , puffing and blowing , rushed at our door and\r
+pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the\r
+clanging .\r
+\r
+A few moments later he was in our room , still puffing , still\r
+gesticulating , but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in\r
+his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and\r
+pity . For a while he could not get his words out , but swayed his\r
+body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the\r
+extreme limits of his reason . Then , suddenly springing to his\r
+feet , he beat his head against the wall with such force that we\r
+both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room .\r
+Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy - chair and , sitting\r
+beside him , patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy ,\r
+soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ .\r
+\r
+" You have come to me to tell your story , have you not " said he .\r
+" You are fatigued with your haste . Pray wait until you have\r
+recovered yourself , and then I shall be most happy to look into\r
+any little problem which you may submit to me "\r
+\r
+The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest , fighting\r
+against his emotion . Then he passed his handkerchief over his\r
+brow , set his lips tight , and turned his face towards us .\r
+\r
+" No doubt you think me mad " said he .\r
+\r
+" I see that you have had some great trouble " responded Holmes .\r
+\r
+" God knows I have -- a trouble which is enough to unseat my\r
+reason , so sudden and so terrible is it . Public disgrace I might\r
+have faced , although I am a man whose character has never yet\r
+borne a stain . Private affliction also is the lot of every man ;\r
+but the two coming together , and in so frightful a form , have\r
+been enough to shake my very soul . Besides , it is not I alone .\r
+The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found\r
+out of this horrible affair "\r
+\r
+" Pray compose yourself , sir " said Holmes , " and let me have a\r
+clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen\r
+you "\r
+\r
+" My name " answered our visitor , " is probably familiar to your\r
+ears . I am Alexander Holder , of the banking firm of Holder &\r
+Stevenson , of Threadneedle Street "\r
+\r
+The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior\r
+partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City\r
+of London . What could have happened , then , to bring one of the\r
+foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass ? We\r
+waited , all curiosity , until with another effort he braced\r
+himself to tell his story .\r
+\r
+" I feel that time is of value " said he ; " that is why I hastened\r
+here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure\r
+your co - operation . I came to Baker Street by the Underground and\r
+hurried from there on foot , for the cabs go slowly through this\r
+snow . That is why I was so out of breath , for I am a man who\r
+takes very little exercise . I feel better now , and I will put the\r
+facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can .\r
+\r
+" It is , of course , well known to you that in a successful banking\r
+business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative\r
+investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection\r
+and the number of our depositors . One of our most lucrative means\r
+of laying out money is in the shape of loans , where the security\r
+is unimpeachable . We have done a good deal in this direction\r
+during the last few years , and there are many noble families to\r
+whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their\r
+pictures , libraries , or plate .\r
+\r
+" Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a\r
+card was brought in to me by one of the clerks . I started when I\r
+saw the name , for it was that of none other than - well , perhaps\r
+even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name\r
+which is a household word all over the earth - one of the highest ,\r
+noblest , most exalted names in England . I was overwhelmed by the\r
+honour and attempted , when he entered , to say so , but he plunged\r
+at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry\r
+quickly through a disagreeable task .\r
+\r
+ ' Mr . Holder ' said he , ' I have been informed that you are in the\r
+habit of advancing money '\r
+\r
+ ' The firm does so when the security is good ' I answered .\r
+\r
+ ' It is absolutely essential to me ' said he , ' that I should have\r
+50 , 000 pounds at once . I could , of course , borrow so trifling a\r
+sum ten times over from my friends , but I much prefer to make it\r
+a matter of business and to carry out that business myself . In my\r
+position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place\r
+one's self under obligations '\r
+\r
+ ' For how long , may I ask , do you want this sum ' I asked .\r
+\r
+ ' Next Monday I have a large sum due to me , and I shall then most\r
+certainly repay what you advance , with whatever interest you\r
+think it right to charge . But it is very essential to me that the\r
+money should be paid at once '\r
+\r
+ ' I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my\r
+own private purse ' said I , ' were it not that the strain would be\r
+rather more than it could bear . If , on the other hand , I am to do\r
+it in the name of the firm , then in justice to my partner I must\r
+insist that , even in your case , every businesslike precaution\r
+should be taken '\r
+\r
+ ' I should much prefer to have it so ' said he , raising up a\r
+square , black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair .\r
+' You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet '\r
+\r
+ ' One of the most precious public possessions of the empire '\r
+said I .\r
+\r
+ ' Precisely ' He opened the case , and there , imbedded in soft ,\r
+flesh - coloured velvet , lay the magnificent piece of jewellery\r
+which he had named . ' There are thirty - nine enormous beryls ' said\r
+he , ' and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable . The\r
+lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the\r
+sum which I have asked . I am prepared to leave it with you as my\r
+security '\r
+\r
+" I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some\r
+perplexity from it to my illustrious client .\r
+\r
+ ' You doubt its value ' he asked .\r
+\r
+ ' Not at all . I only doubt -'\r
+\r
+ ' The propriety of my leaving it . You may set your mind at rest\r
+about that . I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely\r
+certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it . It is a\r
+pure matter of form . Is the security sufficient '\r
+\r
+ ' Ample '\r
+\r
+ ' You understand , Mr . Holder , that I am giving you a strong proof\r
+of the confidence which I have in you , founded upon all that I\r
+have heard of you . I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to\r
+refrain from all gossip upon the matter but , above all , to\r
+preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I\r
+need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any\r
+harm were to befall it . Any injury to it would be almost as\r
+serious as its complete loss , for there are no beryls in the\r
+world to match these , and it would be impossible to replace them .\r
+I leave it with you , however , with every confidence , and I shall\r
+call for it in person on Monday morning '\r
+\r
+" Seeing that my client was anxious to leave , I said no more but ,\r
+calling for my cashier , I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000\r
+pound notes . When I was alone once more , however , with the\r
+precious case lying upon the table in front of me , I could not\r
+but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility\r
+which it entailed upon me . There could be no doubt that , as it\r
+was a national possession , a horrible scandal would ensue if any\r
+misfortune should occur to it . I already regretted having ever\r
+consented to take charge of it . However , it was too late to alter\r
+the matter now , so I locked it up in my private safe and turned\r
+once more to my work .\r
+\r
+" When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave\r
+so precious a thing in the office behind me . Bankers ' safes had\r
+been forced before now , and why should not mine be ? If so , how\r
+terrible would be the position in which I should find myself ! I\r
+determined , therefore , that for the next few days I would always\r
+carry the case backward and forward with me , so that it might\r
+never be really out of my reach . With this intention , I called a\r
+cab and drove out to my house at Streatham , carrying the jewel\r
+with me . I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs\r
+and locked it in the bureau of my dressing - room .\r
+\r
+" And now a word as to my household , Mr . Holmes , for I wish you to\r
+thoroughly understand the situation . My groom and my page sleep\r
+out of the house , and may be set aside altogether . I have three\r
+maid - servants who have been with me a number of years and whose\r
+absolute reliability is quite above suspicion . Another , Lucy\r
+Parr , the second waiting - maid , has only been in my service a few\r
+months . She came with an excellent character , however , and has\r
+always given me satisfaction . She is a very pretty girl and has\r
+attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place .\r
+That is the only drawback which we have found to her , but we\r
+believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way .\r
+\r
+" So much for the servants . My family itself is so small that it\r
+will not take me long to describe it . I am a widower and have an\r
+only son , Arthur . He has been a disappointment to me , Mr .\r
+Holmes - a grievous disappointment . I have no doubt that I am\r
+myself to blame . People tell me that I have spoiled him . Very\r
+likely I have . When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I\r
+had to love . I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a\r
+moment from his face . I have never denied him a wish . Perhaps it\r
+would have been better for both of us had I been sterner , but I\r
+meant it for the best .\r
+\r
+" It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my\r
+business , but he was not of a business turn . He was wild ,\r
+wayward , and , to speak the truth , I could not trust him in the\r
+handling of large sums of money . When he was young he became a\r
+member of an aristocratic club , and there , having charming\r
+manners , he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long\r
+purses and expensive habits . He learned to play heavily at cards\r
+and to squander money on the turf , until he had again and again\r
+to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his\r
+allowance , that he might settle his debts of honour . He tried\r
+more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he\r
+was keeping , but each time the influence of his friend , Sir\r
+George Burnwell , was enough to draw him back again .\r
+\r
+" And , indeed , I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George\r
+Burnwell should gain an influence over him , for he has frequently\r
+brought him to my house , and I have found myself that I could\r
+hardly resist the fascination of his manner . He is older than\r
+Arthur , a man of the world to his finger - tips , one who had been\r
+everywhere , seen everything , a brilliant talker , and a man of\r
+great personal beauty . Yet when I think of him in cold blood , far\r
+away from the glamour of his presence , I am convinced from his\r
+cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that\r
+he is one who should be deeply distrusted . So I think , and so ,\r
+too , thinks my little Mary , who has a woman's quick insight into\r
+character .\r
+\r
+" And now there is only she to be described . She is my niece ; but\r
+when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the\r
+world I adopted her , and have looked upon her ever since as my\r
+daughter . She is a sunbeam in my house - sweet , loving , beautiful ,\r
+a wonderful manager and housekeeper , yet as tender and quiet and\r
+gentle as a woman could be . She is my right hand . I do not know\r
+what I could do without her . In only one matter has she ever gone\r
+against my wishes . Twice my boy has asked her to marry him , for\r
+he loves her devotedly , but each time she has refused him . I\r
+think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it\r
+would have been she , and that his marriage might have changed his\r
+whole life ; but now , alas ! it is too late - forever too late !\r
+\r
+" Now , Mr . Holmes , you know the people who live under my roof , and\r
+I shall continue with my miserable story .\r
+\r
+" When we were taking coffee in the drawing - room that night after\r
+dinner , I told Arthur and Mary my experience , and of the precious\r
+treasure which we had under our roof , suppressing only the name\r
+of my client . Lucy Parr , who had brought in the coffee , had , I am\r
+sure , left the room ; but I cannot swear that the door was closed .\r
+Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous\r
+coronet , but I thought it better not to disturb it .\r
+\r
+ ' Where have you put it ' asked Arthur .\r
+\r
+ ' In my own bureau '\r
+\r
+ ' Well , I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the\r
+night ' said he .\r
+\r
+ ' It is locked up ' I answered .\r
+\r
+ ' Oh , any old key will fit that bureau . When I was a youngster I\r
+have opened it myself with the key of the box - room cupboard '\r
+\r
+" He often had a wild way of talking , so that I thought little of\r
+what he said . He followed me to my room , however , that night with\r
+a very grave face .\r
+\r
+ ' Look here , dad ' said he with his eyes cast down , ' can you let\r
+me have 200 pounds '\r
+\r
+ ' No , I cannot ' I answered sharply . ' I have been far too\r
+generous with you in money matters '\r
