The Complete Sherlock Holmes

Arthur Conan Doyle

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 Table of contents

A Study In Scarlet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

The Sign of the Four . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

A Scandal in Bohemia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
The Red-Headed League . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
A Case of Identity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
The Boscombe Valley Mystery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
The Five Orange Pips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
The Man with the Twisted Lip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
The Adventure of the Speckled Band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
The Adventure of the Copper Beeches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes

Silver Blaze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
The Yellow Face . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
The Stock-Broker’s Clerk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
The “Gloria Scott” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
The Musgrave Ritual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
The Reigate Puzzle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
The Crooked Man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
The Resident Patient . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
The Greek Interpreter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
The Naval Treaty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
The Final Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403

iii
The Return of Sherlock Holmes
The Adventure of the Empty House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 417
The Adventure of the Norwood Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 429
The Adventure of the Dancing Men . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 443
The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 457
The Adventure of the Priory School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 469
The Adventure of Black Peter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 485
The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 497
The Adventure of the Six Napoleons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 507
The Adventure of the Three Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 519
The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 529
The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 543
The Adventure of the Abbey Grange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 555
The Adventure of the Second Stain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 569

The Hound of the Baskervilles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 583

The Valley Of Fear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 659

His Last Bow

Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 741
The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 743
The Adventure of the Cardboard Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 761
The Adventure of the Red Circle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 773
The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 787
The Adventure of the Dying Detective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 803
The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 813
The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 825
His Last Bow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 839

iv
The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 851
The Illustrious Client . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 853
The Blanched Soldier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 867
The Adventure Of The Mazarin Stone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 879
The Adventure of the Three Gables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 889
The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 899
The Adventure of the Three Garridebs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 909
The Problem of Thor Bridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 919
The Adventure of the Creeping Man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 933
The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 945
The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 957
The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 965
The Adventure of the Retired Colourman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 975

v
A Study In Scarlet
 A Study In Scarlet

Table of contents

Part I
Mr. Sherlock Holmes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
The Science Of Deduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
The Lauriston Garden Mystery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
What John Rance Had To Tell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Our Advertisement Brings A Visitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Tobias Gregson Shows What He Can Do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Light In The Darkness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Part II
On The Great Alkali Plain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
The Flower Of Utah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
John Ferrier Talks With The Prophet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
A Flight For Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
The Avenging Angels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
A Continuation Of The Reminiscences Of John Watson, M.D. . . . . . . . . . 55
The Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

3
 PART I.
(Being a reprint from the reminiscences of
John H. Watson, M.D.,
late of the Army Medical Department.)
 A Study In Scarlet

CHAPTER I.

I
Mr. Sherlock Holmes

n the year 1878 I took my degree of which all the loungers and idlers of the Empire are
Doctor of Medicine of the University of irresistibly drained. There I stayed for some time
London, and proceeded to Netley to go at a private hotel in the Strand, leading a com-
through the course prescribed for sur- fortless, meaningless existence, and spending such
geons in the army. Having completed my studies money as I had, considerably more freely than I
there, I was duly attached to the Fifth Northum- ought. So alarming did the state of my finances
berland Fusiliers as Assistant Surgeon. The regi- become, that I soon realized that I must either
ment was stationed in India at the time, and before leave the metropolis and rusticate somewhere in
I could join it, the second Afghan war had bro- the country, or that I must make a complete alter-
ken out. On landing at Bombay, I learned that my ation in my style of living. Choosing the latter al-
corps had advanced through the passes, and was ternative, I began by making up my mind to leave
already deep in the enemy’s country. I followed, the hotel, and to take up my quarters in some less
however, with many other officers who were in the pretentious and less expensive domicile.
same situation as myself, and succeeded in reach- On the very day that I had come to this con-
ing Candahar in safety, where I found my regi- clusion, I was standing at the Criterion Bar, when
ment, and at once entered upon my new duties. some one tapped me on the shoulder, and turn-
The campaign brought honours and promotion ing round I recognized young Stamford, who had
to many, but for me it had nothing but misfortune been a dresser under me at Bart’s. The sight of a
and disaster. I was removed from my brigade and friendly face in the great wilderness of London is
attached to the Berkshires, with whom I served at a pleasant thing indeed to a lonely man. In old
the fatal battle of Maiwand. There I was struck days Stamford had never been a particular crony
on the shoulder by a Jezail bullet, which shat- of mine, but now I hailed him with enthusiasm,
tered the bone and grazed the subclavian artery. and he, in his turn, appeared to be delighted to
I should have fallen into the hands of the murder- see me. In the exuberance of my joy, I asked him
ous Ghazis had it not been for the devotion and to lunch with me at the Holborn, and we started
courage shown by Murray, my orderly, who threw off together in a hansom.
me across a pack-horse, and succeeded in bringing “Whatever have you been doing with yourself,
me safely to the British lines. Watson?” he asked in undisguised wonder, as we
rattled through the crowded London streets. “You
Worn with pain, and weak from the prolonged
are as thin as a lath and as brown as a nut.”
hardships which I had undergone, I was removed,
with a great train of wounded sufferers, to the base I gave him a short sketch of my adventures,
hospital at Peshawar. Here I rallied, and had al- and had hardly concluded it by the time that we
ready improved so far as to be able to walk about reached our destination.
the wards, and even to bask a little upon the ve- “Poor devil!” he said, commiseratingly, after he
randah, when I was struck down by enteric fever, had listened to my misfortunes. “What are you up
that curse of our Indian possessions. For months to now?”
my life was despaired of, and when at last I came “Looking for lodgings,” I answered. “Trying to
to myself and became convalescent, I was so weak solve the problem as to whether it is possible to
and emaciated that a medical board determined get comfortable rooms at a reasonable price.”
that not a day should be lost in sending me back “That’s a strange thing,” remarked my com-
to England. I was dispatched, accordingly, in the panion; “you are the second man to-day that has
troopship Orontes, and landed a month later on used that expression to me.”
Portsmouth jetty, with my health irretrievably ru- “And who was the first?” I asked.
ined, but with permission from a paternal govern- “A fellow who is working at the chemical labo-
ment to spend the next nine months in attempting ratory up at the hospital. He was bemoaning him-
to improve it. self this morning because he could not get some-
I had neither kith nor kin in England, and was one to go halves with him in some nice rooms
therefore as free as air—or as free as an income which he had found, and which were too much
of eleven shillings and sixpence a day will permit for his purse.”
a man to be. Under such circumstances, I natu- “By Jove!” I cried, “if he really wants someone
rally gravitated to London, that great cesspool into to share the rooms and the expense, I am the very

7
 A Study In Scarlet

man for him. I should prefer having a partner to matter. Is this fellow’s temper so formidable, or
being alone.” what is it? Don’t be mealy-mouthed about it.”
Young Stamford looked rather strangely at me “It is not easy to express the inexpressible,”
over his wine-glass. “You don’t know Sherlock he answered with a laugh. “Holmes is a little
Holmes yet,” he said; “perhaps you would not care too scientific for my tastes—it approaches to cold-
for him as a constant companion.” bloodedness. I could imagine his giving a friend a
little pinch of the latest vegetable alkaloid, not out
“Why, what is there against him?”
of malevolence, you understand, but simply out
“Oh, I didn’t say there was anything against of a spirit of inquiry in order to have an accurate
him. He is a little queer in his ideas—an enthusi- idea of the effects. To do him justice, I think that
ast in some branches of science. As far as I know he would take it himself with the same readiness.
he is a decent fellow enough.” He appears to have a passion for definite and exact
“A medical student, I suppose?” said I. knowledge.”
“No—I have no idea what he intends to go in “Very right too.”
for. I believe he is well up in anatomy, and he is a “Yes, but it may be pushed to excess. When
first-class chemist; but, as far as I know, he has it comes to beating the subjects in the dissecting-
never taken out any systematic medical classes. rooms with a stick, it is certainly taking rather a
His studies are very desultory and eccentric, but bizarre shape.”
he has amassed a lot of out-of-the way knowledge “Beating the subjects!”
which would astonish his professors.”
“Yes, to verify how far bruises may be pro-
“Did you never ask him what he was going in duced after death. I saw him at it with my own
for?” I asked. eyes.”
“No; he is not a man that it is easy to draw out, “And yet you say he is not a medical student?”
though he can be communicative enough when the “No. Heaven knows what the objects of his
fancy seizes him.” studies are. But here we are, and you must
“I should like to meet him,” I said. “If I am to form your own impressions about him.” As he
lodge with anyone, I should prefer a man of stu- spoke, we turned down a narrow lane and passed
dious and quiet habits. I am not strong enough yet through a small side-door, which opened into a
to stand much noise or excitement. I had enough wing of the great hospital. It was familiar ground
of both in Afghanistan to last me for the remain- to me, and I needed no guiding as we ascended the
der of my natural existence. How could I meet this bleak stone staircase and made our way down the
friend of yours?” long corridor with its vista of whitewashed wall
“He is sure to be at the laboratory,” returned and dun-coloured doors. Near the further end a
my companion. “He either avoids the place for low arched passage branched away from it and led
weeks, or else he works there from morning to to the chemical laboratory.
night. If you like, we shall drive round together This was a lofty chamber, lined and littered
after luncheon.” with countless bottles. Broad, low tables were scat-
tered about, which bristled with retorts, test-tubes,
“Certainly,” I answered, and the conversation
and little Bunsen lamps, with their blue flickering
drifted away into other channels.
flames. There was only one student in the room,
As we made our way to the hospital after leav- who was bending over a distant table absorbed in
ing the Holborn, Stamford gave me a few more his work. At the sound of our steps he glanced
particulars about the gentleman whom I proposed round and sprang to his feet with a cry of pleasure.
to take as a fellow-lodger. “I’ve found it! I’ve found it,” he shouted to my
“You mustn’t blame me if you don’t get on with companion, running towards us with a test-tube in
him,” he said; “I know nothing more of him than his hand. “I have found a re-agent which is precip-
I have learned from meeting him occasionally in itated by hœmoglobin, and by nothing else.” Had
the laboratory. You proposed this arrangement, so he discovered a gold mine, greater delight could
you must not hold me responsible.” not have shone upon his features.
“If we don’t get on it will be easy to part com- “Dr. Watson, Mr. Sherlock Holmes,” said Stam-
pany,” I answered. “It seems to me, Stamford,” I ford, introducing us.
added, looking hard at my companion, “that you “How are you?” he said cordially, gripping
have some reason for washing your hands of the my hand with a strength for which I should

8
 A Study In Scarlet

hardly have given him credit. “You have been in His eyes fairly glittered as he spoke, and he put
Afghanistan, I perceive.” his hand over his heart and bowed as if to some ap-
“How on earth did you know that?” I asked in plauding crowd conjured up by his imagination.
astonishment. “You are to be congratulated,” I remarked, con-
siderably surprised at his enthusiasm.
“Never mind,” said he, chuckling to himself.
“The question now is about hœmoglobin. No “There was the case of Von Bischoff at Frank-
doubt you see the significance of this discovery of fort last year. He would certainly have been hung
mine?” had this test been in existence. Then there was
Mason of Bradford, and the notorious Muller, and
“It is interesting, chemically, no doubt,” I an-
Lefevre of Montpellier, and Samson of new Or-
swered, “but practically—”
leans. I could name a score of cases in which it
“Why, man, it is the most practical medico- would have been decisive.”
legal discovery for years. Don’t you see that it “You seem to be a walking calendar of crime,”
gives us an infallible test for blood stains. Come said Stamford with a laugh. “You might start a pa-
over here now!” He seized me by the coat-sleeve per on those lines. Call it the ‘Police News of the
in his eagerness, and drew me over to the table at Past.’ ”
which he had been working. “Let us have some
“Very interesting reading it might be made,
fresh blood,” he said, digging a long bodkin into
too,” remarked Sherlock Holmes, sticking a small
his finger, and drawing off the resulting drop of
piece of plaster over the prick on his finger. “I have
blood in a chemical pipette. “Now, I add this small
to be careful,” he continued, turning to me with a
quantity of blood to a litre of water. You perceive
smile, “for I dabble with poisons a good deal.” He
that the resulting mixture has the appearance of
held out his hand as he spoke, and I noticed that it
pure water. The proportion of blood cannot be
was all mottled over with similar pieces of plaster,
more than one in a million. I have no doubt, how-
and discoloured with strong acids.
ever, that we shall be able to obtain the characteris-
“We came here on business,” said Stamford, sit-
tic reaction.” As he spoke, he threw into the vessel
ting down on a high three-legged stool, and push-
a few white crystals, and then added some drops
ing another one in my direction with his foot. “My
of a transparent fluid. In an instant the contents
friend here wants to take diggings, and as you
assumed a dull mahogany colour, and a brownish
were complaining that you could get no one to go
dust was precipitated to the bottom of the glass jar.
halves with you, I thought that I had better bring
“Ha! ha!” he cried, clapping his hands, and you together.”
looking as delighted as a child with a new toy.
Sherlock Holmes seemed delighted at the idea
“What do you think of that?”
of sharing his rooms with me. “I have my eye on a
“It seems to be a very delicate test,” I remarked. suite in Baker Street,” he said, “which would suit
“Beautiful! beautiful! The old Guiacum test us down to the ground. You don’t mind the smell
was very clumsy and uncertain. So is the micro- of strong tobacco, I hope?”
scopic examination for blood corpuscles. The lat- “I always smoke ‘ship’s’ myself,” I answered.
ter is valueless if the stains are a few hours old. “That’s good enough. I generally have chem-
Now, this appears to act as well whether the blood icals about, and occasionally do experiments.
is old or new. Had this test been invented, there Would that annoy you?”
are hundreds of men now walking the earth who “By no means.”
would long ago have paid the penalty of their
“Let me see—what are my other shortcomings.
crimes.”
I get in the dumps at times, and don’t open my
“Indeed!” I murmured. mouth for days on end. You must not think I am
“Criminal cases are continually hinging upon sulky when I do that. Just let me alone, and I’ll
that one point. A man is suspected of a crime soon be right. What have you to confess now? It’s
months perhaps after it has been committed. His just as well for two fellows to know the worst of
linen or clothes are examined, and brownish stains one another before they begin to live together.”
discovered upon them. Are they blood stains, or I laughed at this cross-examination. “I keep a
mud stains, or rust stains, or fruit stains, or what bull pup,” I said, “and I object to rows because
are they? That is a question which has puzzled my nerves are shaken, and I get up at all sorts of
many an expert, and why? Because there was no ungodly hours, and I am extremely lazy. I have
reliable test. Now we have the Sherlock Holmes’ another set of vices when I’m well, but those are
test, and there will no longer be any difficulty.” the principal ones at present.”

9
 A Study In Scarlet

“Do you include violin-playing in your cate- My companion smiled an enigmatical smile.
gory of rows?” he asked, anxiously. “That’s just his little peculiarity,” he said. “A good
“It depends on the player,” I answered. “A many people have wanted to know how he finds
well-played violin is a treat for the gods—a badly- things out.”
played one—”
“Oh, that’s all right,” he cried, with a merry “Oh! a mystery is it?” I cried, rubbing my
laugh. “I think we may consider the thing as set- hands. “This is very piquant. I am much obliged
tled—that is, if the rooms are agreeable to you.” to you for bringing us together. ‘The proper study
“When shall we see them?” of mankind is man,’ you know.”
“Call for me here at noon to-morrow, and we’ll
go together and settle everything,” he answered. “You must study him, then,” Stamford said, as
“All right—noon exactly,” said I, shaking his he bade me good-bye. “You’ll find him a knotty
hand. problem, though. I’ll wager he learns more about
We left him working among his chemicals, and you than you about him. Good-bye.”
we walked together towards my hotel.
“By the way,” I asked suddenly, stopping and “Good-bye,” I answered, and strolled on to my
turning upon Stamford, “how the deuce did he hotel, considerably interested in my new acquain-
know that I had come from Afghanistan?” tance.

CHAPTER II.
The Science Of Deduction

We met next day as he had arranged, and in- long walks, which appeared to take him into the
spected the rooms at No. 221b, Baker Street, of lowest portions of the City. Nothing could exceed
which he had spoken at our meeting. They con- his energy when the working fit was upon him;
sisted of a couple of comfortable bed-rooms and but now and again a reaction would seize him, and
a single large airy sitting-room, cheerfully fur- for days on end he would lie upon the sofa in the
nished, and illuminated by two broad windows. sitting-room, hardly uttering a word or moving a
So desirable in every way were the apartments, muscle from morning to night. On these occasions
and so moderate did the terms seem when divided I have noticed such a dreamy, vacant expression in
between us, that the bargain was concluded upon his eyes, that I might have suspected him of being
the spot, and we at once entered into possession. addicted to the use of some narcotic, had not the
That very evening I moved my things round from temperance and cleanliness of his whole life for-
the hotel, and on the following morning Sherlock bidden such a notion.
Holmes followed me with several boxes and port- As the weeks went by, my interest in him and
manteaus. For a day or two we were busily em- my curiosity as to his aims in life, gradually deep-
ployed in unpacking and laying out our property ened and increased. His very person and appear-
to the best advantage. That done, we gradually be- ance were such as to strike the attention of the
gan to settle down and to accommodate ourselves most casual observer. In height he was rather over
to our new surroundings. six feet, and so excessively lean that he seemed to
Holmes was certainly not a difficult man to live be considerably taller. His eyes were sharp and
with. He was quiet in his ways, and his habits piercing, save during those intervals of torpor to
were regular. It was rare for him to be up after ten which I have alluded; and his thin, hawk-like nose
at night, and he had invariably breakfasted and gave his whole expression an air of alertness and
gone out before I rose in the morning. Sometimes decision. His chin, too, had the prominence and
he spent his day at the chemical laboratory, some- squareness which mark the man of determination.
times in the dissecting-rooms, and occasionally in His hands were invariably blotted with ink and

10
 A Study In Scarlet

stained with chemicals, yet he was possessed of ex- and you have to stock it with such furniture as
traordinary delicacy of touch, as I frequently had you choose. A fool takes in all the lumber of every
occasion to observe when I watched him manipu- sort that he comes across, so that the knowledge
lating his fragile philosophical instruments. which might be useful to him gets crowded out, or
The reader may set me down as a hopeless at best is jumbled up with a lot of other things so
busybody, when I confess how much this man that he has a difficulty in laying his hands upon it.
stimulated my curiosity, and how often I endeav- Now the skilful workman is very careful indeed as
oured to break through the reticence which he to what he takes into his brain-attic. He will have
showed on all that concerned himself. Before pro- nothing but the tools which may help him in doing
nouncing judgment, however, be it remembered, his work, but of these he has a large assortment,
how objectless was my life, and how little there and all in the most perfect order. It is a mistake to
was to engage my attention. My health forbade me think that that little room has elastic walls and can
from venturing out unless the weather was excep- distend to any extent. Depend upon it there comes
tionally genial, and I had no friends who would a time when for every addition of knowledge you
call upon me and break the monotony of my daily forget something that you knew before. It is of the
existence. Under these circumstances, I eagerly highest importance, therefore, not to have useless
hailed the little mystery which hung around my facts elbowing out the useful ones.”
companion, and spent much of my time in endeav- “But the Solar System!” I protested.
ouring to unravel it.
“What the deuce is it to me?” he interrupted
He was not studying medicine. He had him-
impatiently; “you say that we go round the sun.
self, in reply to a question, confirmed Stamford’s
If we went round the moon it would not make a
opinion upon that point. Neither did he appear to
pennyworth of difference to me or to my work.”
have pursued any course of reading which might
fit him for a degree in science or any other recog- I was on the point of asking him what that
nized portal which would give him an entrance work might be, but something in his manner
into the learned world. Yet his zeal for certain showed me that the question would be an unwel-
studies was remarkable, and within eccentric lim- come one. I pondered over our short conversa-
its his knowledge was so extraordinarily ample tion, however, and endeavoured to draw my de-
and minute that his observations have fairly as- ductions from it. He said that he would acquire
tounded me. Surely no man would work so hard no knowledge which did not bear upon his object.
or attain such precise information unless he had Therefore all the knowledge which he possessed
some definite end in view. Desultory readers are was such as would be useful to him. I enumerated
seldom remarkable for the exactness of their learn- in my own mind all the various points upon which
ing. No man burdens his mind with small matters he had shown me that he was exceptionally well-
unless he has some very good reason for doing so. informed. I even took a pencil and jotted them
His ignorance was as remarkable as his knowl- down. I could not help smiling at the document
edge. Of contemporary literature, philosophy and when I had completed it. It ran in this way—
politics he appeared to know next to nothing.
Upon my quoting Thomas Carlyle, he inquired Sherlock Holmes—his limits.
in the naivest way who he might be and what he 1. Knowledge of Literature.—Nil.
had done. My surprise reached a climax, however, 2. Philosophy.—Nil.
when I found incidentally that he was ignorant of 3. Astronomy.—Nil.
the Copernican Theory and of the composition of 4. Politics.—Feeble.
the Solar System. That any civilized human being
5. Botany.—Variable. Well up in belladonna,
in this nineteenth century should not be aware that
opium, and poisons generally. Knows noth-
the earth travelled round the sun appeared to be to
ing of practical gardening.
me such an extraordinary fact that I could hardly
6. Geology.—Practical, but limited. Tells at a
realize it.
glance different soils from each other. Af-
“You appear to be astonished,” he said, smil- ter walks has shown me splashes upon his
ing at my expression of surprise. “Now that I do trousers, and told me by their colour and
know it I shall do my best to forget it.” consistence in what part of London he had
“To forget it!” received them.
“You see,” he explained, “I consider that a 7. Chemistry.—Profound.
man’s brain originally is like a little empty attic, 8. Anatomy.—Accurate, but unsystematic.

11
 A Study In Scarlet

9. Sensational Literature.—Immense. He ap- any of these nondescript individuals put in an ap-

pears to know every detail of every horror pearance, Sherlock Holmes used to beg for the use
perpetrated in the century. of the sitting-room, and I would retire to my bed-
10. Plays the violin well. room. He always apologized to me for putting me
11. Is an expert singlestick player, boxer, and to this inconvenience. “I have to use this room as a
swordsman. place of business,” he said, “and these people are
12. Has a good practical knowledge of British my clients.” Again I had an opportunity of asking
law. him a point blank question, and again my delicacy
prevented me from forcing another man to confide
When I had got so far in my list I threw it into in me. I imagined at the time that he had some
the fire in despair. “If I can only find what the strong reason for not alluding to it, but he soon
fellow is driving at by reconciling all these accom- dispelled the idea by coming round to the subject
plishments, and discovering a calling which needs of his own accord.
them all,” I said to myself, “I may as well give up
It was upon the 4th of March, as I have good
the attempt at once.”
reason to remember, that I rose somewhat earlier
I see that I have alluded above to his pow- than usual, and found that Sherlock Holmes had
ers upon the violin. These were very remark- not yet finished his breakfast. The landlady had
able, but as eccentric as all his other accomplish- become so accustomed to my late habits that my
ments. That he could play pieces, and difficult place had not been laid nor my coffee prepared.
pieces, I knew well, because at my request he With the unreasonable petulance of mankind I
has played me some of Mendelssohn’s Lieder, and rang the bell and gave a curt intimation that I was
other favourites. When left to himself, however, he ready. Then I picked up a magazine from the ta-
would seldom produce any music or attempt any ble and attempted to while away the time with it,
recognized air. Leaning back in his arm-chair of an while my companion munched silently at his toast.
evening, he would close his eyes and scrape care- One of the articles had a pencil mark at the head-
lessly at the fiddle which was thrown across his ing, and I naturally began to run my eye through
knee. Sometimes the chords were sonorous and it.
melancholy. Occasionally they were fantastic and Its somewhat ambitious title was “The Book of
cheerful. Clearly they reflected the thoughts which Life,” and it attempted to show how much an ob-
possessed him, but whether the music aided those servant man might learn by an accurate and sys-
thoughts, or whether the playing was simply the tematic examination of all that came in his way.
result of a whim or fancy was more than I could It struck me as being a remarkable mixture of
determine. I might have rebelled against these ex- shrewdness and of absurdity. The reasoning was
asperating solos had it not been that he usually close and intense, but the deductions appeared to
terminated them by playing in quick succession a me to be far-fetched and exaggerated. The writer
whole series of my favourite airs as a slight com- claimed by a momentary expression, a twitch of a
pensation for the trial upon my patience. muscle or a glance of an eye, to fathom a man’s
inmost thoughts. Deceit, according to him, was an
During the first week or so we had no callers,
impossibility in the case of one trained to observa-
and I had begun to think that my companion was
tion and analysis. His conclusions were as infalli-
as friendless a man as I was myself. Presently,
ble as so many propositions of Euclid. So startling
however, I found that he had many acquaintances,
would his results appear to the uninitiated that un-
and those in the most different classes of society.
til they learned the processes by which he had ar-
There was one little sallow rat-faced, dark-eyed fel-
rived at them they might well consider him as a
low who was introduced to me as Mr. Lestrade,
necromancer.
and who came three or four times in a single
week. One morning a young girl called, fashion- “From a drop of water,” said the writer, “a lo-
ably dressed, and stayed for half an hour or more. gician could infer the possibility of an Atlantic or
The same afternoon brought a grey-headed, seedy a Niagara without having seen or heard of one or
visitor, looking like a Jew pedlar, who appeared the other. So all life is a great chain, the nature
to me to be much excited, and who was closely of which is known whenever we are shown a sin-
followed by a slipshod elderly woman. On an- gle link of it. Like all other arts, the Science of
other occasion an old white-haired gentleman had Deduction and Analysis is one which can only be
an interview with my companion; and on another acquired by long and patient study nor is life long
a railway porter in his velveteen uniform. When enough to allow any mortal to attain the highest

12
 A Study In Scarlet

possible perfection in it. Before turning to those you can’t unravel the thousand and first. Lestrade
moral and mental aspects of the matter which is a well-known detective. He got himself into a
present the greatest difficulties, let the enquirer be- fog recently over a forgery case, and that was what
gin by mastering more elementary problems. Let brought him here.”
him, on meeting a fellow-mortal, learn at a glance “And these other people?”
to distinguish the history of the man, and the trade
or profession to which he belongs. Puerile as such “They are mostly sent on by private inquiry
an exercise may seem, it sharpens the faculties of agencies. They are all people who are in trouble
observation, and teaches one where to look and about something, and want a little enlightening. I
what to look for. By a man’s finger nails, by his listen to their story, they listen to my comments,
coat-sleeve, by his boot, by his trouser knees, by and then I pocket my fee.”
the callosities of his forefinger and thumb, by his “But do you mean to say,” I said, “that with-
expression, by his shirt cuffs—by each of these out leaving your room you can unravel some knot
things a man’s calling is plainly revealed. That which other men can make nothing of, although
all united should fail to enlighten the competent they have seen every detail for themselves?”
enquirer in any case is almost inconceivable.” “Quite so. I have a kind of intuition that way.
“What ineffable twaddle!” I cried, slapping the Now and again a case turns up which is a little
magazine down on the table, “I never read such more complex. Then I have to bustle about and see
rubbish in my life.” things with my own eyes. You see I have a lot of
“What is it?” asked Sherlock Holmes. special knowledge which I apply to the problem,
and which facilitates matters wonderfully. Those
“Why, this article,” I said, pointing at it with rules of deduction laid down in that article which
my egg spoon as I sat down to my breakfast. “I aroused your scorn, are invaluable to me in prac-
see that you have read it since you have marked it. tical work. Observation with me is second na-
I don’t deny that it is smartly written. It irritates ture. You appeared to be surprised when I told
me though. It is evidently the theory of some arm- you, on our first meeting, that you had come from
chair lounger who evolves all these neat little para- Afghanistan.”
doxes in the seclusion of his own study. It is not
practical. I should like to see him clapped down “You were told, no doubt.”
in a third class carriage on the Underground, and “Nothing of the sort. I knew you came from
asked to give the trades of all his fellow-travellers. Afghanistan. From long habit the train of thoughts
I would lay a thousand to one against him.” ran so swiftly through my mind, that I arrived at
“You would lose your money,” Sherlock the conclusion without being conscious of interme-
Holmes remarked calmly. “As for the article I diate steps. There were such steps, however. The
wrote it myself.” train of reasoning ran, ‘Here is a gentleman of a
medical type, but with the air of a military man.
“You!” Clearly an army doctor, then. He has just come
“Yes, I have a turn both for observation and for from the tropics, for his face is dark, and that is
deduction. The theories which I have expressed not the natural tint of his skin, for his wrists are
there, and which appear to you to be so chimerical fair. He has undergone hardship and sickness, as
are really extremely practical—so practical that I his haggard face says clearly. His left arm has been
depend upon them for my bread and cheese.” injured. He holds it in a stiff and unnatural man-
“And how?” I asked involuntarily. ner. Where in the tropics could an English army
doctor have seen much hardship and got his arm
“Well, I have a trade of my own. I suppose wounded? Clearly in Afghanistan.’ The whole
I am the only one in the world. I’m a consult- train of thought did not occupy a second. I then re-
ing detective, if you can understand what that is. marked that you came from Afghanistan, and you
Here in London we have lots of Government de- were astonished.”
tectives and lots of private ones. When these fel-
lows are at fault they come to me, and I manage “It is simple enough as you explain it,” I said,
to put them on the right scent. They lay all the ev- smiling. “You remind me of Edgar Allen Poe’s
idence before me, and I am generally able, by the Dupin. I had no idea that such individuals did
help of my knowledge of the history of crime, to exist outside of stories.”
set them straight. There is a strong family resem- Sherlock Holmes rose and lit his pipe. “No
blance about misdeeds, and if you have all the de- doubt you think that you are complimenting me
tails of a thousand at your finger ends, it is odd if in comparing me to Dupin,” he observed. “Now,

13
 A Study In Scarlet

in my opinion, Dupin was a very inferior fellow. I was still annoyed at his bumptious style of
That trick of his of breaking in on his friends’ conversation. I thought it best to change the topic.
thoughts with an apropos remark after a quarter of “I wonder what that fellow is looking for?” I
an hour’s silence is really very showy and superfi- asked, pointing to a stalwart, plainly-dressed in-
cial. He had some analytical genius, no doubt; but dividual who was walking slowly down the other
he was by no means such a phenomenon as Poe side of the street, looking anxiously at the num-
appeared to imagine.” bers. He had a large blue envelope in his hand,
“Have you read Gaboriau’s works?” I asked. and was evidently the bearer of a message.
“Does Lecoq come up to your idea of a detective?”
“You mean the retired sergeant of Marines,”
Sherlock Holmes sniffed sardonically. “Lecoq said Sherlock Holmes.
was a miserable bungler,” he said, in an angry
voice; “he had only one thing to recommend him, “Brag and bounce!” thought I to myself. “He
and that was his energy. That book made me pos- knows that I cannot verify his guess.”
itively ill. The question was how to identify an The thought had hardly passed through my
unknown prisoner. I could have done it in twenty- mind when the man whom we were watching
four hours. Lecoq took six months or so. It might caught sight of the number on our door, and ran
be made a text-book for detectives to teach them rapidly across the roadway. We heard a loud
what to avoid.” knock, a deep voice below, and heavy steps as-
I felt rather indignant at having two characters cending the stair.
whom I had admired treated in this cavalier style. “For Mr. Sherlock Holmes,” he said, stepping
I walked over to the window, and stood looking into the room and handing my friend the letter.
out into the busy street. “This fellow may be very
clever,” I said to myself, “but he is certainly very Here was an opportunity of taking the conceit
conceited.” out of him. He little thought of this when he made
that random shot. “May I ask, my lad,” I said, in
“There are no crimes and no criminals in these
the blandest voice, “what your trade may be?”
days,” he said, querulously. “What is the use of
having brains in our profession? I know well that “Commissionaire, sir,” he said, gruffly. “Uni-
I have it in me to make my name famous. No form away for repairs.”
man lives or has ever lived who has brought the “And you were?” I asked, with a slightly mali-
same amount of study and of natural talent to cious glance at my companion.
the detection of crime which I have done. And
what is the result? There is no crime to detect, or, “A sergeant, sir, Royal Marine Light Infantry,
at most, some bungling villany with a motive so sir. No answer? Right, sir.”
transparent that even a Scotland Yard official can He clicked his heels together, raised his hand
see through it.” in a salute, and was gone.

CHAPTER III.
The Lauriston Garden Mystery

I confess that I was considerably startled by past my comprehension. When I looked at him
this fresh proof of the practical nature of my he had finished reading the note, and his eyes had
companion’s theories. My respect for his powers assumed the vacant, lack-lustre expression which
of analysis increased wondrously. There still re- showed mental abstraction.
mained some lurking suspicion in my mind, how-
ever, that the whole thing was a pre-arranged “How in the world did you deduce that?” I
episode, intended to dazzle me, though what asked.
earthly object he could have in taking me in was
“Deduce what?” said he, petulantly.

14
 A Study In Scarlet

“Why, that he was a retired sergeant of of blood in the room, but there is no
Marines.” wound upon his person. We are at a
“I have no time for trifles,” he answered, loss as to how he came into the empty
brusquely; then with a smile, “Excuse my rude- house; indeed, the whole affair is a
ness. You broke the thread of my thoughts; but puzzler. If you can come round to the
perhaps it is as well. So you actually were not able house any time before twelve, you will
to see that that man was a sergeant of Marines?” find me there. I have left everything
in statu quo until I hear from you. If
“No, indeed.” you are unable to come I shall give you
“It was easier to know it than to explain why fuller details, and would esteem it a
I knew it. If you were asked to prove that two great kindness if you would favour me
and two made four, you might find some difficulty, with your opinion.
and yet you are quite sure of the fact. Even across “Yours faithfully,
the street I could see a great blue anchor tattooed “Tobias Gregson.”
on the back of the fellow’s hand. That smacked
of the sea. He had a military carriage, however, “Gregson is the smartest of the Scotland
and regulation side whiskers. There we have the Yarders,” my friend remarked; “he and Lestrade
marine. He was a man with some amount of self- are the pick of a bad lot. They are both quick and
importance and a certain air of command. You energetic, but conventional—shockingly so. They
must have observed the way in which he held his have their knives into one another, too. They are
head and swung his cane. A steady, respectable, as jealous as a pair of professional beauties. There
middle-aged man, too, on the face of him—all will be some fun over this case if they are both put
facts which led me to believe that he had been a upon the scent.”
sergeant.” I was amazed at the calm way in which he rip-
pled on. “Surely there is not a moment to be lost,”
“Wonderful!” I ejaculated.
I cried, “shall I go and order you a cab?”
“Commonplace,” said Holmes, though I “I’m not sure about whether I shall go. I am the
thought from his expression that he was pleased most incurably lazy devil that ever stood in shoe
at my evident surprise and admiration. “I said just leather—that is, when the fit is on me, for I can be
now that there were no criminals. It appears that spry enough at times.”
I am wrong—look at this!” He threw me over the
“Why, it is just such a chance as you have been
note which the commissionaire had brought.
longing for.”
“Why,” I cried, as I cast my eye over it, “this is “My dear fellow, what does it matter to me.
terrible!” Supposing I unravel the whole matter, you may be
“It does seem to be a little out of the common,” sure that Gregson, Lestrade, and Co. will pocket
he remarked, calmly. “Would you mind reading it all the credit. That comes of being an unofficial
to me aloud?” personage.”
This is the letter which I read to him— “But he begs you to help him.”
“Yes. He knows that I am his superior, and ac-
“My dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes: knowledges it to me; but he would cut his tongue
“There has been a bad business dur- out before he would own it to any third person.
ing the night at 3, Lauriston Gardens, However, we may as well go and have a look. I
off the Brixton Road. Our man on the shall work it out on my own hook. I may have a
beat saw a light there about two in laugh at them if I have nothing else. Come on!”
the morning, and as the house was an He hustled on his overcoat, and bustled about
empty one, suspected that something in a way that showed that an energetic fit had su-
was amiss. He found the door open, perseded the apathetic one.
and in the front room, which is bare
“Get your hat,” he said.
of furniture, discovered the body of a
gentleman, well dressed, and having “You wish me to come?”
cards in his pocket bearing the name “Yes, if you have nothing better to do.” A
of ‘Enoch J. Drebber, Cleveland, Ohio, minute later we were both in a hansom, driving
U.S.A.’ There had been no robbery, nor furiously for the Brixton Road.
is there any evidence as to how the It was a foggy, cloudy morning, and a dun-
man met his death. There are marks coloured veil hung over the house-tops, looking

15
 A Study In Scarlet

like the reflection of the mud-coloured streets be- and once I saw him smile, and heard him utter
neath. My companion was in the best of spirits, an exclamation of satisfaction. There were many
and prattled away about Cremona fiddles, and the marks of footsteps upon the wet clayey soil, but
difference between a Stradivarius and an Amati. since the police had been coming and going over
As for myself, I was silent, for the dull weather it, I was unable to see how my companion could
and the melancholy business upon which we were hope to learn anything from it. Still I had had such
engaged, depressed my spirits. extraordinary evidence of the quickness of his per-
“You don’t seem to give much thought to ceptive faculties, that I had no doubt that he could
the matter in hand,” I said at last, interrupting see a great deal which was hidden from me.
Holmes’ musical disquisition. At the door of the house we were met by a
“No data yet,” he answered. “It is a capital mis- tall, white-faced, flaxen-haired man, with a note-
take to theorize before you have all the evidence. book in his hand, who rushed forward and wrung
It biases the judgment.” my companion’s hand with effusion. “It is indeed
kind of you to come,” he said, “I have had every-
“You will have your data soon,” I remarked, thing left untouched.”
pointing with my finger; “this is the Brixton Road,
“Except that!” my friend answered, pointing at
and that is the house, if I am not very much mis-
the pathway. “If a herd of buffaloes had passed
taken.”
along there could not be a greater mess. No doubt,
“So it is. Stop, driver, stop!” We were still a however, you had drawn your own conclusions,
hundred yards or so from it, but he insisted upon Gregson, before you permitted this.”
our alighting, and we finished our journey upon “I have had so much to do inside the house,”
foot. the detective said evasively. “My colleague, Mr.
Number 3, Lauriston Gardens wore an ill- Lestrade, is here. I had relied upon him to look
omened and minatory look. It was one of four after this.”
which stood back some little way from the street, Holmes glanced at me and raised his eyebrows
two being occupied and two empty. The latter sardonically. “With two such men as yourself and
looked out with three tiers of vacant melancholy Lestrade upon the ground, there will not be much
windows, which were blank and dreary, save that for a third party to find out,” he said.
here and there a “To Let” card had developed like Gregson rubbed his hands in a self-satisfied
a cataract upon the bleared panes. A small gar- way. “I think we have done all that can be done,”
den sprinkled over with a scattered eruption of he answered; “it’s a queer case though, and I knew
sickly plants separated each of these houses from your taste for such things.”
the street, and was traversed by a narrow path-
“You did not come here in a cab?” asked Sher-
way, yellowish in colour, and consisting apparently
lock Holmes.
of a mixture of clay and of gravel. The whole
place was very sloppy from the rain which had “No, sir.”
fallen through the night. The garden was bounded “Nor Lestrade?”
by a three-foot brick wall with a fringe of wood “No, sir.”
rails upon the top, and against this wall was lean- “Then let us go and look at the room.” With
ing a stalwart police constable, surrounded by a which inconsequent remark he strode on into the
small knot of loafers, who craned their necks and house, followed by Gregson, whose features ex-
strained their eyes in the vain hope of catching pressed his astonishment.
some glimpse of the proceedings within. A short passage, bare planked and dusty, led
I had imagined that Sherlock Holmes would to the kitchen and offices. Two doors opened out
at once have hurried into the house and plunged of it to the left and to the right. One of these had
into a study of the mystery. Nothing appeared to obviously been closed for many weeks. The other
be further from his intention. With an air of non- belonged to the dining-room, which was the apart-
chalance which, under the circumstances, seemed ment in which the mysterious affair had occurred.
to me to border upon affectation, he lounged up Holmes walked in, and I followed him with that
and down the pavement, and gazed vacantly at the subdued feeling at my heart which the presence of
ground, the sky, the opposite houses and the line death inspires.
of railings. Having finished his scrutiny, he pro- It was a large square room, looking all the
ceeded slowly down the path, or rather down the larger from the absence of all furniture. A vul-
fringe of grass which flanked the path, keeping his gar flaring paper adorned the walls, but it was
eyes riveted upon the ground. Twice he stopped, blotched in places with mildew, and here and there

16
 A Study In Scarlet

great strips had become detached and hung down, in Utrecht, in the year ’34. Do you remember the
exposing the yellow plaster beneath. Opposite the case, Gregson?”
door was a showy fireplace, surmounted by a man- “No, sir.”
telpiece of imitation white marble. On one corner
“Read it up—you really should. There is noth-
of this was stuck the stump of a red wax candle.
ing new under the sun. It has all been done be-
The solitary window was so dirty that the light
fore.”
was hazy and uncertain, giving a dull grey tinge
to everything, which was intensified by the thick As he spoke, his nimble fingers were flying
layer of dust which coated the whole apartment. here, there, and everywhere, feeling, pressing, un-
All these details I observed afterwards. At buttoning, examining, while his eyes wore the
present my attention was centred upon the sin- same far-away expression which I have already
gle grim motionless figure which lay stretched remarked upon. So swiftly was the examination
upon the boards, with vacant sightless eyes star- made, that one would hardly have guessed the
ing up at the discoloured ceiling. It was that of a minuteness with which it was conducted. Finally,
man about forty-three or forty-four years of age, he sniffed the dead man’s lips, and then glanced
middle-sized, broad shouldered, with crisp curl- at the soles of his patent leather boots.
ing black hair, and a short stubbly beard. He “He has not been moved at all?” he asked.
was dressed in a heavy broadcloth frock coat and “No more than was necessary for the purposes
waistcoat, with light-coloured trousers, and im- of our examination.”
maculate collar and cuffs. A top hat, well brushed
“You can take him to the mortuary now,” he
and trim, was placed upon the floor beside him.
said. “There is nothing more to be learned.”
His hands were clenched and his arms thrown
abroad, while his lower limbs were interlocked Gregson had a stretcher and four men at hand.
as though his death struggle had been a grievous At his call they entered the room, and the stranger
one. On his rigid face there stood an expression was lifted and carried out. As they raised him,
of horror, and as it seemed to me, of hatred, such a ring tinkled down and rolled across the floor.
as I have never seen upon human features. This Lestrade grabbed it up and stared at it with mys-
malignant and terrible contortion, combined with tified eyes.
the low forehead, blunt nose, and prognathous “There’s been a woman here,” he cried. “It’s a
jaw gave the dead man a singularly simious and woman’s wedding-ring.”
ape-like appearance, which was increased by his He held it out, as he spoke, upon the palm of
writhing, unnatural posture. I have seen death in his hand. We all gathered round him and gazed
many forms, but never has it appeared to me in at it. There could be no doubt that that circlet of
a more fearsome aspect than in that dark grimy plain gold had once adorned the finger of a bride.
apartment, which looked out upon one of the main
“This complicates matters,” said Gregson.
arteries of suburban London.
“Heaven knows, they were complicated enough
Lestrade, lean and ferret-like as ever, was before.”
standing by the doorway, and greeted my compan-
ion and myself. “You’re sure it doesn’t simplify them?” ob-
served Holmes. “There’s nothing to be learned by
“This case will make a stir, sir,” he remarked. staring at it. What did you find in his pockets?”
“It beats anything I have seen, and I am no
chicken.” “We have it all here,” said Gregson, pointing
to a litter of objects upon one of the bottom steps
“There is no clue?” said Gregson.
of the stairs. “A gold watch, No. 97163, by Bar-
“None at all,” chimed in Lestrade. raud, of London. Gold Albert chain, very heavy
Sherlock Holmes approached the body, and, and solid. Gold ring, with masonic device. Gold
kneeling down, examined it intently. “You are sure pin—bull-dog’s head, with rubies as eyes. Russian
that there is no wound?” he asked, pointing to nu- leather card-case, with cards of Enoch J. Drebber
merous gouts and splashes of blood which lay all of Cleveland, corresponding with the E. J. D. upon
round. the linen. No purse, but loose money to the extent
“Positive!” cried both detectives. of seven pounds thirteen. Pocket edition of Boccac-
“Then, of course, this blood belongs to a sec- cio’s ‘Decameron,’ with name of Joseph Stanger-
ond individual—presumably the murderer, if mur- son upon the fly-leaf. Two letters—one addressed
der has been committed. It reminds me of the cir- to E. J. Drebber and one to Joseph Stangerson.”
cumstances attendant on the death of Van Jansen, “At what address?”

17
 A Study In Scarlet

“American Exchange, Strand—to be left till “What do you think of that?” cried the detective,
called for. They are both from the Guion with the air of a showman exhibiting his show.
Steamship Company, and refer to the sailing of “This was overlooked because it was in the darkest
their boats from Liverpool. It is clear that this un- corner of the room, and no one thought of looking
fortunate man was about to return to New York.” there. The murderer has written it with his or her
“Have you made any inquiries as to this man, own blood. See this smear where it has trickled
Stangerson?” down the wall! That disposes of the idea of sui-
cide anyhow. Why was that corner chosen to write
“I did it at once, sir,” said Gregson. “I have had
it on? I will tell you. See that candle on the man-
advertisements sent to all the newspapers, and one
telpiece. It was lit at the time, and if it was lit this
of my men has gone to the American Exchange,
corner would be the brightest instead of the dark-
but he has not returned yet.”
est portion of the wall.”
“Have you sent to Cleveland?”
“We telegraphed this morning.” “And what does it mean now that you have
found it?” asked Gregson in a depreciatory voice.
“How did you word your inquiries?”
“We simply detailed the circumstances, and “Mean? Why, it means that the writer was
said that we should be glad of any information going to put the female name Rachel, but was
which could help us.” disturbed before he or she had time to finish.
You mark my words, when this case comes to
“You did not ask for particulars on any point
be cleared up you will find that a woman named
which appeared to you to be crucial?”
Rachel has something to do with it. It’s all very
“I asked about Stangerson.” well for you to laugh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes. You
“Nothing else? Is there no circumstance on may be very smart and clever, but the old hound
which this whole case appears to hinge? Will you is the best, when all is said and done.”
not telegraph again?”
“I really beg your pardon!” said my compan-
“I have said all I have to say,” said Gregson, in ion, who had ruffled the little man’s temper by
an offended voice. bursting into an explosion of laughter. “You cer-
Sherlock Holmes chuckled to himself, and ap- tainly have the credit of being the first of us to
peared to be about to make some remark, when find this out, and, as you say, it bears every mark
Lestrade, who had been in the front room while of having been written by the other participant in
we were holding this conversation in the hall, reap- last night’s mystery. I have not had time to exam-
peared upon the scene, rubbing his hands in a ine this room yet, but with your permission I shall
pompous and self-satisfied manner. do so now.”
“Mr. Gregson,” he said, “I have just made a dis-
As he spoke, he whipped a tape measure and
covery of the highest importance, and one which
a large round magnifying glass from his pocket.
would have been overlooked had I not made a
With these two implements he trotted noiselessly
careful examination of the walls.”
about the room, sometimes stopping, occasionally
The little man’s eyes sparkled as he spoke, and kneeling, and once lying flat upon his face. So
he was evidently in a state of suppressed exulta- engrossed was he with his occupation that he ap-
tion at having scored a point against his colleague. peared to have forgotten our presence, for he chat-
“Come here,” he said, bustling back into the tered away to himself under his breath the whole
room, the atmosphere of which felt clearer since time, keeping up a running fire of exclamations,
the removal of its ghastly inmate. “Now, stand groans, whistles, and little cries suggestive of en-
there!” couragement and of hope. As I watched him I
He struck a match on his boot and held it up was irresistibly reminded of a pure-blooded well-
against the wall. trained foxhound as it dashes backwards and for-
wards through the covert, whining in its eagerness,
“Look at that!” he said, triumphantly.
until it comes across the lost scent. For twenty
I have remarked that the paper had fallen away minutes or more he continued his researches, mea-
in parts. In this particular corner of the room a suring with the most exact care the distance be-
large piece had peeled off, leaving a yellow square tween marks which were entirely invisible to me,
of coarse plastering. Across this bare space there and occasionally applying his tape to the walls in
was scrawled in blood-red letters a single word— an equally incomprehensible manner. In one place
RACHE. he gathered up very carefully a little pile of grey

18
 A Study In Scarlet

dust from the floor, and packed it away in an enve- Lestrade glanced at his note-book. “John
lope. Finally, he examined with his glass the word Rance,” he said. “He is off duty now. You will find
upon the wall, going over every letter of it with the him at 46, Audley Court, Kennington Park Gate.”
most minute exactness. This done, he appeared to Holmes took a note of the address.
be satisfied, for he replaced his tape and his glass
“Come along, Doctor,” he said; “we shall go
in his pocket.
and look him up. I’ll tell you one thing which may
“They say that genius is an infinite capacity for help you in the case,” he continued, turning to the
taking pains,” he remarked with a smile. “It’s a two detectives. “There has been murder done, and
very bad definition, but it does apply to detective the murderer was a man. He was more than six
work.” feet high, was in the prime of life, had small feet
for his height, wore coarse, square-toed boots and
Gregson and Lestrade had watched the smoked a Trichinopoly cigar. He came here with
manœuvres of their amateur companion with con- his victim in a four-wheeled cab, which was drawn
siderable curiosity and some contempt. They evi- by a horse with three old shoes and one new one
dently failed to appreciate the fact, which I had be- on his off fore leg. In all probability the murderer
gun to realize, that Sherlock Holmes’ smallest ac- had a florid face, and the finger-nails of his right
tions were all directed towards some definite and hand were remarkably long. These are only a few
practical end. indications, but they may assist you.”
“What do you think of it, sir?” they both asked. Lestrade and Gregson glanced at each other
with an incredulous smile.
“It would be robbing you of the credit of the
“If this man was murdered, how was it done?”
case if I was to presume to help you,” remarked
asked the former.
my friend. “You are doing so well now that it
would be a pity for anyone to interfere.” There was “Poison,” said Sherlock Holmes curtly, and
a world of sarcasm in his voice as he spoke. “If you strode off. “One other thing, Lestrade,” he added,
will let me know how your investigations go,” he turning round at the door: “ ‘Rache,’ is the Ger-
continued, “I shall be happy to give you any help I man for ‘revenge;’ so don’t lose your time looking
can. In the meantime I should like to speak to the for Miss Rachel.”
constable who found the body. Can you give me With which Parthian shot he walked away,
his name and address?” leaving the two rivals open-mouthed behind him.

CHAPTER IV.
What John Rance Had To Tell

It was one o’clock when we left No. 3, Lau- “There’s no room for a mistake,” he answered.
riston Gardens. Sherlock Holmes led me to the “The very first thing which I observed on arriving
nearest telegraph office, whence he dispatched a there was that a cab had made two ruts with its
long telegram. He then hailed a cab, and ordered wheels close to the curb. Now, up to last night, we
the driver to take us to the address given us by have had no rain for a week, so that those wheels
Lestrade. which left such a deep impression must have been
“There is nothing like first hand evidence,” he there during the night. There were the marks of
remarked; “as a matter of fact, my mind is entirely the horse’s hoofs, too, the outline of one of which
made up upon the case, but still we may as well was far more clearly cut than that of the other
learn all that is to be learned.” three, showing that that was a new shoe. Since
the cab was there after the rain began, and was
“You amaze me, Holmes,” said I. “Surely you not there at any time during the morning—I have
are not as sure as you pretend to be of all those Gregson’s word for that—it follows that it must
particulars which you gave.”

19
 A Study In Scarlet

have been there during the night, and, therefore, from? What was the object of the murderer, since
that it brought those two individuals to the house.” robbery had no part in it? How came the woman’s
“That seems simple enough,” said I; “but how ring there? Above all, why should the second
about the other man’s height?” man write up the German word RACHE before
decamping? I confess that I cannot see any possi-
“Why, the height of a man, in nine cases out
ble way of reconciling all these facts.”
of ten, can be told from the length of his stride.
It is a simple calculation enough, though there is My companion smiled approvingly.
no use my boring you with figures. I had this fel- “You sum up the difficulties of the situation
low’s stride both on the clay outside and on the succinctly and well,” he said. “There is much that
dust within. Then I had a way of checking my cal- is still obscure, though I have quite made up my
culation. When a man writes on a wall, his instinct mind on the main facts. As to poor Lestrade’s dis-
leads him to write about the level of his own eyes. covery it was simply a blind intended to put the
Now that writing was just over six feet from the police upon a wrong track, by suggesting Social-
ground. It was child’s play.” ism and secret societies. It was not done by a Ger-
“And his age?” I asked. man. The A, if you noticed, was printed somewhat
after the German fashion. Now, a real German in-
“Well, if a man can stride four and a-half feet variably prints in the Latin character, so that we
without the smallest effort, he can’t be quite in may safely say that this was not written by one, but
the sere and yellow. That was the breadth of a by a clumsy imitator who overdid his part. It was
puddle on the garden walk which he had evi- simply a ruse to divert inquiry into a wrong chan-
dently walked across. Patent-leather boots had nel. I’m not going to tell you much more of the
gone round, and Square-toes had hopped over. case, Doctor. You know a conjuror gets no credit
There is no mystery about it at all. I am simply when once he has explained his trick, and if I show
applying to ordinary life a few of those precepts you too much of my method of working, you will
of observation and deduction which I advocated come to the conclusion that I am a very ordinary
in that article. Is there anything else that puzzles individual after all.”
you?”
“I shall never do that,” I answered; “you have
“The finger nails and the Trichinopoly,” I sug- brought detection as near an exact science as it ever
gested. will be brought in this world.”
“The writing on the wall was done with a My companion flushed up with pleasure at my
man’s forefinger dipped in blood. My glass al- words, and the earnest way in which I uttered
lowed me to observe that the plaster was slightly them. I had already observed that he was as sen-
scratched in doing it, which would not have been sitive to flattery on the score of his art as any girl
the case if the man’s nail had been trimmed. I could be of her beauty.
gathered up some scattered ash from the floor. It
was dark in colour and flakey—such an ash as is “I’ll tell you one other thing,” he said. “Patent-
only made by a Trichinopoly. I have made a spe- leathers and Square-toes came in the same cab,
cial study of cigar ashes—in fact, I have written a and they walked down the pathway together as
monograph upon the subject. I flatter myself that friendly as possible—arm-in-arm, in all probabil-
I can distinguish at a glance the ash of any known ity. When they got inside they walked up and
brand, either of cigar or of tobacco. It is just in down the room—or rather, Patent-leathers stood
such details that the skilled detective differs from still while Square-toes walked up and down. I
the Gregson and Lestrade type.” could read all that in the dust; and I could read
that as he walked he grew more and more ex-
“And the florid face?” I asked. cited. That is shown by the increased length of his
“Ah, that was a more daring shot, though I strides. He was talking all the while, and working
have no doubt that I was right. You must not ask himself up, no doubt, into a fury. Then the tragedy
me that at the present state of the affair.” occurred. I’ve told you all I know myself now, for
I passed my hand over my brow. “My head the rest is mere surmise and conjecture. We have
is in a whirl,” I remarked; “the more one thinks a good working basis, however, on which to start.
of it the more mysterious it grows. How came We must hurry up, for I want to go to Halle’s con-
these two men—if there were two men—into an cert to hear Norman Neruda this afternoon.”
empty house? What has become of the cabman This conversation had occurred while our cab
who drove them? How could one man compel an- had been threading its way through a long suc-
other to take poison? Where did the blood come cession of dingy streets and dreary by-ways. In

20
 A Study In Scarlet

the dingiest and dreariest of them our driver sud- “You stopped, and then walked back to the gar-
denly came to a stand. “That’s Audley Court in den gate,” my companion interrupted. “What did
there,” he said, pointing to a narrow slit in the line you do that for?”
of dead-coloured brick. “You’ll find me here when Rance gave a violent jump, and stared at Sher-
you come back.” lock Holmes with the utmost amazement upon his
Audley Court was not an attractive locality. features.
The narrow passage led us into a quadrangle “Why, that’s true, sir,” he said; “though how
paved with flags and lined by sordid dwellings. you come to know it, Heaven only knows. Ye see,
We picked our way among groups of dirty chil- when I got up to the door it was so still and so
dren, and through lines of discoloured linen, until lonesome, that I thought I’d be none the worse for
we came to Number 46, the door of which was some one with me. I ain’t afeared of anything on
decorated with a small slip of brass on which the this side o’ the grave; but I thought that maybe it
name Rance was engraved. On enquiry we found was him that died o’ the typhoid inspecting the
that the constable was in bed, and we were shown drains what killed him. The thought gave me a
into a little front parlour to await his coming. kind o’ turn, and I walked back to the gate to see
He appeared presently, looking a little irritable if I could see Murcher’s lantern, but there wasn’t
at being disturbed in his slumbers. “I made my no sign of him nor of anyone else.”
report at the office,” he said. “There was no one in the street?”
Holmes took a half-sovereign from his pocket “Not a livin’ soul, sir, nor as much as a dog.
and played with it pensively. “We thought that we Then I pulled myself together and went back and
should like to hear it all from your own lips,” he pushed the door open. All was quiet inside,
said. so I went into the room where the light was a-
“I shall be most happy to tell you anything I burnin’. There was a candle flickerin’ on the man-
can,” the constable answered with his eyes upon telpiece—a red wax one—and by its light I saw—”
the little golden disk. “Yes, I know all that you saw. You walked
“Just let us hear it all in your own way as it round the room several times, and you knelt down
occurred.” by the body, and then you walked through and
Rance sat down on the horsehair sofa, and knit- tried the kitchen door, and then—”
ted his brows as though determined not to omit John Rance sprang to his feet with a frightened
anything in his narrative. face and suspicion in his eyes. “Where was you
“I’ll tell it ye from the beginning,” he said. hid to see all that?” he cried. “It seems to me that
“My time is from ten at night to six in the morn- you knows a deal more than you should.”
ing. At eleven there was a fight at the ‘White Holmes laughed and threw his card across the
Hart’; but bar that all was quiet enough on the table to the constable. “Don’t get arresting me for
beat. At one o’clock it began to rain, and I met the murder,” he said. “I am one of the hounds and
Harry Murcher—him who has the Holland Grove not the wolf; Mr. Gregson or Mr. Lestrade will an-
beat—and we stood together at the corner of Hen- swer for that. Go on, though. What did you do
rietta Street a-talkin’. Presently—maybe about two next?”
or a little after—I thought I would take a look Rance resumed his seat, without however los-
round and see that all was right down the Brix- ing his mystified expression. “I went back to
ton Road. It was precious dirty and lonely. Not a the gate and sounded my whistle. That brought
soul did I meet all the way down, though a cab or Murcher and two more to the spot.”
two went past me. I was a strollin’ down, thinkin’ “Was the street empty then?”
between ourselves how uncommon handy a four
“Well, it was, as far as anybody that could be
of gin hot would be, when suddenly the glint of
of any good goes.”
a light caught my eye in the window of that same
house. Now, I knew that them two houses in Lau- “What do you mean?”
riston Gardens was empty on account of him that The constable’s features broadened into a grin.
owns them who won’t have the drains seed to, “I’ve seen many a drunk chap in my time,” he said,
though the very last tenant what lived in one of “but never anyone so cryin’ drunk as that cove. He
them died o’ typhoid fever. I was knocked all in a was at the gate when I came out, a-leanin’ up ag’in
heap therefore at seeing a light in the window, and the railings, and a-singin’ at the pitch o’ his lungs
I suspected as something was wrong. When I got about Columbine’s New-fangled Banner, or some
to the door—” such stuff. He couldn’t stand, far less help.”

21
 A Study In Scarlet

“What sort of a man was he?” asked Sherlock hands is the man who holds the clue of this mys-
Holmes. tery, and whom we are seeking. There is no use of
John Rance appeared to be somewhat irritated arguing about it now; I tell you that it is so. Come
at this digression. “He was an uncommon drunk along, Doctor.”
sort o’ man,” he said. “He’d ha’ found hisself in We started off for the cab together, leaving our
the station if we hadn’t been so took up.” informant incredulous, but obviously uncomfort-
able.
“His face—his dress—didn’t you notice them?”
Holmes broke in impatiently. “The blundering fool,” Holmes said, bitterly, as
we drove back to our lodgings. “Just to think of his
“I should think I did notice them, seeing that
having such an incomparable bit of good luck, and
I had to prop him up—me and Murcher between
not taking advantage of it.”
us. He was a long chap, with a red face, the lower
part muffled round—” “I am rather in the dark still. It is true that the
description of this man tallies with your idea of
“That will do,” cried Holmes. “What became the second party in this mystery. But why should
of him?” he come back to the house after leaving it? That is
“We’d enough to do without lookin’ after him,” not the way of criminals.”
the policeman said, in an aggrieved voice. “I’ll wa- “The ring, man, the ring: that was what he
ger he found his way home all right.” came back for. If we have no other way of catching
“How was he dressed?” him, we can always bait our line with the ring. I
shall have him, Doctor—I’ll lay you two to one that
“A brown overcoat.”
I have him. I must thank you for it all. I might
“Had he a whip in his hand?” not have gone but for you, and so have missed
“A whip—no.” the finest study I ever came across: a study in
scarlet, eh? Why shouldn’t we use a little art jar-
“He must have left it behind,” muttered my
gon. There’s the scarlet thread of murder running
companion. “You didn’t happen to see or hear a
through the colourless skein of life, and our duty is
cab after that?”
to unravel it, and isolate it, and expose every inch
“No.” of it. And now for lunch, and then for Norman
“There’s a half-sovereign for you,” my compan- Neruda. Her attack and her bowing are splendid.
ion said, standing up and taking his hat. “I am What’s that little thing of Chopin’s she plays so
afraid, Rance, that you will never rise in the force. magnificently: Tra-la-la-lira-lira-lay.”
That head of yours should be for use as well as Leaning back in the cab, this amateur blood-
ornament. You might have gained your sergeant’s hound carolled away like a lark while I meditated
stripes last night. The man whom you held in your upon the many-sidedness of the human mind.

CHAPTER V.
Our Advertisement Brings A Visitor

Our morning’s exertions had been too much my eyes I saw before me the distorted baboon-
for my weak health, and I was tired out in the af- like countenance of the murdered man. So sinister
ternoon. After Holmes’ departure for the concert, was the impression which that face had produced
I lay down upon the sofa and endeavoured to get upon me that I found it difficult to feel anything
a couple of hours’ sleep. It was a useless attempt. but gratitude for him who had removed its owner
My mind had been too much excited by all that from the world. If ever human features bespoke
had occurred, and the strangest fancies and sur- vice of the most malignant type, they were cer-
mises crowded into it. Every time that I closed tainly those of Enoch J. Drebber, of Cleveland. Still

22
 A Study In Scarlet

I recognized that justice must be done, and that “Look at this advertisement,” he answered. “I
the depravity of the victim was no condonement had one sent to every paper this morning immedi-
in the eyes of the law. ately after the affair.”
The more I thought of it the more extraordinary He threw the paper across to me and I glanced
did my companion’s hypothesis, that the man had at the place indicated. It was the first announce-
been poisoned, appear. I remembered how he had ment in the “Found” column. “In Brixton Road,
sniffed his lips, and had no doubt that he had de- this morning,” it ran, “a plain gold wedding ring,
tected something which had given rise to the idea. found in the roadway between the ‘White Hart’
Then, again, if not poison, what had caused the Tavern and Holland Grove. Apply Dr. Watson,
man’s death, since there was neither wound nor 221b, Baker Street, between eight and nine this
marks of strangulation? But, on the other hand, evening.”
whose blood was that which lay so thickly upon “Excuse my using your name,” he said. “If I
the floor? There were no signs of a struggle, nor used my own some of these dunderheads would
had the victim any weapon with which he might recognize it, and want to meddle in the affair.”
have wounded an antagonist. As long as all these
questions were unsolved, I felt that sleep would be “That is all right,” I answered. “But supposing
no easy matter, either for Holmes or myself. His anyone applies, I have no ring.”
quiet self-confident manner convinced me that he “Oh yes, you have,” said he, handing me one.
had already formed a theory which explained all “This will do very well. It is almost a facsimile.”
the facts, though what it was I could not for an “And who do you expect will answer this ad-
instant conjecture. vertisement.”
He was very late in returning—so late, that I “Why, the man in the brown coat—our florid
knew that the concert could not have detained him friend with the square toes. If he does not come
all the time. Dinner was on the table before he ap- himself he will send an accomplice.”
peared.
“Would he not consider it as too dangerous?”
“It was magnificent,” he said, as he took his
“Not at all. If my view of the case is correct,
seat. “Do you remember what Darwin says about
and I have every reason to believe that it is, this
music? He claims that the power of producing and
man would rather risk anything than lose the ring.
appreciating it existed among the human race long
According to my notion he dropped it while stoop-
before the power of speech was arrived at. Perhaps
ing over Drebber’s body, and did not miss it at
that is why we are so subtly influenced by it. There
the time. After leaving the house he discovered
are vague memories in our souls of those misty
his loss and hurried back, but found the police al-
centuries when the world was in its childhood.”
ready in possession, owing to his own folly in leav-
“That’s rather a broad idea,” I remarked. ing the candle burning. He had to pretend to be
“One’s ideas must be as broad as Nature if they drunk in order to allay the suspicions which might
are to interpret Nature,” he answered. “What’s the have been aroused by his appearance at the gate.
matter? You’re not looking quite yourself. This Now put yourself in that man’s place. On think-
Brixton Road affair has upset you.” ing the matter over, it must have occurred to him
that it was possible that he had lost the ring in the
“To tell the truth, it has,” I said. “I ought to be
road after leaving the house. What would he do,
more case-hardened after my Afghan experiences.
then? He would eagerly look out for the evening
I saw my own comrades hacked to pieces at Mai-
papers in the hope of seeing it among the arti-
wand without losing my nerve.”
cles found. His eye, of course, would light upon
“I can understand. There is a mystery about this. He would be overjoyed. Why should he fear
this which stimulates the imagination; where there a trap? There would be no reason in his eyes why
is no imagination there is no horror. Have you seen the finding of the ring should be connected with
the evening paper?” the murder. He would come. He will come. You
“No.” shall see him within an hour.”
“It gives a fairly good account of the affair. It “And then?” I asked.
does not mention the fact that when the man was “Oh, you can leave me to deal with him then.
raised up, a woman’s wedding ring fell upon the Have you any arms?”
floor. It is just as well it does not.” “I have my old service revolver and a few car-
“Why?” tridges.”

23
 A Study In Scarlet

“You had better clean it and load it. He will with her bleared eyes and fumbling in her pocket
be a desperate man, and though I shall take him with nervous, shaky fingers. I glanced at my com-
unawares, it is as well to be ready for anything.” panion, and his face had assumed such a discon-
I went to my bedroom and followed his advice. solate expression that it was all I could do to keep
When I returned with the pistol the table had been my countenance.
cleared, and Holmes was engaged in his favourite The old crone drew out an evening paper, and
occupation of scraping upon his violin. pointed at our advertisement. “It’s this as has
“The plot thickens,” he said, as I entered; “I brought me, good gentlemen,” she said, dropping
have just had an answer to my American telegram. another curtsey; “a gold wedding ring in the Brix-
My view of the case is the correct one.” ton Road. It belongs to my girl Sally, as was mar-
ried only this time twelvemonth, which her hus-
“And that is?” I asked eagerly.
band is steward aboard a Union boat, and what
“My fiddle would be the better for new he’d say if he comes ’ome and found her without
strings,” he remarked. “Put your pistol in your her ring is more than I can think, he being short
pocket. When the fellow comes speak to him in an enough at the best o’ times, but more especially
ordinary way. Leave the rest to me. Don’t frighten when he has the drink. If it please you, she went
him by looking at him too hard.” to the circus last night along with—”
“It is eight o’clock now,” I said, glancing at my “Is that her ring?” I asked.
watch.
“The Lord be thanked!” cried the old woman;
“Yes. He will probably be here in a few min- “Sally will be a glad woman this night. That’s the
utes. Open the door slightly. That will do. Now ring.”
put the key on the inside. Thank you! This is a
“And what may your address be?” I inquired,
queer old book I picked up at a stall yesterday—De
taking up a pencil.
Jure inter Gentes—published in Latin at Liege in the
Lowlands, in 1642. Charles’ head was still firm on “13, Duncan Street, Houndsditch. A weary
his shoulders when this little brown-backed vol- way from here.”
ume was struck off.” “The Brixton Road does not lie between any
“Who is the printer?” circus and Houndsditch,” said Sherlock Holmes
sharply.
“Philippe de Croy, whoever he may have been.
On the fly-leaf, in very faded ink, is written ‘Ex The old woman faced round and looked keenly
libris Guliolmi Whyte.’ I wonder who William at him from her little red-rimmed eyes. “The gen-
Whyte was. Some pragmatical seventeenth cen- tleman asked me for my address,” she said. “Sally
tury lawyer, I suppose. His writing has a legal lives in lodgings at 3, Mayfield Place, Peckham.”
twist about it. Here comes our man, I think.” “And your name is—?”
As he spoke there was a sharp ring at the bell. “My name is Sawyer—her’s is Dennis, which
Sherlock Holmes rose softly and moved his chair Tom Dennis married her—and a smart, clean
in the direction of the door. We heard the servant lad, too, as long as he’s at sea, and no steward
pass along the hall, and the sharp click of the latch in the company more thought of; but when on
as she opened it. shore, what with the women and what with liquor
“Does Dr. Watson live here?” asked a clear but shops—”
rather harsh voice. We could not hear the servant’s “Here is your ring, Mrs. Sawyer,” I interrupted,
reply, but the door closed, and some one began to in obedience to a sign from my companion; “it
ascend the stairs. The footfall was an uncertain clearly belongs to your daughter, and I am glad
and shuffling one. A look of surprise passed over to be able to restore it to the rightful owner.”
the face of my companion as he listened to it. It
came slowly along the passage, and there was a With many mumbled blessings and protesta-
feeble tap at the door. tions of gratitude the old crone packed it away in
her pocket, and shuffled off down the stairs. Sher-
“Come in,” I cried. lock Holmes sprang to his feet the moment that
At my summons, instead of the man of vio- she was gone and rushed into his room. He re-
lence whom we expected, a very old and wrinkled turned in a few seconds enveloped in an ulster
woman hobbled into the apartment. She appeared and a cravat. “I’ll follow her,” he said, hurriedly;
to be dazzled by the sudden blaze of light, and “she must be an accomplice, and will lead me to
after dropping a curtsey, she stood blinking at us him. Wait up for me.” The hall door had hardly

24
 A Study In Scarlet

slammed behind our visitor before Holmes had she cried. This begins to look genuine, I thought,
descended the stair. Looking through the window and having seen her safely inside, I perched myself
I could see her walking feebly along the other side, behind. That’s an art which every detective should
while her pursuer dogged her some little distance be an expert at. Well, away we rattled, and never
behind. “Either his whole theory is incorrect,” I drew rein until we reached the street in question.
thought to myself, “or else he will be led now to I hopped off before we came to the door, and
the heart of the mystery.” There was no need for strolled down the street in an easy, lounging way. I
him to ask me to wait up for him, for I felt that saw the cab pull up. The driver jumped down, and
sleep was impossible until I heard the result of his I saw him open the door and stand expectantly.
adventure. Nothing came out though. When I reached him
he was groping about frantically in the empty cab,
It was close upon nine when he set out. I had
and giving vent to the finest assorted collection of
no idea how long he might be, but I sat stolidly
oaths that ever I listened to. There was no sign or
puffing at my pipe and skipping over the pages of
trace of his passenger, and I fear it will be some
Henri Murger’s Vie de Bohème. Ten o’clock passed,
time before he gets his fare. On inquiring at Num-
and I heard the footsteps of the maid as they pat-
ber 13 we found that the house belonged to a re-
tered off to bed. Eleven, and the more stately tread
spectable paperhanger, named Keswick, and that
of the landlady passed my door, bound for the
no one of the name either of Sawyer or Dennis had
same destination. It was close upon twelve before I
ever been heard of there.”
heard the sharp sound of his latch-key. The instant
he entered I saw by his face that he had not been “You don’t mean to say,” I cried, in amazement,
successful. Amusement and chagrin seemed to be “that that tottering, feeble old woman was able to
struggling for the mastery, until the former sud- get out of the cab while it was in motion, without
denly carried the day, and he burst into a hearty either you or the driver seeing her?”
laugh. “Old woman be damned!” said Sherlock
“I wouldn’t have the Scotland Yarders know it Holmes, sharply. “We were the old women to be
for the world,” he cried, dropping into his chair; “I so taken in. It must have been a young man, and
have chaffed them so much that they would never an active one, too, besides being an incomparable
have let me hear the end of it. I can afford to laugh, actor. The get-up was inimitable. He saw that he
because I know that I will be even with them in the was followed, no doubt, and used this means of
long run.” giving me the slip. It shows that the man we are
after is not as lonely as I imagined he was, but has
“What is it then?” I asked. friends who are ready to risk something for him.
“Oh, I don’t mind telling a story against my- Now, Doctor, you are looking done-up. Take my
self. That creature had gone a little way when she advice and turn in.”
began to limp and show every sign of being foot- I was certainly feeling very weary, so I obeyed
sore. Presently she came to a halt, and hailed a his injunction. I left Holmes seated in front of the
four-wheeler which was passing. I managed to smouldering fire, and long into the watches of the
be close to her so as to hear the address, but I night I heard the low, melancholy wailings of his
need not have been so anxious, for she sang it out violin, and knew that he was still pondering over
loud enough to be heard at the other side of the the strange problem which he had set himself to
street, ‘Drive to 13, Duncan Street, Houndsditch,’ unravel.

25
 A Study In Scarlet

CHAPTER VI.
Tobias Gregson Shows What He Can Do

The papers next day were full of the “Brixton despotism and hatred of Liberalism which ani-
Mystery,” as they termed it. Each had a long ac- mated the Continental Governments had had the
count of the affair, and some had leaders upon effect of driving to our shores a number of men
it in addition. There was some information in who might have made excellent citizens were they
them which was new to me. I still retain in my not soured by the recollection of all that they had
scrap-book numerous clippings and extracts bear- undergone. Among these men there was a strin-
ing upon the case. Here is a condensation of a few gent code of honour, any infringement of which
of them:— was punished by death. Every effort should be
The Daily Telegraph remarked that in the history made to find the secretary, Stangerson, and to as-
of crime there had seldom been a tragedy which certain some particulars of the habits of the de-
presented stranger features. The German name of ceased. A great step had been gained by the dis-
the victim, the absence of all other motive, and the covery of the address of the house at which he had
sinister inscription on the wall, all pointed to its boarded—a result which was entirely due to the
perpetration by political refugees and revolution- acuteness and energy of Mr. Gregson of Scotland
ists. The Socialists had many branches in America, Yard.
and the deceased had, no doubt, infringed their Sherlock Holmes and I read these notices over
unwritten laws, and been tracked down by them. together at breakfast, and they appeared to afford
After alluding airily to the Vehmgericht, aqua to- him considerable amusement.
fana, Carbonari, the Marchioness de Brinvilliers, “I told you that, whatever happened, Lestrade
the Darwinian theory, the principles of Malthus, and Gregson would be sure to score.”
and the Ratcliff Highway murders, the article con- “That depends on how it turns out.”
cluded by admonishing the Government and ad-
“Oh, bless you, it doesn’t matter in the least. If
vocating a closer watch over foreigners in England.
the man is caught, it will be on account of their ex-
The Standard commented upon the fact that ertions; if he escapes, it will be in spite of their exer-
lawless outrages of the sort usually occurred un- tions. It’s heads I win and tails you lose. Whatever
der a Liberal Administration. They arose from the they do, they will have followers. ‘Un sot trouve
unsettling of the minds of the masses, and the con- toujours un plus sot qui l’admire.’ ”
sequent weakening of all authority. The deceased “What on earth is this?” I cried, for at this mo-
was an American gentleman who had been resid- ment there came the pattering of many steps in the
ing for some weeks in the Metropolis. He had hall and on the stairs, accompanied by audible ex-
stayed at the boarding-house of Madame Charp- pressions of disgust upon the part of our landlady.
entier, in Torquay Terrace, Camberwell. He was
“It’s the Baker Street division of the detective
accompanied in his travels by his private secre-
police force,” said my companion, gravely; and as
tary, Mr. Joseph Stangerson. The two bade adieu to
he spoke there rushed into the room half a dozen
their landlady upon Tuesday, the 4th inst., and de-
of the dirtiest and most ragged street Arabs that
parted to Euston Station with the avowed intention
ever I clapped eyes on.
of catching the Liverpool express. They were after-
wards seen together upon the platform. Nothing “’Tention!” cried Holmes, in a sharp tone, and
more is known of them until Mr. Drebber’s body the six dirty little scoundrels stood in a line like so
was, as recorded, discovered in an empty house in many disreputable statuettes. “In future you shall
the Brixton Road, many miles from Euston. How send up Wiggins alone to report, and the rest of
he came there, or how he met his fate, are ques- you must wait in the street. Have you found it,
tions which are still involved in mystery. Nothing Wiggins?”
is known of the whereabouts of Stangerson. We “No, sir, we hain’t,” said one of the youths.
are glad to learn that Mr. Lestrade and Mr. Greg- “I hardly expected you would. You must keep
son, of Scotland Yard, are both engaged upon the on until you do. Here are your wages.” He handed
case, and it is confidently anticipated that these each of them a shilling. “Now, off you go, and
well-known officers will speedily throw light upon come back with a better report next time.”
the matter. He waved his hand, and they scampered away
The Daily News observed that there was no downstairs like so many rats, and we heard their
doubt as to the crime being a political one. The shrill voices next moment in the street.

26
 A Study In Scarlet

“There’s more work to be got out of one of “The fun of it is,” he cried, “that that fool
those little beggars than out of a dozen of the Lestrade, who thinks himself so smart, has gone
force,” Holmes remarked. “The mere sight of off upon the wrong track altogether. He is after
an official-looking person seals men’s lips. These the secretary Stangerson, who had no more to do
youngsters, however, go everywhere and hear ev- with the crime than the babe unborn. I have no
erything. They are as sharp as needles, too; all doubt that he has caught him by this time.”
they want is organisation.” The idea tickled Gregson so much that he
“Is it on this Brixton case that you are employ- laughed until he choked.
ing them?” I asked. “And how did you get your clue?”
“Yes; there is a point which I wish to ascertain. “Ah, I’ll tell you all about it. Of course, Doctor
It is merely a matter of time. Hullo! we are going Watson, this is strictly between ourselves. The first
to hear some news now with a vengeance! Here difficulty which we had to contend with was the
is Gregson coming down the road with beatitude finding of this American’s antecedents. Some peo-
written upon every feature of his face. Bound for ple would have waited until their advertisements
us, I know. Yes, he is stopping. There he is!” were answered, or until parties came forward and
volunteered information. That is not Tobias Greg-
There was a violent peal at the bell, and in a son’s way of going to work. You remember the hat
few seconds the fair-haired detective came up the beside the dead man?”
stairs, three steps at a time, and burst into our
“Yes,” said Holmes; “by John Underwood and
sitting-room.
Sons, 129, Camberwell Road.”
“My dear fellow,” he cried, wringing Holmes’ Gregson looked quite crest-fallen.
unresponsive hand, “congratulate me! I have “I had no idea that you noticed that,” he said.
made the whole thing as clear as day.” “Have you been there?”
A shade of anxiety seemed to me to cross my “No.”
companion’s expressive face. “Ha!” cried Gregson, in a relieved voice; “you
“Do you mean that you are on the right track?” should never neglect a chance, however small it
he asked. may seem.”
“The right track! Why, sir, we have the man “To a great mind, nothing is little,” remarked
under lock and key.” Holmes, sententiously.
“Well, I went to Underwood, and asked him
“And his name is?”
if he had sold a hat of that size and description.
“Arthur Charpentier, sub-lieutenant in Her He looked over his books, and came on it at once.
Majesty’s navy,” cried Gregson, pompously, rub- He had sent the hat to a Mr. Drebber, residing
bing his fat hands and inflating his chest. at Charpentier’s Boarding Establishment, Torquay
Sherlock Holmes gave a sigh of relief, and re- Terrace. Thus I got at his address.”
laxed into a smile. “Smart—very smart!” murmured Sherlock
“Take a seat, and try one of these cigars,” he Holmes.
said. “We are anxious to know how you managed “I next called upon Madame Charpentier,” con-
it. Will you have some whiskey and water?” tinued the detective. “I found her very pale and
distressed. Her daughter was in the room, too—an
“I don’t mind if I do,” the detective answered.
uncommonly fine girl she is, too; she was look-
“The tremendous exertions which I have gone
ing red about the eyes and her lips trembled as
through during the last day or two have worn me
I spoke to her. That didn’t escape my notice. I
out. Not so much bodily exertion, you understand,
began to smell a rat. You know the feeling, Mr.
as the strain upon the mind. You will appreciate
Sherlock Holmes, when you come upon the right
that, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, for we are both brain-
scent—a kind of thrill in your nerves. ‘Have you
workers.”
heard of the mysterious death of your late boarder
“You do me too much honour,” said Holmes, Mr. Enoch J. Drebber, of Cleveland?’ I asked.
gravely. “Let us hear how you arrived at this most “The mother nodded. She didn’t seem able to
gratifying result.” get out a word. The daughter burst into tears. I felt
The detective seated himself in the arm-chair, more than ever that these people knew something
and puffed complacently at his cigar. Then sud- of the matter.
denly he slapped his thigh in a paroxysm of “ ‘At what o’clock did Mr. Drebber leave your
amusement. house for the train?’ I asked.

27
 A Study In Scarlet

“ ‘At eight o’clock,’ she said, gulping in her his employer, I am sorry to say, was far other-
throat to keep down her agitation. ‘His secre- wise. He was coarse in his habits and brutish in
tary, Mr. Stangerson, said that there were two his ways. The very night of his arrival he became
trains—one at 9.15 and one at 11. He was to catch very much the worse for drink, and, indeed, af-
the first.’ ter twelve o’clock in the day he could hardly ever
“ ‘And was that the last which you saw of him?’ be said to be sober. His manners towards the
maid-servants were disgustingly free and familiar.
“A terrible change came over the woman’s face Worst of all, he speedily assumed the same atti-
as I asked the question. Her features turned per- tude towards my daughter, Alice, and spoke to her
fectly livid. It was some seconds before she could more than once in a way which, fortunately, she
get out the single word ‘Yes’—and when it did is too innocent to understand. On one occasion
come it was in a husky unnatural tone. he actually seized her in his arms and embraced
“There was silence for a moment, and then the her—an outrage which caused his own secretary
daughter spoke in a calm clear voice. to reproach him for his unmanly conduct.’
“ ‘No good can ever come of falsehood, “ ‘But why did you stand all this,’ I asked. ‘I
mother,’ she said. ‘Let us be frank with this gen- suppose that you can get rid of your boarders
tleman. We did see Mr. Drebber again.’ when you wish.’
“ ‘God forgive you!’ cried Madame Charpen- “Mrs. Charpentier blushed at my pertinent
tier, throwing up her hands and sinking back in question. ‘Would to God that I had given him no-
her chair. ‘You have murdered your brother.’ tice on the very day that he came,’ she said. ‘But it
was a sore temptation. They were paying a pound
“ ‘Arthur would rather that we spoke the truth,’
a day each—fourteen pounds a week, and this is
the girl answered firmly.
the slack season. I am a widow, and my boy in
“ ‘You had best tell me all about it now,’ I said. the Navy has cost me much. I grudged to lose
‘Half-confidences are worse than none. Besides, the money. I acted for the best. This last was too
you do not know how much we know of it.’ much, however, and I gave him notice to leave on
“ ‘On your head be it, Alice!’ cried her mother; account of it. That was the reason of his going.’
and then, turning to me, ‘I will tell you all, sir. Do “ ‘Well?’
not imagine that my agitation on behalf of my son
“ ‘My heart grew light when I saw him drive
arises from any fear lest he should have had a hand
away. My son is on leave just now, but I did not tell
in this terrible affair. He is utterly innocent of it.
him anything of all this, for his temper is violent,
My dread is, however, that in your eyes and in the
and he is passionately fond of his sister. When
eyes of others he may appear to be compromised.
I closed the door behind them a load seemed to
That however is surely impossible. His high char-
be lifted from my mind. Alas, in less than an
acter, his profession, his antecedents would all for-
hour there was a ring at the bell, and I learned
bid it.’
that Mr. Drebber had returned. He was much ex-
“ ‘Your best way is to make a clean breast of the cited, and evidently the worse for drink. He forced
facts,’ I answered. ‘Depend upon it, if your son is his way into the room, where I was sitting with
innocent he will be none the worse.’ my daughter, and made some incoherent remark
“ ‘Perhaps, Alice, you had better leave us to- about having missed his train. He then turned to
gether,’ she said, and her daughter withdrew. Alice, and before my very face, proposed to her
‘Now, sir,’ she continued, ‘I had no intention of that she should fly with him. “You are of age,”
telling you all this, but since my poor daughter has he said, “and there is no law to stop you. I have
disclosed it I have no alternative. Having once de- money enough and to spare. Never mind the old
cided to speak, I will tell you all without omitting girl here, but come along with me now straight
any particular.’ away. You shall live like a princess.” Poor Alice
was so frightened that she shrunk away from him,
“ ‘It is your wisest course,’ said I. but he caught her by the wrist and endeavoured
“ ‘Mr. Drebber has been with us nearly three to draw her towards the door. I screamed, and at
weeks. He and his secretary, Mr. Stangerson, that moment my son Arthur came into the room.
had been travelling on the Continent. I noticed What happened then I do not know. I heard oaths
a “Copenhagen” label upon each of their trunks, and the confused sounds of a scuffle. I was too
showing that that had been their last stopping terrified to raise my head. When I did look up
place. Stangerson was a quiet reserved man, but I saw Arthur standing in the doorway laughing,

28
 A Study In Scarlet

with a stick in his hand. “I don’t think that fine “What is your theory, then?”
fellow will trouble us again,” he said. “I will just “Well, my theory is that he followed Drebber as
go after him and see what he does with himself.” far as the Brixton Road. When there, a fresh alter-
With those words he took his hat and started off cation arose between them, in the course of which
down the street. The next morning we heard of Drebber received a blow from the stick, in the pit
Mr. Drebber’s mysterious death.’ of the stomach, perhaps, which killed him without
“This statement came from Mrs. Charpentier’s leaving any mark. The night was so wet that no
lips with many gasps and pauses. At times she one was about, so Charpentier dragged the body
spoke so low that I could hardly catch the words. I of his victim into the empty house. As to the can-
made shorthand notes of all that she said, however, dle, and the blood, and the writing on the wall,
so that there should be no possibility of a mistake.” and the ring, they may all be so many tricks to
“It’s quite exciting,” said Sherlock Holmes, throw the police on to the wrong scent.”
with a yawn. “What happened next?” “Well done!” said Holmes in an encouraging
“When Mrs. Charpentier paused,” the detec- voice. “Really, Gregson, you are getting along. We
tive continued, “I saw that the whole case hung shall make something of you yet.”
upon one point. Fixing her with my eye in a “I flatter myself that I have managed it rather
way which I always found effective with women, I neatly,” the detective answered proudly. “The
asked her at what hour her son returned. young man volunteered a statement, in which he
“ ‘I do not know,’ she answered. said that after following Drebber some time, the
latter perceived him, and took a cab in order to get
“ ‘Not know?’ away from him. On his way home he met an old
“ ‘No; he has a latch-key, and he let himself in.’ shipmate, and took a long walk with him. On be-
“ ‘After you went to bed?’ ing asked where this old shipmate lived, he was
unable to give any satisfactory reply. I think the
“ ‘Yes.’
whole case fits together uncommonly well. What
“ ‘When did you go to bed?’ amuses me is to think of Lestrade, who had started
“ ‘About eleven.’ off upon the wrong scent. I am afraid he won’t
make much of—Why, by Jove, here’s the very man
“ ‘So your son was gone at least two hours?’
himself!”
“ ‘Yes.’
It was indeed Lestrade, who had ascended the
“ ‘Possibly four or five?’ stairs while we were talking, and who now entered
“ ‘Yes.’ the room. The assurance and jauntiness which
“ ‘What was he doing during that time?’ generally marked his demeanour and dress were,
however, wanting. His face was disturbed and
“ ‘I do not know,’ she answered, turning white troubled, while his clothes were disarranged and
to her very lips. untidy. He had evidently come with the inten-
“Of course after that there was nothing more to tion of consulting with Sherlock Holmes, for on
be done. I found out where Lieutenant Charpen- perceiving his colleague he appeared to be embar-
tier was, took two officers with me, and arrested rassed and put out. He stood in the centre of the
him. When I touched him on the shoulder and room, fumbling nervously with his hat and uncer-
warned him to come quietly with us, he answered tain what to do. “This is a most extraordinary
us as bold as brass, ‘I suppose you are arresting me case,” he said at last—“a most incomprehensible
for being concerned in the death of that scoundrel affair.”
Drebber,’ he said. We had said nothing to him “Ah, you find it so, Mr. Lestrade!” cried Greg-
about it, so that his alluding to it had a most sus- son, triumphantly. “I thought you would come to
picious aspect.” that conclusion. Have you managed to find the
“Very,” said Holmes. Secretary, Mr. Joseph Stangerson?”
“He still carried the heavy stick which the “The Secretary, Mr. Joseph Stangerson,” said
mother described him as having with him when Lestrade gravely, “was murdered at Halliday’s Pri-
he followed Drebber. It was a stout oak cudgel.” vate Hotel about six o’clock this morning.”