+\r
+ ' You have been very kind ' said he , ' but I must have this money ,\r
+or else I can never show my face inside the club again '\r
+\r
+ ' And a very good thing , too ' I cried .\r
+\r
+ ' Yes , but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man '\r
+said he . ' I could not bear the disgrace . I must raise the money\r
+in some way , and if you will not let me have it , then I must try\r
+other means '\r
+\r
+" I was very angry , for this was the third demand during the\r
+month . ' You shall not have a farthing from me ' I cried , on which\r
+he bowed and left the room without another word .\r
+\r
+" When he was gone I unlocked my bureau , made sure that my\r
+treasure was safe , and locked it again . Then I started to go\r
+round the house to see that all was secure - a duty which I\r
+usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform\r
+myself that night . As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself\r
+at the side window of the hall , which she closed and fastened as\r
+I approached .\r
+\r
+ ' Tell me , dad ' said she , looking , I thought , a little\r
+disturbed , ' did you give Lucy , the maid , leave to go out\r
+to - night '\r
+\r
+ ' Certainly not '\r
+\r
+ ' She came in just now by the back door . I have no doubt that she\r
+has only been to the side gate to see someone , but I think that\r
+it is hardly safe and should be stopped '\r
+\r
+ ' You must speak to her in the morning , or I will if you prefer\r
+it . Are you sure that everything is fastened '\r
+\r
+ ' Quite sure , dad '\r
+\r
+ ' Then , good - night ' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom\r
+again , where I was soon asleep .\r
+\r
+" I am endeavouring to tell you everything , Mr . Holmes , which may\r
+have any bearing upon the case , but I beg that you will question\r
+me upon any point which I do not make clear "\r
+\r
+" On the contrary , your statement is singularly lucid "\r
+\r
+" I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be\r
+particularly so . I am not a very heavy sleeper , and the anxiety\r
+in my mind tended , no doubt , to make me even less so than usual .\r
+About two in the morning , then , I was awakened by some sound in\r
+the house . It had ceased ere I was wide awake , but it had left an\r
+impression behind it as though a window had gently closed\r
+somewhere . I lay listening with all my ears . Suddenly , to my\r
+horror , there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in\r
+the next room . I slipped out of bed , all palpitating with fear ,\r
+and peeped round the corner of my dressing - room door .\r
+\r
+ ' Arthur ' I screamed , ' you villain ! you thief ! How dare you\r
+touch that coronet '\r
+\r
+" The gas was half up , as I had left it , and my unhappy boy ,\r
+dressed only in his shirt and trousers , was standing beside the\r
+light , holding the coronet in his hands . He appeared to be\r
+wrenching at it , or bending it with all his strength . At my cry\r
+he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death . I\r
+snatched it up and examined it . One of the gold corners , with\r
+three of the beryls in it , was missing .\r
+\r
+ ' You blackguard ' I shouted , beside myself with rage . ' You have\r
+destroyed it ! You have dishonoured me forever ! Where are the\r
+jewels which you have stolen '\r
+\r
+ ' Stolen ' he cried .\r
+\r
+ ' Yes , thief ' I roared , shaking him by the shoulder .\r
+\r
+ ' There are none missing . There cannot be any missing ' said he .\r
+\r
+ ' There are three missing . And you know where they are . Must I\r
+call you a liar as well as a thief ? Did I not see you trying to\r
+tear off another piece '\r
+\r
+ ' You have called me names enough ' said he , ' I will not stand it\r
+any longer . I shall not say another word about this business ,\r
+since you have chosen to insult me . I will leave your house in\r
+the morning and make my own way in the world '\r
+\r
+ ' You shall leave it in the hands of the police ' I cried\r
+half - mad with grief and rage . ' I shall have this matter probed to\r
+the bottom '\r
+\r
+ ' You shall learn nothing from me ' said he with a passion such\r
+as I should not have thought was in his nature . ' If you choose to\r
+call the police , let the police find what they can '\r
+\r
+" By this time the whole house was astir , for I had raised my\r
+voice in my anger . Mary was the first to rush into my room , and ,\r
+at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face , she read the\r
+whole story and , with a scream , fell down senseless on the\r
+ground . I sent the house - maid for the police and put the\r
+investigation into their hands at once . When the inspector and a\r
+constable entered the house , Arthur , who had stood sullenly with\r
+his arms folded , asked me whether it was my intention to charge\r
+him with theft . I answered that it had ceased to be a private\r
+matter , but had become a public one , since the ruined coronet was\r
+national property . I was determined that the law should have its\r
+way in everything .\r
+\r
+ ' At least ' said he , ' you will not have me arrested at once . It\r
+would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the\r
+house for five minutes '\r
+\r
+ ' That you may get away , or perhaps that you may conceal what you\r
+have stolen ' said I . And then , realising the dreadful position\r
+in which I was placed , I implored him to remember that not only\r
+my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at\r
+stake ; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would\r
+convulse the nation . He might avert it all if he would but tell\r
+me what he had done with the three missing stones .\r
+\r
+ ' You may as well face the matter ' said I ; ' you have been caught\r
+in the act , and no confession could make your guilt more heinous .\r
+If you but make such reparation as is in your power , by telling\r
+us where the beryls are , all shall be forgiven and forgotten '\r
+\r
+ ' Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it ' he answered ,\r
+turning away from me with a sneer . I saw that he was too hardened\r
+for any words of mine to influence him . There was but one way for\r
+it . I called in the inspector and gave him into custody . A search\r
+was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of\r
+every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed\r
+the gems ; but no trace of them could be found , nor would the\r
+wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our\r
+threats . This morning he was removed to a cell , and I , after\r
+going through all the police formalities , have hurried round to\r
+you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter .\r
+The police have openly confessed that they can at present make\r
+nothing of it . You may go to any expense which you think\r
+necessary . I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds . My\r
+God , what shall I do ! I have lost my honour , my gems , and my son\r
+in one night . Oh , what shall I do "\r
+\r
+He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to\r
+and fro , droning to himself like a child whose grief has got\r
+beyond words .\r
+\r
+Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes , with his brows\r
+knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire .\r
+\r
+" Do you receive much company " he asked .\r
+\r
+" None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of\r
+Arthur's . Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately . No\r
+one else , I think "\r
+\r
+" Do you go out much in society "\r
+\r
+" Arthur does . Mary and I stay at home . We neither of us care for\r
+it "\r
+\r
+" That is unusual in a young girl "\r
+\r
+" She is of a quiet nature . Besides , she is not so very young . She\r
+is four - and - twenty "\r
+\r
+" This matter , from what you say , seems to have been a shock to\r
+her also "\r
+\r
+" Terrible ! She is even more affected than I "\r
+\r
+" You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt "\r
+\r
+" How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet\r
+in his hands "\r
+\r
+" I hardly consider that a conclusive proof . Was the remainder of\r
+the coronet at all injured "\r
+\r
+" Yes , it was twisted "\r
+\r
+" Do you not think , then , that he might have been trying to\r
+straighten it "\r
+\r
+" God bless you ! You are doing what you can for him and for me .\r
+But it is too heavy a task . What was he doing there at all ? If\r
+his purpose were innocent , why did he not say so "\r
+\r
+" Precisely . And if it were guilty , why did he not invent a lie ?\r
+His silence appears to me to cut both ways . There are several\r
+singular points about the case . What did the police think of the\r
+noise which awoke you from your sleep "\r
+\r
+" They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his\r
+bedroom door "\r
+\r
+" A likely story ! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door\r
+so as to wake a household . What did they say , then , of the\r
+disappearance of these gems "\r
+\r
+" They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture\r
+in the hope of finding them "\r
+\r
+" Have they thought of looking outside the house "\r
+\r
+" Yes , they have shown extraordinary energy . The whole garden has\r
+already been minutely examined "\r
+\r
+" Now , my dear sir " said Holmes , " is it not obvious to you now\r
+that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you\r
+or the police were at first inclined to think ? It appeared to you\r
+to be a simple case ; to me it seems exceedingly complex . Consider\r
+what is involved by your theory . You suppose that your son came\r
+down from his bed , went , at great risk , to your dressing - room ,\r
+opened your bureau , took out your coronet , broke off by main\r
+force a small portion of it , went off to some other place ,\r
+concealed three gems out of the thirty - nine , with such skill that\r
+nobody can find them , and then returned with the other thirty - six\r
+into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger\r
+of being discovered . I ask you now , is such a theory tenable "\r
+\r
+" But what other is there " cried the banker with a gesture of\r
+despair . " If his motives were innocent , why does he not explain\r
+them "\r
+\r
+" It is our task to find that out " replied Holmes ; " so now , if\r
+you please , Mr . Holder , we will set off for Streatham together ,\r
+and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into\r
+details "\r
+\r
+My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition ,\r
+which I was eager enough to do , for my curiosity and sympathy\r
+were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened . I\r
+confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be\r
+as obvious as it did to his unhappy father , but still I had such\r
+faith in Holmes ' judgment that I felt that there must be some\r
+grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted\r
+explanation . He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the\r
+southern suburb , but sat with his chin upon his breast and his\r
+hat drawn over his eyes , sunk in the deepest thought . Our client\r
+appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope\r
+which had been presented to him , and he even broke into a\r
+desultory chat with me over his business affairs . A short railway\r
+journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank , the modest\r
+residence of the great financier .\r
+\r
+Fairbank was a good - sized square house of white stone , standing\r
+back a little from the road . A double carriage - sweep , with a\r
+snow - clad lawn , stretched down in front to two large iron gates\r
+which closed the entrance . On the right side was a small wooden\r
+thicket , which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges\r
+stretching from the road to the kitchen door , and forming the\r
+tradesmen's entrance . On the left ran a lane which led to the\r
+stables , and was not itself within the grounds at all , being a\r
+public , though little used , thoroughfare . Holmes left us standing\r
+at the door and walked slowly all round the house , across the\r
+front , down the tradesmen's path , and so round by the garden\r
+behind into the stable lane . So long was he that Mr . Holder and I\r
+went into the dining - room and waited by the fire until he should\r
+return . We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and\r
+a young lady came in . She was rather above the middle height ,\r
+slim , with dark hair and eyes , which seemed the darker against\r
+the absolute pallor of her skin . I do not think that I have ever\r
+seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face . Her lips , too , were\r
+bloodless , but her eyes were flushed with crying . As she swept\r
+silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of\r
+grief than the banker had done in the morning , and it was the\r
+more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong\r
+character , with immense capacity for self - restraint . Disregarding\r
+my presence , she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand\r
+over his head with a sweet womanly caress .\r
+\r
+" You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated , have you\r
+not , dad " she asked .\r
+\r
+" No , no , my girl , the matter must be probed to the bottom "\r
+\r
+" But I am so sure that he is innocent . You know what woman's\r
+instincts are . I know that he has done no harm and that you will\r
+be sorry for having acted so harshly "\r
+\r
+" Why is he silent , then , if he is innocent "\r
+\r
+" Who knows ? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should\r
+suspect him "\r
+\r
+" How could I help suspecting him , when I actually saw him with\r
+the coronet in his hand "\r
+\r
+" Oh , but he had only picked it up to look at it . Oh , do , do take\r
+my word for it that he is innocent . Let the matter drop and say\r
+no more . It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in\r
+prison "\r
+\r
+" I shall never let it drop until the gems are found - never , Mary !\r
+Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences\r
+to me . Far from hushing the thing up , I have brought a gentleman\r
+down from London to inquire more deeply into it "\r
+\r
+" This gentleman " she asked , facing round to me .\r
+\r
+" No , his friend . He wished us to leave him alone . He is round in\r
+the stable lane now "\r
+\r
+" The stable lane " She raised her dark eyebrows . " What can he\r
+hope to find there ? Ah ! this , I suppose , is he . I trust , sir ,\r
+that you will succeed in proving , what I feel sure is the truth ,\r
+that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime "\r
+\r
+" I fully share your opinion , and I trust , with you , that we may\r
+prove it " returned Holmes , going back to the mat to knock the\r
+snow from his shoes . " I believe I have the honour of addressing\r
+Miss Mary Holder . Might I ask you a question or two "\r
+\r
+" Pray do , sir , if it may help to clear this horrible affair up "\r
+\r
+" You heard nothing yourself last night "\r
+\r
+" Nothing , until my uncle here began to speak loudly . I heard\r
+that , and I came down "\r
+\r
+" You shut up the windows and doors the night before . Did you\r
+fasten all the windows "\r
+\r
+" Yes "\r
+\r
+" Were they all fastened this morning "\r
+\r
+" Yes "\r
+\r
+" You have a maid who has a sweetheart ? I think that you remarked\r
+to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him "\r
+\r
+" Yes , and she was the girl who waited in the drawing - room , and\r
+who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet "\r
+\r
+" I see . You infer that she may have gone out to tell her\r
+sweetheart , and that the two may have planned the robbery "\r
+\r
+" But what is the good of all these vague theories " cried the\r
+banker impatiently , " when I have told you that I saw Arthur with\r
+the coronet in his hands "\r
+\r
+" Wait a little , Mr . Holder . We must come back to that . About this\r
+girl , Miss Holder . You saw her return by the kitchen door , I\r
+presume "\r
+\r
+" Yes ; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I\r
+met her slipping in . I saw the man , too , in the gloom "\r
+\r
+" Do you know him "\r
+\r
+" Oh , yes ! he is the green - grocer who brings our vegetables round .\r
+His name is Francis Prosper "\r
+\r
+" He stood " said Holmes , " to the left of the door - that is to\r
+say , farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door "\r
+\r
+" Yes , he did "\r
+\r
+" And he is a man with a wooden leg "\r
+\r
+Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive\r
+black eyes . " Why , you are like a magician " said she . " How do you\r
+know that " She smiled , but there was no answering smile in\r
+Holmes ' thin , eager face .\r
+\r
+" I should be very glad now to go upstairs " said he . " I shall\r
+probably wish to go over the outside of the house again . Perhaps\r
+I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up "\r
+\r
+He walked swiftly round from one to the other , pausing only at\r
+the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane .\r
+This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill\r
+with his powerful magnifying lens . " Now we shall go upstairs "\r
+said he at last .\r
+\r
+The banker's dressing - room was a plainly furnished little\r
+chamber , with a grey carpet , a large bureau , and a long mirror .\r
+Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock .\r
+\r
+" Which key was used to open it " he asked .\r
+\r
+" That which my son himself indicated - that of the cupboard of the\r
+lumber - room "\r
+\r
+" Have you it here "\r
+\r
+" That is it on the dressing - table "\r
+\r
+Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau .\r
+\r
+" It is a noiseless lock " said he . " It is no wonder that it did\r
+not wake you . This case , I presume , contains the coronet . We must\r
+have a look at it " He opened the case , and taking out the diadem\r
+he laid it upon the table . It was a magnificent specimen of the\r
+jeweller's art , and the thirty - six stones were the finest that I\r
+have ever seen . At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge ,\r
+where a corner holding three gems had been torn away .\r
+\r
+" Now , Mr . Holder " said Holmes , " here is the corner which\r
+corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost . Might I\r
+beg that you will break it off "\r
+\r
+The banker recoiled in horror . " I should not dream of trying "\r
+said he .\r
+\r
+" Then I will " Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it , but\r
+without result . " I feel it give a little " said he ; " but , though\r
+I am exceptionally strong in the fingers , it would take me all my\r
+time to break it . An ordinary man could not do it . Now , what do\r
+you think would happen if I did break it , Mr . Holder ? There would\r
+be a noise like a pistol shot . Do you tell me that all this\r
+happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard\r
+nothing of it "\r
+\r
+" I do not know what to think . It is all dark to me "\r
+\r
+" But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go . What do you think ,\r
+Miss Holder "\r
+\r
+" I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity "\r
+\r
+" Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him "\r
+\r
+" He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt "\r
+\r
+" Thank you . We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary\r
+luck during this inquiry , and it will be entirely our own fault\r
+if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up . With your\r
+permission , Mr . Holder , I shall now continue my investigations\r
+outside "\r
+\r
+He went alone , at his own request , for he explained that any\r
+unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult . For an\r
+hour or more he was at work , returning at last with his feet\r
+heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever .\r
+\r
+" I think that I have seen now all that there is to see , Mr .\r
+Holder " said he ; " I can serve you best by returning to my\r
+rooms "\r
+\r
+" But the gems , Mr . Holmes . Where are they "\r
+\r
+" I cannot tell "\r
+\r
+The banker wrung his hands . " I shall never see them again " he\r
+cried . " And my son ? You give me hopes "\r
+\r
+" My opinion is in no way altered "\r
+\r
+" Then , for God's sake , what was this dark business which was\r
+acted in my house last night "\r
+\r
+" If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to - morrow\r
+morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to\r
+make it clearer . I understand that you give me carte blanche to\r
+act for you , provided only that I get back the gems , and that you\r
+place no limit on the sum I may draw "\r
+\r
+" I would give my fortune to have them back "\r
+\r
+" Very good . I shall look into the matter between this and then .\r
+Good - bye ; it is just possible that I may have to come over here\r
+again before evening "\r
+\r
+It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up\r
+about the case , although what his conclusions were was more than\r
+I could even dimly imagine . Several times during our homeward\r
+journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point , but he always\r
+glided away to some other topic , until at last I gave it over in\r
+despair . It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our\r
+rooms once more . He hurried to his chamber and was down again in\r
+a few minutes dressed as a common loafer . With his collar turned\r
+up , his shiny , seedy coat , his red cravat , and his worn boots , he\r
+was a perfect sample of the class .\r
+\r
+" I think that this should do " said he , glancing into the glass\r
+above the fireplace . " I only wish that you could come with me ,\r
+Watson , but I fear that it won't do . I may be on the trail in\r
+this matter , or I may be following a will - o - the - wisp , but I\r
+shall soon know which it is . I hope that I may be back in a few\r
+hours " He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard ,\r
+sandwiched it between two rounds of bread , and thrusting this\r
+rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition .\r
+\r
+I had just finished my tea when he returned , evidently in\r
+excellent spirits , swinging an old elastic - sided boot in his\r
+hand . He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a\r
+cup of tea .\r
+\r
+" I only looked in as I passed " said he . " I am going right on "\r
+\r
+" Where to "\r
+\r
+" Oh , to the other side of the West End . It may be some time\r
+before I get back . Don't wait up for me in case I should be\r
+late "\r
+\r
+" How are you getting on "\r
+\r
+" Oh , so so . Nothing to complain of . I have been out to Streatham\r
+since I saw you last , but I did not call at the house . It is a\r
+very sweet little problem , and I would not have missed it for a\r
+good deal . However , I must not sit gossiping here , but must get\r
+these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly\r
+respectable self "\r
+\r
+I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for\r
+satisfaction than his words alone would imply . His eyes twinkled ,\r
+and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks . He\r
+hastened upstairs , and a few minutes later I heard the slam of\r
+the hall door , which told me that he was off once more upon his\r
+congenial hunt .\r
+\r
+I waited until midnight , but there was no sign of his return , so\r
+I retired to my room . It was no uncommon thing for him to be away\r
+for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent , so that\r
+his lateness caused me no surprise . I do not know at what hour he\r
+came in , but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there\r
+he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the\r
+other , as fresh and trim as possible .\r
+\r
+" You will excuse my beginning without you , Watson " said he , " but\r
+you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this\r
+morning "\r
+\r
+" Why , it is after nine now " I answered . " I should not be\r
+surprised if that were he . I thought I heard a ring "\r
+\r
+It was , indeed , our friend the financier . I was shocked by the\r
+change which had come over him , for his face which was naturally\r
+of a broad and massive mould , was now pinched and fallen in ,\r
+while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter . He entered\r
+with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than\r
+his violence of the morning before , and he dropped heavily into\r
+the armchair which I pushed forward for him .\r
+\r
+" I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried " said\r
+he . " Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man , without\r
+a care in the world . Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured\r
+age . One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another . My niece ,\r
+Mary , has deserted me "\r
+\r
+" Deserted you "\r
+\r
+" Yes . Her bed this morning had not been slept in , her room was\r
+empty , and a note for me lay upon the hall table . I had said to\r
+her last night , in sorrow and not in anger , that if she had\r
+married my boy all might have been well with him . Perhaps it was\r
+thoughtless of me to say so . It is to that remark that she refers\r
+in this note :\r
+\r
+ ' MY DEAREST UNCLE -- I feel that I have brought trouble upon you ,\r
+and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune\r
+might never have occurred . I cannot , with this thought in my\r
+mind , ever again be happy under your roof , and I feel that I must\r
+leave you forever . Do not worry about my future , for that is\r
+provided for ; and , above all , do not search for me , for it will\r
+be fruitless labour and an ill - service to me . In life or in\r
+death , I am ever your loving -- MARY '\r
+\r
+" What could she mean by that note , Mr . Holmes ? Do you think it\r
+points to suicide "\r
+\r
+" No , no , nothing of the kind . It is perhaps the best possible\r
+solution . I trust , Mr . Holder , that you are nearing the end of\r
+your troubles "\r
+\r
+" Ha ! You say so ! You have heard something , Mr . Holmes ; you have\r
+learned something ! Where are the gems "\r
+\r
+" You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for\r
+them "\r
+\r
+" I would pay ten "\r
+\r
+" That would be unnecessary . Three thousand will cover the matter .\r
+And there is a little reward , I fancy . Have you your check - book ?\r
+Here is a pen . Better make it out for 4000 pounds "\r
+\r
+With a dazed face the banker made out the required check . Holmes\r
+walked over to his desk , took out a little triangular piece of\r
+gold with three gems in it , and threw it down upon the table .\r
+\r
+With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up .\r
+\r
+" You have it " he gasped . " I am saved ! I am saved "\r
+\r
+The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been , and\r
+he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom .\r
+\r
+" There is one other thing you owe , Mr . Holder " said Sherlock\r
+Holmes rather sternly .\r
+\r
+" Owe " He caught up a pen . " Name the sum , and I will pay it "\r
+\r
+" No , the debt is not to me . You owe a very humble apology to that\r
+noble lad , your son , who has carried himself in this matter as I\r
+should be proud to see my own son do , should I ever chance to\r
+have one "\r
+\r
+" Then it was not Arthur who took them "\r
+\r
+" I told you yesterday , and I repeat to - day , that it was not "\r
+\r
+" You are sure of it ! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him\r
+know that the truth is known "\r
+\r
+" He knows it already . When I had cleared it all up I had an\r
+interview with him , and finding that he would not tell me the\r
+story , I told it to him , on which he had to confess that I was\r
+right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite\r
+clear to me . Your news of this morning , however , may open his\r
+lips "\r
+\r