29
 A Study In Scarlet

CHAPTER VII.
Light In The Darkness

The intelligence with which Lestrade greeted Stangerson was living there, they at once answered
us was so momentous and so unexpected, that me in the affirmative.
we were all three fairly dumfoundered. Gregson “ ‘No doubt you are the gentleman whom he
sprang out of his chair and upset the remainder of was expecting,’ they said. ‘He has been waiting
his whiskey and water. I stared in silence at Sher- for a gentleman for two days.’
lock Holmes, whose lips were compressed and his
“ ‘Where is he now?’ I asked.
brows drawn down over his eyes.
“ ‘He is upstairs in bed. He wished to be called
“Stangerson too!” he muttered. “The plot at nine.’
thickens.”
“ ‘I will go up and see him at once,’ I said.
“It was quite thick enough before,” grumbled “It seemed to me that my sudden appearance
Lestrade, taking a chair. “I seem to have dropped might shake his nerves and lead him to say some-
into a sort of council of war.” thing unguarded. The Boots volunteered to show
“Are you—are you sure of this piece of intelli- me the room: it was on the second floor, and there
gence?” stammered Gregson. was a small corridor leading up to it. The Boots
pointed out the door to me, and was about to go
“I have just come from his room,” said
downstairs again when I saw something that made
Lestrade. “I was the first to discover what had
me feel sickish, in spite of my twenty years’ experi-
occurred.”
ence. From under the door there curled a little red
“We have been hearing Gregson’s view of the ribbon of blood, which had meandered across the
matter,” Holmes observed. “Would you mind let- passage and formed a little pool along the skirt-
ting us know what you have seen and done?” ing at the other side. I gave a cry, which brought
“I have no objection,” Lestrade answered, seat- the Boots back. He nearly fainted when he saw it.
ing himself. “I freely confess that I was of the opin- The door was locked on the inside, but we put our
ion that Stangerson was concerned in the death of shoulders to it, and knocked it in. The window
Drebber. This fresh development has shown me of the room was open, and beside the window, all
that I was completely mistaken. Full of the one huddled up, lay the body of a man in his night-
idea, I set myself to find out what had become of dress. He was quite dead, and had been for some
the Secretary. They had been seen together at Eu- time, for his limbs were rigid and cold. When we
ston Station about half-past eight on the evening of turned him over, the Boots recognized him at once
the third. At two in the morning Drebber had been as being the same gentleman who had engaged the
found in the Brixton Road. The question which room under the name of Joseph Stangerson. The
confronted me was to find out how Stangerson had cause of death was a deep stab in the left side,
been employed between 8.30 and the time of the which must have penetrated the heart. And now
crime, and what had become of him afterwards. comes the strangest part of the affair. What do you
I telegraphed to Liverpool, giving a description suppose was above the murdered man?”
of the man, and warning them to keep a watch I felt a creeping of the flesh, and a presentiment
upon the American boats. I then set to work call- of coming horror, even before Sherlock Holmes an-
ing upon all the hotels and lodging-houses in the swered.
vicinity of Euston. You see, I argued that if Dreb- “The word RACHE, written in letters of blood,”
ber and his companion had become separated, the he said.
natural course for the latter would be to put up “That was it,” said Lestrade, in an awe-struck
somewhere in the vicinity for the night, and then voice; and we were all silent for a while.
to hang about the station again next morning.”
There was something so methodical and so in-
“They would be likely to agree on some comprehensible about the deeds of this unknown
meeting-place beforehand,” remarked Holmes. assassin, that it imparted a fresh ghastliness to his
“So it proved. I spent the whole of yester- crimes. My nerves, which were steady enough on
day evening in making enquiries entirely without the field of battle tingled as I thought of it.
avail. This morning I began very early, and at eight “The man was seen,” continued Lestrade. “A
o’clock I reached Halliday’s Private Hotel, in Little milk boy, passing on his way to the dairy, hap-
George Street. On my enquiry as to whether a Mr. pened to walk down the lane which leads from

30
 A Study In Scarlet

the mews at the back of the hotel. He noticed eyes. I will give you a proof of my knowledge.
that a ladder, which usually lay there, was raised Could you lay your hand upon those pills?”
against one of the windows of the second floor, “I have them,” said Lestrade, producing a small
which was wide open. After passing, he looked white box; “I took them and the purse and the
back and saw a man descend the ladder. He came telegram, intending to have them put in a place
down so quietly and openly that the boy imagined of safety at the Police Station. It was the merest
him to be some carpenter or joiner at work in the chance my taking these pills, for I am bound to
hotel. He took no particular notice of him, beyond say that I do not attach any importance to them.”
thinking in his own mind that it was early for him
“Give them here,” said Holmes. “Now, Doc-
to be at work. He has an impression that the man
tor,” turning to me, “are those ordinary pills?”
was tall, had a reddish face, and was dressed in
a long, brownish coat. He must have stayed in They certainly were not. They were of a pearly
the room some little time after the murder, for we grey colour, small, round, and almost transparent
found blood-stained water in the basin, where he against the light. “From their lightness and trans-
had washed his hands, and marks on the sheets parency, I should imagine that they are soluble in
where he had deliberately wiped his knife.” water,” I remarked.
I glanced at Holmes on hearing the description “Precisely so,” answered Holmes. “Now would
of the murderer, which tallied so exactly with his you mind going down and fetching that poor little
own. There was, however, no trace of exultation or devil of a terrier which has been bad so long, and
satisfaction upon his face. which the landlady wanted you to put out of its
pain yesterday.”
“Did you find nothing in the room which could
furnish a clue to the murderer?” he asked. I went downstairs and carried the dog upstair
in my arms. It’s laboured breathing and glazing
“Nothing. Stangerson had Drebber’s purse in eye showed that it was not far from its end. In-
his pocket, but it seems that this was usual, as he deed, its snow-white muzzle proclaimed that it
did all the paying. There was eighty odd pounds had already exceeded the usual term of canine ex-
in it, but nothing had been taken. Whatever the istence. I placed it upon a cushion on the rug.
motives of these extraordinary crimes, robbery is
“I will now cut one of these pills in two,” said
certainly not one of them. There were no papers
Holmes, and drawing his penknife he suited the
or memoranda in the murdered man’s pocket, ex-
action to the word. “One half we return into the
cept a single telegram, dated from Cleveland about
box for future purposes. The other half I will place
a month ago, and containing the words, ‘J. H. is
in this wine glass, in which is a teaspoonful of wa-
in Europe.’ There was no name appended to this
ter. You perceive that our friend, the Doctor, is
message.”
right, and that it readily dissolves.”
“And there was nothing else?” Holmes asked. “This may be very interesting,” said Lestrade,
“Nothing of any importance. The man’s novel, in the injured tone of one who suspects that he is
with which he had read himself to sleep was lying being laughed at, “I cannot see, however, what it
upon the bed, and his pipe was on a chair beside has to do with the death of Mr. Joseph Stanger-
him. There was a glass of water on the table, and son.”
on the window-sill a small chip ointment box con- “Patience, my friend, patience! You will find
taining a couple of pills.” in time that it has everything to do with it. I shall
Sherlock Holmes sprang from his chair with an now add a little milk to make the mixture palat-
exclamation of delight. able, and on presenting it to the dog we find that
he laps it up readily enough.”
“The last link,” he cried, exultantly. “My case
is complete.” As he spoke he turned the contents of the
wine glass into a saucer and placed it in front of
The two detectives stared at him in amazement. the terrier, who speedily licked it dry. Sherlock
“I have now in my hands,” my companion said, Holmes’ earnest demeanour had so far convinced
confidently, “all the threads which have formed us that we all sat in silence, watching the ani-
such a tangle. There are, of course, details to be mal intently, and expecting some startling effect.
filled in, but I am as certain of all the main facts, None such appeared, however. The dog contin-
from the time that Drebber parted from Stanger- ued to lie stretched upon the cushion, breathing in
son at the station, up to the discovery of the body a laboured way, but apparently neither the better
of the latter, as if I had seen them with my own nor the worse for its draught.

31
 A Study In Scarlet

Holmes had taken out his watch, and as minute strangeness with mystery. The most common-
followed minute without result, an expression of place crime is often the most mysterious because
the utmost chagrin and disappointment appeared it presents no new or special features from which
upon his features. He gnawed his lip, drummed deductions may be drawn. This murder would
his fingers upon the table, and showed every other have been infinitely more difficult to unravel had
symptom of acute impatience. So great was his the body of the victim been simply found lying in
emotion, that I felt sincerely sorry for him, while the roadway without any of those outré and sensa-
the two detectives smiled derisively, by no means tional accompaniments which have rendered it re-
displeased at this check which he had met. markable. These strange details, far from making
the case more difficult, have really had the effect
“It can’t be a coincidence,” he cried, at last of making it less so.”
springing from his chair and pacing wildly up and
down the room; “it is impossible that it should be Mr. Gregson, who had listened to this address
a mere coincidence. The very pills which I sus- with considerable impatience, could contain him-
pected in the case of Drebber are actually found self no longer. “Look here, Mr. Sherlock Holmes,”
after the death of Stangerson. And yet they are he said, “we are all ready to acknowledge that you
inert. What can it mean? Surely my whole chain are a smart man, and that you have your own
of reasoning cannot have been false. It is impossi- methods of working. We want something more
ble! And yet this wretched dog is none the worse. than mere theory and preaching now, though. It
Ah, I have it! I have it!” With a perfect shriek of de- is a case of taking the man. I have made my case
light he rushed to the box, cut the other pill in two, out, and it seems I was wrong. Young Charpentier
dissolved it, added milk, and presented it to the could not have been engaged in this second affair.
terrier. The unfortunate creature’s tongue seemed Lestrade went after his man, Stangerson, and it ap-
hardly to have been moistened in it before it gave pears that he was wrong too. You have thrown
a convulsive shiver in every limb, and lay as rigid out hints here, and hints there, and seem to know
and lifeless as if it had been struck by lightning. more than we do, but the time has come when we
feel that we have a right to ask you straight how
Sherlock Holmes drew a long breath, and much you do know of the business. Can you name
wiped the perspiration from his forehead. “I the man who did it?”
should have more faith,” he said; “I ought to know “I cannot help feeling that Gregson is right,
by this time that when a fact appears to be op- sir,” remarked Lestrade. “We have both tried, and
posed to a long train of deductions, it invariably we have both failed. You have remarked more than
proves to be capable of bearing some other inter- once since I have been in the room that you had all
pretation. Of the two pills in that box one was of the evidence which you require. Surely you will
the most deadly poison, and the other was entirely not withhold it any longer.”
harmless. I ought to have known that before ever
I saw the box at all.” “Any delay in arresting the assassin,” I ob-
served, “might give him time to perpetrate some
This last statement appeared to me to be so fresh atrocity.”
startling, that I could hardly believe that he was Thus pressed by us all, Holmes showed signs of
in his sober senses. There was the dead dog, how- irresolution. He continued to walk up and down
ever, to prove that his conjecture had been correct. the room with his head sunk on his chest and his
It seemed to me that the mists in my own mind brows drawn down, as was his habit when lost in
were gradually clearing away, and I began to have thought.
a dim, vague perception of the truth.
“There will be no more murders,” he said at
“All this seems strange to you,” continued last, stopping abruptly and facing us. “You can
Holmes, “because you failed at the beginning of put that consideration out of the question. You
the inquiry to grasp the importance of the single have asked me if I know the name of the assas-
real clue which was presented to you. I had the sin. I do. The mere knowing of his name is a small
good fortune to seize upon that, and everything thing, however, compared with the power of laying
which has occurred since then has served to con- our hands upon him. This I expect very shortly to
firm my original supposition, and, indeed, was the do. I have good hopes of managing it through my
logical sequence of it. Hence things which have own arrangements; but it is a thing which needs
perplexed you and made the case more obscure, delicate handling, for we have a shrewd and des-
have served to enlighten me and to strengthen perate man to deal with, who is supported, as I
my conclusions. It is a mistake to confound have had occasion to prove, by another who is as

32
 A Study In Scarlet

clever as himself. As long as this man has no idea The fellow came forward with a somewhat
that anyone can have a clue there is some chance sullen, defiant air, and put down his hands to as-
of securing him; but if he had the slightest suspi- sist. At that instant there was a sharp click, the
cion, he would change his name, and vanish in an jangling of metal, and Sherlock Holmes sprang to
instant among the four million inhabitants of this his feet again.
great city. Without meaning to hurt either of your
feelings, I am bound to say that I consider these “Gentlemen,” he cried, with flashing eyes, “let
men to be more than a match for the official force, me introduce you to Mr. Jefferson Hope, the mur-
and that is why I have not asked your assistance. derer of Enoch Drebber and of Joseph Stangerson.”
If I fail I shall, of course, incur all the blame due
to this omission; but that I am prepared for. At
present I am ready to promise that the instant that The whole thing occurred in a moment—so
I can communicate with you without endangering quickly that I had no time to realize it. I have
my own combinations, I shall do so.” a vivid recollection of that instant, of Holmes’
Gregson and Lestrade seemed to be far from triumphant expression and the ring of his voice,
satisfied by this assurance, or by the depreciating of the cabman’s dazed, savage face, as he glared
allusion to the detective police. The former had at the glittering handcuffs, which had appeared
flushed up to the roots of his flaxen hair, while the as if by magic upon his wrists. For a second
other’s beady eyes glistened with curiosity and re- or two we might have been a group of statues.
sentment. Neither of them had time to speak, how- Then, with an inarticulate roar of fury, the pris-
ever, before there was a tap at the door, and the oner wrenched himself free from Holmes’s grasp,
spokesman of the street Arabs, young Wiggins, in- and hurled himself through the window. Wood-
troduced his insignificant and unsavoury person. work and glass gave way before him; but before he
got quite through, Gregson, Lestrade, and Holmes
“Please, sir,” he said, touching his forelock, “I
sprang upon him like so many staghounds. He
have the cab downstairs.”
was dragged back into the room, and then com-
“Good boy,” said Holmes, blandly. “Why don’t menced a terrific conflict. So powerful and so
you introduce this pattern at Scotland Yard?” he fierce was he, that the four of us were shaken off
continued, taking a pair of steel handcuffs from again and again. He appeared to have the con-
a drawer. “See how beautifully the spring works. vulsive strength of a man in an epileptic fit. His
They fasten in an instant.” face and hands were terribly mangled by his pas-
“The old pattern is good enough,” remarked sage through the glass, but loss of blood had no ef-
Lestrade, “if we can only find the man to put them fect in diminishing his resistance. It was not until
on.” Lestrade succeeded in getting his hand inside his
“Very good, very good,” said Holmes, smiling. neckcloth and half-strangling him that we made
“The cabman may as well help me with my boxes. him realize that his struggles were of no avail; and
Just ask him to step up, Wiggins.” even then we felt no security until we had pinioned
I was surprised to find my companion speak- his feet as well as his hands. That done, we rose to
ing as though he were about to set out on a jour- our feet breathless and panting.
ney, since he had not said anything to me about
it. There was a small portmanteau in the room, “We have his cab,” said Sherlock Holmes. “It
and this he pulled out and began to strap. He was will serve to take him to Scotland Yard. And now,
busily engaged at it when the cabman entered the gentlemen,” he continued, with a pleasant smile,
room. “we have reached the end of our little mystery.
“Just give me a help with this buckle, cabman,” You are very welcome to put any questions that
he said, kneeling over his task, and never turning you like to me now, and there is no danger that I
his head. will refuse to answer them.”

33
 PART II.
The Country of the Saints.
 A Study In Scarlet

CHAPTER I.
On The Great Alkali Plain

In the central portion of the great North stand out against the dull deposit of alkali. Ap-
American Continent there lies an arid and repul- proach, and examine them! They are bones: some
sive desert, which for many a long year served large and coarse, others smaller and more delicate.
as a barrier against the advance of civilisation. The former have belonged to oxen, and the latter to
From the Sierra Nevada to Nebraska, and from men. For fifteen hundred miles one may trace this
the Yellowstone River in the north to the Colorado ghastly caravan route by these scattered remains
upon the south, is a region of desolation and si- of those who had fallen by the wayside.
lence. Nor is Nature always in one mood through- Looking down on this very scene, there stood
out this grim district. It comprises snow-capped upon the fourth of May, eighteen hundred and
and lofty mountains, and dark and gloomy val- forty-seven, a solitary traveller. His appearance
leys. There are swift-flowing rivers which dash was such that he might have been the very genius
through jagged cañons; and there are enormous or demon of the region. An observer would have
plains, which in winter are white with snow, and found it difficult to say whether he was nearer to
in summer are grey with the saline alkali dust. forty or to sixty. His face was lean and haggard,
They all preserve, however, the common charac- and the brown parchment-like skin was drawn
teristics of barrenness, inhospitality, and misery. tightly over the projecting bones; his long, brown
There are no inhabitants of this land of despair. hair and beard were all flecked and dashed with
A band of Pawnees or of Blackfeet may occasion- white; his eyes were sunken in his head, and
ally traverse it in order to reach other hunting- burned with an unnatural lustre; while the hand
grounds, but the hardiest of the braves are glad which grasped his rifle was hardly more fleshy
to lose sight of those awesome plains, and to find than that of a skeleton. As he stood, he leaned
themselves once more upon their prairies. The upon his weapon for support, and yet his tall fig-
coyote skulks among the scrub, the buzzard flaps ure and the massive framework of his bones sug-
heavily through the air, and the clumsy grizzly gested a wiry and vigorous constitution. His gaunt
bear lumbers through the dark ravines, and picks face, however, and his clothes, which hung so bag-
up such sustenance as it can amongst the rocks. gily over his shrivelled limbs, proclaimed what it
These are the sole dwellers in the wilderness. was that gave him that senile and decrepit appear-
ance. The man was dying—dying from hunger
In the whole world there can be no more dreary and from thirst.
view than that from the northern slope of the He had toiled painfully down the ravine, and
Sierra Blanco. As far as the eye can reach stretches on to this little elevation, in the vain hope of see-
the great flat plain-land, all dusted over with ing some signs of water. Now the great salt plain
patches of alkali, and intersected by clumps of the stretched before his eyes, and the distant belt of
dwarfish chaparral bushes. On the extreme verge savage mountains, without a sign anywhere of
of the horizon lie a long chain of mountain peaks, plant or tree, which might indicate the presence
with their rugged summits flecked with snow. In of moisture. In all that broad landscape there was
this great stretch of country there is no sign of life, no gleam of hope. North, and east, and west he
nor of anything appertaining to life. There is no looked with wild questioning eyes, and then he
bird in the steel-blue heaven, no movement upon realised that his wanderings had come to an end,
the dull, grey earth—above all, there is absolute si- and that there, on that barren crag, he was about
lence. Listen as one may, there is no shadow of a to die. “Why not here, as well as in a feather bed,
sound in all that mighty wilderness; nothing but twenty years hence,” he muttered, as he seated
silence—complete and heart-subduing silence. himself in the shelter of a boulder.
It has been said there is nothing appertaining Before sitting down, he had deposited upon the
to life upon the broad plain. That is hardly true. ground his useless rifle, and also a large bundle
Looking down from the Sierra Blanco, one sees a tied up in a grey shawl, which he had carried slung
pathway traced out across the desert, which winds over his right shoulder. It appeared to be some-
away and is lost in the extreme distance. It is rut- what too heavy for his strength, for in lowering it,
ted with wheels and trodden down by the feet of it came down on the ground with some little vio-
many adventurers. Here and there there are scat- lence. Instantly there broke from the grey parcel
tered white objects which glisten in the sun, and a little moaning cry, and from it there protruded

37
 A Study In Scarlet

a small, scared face, with very bright brown eyes, “No, nor drink. And Mr. Bender, he was the
and two little speckled, dimpled fists. fust to go, and then Indian Pete, and then Mrs. Mc-
Gregor, and then Johnny Hones, and then, dearie,
“You’ve hurt me!” said a childish voice re-
your mother.”
proachfully.
“Then mother’s a deader too,” cried the little
“Have I though,” the man answered penitently, girl dropping her face in her pinafore and sobbing
“I didn’t go for to do it.” As he spoke he un- bitterly.
wrapped the grey shawl and extricated a pretty
little girl of about five years of age, whose dainty “Yes, they all went except you and me. Then
shoes and smart pink frock with its little linen I thought there was some chance of water in this
apron all bespoke a mother’s care. The child direction, so I heaved you over my shoulder and
was pale and wan, but her healthy arms and legs we tramped it together. It don’t seem as though
showed that she had suffered less than her com- we’ve improved matters. There’s an almighty
panion. small chance for us now!”
“Do you mean that we are going to die too?”
“How is it now?” he answered anxiously, for
asked the child, checking her sobs, and raising her
she was still rubbing the towsy golden curls which
tear-stained face.
covered the back of her head.
“I guess that’s about the size of it.”
“Kiss it and make it well,” she said, with
“Why didn’t you say so before?” she said,
perfect gravity, shoving the injured part up to
laughing gleefully. “You gave me such a fright.
him. “That’s what mother used to do. Where’s
Why, of course, now as long as we die we’ll be
mother?”
with mother again.”
“Mother’s gone. I guess you’ll see her before “Yes, you will, dearie.”
long.”
“And you too. I’ll tell her how awful good
“Gone, eh!” said the little girl. “Funny, she you’ve been. I’ll bet she meets us at the door of
didn’t say good-bye; she ’most always did if she Heaven with a big pitcher of water, and a lot of
was just goin’ over to Auntie’s for tea, and now buckwheat cakes, hot, and toasted on both sides,
she’s been away three days. Say, it’s awful dry, like Bob and me was fond of. How long will it be
ain’t it? Ain’t there no water, nor nothing to eat?” first?”
“No, there ain’t nothing, dearie. You’ll just “I don’t know—not very long.” The man’s eyes
need to be patient awhile, and then you’ll be all were fixed upon the northern horizon. In the blue
right. Put your head up agin me like that, and vault of the heaven there had appeared three lit-
then you’ll feel bullier. It ain’t easy to talk when tle specks which increased in size every moment,
your lips is like leather, but I guess I’d best let you so rapidly did they approach. They speedily re-
know how the cards lie. What’s that you’ve got?” solved themselves into three large brown birds,
which circled over the heads of the two wander-
“Pretty things! fine things!” cried the little girl
ers, and then settled upon some rocks which over-
enthusiastically, holding up two glittering frag-
looked them. They were buzzards, the vultures of
ments of mica. “When we goes back to home I’ll
the west, whose coming is the forerunner of death.
give them to brother Bob.”
“Cocks and hens,” cried the little girl gleefully,
“You’ll see prettier things than them soon,” pointing at their ill-omened forms, and clapping
said the man confidently. “You just wait a bit. her hands to make them rise. “Say, did God make
I was going to tell you though—you remember this country?”
when we left the river?”
“Of course He did,” said her companion, rather
“Oh, yes.” startled by this unexpected question.
“Well, we reckoned we’d strike another river “He made the country down in Illinois, and He
soon, d’ye see. But there was somethin’ wrong; made the Missouri,” the little girl continued. “I
compasses, or map, or somethin’, and it didn’t guess somebody else made the country in these
turn up. Water ran out. Just except a little drop parts. It’s not nearly so well done. They forgot the
for the likes of you and—and—” water and the trees.”
“And you couldn’t wash yourself,” interrupted “What would ye think of offering up prayer?”
his companion gravely, staring up at his grimy vis- the man asked diffidently.
age. “It ain’t night yet,” she answered.

38
 A Study In Scarlet

“It don’t matter. It ain’t quite regular, but He through the haze, and the apparition revealed it-
won’t mind that, you bet. You say over them ones self as being a great caravan upon its journey for
that you used to say every night in the waggon the West. But what a caravan! When the head
when we was on the Plains.” of it had reached the base of the mountains, the
“Why don’t you say some yourself?” the child rear was not yet visible on the horizon. Right
asked, with wondering eyes. across the enormous plain stretched the straggling
array, waggons and carts, men on horseback, and
“I disremember them,” he answered. “I hain’t men on foot. Innumerable women who staggered
said none since I was half the height o’ that gun. I along under burdens, and children who toddled
guess it’s never too late. You say them out, and I’ll beside the waggons or peeped out from under the
stand by and come in on the choruses.” white coverings. This was evidently no ordinary
“Then you’ll need to kneel down, and me too,” party of immigrants, but rather some nomad peo-
she said, laying the shawl out for that purpose. ple who had been compelled from stress of circum-
“You’ve got to put your hands up like this. It stances to seek themselves a new country. There
makes you feel kind o’ good.” rose through the clear air a confused clattering and
It was a strange sight had there been anything rumbling from this great mass of humanity, with
but the buzzards to see it. Side by side on the the creaking of wheels and the neighing of horses.
narrow shawl knelt the two wanderers, the little Loud as it was, it was not sufficient to rouse the
prattling child and the reckless, hardened adven- two tired wayfarers above them.
turer. Her chubby face, and his haggard, angu- At the head of the column there rode a score
lar visage were both turned up to the cloudless or more of grave ironfaced men, clad in sombre
heaven in heartfelt entreaty to that dread being homespun garments and armed with rifles. On
with whom they were face to face, while the two reaching the base of the bluff they halted, and held
voices—the one thin and clear, the other deep and a short council among themselves.
harsh—united in the entreaty for mercy and for- “The wells are to the right, my brothers,” said
giveness. The prayer finished, they resumed their one, a hard-lipped, clean-shaven man with grizzly
seat in the shadow of the boulder until the child hair.
fell asleep, nestling upon the broad breast of her
“To the right of the Sierra Blanco—so we shall
protector. He watched over her slumber for some
reach the Rio Grande,” said another.
time, but Nature proved to be too strong for him.
For three days and three nights he had allowed “Fear not for water,” cried a third. “He who
himself neither rest nor repose. Slowly the eyelids could draw it from the rocks will not now aban-
drooped over the tired eyes, and the head sunk don His own chosen people.”
lower and lower upon the breast, until the man’s “Amen! Amen!” responded the whole party.
grizzled beard was mixed with the gold tresses of They were about to resume their journey when
his companion, and both slept the same deep and one of the youngest and keenest-eyed uttered an
dreamless slumber. exclamation and pointed up at the rugged crag
Had the wanderer remained awake for another above them. From its summit there fluttered a
half hour a strange sight would have met his eyes. little wisp of pink, showing up hard and bright
Far away on the extreme verge of the alkali plain against the grey rocks behind. At the sight there
there rose up a little spray of dust, very slight at was a general reining up of horses and unslinging
first, and hardly to be distinguished from the mists of guns, while fresh horsemen came galloping up
of the distance, but gradually growing higher and to reinforce the vanguard. The word “Redskins”
broader until it formed a solid, well-defined cloud. was on every lip.
This cloud continued to increase in size until it “There can’t be any number of Injuns here,”
became evident that it could only be raised by said the elderly man who appeared to be in com-
a great multitude of moving creatures. In more mand. “We have passed the Pawnees, and there
fertile spots the observer would have come to the are no other tribes until we cross the great moun-
conclusion that one of those great herds of bisons tains.”
which graze upon the prairie land was approach-
“Shall I go forward and see, Brother Stanger-
ing him. This was obviously impossible in these
son,” asked one of the band.
arid wilds. As the whirl of dust drew nearer to the
solitary bluff upon which the two castaways were “And I,” “and I,” cried a dozen voices.
reposing, the canvas-covered tilts of waggons and “Leave your horses below and we will await
the figures of armed horsemen began to show up you here,” the Elder answered. In a moment

39
 A Study In Scarlet

the young fellows had dismounted, fastened their twenty-one people. The rest is all dead o’ thirst
horses, and were ascending the precipitous slope and hunger away down in the south.”
which led up to the object which had excited “Is she your child?” asked someone.
their curiosity. They advanced rapidly and noise-
“I guess she is now,” the other cried, defiantly;
lessly, with the confidence and dexterity of prac-
“she’s mine ’cause I saved her. No man will take
tised scouts. The watchers from the plain below
her from me. She’s Lucy Ferrier from this day
could see them flit from rock to rock until their
on. Who are you, though?” he continued, glancing
figures stood out against the skyline. The young
with curiosity at his stalwart, sunburned rescuers;
man who had first given the alarm was leading
“there seems to be a powerful lot of ye.”
them. Suddenly his followers saw him throw up
his hands, as though overcome with astonishment, “Nigh upon ten thousand,” said one of the
and on joining him they were affected in the same young men; “we are the persecuted children of
way by the sight which met their eyes. God—the chosen of the Angel Merona.”
“I never heard tell on him,” said the wanderer.
On the little plateau which crowned the barren “He appears to have chosen a fair crowd of ye.”
hill there stood a single giant boulder, and against
this boulder there lay a tall man, long-bearded and “Do not jest at that which is sacred,” said the
hard-featured, but of an excessive thinness. His other sternly. “We are of those who believe in
placid face and regular breathing showed that he those sacred writings, drawn in Egyptian letters
was fast asleep. Beside him lay a little child, with on plates of beaten gold, which were handed unto
her round white arms encircling his brown sinewy the holy Joseph Smith at Palmyra. We have come
neck, and her golden haired head resting upon from Nauvoo, in the State of Illinois, where we
the breast of his velveteen tunic. Her rosy lips had founded our temple. We have come to seek
were parted, showing the regular line of snow- a refuge from the violent man and from the god-
white teeth within, and a playful smile played over less, even though it be the heart of the desert.”
her infantile features. Her plump little white legs The name of Nauvoo evidently recalled recol-
terminating in white socks and neat shoes with lections to John Ferrier. “I see,” he said, “you are
shining buckles, offered a strange contrast to the the Mormons.”
long shrivelled members of her companion. On “We are the Mormons,” answered his compan-
the ledge of rock above this strange couple there ions with one voice.
stood three solemn buzzards, who, at the sight of “And where are you going?”
the new comers uttered raucous screams of disap-
pointment and flapped sullenly away. “We do not know. The hand of God is lead-
ing us under the person of our Prophet. You must
The cries of the foul birds awoke the two sleep- come before him. He shall say what is to be done
ers who stared about them in bewilderment. The with you.”
man staggered to his feet and looked down upon They had reached the base of the hill by
the plain which had been so desolate when sleep this time, and were surrounded by crowds of
had overtaken him, and which was now traversed the pilgrims—pale-faced meek-looking women,
by this enormous body of men and of beasts. His strong laughing children, and anxious earnest-
face assumed an expression of incredulity as he eyed men. Many were the cries of astonishment
gazed, and he passed his boney hand over his eyes. and of commiseration which arose from them
“This is what they call delirium, I guess,” he mut- when they perceived the youth of one of the
tered. The child stood beside him, holding on to strangers and the destitution of the other. Their es-
the skirt of his coat, and said nothing but looked cort did not halt, however, but pushed on, followed
all round her with the wondering questioning gaze by a great crowd of Mormons, until they reached a
of childhood. waggon, which was conspicuous for its great size
The rescuing party were speedily able to con- and for the gaudiness and smartness of its appear-
vince the two castaways that their appearance was ance. Six horses were yoked to it, whereas the
no delusion. One of them seized the little girl, and others were furnished with two, or, at most, four
hoisted her upon his shoulder, while two others a-piece. Beside the driver there sat a man who
supported her gaunt companion, and assisted him could not have been more than thirty years of age,
towards the waggons. but whose massive head and resolute expression
marked him as a leader. He was reading a brown-
“My name is John Ferrier,” the wanderer ex- backed volume, but as the crowd approached he
plained; “me and that little un are all that’s left o’ laid it aside, and listened attentively to an account

40
 A Study In Scarlet

of the episode. Then he turned to the two cast- “On, on to Zion!” cried the crowd of Mormons,
aways. and the words rippled down the long caravan,
“If we take you with us,” he said, in solemn passing from mouth to mouth until they died away
words, “it can only be as believers in our own in a dull murmur in the far distance. With a crack-
creed. We shall have no wolves in our fold. Better ing of whips and a creaking of wheels the great
far that your bones should bleach in this wilder- waggons got into motion, and soon the whole car-
ness than that you should prove to be that little avan was winding along once more. The Elder to
speck of decay which in time corrupts the whole whose care the two waifs had been committed, led
fruit. Will you come with us on these terms?” them to his waggon, where a meal was already
“Guess I’ll come with you on any terms,” said awaiting them.
Ferrier, with such emphasis that the grave Elders
could not restrain a smile. The leader alone re-
tained his stern, impressive expression. “You shall remain here,” he said. “In a few
“Take him, Brother Stangerson,” he said, “give days you will have recovered from your fatigues.
him food and drink, and the child likewise. Let it In the meantime, remember that now and forever
be your task also to teach him our holy creed. We you are of our religion. Brigham Young has said it,
have delayed long enough. Forward! On, on to and he has spoken with the voice of Joseph Smith,
Zion!” which is the voice of God.”

CHAPTER II.
The Flower Of Utah

This is not the place to commemorate the In the town streets and squares sprang up, as if
trials and privations endured by the immigrant by magic. In the country there was draining and
Mormons before they came to their final haven. hedging, planting and clearing, until the next sum-
From the shores of the Mississippi to the west- mer saw the whole country golden with the wheat
ern slopes of the Rocky Mountains they had strug- crop. Everything prospered in the strange settle-
gled on with a constancy almost unparalleled in ment. Above all, the great temple which they had
history. The savage man, and the savage beast, erected in the centre of the city grew ever taller
hunger, thirst, fatigue, and disease—every imped- and larger. From the first blush of dawn until the
iment which Nature could place in the way—had closing of the twilight, the clatter of the hammer
all been overcome with Anglo-Saxon tenacity. Yet and the rasp of the saw was never absent from the
the long journey and the accumulated terrors had monument which the immigrants erected to Him
shaken the hearts of the stoutest among them. who had led them safe through many dangers.
There was not one who did not sink upon his
knees in heartfelt prayer when they saw the broad The two castaways, John Ferrier and the little
valley of Utah bathed in the sunlight beneath girl who had shared his fortunes and had been
them, and learned from the lips of their leader that adopted as his daughter, accompanied the Mor-
this was the promised land, and that these virgin mons to the end of their great pilgrimage. Little
acres were to be theirs for evermore. Lucy Ferrier was borne along pleasantly enough
in Elder Stangerson’s waggon, a retreat which she
Young speedily proved himself to be a skilful shared with the Mormon’s three wives and with
administrator as well as a resolute chief. Maps his son, a headstrong forward boy of twelve. Hav-
were drawn and charts prepared, in which the ing rallied, with the elasticity of childhood, from
future city was sketched out. All around farms the shock caused by her mother’s death, she soon
were apportioned and allotted in proportion to became a pet with the women, and reconciled her-
the standing of each individual. The tradesman self to this new life in her moving canvas-covered
was put to his trade and the artisan to his calling. home. In the meantime Ferrier having recovered

41
 A Study In Scarlet

from his privations, distinguished himself as a use- her father’s mustang, and managing it with all the
ful guide and an indefatigable hunter. So rapidly ease and grace of a true child of the West. So the
did he gain the esteem of his new companions, bud blossomed into a flower, and the year which
that when they reached the end of their wander- saw her father the richest of the farmers left her as
ings, it was unanimously agreed that he should fair a specimen of American girlhood as could be
be provided with as large and as fertile a tract of found in the whole Pacific slope.
land as any of the settlers, with the exception of It was not the father, however, who first discov-
Young himself, and of Stangerson, Kemball, John- ered that the child had developed into the woman.
ston, and Drebber, who were the four principal El- It seldom is in such cases. That mysterious change
ders. is too subtle and too gradual to be measured by
On the farm thus acquired John Ferrier built dates. Least of all does the maiden herself know
himself a substantial log-house, which received so it until the tone of a voice or the touch of a hand
many additions in succeeding years that it grew sets her heart thrilling within her, and she learns,
into a roomy villa. He was a man of a practi- with a mixture of pride and of fear, that a new and
cal turn of mind, keen in his dealings and skil- a larger nature has awoken within her. There are
ful with his hands. His iron constitution enabled few who cannot recall that day and remember the
him to work morning and evening at improving one little incident which heralded the dawn of a
and tilling his lands. Hence it came about that his new life. In the case of Lucy Ferrier the occasion
farm and all that belonged to him prospered ex- was serious enough in itself, apart from its future
ceedingly. In three years he was better off than influence on her destiny and that of many besides.
his neighbours, in six he was well-to-do, in nine It was a warm June morning, and the Latter
he was rich, and in twelve there were not half a Day Saints were as busy as the bees whose hive
dozen men in the whole of Salt Lake City who they have chosen for their emblem. In the fields
could compare with him. From the great inland and in the streets rose the same hum of human in-
sea to the distant Wahsatch Mountains there was dustry. Down the dusty high roads defiled long
no name better known than that of John Ferrier. streams of heavily-laden mules, all heading to the
west, for the gold fever had broken out in Cal-
There was one way and only one in which he ifornia, and the Overland Route lay through the
offended the susceptibilities of his co-religionists. City of the Elect. There, too, were droves of sheep
No argument or persuasion could ever induce him and bullocks coming in from the outlying pasture
to set up a female establishment after the manner lands, and trains of tired immigrants, men and
of his companions. He never gave reasons for this horses equally weary of their interminable jour-
persistent refusal, but contented himself by res- ney. Through all this motley assemblage, thread-
olutely and inflexibly adhering to his determina- ing her way with the skill of an accomplished rider,
tion. There were some who accused him of luke- there galloped Lucy Ferrier, her fair face flushed
warmness in his adopted religion, and others who with the exercise and her long chestnut hair float-
put it down to greed of wealth and reluctance to ing out behind her. She had a commission from
incur expense. Others, again, spoke of some early her father in the City, and was dashing in as she
love affair, and of a fair-haired girl who had pined had done many a time before, with all the fearless-
away on the shores of the Atlantic. Whatever the ness of youth, thinking only of her task and how
reason, Ferrier remained strictly celibate. In every it was to be performed. The travel-stained adven-
other respect he conformed to the religion of the turers gazed after her in astonishment, and even
young settlement, and gained the name of being the unemotional Indians, journeying in with their
an orthodox and straight-walking man. pelties, relaxed their accustomed stoicism as they
Lucy Ferrier grew up within the log-house, and marvelled at the beauty of the pale-faced maiden.
assisted her adopted father in all his undertakings. She had reached the outskirts of the city when
The keen air of the mountains and the balsamic she found the road blocked by a great drove of cat-
odour of the pine trees took the place of nurse and tle, driven by a half-dozen wild-looking herdsmen
mother to the young girl. As year succeeded to from the plains. In her impatience she endeav-
year she grew taller and stronger, her cheek more oured to pass this obstacle by pushing her horse
rudy, and her step more elastic. Many a wayfarer into what appeared to be a gap. Scarcely had
upon the high road which ran by Ferrier’s farm she got fairly into it, however, before the beasts
felt long-forgotten thoughts revive in their mind closed in behind her, and she found herself com-
as they watched her lithe girlish figure tripping pletely imbedded in the moving stream of fierce-
through the wheatfields, or met her mounted upon eyed, long-horned bullocks. Accustomed as she

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 A Study In Scarlet

was to deal with cattle, she was not alarmed at “Neither would I,” said her companion.
her situation, but took advantage of every oppor- “You! Well, I don’t see that it would make
tunity to urge her horse on in the hopes of push- much matter to you, anyhow. You ain’t even a
ing her way through the cavalcade. Unfortunately friend of ours.”
the horns of one of the creatures, either by acci-
The young hunter’s dark face grew so gloomy
dent or design, came in violent contact with the
over this remark that Lucy Ferrier laughed aloud.
flank of the mustang, and excited it to madness.
In an instant it reared up upon its hind legs with “There, I didn’t mean that,” she said; “of
a snort of rage, and pranced and tossed in a way course, you are a friend now. You must come and
that would have unseated any but a most skilful see us. Now I must push along, or father won’t
rider. The situation was full of peril. Every plunge trust me with his business any more. Good-bye!”
of the excited horse brought it against the horns “Good-bye,” he answered, raising his broad
again, and goaded it to fresh madness. It was all sombrero, and bending over her little hand. She
that the girl could do to keep herself in the sad- wheeled her mustang round, gave it a cut with
dle, yet a slip would mean a terrible death under her riding-whip, and darted away down the broad
the hoofs of the unwieldy and terrified animals. road in a rolling cloud of dust.
Unaccustomed to sudden emergencies, her head Young Jefferson Hope rode on with his com-
began to swim, and her grip upon the bridle to panions, gloomy and taciturn. He and they had
relax. Choked by the rising cloud of dust and by been among the Nevada Mountains prospecting
the steam from the struggling creatures, she might for silver, and were returning to Salt Lake City in
have abandoned her efforts in despair, but for a the hope of raising capital enough to work some
kindly voice at her elbow which assured her of lodes which they had discovered. He had been
assistance. At the same moment a sinewy brown as keen as any of them upon the business un-
hand caught the frightened horse by the curb, and til this sudden incident had drawn his thoughts
forcing a way through the drove, soon brought her into another channel. The sight of the fair young
to the outskirts. girl, as frank and wholesome as the Sierra breezes,
“You’re not hurt, I hope, miss,” said her pre- had stirred his volcanic, untamed heart to its very
server, respectfully. depths. When she had vanished from his sight,
he realized that a crisis had come in his life, and
She looked up at his dark, fierce face, and
that neither silver speculations nor any other ques-
laughed saucily. “I’m awful frightened,” she said,
tions could ever be of such importance to him as
naively; “whoever would have thought that Pon-
this new and all-absorbing one. The love which
cho would have been so scared by a lot of cows?”
had sprung up in his heart was not the sudden,
“Thank God you kept your seat,” the other said changeable fancy of a boy, but rather the wild,
earnestly. He was a tall, savage-looking young fel- fierce passion of a man of strong will and impe-
low, mounted on a powerful roan horse, and clad rious temper. He had been accustomed to succeed
in the rough dress of a hunter, with a long rifle in all that he undertook. He swore in his heart
slung over his shoulders. “I guess you are the that he would not fail in this if human effort and
daughter of John Ferrier,” he remarked, “I saw you human perseverance could render him successful.
ride down from his house. When you see him, He called on John Ferrier that night, and many
ask him if he remembers the Jefferson Hopes of St. times again, until his face was a familiar one at
Louis. If he’s the same Ferrier, my father and he the farm-house. John, cooped up in the valley,
were pretty thick.” and absorbed in his work, had had little chance
“Hadn’t you better come and ask yourself?” of learning the news of the outside world dur-
she asked, demurely. ing the last twelve years. All this Jefferson Hope
was able to tell him, and in a style which inter-
The young fellow seemed pleased at the sug-
ested Lucy as well as her father. He had been a
gestion, and his dark eyes sparkled with pleasure.
pioneer in California, and could narrate many a
“I’ll do so,” he said, “we’ve been in the mountains
strange tale of fortunes made and fortunes lost in
for two months, and are not over and above in vis-
those wild, halcyon days. He had been a scout too,
iting condition. He must take us as he finds us.”
and a trapper, a silver explorer, and a ranchman.
“He has a good deal to thank you for, and so Wherever stirring adventures were to be had, Jef-
have I,” she answered, “he’s awful fond of me. If ferson Hope had been there in search of them. He
those cows had jumped on me he’d have never got soon became a favourite with the old farmer, who
over it.” spoke eloquently of his virtues. On such occasions,

43
 A Study In Scarlet

Lucy was silent, but her blushing cheek and her “And how about father?” she asked.
bright, happy eyes, showed only too clearly that “He has given his consent, provided we get
her young heart was no longer her own. Her hon- these mines working all right. I have no fear on
est father may not have observed these symptoms, that head.”
but they were assuredly not thrown away upon the
“Oh, well; of course, if you and father have ar-
man who had won her affections.
ranged it all, there’s no more to be said,” she whis-
It was a summer evening when he came gallop- pered, with her cheek against his broad breast.
ing down the road and pulled up at the gate. She
“Thank God!” he said, hoarsely, stooping and
was at the doorway, and came down to meet him.
kissing her. “It is settled, then. The longer I stay,
He threw the bridle over the fence and strode up
the harder it will be to go. They are waiting for me
the pathway.
at the cañon. Good-bye, my own darling—good-
“I am off, Lucy,” he said, taking her two hands bye. In two months you shall see me.”
in his, and gazing tenderly down into her face; “I
He tore himself from her as he spoke, and,
won’t ask you to come with me now, but will you
flinging himself upon his horse, galloped furiously
be ready to come when I am here again?”
away, never even looking round, as though afraid
“And when will that be?” she asked, blushing that his resolution might fail him if he took one
and laughing. glance at what he was leaving. She stood at the
“A couple of months at the outside. I will come gate, gazing after him until he vanished from her
and claim you then, my darling. There’s no one sight. Then she walked back into the house, the
who can stand between us.” happiest girl in all Utah.

CHAPTER III.
John Ferrier Talks With The Prophet

Three weeks had passed since Jefferson Hope secutors on their own account, and persecutors of
and his comrades had departed from Salt Lake the most terrible description. Not the Inquisition
City. John Ferrier’s heart was sore within him of Seville, nor the German Vehmgericht, nor the
when he thought of the young man’s return, and Secret Societies of Italy, were ever able to put a
of the impending loss of his adopted child. Yet more formidable machinery in motion than that
her bright and happy face reconciled him to the which cast a cloud over the State of Utah.
arrangement more than any argument could have
done. He had always determined, deep down in Its invisibility, and the mystery which was at-
his resolute heart, that nothing would ever induce tached to it, made this organization doubly terri-
him to allow his daughter to wed a Mormon. Such ble. It appeared to be omniscient and omnipotent,
a marriage he regarded as no marriage at all, but as and yet was neither seen nor heard. The man who
a shame and a disgrace. Whatever he might think held out against the Church vanished away, and
of the Mormon doctrines, upon that one point he none knew whither he had gone or what had be-
was inflexible. He had to seal his mouth on the fallen him. His wife and his children awaited him
subject, however, for to express an unorthodox at home, but no father ever returned to tell them
opinion was a dangerous matter in those days in how he had fared at the hands of his secret judges.
the Land of the Saints. A rash word or a hasty act was followed by annihi-
Yes, a dangerous matter—so dangerous that lation, and yet none knew what the nature might
even the most saintly dared only whisper their re- be of this terrible power which was suspended
ligious opinions with bated breath, lest something over them. No wonder that men went about in
which fell from their lips might be misconstrued, fear and trembling, and that even in the heart of
and bring down a swift retribution upon them. the wilderness they dared not whisper the doubts
The victims of persecution had now turned per- which oppressed them.

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 A Study In Scarlet

At first this vague and terrible power was ex- with you, led you safe to the Chosen Valley, gave
ercised only upon the recalcitrants who, having you a goodly share of land, and allowed you to
embraced the Mormon faith, wished afterwards wax rich under our protection. Is not this so?”
to pervert or to abandon it. Soon, however, it “It is so,” answered John Ferrier.
took a wider range. The supply of adult women “In return for all this we asked but one condi-
was running short, and polygamy without a fe- tion: that was, that you should embrace the true
male population on which to draw was a bar- faith, and conform in every way to its usages. This
ren doctrine indeed. Strange rumours began to you promised to do, and this, if common report
be bandied about—rumours of murdered immi- says truly, you have neglected.”
grants and rifled camps in regions where Indians “And how have I neglected it?” asked Ferrier,
had never been seen. Fresh women appeared in throwing out his hands in expostulation. “Have
the harems of the Elders—women who pined and I not given to the common fund? Have I not at-
wept, and bore upon their faces the traces of an un- tended at the Temple? Have I not—?”
extinguishable horror. Belated wanderers upon the “Where are your wives?” asked Young, looking
mountains spoke of gangs of armed men, masked, round him. “Call them in, that I may greet them.”
stealthy, and noiseless, who flitted by them in
“It is true that I have not married,” Ferrier an-
the darkness. These tales and rumours took sub-
swered. “But women were few, and there were
stance and shape, and were corroborated and re-
many who had better claims than I. I was not a
corroborated, until they resolved themselves into
lonely man: I had my daughter to attend to my
a definite name. To this day, in the lonely ranches
wants.”
of the West, the name of the Danite Band, or the
Avenging Angels, is a sinister and an ill-omened “It is of that daughter that I would speak to
one. you,” said the leader of the Mormons. “She has
grown to be the flower of Utah, and has found
Fuller knowledge of the organization which favour in the eyes of many who are high in the
produced such terrible results served to increase land.”
rather than to lessen the horror which it inspired John Ferrier groaned internally.
in the minds of men. None knew who belonged “There are stories of her which I would fain dis-
to this ruthless society. The names of the partic- believe—stories that she is sealed to some Gentile.
ipators in the deeds of blood and violence done This must be the gossip of idle tongues. What is
under the name of religion were kept profoundly the thirteenth rule in the code of the sainted Joseph
secret. The very friend to whom you communi- Smith? ‘Let every maiden of the true faith marry
cated your misgivings as to the Prophet and his one of the elect; for if she wed a Gentile, she com-
mission, might be one of those who would come mits a grievous sin.’ This being so, it is impossible
forth at night with fire and sword to exact a terrible that you, who profess the holy creed, should suffer
reparation. Hence every man feared his neighbour, your daughter to violate it.”
and none spoke of the things which were nearest
John Ferrier made no answer, but he played
his heart.
nervously with his riding-whip.
One fine morning, John Ferrier was about to set “Upon this one point your whole faith shall be
out to his wheatfields, when he heard the click of tested—so it has been decided in the Sacred Coun-
the latch, and, looking through the window, saw cil of Four. The girl is young, and we would not
a stout, sandy-haired, middle-aged man coming have her wed grey hairs, neither would we deprive
up the pathway. His heart leapt to his mouth, for her of all choice. We Elders have many heifers, 1
this was none other than the great Brigham Young but our children must also be provided. Stanger-
himself. Full of trepidation—for he knew that such son has a son, and Drebber has a son, and either
a visit boded him little good—Ferrier ran to the of them would gladly welcome your daughter to
door to greet the Mormon chief. The latter, how- their house. Let her choose between them. They
ever, received his salutations coldly, and followed are young and rich, and of the true faith. What say
him with a stern face into the sitting-room. you to that?”
“Brother Ferrier,” he said, taking a seat, and Ferrier remained silent for some little time with
eyeing the farmer keenly from under his light- his brows knitted.
coloured eyelashes, “the true believers have been “You will give us time,” he said at last. “My
good friends to you. We picked you up when you daughter is very young—she is scarce of an age to
were starving in the desert, we shared our food marry.”
1 Heber C. Kemball, in one of his sermons, alludes to his hundred wives under this endearing epithet.

45
 A Study In Scarlet

“She shall have a month to choose,” said Lucy laughed through her tears at her father’s
Young, rising from his seat. “At the end of that description.
time she shall give her answer.” “When he comes, he will advise us for the best.
He was passing through the door, when he But it is for you that I am frightened, dear. One
turned, with flushed face and flashing eyes. “It hears—one hears such dreadful stories about those
were better for you, John Ferrier,” he thundered, who oppose the Prophet: something terrible al-
“that you and she were now lying blanched skele- ways happens to them.”
tons upon the Sierra Blanco, than that you should “But we haven’t opposed him yet,” her father
put your weak wills against the orders of the Holy answered. “It will be time to look out for squalls
Four!” when we do. We have a clear month before us; at
With a threatening gesture of his hand, he the end of that, I guess we had best shin out of
turned from the door, and Ferrier heard his heavy Utah.”
step scrunching along the shingly path. “Leave Utah!”
He was still sitting with his elbows upon his “That’s about the size of it.”
knees, considering how he should broach the mat- “But the farm?”
ter to his daughter when a soft hand was laid
upon his, and looking up, he saw her standing be- “We will raise as much as we can in money, and
side him. One glance at her pale, frightened face let the rest go. To tell the truth, Lucy, it isn’t the
showed him that she had heard what had passed. first time I have thought of doing it. I don’t care
about knuckling under to any man, as these folk
“I could not help it,” she said, in answer to his do to their darned prophet. I’m a free-born Amer-
look. “His voice rang through the house. Oh, fa- ican, and it’s all new to me. Guess I’m too old to
ther, father, what shall we do?” learn. If he comes browsing about this farm, he
“Don’t you scare yourself,” he answered, draw- might chance to run up against a charge of buck-
ing her to him, and passing his broad, rough hand shot travelling in the opposite direction.”
caressingly over her chestnut hair. “We’ll fix it up “But they won’t let us leave,” his daughter ob-
somehow or another. You don’t find your fancy jected.
kind o’ lessening for this chap, do you?”
“Wait till Jefferson comes, and we’ll soon man-
A sob and a squeeze of his hand was her only age that. In the meantime, don’t you fret yourself,
answer. my dearie, and don’t get your eyes swelled up, else
“No; of course not. I shouldn’t care to hear you he’ll be walking into me when he sees you. There’s
say you did. He’s a likely lad, and he’s a Christian, nothing to be afeared about, and there’s no danger
which is more than these folk here, in spite o’ all at all.”
their praying and preaching. There’s a party start- John Ferrier uttered these consoling remarks in
ing for Nevada to-morrow, and I’ll manage to send a very confident tone, but she could not help ob-
him a message letting him know the hole we are serving that he paid unusual care to the fasten-
in. If I know anything o’ that young man, he’ll be ing of the doors that night, and that he carefully
back here with a speed that would whip electro- cleaned and loaded the rusty old shotgun which
telegraphs.” hung upon the wall of his bedroom.

CHAPTER IV.
A Flight For Life

On the morning which followed his interview who was bound for the Nevada Mountains, he en-
with the Mormon Prophet, John Ferrier went in to trusted him with his message to Jefferson Hope.
Salt Lake City, and having found his acquaintance, In it he told the young man of the imminent dan-

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 A Study In Scarlet

ger which threatened them, and how necessary it them for the maiden’s hand was the highest of
was that he should return. Having done thus he honours both to her and her father.
felt easier in his mind, and returned home with a “There are two ways out of the room,” cried
lighter heart. Ferrier; “there is the door, and there is the win-
As he approached his farm, he was surprised to dow. Which do you care to use?”
see a horse hitched to each of the posts of the gate.
His brown face looked so savage, and his gaunt
Still more surprised was he on entering to find
hands so threatening, that his visitors sprang to
two young men in possession of his sitting-room.
their feet and beat a hurried retreat. The old
One, with a long pale face, was leaning back in
farmer followed them to the door.
the rocking-chair, with his feet cocked up upon the
stove. The other, a bull-necked youth with coarse “Let me know when you have settled which it
bloated features, was standing in front of the win- is to be,” he said, sardonically.
dow with his hands in his pocket, whistling a pop- “You shall smart for this!” Stangerson cried,
ular hymn. Both of them nodded to Ferrier as white with rage. “You have defied the Prophet and
he entered, and the one in the rocking-chair com- the Council of Four. You shall rue it to the end of
menced the conversation. your days.”
“Maybe you don’t know us,” he said. “This “The hand of the Lord shall be heavy upon
here is the son of Elder Drebber, and I’m Joseph you,” cried young Drebber; “He will arise and
Stangerson, who travelled with you in the desert smite you!”
when the Lord stretched out His hand and gath-
ered you into the true fold.” “Then I’ll start the smiting,” exclaimed Ferrier
furiously, and would have rushed upstairs for his
“As He will all the nations in His own good
gun had not Lucy seized him by the arm and re-
time,” said the other in a nasal voice; “He grindeth
strained him. Before he could escape from her, the
slowly but exceeding small.”
clatter of horses’ hoofs told him that they were be-
John Ferrier bowed coldly. He had guessed yond his reach.
who his visitors were.
“The young canting rascals!” he exclaimed,
“We have come,” continued Stangerson, “at the wiping the perspiration from his forehead; “I
advice of our fathers to solicit the hand of your would sooner see you in your grave, my girl, than
daughter for whichever of us may seem good to the wife of either of them.”
you and to her. As I have but four wives and
Brother Drebber here has seven, it appears to me “And so should I, father,” she answered, with
that my claim is the stronger one.” spirit; “but Jefferson will soon be here.”
“Nay, nay, Brother Stangerson,” cried the other; “Yes. It will not be long before he comes. The
“the question is not how many wives we have, but sooner the better, for we do not know what their
how many we can keep. My father has now given next move may be.”
over his mills to me, and I am the richer man.” It was, indeed, high time that someone capable
“But my prospects are better,” said the other, of giving advice and help should come to the aid
warmly. “When the Lord removes my father, I of the sturdy old farmer and his adopted daugh-
shall have his tanning yard and his leather fac- ter. In the whole history of the settlement there
tory. Then I am your elder, and am higher in the had never been such a case of rank disobedience
Church.” to the authority of the Elders. If minor errors were
“It will be for the maiden to decide,” rejoined punished so sternly, what would be the fate of this
young Drebber, smirking at his own reflection in arch rebel. Ferrier knew that his wealth and posi-
the glass. “We will leave it all to her decision.” tion would be of no avail to him. Others as well
known and as rich as himself had been spirited
During this dialogue, John Ferrier had stood
away before now, and their goods given over to the
fuming in the doorway, hardly able to keep his
Church. He was a brave man, but he trembled at
riding-whip from the backs of his two visitors.
the vague, shadowy terrors which hung over him.
“Look here,” he said at last, striding up to Any known danger he could face with a firm lip,
them, “when my daughter summons you, you can but this suspense was unnerving. He concealed his
come, but until then I don’t want to see your faces fears from his daughter, however, and affected to
again.” make light of the whole matter, though she, with
The two young Mormons stared at him in the keen eye of love, saw plainly that he was ill at
amazement. In their eyes this competition between ease.

47
 A Study In Scarlet

He expected that he would receive some mes- came no sign of him. Whenever a horseman clat-
sage or remonstrance from Young as to his con- tered down the road, or a driver shouted at his
duct, and he was not mistaken, though it came in team, the old farmer hurried to the gate think-
an unlooked-for manner. Upon rising next morn- ing that help had arrived at last. At last, when
ing he found, to his surprise, a small square of pa- he saw five give way to four and that again to
per pinned on to the coverlet of his bed just over three, he lost heart, and abandoned all hope of es-
his chest. On it was printed, in bold straggling cape. Single-handed, and with his limited knowl-
letters:— edge of the mountains which surrounded the set-
tlement, he knew that he was powerless. The
“Twenty-nine days are given you for amend-
more-frequented roads were strictly watched and
ment, and then—”
guarded, and none could pass along them with-
The dash was more fear-inspiring than any out an order from the Council. Turn which way he
threat could have been. How this warning came would, there appeared to be no avoiding the blow
into his room puzzled John Ferrier sorely, for his which hung over him. Yet the old man never wa-
servants slept in an outhouse, and the doors and vered in his resolution to part with life itself before
windows had all been secured. He crumpled the he consented to what he regarded as his daugh-
paper up and said nothing to his daughter, but the ter’s dishonour.
incident struck a chill into his heart. The twenty-
He was sitting alone one evening pondering
nine days were evidently the balance of the month
deeply over his troubles, and searching vainly for
which Young had promised. What strength or
some way out of them. That morning had shown
courage could avail against an enemy armed with
the figure 2 upon the wall of his house, and the
such mysterious powers? The hand which fas-
next day would be the last of the allotted time.
tened that pin might have struck him to the heart,
What was to happen then? All manner of vague
and he could never have known who had slain
and terrible fancies filled his imagination. And his
him.
daughter—what was to become of her after he was
Still more shaken was he next morning. They gone? Was there no escape from the invisible net-
had sat down to their breakfast when Lucy with a work which was drawn all round them. He sank
cry of surprise pointed upwards. In the centre of his head upon the table and sobbed at the thought
the ceiling was scrawled, with a burned stick ap- of his own impotence.
parently, the number 28. To his daughter it was
What was that? In the silence he heard a gen-
unintelligible, and he did not enlighten her. That
tle scratching sound—low, but very distinct in the
night he sat up with his gun and kept watch and
quiet of the night. It came from the door of the
ward. He saw and he heard nothing, and yet in
house. Ferrier crept into the hall and listened in-
the morning a great 27 had been painted upon the
tently. There was a pause for a few moments, and
outside of his door.
then the low insidious sound was repeated. Some-
Thus day followed day; and as sure as morning one was evidently tapping very gently upon one of
came he found that his unseen enemies had kept the panels of the door. Was it some midnight as-
their register, and had marked up in some con- sassin who had come to carry out the murderous
spicuous position how many days were still left to orders of the secret tribunal? Or was it some agent
him out of the month of grace. Sometimes the fa- who was marking up that the last day of grace had
tal numbers appeared upon the walls, sometimes arrived. John Ferrier felt that instant death would
upon the floors, occasionally they were on small be better than the suspense which shook his nerves
placards stuck upon the garden gate or the rail- and chilled his heart. Springing forward he drew
ings. With all his vigilance John Ferrier could not the bolt and threw the door open.
discover whence these daily warnings proceeded.
Outside all was calm and quiet. The night
A horror which was almost superstitious came
was fine, and the stars were twinkling brightly
upon him at the sight of them. He became hag-
overhead. The little front garden lay before the
gard and restless, and his eyes had the troubled
farmer’s eyes bounded by the fence and gate, but
look of some hunted creature. He had but one
neither there nor on the road was any human be-
hope in life now, and that was for the arrival of the
ing to be seen. With a sigh of relief, Ferrier looked
young hunter from Nevada.
to right and to left, until happening to glance
Twenty had changed to fifteen and fifteen to straight down at his own feet he saw to his aston-
ten, but there was no news of the absentee. One by ishment a man lying flat upon his face upon the
one the numbers dwindled down, and still there ground, with arms and legs all asprawl.

48
 A Study In Scarlet

So unnerved was he at the sight that he leaned packed all the eatables that he could find into a
up against the wall with his hand to his throat to small parcel, and filled a stoneware jar with wa-
stifle his inclination to call out. His first thought ter, for he knew by experience that the mountain
was that the prostrate figure was that of some wells were few and far between. He had hardly
wounded or dying man, but as he watched it he completed his arrangements before the farmer re-
saw it writhe along the ground and into the hall turned with his daughter all dressed and ready for
with the rapidity and noiselessness of a serpent. a start. The greeting between the lovers was warm,
Once within the house the man sprang to his feet, but brief, for minutes were precious, and there was
closed the door, and revealed to the astonished much to be done.
farmer the fierce face and resolute expression of “We must make our start at once,” said Jeffer-
Jefferson Hope. son Hope, speaking in a low but resolute voice,
“Good God!” gasped John Ferrier. “How you like one who realizes the greatness of the peril,
scared me! Whatever made you come in like that.” but has steeled his heart to meet it. “The front
“Give me food,” the other said, hoarsely. “I and back entrances are watched, but with caution
have had no time for bite or sup for eight-and-forty we may get away through the side window and
hours.” He flung himself upon the cold meat and across the fields. Once on the road we are only two
bread which were still lying upon the table from miles from the Ravine where the horses are wait-
his host’s supper, and devoured it voraciously. ing. By daybreak we should be half-way through
“Does Lucy bear up well?” he asked, when he had the mountains.”
satisfied his hunger. “What if we are stopped,” asked Ferrier.
“Yes. She does not know the danger,” her fa- Hope slapped the revolver butt which pro-
ther answered. truded from the front of his tunic. “If they are
too many for us we shall take two or three of them
“That is well. The house is watched on every
with us,” he said with a sinister smile.
side. That is why I crawled my way up to it. They
may be darned sharp, but they’re not quite sharp The lights inside the house had all been extin-
enough to catch a Washoe hunter.” guished, and from the darkened window Ferrier
peered over the fields which had been his own,
John Ferrier felt a different man now that he and which he was now about to abandon for ever.
realized that he had a devoted ally. He seized the He had long nerved himself to the sacrifice, how-
young man’s leathery hand and wrung it cordially. ever, and the thought of the honour and happiness
“You’re a man to be proud of,” he said. “There are of his daughter outweighed any regret at his ru-
not many who would come to share our danger ined fortunes. All looked so peaceful and happy,
and our troubles.” the rustling trees and the broad silent stretch of
“You’ve hit it there, pard,” the young hunter grain-land, that it was difficult to realize that the
answered. “I have a respect for you, but if you spirit of murder lurked through it all. Yet the
were alone in this business I’d think twice before white face and set expression of the young hunter
I put my head into such a hornet’s nest. It’s Lucy showed that in his approach to the house he had
that brings me here, and before harm comes on her seen enough to satisfy him upon that head.
I guess there will be one less o’ the Hope family in Ferrier carried the bag of gold and notes, Jef-
Utah.” ferson Hope had the scanty provisions and water,
“What are we to do?” while Lucy had a small bundle containing a few
“To-morrow is your last day, and unless you of her more valued possessions. Opening the win-
act to-night you are lost. I have a mule and two dow very slowly and carefully, they waited until a
horses waiting in the Eagle Ravine. How much dark cloud had somewhat obscured the night, and
money have you?” then one by one passed through into the little gar-
den. With bated breath and crouching figures they
“Two thousand dollars in gold, and five in stumbled across it, and gained the shelter of the
notes.” hedge, which they skirted until they came to the
“That will do. I have as much more to add to it. gap which opened into the cornfields. They had
We must push for Carson City through the moun- just reached this point when the young man seized
tains. You had best wake Lucy. It is as well that his two companions and dragged them down into
the servants do not sleep in the house.” the shadow, where they lay silent and trembling.
While Ferrier was absent, preparing his daugh- It was as well that his prairie training had
ter for the approaching journey, Jefferson Hope given Jefferson Hope the ears of a lynx. He and

49
 A Study In Scarlet

his friends had hardly crouched down before the It was a bewildering route for anyone who
melancholy hooting of a mountain owl was heard was not accustomed to face Nature in her wildest
within a few yards of them, which was imme- moods. On the one side a great crag towered up
diately answered by another hoot at a small dis- a thousand feet or more, black, stern, and menac-
tance. At the same moment a vague shadowy fig- ing, with long basaltic columns upon its rugged
ure emerged from the gap for which they had been surface like the ribs of some petrified monster. On
making, and uttered the plaintive signal cry again, the other hand a wild chaos of boulders and debris
on which a second man appeared out of the ob- made all advance impossible. Between the two ran
scurity. the irregular track, so narrow in places that they
“To-morrow at midnight,” said the first who had to travel in Indian file, and so rough that only
appeared to be in authority. “When the Whip- practised riders could have traversed it at all. Yet
poor-Will calls three times.” in spite of all dangers and difficulties, the hearts
“It is well,” returned the other. “Shall I tell of the fugitives were light within them, for every
Brother Drebber?” step increased the distance between them and the
terrible despotism from which they were flying.
“Pass it on to him, and from him to the others.
Nine to seven!” They soon had a proof, however, that they were
still within the jurisdiction of the Saints. They
“Seven to five!” repeated the other, and the two
had reached the very wildest and most desolate
figures flitted away in different directions. Their
portion of the pass when the girl gave a star-
concluding words had evidently been some form
tled cry, and pointed upwards. On a rock which
of sign and countersign. The instant that their
overlooked the track, showing out dark and plain
footsteps had died away in the distance, Jeffer-
against the sky, there stood a solitary sentinel.
son Hope sprang to his feet, and helping his com-
He saw them as soon as they perceived him, and
panions through the gap, led the way across the
his military challenge of “Who goes there?” rang
fields at the top of his speed, supporting and half-
through the silent ravine.
carrying the girl when her strength appeared to
fail her. “Travellers for Nevada,” said Jefferson Hope,
with his hand upon the rifle which hung by his
“Hurry on! hurry on!” he gasped from time to
saddle.
time. “We are through the line of sentinels. Every-
thing depends on speed. Hurry on!” They could see the lonely watcher fingering his
Once on the high road they made rapid gun, and peering down at them as if dissatisfied at
progress. Only once did they meet anyone, and their reply.
then they managed to slip into a field, and so avoid “By whose permission?” he asked.
recognition. Before reaching the town the hunter “The Holy Four,” answered Ferrier. His Mor-
branched away into a rugged and narrow foot- mon experiences had taught him that that was the
path which led to the mountains. Two dark jagged highest authority to which he could refer.
peaks loomed above them through the darkness,
“Nine from seven,” cried the sentinel.
and the defile which led between them was the Ea-
gle Cañon in which the horses were awaiting them. “Seven from five,” returned Jefferson Hope
With unerring instinct Jefferson Hope picked his promptly, remembering the countersign which he
way among the great boulders and along the bed had heard in the garden.
of a dried-up watercourse, until he came to the re- “Pass, and the Lord go with you,” said the
tired corner, screened with rocks, where the faith- voice from above. Beyond his post the path broad-
ful animals had been picketed. The girl was placed ened out, and the horses were able to break into
upon the mule, and old Ferrier upon one of the a trot. Looking back, they could see the solitary
horses, with his money-bag, while Jefferson Hope watcher leaning upon his gun, and knew that they
led the other along the precipitous and dangerous had passed the outlying post of the chosen people,
path. and that freedom lay before them.

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 A Study In Scarlet

CHAPTER V.
The Avenging Angels

All night their course lay through intricate out. This gave the hunter little uneasiness, how-
defiles and over irregular and rock-strewn paths. ever, for there was game to be had among the
More than once they lost their way, but Hope’s in- mountains, and he had frequently before had to
timate knowledge of the mountains enabled them depend upon his rifle for the needs of life. Choos-
to regain the track once more. When morning ing a sheltered nook, he piled together a few
broke, a scene of marvellous though savage beauty dried branches and made a blazing fire, at which
lay before them. In every direction the great snow- his companions might warm themselves, for they
capped peaks hemmed them in, peeping over each were now nearly five thousand feet above the sea
other’s shoulders to the far horizon. So steep were level, and the air was bitter and keen. Having teth-
the rocky banks on either side of them, that the ered the horses, and bade Lucy adieu, he threw
larch and the pine seemed to be suspended over his gun over his shoulder, and set out in search of
their heads, and to need only a gust of wind to whatever chance might throw in his way. Look-
come hurtling down upon them. Nor was the ing back he saw the old man and the young girl
fear entirely an illusion, for the barren valley was crouching over the blazing fire, while the three an-
thickly strewn with trees and boulders which had imals stood motionless in the back-ground. Then
fallen in a similar manner. Even as they passed, the intervening rocks hid them from his view.
a great rock came thundering down with a hoarse
He walked for a couple of miles through one
rattle which woke the echoes in the silent gorges,
ravine after another without success, though from
and startled the weary horses into a gallop.
the marks upon the bark of the trees, and other
As the sun rose slowly above the eastern hori- indications, he judged that there were numerous
zon, the caps of the great mountains lit up one bears in the vicinity. At last, after two or three
after the other, like lamps at a festival, until they hours’ fruitless search, he was thinking of turning
were all ruddy and glowing. The magnificent back in despair, when casting his eyes upwards he
spectacle cheered the hearts of the three fugitives saw a sight which sent a thrill of pleasure through
and gave them fresh energy. At a wild torrent his heart. On the edge of a jutting pinnacle, three
which swept out of a ravine they called a halt and or four hundred feet above him, there stood a crea-
watered their horses, while they partook of a hasty ture somewhat resembling a sheep in appearance,
breakfast. Lucy and her father would fain have but armed with a pair of gigantic horns. The big-
rested longer, but Jefferson Hope was inexorable. horn—for so it is called—was acting, probably, as
“They will be upon our track by this time,” he said. a guardian over a flock which were invisible to the
“Everything depends upon our speed. Once safe hunter; but fortunately it was heading in the oppo-
in Carson we may rest for the remainder of our site direction, and had not perceived him. Lying
lives.” on his face, he rested his rifle upon a rock, and
took a long and steady aim before drawing the
During the whole of that day they struggled trigger. The animal sprang into the air, tottered
on through the defiles, and by evening they calcu- for a moment upon the edge of the precipice, and
lated that they were more than thirty miles from then came crashing down into the valley beneath.
their enemies. At night-time they chose the base
of a beetling crag, where the rocks offered some The creature was too unwieldy to lift, so the
protection from the chill wind, and there huddled hunter contented himself with cutting away one
together for warmth, they enjoyed a few hours’ haunch and part of the flank. With this trophy
sleep. Before daybreak, however, they were up and over his shoulder, he hastened to retrace his steps,
on their way once more. They had seen no signs for the evening was already drawing in. He had
of any pursuers, and Jefferson Hope began to think hardly started, however, before he realized the dif-
that they were fairly out of the reach of the terri- ficulty which faced him. In his eagerness he had
ble organization whose enmity they had incurred. wandered far past the ravines which were known
He little knew how far that iron grasp could reach, to him, and it was no easy matter to pick out the
or how soon it was to close upon them and crush path which he had taken. The valley in which he
them. found himself divided and sub-divided into many
gorges, which were so like each other that it was
About the middle of the second day of their impossible to distinguish one from the other. He
flight their scanty store of provisions began to run followed one for a mile or more until he came to

51
 A Study In Scarlet

a mountain torrent which he was sure that he had men had overtaken the fugitives, and the direction
never seen before. Convinced that he had taken of their tracks proved that they had afterwards
the wrong turn, he tried another, but with the turned back to Salt Lake City. Had they carried
same result. Night was coming on rapidly, and back both of his companions with them? Jeffer-
it was almost dark before he at last found him- son Hope had almost persuaded himself that they
self in a defile which was familiar to him. Even must have done so, when his eye fell upon an ob-
then it was no easy matter to keep to the right ject which made every nerve of his body tingle
track, for the moon had not yet risen, and the high within him. A little way on one side of the camp
cliffs on either side made the obscurity more pro- was a low-lying heap of reddish soil, which had
found. Weighed down with his burden, and weary assuredly not been there before. There was no mis-
from his exertions, he stumbled along, keeping up taking it for anything but a newly-dug grave. As
his heart by the reflection that every step brought the young hunter approached it, he perceived that
him nearer to Lucy, and that he carried with him a stick had been planted on it, with a sheet of pa-
enough to ensure them food for the remainder of per stuck in the cleft fork of it. The inscription
their journey. upon the paper was brief, but to the point:
He had now come to the mouth of the very JOHN FERRIER,
defile in which he had left them. Even in the dark- Formerly of Salt Lake City,
ness he could recognize the outline of the cliffs Died August 4th, 1860.
which bounded it. They must, he reflected, be The sturdy old man, whom he had left so short
awaiting him anxiously, for he had been absent a time before, was gone, then, and this was all
nearly five hours. In the gladness of his heart he his epitaph. Jefferson Hope looked wildly round
put his hands to his mouth and made the glen to see if there was a second grave, but there was
re-echo to a loud halloo as a signal that he was no sign of one. Lucy had been carried back by
coming. He paused and listened for an answer. their terrible pursuers to fulfil her original destiny,
None came save his own cry, which clattered up by becoming one of the harem of the Elder’s son.
the dreary silent ravines, and was borne back to As the young fellow realized the certainty of her
his ears in countless repetitions. Again he shouted, fate, and his own powerlessness to prevent it, he
even louder than before, and again no whisper wished that he, too, was lying with the old farmer
came back from the friends whom he had left in his last silent resting-place.
such a short time ago. A vague, nameless dread
Again, however, his active spirit shook off the
came over him, and he hurried onwards frantically,
lethargy which springs from despair. If there was
dropping the precious food in his agitation.
nothing else left to him, he could at least devote
When he turned the corner, he came full in his life to revenge. With indomitable patience
sight of the spot where the fire had been lit. There and perseverance, Jefferson Hope possessed also a
was still a glowing pile of wood ashes there, but it power of sustained vindictiveness, which he may
had evidently not been tended since his departure. have learned from the Indians amongst whom he
The same dead silence still reigned all round. With had lived. As he stood by the desolate fire, he
his fears all changed to convictions, he hurried on. felt that the only one thing which could assuage
There was no living creature near the remains of his grief would be thorough and complete retri-
the fire: animals, man, maiden, all were gone. It bution, brought by his own hand upon his ene-
was only too clear that some sudden and terrible mies. His strong will and untiring energy should,
disaster had occurred during his absence—a disas- he determined, be devoted to that one end. With
ter which had embraced them all, and yet had left a grim, white face, he retraced his steps to where
no traces behind it. he had dropped the food, and having stirred up
the smouldering fire, he cooked enough to last
Bewildered and stunned by this blow, Jeffer-
him for a few days. This he made up into a bun-
son Hope felt his head spin round, and had to
dle, and, tired as he was, he set himself to walk
lean upon his rifle to save himself from falling.
back through the mountains upon the track of the
He was essentially a man of action, however, and
avenging angels.
speedily recovered from his temporary impotence.
Seizing a half-consumed piece of wood from the For five days he toiled footsore and weary
smouldering fire, he blew it into a flame, and pro- through the defiles which he had already traversed
ceeded with its help to examine the little camp. on horseback. At night he flung himself down
The ground was all stamped down by the feet among the rocks, and snatched a few hours of
of horses, showing that a large party of mounted sleep; but before daybreak he was always well on

52
 A Study In Scarlet

his way. On the sixth day, he reached the Eagle best claim; but when they argued it out in council,
Cañon, from which they had commenced their ill- Drebber’s party was the stronger, so the Prophet
fated flight. Thence he could look down upon gave her over to him. No one won’t have her very
the home of the saints. Worn and exhausted, he long though, for I saw death in her face yesterday.
leaned upon his rifle and shook his gaunt hand She is more like a ghost than a woman. Are you
fiercely at the silent widespread city beneath him. off, then?”
As he looked at it, he observed that there were “Yes, I am off,” said Jefferson Hope, who had
flags in some of the principal streets, and other risen from his seat. His face might have been chis-
signs of festivity. He was still speculating as to elled out of marble, so hard and set was its expres-
what this might mean when he heard the clatter sion, while its eyes glowed with a baleful light.
of horse’s hoofs, and saw a mounted man riding “Where are you going?”
towards him. As he approached, he recognized “Never mind,” he answered; and, slinging his
him as a Mormon named Cowper, to whom he weapon over his shoulder, strode off down the
had rendered services at different times. He there- gorge and so away into the heart of the mountains
fore accosted him when he got up to him, with the to the haunts of the wild beasts. Amongst them
object of finding out what Lucy Ferrier’s fate had all there was none so fierce and so dangerous as
been. himself.
“I am Jefferson Hope,” he said. “You remem- The prediction of the Mormon was only too
ber me.” well fulfilled. Whether it was the terrible death
The Mormon looked at him with undisguised of her father or the effects of the hateful marriage
astonishment—indeed, it was difficult to recognize into which she had been forced, poor Lucy never
in this tattered, unkempt wanderer, with ghastly held up her head again, but pined away and died
white face and fierce, wild eyes, the spruce young within a month. Her sottish husband, who had
hunter of former days. Having, however, at last, married her principally for the sake of John Fer-
satisfied himself as to his identity, the man’s sur- rier’s property, did not affect any great grief at his
prise changed to consternation. bereavement; but his other wives mourned over
her, and sat up with her the night before the burial,
“You are mad to come here,” he cried. “It is as
as is the Mormon custom. They were grouped
much as my own life is worth to be seen talking
round the bier in the early hours of the morn-
with you. There is a warrant against you from the
ing, when, to their inexpressible fear and aston-
Holy Four for assisting the Ferriers away.”
ishment, the door was flung open, and a savage-
“I don’t fear them, or their warrant,” Hope looking, weather-beaten man in tattered garments
said, earnestly. “You must know something of this strode into the room. Without a glance or a word
matter, Cowper. I conjure you by everything you to the cowering women, he walked up to the white
hold dear to answer a few questions. We have al- silent figure which had once contained the pure
ways been friends. For God’s sake, don’t refuse to soul of Lucy Ferrier. Stooping over her, he pressed
answer me.” his lips reverently to her cold forehead, and then,
“What is it?” the Mormon asked uneasily. “Be snatching up her hand, he took the wedding-ring
quick. The very rocks have ears and the trees from her finger. “She shall not be buried in that,”
eyes.” he cried with a fierce snarl, and before an alarm
“What has become of Lucy Ferrier?” could be raised sprang down the stairs and was
gone. So strange and so brief was the episode, that
“She was married yesterday to young Drebber.
the watchers might have found it hard to believe it
Hold up, man, hold up, you have no life left in
themselves or persuade other people of it, had it
you.”
not been for the undeniable fact that the circlet of
“Don’t mind me,” said Hope faintly. He was gold which marked her as having been a bride had
white to the very lips, and had sunk down on the disappeared.
stone against which he had been leaning. “Mar- For some months Jefferson Hope lingered
ried, you say?” among the mountains, leading a strange wild
“Married yesterday—that’s what those flags life, and nursing in his heart the fierce desire for
are for on the Endowment House. There was some vengeance which possessed him. Tales were told
words between young Drebber and young Stanger- in the City of the weird figure which was seen
son as to which was to have her. They’d both been prowling about the suburbs, and which haunted
in the party that followed them, and Stangerson the lonely mountain gorges. Once a bullet whis-
had shot her father, which seemed to give him the tled through Stangerson’s window and flattened

53
 A Study In Scarlet

itself upon the wall within a foot of him. On an- his property into money, and that he had departed
other occasion, as Drebber passed under a cliff a a wealthy man, while his companion, Stangerson,
great boulder crashed down on him, and he only was comparatively poor. There was no clue at all,
escaped a terrible death by throwing himself upon however, as to their whereabouts.
his face. The two young Mormons were not long Many a man, however vindictive, would have
in discovering the reason of these attempts upon abandoned all thought of revenge in the face of
their lives, and led repeated expeditions into the such a difficulty, but Jefferson Hope never faltered
mountains in the hope of capturing or killing their for a moment. With the small competence he pos-
enemy, but always without success. Then they sessed, eked out by such employment as he could
adopted the precaution of never going out alone or pick up, he travelled from town to town through
after nightfall, and of having their houses guarded. the United States in quest of his enemies. Year
After a time they were able to relax these mea- passed into year, his black hair turned grizzled,
sures, for nothing was either heard or seen of their but still he wandered on, a human bloodhound,
opponent, and they hoped that time had cooled with his mind wholly set upon the one object upon
his vindictiveness. which he had devoted his life. At last his per-
Far from doing so, it had, if anything, aug- severance was rewarded. It was but a glance of
mented it. The hunter’s mind was of a hard, un- a face in a window, but that one glance told him
yielding nature, and the predominant idea of re- that Cleveland in Ohio possessed the men whom
venge had taken such complete possession of it he was in pursuit of. He returned to his miser-
that there was no room for any other emotion. He able lodgings with his plan of vengeance all ar-
was, however, above all things practical. He soon ranged. It chanced, however, that Drebber, look-
realized that even his iron constitution could not ing from his window, had recognized the vagrant
stand the incessant strain which he was putting in the street, and had read murder in his eyes. He
upon it. Exposure and want of wholesome food hurried before a justice of the peace, accompanied
were wearing him out. If he died like a dog among by Stangerson, who had become his private secre-
the mountains, what was to become of his revenge tary, and represented to him that they were in dan-
then? And yet such a death was sure to overtake ger of their lives from the jealousy and hatred of an
him if he persisted. He felt that that was to play old rival. That evening Jefferson Hope was taken
his enemy’s game, so he reluctantly returned to the into custody, and not being able to find sureties,
old Nevada mines, there to recruit his health and was detained for some weeks. When at last he was
to amass money enough to allow him to pursue liberated, it was only to find that Drebber’s house
his object without privation. was deserted, and that he and his secretary had
His intention had been to be absent a year at departed for Europe.
the most, but a combination of unforeseen circum- Again the avenger had been foiled, and again
stances prevented his leaving the mines for nearly his concentrated hatred urged him to continue the
five. At the end of that time, however, his memory pursuit. Funds were wanting, however, and for
of his wrongs and his craving for revenge were some time he had to return to work, saving every
quite as keen as on that memorable night when dollar for his approaching journey. At last, hav-
he had stood by John Ferrier’s grave. Disguised, ing collected enough to keep life in him, he de-
and under an assumed name, he returned to Salt parted for Europe, and tracked his enemies from
Lake City, careless what became of his own life, as city to city, working his way in any menial capac-
long as he obtained what he knew to be justice. ity, but never overtaking the fugitives. When he
There he found evil tidings awaiting him. There reached St. Petersburg they had departed for Paris;
had been a schism among the Chosen People a few and when he followed them there he learned that
months before, some of the younger members of they had just set off for Copenhagen. At the Dan-
the Church having rebelled against the authority ish capital he was again a few days late, for they
of the Elders, and the result had been the secession had journeyed on to London, where he at last suc-
of a certain number of the malcontents, who had ceeded in running them to earth. As to what oc-
left Utah and become Gentiles. Among these had curred there, we cannot do better than quote the
been Drebber and Stangerson; and no one knew old hunter’s own account, as duly recorded in Dr.
whither they had gone. Rumour reported that Watson’s Journal, to which we are already under
Drebber had managed to convert a large part of such obligations.

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 A Study In Scarlet

CHAPTER VI.
A Continuation Of The Reminiscences Of John Watson, M.D.

Our prisoner’s furious resistance did not “I’ve got a good deal to say,” our prisoner said
apparently indicate any ferocity in his disposition slowly. “I want to tell you gentlemen all about it.”
towards ourselves, for on finding himself power- “Hadn’t you better reserve that for your trial?”
less, he smiled in an affable manner, and expressed asked the Inspector.
his hopes that he had not hurt any of us in the
“I may never be tried,” he answered. “You
scuffle. “I guess you’re going to take me to the
needn’t look startled. It isn’t suicide I am think-
police-station,” he remarked to Sherlock Holmes.
ing of. Are you a Doctor?” He turned his fierce
“My cab’s at the door. If you’ll loose my legs I’ll
dark eyes upon me as he asked this last question.
walk down to it. I’m not so light to lift as I used to
be.” “Yes; I am,” I answered.
“Then put your hand here,” he said, with a
Gregson and Lestrade exchanged glances as if
smile, motioning with his manacled wrists to-
they thought this proposition rather a bold one;
wards his chest.
but Holmes at once took the prisoner at his word,
and loosened the towel which we had bound I did so; and became at once conscious of an ex-
round his ankles. He rose and stretched his legs, as traordinary throbbing and commotion which was
though to assure himself that they were free once going on inside. The walls of his chest seemed to
more. I remember that I thought to myself, as I thrill and quiver as a frail building would do inside
eyed him, that I had seldom seen a more power- when some powerful engine was at work. In the
fully built man; and his dark sunburned face bore silence of the room I could hear a dull humming
an expression of determination and energy which and buzzing noise which proceeded from the same
was as formidable as his personal strength. source.
“Why,” I cried, “you have an aortic aneurism!”
“If there’s a vacant place for a chief of the po-
lice, I reckon you are the man for it,” he said, “That’s what they call it,” he said, placidly. “I
gazing with undisguised admiration at my fellow- went to a Doctor last week about it, and he told me
lodger. “The way you kept on my trail was a cau- that it is bound to burst before many days passed.
tion.” It has been getting worse for years. I got it from
over-exposure and under-feeding among the Salt
“You had better come with me,” said Holmes Lake Mountains. I’ve done my work now, and I
to the two detectives. don’t care how soon I go, but I should like to leave
“I can drive you,” said Lestrade. some account of the business behind me. I don’t
want to be remembered as a common cut-throat.”
“Good! and Gregson can come inside with me.
The Inspector and the two detectives had a hur-
You too, Doctor, you have taken an interest in the
ried discussion as to the advisability of allowing
case and may as well stick to us.”
him to tell his story.
I assented gladly, and we all descended to- “Do you consider, Doctor, that there is imme-
gether. Our prisoner made no attempt at escape, diate danger?” the former asked.
but stepped calmly into the cab which had been
“Most certainly there is,” I answered.
his, and we followed him. Lestrade mounted the
box, whipped up the horse, and brought us in a “In that case it is clearly our duty, in the in-
very short time to our destination. We were ush- terests of justice, to take his statement,” said the
ered into a small chamber where a police Inspector Inspector. “You are at liberty, sir, to give your
noted down our prisoner’s name and the names of account, which I again warn you will be taken
the men with whose murder he had been charged. down.”
The official was a white-faced unemotional man, “I’ll sit down, with your leave,” the pris-
who went through his duties in a dull mechanical oner said, suiting the action to the word. “This
way. “The prisoner will be put before the mag- aneurism of mine makes me easily tired, and the
istrates in the course of the week,” he said; “in tussle we had half an hour ago has not mended
the mean time, Mr. Jefferson Hope, have you any- matters. I’m on the brink of the grave, and I am
thing that you wish to say? I must warn you that not likely to lie to you. Every word I say is the ab-
your words will be taken down, and may be used solute truth, and how you use it is a matter of no
against you.” consequence to me.”

55
 A Study In Scarlet

With these words, Jefferson Hope leaned back the other side of the river. When once I found
in his chair and began the following remarkable them out I knew that I had them at my mercy.
statement. He spoke in a calm and methodical I had grown my beard, and there was no chance
manner, as though the events which he narrated of their recognizing me. I would dog them and
were commonplace enough. I can vouch for the follow them until I saw my opportunity. I was de-
accuracy of the subjoined account, for I have had termined that they should not escape me again.
access to Lestrade’s note-book, in which the pris-
“They were very near doing it for all that. Go
oner’s words were taken down exactly as they
where they would about London, I was always at
were uttered.
their heels. Sometimes I followed them on my cab,
“It don’t much matter to you why I hated these and sometimes on foot, but the former was the
men,” he said; “it’s enough that they were guilty best, for then they could not get away from me. It
of the death of two human beings—a father and a was only early in the morning or late at night that
daughter—and that they had, therefore, forfeited I could earn anything, so that I began to get be-
their own lives. After the lapse of time that has hind hand with my employer. I did not mind that,
passed since their crime, it was impossible for me however, as long as I could lay my hand upon the
to secure a conviction against them in any court. I men I wanted.
knew of their guilt though, and I determined that
I should be judge, jury, and executioner all rolled “They were very cunning, though. They must
into one. You’d have done the same, if you have have thought that there was some chance of their
any manhood in you, if you had been in my place. being followed, for they would never go out alone,
and never after nightfall. During two weeks I
“That girl that I spoke of was to have married drove behind them every day, and never once saw
me twenty years ago. She was forced into marry- them separate. Drebber himself was drunk half
ing that same Drebber, and broke her heart over it. the time, but Stangerson was not to be caught nap-
I took the marriage ring from her dead finger, and ping. I watched them late and early, but never saw
I vowed that his dying eyes should rest upon that the ghost of a chance; but I was not discouraged,
very ring, and that his last thoughts should be of for something told me that the hour had almost
the crime for which he was punished. I have car- come. My only fear was that this thing in my chest
ried it about with me, and have followed him and might burst a little too soon and leave my work
his accomplice over two continents until I caught undone.
them. They thought to tire me out, but they could
not do it. If I die to-morrow, as is likely enough, “At last, one evening I was driving up and
I die knowing that my work in this world is done, down Torquay Terrace, as the street was called in
and well done. They have perished, and by my which they boarded, when I saw a cab drive up to
hand. There is nothing left for me to hope for, or their door. Presently some luggage was brought
to desire. out, and after a time Drebber and Stangerson fol-
lowed it, and drove off. I whipped up my horse
“They were rich and I was poor, so that it was and kept within sight of them, feeling very ill at
no easy matter for me to follow them. When I ease, for I feared that they were going to shift their
got to London my pocket was about empty, and I quarters. At Euston Station they got out, and I left
found that I must turn my hand to something for a boy to hold my horse, and followed them on to
my living. Driving and riding are as natural to me the platform. I heard them ask for the Liverpool
as walking, so I applied at a cabowner’s office, and train, and the guard answer that one had just gone
soon got employment. I was to bring a certain sum and there would not be another for some hours.
a week to the owner, and whatever was over that Stangerson seemed to be put out at that, but Dreb-
I might keep for myself. There was seldom much ber was rather pleased than otherwise. I got so
over, but I managed to scrape along somehow. The close to them in the bustle that I could hear every
hardest job was to learn my way about, for I reckon word that passed between them. Drebber said that
that of all the mazes that ever were contrived, this he had a little business of his own to do, and that
city is the most confusing. I had a map beside me if the other would wait for him he would soon re-
though, and when once I had spotted the principal join him. His companion remonstrated with him,
hotels and stations, I got on pretty well. and reminded him that they had resolved to stick
“It was some time before I found out where my together. Drebber answered that the matter was a
two gentlemen were living; but I inquired and in- delicate one, and that he must go alone. I could not
quired until at last I dropped across them. They catch what Stangerson said to that, but the other
were at a boarding-house at Camberwell, over on burst out swearing, and reminded him that he was

56
 A Study In Scarlet

nothing more than his paid servant, and that he and when they came to the head of the steps he
must not presume to dictate to him. On that the gave him a shove and a kick which sent him half
Secretary gave it up as a bad job, and simply bar- across the road. ‘You hound,’ he cried, shaking
gained with him that if he missed the last train he his stick at him; ‘I’ll teach you to insult an honest
should rejoin him at Halliday’s Private Hotel; to girl!’ He was so hot that I think he would have
which Drebber answered that he would be back thrashed Drebber with his cudgel, only that the
on the platform before eleven, and made his way cur staggered away down the road as fast as his
out of the station. legs would carry him. He ran as far as the corner,
“The moment for which I had waited so long and then, seeing my cab, he hailed me and jumped
had at last come. I had my enemies within my in. ‘Drive me to Halliday’s Private Hotel,’ said he.
power. Together they could protect each other, “When I had him fairly inside my cab, my heart
but singly they were at my mercy. I did not jumped so with joy that I feared lest at this last mo-
act, however, with undue precipitation. My plans ment my aneurism might go wrong. I drove along
were already formed. There is no satisfaction in slowly, weighing in my own mind what it was best
vengeance unless the offender has time to real- to do. I might take him right out into the country,
ize who it is that strikes him, and why retribu- and there in some deserted lane have my last in-
tion has come upon him. I had my plans arranged terview with him. I had almost decided upon this,
by which I should have the opportunity of making when he solved the problem for me. The craze for
the man who had wronged me understand that his drink had seized him again, and he ordered me
old sin had found him out. It chanced that some to pull up outside a gin palace. He went in, leav-
days before a gentleman who had been engaged in ing word that I should wait for him. There he re-
looking over some houses in the Brixton Road had mained until closing time, and when he came out
dropped the key of one of them in my carriage. he was so far gone that I knew the game was in
It was claimed that same evening, and returned; my own hands.
but in the interval I had taken a moulding of it, “Don’t imagine that I intended to kill him in
and had a duplicate constructed. By means of this cold blood. It would only have been rigid justice
I had access to at least one spot in this great city if I had done so, but I could not bring myself to
where I could rely upon being free from interrup- do it. I had long determined that he should have
tion. How to get Drebber to that house was the a show for his life if he chose to take advantage
difficult problem which I had now to solve. of it. Among the many billets which I have filled
“He walked down the road and went into one in America during my wandering life, I was once
or two liquor shops, staying for nearly half-an- janitor and sweeper out of the laboratory at York
hour in the last of them. When he came out he College. One day the professor was lecturing on
staggered in his walk, and was evidently pretty poisons, and he showed his students some alka-
well on. There was a hansom just in front of me, loid, as he called it, which he had extracted from
and he hailed it. I followed it so close that the some South American arrow poison, and which
nose of my horse was within a yard of his driver was so powerful that the least grain meant instant
the whole way. We rattled across Waterloo Bridge death. I spotted the bottle in which this prepa-
and through miles of streets, until, to my astonish- ration was kept, and when they were all gone, I
ment, we found ourselves back in the Terrace in helped myself to a little of it. I was a fairly good
which he had boarded. I could not imagine what dispenser, so I worked this alkaloid into small, sol-
his intention was in returning there; but I went on uble pills, and each pill I put in a box with a sim-
and pulled up my cab a hundred yards or so from ilar pill made without the poison. I determined at
the house. He entered it, and his hansom drove the time that when I had my chance, my gentle-
away. Give me a glass of water, if you please. My men should each have a draw out of one of these
mouth gets dry with the talking.” boxes, while I ate the pill that remained. It would
be quite as deadly, and a good deal less noisy than
I handed him the glass, and he drank it down. firing across a handkerchief. From that day I had
“That’s better,” he said. “Well, I waited for always my pill boxes about with me, and the time
a quarter of an hour, or more, when suddenly had now come when I was to use them.
there came a noise like people struggling inside “It was nearer one than twelve, and a wild,
the house. Next moment the door was flung open bleak night, blowing hard and raining in torrents.
and two men appeared, one of whom was Drebber, Dismal as it was outside, I was glad within—so
and the other was a young chap whom I had never glad that I could have shouted out from pure exul-
seen before. This fellow had Drebber by the collar, tation. If any of you gentlemen have ever pined for

57
 A Study In Scarlet

a thing, and longed for it during twenty long years, “ ‘What do you think of Lucy Ferrier now?’ I
and then suddenly found it within your reach, you cried, locking the door, and shaking the key in his
would understand my feelings. I lit a cigar, and face. ‘Punishment has been slow in coming, but it
puffed at it to steady my nerves, but my hands has overtaken you at last.’ I saw his coward lips
were trembling, and my temples throbbing with tremble as I spoke. He would have begged for his
excitement. As I drove, I could see old John Ferrier life, but he knew well that it was useless.
and sweet Lucy looking at me out of the darkness “ ‘Would you murder me?’ he stammered.
and smiling at me, just as plain as I see you all in
“ ‘There is no murder,’ I answered. ‘Who talks
this room. All the way they were ahead of me, one
of murdering a mad dog? What mercy had you
on each side of the horse until I pulled up at the
upon my poor darling, when you dragged her
house in the Brixton Road.
from her slaughtered father, and bore her away to
“There was not a soul to be seen, nor a sound to your accursed and shameless harem.’
be heard, except the dripping of the rain. When I “ ‘It was not I who killed her father,’ he cried.
looked in at the window, I found Drebber all hud-
dled together in a drunken sleep. I shook him by “ ‘But it was you who broke her innocent heart,’
the arm, ‘It’s time to get out,’ I said. I shrieked, thrusting the box before him. ‘Let
the high God judge between us. Choose and eat.
“ ‘All right, cabby,’ said he. There is death in one and life in the other. I shall
“I suppose he thought we had come to the ho- take what you leave. Let us see if there is justice
tel that he had mentioned, for he got out without upon the earth, or if we are ruled by chance.’
another word, and followed me down the garden. “He cowered away with wild cries and prayers
I had to walk beside him to keep him steady, for he for mercy, but I drew my knife and held it to his
was still a little top-heavy. When we came to the throat until he had obeyed me. Then I swallowed
door, I opened it, and led him into the front room. the other, and we stood facing one another in si-
I give you my word that all the way, the father and lence for a minute or more, waiting to see which
the daughter were walking in front of us. was to live and which was to die. Shall I ever for-
“ ‘It’s infernally dark,’ said he, stamping about. get the look which came over his face when the
first warning pangs told him that the poison was
“ ‘We’ll soon have a light,’ I said, striking a
in his system? I laughed as I saw it, and held
match and putting it to a wax candle which I had
Lucy’s marriage ring in front of his eyes. It was
brought with me. ‘Now, Enoch Drebber,’ I contin-
but for a moment, for the action of the alkaloid
ued, turning to him, and holding the light to my
is rapid. A spasm of pain contorted his features;
own face, ‘who am I?’
he threw his hands out in front of him, staggered,
“He gazed at me with bleared, drunken eyes and then, with a hoarse cry, fell heavily upon the
for a moment, and then I saw a horror spring up floor. I turned him over with my foot, and placed
in them, and convulse his whole features, which my hand upon his heart. There was no movement.
showed me that he knew me. He staggered back He was dead!
with a livid face, and I saw the perspiration break “The blood had been streaming from my nose,
out upon his brow, while his teeth chattered in his but I had taken no notice of it. I don’t know what
head. At the sight, I leaned my back against the it was that put it into my head to write upon the
door and laughed loud and long. I had always wall with it. Perhaps it was some mischievous idea
known that vengeance would be sweet, but I had of setting the police upon a wrong track, for I felt
never hoped for the contentment of soul which light-hearted and cheerful. I remembered a Ger-
now possessed me. man being found in New York with RACHE writ-
“ ‘You dog!’ I said; ‘I have hunted you from ten up above him, and it was argued at the time
Salt Lake City to St. Petersburg, and you have al- in the newspapers that the secret societies must
ways escaped me. Now, at last your wanderings have done it. I guessed that what puzzled the New
have come to an end, for either you or I shall never Yorkers would puzzle the Londoners, so I dipped
see to-morrow’s sun rise.’ He shrunk still further my finger in my own blood and printed it on a
away as I spoke, and I could see on his face that convenient place on the wall. Then I walked down
he thought I was mad. So I was for the time. The to my cab and found that there was nobody about,
pulses in my temples beat like sledge-hammers, and that the night was still very wild. I had driven
and I believe I would have had a fit of some sort some distance when I put my hand into the pocket
if the blood had not gushed from my nose and re- in which I usually kept Lucy’s ring, and found that
lieved me. it was not there. I was thunderstruck at this, for it

58
 A Study In Scarlet

was the only memento that I had of her. Thinking and said that his cab was wanted by a gentleman
that I might have dropped it when I stooped over at 221b, Baker Street. I went round, suspecting no
Drebber’s body, I drove back, and leaving my cab harm, and the next thing I knew, this young man
in a side street, I went boldly up to the house—for here had the bracelets on my wrists, and as neatly
I was ready to dare anything rather than lose the snackled as ever I saw in my life. That’s the whole
ring. When I arrived there, I walked right into of my story, gentlemen. You may consider me to
the arms of a police-officer who was coming out, be a murderer; but I hold that I am just as much
and only managed to disarm his suspicions by pre- an officer of justice as you are.”
tending to be hopelessly drunk.
So thrilling had the man’s narrative been, and
“That was how Enoch Drebber came to his end. his manner was so impressive that we had sat
All I had to do then was to do as much for Stanger- silent and absorbed. Even the professional detec-
son, and so pay off John Ferrier’s debt. I knew that tives, blase as they were in every detail of crime, ap-
he was staying at Halliday’s Private Hotel, and I peared to be keenly interested in the man’s story.
hung about all day, but he never came out. I fancy When he finished we sat for some minutes in a
that he suspected something when Drebber failed stillness which was only broken by the scratch-
to put in an appearance. He was cunning, was ing of Lestrade’s pencil as he gave the finishing
Stangerson, and always on his guard. If he thought touches to his shorthand account.
he could keep me off by staying indoors he was
very much mistaken. I soon found out which was “There is only one point on which I should like
the window of his bedroom, and early next morn- a little more information,” Sherlock Holmes said
ing I took advantage of some ladders which were at last. “Who was your accomplice who came for
lying in the lane behind the hotel, and so made my the ring which I advertised?”
way into his room in the grey of the dawn. I woke The prisoner winked at my friend jocosely. “I
him up and told him that the hour had come when can tell my own secrets,” he said, “but I don’t get
he was to answer for the life he had taken so long other people into trouble. I saw your advertise-
before. I described Drebber’s death to him, and ment, and I thought it might be a plant, or it might
I gave him the same choice of the poisoned pills. be the ring which I wanted. My friend volunteered
Instead of grasping at the chance of safety which to go and see. I think you’ll own he did it smartly.”
that offered him, he sprang from his bed and flew
at my throat. In self-defence I stabbed him to the “Not a doubt of that,” said Holmes heartily.
heart. It would have been the same in any case, for “Now, gentlemen,” the Inspector remarked
Providence would never have allowed his guilty gravely, “the forms of the law must be complied
hand to pick out anything but the poison. with. On Thursday the prisoner will be brought
“I have little more to say, and it’s as well, for before the magistrates, and your attendance will
I am about done up. I went on cabbing it for a be required. Until then I will be responsible for
day or so, intending to keep at it until I could save him.” He rang the bell as he spoke, and Jefferson
enough to take me back to America. I was stand- Hope was led off by a couple of warders, while my
ing in the yard when a ragged youngster asked friend and I made our way out of the Station and
if there was a cabby there called Jefferson Hope, took a cab back to Baker Street.

CHAPTER VII.
The Conclusion

We had all been warned to appear before hand, and Jefferson Hope had been summoned be-
the magistrates upon the Thursday; but when the fore a tribunal where strict justice would be meted
Thursday came there was no occasion for our tes- out to him. On the very night after his capture the
timony. A higher Judge had taken the matter in aneurism burst, and he was found in the morning

59
 A Study In Scarlet

stretched upon the floor of the cell, with a placid “Now this was a case in which you were given
smile upon his face, as though he had been able in the result and had to find everything else for your-
his dying moments to look back upon a useful life, self. Now let me endeavour to show you the dif-
and on work well done. ferent steps in my reasoning. To begin at the be-
ginning. I approached the house, as you know,
“Gregson and Lestrade will be wild about his
on foot, and with my mind entirely free from all
death,” Holmes remarked, as we chatted it over
impressions. I naturally began by examining the
next evening. “Where will their grand advertise-
roadway, and there, as I have already explained to
ment be now?”
you, I saw clearly the marks of a cab, which, I as-
“I don’t see that they had very much to do with certained by inquiry, must have been there during
his capture,” I answered. the night. I satisfied myself that it was a cab and
“What you do in this world is a matter of no not a private carriage by the narrow gauge of the
consequence,” returned my companion, bitterly. wheels. The ordinary London growler is consider-
“The question is, what can you make people be- ably less wide than a gentleman’s brougham.
lieve that you have done. Never mind,” he con- “This was the first point gained. I then walked
tinued, more brightly, after a pause. “I would not slowly down the garden path, which happened
have missed the investigation for anything. There to be composed of a clay soil, peculiarly suitable
has been no better case within my recollection. for taking impressions. No doubt it appeared to
Simple as it was, there were several most instruc- you to be a mere trampled line of slush, but to
tive points about it.” my trained eyes every mark upon its surface had
a meaning. There is no branch of detective science
“Simple!” I ejaculated.
which is so important and so much neglected as
“Well, really, it can hardly be described as oth- the art of tracing footsteps. Happily, I have always
erwise,” said Sherlock Holmes, smiling at my sur- laid great stress upon it, and much practice has
prise. “The proof of its intrinsic simplicity is, that made it second nature to me. I saw the heavy foot-
without any help save a few very ordinary deduc- marks of the constables, but I saw also the track
tions I was able to lay my hand upon the criminal of the two men who had first passed through the
within three days.” garden. It was easy to tell that they had been
before the others, because in places their marks
“That is true,” said I.
had been entirely obliterated by the others com-
“I have already explained to you that what is ing upon the top of them. In this way my second
out of the common is usually a guide rather than link was formed, which told me that the noctur-
a hindrance. In solving a problem of this sort, the nal visitors were two in number, one remarkable
grand thing is to be able to reason backwards. That for his height (as I calculated from the length of
is a very useful accomplishment, and a very easy his stride), and the other fashionably dressed, to
one, but people do not practise it much. In the judge from the small and elegant impression left
every-day affairs of life it is more useful to reason by his boots.
forwards, and so the other comes to be neglected. “On entering the house this last inference was
There are fifty who can reason synthetically for confirmed. My well-booted man lay before me.
one who can reason analytically.” The tall one, then, had done the murder, if murder
“I confess,” said I, “that I do not quite follow there was. There was no wound upon the dead
you.” man’s person, but the agitated expression upon his
face assured me that he had foreseen his fate be-
“I hardly expected that you would. Let me see
fore it came upon him. Men who die from heart
if I can make it clearer. Most people, if you de-
disease, or any sudden natural cause, never by any
scribe a train of events to them, will tell you what
chance exhibit agitation upon their features. Hav-
the result would be. They can put those events to-
ing sniffed the dead man’s lips I detected a slightly
gether in their minds, and argue from them that
sour smell, and I came to the conclusion that he
something will come to pass. There are few peo-
had had poison forced upon him. Again, I argued
ple, however, who, if you told them a result, would
that it had been forced upon him from the hatred
be able to evolve from their own inner conscious-
and fear expressed upon his face. By the method of
ness what the steps were which led up to that re-
exclusion, I had arrived at this result, for no other
sult. This power is what I mean when I talk of
hypothesis would meet the facts. Do not imagine
reasoning backwards, or analytically.”
that it was a very unheard of idea. The forcible ad-
“I understand,” said I. ministration of poison is by no means a new thing

60
 A Study In Scarlet

in criminal annals. The cases of Dolsky in Odessa, driven the cab. The marks in the road showed me
and of Leturier in Montpellier, will occur at once that the horse had wandered on in a way which
to any toxicologist. would have been impossible had there been any-
“And now came the great question as to the one in charge of it. Where, then, could the driver
reason why. Robbery had not been the object of be, unless he were inside the house? Again, it is
the murder, for nothing was taken. Was it poli- absurd to suppose that any sane man would carry
tics, then, or was it a woman? That was the ques- out a deliberate crime under the very eyes, as it
tion which confronted me. I was inclined from the were, of a third person, who was sure to betray
first to the latter supposition. Political assassins him. Lastly, supposing one man wished to dog
are only too glad to do their work and to fly. This another through London, what better means could
murder had, on the contrary, been done most de- he adopt than to turn cabdriver. All these consid-
liberately, and the perpetrator had left his tracks all erations led me to the irresistible conclusion that
over the room, showing that he had been there all Jefferson Hope was to be found among the jarveys
the time. It must have been a private wrong, and of the Metropolis.
not a political one, which called for such a method- “If he had been one there was no reason to be-
ical revenge. When the inscription was discovered lieve that he had ceased to be. On the contrary,
upon the wall I was more inclined than ever to from his point of view, any sudden chance would
my opinion. The thing was too evidently a blind. be likely to draw attention to himself. He would,
When the ring was found, however, it settled the probably, for a time at least, continue to perform
question. Clearly the murderer had used it to re- his duties. There was no reason to suppose that he
mind his victim of some dead or absent woman. was going under an assumed name. Why should
It was at this point that I asked Gregson whether he change his name in a country where no one
he had enquired in his telegram to Cleveland as knew his original one? I therefore organized my
to any particular point in Mr. Drebber’s former ca- Street Arab detective corps, and sent them sys-
reer. He answered, you remember, in the negative. tematically to every cab proprietor in London un-
til they ferreted out the man that I wanted. How
“I then proceeded to make a careful examina-
well they succeeded, and how quickly I took ad-
tion of the room, which confirmed me in my opin-
vantage of it, are still fresh in your recollection.
ion as to the murderer’s height, and furnished me
The murder of Stangerson was an incident which
with the additional details as to the Trichinopoly
was entirely unexpected, but which could hardly
cigar and the length of his nails. I had already
in any case have been prevented. Through it, as
come to the conclusion, since there were no signs
you know, I came into possession of the pills, the
of a struggle, that the blood which covered the
existence of which I had already surmised. You
floor had burst from the murderer’s nose in his ex-
see the whole thing is a chain of logical sequences
citement. I could perceive that the track of blood
without a break or flaw.”
coincided with the track of his feet. It is sel-
dom that any man, unless he is very full-blooded, “It is wonderful!” I cried. “Your merits should
breaks out in this way through emotion, so I haz- be publicly recognized. You should publish an ac-
arded the opinion that the criminal was probably count of the case. If you won’t, I will for you.”
a robust and ruddy-faced man. Events proved that “You may do what you like, Doctor,” he an-
I had judged correctly. swered. “See here!” he continued, handing a paper
“Having left the house, I proceeded to do what over to me, “look at this!”
Gregson had neglected. I telegraphed to the head It was the Echo for the day, and the paragraph
of the police at Cleveland, limiting my enquiry to to which he pointed was devoted to the case in
the circumstances connected with the marriage of question.
Enoch Drebber. The answer was conclusive. It “The public,” it said, “have lost a sensational
told me that Drebber had already applied for the treat through the sudden death of the man Hope,
protection of the law against an old rival in love, who was suspected of the murder of Mr. Enoch
named Jefferson Hope, and that this same Hope Drebber and of Mr. Joseph Stangerson. The de-
was at present in Europe. I knew now that I held tails of the case will probably be never known now,
the clue to the mystery in my hand, and all that though we are informed upon good authority that
remained was to secure the murderer. the crime was the result of an old standing and ro-
“I had already determined in my own mind mantic feud, in which love and Mormonism bore
that the man who had walked into the house with a part. It seems that both the victims belonged, in
Drebber, was none other than the man who had their younger days, to the Latter Day Saints, and

61
Hope, the deceased prisoner, hails also from Salt that a testimonial of some sort will be presented
Lake City. If the case has had no other effect, it, at to the two officers as a fitting recognition of their
least, brings out in the most striking manner the services.”
efficiency of our detective police force, and will “Didn’t I tell you so when we started?” cried
serve as a lesson to all foreigners that they will Sherlock Holmes with a laugh. “That’s the result
do wisely to settle their feuds at home, and not of all our Study in Scarlet: to get them a testimo-
to carry them on to British soil. It is an open se- nial!”
cret that the credit of this smart capture belongs
entirely to the well-known Scotland Yard officials, “Never mind,” I answered, “I have all the facts
Messrs. Lestrade and Gregson. The man was ap- in my journal, and the public shall know them. In
prehended, it appears, in the rooms of a certain the meantime you must make yourself contented
Mr. Sherlock Holmes, who has himself, as an am- by the consciousness of success, like the Roman
ateur, shown some talent in the detective line, and miser—
who, with such instructors, may hope in time to “ ‘Populus me sibilat, at mihi plaudo
attain to some degree of their skill. It is expected Ipse domi simul ac nummos contemplar in arca.’ ”
The Sign of the Four
 The Sign of the Four

Table of contents
The Science of Deduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
The Statement of the Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
In Quest of a Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
The Story of the Bald-Headed Man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
The Tragedy of Pondicherry Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Sherlock Holmes Gives a Demonstration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
The Episode of the Barrel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
The Baker Street Irregulars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
A Break in the Chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
The End of the Islander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
The Great Agra Treasure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
The Strange Story of Jonathan Small . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

65
 The Sign of the Four

CHAPTER I.

S
The Science of Deduction

herlock Holmes took his bottle from which involves increased tissue-change and may at
the corner of the mantelpiece and his hy- last leave a permanent weakness. You know, too,
podermic syringe from its neat morocco what a black reaction comes upon you. Surely the
case. With his long, white, nervous fin- game is hardly worth the candle. Why should you,
gers he adjusted the delicate needle, and rolled for a mere passing pleasure, risk the loss of those
back his left shirt-cuff. For some little time his great powers with which you have been endowed?
eyes rested thoughtfully upon the sinewy forearm Remember that I speak not only as one comrade
and wrist all dotted and scarred with innumer- to another, but as a medical man to one for whose
able puncture-marks. Finally he thrust the sharp constitution he is to some extent answerable.”
point home, pressed down the tiny piston, and He did not seem offended. On the contrary, he
sank back into the velvet-lined arm-chair with a put his fingertips together and leaned his elbows
long sigh of satisfaction. on the arms of his chair, like one who has a relish
Three times a day for many months I had wit- for conversation.
nessed this performance, but custom had not rec-
“My mind,” he said, “rebels at stagnation. Give
onciled my mind to it. On the contrary, from day
me problems, give me work, give me the most ab-
to day I had become more irritable at the sight, and
struse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis,
my conscience swelled nightly within me at the
and I am in my own proper atmosphere. I can dis-
thought that I had lacked the courage to protest.
pense then with artificial stimulants. But I abhor
Again and again I had registered a vow that I
the dull routine of existence. I crave for mental
should deliver my soul upon the subject, but there
exaltation. That is why I have chosen my own par-
was that in the cool, nonchalant air of my com-
ticular profession,—or rather created it, for I am
panion which made him the last man with whom
the only one in the world.”
one would care to take anything approaching to
a liberty. His great powers, his masterly manner, “The only unofficial detective?” I said, raising
and the experience which I had had of his many my eyebrows.
extraordinary qualities, all made me diffident and “The only unofficial consulting detective,” he
backward in crossing him. answered. “I am the last and highest court of ap-
Yet upon that afternoon, whether it was the peal in detection. When Gregson or Lestrade or
Beaune which I had taken with my lunch, or the Athelney Jones are out of their depths—which, by
additional exasperation produced by the extreme the way, is their normal state—the matter is laid
deliberation of his manner, I suddenly felt that I before me. I examine the data, as an expert, and
could hold out no longer. pronounce a specialist’s opinion. I claim no credit
“Which is it to-day?” I asked,—“morphine or in such cases. My name figures in no newspa-
cocaine?” per. The work itself, the pleasure of finding a
field for my peculiar powers, is my highest reward.
He raised his eyes languidly from the old
But you have yourself had some experience of my
black-letter volume which he had opened. “It
methods of work in the Jefferson Hope case.”
is cocaine,” he said,—“a seven-per-cent solution.
Would you care to try it?” “Yes, indeed,” said I, cordially. “I was never so
“No, indeed,” I answered, brusquely. “My con- struck by anything in my life. I even embodied it
stitution has not got over the Afghan campaign in a small brochure with the somewhat fantastic
yet. I cannot afford to throw any extra strain upon title of ‘A Study in Scarlet.’ ”
it.” He shook his head sadly. “I glanced over it,”
He smiled at my vehemence. “Perhaps you are said he. “Honestly, I cannot congratulate you upon
right, Watson,” he said. “I suppose that its influ- it. Detection is, or ought to be, an exact science,
ence is physically a bad one. I find it, however, and should be treated in the same cold and un-
so transcendently stimulating and clarifying to the emotional manner. You have attempted to tinge it
mind that its secondary action is a matter of small with romanticism, which produces much the same
moment.” effect as if you worked a love-story or an elope-
“But consider!” I said, earnestly. “Count the ment into the fifth proposition of Euclid.”
cost! Your brain may, as you say, be roused and ex- “But the romance was there,” I remonstrated.
cited, but it is a pathological and morbid process, “I could not tamper with the facts.”

67
 The Sign of the Four

“Some facts should be suppressed, or at least hundred and forty forms of cigar-, cigarette-, and
a just sense of proportion should be observed in pipe-tobacco, with colored plates illustrating the
treating them. The only point in the case which difference in the ash. It is a point which is con-
deserved mention was the curious analytical rea- tinually turning up in criminal trials, and which
soning from effects to causes by which I succeeded is sometimes of supreme importance as a clue. If
in unraveling it.” you can say definitely, for example, that some mur-
I was annoyed at this criticism of a work which der has been done by a man who was smoking an
had been specially designed to please him. I con- Indian lunkah, it obviously narrows your field of
fess, too, that I was irritated by the egotism which search. To the trained eye there is as much differ-
seemed to demand that every line of my pamphlet ence between the black ash of a Trichinopoly and
should be devoted to his own special doings. More the white fluff of bird’s-eye as there is between a
than once during the years that I had lived with cabbage and a potato.”
him in Baker Street I had observed that a small “You have an extraordinary genius for minu-
vanity underlay my companion’s quiet and didac- tiae,” I remarked.
tic manner. I made no remark, however, but sat “I appreciate their importance. Here is my
nursing my wounded leg. I had a Jezail bullet monograph upon the tracing of footsteps, with
through it some time before, and, though it did some remarks upon the uses of plaster of Paris
not prevent me from walking, it ached wearily at as a preserver of impresses. Here, too, is a cu-
every change of the weather. rious little work upon the influence of a trade
“My practice has extended recently to the Con- upon the form of the hand, with lithotypes of the
tinent,” said Holmes, after a while, filling up his hands of slaters, sailors, corkcutters, compositors,
old brier-root pipe. “I was consulted last week by weavers, and diamond-polishers. That is a mat-
Francois Le Villard, who, as you probably know, ter of great practical interest to the scientific detec-
has come rather to the front lately in the French de- tive,—especially in cases of unclaimed bodies, or
tective service. He has all the Celtic power of quick in discovering the antecedents of criminals. But I
intuition, but he is deficient in the wide range of weary you with my hobby.”
exact knowledge which is essential to the higher “Not at all,” I answered, earnestly. “It is of the
developments of his art. The case was concerned greatest interest to me, especially since I have had
with a will, and possessed some features of inter- the opportunity of observing your practical appli-
est. I was able to refer him to two parallel cases, cation of it. But you spoke just now of observation
the one at Riga in 1857, and the other at St. Louis and deduction. Surely the one to some extent im-
in 1871, which have suggested to him the true so- plies the other.”
lution. Here is the letter which I had this morning
“Why, hardly,” he answered, leaning back lux-
acknowledging my assistance.” He tossed over, as
uriously in his armchair, and sending up thick blue
he spoke, a crumpled sheet of foreign notepaper. I
wreaths from his pipe. “For example, observa-
glanced my eyes down it, catching a profusion of
tion shows me that you have been to the Wigmore
notes of admiration, with stray magnifiques, coup-
Street Post-Office this morning, but deduction lets
de-maı̂tres and tours-de-force, all testifying to the ar-
me know that when there you dispatched a tele-
dent admiration of the Frenchman.
gram.”
“He speaks as a pupil to his master,” said I.
“Right!” said I. “Right on both points! But I
“Oh, he rates my assistance too highly,” said confess that I don’t see how you arrived at it. It
Sherlock Holmes, lightly. “He has considerable was a sudden impulse upon my part, and I have
gifts himself. He possesses two out of the three mentioned it to no one.”
qualities necessary for the ideal detective. He has
“It is simplicity itself,” he remarked, chuckling
the power of observation and that of deduction.
at my surprise,—“so absurdly simple that an ex-
He is only wanting in knowledge; and that may
planation is superfluous; and yet it may serve to
come in time. He is now translating my small
define the limits of observation and of deduction.
works into French.”
Observation tells me that you have a little reddish
“Your works?” mould adhering to your instep. Just opposite the
“Oh, didn’t you know?” he cried, laughing. Seymour Street Office they have taken up the pave-
“Yes, I have been guilty of several monographs. ment and thrown up some earth which lies in such
They are all upon technical subjects. Here, for a way that it is difficult to avoid treading in it in
example, is one ‘Upon the Distinction between the entering. The earth is of this peculiar reddish tint
Ashes of the Various Tobaccoes.’ In it I enumerate a which is found, as far as I know, nowhere else in

68
 The Sign of the Four

the neighborhood. So much is observation. The “Quite so. The W. suggests your own name.
rest is deduction.” The date of the watch is nearly fifty years back,
“How, then, did you deduce the telegram?” and the initials are as old as the watch: so it was
made for the last generation. Jewelry usually de-
“Why, of course I knew that you had not writ-
scents to the eldest son, and he is most likely to
ten a letter, since I sat opposite to you all morning.
have the same name as the father. Your father
I see also in your open desk there that you have a
has, if I remember right, been dead many years.
sheet of stamps and a thick bundle of postcards.
It has, therefore, been in the hands of your eldest
What could you go into the post-office for, then,
brother.”
but to send a wire? Eliminate all other factors, and
the one which remains must be the truth.” “Right, so far,” said I. “Anything else?”
“He was a man of untidy habits,—very untidy
“In this case it certainly is so,” I replied, after a
and careless. He was left with good prospects, but
little thought. “The thing, however, is, as you say,
he threw away his chances, lived for some time in
of the simplest. Would yo think me impertinent if
poverty with occasional short intervals of prosper-
I were to put your theories to a more severe test?”
ity, and finally, taking to drink, he died. That is all
“On the contrary,” he answered, “it would pre- I can gather.”
vent me from taking a second dose of cocaine.
I sprang from my chair and limped impatiently
I should be delighted to look into any problem
about the room with considerable bitterness in my
which you might submit to me.”
heart.
“I have heard you say that it is difficult for a “This is unworthy of you, Holmes,” I said. “I
man to have any object in daily use without leav- could not have believed that you would have de-
ing the impress of his individuality upon it in such scended to this. You have made inquires into the
a way that a trained observer might read it. Now, history of my unhappy brother, and you now pre-
I have here a watch which has recently come into tend to deduce this knowledge in some fanciful
my possession. Would you have the kindness to let way. You cannot expect me to believe that you have
me have an opinion upon the character or habits of read all this from his old watch! It is unkind, and,
the late owner?” to speak plainly, has a touch of charlatanism in it.”
I handed him over the watch with some slight “My dear doctor,” said he, kindly, “pray accept
feeling of amusement in my heart, for the test my apologies. Viewing the matter as an abstract
was, as I thought, an impossible one, and I in- problem, I had forgotten how personal and painful
tended it as a lesson against the somewhat dog- a thing it might be to you. I assure you, however,
matic tone which he occasionally assumed. He that I never even know that you had a brother until
balanced the watch in his hand, gazed hard at the you handed me the watch.”
dial, opened the back, and examined the works,
“Then how in the name of all that is wonder-
first with his naked eyes and then with a power-
ful did you get these facts? They are absolutely
ful convex lens. I could hardly keep from smiling
correct in every particular.”
at his crestfallen face when he finally snapped the
case to and handed it back. “Ah, that is good luck. I could only say what
was the balance of probability. I did not at all ex-
“There are hardly any data,” he remarked.
pect to be so accurate.“
“The watch has been recently cleaned, which robs
me of my most suggestive facts.” “But it was not mere guess-work?”
“No, no: I never guess. It is a shocking
“You are right,” I answered. “It was cleaned be-
habit,—destructive to the logical faculty. What
fore being sent to me.” In my heart I accused my
seems strange to you is only so because you do not
companion of putting forward a most lame and
follow my train of thought or observe the small
impotent excuse to cover his failure. What data
facts upon which large inferences may depend.
could he expect from an uncleaned watch?
For example, I began by stating that your brother
“Though unsatisfactory, my research has not was careless. When you observe the lower part
been entirely barren,” he observed, staring up at of that watch-case you notice that it is not only
the ceiling with dreamy, lack-lustre eyes. “Subject dinted in two places, but it is cut and marked all
to your correction, I should judge that the watch over from the habit of keeping other hard objects,
belonged to your elder brother, who inherited it such as coins or keys, in the same pocket. Surely
from your father.” it is no great feat to assume that a man who treats
“That you gather, no doubt, from the H. W. a fifty-guinea watch so cavalierly must be a care-
upon the back?” less man. Neither is it a very far-fetched inference

69
 The Sign of the Four

that a man who inherits one article of such value ask whether you have any professional inquiry on
is pretty well provided for in other respects.” foot at present?”
I nodded, to show that I followed his reasoning. “None. Hence the cocaine. I cannot live with-
“It is very customary for pawnbrokers in Eng- out brain-work. What else is there to live for?
land, when they take a watch, to scratch the num- Stand at the window here. Was ever such a dreary,
ber of the ticket with a pin-point upon the inside dismal, unprofitable world? See how the yellow
of the case. It is more handy than a label, as there fog swirls down the street and drifts across the
is no risk of the number being lost or transposed. duncolored houses. What could be more hope-
There are no less than four such numbers visible to lessly prosaic and material? What is the use of
my lens on the inside of this case. Inference,—that having powers, doctor, when one has no field upon
your brother was often at low water. Secondary which to exert them? Crime is commonplace, exis-
inference,—that he had occasional bursts of pros- tence is commonplace, and no qualities save those
perity, or he could not have redeemed the pledge. which are commonplace have any function upon
Finally, I ask you to look at the inner plate, which earth.”
contains the key-hole. Look at the thousands of I had opened my mouth to reply to this tirade,
scratches all round the hole,—marks where the key when with a crisp knock our landlady entered,
has slipped. What sober man’s key could have bearing a card upon the brass salver.
scored those grooves? But you will never see a
drunkard’s watch without them. He winds it at “A young lady for you, sir,” she said, address-
night, and he leaves these traces of his unsteady ing my companion.
hand. Where is the mystery in all this?” “Miss Mary Morstan,” he read. “Hum! I have
“It is as clear as daylight,” I answered. “I re- no recollection of the name. Ask the young lady to
gret the injustice which I did you. I should have step up, Mrs. Hudson. Don’t go, doctor. I should
had more faith in your marvellous faculty. May I prefer that you remain.”

CHAPTER II.
The Statement of the Case

Miss Morstan entered the room with a firm placed for her, her lip trembled, her hand quiv-
step and an outward composure of manner. She ered, and she showed every sign of intense inward
was a blonde young lady, small, dainty, well agitation.
gloved, and dressed in the most perfect taste. “I have come to you, Mr. Holmes,” she said,
There was, however, a plainness and simplicity “because you once enabled my employer, Mrs. Ce-
about her costume which bore with it a sugges- cil Forrester, to unravel a little domestic complica-
tion of limited means. The dress was a sombre tion. She was much impressed by your kindness
grayish beige, untrimmed and unbraided, and she and skill.”
wore a small turban of the same dull hue, re- “Mrs. Cecil Forrester,” he repeated thought-
lieved only by a suspicion of white feather in the fully. “I believe that I was of some slight service
side. Her face had neither regularity of feature to her. The case, however, as I remember it, was a
nor beauty of complexion, but her expression was very simple one.”
sweet and amiable, and her large blue eyes were
“She did not think so. But at least you cannot
singularly spiritual and sympathetic. In an experi-
say the same of mine. I can hardly imagine any-
ence of women which extends over many nations
thing more strange, more utterly inexplicable, than
and three separate continents, I have never looked
the situation in which I find myself.”
upon a face which gave a clearer promise of a re-
fined and sensitive nature. I could not but observe Holmes rubbed his hands, and his eyes glis-
that as she took the seat which Sherlock Holmes tened. He leaned forward in his chair with an ex-
pression of extraordinary concentration upon his

70
 The Sign of the Four

clear-cut, hawklike features. “State your case,” “A singular case,” remarked Holmes.
said he, in brisk, business tones. “I have not yet described to you the most sin-
I felt that my position was an embarrassing gular part. About six years ago—to be exact, upon
one. “You will, I am sure, excuse me,” I said, rising the 4th of May, 1882—an advertisement appeared
from my chair. in the Times asking for the address of Miss Mary
To my surprise, the young lady held up her Morstan and stating that it would be to her ad-
gloved hand to detain me. “If your friend,” she vantage to come forward. There was no name or
said, “would be good enough to stop, he might be address appended. I had at that time just entered
of inestimable service to me.” the family of Mrs. Cecil Forrester in the capacity
of governess. By her advice I published my ad-
I relapsed into my chair.
dress in the advertisement column. The same day
“Briefly,” she continued, “the facts are these. there arrived through the post a small card-board
My father was an officer in an Indian regiment box addressed to me, which I found to contain a
who sent me home when I was quite a child. My very large and lustrous pearl. No word of writing
mother was dead, and I had no relative in England. was enclosed. Since then every year upon the same
I was placed, however, in a comfortable boarding date there has always appeared a similar box, con-
establishment at Edinburgh, and there I remained taining a similar pearl, without any clue as to the
until I was seventeen years of age. In the year 1878 sender. They have been pronounced by an expert
my father, who was senior captain of his regiment, to be of a rare variety and of considerable value.
obtained twelve months’ leave and came home. He You can see for yourselves that they are very hand-
telegraphed to me from London that he had ar- some.” She opened a flat box as she spoke, and
rived all safe, and directed me to come down at showed me six of the finest pearls that I had ever
once, giving the Langham Hotel as his address. seen.
His message, as I remember, was full of kindness
“Your statement is most interesting,” said Sher-
and love. On reaching London I drove to the Lang-
lock Holmes. “Has anything else occurred to
ham, and was informed that Captain Morstan was
you?”
staying there, but that he had gone out the night
before and had not yet returned. I waited all day “Yes, and no later than to-day. That is why I
without news of him. That night, on the advice have come to you. This morning I received this
of the manager of the hotel, I communicated with letter, which you will perhaps read for yourself.”
the police, and next morning we advertised in all “Thank you,” said Holmes. “The envelope
the papers. Our inquiries let to no result; and from too, please. Postmark, London, S.W. Date, July 7.
that day to this no word has ever been heard of my Hum! Man’s thumb-mark on corner,—probably
unfortunate father. He came home with his heart postman. Best quality paper. Envelopes at six-
full of hope, to find some peace, some comfort, and pence a packet. Particular man in his stationery.
instead—” She put her hand to her throat, and a No address. ‘Be at the third pillar from the left out-
choking sob cut short the sentence. side the Lyceum Theatre to-night at seven o’clock.
“The date?” asked Holmes, opening his note- If you are distrustful, bring two friends. You are
book. a wronged woman, and shall have justice. Do not
“He disappeared upon the 3d of December, bring police. If you do, all will be in vain. Your
1878,—nearly ten years ago.” unknown friend.’ Well, really, this is a very pretty
little mystery. What do you intend to do, Miss
“His luggage?” Morstan?”
“Remained at the hotel. There was nothing in “That is exactly what I want to ask you.”
it to suggest a clue,—some clothes, some books,
and a considerable number of curiosities from the “Then we shall most certainly go. You and I
Andaman Islands. He had been one of the officers and—yes, why, Dr. Watson is the very man. Your
in charge of the convict-guard there.” correspondent says two friends. He and I have
worked together before.”
“Had he any friends in town?”
“But would he come?” she asked, with some-
“Only one that we know of,—Major Sholto,
thing appealing in her voice and expression.
of his own regiment, the 34th Bombay Infantry.
The major had retired some little time before, and “I should be proud and happy,” said I, fer-
lived at Upper Norwood. We communicated with vently, “if I can be of any service.”
him, of course, but he did not even know that his “You are both very kind,” she answered. “I
brother officer was in England.” have led a retired life, and have no friends whom

71
 The Sign of the Four

I could appeal to. If I am here at six it will do, I you that the most winning woman I ever knew
suppose?” was hanged for poisoning three little children for
“You must not be later,” said Holmes. “There their insurance-money, and the most repellant man
is one other point, however. Is this handwriting of my acquaintance is a philanthropist who has
the same as that upon the pearl-box addresses?” spent nearly a quarter of a million upon the Lon-
don poor.”
“I have them here,” she answered, producing
half a dozen pieces of paper. “In this case, however—”
“You are certainly a model client. You have the “I never make exceptions. An exception dis-
correct intuition. Let us see, now.” He spread out proves the rule. Have you ever had occasion to
the papers upon the table, and gave little darting study character in handwriting? What do you
glances from one to the other. “They are disguised make of this fellow’s scribble?”
hands, except the letter,” he said, presently, “but
there can be no question as to the authorship. See “It is legible and regular,” I answered. “A man
how the irrepressible Greek e will break out, and of business habits and some force of character.”
see the twirl of the final s. They are undoubtedly Holmes shook his head. “Look at his long let-
by the same person. I should not like to suggest ters,” he said. “They hardly rise above the com-
false hopes, Miss Morstan, but is there any resem- mon herd. That d might be an a, and that l an
blance between this hand and that of your father?” e. Men of character always differentiate their long
“Nothing could be more unlike.” letters, however illegibly they may write. There is
“I expected to hear you say so. We shall look vacillation in his k’s and self-esteem in his capitals.
out for you, then, at six. Pray allow me to keep the I am going out now. I have some few references
papers. I may look into the matter before then. It to make. Let me recommend this book,—one of
is only half-past three. Au revoir, then.” the most remarkable ever penned. It is Winwood
Reade’s Martyrdom of Man. I shall be back in an
“Au revoir,” said our visitor, and, with a bright,
hour.”
kindly glance from one to the other of us, she re-
placed her pearl-box in her bosom and hurried I sat in the window with the volume in my
away. Standing at the window, I watched her walk- hand, but my thoughts were far from the daring
ing briskly down the street, until the gray turban speculations of the writer. My mind ran upon
and white feather were but a speck in the sombre our late visitor,—her smiles, the deep rich tones
crowd. of her voice, the strange mystery which overhung
“What a very attractive woman!” I exclaimed, her life. If she were seventeen at the time of
turning to my companion. her father’s disappearance she must be seven-and-
twenty now,—a sweet age, when youth has lost its
He had lit his pipe again, and was leaning
self-consciousness and become a little sobered by
back with drooping eyelids. “Is she?” he said, lan-
experience. So I sat and mused, until such dan-
guidly. “I did not observe.”
gerous thoughts came into my head that I hur-
“You really are an automaton,—a calculating- ried away to my desk and plunged furiously into
machine!” I cried. “There is something positively the latest treatise upon pathology. What was I,
inhuman in you at times.” an army surgeon with a weak leg and a weaker
He smiled gently. “It is of the first importance,” banking-account, that I should dare to think of
he said, “not to allow your judgment to be biased such things? She was a unit, a factor,—nothing
by personal qualities. A client is to me a mere more. If my future were black, it was better surely
unit,—a factor in a problem. The emotional qual- to face it like a man than to attempt to brighten it
ities are antagonistic to clear reasoning. I assure by mere will-o’-the-wisps of the imagination.

72
 The Sign of the Four

CHAPTER III.
In Quest of a Solution

It was half-past five before Holmes returned. that he thought that our night’s work might be a
He was bright, eager, and in excellent spirits,—a serious one.
mood which in his case alternated with fits of the Miss Morstan was muffled in a dark cloak,
blackest depression. and her sensitive face was composed, but pale.
“There is no great mystery in this matter,” he She must have been more than woman if she
said, taking the cup of tea which I had poured out did not feel some uneasiness at the strange enter-
for him. “The facts appear to admit of only one prise upon which we were embarking, yet her self-
explanation.” control was perfect, and she readily answered the
few additional questions which Sherlock Holmes
“What! you have solved it already?” put to her.
“Well, that would be too much to say. I have “Major Sholto was a very particular friend of
discovered a suggestive fact, that is all. It is, how- papa’s,” she said. “His letters were full of allu-
ever, very suggestive. The details are still to be sions to the major. He and papa were in command
added. I have just found, on consulting the back of the troops at the Andaman Islands, so they were
files of the Times, that Major Sholto, of Upper Nor- thrown a great deal together. By the way, a curi-
word, late of the 34th Bombay Infantry, died upon ous paper was found in papa’s desk which no one
the 28th of April, 1882.” could understand. I don’t suppose that it is of the
“I may be very obtuse, Holmes, but I fail to see slightest importance, but I thought you might care
what this suggests.” to see it, so I brought it with me. It is here.”
“No? You surprise me. Look at it in this way, Holmes unfolded the paper carefully and
then. Captain Morstan disappears. The only per- smoothed it out upon his knee. He then very
son in London whom he could have visited is Ma- methodically examined it all over with his double
jor Sholto. Major Sholto denies having heard that lens.
he was in London. Four years later Sholto dies. “It is paper of native Indian manufacture,” he
Within a week of his death Captain Morstan’s daugh- remarked. “It has at some time been pinned to a
ter receives a valuable present, which is repeated board. The diagram upon it appears to be a plan of
from year to year, and now culminates in a letter part of a large building with numerous halls, cor-
which describes her as a wronged woman. What ridors, and passages. At one point is a small cross
wrong can it refer to except this deprivation of done in red ink, and above it is ‘3.37 from left,’
her father? And why should the presents begin in faded pencil-writing. In the left-hand corner is
immediately after Sholto’s death, unless it is that a curious hieroglyphic like four crosses in a line
Sholto’s heir knows something of the mystery and with their arms touching. Beside it is written, in
desires to make compensation? Have you any al- very rough and coarse characters, ‘The sign of the
ternative theory which will meet the facts?” four,—Jonathan Small, Mahomet Singh, Abdullah
Khan, Dost Akbar.’ No, I confess that I do not see
“But what a strange compensation! And how how this bears upon the matter. Yet it is evidently
strangely made! Why, too, should he write a letter a document of importance. It has been kept care-
now, rather than six years ago? Again, the letter fully in a pocket-book; for the one side is as clean
speaks of giving her justice. What justice can she as the other.”
have? It is too much to suppose that her father is
still alive. There is no other injustice in her case “It was in his pocket-book that we found it.”
that you know of.” “Preserve it carefully, then, Miss Morstan, for
it may prove to be of use to us. I begin to suspect
“There are difficulties; there are certainly dif- that this matter may turn out to be much deeper
ficulties,” said Sherlock Holmes, pensively. “But and more subtle than I at first supposed. I must
our expedition of to-night will solve them all. Ah, reconsider my ideas.” He leaned back in the cab,
here is a four-wheeler, and Miss Morstan is inside. and I could see by his drawn brow and his vacant
Are you all ready? Then we had better go down, eye that he was thinking intently. Miss Morstan
for it is a little past the hour.” and I chatted in an undertone about our present
I picked up my hat and my heaviest stick, but expedition and its possible outcome, but our com-
I observed that Holmes took his revolver from his panion maintained his impenetrable reserve until
drawer and slipped it into his pocket. It was clear the end of our journey.

73
 The Sign of the Four

It was a September evening, and not yet seven Morstan’s demeanor was as resolute and collected
o’clock, but the day had been a dreary one, as ever. I endeavored to cheer and amuse her by
and a dense drizzly fog lay low upon the great reminiscences of my adventures in Afghanistan;
city. Mud-colored clouds drooped sadly over the but, to tell the truth, I was myself so excited at our
muddy streets. Down the Strand the lamps were situation and so curious as to our destination that
but misty splotches of diffused light which threw a my stories were slightly involved. To this day she
feeble circular glimmer upon the slimy pavement. declares that I told her one moving anecdote as to
The yellow glare from the shop-windows streamed how a musket looked into my tent at the dead of
out into the steamy, vaporous air, and threw a night, and how I fired a double-barrelled tiger cub
murky, shifting radiance across the crowded thor- at it. At first I had some idea as to the direction
oughfare. There was, to my mind, something in which we were driving; but soon, what with
eerie and ghost-like in the endless procession of our pace, the fog, and my own limited knowledge
faces which flitted across these narrow bars of of London, I lost my bearings, and knew nothing,
light,—sad faces and glad, haggard and merry. save that we seemed to be going a very long way.
Like all human kind, they flitted from the gloom Sherlock Holmes was never at fault, however, and
into the light, and so back into the gloom once he muttered the names as the cab rattled through
more. I am not subject to impressions, but the dull, squares and in and out by tortuous by-streets.
heavy evening, with the strange business upon “Rochester Row,” said he. “Now Vincent
which we were engaged, combined to make me Square. Now we come out on the Vauxhall Bridge
nervous and depressed. I could see from Miss Road. We are making for the Surrey side, appar-
Morstan’s manner that she was suffering from the ently. Yes, I thought so. Now we are on the bridge.
same feeling. Holmes alone could rise superior to You can catch glimpses of the river.”
petty influences. He held his open note-book upon
his knee, and from time to time he jotted down We did indeed bet a fleeting view of a stretch
figures and memoranda in the light of his pocket- of the Thames with the lamps shining upon the
lantern. broad, silent water; but our cab dashed on, and
was soon involved in a labyrinth of streets upon
At the Lyceum Theatre the crowds were al-
the other side.
ready thick at the side-entrances. In front a
continuous stream of hansoms and four-wheelers “Wordsworth Road,” said my companion.
were rattling up, discharging their cargoes of “Priory Road. Lark Hall Lane. Stockwell Place.
shirt-fronted men and beshawled, bediamonded Robert Street. Cold Harbor Lane. Our quest does
women. We had hardly reached the third pillar, not appear to take us to very fashionable regions.”
which was our rendezvous, before a small, dark, We had, indeed, reached a questionable and
brisk man in the dress of a coachman accosted us. forbidding neighborhood. Long lines of dull brick
“Are you the parties who come with Miss houses were only relieved by the coarse glare and
Morstan?” he asked. tawdry brilliancy of public houses at the corner.
“I am Miss Morstan, and these two gentlemen Then came rows of two-storied villas each with a
are my friends,” said she. fronting of miniature garden, and then again inter-
He bent a pair of wonderfully penetrating and minable lines of new staring brick buildings,—the
questioning eyes upon us. “You will excuse me, monster tentacles which the giant city was throw-
miss,” he said with a certain dogged manner, “but ing out into the country. At last the cab drew
I was to ask you to give me your word that neither up at the third house in a new terrace. None
of your companions is a police-officer.” of the other houses were inhabited, and that at
“I give you my word on that,” she answered. which we stopped was as dark as its neighbors,
He gave a shrill whistle, on which a street Arab save for a single glimmer in the kitchen window.
led across a four-wheeler and opened the door. On our knocking, however, the door was instantly
The man who had addressed us mounted to the thrown open by a Hindoo servant clad in a yellow
box, while we took our places inside. We had turban, white loose-fitting clothes, and a yellow
hardly done so before the driver whipped up his sash. There was something strangely incongruous
horse, and we plunged away at a furious pace in this Oriental figure framed in the commonplace
through the foggy streets. door-way of a third-rate suburban dwelling-house.
The situation was a curious one. We were “The Sahib awaits you,” said he, and even as he
driving to an unknown place, on an unknown spoke there came a high piping voice from some
errand. Yet our invitation was either a com- inner room. “Show them in to me, khitmutgar,“ it
plete hoax,—which was an inconceivable hypoth- cried. ”Show them straight in to me.”
esis,—or else we had good reason to think that im-
portant issues might hang upon our journey. Miss 74
 The Sign of the Four

CHAPTER IV.
The Story of the Bald-Headed Man

We followed the Indian down a sordid and I listened to his heart, as requested, but was
common passage, ill lit and worse furnished, un- unable to find anything amiss, save indeed that he
til he came to a door upon the right, which he was in an ecstasy of fear, for he shivered from head
threw open. A blaze of yellow light streamed out to foot. “It appears to be normal,” I said. “You
upon us, and in the centre of the glare there stood have no cause for uneasiness.”
a small man with a very high head, a bristle of “You will excuse my anxiety, Miss Morstan,”
red hair all round the fringe of it, and a bald, he remarked, airily. “I am a great sufferer, and I
shining scalp which shot out from among it like have long had suspicions as to that valve. I am
a mountain-peak from fir-trees. He writhed his delighted to hear that they are unwarranted. Had
hands together as he stood, and his features were your father, Miss Morstan, refrained from throw-
in a perpetual jerk, now smiling, now scowling, ing a strain upon his heart, he might have been
but never for an instant in repose. Nature had alive now.”
given him a pendulous lip, and a too visible line
of yellow and irregular teeth, which he strove fee- I could have struck the man across the face, so
bly to conceal by constantly passing his hand over hot was I at this callous and off-hand reference to
the lower part of his face. In spite of his obtru- so delicate a matter. Miss Morstan sat down, and
sive baldness, he gave the impression of youth. In her face grew white to the lips. “I knew in my
point of fact he had just turned his thirtieth year. heart that he was dead,” said she.
“Your servant, Miss Morstan,” he kept repeat- “I can give you every information,” said he,
ing, in a thin, high voice. “Your servant, gentle- “and, what is more, I can do you justice; and I
men. Pray step into my little sanctum. A small will, too, whatever Brother Bartholomew may say.
place, miss, but furnished to my own liking. An I am so glad to have your friends here, not only
oasis of art in the howling desert of South Lon- as an escort to you, but also as witnesses to what
don.” I am about to do and say. The three of us can
show a bold front to Brother Bartholomew. But
We were all astonished by the appearance o the
let us have no outsiders,—no police or officials.
apartment into which he invited us. In that sorry
We can settle everything satisfactorily among our-
house it looked as out of place as a diamond of
selves, without any interference. Nothing would
the first water in a setting of brass. The richest
annoy Brother Bartholomew more than any pub-
and glossiest of curtains and tapestries draped the
licity.” He sat down upon a low settee and blinked
walls, looped back here and there to expose some
at us inquiringly with his weak, watery blue eyes.
richly-mounted painting or Oriental vase. The car-
pet was of amber-and-black, so soft and so thick “For my part,” said Holmes, “whatever you
that the foot sank pleasantly into it, as into a bed may choose to say will go no further.”
of moss. Two great tiger-skins thrown athwart it I nodded to show my agreement.
increased the suggestion of Eastern luxury, as did “That is well! That is well!” said he. “May I
a huge hookah which stood upon a mat in the cor- offer you a glass of Chianti, Miss Morstan? Or of
ner. A lamp in the fashion of a silver dove was Tokay? I keep no other wines. Shall I open a flask?
hung from an almost invisible golden wire in the No? Well, then, I trust that you have no objection
centre of the room. As it burned it filled the air to tobacco-smoke, to the mild balsamic odor of the
with a subtle and aromatic odor. Eastern tobacco. I am a little nervous, and I find
“Mr. Thaddeus Sholto,” said the little man, still my hookah an invaluable sedative.” He applied a
jerking and smiling. “That is my name. You are taper to the great bowl, and the smoke bubbled
Miss Morstan, of course. And these gentlemen—” merrily through the rose-water. We sat all three
“This is Mr. Sherlock Holmes, and this is Dr. in a semicircle, with our heads advanced, and our
Watson.” chins upon our hands, while the strange, jerky lit-
“A doctor, eh?” cried he, much excited. “Have tle fellow, with his high, shining head, puffed un-
you your stethoscope? Might I ask you—would easily in the centre.
you have the kindness? I have grave doubts as “When I first determined to make this commu-
to my mitral valve, if you would be so very good. nication to you,” said he, “I might have given you
The aortic I may rely upon, but I should value your my address, but I feared that you might disregard
opinion upon the mitral.” my request and bring unpleasant people with you.

75
 The Sign of the Four

I took the liberty, therefore, of making an appoint- We read the details in the papers, and, knowing
ment in such a way that my man Williams might that he had been a friend of our father’s, we dis-
be able to see you first. I have complete confidence cussed the case freely in his presence. He used
in his discretion, and he had orders, if he were dis- to join in our speculations as to what could have
satisfied, to proceed no further in the matter. You happened. Never for an instant did we suspect
will excuse these precautions, but I am a man of that he had the whole secret hidden in his own
somewhat retiring, and I might even say refined, breast,—that of all men he alone knew the fate of
tastes, and there is nothing more unaesthetic than Arthur Morstan.
a policeman. I have a natural shrinking from all
forms of rough materialism. I seldom come in “We did know, however, that some mys-
contact with the rough crowd. I live, as you see, tery—some positive danger—overhung our father.
with some little atmosphere of elegance around He was very fearful of going out alone, and he al-
me. I may call myself a patron of the arts. It is ways employed two prize-fighters to act as porters
my weakness. The landscape is a genuine Corot, at Pondicherry Lodge. Williams, who drove you
and, though a connoisseur might perhaps throw a to-night, was one of them. He was once light-
doubt upon that Salvator Rosa, there cannot be the weight champion of England. Our father would
least question about the Bouguereau. I am partial never tell us what it was he feared, but he had a
to the modern French school.” most marked aversion to men with wooden legs.
On one occasion he actually fired his revolver at a
“You will excuse me, Mr. Sholto,” said Miss wooden-legged man, who proved to be a harmless
Morstan, “but I am here at your request to learn tradesman canvassing for orders. We had to pay a
something which you desire to tell me. It is very large sum to hush the matter up. My brother and I
late, and I should desire the interview to be as used to think this a mere whim of my father’s, but
short as possible.” events have since led us to change our opinion.
“At the best it must take some time,” he an-
swered; “for we shall certainly have to go to Nor- “Early in 1882 my father received a letter from
wood and see Brother Bartholomew. We shall all India which was a great shock to him. He nearly
go and try if we can get the better of Brother fainted at the breakfast-table when he opened it,
Bartholomew. He is very angry with me for tak- and from that day he sickened to his death. What
ing the course which has seemed right to me. I was in the letter we could never discover, but I
had quite high words with him last night. You could see as he held it that it was short and writ-
cannot imagine what a terrible fellow he is when ten in a scrawling hand. He had suffered for
he is angry.” years from an enlarged spleen, but he now became
rapidly worse, and towards the end of April we
“If we are to go to Norwood it would perhaps
were informed that he was beyond all hope, and
be as well to start at once,” I ventured to remark.
that he wished to make a last communication to
He laughed until his ears were quite red. “That us.
would hardly do,” he cried. “I don’t know what
he would say if I brought you in that sudden way. “When we entered his room he was propped
No, I must prepare you by showing you how we up with pillows and breathing heavily. He be-
all stand to each other. In the first place, I must sought us to lock the door and to come upon ei-
tell you that there are several points in the story ther side of the bed. Then, grasping our hands,
of which I am myself ignorant. I can only lay the he made a remarkable statement to us, in a voice
facts before you as far as I know them myself. which was broken as much by emotion as by pain.
“My father was, as you may have guessed, Ma- I shall try and give it to you in his own very words.
jor John Sholto, once of the Indian army. He re- “ ‘I have only one thing,’ he said, ‘which weighs
tired some eleven years ago, and came to live at upon my mind at this supreme moment. It is my
Pondicherry Lodge in Upper Norwood. He had treatment of poor Morstan’s orphan. The cursed
prospered in India, and brought back with him greed which has been my besetting sin through life
a considerable sum of money, a large collection has withheld from her the treasure, half at least of
of valuable curiosities, and a staff of native ser- which should have been hers. And yet I have made
vants. With these advantages he bought himself a no use of it myself,—so blind and foolish a thing
house, and lived in great luxury. My twin-brother is avarice. The mere feeling of possession has been
Bartholomew and I were the only children. so dear to me that I could not bear to share it with
“I very well remember the sensation which was another. See that chaplet dipped with pearls be-
caused by the disappearance of Captain Morstan. side the quinine-bottle. Even that I could not bear

76
 The Sign of the Four

to part with, although I had got it out with the de- in the matter. My fault lies in the fact that we con-
sign of sending it to her. You, my sons, will give cealed not only the body, but also the treasure, and
her a fair share of the Agra treasure. But send her that I have clung to Morstan’s share as well as to
nothing—not even the chaplet—until I am gone. my own. I wish you, therefore, to make restitution.
After all, men have been as bad as this and have Put your ears down to my mouth. The treasure is
recovered. hidden in—At this instant a horrible change came
over his expression; his eyes stared wildly, his jaw
“ ‘I will tell you how Morstan died,’ he contin-
dropped, and he yelled, in a voice which I can
ued. ‘He had suffered for years from a weak heart,
never forget, ‘Keep him out! For Christ’s sake keep
but he concealed it from every one. I alone knew
him out’! We both stared round at the window be-
it. When in India, he and I, through a remark-
hind us upon which his gaze was fixed. A face
able chain of circumstances, came into possession
was looking in at us out of the darkness. We could
of a considerable treasure. I brought it over to Eng-
see the whitening of the nose where it was pressed
land, and on the night of Morstan’s arrival he came
against the glass. It was a bearded, hairy face, with
straight over here to claim his share. He walked
wild cruel eyes and an expression of concentrated
over from the station, and was admitted by my
malevolence. My brother and I rushed towards
faithful Lal Chowdar, who is now dead. Morstan
the window, but the man was gone. When we re-
and I had a difference of opinion as to the divi-
turned to my father his head had dropped and his
sion of the treasure, and we came to heated words.
pulse had ceased to beat.
Morstan had sprung out of his chair in a parox-
ysm of anger, when he suddenly pressed his hand “We searched the garden that night, but found
to his side, his face turned a dusky hue, and he no sign of the intruder, save that just under the
fell backwards, cutting his head against the corner window a single footmark was visible in the
of the treasure-chest. When I stooped over him I flower-bed. But for that one trace, we might have
found, to my horror, that he was dead. thought that our imaginations had conjured up
that wild, fierce face. We soon, however, had an-
“ ‘For a long time I sat half distracted, wonder- other and a more striking proof that there were
ing what I should do. My first impulse was, of secret agencies at work all round us. The window
course, to call for assistance; but I could not but of my father’s room was found open in the morn-
recognize that there was every chance that I would ing, his cupboards and boxes had been rifled, and
be accused of his murder. His death at the moment upon his chest was fixed a torn piece of paper, with
of a quarrel, and the gash in his head, would be the words ‘The sign of the four’ scrawled across it.
black against me. Again, an official inquiry could What the phrase meant, or who our secret visitor
not be made without bringing out some facts about may have been, we never knew. As far as we can
the treasure, which I was particularly anxious to judge, none of my father’s property had been ac-
keep secret. He had told me that no soul upon tually stolen, though everything had been turned
earth knew where he had gone. There seemed to out. My brother and I naturally associated this
be no necessity why any soul ever should know. peculiar incident with the fear which haunted my
“ ‘I was still pondering over the matter, when, father during his life; but it is still a complete mys-
looking up, I saw my servant, Lal Chowdar, in the tery to us.”
doorway. He stole in and bolted the door behind The little man stopped to relight his hookah
him. “Do not fear, Sahib,” he said. “No one need and puffed thoughtfully for a few moments. We
know that you have killed him. Let us hide him had all sat absorbed, listening to his extraordi-
away, and who is the wiser?” “I did not kill him,” nary narrative. At the short account of her father’s
said I. Lal Chowdar shook his head and smiled. “I death Miss Morstan had turned deadly white, and
heard it all, Sahib,” said he. “I heard you quar- for a moment I feared that she was about to faint.
rel, and I heard the blow. But my lips are sealed. She rallied however, on drinking a glass of water
All are asleep in the house. Let us put him away which I quietly poured out for her from a Vene-
together.” That was enough to decide met. If my tian carafe upon the side-table. Sherlock Holmes
own servant could not believe my innocence, how leaned back in his chair with an abstracted ex-
could I hope to make it good before twelve fool- pression and the lids drawn low over his glittering
ish tradesmen in a jury-box? Lal Chowdar and I eyes. As I glanced at him I could not but think
disposed of the body that night, and within a few how on that very day he had complained bitterly
days the London papers were full of the mysteri- of the commonplaceness of life. Here at least was
ous disappearance of Captain Morstan. You will a problem which would tax his sagacity to the ut-
see from what I say that I can hardly be blamed most. Mr. Thaddeus Sholto looked from one to

77
 The Sign of the Four

the other of us with an obvious pride at the effect Miss Morstan remarked just now, it is late, and we
which his story had produced, and then continued had best put the matter through without delay.”
between the puffs of his overgrown pipe.
Our new acquaintance very deliberately coiled
“My brother and I,” said he, “were, as you may up the tube of his hookah, and produced from
imagine, much excited as to the treasure which my behind a curtain a very long befrogged topcoat
father had spoken of. For weeks and for months with Astrakhan collar and cuffs. This he buttoned
we dug and delved in every part of the garden, tightly up, in spite of the extreme closeness of
without discovering its whereabouts. It was mad- the night, and finished his attire by putting on a
dening to think that the hiding-place was on his rabbit-skin cap with hanging lappets which cov-
very lips at the moment that he died. We could ered the ears, so that no part of him was visible
judge the splendor of the missing riches by the save his mobile and peaky face. “My health is
chaplet which he had taken out. Over this chaplet somewhat fragile,“ he remarked, as he led the way
my brother Bartholomew and I had some little dis- down the passage. ”I am compelled to be a vale-
cussion. The pearls were evidently of great value, tudinarian.”
and he was averse to part with them, for, between
friends, my brother was himself a little inclined Our cab was awaiting us outside, and our pro-
to my father’s fault. He thought, too, that if we gramme was evidently prearranged, for the driver
parted with the chaplet it might give rise to gossip started off at once at a rapid pace. Thaddeus
and finally bring us into trouble. It was all that I Sholto talked incessantly, in a voice which rose
could do to persuade him to let me find out Miss high above the rattle of the wheels.
Morstan’s address and send her a detached pearl
“Bartholomew is a clever fellow,” said he.
at fixed intervals, so that at least she might never
“How do you think he found out where the trea-
feel destitute.”
sure was? He had come to the conclusion that
“It was a kindly thought,” said our companion, it was somewhere indoors: so he worked out all
earnestly. “It was extremely good of you.” the cubic space of the house, and made measure-
The little man waved his hand deprecatingly. ments everywhere, so that not one inch should be
“We were your trustees,“ he said. ”That was unaccounted for. Among other things, he found
the view which I took of it, though Brother that the height of the building was seventy-four
Bartholomew could not altogether see it in that feet, but on adding together the heights of all the
light. We had plenty of money ourselves. I desired separate rooms, and making every allowance for
no more. Besides, it would have been such bad the space between, which he ascertained by bor-
taste to have treated a young lady in so scurvy ings, he could not bring the total to more than
a fashion. ‘Le mauvais goût mène au crime.’ The seventy feet. There were four feet unaccounted
French have a very neat way of putting these for. These could only be at the top of the build-
things. Our difference of opinion on this subject ing. He knocked a hole, therefore, in the lath-and-
went so far that I thought it best to set up rooms for plaster ceiling of the highest room, and there, sure
myself: so I left Pondicherry Lodge, taking the old enough, he came upon another little garret above
khitmutgar and Williams with me. Yesterday, how- it, which had been sealed up and was known to
ever, I learn that an event of extreme importance no one. In the centre stood the treasure-chest, rest-
has occurred. The treasure has been discovered. I ing upon two rafters. He lowered it through the
instantly communicated with Miss Morstan, and it hole, and there it lies. He computes the value of
only remains for us to drive out to Norwood and the jewels at not less than half a million sterling.”
demand our share. I explained my views last night
to Brother Bartholomew: so we shall be expected, At the mention of this gigantic sum we all
if not welcome, visitors.” stared at one another open-eyed. Miss Morstan,
could we secure her rights, would change from a
Mr. Thaddeus Sholto ceased, and sat twitching needy governess to the richest heiress in England.
on his luxurious settee. We all remained silent, Surely it was the place of a loyal friend to rejoice
with our thoughts upon the new development at such news; yet I am ashamed to say that self-
which the mysterious business had taken. Holmes ishness took me by the soul, and that my heart
was the first to spring to his feet. turned as heavy as lead within me. I stammered
“You have done well, sir, from first to last,” out some few halting words of congratulation,
said he. “It is possible that we may be able to and then sat downcast, with my head drooped,
make you some small return by throwing some deaf to the babble of our new acquaintance. He
light upon that which is still dark to you. But, as was clearly a confirmed hypochondriac, and I was

78
 The Sign of the Four

dreamily conscious that he was pouring forth in- taking more than two drops of castor oil, while I
terminable trains of symptoms, and imploring in- recommended strychnine in large doses as a seda-
formation as to the composition and action of in- tive. However that may be, I was certainly relieved
numerable quack nostrums, some of which he bore when our cab pulled up with a jerk and the coach-
about in a leather case in his pocket. I trust that man sprang down to open the door.
he may not remember any of the answers which I
gave him that night. Holmes declares that he over- “This, Miss Morstan, is Pondicherry Lodge,”
heard me caution him against the great danger of said Mr. Thaddeus Sholto, as he handed her out.

CHAPTER V.
The Tragedy of Pondicherry Lodge

It was nearly eleven o’clock when we reached This was an unexpected obstacle. Thaddeus
this final stage of our night’s adventures. We had Sholto looked about him in a perplexed and help-
left the damp fog of the great city behind us, and less manner. “This is too bad of you, McMurdo!”
the night was fairly fine. A warm wind blew from he said. “If I guarantee them, that is enough for
the westward, and heavy clouds moved slowly you. There is the young lady, too. She cannot wait
across the sky, with half a moon peeping occasion- on the public road at this hour.”
ally through the rifts. It was clear enough to see “Very sorry, Mr. Thaddeus,” said the porter, in-
for some distance, but Thaddeus Sholto took down exorably. “Folk may be friends o’ yours, and yet
one of the side-lamps from the carriage to give us no friends o’ the master’s. He pays me well to do
a better light upon our way. my duty, and my duty I’ll do. I don’t know none
Pondicherry Lodge stood in its own grounds, o’ your friends.”
and was girt round with a very high stone wall “Oh, yes you do, McMurdo,” cried Sherlock
topped with broken glass. A single narrow iron- Holmes, genially. “I don’t think you can have for-
clamped door formed the only means of en- gotten me. Don’t you remember the amateur who
trance. On this our guide knocked with a peculiar fought three rounds with you at Alison’s rooms on
postman-like rat-tat. the night of your benefit four years back?”
“Who is there?” cried a gruff voice from within. “Not Mr. Sherlock Holmes!” roared the prize-
“It is I, McMurdo. You surely know my knock fighter. “God’s truth! how could I have mistook
by this time.” you? If instead o’ standin’ there so quiet you had
just stepped up and given me that cross-hit of
There was a grumbling sound and a clanking yours under the jaw, I’d ha’ known you without
and jarring of keys. The door swung heavily back, a question. Ah, you’re one that has wasted your
and a short, deep-chested man stood in the open- gifts, you have! You might have aimed high, if you
ing, with the yellow light of the lantern shining had joined the fancy.”
upon his protruded face and twinkling distrustful
eyes. “You see, Watson, if all else fails me I have still
one of the scientific professions open to me,“ said
“That you, Mr. Thaddeus? But who are the oth- Holmes, laughing. “Our friend won’t keep us out
ers? I had no orders about them from the master.” in the cold now, I am sure.”
“No, McMurdo? You surprise me! I told my “In you come, sir, in you come,—you and your
brother last night that I should bring some friends. friends,” he answered. “Very sorry, Mr. Thaddeus,
“He ain’t been out o’ his room to-day, Mr. but orders are very strict. Had to be certain of your
Thaddeus, and I have no orders. You know very friends before I let them in.”
well that I must stick to regulations. I can let you Inside, a gravel path wound through deso-
in, but your friends must just stop where they are.” late grounds to a huge clump of a house, square

79
 The Sign of the Four

and prosaic, all plunged in shadow save where a whom no word or even look of affection had ever
moonbeam struck one corner and glimmered in passed, and yet now in an hour of trouble our
a garret window. The vast size of the building, hands instinctively sought for each other. I have
with its gloom and its deathly silence, struck a chill marvelled at it since, but at the time it seemed the
to the heart. Even Thaddeus Sholto seemed ill at most natural thing that I should go out to her so,
ease, and the lantern quivered and rattled in his and, as she has often told me, there was in her also
hand. the instinct to turn to me for comfort and protec-
“I cannot understand it,” he said. “There must tion. So we stood hand in hand, like two children,
be some mistake. I distinctly told Bartholomew and there was peace in our hearts for all the dark
that we should be here, and yet there is no light in things that surrounded us.
his window. I do not know what to make of it.” “What a strange place!” she said, looking
“Does he always guard the premises in this round.
way?” asked Holmes. “It looks as though all the moles in England
“Yes; he has followed my father’s custom. He had been let loose in it. I have seen something of
was the favorite son, you know, and I sometimes the sort on the side of a hill near Ballarat, where
think that my father may have told him more than the prospectors had been at work.”
he ever told me. That is Bartholomew’s window “And from the same cause,” said Holmes.
up there where the moonshine strikes. It is quite “These are the traces of the treasure-seekers. You
bright, but there is no light from within, I think.” must remember that they were six years looking
“None,” said Holmes. “But I see the glint of a for it. No wonder that the grounds look like a
light in that little window beside the door.” gravel-pit.”
“Ah, that is the housekeeper’s room. That is At that moment the door of the house burst
where old Mrs. Bernstone sits. She can tell us all open, and Thaddeus Sholto came running out,
about it. But perhaps you would not mind wait- with his hands thrown forward and terror in his
ing here for a minute or two, for if we all go in eyes.
together and she has no word of our coming she “There is something amiss with Bartholomew!”
may be alarmed. But hush! what is that?” he cried. “I am frightened! My nerves cannot
He held up the lantern, and his hand shook stand it.” He was, indeed, half blubbering with
until the circles of light flickered and wavered all fear, and his twitching feeble face peeping out
round us. Miss Morstan seized my wrist, and from the great Astrakhan collar had the helpless
we all stood with thumping hearts, straining our appealing expression of a terrified child.
ears. From the great black house there sounded “Come into the house,” said Holmes, in his
through the silent night the saddest and most piti- crisp, firm way.
ful of sounds,—the shrill, broken whimpering of a
“Yes, do!” pleaded Thaddeus Sholto. “I really
frightened woman.
do not feel equal to giving directions.”
“It is Mrs. Bernstone,” said Sholto. “She is the
only woman in the house. Wait here. I shall be We all followed him into the housekeeper’s
back in a moment.” He hurried for the door, and room, which stood upon the left-hand side of the
knocked in his peculiar way. We could see a tall passage. The old woman was pacing up and down
old woman admit him, and sway with pleasure at with a scared look and restless picking fingers,
the very sight of him. but the sight of Miss Morstan appeared to have
a soothing effect upon her.
“Oh, Mr. Thaddeus, sir, I am so glad you have
come! I am so glad you have come, Mr. Thaddeus, “God bless your sweet calm face!” she cried,
sir!” We heard her reiterated rejoicings until the with an hysterical sob. “It does me good to see
door was closed and her voice died away into a you. Oh, but I have been sorely tried this day!”
muffled monotone. Our companion patted her thin, work-worn
Our guide had left us the lantern. Holmes hand, and murmured some few words of kindly
swung it slowly round, and peered keenly at the womanly comfort which brought the color back
house, and at the great rubbish-heaps which cum- into the others bloodless cheeks.
bered the grounds. Miss Morstan and I stood to- “Master has locked himself in and will now an-
gether, and her hand was in mine. A wondrous swer me,” she explained. “All day I have waited to
subtle thing is love, for here were we two who hear from him, for he often likes to be alone; but
had never seen each other before that day, between an hour ago I feared that something was amiss, so

80
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I went up and peeped through the key-hole. You “This is terrible!” I said to Holmes. “What is to
must go up, Mr. Thaddeus,—you must go up and be done?”
look for yourself. I have seen Mr. Bartholomew “The door must come down,” he answered,
Sholto in joy and in sorrow for ten long years, but and, springing against it, he put all his weight
I never saw him with such a face on him as that.” upon the lock. It creaked and groaned, but did not
Sherlock Holmes took the lamp and led the yield. Together we flung ourselves upon it once
way, for Thaddeus Sholto’s teeth were chattering more, and this time it gave way with a sudden
in his head. So shaken was he that I had to pass snap, and we found ourselves within Bartholomew
my hand under his arm as we went up the stairs, Sholto’s chamber.
for his knees were trembling under him. Twice It appeared to have been fitted up as a chemical
as we ascended Holmes whipped his lens out of laboratory. A double line of glass-stoppered bot-
his pocket and carefully examined marks which tles was drawn up upon the wall opposite the door,
appeared to me to be mere shapeless smudges of and the table was littered over with Bunsen burn-
dust upon the cocoa-nut matting which served as ers, test-tubes, and retorts. In the corners stood
a stair-carpet. He walked slowly from step to step, carboys of acid in wicker baskets. One of these ap-
holding the lamp, and shooting keen glances to peared to leak or to have been broken, for a stream
right and left. Miss Morstan had remained behind of dark-colored liquid had trickled out from it, and
with the frightened housekeeper. the air was heavy with a peculiarly pungent, tar-
like odor. A set of steps stood at one side of the
The third flight of stairs ended in a straight pas- room, in the midst of a litter of lath and plaster,
sage of some length, with a great picture in Indian and above them there was an opening in the ceil-
tapestry upon the right of it and three doors upon ing large enough for a man to pass through. At
the left. Holmes advanced along it in the same the foot of the steps a long coil of rope was thrown
slow and methodical way, while we kept close at carelessly together.
his heels, with our long black shadows stream-
By the table, in a wooden arm-chair, the mas-
ing backwards down the corridor. The third door
ter of the house was seated all in a heap, with
was that which we were seeking. Holmes knocked
his head sunk upon his left shoulder, and that
without receiving any answer, and then tried to
ghastly, inscrutable smile upon his face. He was
turn the handle and force it open. It was locked
stiff and cold, and had clearly been dead many
on the inside, however, and by a broad and pow-
hours. It seemed to me that not only his features
erful bolt, as we could see when we set our lamp
but all his limbs were twisted and turned in the
up against it. The key being turned, however, the
most fantastic fashion. By his hand upon the table
hole was not entirely closed. Sherlock Holmes bent
there lay a peculiar instrument,—a brown, close-
down to it, and instantly rose again with a sharp
grained stick, with a stone head like a hammer,
intaking of the breath.
rudely lashed on with coarse twine. Beside it
“There is something devilish in this, Watson,” was a torn sheet of note-paper with some words
said he, more moved than I had ever before seen scrawled upon it. Holmes glanced at it, and then
him. “What do you make of it?” handed it to me.
“You see,” he said, with a significant raising of
I stooped to the hole, and recoiled in horror.
the eyebrows.
Moonlight was streaming into the room, and it was
bright with a vague and shifty radiance. Look- In the light of the lantern I read, with a thrill of
ing straight at me, and suspended, as it were, in horror, “The sign of the four.”
the air, for all beneath was in shadow, there hung “In God’s name, what does it all mean?” I
a face,—the very face of our companion Thad- asked.
deus. There was the same high, shining head, the “It means murder,” said he, stooping over the
same circular bristle of red hair, the same bloodless dead man. “Ah, I expected it. Look here!” He
countenance. The features were set, however, in a pointed to what looked like a long, dark thorn
horrible smile, a fixed and unnatural grin, which stuck in the skin just above the ear.
in that still and moonlit room was more jarring
“It looks like a thorn,” said I.
to the nerves than any scowl or contortion. So like
was the face to that of our little friend that I looked “It is a thorn. You may pick it out. But be care-
round at him to make sure that he was indeed with ful, for it is poisoned.”
us. Then I recalled to mind that he had mentioned I took it up between my finger and thumb. It
to us that his brother and he were twins. came away from the skin so readily that hardly

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 The Sign of the Four

any mark was left behind. One tiny speck of blood “What time was that?”
showed where the puncture had been. “It was ten o’clock. And now he is dead, and
“This is all an insoluble mystery to me,” said I. the police will be called in, and I shall be sus-
“It grows darker instead of clearer.” pected of having had a hand in it. Oh, yes, I am
“On the contrary,” he answered, “it clears ev- sure I shall. But you don’t think so, gentlemen?
ery instant. I only require a few missing links to Surely you don’t think that it was I? Is it likely
have an entirely connected case.” that I would have brought you here if it were I?
We had almost forgotten our companion’s pres- Oh, dear! oh, dear! I know that I shall go mad!”
He jerked his arms and stamped his feet in a kind
ence since we entered the chamber. He was still
standing in the door-way, the very picture of terror, of convulsive frenzy.
wringing his hands and moaning to himself. Sud- “You have no reason for fear, Mr. Sholto,” said
denly, however, he broke out into a sharp, queru- Holmes, kindly, putting his hand upon his shoul-
lous cry. der. “Take my advice, and drive down to the sta-
“The treasure is gone!” he said. “They have tion to report this matter to the police. Offer to
robbed him of the treasure! There is the hole assist them in every way. We shall wait here until
through which we lowered it. I helped him to do your return.”
it! I was the last person who saw him! I left him The little man obeyed in a half-stupefied fash-
here last night, and I heard him lock the door as I ion, and we heard him stumbling down the stairs
came down-stairs.” in the dark.