+" For heaven's sake , tell me , then , what is this extraordinary\r
+mystery "\r
+\r
+" I will do so , and I will show you the steps by which I reached\r
+it . And let me say to you , first , that which it is hardest for me\r
+to say and for you to hear : there has been an understanding\r
+between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary . They have now\r
+fled together "\r
+\r
+" My Mary ? Impossible "\r
+\r
+" It is unfortunately more than possible ; it is certain . Neither\r
+you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you\r
+admitted him into your family circle . He is one of the most\r
+dangerous men in England - a ruined gambler , an absolutely\r
+desperate villain , a man without heart or conscience . Your niece\r
+knew nothing of such men . When he breathed his vows to her , as he\r
+had done to a hundred before her , she flattered herself that she\r
+alone had touched his heart . The devil knows best what he said ,\r
+but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing\r
+him nearly every evening "\r
+\r
+" I cannot , and I will not , believe it " cried the banker with an\r
+ashen face .\r
+\r
+" I will tell you , then , what occurred in your house last night .\r
+Your niece , when you had , as she thought , gone to your room ,\r
+slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which\r
+leads into the stable lane . His footmarks had pressed right\r
+through the snow , so long had he stood there . She told him of the\r
+coronet . His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news , and he\r
+bent her to his will . I have no doubt that she loved you , but\r
+there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all\r
+other loves , and I think that she must have been one . She had\r
+hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming\r
+downstairs , on which she closed the window rapidly and told you\r
+about one of the servants ' escapade with her wooden - legged lover ,\r
+which was all perfectly true .\r
+\r
+" Your boy , Arthur , went to bed after his interview with you but\r
+he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts .\r
+In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door ,\r
+so he rose and , looking out , was surprised to see his cousin\r
+walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared\r
+into your dressing - room . Petrified with astonishment , the lad\r
+slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what\r
+would come of this strange affair . Presently she emerged from the\r
+room again , and in the light of the passage - lamp your son saw\r
+that she carried the precious coronet in her hands . She passed\r
+down the stairs , and he , thrilling with horror , ran along and\r
+slipped behind the curtain near your door , whence he could see\r
+what passed in the hall beneath . He saw her stealthily open the\r
+window , hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom , and then\r
+closing it once more hurry back to her room , passing quite close\r
+to where he stood hid behind the curtain .\r
+\r
+" As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action\r
+without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved . But the\r
+instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune\r
+this would be for you , and how all - important it was to set it\r
+right . He rushed down , just as he was , in his bare feet , opened\r
+the window , sprang out into the snow , and ran down the lane ,\r
+where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight . Sir George\r
+Burnwell tried to get away , but Arthur caught him , and there was\r
+a struggle between them , your lad tugging at one side of the\r
+coronet , and his opponent at the other . In the scuffle , your son\r
+struck Sir George and cut him over the eye . Then something\r
+suddenly snapped , and your son , finding that he had the coronet\r
+in his hands , rushed back , closed the window , ascended to your\r
+room , and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in\r
+the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you\r
+appeared upon the scene "\r
+\r
+" Is it possible " gasped the banker .\r
+\r
+" You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when\r
+he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks . He could not\r
+explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who\r
+certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands . He\r
+took the more chivalrous view , however , and preserved her\r
+secret "\r
+\r
+" And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the\r
+coronet " cried Mr . Holder . " Oh , my God ! what a blind fool I have\r
+been ! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes !\r
+The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the\r
+scene of the struggle . How cruelly I have misjudged him "\r
+\r
+" When I arrived at the house " continued Holmes , " I at once went\r
+very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in\r
+the snow which might help me . I knew that none had fallen since\r
+the evening before , and also that there had been a strong frost\r
+to preserve impressions . I passed along the tradesmen's path , but\r
+found it all trampled down and indistinguishable . Just beyond it ,\r
+however , at the far side of the kitchen door , a woman had stood\r
+and talked with a man , whose round impressions on one side showed\r
+that he had a wooden leg . I could even tell that they had been\r
+disturbed , for the woman had run back swiftly to the door , as was\r
+shown by the deep toe and light heel marks , while Wooden - leg had\r
+waited a little , and then had gone away . I thought at the time\r
+that this might be the maid and her sweetheart , of whom you had\r
+already spoken to me , and inquiry showed it was so . I passed\r
+round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks ,\r
+which I took to be the police ; but when I got into the stable\r
+lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in\r
+front of me .\r
+\r
+" There was a double line of tracks of a booted man , and a second\r
+double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked\r
+feet . I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the\r
+latter was your son . The first had walked both ways , but the\r
+other had run swiftly , and as his tread was marked in places over\r
+the depression of the boot , it was obvious that he had passed\r
+after the other . I followed them up and found they led to the\r
+hall window , where Boots had worn all the snow away while\r
+waiting . Then I walked to the other end , which was a hundred\r
+yards or more down the lane . I saw where Boots had faced round ,\r
+where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle ,\r
+and , finally , where a few drops of blood had fallen , to show me\r
+that I was not mistaken . Boots had then run down the lane , and\r
+another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been\r
+hurt . When he came to the highroad at the other end , I found that\r
+the pavement had been cleared , so there was an end to that clue .\r
+\r
+" On entering the house , however , I examined , as you remember , the\r
+sill and framework of the hall window with my lens , and I could\r
+at once see that someone had passed out . I could distinguish the\r
+outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming\r
+in . I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what\r
+had occurred . A man had waited outside the window ; someone had\r
+brought the gems ; the deed had been overseen by your son ; he had\r
+pursued the thief ; had struggled with him ; they had each tugged\r
+at the coronet , their united strength causing injuries which\r
+neither alone could have effected . He had returned with the\r
+prize , but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent . So\r
+far I was clear . The question now was , who was the man and who\r
+was it brought him the coronet ?\r
+\r
+" It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the\r
+impossible , whatever remains , however improbable , must be the\r
+truth . Now , I knew that it was not you who had brought it down ,\r
+so there only remained your niece and the maids . But if it were\r
+the maids , why should your son allow himself to be accused in\r
+their place ? There could be no possible reason . As he loved his\r
+cousin , however , there was an excellent explanation why he should\r
+retain her secret - the more so as the secret was a disgraceful\r
+one . When I remembered that you had seen her at that window , and\r
+how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again , my conjecture\r
+became a certainty .\r
+\r
+" And who could it be who was her confederate ? A lover evidently ,\r
+for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must\r
+feel to you ? I knew that you went out little , and that your\r
+circle of friends was a very limited one . But among them was Sir\r
+George Burnwell . I had heard of him before as being a man of evil\r
+reputation among women . It must have been he who wore those boots\r
+and retained the missing gems . Even though he knew that Arthur\r
+had discovered him , he might still flatter himself that he was\r
+safe , for the lad could not say a word without compromising his\r
+own family .\r
+\r
+" Well , your own good sense will suggest what measures I took\r
+next . I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house ,\r
+managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet , learned that\r
+his master had cut his head the night before , and , finally , at\r
+the expense of six shillings , made all sure by buying a pair of\r
+his cast - off shoes . With these I journeyed down to Streatham and\r
+saw that they exactly fitted the tracks "\r
+\r
+" I saw an ill - dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening "\r
+said Mr . Holder .\r
+\r
+" Precisely . It was I . I found that I had my man , so I came home\r
+and changed my clothes . It was a delicate part which I had to\r
+play then , for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert\r
+scandal , and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our\r
+hands were tied in the matter . I went and saw him . At first , of\r
+course , he denied everything . But when I gave him every\r
+particular that had occurred , he tried to bluster and took down a\r
+life - preserver from the wall . I knew my man , however , and I\r
+clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike . Then he\r
+became a little more reasonable . I told him that we would give\r
+him a price for the stones he held - 1000 pounds apiece . That\r
+brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown . ' Why ,\r
+dash it all ' said he , ' I ' ve let them go at six hundred for the\r
+three ' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had\r
+them , on promising him that there would be no prosecution . Off I\r
+set to him , and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000\r
+pounds apiece . Then I looked in upon your son , told him that all\r
+was right , and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock , after\r
+what I may call a really hard day's work "\r
+\r
+" A day which has saved England from a great public scandal " said\r
+the banker , rising . " Sir , I cannot find words to thank you , but\r
+you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done . Your\r
+skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it . And now I\r
+must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I\r
+have done him . As to what you tell me of poor Mary , it goes to my\r
+very heart . Not even your skill can inform me where she is now "\r
+\r
+" I think that we may safely say " returned Holmes , " that she is\r
+wherever Sir George Burnwell is . It is equally certain , too , that\r
+whatever her sins are , they will soon receive a more than\r
+sufficient punishment "\r
+\r
+\r
+\r
+XII . THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES\r
+\r
+" To the man who loves art for its own sake " remarked Sherlock\r
+Holmes , tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily\r
+Telegraph , " it is frequently in its least important and lowliest\r
+manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived . It is\r
+pleasant to me to observe , Watson , that you have so far grasped\r
+this truth that in these little records of our cases which you\r
+have been good enough to draw up , and , I am bound to say ,\r
+occasionally to embellish , you have given prominence not so much\r
+to the many causes celebres and sensational trials in which I\r
+have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been\r
+trivial in themselves , but which have given room for those\r
+faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made\r
+my special province "\r
+\r
+" And yet " said I , smiling , " I cannot quite hold myself absolved\r
+from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my\r
+records "\r
+\r
+" You have erred , perhaps " he observed , taking up a glowing\r
+cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry - wood\r
+pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a\r
+disputatious rather than a meditative mood -" you have erred\r
+perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your\r
+statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing\r
+upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is\r
+really the only notable feature about the thing "\r
+\r
+" It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter "\r
+I remarked with some coldness , for I was repelled by the egotism\r
+which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my\r
+friend's singular character .\r
+\r
+" No , it is not selfishness or conceit " said he , answering , as\r
+was his wont , my thoughts rather than my words . " If I claim full\r
+justice for my art , it is because it is an impersonal thing - a\r
+thing beyond myself . Crime is common . Logic is rare . Therefore it\r
+is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should\r