CHAPTER VI.
Sherlock Holmes Gives a Demonstration

“Now, Watson,” said Holmes, rubbing his and here again upon the floor, and here again by
hands, “we have half an hour to ourselves. Let the table. See here, Watson! This is really a very
us make good use of it. My case is, as I have told pretty demonstration.”
you, almost complete; but we must not err on the I looked at the round, well-defined muddy
side of over-confidence. Simple as the case seems discs. “This is not a footmark,” said I.
now, there may be something deeper underlying
it.” “It is something much more valuable to us. It
is the impression of a wooden stump. You see here
“Simple!” I ejaculated. on the sill is the boot-mark, a heavy boot with the
broad metal heel, and beside it is the mark of the
“Surely,” said he, with something of the air of timber-toe.”
a clinical professor expounding to his class. “Just
sit in the corner there, that your footprints may “It is the wooden-legged man.”
not complicate matters. Now to work! In the first “Quite so. But there has been some one else,—a
place, how did these folk come, and how did they very able and efficient ally. Could you scale that
go? The door has not been opened since last night. wall, doctor?”
How of the window?” He carried the lamp across I looked out of the open window. The moon
to it, muttering his observations aloud the while, still shone brightly on that angle of the house. We
but addressing them to himself rather than to me. were a good sixty feet from the round, and, look
“Window is snibbed on the inner side. Framework where I would, I could see no foothold, nor as
is solid. No hinges at the side. Let us open it. No much as a crevice in the brick-work.
water-pipe near. Roof quite out of reach. Yet a
man has mounted by the window. It rained a lit- “It is absolutely impossible,” I answered.
tle last night. Here is the print of a foot in mould “Without aid it is so. But suppose you had a
upon the sill. And here is a circular muddy mark, friend up here who lowered you this good stout

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 The Sign of the Four

rope which I see in the corner, securing one end floor was formed by the rafters, with thin lath-and-
of it to this great hook in the wall. Then, I think, plaster between, so that in walking one had to step
if you were an active man, you might swarm up, from beam to beam. The roof ran up to an apex,
wooden leg and all. You would depart, of course, and was evidently the inner shell of the true roof
in the same fashion, and your ally would draw up of the house. There was no furniture of any sort,
the rope, untie it from the hook, shut the window, and the accumulated dust of years lay thick upon
snib it on the inside, and get away in the way that the floor.
he originally came. As a minor point it may be
“Here you are, you see,” said Sherlock Holmes,
noted,” he continued, fingering the rope, “that our
putting his hand against the sloping wall. “This is
wooden-legged friend, though a fair climber, was
a trap-door which leads out on to the roof. I can
not a professional sailor. His hands were far from
press it back, and here is the roof itself, sloping
horny. My lens discloses more than one blood-
at a gentle angle. This, then, is the way by which
mark, especially towards the end of the rope, from
Number One entered. Let us see if we can find one
which I gather that he slipped down with such ve-
other traces of his individuality.”
locity that he took the skin off his hand.”
“This is all very well,” said I, “but the thing be- He held down the lamp to the floor, and as he
comes more unintelligible than ever. How about did so I saw for the second time that night a star-
this mysterious ally? How came he into the tled, surprised look come over his face. For my-
room?” self, as I followed his gaze my skin was cold under
my clothes. The floor was covered thickly with the
“Yes, the ally!” repeated Holmes, pensively. prints of a naked foot,—clear, well defined, per-
“There are features of interest about this ally. He fectly formed, but scarce half the size of those of
lifts the case from the regions of the commonplace. an ordinary man.
I fancy that this ally breaks fresh ground in the
annals of crime in this country,—though parallel “Holmes,” I said, in a whisper, “a child has
cases suggest themselves from India, and, if my done the horrid thing.”
memory serves me, from Senegambia.” He had recovered his self-possession in an in-
“How came he, then?” I reiterated. “The door stant. “I was staggered for the moment,” he said,
is locked, the window is inaccessible. Was it “but the thing is quite natural. My memory failed
through the chimney?” me, or I should have been able to foretell it. There
“The grate is much too small,” he answered. “I is nothing more to be learned here. Let us go
had already considered that possibility.” down.”
“How then?” I persisted. “What is your theory, then, as to those foot-
“You will not apply my precept,” he said, shak- marks?” I asked, eagerly, when we had regained
ing his head. “How often have I said to you the lower room once more.
that when you have eliminated the impossible “My dear Watson, try a little analysis yourself,”
whatever remains, however improbable, must be the said he, with a touch of impatience. “You know
truth? We know that he did not come through the my methods. Apply them, and it will be instruc-
door, the window, or the chimney. We also know tive to compare results.”
that he could not have been concealed in the room,
“I cannot conceive anything which will cover
as there is no concealment possible. Whence, then,
the facts,” I answered.
did he come?”
“He came through the hole in the roof,” I cried. “It will be clear enough to you soon,” he said,
in an off-hand way. “I think that there is noth-
“Of course he did. He must have done so. If
ing else of importance here, but I will look.” He
you will have the kindness to hold the lamp for
whipped out his lens and a tape measure, and hur-
me, we shall now extend our researches to the
ried about the room on his knees, measuring, com-
room above,—the secret room in which the trea-
paring, examining, with his long thin nose only a
sure was found.”
few inches from the planks, and his beady eyes
He mounted the steps, and, seizing a rafter gleaming and deep-set like those of a bird. So
with either hand, he swung himself up into the swift, silent, and furtive were his movements, like
garret. Then, lying on his face, he reached down those of a trained blood-hound picking out a scent,
for the lamp and held it while I followed him. that I could not but think what a terrible criminal
The chamber in which we found ourselves was he would have made had he turned his energy and
about ten feet one way and six the other. The sagacity against the law, instead of exerting them

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 The Sign of the Four

in its defense. As he hunted about, he kept mut- “No, it certainly is not.”

tering to himself, and finally he broke out into a “With all these data you should be able to draw
loud crow of delight. some just inference. But here are the regulars: so
“We are certainly in luck,” said he. “We ought the auxiliary forces may beat a retreat.”
to have very little trouble now. Number One has
As he spoke, the steps which had been coming
had the misfortune to tread in the creosote. You
nearer sounded loudly on the passage, and a very
can see the outline of the edge of his small foot
stout, portly man in a gray suit strode heavily into
here at the side of this evil-smelling mess. The car-
the room. He was red-faced, burly and plethoric,
boy has been cracked, You see, and the stuff has
with a pair of very small twinkling eyes which
leaked out.”
looked keenly out from between swollen and puffy
“What then?” I asked. pouches. He was closely followed by an inspector
“Why, we have got him, that’s all,” said he. “I in uniform, and by the still palpitating Thaddeus
know a dog that would follow that scent to the Sholto.
world’s end. If a pack can track a trailed her- “Here’s a business!” he cried, in a muffled,
ring across a shire, how far can a specially-trained husky voice. “Here’s a pretty business! But who
hound follow so pungent a smell as this? It sounds are all these? Why, the house seems to be as full
like a sum in the rule of three. The answer should as a rabbit-warren!”
give us the—But halloo! here are the accredited
representatives of the law.” “I think you must recollect me, Mr. Athelney
Jones,” said Holmes, quietly.
Heavy steps and the clamor of loud voices were
audible from below, and the hall door shut with a “Why, of course I do!” he wheezed. “It’s Mr.
loud crash. Sherlock Holmes, the theorist. Remember you! I’ll
never forget how you lectured us all on causes and
“Before they come,” said Holmes, “just put
inferences and effects in the Bishopgate jewel case.
your hand here on this poor fellow’s arm, and here
It’s true you set us on the right track; but you’ll
on his leg. What do you feel?”
own now that it was more by good luck than good
“The muscles are as hard as a board,” I an- guidance.”
swered.
“It was a piece of very simple reasoning.”
“Quite so. They are in a state of extreme con-
traction, far exceeding the usual rigor mortis. Cou- “Oh, come, now, come! Never be ashamed to
pled with this distortion of the face, this Hippo- own up. But what is all this? Bad business! Bad
cratic smile, or ‘risus sardonicus,’ as the old writers business! Stern facts here,—no room for theories.
called it, what conclusion would it suggest to your How lucky that I happened to be out at Norwood
mind?” over another case! I was at the station when the
message arrived. What d’you think the man died
“Death from some powerful vegetable alka- of?”
loid,” I answered,—“some strychnine-like sub-
stance which would produce tetanus.” “Oh, this is hardly a case for me to theorize
over,” said Holmes, dryly.
“That was the idea which occurred to me the
instant I saw the drawn muscles of the face. On “No, no. Still, we can’t deny that you hit the
getting into the room I at once looked for the nail on the head sometimes. Dear me! Door
means by which the poison had entered the sys- locked, I understand. Jewels worth half a million
tem. As you saw, I discovered a thorn which had missing. How was the window?”
been driven or shot with no great force into the “Fastened; but there are steps on the sill.”
scalp. You observe that the part struck was that
which would be turned towards the hole in the “Well, well, if it was fastened the steps could
ceiling if the man were erect in his chair. Now ex- have nothing to do with the matter. That’s com-
amine the thorn.” mon sense. Man might have died in a fit; but then
the jewels are missing. Ha! I have a theory. These
I took it up gingerly and held it in the light of flashes come upon me at times.—Just step outside,
the lantern. It was long, sharp, and black, with a sergeant, and you, Mr. Sholto. Your friend can re-
glazed look near the point as though some gummy main.—What do you think of this, Holmes? Sholto
substance had dried upon it. The blunt end had was, on his own confession, with his brother last
been trimmed and rounded off with a knife. night. The brother died in a fit, on which Sholto
“Is that an English thorn?” he asked. walked off with the treasure. How’s that?”

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 The Sign of the Four

“On which the dead man very considerately “There, now! Didn’t I tell you!” cried the poor
got up and locked the door on the inside.” little man, throwing out his hands, and looking
“Hum! There’s a flaw there. Let us apply com- from one to the other of us.
mon sense to the matter. This Thaddeus Sholto “Don’t trouble yourself about it, Mr. Sholto,”
was with his brother; there was a quarrel; so much said Holmes. “I think that I can engage to clear
we know. The brother is dead and the jewels are you of the charge.”
gone. So much also we know. No one saw the “Don’t promise too much, Mr. Theorist,—don’t
brother from the time Thaddeus left him. His bed promise too much!” snapped the detective. “You
had not been slept in. Thaddeus is evidently in may find it a harder matter than you think.”
a most disturbed state of mind. His appearance “Not only will I clear him, Mr. Jones, but I will
is—well, not attractive. You see that I am weaving make you a free present of the name and descrip-
my web round Thaddeus. The net begins to close tion of one of the two people who were in this
upon him.” room last night. His name, I have every reason to
“You are not quite in possession of the facts believe, is Jonathan Small. He is a poorly-educated
yet,” said Holmes. “This splinter of wood, which I man, small, active, with his right leg off, and wear-
have every reason to believe to be poisoned, was in ing a wooden stump which is worn away upon the
the man’s scalp where you still see the mark; this inner side. His left boot has a coarse, square-toed
card, inscribed as you see it, was on the table; and sole, with an iron band round the heel. He is a
beside it lay this rather curious stone-headed in- middle-aged man, much sunburned, and has been
strument. How does all that fit into your theory?” a convict. These few indications may be of some
assistance to you, coupled with the fact that there
“Confirms it in every respect,” said the fat de-
is a good deal of skin missing from the palm of his
tective, pompously. “House is full of Indian cu-
hand. The other man—”
riosities. Thaddeus brought this up, and if this
splinter be poisonous Thaddeus may as well have “Ah! the other man—?” asked Athelney Jones,
made murderous use of it as any other man. The in a sneering voice, but impressed none the less,
card is some hocus-pocus,—a blind, as like as not. as I could easily see, by the precision of the other’s
The only question is, how did he depart? Ah, of manner.
course, here is a hole in the roof.” With great ac- “Is a rather curious person,” said Sherlock
tivity, considering his bulk, he sprang up the steps Holmes, turning upon his heel. “I hope before
and squeezed through into the garret, and imme- very long to be able to introduce you to the pair
diately afterwards we heard his exulting voice pro- of them. A word with you, Watson.”
claiming that he had found the trap-door. He led me out to the head of the stair. “This
“He can find something,” remarked Holmes, unexpected occurrence,“ he said, ”has caused us
shrugging his shoulders. “He has occasional glim- rather to lose sight of the original purpose of our
merings of reason. Il n’y a pas des sots si incommodes journey.”
que ceux qui ont de l’esprit!” “I have just been thinking so,” I answered. “It
“You see!” said Athelney Jones, reappearing is not right that Miss Morstan should remain in
down the steps again. “Facts are better than mere this stricken house.”
theories, after all. My view of the case is con- “No. You must escort her home. She lives with
firmed. There is a trap-door communicating with Mrs. Cecil Forrester, in Lower Camberwell: so it is
the roof, and it is partly open.” not very far. I will wait for you here if you will
“It was I who opened it.” drive out again. Or perhaps you are too tired?”
“By no means. I don’t think I could rest until I
“Oh, indeed! You did notice it, then?” He
know more of this fantastic business. I have seen
seemed a little crestfallen at the discovery. “Well,
something of the rough side of life, but I give you
whoever noticed it, it shows how our gentleman
my word that this quick succession of strange sur-
got away. Inspector!”
prises to-night has shaken my nerve completely.
“Yes, sir,” from the passage. I should like, however, to see the matter through
“Ask Mr. Sholto to step this way.—Mr. Sholto, it with you, now that I have got so far.”
is my duty to inform you that anything which you “Your presence will be of great service to me,”
may say will be used against you. I arrest you in he answered. “We shall work the case out inde-
the queen’s name as being concerned in the death pendently, and leave this fellow Jones to exult over
of your brother.” any mare’s-nest which he may choose to construct.

85
 The Sign of the Four

When you have dropped Miss Morstan I wish you than that of the whole detective force of London.”
to go on to No. 3 Pinchin Lane, down near the
water’s edge at Lambeth. The third house on the “I shall bring him, then,” said I. “It is one now.
right-hand side is a bird-stuffer’s: Sherman is the I ought to be back before three, if I can get a fresh
name. You will see a weasel holding a young rab- horse.”
bit in the window. Knock old Sherman up, and “And I,” said Holmes, “shall see what I can
tell him, with my compliments, that I want Toby learn from Mrs. Bernstone, and from the Indian
at once. You will bring Toby back in the cab with servant, who, Mr. Thaddeus tell me, sleeps in the
you.” next garret. Then I shall study the great Jones’s
“A dog, I suppose.” methods and listen to his not too delicate sarcasms.
“Yes,—a queer mongrel, with a most amazing ‘Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was
power of scent. I would rather have Toby’s help sie nicht verstehen.’ Goethe is always pithy.”

CHAPTER VII.
The Episode of the Barrel

The police had brought a cab with them, and It was nearly two o’clock when we reached
in this I escorted Miss Morstan back to her home. Mrs. Cecil Forrester’s. The servants had retired
After the angelic fashion of women, she had borne hours ago, but Mrs. Forrester had been so inter-
trouble with a calm face as long as there was ested by the strange message which Miss Morstan
some one weaker than herself to support, and I had received that she had sat up in the hope of
had found her bright and placid by the side of her return. She opened the door herself, a middle-
the frightened housekeeper. In the cab, however, aged, graceful woman, and it gave me joy to see
she first turned faint, and then burst into a pas- how tenderly her arm stole round the other’s waist
sion of weeping,—so sorely had she been tried by and how motherly was the voice in which she
the adventures of the night. She has told me since greeted her. She was clearly no mere paid depen-
that she thought me cold and distant upon that dant, but an honored friend. I was introduced, and
journey. She little guessed the struggle within my Mrs. Forrester earnestly begged me to step in and
breast, or the effort of self-restraint which held me tell her our adventures. I explained, however, the
back. My sympathies and my love went out to importance of my errand, and promised faithfully
her, even as my hand had in the garden. I felt to call and report any progress which we might
that years of the conventionalities of life could not make with the case. As we drove away I stole a
teach me to know her sweet, brave nature as had glance back, and I still seem to see that little group
this one day of strange experiences. Yet there were on the step, the two graceful, clinging figures, the
two thoughts which sealed the words of affection half-opened door, the hall light shining through
upon my lips. She was weak and helpless, shaken stained glass, the barometer, and the bright stair-
in mind and nerve. It was to take her at a disad- rods. It was soothing to catch even that passing
vantage to obtrude love upon her at such a time. glimpse of a tranquil English home in the midst of
Worse still, she was rich. If Holmes’s researches the wild, dark business which had absorbed us.
were successful, she would be an heiress. Was
it fair, was it honorable, that a half-pay surgeon And the more I thought of what had happened,
should take such advantage of an intimacy which the wilder and darker it grew. I reviewed the
chance had brought about? Might she not look whole extraordinary sequence of events as I rat-
upon me as a mere vulgar fortune-seeker? I could tled on through the silent gas-lit streets. There was
not bear to risk that such a thought should cross the original problem: that at least was pretty clear
her mind. This Agra treasure intervened like an now. The death of Captain Morstan, the sending
impassable barrier between us. of the pearls, the advertisement, the letter,—we
had had light upon all those events. They had

86
 The Sign of the Four

only led us, however, to a deeper and far more “Toby lives at No. 7 on the left here.” He moved
tragic mystery. The Indian treasure, the curious slowly forward with his candle among the queer
plan found among Morstan’s baggage, the strange animal family which he had gathered round him.
scene at Major Sholto’s death, the rediscovery of In the uncertain, shadowy light I could see dimly
the treasure immediately followed by the murder that there were glancing, glimmering eyes peeping
of the discoverer, the very singular accompani- down at us from every cranny and corner. Even
ments to the crime, the footsteps, the remarkable the rafters above our heads were lined by solemn
weapons, the words upon the card, corresponding fowls, who lazily shifted their weight from one leg
with those upon Captain Morstan’s chart,—here to the other as our voices disturbed their slumbers.
was indeed a labyrinth in which a man less singu-
Toby proved to an ugly, long-haired, lop-eared
larly endowed than my fellow-lodger might well
creature, half spaniel and half lurcher, brown-
despair of ever finding the clue.
and-white in color, with a very clumsy waddling
Pinchin Lane was a row of shabby two-storied gait. It accepted after some hesitation a lump
brick houses in the lower quarter of Lambeth. I of sugar which the old naturalist handed to me,
had to knock for some time at No. 3 before I could and, having thus sealed an alliance, it followed
make my impression. At last, however, there was me to the cab, and made no difficulties about ac-
the glint of a candle behind the blind, and a face companying me. It had just struck three on the
looked out at the upper window. Palace clock when I found myself back once more
“Go on, you drunken vagabone,” said the face. at Pondicherry Lodge. The ex-prize-fighter Mc-
“If you kick up any more row I’ll open the kennels Murdo had, I found, been arrested as an accessory,
and let out forty-three dogs upon you.” and both he and Mr. Sholto had been marched off
to the station. Two constables guarded the narrow
“If you’ll let one out it’s just what I have come
gate, but they allowed me to pass with the dog on
for,” said I.
my mentioning the detective’s name.
“Go on!” yelled the voice. “So help me gra-
cious, I have a wiper in the bag, an’ I’ll drop it on Holmes was standing on the door-step, with
your ’ead if you don’t hook it.” his hands in his pockets, smoking his pipe.
“But I want a dog,” I cried. “Ah, you have him there!” said he. “Good dog,
“I won’t be argued with!” shouted Mr. Sher- then! Athelney Jones has gone. We have had an
man. “Now stand clear, for when I say ‘three,’ immense display of energy since you left. He has
down goes the wiper.” arrested not only friend Thaddeus, but the gate-
keeper, the housekeeper, and the Indian servant.
“Mr. Sherlock Holmes—” I began, but the We have the place to ourselves, but for a sergeant
words had a most magical effect, for the window up-stairs. Leave the dog here, and come up.”
instantly slammed down, and within a minute the
door was unbarred and open. Mr. Sherman was We tied Toby to the hall table, and reascended
a lanky, lean old man, with stooping shoulders, a the stairs. The room was as he had left it, save that
stringy neck, and blue-tinted glasses. a sheet had been draped over the central figure. A
weary-looking police-sergeant reclined in the cor-
“A friend of Mr. Sherlock is always welcome,”
ner.
said he. “Step in, sir. Keep clear of the badger; for
he bites. Ah, naughty, naughty, would you take a “Lend me your bull’s-eye, sergeant,” said my
nip at the gentleman?” This to a stoat which thrust companion. “Now tie this bit of card round my
its wicked head and red eyes between the bars of neck, so as to hang it in front of me. Thank you.
its cage. “Don’t mind that, sir: it’s only a slow- Now I must kick off my boots and stockings.—Just
worm. It hain’t got no fangs, so I gives it the run you carry them down with you, Watson. I am go-
o’ the room, for it keeps the bettles down. You ing to do a little climbing. And dip my handker-
must not mind my bein’ just a little short wi’ you at chief into the creasote. That will do. Now come
first, for I’m guyed at by the children, and there’s up into the garret with me for a moment.”
many a one just comes down this lane to knock me
We clambered up through the hole. Holmes
up. What was it that Mr. Sherlock Holmes wanted,
turned his light once more upon the footsteps in
sir?”
the dust.
“He wanted a dog of yours.”
“I wish you particularly to notice these foot-
“Ah! that would be Toby.” marks,” he said. “Do you observe anything note-
“Yes, Toby was the name.” worthy about them?”

87
 The Sign of the Four

“They belong,” I said, “to a child or a small dropped this. It confirms my diagnosis, as you
woman.” doctors express it.”
“Apart from their size, though. Is there nothing The object which he held up to me was a small
else?” pocket or pouch woven out of colored grasses and
“They appear to be much as other footmarks.” with a few tawdry beads strung round it. In shape
and size it was not unlike a cigarette-case. Inside
“Not at all. Look here! This is the print of a were half a dozen spines of dark wood, sharp at
right foot in the dust. Now I make one with my one end and rounded at the other, like that which
naked foot beside it. What is the chief difference?” had struck Bartholomew Sholto.
“Your toes are all cramped together. The other “They are hellish things,” said he. “Look out
print has each toe distinctly divided.” that you don’t prick yourself. I’m delighted to
“Quite so. That is the point. Bear that in mind. have them, for the chances are that they are all he
Now, would you kindly step over to that flap- has. There is the less fear of you or me finding
window and smell the edge of the wood-work? I one in our skin before long. I would sooner face a
shall stay here, as I have this handkerchief in my Martini bullet, myself. Are you game for a six-mile
hand.” trudge, Watson?”
I did as he directed, and was instantly con- “Certainly,” I answered.
scious of a strong tarry smell. “Your leg will stand it?”
“That is where he put his foot in getting out. “Oh, yes.”
If you can trace him, I should think that Toby will
“Here you are, doggy! Good old Toby! Smell
have no difficulty. Now run down-stairs, loose the
it, Toby, smell it!” He pushed the creasote hand-
dog, and look out for Blondin.”
kerchief under the dog’s nose, while the creature
By the time that I got out into the grounds stood with its fluffy legs separated, and with a
Sherlock Holmes was on the roof, and I could see most comical cock to its head, like a connoisseur
him like an enormous glow-worm crawling very sniffing the bouquet of a famous vintage. Holmes
slowly along the ridge. I lost sight of him behind then threw the handkerchief to a distance, fastened
a stack of chimneys, but he presently reappeared, a stout cord to the mongrel’s collar, and let him to
and then vanished once more upon the opposite the foot of the water-barrel. The creature instantly
side. When I made my way round there I found broke into a succession of high, tremulous yelps,
him seated at one of the corner eaves. and, with his nose on the ground, and his tail in
“That You, Watson?” he cried. the air, pattered off upon the trail at a pace which
strained his leash and kept us at the top of our
“Yes.”
speed.
“This is the place. What is that black thing
The east had been gradually whitening, and we
down there?”
could now see some distance in the cold gray light.
“A water-barrel.” The square, massive house, with its black, empty
“Top on it?” windows and high, bare walls, towered up, sad
and forlorn, behind us. Our course let right across
“Yes.” the grounds, in and out among the trenches and
“No sign of a ladder?” pits with which they were scarred and intersected.
“No.” The whole place, with its scattered dirt-heaps and
ill-grown shrubs, had a blighted, ill-omened look
“Confound the fellow! It’s a most break-neck which harmonized with the black tragedy which
place. I ought to be able to come down where he hung over it.
could climb up. The water-pipe feels pretty firm.
Here goes, anyhow.” On reaching the boundary wall Toby ran along,
whining eagerly, underneath its shadow, and
There was a scuffling of feet, and the lantern stopped finally in a corner screened by a young
began to come steadily down the side of the wall. beech. Where the two walls joined, several bricks
Then with a light spring he came on to the barrel, had been loosened, and the crevices left were worn
and from there to the earth. down and rounded upon the lower side, as though
“It was easy to follow him,” he said, drawing they had frequently been used as a ladder. Holmes
on his stockings and boots. “Tiles were loosened clambered up, and, taking the dog from me, he
the whole way along, and in his hurry he had dropped it over upon the other side.

88
 The Sign of the Four

“There’s the print of wooden-leg’s hand,” he “But that is mere speculation,” said I.
remarked, as I mounted up beside him. “You see
“It is more than that. It is the only hypothesis
the slight smudge of blood upon the white plaster.
which covers the facts. Let us see how it fits in
What a lucky thing it is that we have had no very
with the sequel. Major Sholto remains at peace for
heavy rain since yesterday! The scent will lie upon
some years, happy in the possession of his trea-
the road in spite of their eight-and-twenty hours’
sure. Then he receives a letter from India which
start.”
gives him a great fright. What was that?”
I confess that I had my doubts myself when I
reflected upon the great traffic which had passed “A letter to say that the men whom he had
along the London road in the interval. My fears wronged had been set free.”
were soon appeased, however. Toby never hes- “Or had escaped. That is much more likely, for
itated or swerved, but waddled on in his pecu- he would have known what their term of impris-
liar rolling fashion. Clearly, the pungent smell of onment was. It would not have been a surprise
the creasote rose high above all other contending to him. What does he do then? He guards him-
scents. self against a wooden-legged man,—a white man,
“Do not imagine,” said Holmes, “that I depend mark you, for he mistakes a white tradesman for
for my success in this case upon the mere chance him, and actually fires a pistol at him. Now, only
of one of these fellows having put his foot in the one white man’s name is on the chart. The oth-
chemical. I have knowledge now which would ers are Hindoos or Mohammedans. There is no
enable me to trace them in many different ways. other white man. Therefore we may say with con-
This, however, is the readiest and, since fortune fidence that the wooden-legged man is identical
has put it into our hands, I should be culpable if with Jonathan Small. Does the reasoning strike yo
I neglected it. It has, however, prevented the case as being faulty?”
from becoming the pretty little intellectual prob- “No: it is clear and concise.”
lem which it at one time promised to be. There
might have been some credit to be gained out of it, “Well, now, let us put ourselves in the place of
but for this too palpable clue.” Jonathan Small. Let us look at it from his point of
view. He comes to England with the double idea of
“There is credit, and to spare,” said I. “I as- regaining what he would consider to be his rights
sure you, Holmes, that I marvel at the means by and of having his revenge upon the man who had
which you obtain your results in this case, even wronged him. He found out where Sholto lived,
more than I did in the Jefferson Hope Murder. The and very possibly he established communications
thing seems to me to be deeper and more inexpli- with some one inside the house. There is this but-
cable. How, for example, could you describe with ler, Lal Rao, whom we have not seen. Mrs. Bern-
such confidence the wooden-legged man?” stone gives him far from a good character. Small
“Pshaw, my dear boy! it was simplicity itself. could not find out, however, where the treasure
I don’t wish to be theatrical. It is all patent and was hid, for no one ever knew, save the major
above-board. Two officers who are in command and one faithful servant who had died. Suddenly
of a convict-guard learn an important secret as Small learns that the major is on his death-bed. In
to buried treasure. A map is drawn for them by a frenzy lest the secret of the treasure die with him,
an Englishman named Jonathan Small. You re- he runs the gauntlet of the guards, makes his way
member that we saw the name upon the chart in to the dying man’s window, and is only deterred
Captain Morstan’s possession. He had signed it from entering by the presence of his two sons.
in behalf of himself and his associates,—the sign Mad with hate, however, against the dead man,
of the four, as he somewhat dramatically called he enters the room that night, searches his private
it. Aided by this chart, the officers—or one of papers in the hope of discovering some memoran-
them—gets the treasure and brings it to England, dum relating to the treasure, and finally leaves a
leaving, we will suppose, some condition under momento of his visit in the short inscription upon
which he received it unfulfilled. Now, then, why the card. He had doubtless planned beforehand
did not Jonathan Small get the treasure himself? that should he slay the major he would leave some
The answer is obvious. The chart is dated at a time such record upon the body as a sign that it was
when Morstan was brought into close association not a common murder, but, from the point of view
with convicts. Jonathan Small did not get the trea- of the four associates, something in the nature of
sure because he and his associates were themselves an act of justice. Whimsical and bizarre conceits
convicts and could not get away.” of this kind are common enough in the annals of

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 The Sign of the Four

crime, and usually afford valuable indications as “That was like following the brook to the par-
to the criminal. Do you follow all this?” ent lake. He makes one curious but profound re-
“Very clearly.” mark. It is that the chief proof of man’s real great-
ness lies in his perception of his own smallness.
“Now, what could Jonathan Small do? He It argues, you see, a power of comparison and of
could only continue to keep a secret watch upon appreciation which is in itself a proof of nobility.
the efforts made to find the treasure. Possibly There is much food for thought in Richter. You
he leaves England and only comes back at inter- have not a pistol, have you?”
vals. Then comes the discovery of the garret, and
he is instantly informed of it. We again trace the “I have my stick.”
presence of some confederate in the household. “It is just possible that we may need something
Jonathan, with his wooden leg, is utterly unable of the sort if we get to their lair. Jonathan I shall
to reach the lofty room of Bartholomew Sholto. leave to you, but if the other turns nasty I shall
He takes with him, however, a rather curious as- shoot him dead.” He took out his revolver as he
sociate, who gets over this difficulty, but dips his spoke, and, having loaded two of the chambers, he
naked foot into creasote, whence come Toby, and a put it back into the right-hand pocket of his jacket.
six-mile limp for a half-pay officer with a damaged
We had during this time been following the
tendo Achillis.”
guidance of Toby down the half-rural villa-lined
“But it was the associate, and not Jonathan, roads which lead to the metropolis. Now, however,
who committed the crime.” we were beginning to come among continuous
“Quite so. And rather to Jonathan’s disgust, streets, where laborers and dockmen were already
to judge by the way the stamped about when he astir, and slatternly women were taking down
got into the room. He bore no grudge against shutters and brushing door-steps. At the square-
Bartholomew Sholto, and would have preferred if topped corner public houses business was just be-
he could have been simply bound and gagged. He ginning, and rough-looking men were emerging,
did not wish to put his head in a halter. There was rubbing their sleeves across their beards after their
no help for it, however: the savage instincts of his morning wet. Strange dogs sauntered up and
companion had broken out, and the poison had stared wonderingly at us as we passed, but our
done its work: so Jonathan Small left his record, inimitable Toby looked neither to the right nor
lowered the treasure-box to the ground, and fol- to the left, but trotted onwards with his nose to
lowed it himself. That was the train of events as the ground and an occasional eager whine which
far as I can decipher them. Of course as to his spoke of a hot scent.
personal appearance he must be middle-aged, and We had traversed Streatham, Brixton, Cam-
must be sunburned after serving his time in such berwell, and now found ourselves in Kennington
an oven as the Andamans. His height is readily Lane, having borne away through the side-streets
calculated from the length of his stride, and we to the east of the Oval. The men whom we pursued
know that he was bearded. His hairiness was the seemed to have taken a curiously zigzag road,
one point which impressed itself upon Thaddeus with the idea probably of escaping observation.
Sholto when he saw him at the window. I don’t They had never kept to the main road if a parallel
know that there is anything else.” side-street would serve their turn. At the foot of
“The associate?” Kennington Lane they had edged away to the left
through Bond Street and Miles Street. Where the
“Ah, well, there is no great mystery in that.
latter street turns into Knight’s Place, Toby ceased
But you will know all about it soon enough. How
to advance, but began to run backwards and for-
sweet the morning air is! See how that one little
wards with one ear cocked and the other droop-
cloud floats like a pink feather from some gigantic
ing, the very picture of canine indecision. Then he
flamingo. Now the red rim of the sun pushes itself
waddled round in circles, looking up to us from
over the London cloud-bank. It shines on a good
time to time, as if to ask for sympathy in his em-
many folk, but on none, I dare bet, who are on a
barrassment.
stranger errand than you and I. How small we feel
with our petty ambitions and strivings in the pres- “What the deuce is the matter with the dog?”
ence of the great elemental forces of nature! Are growled Holmes. “They surely would not take a
you well up in your Jean Paul?” cab, or go off in a balloon.”
“Fairly so. I worked back to him through Car- “Perhaps they stood here for some time,” I sug-
lyle.” gested.

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 The Sign of the Four

“Ah! it’s all right. He’s off again,” said my side-gate into the enclosure, where the sawyers
companion, in a tone of relief. were already at work. On the dog raced through
He was indeed off, for after sniffing round sawdust and shavings, down an alley, round a pas-
again he suddenly made up his mind, and darted sage, between two wood-piles, and finally, with a
away with an energy and determination such as he triumphant yelp, sprang upon a large barrel which
had not yet shown. The scent appeared to be much still stood upon the hand-trolley on which it had
hotter than before, for he had not even to put his been brought. With lolling tongue and blinking
nose on the ground, but tugged at his leash and eyes, Toby stood upon the cask, looking from one
tried to break into a run. I cold see by the gleam to the other of us for some sign of appreciation.
in Holmes’s eyes that he thought we were nearing The staves of the barrel and the wheels of the
the end of our journey. trolley were smeared with a dark liquid, and the
Our course now ran down Nine Elms until we whole air was heavy with the smell of creasote.
came to Broderick and Nelson’s large timber-yard, Sherlock Holmes and I looked blankly at each
just past the White Eagle tavern. Here the dog, other, and then burst simultaneously into an un-
frantic with excitement, turned down through the controllable fit of laughter.

CHAPTER VIII.
The Baker Street Irregulars

“What now?” I asked. “Toby has lost his char- down the roadway. No, we are on the true scent
acter for infallibility.” now.”
“He acted according to his lights,” said It tended down towards the river-side, running
Holmes, lifting him down from the barrel and through Belmont Place and Prince’s Street. At the
walking him out of the timber-yard. “If you con- end of Broad Street it ran right down to the wa-
sider how much creasote is carted about London in ter’s edge, where there was a small wooden wharf.
one day, it is no great wonder that our trail should Toby led us to the very edge of this, and there
have been crossed. It is much used now, especially stood whining, looking out on the dark current be-
for the seasoning of wood. Poor Toby is not to yond.
blame.”
“We are out of luck,” said Holmes. “They have
“We must get on the main scent again, I sup- taken to a boat here.” Several small punts and
pose.” skiffs were lying about in the water and on the
edge of the wharf. We took Toby round to each in
“Yes. And, fortunately, we have no distance to
turn, but, though he sniffed earnestly, he made no
go. Evidently what puzzled the dog at the corner
sign.
of Knight’s Place was that there were two different
trails running in opposite directions. We took the Close to the rude landing-stage was a small
wrong one. It only remains to follow the other.” brick house, with a wooden placard slung out
through the second window. “Mordecai Smith”
There was no difficulty about this. On lead-
was printed across it in large letters, and, under-
ing Toby to the place where he had committed
neath, “Boats to hire by the hour or day.” A sec-
his fault, he cast about in a wide circle and finally
ond inscription above the door informed us that
dashed off in a fresh direction.
a steam launch was kept,—a statement which was
“We must take care that he does not now bring confirmed by a great pile of coke upon the jetty.
us to the place where the creasote-barrel came Sherlock Holmes looked slowly round, and his
from,” I observed. face assumed an ominous expression.
“I had thought of that. But you notice that he “This looks bad,” said he. “These fellows are
keeps on the pavement, whereas the barrel passed sharper than I expected. They seem to have cov-

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 The Sign of the Four

ered their tracks. There has, I fear, been precon- “Yes, sir, a brown, monkey-faced chap that’s
certed management here.” called more’n once for my old man. It was him
He was approaching the door of the house, that roused him up yesternight, and, what’s more,
when it opened, and a little, curly-headed lad of my man knew he was comin’, for he had steam up
six came running out, followed by a stoutish, red- in the launch. I tell you straight, sir, I don’t feel
faced woman with a large sponge in her hand. easy in my mind about it.”
“But, my dear Mrs. Smith,” said Holmes,
“You come back and be washed, Jack,” she
shrugging his shoulders, “You are frightening
shouted. “Come back, you young imp; for if your
yourself about nothing. How could you possibly
father comes home and finds you like that, he’ll let
tell that it was the wooden-legged man who came
us hear of it.”
in the night? I don’t quite understand how you
“Dear little chap!” said Holmes, strategically. can be so sure.”
“What a rosy-cheeked young rascal! Now, Jack, is “His voice, sir. I knew his voice, which
there anything you would like?” is kind o’ thick and foggy. He tapped at the
The youth pondered for a moment. “I’d like a winder,—about three it would be. ‘Show a leg,
shillin’,” said he. matey,’ says he: ‘time to turn out guard.’ My old
“Nothing you would like better?” man woke up Jim,—that’s my eldest,—and away
they went, without so much as a word to me. I
“I’d like two shillin’ better,” the prodigy an- could hear the wooden leg clackin’ on the stones.”
swered, after some thought.
“And was this wooden-legged man alone?”
“Here you are, then! Catch!—A fine child, Mrs. “Couldn’t say, I am sure, sir. I didn’t hear no
Smith!” one else.”
“Lor’ bless you, sir, he is that, and forward. He “I am sorry, Mrs. Smith, for I wanted a steam
gets a’most too much for me to manage, ’specially launch, and I have heard good reports of the—Let
when my man is away days at a time.” me see, what is her name?”
“Away, is he?” said Holmes, in a disappointed “The Aurora, sir.”
voice. “I am sorry for that, for I wanted to speak “Ah! She’s not that old green launch with a
to Mr. Smith.” yellow line, very broad in the beam?”
“He’s been away since yesterday mornin’, sir, “No, indeed. She’s as trim a little thing as any
and, truth to tell, I am beginnin’ to feel frightened on the river. She’s been fresh painted, black with
about him. But if it was about a boat, sir, maybe I two red streaks.”
could serve as well.”
“Thanks. I hope that you will hear soon from
“I wanted to hire his steam launch.” Mr. Smith. I am going down the river; and if I
“Why, bless you, sir, it is in the steam launch should see anything of the Aurora I shall let him
that he has gone. That’s what puzzles me; for know that you are uneasy. A black funnel, you
I know there ain’t more coals in her than would say?”
take her to about Woolwich and back. If he’d been “No, sir. Black with a white band.”
away in the barge I’d ha’ thought nothin’; for many “Ah, of course. It was the sides which were
a time a job has taken him as far as Gravesend, black. Good-morning, Mrs. Smith.—There is a
and then if there was much doin’ there he might boatman here with a wherry, Watson. We shall
ha’ stayed over. But what good is a steam launch take it and cross the river.
without coals?” “The main thing with people of that sort,” said
“He might have bought some at a wharf down Holmes, as we sat in the sheets of the wherry, “is
the river.” never to let them think that their information can
“He might, sir, but it weren’t his way. Many be of the slightest importance to you. If you do,
a time I’ve heard him call out at the prices they they will instantly shut up like an oyster. If you
charge for a few odd bags. Besides, I don’t like listen to them under protest, as it were, you are
that wooden-legged man, wi’ his ugly face and very likely to get what you want.”
outlandish talk. What did he want always knockin’ “Our course now seems pretty clear,” said I.
about here for?” “What would you do, then?”
“A wooden-legged man?” said Holmes, with “I would engage a launch and go down the
bland surprise. river on the track of the Aurora.”

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 The Sign of the Four

“My dear fellow, it would be a colossal task. the death of Bartholomew Sholto went, I had heard
She may have touched at any wharf on either side little good of him, and could feel no intense antipa-
of the stream between here and Greenwich. Below thy to his murderers. The treasure, however, was a
the bridge there is a perfect labyrinth of landing- different matter. That, or part of it, belonged right-
places for miles. It would take you days and days fully to Miss Morstan. While there was a chance of
to exhaust them, if you set about it alone.” recovering it I was ready to devote my life to the
“Employ the police, then.” one object. True, if I found it it would probably
put her forever beyond my reach. Yet it would be
“No. I shall probably call Athelney Jones in a petty and selfish love which would be influenced
at the last moment. He is not a bad fellow, and I by such a thought as that. If Holmes could work to
should not like to do anything which would injure find the criminals, I had a tenfold stronger reason
him professionally. But I have a fancy for working to urge me on to find the treasure.
it out myself, now that we have gone so far.”
“Could we advertise, then, asking for informa- A bath at Baker Street and a complete change
tion from wharfingers?” freshened me up wonderfully. When I came down
to our room I found the breakfast laid and Holmes
“Worse and worse! Our men would know that
pouring out the coffee.
the chase was hot at their heels, and they would
be off out of the country. As it is, they are likely “Here it is,” said he, laughing, and pointing to
enough to leave, but as long as they think they are an open newspaper. “The energetic Jones and the
perfectly safe they will be in no hurry. Jones’s en- ubiquitous reporter have fixed it up between them.
ergy will be of use to us there, for his view of the But you have had enough of the case. Better have
case is sure to push itself into the daily press, and your ham and eggs first.”
the runaways will think that every one is off on the
wrong scent.” I took the paper from him and read the short
notice, which was headed “Mysterious Business at
“What are we to do, then?” I asked, as we
Upper Norwood.”
landed near Millbank Penitentiary.
“Take this hansom, drive home, have some “About twelve o’clock last night,” said
breakfast, and get an hour’s sleep. It is quite on the Standard, “Mr. Bartholomew Sholto, of
the cards that we may be afoot to-night again. Stop Pondicherry Lodge, Upper Norwood, was found
at a telegraph-office, cabby! We will keep Toby, for dead in his room under circumstances which point
he may be of use to us yet.” to foul play. As far as we can learn, no actual
traces of violence were found upon Mr. Sholto’s
We pulled up at the Great Peter Street post-
person, but a valuable collection of Indian gems
office, and Holmes despatched his wire. “Whom
which the deceased gentleman had inherited from
do you think that is to?” he asked, as we resumed
his father has been carried off. The discovery was
our journey.
first made by Mr. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Wat-
“I am sure I don’t know.” son, who had called at the house with Mr. Thad-
“You remember the Baker Street division of the deus Sholto, brother of the deceased. By a singu-
detective police force whom I employed in the Jef- lar piece of good fortune, Mr. Athelney Jones, the
ferson Hope case?” well-known member of the detective police force,
“Well,” said I, laughing. happened to be at the Norwood Police Station, and
was on the ground within half an hour of the first
“This is just the case where they might be in- alarm. His trained and experienced faculties were
valuable. If they fail, I have other resources; but at once directed towards the detection of the crim-
I shall try them first. That wire was to my dirty inals, with the gratifying result that the brother,
little lieutenant, Wiggins, and I expect that he and Thaddeus Sholto, has already been arrested, to-
his gang will be with us before we have finished gether with the housekeeper, Mrs. Bernstone, an
our breakfast.” Indian butler named Lal Rao, and a porter, or gate-
It was between eight and nine o’clock now, and keeper, named McMurdo. It is quite certain that
I was conscious of a strong reaction after the suc- the thief or thieves were well acquainted with the
cessive excitements of the night. I was limp and house, for Mr. Jones’s well-known technical knowl-
weary, befogged in mind and fatigued in body. I edge and his powers of minute observation have
had not the professional enthusiasm which carried enabled him to prove conclusively that the mis-
my companion on, nor could I look at the matter creants could not have entered by the door or by
as a mere abstract intellectual problem. As far as the window, but must have made their way across

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 The Sign of the Four

the roof of the building, and so through a trap- Let me know the moment you have news. Is that
door into a room which communicated with that all clear?”
in which the body was found. This fact, which “Yes, guv’nor,” said Wiggins.
has been very clearly made out, proves conclu- “The old scale of pay, and a guinea to the boy
sively that it was no mere haphazard burglary. who finds the boat. Here’s a day in advance. Now
The prompt and energetic action of the officers off you go!” He handed them a shilling each, and
of the law shows the great advantage of the pres- away they buzzed down the stairs, and I saw them
ence on such occasions of a single vigorous and a moment later streaming down the street.
masterful mind. We cannot but think that it sup- “If the launch is above water they will find her,”
plies an argument to those who would wish to see said Holmes, as he rose from the table and lit his
our detectives more decentralized, and so brought pipe. “They can go everywhere, see everything,
into closer and more effective touch with the cases overhear every one. I expect to hear before evening
which it is their duty to investigate.” that they have spotted her. In the mean while, we
“Isn’t it gorgeous!” said Holmes, grinning over can do nothing but await results. We cannot pick
his coffee-cup. “What do you think of it?” up the broken trail until we find either the Aurora
“I think that we have had a close shave our- or Mr. Mordecai Smith.”
selves of being arrested for the crime.” “Toby could eat these scraps, I dare say. Are
you going to bed, Holmes?”
“So do I. I wouldn’t answer for our safety now,
“No: I am not tired. I have a curious consti-
if he should happen to have another of his attacks
tution. I never remember feeling tired by work,
of energy.”
though idleness exhausts me completely. I am go-
At this moment there was a loud ring at the ing to smoke and to think over this queer busi-
bell, and I could hear Mrs. Hudson, our landlady, ness to which my fair client has introduced us. If
raising her voice in a wail of expostulation and dis- ever man had an easy task, this of ours ought to
may. be. Wooden-legged men are not so common, but
“By heaven, Holmes,” I said, half rising, “I be- the other man must, I should think, be absolutely
lieve that they are really after us.” unique.”
“That other man again!”
“No, it’s not quite so bad as that. It is the un-
official force,—the Baker Street irregulars.” “I have no wish to make a mystery of him,—to
you, anyway. But you must have formed your own
As he spoke, there came a swift pattering of opinion. Now, do consider the data. Diminutive
naked feet upon the stairs, a clatter of high voices, footmarks, toes never fettered by boots, naked feet,
and in rushed a dozen dirty and ragged little stone-headed wooden mace, great agility, small
street-Arabs. There was some show of discipline poisoned darts. What do you make of all this?”
among them, despite their tumultuous entry, for “A savage!” I exclaimed. “Perhaps one of
they instantly drew up in line and stood facing us those Indians who were the associates of Jonathan
with expectant faces. One of their number, taller Small.”
and older than the others, stood forward with an
“Hardly that,” said he. “When first I saw signs
air of lounding superiority which was very funny
of strange weapons I was inclined to think so; but
in such a disreputable little carecrow.
the remarkable character of the footmarks caused
“Got your message, sir,” said he, “and brought me to reconsider my views. Some of the inhabi-
’em on sharp. Three bob and a tanner for tickets.” tants of the Indian Peninsula are small men, but
“Here you are,” said Holmes, producing some none could have left such marks as that. The Hin-
silver. “In future they can report to you, Wiggins, doo proper has long and thin feet. The sandal-
and you to me. I cannot have the house invaded wearing Mohammedan has the great toe well sep-
in this way. However, it is just as well that you arated from the others, because the thong is com-
should all hear the instructions. I want to find the monly passed between. These little darts, too,
whereabouts of a steam launch called the Aurora, could only be shot in one way. They are from a
owner Mordecai Smith, black with two red streaks, blow-pipe. Now, then, where are we to find our
funnel black with a white band. She is down the savage?”
river somewhere. I want one boy to be at Morde- “South American,” I hazarded.
cai Smith’s landing-stage opposite Millbank to say He stretched his hand up, and took down a
if the boat comes back. You must divide it out bulky volume from the shelf. “This is the first vol-
among yourselves, and do both banks thoroughly. ume of a gazetteer which is now being published.

94
 The Sign of the Four

It may be looked upon as the very latest author- their poisoned arrows. These massacres are invari-
ity. What have we here? ‘Andaman Islands, situ- ably concluded by a cannibal feast.’ Nice, amiable
ated 340 miles to the north of Sumatra, in the Bay people, Watson! If this fellow had been left to his
of Bengal.’ Hum! hum! What’s all this? Moist own unaided devices this affair might have taken
climate, coral reefs, sharks, Port Blair, convict- an even more ghastly turn. I fancy that, even as it
barracks, Rutland Island, cottonwoods—Ah, here is, Jonathan Small would give a good deal not to
we are. ‘The aborigines of the Andaman Islands have employed him.”
may perhaps claim the distinction of being the “But how came he to have so singular a com-
smallest race upon this earth, though some an- panion?”
thropologists prefer the Bushmen of Africa, the
“Ah, that is more than I can tell. Since, how-
Digger Indians of America, and the Terra del Fue-
ever, we had already determined that Small had
gians. The average height is rather below four feet,
come from the Andamans, it is not so very won-
although many full-grown adults may be found
derful that this islander should be with him. No
who are very much smaller than this. They are a
doubt we shall know all about it in time. Look
fierce, morose, and intractable people, though ca-
here, Watson; you look regularly done. Lie down
pable of forming most devoted friendships when
there on the sofa, and see if I can put you to sleep.”
their confidence has once been gained.’ Mark that,
Watson. Now, then, listen to this. ‘They are nat- He took up his violin from the corner, and as
urally hideous, having large, misshapen heads, I stretched myself out he began to play some low,
small, fierce eyes, and distorted features. Their dreamy, melodious air,—his own, no doubt, for he
feet and hands, however, are remarkably small. had a remarkable gift for improvisation. I have a
So intractable and fierce are they that all the ef- vague remembrance of his gaunt limbs, his earnest
forts of the British official have failed to win them face, and the rise and fall of his bow. Then I
over in any degree. They have always been a terror seemed to be floated peacefully away upon a soft
to shipwrecked crews, braining the survivors with sea of sound, until I found myself in dream-land,
their stone-headed clubs, or shooting them with with the sweet face of Mary Morstan looking down
upon me.

CHAPTER IX.
A Break in the Chain

It was late in the afternoon before I woke, “Can I do anything? I am perfectly fresh now,
strengthened and refreshed. Sherlock Holmes still and quite ready for another night’s outing.”
sat exactly as I had left him, save that he had laid “No, we can do nothing. We can only wait. If
aside his violin and was deep in a book. He looked we go ourselves, the message might come in our
across at me, as I stirred, and I noticed that his face absence, and delay be caused. You can do what
was dark and troubled. you will, but I must remain on guard.”
“You have slept soundly,” he said. “I feared “Then I shall run over to Camberwell and call
that our talk would wake you.” upon Mrs. Cecil Forrester. She asked me to, yes-
“I heard nothing,” I answered. “Have you had terday.”
fresh news, then?” “On Mrs. Cecil Forrester?” asked Holmes, with
the twinkle of a smile in his eyes.
“Unfortunately, no. I confess that I am sur-
prised and disappointed. I expected something “Well, of course Miss Morstan too. They were
definite by this time. Wiggins has just been up anxious to hear what happened.”
to report. He says that no trace can be found of “I would not tell them too much,” said Holmes.
the launch. It is a provoking check, for every hour “Women are never to be entirely trusted,—not the
is of importance.” best of them.”

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 The Sign of the Four

I did not pause to argue over this atrocious sen- “Well, he’s that strange, sir. After you was gone
timent. “I shall be back in an hour or two,” I re- he walked and he walked, up and down, and up
marked. and down, until I was weary of the sound of his
“All right! Good luck! But, I say, if you are footstep. Then I heard him talking to himself and
crossing the river you may as well return Toby, for muttering, and every time the bell rang out he
I don’t think it is at all likely that we shall have any came on the stairhead, with ‘What is that, Mrs.
use for him now.” Hudson?’ And now he has slammed off to his
room, but I can hear him walking away the same as
I took our mongrel accordingly, and left him, ever. I hope he’s not going to be ill, sir. I ventured
together with a half-sovereign, at the old natural- to say something to him about cooling medicine,
ist’s in Pinchin Lane. At Camberwell I found Miss but he turned on me, sir, with such a look that I
Morstan a little weary after her night’s adventures, don’t know how ever I got out of the room.”
but very eager to hear the news. Mrs. Forrester,
“I don’t think that you have any cause to be
too, was full of curiosity. I told them all that we
uneasy, Mrs. Hudson,“ I answered. ”I have seen
had done, suppressing, however, the more dread-
him like this before. He has some small matter
ful parts of the tragedy. Thus, although I spoke
upon his mind which makes him restless.” I tried
of Mr. Sholto’s death, I said nothing of the exact
to speak lightly to our worthy landlady, but I was
manner and method of it. With all my omissions,
myself somewhat uneasy when through the long
however, there was enough to startle and amaze
night I still from time to time heard the dull sound
them.
of his tread, and knew how his keen spirit was
“It is a romance!” cried Mrs. Forrester. “An chafing against this involuntary inaction.
injured lady, half a million in treasure, a black can- At breakfast-time he looked worn and haggard,
nibal, and a wooden-legged ruffian. They take the with a little fleck of feverish color upon either
place of the conventional dragon or wicked earl.” cheek.
“And two knight-errants to the rescue,” added “You are knocking yourself up, old man,” I
Miss Morstan, with a bright glance at me. remarked. “I heard you marching about in the
“Why, Mary, your fortune depends upon the is- night.”
sue of this search. I don’t think that you are nearly “No, I could not sleep,” he answered. “This in-
excited enough. Just imagine what it must be to be fernal problem is consuming me. It is too much
so rich, and to have the world at your feet!” to be balked by so petty an obstacle, when all else
It sent a little thrill of joy to my heart to notice had been overcome. I know the men, the launch,
that she showed no sign of elation at the prospect. everything; and yet I can get no news. I have set
On the contrary, she gave a toss of her proud head, other agencies at work, and used every means at
as though the matter were one in which she took my disposal. The whole river has been searched
small interest. on either side, but there is no news, nor has Mrs.
Smith heard of her husband. I shall come to the
“It is for Mr. Thaddeus Sholto that I am anx- conclusion soon that they have scuttled the craft.
ious,” she said. “Nothing else is of any conse- But there are objections to that.”
quence; but I think that he has behaved most
“Or that Mrs. Smith has put us on a wrong
kindly and honorably throughout. It is our duty to
scent.”
clear him of this dreadful and unfounded charge.”
“No, I think that may be dismissed. I had in-
It was evening before I left Camberwell, and quiries made, and there is a launch of that descrip-
quite dark by the time I reached home. My com- tion.”
panion’s book and pipe lay by his chair, but he had
disappeared. I looked about in the hope of seeing “Could it have gone up the river?”
a note, but there was none. “I have considered that possibility too, and
there is a search-party who will work up as far as
“I suppose that Mr. Sherlock Holmes has gone
Richmond. If no news comes to-day, I shall start
out,” I said to Mrs. Hudson as she came up to
off myself to-morrow, and go for the men rather
lower the blinds.
than the boat. But surely, surely, we shall hear
“No, sir. He has gone to his room, sir. Do you something.”
know, sir,” sinking her voice into an impressive We did not, however. Not a word came to us
whisper, “I am afraid for his health?” either from Wiggins or from the other agencies.
“Why so, Mrs. Hudson?” There were articles in most of the papers upon the

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 The Sign of the Four

Norwood tragedy. They all appeared to be rather the real culprits, and that it is being pros-
hostile to the unfortunate Thaddeus Sholto. No ecuted by Mr. Athelney Jones, of Scotland
fresh details were to be found, however, in any of Yard, with all his well-known energy and
them, save that an inquest was to be held upon the sagacity. Further arrests may be expected
following day. I walked over to Camberwell in the at any moment.”
evening to report our ill success to the ladies, and
on my return I found Holmes dejected and some- “That is satisfactory so far as it goes,” thought I.
what morose. He would hardly reply to my ques- “Friend Sholto is safe, at any rate. I wonder what
tions, and busied himself all evening in an abstruse the fresh clue may be; though it seems to be a
chemical analysis which involved much heating of stereotyped form whenever the police have made
retorts and distilling of vapors, ending at last in a a blunder.”
smell which fairly drove me out of the apartment. I tossed the paper down upon the table, but at
Up to the small hours of the morning I could hear that moment my eye caught an advertisement in
the clinking of his test-tubes which told me that he the agony column. It ran in this way:
was still engaged in his malodorous experiment. “Lost.—Whereas Mordecai Smith, boat-
In the early dawn I woke with a start, and man, and his son, Jim, left Smith’s Wharf
was surprised to find him standing by my bed- at or about three o’clock last Tuesday morn-
side, clad in a rude sailor dress with a pea-jacket, ing in the steam launch Aurora, black with
and a coarse red scarf round his neck. two red stripes, funnel black with a white
band, the sum of five pounds will be paid to
“I am off down the river, Watson,” said he. “I any one who can give information to Mrs.
have been turning it over in my mind, and I can Smith, at Smith’s Wharf, or at 221b Baker
see only one way out of it. It is worth trying, at all Street, as to the whereabouts of the said
events.” Mordecai Smith and the launch Aurora.”
“Surely I can come with you, then?” said I.
This was clearly Holmes’s doing. The Baker Street
“No; you can be much more useful if you will address was enough to prove that. It struck me as
remain here as my representative. I am loath to rather ingenious, because it might be read by the
go, for it is quite on the cards that some message fugitives without their seeing in it more than the
may come during the day, though Wiggins was de- natural anxiety of a wife for her missing husband.
spondent about it last night. I want you to open all
It was a long day. Every time that a knock
notes and telegrams, and to act on your own judg-
came to the door, or a sharp step passed in the
ment if any news should come. Can I rely upon
street, I imagined that it was either Holmes return-
you?”
ing or an answer to his advertisement. I tried to
“Most certainly.” read, but my thoughts would wander off to our
“I am afraid that you will not be able to wire to strange quest and to the ill-assorted and villainous
me, for I can hardly tell yet where I may find my- pair whom we were pursuing. Could there be, I
self. If I am in luck, however, I may not be gone so wondered, some radical flaw in my companion’s
very long. I shall have news of some sort or other reasoning. Might he be suffering from some huge
before I get back.” self-deception? Was it not possible that his nimble
and speculative mind had built up this wild the-
I had heard nothing of him by breakfast-time. ory upon faulty premises? I had never known him
On opening the Standard, however, I found that to be wrong; and yet the keenest reasoner may oc-
there was a fresh allusion to the business. casionally be deceived. He was likely, I thought, to
“With reference to the Upper Norwood fall into error through the over-refinement of his
tragedy,” it remarked, “we have reason to logic,—his preference for a subtle and bizarre ex-
believe that the matter promises to be even planation when a plainer and more commonplace
more complex and mysterious than was one lay ready to his hand. Yet, on the other hand, I
originally supposed. Fresh evidence has had myself seen the evidence, and I had heard the
shown that it is quite impossible that Mr. reasons for his deductions. When I looked back on
Thaddeus Sholto could have been in any the long chain of curious circumstances, many of
way concerned in the matter. He and the them trivial in themselves, but all tending in the
housekeeper, Mrs. Bernstone, were both re- same direction, I could not disguise from myself
leased yesterday evening. It is believed, that even if Holmes’s explanation were incorrect
however, that the police have a clue as to the true theory must be equally outré and startling.

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 The Sign of the Four

At three o’clock in the afternoon there was a “This sounds well. He has evidently picked up
loud peal at the bell, an authoritative voice in the the scent again,” said I.
hall, and, to my surprise, no less a person than Mr. “Ah, then he has been at fault too,” exclaimed
Athelney Jones was shown up to me. Very differ- Jones, with evident satisfaction. “Even the best of
ent was he, however, from the brusque and master- us are thrown off sometimes. Of course this may
ful professor of common sense who had taken over prove to be a false alarm; but it is my duty as an
the case so confidently at Upper Norwood. His ex- officer of the law to allow no chance to slip. But
pression was downcast, and his bearing meek and there is some one at the door. Perhaps this is he.”
even apologetic. A heavy step was heard ascending the stair,
“Good-day, sir; good-day,” said he. “Mr. Sher- with a great wheezing and rattling as from a man
lock Holmes is out, I understand.” who was sorely put to it for breath. Once or twice
“Yes, and I cannot be sure when he will be he stopped, as though the climb were too much
back. But perhaps you would care to wait. Take for him, but at last he made his way to our door
that chair and try one of these cigars.” and entered. His appearance corresponded to the
sounds which we had heard. He was an aged man,
“Thank you; I don’t mind if I do,” said he, clad in seafaring garb, with an old pea-jacket but-
mopping his face with a red bandanna handker- toned up to his throat. His back was bowed, his
chief. knees were shaky, and his breathing was painfully
“And a whiskey-and-soda?” asthmatic. As he leaned upon a thick oaken cudgel
his shoulders heaved in the effort to draw the air
“Well, half a glass. It is very hot for the time
into his lungs. He had a colored scarf round his
of year; and I have had a good deal to worry and
chin, and I could see little of his face save a pair of
try me. You know my theory about this Norwood
keen dark eyes, overhung by bushy white brows,
case?”
and long gray side-whiskers. Altogether he gave
“I remember that you expressed one.” me the impression of a respectable master mariner
“Well, I have been obliged to reconsider it. I who had fallen into years and poverty.
had my net drawn tightly round Mr. Sholto, sir, “What is it, my man?” I asked.
when pop he went through a hole in the middle of He looked about him in the slow methodical
it. He was able to prove an alibi which could not fashion of old age.
be shaken. From the time that he left his brother’s “Is Mr. Sherlock Holmes here?” said he.
room he was never out of sight of some one or
“No; but I am acting for him. You can tell me
other. So it could not be he who climbed over roofs
any message you have for him.”
and through trap-doors. It’s a very dark case, and
my professional credit is at stake. I should be very “It was to him himself I was to tell it,” said he.
glad of a little assistance.” “But I tell you that I am acting for him. Was it
about Mordecai Smith’s boat?”
“We all need help sometimes,” said I.
“Yes. I knows well where it is. An’ I knows
“Your friend Mr. Sherlock Holmes is a wonder- where the men he is after are. An’ I knows where
ful man, sir,” said he, in a husky and confidential the treasure is. I knows all about it.”
voice. “He’s a man who is not to be beat. I have
“Then tell me, and I shall let him know.”
known that young man go into a good many cases,
but I never saw the case yet that he could not throw “It was to him I was to tell it,” he repeated,
a light upon. He is irregular in his methods, and with the petulant obstinacy of a very old man.
a little quick perhaps in jumping at theories, but, “Well, you must wait for him.”
on the whole, I think he would have made a most “No, no; I ain’t goin’ to lose a whole day to
promising officer, and I don’t care who knows it. I please no one. If Mr. Holmes ain’t here, then Mr.
have had a wire from him this morning, by which I Holmes must find it all out for himself. I don’t care
understand that he has got some clue to this Sholto about the look of either of you, and I won’t tell a
business. Here is the message.” word.”
He took the telegram out of his pocket, and He shuffled towards the door, but Athelney
handed it to me. It was dated from Poplar at Jones got in front of him.
twelve o’clock. “Go to Baker Street at once,“ it “Wait a bit, my friend,” said he. “You have im-
said. ”If I have not returned, wait for me. I am portant information, and you must not walk off.
close on the track of the Sholto gang. You can come We shall keep you, whether you like or not, until
with us to-night if you want to be in at the finish.” our friend returns.”

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 The Sign of the Four

The old man made a little run towards the “Never mind. We shall give you two others in
door, but, as Athelney Jones put his broad back the place of them. But you must put yourself un-
up against it, he recognized the uselessness of re- der my orders. You are welcome to all the official
sistance. credit, but you must act on the line that I point out.
“Pretty sort o’ treatment this!” he cried, stamp- Is that agreed?”
ing his stick. “I come here to see a gentleman, and “Entirely, if you will help me to the men.”
you two, who I never saw in my life, seize me and “Well, then, in the first place I shall want a fast
treat me in this fashion!” police-boat—a steam launch—to be at the West-
“You will be none the worse,” I said. “We shall minster Stairs at seven o’clock.”
recompense you for the loss of your time. Sit over “That is easily managed. There is always one
here on the sofa, and you will not have long to about there; but I can step across the road and tele-
wait.” phone to make sure.”
He came across sullenly enough, and seated “Then I shall want two stanch men, in case of
himself with his face resting on his hands. Jones resistance.”
and I resumed our cigars and our talk. Suddenly,
“There will be two or three in the boat. What
however, Holmes’s voice broke in upon us.
else?”
“I think that you might offer me a cigar too,”
“When we secure the men we shall get the trea-
he said.
sure. I think that it would be a pleasure to my
We both started in our chairs. There was friend here to take the box round to the young
Holmes sitting close to us with an air of quiet lady to whom half of it rightfully belongs. Let her
amusement. be the first to open it.—Eh, Watson?”
“Holmes!” I exclaimed. “You here! But where “It would be a great pleasure to me.”
is the old man?” “Rather an irregular proceeding,” said Jones,
“Here is the old man,” said he, holding out a shaking his head. “However, the whole thing is
heap of white hair. “Here he is,—wig, whiskers, irregular, and I suppose we must wink at it. The
eyebrows, and all. I thought my disguise was treasure must afterwards be handed over to the
pretty good, but I hardly expected that it would authorities until after the official investigation.”
stand that test.” “Certainly. That is easily managed. One other
“Ah, you rogue!” cried Jones, highly delighted. point. I should much like to have a few details
“You would have made an actor, and a rare one. about this matter from the lips of Jonathan Small
You had the proper workhouse cough, and those himself. You know I like to work the detail of
weak legs of yours are worth ten pound a week. I my cases out. There is no objection to my hav-
thought I knew the glint of your eye, though. You ing an unofficial interview with him, either here in
didn’t get away from us so easily, you see.” my rooms or elsewhere, as long as he is efficiently
“I have been working in that get-up all day,” guarded?”
said he, lighting his cigar. “You see, a good “Well, you are master of the situation. I have
many of the criminal classes begin to know had no proof yet of the existence of this Jonathan
me,—especially since our friend here took to pub- Small. However, if you can catch him I don’t see
lishing some of my cases: so I can only go on how I can refuse you an interview with him.”
the war-path under some simple disguise like this. “That is understood, then?”
You got my wire?”
“Perfectly. Is there anything else?”
“Yes; that was what brought me here.”
“Only that I insist upon your dining with us. It
“How has your case prospered?” will be ready in half an hour. I have oysters and
“It has all come to nothing. I have had to re- a brace of grouse, with something a little choice in
lease two of my prisoners, and there is no evidence white wines.—Watson, you have never yet recog-
against the other two.” nized my merits as a housekeeper.”

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 The Sign of the Four

CHAPTER X.
The End of the Islander

Our meal was a merry one. Holmes coud talk “Well, hardly that. But there are not many
exceedingly well when he chose, and that night launches to beat us.”
he did choose. He appeared to be in a state of
“We shall have to catch the Aurora, and she has
nervous exaltation. I have never known him so
a name for being a clipper. I will tell you how the
brilliant. He spoke on a quick succession of sub-
land lies, Watson. You recollect how annoyed I was
jects,—on miracle-plays, on medieval pottery, on
at being balked by so small a thing?”
Stradivarius violins, on the Buddhism of Ceylon,
and on the war-ships of the future,—handling each “Yes.”
as though he had made a special study of it. His “Well, I gave my mind a thorough rest by
bright humor marked the reaction from his black plunging into a chemical analysis. One of our
depression of the preceding days. Athelney Jones greatest statesmen has said that a change of work
proved to be a sociable soul in his hours of relax- is the best rest. So it is. When I had succeeded in
ation, and face his dinner with the air of a bon vi- dissolving the hydrocarbon which I was at work
vant. For myself, I felt elated at the thought that at, I came back to our problem of the Sholtos, and
we were nearing the end of our task, and I caught thought the whole matter out again. My boys had
something of Holmes’s gaiety. None of us alluded been up the river and down the river without re-
during dinner to the cause which had brought us sult. The launch was not at any landing-stage or
together. wharf, nor had it returned. Yet it could hardly
When the cloth was cleared, Holmes glanced have been scuttled to hide their traces,—though
at this watch, and filled up three glasses with port. that always remained as a possible hypothesis if
“One bumper,” said he, “to the success of our little all else failed. I knew this man Small had a certain
expedition. And now it is high time we were off. degree of low cunning, but I did not think him ca-
Have you a pistol, Watson?” pable of anything in the nature of delicate finesse.
“I have my old service-revolver in my desk.” That is usually a product of higher education. I
then reflected that since he had certainly been in
“You had best take it, then. It is well to be pre- London some time—as we had evidence that he
pared. I see that the cab is at the door. I ordered it maintained a continual watch over Pondicherry
for half-past six.” Lodge—he could hardly leave at a moment’s no-
It was a little past seven before we reached the tice, but would need some little time, if it were
Westminster wharf, and found our launch await- only a day, to arrange his affairs. That was the
ing us. Holmes eyed it critically. balance of probability, at any rate.”
“Is there anything to mark it as a police-boat?” “It seems to me to be a little weak,” said I. “It
“Yes,—that green lamp at the side.” is more probable that he had arranged his affairs
before ever he set out upon his expedition.”
“Then take it off.”
“No, I hardly think so. This lair of his would
The small change was made, we stepped on be too valuable a retreat in case of need for him
board, and the ropes were cast off. Jones, Holmes, to give it up until he was sure that he could
and I sat in the stern. There was one man at the do without it. But a second consideration struck
rudder, one to tend the engines, and two burly me. Jonathan Small must have felt that the pecu-
police-inspectors forward. liar appearance of his companion, however much
“Where to?” asked Jones. he may have top-coated him, would give rise to
“To the Tower. Tell them to stop opposite Ja- gossip, and possibly be associated with this Nor-
cobson’s Yard.” wood tragedy. He was quite sharp enough to see
that. They had started from their head-quarters
Our craft was evidently a very fast one. We under cover of darkness, and he would wish to
shot past the long lines of loaded barges as though get back before it was broad light. Now, it was
they were stationary. Holmes smiled with satisfac- past three o’clock, according to Mrs. Smith, when
tion as we overhauled a river steamer and left her they got the boat. It would be quite bright, and
behind us. people would be about in an hour or so. There-
“We ought to be able to catch anything on the fore, I argued, they did not go very far. They paid
river,” he said. Smith well to hold his tongue, reserved his launch

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 The Sign of the Four

for the final escape, and hurried to their lodg- be a strange thing if we do not take men, treasure,
ings with the treasure-box. In a couple of nights, and all.”
when they had time to see what view the papers “You have planned it all very neatly, whether
took, and whether there was any suspicion, they they are the right men or not,“ said Jones; ”but
would make their way under cover of darkness to if the affair were in my hands I should have had
some ship at Gravesend or in the Downs, where a body of police in Jacobson’s Yard, and arrested
no doubt they had already arranged for passages them when they came down.”
to America or the Colonies.”
“Which would have been never. This man
“But the launch? They could not have taken Small is a pretty shrewd fellow. He would send
that to their lodgings.” a scout on ahead, and if anything made him sus-
picious lie snug for another week.”
“Quite so. I argued that the launch must be
“But you might have stuck to Mordecai Smith,
no great way off, in spite of its invisibility. I then
and so been led to their hiding-place,” said I.
put myself in the place of Small, and looked at it
as a man of his capacity would. He would prob- “In that case I should have wasted my day. I
ably consider that to send back the launch or to think that it is a hundred to one against Smith
keep it at a wharf would make pursuit easy if the knowing where they live. As long as he has liquor
police did happen to get on his track. How, then, and good pay, why should he ask questions? They
could he conceal the launch and yet have her at send him messages what to do. No, I thought over
hand when wanted? I wondered what I should do every possible course, and this is the best.”
myself if I were in his shoes. I could only think of While this conversation had been proceeding,
one way of doing it. I might land the launch over we had been shooting the long series of bridges
to some boat-builder or repairer, with directions to which span the Thames. As we passed the City
make a trifling change in her. She would then be the last rays of the sun were gilding the cross upon
removed to his shed or hard, and so be effectually the summit of St. Paul’s. It was twilight before we
concealed, while at the same time I could have her reached the Tower.
at a few hours’ notice.” “That is Jacobson’s Yard,” said Holmes, point-
ing to a bristle of masts and rigging on the Sur-
“That seems simple enough.”
rey side. “Cruise gently up and down here under
“It is just these very simple things which are cover of this string of lighters.” He took a pair of
extremely liable to be overlooked. However, I de- night-glasses from his pocket and gazed some time
termined to act on the idea. I started at once in at the shore. “I see my sentry at his post,” he re-
this harmless seaman’s rig and inquired at all the marked, “but no sign of a handkerchief.”
yards down the river. I drew blank at fifteen, but at “Suppose we go down-stream a short way and
the sixteenth—Jacobson’s—I learned that the Au- lie in wait for them,” said Jones, eagerly. We were
rora had been handed over to them two days ago all eager by this time, even the policemen and stok-
by a wooden-legged man, with some trivial direc- ers, who had a very vague idea of what was going
tions as to her rudder. ‘There ain’t naught amiss forward.
with her rudder,’ said the foreman. ‘There she “We have no right to take anything for
lies, with the red streaks.’ At that moment who granted,” Holmes answered. “It is certainly ten
should come down but Mordecai Smith, the miss- to one that they go down-stream, but we cannot
ing owner? He was rather the worse for liquor. I be certain. From this point we can see the entrance
should not, of course, have known him, but he bel- of the yard, and they can hardly see us. It will
lowed out his name and the name of his launch. ‘I be a clear night and plenty of light. We must stay
want her to-night at eight o’clock,’ said he,—‘eight where we are. See how the folk swarm over yon-
o’clock sharp, mind, for I have two gentlemen who der in the gaslight.”
won’t be kept waiting.’ They had evidently paid
“They are coming from work in the yard.”
him well, for he was very flush of money, chucking
shillings about to the men. I followed him some “Dirty-looking rascals, but I suppose every one
distance, but he subsided into an ale-house: so I has some little immortal spark concealed about
went back to the yard, and, happening to pick up him. You would not think it, to look at them. There
one of my boys on the way, I stationed him as a is no a priori probability about it. A strange enigma
sentry over the launch. He is to stand at water’s is man!”
edge and wave his handkerchief to us when they “Some one calls him a soul concealed in an an-
start. We shall be lying off in the stream, and it will imal,” I suggested.

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 The Sign of the Four

“Winwood Reade is good upon the subject,” At that moment, however, as our evil fate
said Holmes. “He remarks that, while the individ- would have it, a tug with three barges in tow blun-
ual man is an insoluble puzzle, in the aggregate dered in between us. It was only by putting our
he becomes a mathematical certainty. You can, for helm hard down that we avoided a collision, and
example, never foretell what any one man will do, before we could round them and recover our way
but you can say with precision what an average the Aurora had gained a good two hundred yards.
number will be up to. Individuals vary, but per- She was still, however, well in view, and the murky
centages remain constant. So says the statistician. uncertain twilight was setting into a clear starlit
But do I see a handkerchief? Surely there is a white night. Our boilers were strained to their utmost,
flutter over yonder.” and the frail shell vibrated and creaked with the
“Yes, it is your boy,” I cried. “I can see him fierce energy which was driving us along. We had
plainly.” shot through the Pool, past the West India Docks,
down the long Deptford Reach, and up again af-
“And there is the Aurora,” exclaimed Holmes, ter rounding the Isle of Dogs. The dull blur in
“and going like the devil! Full speed ahead, en- front of us resolved itself now clearly enough into
gineer. Make after that launch with the yellow the dainty Aurora. Jones turned our search-light
light. By heaven, I shall never forgive myself if upon her, so that we could plainly see the figures
she proves to have the heels of us!” upon her deck. One man sat by the stern, with
She had slipped unseen through the yard- something black between his knees over which he
entrance and passed behind two or three small stooped. Beside him lay a dark mass which looked
craft, so that she had fairly got her speed up before like a Newfoundland dog. The boy held the tiller,
we saw her. Now she was flying down the stream, while against the red glare of the furnace I could
near in to the shore, going at a tremendous rate. see old Smith, stripped to the waist, and shovel-
Jones looked gravely at her and shook his head. ling coals for dear life. They may have had some
doubt at first as to whether we were really pur-
“She is very fast,” he said. “I doubt if we shall
suing them, but now as we followed every wind-
catch her.”
ing and turning which they took there could no
“We must catch her!” cried Holmes, between longer be any question about it. At Greenwich
his teeth. “Heap it on, stokers! Make her do all we were about three hundred paces behind them.
she can! If we burn the boat we must have them!” At Blackwall we could not have been more than
We were fairly after her now. The furnaces two hundred and fifty. I have coursed many crea-
roared, and the powerful engines whizzed and tures in many countries during my checkered ca-
clanked, like a great metallic heart. Her sharp, reer, but never did sport give me such a wild thrill
steep prow cut through the river-water and sent as this mad, flying man-hunt down the Thames.
two rolling waves to right and to left of us. With Steadily we drew in upon them, yard by yard. In
every throb of the engines we sprang and quivered the silence of the night we could hear the panting
like a living thing. One great yellow lantern in and clanking of their machinery. The man in the
our bows threw a long, flickering funnel of light in stern still crouched upon the deck, and his arms
front of us. Right ahead a dark blur upon the wa- were moving as though he were busy, while ev-
ter showed where the Aurora lay, and the swirl of ery now and then he would look up and measure
white foam behind her spoke of the pace at which with a glance the distance which still separated us.
she was going. We flashed past barges, steamers, Nearer we came and nearer. Jones yelled to them
merchant-vessels, in and out, behind this one and to stop. We were not more than four boat’s lengths
round the other. Voices hailed us out of the dark- behind them, both boats flying at a tremendous
ness, but still the Aurora thundered on, and still we pace. It was a clear reach of the river, with Bark-
followed close upon her track. ing Level upon one side and the melancholy Plum-
stead Marshes upon the other. At our hail the man
“Pile it on, men, pile it on!” cried Holmes, look- in the stern sprang up from the deck and shook
ing down into the engine-room, while the fierce his two clinched fists at us, cursing the while in a
glow from below beat upon his eager, aquiline high, cracked voice. He was a good-sized, pow-
face. “Get every pound of steam you can.” erful man, and as he stood poising himself with
“I think we gain a little,” said Jones, with his legs astride I could see that from the thigh down-
eyes on thea Aurora. wards there was but a wooden stump upon the
right side. At the sound of his strident, angry cries
“I am sure of it,” said I. “We shall be up with
there was movement in the huddled bundle upon
her in a very few minutes.”

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 The Sign of the Four

the deck. It straightened itself into a little black and beds of decaying vegetation. The launch with
man—the smallest I have ever seen—with a great, a dull thud ran up upon the mud-bank, with her
misshapen head and a shock of tangled, dishev- bow in the air and her stern flush with the water.
elled hair. Holmes had already drawn his revolver, The fugitive sprang out, but his stump instantly
and I whipped out mine at the sight of this sav- sank its whole length into the sodden soil. In vain
age, distorted creature. He was wrapped in some he struggled and writhed. Not one step could he
sort of dark ulster or blanket, which left only his possibly take either forwards or backwards. He
face exposed; but that face was enough to give a yelled in impotent rage, and kicked frantically into
man a sleepless night. Never have I seen features the mud with his other foot, but his struggles only
so deeply marked with all bestiality and cruelty. bored his wooden pin the deeper into the sticky
His small eyes glowed and burned with a sombre bank. When we brought our launch alongside he
light, and his thick lips were writhed back from was so firmly anchored that it was only by throw-
his teeth, which grinned and chattered at us with ing the end of a rope over his shoulders that we
a half animal fury. were able to haul him out, and to drag him, like
“Fire if he raises his hand,” said Holmes, qui- some evil fish, over our side. The two Smiths,
etly. We were within a boat’s-length by this time, father and son, sat sullenly in their launch, but
and almost within touch of our quarry. I can see came aboard meekly enough when commanded.
the two of them now as they stood, the white man The Aurora herself we hauled off and made fast
with his legs far apart, shrieking out curses, and to our stern. A solid iron chest of Indian work-
the unhallowed dwarf with his hideous face, and manship stood upon the deck. This, there could
his strong yellow teeth gnashing at us in the light be no question, was the same that had contained
of our lantern. the ill-omened treasure of the Sholtos. There was
It was well that we had so clear a view of him. no key, but it was of considerable weight, so we
Even as we looked he plucked out from under transferred it carefully to our own little cabin. As
his covering a short, round piece of wood, like a we steamed slowly up-stream again, we flashed
school-ruler, and clapped it to his lips. Our pis- our search-light in every direction, but there was
tols rang out together. He whirled round, threw no sign of the Islander. Somewhere in the dark
up his arms, and with a kind of choking cough fell ooze at the bottom of the Thames lie the bones of
sideways into the stream. I caught one glimpse of that strange visitor to our shores.
his venomous, menacing eyes amid the white swirl “See here,” said Holmes, pointing to the
of the waters. At the same moment the wooden- wooden hatchway. “We were hardly quick enough
legged man threw himself upon the rudder and with our pistols.” There, sure enough, just behind
put it hard down, so that his boat made straight where we had been standing, stuck one of those
in for the southern bank, while we shot past her murderous darts which we knew so well. It must
stern, only clearing her by a few feet. We were have whizzed between us at the instant that we
round after her in an instant, but she was already fired. Holmes smiled at it and shrugged his shoul-
nearly at the bank. It was a wild and desolate ders in his easy fashion, but I confess that it turned
place, where the moon glimmered upon a wide ex- me sick to think of the horrible death which had
panse of marsh-land, with pools of stagnant water passed so close to us that night.

CHAPTER XI.
The Great Agra Treasure

Our captive sat in the cabin opposite to the all over his mahogany features, which told of a
iron box which he had done so much and waited hard, open-air life. There was a singular promi-
so long to gain. He was a sunburned, reckless- nence about his bearded chin which marked a man
eyed fellow, with a net-work of lines and wrinkles who was not to be easily turned from his purpose.

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His age may have been fifty or thereabouts, for his Tonga for it if he had not scrambled off. That was
black, curly hair was thickly shot with gray. His how he came to leave his club, and some of his
face in repose was not an unpleasing one, though darts too, as he tells me, which I dare say helped
his heavy brows and aggressive chin gave him, to put you on our track; though how you kept on
as I had lately seen, a terrible expression when it is more than I can tell. I don’t feel no mal-
moved to anger. He sat now with his handcuffed ice against you for it. But it does seem a queer
hands upon his lap, and his head sunk upon his thing,” he added, with a bitter smile, “that I who
breast, while he looked with his keen, twinkling have a fair claim to nigh upon half a million of
eyes at the box which had been the cause of his money should spend the first half of my life build-
ill-doings. It seemed to me that there was more ing a breakwater in the Andamans, and am like to
sorrow than anger in his rigid and contained coun- spend the other half digging drains at Dartmoor.
tenance. Once he looked up at me with a gleam of It was an evil day for me when first I clapped eyes
something like humor in his eyes. upon the merchant Achmet and had to do with the
“Well, Jonathan Small,” said Holmes, lighting Agra treasure, which never brought anything but
a cigar, “I am sorry that it has come to this.” a curse yet upon the man who owned it. To him
it brought murder, to Major Sholto it brought fear
“And so am I, sir,” he answered, frankly. “I
and guilt, to me it has meant slavery for life.”
don’t believe that I can swing over the job. I give
you my word on the book that I never raised hand At this moment Athelney Jones thrust his
against Mr. Sholto. It was that little hell-hound broad face and heavy shoulders into the tiny cabin.
Tonga who shot one of his cursed darts into him. “Quite a family party,” he remarked. “I think I
I had no part in it, sir. I was as grieved as if it had shall have a pull at that flask, Holmes. Well, I think
been my blood-relation. I welted the little devil we may all congratulate each other. Pity we didn’t
with the slack end of the rope for it, but it was take the other alive; but there was no choice. I say,
done, and I could not undo it again.” Holmes, you must confess that you cut it rather
fine. It was all we could do to overhaul her.”
“Have a cigar,” said Holmes; “and you had best
take a pull out of my flask, for you are very wet. “All is well that ends well,” said Holmes. “But
How could you expect so small and weak a man I certainly did not know that the Aurora was such
as this black fellow to overpower Mr. Sholto and a clipper.”
hold him while you were climbing the rope?” “Smith says she is one of the fastest launches
“You seem to know as much about it as if you on the river, and that if he had had another man to
were there, sir. The truth is that I hoped to find help him with the engines we should never have
the room clear. I knew the habits of the house caught her. He swears he knew nothing of this
pretty well, and it was the time when Mr. Sholto Norwood business.”
usually went down to his supper. I shall make “Neither he did,” cried our prisoner,—“not a
no secret of the business. The best defence that word. I chose his launch because I heard that she
I can make is just the simple truth. Now, if it was a flier. We told him nothing, but we paid him
had been the old major I would have swung for well, and he was to get something handsome if we
him with a light heart. I would have thought no reached our vessel, the Esmeralda, at Gravesend,
more of knifing him than of smoking this cigar. outward bound for the Brazils.”
But it’s cursed hard that I should be lagged over “Well, if he has done no wrong we shall see that
this young Sholto, with whom I had no quarrel no wrong comes to him. If we are pretty quick in
whatever.” catching our men, we are not so quick in condemn-
“You are under the charge of Mr. Athelney ing them.” It was amusing to notice how the conse-
Jones, of Scotland Yard. He is going to bring you quential Jones was already beginning to give him-
up to my rooms, and I shall ask you for a true ac- self airs on the strength of the capture. From the
count of the matter. You must make a clean breast slight smile which played over Sherlock Holmes’s
of it, for if you do I hope that I may be of use face, I could see that the speech had not been lost
to you. I think I can prove that the poison acts upon him.
so quickly that the man was dead before ever you “We will be at Vauxhall Bridge presently,” said
reached the room.” Jones, “and shall land you, Dr. Watson, with the
“That he was, sir. I never got such a turn in treasure-box. I need hardly tell you that I am tak-
my life as when I saw him grinning at me with ing a very grave responsibility upon myself in do-
his head on his shoulder as I climbed through the ing this. It is most irregular; but of course an
window. It fairly shook me, sir. I’d have half killed agreement is an agreement. I must, however, as

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a matter of duty, send an inspector with you, since will be few richer young ladies in England. Is it
you have so valuable a charge. You will drive, no not glorious?”
doubt?” I think that I must have been rather overacting
“Yes, I shall drive.” my delight, and that she detected a hollow ring in
“It is a pity there is no key, that we may make my congratulations, for I saw her eyebrows rise a
an inventory first. You will have to break it open. little, and she glanced at me curiously.
Where is the key, my man?” “If I have it,” said she, “I owe it to you.”
“At the bottom of the river,” said Small, shortly. “No, no,” I answered, “not to me, but to my
“Hum! There was no use your giving this un- friend Sherlock Holmes. With all the will in the
necessary trouble. We have had work enough al- world, I could never have followed up a clue which
ready through you. However, doctor, I need not has taxed even his analytical genius. As it was, we
warn you to be careful. Bring the box back with very nearly lost it at the last moment.”
you to the Baker Street rooms. You will find us “Pray sit down and tell me all about it, Dr. Wat-
there, on our way to the station.” son,” said she.
They landed me at Vauxhall, with my heavy I narrated briefly what had occurred since I had
iron box, and with a bluff, genial inspector as my seen her last,—Holmes’s new method of search,
companion. A quarter of an hour’s drive brought the discovery of the Aurora, the appearance of
us to Mrs. Cecil Forrester’s. The servant seemed Athelney Jones, our expedition in the evening, and
surprised at so late a visitor. Mrs. Cecil Forrester the wild chase down the Thames. She listened
was out for the evening, she explained, and likely with parted lips and shining eyes to my recital of
to be very late. Miss Morstan, however, was in our adventures. When I spoke of the dart which
the drawing-room: so to the drawing-room I went, had so narrowly missed us, she turned so white
box in hand, leaving the obliging inspector in the that I feared that she was about to faint.
cab. “It is nothing,” she said, as I hastened to pour
She was seated by the open window, dressed her out some water. “I am all right again. It was a
in some sort of white diaphanous material, with a shock to me to hear that I had placed my friends
little touch of scarlet at the neck and waist. The in such horrible peril.”
soft light of a shaded lamp fell upon her as she “That is all over,” I answered. “It was nothing.
leaned back in the basket chair, playing over her I will tell you no more gloomy details. Let us turn
sweet, grave face, and tinting with a dull, metal- to something brighter. There is the treasure. What
lic sparkle the rich coils of her luxuriant hair. One could be brighter than that? I got leave to bring it
white arm and hand drooped over the side of the with me, thinking that it would interest you to be
chair, and her whole pose and figure spoke of an the first to see it.”
absorbing melancholy. At the sound of my foot- “It would be of the greatest interest to me,” she
fall she sprang to her feet, however, and a bright said. There was no eagerness in her voice, how-
flush of surprise and of pleasure colored her pale ever. It had struck her, doubtless, that it might
cheeks. seem ungracious upon her part to be indifferent to
“I heard a cab drive up,” she said. “I thought a prize which had cost so much to win.
that Mrs. Forrester had come back very early, but “What a pretty box!” she said, stooping over it.
I never dreamed that it might be you. What news “This is Indian work, I suppose?”
have you brought me?” “Yes; it is Benares metal-work.”
“I have brought something better than news,” “And so heavy!” she exclaimed, trying to raise
said I, putting down the box upon the table and it. “The box alone must be of some value. Where
speaking jovially and boisterously, though my is the key?”
heart was heavy within me. “I have brought you
“Small threw it into the Thames,” I answered.
something which is worth all the news in the
“I must borrow Mrs. Forrester’s poker.” There was
world. I have brought you a fortune.”
in the front a thick and broad hasp, wrought in
She glanced at iron box. “Is that the treasure, the image of a sitting Buddha. Under this I thrust
then?” she asked, coolly enough. the end of the poker and twisted it outward as a
“Yes, this is the great Agra treasure. Half of it lever. The hasp sprang open with a loud snap.
is yours and half is Thaddeus Sholto’s. You will With trembling fingers I flung back the lid. We
have a couple of hundred thousand each. Think of both stood gazing in astonishment. The box was
that! An annuity of ten thousand pounds. There empty!

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 The Sign of the Four

No wonder that it was heavy. The iron-work golden barrier was gone from between us. “Thank
was two-thirds of an inch thick all round. It was God!” I ejaculated from my very heart.
massive, well made, and solid, like a chest con- She looked at me with a quick, questioning
structed to carry things of great price, but not one smile. “Why do you say that?” she asked.
shred or crumb of metal or jewelry lay within it. It
“Because you are within my reach again,” I
was absolutely and completely empty.
said, taking her hand. She did not withdraw it.
“The treasure is lost,” said Miss Morstan, “Because I love you, Mary, as truly as ever a man
calmly. loved a woman. Because this treasure, these riches,
As I listened to the words and realized what sealed my lips. Now that they are gone I can tell
they meant, a great shadow seemed to pass from you how I love you. That is why I said, ‘Thank
my soul. I did not know how this Agra treasure God.’ ”
had weighed me down, until now that it was fi- “Then I say, ‘Thank God,’ too,” she whispered,
nally removed. It was selfish, no doubt, disloyal, as I drew her to my side. Whoever had lost a trea-
wrong, but I could realize nothing save that the sure, I knew that night that I had gained one.