+dwell . You have degraded what should have been a course of\r
+lectures into a series of tales "\r
+\r
+It was a cold morning of the early spring , and we sat after\r
+breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at\r
+Baker Street . A thick fog rolled down between the lines of\r
+dun - coloured houses , and the opposing windows loomed like dark ,\r
+shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths . Our gas was lit\r
+and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal , for\r
+the table had not been cleared yet . Sherlock Holmes had been\r
+silent all the morning , dipping continuously into the\r
+advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last ,\r
+having apparently given up his search , he had emerged in no very\r
+sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings .\r
+\r
+" At the same time " he remarked after a pause , during which he\r
+had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire ,\r
+" you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism , for out of\r
+these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself\r
+in , a fair proportion do not treat of crime , in its legal sense ,\r
+at all . The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King\r
+of Bohemia , the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland , the\r
+problem connected with the man with the twisted lip , and the\r
+incident of the noble bachelor , were all matters which are\r
+outside the pale of the law . But in avoiding the sensational , I\r
+fear that you may have bordered on the trivial "\r
+\r
+" The end may have been so " I answered , " but the methods I hold\r
+to have been novel and of interest "\r
+\r
+" Pshaw , my dear fellow , what do the public , the great unobservant\r
+public , who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a\r
+compositor by his left thumb , care about the finer shades of\r
+analysis and deduction ! But , indeed , if you are trivial , I cannot\r
+blame you , for the days of the great cases are past . Man , or at\r
+least criminal man , has lost all enterprise and originality . As\r
+to my own little practice , it seems to be degenerating into an\r
+agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to\r
+young ladies from boarding - schools . I think that I have touched\r
+bottom at last , however . This note I had this morning marks my\r
+zero - point , I fancy . Read it " He tossed a crumpled letter across\r
+to me .\r
+\r
+It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening , and\r
+ran thus :\r
+\r
+" DEAR MR . HOLMES -- I am very anxious to consult you as to whether\r
+I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered\r
+to me as governess . I shall call at half - past ten to - morrow if I\r
+do not inconvenience you . Yours faithfully ,\r
+ " VIOLET HUNTER "\r
+\r
+" Do you know the young lady " I asked .\r
+\r
+" Not I "\r
+\r
+" It is half - past ten now "\r
+\r
+" Yes , and I have no doubt that is her ring "\r
+\r
+" It may turn out to be of more interest than you think . You\r
+remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle , which appeared to\r
+be a mere whim at first , developed into a serious investigation .\r
+It may be so in this case , also "\r
+\r
+" Well , let us hope so . But our doubts will very soon be solved ,\r
+for here , unless I am much mistaken , is the person in question "\r
+\r
+As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room .\r
+She was plainly but neatly dressed , with a bright , quick face ,\r
+freckled like a plover's egg , and with the brisk manner of a\r
+woman who has had her own way to make in the world .\r
+\r
+" You will excuse my troubling you , I am sure " said she , as my\r
+companion rose to greet her , " but I have had a very strange\r
+experience , and as I have no parents or relations of any sort\r
+from whom I could ask advice , I thought that perhaps you would be\r
+kind enough to tell me what I should do "\r
+\r
+" Pray take a seat , Miss Hunter . I shall be happy to do anything\r
+that I can to serve you "\r
+\r
+I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner\r
+and speech of his new client . He looked her over in his searching\r
+fashion , and then composed himself , with his lids drooping and\r
+his finger - tips together , to listen to her story .\r
+\r
+" I have been a governess for five years " said she , " in the\r
+family of Colonel Spence Munro , but two months ago the colonel\r
+received an appointment at Halifax , in Nova Scotia , and took his\r
+children over to America with him , so that I found myself without\r
+a situation . I advertised , and I answered advertisements , but\r
+without success . At last the little money which I had saved began\r
+to run short , and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do .\r
+\r
+" There is a well - known agency for governesses in the West End\r
+called Westaway's , and there I used to call about once a week in\r
+order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me .\r
+Westaway was the name of the founder of the business , but it is\r
+really managed by Miss Stoper . She sits in her own little office ,\r
+and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom ,\r
+and are then shown in one by one , when she consults her ledgers\r
+and sees whether she has anything which would suit them .\r
+\r
+" Well , when I called last week I was shown into the little office\r
+as usual , but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone . A\r
+prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy\r
+chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at\r
+her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose , looking very\r
+earnestly at the ladies who entered . As I came in he gave quite a\r
+jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper .\r
+\r
+ ' That will do ' said he ; ' I could not ask for anything better .\r
+Capital ! capital ' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his\r
+hands together in the most genial fashion . He was such a\r
+comfortable - looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at\r
+him .\r
+\r
+ ' You are looking for a situation , miss ' he asked .\r
+\r
+ ' Yes , sir '\r
+\r
+ ' As governess '\r
+\r
+ ' Yes , sir '\r
+\r
+ ' And what salary do you ask '\r
+\r
+ ' I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence\r
+Munro '\r
+\r
+ ' Oh , tut , tut ! sweating - rank sweating ' he cried , throwing his\r
+fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling\r
+passion . ' How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with\r
+such attractions and accomplishments '\r
+\r
+ ' My accomplishments , sir , may be less than you imagine ' said I .\r
+' A little French , a little German , music , and drawing -'\r
+\r
+ ' Tut , tut ' he cried . ' This is all quite beside the question .\r
+The point is , have you or have you not the bearing and deportment\r
+of a lady ? There it is in a nutshell . If you have not , you are\r
+not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a\r
+considerable part in the history of the country . But if you have\r
+why , then , how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to\r
+accept anything under the three figures ? Your salary with me ,\r
+madam , would commence at 100 pounds a year '\r
+\r
+" You may imagine , Mr . Holmes , that to me , destitute as I was ,\r
+such an offer seemed almost too good to be true . The gentleman ,\r
+however , seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face ,\r
+opened a pocket - book and took out a note .\r
+\r
+ ' It is also my custom ' said he , smiling in the most pleasant\r
+fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid\r
+the white creases of his face , ' to advance to my young ladies\r
+half their salary beforehand , so that they may meet any little\r
+expenses of their journey and their wardrobe '\r
+\r
+" It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so\r
+thoughtful a man . As I was already in debt to my tradesmen , the\r
+advance was a great convenience , and yet there was something\r
+unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know\r
+a little more before I quite committed myself .\r
+\r
+ ' May I ask where you live , sir ' said I .\r
+\r
+ ' Hampshire . Charming rural place . The Copper Beeches , five miles\r
+on the far side of Winchester . It is the most lovely country , my\r
+dear young lady , and the dearest old country - house '\r
+\r
+ ' And my duties , sir ? I should be glad to know what they would\r
+be '\r
+\r
+ ' One child - one dear little romper just six years old . Oh , if\r
+you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper ! Smack !\r
+smack ! smack ! Three gone before you could wink ' He leaned back\r
+in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again .\r
+\r
+" I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement ,\r
+but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was\r
+joking .\r
+\r
+ ' My sole duties , then ' I asked , ' are to take charge of a single\r
+child '\r
+\r
+ ' No , no , not the sole , not the sole , my dear young lady ' he\r
+cried . ' Your duty would be , as I am sure your good sense would\r
+suggest , to obey any little commands my wife might give , provided\r
+always that they were such commands as a lady might with\r
+propriety obey . You see no difficulty , heh '\r
+\r
+ ' I should be happy to make myself useful '\r
+\r
+ ' Quite so . In dress now , for example . We are faddy people , you\r
+know - faddy but kind - hearted . If you were asked to wear any dress\r
+which we might give you , you would not object to our little whim .\r
+Heh '\r
+\r
+ ' No ' said I , considerably astonished at his words .\r
+\r
+ ' Or to sit here , or sit there , that would not be offensive to\r
+you '\r
+\r
+ ' Oh , no '\r
+\r
+ ' Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us '\r
+\r
+" I could hardly believe my ears . As you may observe , Mr . Holmes ,\r
+my hair is somewhat luxuriant , and of a rather peculiar tint of\r
+chestnut . It has been considered artistic . I could not dream of\r
+sacrificing it in this offhand fashion .\r
+\r
+ ' I am afraid that that is quite impossible ' said I . He had been\r
+watching me eagerly out of his small eyes , and I could see a\r
+shadow pass over his face as I spoke .\r
+\r
+ ' I am afraid that it is quite essential ' said he . ' It is a\r
+little fancy of my wife's , and ladies ' fancies , you know , madam ,\r
+ladies ' fancies must be consulted . And so you won't cut your\r
+hair '\r
+\r
+ ' No , sir , I really could not ' I answered firmly .\r
+\r
+ ' Ah , very well ; then that quite settles the matter . It is a\r
+pity , because in other respects you would really have done very\r
+nicely . In that case , Miss Stoper , I had best inspect a few more\r
+of your young ladies '\r
+\r
+" The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers\r
+without a word to either of us , but she glanced at me now with so\r
+much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting\r
+that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal .\r
+\r
+ ' Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books ' she asked .\r
+\r
+ ' If you please , Miss Stoper '\r
+\r
+ ' Well , really , it seems rather useless , since you refuse the\r
+most excellent offers in this fashion ' said she sharply . ' You\r
+can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such\r
+opening for you . Good - day to you , Miss Hunter ' She struck a gong\r
+upon the table , and I was shown out by the page .\r
+\r
+" Well , Mr . Holmes , when I got back to my lodgings and found\r
+little enough in the cupboard , and two or three bills upon the\r
+table , I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very\r
+foolish thing . After all , if these people had strange fads and\r
+expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters , they were\r
+at least ready to pay for their eccentricity . Very few\r
+governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year . Besides ,\r
+what use was my hair to me ? Many people are improved by wearing\r
+it short and perhaps I should be among the number . Next day I was\r
+inclined to think that I had made a mistake , and by the day after\r
+I was sure of it . I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go\r
+back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open\r
+when I received this letter from the gentleman himself . I have it\r
+here and I will read it to you :\r
+\r
+ " ' The Copper Beeches , near Winchester .\r
+ ' DEAR MISS HUNTER -- Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your\r
+address , and I write from here to ask you whether you have\r
+reconsidered your decision . My wife is very anxious that you\r
+should come , for she has been much attracted by my description of\r
+you . We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter , or 120 pounds a\r
+year , so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which\r
+our fads may cause you . They are not very exacting , after all . My\r
+wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would\r
+like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning . You need\r
+not , however , go to the expense of purchasing one , as we have one\r
+belonging to my dear daughter Alice ( now in Philadelphia , which\r
+would , I should think , fit you very well . Then , as to sitting\r
+here or there , or amusing yourself in any manner indicated , that\r
+need cause you no inconvenience . As regards your hair , it is no\r
+doubt a pity , especially as I could not help remarking its beauty\r
+during our short interview , but I am afraid that I must remain\r
+firm upon this point , and I only hope that the increased salary\r
+may recompense you for the loss . Your duties , as far as the child\r
+is concerned , are very light . Now do try to come , and I shall\r
+meet you with the dog - cart at Winchester . Let me know your train .\r
+Yours faithfully , JEPHRO RUCASTLE '\r
+\r