CHAPTER XII.
The Strange Story of Jonathan Small

A very patient man was that inspector in the “Yes, I have put it away where you shall never
cab, for it was a weary time before I rejoined him. lay hand upon it,” he cried, exultantly. “It is my
His face clouded over when I showed him the treasure; and if I can’t have the loot I’ll take darned
empty box. good care that no one else does. I tell you that no
“There goes the reward!” said he, gloomily. living man has any right to it, unless it is three
“Where there is no money there is no pay. This men who are in the Andaman convict-barracks
night’s work would have been worth a tenner each and myself. I know now that I cannot have the
to Sam Brown and me if the treasure had been use of it, and I know that they cannot. I have
there.” acted all through for them as much as for myself.
It’s been the sign of four with us always. Well I
“Mr. Thaddeus Sholto is a rich man,” I said.
know that they would have had me do just what I
“He will see that you are rewarded, treasure or
have done, and throw the treasure into the Thames
no.”
rather than let it go to kith or kin of Sholto or of
The inspector shook his head despondently, Morstan. It was not to make them rich that we did
however. “It’s a bad job,” he repeated; “and so for Achmet. You’ll find the treasure where the key
Mr. Athelney Jones will think.” is, and where little Tonga is. When I saw that your
His forecast proved to be correct, for the de- launch must catch us, I put the loot away in a safe
tective looked blank enough when I got to Baker place. There are no rupees for you this journey.”
Street and showed him the empty box. They had “You are deceiving us, Small,” said Athelney
only just arrived, Holmes, the prisoner, and he, for Jones, sternly. “If you had wished to throw the
they had changed their plans so far as to report treasure into the Thames it would have been eas-
themselves at a station upon the way. My compan- ier for you to have thrown box and all.”
ion lounged in his arm-chair with his usual list- “Easier for me to throw, and easier for you to
less expression, while Small sat stolidly opposite recover,” he answered, with a shrewd, sidelong
to him with his wooden leg cocked over his sound look. “The man that was clever enough to hunt me
one. As I exhibited the empty box he leaned back down is clever enough to pick an iron box from the
in his chair and laughed aloud. bottom of a river. Now that they are scattered over
“This is your doing, Small,” said Athelney five miles or so, it may be a harder job. It went to
Jones, angrily. my heart to do it, though. I was half mad when

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you came up with us. However, there’s no good country-side, while I was always a bit of a rover. At
grieving over it. I’ve had ups in my life, and I’ve last, however, when I was about eighteen, I gave
had downs, but I’ve learned not to cry over spilled them no more trouble, for I got into a mess over
milk.” a girl, and could only get out of it again by tak-
“This is a very serious matter, Small,” said the ing the queen’s shilling and joining the 3d Buffs,
detective. “If you had helped justice, instead of which was just starting for India.
thwarting it in this way, you would have had a “I wasn’t destined to do much soldiering, how-
better chance at your trial.” ever. I had just got past the goose-step, and
“Justice!” snarled the ex-convict. “A pretty jus- learned to handle my musket, when I was fool
tice! Whose loot is this, if it is not ours? Where enough to go swimming in the Ganges. Luckily
is the justice that I should give it up to those who for me, my company sergeant, John Holder, was
have never earned it? Look how I have earned in the water at the same time, and he was one of
it! Twenty long years in that fever-ridden swamp, the finest swimmers in the service. A crocodile
all day at work under the mangrove-tree, all night took me, just as I was half-way across, and nipped
chained up in the filthy convict-huts, bitten by off my right leg as clean as a surgeon could have
mosquitoes, racked with ague, bullied by every done it, just above the knee. What with the shock
cursed black-faced policeman who loved to take and the loss of blood, I fainted, and should have
it out of a white man. That was how I earned the drowned if Holder had not caught hold of me and
Agra treasure; and you talk to me of justice be- paddled for the bank. I was five months in hospital
cause I cannot bear to feel that I have paid this over it, and when at last I was able to limp out of it
price only that another may enjoy it! I would with this timber toe strapped to my stump I found
rather swing a score of times, or have one of myself invalided out of the army and unfitted for
Tonga’s darts in my hide, than live in a convict’s any active occupation.
cell and feel that another man is at his ease in a “I was, as you can imagine, pretty down on my
palace with the money that should be mine.” Small luck at this time, for I was a useless cripple though
had dropped his mask of stoicism, and all this not yet in my twentieth year. However, my misfor-
came out in a wild whirl of words, while his eyes tune soon proved to be a blessing in disguise. A
blazed, and the handcuffs clanked together with man named Abelwhite, who had come out there as
the impassioned movement of his hands. I could an indigo-planter, wanted an overseer to look after
understand, as I saw the fury and the passion of his coolies and keep them up to their work. He
the man, that it was no groundless or unnatural happened to be a friend of our colonel’s, who had
terror which had possessed Major Sholto when he taken an interest in me since the accident. To make
first learned that the injured convict was upon his a long story short, the colonel recommended me
track. strongly for the post and, as the work was mostly
“You forget that we know nothing of all this,” to be done on horseback, my leg was no great ob-
said Holmes quietly. “We have not heard your stacle, for I had enough knee left to keep good grip
story, and we cannot tell how far justice may orig- on the saddle. What I had to do was to ride over
inally have been on your side.” the plantation, to keep an eye on the men as they
“Well, sir, you have been very fair-spoken to worked, and to report the idlers. The pay was
me, though I can see that I have you to thank that fair, I had comfortable quarters, and altogether I
I have these bracelets upon my wrists. Still, I bear was content to spend the remainder of my life in
no grudge for that. It is all fair and above-board. If indigo-planting. Mr. Abelwhite was a kind man,
you want to hear my story I have no wish to hold it and he would often drop into my little shanty and
back. What I say to you is God’s truth, every word smoke a pipe with me, for white folk out there feel
of it. Thank you; you can put the glass beside me their hearts warm to each other as they never do
here, and I’ll put my lips to it if I am dry. here at home.
“I am a Worcestershire man myself,—born near “Well, I was never in luck’s way long. Sud-
Pershore. I dare say you would find a heap of denly, without a note of warning, the great mutiny
Smalls living there now if you were to look. I have broke upon us. One month India lay as still and
often thought of taking a look round there, but the peaceful, to all appearance, as Surrey or Kent; the
truth is that I was never much of a credit to the next there were two hundred thousand black dev-
family, and I doubt if they would be so very glad ils let loose, and the country was a perfect hell. Of
to see me. They were all steady, chapel-going folk, course you know all about it, gentlemen,—a deal
small farmers, well known and respected over the more than I do, very like, since reading is not in

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my line. I only know what I saw with my own wooden leg and all. We went out to meet the rebels
eyes. Our plantation was at a place called Muttra, at Shahgunge early in July, and we beat them back
near the border of the Northwest Provinces. Night for a time, but our powder gave out, and we had
after night the whole sky was alight with the burn- to fall back upon the city. Nothing but the worst
ing bungalows, and day after day we had small news came to us from every side,—which is not to
companies of Europeans passing through our es- be wondered at, for if you look at the map you will
tate with their wives and children, on their way see that we were right in the heart of it. Lucknow
to Agra, where were the nearest troops. Mr. Abel- is rather better than a hundred miles to the east,
white was an obstinate man. He had it in his head and Cawnpore about as far to the south. From ev-
that the affair had been exaggerated, and that it ery point on the compass there was nothing but
would blow over as suddenly as it had sprung up. torture and murder and outrage.
There he sat on his veranda, drinking whiskey- “The city of Agra is a great place, swarming
pegs and smoking cheroots, while the country was with fanatics and fierce devil-worshippers of all
in a blaze about him. Of course we stuck by him, sorts. Our handful of men were lost among the
I and Dawson, who, with his wife, used to do the narrow, winding streets. Our leader moved across
book-work and the managing. Well, one fine day the river, therefore, and took up his position in the
the crash came. I had been away on a distant plan- old fort at Agra. I don’t know if any of you gentle-
tation, and was riding slowly home in the evening, men have ever read or heard anything of that old
when my eye fell upon something all huddled to- fort. It is a very queer place,—the queerest that
gether at the bottom of a steep nullah. I rode down ever I was in, and I have been in some rum corners,
to see what it was, and the cold struck through my too. First of all, it is enormous in size. I should
heart when I found it was Dawson’s wife, all cut think that the enclosure must be acres and acres.
into ribbons, and half eaten by jackals and native There is a modern part, which took all our garri-
dogs. A little further up the road Dawson him- son, women, children, stores, and everything else,
self was lying on his face, quite dead, with an with plenty of room over. But the modern part
empty revolver in his hand and four Sepoys lying is nothing like the size of the old quarter, where
across each other in front of him. I reined up my nobody goes, and which is given over to the scor-
horse, wondering which way I should turn, but at pions and the centipedes. It is all full of great de-
that moment I saw thick smoke curling up from serted halls, and winding passages, and long cor-
Abelwhite’s bungalow and the flames beginning ridors twisting in and out, so that it is easy enough
to burst through the roof. I knew then that I could for folk to get lost in it. For this reason it was sel-
do my employer no good, but would only throw dom that any one went into it, though now and
my own life away if I meddled in the matter. From again a party with torches might go exploring.
where I stood I could see hundreds of the black
“The river washes along the front of the old
fiends, with their red coats still on their backs,
fort, and so protects it, but on the sides and be-
dancing and howling round the burning house.
hind there are many doors, and these had to be
Some of them pointed at me, and a couple of bul-
guarded, of course, in the old quarter as well as in
lets sang past my head; so I broke away across the
that which was actually held by our troops. We
paddy-fields, and found myself late at night safe
were short-handed, with hardly men enough to
within the walls at Agra.
man the angles of the building and to serve the
“As it proved, however, there was no great guns. It was impossible for us, therefore, to sta-
safety there, either. The whole country was up tion a strong guard at every one of the innumer-
like a swarm of bees. Wherever the English could able gates. What we did was to organize a cen-
collect in little bands they held just the ground tral guard-house in the middle of the fort, and
that their guns commanded. Everywhere else they to leave each gate under the charge of one white
were helpless fugitives. It was a fight of the mil- man and two or three natives. I was selected to
lions against the hundreds; and the cruellest part take charge during certain hours of the night of
of it was that these men that we fought against, a small isolated door upon the southwest side of
foot, horse, and gunners, were our own picked the building. Two Sikh troopers were placed un-
troops, whom we had taught and trained, han- der my command, and I was instructed if anything
dling our own weapons, and blowing our own went wrong to fire my musket, when I might rely
bugle-calls. At Agra there were the 3d Bengal upon help coming at once from the central guard.
Fusiliers, some Sikhs, two troops of horse, and a As the guard was a good two hundred paces away,
battery of artillery. A volunteer corps of clerks however, and as the space between was cut up into
and merchants had been formed, and this I joined, a labyrinth of passages and corridors, I had great

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doubts as to whether they could arrive in time to eyes. I waited, therefore, in silence, to see what it
be of any use in case of an actual attack. was that they wanted from me.
“Well, I was pretty proud at having this small “ ‘Listen to me, Sahib,’ said the taller and fiercer
command given me, since I was a raw recruit, and of the pair, the one whom they called Abdullah
a game-legged one at that. For two nights I kept Khan. ‘You must either be with us now or you
the watch with my Punjaubees. They were tall, must be silenced forever. The thing is too great
fierce-looking chaps, Mahomet Singh and Abdul- a one for us to hesitate. Either you are heart and
lah Khan by name, both old fighting-men who had soul with us on your oath on the cross of the Chris-
borne arms against us at Chilian-wallah. They tians, or your body this night shall be thrown into
could talk English pretty well, but I could get little the ditch and we shall pass over to our brothers in
out of them. They preferred to stand together and the rebel army. There is no middle way. Which is
jabber all night in their queer Sikh lingo. For my- it to be, death or life? We can only give you three
self, I used to stand outside the gate-way, looking minutes to decide, for the time is passing, and all
down on the broad, winding river and on the twin- must be done before the rounds come again.’
kling lights of the great city. The beating of drums, “ ‘How can I decide?’ said I. ‘You have not told
the rattle of tomtoms, and the yells and howls of me what you want of me. But I tell you know that
the rebels, drunk with opium and with bang, were if it is anything against the safety of the fort I will
enough to remind us all night of our dangerous have no truck with it, so you can drive home your
neighbors across the stream. Every two hours the knife and welcome.’
officer of the night used to come round to all the
posts, to make sure that all was well. “ ‘It is nothing against the fort,’ said he. ‘We
only ask you to do that which your countrymen
“The third night of my watch was dark and come to this land for. We ask you to be rich. If you
dirty, with a small, driving rain. It was dreary will be one of us this night, we will swear to you
work standing in the gate-way hour after hour in upon the naked knife, and by the threefold oath
such weather. I tried again and again to make my which no Sikh was ever known to break, that you
Sikhs talk, but without much success. At two in shall have your fair share of the loot. A quarter of
the morning the rounds passed, and broke for a the treasure shall be yours. We can say no fairer.’
moment the weariness of the night. Finding that
“ ‘But what is the treasure, then?’ I asked. ‘I
my companions would not be led into conversa-
am as ready to be rich as you can be, if you will
tion, I took out my pipe, and laid down my mus-
but show me how it can be done.’
ket to strike the match. In an instant the two Sikhs
were upon me. One of them snatched my firelock “ ‘You will swear, then,’ said he, ‘by the bones
up and levelled it at my head, while the other held of your father, by the honor of your mother, by the
a great knife to my throat and swore between his cross of your faith, to raise no hand and speak no
teeth that he would plunge it into me if I moved a word against us, either now or afterwards?’
step. “ ‘I will swear it,’ I answered, ‘provided that the
“My first thought was that these fellows were fort is not endangered.’
in league with the rebels, and that this was the “ ‘Then my comrade and I will swear that you
beginning of an assault. If our door were in the shall have a quarter of the treasure which shall be
hands of the Sepoys the place must fall, and the equally divided among the four of us.’
women and children be treated as they were in
Cawnpore. Maybe you gentlemen think that I am “ ‘There are but three,’ said I.
just making out a case for myself, but I give you “ ‘No; Dost Akbar must have his share. We can
my word that when I thought of that, though I tell the tale to you while we await them. Do you
felt the point of the knife at my throat, I opened stand at the gate, Mahomet Singh, and give no-
my mouth with the intention of giving a scream, tice of their coming. The thing stands thus, Sahib,
if it was my last one, which might alarm the main and I tell it to you because I know that an oath is
guard. The man who held me seemed to know binding upon a Feringhee, and that we may trust
my thoughts; for, even as I braced myself to it, he you. Had you been a lying Hindoo, though you
whispered, ‘Don’t make a noise. The fort is safe had sworn by all the gods in their false temples,
enough. There are no rebel dogs on this side of your blood would have been upon the knife, and
the river.’ There was the ring of truth in what he your body in the water. But the Sikh knows the
said, and I knew that if I raised my voice I was a Englishman, and the Englishman knows the Sikh.
dead man. I could read it in the fellow’s brown Hearken, then, to what I have to say.

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“ ‘There is a rajah in the northern provinces and his jewels taken by the government, so that no
who has much wealth, though his lands are small. man will be a rupee the better for them. Now, since
Much has come to him from his father, and more we do the taking of him, why should we not do the
still he has set by himself, for he is of a low nature rest as well? The jewels will be as well with us as
and hoards his gold rather than spend it. When in the Company’s coffers. There will be enough
the troubles broke out he would be friends both to make every one of us rich men and great chiefs.
with the lion and the tiger,—with the Sepoy and No one can know about the matter, for here we are
with the Company’s raj. Soon, however, it seemed cut off from all men. What could be better for the
to him that the white men’s day was come, for purpose? Say again, then, Sahib, whether you are
through all the land he could hear of nothing but with us, or if we must look upon you as an enemy.’
of their death and their overthrow. Yet, being a “ ‘I am with you heart and soul,’ said I.
careful man, he made such plans that, come what “ ‘It is well,’ he answered, handing me back my
might, half at least of his treasure should be left to firelock. ‘You see that we trust you, for your word,
him. That which was in gold and silver he kept by like ours, is not to be broken. We have now only
him in the vaults of his palace, but the most pre- to wait for my brother and the merchant.’
cious stones and the choicest pearls that he had he “ ‘Does your brother know, then, of what you
put in an iron box, and sent it by a trusty servant will do?’ I asked.
who, under the guise of a merchant, should take it
“ ‘The plan is his. He has devised it. We will
to the fort at Agra, there to lie until the land is at
go to the gate and share the watch with Mahomet
peace. Thus, if the rebels won he would have his
Singh.’
money, but if the Company conquered his jewels
would be saved to him. Having thus divided his “The rain was still falling steadily, for it was
hoard, he threw himself into the cause of the Se- just the beginning of the wet season. Brown, heavy
poys, since they were strong upon his borders. By clouds were drifting across the sky, and it was hard
doing this, mark you, Sahib, his property becomes to see more than a stone-cast. A deep moat lay
the due of those who have been true to their salt. in front of our door, but the water was in places
nearly dried up, and it could easily be crossed. It
“ ‘This pretended merchant, who travels under
was strange to me to be standing there with those
the name of Achmet, is now in the city of Agra,
two wild Punjaubees waiting for the man who was
and desires to gain his way into the fort. He
coming to his death.
has with him as travelling-companion my foster-
brother Dost Akbar, who knows his secret. Dost “Suddenly my eye caught the glint of a shaded
Akbar has promised this night to lead him to a lantern at the other side of the moat. It van-
side-postern of the fort, and has chosen this one for ished among the mound-heaps, and then appeared
his purpose. Here he will come presently, and here again coming slowly in our direction.
he will find Mahomet Singh and myself awaiting “ ‘Here they are!’ I exclaimed.
him. The place is lonely, and none shall know of “ ‘You will challenge him, Sahib, as usual,’
his coming. The world shall know of the merchant whispered Abdullah. ‘Give him no cause for fear.
Achmet no more, but the great treasure of the ra- Send us in with him, and we shall do the rest while
jah shall be divided among us. What say you to it, you stay here on guard. Have the lantern ready to
Sahib?’ uncover, that we may be sure that it is indeed the
“In Worcestershire the life of a man seems a man.’
great and a sacred thing; but it is very different “The light had flickered onwards, now stop-
when there is fire and blood all round you and ping and now advancing, until I could see two
you have been used to meeting death at every turn. dark figures upon the other side of the moat. I
Whether Achmet the merchant lived or died was let them scramble down the sloping bank, splash
a thing as light as air to me, but at the talk about through the mire, and climb half-way up to the
the treasure my heart turned to it, and I thought gate, before I challenged them.
of what I might do in the old country with it, “ ‘Who goes there?’ said I, in a subdued voice.
and how my folk would stare when they saw their “ ‘Friends,’ came the answer. I uncovered my
ne’er-do-well coming back with his pockets full of lantern and threw a flood of light upon them. The
gold moidores. I had, therefore, already made up first was an enormous Sikh, with a black beard
my mind. Abdullah Khan, however, thinking that which swept nearly down to his cummerbund.
I hesitated, pressed the matter more closely. Outside of a show I have never seen so tall a man.
“ ‘Consider, Sahib,’ said he, ‘that if this man is The other was a little, fat, round fellow, with a
taken by the commandant he will be hung or shot, great yellow turban, and a bundle in his hand,

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done up in a shawl. He seemed to be all in a quiver buried his knife twice in his side. The man never
with fear, for his hands twitched as if he had the uttered moan nor moved muscle, but lay were he
ague, and his head kept turning to left and right had fallen. I think myself that he may have broken
with two bright little twinkling eyes, like a mouse his neck with the fall. You see, gentlemen, that I
when he ventures out from his hole. It gave me the am keeping my promise. I am telling you every
chills to think of killing him, but I thought of the work of the business just exactly as it happened,
treasure, and my heart set as hard as a flint within whether it is in my favor or not.”
me. When he saw my white face he gave a little He stopped, and held out his manacled hands
chirrup of joy and came running up towards me. for the whiskey-and-water which Holmes had
“ ‘Your protection, Sahib,’ he panted,—‘your brewed for him. For myself, I confess that I had
protection for the unhappy merchant Achmet. I now conceived the utmost horror of the man, not
have travelled across Rajpootana that I might seek only for this cold-blooded business in which he
the shelter of the fort at Agra. I have been robbed had been concerned, but even more for the some-
and beaten and abused because I have been the what flippant and careless way in which he nar-
friend of the Company. It is a blessed night this rated it. Whatever punishment was in store for
when I am once more in safety,—I and my poor him, I felt that he might expect no sympathy from
possessions.’ me. Sherlock Holmes and Jones sat with their
“ ‘What have you in the bundle?’ I asked. hands upon their knees, deeply interested in the
story, but with the same disgust written upon their
“ ‘An iron box,’ he answered, ‘which contains
faces. He may have observed it, for there was a
one or two little family matters which are of no
touch of defiance in his voice and manner as he
value to others, but which I should be sorry to
proceeded.
lose. Yet I am not a beggar; and I shall reward
you, young Sahib, and your governor also, if he “It was all very bad, no doubt,” said he. “I
will give me the shelter I ask.’ should like to know how many fellows in my
“I could not trust myself to speak longer with shoes would have refused a share of this loot when
the man. The more I looked at his fat, frightened they knew that they would have their throats cut
face, the harder did it seem that we should slay for their pains. Besides, it was my life or his when
him in cold blood. It was best to get it over. once he was in the fort. If he had got out, the
whole business would come to light, and I should
“ ‘Take him to the main guard,’ said I. The two have been court-martialled and shot as likely as
Sikhs closed in upon him on each side, and the gi- not; for people were not very lenient at a time like
ant walked behind, while they marched in through that.”
the dark gate-way. Never was a man so compassed
round with death. I remained at the gate-way with “Go on with your story,” said Holmes, shortly.
the lantern. “Well, we carried him in, Abdullah, Akbar, and
“I could hear the measured tramp of their foot- I. A fine weight he was, too, for all that he was so
steps sounding through the lonely corridors. Sud- short. Mahomet Singh was left to guard the door.
denly it ceased, and I heard voices, and a scuffle, We took him to a place which the Sikhs had al-
with the sound of blows. A moment later there ready prepared. It was some distance off, where a
came, to my horror, a rush of footsteps coming in winding passage leads to a great empty hall, the
my direction, with the loud breathing of a running brick walls of which were all crumbling to pieces.
man. I turned my lantern down the long, straight The earth floor had sunk in at one place, making
passage, and there was the fat man, running like a natural grave, so we left Achmet the merchant
the wind, with a smear of blood across his face, there, having first covered him over with loose
and close at his heels, bounding like a tiger, the bricks. This done, we all went back to the treasure.
great black-bearded Sikh, with a knife flashing in “It lay where he had dropped it when he was
his hand. I have never seen a man run so fast as first attacked. The box was the same which now
that little merchant. He was gaining on the Sikh, lies open upon your table. A key was hung by
and I could see that if he once passed me and got a silken cord to that carved handle upon the top.
to the open air he would save himself yet. My We opened it, and the light of the lantern gleamed
heart softened to him, but again the thought of upon a collection of gems such as I have read of
his treasure turned me hard and bitter. I cast my and thought about when I was a little lad at Per-
firelock between his legs as he raced past, and he shore. It was blinding to look upon them. When
rolled twice over like a shot rabbit. Ere he could we had feasted our eyes we took them all out and
stagger to his feet the Sikh was upon him, and made a list of them. There were one hundred and

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forty-three diamonds of the first water, including are suspicious folk in the East, however: so what
one which has been called, I believe, ‘the Great does this rajah do but take a second even more
Mogul’ and is said to be the second largest stone trusty servant and set him to play the spy upon
in existence. Then there were ninety-seven very the first? This second man was ordered never to
fine emeralds, and one hundred and seventy ru- let Achmet out of his sight, and he followed him
bies, some of which, however, were small. There like his shadow. He went after him that night and
were forty carbuncles, two hundred and ten sap- saw him pass through the doorway. Of course
phires, sixty-one agates, and a great quantity of he thought he had taken refuge in the fort, and
beryls, onyxes, cats’-eyes, turquoises, and other applied for admission there himself next day, but
stones, the very names of which I did not know could find no trace of Achmet. This seemed to him
at the time, though I have become more familiar so strange that he spoke about it to a sergeant of
with them since. Besides this, there were nearly guides, who brought it to the ears of the comman-
three hundred very fine pearls, twelve of which dant. A thorough search was quickly made, and
were set in a gold coronet. By the way, these last the body was discovered. Thus at the very mo-
had been taken out of the chest and were not there ment that we thought that all was safe we were
when I recovered it. all four seized and brought to trial on a charge of
murder,—three of us because we had held the gate
“After we had counted our treasures we put
that night, and the fourth because he was known
them back into the chest and carried them to the
to have been in the company of the murdered man.
gate-way to show them to Mahomet Singh. Then
Not a word about the jewels came out at the trial,
we solemnly renewed our oath to stand by each
for the rajah had been deposed and driven out
other and be true to our secret. We agreed to
of India: so no one had any particular interest in
conceal our loot in a safe place until the country
them. The murder, however, was clearly made out,
should be at peace again, and then to divide it
and it was certain that we must all have been con-
equally among ourselves. There was no use di-
cerned in it. The three Sikhs got penal servitude
viding it at present, for if gems of such value were
for life, and I was condemned to death, though my
found upon us it would cause suspicion, and there
sentence was afterwards commuted into the same
was no privacy in the fort nor any place where
as the others.
we could keep them. We carried the box, there-
fore, into the same hall where we had buried the “It was rather a queer position that we found
body, and there, under certain bricks in the best- ourselves in then. There we were all four tied by
preserved wall, we made a hollow and put our the leg and with precious little chance of ever get-
treasure. We made careful note of the place, and ting out again, while we each held a secret which
next day I drew four plans, one for each of us, and might have put each of us in a palace if we could
put the sign of the four of us at the bottom, for we only have made use of it. It was enough to make
had sworn that we should each always act for all, a man eat his heart out to have to stand the kick
so that none might take advantage. That is an oath and the cuff of every petty jack-in-office, to have
that I can put my hand to my heart and swear that rice to eat and water to drink, when that gorgeous
I have never broken. fortune was ready for him outside, just waiting to
be picked up. It might have driven me mad; but I
“Well, there’s no use my telling you gentle- was always a pretty stubborn one, so I just held on
men what came of the Indian mutiny. After Wil- and bided my time.
son took Delhi and Sir Colin relieved Lucknow the
“At last it seemed to me to have come. I was
back of the business was broken. Fresh troops
changed from Agra to Madras, and from there to
came pouring in, and Nana Sahib made himself
Blair Island in the Andamans. There are very few
scarce over the frontier. A flying column under
white convicts at this settlement, and, as I had be-
Colonel Greathed came round to Agra and cleared
haved well from the first, I soon found myself a
the Pandies away from it. Peace seemed to be set-
sort of privileged person. I was given a hut in
tling upon the country, and we four were begin-
Hope Town, which is a small place on the slopes
ning to hope that the time was at hand when we
of Mount Harriet, and I was left pretty much to
might safely go off with our shares of the plunder.
myself. It is a dreary, fever-stricken place, and all
In a moment, however, our hopes were shattered
beyond our little clearings was infested with wild
by our being arrested as the murderers of Achmet.
cannibal natives, who were ready enough to blow
“It came about in this way. When the rajah put a poisoned dart at us if they saw a chance. There
his jewels into the hands of Achmet he did it be- was digging, and ditching, and yam-planting, and
cause he knew that he was a trusty man. They a dozen other things to be done, so we were busy

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enough all day; though in the evening we had a “ ‘Nonsense, old chap!’ said the other, slapping
little time to ourselves. Among other things, I him upon the shoulder. ‘I’ve had a nasty facer my-
learned to dispense drugs for the surgeon, and self, but—’ That was all I could hear, but it was
picked up a smattering of his knowledge. All the enough to set me thinking.
time I was on the lookout for a chance of escape; A couple of days later Major Sholto was
but it is hundreds of miles from any other land, strolling on the beach: so I took the chance of
and there is little or no wind in those seas: so it speaking to him.
was a terribly difficult job to get away.
“ ‘I wish to have your advice, major,’ said I.
“The surgeon, Dr. Somerton, was a fast, sport- “ ‘Well, Small, what is it?’ he asked, taking his
ing young chap, and the other young officers cheroot from his lips.
would meet in his rooms of an evening and play
cards. The surgery, where I used to make up my “ ‘I wanted to ask you, sir,’ said I, ‘who is the
drugs, was next to his sitting-room, with a small proper person to whom hidden treasure should be
window between us. Often, if I felt lonesome, handed over. I know where half a million worth
I used to turn out the lamp in the surgery, and lies, and, as I cannot use it myself, I thought per-
then, standing there, I could hear their talk and haps the best thing that I could do would be to
watch their play. I am fond of a hand at cards hand it over to the proper authorities, and then
myself, and it was almost as good as having one perhaps they would get my sentence shortened for
to watch the others. There was Major Sholto, Cap- me.’
tain Morstan, and Lieutenant Bromley Brown, who “ ‘Half a million, Small?’ he gasped, looking
were in command of the native troops, and there hard at me to see if I was in earnest.
was the surgeon himself, and two or three prison-
“ ‘Quite that, sir,—in jewels and pearls. It lies
officials, crafty old hands who played a nice sly
there ready for anyone. And the queer thing about
safe game. A very snug little party they used to
it is that the real owner is outlawed and cannot
make.
hold property, so that it belongs to the first comer.’
“Well, there was one thing which very soon “ ‘To government, Small,’ he stammered,—‘to
struck me, and that was that the soldiers used al- government.’ But he said it in a halting fashion,
ways to lose and the civilians to win. Mind, I don’t and I knew in my heart that I had got him.
say that there was anything unfair, but so it was.
“ ‘You think, then, sir, that I should give the
These prison-chaps had done little else than play
information to the Governor-General?’ said I, qui-
cards ever since they had been at the Andamans,
etly.
and they knew each other’s game to a point, while
the others just played to pass the time and threw “ ‘Well, well, you must not do anything rash,
their cards down anyhow. Night after night the or that you might repent. Let me hear all about it,
soldiers got up poorer men, and the poorer they Small. Give me the facts.’
got the more keen they were to play. Major Sholto “I told him the whole story, with small changes
was the hardest hit. He used to pay in notes and so that he could not identify the places. When
gold at first, but soon it came to notes of hand I had finished he stood stock still and full of
and for big sums. He sometimes would win for a thought. I could see by the twitch of his lip that
few deals, just to give him heart, and then the luck there was a struggle going on within him.
would set in against him worse than ever. All day
“ ‘This is a very important matter, Small,’ he
he would wander about as black as thunder, and
said, at last. ‘You must not say a word to any one
he took to drinking a deal more than was good for
about it, and I shall see you again soon.’
him.
“Two nights later he and his friend Captain
“One night he lost even more heavily than Morstan came to my hut in the dead of the night
usual. I was sitting in my hut when he and Cap- with a lantern.
tain Morstan came stumbling along on the way to
their quarters. They were bosom friends, those “ ‘I want you just to let Captain Morstan hear
two, and never far apart. The major was raving that story from your own lips, Small,’ said he.
about his losses. “I repeated it as I had told it before.

“ ‘It’s all up, Morstan,’ he was saying, as they “ ‘It rings true, eh?’ said he. ‘It’s good enough
passed my hut. ‘I shall have to send in my papers. to act upon?’
I am a ruined man.’ “Captain Morstan nodded.

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“ ‘Look here, Small,’ said the major. ‘We have “ ‘Nonsense!’ he broke in. ‘What have three
been talking it over, my friend here and I, and black fellows to do with our agreement?’
we have come to the conclusion that this secret of “ ‘Black or blue,’ said I, ‘they are in with me,
yours is hardly a government matter, after all, but and we all go together.’
is a private concern of your own, which of course
you have the power of disposing of as you think “Well, the matter ended by a second meeting,
best. Now, the question is, what price would you at which Mahomet Singh, Abdullah Khan, and
ask for it? We might be inclined to take it up, and Dost Akbar were all present. We talked the matter
at least look into it, if we could agree as to terms.’ over again, and at last we came to an arrangement.
He tried to speak in a cool, careless way, but his We were to provide both the officers with charts of
eyes were shining with excitement and greed. the part of the Agra fort and mark the place in the
wall where the treasure was hid. Major Sholto was
“ ‘Why, as to that, gentlemen,’ I answered, try-
to go to India to test our story. If he found the box
ing also to be cool, but feeling as excited as he
he was to leave it there, to send out a small yacht
did, ‘there is only one bargain which a man in my
provisioned for a voyage, which was to lie off Rut-
position can make. I shall want yo to help me to
land Island, and to which we were to make our
my freedom, and to help my three companions to
way, and finally to return to his duties. Captain
theirs. We shall then take yo into partnership, and
Morstan was then to apply for leave of absence, to
give you a fifth share to divide between you.’
meet us at Agra, and there we were to have a fi-
“ ‘Hum!’ said he. ‘A fifth share! That is not nal division of the treasure, he taking the major’s
very tempting.’ share as well as his own. All this we sealed by the
“ ‘It would come to fifty thousand apiece,’ said most solemn oaths that the mind could think or
I. the lips utter. I sat up all night with paper and ink,
and by the morning I had the two charts all ready,
“ ‘But how can we gain your freedom? You
signed with the sign of four,—that is, of Abdullah,
know very well that you ask an impossibility.’
Akbar, Mahomet, and myself.
“ ‘Nothing of the sort,’ I answered. ‘I have
“Well, gentlemen, I weary you with my long
thought it all out to the last detail. The only bar
story, and I know that my friend Mr. Jones is im-
to our escape is that we can get no boat fit for the
patient to get me safely stowed in chokey. I’ll
voyage, and no provisions to last us for so long a
make it as short as I can. The villain Sholto
time. There are plenty of little yachts and yawls
went off to India, but he never came back again.
at Calcutta or Madras which would serve our turn
Captain Morstan showed me his name among a
well. Do you bring one over. We shall engage to
list of passengers in one of the mail-boats very
get aboard her by night, and if you will drop us
shortly afterwards. His uncle had died, leaving
on any part of the Indian coast you will have done
him a fortune, and he had left the army, yet he
your part of the bargain.’
could stoop to treat five men as he had treated
“ ‘If there were only one,’ he said. us. Morstan went over to Agra shortly afterwards,
“ ‘None or all,’ I answered. ‘We have sworn it. and found, as we expected, that the treasure was
The four of us must always act together.’ indeed gone. The scoundrel had stolen it all, with-
out carrying out one of the conditions on which
“ ‘You see, Morstan,’ said he, ‘Small is a man
we had sold him the secret. From that day I lived
of his word. He does not flinch from his friend. I
only for vengeance. I thought of it by day and
think we may very well trust him.’
I nursed it by night. It became an overpower-
“ ‘It’s a dirty business,’ the other answered. ing, absorbing passion with me. I cared nothing
‘Yet, as you say, the money would save our com- for the law,—nothing for the gallows. To escape,
missions handsomely.’ to track down Sholto, to have my hand upon his
“ ‘Well, Small,’ said the major, ‘we must, I sup- throat,—that was my one thought. Even the Agra
pose, try and meet you. We must first, of course, treasure had come to be a smaller thing in my
test the truth of your story. Tell me where the box mind than the slaying of Sholto.
is hid, and I shall get leave of absence and go back “Well, I have set my mind on many things in
to India in the monthly relief-boat to inquire into this life, and never one which I did not carry out.
the affair.’ But it was weary years before my time came. I
“ ‘Not so fast,’ said I, growing colder as he got have told you that I had picked up something of
hot. ‘I must have the consent of my three com- medicine. One day when Dr. Somerton was down
rades. I tell you that it is four or none with us.’ with a fever a little Andaman Islander was picked

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 The Sign of the Four

up by a convict-gang in the woods. He was sick not thank me, for I would have you here until the
to death, and had gone to a lonely place to die. sun was shining. Here and there we drifted about
I took him in hand, though he was as venomous the world, something always turning up to keep
as a young snake, and after a couple of months I us from London. All the time, however, I never
got him all right and able to walk. He took a kind lost sight of my purpose. I would dream of Sholto
of fancy to me then, and would hardly go back to at night. A hundred times I have killed him in my
his woods, but was always hanging about my hut. sleep. At last, however, some three or four years
I learned a little of his lingo from him, and this ago, we found ourselves in England. I had no great
made him all the fonder of me. difficulty in finding where Sholto lived, and I set
“Tonga—for that was his name—was a fine to work to discover whether he had realized the
boatman, and owned a big, roomy canoe of his treasure, or if he still had it. I made friends with
own. When I found that he was devoted to me and someone who could help me,—I name no names,
would do anything to serve me, I saw my chance for I don’t want to get any one else in a hole,—and
of escape. I talked it over with him. He was to I soon found that he still had the jewels. Then I
bring his boat round on a certain night to an old tried to get at him in many ways; but he was pretty
wharf which was never guarded, and there he was sly, and had always two prize-fighters, besides his
to pick me up. I gave him directions to have sev- sons and his khitmutgar, on guard over him.
eral gourds of water and a lot of yams, cocoa-nuts, “One day, however, I got word that he was dy-
and sweet potatoes. ing. I hurried at once to the garden, mad that
“He was stanch and true, was little Tonga. No he should slip out of my clutches like that, and,
man ever had a more faithful mate. At the night looking through the window, I saw him lying in
named he had his boat at the wharf. As it chanced, his bed, with his sons on each side of him. I’d
however, there was one of the convict-guard down have come through and taken my chance with the
there,—a vile Pathan who had never missed a three of them, only even as I looked at him his jaw
chance of insulting and injuring me. I had always dropped, and I knew that he was gone. I got into
vowed vengeance, and now I had my chance. It his room that same night, though, and I searched
was as if fate had placed him in my way that I his papers to see if there was any record of where
might pay my debt before I left the island. He he had hidden our jewels. There was not a line,
stood on the bank with his back to me, and his car- however: so I came away, bitter and savage as a
bine on his shoulder. I looked about for a stone to man could be. Before I left I bethought me that
beat out his brains with, but none could I see. Then if I ever met my Sikh friends again it would be a
a queer thought came into my head and showed satisfaction to know that I had left some mark of
me where I could lay my hand on a weapon. I sat our hatred: so I scrawled down the sign of the four
down in the darkness and unstrapped my wooden of us, as it had been on the chart, and I pinned it
leg. With three long hops I was on him. He put on his bosom. It was too much that he should be
his carbine to his shoulder, but I struck him full, taken to the grave without some token from the
and knocked the whole front of his skull in. You men whom he had robbed and befooled.
can see the split in the wood now where I hit him. “We earned a living at this time by my exhibit-
We both went down together, for I could not keep ing poor Tonga at fairs and other such places as
my balance, but when I got up I found him still the black cannibal. He would eat raw meat and
lying quiet enough. I made for the boat, and in an dance his war-dance: so we always had a hatful
hour we were well out at sea. Tonga had brought of pennies after a day’s work. I still heard all the
all his earthly possessions with him, his arms and news from Pondicherry Lodge, and for some years
his gods. Among other things, he had a long bam- there was no news to hear, except that they were
boo spear, and some Andaman cocoa-nut matting, hunting for the treasure. At last, however, came
with which I make a sort of sail. For ten days what we had waited for so long. The treasure had
we were beating about, trusting to luck, and on been found. It was up at the top of the house, in
the eleventh we were picked up by a trader which Mr. Bartholomew Sholto’s chemical laboratory. I
was going from Singapore to Jiddah with a cargo came at once and had a look at the place, but I
of Malay pilgrims. They were a rum crowd, and could not see how with my wooden leg I was to
Tonga and I soon managed to settle down among make my way up to it. I learned, however, about a
them. They had one very good quality: they let trap-door in the roof, and also about Mr. Sholto’s
you alone and asked no questions. supper-hour. It seemed to me that I could manage
“Well, if I were to tell you all the adventures the thing easily through Tonga. I brought him out
that my little chum and I went through, you would with me with a long rope wound round his waist.

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 The Sign of the Four

He could climb like a cat, and he soon made his “Good-night, gentlemen both,” said Jonathan
way through the roof, but, as ill luck would have Small.
it, Bartholomew Sholto was still in the room, to “You first, Small,” remarked the wary Jones as
his cost. Tonga thought he had done something they left the room. “I’ll take particular care that
very clever in killing him, for when I came up by you don’t club me with your wooden leg, what-
the rope I found him strutting about as proud as ever you may have done to the gentleman at the
a peacock. Very much surprised was he when I Andaman Isles.”
made at him with the rope’s end and cursed him “Well, and there is the end of our little drama,”
for a little blood-thirsty imp. I took the treasure- I remarked, after we had set some time smoking in
box and let it down, and then slid down myself, silence. “I fear that it may be the last investigation
having first left the sign of the four upon the ta- in which I shall have the chance of studying your
ble, to show that the jewels had come back at last methods. Miss Morstan has done me the honor to
to those who had most right to them. Tonga then accept me as a husband in prospective.”
pulled up the rope, closed the window, and made He gave a most dismal groan. “I feared as
off the way that he had come. much,” said he. “I really cannot congratulate you.”
“I don’t know that I have anything else to tell I was a little hurt. “Have you any reason to be
you. I had heard a waterman speak of the speed of dissatisfied with my choice?” I asked.
Smith’s launch, the Aurora, so I thought she would “Not at all. I think she is one of the most
be a handy craft for our escape. I engaged with charming young ladies I ever met, and might have
old Smith, and was to give him a big sum if he been most useful in such work as we have been do-
got us safe to our ship. He knew, no doubt, that ing. She had a decided genius that way: witness
there was some screw loose, but he was not in our the way in which she preserved that Agra plan
secrets. All this is the truth, and if I tell it to you, from all the other papers of her father. But love
gentlemen, it is not to amuse you,—for you have is an emotional thing, and whatever is emotional
not done me a very good turn,—but it is because I is opposed to that true cold reason which I place
believe the best defence I can make is just to hold above all things. I should never marry myself, lest
back nothing, but let all the wold know how badly I bias my judgment.”
I have myself been served by Major Sholto, and
“I trust,” said I, laughing, “that my judgment
how innocent I am of the death of his son.”
may survive the ordeal. But you look weary.”
“A very remarkable account,” said Sherlock
“Yes, the reaction is already upon me. I shall
Holmes. “A fitting wind-up to an extremely in-
be as limp as a rag for a week.”
teresting case. There is nothing at all new to me
“Strange,” said I, “how terms of what in an-
in the latter part of your narrative, except that you
other man I should call laziness alternate with
brought your own rope. That I did not know. By
your fits of splendid energy and vigor.”
the way, I had hoped that Tonga had lost all his
darts; yet he managed to shoot one at us in the “Yes,” he answered, “there are in me the mak-
boat.” ings of a very fine loafer and also of a pretty spry
sort of fellow. I often think of those lines of old
“He had lost them all, sir, except the one which
Goethe,—
was in his blow-pipe at the time.”
Schade, daß die Natur nur
“Ah, of course,” said Holmes. “I had not
einen Mensch aus Dir schuf,
thought of that.”
Denn zum würdigen Mann war
“Is there any other point which you would like
und zum Schelmen der Stoff.
to ask about?” asked the convict, affably.
“By the way, a propos of this Norwood busi-
“I think not, thank you,” my companion an-
ness, you see that they had, as I surmised, a con-
swered.
federate in the house, who could be none other
“Well, Holmes,” said Athelney Jones, “You are than Lal Rao, the butler: so Jones actually has the
a man to be humored, and we all know that you undivided honor of having caught one fish in his
are a connoisseur of crime, but duty is duty, and I great haul.”
have gone rather far in doing what you and your
“The division seems rather unfair,” I remarked.
friend asked me. I shall feel more at ease when
“You have done all the work in this business. I get
we have our story-teller here safe under lock and
a wife out of it, Jones gets the credit, pray what
key. The cab still waits, and there are two inspec-
remains for you?”
tors down-stairs. I am much obliged to you both
“For me,” said Sherlock Holmes, “there still
for your assistance. Of course you will be wanted
remains the cocaine-bottle.” And he stretched his
at the trial. Good-night to you.”
long white hand up for it.

116
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
A Scandal in Bohemia
 A Scandal in Bohemia

Table of contents
Chapter 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Chapter 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Chapter 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

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 A Scandal in Bohemia

T
CHAPTER I.
o Sherlock Holmes she is always the 1888—I was returning from a journey to a patient
woman. I have seldom heard him men- (for I had now returned to civil practice), when my
tion her under any other name. In his way led me through Baker Street. As I passed the
eyes she eclipses and predominates the well-remembered door, which must always be as-
whole of her sex. It was not that he felt any emo- sociated in my mind with my wooing, and with
tion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and the dark incidents of the Study in Scarlet, I was
that one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, seized with a keen desire to see Holmes again, and
precise but admirably balanced mind. He was, I to know how he was employing his extraordinary
take it, the most perfect reasoning and observing powers. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as
machine that the world has seen, but as a lover I looked up, I saw his tall, spare figure pass twice
he would have placed himself in a false position. in a dark silhouette against the blind. He was pac-
He never spoke of the softer passions, save with a ing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head sunk
gibe and a sneer. They were admirable things for upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him.
the observer—excellent for drawing the veil from To me, who knew his every mood and habit, his at-
men’s motives and actions. But for the trained rea- titude and manner told their own story. He was at
soner to admit such intrusions into his own del- work again. He had risen out of his drug-created
icate and finely adjusted temperament was to in- dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new
troduce a distracting factor which might throw a problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the
doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a sensi- chamber which had formerly been in part my own.
tive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high- His manner was not effusive. It seldom was;
power lenses, would not be more disturbing than but he was glad, I think, to see me. With hardly
a strong emotion in a nature such as his. And yet a word spoken, but with a kindly eye, he waved
there was but one woman to him, and that woman me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars,
was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and question- and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the
able memory. corner. Then he stood before the fire and looked
I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage me over in his singular introspective fashion.
had drifted us away from each other. My own “Wedlock suits you,” he remarked. “I think,
complete happiness, and the home-centred inter- Watson, that you have put on seven and a half
ests which rise up around the man who first finds pounds since I saw you.”
himself master of his own establishment, were suf-
“Seven!” I answered.
ficient to absorb all my attention, while Holmes,
who loathed every form of society with his whole “Indeed, I should have thought a little more.
Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Baker Just a trifle more, I fancy, Watson. And in prac-
Street, buried among his old books, and alternat- tice again, I observe. You did not tell me that you
ing from week to week between cocaine and am- intended to go into harness.”
bition, the drowsiness of the drug, and the fierce “Then, how do you know?”
energy of his own keen nature. He was still, as
“I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you
ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and
have been getting yourself very wet lately, and that
occupied his immense faculties and extraordinary
you have a most clumsy and careless servant girl?”
powers of observation in following out those clues,
and clearing up those mysteries which had been “My dear Holmes,” said I, “this is too much.
abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From You would certainly have been burned, had you
time to time I heard some vague account of his lived a few centuries ago. It is true that I had a
doings: of his summons to Odessa in the case of country walk on Thursday and came home in a
the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up of the sin- dreadful mess, but as I have changed my clothes I
gular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trinco- can’t imagine how you deduce it. As to Mary Jane,
malee, and finally of the mission which he had ac- she is incorrigible, and my wife has given her no-
complished so delicately and successfully for the tice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it
reigning family of Holland. Beyond these signs of out.”
his activity, however, which I merely shared with He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long,
all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of nervous hands together.
my former friend and companion. “It is simplicity itself,” said he; “my eyes tell
One night—it was on the twentieth of March, me that on the inside of your left shoe, just where

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 A Scandal in Bohemia

the firelight strikes it, the leather is scored by exaggerated. This account of you we have from all
six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they have quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that
been caused by someone who has very carelessly hour, and do not take it amiss if your visitor wear
scraped round the edges of the sole in order to re- a mask.”
move crusted mud from it. Hence, you see, my “This is indeed a mystery,” I remarked. “What
double deduction that you had been out in vile do you imagine that it means?”
weather, and that you had a particularly malignant
“I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to
boot-slitting specimen of the London slavey. As to
theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins
your practice, if a gentleman walks into my rooms
to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to
smelling of iodoform, with a black mark of nitrate
suit facts. But the note itself. What do you deduce
of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge on
from it?”
the right side of his top-hat to show where he has
secreted his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I carefully examined the writing, and the paper
I do not pronounce him to be an active member of upon which it was written.
the medical profession.” “The man who wrote it was presumably well
I could not help laughing at the ease with to do,” I remarked, endeavouring to imitate my
which he explained his process of deduction. companion’s processes. “Such paper could not be
“When I hear you give your reasons,” I remarked, bought under half a crown a packet. It is pecu-
“the thing always appears to me to be so ridicu- liarly strong and stiff.”
lously simple that I could easily do it myself, “Peculiar—that is the very word,” said Holmes.
though at each successive instance of your rea- “It is not an English paper at all. Hold it up to the
soning I am baffled until you explain your pro- light.”
cess. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good as I did so, and saw a large “E” with a small “g,”
yours.” a “P,” and a large “G” with a small “t” woven into
“Quite so,” he answered, lighting a cigarette, the texture of the paper.
and throwing himself down into an armchair. “What do you make of that?” asked Holmes.
“You see, but you do not observe. The distinction “The name of the maker, no doubt; or his
is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the monogram, rather.”
steps which lead up from the hall to this room.”
“Not at all. The ‘G’ with the small ‘t’ stands
“Frequently.” for ‘Gesellschaft,’ which is the German for ‘Com-
“How often?” pany.’ It is a customary contraction like our ‘Co.’
“Well, some hundreds of times.” ‘P,’ of course, stands for ‘Papier.’ Now for the
‘Eg.’ Let us glance at our Continental Gazetteer.”
“Then how many are there?”
He took down a heavy brown volume from his
“How many? I don’t know.” shelves. “Eglow, Eglonitz—here we are, Egria. It
“Quite so! You have not observed. And yet is in a German-speaking country—in Bohemia, not
you have seen. That is just my point. Now, I know far from Carlsbad. ‘Remarkable as being the scene
that there are seventeen steps, because I have both of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous
seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are in- glass-factories and paper-mills.’ Ha, ha, my boy,
terested in these little problems, and since you are what do you make of that?” His eyes sparkled, and
good enough to chronicle one or two of my tri- he sent up a great blue triumphant cloud from his
fling experiences, you may be interested in this.” cigarette.
He threw over a sheet of thick, pink-tinted note- “The paper was made in Bohemia,” I said.
paper which had been lying open upon the table.
“Precisely. And the man who wrote the note
“It came by the last post,” said he. “Read it aloud.”
is a German. Do you note the peculiar construc-
The note was undated, and without either sig- tion of the sentence—‘This account of you we have
nature or address. from all quarters received.’ A Frenchman or Rus-
“There will call upon you to-night, at a quar- sian could not have written that. It is the German
ter to eight o’clock,” it said, “a gentleman who who is so uncourteous to his verbs. It only re-
desires to consult you upon a matter of the very mains, therefore, to discover what is wanted by
deepest moment. Your recent services to one of this German who writes upon Bohemian paper
the royal houses of Europe have shown that you and prefers wearing a mask to showing his face.
are one who may safely be trusted with matters And here he comes, if I am not mistaken, to re-
which are of an importance which can hardly be solve all our doubts.”

124
 A Scandal in Bohemia

As he spoke there was the sharp sound of “Pray take a seat,” said Holmes. “This is my
horses’ hoofs and grating wheels against the curb, friend and colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasion-
followed by a sharp pull at the bell. Holmes whis- ally good enough to help me in my cases. Whom
tled. have I the honour to address?”
“A pair, by the sound,” said he. “Yes,” he con- “You may address me as the Count Von
tinued, glancing out of the window. “A nice little Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. I understand that
brougham and a pair of beauties. A hundred and this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour
fifty guineas apiece. There’s money in this case, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter
Watson, if there is nothing else.” of the most extreme importance. If not, I should
much prefer to communicate with you alone.”
“I think that I had better go, Holmes.” I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist
“Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am and pushed me back into my chair. “It is both, or
lost without my Boswell. And this promises to be none,” said he. “You may say before this gentle-
interesting. It would be a pity to miss it.” man anything which you may say to me.”
The Count shrugged his broad shoulders.
“But your client—”
“Then I must begin,” said he, “by binding you
“Never mind him. I may want your help, and both to absolute secrecy for two years; at the end of
so may he. Here he comes. Sit down in that arm- that time the matter will be of no importance. At
chair, Doctor, and give us your best attention.” present it is not too much to say that it is of such
weight it may have an influence upon European
A slow and heavy step, which had been heard history.”
upon the stairs and in the passage, paused imme-
“I promise,” said Holmes.
diately outside the door. Then there was a loud
and authoritative tap. “And I.”
“You will excuse this mask,” continued our
“Come in!” said Holmes.
strange visitor. “The august person who employs
A man entered who could hardly have been me wishes his agent to be unknown to you, and I
less than six feet six inches in height, with the chest may confess at once that the title by which I have
and limbs of a Hercules. His dress was rich with a just called myself is not exactly my own.”
richness which would, in England, be looked upon “I was aware of it,” said Holmes dryly.
as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan
“The circumstances are of great delicacy, and
were slashed across the sleeves and fronts of his
every precaution has to be taken to quench what
double-breasted coat, while the deep blue cloak
might grow to be an immense scandal and seri-
which was thrown over his shoulders was lined
ously compromise one of the reigning families of
with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck
Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the
with a brooch which consisted of a single flam-
great House of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bo-
ing beryl. Boots which extended halfway up his
hemia.”
calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with
rich brown fur, completed the impression of bar- “I was also aware of that,” murmured Holmes,
baric opulence which was suggested by his whole settling himself down in his armchair and closing
appearance. He carried a broad-brimmed hat in his eyes.
his hand, while he wore across the upper part of Our visitor glanced with some apparent sur-
his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a prise at the languid, lounging figure of the man
black vizard mask, which he had apparently ad- who had been no doubt depicted to him as the
justed that very moment, for his hand was still most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent
raised to it as he entered. From the lower part of in Europe. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and
the face he appeared to be a man of strong charac- looked impatiently at his gigantic client.
ter, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight “If your Majesty would condescend to state
chin suggestive of resolution pushed to the length your case,” he remarked, “I should be better able
of obstinacy. to advise you.”
“You had my note?” he asked with a deep The man sprang from his chair and paced up
harsh voice and a strongly marked German accent. and down the room in uncontrollable agitation.
“I told you that I would call.” He looked from one Then, with a gesture of desperation, he tore the
to the other of us, as if uncertain which to address. mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground.

125
 A Scandal in Bohemia

“You are right,” he cried; “I am the King. Why “Stolen.”

should I attempt to conceal it?” “My own seal.”
“Why, indeed?” murmured Holmes. “Your “Imitated.”
Majesty had not spoken before I was aware that “My photograph.”
I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Sigismond
“Bought.”
von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and
hereditary King of Bohemia.” “We were both in the photograph.”
“Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has
“But you can understand,” said our strange vis-
indeed committed an indiscretion.”
itor, sitting down once more and passing his hand
over his high white forehead, “you can understand “I was mad—insane.”
that I am not accustomed to doing such business in “You have compromised yourself seriously.”
my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that “I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I
I could not confide it to an agent without putting am but thirty now.”
myself in his power. I have come incognito from “It must be recovered.”
Prague for the purpose of consulting you.”
“We have tried and failed.”
“Then, pray consult,” said Holmes, shutting his “Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought.”
eyes once more.
“She will not sell.”
“The facts are briefly these: Some five years “Stolen, then.”
ago, during a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the
“Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars
acquaintance of the well-known adventuress, Irene
in my pay ransacked her house. Once we diverted
Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you.”
her luggage when she travelled. Twice she has
“Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor,” mur- been waylaid. There has been no result.”
mured Holmes without opening his eyes. For
“No sign of it?”
many years he had adopted a system of docket-
ing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so “Absolutely none.”
that it was difficult to name a subject or a person Holmes laughed. “It is quite a pretty little
on which he could not at once furnish information. problem,” said he.
In this case I found her biography sandwiched in “But a very serious one to me,” returned the
between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a staff- King reproachfully.
commander who had written a monograph upon “Very, indeed. And what does she propose to
the deep-sea fishes. do with the photograph?”
“Let me see!” said Holmes. “Hum! Born in “To ruin me.”
New Jersey in the year 1858. Contralto—hum! La “But how?”
Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera of War-
“I am about to be married.”
saw—yes! Retired from operatic stage—ha! Living
in London—quite so! Your Majesty, as I under- “So I have heard.”
stand, became entangled with this young person, “To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, sec-
wrote her some compromising letters, and is now ond daughter of the King of Scandinavia. You may
desirous of getting those letters back.” know the strict principles of her family. She is her-
self the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a doubt
“Precisely so. But how—”
as to my conduct would bring the matter to an
“Was there a secret marriage?” end.”
“None.” “And Irene Adler?”
“No legal papers or certificates?” “Threatens to send them the photograph. And
“None.” she will do it. I know that she will do it. You do
not know her, but she has a soul of steel. She has
“Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this the face of the most beautiful of women, and the
young person should produce her letters for black- mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I
mailing or other purposes, how is she to prove should marry another woman, there are no lengths
their authenticity?” to which she would not go—none.”
“There is the writing.” “You are sure that she has not sent it yet?”
“Pooh, pooh! Forgery.” “I am sure.”
“My private note-paper.” “And why?”

126
 A Scandal in Bohemia

“Because she has said that she would send it The King took a heavy chamois leather bag
on the day when the betrothal was publicly pro- from under his cloak and laid it on the table.
claimed. That will be next Monday.”
“There are three hundred pounds in gold and
“Oh, then we have three days yet,” said Holmes seven hundred in notes,” he said.
with a yawn. “That is very fortunate, as I have one
or two matters of importance to look into just at Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his
present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Lon- note-book and handed it to him.
don for the present?” “And Mademoiselle’s address?” he asked.
“Certainly. You will find me at the Langham “Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John’s
under the name of the Count Von Kramm.” Wood.”
“Then I shall drop you a line to let you know
Holmes took a note of it. “One other question,”
how we progress.”
said he. “Was the photograph a cabinet?”
“Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety.”
“It was.”
“Then, as to money?”
“You have carte blanche.” “Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust
that we shall soon have some good news for you.
“Absolutely?”
And good-night, Watson,” he added, as the wheels
“I tell you that I would give one of the of the royal brougham rolled down the street. “If
provinces of my kingdom to have that photo- you will be good enough to call to-morrow after-
graph.” noon at three o’clock I should like to chat this little
“And for present expenses?” matter over with you.”

CHAPTER II.
At three o’clock precisely I was at Baker Street, whiskered, with an inflamed face and disreputable
but Holmes had not yet returned. The landlady clothes, walked into the room. Accustomed as I
informed me that he had left the house shortly af- was to my friend’s amazing powers in the use of
ter eight o’clock in the morning. I sat down be- disguises, I had to look three times before I was
side the fire, however, with the intention of await- certain that it was indeed he. With a nod he van-
ing him, however long he might be. I was already ished into the bedroom, whence he emerged in five
deeply interested in his inquiry, for, though it was minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old.
surrounded by none of the grim and strange fea- Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out
tures which were associated with the two crimes his legs in front of the fire and laughed heartily for
which I have already recorded, still, the nature of some minutes.
the case and the exalted station of his client gave it “Well, really!” he cried, and then he choked
a character of its own. Indeed, apart from the na- and laughed again until he was obliged to lie back,
ture of the investigation which my friend had on limp and helpless, in the chair.
hand, there was something in his masterly grasp “What is it?”
of a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, “It’s quite too funny. I am sure you could never
which made it a pleasure to me to study his sys- guess how I employed my morning, or what I
tem of work, and to follow the quick, subtle meth- ended by doing.”
ods by which he disentangled the most inextrica-
“I can’t imagine. I suppose that you have been
ble mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invari-
watching the habits, and perhaps the house, of
able success that the very possibility of his failing
Miss Irene Adler.”
had ceased to enter into my head.
“Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I
It was close upon four before the door opened, will tell you, however. I left the house a little af-
and a drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side- ter eight o’clock this morning in the character of a

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 A Scandal in Bohemia

groom out of work. There is a wonderful sym- the field of my inquiry. I fear that I bore you with
pathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be these details, but I have to let you see my little dif-
one of them, and you will know all that there is ficulties, if you are to understand the situation.”
to know. I soon found Briony Lodge. It is a bijou “I am following you closely,” I answered.
villa, with a garden at the back, but built out in
front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock “I was still balancing the matter in my mind
to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, when a hansom cab drove up to Briony Lodge,
well furnished, with long windows almost to the and a gentleman sprang out. He was a remark-
floor, and those preposterous English window fas- ably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and mous-
teners which a child could open. Behind there was tached—evidently the man of whom I had heard.
nothing remarkable, save that the passage window He appeared to be in a great hurry, shouted to the
could be reached from the top of the coach-house. cabman to wait, and brushed past the maid who
I walked round it and examined it closely from ev- opened the door with the air of a man who was
ery point of view, but without noting anything else thoroughly at home.
of interest. “He was in the house about half an hour, and
“I then lounged down the street and found, as I could catch glimpses of him in the windows of
I expected, that there was a mews in a lane which the sitting-room, pacing up and down, talking ex-
runs down by one wall of the garden. I lent the citedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see
ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, and nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more
received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and flurried than before. As he stepped up to the cab,
half, two fills of shag tobacco, and as much infor- he pulled a gold watch from his pocket and looked
mation as I could desire about Miss Adler, to say at it earnestly, ‘Drive like the devil,’ he shouted,
nothing of half a dozen other people in the neigh- ‘first to Gross & Hankey’s in Regent Street, and
bourhood in whom I was not in the least inter- then to the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware
ested, but whose biographies I was compelled to Road. Half a guinea if you do it in twenty min-
listen to.” utes!’

“And what of Irene Adler?” I asked. “Away they went, and I was just wondering
whether I should not do well to follow them when
“Oh, she has turned all the men’s heads down up the lane came a neat little landau, the coach-
in that part. She is the daintiest thing under a bon- man with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie
net on this planet. So say the Serpentine-mews, to under his ear, while all the tags of his harness were
a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, drives sticking out of the buckles. It hadn’t pulled up be-
out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp fore she shot out of the hall door and into it. I only
for dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except caught a glimpse of her at the moment, but she
when she sings. Has only one male visitor, but was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might
a good deal of him. He is dark, handsome, and die for.
dashing, never calls less than once a day, and often
twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner “ ‘The Church of St. Monica, John,’ she cried,
Temple. See the advantages of a cabman as a con- ‘and half a sovereign if you reach it in twenty min-
fidant. They had driven him home a dozen times utes.’
from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. “This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I
When I had listened to all they had to tell, I be- was just balancing whether I should run for it, or
gan to walk up and down near Briony Lodge once whether I should perch behind her landau when
more, and to think over my plan of campaign. a cab came through the street. The driver looked
“This Godfrey Norton was evidently an impor- twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before
tant factor in the matter. He was a lawyer. That he could object. ‘The Church of St. Monica,’ said I,
sounded ominous. What was the relation between ‘and half a sovereign if you reach it in twenty min-
them, and what the object of his repeated visits? utes.’ It was twenty-five minutes to twelve, and of
Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the course it was clear enough what was in the wind.
former, she had probably transferred the photo- “My cabby drove fast. I don’t think I ever drove
graph to his keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. faster, but the others were there before us. The cab
On the issue of this question depended whether and the landau with their steaming horses were
I should continue my work at Briony Lodge, or in front of the door when I arrived. I paid the
turn my attention to the gentleman’s chambers in man and hurried into the church. There was not a
the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened soul there save the two whom I had followed and

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 A Scandal in Bohemia

a surpliced clergyman, who seemed to be expostu- “Not in the least.”

lating with them. They were all three standing in “Nor running a chance of arrest?”
a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side “Not in a good cause.”
aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a “Oh, the cause is excellent!”
church. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the
“Then I am your man.”
altar faced round to me, and Godfrey Norton came
running as hard as he could towards me. “I was sure that I might rely on you.”
“But what is it you wish?”
“ ‘Thank God,’ he cried. ‘You’ll do. Come!
“When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I
Come!’
will make it clear to you. Now,” he said as he
“ ‘What then?’ I asked. turned hungrily on the simple fare that our land-
“ ‘Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it lady had provided, “I must discuss it while I eat,
won’t be legal.’ for I have not much time. It is nearly five now. In
two hours we must be on the scene of action. Miss
“I was half-dragged up to the altar, and be-
Irene, or Madame, rather, returns from her drive at
fore I knew where I was I found myself mumbling
seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her.”
responses which were whispered in my ear, and
“And what then?”
vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and
generally assisting in the secure tying up of Irene “You must leave that to me. I have already ar-
Adler, spinster, to Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It ranged what is to occur. There is only one point on
was all done in an instant, and there was the gen- which I must insist. You must not interfere, come
tleman thanking me on the one side and the lady what may. You understand?”
on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me “I am to be neutral?”
in front. It was the most preposterous position in “To do nothing whatever. There will probably
which I ever found myself in my life, and it was the be some small unpleasantness. Do not join in it.
thought of it that started me laughing just now. It It will end in my being conveyed into the house.
seems that there had been some informality about Four or five minutes afterwards the sitting-room
their license, that the clergyman absolutely refused window will open. You are to station yourself
to marry them without a witness of some sort, and close to that open window.”
that my lucky appearance saved the bridegroom “Yes.”
from having to sally out into the streets in search “You are to watch me, for I will be visible to
of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and you.”
I mean to wear it on my watch-chain in memory “Yes.”
of the occasion.” “And when I raise my hand—so—you will
“This is a very unexpected turn of affairs,” said throw into the room what I give you to throw, and
I; “and what then?” will, at the same time, raise the cry of fire. You
“Well, I found my plans very seriously men- quite follow me?”
aced. It looked as if the pair might take an imme- “Entirely.”
diate departure, and so necessitate very prompt “It is nothing very formidable,” he said, tak-
and energetic measures on my part. At the church ing a long cigar-shaped roll from his pocket. “It is
door, however, they separated, he driving back to an ordinary plumber’s smoke-rocket, fitted with a
the Temple, and she to her own house. ‘I shall cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Your task
drive out in the park at five as usual,’ she said as is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire,
she left him. I heard no more. They drove away it will be taken up by quite a number of people.
in different directions, and I went off to make my You may then walk to the end of the street, and I
own arrangements.” will rejoin you in ten minutes. I hope that I have
made myself clear?”
“Which are?”
“I am to remain neutral, to get near the win-
“Some cold beef and a glass of beer,” he an- dow, to watch you, and at the signal to throw in
swered, ringing the bell. “I have been too busy this object, then to raise the cry of fire, and to wait
to think of food, and I am likely to be busier still you at the corner of the street.“
this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want your
“Precisely.”
co-operation.”
“Then you may entirely rely on me.”
“I shall be delighted.” “That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost
“You don’t mind breaking the law?” time that I prepare for the new role I have to play.”

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 A Scandal in Bohemia

He disappeared into his bedroom and returned resolved to use it within a few days. It must be
in a few minutes in the character of an amiable and where she can lay her hands upon it. It must be in
simple-minded Nonconformist clergyman. His her own house.”
broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white tie, “But it has twice been burgled.”
his sympathetic smile, and general look of peer- “Pshaw! They did not know how to look.”
ing and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John “But how will you look?”
Hare alone could have equalled. It was not merely “I will not look.”
that Holmes changed his costume. His expression,
“What then?”
his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with ev-
ery fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a “I will get her to show me.”
fine actor, even as science lost an acute reasoner, “But she will refuse.”
when he became a specialist in crime. “She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble
of wheels. It is her carriage. Now carry out my
It was a quarter past six when we left Baker
orders to the letter.”
Street, and it still wanted ten minutes to the hour
when we found ourselves in Serpentine Avenue. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a
It was already dusk, and the lamps were just be- carriage came round the curve of the avenue. It
ing lighted as we paced up and down in front of was a smart little landau which rattled up to the
Briony Lodge, waiting for the coming of its occu- door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the
pant. The house was just such as I had pictured loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open
it from Sherlock Holmes’ succinct description, but the door in the hope of earning a copper, but was
the locality appeared to be less private than I ex- elbowed away by another loafer, who had rushed
pected. On the contrary, for a small street in a up with the same intention. A fierce quarrel broke
quiet neighbourhood, it was remarkably animated. out, which was increased by the two guardsmen,
There was a group of shabbily dressed men smok- who took sides with one of the loungers, and by
ing and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder the scissors-grinder, who was equally hot upon the
with his wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting other side. A blow was struck, and in an instant
with a nurse-girl, and several well-dressed young the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was
men who were lounging up and down with cigars the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling
in their mouths. men, who struck savagely at each other with their
fists and sticks. Holmes dashed into the crowd
“You see,” remarked Holmes, as we paced to to protect the lady; but just as he reached her he
and fro in front of the house, “this marriage rather gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the
simplifies matters. The photograph becomes a blood running freely down his face. At his fall
double-edged weapon now. The chances are that the guardsmen took to their heels in one direction
she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. and the loungers in the other, while a number of
Godfrey Norton, as our client is to its coming to better-dressed people, who had watched the scuf-
the eyes of his princess. Now the question is, fle without taking part in it, crowded in to help
Where are we to find the photograph?” the lady and to attend to the injured man. Irene
“Where, indeed?” Adler, as I will still call her, had hurried up the
“It is most unlikely that she carries it about steps; but she stood at the top with her superb fig-
with her. It is cabinet size. Too large for easy ure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking
concealment about a woman’s dress. She knows back into the street.
that the King is capable of having her waylaid and “Is the poor gentleman much hurt?” she asked.
searched. Two attempts of the sort have already “He is dead,” cried several voices.
been made. We may take it, then, that she does “No, no, there’s life in him!” shouted another.
not carry it about with her.” “But he’ll be gone before you can get him to hos-
“Where, then?” pital.”
“Her banker or her lawyer. There is that dou- “He’s a brave fellow,” said a woman. “They
ble possibility. But I am inclined to think neither. would have had the lady’s purse and watch if it
Women are naturally secretive, and they like to do hadn’t been for him. They were a gang, and a
their own secreting. Why should she hand it over rough one, too. Ah, he’s breathing now.”
to anyone else? She could trust her own guardian- “He can’t lie in the street. May we bring him
ship, but she could not tell what indirect or po- in, marm?“
litical influence might be brought to bear upon a “Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There
business man. Besides, remember that she had is a comfortable sofa. This way, please!“

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 A Scandal in Bohemia

Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony forward, fell down, clapped my hand to my face,
Lodge and laid out in the principal room, while I and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick.”
still observed the proceedings from my post by the
“That also I could fathom.”
window. The lamps had been lit, but the blinds
had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as “Then they carried me in. She was bound to
he lay upon the couch. I do not know whether he have me in. What else could she do? And into
was seized with compunction at that moment for her sitting-room, which was the very room which
the part he was playing, but I know that I never felt I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom,
more heartily ashamed of myself in my life than and I was determined to see which. They laid me
when I saw the beautiful creature against whom on a couch, I motioned for air, they were com-
I was conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with pelled to open the window, and you had your
which she waited upon the injured man. And yet it chance.”
would be the blackest treachery to Holmes to draw “How did that help you?”
back now from the part which he had intrusted to
me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke- “It was all-important. When a woman thinks
rocket from under my ulster. After all, I thought, that her house is on fire, her instinct is at once to
we are not injuring her. We are but preventing her rush to the thing which she values most. It is a per-
from injuring another. fectly overpowering impulse, and I have more than
once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Dar-
Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw
lington substitution scandal it was of use to me,
him motion like a man who is in need of air. A
and also in the Arnsworth Castle business. A mar-
maid rushed across and threw open the window.
ried woman grabs at her baby; an unmarried one
At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and
reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to me
at the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with
that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house
a cry of “Fire!” The word was no sooner out of my
more precious to her than what we are in quest of.
mouth than the whole crowd of spectators, well
She would rush to secure it. The alarm of fire was
dressed and ill—gentlemen, ostlers, and servant-
admirably done. The smoke and shouting were
maids—joined in a general shriek of “Fire!” Thick
enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded
clouds of smoke curled through the room and
beautifully. The photograph is in a recess behind
out at the open window. I caught a glimpse of
a sliding panel just above the right bell-pull. She
rushing figures, and a moment later the voice of
was there in an instant, and I caught a glimpse of
Holmes from within assuring them that it was a
it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it
false alarm. Slipping through the shouting crowd
was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the
I made my way to the corner of the street, and in
rocket, rushed from the room, and I have not seen
ten minutes was rejoiced to find my friend’s arm in
her since. I rose, and, making my excuses, escaped
mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. He
from the house. I hesitated whether to attempt to
walked swiftly and in silence for some few min-
secure the photograph at once; but the coachman
utes until we had turned down one of the quiet
had come in, and as he was watching me narrowly
streets which lead towards the Edgeware Road.
it seemed safer to wait. A little over-precipitance
“You did it very nicely, Doctor,” he remarked. may ruin all.”
“Nothing could have been better. It is all right.”
“And now?” I asked.
“You have the photograph?”
“I know where it is.” “Our quest is practically finished. I shall call
with the King to-morrow, and with you, if you
“And how did you find out?” care to come with us. We will be shown into the
“She showed me, as I told you she would.” sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is probable
“I am still in the dark.” that when she comes she may find neither us nor
“I do not wish to make a mystery,” said he, the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his
laughing. “The matter was perfectly simple. You, Majesty to regain it with his own hands.”
of course, saw that everyone in the street was “And when will you call?”
an accomplice. They were all engaged for the
“At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so
evening.”
that we shall have a clear field. Besides, we must
“I guessed as much.” be prompt, for this marriage may mean a complete
“Then, when the row broke out, I had a little change in her life and habits. I must wire to the
moist red paint in the palm of my hand. I rushed King without delay.”

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 A Scandal in Bohemia

We had reached Baker Street and had stopped the time, but the greeting appeared to come from
at the door. He was searching his pockets for the a slim youth in an ulster who had hurried by.
key when someone passing said: “I’ve heard that voice before,” said Holmes,
“Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes.” staring down the dimly lit street. “Now, I wonder
There were several people on the pavement at who the deuce that could have been.”

CHAPTER III.
I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were us with a sardonic eye as we stepped from the
engaged upon our toast and coffee in the morning brougham.
when the King of Bohemia rushed into the room.
“You have really got it!” he cried, grasping “Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?” said she.
Sherlock Holmes by either shoulder and looking
eagerly into his face. “I am Mr. Holmes,” answered my companion,
“Not yet.” looking at her with a questioning and rather star-
“But you have hopes?” tled gaze.
“I have hopes.”
“Indeed! My mistress told me that you were
“Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone.”
likely to call. She left this morning with her hus-
“We must have a cab.” band by the 5.15 train from Charing Cross for the
“No, my brougham is waiting.” Continent.”
“Then that will simplify matters.” We de-
scended and started off once more for Briony “What!” Sherlock Holmes staggered back,
Lodge. white with chagrin and surprise. “Do you mean
“Irene Adler is married,” remarked Holmes. that she has left England?”
“Married! When?”
“Never to return.”
“Yesterday.”
“But to whom?”
“And the papers?” asked the King hoarsely.
“To an English lawyer named Norton.” “All is lost.”
“But she could not love him.”
“I am in hopes that she does.” “We shall see.” He pushed past the servant
“And why in hopes?” and rushed into the drawing-room, followed by
the King and myself. The furniture was scattered
“Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of
about in every direction, with dismantled shelves
future annoyance. If the lady loves her husband,
and open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ran-
she does not love your Majesty. If she does not love
sacked them before her flight. Holmes rushed at
your Majesty, there is no reason why she should
the bell-pull, tore back a small sliding shutter, and,
interfere with your Majesty’s plan.”
plunging in his hand, pulled out a photograph and
“It is true. And yet—Well! I wish she had been a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler her-
of my own station! What a queen she would have self in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to
made!” He relapsed into a moody silence, which “Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for.”
was not broken until we drew up in Serpentine My friend tore it open and we all three read it to-
Avenue. gether. It was dated at midnight of the preceding
The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an el- night and ran in this way:
derly woman stood upon the steps. She watched

132
“My dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes: “Irene Norton, née Adler.”
“You really did it very well. You
took me in completely. Until after the “What a woman—oh, what a woman!” cried
alarm of fire, I had not a suspicion. the King of Bohemia, when we had all three read
But then, when I found how I had be- this epistle. “Did I not tell you how quick and
trayed myself, I began to think. I had resolute she was? Would she not have made an
been warned against you months ago. admirable queen? Is it not a pity that she was not
I had been told that if the King em- on my level?”
ployed an agent it would certainly be “From what I have seen of the lady she seems
you. And your address had been given indeed to be on a very different level to your
me. Yet, with all this, you made me re- Majesty,” said Holmes coldly. “I am sorry that I
veal what you wanted to know. Even have not been able to bring your Majesty’s busi-
after I became suspicious, I found it ness to a more successful conclusion.”
hard to think evil of such a dear, kind
“On the contrary, my dear sir,” cried the King;
old clergyman. But, you know, I have
“nothing could be more successful. I know that
been trained as an actress myself. Male
her word is inviolate. The photograph is now as
costume is nothing new to me. I often
safe as if it were in the fire.”
take advantage of the freedom which
it gives. I sent John, the coachman, “I am glad to hear your Majesty say so.”
to watch you, ran up stairs, got into “I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me
my walking-clothes, as I call them, and in what way I can reward you. This ring—” He
came down just as you departed. slipped an emerald snake ring from his finger and
“Well, I followed you to your door, held it out upon the palm of his hand.
and so made sure that I was really an “Your Majesty has something which I should
object of interest to the celebrated Mr. value even more highly,” said Holmes.
Sherlock Holmes. Then I, rather im-
prudently, wished you good-night, and “You have but to name it.”
started for the Temple to see my hus- “This photograph!”
band. The King stared at him in amazement.
“We both thought the best resource
“Irene’s photograph!” he cried. “Certainly, if
was flight, when pursued by so
you wish it.”
formidable an antagonist; so you will
find the nest empty when you call to- “I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more
morrow. As to the photograph, your to be done in the matter. I have the honour to wish
client may rest in peace. I love and you a very good-morning.” He bowed, and, turn-
am loved by a better man than he. ing away without observing the hand which the
The King may do what he will with- King had stretched out to him, he set off in my
out hindrance from one whom he has company for his chambers.
cruelly wronged. I keep it only to And that was how a great scandal threatened
safeguard myself, and to preserve a to affect the kingdom of Bohemia, and how the
weapon which will always secure me best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were beaten by
from any steps which he might take in a woman’s wit. He used to make merry over the
the future. I leave a photograph which cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do
he might care to possess; and I remain, it of late. And when he speaks of Irene Adler, or
dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, when he refers to her photograph, it is always un-
“Very truly yours, der the honourable title of the woman.
The Red-Headed League
I
The Red-Headed League

had called upon my friend, Mr. Sher- doubt whether any positive crime has been com-
lock Holmes, one day in the autumn of mitted. As far as I have heard it is impossible for
last year and found him in deep conver- me to say whether the present case is an instance
sation with a very stout, florid-faced, el- of crime or not, but the course of events is cer-
derly gentleman with fiery red hair. With an apol- tainly among the most singular that I have ever
ogy for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw listened to. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have
when Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room the great kindness to recommence your narrative. I
and closed the door behind me. ask you not merely because my friend Dr. Watson
“You could not possibly have come at a better has not heard the opening part but also because
time, my dear Watson,” he said cordially. the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious
to have every possible detail from your lips. As a
“I was afraid that you were engaged.” rule, when I have heard some slight indication of
“So I am. Very much so.” the course of events, I am able to guide myself by
“Then I can wait in the next room.” the thousands of other similar cases which occur
to my memory. In the present instance I am forced
“Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has to admit that the facts are, to the best of my belief,
been my partner and helper in many of my most unique.”
successful cases, and I have no doubt that he will
be of the utmost use to me in yours also.” The portly client puffed out his chest with an
appearance of some little pride and pulled a dirty
The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and wrinkled newspaper from the inside pocket of
and gave a bob of greeting, with a quick little ques- his greatcoat. As he glanced down the advertise-
tioning glance from his small fat-encircled eyes. ment column, with his head thrust forward and
“Try the settee,” said Holmes, relapsing into the paper flattened out upon his knee, I took a
his armchair and putting his fingertips together, good look at the man and endeavoured, after the
as was his custom when in judicial moods. “I fashion of my companion, to read the indications
know, my dear Watson, that you share my love which might be presented by his dress or appear-
of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions ance.
and humdrum routine of everyday life. You have I did not gain very much, however, by my in-
shown your relish for it by the enthusiasm which spection. Our visitor bore every mark of being
has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you will an average commonplace British tradesman, obese,
excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey
many of my own little adventures.” shepherd’s check trousers, a not over-clean black
“Your cases have indeed been of the greatest frock-coat, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab
interest to me,” I observed. waistcoat with a heavy brassy Albert chain, and
“You will remember that I remarked the other a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as an
day, just before we went into the very simple prob- ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown
lem presented by Miss Mary Sutherland, that for overcoat with a wrinkled velvet collar lay upon
strange effects and extraordinary combinations we a chair beside him. Altogether, look as I would,
must go to life itself, which is always far more dar- there was nothing remarkable about the man save
ing than any effort of the imagination.” his blazing red head, and the expression of ex-
treme chagrin and discontent upon his features.
“A proposition which I took the liberty of
doubting.” Sherlock Holmes’ quick eye took in my occu-
pation, and he shook his head with a smile as he
“You did, Doctor, but none the less you must noticed my questioning glances. “Beyond the ob-
come round to my view, for otherwise I shall keep vious facts that he has at some time done manual
on piling fact upon fact on you until your reason labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason,
breaks down under them and acknowledges me that he has been in China, and that he has done
to be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been a considerable amount of writing lately, I can de-
good enough to call upon me this morning, and to duce nothing else.”
begin a narrative which promises to be one of the
most singular which I have listened to for some Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with
time. You have heard me remark that the strangest his forefinger upon the paper, but his eyes upon
and most unique things are very often connected my companion.
not with the larger but with the smaller crimes, “How, in the name of good-fortune, did you
and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for know all that, Mr. Holmes?” he asked. “How did

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 The Red-Headed League

you know, for example, that I did manual labour. on Monday, at eleven o’clock, to Dun-
It’s as true as gospel, for I began as a ship’s car- can Ross, at the offices of the League, 7
penter.” Pope’s Court, Fleet Street.”
“Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is “What on earth does this mean?” I ejaculated
quite a size larger than your left. You have worked after I had twice read over the extraordinary an-
with it, and the muscles are more developed.” nouncement.
“Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?” Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as
was his habit when in high spirits. “It is a lit-
“I won’t insult your intelligence by telling you
tle off the beaten track, isn’t it?” said he. “And
how I read that, especially as, rather against the
now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us
strict rules of your order, you use an arc-and-
all about yourself, your household, and the effect
compass breastpin.”
which this advertisement had upon your fortunes.
“Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?” You will first make a note, Doctor, of the paper and
“What else can be indicated by that right cuff the date.”
so very shiny for five inches, and the left one with “It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890.
the smooth patch near the elbow where you rest it Just two months ago.”
upon the desk?” “Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?”
“Well, but China?” “Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr.
Sherlock Holmes,” said Jabez Wilson, mopping his
“The fish that you have tattooed immediately
forehead; “I have a small pawnbroker’s business at
above your right wrist could only have been done
Coburg Square, near the City. It’s not a very large
in China. I have made a small study of tattoo
affair, and of late years it has not done more than
marks and have even contributed to the literature
just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two
of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes’
assistants, but now I only keep one; and I would
scales of a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China.
have a job to pay him but that he is willing to come
When, in addition, I see a Chinese coin hanging
for half wages so as to learn the business.”
from your watch-chain, the matter becomes even
more simple.” “What is the name of this obliging youth?”
asked Sherlock Holmes.
Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. “Well, I “His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he’s not
never!” said he. “I thought at first that you had such a youth, either. It’s hard to say his age. I
done something clever, but I see that there was should not wish a smarter assistant, Mr. Holmes;
nothing in it, after all.” and I know very well that he could better himself
“I begin to think, Watson,” said Holmes, “that and earn twice what I am able to give him. But,
I make a mistake in explaining. ‘Omne ignotum pro after all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas
magnifico,’ you know, and my poor little reputa- in his head?”
tion, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I am so “Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in
candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. having an employee who comes under the full
Wilson?” market price. It is not a common experience
“Yes, I have got it now,” he answered with his among employers in this age. I don’t know that
thick red finger planted halfway down the column. your assistant is not as remarkable as your adver-
“Here it is. This is what began it all. You just read tisement.”
it for yourself, sir.” “Oh, he has his faults, too,” said Mr. Wilson.
“Never was such a fellow for photography. Snap-
I took the paper from him and read as follows:
ping away with a camera when he ought to be im-
“To the Red-headed League: On ac- proving his mind, and then diving down into the
count of the bequest of the late Ezekiah cellar like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pic-
Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, tures. That is his main fault, but on the whole he’s
U. S. A., there is now another va- a good worker. There’s no vice in him.”
cancy open which entitles a member “He is still with you, I presume?”
of the League to a salary of £4 a week “Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who
for purely nominal services. All red- does a bit of simple cooking and keeps the place
headed men who are sound in body clean—that’s all I have in the house, for I am a
and mind and above the age of twenty- widower and never had any family. We live very
one years, are eligible. Apply in person quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof

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 The Red-Headed League

over our heads and pay our debts, if we do noth- “ ‘But,’ said I, ‘there would be millions of red-
ing more. headed men who would apply.’
“The first thing that put us out was that adver- “ ‘Not so many as you might think,’ he an-
tisement. Spaulding, he came down into the office swered. ‘You see it is really confined to London-
just this day eight weeks, with this very paper in ers, and to grown men. This American had started
his hand, and he says: from London when he was young, and he wanted
“ ‘I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a to do the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have
red-headed man.’ heard it is no use your applying if your hair is light
red, or dark red, or anything but real bright, blaz-
“ ‘Why that?’ I asks.
ing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Wil-
“ ‘Why,’ says he, ‘here’s another vacancy on the son, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would
League of the Red-headed Men. It’s worth quite hardly be worth your while to put yourself out of
a little fortune to any man who gets it, and I un- the way for the sake of a few hundred pounds.’
derstand that there are more vacancies than there
“Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see
are men, so that the trustees are at their wits’ end
for yourselves, that my hair is of a very full and
what to do with the money. If my hair would only
rich tint, so that it seemed to me that if there was
change colour, here’s a nice little crib all ready for
to be any competition in the matter I stood as good
me to step into.’
a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent
“ ‘Why, what is it, then?’ I asked. You see, Mr. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that
Holmes, I am a very stay-at-home man, and as my I thought he might prove useful, so I just ordered
business came to me instead of my having to go to him to put up the shutters for the day and to come
it, I was often weeks on end without putting my right away with me. He was very willing to have a
foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn’t know holiday, so we shut the business up and started off
much of what was going on outside, and I was for the address that was given us in the advertise-
always glad of a bit of news. ment.
“ ‘Have you never heard of the League of the “I never hope to see such a sight as that again,
Red-headed Men?’ he asked with his eyes open. Mr. Holmes. From north, south, east, and west
“ ‘Never.’ every man who had a shade of red in his hair
“ ‘Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible had tramped into the city to answer the advertise-
yourself for one of the vacancies.’ ment. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed
folk, and Pope’s Court looked like a coster’s or-
“ ‘And what are they worth?’ I asked.
ange barrow. I should not have thought there were
“ ‘Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but so many in the whole country as were brought to-
the work is slight, and it need not interfere very gether by that single advertisement. Every shade
much with one’s other occupations.’ of colour they were—straw, lemon, orange, brick,
“Well, you can easily think that that made me Irish-setter, liver, clay; but, as Spaulding said, there
prick up my ears, for the business has not been were not many who had the real vivid flame-
over-good for some years, and an extra couple of coloured tint. When I saw how many were wait-
hundred would have been very handy. ing, I would have given it up in despair; but
“ ‘Tell me all about it,’ said I. Spaulding would not hear of it. How he did it
I could not imagine, but he pushed and pulled
“ ‘Well,’ said he, showing me the advertise- and butted until he got me through the crowd, and
ment, ‘you can see for yourself that the League right up to the steps which led to the office. There
has a vacancy, and there is the address where you was a double stream upon the stair, some going
should apply for particulars. As far as I can make up in hope, and some coming back dejected; but
out, the League was founded by an American mil- we wedged in as well as we could and soon found
lionaire, Ezekiah Hopkins, who was very peculiar ourselves in the office.”
in his ways. He was himself red-headed, and he
had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; so “Your experience has been a most entertaining
when he died it was found that he had left his one,” remarked Holmes as his client paused and
enormous fortune in the hands of trustees, with refreshed his memory with a huge pinch of snuff.
instructions to apply the interest to the providing “Pray continue your very interesting statement.”
of easy berths to men whose hair is of that colour. “There was nothing in the office but a couple of
From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to wooden chairs and a deal table, behind which sat a
do.’ small man with a head that was even redder than

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 The Red-Headed League

mine. He said a few words to each candidate as When shall you be able to enter upon your new
he came up, and then he always managed to find duties?’
some fault in them which would disqualify them. “ ‘Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a busi-
Getting a vacancy did not seem to be such a very ness already,’ said I.
easy matter, after all. However, when our turn “ ‘Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!’ said
came the little man was much more favourable to Vincent Spaulding. ‘I should be able to look after
me than to any of the others, and he closed the that for you.’
door as we entered, so that he might have a pri-
“ ‘What would be the hours?’ I asked.
vate word with us.
“ ‘Ten to two.’
“ ‘This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,’ said my assistant,
“Now a pawnbroker’s business is mostly done
‘and he is willing to fill a vacancy in the League.’
of an evening, Mr. Holmes, especially Thursday
“ ‘And he is admirably suited for it,’ the other and Friday evening, which is just before pay-day;
answered. ‘He has every requirement. I cannot re- so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the
call when I have seen anything so fine.’ He took a mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a
step backward, cocked his head on one side, and good man, and that he would see to anything that
gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then turned up.
suddenly he plunged forward, wrung my hand, “ ‘That would suit me very well,’ said I. ‘And
and congratulated me warmly on my success. the pay?’
“ ‘It would be injustice to hesitate,’ said he. “ ‘Is £4 a week.’
‘You will, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking “ ‘And the work?’
an obvious precaution.’ With that he seized my
“ ‘Is purely nominal.’
hair in both his hands, and tugged until I yelled
“ ‘What do you call purely nominal?’
with the pain. ‘There is water in your eyes,’ said
he as he released me. ‘I perceive that all is as it “ ‘Well, you have to be in the office, or at least
should be. But we have to be careful, for we have in the building, the whole time. If you leave, you
twice been deceived by wigs and once by paint. I forfeit your whole position forever. The will is very
could tell you tales of cobbler’s wax which would clear upon that point. You don’t comply with the
disgust you with human nature.’ He stepped over conditions if you budge from the office during that
to the window and shouted through it at the top time.’
of his voice that the vacancy was filled. A groan of “ ‘It’s only four hours a day, and I should not
disappointment came up from below, and the folk think of leaving,’ said I.
all trooped away in different directions until there “ ‘No excuse will avail,’ said Mr. Duncan Ross;
was not a red-head to be seen except my own and ‘neither sickness nor business nor anything else.
that of the manager. There you must stay, or you lose your billet.’
“ ‘My name,’ said he, ‘is Mr. Duncan Ross, and “ ‘And the work?’
I am myself one of the pensioners upon the fund “ ‘Is to copy out the “Encyclopaedia Britan-
left by our noble benefactor. Are you a married nica.” There is the first volume of it in that press.
man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?’ You must find your own ink, pens, and blotting-
“I answered that I had not. paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will
you be ready to-morrow?’
“His face fell immediately.
“ ‘Certainly,’ I answered.
“ ‘Dear me!’ he said gravely, ‘that is very se-
“ ‘Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me
rious indeed! I am sorry to hear you say that.
congratulate you once more on the important po-
The fund was, of course, for the propagation and
sition which you have been fortunate enough to
spread of the red-heads as well as for their main-
gain.’ He bowed me out of the room and I went
tenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you
home with my assistant, hardly knowing what to
should be a bachelor.’
say or do, I was so pleased at my own good for-
“My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I tune.
thought that I was not to have the vacancy after “Well, I thought over the matter all day, and
all; but after thinking it over for a few minutes he by evening I was in low spirits again; for I had
said that it would be all right. quite persuaded myself that the whole affair must
“ ‘In the case of another,’ said he, ‘the objec- be some great hoax or fraud, though what its ob-
tion might be fatal, but we must stretch a point in ject might be I could not imagine. It seemed al-
favour of a man with such a head of hair as yours. together past belief that anyone could make such

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 The Red-Headed League

a will, or that they would pay such a sum for do- Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt an-
ing anything so simple as copying out the ‘Ency- nouncement and the rueful face behind it, until the
clopaedia Britannica.’ Vincent Spaulding did what comical side of the affair so completely overtopped
he could to cheer me up, but by bedtime I had rea- every other consideration that we both burst out
soned myself out of the whole thing. However, in into a roar of laughter.
the morning I determined to have a look at it any- “I cannot see that there is anything very
how, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with funny,” cried our client, flushing up to the roots
a quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I of his flaming head. “If you can do nothing better
started off for Pope’s Court. than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere.”
“Well, to my surprise and delight, everything “No, no,” cried Holmes, shoving him back into
was as right as possible. The table was set out the chair from which he had half risen. “I really
ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross was there to wouldn’t miss your case for the world. It is most
see that I got fairly to work. He started me off refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you will ex-
upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he cuse my saying so, something just a little funny
would drop in from time to time to see that all was about it. Pray what steps did you take when you
right with me. At two o’clock he bade me good- found the card upon the door?”
day, complimented me upon the amount that I had “I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to
written, and locked the door of the office after me. do. Then I called at the offices round, but none
“This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and of them seemed to know anything about it. Fi-
on Saturday the manager came in and planked nally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant
down four golden sovereigns for my week’s work. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he
It was the same next week, and the same the week could tell me what had become of the Red-headed
after. Every morning I was there at ten, and ev- League. He said that he had never heard of any
ery afternoon I left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan
Ross took to coming in only once of a morning, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to
and then, after a time, he did not come in at all. him.
Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for “ ‘Well,’ said I, ‘the gentleman at No. 4.’
an instant, for I was not sure when he might come, “ ‘What, the red-headed man?’
and the billet was such a good one, and suited me
so well, that I would not risk the loss of it. “ ‘Yes.’
“ ‘Oh,’ said he, ‘his name was William Mor-
“Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had ris. He was a solicitor and was using my room as
written about Abbots and Archery and Armour a temporary convenience until his new premises
and Architecture and Attica, and hoped with dili- were ready. He moved out yesterday.’
gence that I might get on to the B’s before very
long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I “ ‘Where could I find him?’
had pretty nearly filled a shelf with my writings. “ ‘Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the ad-
And then suddenly the whole business came to an dress. Yes, 17 King Edward Street, near St. Paul’s.’
end.” “I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got
“To an end?” to that address it was a manufactory of artificial
knee-caps, and no one in it had ever heard of ei-
“Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I ther Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross.”
went to my work as usual at ten o’clock, but the
“And what did you do then?” asked Holmes.
door was shut and locked, with a little square of
cardboard hammered on to the middle of the panel “I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I
with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for your- took the advice of my assistant. But he could not
self.” help me in any way. He could only say that if I
waited I should hear by post. But that was not
He held up a piece of white cardboard about quite good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to
the size of a sheet of note-paper. It read in this lose such a place without a struggle, so, as I had
fashion: heard that you were good enough to give advice
The Red-headed League to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right
is away to you.”
Dissolved “And you did very wisely,” said Holmes.
October 9, 1890. “Your case is an exceedingly remarkable one, and I

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 The Red-Headed League

shall be happy to look into it. From what you have “That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to
told me I think that it is possible that graver issues give you an opinion upon the subject in the course
hang from it than might at first sight appear.” of a day or two. To-day is Saturday, and I hope
“Grave enough!” said Mr. Jabez Wilson. “Why, that by Monday we may come to a conclusion.”
I have lost four pound a week.” “Well, Watson,” said Holmes when our visitor
“As far as you are personally concerned,” re- had left us, “what do you make of it all?”
marked Holmes, “I do not see that you have any “I make nothing of it,” I answered frankly. “It
grievance against this extraordinary league. On is a most mysterious business.”
the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by “As a rule,” said Holmes, “the more bizarre a
some £30, to say nothing of the minute knowledge thing is the less mysterious it proves to be. It is
which you have gained on every subject which your commonplace, featureless crimes which are
comes under the letter A. You have lost nothing really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the
by them.” most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt
“No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and over this matter.”
who they are, and what their object was in playing “What are you going to do, then?” I asked.
this prank—if it was a prank—upon me. It was a
pretty expensive joke for them, for it cost them two “To smoke,” he answered. “It is quite a three
and thirty pounds.” pipe problem, and I beg that you won’t speak to
me for fifty minutes.” He curled himself up in his
“We shall endeavour to clear up these points chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his hawk-
for you. And, first, one or two questions, Mr. Wil- like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed
son. This assistant of yours who first called your and his black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill
attention to the advertisement—how long had he of some strange bird. I had come to the conclusion
been with you?” that he had dropped asleep, and indeed was nod-
“About a month then.” ding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his
“How did he come?” chair with the gesture of a man who has made up
his mind and put his pipe down upon the mantel-
“In answer to an advertisement.”
piece.
“Was he the only applicant?”
“Sarasate plays at the St. James’s Hall this after-
“No, I had a dozen.” noon,” he remarked. “What do you think, Watson?
“Why did you pick him?” Could your patients spare you for a few hours?”
“Because he was handy and would come “I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is
cheap.” never very absorbing.”
“At half-wages, in fact.” “Then put on your hat and come. I am going
“Yes.” through the City first, and we can have some lunch
on the way. I observe that there is a good deal of
“What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?”
German music on the programme, which is rather
“Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no more to my taste than Italian or French. It is intro-
hair on his face, though he’s not short of thirty. spective, and I want to introspect. Come along!”
Has a white splash of acid upon his forehead.”
We travelled by the Underground as far as
Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable ex- Aldersgate; and a short walk took us to Saxe-
citement. “I thought as much,” said he. “Have Coburg Square, the scene of the singular story
you ever observed that his ears are pierced for ear- which we had listened to in the morning. It was
rings?” a poky, little, shabby-genteel place, where four
“Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it lines of dingy two-storied brick houses looked out
for him when he was a lad.” into a small railed-in enclosure, where a lawn of
“Hum!” said Holmes, sinking back in deep weedy grass and a few clumps of faded laurel-
thought. “He is still with you?” bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden
and uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and
“Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him.”
a brown board with “Jabez Wilson” in white let-
“And has your business been attended to in ters, upon a corner house, announced the place
your absence?” where our red-headed client carried on his busi-
“Nothing to complain of, sir. There’s never ness. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with
very much to do of a morning.” his head on one side and looked it all over, with

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 The Red-Headed League

his eyes shining brightly between puckered lids. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City
Then he walked slowly up the street, and then and Suburban Bank, the Vegetarian Restaurant,
down again to the corner, still looking keenly at and McFarlane’s carriage-building depot. That
the houses. Finally he returned to the pawnbro- carries us right on to the other block. And now,
ker’s, and, having thumped vigorously upon the Doctor, we’ve done our work, so it’s time we
pavement with his stick two or three times, he had some play. A sandwich and a cup of coffee,
went up to the door and knocked. It was instantly and then off to violin-land, where all is sweetness
opened by a bright-looking, clean-shaven young and delicacy and harmony, and there are no red-
fellow, who asked him to step in. headed clients to vex us with their conundrums.”
“Thank you,” said Holmes, “I only wished My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being
to ask you how you would go from here to the himself not only a very capable performer but a
Strand.” composer of no ordinary merit. All the afternoon
“Third right, fourth left,” answered the assis- he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect
tant promptly, closing the door. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in
time to the music, while his gently smiling face
“Smart fellow, that,” observed Holmes as we
and his languid, dreamy eyes were as unlike those
walked away. “He is, in my judgment, the fourth
of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the relent-
smartest man in London, and for daring I am not
less, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as
sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have
it was possible to conceive. In his singular charac-
known something of him before.”
ter the dual nature alternately asserted itself, and
“Evidently,” said I, “Mr. Wilson’s assistant his extreme exactness and astuteness represented,
counts for a good deal in this mystery of the Red- as I have often thought, the reaction against the
headed League. I am sure that you inquired your poetic and contemplative mood which occasion-
way merely in order that you might see him.” ally predominated in him. The swing of his nature
“Not him.” took him from extreme languor to devouring en-
“What then?” ergy; and, as I knew well, he was never so truly
formidable as when, for days on end, he had been
“The knees of his trousers.” lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations
“And what did you see?” and his black-letter editions. Then it was that the
“What I expected to see.” lust of the chase would suddenly come upon him,
and that his brilliant reasoning power would rise
“Why did you beat the pavement?”
to the level of intuition, until those who were un-
“My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, acquainted with his methods would look askance
not for talk. We are spies in an enemy’s country. at him as on a man whose knowledge was not that
We know something of Saxe-Coburg Square. Let of other mortals. When I saw him that afternoon
us now explore the parts which lie behind it.” so enwrapped in the music at St. James’s Hall I
The road in which we found ourselves as we felt that an evil time might be coming upon those
turned round the corner from the retired Saxe- whom he had set himself to hunt down.
Coburg Square presented as great a contrast to it “You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor,” he
as the front of a picture does to the back. It was remarked as we emerged.
one of the main arteries which conveyed the traf-
fic of the City to the north and west. The road- “Yes, it would be as well.”
way was blocked with the immense stream of com- “And I have some business to do which will
merce flowing in a double tide inward and out- take some hours. This business at Coburg Square
ward, while the footpaths were black with the hur- is serious.”
rying swarm of pedestrians. It was difficult to re- “Why serious?”
alise as we looked at the line of fine shops and
“A considerable crime is in contemplation. I
stately business premises that they really abutted
have every reason to believe that we shall be in
on the other side upon the faded and stagnant
time to stop it. But to-day being Saturday rather
square which we had just quitted.
complicates matters. I shall want your help to-
“Let me see,” said Holmes, standing at the cor- night.”
ner and glancing along the line, “I should like just
“At what time?”
to remember the order of the houses here. It is a
hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Lon- “Ten will be early enough.”
don. There is Mortimer’s, the tobacconist, the little “I shall be at Baker Street at ten.”

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 The Red-Headed League

“Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be my saying so, just a little too theoretical and fan-
some little danger, so kindly put your army re- tastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him.
volver in your pocket.” He waved his hand, turned It is not too much to say that once or twice, as in
on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among that business of the Sholto murder and the Agra
the crowd. treasure, he has been more nearly correct than the
I trust that I am not more dense than my neigh- official force.”
bours, but I was always oppressed with a sense of “Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right,”
my own stupidity in my dealings with Sherlock said the stranger with deference. “Still, I confess
Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, that I miss my rubber. It is the first Saturday night
I had seen what he had seen, and yet from his for seven-and-twenty years that I have not had my
words it was evident that he saw clearly not only rubber.”
what had happened but what was about to hap-
pen, while to me the whole business was still con- “I think you will find,” said Sherlock Holmes,
fused and grotesque. As I drove home to my house “that you will play for a higher stake to-night than
in Kensington I thought over it all, from the ex- you have ever done yet, and that the play will be
traordinary story of the red-headed copier of the more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the
“Encyclopaedia” down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg stake will be some £30,000; and for you, Jones, it
Square, and the ominous words with which he had will be the man upon whom you wish to lay your
parted from me. What was this nocturnal expedi- hands.”
tion, and why should I go armed? Where were “John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and
we going, and what were we to do? I had the forger. He’s a young man, Mr. Merryweather, but
hint from Holmes that this smooth-faced pawn- he is at the head of his profession, and I would
broker’s assistant was a formidable man—a man rather have my bracelets on him than on any crim-
who might play a deep game. I tried to puzzle it inal in London. He’s a remarkable man, is young
out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter John Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and
aside until night should bring an explanation. he himself has been to Eton and Oxford. His brain
It was a quarter-past nine when I started from is as cunning as his fingers, and though we meet
home and made my way across the Park, and signs of him at every turn, we never know where
so through Oxford Street to Baker Street. Two to find the man himself. He’ll crack a crib in Scot-
hansoms were standing at the door, and as I en- land one week, and be raising money to build an
tered the passage I heard the sound of voices from orphanage in Cornwall the next. I’ve been on his
above. On entering his room I found Holmes in an- track for years and have never set eyes on him yet.”
imated conversation with two men, one of whom I “I hope that I may have the pleasure of intro-
recognised as Peter Jones, the official police agent, ducing you to-night. I’ve had one or two little
while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I agree with
with a very shiny hat and oppressively respectable you that he is at the head of his profession. It is
frock-coat. past ten, however, and quite time that we started.
“Ha! Our party is complete,” said Holmes, If you two will take the first hansom, Watson and
buttoning up his pea-jacket and taking his heavy I will follow in the second.”
hunting crop from the rack. “Watson, I think you Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative
know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me intro- during the long drive and lay back in the cab hum-
duce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our ming the tunes which he had heard in the after-
companion in to-night’s adventure.” noon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth
“We’re hunting in couples again, Doctor, you of gas-lit streets until we emerged into Farrington
see,” said Jones in his consequential way. “Our Street.
friend here is a wonderful man for starting a chase.
“We are close there now,” my friend remarked.
All he wants is an old dog to help him to do the
“This fellow Merryweather is a bank director, and
running down.”
personally interested in the matter. I thought it as
“I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the well to have Jones with us also. He is not a bad
end of our chase,” observed Mr. Merryweather fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profes-
gloomily. sion. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as
“You may place considerable confidence in Mr. a bulldog and as tenacious as a lobster if he gets
Holmes, sir,” said the police agent loftily. “He has his claws upon anyone. Here we are, and they are
his own little methods, which are, if he won’t mind waiting for us.”

144
 The Red-Headed League

We had reached the same crowded thorough- It has become known that we have never had occa-
fare in which we had found ourselves in the morn- sion to unpack the money, and that it is still lying
ing. Our cabs were dismissed, and, following the in our cellar. The crate upon which I sit contains
guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down 2,000 napoleons packed between layers of lead foil.
a narrow passage and through a side door, which Our reserve of bullion is much larger at present
he opened for us. Within there was a small cor- than is usually kept in a single branch office, and
ridor, which ended in a very massive iron gate. the directors have had misgivings upon the sub-
This also was opened, and led down a flight of ject.”
winding stone steps, which terminated at another “Which were very well justified,” observed
formidable gate. Mr. Merryweather stopped to Holmes. “And now it is time that we arranged our
light a lantern, and then conducted us down a little plans. I expect that within an hour matters
dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after open- will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Mer-
ing a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which ryweather, we must put the screen over that dark
was piled all round with crates and massive boxes. lantern.”
“You are not very vulnerable from above,” “And sit in the dark?”
Holmes remarked as he held up the lantern and
gazed about him. “I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards
in my pocket, and I thought that, as we were a par-
“Nor from below,” said Mr. Merryweather, tie carrée, you might have your rubber after all. But
striking his stick upon the flags which lined the I see that the enemy’s preparations have gone so
floor. “Why, dear me, it sounds quite hollow!” he far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And,
remarked, looking up in surprise. first of all, we must choose our positions. These
“I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!” are daring men, and though we shall take them at
said Holmes severely. “You have already imper- a disadvantage, they may do us some harm un-
illed the whole success of our expedition. Might I less we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate,
beg that you would have the goodness to sit down and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then,
upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?” when I flash a light upon them, close in swiftly.
The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself If they fire, Watson, have no compunction about
upon a crate, with a very injured expression upon shooting them down.”
his face, while Holmes fell upon his knees upon I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top
the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying of the wooden case behind which I crouched.
lens, began to examine minutely the cracks be- Holmes shot the slide across the front of his
tween the stones. A few seconds sufficed to satisfy lantern and left us in pitch darkness—such an ab-
him, for he sprang to his feet again and put his solute darkness as I have never before experienced.
glass in his pocket. The smell of hot metal remained to assure us that
“We have at least an hour before us,” he re- the light was still there, ready to flash out at a mo-
marked, “for they can hardly take any steps until ment’s notice. To me, with my nerves worked up
the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Then they to a pitch of expectancy, there was something de-
will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their pressing and subduing in the sudden gloom, and
work the longer time they will have for their es- in the cold dank air of the vault.
cape. We are at present, Doctor—as no doubt you “They have but one retreat,” whispered
have divined—in the cellar of the City branch of Holmes. “That is back through the house into
one of the principal London banks. Mr. Merry- Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have done
weather is the chairman of directors, and he will what I asked you, Jones?”
explain to you that there are reasons why the more “I have an inspector and two officers waiting at
daring criminals of London should take a consid- the front door.”
erable interest in this cellar at present.”
“Then we have stopped all the holes. And now
“It is our French gold,” whispered the director. we must be silent and wait.”
“We have had several warnings that an attempt
might be made upon it.” What a time it seemed! From comparing notes
afterwards it was but an hour and a quarter, yet it
“Your French gold?” appeared to me that the night must have almost
“Yes. We had occasion some months ago to gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My
strengthen our resources and borrowed for that limbs were weary and stiff, for I feared to change
purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of France. my position; yet my nerves were worked up to the

145
 The Red-Headed League

highest pitch of tension, and my hearing was so “You’ll see your pal again presently,” said
acute that I could not only hear the gentle breath- Jones. “He’s quicker at climbing down holes than
ing of my companions, but I could distinguish the I am. Just hold out while I fix the derbies.”
deeper, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from
“I beg that you will not touch me with your
the thin, sighing note of the bank director. From
filthy hands,” remarked our prisoner as the hand-
my position I could look over the case in the di-
cuffs clattered upon his wrists. “You may not be
rection of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the
aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have
glint of a light.
the goodness, also, when you address me always
At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone to say ‘sir’ and ‘please.’ ”
pavement. Then it lengthened out until it became
“All right,” said Jones with a stare and a snig-
a yellow line, and then, without any warning or
ger. “Well, would you please, sir, march upstairs,
sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand ap-
where we can get a cab to carry your Highness to
peared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt
the police-station?”
about in the centre of the little area of light. For a
minute or more the hand, with its writhing fingers, “That is better,” said John Clay serenely. He
protruded out of the floor. Then it was withdrawn made a sweeping bow to the three of us and
as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark again walked quietly off in the custody of the detective.
save the single lurid spark which marked a chink “Really, Mr. Holmes,” said Mr. Merryweather
between the stones. as we followed them from the cellar, “I do not
Its disappearance, however, was but momen- know how the bank can thank you or repay you.
tary. With a rending, tearing sound, one of the There is no doubt that you have detected and de-
broad, white stones turned over upon its side and feated in the most complete manner one of the
left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed most determined attempts at bank robbery that
the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a have ever come within my experience.”
clean-cut, boyish face, which looked keenly about
“I have had one or two little scores of my own
it, and then, with a hand on either side of the aper-
to settle with Mr. John Clay,” said Holmes. “I have
ture, drew itself shoulder-high and waist-high, un-
been at some small expense over this matter, which
til one knee rested upon the edge. In another in-
I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond that
stant he stood at the side of the hole and was haul-
I am amply repaid by having had an experience
ing after him a companion, lithe and small like
which is in many ways unique, and by hearing
himself, with a pale face and a shock of very red
the very remarkable narrative of the Red-headed
hair.
League.”
“It’s all clear,” he whispered. “Have you the
chisel and the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, “You see, Watson,” he explained in the early
jump, and I’ll swing for it!” hours of the morning as we sat over a glass of
whisky and soda in Baker Street, “it was perfectly
Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized obvious from the first that the only possible object
the intruder by the collar. The other dived down of this rather fantastic business of the advertise-
the hole, and I heard the sound of rending cloth ment of the League, and the copying of the ‘En-
as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed cyclopaedia,’ must be to get this not over-bright
upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes’ hunting pawnbroker out of the way for a number of hours
crop came down on the man’s wrist, and the pistol every day. It was a curious way of managing it,
clinked upon the stone floor. but, really, it would be difficult to suggest a bet-
“It’s no use, John Clay,” said Holmes blandly. ter. The method was no doubt suggested to Clay’s
“You have no chance at all.” ingenious mind by the colour of his accomplice’s
“So I see,” the other answered with the utmost hair. The £4 a week was a lure which must draw
coolness. “I fancy that my pal is all right, though I him, and what was it to them, who were playing
see you have got his coat-tails.” for thousands? They put in the advertisement, one
rogue has the temporary office, the other rogue in-
“There are three men waiting for him at the
cites the man to apply for it, and together they
door,” said Holmes.
manage to secure his absence every morning in the
“Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing week. From the time that I heard of the assistant
very completely. I must compliment you.” having come for half wages, it was obvious to me
“And I you,” Holmes answered. “Your red- that he had some strong motive for securing the
headed idea was very new and effective.” situation.”

146
 “But how could you guess what the motive they were burrowing for. I walked round the cor-
was?“ ner, saw the City and Suburban Bank abutted on
our friend’s premises, and felt that I had solved my
“Had there been women in the house, I should problem. When you drove home after the concert I
have suspected a mere vulgar intrigue. That, how- called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman
ever, was out of the question. The man’s busi- of the bank directors, with the result that you have
ness was a small one, and there was nothing in seen.”
his house which could account for such elabo-
“And how could you tell that they would make
rate preparations, and such an expenditure as they
their attempt to-night?” I asked.
were at. It must, then, be something out of the
house. What could it be? I thought of the assis- “Well, when they closed their League offices
tant’s fondness for photography, and his trick of that was a sign that they cared no longer about
vanishing into the cellar. The cellar! There was the Mr. Jabez Wilson’s presence—in other words, that
end of this tangled clue. Then I made inquiries as they had completed their tunnel. But it was es-
to this mysterious assistant and found that I had to sential that they should use it soon, as it might be
deal with one of the coolest and most daring crim- discovered, or the bullion might be removed. Sat-
inals in London. He was doing something in the urday would suit them better than any other day,
cellar—something which took many hours a day as it would give them two days for their escape.
for months on end. What could it be, once more? For all these reasons I expected them to come to-
I could think of nothing save that he was running night.”
a tunnel to some other building. “You reasoned it out beautifully,” I exclaimed
in unfeigned admiration. “It is so long a chain,
“So far I had got when we went to visit the and yet every link rings true.”
scene of action. I surprised you by beating upon
“It saved me from ennui,” he answered, yawn-
the pavement with my stick. I was ascertaining
ing. “Alas! I already feel it closing in upon me. My
whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind.
life is spent in one long effort to escape from the
It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as
commonplaces of existence. These little problems
I hoped, the assistant answered it. We have had
help me to do so.”
some skirmishes, but we had never set eyes upon
each other before. I hardly looked at his face. “And you are a benefactor of the race,” said I.
His knees were what I wished to see. You must He shrugged his shoulders. “Well, perhaps,
yourself have remarked how worn, wrinkled, and after all, it is of some little use,” he remarked.
stained they were. They spoke of those hours of “ ‘L’homme c’est rien—l’oeuvre c’est tout,’ as Gustave
burrowing. The only remaining point was what Flaubert wrote to George Sand.”
A Case of Identity
M
A Case of Identity

y dear fellow,” said Sherlock Holmes hurling them at his wife, which, you will allow, is
as we sat on either side of the fire in not an action likely to occur to the imagination of
his lodgings at Baker Street, “life is in- the average story-teller. Take a pinch of snuff, Doc-
finitely stranger than anything which tor, and acknowledge that I have scored over you
the mind of man could invent. We would not in your example.”
dare to conceive the things which are really mere He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a
commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of great amethyst in the centre of the lid. Its splen-
that window hand in hand, hover over this great dour was in such contrast to his homely ways and
city, gently remove the roofs, and peep in at the simple life that I could not help commenting upon
queer things which are going on, the strange co- it.
incidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the
wonderful chains of events, working through gen- “Ah,” said he, “I forgot that I had not seen you
erations, and leading to the most outré results, it for some weeks. It is a little souvenir from the King
would make all fiction with its conventionalities of Bohemia in return for my assistance in the case
and foreseen conclusions most stale and unprof- of the Irene Adler papers.”
itable.” “And the ring?” I asked, glancing at a remark-
“And yet I am not convinced of it,” I answered. able brilliant which sparkled upon his finger.
“The cases which come to light in the papers are, “It was from the reigning family of Holland,
as a rule, bald enough, and vulgar enough. We though the matter in which I served them was of
have in our police reports realism pushed to its ex- such delicacy that I cannot confide it even to you,
treme limits, and yet the result is, it must be con- who have been good enough to chronicle one or
fessed, neither fascinating nor artistic.” two of my little problems.”
“A certain selection and discretion must be “And have you any on hand just now?” I asked
used in producing a realistic effect,” remarked with interest.
Holmes. “This is wanting in the police report, “Some ten or twelve, but none which present
where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the plat- any feature of interest. They are important, you
itudes of the magistrate than upon the details, understand, without being interesting. Indeed, I
which to an observer contain the vital essence of have found that it is usually in unimportant mat-
the whole matter. Depend upon it, there is noth- ters that there is a field for the observation, and for
ing so unnatural as the commonplace.” the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives
I smiled and shook my head. “I can quite un- the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes
derstand your thinking so.” I said. “Of course, in are apt to be the simpler, for the bigger the crime
your position of unofficial adviser and helper to the more obvious, as a rule, is the motive. In these
everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout cases, save for one rather intricate matter which
three continents, you are brought in contact with has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is
all that is strange and bizarre. But here”—I picked nothing which presents any features of interest. It
up the morning paper from the ground—“let us is possible, however, that I may have something
put it to a practical test. Here is the first heading better before very many minutes are over, for this
upon which I come. ‘A husband’s cruelty to his is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken.”
wife.’ There is half a column of print, but I know He had risen from his chair and was standing
without reading it that it is all perfectly familiar between the parted blinds gazing down into the
to me. There is, of course, the other woman, the dull neutral-tinted London street. Looking over
drink, the push, the blow, the bruise, the sympa- his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite
thetic sister or landlady. The crudest of writers there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa
could invent nothing more crude.” round her neck, and a large curling red feather
“Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one in a broad-brimmed hat which was tilted in a co-
for your argument,” said Holmes, taking the pa- quettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her
per and glancing his eye down it. “This is the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up
Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was in a nervous, hesitating fashion at our windows,
engaged in clearing up some small points in con- while her body oscillated backward and forward,
nection with it. The husband was a teetotaler, there and her fingers fidgeted with her glove buttons.
was no other woman, and the conduct complained Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who
of was that he had drifted into the habit of wind- leaves the bank, she hurried across the road, and
ing up every meal by taking out his false teeth and we heard the sharp clang of the bell.

151
 A Case of Identity

“I have seen those symptoms before,” said to you, and so at last, as he would do nothing and
Holmes, throwing his cigarette into the fire. “Os- kept on saying that there was no harm done, it
cillation upon the pavement always means an af- made me mad, and I just on with my things and
faire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not came right away to you.”
sure that the matter is not too delicate for commu- “Your father,” said Holmes, “your stepfather,
nication. And yet even here we may discriminate. surely, since the name is different.”
When a woman has been seriously wronged by a “Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though
man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symp- it sounds funny, too, for he is only five years and
tom is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that two months older than myself.”
there is a love matter, but that the maiden is not so
“And your mother is alive?”
much angry as perplexed, or grieved. But here she
“Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn’t
comes in person to resolve our doubts.”
best pleased, Mr. Holmes, when she married again
As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and so soon after father’s death, and a man who was
the boy in buttons entered to announce Miss Mary nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father
Sutherland, while the lady herself loomed behind was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and
his small black figure like a full-sailed merchant- he left a tidy business behind him, which mother
man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes carried on with Mr. Hardy, the foreman; but when
welcomed her with the easy courtesy for which he Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the busi-
was remarkable, and, having closed the door and ness, for he was very superior, being a traveller in
bowed her into an armchair, he looked her over in wines. They got £4700 for the goodwill and in-
the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was terest, which wasn’t near as much as father could
peculiar to him. have got if he had been alive.”
“Do you not find,” he said, “that with your I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impa-
short sight it is a little trying to do so much type- tient under this rambling and inconsequential nar-
writing?” rative, but, on the contrary, he had listened with
“I did at first,” she answered, “but now I know the greatest concentration of attention.
where the letters are without looking.” Then, sud- “Your own little income,” he asked, “does it
denly realising the full purport of his words, she come out of the business?”
gave a violent start and looked up, with fear and “Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left
astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured me by my uncle Ned in Auckland. It is in New
face. “You’ve heard about me, Mr. Holmes,” she Zealand stock, paying 4 12 per cent. Two thousand
cried, “else how could you know all that?” five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can
“Never mind,” said Holmes, laughing; “it is only touch the interest.”
my business to know things. Perhaps I have “You interest me extremely,” said Holmes.
trained myself to see what others overlook. If not, “And since you draw so large a sum as a hun-
why should you come to consult me?” dred a year, with what you earn into the bargain,
you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in
“I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from
every way. I believe that a single lady can get on
Mrs. Etherege, whose husband you found so easy
very nicely upon an income of about £60.”
when the police and everyone had given him up
“I could do with much less than that, Mr.
for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as
Holmes, but you understand that as long as I live
much for me. I’m not rich, but still I have a hun-
at home I don’t wish to be a burden to them, and
dred a year in my own right, besides the little that
so they have the use of the money just while I am
I make by the machine, and I would give it all to
staying with them. Of course, that is only just for
know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel.”
the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every
“Why did you come away to consult me in such quarter and pays it over to mother, and I find that I
a hurry?” asked Sherlock Holmes, with his finger- can do pretty well with what I earn at typewriting.
tips together and his eyes to the ceiling. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can often do
Again a startled look came over the some- from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day.”
what vacuous face of Miss Mary Sutherland. “Yes, “You have made your position very clear to
I did bang out of the house,” she said, “for it me,” said Holmes. “This is my friend, Dr. Watson,
made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. before whom you can speak as freely as before my-
Windibank—that is, my father—took it all. He self. Kindly tell us now all about your connection
would not go to the police, and he would not go with Mr. Hosmer Angel.”

152
 A Case of Identity

A flush stole over Miss Sutherland’s face, and “Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged af-
she picked nervously at the fringe of her jacket. ter the first walk that we took. Hosmer—Mr.
“I met him first at the gasfitters’ ball,” she said. Angel—was a cashier in an office in Leadenhall
“They used to send father tickets when he was Street—and—”
alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, “What office?”
and sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not
“That’s the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don’t
wish us to go. He never did wish us to go any-
know.”
where. He would get quite mad if I wanted so
much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this “Where did he live, then?”
time I was set on going, and I would go; for what “He slept on the premises.”
right had he to prevent? He said the folk were not “And you don’t know his address?”
fit for us to know, when all father’s friends were “No—except that it was Leadenhall Street.”
to be there. And he said that I had nothing fit to
“Where did you address your letters, then?”
wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never
so much as taken out of the drawer. At last, when “To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left
nothing else would do, he went off to France upon till called for. He said that if they were sent to
the business of the firm, but we went, mother and the office he would be chaffed by all the other
I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, clerks about having letters from a lady, so I of-
and it was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel.” fered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he
wouldn’t have that, for he said that when I wrote
“I suppose,” said Holmes, “that when Mr. them they seemed to come from me, but when
Windibank came back from France he was very an- they were typewritten he always felt that the ma-
noyed at your having gone to the ball.” chine had come between us. That will just show
“Oh, well, he was very good about it. He you how fond he was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the
laughed, I remember, and shrugged his shoulders, little things that he would think of.”
and said there was no use denying anything to a “It was most suggestive,” said Holmes. “It has
woman, for she would have her way.” long been an axiom of mine that the little things
“I see. Then at the gasfitters’ ball you met, as are infinitely the most important. Can you remem-
I understand, a gentleman called Mr. Hosmer An- ber any other little things about Mr. Hosmer An-
gel.” gel?”
“He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He
“Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called
would rather walk with me in the evening than
next day to ask if we had got home all safe, and af-
in the daylight, for he said that he hated to be con-
ter that we met him—that is to say, Mr. Holmes, I
spicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was.
met him twice for walks, but after that father came
Even his voice was gentle. He’d had the quinsy
back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come
and swollen glands when he was young, he told
to the house any more.”
me, and it had left him with a weak throat, and a
“No?” hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was
“Well, you know father didn’t like anything of always well dressed, very neat and plain, but his
the sort. He wouldn’t have any visitors if he could eyes were weak, just as mine are, and he wore
help it, and he used to say that a woman should be tinted glasses against the glare.”
happy in her own family circle. But then, as I used “Well, and what happened when Mr.
to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Windibank, your stepfather, returned to France?”
begin with, and I had not got mine yet.” “Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again
“But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he and proposed that we should marry before father
make no attempt to see you?” came back. He was in dreadful earnest and made
me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that
“Well, father was going off to France again in whatever happened I would always be true to him.
a week, and Hosmer wrote and said that it would Mother said he was quite right to make me swear,
be safer and better not to see each other until he and that it was a sign of his passion. Mother was
had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he all in his favour from the first and was even fonder
used to write every day. I took the letters in in the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of mar-
morning, so there was no need for father to know.” rying within the week, I began to ask about fa-
“Were you engaged to the gentleman at this ther; but they both said never to mind about fa-
time?” ther, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother

153
 A Case of Identity

said she would make it all right with him. I didn’t “She was angry, and said that I was never to
quite like that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that speak of the matter again.”
I should ask his leave, as he was only a few years “And your father? Did you tell him?”
older than me; but I didn’t want to do anything on
the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the “Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that
company has its French offices, but the letter came something had happened, and that I should hear
back to me on the very morning of the wedding.” of Hosmer again. As he said, what interest could
anyone have in bringing me to the doors of the
“It missed him, then?” church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had bor-
“Yes, sir; for he had started to England just be- rowed my money, or if he had married me and got
fore it arrived.” my money settled on him, there might be some
reason, but Hosmer was very independent about
“Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was money and never would look at a shilling of mine.
arranged, then, for the Friday. Was it to be in And yet, what could have happened? And why
church?” could he not write? Oh, it drives me half-mad to
“Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. think of it, and I can’t sleep a wink at night.” She
Saviour’s, near King’s Cross, and we were to have pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and
breakfast afterwards at the St. Pancras Hotel. Hos- began to sob heavily into it.
mer came for us in a hansom, but as there were “I shall glance into the case for you,” said
two of us he put us both into it and stepped him- Holmes, rising, “and I have no doubt that we shall
self into a four-wheeler, which happened to be reach some definite result. Let the weight of the
the only other cab in the street. We got to the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind
church first, and when the four-wheeler drove up dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hos-
we waited for him to step out, but he never did, mer Angel vanish from your memory, as he has
and when the cabman got down from the box and done from your life.”
looked there was no one there! The cabman said
“Then you don’t think I’ll see him again?”
that he could not imagine what had become of
him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. “I fear not.”
That was last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never “Then what has happened to him?”
seen or heard anything since then to throw any
“You will leave that question in my hands. I
light upon what became of him.”
should like an accurate description of him and any
“It seems to me that you have been very shame- letters of his which you can spare.”
fully treated,” said Holmes. “I advertised for him in last Saturday’s Chron-
“Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to icle,” said she. “Here is the slip and here are four
leave me so. Why, all the morning he was saying to letters from him.”
me that, whatever happened, I was to be true; and “Thank you. And your address?”
that even if something quite unforeseen occurred
“No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell.”
to separate us, I was always to remember that I
was pledged to him, and that he would claim his “Mr. Angel’s address you never had, I under-
pledge sooner or later. It seemed strange talk for stand. Where is your father’s place of business?”
a wedding-morning, but what has happened since “He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the
gives a meaning to it.” great claret importers of Fenchurch Street.”
“Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, “Thank you. You have made your statement
then, that some unforeseen catastrophe has oc- very clearly. You will leave the papers here, and
curred to him?” remember the advice which I have given you. Let
“Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some dan- the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not
ger, or else he would not have talked so. And then allow it to affect your life.”
I think that what he foresaw happened.” “You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot
do that. I shall be true to Hosmer. He shall find
“But you have no notion as to what it could
me ready when he comes back.”
have been?”
For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous
“None.” face, there was something noble in the simple faith
“One more question. How did your mother of our visitor which compelled our respect. She
take the matter?” laid her little bundle of papers upon the table and

154
 A Case of Identity

went her way, with a promise to come again when- The double line a little above the wrist, where the
ever she might be summoned. typewritist presses against the table, was beauti-
Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes fully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand
with his fingertips still pressed together, his legs type, leaves a similar mark, but only on the left
stretched out in front of him, and his gaze directed arm, and on the side of it farthest from the thumb,
upward to the ceiling. Then he took down from instead of being right across the broadest part, as
the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to this was. I then glanced at her face, and, observing
him as a counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I
back in his chair, with the thick blue cloud-wreaths ventured a remark upon short sight and typewrit-
spinning up from him, and a look of infinite lan- ing, which seemed to surprise her.”
guor in his face. “It surprised me.”
“Quite an interesting study, that maiden,” he “But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much
observed. “I found her more interesting than her surprised and interested on glancing down to ob-
little problem, which, by the way, is rather a trite serve that, though the boots which she was wear-
one. You will find parallel cases, if you consult my ing were not unlike each other, they were really
index, in Andover in ’77, and there was something odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-
of the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the cap, and the other a plain one. One was buttoned
idea, however, there were one or two details which only in the two lower buttons out of five, and the
were new to me. But the maiden herself was most other at the first, third, and fifth. Now, when you
instructive.” see that a young lady, otherwise neatly dressed,
“You appeared to read a good deal upon her has come away from home with odd boots, half-
which was quite invisible to me,” I remarked. buttoned, it is no great deduction to say that she
came away in a hurry.”
“Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did
not know where to look, and so you missed all “And what else?” I asked, keenly interested, as
that was important. I can never bring you to re- I always was, by my friend’s incisive reasoning.
alise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness “I noted, in passing, that she had written a note
of thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang before leaving home but after being fully dressed.
from a boot-lace. Now, what did you gather from You observed that her right glove was torn at the
that woman’s appearance? Describe it.” forefinger, but you did not apparently see that both
“Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad- glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She
brimmed straw hat, with a feather of a brickish had written in a hurry and dipped her pen too
red. Her jacket was black, with black beads sewn deep. It must have been this morning, or the mark
upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. would not remain clear upon the finger. All this is
Her dress was brown, rather darker than coffee amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go
colour, with a little purple plush at the neck and back to business, Watson. Would you mind read-
sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and were worn ing me the advertised description of Mr. Hosmer
through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn’t Angel?”
observe. She had small round, hanging gold ear- I held the little printed slip to the light.
rings, and a general air of being fairly well-to-do
in a vulgar, comfortable, easy-going way.” “Missing,” it said, “on the morning
of the fourteenth, a gentleman named
Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly to- Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in.
gether and chuckled. in height; strongly built, sallow com-
“’Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along plexion, black hair, a little bald in the
wonderfully. You have really done very well in- centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and
deed. It is true that you have missed everything moustache; tinted glasses, slight infir-
of importance, but you have hit upon the method, mity of speech. Was dressed, when
and you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust last seen, in black frock-coat faced with
to general impressions, my boy, but concentrate silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert chain,
yourself upon details. My first glance is always and grey Harris tweed trousers, with
at a woman’s sleeve. In a man it is perhaps bet- brown gaiters over elastic-sided boots.
ter first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Known to have been employed in an
observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, office in Leadenhall Street. Anybody
which is a most useful material for showing traces. bringing—”

155
 A Case of Identity

“That will do,” said Holmes. “As to the let- and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might
ters,” he continued, glancing over them, “they are be too late to assist at the dénouement of the lit-
very commonplace. Absolutely no clue in them to tle mystery. I found Sherlock Holmes alone, how-
Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There ever, half asleep, with his long, thin form curled
is one remarkable point, however, which will no up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable
doubt strike you.” array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent
“They are typewritten,” I remarked. cleanly smell of hydrochloric acid, told me that he
had spent his day in the chemical work which was
“Not only that, but the signature is typewrit-
so dear to him.
ten. Look at the neat little ‘Hosmer Angel’ at the
bottom. There is a date, you see, but no super- “Well, have you solved it?” I asked as I entered.
scription except Leadenhall Street, which is rather “Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta.”
vague. The point about the signature is very sug- “No, no, the mystery!” I cried.
gestive—in fact, we may call it conclusive.”
“Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have
“Of what?” been working upon. There was never any mystery
“My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see in the matter, though, as I said yesterday, some
how strongly it bears upon the case?” of the details are of interest. The only drawback
“I cannot say that I do unless it were that he is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the
wished to be able to deny his signature if an ac- scoundrel.”
tion for breach of promise were instituted.” “Who was he, then, and what was his object in
deserting Miss Sutherland?”
“No, that was not the point. However, I shall
write two letters, which should settle the matter. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and
One is to a firm in the City, the other is to the Holmes had not yet opened his lips to reply, when
young lady’s stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking we heard a heavy footfall in the passage and a tap
him whether he could meet us here at six o’clock at the door.
tomorrow evening. It is just as well that we should “This is the girl’s stepfather, Mr. James
do business with the male relatives. And now, Windibank,” said Holmes. “He has written to me
Doctor, we can do nothing until the answers to to say that he would be here at six. Come in!”
those letters come, so we may put our little prob- The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-
lem upon the shelf for the interim.” sized fellow, some thirty years of age, clean-
I had had so many reasons to believe in my shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a bland, insin-
friend’s subtle powers of reasoning and extraordi- uating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp
nary energy in action that I felt that he must have and penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning
some solid grounds for the assured and easy de- glance at each of us, placed his shiny top-hat upon
meanour with which he treated the singular mys- the sideboard, and with a slight bow sidled down
tery which he had been called upon to fathom. into the nearest chair.
Once only had I known him to fail, in the case of “Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank,” said
the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler photo- Holmes. “I think that this typewritten letter is
graph; but when I looked back to the weird busi- from you, in which you made an appointment
ness of the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary cir- with me for six o’clock?”
cumstances connected with the Study in Scarlet, I
“Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I
felt that it would be a strange tangle indeed which
am not quite my own master, you know. I am sorry
he could not unravel.
that Miss Sutherland has troubled you about this
I left him then, still puffing at his black clay little matter, for I think it is far better not to wash
pipe, with the conviction that when I came again linen of the sort in public. It was quite against my
on the next evening I would find that he held in wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable,
his hands all the clues which would lead up to the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she
identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss is not easily controlled when she has made up her
Mary Sutherland. mind on a point. Of course, I did not mind you
A professional case of great gravity was engag- so much, as you are not connected with the offi-
ing my own attention at the time, and the whole of cial police, but it is not pleasant to have a family
next day I was busy at the bedside of the sufferer. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a
It was not until close upon six o’clock that I found useless expense, for how could you possibly find
myself free and was able to spring into a hansom this Hosmer Angel?”

156
 A Case of Identity

“On the contrary,” said Holmes quietly; “I have “I am very much afraid that it is not. But be-
every reason to believe that I will succeed in dis- tween ourselves, Windibank, it was as cruel and
covering Mr. Hosmer Angel.” selfish and heartless a trick in a petty way as ever
Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and came before me. Now, let me just run over the
dropped his gloves. “I am delighted to hear it,” course of events, and you will contradict me if I go
he said. wrong.”

“It is a curious thing,” remarked Holmes, “that The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his
a typewriter has really quite as much individual- head sunk upon his breast, like one who is utterly
ity as a man’s handwriting. Unless they are quite crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up on the corner of
new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some let- the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands
ters get more worn than others, and some wear in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as
only on one side. Now, you remark in this note it seemed, than to us.
of yours, Mr. Windibank, that in every case there “The man married a woman very much older
is some little slurring over of the ‘e,’ and a slight than himself for her money,” said he, “and he en-
defect in the tail of the ‘r.’ There are fourteen other joyed the use of the money of the daughter as
characteristics, but those are the more obvious.” long as she lived with them. It was a consid-
“We do all our correspondence with this ma- erable sum, for people in their position, and the
chine at the office, and no doubt it is a little worn,” loss of it would have made a serious difference. It
our visitor answered, glancing keenly at Holmes was worth an effort to preserve it. The daughter
with his bright little eyes. was of a good, amiable disposition, but affection-
ate and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was
“And now I will show you what is really a very evident that with her fair personal advantages, and
interesting study, Mr. Windibank,” Holmes contin- her little income, she would not be allowed to re-
ued. “I think of writing another little monograph main single long. Now her marriage would mean,
some of these days on the typewriter and its rela- of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what
tion to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted does her stepfather do to prevent it? He takes
some little attention. I have here four letters which the obvious course of keeping her at home and
purport to come from the missing man. They are forbidding her to seek the company of people of
all typewritten. In each case, not only are the ‘e’s’ her own age. But soon he found that that would
slurred and the ‘r’s’ tailless, but you will observe, not answer forever. She became restive, insisted
if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the upon her rights, and finally announced her posi-
fourteen other characteristics to which I have al- tive intention of going to a certain ball. What does
luded are there as well.” her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an
Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and idea more creditable to his head than to his heart.
picked up his hat. “I cannot waste time over this With the connivance and assistance of his wife he
sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes,” he said. “If you disguised himself, covered those keen eyes with
can catch the man, catch him, and let me know tinted glasses, masked the face with a moustache
when you have done it.” and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice
into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on
“Certainly,” said Holmes, stepping over and account of the girl’s short sight, he appears as Mr.
turning the key in the door. “I let you know, then, Hosmer Angel, and keeps off other lovers by mak-
that I have caught him!” ing love himself.”
“What! where?” shouted Mr. Windibank, turn- “It was only a joke at first,” groaned our visi-
ing white to his lips and glancing about him like a tor. “We never thought that she would have been
rat in a trap. so carried away.”
“Oh, it won’t do—really it won’t,” said Holmes “Very likely not. However that may be, the
suavely. “There is no possible getting out of it, Mr. young lady was very decidedly carried away, and,
Windibank. It is quite too transparent, and it was having quite made up her mind that her step-
a very bad compliment when you said that it was father was in France, the suspicion of treachery
impossible for me to solve so simple a question. never for an instant entered her mind. She was
That’s right! Sit down and let us talk it over.” flattered by the gentleman’s attentions, and the
Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a effect was increased by the loudly expressed ad-
ghastly face and a glitter of moisture on his brow. miration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began
“It—it’s not actionable,” he stammered. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should

157
be pushed as far as it would go if a real effect “There’s a cold-blooded scoundrel!” said
were to be produced. There were meetings, and Holmes, laughing, as he threw himself down into
an engagement, which would finally secure the his chair once more. “That fellow will rise from
girl’s affections from turning towards anyone else. crime to crime until he does something very bad,
But the deception could not be kept up forever. and ends on a gallows. The case has, in some re-
These pretended journeys to France were rather spects, been not entirely devoid of interest.”
cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to bring “I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your
the business to an end in such a dramatic manner reasoning,” I remarked.
that it would leave a permanent impression upon
“Well, of course it was obvious from the first
the young lady’s mind and prevent her from look-
that this Mr. Hosmer Angel must have some strong
ing upon any other suitor for some time to come.
object for his curious conduct, and it was equally
Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Tes-
clear that the only man who really profited by the
tament, and hence also the allusions to a possibil-
incident, as far as we could see, was the stepfa-
ity of something happening on the very morning
ther. Then the fact that the two men were never
of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss
together, but that the one always appeared when
Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and
the other was away, was suggestive. So were the
so uncertain as to his fate, that for ten years to
tinted spectacles and the curious voice, which both
come, at any rate, she would not listen to another
hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers.
man. As far as the church door he brought her,
My suspicions were all confirmed by his pecu-
and then, as he could go no farther, he conve-
liar action in typewriting his signature, which, of
niently vanished away by the old trick of stepping
course, inferred that his handwriting was so famil-
in at one door of a four-wheeler and out at the
iar to her that she would recognise even the small-
other. I think that was the chain of events, Mr.
est sample of it. You see all these isolated facts,
Windibank!”
together with many minor ones, all pointed in the
Our visitor had recovered something of his as- same direction.”
surance while Holmes had been talking, and he “And how did you verify them?”
rose from his chair now with a cold sneer upon his
“Having once spotted my man, it was easy
pale face.
to get corroboration. I knew the firm for which
“It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes,” said this man worked. Having taken the printed de-
he, “but if you are so very sharp you ought to be scription. I eliminated everything from it which
sharp enough to know that it is you who are break- could be the result of a disguise—the whiskers,
ing the law now, and not me. I have done nothing the glasses, the voice, and I sent it to the firm, with
actionable from the first, but as long as you keep a request that they would inform me whether it
that door locked you lay yourself open to an action answered to the description of any of their trav-
for assault and illegal constraint.” ellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of
the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at
“The law cannot, as you say, touch you,” said
his business address asking him if he would come
Holmes, unlocking and throwing open the door,
here. As I expected, his reply was typewritten and
“yet there never was a man who deserved punish-
revealed the same trivial but characteristic defects.
ment more. If the young lady has a brother or a
The same post brought me a letter from Westhouse
friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoul-
& Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the de-
ders. By Jove!” he continued, flushing up at the
scription tallied in every respect with that of their
sight of the bitter sneer upon the man’s face, “it
employee, James Windibank. Voilà tout!”
is not part of my duties to my client, but here’s a
hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat “And Miss Sutherland?”
myself to—” He took two swift steps to the whip, “If I tell her she will not believe me. You may
but before he could grasp it there was a wild clat- remember the old Persian saying, ‘There is dan-
ter of steps upon the stairs, the heavy hall door ger for him who taketh the tiger cub, and danger
banged, and from the window we could see Mr. also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.’
James Windibank running at the top of his speed There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and
down the road. as much knowledge of the world.”
The Boscombe Valley Mystery
W
The Boscombe Valley Mystery

e were seated at breakfast one morn- recent papers in order to master the particulars. It
ing, my wife and I, when the maid seems, from what I gather, to be one of those sim-
brought in a telegram. It was from ple cases which are so extremely difficult.”
Sherlock Holmes and ran in this way: “That sounds a little paradoxical.”
“Have you a couple of days to spare? “But it is profoundly true. Singularity is al-
Have just been wired for from the most invariably a clue. The more featureless and
west of England in connection with commonplace a crime is, the more difficult it is to
Boscombe Valley tragedy. Shall be glad bring it home. In this case, however, they have es-
if you will come with me. Air and tablished a very serious case against the son of the
scenery perfect. Leave Paddington by murdered man.”
the 11.15.” “It is a murder, then?”
“What do you say, dear?” said my wife, looking “Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take
across at me. “Will you go?” nothing for granted until I have the opportunity of
“I really don’t know what to say. I have a fairly looking personally into it. I will explain the state
long list at present.” of things to you, as far as I have been able to un-
“Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. derstand it, in a very few words.
You have been looking a little pale lately. I think “Boscombe Valley is a country district not very
that the change would do you good, and you far from Ross, in Herefordshire. The largest
are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes’ landed proprietor in that part is a Mr. John Turner,
cases.” who made his money in Australia and returned
some years ago to the old country. One of the
“I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing
farms which he held, that of Hatherley, was let
what I gained through one of them,” I answered.
to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was also an ex-
“But if I am to go, I must pack at once, for I have
Australian. The men had known each other in the
only half an hour.”
colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when
My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had they came to settle down they should do so as
at least had the effect of making me a prompt near each other as possible. Turner was apparently
and ready traveller. My wants were few and sim- the richer man, so McCarthy became his tenant
ple, so that in less than the time stated I was in but still remained, it seems, upon terms of per-
a cab with my valise, rattling away to Padding- fect equality, as they were frequently together. Mc-
ton Station. Sherlock Holmes was pacing up and Carthy had one son, a lad of eighteen, and Turner
down the platform, his tall, gaunt figure made had an only daughter of the same age, but nei-
even gaunter and taller by his long grey travelling- ther of them had wives living. They appear to
cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. have avoided the society of the neighbouring En-
“It is really very good of you to come, Wat- glish families and to have led retired lives, though
son,” said he. “It makes a considerable difference both the McCarthys were fond of sport and were
to me, having someone with me on whom I can frequently seen at the race-meetings of the neigh-
thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worth- bourhood. McCarthy kept two servants—a man
less or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner and a girl. Turner had a considerable household,
seats I shall get the tickets.” some half-dozen at the least. That is as much as I
have been able to gather about the families. Now
We had the carriage to ourselves save for an im-
for the facts.
mense litter of papers which Holmes had brought
with him. Among these he rummaged and read, “On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, Mc-
with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, Carthy left his house at Hatherley about three in
until we were past Reading. Then he suddenly the afternoon and walked down to the Boscombe
rolled them all into a gigantic ball and tossed them Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spread-
up onto the rack. ing out of the stream which runs down the
Boscombe Valley. He had been out with his
“Have you heard anything of the case?” he
serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had
asked.
told the man that he must hurry, as he had an ap-
“Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some pointment of importance to keep at three. From
days.” that appointment he never came back alive.
“The London press has not had very full ac- “From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe
counts. I have just been looking through all the Pool is a quarter of a mile, and two people saw

161
 The Boscombe Valley Mystery

him as he passed over this ground. One was an “Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky
old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and thing,” answered Holmes thoughtfully. “It may
the other was William Crowder, a game-keeper in seem to point very straight to one thing, but if you
the employ of Mr. Turner. Both these witnesses shift your own point of view a little, you may find
depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The it pointing in an equally uncompromising manner
game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his to something entirely different. It must be con-
seeing Mr. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. fessed, however, that the case looks exceedingly
James McCarthy, going the same way with a gun grave against the young man, and it is very pos-
under his arm. To the best of his belief, the father sible that he is indeed the culprit. There are sev-
was actually in sight at the time, and the son was eral people in the neighbourhood, however, and
following him. He thought no more of the matter among them Miss Turner, the daughter of the
until he heard in the evening of the tragedy that neighbouring landowner, who believe in his inno-
had occurred. cence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you
“The two McCarthys were seen after the time may recollect in connection with the Study in Scar-
when William Crowder, the game-keeper, lost let, to work out the case in his interest. Lestrade,
sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly being rather puzzled, has referred the case to me,
wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen
reeds round the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience are flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead
Moran, who is the daughter of the lodge-keeper of quietly digesting their breakfasts at home.”
of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the “I am afraid,” said I, “that the facts are so obvi-
woods picking flowers. She states that while she ous that you will find little credit to be gained out
was there she saw, at the border of the wood and of this case.”
close by the lake, Mr. McCarthy and his son, and “There is nothing more deceptive than an ob-
that they appeared to be having a violent quar- vious fact,” he answered, laughing. “Besides, we
rel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very may chance to hit upon some other obvious facts
strong language to his son, and she saw the lat- which may have been by no means obvious to Mr.
ter raise up his hand as if to strike his father. She Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I
was so frightened by their violence that she ran am boasting when I say that I shall either confirm
away and told her mother when she reached home or destroy his theory by means which he is quite
that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling incapable of employing, or even of understanding.
near Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that To take the first example to hand, I very clearly
they were going to fight. She had hardly said the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon
words when young Mr. McCarthy came running the right-hand side, and yet I question whether Mr.
up to the lodge to say that he had found his fa- Lestrade would have noted even so self-evident a
ther dead in the wood, and to ask for the help thing as that.”
of the lodge-keeper. He was much excited, with-
out either his gun or his hat, and his right hand “How on earth—”
and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh “My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the
blood. On following him they found the dead military neatness which characterises you. You
body stretched out upon the grass beside the pool. shave every morning, and in this season you shave
The head had been beaten in by repeated blows of by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less and
some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were less complete as we get farther back on the left
such as might very well have been inflicted by the side, until it becomes positively slovenly as we get
butt-end of his son’s gun, which was found lying round the angle of the jaw, it is surely very clear
on the grass within a few paces of the body. Under that that side is less illuminated than the other. I
these circumstances the young man was instantly could not imagine a man of your habits looking at
arrested, and a verdict of ‘wilful murder’ having himself in an equal light and being satisfied with
been returned at the inquest on Tuesday, he was such a result. I only quote this as a trivial ex-
on Wednesday brought before the magistrates at ample of observation and inference. Therein lies
Ross, who have referred the case to the next As- my métier, and it is just possible that it may be of
sizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they some service in the investigation which lies before
came out before the coroner and the police-court.” us. There are one or two minor points which were
“I could hardly imagine a more damning case,” brought out in the inquest, and which are worth
I remarked. “If ever circumstantial evidence considering.”
pointed to a criminal it does so here.” “What are they?”

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“It appears that his arrest did not take place at down in the corner of the carriage and read it very
once, but after the return to Hatherley Farm. On carefully. It ran in this way:
the inspector of constabulary informing him that “Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the
he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not deceased, was then called and gave evidence
surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than as follows: ‘I had been away from home for
his deserts. This observation of his had the nat- three days at Bristol, and had only just re-
ural effect of removing any traces of doubt which turned upon the morning of last Monday,
might have remained in the minds of the coroner’s the 3rd. My father was absent from home at
jury.” the time of my arrival, and I was informed
“It was a confession,” I ejaculated. by the maid that he had driven over to Ross
“No, for it was followed by a protestation of with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after
innocence.” my return I heard the wheels of his trap
in the yard, and, looking out of my win-
“Coming on the top of such a damning series of dow, I saw him get out and walk rapidly
events, it was at least a most suspicious remark.” out of the yard, though I was not aware in
“On the contrary,” said Holmes, “it is the which direction he was going. I then took
brightest rift which I can at present see in the my gun and strolled out in the direction
clouds. However innocent he might be, he could of the Boscombe Pool, with the intention
not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that of visiting the rabbit warren which is upon
the circumstances were very black against him. the other side. On my way I saw William
Had he appeared surprised at his own arrest, or Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated
feigned indignation at it, I should have looked in his evidence; but he is mistaken in think-
upon it as highly suspicious, because such sur- ing that I was following my father. I had
prise or anger would not be natural under the cir- no idea that he was in front of me. When
cumstances, and yet might appear to be the best about a hundred yards from the pool I heard
policy to a scheming man. His frank acceptance a cry of “Cooee!” which was a usual signal
of the situation marks him as either an innocent between my father and myself. I then hur-
man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint ried forward, and found him standing by
and firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, the pool. He appeared to be much surprised
it was also not unnatural if you consider that he at seeing me and asked me rather roughly
stood beside the dead body of his father, and that what I was doing there. A conversation en-
there is no doubt that he had that very day so far sued which led to high words and almost to
forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with blows, for my father was a man of a very
him, and even, according to the little girl whose violent temper. Seeing that his passion was
evidence is so important, to raise his hand as if to becoming ungovernable, I left him and re-
strike him. The self-reproach and contrition which turned towards Hatherley Farm. I had not
are displayed in his remark appear to me to be gone more than 150 yards, however, when
the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a guilty I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which
one.” caused me to run back again. I found my
I shook my head. “Many men have been father expiring upon the ground, with his
hanged on far slighter evidence,” I remarked. head terribly injured. I dropped my gun
and held him in my arms, but he almost
“So they have. And many men have been
instantly expired. I knelt beside him for
wrongfully hanged.”
some minutes, and then made my way to
“What is the young man’s own account of the Mr. Turner’s lodge-keeper, his house being
matter?” the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no
“It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his one near my father when I returned, and
supporters, though there are one or two points in I have no idea how he came by his injuries.
it which are suggestive. You will find it here, and He was not a popular man, being somewhat
may read it for yourself.” cold and forbidding in his manners, but he
He picked out from his bundle a copy of the lo- had, as far as I know, no active enemies. I
cal Herefordshire paper, and having turned down know nothing further of the matter.’
the sheet he pointed out the paragraph in which “The Coroner: Did your father make any
the unfortunate young man had given his own statement to you before he died?
statement of what had occurred. I settled myself “Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I

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 The Boscombe Valley Mystery

could only catch some allusion to a rat. “ ‘And how far from the edge of the wood?’
“The Coroner: What did you understand “ ‘About the same.’
by that? “ ‘Then if it was removed it was while you
“Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I were within a dozen yards of it?’
thought that he was delirious. “ ‘Yes, but with my back towards it.’
“The Coroner: What was the point upon “This concluded the examination of the
which you and your father had this final witness.”
quarrel? “I see,” said I as I glanced down the column, “that
“Witness: I should prefer not to answer. the coroner in his concluding remarks was rather
“The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press severe upon young McCarthy. He calls attention,
it. and with reason, to the discrepancy about his fa-
“Witness: It is really impossible for me to ther having signalled to him before seeing him,
tell you. I can assure you that it has noth- also to his refusal to give details of his conversa-
ing to do with the sad tragedy which fol- tion with his father, and his singular account of his
lowed. father’s dying words. They are all, as he remarks,
“The Coroner: That is for the court to de- very much against the son.”
cide. I need not point out to you that Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched
your refusal to answer will prejudice your himself out upon the cushioned seat. “Both you
case considerably in any future proceedings and the coroner have been at some pains,” said
which may arise. he, “to single out the very strongest points in the
“Witness: I must still refuse. young man’s favour. Don’t you see that you alter-
“The Coroner: I understand that the cry of nately give him credit for having too much imagi-
‘Cooee’ was a common signal between you nation and too little? Too little, if he could not in-
and your father? vent a cause of quarrel which would give him the
“Witness: It was. sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from
his own inner consciousness anything so outré as
“The Coroner: How was it, then, that he
a dying reference to a rat, and the incident of the
uttered it before he saw you, and before he
vanishing cloth. No, sir, I shall approach this case
even knew that you had returned from Bris-
from the point of view that what this young man
tol?
says is true, and we shall see whither that hypoth-
“Witness (with considerable confusion): I
esis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Pe-
do not know.
trarch, and not another word shall I say of this case
“A Juryman: Did you see nothing which until we are on the scene of action. We lunch at
aroused your suspicions when you returned Swindon, and I see that we shall be there in twenty
on hearing the cry and found your father minutes.”
fatally injured?
It was nearly four o’clock when we at last, af-
“Witness: Nothing definite.
ter passing through the beautiful Stroud Valley,
“The Coroner: What do you mean? and over the broad gleaming Severn, found our-
“Witness: I was so disturbed and excited selves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A
as I rushed out into the open, that I could lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was
think of nothing except of my father. Yet I waiting for us upon the platform. In spite of the
have a vague impression that as I ran for- light brown dustcoat and leather-leggings which
ward something lay upon the ground to the he wore in deference to his rustic surroundings, I
left of me. It seemed to me to be something had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of Scot-
grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a land Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford
plaid perhaps. When I rose from my father Arms where a room had already been engaged for
I looked round for it, but it was gone. us.
“ ‘Do you mean that it disappeared before “I have ordered a carriage,” said Lestrade as we
you went for help?’ sat over a cup of tea. “I knew your energetic na-
“ ‘Yes, it was gone.’ ture, and that you would not be happy until you
“ ‘You cannot say what it was?’ had been on the scene of the crime.”
“ ‘No, I had a feeling something was there.’ “It was very nice and complimentary of you,”
“ ‘How far from the body?’ Holmes answered. “It is entirely a question of
“ ‘A dozen yards or so.’ barometric pressure.”

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 The Boscombe Valley Mystery

Lestrade looked startled. “I do not quite fol- speak about it to the coroner was because I was
low,” he said. concerned in it.”
“How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No “In what way?” asked Holmes.
wind, and not a cloud in the sky. I have a case- “It is no time for me to hide anything. James
ful of cigarettes here which need smoking, and the and his father had many disagreements about me.
sofa is very much superior to the usual country ho- Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that there should
tel abomination. I do not think that it is probable be a marriage between us. James and I have al-
that I shall use the carriage to-night.” ways loved each other as brother and sister; but of
Lestrade laughed indulgently. “You have, no course he is young and has seen very little of life
doubt, already formed your conclusions from the yet, and—and—well, he naturally did not wish to
newspapers,” he said. “The case is as plain as a do anything like that yet. So there were quarrels,
pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer and this, I am sure, was one of them.”
it becomes. Still, of course, one can’t refuse a lady, “And your father?” asked Holmes. “Was he in
and such a very positive one, too. She has heard favour of such a union?”
of you, and would have your opinion, though I “No, he was averse to it also. No one but
repeatedly told her that there was nothing which Mr. McCarthy was in favour of it.” A quick blush
you could do which I had not already done. Why, passed over her fresh young face as Holmes shot
bless my soul! here is her carriage at the door.” one of his keen, questioning glances at her.
He had hardly spoken before there rushed into “Thank you for this information,” said he.
the room one of the most lovely young women that “May I see your father if I call to-morrow?”
I have ever seen in my life. Her violet eyes shining,
“I am afraid the doctor won’t allow it.”
her lips parted, a pink flush upon her cheeks, all
thought of her natural reserve lost in her overpow- “The doctor?”
ering excitement and concern. “Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has
“Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!” she cried, glanc- never been strong for years back, but this has bro-
ing from one to the other of us, and finally, with a ken him down completely. He has taken to his bed,
woman’s quick intuition, fastening upon my com- and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his
panion, “I am so glad that you have come. I have nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was
driven down to tell you so. I know that James the only man alive who had known dad in the old
didn’t do it. I know it, and I want you to start days in Victoria.”
upon your work knowing it, too. Never let your- “Ha! In Victoria! That is important.”
self doubt upon that point. We have known each “Yes, at the mines.”
other since we were little children, and I know his “Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I under-
faults as no one else does; but he is too tender- stand, Mr. Turner made his money.”
hearted to hurt a fly. Such a charge is absurd to
“Yes, certainly.”
anyone who really knows him.”
“Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of
“I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner,” said
material assistance to me.”
Sherlock Holmes. “You may rely upon my doing
all that I can.” “You will tell me if you have any news to-
morrow. No doubt you will go to the prison to
“But you have read the evidence. You have see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do tell him
formed some conclusion? Do you not see some that I know him to be innocent.”
loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself think
that he is innocent?” “I will, Miss Turner.”
“I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and
“I think that it is very probable.”
he misses me so if I leave him. Good-bye, and
“There, now!” she cried, throwing back her God help you in your undertaking.” She hurried
head and looking defiantly at Lestrade. “You hear! from the room as impulsively as she had entered,
He gives me hopes.” and we heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off
Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. “I am afraid down the street.
that my colleague has been a little quick in form- “I am ashamed of you, Holmes,” said Lestrade
ing his conclusions,” he said. with dignity after a few minutes’ silence. “Why
“But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. should you raise up hopes which you are bound
James never did it. And about his quarrel with his to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I
father, I am sure that the reason why he would not call it cruel.”

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“I think that I see my way to clearing James flight, and must have had the hardihood to return
McCarthy,” said Holmes. “Have you an order to and to carry it away at the instant when the son
see him in prison?” was kneeling with his back turned not a dozen
“Yes, but only for you and me.” paces off. What a tissue of mysteries and improb-
abilities the whole thing was! I did not wonder at
“Then I shall reconsider my resolution about Lestrade’s opinion, and yet I had so much faith in
going out. We have still time to take a train to Sherlock Holmes’ insight that I could not lose hope
Hereford and see him to-night?” as long as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his
“Ample.” conviction of young McCarthy’s innocence.
“Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned.
find it very slow, but I shall only be away a couple He came back alone, for Lestrade was staying in
of hours.” lodgings in the town.
I walked down to the station with them, and “The glass still keeps very high,” he remarked
then wandered through the streets of the little as he sat down. “It is of importance that it should
town, finally returning to the hotel, where I lay not rain before we are able to go over the ground.
upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a On the other hand, a man should be at his very
yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I
was so thin, however, when compared to the deep did not wish to do it when fagged by a long jour-
mystery through which we were groping, and I ney. I have seen young McCarthy.”
found my attention wander so continually from
“And what did you learn from him?”
the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the
room and gave myself up entirely to a considera- “Nothing.”
tion of the events of the day. Supposing that this “Could he throw no light?”
unhappy young man’s story were absolutely true, “None at all. I was inclined to think at one time
then what hellish thing, what absolutely unfore- that he knew who had done it and was screen-
seen and extraordinary calamity could have oc- ing him or her, but I am convinced now that he
curred between the time when he parted from his is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very
father, and the moment when, drawn back by his quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and,
screams, he rushed into the glade? It was some- I should think, sound at heart.”
thing terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might
not the nature of the injuries reveal something to “I cannot admire his taste,” I remarked, “if it is
my medical instincts? I rang the bell and called indeed a fact that he was averse to a marriage with
for the weekly county paper, which contained a so charming a young lady as this Miss Turner.”
verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon’s “Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This
deposition it was stated that the posterior third of fellow is madly, insanely, in love with her, but
the left parietal bone and the left half of the occip- some two years ago, when he was only a lad, and
ital bone had been shattered by a heavy blow from before he really knew her, for she had been away
a blunt weapon. I marked the spot upon my own five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot
head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck do but get into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol
from behind. That was to some extent in favour of and marry her at a registry office? No one knows a
the accused, as when seen quarrelling he was face word of the matter, but you can imagine how mad-
to face with his father. Still, it did not go for very dening it must be to him to be upbraided for not
much, for the older man might have turned his doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but
back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth what he knows to be absolutely impossible. It was
while to call Holmes’ attention to it. Then there sheer frenzy of this sort which made him throw
was the peculiar dying reference to a rat. What his hands up into the air when his father, at their
could that mean? It could not be delirium. A man last interview, was goading him on to propose to
dying from a sudden blow does not commonly be- Miss Turner. On the other hand, he had no means
come delirious. No, it was more likely to be an of supporting himself, and his father, who was by
attempt to explain how he met his fate. But what all accounts a very hard man, would have thrown
could it indicate? I cudgelled my brains to find him over utterly had he known the truth. It was
some possible explanation. And then the incident with his barmaid wife that he had spent the last
of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that three days in Bristol, and his father did not know
were true the murderer must have dropped some where he was. Mark that point. It is of impor-
part of his dress, presumably his overcoat, in his tance. Good has come out of evil, however, for the

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 The Boscombe Valley Mystery

barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in se- hard enough to tackle facts, Holmes, without fly-
rious trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown ing away after theories and fancies.”
him over utterly and has written to him to say that “You are right,” said Holmes demurely; “you
she has a husband already in the Bermuda Dock- do find it very hard to tackle the facts.”
yard, so that there is really no tie between them.
I think that that bit of news has consoled young “Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you
McCarthy for all that he has suffered.” seem to find it difficult to get hold of,” replied
Lestrade with some warmth.
“But if he is innocent, who has done it?”
“And that is—”
“Ah! who? I would call your attention very
particularly to two points. One is that the mur- “That McCarthy senior met his death from Mc-
dered man had an appointment with someone at Carthy junior and that all theories to the contrary
the pool, and that the someone could not have are the merest moonshine.”
been his son, for his son was away, and he did not “Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog,”
know when he would return. The second is that said Holmes, laughing. “But I am very much mis-
the murdered man was heard to cry ‘Cooee!’ be- taken if this is not Hatherley Farm upon the left.”
fore he knew that his son had returned. Those are
the crucial points upon which the case depends. “Yes, that is it.” It was a widespread,
And now let us talk about George Meredith, if you comfortable-looking building, two-storied, slate-
please, and we shall leave all minor matters until roofed, with great yellow blotches of lichen upon
to-morrow.” the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smoke-
less chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as
There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, though the weight of this horror still lay heavy
and the morning broke bright and cloudless. At upon it. We called at the door, when the maid, at
nine o’clock Lestrade called for us with the car- Holmes’ request, showed us the boots which her
riage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the master wore at the time of his death, and also a
Boscombe Pool. pair of the son’s, though not the pair which he had
“There is serious news this morning,” Lestrade then had. Having measured these very carefully
observed. “It is said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is from seven or eight different points, Holmes de-
so ill that his life is despaired of.” sired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all
“An elderly man, I presume?” said Holmes. followed the winding track which led to Boscombe
“About sixty; but his constitution has been Pool.
shattered by his life abroad, and he has been in Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he
failing health for some time. This business has had was hot upon such a scent as this. Men who
a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend had only known the quiet thinker and logician of
of McCarthy’s, and, I may add, a great benefactor Baker Street would have failed to recognise him.
to him, for I have learned that he gave him Hather- His face flushed and darkened. His brows were
ley Farm rent free.” drawn into two hard black lines, while his eyes
“Indeed! That is interesting,” said Holmes. shone out from beneath them with a steely glit-
ter. His face was bent downward, his shoulders
“Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has
bowed, his lips compressed, and the veins stood
helped him. Everybody about here speaks of his
out like whipcord in his long, sinewy neck. His
kindness to him.”
nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal lust
“Really! Does it not strike you as a little singu- for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely con-
lar that this McCarthy, who appears to have had centrated upon the matter before him that a ques-
little of his own, and to have been under such tion or remark fell unheeded upon his ears, or, at
obligations to Turner, should still talk of marry- the most, only provoked a quick, impatient snarl in
ing his son to Turner’s daughter, who is, presum- reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way along
ably, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very the track which ran through the meadows, and so
cocksure manner, as if it were merely a case of a by way of the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It
proposal and all else would follow? It is the more was damp, marshy ground, as is all that district,
strange, since we know that Turner himself was and there were marks of many feet, both upon the
averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. path and amid the short grass which bounded it
Do you not deduce something from that?” on either side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry
“We have got to the deductions and the infer- on, sometimes stop dead, and once he made quite
ences,” said Lestrade, winking at me. “I find it a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and I

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walked behind him, the detective indifferent and the wood and under the shadow of a great beech,
contemptuous, while I watched my friend with the the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes
interest which sprang from the conviction that ev- traced his way to the farther side of this and lay
ery one of his actions was directed towards a defi- down once more upon his face with a little cry of
nite end. satisfaction. For a long time he remained there,
The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt turning over the leaves and dried sticks, gathering
sheet of water some fifty yards across, is situ- up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope
ated at the boundary between the Hatherley Farm and examining with his lens not only the ground
and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. but even the bark of the tree as far as he could
Above the woods which lined it upon the farther reach. A jagged stone was lying among the moss,
side we could see the red, jutting pinnacles which and this also he carefully examined and retained.
marked the site of the rich landowner’s dwelling. Then he followed a pathway through the wood un-
On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods grew til he came to the highroad, where all traces were
very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden lost.
grass twenty paces across between the edge of the “It has been a case of considerable interest,”
trees and the reeds which lined the lake. Lestrade he remarked, returning to his natural manner. “I
showed us the exact spot at which the body had fancy that this grey house on the right must be the
been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, lodge. I think that I will go in and have a word
that I could plainly see the traces which had been with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Hav-
left by the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, ing done that, we may drive back to our luncheon.
as I could see by his eager face and peering eyes, You may walk to the cab, and I shall be with you
very many other things were to be read upon the presently.”
trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is It was about ten minutes before we regained
picking up a scent, and then turned upon my com- our cab and drove back into Ross, Holmes still car-
panion. rying with him the stone which he had picked up
in the wood.
“What did you go into the pool for?” he asked.
“This may interest you, Lestrade,” he re-
“I fished about with a rake. I thought there marked, holding it out. “The murder was done
might be some weapon or other trace. But how on with it.”
earth—” “I see no marks.”
“Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of “There are none.”
yours with its inward twist is all over the place. A “How do you know, then?”
mole could trace it, and there it vanishes among “The grass was growing under it. It had only
the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all have been lain there a few days. There was no sign of a place
had I been here before they came like a herd of whence it had been taken. It corresponds with the
buffalo and wallowed all over it. Here is where injuries. There is no sign of any other weapon.”
the party with the lodge-keeper came, and they “And the murderer?”
have covered all tracks for six or eight feet round “Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right
the body. But here are three separate tracks of the leg, wears thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey
same feet.” He drew out a lens and lay down upon cloak, smokes Indian cigars, uses a cigar-holder,
his waterproof to have a better view, talking all and carries a blunt pen-knife in his pocket. There
the time rather to himself than to us. “These are are several other indications, but these may be
young McCarthy’s feet. Twice he was walking, and enough to aid us in our search.”
once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are deeply
Lestrade laughed. “I am afraid that I am still a
marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears
sceptic,” he said. “Theories are all very well, but
out his story. He ran when he saw his father on
we have to deal with a hard-headed British jury.”
the ground. Then here are the father’s feet as he
paced up and down. What is this, then? It is the “Nous verrons,” answered Holmes calmly.
butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And “You work your own method, and I shall work
this? Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, and shall
Square, too, quite unusual boots! They come, they probably return to London by the evening train.”
go, they come again—of course that was for the “And leave your case unfinished?”
cloak. Now where did they come from?” He ran “No, finished.”
up and down, sometimes losing, sometimes find- “But the mystery?”
ing the track until we were well within the edge of “It is solved.”

168
 The Boscombe Valley Mystery

“Who was the criminal, then?” to Bristol for it last night.” He put his hand over
“The gentleman I describe.” part of the map. “What do you read?”
“ARAT,” I read.
“But who is he?”
“And now?” He raised his hand.
“Surely it would not be difficult to find out. “BALLARAT.”
This is not such a populous neighbourhood.”
“Quite so. That was the word the man uttered,
Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. “I am a prac- and of which his son only caught the last two syl-
tical man,” he said, “and I really cannot undertake lables. He was trying to utter the name of his mur-
to go about the country looking for a left-handed derer. So and so, of Ballarat.”
gentleman with a game leg. I should become the “It is wonderful!” I exclaimed.
laughing-stock of Scotland Yard.”
“It is obvious. And now, you see, I had nar-
“All right,” said Holmes quietly. “I have given rowed the field down considerably. The possession
you the chance. Here are your lodgings. Good- of a grey garment was a third point which, grant-
bye. I shall drop you a line before I leave.” ing the son’s statement to be correct, was a cer-
Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to tainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness
our hotel, where we found lunch upon the table. to the definite conception of an Australian from
Holmes was silent and buried in thought with a Ballarat with a grey cloak.”
pained expression upon his face, as one who finds “Certainly.”
himself in a perplexing position. “And one who was at home in the district, for
“Look here, Watson,” he said when the cloth the pool can only be approached by the farm or by
was cleared “just sit down in this chair and let me the estate, where strangers could hardly wander.”
preach to you for a little. I don’t know quite what “Quite so.”
to do, and I should value your advice. Light a cigar “Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an
and let me expound.” examination of the ground I gained the trifling de-
“Pray do so.” tails which I gave to that imbecile Lestrade, as to
the personality of the criminal.”
“Well, now, in considering this case there “But how did you gain them?”
are two points about young McCarthy’s narrative
“You know my method. It is founded upon the
which struck us both instantly, although they im-
observation of trifles.”
pressed me in his favour and you against him. One
was the fact that his father should, according to his “His height I know that you might roughly
account, cry ‘Cooee!’ before seeing him. The other judge from the length of his stride. His boots, too,
was his singular dying reference to a rat. He mum- might be told from their traces.”
bled several words, you understand, but that was “Yes, they were peculiar boots.”
all that caught the son’s ear. Now from this double “But his lameness?”
point our research must commence, and we will “The impression of his right foot was always
begin it by presuming that what the lad says is ab- less distinct than his left. He put less weight upon
solutely true.” it. Why? Because he limped—he was lame.”
“What of this ‘Cooee!’ then?” “But his left-handedness.”
“Well, obviously it could not have been meant “You were yourself struck by the nature of the
for the son. The son, as far as he knew, was in Bris- injury as recorded by the surgeon at the inquest.
tol. It was mere chance that he was within earshot. The blow was struck from immediately behind,
The ‘Cooee!’ was meant to attract the attention and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can
of whoever it was that he had the appointment that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He
with. But ‘Cooee’ is a distinctly Australian cry, and had stood behind that tree during the interview
one which is used between Australians. There is between the father and son. He had even smoked
a strong presumption that the person whom Mc- there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my spe-
Carthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool cial knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pro-
was someone who had been in Australia.” nounce as an Indian cigar. I have, as you know,
devoted some attention to this, and written a little
“What of the rat, then?” monograph on the ashes of 140 different varieties
Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found
pocket and flattened it out on the table. “This is a the ash, I then looked round and discovered the
map of the Colony of Victoria,” he said. “I wired stump among the moss where he had tossed it. It

169
 The Boscombe Valley Mystery

was an Indian cigar, of the variety which are rolled “It may not come to that,” said Holmes.
in Rotterdam.” “What?”
“And the cigar-holder?” “I am no official agent. I understand that it was
“I could see that the end had not been in his your daughter who required my presence here,
mouth. Therefore he used a holder. The tip had and I am acting in her interests. Young McCarthy
been cut off, not bitten off, but the cut was not a must be got off, however.”
clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife.” “I am a dying man,” said old Turner. “I have
“Holmes,” I said, “you have drawn a net round had diabetes for years. My doctor says it is a ques-
this man from which he cannot escape, and you tion whether I shall live a month. Yet I would
have saved an innocent human life as truly as if rather die under my own roof than in a jail.”
you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I
Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his
see the direction in which all this points. The cul-
pen in his hand and a bundle of paper before him.
prit is—”
“Just tell us the truth,” he said. “I shall jot down
“Mr. John Turner,” cried the hotel waiter, open- the facts. You will sign it, and Watson here can
ing the door of our sitting-room, and ushering in witness it. Then I could produce your confession
a visitor. at the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I
The man who entered was a strange and im- promise you that I shall not use it unless it is ab-
pressive figure. His slow, limping step and bowed solutely needed.”
shoulders gave the appearance of decrepitude, and “It’s as well,” said the old man; “it’s a question
yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and his whether I shall live to the Assizes, so it matters
enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of little to me, but I should wish to spare Alice the
unusual strength of body and of character. His tan- shock. And now I will make the thing clear to
gled beard, grizzled hair, and outstanding, droop- you; it has been a long time in the acting, but will
ing eyebrows combined to give an air of dignity not take me long to tell.
and power to his appearance, but his face was of
“You didn’t know this dead man, McCarthy.
an ashen white, while his lips and the corners of
He was a devil incarnate. I tell you that. God keep
his nostrils were tinged with a shade of blue. It
you out of the clutches of such a man as he. His
was clear to me at a glance that he was in the grip
grip has been upon me these twenty years, and he
of some deadly and chronic disease.
has blasted my life. I’ll tell you first how I came to
“Pray sit down on the sofa,” said Holmes gen- be in his power.
tly. “You had my note?”
“It was in the early ’60’s at the diggings. I
“Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said was a young chap then, hot-blooded and reckless,
that you wished to see me here to avoid scandal.” ready to turn my hand at anything; I got among
“I thought people would talk if I went to the bad companions, took to drink, had no luck with
Hall.” my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became
“And why did you wish to see me?” He looked what you would call over here a highway robber.
across at my companion with despair in his weary There were six of us, and we had a wild, free life
eyes, as though his question was already an- of it, sticking up a station from time to time, or
swered. stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings.
Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under,
“Yes,” said Holmes, answering the look rather
and our party is still remembered in the colony as
than the words. “It is so. I know all about Mc-
the Ballarat Gang.
Carthy.”
“One day a gold convoy came down from Bal-
The old man sank his face in his hands. “God
larat to Melbourne, and we lay in wait for it and
help me!” he cried. “But I would not have let the
attacked it. There were six troopers and six of us,
young man come to harm. I give you my word that
so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of their
I would have spoken out if it went against him at
saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were
the Assizes.”
killed, however, before we got the swag. I put my
“I am glad to hear you say so,” said Holmes pistol to the head of the wagon-driver, who was
gravely. this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Lord that I
“I would have spoken now had it not been for had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw
my dear girl. It would break her heart—it will his wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though
break her heart when she hears that I am arrested.” to remember every feature. We got away with the

170
gold, became wealthy men, and made our way off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I and
over to England without being suspected. There all that I held most dear should be in the power of
I parted from my old pals and determined to set- such a man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I
tle down to a quiet and respectable life. I bought was already a dying and a desperate man. Though
this estate, which chanced to be in the market, and clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, I knew that
I set myself to do a little good with my money, to my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my
make up for the way in which I had earned it. I girl! Both could be saved if I could but silence that
married, too, and though my wife died young she foul tongue. I did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it
left me my dear little Alice. Even when she was again. Deeply as I have sinned, I have led a life of
just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl should
the right path as nothing else had ever done. In be entangled in the same meshes which held me
a word, I turned over a new leaf and did my best was more than I could suffer. I struck him down
to make up for the past. All was going well when with no more compunction than if he had been
McCarthy laid his grip upon me. some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought
“I had gone up to town about an investment, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the
and I met him in Regent Street with hardly a coat wood, though I was forced to go back to fetch the
to his back or a boot to his foot. cloak which I had dropped in my flight. That is
the true story, gentlemen, of all that occurred.”
“ ‘Here we are, Jack,’ says he, touching me on
the arm; ‘we’ll be as good as a family to you. “Well, it is not for me to judge you,” said
There’s two of us, me and my son, and you can Holmes as the old man signed the statement which
have the keeping of us. If you don’t—it’s a fine, had been drawn out. “I pray that we may never be
law-abiding country is England, and there’s al- exposed to such a temptation.”
ways a policeman within hail.’ “I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to
do?”
“Well, down they came to the west country,
there was no shaking them off, and there they have “In view of your health, nothing. You are
lived rent free on my best land ever since. There yourself aware that you will soon have to answer
was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; turn for your deed at a higher court than the Assizes.
where I would, there was his cunning, grinning I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is
face at my elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it
for he soon saw I was more afraid of her knowing shall never be seen by mortal eye; and your secret,
my past than of the police. Whatever he wanted he whether you be alive or dead, shall be safe with
must have, and whatever it was I gave him with- us.”
out question, land, money, houses, until at last he “Farewell, then,” said the old man solemnly.
asked a thing which I could not give. He asked for “Your own deathbeds, when they come, will be the
Alice. easier for the thought of the peace which you have
“His son, you see, had grown up, and so had given to mine.” Tottering and shaking in all his gi-
my girl, and as I was known to be in weak health, ant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room.
it seemed a fine stroke to him that his lad should “God help us!” said Holmes after a long si-
step into the whole property. But there I was lence. “Why does fate play such tricks with poor,
firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed helpless worms? I never hear of such a case as
with mine; not that I had any dislike to the lad, this that I do not think of Baxter’s words, and say,
but his blood was in him, and that was enough. I ‘There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock
stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to Holmes.’ ”
do his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes
between our houses to talk it over. on the strength of a number of objections which
“When I went down there I found him talk- had been drawn out by Holmes and submitted
ing with his son, so I smoked a cigar and waited to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for
behind a tree until he should be alone. But as I seven months after our interview, but he is now
listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in dead; and there is every prospect that the son and
me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging daughter may come to live happily together in ig-
his son to marry my daughter with as little regard norance of the black cloud which rests upon their
for what she might think as if she were a slut from past.
The Five Orange Pips
W
The Five Orange Pips

hen I glance over my notes and cried and sobbed like a child in the chimney. Sher-
records of the Sherlock Holmes cases lock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the fire-
between the years ’82 and ’90, I place cross-indexing his records of crime, while I
am faced by so many which present at the other was deep in one of Clark Russell’s fine
strange and interesting features that it is no easy sea-stories until the howl of the gale from without
matter to know which to choose and which to seemed to blend with the text, and the splash of
leave. Some, however, have already gained public- the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of the
ity through the papers, and others have not offered sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother’s,
a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend and for a few days I was a dweller once more in
possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the my old quarters at Baker Street.
object of these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have “Why,” said I, glancing up at my companion,
baffled his analytical skill, and would be, as narra- “that was surely the bell. Who could come to-
tives, beginnings without an ending, while others night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?”
have been but partially cleared up, and have their
“Except yourself I have none,” he answered. “I
explanations founded rather upon conjecture and
do not encourage visitors.”
surmise than on that absolute logical proof which
was so dear to him. There is, however, one of these “A client, then?”
last which was so remarkable in its details and so “If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would
startling in its results that I am tempted to give bring a man out on such a day and at such an hour.
some account of it in spite of the fact that there But I take it that it is more likely to be some crony
are points in connection with it which never have of the landlady’s.”
been, and probably never will be, entirely cleared Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture,
up. however, for there came a step in the passage and a
The year ’87 furnished us with a long series tapping at the door. He stretched out his long arm
of cases of greater or less interest, of which I re- to turn the lamp away from himself and towards
tain the records. Among my headings under this the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit.
one twelve months I find an account of the adven- “Come in!” said he.
ture of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Men- The man who entered was young, some two-
dicant Society, who held a luxurious club in the and-twenty at the outside, well-groomed and
lower vault of a furniture warehouse, of the facts trimly clad, with something of refinement and
connected with the loss of the British barque “So- delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella
phy Anderson”, of the singular adventures of the which he held in his hand, and his long shin-
Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally ing waterproof told of the fierce weather through
of the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as which he had come. He looked about him anx-
may be remembered, Sherlock Holmes was able, iously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that
by winding up the dead man’s watch, to prove his face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of
that it had been wound up two hours before, and a man who is weighed down with some great anx-
that therefore the deceased had gone to bed within iety.
that time—a deduction which was of the greatest
importance in clearing up the case. All these I may “I owe you an apology,” he said, raising his
sketch out at some future date, but none of them golden pince-nez to his eyes. “I trust that I am not
present such singular features as the strange train intruding. I fear that I have brought some traces of
of circumstances which I have now taken up my the storm and rain into your snug chamber.”
pen to describe. “Give me your coat and umbrella,” said
It was in the latter days of September, and the Holmes. “They may rest here on the hook and
equinoctial gales had set in with exceptional vi- will be dry presently. You have come up from the
olence. All day the wind had screamed and the south-west, I see.”
rain had beaten against the windows, so that even “Yes, from Horsham.”
here in the heart of great, hand-made London we “That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon
were forced to raise our minds for the instant from your toe caps is quite distinctive.”
the routine of life and to recognise the presence “I have come for advice.”
of those great elemental forces which shriek at
“That is easily got.”
mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like
untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, “And help.”
the storm grew higher and louder, and the wind “That is not always so easy.”