+" That is the letter which I have just received , Mr . Holmes , and\r
+my mind is made up that I will accept it . I thought , however ,\r
+that before taking the final step I should like to submit the\r
+whole matter to your consideration "\r
+\r
+" Well , Miss Hunter , if your mind is made up , that settles the\r
+question " said Holmes , smiling .\r
+\r
+" But you would not advise me to refuse "\r
+\r
+" I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to\r
+see a sister of mine apply for "\r
+\r
+" What is the meaning of it all , Mr . Holmes "\r
+\r
+" Ah , I have no data . I cannot tell . Perhaps you have yourself\r
+formed some opinion "\r
+\r
+" Well , there seems to me to be only one possible solution . Mr .\r
+Rucastle seemed to be a very kind , good - natured man . Is it not\r
+possible that his wife is a lunatic , that he desires to keep the\r
+matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum , and that\r
+he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an\r
+outbreak "\r
+\r
+" That is a possible solution - in fact , as matters stand , it is\r
+the most probable one . But in any case it does not seem to be a\r
+nice household for a young lady "\r
+\r
+" But the money , Mr . Holmes , the money "\r
+\r
+" Well , yes , of course the pay is good - too good . That is what\r
+makes me uneasy . Why should they give you 120 pounds a year , when\r
+they could have their pick for 40 pounds ? There must be some\r
+strong reason behind "\r
+\r
+" I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would\r
+understand afterwards if I wanted your help . I should feel so\r
+much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me "\r
+\r
+" Oh , you may carry that feeling away with you . I assure you that\r
+your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has\r
+come my way for some months . There is something distinctly novel\r
+about some of the features . If you should find yourself in doubt\r
+or in danger -"\r
+\r
+" Danger ! What danger do you foresee "\r
+\r
+Holmes shook his head gravely . " It would cease to be a danger if\r
+we could define it " said he . " But at any time , day or night , a\r
+telegram would bring me down to your help "\r
+\r
+" That is enough " She rose briskly from her chair with the\r
+anxiety all swept from her face . " I shall go down to Hampshire\r
+quite easy in my mind now . I shall write to Mr . Rucastle at once ,\r
+sacrifice my poor hair to - night , and start for Winchester\r
+to - morrow " With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both\r
+good - night and bustled off upon her way .\r
+\r
+" At least " said I as we heard her quick , firm steps descending\r
+the stairs , " she seems to be a young lady who is very well able\r
+to take care of herself "\r
+\r
+" And she would need to be " said Holmes gravely . " I am much\r
+mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past "\r
+\r
+It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled .\r
+A fortnight went by , during which I frequently found my thoughts\r
+turning in her direction and wondering what strange side - alley of\r
+human experience this lonely woman had strayed into . The unusual\r
+salary , the curious conditions , the light duties , all pointed to\r
+something abnormal , though whether a fad or a plot , or whether\r
+the man were a philanthropist or a villain , it was quite beyond\r
+my powers to determine . As to Holmes , I observed that he sat\r
+frequently for half an hour on end , with knitted brows and an\r
+abstracted air , but he swept the matter away with a wave of his\r
+hand when I mentioned it . " Data ! data ! data " he cried\r
+impatiently . " I can't make bricks without clay " And yet he would\r
+always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever\r
+have accepted such a situation .\r
+\r
+The telegram which we eventually received came late one night\r
+just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down\r
+to one of those all - night chemical researches which he frequently\r
+indulged in , when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a\r
+test - tube at night and find him in the same position when I came\r
+down to breakfast in the morning . He opened the yellow envelope ,\r
+and then , glancing at the message , threw it across to me .\r
+\r
+" Just look up the trains in Bradshaw " said he , and turned back\r
+to his chemical studies .\r
+\r
+The summons was a brief and urgent one .\r
+\r
+" Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday\r
+to - morrow " it said . " Do come ! I am at my wit's end . HUNTER "\r
+\r
+" Will you come with me " asked Holmes , glancing up .\r
+\r
+" I should wish to "\r
+\r
+" Just look it up , then "\r
+\r
+" There is a train at half - past nine " said I , glancing over my\r
+Bradshaw . " It is due at Winchester at 11 : 30 "\r
+\r
+" That will do very nicely . Then perhaps I had better postpone my\r
+analysis of the acetones , as we may need to be at our best in the\r
+morning "\r
+\r
+By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the\r
+old English capital . Holmes had been buried in the morning papers\r
+all the way down , but after we had passed the Hampshire border he\r
+threw them down and began to admire the scenery . It was an ideal\r
+spring day , a light blue sky , flecked with little fleecy white\r
+clouds drifting across from west to east . The sun was shining\r
+very brightly , and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air ,\r
+which set an edge to a man's energy . All over the countryside ,\r
+away to the rolling hills around Aldershot , the little red and\r
+grey roofs of the farm - steadings peeped out from amid the light\r
+green of the new foliage .\r
+\r
+" Are they not fresh and beautiful " I cried with all the\r
+enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street .\r
+\r
+But Holmes shook his head gravely .\r
+\r
+" Do you know , Watson " said he , " that it is one of the curses of\r
+a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with\r
+reference to my own special subject . You look at these scattered\r
+houses , and you are impressed by their beauty . I look at them ,\r
+and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their\r
+isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed\r
+there "\r
+\r
+" Good heavens " I cried . " Who would associate crime with these\r
+dear old homesteads "\r
+\r
+" They always fill me with a certain horror . It is my belief ,\r
+Watson , founded upon my experience , that the lowest and vilest\r
+alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin\r
+than does the smiling and beautiful countryside "\r
+\r
+" You horrify me "\r
+\r
+" But the reason is very obvious . The pressure of public opinion\r
+can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish . There is no\r
+lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child , or the thud of\r
+a drunkard's blow , does not beget sympathy and indignation among\r
+the neighbours , and then the whole machinery of justice is ever\r
+so close that a word of complaint can set it going , and there is\r
+but a step between the crime and the dock . But look at these\r
+lonely houses , each in its own fields , filled for the most part\r
+with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law . Think of the\r
+deeds of hellish cruelty , the hidden wickedness which may go on ,\r
+year in , year out , in such places , and none the wiser . Had this\r
+lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester , I\r
+should never have had a fear for her . It is the five miles of\r
+country which makes the danger . Still , it is clear that she is\r
+not personally threatened "\r
+\r
+" No . If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away "\r
+\r
+" Quite so . She has her freedom "\r
+\r
+" What CAN be the matter , then ? Can you suggest no explanation "\r
+\r
+" I have devised seven separate explanations , each of which would\r
+cover the facts as far as we know them . But which of these is\r
+correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we\r
+shall no doubt find waiting for us . Well , there is the tower of\r
+the cathedral , and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has\r
+to tell "\r
+\r
+The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street , at no\r
+distance from the station , and there we found the young lady\r
+waiting for us . She had engaged a sitting - room , and our lunch\r
+awaited us upon the table .\r
+\r
+" I am so delighted that you have come " she said earnestly . " It\r
+is so very kind of you both ; but indeed I do not know what I\r
+should do . Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me "\r
+\r
+" Pray tell us what has happened to you "\r
+\r
+" I will do so , and I must be quick , for I have promised Mr .\r
+Rucastle to be back before three . I got his leave to come into\r
+town this morning , though he little knew for what purpose "\r
+\r
+" Let us have everything in its due order " Holmes thrust his long\r
+thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen .\r
+\r
+" In the first place , I may say that I have met , on the whole ,\r
+with no actual ill - treatment from Mr . and Mrs . Rucastle . It is\r
+only fair to them to say that . But I cannot understand them , and\r
+I am not easy in my mind about them "\r
+\r
+" What can you not understand "\r
+\r
+" Their reasons for their conduct . But you shall have it all just\r
+as it occurred . When I came down , Mr . Rucastle met me here and\r
+drove me in his dog - cart to the Copper Beeches . It is , as he\r
+said , beautifully situated , but it is not beautiful in itself ,\r
+for it is a large square block of a house , whitewashed , but all\r
+stained and streaked with damp and bad weather . There are grounds\r
+round it , woods on three sides , and on the fourth a field which\r
+slopes down to the Southampton highroad , which curves past about\r
+a hundred yards from the front door . This ground in front belongs\r
+to the house , but the woods all round are part of Lord\r
+Southerton's preserves . A clump of copper beeches immediately in\r
+front of the hall door has given its name to the place .\r
+\r
+" I was driven over by my employer , who was as amiable as ever ,\r
+and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child .\r
+There was no truth , Mr . Holmes , in the conjecture which seemed to\r
+us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street . Mrs . Rucastle is\r
+not mad . I found her to be a silent , pale - faced woman , much\r
+younger than her husband , not more than thirty , I should think ,\r
+while he can hardly be less than forty - five . From their\r
+conversation I have gathered that they have been married about\r
+seven years , that he was a widower , and that his only child by\r
+the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia . Mr .\r
+Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them\r
+was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother . As\r
+the daughter could not have been less than twenty , I can quite\r
+imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her\r
+father's young wife .\r
+\r
+" Mrs . Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as\r
+in feature . She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse .\r
+She was a nonentity . It was easy to see that she was passionately\r
+devoted both to her husband and to her little son . Her light grey\r
+eyes wandered continually from one to the other , noting every\r
+little want and forestalling it if possible . He was kind to her\r
+also in his bluff , boisterous fashion , and on the whole they\r
+seemed to be a happy couple . And yet she had some secret sorrow ,\r
+this woman . She would often be lost in deep thought , with the\r
+saddest look upon her face . More than once I have surprised her\r
+in tears . I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of\r
+her child which weighed upon her mind , for I have never met so\r
+utterly spoiled and so ill - natured a little creature . He is small\r
+for his age , with a head which is quite disproportionately large .\r
+His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between\r
+savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking . Giving\r
+pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea\r
+of amusement , and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning\r
+the capture of mice , little birds , and insects . But I would\r
+rather not talk about the creature , Mr . Holmes , and , indeed , he\r
+has little to do with my story "\r
+\r
+" I am glad of all details " remarked my friend , " whether they\r
+seem to you to be relevant or not "\r
+\r
+" I shall try not to miss anything of importance . The one\r
+unpleasant thing about the house , which struck me at once , was\r
+the appearance and conduct of the servants . There are only two , a\r
+man and his wife . Toller , for that is his name , is a rough ,\r
+uncouth man , with grizzled hair and whiskers , and a perpetual\r
+smell of drink . Twice since I have been with them he has been\r
+quite drunk , and yet Mr . Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it .\r
+His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face , as\r
+silent as Mrs . Rucastle and much less amiable . They are a most\r
+unpleasant couple , but fortunately I spend most of my time in the\r
+nursery and my own room , which are next to each other in one\r
+corner of the building .\r
+\r
+" For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was\r
+very quiet ; on the third , Mrs . Rucastle came down just after\r
+breakfast and whispered something to her husband .\r
+\r
+ ' Oh , yes ' said he , turning to me , ' we are very much obliged to\r
+you , Miss Hunter , for falling in with our whims so far as to cut\r
+your hair . I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest\r
+iota from your appearance . We shall now see how the electric - blue\r
+dress will become you . You will find it laid out upon the bed in\r
+your room , and if you would be so good as to put it on we should\r