175
 The Five Orange Pips

“I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard a colonel. When Lee laid down his arms my uncle
from Major Prendergast how you saved him in the returned to his plantation, where he remained for
Tankerville Club scandal.” three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came
“Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex,
cheating at cards.” near Horsham. He had made a very considerable
fortune in the States, and his reason for leaving
“He said that you could solve anything.”
them was his aversion to the negroes, and his dis-
“He said too much.” like of the Republican policy in extending the fran-
“That you are never beaten.” chise to them. He was a singular man, fierce and
“I have been beaten four times—three times by quick-tempered, very foul-mouthed when he was
men, and once by a woman.” angry, and of a most retiring disposition. During
all the years that he lived at Horsham, I doubt
“But what is that compared with the number if ever he set foot in the town. He had a gar-
of your successes?” den and two or three fields round his house, and
“It is true that I have been generally success- there he would take his exercise, though very often
ful.” for weeks on end he would never leave his room.
“Then you may be so with me.” He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very
“I beg that you will draw your chair up to the heavily, but he would see no society and did not
fire and favour me with some details as to your want any friends, not even his own brother.
case.” “He didn’t mind me; in fact, he took a fancy
“It is no ordinary one.” to me, for at the time when he saw me first I was
“None of those which come to me are. I am the a youngster of twelve or so. This would be in the
last court of appeal.” year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years
in England. He begged my father to let me live
“And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your
with him and he was very kind to me in his way.
experience, you have ever listened to a more mys-
When he was sober he used to be fond of play-
terious and inexplicable chain of events than those
ing backgammon and draughts with me, and he
which have happened in my own family.”
would make me his representative both with the
“You fill me with interest,” said Holmes. “Pray servants and with the tradespeople, so that by the
give us the essential facts from the commence- time that I was sixteen I was quite master of the
ment, and I can afterwards question you as to house. I kept all the keys and could go where I
those details which seem to me to be most impor- liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not dis-
tant.” turb him in his privacy. There was one singular
The young man pulled his chair up and pushed exception, however, for he had a single room, a
his wet feet out towards the blaze. lumber-room up among the attics, which was in-
“My name,” said he, “is John Openshaw, but variably locked, and which he would never permit
my own affairs have, as far as I can understand, either me or anyone else to enter. With a boy’s cu-
little to do with this awful business. It is a heredi- riosity I have peeped through the keyhole, but I
tary matter; so in order to give you an idea of the was never able to see more than such a collection
facts, I must go back to the commencement of the of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in
affair. such a room.
“You must know that my grandfather had two “One day—it was in March, 1883—a letter with
sons—my uncle Elias and my father Joseph. My a foreign stamp lay upon the table in front of the
father had a small factory at Coventry, which he colonel’s plate. It was not a common thing for him
enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. to receive letters, for his bills were all paid in ready
He was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable money, and he had no friends of any sort. ‘From
tire, and his business met with such success that he India!’ said he as he took it up, ‘Pondicherry post-
was able to sell it and to retire upon a handsome mark! What can this be?’ Opening it hurriedly, out
competence. there jumped five little dried orange pips, which
“My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he pattered down upon his plate. I began to laugh
was a young man and became a planter in Florida, at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at
where he was reported to have done very well. At the sight of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes
the time of the war he fought in Jackson’s army, were protruding, his skin the colour of putty, and
and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be he glared at the envelope which he still held in his

176
 The Five Orange Pips

trembling hand, ‘K. K. K.!’ he shrieked, and then, up, like a sheep in a pen, by man or devil. When
‘My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!’ these hot fits were over, however, he would rush
“ ‘What is it, uncle?’ I cried. tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it
behind him, like a man who can brazen it out no
“ ‘Death,’ said he, and rising from the table he
longer against the terror which lies at the roots of
retired to his room, leaving me palpitating with
his soul. At such times I have seen his face, even
horror. I took up the envelope and saw scrawled
on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it
in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the gum,
were new raised from a basin.
the letter K three times repeated. There was noth-
ing else save the five dried pips. What could be “Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr.
the reason of his overpowering terror? I left the Holmes, and not to abuse your patience, there
breakfast-table, and as I ascended the stair I met came a night when he made one of those drunken
him coming down with an old rusty key, which sallies from which he never came back. We found
must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and him, when we went to search for him, face down-
a small brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. ward in a little green-scummed pool, which lay
at the foot of the garden. There was no sign of
“ ‘They may do what they like, but I’ll check-
any violence, and the water was but two feet deep,
mate them still,’ said he with an oath. ‘Tell Mary
so that the jury, having regard to his known ec-
that I shall want a fire in my room to-day, and send
centricity, brought in a verdict of ‘suicide.’ But I,
down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.’
who knew how he winced from the very thought
“I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer ar- of death, had much ado to persuade myself that
rived I was asked to step up to the room. The fire he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter
was burning brightly, and in the grate there was passed, however, and my father entered into pos-
a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned paper, session of the estate, and of some £14,000, which
while the brass box stood open and empty beside lay to his credit at the bank.”
it. As I glanced at the box I noticed, with a start,
that upon the lid was printed the treble K which I “One moment,” Holmes interposed, “your
had read in the morning upon the envelope. statement is, I foresee, one of the most remarkable
to which I have ever listened. Let me have the date
“ ‘I wish you, John,’ said my uncle, ‘to witness of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and the
my will. I leave my estate, with all its advantages date of his supposed suicide.”
and all its disadvantages, to my brother, your fa-
ther, whence it will, no doubt, descend to you. If “The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His
you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you death was seven weeks later, upon the night of
find you cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave May 2nd.”
it to your deadliest enemy. I am sorry to give you “Thank you. Pray proceed.”
such a two-edged thing, but I can’t say what turn “When my father took over the Horsham prop-
things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper erty, he, at my request, made a careful examina-
where Mr. Fordham shows you.’ tion of the attic, which had been always locked
“I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer up. We found the brass box there, although its
took it away with him. The singular incident contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the
made, as you may think, the deepest impression cover was a paper label, with the initials of K. K.
upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it ev- K. repeated upon it, and ‘Letters, memoranda, re-
ery way in my mind without being able to make ceipts, and a register’ written beneath. These, we
anything of it. Yet I could not shake off the vague presume, indicated the nature of the papers which
feeling of dread which it left behind, though the had been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the
sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed and rest, there was nothing of much importance in the
nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of attic save a great many scattered papers and note-
our lives. I could see a change in my uncle, how- books bearing upon my uncle’s life in America.
ever. He drank more than ever, and he was less Some of them were of the war time and showed
inclined for any sort of society. Most of his time that he had done his duty well and had borne the
he would spend in his room, with the door locked repute of a brave soldier. Others were of a date
upon the inside, but sometimes he would emerge during the reconstruction of the Southern states,
in a sort of drunken frenzy and would burst out and were mostly concerned with politics, for he
of the house and tear about the garden with a had evidently taken a strong part in opposing the
revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was carpet-bag politicians who had been sent down
afraid of no man, and that he was not to be cooped from the North.

177
 The Five Orange Pips

“Well, it was the beginning of ’84 when my fa- the major, imploring me to come at once. My
ther came to live at Horsham, and all went as well father had fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits
as possible with us until the January of ’85. On which abound in the neighbourhood, and was ly-
the fourth day after the new year I heard my fa- ing senseless, with a shattered skull. I hurried
ther give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together to him, but he passed away without having ever
at the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a recovered his consciousness. He had, as it ap-
newly opened envelope in one hand and five dried pears, been returning from Fareham in the twi-
orange pips in the outstretched palm of the other light, and as the country was unknown to him,
one. He had always laughed at what he called and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hes-
my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he itation in bringing in a verdict of ‘death from ac-
looked very scared and puzzled now that the same cidental causes.’ Carefully as I examined every
thing had come upon himself. fact connected with his death, I was unable to find
“ ‘Why, what on earth does this mean, John?’ anything which could suggest the idea of murder.
he stammered. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no
robbery, no record of strangers having been seen
“My heart had turned to lead. ‘It is K. K. K.,’ upon the roads. And yet I need not tell you that
said I. my mind was far from at ease, and that I was well-
“He looked inside the envelope. ‘So it is,’ he nigh certain that some foul plot had been woven
cried. ‘Here are the very letters. But what is this round him.
written above them?’
“In this sinister way I came into my inheritance.
“ ‘Put the papers on the sundial,’ I read, peep- You will ask me why I did not dispose of it? I an-
ing over his shoulder. swer, because I was well convinced that our trou-
“ ‘What papers? What sundial?’ he asked. bles were in some way dependent upon an inci-
’“ ‘The sundial in the garden. There is no other, dent in my uncle’s life, and that the danger would
said I; ‘but the papers must be those that are de- be as pressing in one house as in another.
stroyed.’ “It was in January, ’85, that my poor father
“ ‘Pooh!’ said he, gripping hard at his courage. met his end, and two years and eight months have
‘We are in a civilised land here, and we can’t have elapsed since then. During that time I have lived
tomfoolery of this kind. Where does the thing happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that
come from?’ this curse had passed away from the family, and
“ ‘From Dundee,’ I answered, glancing at the that it had ended with the last generation. I had
postmark. begun to take comfort too soon, however; yester-
day morning the blow fell in the very shape in
“ ‘Some preposterous practical joke,’ said he.
which it had come upon my father.“
‘What have I to do with sundials and papers? I
shall take no notice of such nonsense.’ The young man took from his waistcoat a
“ ‘I should certainly speak to the police,’ I said. crumpled envelope, and turning to the table he
shook out upon it five little dried orange pips.
“ ‘And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of
the sort.’ “This is the envelope,” he continued. “The
“ ‘Then let me do so?’ postmark is London—eastern division. Within are
the very words which were upon my father’s last
“ ‘No, I forbid you. I won’t have a fuss made message: ‘K. K. K.’; and then ‘Put the papers on
about such nonsense.’ the sundial.’ ”
“It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a
very obstinate man. I went about, however, with a “What have you done?” asked Holmes.
heart which was full of forebodings. “Nothing.”
“On the third day after the coming of the letter
“Nothing?”
my father went from home to visit an old friend
of his, Major Freebody, who is in command of one “To tell the truth”—he sank his face into his
of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad that thin, white hands—“I have felt helpless. I have felt
he should go, for it seemed to me that he was far- like one of those poor rabbits when the snake is
ther from danger when he was away from home. writhing towards it. I seem to be in the grasp of
In that, however, I was in error. Upon the sec- some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight
ond day of his absence I received a telegram from and no precautions can guard against.”

178
 The Five Orange Pips

“Tut! tut!” cried Sherlock Holmes. “You must 10th. John Swain cleared.
act, man, or you are lost. Nothing but energy can 12th. Visited Paramore. All well.
save you. This is no time for despair.” “Thank you!” said Holmes, folding up the pa-
“I have seen the police.” per and returning it to our visitor. “And now you
“Ah!” must on no account lose another instant. We can-
not spare time even to discuss what you have told
“But they listened to my story with a smile. I me. You must get home instantly and act.”
am convinced that the inspector has formed the
“What shall I do?”
opinion that the letters are all practical jokes, and
“There is but one thing to do. It must be done
that the deaths of my relations were really acci-
at once. You must put this piece of paper which
dents, as the jury stated, and were not to be con-
you have shown us into the brass box which you
nected with the warnings.”
have described. You must also put in a note to say
Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. that all the other papers were burned by your un-
“Incredible imbecility!” he cried. cle, and that this is the only one which remains.
“They have, however, allowed me a policeman, You must assert that in such words as will carry
who may remain in the house with me.” conviction with them. Having done this, you must
“Has he come with you to-night?” at once put the box out upon the sundial, as di-
rected. Do you understand?”
“No. His orders were to stay in the house.”
“Entirely.”
Again Holmes raved in the air.
“Do not think of revenge, or anything of the
“Why did you come to me,” he cried, “and, sort, at present. I think that we may gain that by
above all, why did you not come at once?” means of the law; but we have our web to weave,
“I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke while theirs is already woven. The first considera-
to Major Prendergast about my troubles and was tion is to remove the pressing danger which threat-
advised by him to come to you.” ens you. The second is to clear up the mystery and
“It is really two days since you had the letter. to punish the guilty parties.”
We should have acted before this. You have no “I thank you,” said the young man, rising and
further evidence, I suppose, than that which you pulling on his overcoat. “You have given me fresh
have placed before us—no suggestive detail which life and hope. I shall certainly do as you advise.”
might help us?” “Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take
“There is one thing,” said John Openshaw. He care of yourself in the meanwhile, for I do not
rummaged in his coat pocket, and, drawing out a think that there can be a doubt that you are threat-
piece of discoloured, blue-tinted paper, he laid it ened by a very real and imminent danger. How do
out upon the table. “I have some remembrance,” you go back?”
said he, “that on the day when my uncle burned “By train from Waterloo.”
the papers I observed that the small, unburned “It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded,
margins which lay amid the ashes were of this par- so I trust that you may be in safety. And yet you
ticular colour. I found this single sheet upon the cannot guard yourself too closely.”
floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that “I am armed.”
it may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, “That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work
fluttered out from among the others, and in that upon your case.”
way has escaped destruction. Beyond the mention “I shall see you at Horsham, then?”
of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think “No, your secret lies in London. It is there that
myself that it is a page from some private diary. I shall seek it.”
The writing is undoubtedly my uncle’s.”
“Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two
Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent days, with news as to the box and the papers.
over the sheet of paper, which showed by its I shall take your advice in every particular.” He
ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from a shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside
book. It was headed, “March, 1869,” and beneath the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and
were the following enigmatical notices: pattered against the windows. This strange, wild
4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. story seemed to have come to us from amid the
7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and mad elements—blown in upon us like a sheet of
John Swain, of St. Augustine. sea-weed in a gale—and now to have been reab-
9th. McCauley cleared. sorbed by them once more.

179
 The Five Orange Pips

Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, from any region within fifty miles of town, chem-
with his head sunk forward and his eyes bent upon istry eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational
the red glow of the fire. Then he lit his pipe, literature and crime records unique, violin-player,
and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and self-poisoner by co-
smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the caine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the main
ceiling. points of my analysis.”
“I think, Watson,” he remarked at last, “that of Holmes grinned at the last item. “Well,” he
all our cases we have had none more fantastic than said, “I say now, as I said then, that a man should
this.” keep his little brain-attic stocked with all the furni-
ture that he is likely to use, and the rest he can put
“Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four.”
away in the lumber-room of his library, where he
“Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the
John Openshaw seems to me to be walking amid one which has been submitted to us to-night, we
even greater perils than did the Sholtos.” need certainly to muster all our resources. Kindly
“But have you,” I asked, “formed any definite hand me down the letter K of the ‘American En-
conception as to what these perils are?” cyclopaedia’ which stands upon the shelf beside
you. Thank you. Now let us consider the situa-
“There can be no question as to their nature,” tion and see what may be deduced from it. In the
he answered. first place, we may start with a strong presumption
“Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong rea-
why does he pursue this unhappy family?” son for leaving America. Men at his time of life do
not change all their habits and exchange willingly
Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his the charming climate of Florida for the lonely life
elbows upon the arms of his chair, with his finger- of an English provincial town. His extreme love
tips together. “The ideal reasoner,” he remarked, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he
“would, when he had once been shown a single was in fear of someone or something, so we may
fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all assume as a working hypothesis that it was fear
the chain of events which led up to it but also all of someone or something which drove him from
the results which would follow from it. As Cu- America. As to what it was he feared, we can only
vier could correctly describe a whole animal by deduce that by considering the formidable letters
the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer which were received by himself and his successors.
who has thoroughly understood one link in a se- Did you remark the postmarks of those letters?”
ries of incidents should be able to accurately state
all the other ones, both before and after. We have “The first was from Pondicherry, the second
not yet grasped the results which the reason alone from Dundee, and the third from London.”
can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study “From East London. What do you deduce from
which have baffled all those who have sought a so- that?”
lution by the aid of their senses. To carry the art,
“They are all seaports. That the writer was on
however, to its highest pitch, it is necessary that
board of a ship.”
the reasoner should be able to utilise all the facts
which have come to his knowledge; and this in it- “Excellent. We have already a clue. There can
self implies, as you will readily see, a possession be no doubt that the probability—the strong prob-
of all knowledge, which, even in these days of free ability—is that the writer was on board of a ship.
education and encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare And now let us consider another point. In the case
accomplishment. It is not so impossible, however, of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the
that a man should possess all knowledge which is threat and its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only
likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I some three or four days. Does that suggest any-
have endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember thing?”
rightly, you on one occasion, in the early days of “A greater distance to travel.”
our friendship, defined my limits in a very precise
fashion.” “But the letter had also a greater distance to
come.”
“Yes,” I answered, laughing. “It was a singu-
lar document. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics “Then I do not see the point.”
were marked at zero, I remember. Botany vari- “There is at least a presumption that the vessel
able, geology profound as regards the mud-stains in which the man or men are is a sailing-ship. It

180
 The Five Orange Pips

looks as if they always send their singular warn- marked man in some fantastic but generally
ing or token before them when starting upon their recognised shape—a sprig of oak-leaves in
mission. You see how quickly the deed followed some parts, melon seeds or orange pips in
the sign when it came from Dundee. If they had others. On receiving this the victim might
come from Pondicherry in a steamer they would either openly abjure his former ways, or
have arrived almost as soon as their letter. But, as might fly from the country. If he braved the
a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that matter out, death would unfailingly come
those seven weeks represented the difference be- upon him, and usually in some strange and
tween the mail-boat which brought the letter and unforeseen manner. So perfect was the or-
the sailing vessel which brought the writer.” ganisation of the society, and so systematic
“It is possible.” its methods, that there is hardly a case upon
record where any man succeeded in braving
“More than that. It is probable. And now you it with impunity, or in which any of its out-
see the deadly urgency of this new case, and why I rages were traced home to the perpetrators.
urged young Openshaw to caution. The blow has For some years the organisation flourished
always fallen at the end of the time which it would in spite of the efforts of the United States
take the senders to travel the distance. But this government and of the better classes of the
one comes from London, and therefore we cannot community in the South. Eventually, in
count upon delay.” the year 1869, the movement rather sud-
“Good God!” I cried. “What can it mean, this denly collapsed, although there have been
relentless persecution?” sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since
“The papers which Openshaw carried are obvi- that date.’
ously of vital importance to the person or persons
in the sailing-ship. I think that it is quite clear that “You will observe,” said Holmes, laying down the
there must be more than one of them. A single volume, “that the sudden breaking up of the so-
man could not have carried out two deaths in such ciety was coincident with the disappearance of
a way as to deceive a coroner’s jury. There must Openshaw from America with their papers. It may
have been several in it, and they must have been well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder
men of resource and determination. Their papers that he and his family have some of the more im-
they mean to have, be the holder of them who it placable spirits upon their track. You can under-
may. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the stand that this register and diary may implicate
initials of an individual and becomes the badge of some of the first men in the South, and that there
a society.” may be many who will not sleep easy at night until
it is recovered.”
“But of what society?”
“Have you never—” said Sherlock Holmes, “Then the page we have seen—”
bending forward and sinking his voice—“have you
never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?” “Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remem-
ber right, ‘sent the pips to A, B, and C’—that is,
“I never have.”
sent the society’s warning to them. Then there are
Holmes turned over the leaves of the book successive entries that A and B cleared, or left the
upon his knee. “Here it is,” said he presently: country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear,
“ ‘Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the a sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we
fanciful resemblance to the sound produced may let some light into this dark place, and I be-
by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret soci- lieve that the only chance young Openshaw has in
ety was formed by some ex-Confederate sol- the meantime is to do what I have told him. There
diers in the Southern states after the Civil is nothing more to be said or to be done to-night,
War, and it rapidly formed local branches so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget
in different parts of the country, notably in for half an hour the miserable weather and the still
Tennessee, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Geor- more miserable ways of our fellow-men.”
gia, and Florida. Its power was used for po-
litical purposes, principally for the terroris- It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was
ing of the negro voters and the murdering shining with a subdued brightness through the
and driving from the country of those who dim veil which hangs over the great city. Sher-
were opposed to its views. Its outrages were lock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came
usually preceded by a warning sent to the down.

181
 The Five Orange Pips

“You will excuse me for not waiting for you,” upon this gang. That he should come to me for
said he; “I have, I foresee, a very busy day be- help, and that I should send him away to his
fore me in looking into this case of young Open- death—!” He sprang from his chair and paced
shaw’s.” about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a
“What steps will you take?” I asked. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasp-
ing and unclasping of his long thin hands.
“It will very much depend upon the results of
my first inquiries. I may have to go down to Hor- “They must be cunning devils,” he exclaimed
sham, after all.” at last. “How could they have decoyed him down
there? The Embankment is not on the direct line
“You will not go there first?” to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too
“No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose.
the bell and the maid will bring up your coffee.” Well, Watson, we shall see who will win in the long
As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper run. I am going out now!”
from the table and glanced my eye over it. It rested “To the police?”
upon a heading which sent a chill to my heart. “No; I shall be my own police. When I have
“Holmes,” I cried, “you are too late.” spun the web they may take the flies, but not be-
“Ah!” said he, laying down his cup, “I feared fore.”
as much. How was it done?” He spoke calmly, but All day I was engaged in my professional work,
I could see that he was deeply moved. and it was late in the evening before I returned
“My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes had not come
the heading ‘Tragedy Near Waterloo Bridge.’ Here back yet. It was nearly ten o’clock before he en-
is the account: tered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to
the sideboard, and tearing a piece from the loaf he
“Between nine and ten last night Police-
devoured it voraciously, washing it down with a
Constable Cook, of the H Division, on duty
long draught of water.
near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help
and a splash in the water. The night, how- “You are hungry,” I remarked.
ever, was extremely dark and stormy, so “Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have
that, in spite of the help of several passers- had nothing since breakfast.”
by, it was quite impossible to effect a res- “Nothing?”
cue. The alarm, however, was given, and, “Not a bite. I had no time to think of it.”
by the aid of the water-police, the body was “And how have you succeeded?”
eventually recovered. It proved to be that of “Well.”
a young gentleman whose name, as it ap-
“You have a clue?”
pears from an envelope which was found in
his pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose “I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young
residence is near Horsham. It is conjec- Openshaw shall not long remain unavenged. Why,
tured that he may have been hurrying down Watson, let us put their own devilish trade-mark
to catch the last train from Waterloo Sta- upon them. It is well thought of!”
tion, and that in his haste and the extreme “What do you mean?”
darkness he missed his path and walked He took an orange from the cupboard, and
over the edge of one of the small landing- tearing it to pieces he squeezed out the pips upon
places for river steamboats. The body ex- the table. Of these he took five and thrust them
hibited no traces of violence, and there can into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he
be no doubt that the deceased had been the wrote “S. H. for J. O.” Then he sealed it and ad-
victim of an unfortunate accident, which dressed it to “Captain James Calhoun, Barque Lone
should have the effect of calling the atten- Star, Savannah, Georgia.”
tion of the authorities to the condition of “That will await him when he enters port,” said
the riverside landing-stages.” he, chuckling. “It may give him a sleepless night.
We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more He will find it as sure a precursor of his fate as
depressed and shaken than I had ever seen him. Openshaw did before him.”
“That hurts my pride, Watson,” he said at last. “And who is this Captain Calhoun?”
“It is a petty feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my “The leader of the gang. I shall have the others,
pride. It becomes a personal matter with me now, but he first.”
and, if God sends me health, I shall set my hand “How did you trace it, then?”

182
 He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, passed some time ago, and as the wind is easterly
all covered with dates and names. I have no doubt that she is now past the Goodwins
“I have spent the whole day,” said he, “over and not very far from the Isle of Wight.”
Lloyd’s registers and files of the old papers, fol- “What will you do, then?”
lowing the future career of every vessel which “Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the
touched at Pondicherry in January and February two mates, are as I learn, the only native-born
in ’83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage Americans in the ship. The others are Finns and
which were reported there during those months. Germans. I know, also, that they were all three
Of these, one, the Lone Star, instantly attracted my away from the ship last night. I had it from the
attention, since, although it was reported as hav- stevedore who has been loading their cargo. By
ing cleared from London, the name is that which the time that their sailing-ship reaches Savannah
is given to one of the states of the Union.” the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and the
“Texas, I think.” cable will have informed the police of Savannah
“I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that these three gentlemen are badly wanted here
that the ship must have an American origin.” upon a charge of murder.”
“What then?” There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid
of human plans, and the murderers of John Open-
“I searched the Dundee records, and when I
shaw were never to receive the orange pips which
found that the barque Lone Star was there in Jan-
would show them that another, as cunning and as
uary, ’85, my suspicion became a certainty. I then
resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very
inquired as to the vessels which lay at present in
long and very severe were the equinoctial gales
the port of London.”
that year. We waited long for news of the Lone Star
“Yes?” of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We did at
“The Lone Star had arrived here last week. I last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a
went down to the Albert Dock and found that shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging
she had been taken down the river by the early in the trough of a wave, with the letters “L. S.”
tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. carved upon it, and that is all which we shall ever
I wired to Gravesend and learned that she had know of the fate of the Lone Star.
The Man with the Twisted Lip
I
The Man with the Twisted Lip

sa Whitney, brother of the late Elias was? Was it possible that we could bring him back
Whitney, D.D., Principal of the Theolog- to her?
ical College of St. George’s, was much It seems that it was. She had the surest in-
addicted to opium. The habit grew formation that of late he had, when the fit was
upon him, as I understand, from some foolish on him, made use of an opium den in the far-
freak when he was at college; for having read De thest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had al-
Quincey’s description of his dreams and sensa- ways been confined to one day, and he had come
tions, he had drenched his tobacco with laudanum back, twitching and shattered, in the evening. But
in an attempt to produce the same effects. He now the spell had been upon him eight-and-forty
found, as so many more have done, that the prac- hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the dregs
tice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping
many years he continued to be a slave to the drug, off the effects. There he was to be found, she was
an object of mingled horror and pity to his friends sure of it, at the Bar of Gold, in Upper Swandam
and relatives. I can see him now, with yellow, Lane. But what was she to do? How could she, a
pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point pupils, all young and timid woman, make her way into such
huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble a place and pluck her husband out from among
man. the ruffians who surrounded him?
One night—it was in June, ’89—there came a There was the case, and of course there was
ring to my bell, about the hour when a man gives but one way out of it. Might I not escort her to
his first yawn and glances at the clock. I sat up in this place? And then, as a second thought, why
my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work down should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney’s medi-
in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. cal adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I
“A patient!” said she. “You’ll have to go out.” could manage it better if I were alone. I promised
I groaned, for I was newly come back from a her on my word that I would send him home in
weary day. a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the
address which she had given me. And so in ten
We heard the door open, a few hurried words, minutes I had left my armchair and cheery sitting-
and then quick steps upon the linoleum. Our own room behind me, and was speeding eastward in a
door flew open, and a lady, clad in some dark- hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at
coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. the time, though the future only could show how
“You will excuse my calling so late,” she began, strange it was to be.
and then, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran But there was no great difficulty in the first
forward, threw her arms about my wife’s neck, stage of my adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a
and sobbed upon her shoulder. “Oh, I’m in such vile alley lurking behind the high wharves which
trouble!” she cried; “I do so want a little help.” line the north side of the river to the east of Lon-
“Why,” said my wife, pulling up her veil, “it is don Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop,
Kate Whitney. How you startled me, Kate! I had approached by a steep flight of steps leading down
not an idea who you were when you came in.” to a black gap like the mouth of a cave, I found the
“I didn’t know what to do, so I came straight to den of which I was in search. Ordering my cab to
you.” That was always the way. Folk who were in wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in the
grief came to my wife like birds to a light-house. centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and
by the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door
“It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you I found the latch and made my way into a long,
must have some wine and water, and sit here com- low room, thick and heavy with the brown opium
fortably and tell us all about it. Or should you smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the
rather that I sent James off to bed?” forecastle of an emigrant ship.
“Oh, no, no! I want the doctor’s advice and Through the gloom one could dimly catch a
help, too. It’s about Isa. He has not been home for glimpse of bodies lying in strange fantastic poses,
two days. I am so frightened about him!” bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads thrown back,
It was not the first time that she had spoken to and chins pointing upward, with here and there a
us of her husband’s trouble, to me as a doctor, to dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer.
my wife as an old friend and school companion. Out of the black shadows there glimmered little
We soothed and comforted her by such words as red circles of light, now bright, now faint, as the
we could find. Did she know where her husband burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of

187
 The Man with the Twisted Lip

the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some mut- man at my side, and yet he sat now as absorbed
tered to themselves, and others talked together in a as ever, very thin, very wrinkled, bent with age,
strange, low, monotonous voice, their conversation an opium pipe dangling down from between his
coming in gushes, and then suddenly tailing off knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassi-
into silence, each mumbling out his own thoughts tude from his fingers. I took two steps forward
and paying little heed to the words of his neigh- and looked back. It took all my self-control to pre-
bour. At the farther end was a small brazier of vent me from breaking out into a cry of astonish-
burning charcoal, beside which on a three-legged ment. He had turned his back so that none could
wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old man, with see him but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles
his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows were gone, the dull eyes had regained their fire,
upon his knees, staring into the fire. and there, sitting by the fire and grinning at my
As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hur- surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes.
ried up with a pipe for me and a supply of the He made a slight motion to me to approach him,
drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. and instantly, as he turned his face half round to
the company once more, subsided into a dodder-
“Thank you. I have not come to stay,” said I.
ing, loose-lipped senility.
“There is a friend of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney,
and I wish to speak with him.” “Holmes!” I whispered, “what on earth are you
There was a movement and an exclamation doing in this den?”
from my right, and peering through the gloom, I “As low as you can,” he answered; “I have ex-
saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and unkempt, staring cellent ears. If you would have the great kindness
out at me. to get rid of that sottish friend of yours I should be
“My God! It’s Watson,” said he. He was in exceedingly glad to have a little talk with you.”
a pitiable state of reaction, with every nerve in a “I have a cab outside.”
twitter. “I say, Watson, what o’clock is it?”
“Then pray send him home in it. You may
“Nearly eleven.” safely trust him, for he appears to be too limp to
“Of what day?” get into any mischief. I should recommend you
“Of Friday, June 19th.” also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to
say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If
“Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It
you will wait outside, I shall be with you in five
is Wednesday. What d’you want to frighten a chap
minutes.”
for?” He sank his face onto his arms and began to
sob in a high treble key. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock
“I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has Holmes’ requests, for they were always so exceed-
been waiting this two days for you. You should be ingly definite, and put forward with such a quiet
ashamed of yourself!” air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney
was once confined in the cab my mission was prac-
“So I am. But you’ve got mixed, Watson, for I tically accomplished; and for the rest, I could not
have only been here a few hours, three pipes, four wish anything better than to be associated with my
pipes—I forget how many. But I’ll go home with friend in one of those singular adventures which
you. I wouldn’t frighten Kate—poor little Kate. were the normal condition of his existence. In a
Give me your hand! Have you a cab?” few minutes I had written my note, paid Whit-
“Yes, I have one waiting.” ney’s bill, led him out to the cab, and seen him
“Then I shall go in it. But I must owe some- driven through the darkness. In a very short time a
thing. Find what I owe, Watson. I am all off colour. decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den,
I can do nothing for myself.” and I was walking down the street with Sherlock
Holmes. For two streets he shuffled along with
I walked down the narrow passage between
a bent back and an uncertain foot. Then, glanc-
the double row of sleepers, holding my breath to
ing quickly round, he straightened himself out and
keep out the vile, stupefying fumes of the drug,
burst into a hearty fit of laughter.
and looking about for the manager. As I passed
the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sud- “I suppose, Watson,” said he, “that you imag-
den pluck at my skirt, and a low voice whispered, ine that I have added opium-smoking to cocaine
“Walk past me, and then look back at me.” The injections, and all the other little weaknesses on
words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I glanced which you have favoured me with your medical
down. They could only have come from the old views.”

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 The Man with the Twisted Lip

“I was certainly surprised to find you there.” of sombre and deserted streets, which widened
“But not more so than I to find you.” gradually, until we were flying across a broad
balustraded bridge, with the murky river flow-
“I came to find a friend.”
ing sluggishly beneath us. Beyond lay another
“And I to find an enemy.” dull wilderness of bricks and mortar, its silence
“An enemy?” broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of the
“Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, policeman, or the songs and shouts of some be-
my natural prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst lated party of revellers. A dull wrack was drift-
of a very remarkable inquiry, and I have hoped ing slowly across the sky, and a star or two twin-
to find a clue in the incoherent ramblings of these kled dimly here and there through the rifts of the
sots, as I have done before now. Had I been recog- clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head
nised in that den my life would not have been sunk upon his breast, and the air of a man who
worth an hour’s purchase; for I have used it be- is lost in thought, while I sat beside him, curi-
fore now for my own purposes, and the rascally ous to learn what this new quest might be which
Lascar who runs it has sworn to have vengeance seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid
upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that to break in upon the current of his thoughts. We
building, near the corner of Paul’s Wharf, which had driven several miles, and were beginning to
could tell some strange tales of what has passed get to the fringe of the belt of suburban villas,
through it upon the moonless nights.” when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders,
and lit up his pipe with the air of a man who has
“What! You do not mean bodies?” satisfied himself that he is acting for the best.
“Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if
“You have a grand gift of silence, Watson,” said
we had £1000 for every poor devil who has been
he. “It makes you quite invaluable as a compan-
done to death in that den. It is the vilest murder-
ion. ’Pon my word, it is a great thing for me to
trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Neville
have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are
St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But
not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should
our trap should be here.” He put his two fore-
say to this dear little woman to-night when she
fingers between his teeth and whistled shrilly—a
meets me at the door.”
signal which was answered by a similar whistle
from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle of “You forget that I know nothing about it.”
wheels and the clink of horses’ hoofs. “I shall just have time to tell you the facts of
“Now, Watson,” said Holmes, as a tall dog- the case before we get to Lee. It seems absurdly
cart dashed up through the gloom, throwing out simple, and yet, somehow I can get nothing to go
two golden tunnels of yellow light from its side upon. There’s plenty of thread, no doubt, but I
lanterns. “You’ll come with me, won’t you?” can’t get the end of it into my hand. Now, I’ll state
the case clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and
“If I can be of use.”
maybe you can see a spark where all is dark to
“Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a me.”
chronicler still more so. My room at The Cedars is
“Proceed, then.”
a double-bedded one.”
“The Cedars?” “Some years ago—to be definite, in May,
1884—there came to Lee a gentleman, Neville St.
“Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair’s house. I am staying Clair by name, who appeared to have plenty of
there while I conduct the inquiry.” money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds
“Where is it, then?” very nicely, and lived generally in good style. By
“Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive degrees he made friends in the neighbourhood,
before us.” and in 1887 he married the daughter of a local
brewer, by whom he now has two children. He
“But I am all in the dark.”
had no occupation, but was interested in several
“Of course you are. You’ll know all about it companies and went into town as a rule in the
presently. Jump up here. All right, John; we shall morning, returning by the 5.14 from Cannon Street
not need you. Here’s half a crown. Look out for every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years
me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her head. of age, is a man of temperate habits, a good hus-
So long, then!” band, a very affectionate father, and a man who
He flicked the horse with his whip, and is popular with all who know him. I may add
we dashed away through the endless succession that his whole debts at the present moment, as far

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 The Man with the Twisted Lip

as we have been able to ascertain, amount to £88 fears, she rushed down the lane and, by rare good-
10s., while he has £220 standing to his credit in the fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of consta-
Capital and Counties Bank. There is no reason, bles with an inspector, all on their way to their
therefore, to think that money troubles have been beat. The inspector and two men accompanied her
weighing upon his mind. back, and in spite of the continued resistance of
“Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into the proprietor, they made their way to the room in
town rather earlier than usual, remarking before which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was
he started that he had two important commis- no sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that
sions to perform, and that he would bring his lit- floor there was no one to be found save a crippled
tle boy home a box of bricks. Now, by the mer- wretch of hideous aspect, who, it seems, made his
est chance, his wife received a telegram upon this home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly swore
same Monday, very shortly after his departure, to that no one else had been in the front room dur-
the effect that a small parcel of considerable value ing the afternoon. So determined was their denial
which she had been expecting was waiting for her that the inspector was staggered, and had almost
at the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had been de-
Now, if you are well up in your London, you will luded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal
know that the office of the company is in Fresno box which lay upon the table and tore the lid from
Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam it. Out there fell a cascade of children’s bricks. It
Lane, where you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair was the toy which he had promised to bring home.
had her lunch, started for the City, did some shop- “This discovery, and the evident confusion
ping, proceeded to the company’s office, got her which the cripple showed, made the inspector re-
packet, and found herself at exactly 4.35 walking alise that the matter was serious. The rooms were
through Swandam Lane on her way back to the carefully examined, and results all pointed to an
station. Have you followed me so far?” abominable crime. The front room was plainly fur-
nished as a sitting-room and led into a small bed-
“It is very clear.”
room, which looked out upon the back of one of
“If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom
hot day, and Mrs. St. Clair walked slowly, glancing window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide
about in the hope of seeing a cab, as she did not but is covered at high tide with at least four and
like the neighbourhood in which she found her- a half feet of water. The bedroom window was
self. While she was walking in this way down a broad one and opened from below. On exam-
Swandam Lane, she suddenly heard an ejacula- ination traces of blood were to be seen upon the
tion or cry, and was struck cold to see her hus- windowsill, and several scattered drops were visi-
band looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, ble upon the wooden floor of the bedroom. Thrust
beckoning to her from a second-floor window. The away behind a curtain in the front room were all
window was open, and she distinctly saw his face, the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the excep-
which she describes as being terribly agitated. He tion of his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and
waved his hands frantically to her, and then van- his watch—all were there. There were no signs of
ished from the window so suddenly that it seemed violence upon any of these garments, and there
to her that he had been plucked back by some ir- were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Clair. Out
resistible force from behind. One singular point of the window he must apparently have gone for
which struck her quick feminine eye was that al- no other exit could be discovered, and the ominous
though he wore some dark coat, such as he had bloodstains upon the sill gave little promise that he
started to town in, he had on neither collar nor could save himself by swimming, for the tide was
necktie. at its very highest at the moment of the tragedy.
“Convinced that something was amiss with “And now as to the villains who seemed to be
him, she rushed down the steps—for the house immediately implicated in the matter. The Lascar
was none other than the opium den in which you was known to be a man of the vilest antecedents,
found me to-night—and running through the front but as, by Mrs. St. Clair’s story, he was known to
room she attempted to ascend the stairs which led have been at the foot of the stair within a very
to the first floor. At the foot of the stairs, however, few seconds of her husband’s appearance at the
she met this Lascar scoundrel of whom I have spo- window, he could hardly have been more than an
ken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, accessory to the crime. His defence was one of
who acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had
street. Filled with the most maddening doubts and no knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone,

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 The Man with the Twisted Lip

his lodger, and that he could not account in any upon the matter. One mistake had been made in
way for the presence of the missing gentleman’s not arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed
clothes. some few minutes during which he might have
“So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the communicated with his friend the Lascar, but this
sinister cripple who lives upon the second floor fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and
of the opium den, and who was certainly the last searched, without anything being found which
human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. could incriminate him. There were, it is true,
Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous some blood-stains upon his right shirt-sleeve, but
face is one which is familiar to every man who he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been cut
goes much to the City. He is a professional beggar, near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came
though in order to avoid the police regulations he from there, adding that he had been to the win-
pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some little dow not long before, and that the stains which had
distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left- been observed there came doubtless from the same
hand side, there is, as you may have remarked, a source. He denied strenuously having ever seen
small angle in the wall. Here it is that this crea- Mr. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence
ture takes his daily seat, cross-legged with his tiny of the clothes in his room was as much a mystery
stock of matches on his lap, and as he is a piteous to him as to the police. As to Mrs. St. Clair’s as-
spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the sertion that she had actually seen her husband at
greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement the window, he declared that she must have been
beside him. I have watched the fellow more than either mad or dreaming. He was removed, loudly
once before ever I thought of making his profes- protesting, to the police-station, while the inspec-
sional acquaintance, and I have been surprised at tor remained upon the premises in the hope that
the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue.
His appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no “And it did, though they hardly found upon
one can pass him without observing him. A shock the mud-bank what they had feared to find. It was
of orange hair, a pale face disfigured by a horrible Neville St. Clair’s coat, and not Neville St. Clair,
scar, which, by its contraction, has turned up the which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And
outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a what do you think they found in the pockets?”
pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a “I cannot imagine.”
singular contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark
him out from amid the common crowd of mendi- “No, I don’t think you would guess. Every
cants and so, too, does his wit, for he is ever ready pocket stuffed with pennies and half-pennies—421
with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be pennies and 270 half-pennies. It was no wonder
thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a
whom we now learn to have been the lodger at the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce
opium den, and to have been the last man to see eddy between the wharf and the house. It seemed
the gentleman of whom we are in quest.” likely enough that the weighted coat had remained
when the stripped body had been sucked away
“But a cripple!” said I. “What could he have into the river.”
done single-handed against a man in the prime of
life?” “But I understand that all the other clothes
were found in the room. Would the body be
“He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with dressed in a coat alone?”
a limp; but in other respects he appears to be
a powerful and well-nurtured man. Surely your “No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously
medical experience would tell you, Watson, that enough. Suppose that this man Boone had thrust
weakness in one limb is often compensated for by Neville St. Clair through the window, there is no
exceptional strength in the others.” human eye which could have seen the deed. What
would he do then? It would of course instantly
“Pray continue your narrative.” strike him that he must get rid of the tell-tale gar-
“Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the ments. He would seize the coat, then, and be in
blood upon the window, and she was escorted the act of throwing it out, when it would occur to
home in a cab by the police, as her presence could him that it would swim and not sink. He has little
be of no help to them in their investigations. In- time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when
spector Barton, who had charge of the case, made the wife tried to force her way up, and perhaps
a very careful examination of the premises, but he has already heard from his Lascar confederate
without finding anything which threw any light that the police are hurrying up the street. There is

191
 The Man with the Twisted Lip

not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret run out to the horse’s head, and springing down,
hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his I followed Holmes up the small, winding gravel-
beggary, and he stuffs all the coins upon which he drive which led to the house. As we approached,
can lay his hands into the pockets to make sure of the door flew open, and a little blonde woman
the coat’s sinking. He throws it out, and would stood in the opening, clad in some sort of light
have done the same with the other garments had mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy pink
not he heard the rush of steps below, and only just chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with
had time to close the window when the police ap- her figure outlined against the flood of light, one
peared.” hand upon the door, one half-raised in her eager-
“It certainly sounds feasible.” ness, her body slightly bent, her head and face pro-
truded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing
“Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis question.
for want of a better. Boone, as I have told you, “Well?” she cried, “well?” And then, seeing
was arrested and taken to the station, but it could that there were two of us, she gave a cry of hope
not be shown that there had ever before been any- which sank into a groan as she saw that my com-
thing against him. He had for years been known panion shook his head and shrugged his shoul-
as a professional beggar, but his life appeared to ders.
have been a very quiet and innocent one. There the
“No good news?”
matter stands at present, and the questions which
have to be solved—what Neville St. Clair was do- “None.”
ing in the opium den, what happened to him when “No bad?”
there, where is he now, and what Hugh Boone had “No.”
to do with his disappearance—are all as far from “Thank God for that. But come in. You must
a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot recall be weary, for you have had a long day.”
any case within my experience which looked at “This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of
the first glance so simple and yet which presented most vital use to me in several of my cases, and a
such difficulties.” lucky chance has made it possible for me to bring
While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this him out and associate him with this investigation.”
singular series of events, we had been whirling “I am delighted to see you,” said she, press-
through the outskirts of the great town until the ing my hand warmly. “You will, I am sure, for-
last straggling houses had been left behind, and give anything that may be wanting in our arrange-
we rattled along with a country hedge upon either ments, when you consider the blow which has
side of us. Just as he finished, however, we drove come so suddenly upon us.”
through two scattered villages, where a few lights “My dear madam,” said I, “I am an old cam-
still glimmered in the windows. paigner, and if I were not I can very well see that
no apology is needed. If I can be of any assistance,
“We are on the outskirts of Lee,” said my com-
either to you or to my friend here, I shall be indeed
panion. “We have touched on three English coun-
happy.”
ties in our short drive, starting in Middlesex, pass-
“Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes,” said the lady as
ing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent.
we entered a well-lit dining-room, upon the ta-
See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars,
ble of which a cold supper had been laid out, “I
and beside that lamp sits a woman whose anxious
should very much like to ask you one or two plain
ears have already, I have little doubt, caught the
questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain
clink of our horse’s feet.”
answer.”
“But why are you not conducting the case from “Certainly, madam.”
Baker Street?” I asked. “Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not
“Because there are many inquiries which must hysterical, nor given to fainting. I simply wish to
be made out here. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly hear your real, real opinion.”
put two rooms at my disposal, and you may rest “Upon what point?”
assured that she will have nothing but a welcome “In your heart of hearts, do you think that
for my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Neville is alive?”
Watson, when I have no news of her husband. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by
Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!” the question. “Frankly, now!” she repeated, stand-
We had pulled up in front of a large villa which ing upon the rug and looking keenly down at him
stood within its own grounds. A stable-boy had as he leaned back in a basket-chair.

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 The Man with the Twisted Lip

“Frankly, then, madam, I do not.” “Dearest do not be frightened. All

“You think that he is dead?” will come well. There is a huge error
which it may take some little time to
“I do.”
rectify. Wait in patience.
“Murdered?” “Neville.
“I don’t say that. Perhaps.”
Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf of a book,
“And on what day did he meet his death?”
octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day
“On Monday.” in Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha!
“Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good And the flap has been gummed, if I am not very
enough to explain how it is that I have received a much in error, by a person who had been chewing
letter from him to-day.” tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your
Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if husband’s hand, madam?”
he had been galvanised. “None. Neville wrote those words.”
“What!” he roared. “And they were posted to-day at Gravesend.
Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the clouds lighten, though I
“Yes, to-day.” She stood smiling, holding up a
should not venture to say that the danger is over.”
little slip of paper in the air.
“But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes.”
“May I see it?”
“Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the
“Certainly.” wrong scent. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It
He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and may have been taken from him.”
smoothing it out upon the table he drew over the “No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!”
lamp and examined it intently. I had left my chair “Very well. It may, however, have been written
and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The enve- on Monday and only posted to-day.”
lope was a very coarse one and was stamped with
“That is possible.”
the Gravesend postmark and with the date of that
very day, or rather of the day before, for it was “If so, much may have happened between.”
considerably after midnight. “Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes.
I know that all is well with him. There is so keen
“Coarse writing,” murmured Holmes. “Surely
a sympathy between us that I should know if evil
this is not your husband’s writing, madam.”
came upon him. On the very day that I saw him
“No, but the enclosure is.” last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the
“I perceive also that whoever addressed the en- dining-room rushed upstairs instantly with the ut-
velope had to go and inquire as to the address.” most certainty that something had happened. Do
“How can you tell that?” you think that I would respond to such a trifle and
yet be ignorant of his death?”
“The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink,
which has dried itself. The rest is of the greyish “I have seen too much not to know that the im-
colour, which shows that blotting-paper has been pression of a woman may be more valuable than
used. If it had been written straight off, and then the conclusion of an analytical reasoner. And in
blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This this letter you certainly have a very strong piece of
man has written the name, and there has then been evidence to corroborate your view. But if your hus-
a pause before he wrote the address, which can band is alive and able to write letters, why should
only mean that he was not familiar with it. It is, of he remain away from you?”
course, a trifle, but there is nothing so important “I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable.”
as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! there has “And on Monday he made no remarks before
been an enclosure here!” leaving you?”
“Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring.” “No.”
“And you are sure that this is your husband’s “And you were surprised to see him in Swan-
hand?” dam Lane?”
“One of his hands.” “Very much so.”
“One?” “Was the window open?”
“Yes.”
“His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very
unlike his usual writing, and yet I know it well.” “Then he might have called to you?”
“He might.”

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 The Man with the Twisted Lip

“He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him,
cry?” silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his
“Yes.” strong-set aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped
off to sleep, and so he sat when a sudden ejac-
“A call for help, you thought?”
ulation caused me to wake up, and I found the
“Yes. He waved his hands.” summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe
“But it might have been a cry of surprise. As- was still between his lips, the smoke still curled
tonishment at the unexpected sight of you might upward, and the room was full of a dense tobacco
cause him to throw up his hands?” haze, but nothing remained of the heap of shag
“It is possible.” which I had seen upon the previous night.
“Awake, Watson?” he asked.
“And you thought he was pulled back?”
“Yes.”
“He disappeared so suddenly.”
“Game for a morning drive?”
“He might have leaped back. You did not see “Certainly.”
anyone else in the room?”
“Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know
“No, but this horrible man confessed to having where the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon
been there, and the Lascar was at the foot of the have the trap out.” He chuckled to himself as he
stairs.” spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed a dif-
“Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could ferent man to the sombre thinker of the previous
see, had his ordinary clothes on?” night.
“But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no
his bare throat.” wonder that no one was stirring. It was twenty-
five minutes past four. I had hardly finished when
“Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?”
Holmes returned with the news that the boy was
“Never.” putting in the horse.
“Had he ever showed any signs of having taken “I want to test a little theory of mine,” said he,
opium?” pulling on his boots. “I think, Watson, that you are
“Never.” now standing in the presence of one of the most
“Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the prin- absolute fools in Europe. I deserve to be kicked
cipal points about which I wished to be abso- from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the
lutely clear. We shall now have a little supper and key of the affair now.”
then retire, for we may have a very busy day to- “And where is it?” I asked, smiling.
morrow.” “In the bathroom,” he answered. “Oh, yes, I
A large and comfortable double-bedded room am not joking,” he continued, seeing my look of
had been placed at our disposal, and I was quickly incredulity. “I have just been there, and I have
between the sheets, for I was weary after my night taken it out, and I have got it in this Gladstone
of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, how- bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether
ever, who, when he had an unsolved problem it will not fit the lock.”
upon his mind, would go for days, and even for We made our way downstairs as quietly as pos-
a week, without rest, turning it over, rearranging sible, and out into the bright morning sunshine.
his facts, looking at it from every point of view In the road stood our horse and trap, with the
until he had either fathomed it or convinced him- half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both
self that his data were insufficient. It was soon sprang in, and away we dashed down the London
evident to me that he was now preparing for an Road. A few country carts were stirring, bearing in
all-night sitting. He took off his coat and waist- vegetables to the metropolis, but the lines of villas
coat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then on either side were as silent and lifeless as some
wandered about the room collecting pillows from city in a dream.
his bed and cushions from the sofa and armchairs. “It has been in some points a singular case,”
With these he constructed a sort of Eastern divan, said Holmes, flicking the horse on into a gallop. “I
upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with confess that I have been as blind as a mole, but it
an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid is better to learn wisdom late than never to learn
out in front of him. In the dim light of the lamp it at all.”
I saw him sitting there, an old briar pipe between In town the earliest risers were just begin-
his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the corner of ning to look sleepily from their windows as we

194
 The Man with the Twisted Lip

drove through the streets of the Surrey side. Pass- We both put our eyes to the grating. The pris-
ing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed oner lay with his face towards us, in a very deep
over the river, and dashing up Wellington Street sleep, breathing slowly and heavily. He was a
wheeled sharply to the right and found ourselves middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his
in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well known calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through
to the force, and the two constables at the door the rent in his tattered coat. He was, as the inspec-
saluted him. One of them held the horse’s head tor had said, extremely dirty, but the grime which
while the other led us in. covered his face could not conceal its repulsive ug-
“Who is on duty?” asked Holmes. liness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right
across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction
“Inspector Bradstreet, sir.” had turned up one side of the upper lip, so that
“Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?” A tall, stout of- three teeth were exposed in a perpetual snarl. A
ficial had come down the stone-flagged passage, in shock of very bright red hair grew low over his
a peaked cap and frogged jacket. “I wish to have a eyes and forehead.
quiet word with you, Bradstreet.” “Certainly, Mr. “He’s a beauty, isn’t he?” said the inspector.
Holmes. Step into my room here.” It was a small,
office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the ta- “He certainly needs a wash,” remarked
ble, and a telephone projecting from the wall. The Holmes. “I had an idea that he might, and I
inspector sat down at his desk. took the liberty of bringing the tools with me.” He
opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took
“What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?”
out, to my astonishment, a very large bath-sponge.
“I called about that beggarman, Boone—the
“He! he! You are a funny one,” chuckled the
one who was charged with being concerned in the
inspector.
disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Lee.”
“Yes. He was brought up and remanded for “Now, if you will have the great goodness to
further inquiries.” open that door very quietly, we will soon make
him cut a much more respectable figure.”
“So I heard. You have him here?”
“Well, I don’t know why not,” said the inspec-
“In the cells.” tor. “He doesn’t look a credit to the Bow Street
“Is he quiet?” cells, does he?” He slipped his key into the lock,
and we all very quietly entered the cell. The
“Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty
sleeper half turned, and then settled down once
scoundrel.”
more into a deep slumber. Holmes stooped to the
“Dirty?” water-jug, moistened his sponge, and then rubbed
“Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his it twice vigorously across and down the prisoner’s
hands, and his face is as black as a tinker’s. Well, face.
when once his case has been settled, he will have “Let me introduce you,” he shouted, “to Mr.
a regular prison bath; and I think, if you saw him, Neville St. Clair, of Lee, in the county of Kent.”
you would agree with me that he needed it.”
Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The
“I should like to see him very much.” man’s face peeled off under the sponge like the
“Would you? That is easily done. Come this bark from a tree. Gone was the coarse brown tint!
way. You can leave your bag.” Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had seamed
“No, I think that I’ll take it.” it across, and the twisted lip which had given
the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought
“Very good. Come this way, if you please.” away the tangled red hair, and there, sitting up
He led us down a passage, opened a barred door, in his bed, was a pale, sad-faced, refined-looking
passed down a winding stair, and brought us to a man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, rubbing
whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewil-
side. derment. Then suddenly realising the exposure,
“The third on the right is his,” said the inspec- he broke into a scream and threw himself down
tor. “Here it is!” He quietly shot back a panel in with his face to the pillow.
the upper part of the door and glanced through. “Great heavens!” cried the inspector, “it is, in-
“He is asleep,” said he. “You can see him very deed, the missing man. I know him from the pho-
well.” tograph.”

195
 The Man with the Twisted Lip

The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a red head of hair, and an appropriate dress, I took
man who abandons himself to his destiny. “Be it my station in the business part of the city, osten-
so,” said he. “And pray what am I charged with?” sibly as a match-seller but really as a beggar. For
“With making away with Mr. Neville St.—Oh, seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned
come, you can’t be charged with that unless they home in the evening I found to my surprise that I
make a case of attempted suicide of it,” said the had received no less than 26s. 4d.
inspector with a grin. “Well, I have been twenty- “I wrote my articles and thought little more of
seven years in the force, but this really takes the the matter until, some time later, I backed a bill for
cake.” a friend and had a writ served upon me for £25. I
“If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvi- was at my wit’s end where to get the money, but
ous that no crime has been committed, and that, a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight’s
therefore, I am illegally detained.” grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from
my employers, and spent the time in begging in
“No crime, but a very great error has been com- the City under my disguise. In ten days I had the
mitted,” said Holmes. “You would have done bet- money and had paid the debt.
ter to have trusted your wife.”
“Well, you can imagine how hard it was to set-
“It was not the wife; it was the children,” tle down to arduous work at £2 a week when I
groaned the prisoner. “God help me, I would not knew that I could earn as much in a day by smear-
have them ashamed of their father. My God! What ing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on
an exposure! What can I do?” the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight
Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the between my pride and the money, but the dollars
couch and patted him kindly on the shoulder. won at last, and I threw up reporting and sat day
“If you leave it to a court of law to clear the after day in the corner which I had first chosen,
matter up,” said he, “of course you can hardly inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my
avoid publicity. On the other hand, if you convince pockets with coppers. Only one man knew my se-
the police authorities that there is no possible case cret. He was the keeper of a low den in which
against you, I do not know that there is any reason I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could
that the details should find their way into the pa- every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in
pers. Inspector Bradstreet would, I am sure, make the evenings transform myself into a well-dressed
notes upon anything which you might tell us and man about town. This fellow, a Lascar, was well
submit it to the proper authorities. The case would paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that my
then never go into court at all.” secret was safe in his possession.
“God bless you!” cried the prisoner passion- “Well, very soon I found that I was saving con-
ately. “I would have endured imprisonment, ay, siderable sums of money. I do not mean that any
even execution, rather than have left my miserable beggar in the streets of London could earn £700 a
secret as a family blot to my children. year—which is less than my average takings—but
I had exceptional advantages in my power of mak-
“You are the first who have ever heard my ing up, and also in a facility of repartee, which
story. My father was a schoolmaster in Chester- improved by practice and made me quite a recog-
field, where I received an excellent education. I nised character in the City. All day a stream of
travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and fi- pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, and
nally became a reporter on an evening paper in it was a very bad day in which I failed to take £2.
London. One day my editor wished to have a se-
ries of articles upon begging in the metropolis, and “As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took
I volunteered to supply them. There was the point a house in the country, and eventually married,
from which all my adventures started. It was only without anyone having a suspicion as to my real
by trying begging as an amateur that I could get occupation. My dear wife knew that I had busi-
the facts upon which to base my articles. When ness in the City. She little knew what.
an actor I had, of course, learned all the secrets “Last Monday I had finished for the day and
of making up, and had been famous in the green- was dressing in my room above the opium den
room for my skill. I took advantage now of my when I looked out of my window and saw, to my
attainments. I painted my face, and to make my- horror and astonishment, that my wife was stand-
self as pitiable as possible I made a good scar and ing in the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me.
fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of I gave a cry of surprise, threw up my arms to cover
a small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a my face, and, rushing to my confidant, the Lascar,

196
entreated him to prevent anyone from coming up “Good God! What a week she must have
to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew spent!”
that she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my
“The police have watched this Lascar,” said In-
clothes, pulled on those of a beggar, and put on my
spector Bradstreet, “and I can quite understand
pigments and wig. Even a wife’s eyes could not
that he might find it difficult to post a letter un-
pierce so complete a disguise. But then it occurred
observed. Probably he handed it to some sailor
to me that there might be a search in the room,
customer of his, who forgot all about it for some
and that the clothes might betray me. I threw open
days.”
the window, reopening by my violence a small cut
which I had inflicted upon myself in the bedroom “That was it,” said Holmes, nodding approv-
that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was ingly; “I have no doubt of it. But have you never
weighted by the coppers which I had just trans- been prosecuted for begging?”
ferred to it from the leather bag in which I carried “Many times; but what was a fine to me?”
my takings. I hurled it out of the window, and it
disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes “It must stop here, however,” said Bradstreet.
would have followed, but at that moment there “If the police are to hush this thing up, there must
was a rush of constables up the stair, and a few be no more of Hugh Boone.”
minutes after I found, rather, I confess, to my re- “I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths
lief, that instead of being identified as Mr. Neville which a man can take.”
St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer.
“I do not know that there is anything else for “In that case I think that it is probable that no
me to explain. I was determined to preserve my further steps may be taken. But if you are found
disguise as long as possible, and hence my prefer- again, then all must come out. I am sure, Mr.
ence for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you
be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and con- for having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew
fided it to the Lascar at a moment when no con- how you reach your results.”
stable was watching me, together with a hurried “I reached this one,” said my friend, “by sit-
scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to fear.” ting upon five pillows and consuming an ounce of
“That note only reached her yesterday,” said shag. I think, Watson, that if we drive to Baker
Holmes. Street we shall just be in time for breakfast.”
The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle
I
The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle

had called upon my friend Sherlock “No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown.
Holmes upon the second morning after I beg that you will look upon it not as a battered
Christmas, with the intention of wishing billycock but as an intellectual problem. And, first,
him the compliments of the season. He as to how it came here. It arrived upon Christmas
was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing- morning, in company with a good fat goose, which
gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, is, I have no doubt, roasting at this moment in
and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently front of Peterson’s fire. The facts are these: about
newly studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was four o’clock on Christmas morning, Peterson, who,
a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung as you know, is a very honest fellow, was returning
a very seedy and disreputable hard-felt hat, much from some small jollification and was making his
the worse for wear, and cracked in several places. way homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In
A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the front of him he saw, in the gaslight, a tallish man,
chair suggested that the hat had been suspended walking with a slight stagger, and carrying a white
in this manner for the purpose of examination. goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the
“You are engaged,” said I; “perhaps I interrupt corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between
you.” this stranger and a little knot of roughs. One of
the latter knocked off the man’s hat, on which he
“Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with
raised his stick to defend himself and, swinging
whom I can discuss my results. The matter is a
it over his head, smashed the shop window be-
perfectly trivial one”—he jerked his thumb in the
hind him. Peterson had rushed forward to pro-
direction of the old hat—“but there are points in
tect the stranger from his assailants; but the man,
connection with it which are not entirely devoid of
shocked at having broken the window, and seeing
interest and even of instruction.”
an official-looking person in uniform rushing to-
I seated myself in his armchair and warmed wards him, dropped his goose, took to his heels,
my hands before his crackling fire, for a sharp and vanished amid the labyrinth of small streets
frost had set in, and the windows were thick with which lie at the back of Tottenham Court Road.
the ice crystals. “I suppose,” I remarked, “that, The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Pe-
homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly terson, so that he was left in possession of the field
story linked on to it—that it is the clue which will of battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the
guide you in the solution of some mystery and the shape of this battered hat and a most unimpeach-
punishment of some crime.” able Christmas goose.”
“No, no. No crime,” said Sherlock Holmes, “Which surely he restored to their owner?”
laughing. “Only one of those whimsical little inci-
dents which will happen when you have four mil- “My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is
lion human beings all jostling each other within true that ‘For Mrs. Henry Baker’ was printed upon
the space of a few square miles. Amid the action a small card which was tied to the bird’s left leg,
and reaction of so dense a swarm of humanity, and it is also true that the initials ‘H. B.’ are legible
every possible combination of events may be ex- upon the lining of this hat, but as there are some
pected to take place, and many a little problem will thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry
be presented which may be striking and bizarre Bakers in this city of ours, it is not easy to restore
without being criminal. We have already had ex- lost property to any one of them.”
perience of such.” “What, then, did Peterson do?”
“So much so,” I remarked, “that of the last six “He brought round both hat and goose to me
cases which I have added to my notes, three have on Christmas morning, knowing that even the
been entirely free of any legal crime.” smallest problems are of interest to me. The goose
“Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover we retained until this morning, when there were
the Irene Adler papers, to the singular case of Miss signs that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be
Mary Sutherland, and to the adventure of the man well that it should be eaten without unnecessary
with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt that this delay. Its finder has carried it off, therefore, to ful-
small matter will fall into the same innocent cate- fil the ultimate destiny of a goose, while I continue
gory. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?” to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who
“Yes.” lost his Christmas dinner.”
“It is to him that this trophy belongs.” “Did he not advertise?”
“It is his hat.” “No.”

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 The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle

“Then, what clue could you have as to his iden- cut within the last few days, and which he anoints
tity?” with lime-cream. These are the more patent facts
“Only as much as we can deduce.” which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, by the
way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas
“From his hat?” laid on in his house.”
“Precisely.” “You are certainly joking, Holmes.”
“But you are joking. What can you gather from “Not in the least. Is it possible that even now,
this old battered felt?” when I give you these results, you are unable to
“Here is my lens. You know my methods. see how they are attained?”
What can you gather yourself as to the individ- “I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I
uality of the man who has worn this article?” must confess that I am unable to follow you. For
I took the tattered object in my hands and example, how did you deduce that this man was
turned it over rather ruefully. It was a very or- intellectual?”
dinary black hat of the usual round shape, hard For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his
and much the worse for wear. The lining had been head. It came right over the forehead and settled
of red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There upon the bridge of his nose. “It is a question of cu-
was no maker’s name; but, as Holmes had re- bic capacity,” said he; “a man with so large a brain
marked, the initials “H. B.” were scrawled upon must have something in it.”
one side. It was pierced in the brim for a hat-
“The decline of his fortunes, then?”
securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest,
it was cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in “This hat is three years old. These flat brims
several places, although there seemed to have been curled at the edge came in then. It is a hat of the
some attempt to hide the discoloured patches by very best quality. Look at the band of ribbed silk
smearing them with ink. and the excellent lining. If this man could afford
to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has
“I can see nothing,” said I, handing it back to
had no hat since, then he has assuredly gone down
my friend.
in the world.”
“On the contrary, Watson, you can see every-
“Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how
thing. You fail, however, to reason from what you
about the foresight and the moral retrogression?”
see. You are too timid in drawing your inferences.”
Sherlock Holmes laughed. “Here is the fore-
“Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer sight,” said he putting his finger upon the little
from this hat?” disc and loop of the hat-securer. “They are never
He picked it up and gazed at it in the pecu- sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a
liar introspective fashion which was characteris- sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went
tic of him. “It is perhaps less suggestive than it out of his way to take this precaution against the
might have been,” he remarked, “and yet there are wind. But since we see that he has broken the elas-
a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few tic and has not troubled to replace it, it is obvious
others which represent at least a strong balance of that he has less foresight now than formerly, which
probability. That the man was highly intellectual is is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the
of course obvious upon the face of it, and also that other hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some
he was fairly well-to-do within the last three years, of these stains upon the felt by daubing them with
although he has now fallen upon evil days. He had ink, which is a sign that he has not entirely lost his
foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing self-respect.”
to a moral retrogression, which, when taken with “Your reasoning is certainly plausible.”
the decline of his fortunes, seems to indicate some
evil influence, probably drink, at work upon him. “The further points, that he is middle-aged,
This may account also for the obvious fact that his that his hair is grizzled, that it has been recently
wife has ceased to love him.” cut, and that he uses lime-cream, are all to be gath-
ered from a close examination of the lower part of
“My dear Holmes!” the lining. The lens discloses a large number of
“He has, however, retained some degree of self- hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber.
respect,” he continued, disregarding my remon- They all appear to be adhesive, and there is a dis-
strance. “He is a man who leads a sedentary tinct odour of lime-cream. This dust, you will ob-
life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is serve, is not the gritty, grey dust of the street but
middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had the fluffy brown dust of the house, showing that it

202
 The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle

has been hung up indoors most of the time, while “A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into
the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof glass as though it were putty.”
positive that the wearer perspired very freely, and “It’s more than a precious stone. It is the pre-
could therefore, hardly be in the best of training.” cious stone.”
“But his wife—you said that she had ceased to “Not the Countess of Morcar’s blue carbuncle!”
love him.” I ejaculated.
“This hat has not been brushed for weeks.
“Precisely so. I ought to know its size and
When I see you, my dear Watson, with a week’s ac-
shape, seeing that I have read the advertisement
cumulation of dust upon your hat, and when your
about it in The Times every day lately. It is ab-
wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall
solutely unique, and its value can only be conjec-
fear that you also have been unfortunate enough
tured, but the reward offered of £1000 is certainly
to lose your wife’s affection.”
not within a twentieth part of the market price.”
“But he might be a bachelor.”
“A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!”
“Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a The commissionaire plumped down into a chair
peace-offering to his wife. Remember the card and stared from one to the other of us.
upon the bird’s leg.”
“That is the reward, and I have reason to know
“You have an answer to everything. But how that there are sentimental considerations in the
on earth do you deduce that the gas is not laid on background which would induce the Countess to
in his house?” part with half her fortune if she could but recover
“One tallow stain, or even two, might come by the gem.”
chance; but when I see no less than five, I think “It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel
that there can be little doubt that the individual Cosmopolitan,” I remarked.
must be brought into frequent contact with burn-
ing tallow—walks upstairs at night probably with “Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days
his hat in one hand and a guttering candle in the ago. John Horner, a plumber, was accused of hav-
other. Anyhow, he never got tallow-stains from a ing abstracted it from the lady’s jewel-case. The
gas-jet. Are you satisfied?” evidence against him was so strong that the case
has been referred to the Assizes. I have some ac-
“Well, it is very ingenious,” said I, laughing; count of the matter here, I believe.” He rummaged
“but since, as you said just now, there has been no amid his newspapers, glancing over the dates, un-
crime committed, and no harm done save the loss til at last he smoothed one out, doubled it over,
of a goose, all this seems to be rather a waste of and read the following paragraph:
energy.”
“Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John
Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to re- Horner, 26, plumber, was brought up upon
ply, when the door flew open, and Peterson, the the charge of having upon the 22nd inst.,
commissionaire, rushed into the apartment with abstracted from the jewel-case of the Count-
flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed ess of Morcar the valuable gem known as
with astonishment. the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, upper-
“The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!” he attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence
gasped. to the effect that he had shown Horner
“Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to up to the dressing-room of the Countess
life and flapped off through the kitchen window?” of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in
Holmes twisted himself round upon the sofa to get order that he might solder the second bar
a fairer view of the man’s excited face. of the grate, which was loose. He had re-
mained with Horner some little time, but
“See here, sir! See what my wife found in its had finally been called away. On return-
crop!” He held out his hand and displayed upon ing, he found that Horner had disappeared,
the centre of the palm a brilliantly scintillating blue that the bureau had been forced open, and
stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but of that the small morocco casket in which, as
such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an it afterwards transpired, the Countess was
electric point in the dark hollow of his hand. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying
Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. “By empty upon the dressing-table. Ryder in-
Jove, Peterson!” said he, “this is treasure trove in- stantly gave the alarm, and Horner was ar-
deed. I suppose you know what you have got?” rested the same evening; but the stone could

203
 The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle

not be found either upon his person or in everyone who knows him will direct his attention
his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to the to it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the ad-
Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder’s vertising agency and have this put in the evening
cry of dismay on discovering the robbery, papers.”
and to having rushed into the room, where “In which, sir?”
she found matters as described by the last “Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James’s,
witness. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, Evening News, Standard, Echo, and any others that
gave evidence as to the arrest of Horner, occur to you.”
who struggled frantically, and protested his “Very well, sir. And this stone?”
innocence in the strongest terms. Evidence
“Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you.
of a previous conviction for robbery having
And, I say, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way
been given against the prisoner, the magis-
back and leave it here with me, for we must have
trate refused to deal summarily with the of-
one to give to this gentleman in place of the one
fence, but referred it to the Assizes. Horner,
which your family is now devouring.”
who had shown signs of intense emotion
When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes
during the proceedings, fainted away at the
took up the stone and held it against the light. “It’s
conclusion and was carried out of court.”
a bonny thing,” said he. “Just see how it glints
“Hum! So much for the police-court,” said Holmes and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and focus
thoughtfully, tossing aside the paper. “The ques- of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil’s
tion for us now to solve is the sequence of events pet baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet
leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the may stand for a bloody deed. This stone is not
crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the yet twenty years old. It was found in the banks of
other. You see, Watson, our little deductions have the Amoy River in southern China and is remark-
suddenly assumed a much more important and able in having every characteristic of the carbun-
less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the stone cle, save that it is blue in shade instead of ruby
came from the goose, and the goose came from red. In spite of its youth, it has already a sinister
Mr. Henry Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat history. There have been two murders, a vitriol-
and all the other characteristics with which I have throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought
bored you. So now we must set ourselves very about for the sake of this forty-grain weight of
seriously to finding this gentleman and ascertain- crystallised charcoal. Who would think that so
ing what part he has played in this little mystery. pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the gallows
To do this, we must try the simplest means first, and the prison? I’ll lock it up in my strong box
and these lie undoubtedly in an advertisement in now and drop a line to the Countess to say that we
all the evening papers. If this fail, I shall have re- have it.”
course to other methods.”
“Do you think that this man Horner is inno-
“What will you say?” cent?”
“Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, “I cannot tell.”
then: “Well, then, do you imagine that this other one,
Henry Baker, had anything to do with the matter?”
‘Found at the corner of Goodge
Street, a goose and a black felt hat. “It is, I think, much more likely that Henry
Mr. Henry Baker can have the same by Baker is an absolutely innocent man, who had no
applying at 6.30 this evening at 221b, idea that the bird which he was carrying was of
Baker Street.’ That is clear and con- considerably more value than if it were made of
cise.” solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a
very simple test if we have an answer to our ad-
“Very. But will he see it?” vertisement.”
“Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, “And you can do nothing until then?”
since, to a poor man, the loss was a heavy one. He “Nothing.”
was clearly so scared by his mischance in breaking “In that case I shall continue my professional
the window and by the approach of Peterson that round. But I shall come back in the evening at the
he thought of nothing but flight, but since then hour you have mentioned, for I should like to see
he must have bitterly regretted the impulse which the solution of so tangled a business.”
caused him to drop his bird. Then, again, the in- “Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is
troduction of his name will cause him to see it, for a woodcock, I believe. By the way, in view of recent

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 The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle

occurrences, perhaps I ought to ask Mrs. Hudson “Oh, certainly, certainly,” answered Mr. Baker
to examine its crop.” with a sigh of relief.
I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little “Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop,
after half-past six when I found myself in Baker and so on of your own bird, so if you wish—”
Street once more. As I approached the house I saw
The man burst into a hearty laugh. “They
a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a coat which
might be useful to me as relics of my adventure,”
was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the
said he, “but beyond that I can hardly see what
bright semicircle which was thrown from the fan-
use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are
light. Just as I arrived the door was opened, and
going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your
we were shown up together to Holmes’ room.
permission, I will confine my attentions to the ex-
“Mr. Henry Baker, I believe,” said he, rising cellent bird which I perceive upon the sideboard.”
from his armchair and greeting his visitor with the
Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me
easy air of geniality which he could so readily as-
with a slight shrug of his shoulders.
sume. “Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Baker.
It is a cold night, and I observe that your circula- “There is your hat, then, and there your bird,”
tion is more adapted for summer than for winter. said he. “By the way, would it bore you to tell me
Ah, Watson, you have just come at the right time. where you got the other one from? I am somewhat
Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?” of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a better
“Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat.” grown goose.”

He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a “Certainly, sir,” said Baker, who had risen and
massive head, and a broad, intelligent face, slop- tucked his newly gained property under his arm.
ing down to a pointed beard of grizzled brown. “There are a few of us who frequent the Alpha Inn,
A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight near the Museum—we are to be found in the Mu-
tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes’ sur- seum itself during the day, you understand. This
mise as to his habits. His rusty black frock-coat year our good host, Windigate by name, instituted
was buttoned right up in front, with the collar a goose club, by which, on consideration of some
turned up, and his lank wrists protruded from his few pence every week, we were each to receive a
sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and
a slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to
care, and gave the impression generally of a man you, sir, for a Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my
of learning and letters who had had ill-usage at years nor my gravity.” With a comical pomposity
the hands of fortune. of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and
strode off upon his way.
“We have retained these things for some days,”
said Holmes, “because we expected to see an ad- “So much for Mr. Henry Baker,” said Holmes
vertisement from you giving your address. I am at when he had closed the door behind him. “It
a loss to know now why you did not advertise.” is quite certain that he knows nothing whatever
about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?”
Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh.
“Shillings have not been so plentiful with me as “Not particularly.”
they once were,” he remarked. “I had no doubt “Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a
that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had car- supper and follow up this clue while it is still hot.”
ried off both my hat and the bird. I did not care to
spend more money in a hopeless attempt at recov- “By all means.”
ering them.” It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ul-
“Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we sters and wrapped cravats about our throats. Out-
were compelled to eat it.” side, the stars were shining coldly in a cloudless
sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out into
“To eat it!” Our visitor half rose from his chair smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls
in his excitement. rang out crisply and loudly as we swung through
“Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone the doctors’ quarter, Wimpole Street, Harley Street,
had we not done so. But I presume that this other and so through Wigmore Street into Oxford Street.
goose upon the sideboard, which is about the same In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at
weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your pur- the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the
pose equally well?” corner of one of the streets which runs down into

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 The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle

Holborn. Holmes pushed open the door of the pri- “The landlord of the Alpha.”
vate bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the “Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen.”
ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. “Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you
“Your beer should be excellent if it is as good get them from?”
as your geese,” said he. To my surprise the question provoked a burst
“My geese!” The man seemed surprised. of anger from the salesman.
“Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago “Now, then, mister,” said he, with his head
to Mr. Henry Baker, who was a member of your cocked and his arms akimbo, “what are you driv-
goose club.” ing at? Let’s have it straight, now.”
“It is straight enough. I should like to know
“Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them’s not our
who sold you the geese which you supplied to the
geese.”
Alpha.”
“Indeed! Whose, then?” “Well then, I shan’t tell you. So now!”
“Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in “Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don’t
Covent Garden.” know why you should be so warm over such a tri-
“Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?” fle.”
“Breckinridge is his name.” “Warm! You’d be as warm, maybe, if you were
as pestered as I am. When I pay good money for
“Ah! I don’t know him. Well, here’s your good a good article there should be an end of the busi-
health landlord, and prosperity to your house. ness; but it’s ‘Where are the geese?’ and ‘Who did
Good-night.” you sell the geese to?’ and ‘What will you take for
“Now for Mr. Breckinridge,” he continued, but- the geese?’ One would think they were the only
toning up his coat as we came out into the frosty geese in the world, to hear the fuss that is made
air. “Remember, Watson that though we have so over them.”
homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, “Well, I have no connection with any other peo-
we have at the other a man who will certainly get ple who have been making inquiries,” said Holmes
seven years’ penal servitude unless we can estab- carelessly. “If you won’t tell us the bet is off, that
lish his innocence. It is possible that our inquiry is all. But I’m always ready to back my opinion on
may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we have a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the
a line of investigation which has been missed by bird I ate is country bred.”
the police, and which a singular chance has placed “Well, then, you’ve lost your fiver, for it’s town
in our hands. Let us follow it out to the bitter end. bred,” snapped the salesman.
Faces to the south, then, and quick march!”
“It’s nothing of the kind.”
We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, “I say it is.”
and so through a zigzag of slums to Covent Gar-
“I don’t believe it.”
den Market. One of the largest stalls bore the
“D’you think you know more about fowls than
name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor
I, who have handled them ever since I was a nip-
a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim
per? I tell you, all those birds that went to the
side-whiskers was helping a boy to put up the
Alpha were town bred.”
shutters.
“You’ll never persuade me to believe that.”
“Good-evening. It’s a cold night,” said Holmes.
“Will you bet, then?”
The salesman nodded and shot a questioning “It’s merely taking your money, for I know that
glance at my companion. I am right. But I’ll have a sovereign on with you,
“Sold out of geese, I see,” continued Holmes, just to teach you not to be obstinate.”
pointing at the bare slabs of marble. The salesman chuckled grimly. “Bring me the
“Let you have five hundred to-morrow morn- books, Bill,” said he.
ing.” The small boy brought round a small thin vol-
“That’s no good.” ume and a great greasy-backed one, laying them
out together beneath the hanging lamp.
“Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-
“Now then, Mr. Cocksure,” said the salesman,
flare.”
“I thought that I was out of geese, but before I fin-
“Ah, but I was recommended to you.” ish you’ll find that there is still one left in my shop.
“Who by?” You see this little book?”

206
 The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle

“Well?” talk I’ll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Oak-
“That’s the list of the folk from whom I buy. shott here and I’ll answer her, but what have you
D’you see? Well, then, here on this page are the to do with it? Did I buy the geese off you?”
country folk, and the numbers after their names “No; but one of them was mine all the same,”
are where their accounts are in the big ledger. whined the little man.
Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? “Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it.”
Well, that is a list of my town suppliers. Now, look “She told me to ask you.”
at that third name. Just read it out to me.” “Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all
“Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road—249,” read I care. I’ve had enough of it. Get out of this!”
Holmes. He rushed fiercely forward, and the inquirer flit-
“Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger.” ted away into the darkness.
“Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road,”
Holmes turned to the page indicated. “Here
whispered Holmes. “Come with me, and we will
you are, ‘Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg
see what is to be made of this fellow.” Strid-
and poultry supplier.’ ”
ing through the scattered knots of people who
“Now, then, what’s the last entry?” lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion
“ ‘December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. speedily overtook the little man and touched him
6d.’ ” upon the shoulder. He sprang round, and I could
“Quite so. There you are. And underneath?” see in the gas-light that every vestige of colour had
been driven from his face.
“ ‘Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.’ ”
“Who are you, then? What do you want?” he
“What have you to say now?” asked in a quavering voice.
Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He “You will excuse me,” said Holmes blandly,
drew a sovereign from his pocket and threw it “but I could not help overhearing the questions
down upon the slab, turning away with the air of which you put to the salesman just now. I think
a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A that I could be of assistance to you.”
few yards off he stopped under a lamp-post and “You? Who are you? How could you know
laughed in the hearty, noiseless fashion which was anything of the matter?”
peculiar to him. “My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my busi-
“When you see a man with whiskers of that cut ness to know what other people don’t know.”
and the ‘Pink ’un’ protruding out of his pocket, “But you can know nothing of this?”
you can always draw him by a bet,” said he. “I “Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are
daresay that if I had put £100 down in front of him, endeavouring to trace some geese which were sold
that man would not have given me such complete by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Road, to a salesman
information as was drawn from him by the idea named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Windi-
that he was doing me on a wager. Well, Watson, gate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which
we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our quest, and Mr. Henry Baker is a member.”
the only point which remains to be determined is “Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have
whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott longed to meet,” cried the little fellow with out-
to-night, or whether we should reserve it for to- stretched hands and quivering fingers. “I can
morrow. It is clear from what that surly fellow hardly explain to you how interested I am in this
said that there are others besides ourselves who matter.”
are anxious about the matter, and I should—” Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which
His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud was passing. “In that case we had better discuss
hubbub which broke out from the stall which we it in a cosy room rather than in this wind-swept
had just left. Turning round we saw a little rat- market-place,” said he. “But pray tell me, before
faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of we go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of
yellow light which was thrown by the swinging assisting.”
lamp, while Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in The man hesitated for an instant. “My name
the door of his stall, was shaking his fists fiercely is John Robinson,” he answered with a sidelong
at the cringing figure. glance.
“I’ve had enough of you and your geese,” he “No, no; the real name,” said Holmes sweetly.
shouted. “I wish you were all at the devil together. “It is always awkward doing business with an
If you come pestering me any more with your silly alias.”

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 The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle

A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the into his cheeks, and he sat staring with frightened
stranger. “Well then,” said he, “my real name is eyes at his accuser.
James Ryder.”
“I have almost every link in my hands, and all
“Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cos- the proofs which I could possibly need, so there
mopolitan. Pray step into the cab, and I shall soon is little which you need tell me. Still, that little
be able to tell you everything which you would may as well be cleared up to make the case com-
wish to know.” plete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of
The little man stood glancing from one to the the Countess of Morcar’s?”
other of us with half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, “It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it,”
as one who is not sure whether he is on the verge said he in a crackling voice.
of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Then he stepped
into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in “I see—her ladyship’s waiting-maid. Well, the
the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been temptation of sudden wealth so easily acquired
said during our drive, but the high, thin breath- was too much for you, as it has been for better
ing of our new companion, and the claspings and men before you; but you were not very scrupu-
unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous ten- lous in the means you used. It seems to me, Ry-
sion within him. der, that there is the making of a very pretty vil-
lain in you. You knew that this man Horner, the
“Here we are!” said Holmes cheerily as we filed
plumber, had been concerned in some such mat-
into the room. “The fire looks very seasonable in
ter before, and that suspicion would rest the more
this weather. You look cold, Mr. Ryder. Pray take
readily upon him. What did you do, then? You
the basket-chair. I will just put on my slippers be-
made some small job in my lady’s room—you and
fore we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then!
your confederate Cusack—and you managed that
You want to know what became of those geese?”
he should be the man sent for. Then, when he had
“Yes, sir.” left, you rifled the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and
“Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was had this unfortunate man arrested. You then—”
one bird, I imagine in which you were inter- Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the
ested—white, with a black bar across the tail.” rug and clutched at my companion’s knees. “For
Ryder quivered with emotion. “Oh, sir,” he God’s sake, have mercy!” he shrieked. “Think of
cried, “can you tell me where it went to?” my father! Of my mother! It would break their
“It came here.” hearts. I never went wrong before! I never will
again. I swear it. I’ll swear it on a Bible. Oh, don’t
“Here?” bring it into court! For Christ’s sake, don’t!”
“Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I
“Get back into your chair!” said Holmes
don’t wonder that you should take an interest in
sternly. “It is very well to cringe and crawl now,
it. It laid an egg after it was dead—the bonniest,
but you thought little enough of this poor Horner
brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. I have
in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing.”
it here in my museum.”
Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched “I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country,
the mantelpiece with his right hand. Holmes un- sir. Then the charge against him will break down.”
locked his strong-box and held up the blue carbun- “Hum! We will talk about that. And now let
cle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, bril- us hear a true account of the next act. How came
liant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring the stone into the goose, and how came the goose
with a drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there
to disown it. lies your only hope of safety.”
“The game’s up, Ryder,” said Holmes quietly. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips.
“Hold up, man, or you’ll be into the fire! Give him “I will tell you it just as it happened, sir,” said
an arm back into his chair, Watson. He’s not got he. “When Horner had been arrested, it seemed to
blood enough to go in for felony with impunity. me that it would be best for me to get away with
Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a lit- the stone at once, for I did not know at what mo-
tle more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!” ment the police might not take it into their heads
For a moment he had staggered and nearly to search me and my room. There was no place
fallen, but the brandy brought a tinge of colour about the hotel where it would be safe. I went out,

208
 The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle

as if on some commission, and I made for my sis- makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen
ter’s house. She had married a man named Oak- for the market.’
shott, and lived in Brixton Road, where she fat- “ ‘Thank you, Maggie,’ says I; ‘but if it is all the
tened fowls for the market. All the way there ev- same to you, I’d rather have that one I was han-
ery man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or dling just now.’
a detective; and, for all that it was a cold night, the
“ ‘The other is a good three pound heavier,’
sweat was pouring down my face before I came to
said she, ‘and we fattened it expressly for you.’
the Brixton Road. My sister asked me what was
the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her “ ‘Never mind. I’ll have the other, and I’ll take
that I had been upset by the jewel robbery at the it now,’ said I.
hotel. Then I went into the back yard and smoked “ ‘Oh, just as you like,’ said she, a little huffed.
a pipe and wondered what it would be best to do. ‘Which is it you want, then?’
“I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went “ ‘That white one with the barred tail, right in
to the bad, and has just been serving his time in the middle of the flock.’
Pentonville. One day he had met me, and fell into “ ‘Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.’
talk about the ways of thieves, and how they could “Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I
get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would carried the bird all the way to Kilburn. I told my
be true to me, for I knew one or two things about pal what I had done, for he was a man that it was
him; so I made up my mind to go right on to Kil- easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed until he
burn, where he lived, and take him into my confi- choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose.
dence. He would show me how to turn the stone My heart turned to water, for there was no sign of
into money. But how to get to him in safety? I the stone, and I knew that some terrible mistake
thought of the agonies I had gone through in com- had occurred. I left the bird, rushed back to my
ing from the hotel. I might at any moment be sister’s, and hurried into the back yard. There was
seized and searched, and there would be the stone not a bird to be seen there.
in my waistcoat pocket. I was leaning against the
wall at the time and looking at the geese which “ ‘Where are they all, Maggie?’ I cried.
were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly “ ‘Gone to the dealer’s, Jem.’
an idea came into my head which showed me how “ ‘Which dealer’s?’
I could beat the best detective that ever lived. “ ‘Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.’
“My sister had told me some weeks before that “ ‘But was there another with a barred tail?’ I
I might have the pick of her geese for a Christmas asked, ‘the same as the one I chose?’
present, and I knew that she was always as good
“ ‘Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones,
as her word. I would take my goose now, and in
and I could never tell them apart.’
it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was
a little shed in the yard, and behind this I drove “Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran
one of the birds—a fine big one, white, with a off as hard as my feet would carry me to this
barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill open, man Breckinridge; but he had sold the lot at once,
I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my fin- and not one word would he tell me as to where
ger could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt they had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night.
the stone pass along its gullet and down into its Well, he has always answered me like that. My sis-
crop. But the creature flapped and struggled, and ter thinks that I am going mad. Sometimes I think
out came my sister to know what was the matter. that I am myself. And now—and now I am myself
As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose a branded thief, without ever having touched the
and fluttered off among the others. wealth for which I sold my character. God help
me! God help me!” He burst into convulsive sob-
“ ‘Whatever were you doing with that bird, bing, with his face buried in his hands.
Jem?’ says she.
There was a long silence, broken only by his
“ ‘Well,’ said I, ‘you said you’d give me one for heavy breathing and by the measured tapping of
Christmas, and I was feeling which was the fat- Sherlock Holmes’ finger-tips upon the edge of the
test.’ table. Then my friend rose and threw open the
door.
“ ‘Oh,’ says she, ‘we’ve set yours aside for
you—Jem’s bird, we call it. It’s the big white one “Get out!” said he.
over yonder. There’s twenty-six of them, which “What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!”