+both be extremely obliged '\r
+\r
+" The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade\r
+of blue . It was of excellent material , a sort of beige , but it\r
+bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before . It could not\r
+have been a better fit if I had been measured for it . Both Mr .\r
+and Mrs . Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it , which\r
+seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence . They were waiting for\r
+me in the drawing - room , which is a very large room , stretching\r
+along the entire front of the house , with three long windows\r
+reaching down to the floor . A chair had been placed close to the\r
+central window , with its back turned towards it . In this I was\r
+asked to sit , and then Mr . Rucastle , walking up and down on the\r
+other side of the room , began to tell me a series of the funniest\r
+stories that I have ever listened to . You cannot imagine how\r
+comical he was , and I laughed until I was quite weary . Mrs .\r
+Rucastle , however , who has evidently no sense of humour , never so\r
+much as smiled , but sat with her hands in her lap , and a sad ,\r
+anxious look upon her face . After an hour or so , Mr . Rucastle\r
+suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the\r
+day , and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in\r
+the nursery .\r
+\r
+" Two days later this same performance was gone through under\r
+exactly similar circumstances . Again I changed my dress , again I\r
+sat in the window , and again I laughed very heartily at the funny\r
+stories of which my employer had an immense repertoire , and which\r
+he told inimitably . Then he handed me a yellow - backed novel , and\r
+moving my chair a little sideways , that my own shadow might not\r
+fall upon the page , he begged me to read aloud to him . I read for\r
+about ten minutes , beginning in the heart of a chapter , and then\r
+suddenly , in the middle of a sentence , he ordered me to cease and\r
+to change my dress .\r
+\r
+" You can easily imagine , Mr . Holmes , how curious I became as to\r
+what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly\r
+be . They were always very careful , I observed , to turn my face\r
+away from the window , so that I became consumed with the desire\r
+to see what was going on behind my back . At first it seemed to be\r
+impossible , but I soon devised a means . My hand - mirror had been\r
+broken , so a happy thought seized me , and I concealed a piece of\r
+the glass in my handkerchief . On the next occasion , in the midst\r
+of my laughter , I put my handkerchief up to my eyes , and was able\r
+with a little management to see all that there was behind me . I\r
+confess that I was disappointed . There was nothing . At least that\r
+was my first impression . At the second glance , however , I\r
+perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road ,\r
+a small bearded man in a grey suit , who seemed to be looking in\r
+my direction . The road is an important highway , and there are\r
+usually people there . This man , however , was leaning against the\r
+railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up . I\r
+lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs . Rucastle to find her\r
+eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze . She said nothing ,\r
+but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my\r
+hand and had seen what was behind me . She rose at once .\r
+\r
+ ' Jephro ' said she , ' there is an impertinent fellow upon the\r
+road there who stares up at Miss Hunter '\r
+\r
+ ' No friend of yours , Miss Hunter ' he asked .\r
+\r
+ ' No , I know no one in these parts '\r
+\r
+ ' Dear me ! How very impertinent ! Kindly turn round and motion to\r
+him to go away '\r
+\r
+ ' Surely it would be better to take no notice '\r
+\r
+ ' No , no , we should have him loitering here always . Kindly turn\r
+round and wave him away like that '\r
+\r
+" I did as I was told , and at the same instant Mrs . Rucastle drew\r
+down the blind . That was a week ago , and from that time I have\r
+not sat again in the window , nor have I worn the blue dress , nor\r
+seen the man in the road "\r
+\r
+" Pray continue " said Holmes . " Your narrative promises to be a\r
+most interesting one "\r
+\r
+" You will find it rather disconnected , I fear , and there may\r
+prove to be little relation between the different incidents of\r
+which I speak . On the very first day that I was at the Copper\r
+Beeches , Mr . Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands\r
+near the kitchen door . As we approached it I heard the sharp\r
+rattling of a chain , and the sound as of a large animal moving\r
+about .\r
+\r
+ ' Look in here ' said Mr . Rucastle , showing me a slit between two\r
+planks . ' Is he not a beauty '\r
+\r
+" I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes , and of a\r
+vague figure huddled up in the darkness .\r
+\r
+ ' Don't be frightened ' said my employer , laughing at the start\r
+which I had given . ' It's only Carlo , my mastiff . I call him mine ,\r
+but really old Toller , my groom , is the only man who can do\r
+anything with him . We feed him once a day , and not too much then ,\r
+so that he is always as keen as mustard . Toller lets him loose\r
+every night , and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs\r
+upon . For goodness ' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your\r
+foot over the threshold at night , for it's as much as your life\r
+is worth '\r
+\r
+" The warning was no idle one , for two nights later I happened to\r
+look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning .\r
+It was a beautiful moonlight night , and the lawn in front of the\r
+house was silvered over and almost as bright as day . I was\r
+standing , rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene , when I was\r
+aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper\r
+beeches . As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was . It\r
+was a giant dog , as large as a calf , tawny tinted , with hanging\r
+jowl , black muzzle , and huge projecting bones . It walked slowly\r
+across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side .\r
+That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not\r
+think that any burglar could have done .\r
+\r
+" And now I have a very strange experience to tell you . I had , as\r
+you know , cut off my hair in London , and I had placed it in a\r
+great coil at the bottom of my trunk . One evening , after the\r
+child was in bed , I began to amuse myself by examining the\r
+furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things .\r
+There was an old chest of drawers in the room , the two upper ones\r
+empty and open , the lower one locked . I had filled the first two\r
+with my linen , and as I had still much to pack away I was\r
+naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer . It\r
+struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight ,\r
+so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it . The very\r
+first key fitted to perfection , and I drew the drawer open . There\r
+was only one thing in it , but I am sure that you would never\r
+guess what it was . It was my coil of hair .\r
+\r
+" I took it up and examined it . It was of the same peculiar tint ,\r
+and the same thickness . But then the impossibility of the thing\r
+obtruded itself upon me . How could my hair have been locked in\r
+the drawer ? With trembling hands I undid my trunk , turned out the\r
+contents , and drew from the bottom my own hair . I laid the two\r
+tresses together , and I assure you that they were identical . Was\r
+it not extraordinary ? Puzzle as I would , I could make nothing at\r
+all of what it meant . I returned the strange hair to the drawer ,\r
+and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that\r
+I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had\r
+locked .\r
+\r
+" I am naturally observant , as you may have remarked , Mr . Holmes ,\r
+and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head .\r
+There was one wing , however , which appeared not to be inhabited\r
+at all . A door which faced that which led into the quarters of\r
+the Tollers opened into this suite , but it was invariably locked .\r
+One day , however , as I ascended the stair , I met Mr . Rucastle\r
+coming out through this door , his keys in his hand , and a look on\r
+his face which made him a very different person to the round ,\r
+jovial man to whom I was accustomed . His cheeks were red , his\r
+brow was all crinkled with anger , and the veins stood out at his\r
+temples with passion . He locked the door and hurried past me\r
+without a word or a look .\r
+\r
+" This aroused my curiosity , so when I went out for a walk in the\r
+grounds with my charge , I strolled round to the side from which I\r
+could see the windows of this part of the house . There were four\r
+of them in a row , three of which were simply dirty , while the\r
+fourth was shuttered up . They were evidently all deserted . As I\r
+strolled up and down , glancing at them occasionally , Mr . Rucastle\r
+came out to me , looking as merry and jovial as ever .\r
+\r
+ ' Ah ' said he , ' you must not think me rude if I passed you\r
+without a word , my dear young lady . I was preoccupied with\r
+business matters '\r
+\r
+" I assured him that I was not offended . ' By the way ' said I ,\r
+' you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there , and one\r
+of them has the shutters up '\r
+\r
+" He looked surprised and , as it seemed to me , a little startled\r
+at my remark .\r
+\r
+ ' Photography is one of my hobbies ' said he . ' I have made my\r
+dark room up there . But , dear me ! what an observant young lady we\r
+have come upon . Who would have believed it ? Who would have ever\r
+believed it ' He spoke in a jesting tone , but there was no jest\r
+in his eyes as he looked at me . I read suspicion there and\r
+annoyance , but no jest .\r
+\r
+" Well , Mr . Holmes , from the moment that I understood that there\r
+was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know ,\r
+I was all on fire to go over them . It was not mere curiosity ,\r
+though I have my share of that . It was more a feeling of duty - a\r
+feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this\r
+place . They talk of woman's instinct ; perhaps it was woman's\r
+instinct which gave me that feeling . At any rate , it was there ,\r
+and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the\r
+forbidden door .\r
+\r
+" It was only yesterday that the chance came . I may tell you that ,\r
+besides Mr . Rucastle , both Toller and his wife find something to\r
+do in these deserted rooms , and I once saw him carrying a large\r
+black linen bag with him through the door . Recently he has been\r
+drinking hard , and yesterday evening he was very drunk ; and when\r
+I came upstairs there was the key in the door . I have no doubt at\r
+all that he had left it there . Mr . and Mrs . Rucastle were both\r
+downstairs , and the child was with them , so that I had an\r
+admirable opportunity . I turned the key gently in the lock ,\r
+opened the door , and slipped through .\r
+\r
+" There was a little passage in front of me , unpapered and\r
+uncarpeted , which turned at a right angle at the farther end .\r
+Round this corner were three doors in a line , the first and third\r
+of which were open . They each led into an empty room , dusty and\r
+cheerless , with two windows in the one and one in the other , so\r
+thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through\r
+them . The centre door was closed , and across the outside of it\r
+had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed , padlocked\r
+at one end to a ring in the wall , and fastened at the other with\r
+stout cord . The door itself was locked as well , and the key was\r
+not there . This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the\r
+shuttered window outside , and yet I could see by the glimmer from\r
+beneath it that the room was not in darkness . Evidently there was\r
+a skylight which let in light from above . As I stood in the\r
+passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it\r
+might veil , I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room\r
+and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little\r
+slit of dim light which shone out from under the door . A mad ,\r
+unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight , Mr . Holmes . My\r
+overstrung nerves failed me suddenly , and I turned and ran - ran\r
+as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the\r
+skirt of my dress . I rushed down the passage , through the door ,\r
+and straight into the arms of Mr . Rucastle , who was waiting\r
+outside .\r
+\r
+ ' So ' said he , smiling , ' it was you , then . I thought that it\r
+must be when I saw the door open '\r
+\r
+ ' Oh , I am so frightened ' I panted .\r
+\r
+ ' My dear young lady ! my dear young lady ' - you cannot think how\r
+caressing and soothing his manner was - ' and what has frightened\r
+you , my dear young lady '\r
+\r
+" But his voice was just a little too coaxing . He overdid it . I\r
+was keenly on my guard against him .\r
+\r
+ ' I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing ' I answered .\r
+' But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was\r
+frightened and ran out again . Oh , it is so dreadfully still in\r
+there '\r
+\r
+ ' Only that ' said he , looking at me keenly .\r
+\r
+ ' Why , what did you think ' I asked .\r
+\r
+ ' Why do you think that I lock this door '\r
+\r
+ ' I am sure that I do not know '\r
+\r
+ ' It is to keep people out who have no business there . Do you\r
+see ' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner .\r
+\r
+ ' I am sure if I had known -'\r
+\r
+ ' Well , then , you know now . And if you ever put your foot over\r
+that threshold again -- here in an instant the smile hardened into\r
+a grin of rage , and he glared down at me with the face of a\r
+demon - ' I ' ll throw you to the mastiff '\r
+\r
+" I was so terrified that I do not know what I did . I suppose that\r
+I must have rushed past him into my room . I remember nothing\r
+until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over . Then I\r
+thought of you , Mr . Holmes . I could not live there longer without\r
+some advice . I was frightened of the house , of the man , of the\r
+woman , of the servants , even of the child . They were all horrible\r
+to me . If I could only bring you down all would be well . Of\r
+course I might have fled from the house , but my curiosity was\r
+almost as strong as my fears . My mind was soon made up . I would\r
+send you a wire . I put on my hat and cloak , went down to the\r
+office , which is about half a mile from the house , and then\r
+returned , feeling very much easier . A horrible doubt came into my\r
+mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose , but I\r
+remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of\r
+insensibility that evening , and I knew that he was the only one\r
+in the household who had any influence with the savage creature ,\r
+or who would venture to set him free . I slipped in in safety and\r
+lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you .\r
+I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this\r
+morning , but I must be back before three o'clock , for Mr . and\r
+Mrs . Rucastle are going on a visit , and will be away all the\r
+evening , so that I must look after the child . Now I have told you\r
+all my adventures , Mr . Holmes , and I should be very glad if you\r
+could tell me what it all means , and , above all , what I should\r
+do "\r
+\r
+Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story .\r
+My friend rose now and paced up and down the room , his hands in\r
+his pockets , and an expression of the most profound gravity upon\r
+his face .\r
+\r
+" Is Toller still drunk " he asked .\r
+\r
+" Yes . I heard his wife tell Mrs . Rucastle that she could do\r
+nothing with him "\r
+\r
+" That is well . And the Rucastles go out to - night "\r
+\r
+" Yes "\r
+\r
+" Is there a cellar with a good strong lock "\r
+\r
+" Yes , the wine - cellar "\r
+\r
+" You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very\r
+brave and sensible girl , Miss Hunter . Do you think that you could\r
+perform one more feat ? I should not ask it of you if I did not\r
+think you a quite exceptional woman "\r
+\r
+" I will try . What is it "\r
+\r
+" We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock , my friend\r
+and I . The Rucastles will be gone by that time , and Toller will ,\r
+we hope , be incapable . There only remains Mrs . Toller , who might\r
+give the alarm . If you could send her into the cellar on some\r
+errand , and then turn the key upon her , you would facilitate\r
+matters immensely "\r
+\r
+" I will do it "\r
+\r
+" Excellent ! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair . Of\r
+course there is only one feasible explanation . You have been\r
+brought there to personate someone , and the real person is\r
+imprisoned in this chamber . That is obvious . As to who this\r
+prisoner is , I have no doubt that it is the daughter , Miss Alice\r
+Rucastle , if I remember right , who was said to have gone to\r
+America . You were chosen , doubtless , as resembling her in height ,\r
+figure , and the colour of your hair . Hers had been cut off , very\r
+possibly in some illness through which she has passed , and so , of\r
+course , yours had to be sacrificed also . By a curious chance you\r
+came upon her tresses . The man in the road was undoubtedly some\r
+friend of hers - possibly her fiance - and no doubt , as you wore\r
+the girl's dress and were so like her , he was convinced from your\r
+laughter , whenever he saw you , and afterwards from your gesture ,\r
+that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy , and that she no longer\r
+desired his attentions . The dog is let loose at night to prevent\r
+him from endeavouring to communicate with her . So much is fairly\r
+clear . The most serious point in the case is the disposition of\r
+the child "\r
+\r
+" What on earth has that to do with it " I ejaculated .\r
+\r
+" My dear Watson , you as a medical man are continually gaining\r
+light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the\r
+parents . Don't you see that the converse is equally valid . I have\r
+frequently gained my first real insight into the character of\r
+parents by studying their children . This child's disposition is\r
+abnormally cruel , merely for cruelty's sake , and whether he\r
+derives this from his smiling father , as I should suspect , or\r
+from his mother , it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their\r
+power "\r
+\r
+" I am sure that you are right , Mr . Holmes " cried our client . " A\r
+thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you\r
+have hit it . Oh , let us lose not an instant in bringing help to\r
+this poor creature "\r
+\r
+" We must be circumspect , for we are dealing with a very cunning\r
+man . We can do nothing until seven o'clock . At that hour we shall\r
+be with you , and it will not be long before we solve the\r
+mystery "\r
+\r
+We were as good as our word , for it was just seven when we\r
+reached the Copper Beeches , having put up our trap at a wayside\r
+public - house . The group of trees , with their dark leaves shining\r
+like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun , were\r
+sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been\r
+standing smiling on the door - step .\r
+\r
+" Have you managed it " asked Holmes .\r
+\r
+A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs . " That is\r
+Mrs . Toller in the cellar " said she . " Her husband lies snoring\r
+on the kitchen rug . Here are his keys , which are the duplicates\r
+of Mr . Rucastle's "\r
+\r
+" You have done well indeed " cried Holmes with enthusiasm . " Now\r
+lead the way , and we shall soon see the end of this black\r
+business "\r
+\r
+We passed up the stair , unlocked the door , followed on down a\r
+passage , and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss\r
+Hunter had described . Holmes cut the cord and removed the\r
+transverse bar . Then he tried the various keys in the lock , but\r
+without success . No sound came from within , and at the silence\r
+Holmes ' face clouded over .\r
+\r
+" I trust that we are not too late " said he . " I think , Miss\r
+Hunter , that we had better go in without you . Now , Watson , put\r
+your shoulder to it , and we shall see whether we cannot make our\r
+way in "\r
+\r
+It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united\r
+strength . Together we rushed into the room . It was empty . There\r
+was no furniture save a little pallet bed , a small table , and a\r
+basketful of linen . The skylight above was open , and the prisoner\r
+gone .\r
+\r
+" There has been some villainy here " said Holmes ; " this beauty\r
+has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim\r
+off "\r
+\r
+" But how "\r
+\r
+" Through the skylight . We shall soon see how he managed it " He\r
+swung himself up onto the roof . " Ah , yes " he cried , " here's the\r
+end of a long light ladder against the eaves . That is how he did\r
+it "\r
+\r
+" But it is impossible " said Miss Hunter ; " the ladder was not\r
+there when the Rucastles went away "\r
+\r
+" He has come back and done it . I tell you that he is a clever and\r
+dangerous man . I should not be very much surprised if this were\r
+he whose step I hear now upon the stair . I think , Watson , that it\r
+would be as well for you to have your pistol ready "\r
+\r
+The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at\r
+the door of the room , a very fat and burly man , with a heavy\r
+stick in his hand . Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the\r
+wall at the sight of him , but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and\r
+confronted him .\r
+\r
+" You villain " said he , " where's your daughter "\r
+\r
+The fat man cast his eyes round , and then up at the open\r
+skylight .\r
+\r
+" It is for me to ask you that " he shrieked , " you thieves ! Spies\r
+and thieves ! I have caught you , have I ? You are in my power . I ' ll\r
+serve you " He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he\r
+could go .\r
+\r
+" He's gone for the dog " cried Miss Hunter .\r
+\r
+" I have my revolver " said I .\r
+\r
+" Better close the front door " cried Holmes , and we all rushed\r
+down the stairs together . We had hardly reached the hall when we\r
+heard the baying of a hound , and then a scream of agony , with a\r
+horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to . An\r
+elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out\r
+at a side door .\r
+\r
+" My God " he cried . " Someone has loosed the dog . It's not been\r
+fed for two days . Quick , quick , or it ' ll be too late "\r
+\r
+Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house , with\r
+Toller hurrying behind us . There was the huge famished brute , its\r
+black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat , while he writhed and\r
+screamed upon the ground . Running up , I blew its brains out , and\r
+it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great\r
+creases of his neck . With much labour we separated them and\r
+carried him , living but horribly mangled , into the house . We laid\r
+him upon the drawing - room sofa , and having dispatched the sobered\r
+Toller to bear the news to his wife , I did what I could to\r
+relieve his pain . We were all assembled round him when the door\r
+opened , and a tall , gaunt woman entered the room .\r
+\r
+" Mrs . Toller " cried Miss Hunter .\r
+\r
+" Yes , miss . Mr . Rucastle let me out when he came back before he\r
+went up to you . Ah , miss , it is a pity you didn't let me know\r
+what you were planning , for I would have told you that your pains\r
+were wasted "\r
+\r
+" Ha " said Holmes , looking keenly at her . " It is clear that Mrs .\r
+Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else "\r
+\r
+" Yes , sir , I do , and I am ready enough to tell what I know "\r
+\r
+" Then , pray , sit down , and let us hear it for there are several\r
+points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark "\r
+\r
+" I will soon make it clear to you " said she ; " and I ' d have done\r
+so before now if I could ha ' got out from the cellar . If there's\r
+police - court business over this , you ' ll remember that I was the\r
+one that stood your friend , and that I was Miss Alice's friend\r
+too .\r
+\r
+" She was never happy at home , Miss Alice wasn't , from the time\r
+that her father married again . She was slighted like and had no\r
+say in anything , but it never really became bad for her until\r
+after she met Mr . Fowler at a friend's house . As well as I could\r
+learn , Miss Alice had rights of her own by will , but she was so\r
+quiet and patient , she was , that she never said a word about them\r
+but just left everything in Mr . Rucastle's hands . He knew he was\r
+safe with her ; but when there was a chance of a husband coming\r
+forward , who would ask for all that the law would give him , then\r
+her father thought it time to put a stop on it . He wanted her to\r
+sign a paper , so that whether she married or not , he could use\r
+her money . When she wouldn't do it , he kept on worrying her until\r
+she got brain - fever , and for six weeks was at death's door . Then\r
+she got better at last , all worn to a shadow , and with her\r
+beautiful hair cut off ; but that didn't make no change in her\r
+young man , and he stuck to her as true as man could be "\r
+\r
+" Ah " said Holmes , " I think that what you have been good enough\r
+to tell us makes the matter fairly clear , and that I can deduce\r
+all that remains . Mr . Rucastle then , I presume , took to this\r
+system of imprisonment "\r
+\r
+" Yes , sir "\r
+\r
+" And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of\r
+the disagreeable persistence of Mr . Fowler "\r
+\r
+" That was it , sir "\r
+\r
+" But Mr . Fowler being a persevering man , as a good seaman should\r
+be , blockaded the house , and having met you succeeded by certain\r
+arguments , metallic or otherwise , in convincing you that your\r
+interests were the same as his "\r
+\r
+" Mr . Fowler was a very kind - spoken , free - handed gentleman " said\r
+Mrs . Toller serenely .\r
+\r
+" And in this way he managed that your good man should have no\r
+want of drink , and that a ladder should be ready at the moment\r
+when your master had gone out "\r
+\r
+" You have it , sir , just as it happened "\r
+\r
+" I am sure we owe you an apology , Mrs . Toller " said Holmes , " for\r
+you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us . And\r
+here comes the country surgeon and Mrs . Rucastle , so I think ,\r
+Watson , that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester ,\r
+as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a\r
+questionable one "\r
+\r
+And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the\r
+copper beeches in front of the door . Mr . Rucastle survived , but\r
+was always a broken man , kept alive solely through the care of\r
+his devoted wife . They still live with their old servants , who\r
+probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it\r
+difficult to part from them . Mr . Fowler and Miss Rucastle were\r
+married , by special license , in Southampton the day after their\r
+flight , and he is now the holder of a government appointment in\r
+the island of Mauritius . As to Miss Violet Hunter , my friend\r
+Holmes , rather to my disappointment , manifested no further\r
+interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one\r
+of his problems , and she is now the head of a private school at\r
+Walsall , where I believe that she has met with considerable success .\r
projects / cas-master-teacher-training.git / commitdiff