209
 “No more words. Get out!” collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony,
but it is just possible that I am saving a soul. This
And no more words were needed. There was a
fellow will not go wrong again; he is too terribly
rush, a clatter upon the stairs, the bang of a door,
frightened. Send him to jail now, and you make
and the crisp rattle of running footfalls from the
him a jail-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of
street.
forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most
“After all, Watson,” said Holmes, reaching up singular and whimsical problem, and its solution
his hand for his clay pipe, “I am not retained by the is its own reward. If you will have the goodness
police to supply their deficiencies. If Horner were to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin another in-
in danger it would be another thing; but this fel- vestigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief
low will not appear against him, and the case must feature.”
The Adventure of the Speckled Band
O
The Adventure of the Speckled Band

n glancing over my notes of the seventy admiring the rapid deductions, as swift as intu-
odd cases in which I have during the itions, and yet always founded on a logical ba-
last eight years studied the methods of sis with which he unravelled the problems which
my friend Sherlock Holmes, I find many were submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my
tragic, some comic, a large number merely strange, clothes and was ready in a few minutes to accom-
but none commonplace; for, working as he did pany my friend down to the sitting-room. A lady
rather for the love of his art than for the acquire- dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been
ment of wealth, he refused to associate himself sitting in the window, rose as we entered.
with any investigation which did not tend towards “Good-morning, madam,” said Holmes cheer-
the unusual, and even the fantastic. Of all these ily. “My name is Sherlock Holmes. This is my
varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, before
presented more singular features than that which whom you can speak as freely as before myself.
was associated with the well-known Surrey fam- Ha! I am glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had
ily of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. The events in the good sense to light the fire. Pray draw up to
question occurred in the early days of my associ- it, and I shall order you a cup of hot coffee, for I
ation with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms observe that you are shivering.”
as bachelors in Baker Street. It is possible that I
“It is not cold which makes me shiver,” said
might have placed them upon record before, but
the woman in a low voice, changing her seat as
a promise of secrecy was made at the time, from
requested.
which I have only been freed during the last month
by the untimely death of the lady to whom the “What, then?”
pledge was given. It is perhaps as well that the “It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror.” She raised
facts should now come to light, for I have reasons her veil as she spoke, and we could see that she
to know that there are widespread rumours as to was indeed in a pitiable state of agitation, her face
the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to all drawn and grey, with restless frightened eyes,
make the matter even more terrible than the truth. like those of some hunted animal. Her features
It was early in April in the year ’83 that I woke and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her
one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, hair was shot with premature grey, and her expres-
fully dressed, by the side of my bed. He was a sion was weary and haggard. Sherlock Holmes ran
late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the man- her over with one of his quick, all-comprehensive
telpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past glances.
seven, I blinked up at him in some surprise, and “You must not fear,” said he soothingly, bend-
perhaps just a little resentment, for I was myself ing forward and patting her forearm. “We shall
regular in my habits. soon set matters right, I have no doubt. You have
“Very sorry to knock you up, Watson,” said he, come in by train this morning, I see.”
“but it’s the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hud- “You know me, then?”
son has been knocked up, she retorted upon me, “No, but I observe the second half of a return
and I on you.” ticket in the palm of your left glove. You must
“What is it, then—a fire?” have started early, and yet you had a good drive in
“No; a client. It seems that a young lady has a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached
arrived in a considerable state of excitement, who the station.”
insists upon seeing me. She is waiting now in The lady gave a violent start and stared in be-
the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander wilderment at my companion.
about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, “There is no mystery, my dear madam,” said
and knock sleepy people up out of their beds, I he, smiling. “The left arm of your jacket is spat-
presume that it is something very pressing which tered with mud in no less than seven places. The
they have to communicate. Should it prove to be marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save
an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to a dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and
follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, then only when you sit on the left-hand side of the
that I should call you and give you the chance.” driver.”
“My dear fellow, I would not miss it for any- “Whatever your reasons may be, you are per-
thing.” fectly correct,” said she. “I started from home be-
I had no keener pleasure than in following fore six, reached Leatherhead at twenty past, and
Holmes in his professional investigations, and in came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I can

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 The Adventure of the Speckled Band

stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it con- by a gambler in the days of the Regency. Nothing
tinues. I have no one to turn to—none, save only was left save a few acres of ground, and the two-
one, who cares for me, and he, poor fellow, can hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed
be of little aid. I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes; under a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged
I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom out his existence there, living the horrible life of
you helped in the hour of her sore need. It was an aristocratic pauper; but his only son, my stepfa-
from her that I had your address. Oh, sir, do ther, seeing that he must adapt himself to the new
you not think that you could help me, too, and conditions, obtained an advance from a relative,
at least throw a little light through the dense dark- which enabled him to take a medical degree and
ness which surrounds me? At present it is out of went out to Calcutta, where, by his professional
my power to reward you for your services, but in skill and his force of character, he established a
a month or six weeks I shall be married, with the large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused by
control of my own income, and then at least you some robberies which had been perpetrated in the
shall not find me ungrateful.” house, he beat his native butler to death and nar-
Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, rowly escaped a capital sentence. As it was, he suf-
drew out a small case-book, which he consulted. fered a long term of imprisonment and afterwards
returned to England a morose and disappointed
“Farintosh,” said he. “Ah yes, I recall the case; man.
it was concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was
before your time, Watson. I can only say, madam, “When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my
that I shall be happy to devote the same care to mother, Mrs. Stoner, the young widow of Major-
your case as I did to that of your friend. As to General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. My sister
reward, my profession is its own reward; but you Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years
are at liberty to defray whatever expenses I may old at the time of my mother’s re-marriage. She
be put to, at the time which suits you best. And had a considerable sum of money—not less than
now I beg that you will lay before us everything £1000 a year—and this she bequeathed to Dr. Roy-
that may help us in forming an opinion upon the lott entirely while we resided with him, with a pro-
matter.” vision that a certain annual sum should be allowed
to each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly
“Alas!” replied our visitor, “the very horror of
after our return to England my mother died—she
my situation lies in the fact that my fears are so
was killed eight years ago in a railway accident
vague, and my suspicions depend so entirely upon
near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his at-
small points, which might seem trivial to another,
tempts to establish himself in practice in London
that even he to whom of all others I have a right to
and took us to live with him in the old ances-
look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell
tral house at Stoke Moran. The money which my
him about it as the fancies of a nervous woman.
mother had left was enough for all our wants, and
He does not say so, but I can read it from his sooth-
there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness.
ing answers and averted eyes. But I have heard,
Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the man- “But a terrible change came over our stepfather
ifold wickedness of the human heart. You may about this time. Instead of making friends and ex-
advise me how to walk amid the dangers which changing visits with our neighbours, who had at
encompass me.” first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Stoke Moran
back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in
“I am all attention, madam.”
his house and seldom came out save to indulge in
“My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with ferocious quarrels with whoever might cross his
my stepfather, who is the last survivor of one of path. Violence of temper approaching to mania
the oldest Saxon families in England, the Roylotts has been hereditary in the men of the family, and
of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Surrey.” in my stepfather’s case it had, I believe, been in-
Holmes nodded his head. “The name is famil- tensified by his long residence in the tropics. A se-
iar to me,” said he. ries of disgraceful brawls took place, two of which
ended in the police-court, until at last he became
“The family was at one time among the richest
the terror of the village, and the folks would fly at
in England, and the estates extended over the bor-
his approach, for he is a man of immense strength,
ders into Berkshire in the north, and Hampshire in
and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger.
the west. In the last century, however, four succes-
sive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposi- “Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over
tion, and the family ruin was eventually completed a parapet into a stream, and it was only by pay-

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 The Adventure of the Speckled Band

ing over all the money which I could gather to- “Perfectly so.”
gether that I was able to avert another public expo- “The windows of the three rooms open out
sure. He had no friends at all save the wandering upon the lawn. That fatal night Dr. Roylott had
gypsies, and he would give these vagabonds leave gone to his room early, though we knew that he
to encamp upon the few acres of bramble-covered had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled
land which represent the family estate, and would by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it
accept in return the hospitality of their tents, wan- was his custom to smoke. She left her room, there-
dering away with them sometimes for weeks on fore, and came into mine, where she sat for some
end. He has a passion also for Indian animals, time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At
which are sent over to him by a correspondent, eleven o’clock she rose to leave me, but she paused
and he has at this moment a cheetah and a ba- at the door and looked back.
boon, which wander freely over his grounds and “ ‘Tell me, Helen,’ said she, ‘have you ever
are feared by the villagers almost as much as their heard anyone whistle in the dead of the night?’
master.
“ ‘Never,’ said I.
“You can imagine from what I say that my poor “ ‘I suppose that you could not possibly whis-
sister Julia and I had no great pleasure in our lives. tle, yourself, in your sleep?’
No servant would stay with us, and for a long time “ ‘Certainly not. But why?’
we did all the work of the house. She was but
“ ‘Because during the last few nights I have
thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair
always, about three in the morning, heard a
had already begun to whiten, even as mine has.”
low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, and it
“Your sister is dead, then?” has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came
“She died just two years ago, and it is of her from—perhaps from the next room, perhaps from
death that I wish to speak to you. You can under- the lawn. I thought that I would just ask you
stand that, living the life which I have described, whether you had heard it.’
we were little likely to see anyone of our own “ ‘No, I have not. It must be those wretched
age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my gipsies in the plantation.’
mother’s maiden sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, “ ‘Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I
who lives near Harrow, and we were occasionally wonder that you did not hear it also.’
allowed to pay short visits at this lady’s house. Ju- “ ‘Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.’
lia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met “ ‘Well, it is of no great consequence, at any
there a half-pay major of marines, to whom she rate.’ She smiled back at me, closed my door, and
became engaged. My stepfather learned of the en- a few moments later I heard her key turn in the
gagement when my sister returned and offered no lock.”
objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of
“Indeed,” said Holmes. “Was it your custom
the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the
always to lock yourselves in at night?”
terrible event occurred which has deprived me of
my only companion.” “Always.”
“And why?”
Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his
“I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor
chair with his eyes closed and his head sunk in
kept a cheetah and a baboon. We had no feeling of
a cushion, but he half opened his lids now and
security unless our doors were locked.”
glanced across at his visitor.
“Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement.”
“Pray be precise as to details,” said he.
“I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling
“It is easy for me to be so, for every event of impending misfortune impressed me. My sis-
of that dreadful time is seared into my memory. ter and I, you will recollect, were twins, and you
The manor-house is, as I have already said, very know how subtle are the links which bind two
old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild
bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, night. The wind was howling outside, and the rain
the sitting-rooms being in the central block of the was beating and splashing against the windows.
buildings. Of these bedrooms the first is Dr. Roy- Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, there
lott’s, the second my sister’s, and the third my burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman.
own. There is no communication between them, I knew that it was my sister’s voice. I sprang
but they all open out into the same corridor. Do I from my bed, wrapped a shawl round me, and
make myself plain?” rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door

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 The Adventure of the Speckled Band

I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sis- the windows were blocked by old-fashioned shut-
ter described, and a few moments later a clanging ters with broad iron bars, which were secured ev-
sound, as if a mass of metal had fallen. As I ran ery night. The walls were carefully sounded, and
down the passage, my sister’s door was unlocked, were shown to be quite solid all round, and the
and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at flooring was also thoroughly examined, with the
it horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to same result. The chimney is wide, but is barred
issue from it. By the light of the corridor-lamp up by four large staples. It is certain, therefore,
I saw my sister appear at the opening, her face that my sister was quite alone when she met her
blanched with terror, her hands groping for help, end. Besides, there were no marks of any violence
her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a upon her.”
drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round “How about poison?”
her, but at that moment her knees seemed to give
way and she fell to the ground. She writhed as one “The doctors examined her for it, but without
who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were dread- success.”
fully convulsed. At first I thought that she had “What do you think that this unfortunate lady
not recognised me, but as I bent over her she sud- died of, then?”
denly shrieked out in a voice which I shall never “It is my belief that she died of pure fear and
forget, ‘Oh, my God! Helen! It was the band! The nervous shock, though what it was that frightened
speckled band!’ There was something else which her I cannot imagine.”
she would fain have said, and she stabbed with
her finger into the air in the direction of the doc- “Were there gipsies in the plantation at the
tor’s room, but a fresh convulsion seized her and time?”
choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for “Yes, there are nearly always some there.”
my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his “Ah, and what did you gather from this allu-
room in his dressing-gown. When he reached my sion to a band—a speckled band?”
sister’s side she was unconscious, and though he
“Sometimes I have thought that it was merely
poured brandy down her throat and sent for med-
the wild talk of delirium, sometimes that it may
ical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain,
have referred to some band of people, perhaps to
for she slowly sank and died without having re-
these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not know
covered her consciousness. Such was the dreadful
whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many
end of my beloved sister.”
of them wear over their heads might have sug-
“One moment,” said Holmes, “are you sure gested the strange adjective which she used.”
about this whistle and metallic sound? Could you Holmes shook his head like a man who is far
swear to it?” from being satisfied.
“That was what the county coroner asked me “These are very deep waters,” said he; “pray
at the inquiry. It is my strong impression that I go on with your narrative.”
heard it, and yet, among the crash of the gale and “Two years have passed since then, and my life
the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have has been until lately lonelier than ever. A month
been deceived.” ago, however, a dear friend, whom I have known
“Was your sister dressed?” for many years, has done me the honour to ask my
hand in marriage. His name is Armitage—Percy
“No, she was in her night-dress. In her right Armitage—the second son of Mr. Armitage, of
hand was found the charred stump of a match, and Crane Water, near Reading. My stepfather has of-
in her left a match-box.” fered no opposition to the match, and we are to be
“Showing that she had struck a light and married in the course of the spring. Two days ago
looked about her when the alarm took place. That some repairs were started in the west wing of the
is important. And what conclusions did the coro- building, and my bedroom wall has been pierced,
ner come to?” so that I have had to move into the chamber in
which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed
“He investigated the case with great care, for in which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of ter-
Dr. Roylott’s conduct had long been notorious in ror when last night, as I lay awake, thinking over
the county, but he was unable to find any satisfac- her terrible fate, I suddenly heard in the silence
tory cause of death. My evidence showed that the of the night the low whistle which had been the
door had been fastened upon the inner side, and herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the

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 The Adventure of the Speckled Band

lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I “No, I must go. My heart is lightened already
was too shaken to go to bed again, however, so I since I have confided my trouble to you. I shall
dressed, and as soon as it was daylight I slipped look forward to seeing you again this afternoon.”
down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which is She dropped her thick black veil over her face and
opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence glided from the room.
I have come on this morning with the one object of “And what do you think of it all, Watson?”
seeing you and asking your advice.” asked Sherlock Holmes, leaning back in his chair.
“You have done wisely,” said my friend. “But “It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister
have you told me all?” business.”
“Yes, all.” “Dark enough and sinister enough.”
“Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening “Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the
your stepfather.” flooring and walls are sound, and that the door,
“Why, what do you mean?” window, and chimney are impassable, then her sis-
ter must have been undoubtedly alone when she
For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of met her mysterious end.”
black lace which fringed the hand that lay upon
our visitor’s knee. Five little livid spots, the marks “What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whis-
of four fingers and a thumb, were printed upon tles, and what of the very peculiar words of the
the white wrist. dying woman?”
“I cannot think.”
“You have been cruelly used,” said Holmes.
“When you combine the ideas of whistles at
The lady coloured deeply and covered over her
night, the presence of a band of gipsies who are
injured wrist. “He is a hard man,” she said, “and
on intimate terms with this old doctor, the fact that
perhaps he hardly knows his own strength.”
we have every reason to believe that the doctor has
There was a long silence, during which Holmes an interest in preventing his stepdaughter’s mar-
leaned his chin upon his hands and stared into the riage, the dying allusion to a band, and, finally, the
crackling fire. fact that Miss Helen Stoner heard a metallic clang,
“This is a very deep business,” he said at last. which might have been caused by one of those
“There are a thousand details which I should de- metal bars that secured the shutters falling back
sire to know before I decide upon our course of into its place, I think that there is good ground to
action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If we think that the mystery may be cleared along those
were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be lines.”
possible for us to see over these rooms without the “But what, then, did the gipsies do?”
knowledge of your stepfather?” “I cannot imagine.”
“As it happens, he spoke of coming into town “I see many objections to any such theory.”
to-day upon some most important business. It is
“And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that
probable that he will be away all day, and that
we are going to Stoke Moran this day. I want to
there would be nothing to disturb you. We have
see whether the objections are fatal, or if they may
a housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and
be explained away. But what in the name of the
I could easily get her out of the way.”
devil!”
“Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Wat-
The ejaculation had been drawn from my com-
son?”
panion by the fact that our door had been sud-
“By no means.” denly dashed open, and that a huge man had
“Then we shall both come. What are you going framed himself in the aperture. His costume was
to do yourself?” a peculiar mixture of the professional and of the
agricultural, having a black top-hat, a long frock-
“I have one or two things which I would wish coat, and a pair of high gaiters, with a hunting-
to do now that I am in town. But I shall return by crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that
the twelve o’clock train, so as to be there in time his hat actually brushed the cross bar of the door-
for your coming.” way, and his breadth seemed to span it across from
“And you may expect us early in the afternoon. side to side. A large face, seared with a thousand
I have myself some small business matters to at- wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and marked
tend to. Will you not wait and breakfast?” with every evil passion, was turned from one to

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 The Adventure of the Speckled Band

the other of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, And now, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and af-
and his high, thin, fleshless nose, gave him some- terwards I shall walk down to Doctors’ Commons,
what the resemblance to a fierce old bird of prey. where I hope to get some data which may help us
“Which of you is Holmes?” asked this appari- in this matter.”
tion. It was nearly one o’clock when Sherlock
“My name, sir; but you have the advantage of Holmes returned from his excursion. He held in
me,” said my companion quietly. his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled over with
notes and figures.
“I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran.”
“I have seen the will of the deceased wife,” said
“Indeed, Doctor,” said Holmes blandly. “Pray
he. “To determine its exact meaning I have been
take a seat.”
obliged to work out the present prices of the in-
“I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaugh- vestments with which it is concerned. The total
ter has been here. I have traced her. What has she income, which at the time of the wife’s death was
been saying to you?” little short of £1100, is now, through the fall in agri-
“It is a little cold for the time of the year,” said cultural prices, not more than £750. Each daughter
Holmes. can claim an income of £250, in case of marriage.
“What has she been saying to you?” screamed It is evident, therefore, that if both girls had mar-
the old man furiously. ried, this beauty would have had a mere pittance,
while even one of them would cripple him to a
“But I have heard that the crocuses promise
very serious extent. My morning’s work has not
well,” continued my companion imperturbably.
been wasted, since it has proved that he has the
“Ha! You put me off, do you?” said our new very strongest motives for standing in the way of
visitor, taking a step forward and shaking his anything of the sort. And now, Watson, this is too
hunting-crop. “I know you, you scoundrel! I have serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is
heard of you before. You are Holmes, the med- aware that we are interesting ourselves in his af-
dler.” fairs; so if you are ready, we shall call a cab and
My friend smiled. drive to Waterloo. I should be very much obliged
“Holmes, the busybody!” if you would slip your revolver into your pocket.
An Eley’s No. 2 is an excellent argument with gen-
His smile broadened.
tlemen who can twist steel pokers into knots. That
“Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!” and a tooth-brush are, I think, all that we need.”
Holmes chuckled heartily. “Your conversation At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a
is most entertaining,” said he. “When you go out train for Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the
close the door, for there is a decided draught.” station inn and drove for four or five miles through
“I will go when I have said my say. Don’t you the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a perfect day, with a
dare to meddle with my affairs. I know that Miss bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the heavens.
Stoner has been here. I traced her! I am a dan- The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing
gerous man to fall foul of! See here.” He stepped out their first green shoots, and the air was full of
swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into the pleasant smell of the moist earth. To me at least
a curve with his huge brown hands. there was a strange contrast between the sweet
“See that you keep yourself out of my grip,” promise of the spring and this sinister quest upon
he snarled, and hurling the twisted poker into the which we were engaged. My companion sat in the
fireplace he strode out of the room. front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled
down over his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his
“He seems a very amiable person,” said
breast, buried in the deepest thought. Suddenly,
Holmes, laughing. “I am not quite so bulky, but
however, he started, tapped me on the shoulder,
if he had remained I might have shown him that
and pointed over the meadows.
my grip was not much more feeble than his own.”
As he spoke he picked up the steel poker and, with “Look there!” said he.
a sudden effort, straightened it out again. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gen-
“Fancy his having the insolence to confound tle slope, thickening into a grove at the highest
me with the official detective force! This incident point. From amid the branches there jutted out
gives zest to our investigation, however, and I only the grey gables and high roof-tree of a very old
trust that our little friend will not suffer from her mansion.
imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. “Stoke Moran?” said he.

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 The Adventure of the Speckled Band

“Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby curling up from the chimneys, showed that this
Roylott,” remarked the driver. was where the family resided. Some scaffolding
“There is some building going on there,” said had been erected against the end wall, and the
Holmes; “that is where we are going.” stone-work had been broken into, but there were
no signs of any workmen at the moment of our
“There’s the village,” said the driver, point- visit. Holmes walked slowly up and down the ill-
ing to a cluster of roofs some distance to the left; trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention
“but if you want to get to the house, you’ll find the outsides of the windows.
it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the foot-
path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is “This, I take it, belongs to the room in which
walking.” you used to sleep, the centre one to your sister’s,
and the one next to the main building to Dr. Roy-
“And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner,” ob- lott’s chamber?”
served Holmes, shading his eyes. “Yes, I think we
had better do as you suggest.” “Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the mid-
dle one.”
We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled
back on its way to Leatherhead. “Pending the alterations, as I understand. By
the way, there does not seem to be any very press-
“I thought it as well,” said Holmes as we ing need for repairs at that end wall.”
climbed the stile, “that this fellow should think we
had come here as architects, or on some definite “There were none. I believe that it was an ex-
business. It may stop his gossip. Good-afternoon, cuse to move me from my room.”
Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as “Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side
our word.” of this narrow wing runs the corridor from which
Our client of the morning had hurried forward these three rooms open. There are windows in it,
to meet us with a face which spoke her joy. “I have of course?”
been waiting so eagerly for you,” she cried, shak- “Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for any-
ing hands with us warmly. “All has turned out one to pass through.”
splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is “As you both locked your doors at night, your
unlikely that he will be back before evening.” rooms were unapproachable from that side. Now,
“We have had the pleasure of making the doc- would you have the kindness to go into your room
tor’s acquaintance,” said Holmes, and in a few and bar your shutters?”
words he sketched out what had occurred. Miss Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful
Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. examination through the open window, endeav-
“Good heavens!” she cried, “he has followed oured in every way to force the shutter open, but
me, then.” without success. There was no slit through which
“So it appears.” a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then
with his lens he tested the hinges, but they were of
“He is so cunning that I never know when I am solid iron, built firmly into the massive masonry.
safe from him. What will he say when he returns?” “Hum!” said he, scratching his chin in some per-
“He must guard himself, for he may find that plexity, “my theory certainly presents some diffi-
there is someone more cunning than himself upon culties. No one could pass these shutters if they
his track. You must lock yourself up from him to- were bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws
night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to any light upon the matter.”
your aunt’s at Harrow. Now, we must make the A small side door led into the whitewashed
best use of our time, so kindly take us at once to corridor from which the three bedrooms opened.
the rooms which we are to examine.” Holmes refused to examine the third chamber, so
The building was of grey, lichen-blotched we passed at once to the second, that in which
stone, with a high central portion and two curving Miss Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her
wings, like the claws of a crab, thrown out on each sister had met with her fate. It was a homely
side. In one of these wings the windows were bro- little room, with a low ceiling and a gaping fire-
ken and blocked with wooden boards, while the place, after the fashion of old country-houses. A
roof was partly caved in, a picture of ruin. The brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a
central portion was in little better repair, but the narrow white-counterpaned bed in another, and
right-hand block was comparatively modern, and a dressing-table on the left-hand side of the win-
the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke dow. These articles, with two small wicker-work

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 The Adventure of the Speckled Band

chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save “They seem to have been of a most interest-
for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The ing character—dummy bell-ropes, and ventilators
boards round and the panelling of the walls were which do not ventilate. With your permission,
of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old and discoloured Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into
that it may have dated from the original building the inner apartment.”
of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into Dr. Grimesby Roylott’s chamber was larger
a corner and sat silent, while his eyes travelled than that of his step-daughter, but was as plainly
round and round and up and down, taking in ev- furnished. A camp-bed, a small wooden shelf full
ery detail of the apartment. of books, mostly of a technical character, an arm-
“Where does that bell communicate with?” he chair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against
asked at last pointing to a thick bell-rope which the wall, a round table, and a large iron safe were
hung down beside the bed, the tassel actually ly- the principal things which met the eye. Holmes
ing upon the pillow. walked slowly round and examined each and all
“It goes to the housekeeper’s room.” of them with the keenest interest.
“What’s in here?” he asked, tapping the safe.
“It looks newer than the other things?”
“My stepfather’s business papers.”
“Yes, it was only put there a couple of years
ago.” “Oh! you have seen inside, then?”
“Your sister asked for it, I suppose?” “Only once, some years ago. I remember that
it was full of papers.”
“No, I never heard of her using it. We used
“There isn’t a cat in it, for example?”
always to get what we wanted for ourselves.”
“No. What a strange idea!”
“Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice
a bell-pull there. You will excuse me for a few “Well, look at this!” He took up a small saucer
minutes while I satisfy myself as to this floor.” He of milk which stood on the top of it.
threw himself down upon his face with his lens in “No; we don’t keep a cat. But there is a cheetah
his hand and crawled swiftly backward and for- and a baboon.”
ward, examining minutely the cracks between the “Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big
boards. Then he did the same with the wood-work cat, and yet a saucer of milk does not go very far in
with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he satisfying its wants, I daresay. There is one point
walked over to the bed and spent some time in which I should wish to determine.” He squatted
staring at it and in running his eye up and down down in front of the wooden chair and examined
the wall. Finally he took the bell-rope in his hand the seat of it with the greatest attention.
and gave it a brisk tug. “Thank you. That is quite settled,” said he, ris-
“Why, it’s a dummy,” said he. ing and putting his lens in his pocket. “Hullo!
“Won’t it ring?” Here is something interesting!”
“No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is The object which had caught his eye was a
very interesting. You can see now that it is fas- small dog lash hung on one corner of the bed. The
tened to a hook just above where the little opening lash, however, was curled upon itself and tied so
for the ventilator is.” as to make a loop of whipcord.
“What do you make of that, Watson?”
“How very absurd! I never noticed that be-
fore.” “It’s a common enough lash. But I don’t know
why it should be tied.”
“Very strange!” muttered Holmes, pulling at
the rope. “There are one or two very singular “That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it’s
points about this room. For example, what a fool a wicked world, and when a clever man turns his
a builder must be to open a ventilator into another brains to crime it is the worst of all. I think that I
room, when, with the same trouble, he might have have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and with your
communicated with the outside air!” permission we shall walk out upon the lawn.”
“That is also quite modern,” said the lady. I had never seen my friend’s face so grim or his
brow so dark as it was when we turned from the
“Done about the same time as the bell-rope?” scene of this investigation. We had walked several
remarked Holmes. times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Stoner
“Yes, there were several little changes carried nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts
out about that time.” before he roused himself from his reverie.

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 The Adventure of the Speckled Band

“It is very essential, Miss Stoner,” said he, “that have told you, you may rest assured that we shall
you should absolutely follow my advice in every soon drive away the dangers that threaten you.”
respect.” Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in en-
“I shall most certainly do so.” gaging a bedroom and sitting-room at the Crown
Inn. They were on the upper floor, and from our
“The matter is too serious for any hesitation.
window we could command a view of the avenue
Your life may depend upon your compliance.”
gate, and of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran
“I assure you that I am in your hands.” Manor House. At dusk we saw Dr. Grimesby Roy-
“In the first place, both my friend and I must lott drive past, his huge form looming up beside
spend the night in your room.” the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy
had some slight difficulty in undoing the heavy
Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in aston-
iron gates, and we heard the hoarse roar of the
ishment.
doctor’s voice and saw the fury with which he
“Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove
that that is the village inn over there?” on, and a few minutes later we saw a sudden light
“Yes, that is the Crown.” spring up among the trees as the lamp was lit in
one of the sitting-rooms.
“Very good. Your windows would be visible
from there?” “Do you know, Watson,” said Holmes as we sat
together in the gathering darkness, “I have really
“Certainly.” some scruples as to taking you to-night. There is a
“You must confine yourself to your room, on distinct element of danger.”
pretence of a headache, when your stepfather “Can I be of assistance?”
comes back. Then when you hear him retire for “Your presence might be invaluable.”
the night, you must open the shutters of your win-
“Then I shall certainly come.”
dow, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a sig-
nal to us, and then withdraw quietly with every- “It is very kind of you.”
thing which you are likely to want into the room “You speak of danger. You have evidently seen
which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, more in these rooms than was visible to me.”
in spite of the repairs, you could manage there for “No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a lit-
one night.” tle more. I imagine that you saw all that I did.”
“Oh, yes, easily.” “I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope,
and what purpose that could answer I confess is
“The rest you will leave in our hands.”
more than I can imagine.”
“But what will you do?” “You saw the ventilator, too?”
“We shall spend the night in your room, and “Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very un-
we shall investigate the cause of this noise which usual thing to have a small opening between two
has disturbed you.” rooms. It was so small that a rat could hardly pass
“I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already through.”
made up your mind,” said Miss Stoner, laying her “I knew that we should find a ventilator before
hand upon my companion’s sleeve. ever we came to Stoke Moran.”
“Perhaps I have.” “My dear Holmes!”
“Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement
“Then, for pity’s sake, tell me what was the
she said that her sister could smell Dr. Roylott’s
cause of my sister’s death.”
cigar. Now, of course that suggested at once that
“I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I there must be a communication between the two
speak.” rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would
“You can at least tell me whether my own have been remarked upon at the coroner’s inquiry.
thought is correct, and if she died from some sud- I deduced a ventilator.”
den fright.” “But what harm can there be in that?”
“No, I do not think so. I think that there was “Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of
probably some more tangible cause. And now, dates. A ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and
Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Dr. Roylott a lady who sleeps in the bed dies. Does not that
returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. strike you?”
Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I “I cannot as yet see any connection.”

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 The Adventure of the Speckled Band

“Did you observe anything very peculiar about agitation. Then he broke into a low laugh and put
that bed?” his lips to my ear.
“No.” “It is a nice household,” he murmured. “That
is the baboon.”
“It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see
a bed fastened like that before?” I had forgotten the strange pets which the doc-
tor affected. There was a cheetah, too; perhaps
“I cannot say that I have.”
we might find it upon our shoulders at any mo-
“The lady could not move her bed. It must al- ment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when,
ways be in the same relative position to the venti- after following Holmes’ example and slipping off
lator and to the rope—or so we may call it, since it my shoes, I found myself inside the bedroom. My
was clearly never meant for a bell-pull.” companion noiselessly closed the shutters, moved
“Holmes,” I cried, “I seem to see dimly what the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes round
you are hinting at. We are only just in time to pre- the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime.
vent some subtle and horrible crime.” Then creeping up to me and making a trumpet of
his hand, he whispered into my ear again so gen-
“Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a tly that it was all that I could do to distinguish the
doctor does go wrong he is the first of criminals. words:
He has nerve and he has knowledge. Palmer and
Pritchard were among the heads of their profes- “The least sound would be fatal to our plans.”
sion. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, I nodded to show that I had heard.
Watson, that we shall be able to strike deeper still. “We must sit without light. He would see it
But we shall have horrors enough before the night through the ventilator.”
is over; for goodness’ sake let us have a quiet pipe
I nodded again.
and turn our minds for a few hours to something
more cheerful.” “Do not go asleep; your very life may depend
upon it. Have your pistol ready in case we should
About nine o’clock the light among the trees need it. I will sit on the side of the bed, and you in
was extinguished, and all was dark in the direc-
that chair.”
tion of the Manor House. Two hours passed slowly
away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner
eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of the table.
of us. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and
“That is our signal,” said Holmes, springing to this he placed upon the bed beside him. By it he
his feet; “it comes from the middle window.” laid the box of matches and the stump of a candle.
Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left
As we passed out he exchanged a few words in darkness.
with the landlord, explaining that we were going
How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I
on a late visit to an acquaintance, and that it was
could not hear a sound, not even the drawing of
possible that we might spend the night there. A
a breath, and yet I knew that my companion sat
moment later we were out on the dark road, a
open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same
chill wind blowing in our faces, and one yellow
state of nervous tension in which I was myself.
light twinkling in front of us through the gloom to
The shutters cut off the least ray of light, and we
guide us on our sombre errand.
waited in absolute darkness.
There was little difficulty in entering the
From outside came the occasional cry of a
grounds, for unrepaired breaches gaped in the old
night-bird, and once at our very window a long
park wall. Making our way among the trees, we
drawn catlike whine, which told us that the chee-
reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about to
tah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear
enter through the window when out from a clump
the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed
of laurel bushes there darted what seemed to be a
out every quarter of an hour. How long they
hideous and distorted child, who threw itself upon
seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and one
the grass with writhing limbs and then ran swiftly
and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently
across the lawn into the darkness.
for whatever might befall.
“My God!” I whispered; “did you see it?” Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a
Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. light up in the direction of the ventilator, which
His hand closed like a vice upon my wrist in his vanished immediately, but was succeeded by a

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 The Adventure of the Speckled Band

strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. “The band! the speckled band!” whispered
Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. Holmes.
I heard a gentle sound of movement, and then I took a step forward. In an instant his strange
all was silent once more, though the smell grew headgear began to move, and there reared itself
stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. from among his hair the squat diamond-shaped
Then suddenly another sound became audible—a head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent.
very gentle, soothing sound, like that of a small jet “It is a swamp adder!” cried Holmes; “the
of steam escaping continually from a kettle. The deadliest snake in India. He has died within ten
instant that we heard it, Holmes sprang from the seconds of being bitten. Violence does, in truth,
bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with his recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls into
cane at the bell-pull. the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust
“You see it, Watson?” he yelled. “You see it?” this creature back into its den, and we can then re-
But I saw nothing. At the moment when move Miss Stoner to some place of shelter and let
Holmes struck the light I heard a low, clear whis- the county police know what has happened.”
tle, but the sudden glare flashing into my weary As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly
eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was from the dead man’s lap, and throwing the noose
at which my friend lashed so savagely. I could, round the reptile’s neck he drew it from its horrid
however, see that his face was deadly pale and perch and, carrying it at arm’s length, threw it into
filled with horror and loathing. He had ceased to the iron safe, which he closed upon it.
strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when Such are the true facts of the death of Dr.
suddenly there broke from the silence of the night Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran. It is not nec-
the most horrible cry to which I have ever listened. essary that I should prolong a narrative which has
It swelled up louder and louder, a hoarse yell of already run to too great a length by telling how
pain and fear and anger all mingled in the one we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how
dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the we conveyed her by the morning train to the care
village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry of her good aunt at Harrow, of how the slow pro-
raised the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold cess of official inquiry came to the conclusion that
to our hearts, and I stood gazing at Holmes, and the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly playing
he at me, until the last echoes of it had died away with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to
into the silence from which it rose. learn of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes
“What can it mean?” I gasped. as we travelled back next day.
“I had,” said he, “come to an entirely erroneous
“It means that it is all over,” Holmes answered.
conclusion which shows, my dear Watson, how
“And perhaps, after all, it is for the best. Take your
dangerous it always is to reason from insufficient
pistol, and we will enter Dr. Roylott’s room.”
data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of
With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the word ‘band,’ which was used by the poor girl,
the way down the corridor. Twice he struck at no doubt, to explain the appearance which she had
the chamber door without any reply from within. caught a hurried glimpse of by the light of her
Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his match, were sufficient to put me upon an entirely
heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I in-
It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On stantly reconsidered my position when, however,
the table stood a dark-lantern with the shutter half it became clear to me that whatever danger threat-
open, throwing a brilliant beam of light upon the ened an occupant of the room could not come ei-
iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Beside this ther from the window or the door. My attention
table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roy- was speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to
lott clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare you, to this ventilator, and to the bell-rope which
ankles protruding beneath, and his feet thrust into hung down to the bed. The discovery that this was
red heelless Turkish slippers. Across his lap lay the a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to the
short stock with the long lash which we had no- floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the
ticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward rope was there as a bridge for something passing
and his eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at through the hole and coming to the bed. The idea
the corner of the ceiling. Round his brow he had of a snake instantly occurred to me, and when I
a peculiar yellow band, with brownish speckles, coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was
which seemed to be bound tightly round his head. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I
As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. felt that I was probably on the right track. The idea

223
of using a form of poison which could not possi- ing on it, which of course would be necessary in
bly be discovered by any chemical test was just order that he should reach the ventilator. The
such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless sight of the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop
man who had had an Eastern training. The ra- of whipcord were enough to finally dispel any
pidity with which such a poison would take effect doubts which may have remained. The metallic
would also, from his point of view, be an advan- clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused
tage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, by her stepfather hastily closing the door of his
who could distinguish the two little dark punc- safe upon its terrible occupant. Having once made
tures which would show where the poison fangs up my mind, you know the steps which I took in
had done their work. Then I thought of the whis- order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the
tle. Of course he must recall the snake before the creature hiss as I have no doubt that you did also,
morning light revealed it to the victim. He had and I instantly lit the light and attacked it.”
trained it, probably by the use of the milk which
we saw, to return to him when summoned. He “With the result of driving it through the ven-
would put it through this ventilator at the hour tilator.”
that he thought best, with the certainty that it “And also with the result of causing it to turn
would crawl down the rope and land on the bed. It upon its master at the other side. Some of the
might or might not bite the occupant, perhaps she blows of my cane came home and roused its snak-
might escape every night for a week, but sooner or ish temper, so that it flew upon the first person it
later she must fall a victim. saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsi-
“I had come to these conclusions before ever I ble for Dr. Grimesby Roylott’s death, and I cannot
had entered his room. An inspection of his chair say that it is likely to weigh very heavily upon my
showed me that he had been in the habit of stand- conscience.”
The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb
O
The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb

f all the problems which have been “It’s a new patient,” he whispered. “I thought
submitted to my friend, Mr. Sherlock I’d bring him round myself; then he couldn’t slip
Holmes, for solution during the years of away. There he is, all safe and sound. I must go
our intimacy, there were only two which now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the same as
I was the means of introducing to his notice—that you.” And off he went, this trusty tout, without
of Mr. Hatherley’s thumb, and that of Colonel War- even giving me time to thank him.
burton’s madness. Of these the latter may have I entered my consulting-room and found a
afforded a finer field for an acute and original ob- gentleman seated by the table. He was quietly
server, but the other was so strange in its inception dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a soft
and so dramatic in its details that it may be the cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books.
more worthy of being placed upon record, even if Round one of his hands he had a handkerchief
it gave my friend fewer openings for those deduc- wrapped, which was mottled all over with blood-
tive methods of reasoning by which he achieved stains. He was young, not more than five-and-
such remarkable results. The story has, I believe, twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face;
been told more than once in the newspapers, but, but he was exceedingly pale and gave me the im-
like all such narratives, its effect is much less strik- pression of a man who was suffering from some
ing when set forth en bloc in a single half-column strong agitation, which it took all his strength of
of print than when the facts slowly evolve before mind to control.
your own eyes, and the mystery clears gradually
“I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor,”
away as each new discovery furnishes a step which
said he, “but I have had a very serious accident
leads on to the complete truth. At the time the cir-
during the night. I came in by train this morn-
cumstances made a deep impression upon me, and
ing, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I
the lapse of two years has hardly served to weaken
might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly
the effect.
escorted me here. I gave the maid a card, but I see
It was in the summer of ’89, not long after that she has left it upon the side-table.”
my marriage, that the events occurred which I I took it up and glanced at it. “Mr. Victor
am now about to summarise. I had returned to Hatherley, hydraulic engineer, 16A, Victoria Street
civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes (3rd floor).” That was the name, style, and abode
in his Baker Street rooms, although I continually of my morning visitor. “I regret that I have kept
visited him and occasionally even persuaded him you waiting,” said I, sitting down in my library-
to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come chair. “You are fresh from a night journey, I un-
and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, derstand, which is in itself a monotonous occupa-
and as I happened to live at no very great distance tion.”
from Paddington Station, I got a few patients from
“Oh, my night could not be called
among the officials. One of these, whom I had
monotonous,” said he, and laughed. He laughed
cured of a painful and lingering disease, was never
very heartily, with a high, ringing note, leaning
weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavour-
back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my
ing to send me on every sufferer over whom he
medical instincts rose up against that laugh.
might have any influence.
“Stop it!” I cried; “pull yourself together!” and
One morning, at a little before seven o’clock, I I poured out some water from a caraffe.
was awakened by the maid tapping at the door to
It was useless, however. He was off in one
announce that two men had come from Padding-
of those hysterical outbursts which come upon a
ton and were waiting in the consulting-room. I
strong nature when some great crisis is over and
dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that
gone. Presently he came to himself once more,
railway cases were seldom trivial, and hastened
very weary and pale-looking.
downstairs. As I descended, my old ally, the
guard, came out of the room and closed the door “I have been making a fool of myself,” he
tightly behind him. gasped.
“Not at all. Drink this.” I dashed some brandy
“I’ve got him here,” he whispered, jerking his into the water, and the colour began to come back
thumb over his shoulder; “he’s all right.” to his bloodless cheeks.
“What is it, then?” I asked, for his manner sug- “That’s better!” said he. “And now, Doctor,
gested that it was some strange creature which he perhaps you would kindly attend to my thumb, or
had caged up in my room. rather to the place where my thumb used to be.”

227
 The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb

He unwound the handkerchief and held out his the matter up, though of course I must use the of-
hand. It gave even my hardened nerves a shudder ficial police as well. Would you give me an intro-
to look at it. There were four protruding fingers duction to him?”
and a horrid red, spongy surface where the thumb “I’ll do better. I’ll take you round to him my-
should have been. It had been hacked or torn right self.”
out from the roots.
“I should be immensely obliged to you.”
“Good heavens!” I cried, “this is a terrible in-
jury. It must have bled considerably.” “We’ll call a cab and go together. We shall just
be in time to have a little breakfast with him. Do
“Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and
you feel equal to it?”
I think that I must have been senseless for a long
time. When I came to I found that it was still bleed- “Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my
ing, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very story.”
tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a “Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall
twig.” be with you in an instant.” I rushed upstairs, ex-
“Excellent! You should have been a surgeon.” plained the matter shortly to my wife, and in five
“It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my
came within my own province.” new acquaintance to Baker Street.
“This has been done,” said I, examining the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging
wound, “by a very heavy and sharp instrument.” about his sitting-room in his dressing-gown, read-
“A thing like a cleaver,” said he. ing the agony column of The Times and smoking
his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed of
“An accident, I presume?” all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the
“By no means.” day before, all carefully dried and collected on the
“What! a murderous attack?” corner of the mantelpiece. He received us in his
“Very murderous indeed.” quietly genial fashion, ordered fresh rashers and
eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. When it was
“You horrify me.” concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon
I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid
and finally covered it over with cotton wadding a glass of brandy and water within his reach.
and carbolised bandages. He lay back without
“It is easy to see that your experience has been
wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time.
no common one, Mr. Hatherley,” said he. “Pray, lie
“How is that?” I asked when I had finished. down there and make yourself absolutely at home.
“Capital! Between your brandy and your ban- Tell us what you can, but stop when you are tired
dage, I feel a new man. I was very weak, but I have and keep up your strength with a little stimulant.”
had a good deal to go through.” “Thank you,” said my patient. “but I have felt
“Perhaps you had better not speak of the mat- another man since the doctor bandaged me, and I
ter. It is evidently trying to your nerves.” think that your breakfast has completed the cure.
“Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to I shall take up as little of your valuable time as
the police; but, between ourselves, if it were not for possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar
the convincing evidence of this wound of mine, I experiences.”
should be surprised if they believed my statement, Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary,
for it is a very extraordinary one, and I have not heavy-lidded expression which veiled his keen
much in the way of proof with which to back it and eager nature, while I sat opposite to him, and
up; and, even if they believe me, the clues which we listened in silence to the strange story which
I can give them are so vague that it is a question our visitor detailed to us.
whether justice will be done.”
“You must know,” said he, “that I am an or-
“Ha!” cried I, “if it is anything in the nature of phan and a bachelor, residing alone in lodgings
a problem which you desire to see solved, I should in London. By profession I am a hydraulic engi-
strongly recommend you to come to my friend, neer, and I have had considerable experience of
Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the official my work during the seven years that I was ap-
police.” prenticed to Venner & Matheson, the well-known
“Oh, I have heard of that fellow,” answered my firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, having served
visitor, “and I should be very glad if he would take my time, and having also come into a fair sum

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of money through my poor father’s death, I de- “ ‘If I promise to keep a secret,’ said I, ‘you may
termined to start in business for myself and took absolutely depend upon my doing so.’
professional chambers in Victoria Street. “He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it
“I suppose that everyone finds his first inde- seemed to me that I had never seen so suspicious
pendent start in business a dreary experience. To and questioning an eye.
me it has been exceptionally so. During two years “ ‘Do you promise, then?’ said he at last.
I have had three consultations and one small job, “ ‘Yes, I promise.’
and that is absolutely all that my profession has “ ‘Absolute and complete silence before, dur-
brought me. My gross takings amount to £27 10s. ing, and after? No reference to the matter at all,
Every day, from nine in the morning until four in either in word or writing?’
the afternoon, I waited in my little den, until at last “ ‘I have already given you my word.’
my heart began to sink, and I came to believe that “ ‘Very good.’ He suddenly sprang up, and
I should never have any practice at all. darting like lightning across the room he flung
“Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of open the door. The passage outside was empty.
leaving the office, my clerk entered to say there “ ‘That’s all right,’ said he, coming back. ‘I
was a gentleman waiting who wished to see me know that clerks are sometimes curious as to their
upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the master’s affairs. Now we can talk in safety.’ He
name of ‘Colonel Lysander Stark’ engraved upon drew up his chair very close to mine and began to
it. Close at his heels came the colonel himself, a stare at me again with the same questioning and
man rather over the middle size, but of an exceed- thoughtful look.
ing thinness. I do not think that I have ever seen “A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin
so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away to fear had begun to rise within me at the strange
into nose and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was antics of this fleshless man. Even my dread of los-
drawn quite tense over his outstanding bones. Yet ing a client could not restrain me from showing
this emaciation seemed to be his natural habit, and my impatience.
due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his step “ ‘I beg that you will state your business, sir,’
brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but said I; ‘my time is of value.’ Heaven forgive me for
neatly dressed, and his age, I should judge, would that last sentence, but the words came to my lips.
be nearer forty than thirty.
“ ‘How would fifty guineas for a night’s work
“ ‘Mr. Hatherley?’ said he, with something of a suit you?’ he asked.
German accent. ‘You have been recommended to “ ‘Most admirably.’
me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man who is not only “ ‘I say a night’s work, but an hour’s would be
proficient in his profession but is also discreet and nearer the mark. I simply want your opinion about
capable of preserving a secret.’ a hydraulic stamping machine which has got out
“I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall
would at such an address. ‘May I ask who it was soon set it right ourselves. What do you think of
who gave me so good a character?’ such a commission as that?’
“ ‘Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell “ ‘The work appears to be light and the pay mu-
you that just at this moment. I have it from the nificent.’
same source that you are both an orphan and a “ ‘Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-
bachelor and are residing alone in London.’ night by the last train.’
“ ‘That is quite correct,’ I answered; ‘but you “ ‘Where to?’
will excuse me if I say that I cannot see how all “ ‘To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place
this bears upon my professional qualifications. I near the borders of Oxfordshire, and within seven
understand that it was on a professional matter miles of Reading. There is a train from Paddington
that you wished to speak to me?’ which would bring you there at about 11.15.’
“ ‘Very good.’
“ ‘Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all
I say is really to the point. I have a professional “ ‘I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.’
commission for you, but absolute secrecy is quite “ ‘There is a drive, then?’
essential—absolute secrecy, you understand, and “ ‘Yes, our little place is quite out in the country.
of course we may expect that more from a man It is a good seven miles from Eyford Station.’
who is alone than from one who lives in the bo- “ ‘Then we can hardly get there before mid-
som of his family.’ night. I suppose there would be no chance of

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a train back. I should be compelled to stop the advice upon the subject. We guard our secret very
night.’ jealously, however, and if it once became known
“ ‘Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.’ that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our lit-
tle house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then,
“ ‘That is very awkward. Could I not come at
if the facts came out, it would be good-bye to any
some more convenient hour?’
chance of getting these fields and carrying out our
“ ‘We have judged it best that you should come plans. That is why I have made you promise me
late. It is to recompense you for any inconvenience that you will not tell a human being that you are
that we are paying to you, a young and unknown going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all
man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the plain?’
very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if “ ‘I quite follow you,’ said I. ‘The only point
you would like to draw out of the business, there which I could not quite understand was what use
is plenty of time to do so.’ you could make of a hydraulic press in excavating
“I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very fuller’s-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out
useful they would be to me. ‘Not at all,’ said I, like gravel from a pit.’
‘I shall be very happy to accommodate myself to “ ‘Ah!’ said he carelessly, ‘we have our own
your wishes. I should like, however, to understand process. We compress the earth into bricks, so as
a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to to remove them without revealing what they are.
do.’ But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully
“ ‘Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have
secrecy which we have exacted from you should shown you how I trust you.’ He rose as he spoke.
have aroused your curiosity. I have no wish to ‘I shall expect you, then, at Eyford at 11.15.’
commit you to anything without your having it all “ ‘I shall certainly be there.’
laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely
safe from eavesdroppers?’ “ ‘And not a word to a soul.’ He looked at
me with a last long, questioning gaze, and then,
“ ‘Entirely.’ pressing my hand in a cold, dank grasp, he hur-
“ ‘Then the matter stands thus. You are proba- ried from the room.
bly aware that fuller’s-earth is a valuable product, “Well, when I came to think it all over in cool
and that it is only found in one or two places in blood I was very much astonished, as you may
England?’ both think, at this sudden commission which had
“ ‘I have heard so.’ been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course,
“ ‘Some little time ago I bought a small I was glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I
place—a very small place—within ten miles of should have asked had I set a price upon my own
Reading. I was fortunate enough to discover that services, and it was possible that this order might
there was a deposit of fuller’s-earth in one of my lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face and
fields. On examining it, however, I found that this manner of my patron had made an unpleasant im-
deposit was a comparatively small one, and that it pression upon me, and I could not think that his
formed a link between two very much larger ones explanation of the fuller’s-earth was sufficient to
upon the right and left—both of them, however, in explain the necessity for my coming at midnight,
the grounds of my neighbours. These good peo- and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell anyone
ple were absolutely ignorant that their land con- of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the
tained that which was quite as valuable as a gold- winds, ate a hearty supper, drove to Paddington,
mine. Naturally, it was to my interest to buy their and started off, having obeyed to the letter the in-
land before they discovered its true value, but un- junction as to holding my tongue.
fortunately I had no capital by which I could do “At Reading I had to change not only my car-
this. I took a few of my friends into the secret, riage but my station. However, I was in time for
however, and they suggested that we should qui- the last train to Eyford, and I reached the little
etly and secretly work our own little deposit and dim-lit station after eleven o’clock. I was the only
that in this way we should earn the money which passenger who got out there, and there was no one
would enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. upon the platform save a single sleepy porter with
This we have now been doing for some time, and a lantern. As I passed out through the wicket gate,
in order to help us in our operations we erected a however, I found my acquaintance of the morning
hydraulic press. This press, as I have already ex- waiting in the shadow upon the other side. With-
plained, has got out of order, and we wish your out a word he grasped my arm and hurried me

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into a carriage, the door of which was standing was a rich material. She spoke a few words in a
open. He drew up the windows on either side, foreign tongue in a tone as though asking a ques-
tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as tion, and when my companion answered in a gruff
fast as the horse could go.” monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp
“One horse?” interjected Holmes. nearly fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up
to her, whispered something in her ear, and then,
“Yes, only one.”
pushing her back into the room from whence she
“Did you observe the colour?” had come, he walked towards me again with the
“Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was step- lamp in his hand.
ping into the carriage. It was a chestnut.” “ ‘Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait
“Tired-looking or fresh?” in this room for a few minutes,’ said he, throwing
open another door. It was a quiet, little, plainly
“Oh, fresh and glossy.”
furnished room, with a round table in the centre,
“Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted on which several German books were scattered.
you. Pray continue your most interesting state- Colonel Stark laid down the lamp on the top of
ment.” a harmonium beside the door. ‘I shall not keep
“Away we went then, and we drove for at least you waiting an instant,’ said he, and vanished into
an hour. Colonel Lysander Stark had said that it the darkness.
was only seven miles, but I should think, from the “I glanced at the books upon the table, and in
rate that we seemed to go, and from the time that spite of my ignorance of German I could see that
we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He two of them were treatises on science, the others
sat at my side in silence all the time, and I was being volumes of poetry. Then I walked across
aware, more than once when I glanced in his di- to the window, hoping that I might catch some
rection, that he was looking at me with great in- glimpse of the country-side, but an oak shutter,
tensity. The country roads seem to be not very heavily barred, was folded across it. It was a won-
good in that part of the world, for we lurched and derfully silent house. There was an old clock tick-
jolted terribly. I tried to look out of the windows ing loudly somewhere in the passage, but other-
to see something of where we were, but they were wise everything was deadly still. A vague feeling
made of frosted glass, and I could make out noth- of uneasiness began to steal over me. Who were
ing save the occasional bright blur of a passing these German people, and what were they doing
light. Now and then I hazarded some remark to living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And
break the monotony of the journey, but the colonel where was the place? I was ten miles or so from
answered only in monosyllables, and the conversa- Eyford, that was all I knew, but whether north,
tion soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping south, east, or west I had no idea. For that mat-
of the road was exchanged for the crisp smooth- ter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, were
ness of a gravel-drive, and the carriage came to a within that radius, so the place might not be so
stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang out, and, secluded, after all. Yet it was quite certain, from
as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a the absolute stillness, that we were in the country.
porch which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it I paced up and down the room, humming a tune
were, right out of the carriage and into the hall, so under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling
that I failed to catch the most fleeting glance of the that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee.
front of the house. The instant that I had crossed “Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in
the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, the midst of the utter stillness, the door of my
and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the room swung slowly open. The woman was stand-
carriage drove away. ing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind
“It was pitch dark inside the house, and the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon
colonel fumbled about looking for matches and her eager and beautiful face. I could see at a glance
muttering under his breath. Suddenly a door that she was sick with fear, and the sight sent a
opened at the other end of the passage, and a long, chill to my own heart. She held up one shaking
golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few
grew broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes
in her hand, which she held above her head, push- glancing back, like those of a frightened horse, into
ing her face forward and peering at us. I could see the gloom behind her.
that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which “ ‘I would go,’ said she, trying hard, as it
the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it seemed to me, to speak calmly; ‘I would go. I

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should not stay here. There is no good for you “We went upstairs together, the colonel first
to do.’ with the lamp, the fat manager and I behind him.
“ ‘But, madam,’ said I, ‘I have not yet done It was a labyrinth of an old house, with corri-
what I came for. I cannot possibly leave until I dors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and lit-
have seen the machine.’ tle low doors, the thresholds of which were hol-
lowed out by the generations who had crossed
“ ‘It is not worth your while to wait,’ she went them. There were no carpets and no signs of any
on. ‘You can pass through the door; no one hin- furniture above the ground floor, while the plas-
ders.’ And then, seeing that I smiled and shook ter was peeling off the walls, and the damp was
my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint breaking through in green, unhealthy blotches. I
and made a step forward, with her hands wrung tried to put on as unconcerned an air as possible,
together. ‘For the love of Heaven!’ she whispered, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the lady,
‘get away from here before it is too late!’ even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen
“But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and eye upon my two companions. Ferguson appeared
the more ready to engage in an affair when there to be a morose and silent man, but I could see from
is some obstacle in the way. I thought of my fifty- the little that he said that he was at least a fellow-
guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of the countryman.
unpleasant night which seemed to be before me.
“Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before
Was it all to go for nothing? Why should I slink
a low door, which he unlocked. Within was a
away without having carried out my commission,
small, square room, in which the three of us could
and without the payment which was my due? This
hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained out-
woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac.
side, and the colonel ushered me in.
With a stout bearing, therefore, though her man-
ner had shaken me more than I cared to confess, “ ‘We are now,’ said he, ‘actually within the hy-
I still shook my head and declared my intention draulic press, and it would be a particularly un-
of remaining where I was. She was about to re- pleasant thing for us if anyone were to turn it on.
new her entreaties when a door slammed over- The ceiling of this small chamber is really the end
head, and the sound of several footsteps was heard of the descending piston, and it comes down with
upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw the force of many tons upon this metal floor. There
up her hands with a despairing gesture, and van- are small lateral columns of water outside which
ished as suddenly and as noiselessly as she had receive the force, and which transmit and multi-
come. ply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The
“The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark machine goes readily enough, but there is some
and a short thick man with a chinchilla beard stiffness in the working of it, and it has lost a little
growing out of the creases of his double chin, who of its force. Perhaps you will have the goodness
was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. to look it over and to show us how we can set it
right.’
“ ‘This is my secretary and manager,’ said the
colonel. ‘By the way, I was under the impression “I took the lamp from him, and I examined
that I left this door shut just now. I fear that you the machine very thoroughly. It was indeed a gi-
have felt the draught.’ gantic one, and capable of exercising enormous
“ ‘On the contrary,’ said I, ‘I opened the door pressure. When I passed outside, however, and
myself because I felt the room to be a little close.’ pressed down the levers which controlled it, I
knew at once by the whishing sound that there
“He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. was a slight leakage, which allowed a regurgita-
‘Perhaps we had better proceed to business, then,’ tion of water through one of the side cylinders. An
said he. ‘Mr. Ferguson and I will take you up to examination showed that one of the india-rubber
see the machine.’ bands which was round the head of a driving-rod
“ ‘I had better put my hat on, I suppose.’ had shrunk so as not quite to fill the socket along
“ ‘Oh, no, it is in the house.’ which it worked. This was clearly the cause of the
loss of power, and I pointed it out to my compan-
“ ‘What, you dig fuller’s-earth in the house?’ ions, who followed my remarks very carefully and
“ ‘No, no. This is only where we compress it. asked several practical questions as to how they
But never mind that. All we wish you to do is to should proceed to set it right. When I had made
examine the machine and to let us know what is it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of
wrong with it.’ the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy

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my own curiosity. It was obvious at a glance that “I have said that though the floor and ceiling
the story of the fuller’s-earth was the merest fab- were of iron, the walls were of wood. As I gave a
rication, for it would be absurd to suppose that so last hurried glance around, I saw a thin line of yel-
powerful an engine could be designed for so inad- low light between two of the boards, which broad-
equate a purpose. The walls were of wood, but the ened and broadened as a small panel was pushed
floor consisted of a large iron trough, and when I backward. For an instant I could hardly believe
came to examine it I could see a crust of metallic that here was indeed a door which led away from
deposit all over it. I had stooped and was scraping death. The next instant I threw myself through,
at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The
muttered exclamation in German and saw the ca- panel had closed again behind me, but the crash of
daverous face of the colonel looking down at me. the lamp, and a few moments afterwards the clang
“ ‘What are you doing there?’ he asked. of the two slabs of metal, told me how narrow had
been my escape.
“I felt angry at having been tricked by so elab-
orate a story as that which he had told me. ‘I was “I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking
admiring your fuller’s-earth,’ said I; ‘I think that at my wrist, and I found myself lying upon the
I should be better able to advise you as to your stone floor of a narrow corridor, while a woman
machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand,
which it was used.’ while she held a candle in her right. It was the
same good friend whose warning I had so fool-
“The instant that I uttered the words I regretted ishly rejected.
the rashness of my speech. His face set hard, and
a baleful light sprang up in his grey eyes. “ ‘Come! come!’ she cried breathlessly. ‘They
will be here in a moment. They will see that you
“ ‘Very well,’ said he, ‘you shall know all about are not there. Oh, do not waste the so-precious
the machine.’ He took a step backward, slammed time, but come!’
the little door, and turned the key in the lock. I
rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it “This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice.
was quite secure, and did not give in the least to I staggered to my feet and ran with her along the
my kicks and shoves. ‘Hullo!’ I yelled. ‘Hullo! corridor and down a winding stair. The latter led
Colonel! Let me out!’ to another broad passage, and just as we reached it
we heard the sound of running feet and the shout-
“And then suddenly in the silence I heard a ing of two voices, one answering the other from
sound which sent my heart into my mouth. It the floor on which we were and from the one be-
was the clank of the levers and the swish of the neath. My guide stopped and looked about her
leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. like one who is at her wit’s end. Then she threw
The lamp still stood upon the floor where I had open a door which led into a bedroom, through the
placed it when examining the trough. By its light window of which the moon was shining brightly.
I saw that the black ceiling was coming down
upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew bet- “ ‘It is your only chance,’ said she. ‘It is high,
ter than myself, with a force which must within but it may be that you can jump it.’
a minute grind me to a shapeless pulp. I threw “As she spoke a light sprang into view at the
myself, screaming, against the door, and dragged further end of the passage, and I saw the lean
with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel figure of Colonel Lysander Stark rushing forward
to let me out, but the remorseless clanking of the with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a
levers drowned my cries. The ceiling was only a butcher’s cleaver in the other. I rushed across the
foot or two above my head, and with my hand up- bedroom, flung open the window, and looked out.
raised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then How quiet and sweet and wholesome the garden
it flashed through my mind that the pain of my looked in the moonlight, and it could not be more
death would depend very much upon the position than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the
in which I met it. If I lay on my face the weight sill, but I hesitated to jump until I should have
would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to heard what passed between my saviour and the
think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, then
perhaps; and yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at any risks I was determined to go back to her as-
at that deadly black shadow wavering down upon sistance. The thought had hardly flashed through
me? Already I was unable to stand erect, when my mind before he was at the door, pushing his
my eye caught something which brought a gush way past her; but she threw her arms round him
of hope back to my heart. and tried to hold him back.

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“ ‘Fritz! Fritz!’ she cried in English, ‘remem- there a police-station anywhere near? There was
ber your promise after the last time. You said it one about three miles off.
should not be again. He will be silent! Oh, he will
“It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I
be silent!’
was. I determined to wait until I got back to town
“ ‘You are mad, Elise!’ he shouted, struggling before telling my story to the police. It was a lit-
to break away from her. ‘You will be the ruin of tle past six when I arrived, so I went first to have
us. He has seen too much. Let me pass, I say!’ He my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind
dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the win- enough to bring me along here. I put the case into
dow, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let your hands and shall do exactly what you advise.”
myself go, and was hanging by the hands to the We both sat in silence for some little time af-
sill, when his blow fell. I was conscious of a dull ter listening to this extraordinary narrative. Then
pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the garden Sherlock Holmes pulled down from the shelf one
below. of the ponderous commonplace books in which he
“I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so placed his cuttings.
I picked myself up and rushed off among the “Here is an advertisement which will interest
bushes as hard as I could run, for I understood you,” said he. “It appeared in all the papers about
that I was far from being out of danger yet. Sud- a year ago. Listen to this:
denly, however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and “ ‘Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah
sickness came over me. I glanced down at my Hayling, aged twenty-six, a hydraulic en-
hand, which was throbbing painfully, and then, for gineer. Left his lodgings at ten o’clock at
the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off night, and has not been heard of since. Was
and that the blood was pouring from my wound. dressed in—’
I endeavoured to tie my handkerchief round it,
but there came a sudden buzzing in my ears, and etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the
next moment I fell in a dead faint among the rose- colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I
bushes. fancy.”
“Good heavens!” cried my patient. “Then that
“How long I remained unconscious I cannot
explains what the girl said.”
tell. It must have been a very long time, for
the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was “Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel
breaking when I came to myself. My clothes was a cool and desperate man, who was absolutely
were all sodden with dew, and my coat-sleeve was determined that nothing should stand in the way
drenched with blood from my wounded thumb. of his little game, like those out-and-out pirates
The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the par- who will leave no survivor from a captured ship.
ticulars of my night’s adventure, and I sprang to Well, every moment now is precious, so if you feel
my feet with the feeling that I might hardly yet be equal to it we shall go down to Scotland Yard at
safe from my pursuers. But to my astonishment, once as a preliminary to starting for Eyford.”
when I came to look round me, neither house nor Some three hours or so afterwards we were
garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an an- all in the train together, bound from Reading to
gle of the hedge close by the highroad, and just the little Berkshire village. There were Sherlock
a little lower down was a long building, which Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Brad-
proved, upon my approaching it, to be the very street, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and
station at which I had arrived upon the previous myself. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map
night. Were it not for the ugly wound upon my of the county out upon the seat and was busy with
hand, all that had passed during those dreadful his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford for its
hours might have been an evil dream. centre.
“Half dazed, I went into the station and asked “There you are,” said he. “That circle is drawn
about the morning train. There would be one to at a radius of ten miles from the village. The place
Reading in less than an hour. The same porter we want must be somewhere near that line. You
was on duty, I found, as had been there when I said ten miles, I think, sir.”
arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever
“It was an hour’s good drive.”
heard of Colonel Lysander Stark. The name was
strange to him. Had he observed a carriage the “And you think that they brought you back all
night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was that way when you were unconscious?”

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“They must have done so. I have a confused no farther, for they had covered their traces in a
memory, too, of having been lifted and conveyed way that showed that they were very old hands.
somewhere.” But now, thanks to this lucky chance, I think that
“What I cannot understand,” said I, “is why we have got them right enough.”
they should have spared you when they found you But the inspector was mistaken, for those crim-
lying fainting in the garden. Perhaps the villain inals were not destined to fall into the hands of
was softened by the woman’s entreaties.” justice. As we rolled into Eyford Station we saw a
“I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more gigantic column of smoke which streamed up from
inexorable face in my life.” behind a small clump of trees in the neighbour-
hood and hung like an immense ostrich feather
“Oh, we shall soon clear up all that,” said Brad- over the landscape.
street. “Well, I have drawn my circle, and I only
“A house on fire?” asked Bradstreet as the train
wish I knew at what point upon it the folk that we
steamed off again on its way.
are in search of are to be found.”
“Yes, sir!” said the station-master.
“I think I could lay my finger on it,” said “When did it break out?”
Holmes quietly.
“I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it
“Really, now!” cried the inspector, “you have has got worse, and the whole place is in a blaze.”
formed your opinion! Come, now, we shall see “Whose house is it?”
who agrees with you. I say it is south, for the
“Dr. Becher’s.”
country is more deserted there.”
“Tell me,” broke in the engineer, “is Dr. Becher
“And I say east,” said my patient. a German, very thin, with a long, sharp nose?”
“I am for west,” remarked the plain-clothes The station-master laughed heartily. “No, sir,
man. “There are several quiet little villages up Dr. Becher is an Englishman, and there isn’t a man
there.” in the parish who has a better-lined waistcoat. But
“And I am for north,” said I, “because there are he has a gentleman staying with him, a patient,
no hills there, and our friend says that he did not as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks
notice the carriage go up any.” as if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no
“Come,” cried the inspector, laughing; “it’s a harm.”
very pretty diversity of opinion. We have boxed The station-master had not finished his speech
the compass among us. Who do you give your before we were all hastening in the direction of the
casting vote to?” fire. The road topped a low hill, and there was
a great widespread whitewashed building in front
“You are all wrong.”
of us, spouting fire at every chink and window,
“But we can’t all be.” while in the garden in front three fire-engines were
“Oh, yes, you can. This is my point.” He placed vainly striving to keep the flames under.
his finger in the centre of the circle. “This is where “That’s it!” cried Hatherley, in intense excite-
we shall find them.” ment. “There is the gravel-drive, and there are the
“But the twelve-mile drive?” gasped Hatherley. rose-bushes where I lay. That second window is
the one that I jumped from.”
“Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You
say yourself that the horse was fresh and glossy “Well, at least,” said Holmes, “you have had
when you got in. How could it be that if it had your revenge upon them. There can be no ques-
gone twelve miles over heavy roads?” tion that it was your oil-lamp which, when it was
crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls,
“Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough,” observed though no doubt they were too excited in the chase
Bradstreet thoughtfully. “Of course there can be after you to observe it at the time. Now keep your
no doubt as to the nature of this gang.” eyes open in this crowd for your friends of last
“None at all,” said Holmes. “They are coin- night, though I very much fear that they are a good
ers on a large scale, and have used the machine hundred miles off by now.”
to form the amalgam which has taken the place of And Holmes’ fears came to be realised, for
silver.” from that day to this no word has ever been heard
“We have known for some time that a clever either of the beautiful woman, the sinister German,
gang was at work,” said the inspector. “They have or the morose Englishman. Early that morning
been turning out half-crowns by the thousand. We a peasant had met a cart containing several peo-
even traced them as far as Reading, but could get ple and some very bulky boxes driving rapidly in

235
the direction of Reading, but there all traces of the veyed from the garden to the spot where he re-
fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes’ ingenu- covered his senses might have remained forever a
ity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told
whereabouts. us a very plain tale. He had evidently been car-
The firemen had been much perturbed at ried down by two persons, one of whom had re-
the strange arrangements which they had found markably small feet and the other unusually large
within, and still more so by discovering a newly ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the
severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murder-
second floor. About sunset, however, their ef- ous than his companion, had assisted the woman
forts were at last successful, and they subdued to bear the unconscious man out of the way of dan-
the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, ger.
and the whole place been reduced to such abso- “Well,” said our engineer ruefully as we took
lute ruin that, save some twisted cylinders and our seats to return once more to London, “it has
iron piping, not a trace remained of the machinery been a pretty business for me! I have lost my
which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what
dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were dis- have I gained?”
covered stored in an out-house, but no coins were “Experience,” said Holmes, laughing. “Indi-
to be found, which may have explained the pres- rectly it may be of value, you know; you have only
ence of those bulky boxes which have been already to put it into words to gain the reputation of be-
referred to. ing excellent company for the remainder of your
How our hydraulic engineer had been con- existence.”
The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor
T
The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor

he Lord St. Simon marriage, and its cu- this new investigation. You have been reading the
rious termination, have long ceased to papers diligently of late, have you not?”
be a subject of interest in those exalted “It looks like it,” said I ruefully, pointing to a
circles in which the unfortunate bride- huge bundle in the corner. “I have had nothing
groom moves. Fresh scandals have eclipsed it, and else to do.”
their more piquant details have drawn the gos-
sips away from this four-year-old drama. As I “It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able
have reason to believe, however, that the full facts to post me up. I read nothing except the criminal
have never been revealed to the general public, and news and the agony column. The latter is always
as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a considerable instructive. But if you have followed recent events
share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no mem- so closely you must have read about Lord St. Si-
oir of him would be complete without some little mon and his wedding?”
sketch of this remarkable episode. “Oh, yes, with the deepest interest.”
It was a few weeks before my own marriage, “That is well. The letter which I hold in my
during the days when I was still sharing rooms hand is from Lord St. Simon. I will read it to you,
with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came home and in return you must turn over these papers and
from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table let me have whatever bears upon the matter. This
waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, is what he says:
for the weather had taken a sudden turn to rain,
with high autumnal winds, and the Jezail bullet “ ‘My dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes:
which I had brought back in one of my limbs as a “ ‘Lord Backwater tells me that I may
relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull place implicit reliance upon your judg-
persistence. With my body in one easy-chair and ment and discretion. I have deter-
my legs upon another, I had surrounded myself mined, therefore, to call upon you and
with a cloud of newspapers until at last, saturated to consult you in reference to the very
with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside painful event which has occurred in
and lay listless, watching the huge crest and mono- connection with my wedding. Mr.
gram upon the envelope upon the table and won- Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is acting
dering lazily who my friend’s noble correspondent already in the matter, but he assures
could be. me that he sees no objection to your
co-operation, and that he even thinks
“Here is a very fashionable epistle,” I remarked
that it might be of some assistance. I
as he entered. “Your morning letters, if I remem-
will call at four o’clock in the after-
ber right, were from a fish-monger and a tide-
noon, and, should you have any other
waiter.”
engagement at that time, I hope that
“Yes, my correspondence has certainly the you will postpone it, as this matter is
charm of variety,” he answered, smiling, “and the of paramount importance.
humbler are usually the more interesting. This “ ‘Yours faithfully,
looks like one of those unwelcome social sum- “ ‘St. Simon.’
monses which call upon a man either to be bored
or to lie.” “It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written
He broke the seal and glanced over the con- with a quill pen, and the noble lord has had the
tents. misfortune to get a smear of ink upon the outer
“Oh, come, it may prove to be something of in- side of his right little finger,” remarked Holmes as
terest, after all.” he folded up the epistle.
“Not social, then?” “He says four o’clock. It is three now. He will
“No, distinctly professional.” be here in an hour.”
“And from a noble client?” “Then I have just time, with your assistance,
to get clear upon the subject. Turn over those
“One of the highest in England.”
papers and arrange the extracts in their order of
“My dear fellow, I congratulate you.” time, while I take a glance as to who our client
“I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that is.” He picked a red-covered volume from a line of
the status of my client is a matter of less moment books of reference beside the mantelpiece. “Here
to me than the interest of his case. It is just possi- he is,” said he, sitting down and flattening it out
ble, however, that that also may not be wanting in upon his knee. “ ‘Lord Robert Walsingham de Vere

239
 The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor

St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.’ Miss Hatty Doran, the fascinating daugh-
Hum! ‘Arms: Azure, three caltrops in chief over ter of a California millionaire. Miss Do-
a fess sable. Born in 1846.’ He’s forty-one years ran, whose graceful figure and striking face
of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Under- attracted much attention at the Westbury
Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. House festivities, is an only child, and it is
The Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for currently reported that her dowry will run
Foreign Affairs. They inherit Plantagenet blood by to considerably over the six figures, with
direct descent, and Tudor on the distaff side. Ha! expectancies for the future. As it is an open
Well, there is nothing very instructive in all this. secret that the Duke of Balmoral has been
I think that I must turn to you Watson, for some- compelled to sell his pictures within the last
thing more solid.” few years, and as Lord St. Simon has no
property of his own save the small estate
“I have very little difficulty in finding what I
of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Califor-
want,” said I, “for the facts are quite recent, and
nian heiress is not the only gainer by an
the matter struck me as remarkable. I feared to re-
alliance which will enable her to make the
fer them to you, however, as I knew that you had
easy and common transition from a Repub-
an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the in-
lican lady to a British peeress.’ ”
trusion of other matters.”
“Anything else?” asked Holmes, yawning.
“Oh, you mean the little problem of the
Grosvenor Square furniture van. That is quite “Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in
cleared up now—though, indeed, it was obvious the Morning Post to say that the marriage would
from the first. Pray give me the results of your be an absolutely quiet one, that it would be at St.
newspaper selections.” George’s, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen
intimate friends would be invited, and that the
“Here is the first notice which I can find. It is
party would return to the furnished house at Lan-
in the personal column of the Morning Post, and
caster Gate which has been taken by Mr. Aloysius
dates, as you see, some weeks back:
Doran. Two days later—that is, on Wednesday
“ ‘A marriage has been arranged [it says] last—there is a curt announcement that the wed-
and will, if rumour is correct, very shortly ding had taken place, and that the honeymoon
take place, between Lord Robert St. Simon, would be passed at Lord Backwater’s place, near
second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Petersfield. Those are all the notices which ap-
Miss Hatty Doran, the only daughter of peared before the disappearance of the bride.”
Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Francisco,
Cal., U.S.A.’ “Before the what?” asked Holmes with a start.
That is all.” “The vanishing of the lady.”
“Terse and to the point,” remarked Holmes, “When did she vanish, then?”
stretching his long, thin legs towards the fire.
“At the wedding breakfast.”
“There was a paragraph amplifying this in one
“Indeed. This is more interesting than it
of the society papers of the same week. Ah, here it
promised to be; quite dramatic, in fact.”
is:
“ ‘There will soon be a call for protection “Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the
in the marriage market, for the present common.”
free-trade principle appears to tell heavily “They often vanish before the ceremony, and
against our home product. One by one the occasionally during the honeymoon; but I cannot
management of the noble houses of Great call to mind anything quite so prompt as this. Pray
Britain is passing into the hands of our let me have the details.”
fair cousins from across the Atlantic. An
important addition has been made during “I warn you that they are very incomplete.”
the last week to the list of the prizes which
“Perhaps we may make them less so.”
have been borne away by these charming
invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown “Such as they are, they are set forth in a sin-
himself for over twenty years proof against gle article of a morning paper of yesterday, which
the little god’s arrows, has now definitely I will read to you. It is headed, ‘Singular Occur-
announced his approaching marriage with rence at a Fashionable Wedding’:

240
 The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor

“ ‘The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has lar business. Up to a late hour last night,
been thrown into the greatest consterna- however, nothing had transpired as to the
tion by the strange and painful episodes whereabouts of the missing lady. There are
which have taken place in connection with rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is
his wedding. The ceremony, as shortly said that the police have caused the arrest of
announced in the papers of yesterday, oc- the woman who had caused the original dis-
curred on the previous morning; but it is turbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or
only now that it has been possible to con- some other motive, she may have been con-
firm the strange rumours which have been cerned in the strange disappearance of the
so persistently floating about. In spite of bride.’ ”
the attempts of the friends to hush the mat-
“And is that all?”
ter up, so much public attention has now
been drawn to it that no good purpose can “Only one little item in another of the morning
be served by affecting to disregard what is papers, but it is a suggestive one.”
a common subject for conversation.
“And it is—”
“ ‘The ceremony, which was performed at
“That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had
St. George’s, Hanover Square, was a very
caused the disturbance, has actually been arrested.
quiet one, no one being present save the
It appears that she was formerly a danseuse at the
father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran,
Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom
the Duchess of Balmoral, Lord Backwater,
for some years. There are no further particulars,
Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon
and the whole case is in your hands now—so far
(the younger brother and sister of the bride-
as it has been set forth in the public press.”
groom), and Lady Alicia Whittington. The
whole party proceeded afterwards to the “And an exceedingly interesting case it appears
house of Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster to be. I would not have missed it for worlds. But
Gate, where breakfast had been prepared. It there is a ring at the bell, Watson, and as the clock
appears that some little trouble was caused makes it a few minutes after four, I have no doubt
by a woman, whose name has not been that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not
ascertained, who endeavoured to force her dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer
way into the house after the bridal party, having a witness, if only as a check to my own
alleging that she had some claim upon Lord memory.”
St. Simon. It was only after a painful
“Lord Robert St. Simon,” announced our page-
and prolonged scene that she was ejected
boy, throwing open the door. A gentleman en-
by the butler and the footman. The bride,
tered, with a pleasant, cultured face, high-nosed
who had fortunately entered the house be-
and pale, with something perhaps of petulance
fore this unpleasant interruption, had sat
about the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened
down to breakfast with the rest, when she
eye of a man whose pleasant lot it had ever been
complained of a sudden indisposition and
to command and to be obeyed. His manner was
retired to her room. Her prolonged absence
brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an un-
having caused some comment, her father
due impression of age, for he had a slight for-
followed her, but learned from her maid that
ward stoop and a little bend of the knees as he
she had only come up to her chamber for
walked. His hair, too, as he swept off his very
an instant, caught up an ulster and bon-
curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges
net, and hurried down to the passage. One
and thin upon the top. As to his dress, it was care-
of the footmen declared that he had seen a
ful to the verge of foppishness, with high collar,
lady leave the house thus apparelled, but
black frock-coat, white waistcoat, yellow gloves,
had refused to credit that it was his mis-
patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters.
tress, believing her to be with the com-
He advanced slowly into the room, turning his
pany. On ascertaining that his daughter
head from left to right, and swinging in his right
had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in
hand the cord which held his golden eyeglasses.
conjunction with the bridegroom, instantly
put themselves in communication with the “Good-day, Lord St. Simon,” said Holmes, ris-
police, and very energetic inquiries are be- ing and bowing. “Pray take the basket-chair. This
ing made, which will probably result in is my friend and colleague, Dr. Watson. Draw up a
a speedy clearing up of this very singu- little to the fire, and we will talk this matter over.”

241
 The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor

“A most painful matter to me, as you can most The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster
readily imagine, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the and stared down into the fire. “You see, Mr.
quick. I understand that you have already man- Holmes,” said he, “my wife was twenty before her
aged several delicate cases of this sort, sir, though father became a rich man. During that time she
I presume that they were hardly from the same ran free in a mining camp and wandered through
class of society.” woods or mountains, so that her education has
“No, I am descending.” come from Nature rather than from the schoolmas-
ter. She is what we call in England a tomboy, with
“I beg pardon.” a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any
“My last client of the sort was a king.” sort of traditions. She is impetuous—volcanic, I
“Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?” was about to say. She is swift in making up her
mind and fearless in carrying out her resolutions.
“The King of Scandinavia.”
On the other hand, I would not have given her the
“What! Had he lost his wife?” name which I have the honour to bear”—he gave
“You can understand,” said Holmes suavely, a little stately cough—“had not I thought her to
“that I extend to the affairs of my other clients the be at bottom a noble woman. I believe that she
same secrecy which I promise to you in yours.” is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that anything
“Of course! Very right! very right! I’m sure dishonourable would be repugnant to her.”
I beg pardon. As to my own case, I am ready to “Have you her photograph?”
give you any information which may assist you in “I brought this with me.” He opened a locket
forming an opinion.” and showed us the full face of a very lovely
woman. It was not a photograph but an ivory
“Thank you. I have already learned all that is
miniature, and the artist had brought out the full
in the public prints, nothing more. I presume that
effect of the lustrous black hair, the large dark
I may take it as correct—this article, for example,
eyes, and the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long
as to the disappearance of the bride.”
and earnestly at it. Then he closed the locket and
Lord St. Simon glanced over it. “Yes, it is cor- handed it back to Lord St. Simon.
rect, as far as it goes.” “The young lady came to London, then, and
“But it needs a great deal of supplementing be- you renewed your acquaintance?”
fore anyone could offer an opinion. I think that I “Yes, her father brought her over for this last
may arrive at my facts most directly by question- London season. I met her several times, became
ing you.” engaged to her, and have now married her.”
“Pray do so.” “She brought, I understand, a considerable
dowry?”
“When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?”
“A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my
“In San Francisco, a year ago.” family.”
“You were travelling in the States?” “And this, of course, remains to you, since the
“Yes.” marriage is a fait accompli?”
“Did you become engaged then?” “I really have made no inquiries on the sub-
ject.”
“No.”
“Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran
“But you were on a friendly footing?” on the day before the wedding?”
“I was amused by her society, and she could “Yes.”
see that I was amused.” “Was she in good spirits?”
“Her father is very rich?” “Never better. She kept talking of what we
should do in our future lives.”
“He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific
slope.” “Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the
morning of the wedding?”
“And how did he make his money?” “She was as bright as possible—at least until
“In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. after the ceremony.”
Then he struck gold, invested it, and came up by “And did you observe any change in her then?”
leaps and bounds.” “Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs
“Now, what is your own impression as to the that I had ever seen that her temper was just a lit-
young lady’s—your wife’s character?” tle sharp. The incident however, was too trivial to

242
 The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor

relate and can have no possible bearing upon the “No, alone. She was very independent in lit-
case.” tle matters like that. Then, after we had sat down
“Pray let us have it, for all that.” for ten minutes or so, she rose hurriedly, muttered
some words of apology, and left the room. She
“Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet never came back.”
as we went towards the vestry. She was passing
the front pew at the time, and it fell over into “But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes
the pew. There was a moment’s delay, but the that she went to her room, covered her bride’s
gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, dress with a long ulster, put on a bonnet, and went
and it did not appear to be the worse for the fall. out.”
Yet when I spoke to her of the matter, she an- “Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walk-
swered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our ing into Hyde Park in company with Flora Millar,
way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this a woman who is now in custody, and who had
trifling cause.” already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran’s house
“Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in that morning.”
the pew. Some of the general public were present, “Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to
then?” this young lady, and your relations to her.”
“Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when
Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and
the church is open.”
raised his eyebrows. “We have been on a friendly
“This gentleman was not one of your wife’s footing for some years—I may say on a very
friends?” friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I
“No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but have not treated her ungenerously, and she had no
he was quite a common-looking person. I hardly just cause of complaint against me, but you know
noticed his appearance. But really I think that we what women are, Mr. Holmes. Flora was a dear
are wandering rather far from the point.” little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and devot-
edly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters
“Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wed-
when she heard that I was about to be married,
ding in a less cheerful frame of mind than she had
and, to tell the truth, the reason why I had the
gone to it. What did she do on re-entering her fa-
marriage celebrated so quietly was that I feared
ther’s house?”
lest there might be a scandal in the church. She
“I saw her in conversation with her maid.” came to Mr. Doran’s door just after we returned,
“And who is her maid?” and she endeavoured to push her way in, utter-
ing very abusive expressions towards my wife, and
“Alice is her name. She is an American and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the possi-
came from California with her.” bility of something of the sort, and I had two police
“A confidential servant?” fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed
“A little too much so. It seemed to me that her her out again. She was quiet when she saw that
mistress allowed her to take great liberties. Still, of there was no good in making a row.”
course, in America they look upon these things in “Did your wife hear all this?”
a different way.”
“No, thank goodness, she did not.”
“How long did she speak to this Alice?”
“And she was seen walking with this very
“Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to
woman afterwards?”
think of.”
“Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland
“You did not overhear what they said?”
Yard, looks upon as so serious. It is thought that
“Lady St. Simon said something about ‘jump- Flora decoyed my wife out and laid some terrible
ing a claim.’ She was accustomed to use slang of trap for her.”
the kind. I have no idea what she meant.”
“Well, it is a possible supposition.”
“American slang is very expressive sometimes.
And what did your wife do when she finished “You think so, too?”
speaking to her maid?” “I did not say a probable one. But you do not
“She walked into the breakfast-room.” yourself look upon this as likely?”
“On your arm?” “I do not think Flora would hurt a fly.”

243
 The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor

“Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of char- “But I have heard all that you have heard.”
acters. Pray what is your own theory as to what “Without, however, the knowledge of pre-
took place?” existing cases which serves me so well. There was
“Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to a parallel instance in Aberdeen some years back,
propound one. I have given you all the facts. Since and something on very much the same lines at
you ask me, however, I may say that it has occurred Munich the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It
to me as possible that the excitement of this affair, is one of these cases—but, hullo, here is Lestrade!
the consciousness that she had made so immense Good-afternoon, Lestrade! You will find an extra
a social stride, had the effect of causing some little tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are cigars
nervous disturbance in my wife.” in the box.”
“In short, that she had become suddenly de- The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket
ranged?” and cravat, which gave him a decidedly nautical
appearance, and he carried a black canvas bag in
“Well, really, when I consider that she has
his hand. With a short greeting he seated himself
turned her back—I will not say upon me, but upon
and lit the cigar which had been offered to him.
so much that many have aspired to without suc-
cess—I can hardly explain it in any other fashion.” “What’s up, then?” asked Holmes with a twin-
kle in his eye. “You look dissatisfied.”
“Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hy-
pothesis,” said Holmes, smiling. “And now, Lord “And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St.
St. Simon, I think that I have nearly all my Simon marriage case. I can make neither head nor
data. May I ask whether you were seated at the tail of the business.”
breakfast-table so that you could see out of the “Really! You surprise me.”
window?” “Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every
“We could see the other side of the road and clue seems to slip through my fingers. I have been
the Park.” at work upon it all day.”
“Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to “And very wet it seems to have made you,”
detain you longer. I shall communicate with you.” said Holmes laying his hand upon the arm of the
pea-jacket.
“Should you be fortunate enough to solve this
“Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine.”
problem,” said our client, rising.
“In heaven’s name, what for?”
“I have solved it.”
“In search of the body of Lady St. Simon.”
“Eh? What was that?”
Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and
“I say that I have solved it.” laughed heartily.
“Where, then, is my wife?” “Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar
“That is a detail which I shall speedily supply.” Square fountain?” he asked.
Lord St. Simon shook his head. “I am “Why? What do you mean?”
afraid that it will take wiser heads than yours or “Because you have just as good a chance of
mine,” he remarked, and bowing in a stately, old- finding this lady in the one as in the other.”
fashioned manner he departed. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my compan-
“It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my ion. “I suppose you know all about it,” he snarled.
head by putting it on a level with his own,” said “Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my
Sherlock Holmes, laughing. “I think that I shall mind is made up.”
have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all this “Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpen-
cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as tine plays no part in the matter?”
to the case before our client came into the room.” “I think it very unlikely.”
“My dear Holmes!” “Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it
“I have notes of several similar cases, though is that we found this in it?” He opened his bag as
none, as I remarked before, which were quite as he spoke, and tumbled onto the floor a wedding-
prompt. My whole examination served to turn dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin shoes
my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial ev- and a bride’s wreath and veil, all discoloured and
idence is occasionally very convincing, as when soaked in water. “There,” said he, putting a new
you find a trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau’s wedding-ring upon the top of the pile. “There is a
example.” little nut for you to crack, Master Holmes.”

244
 The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor

“Oh, indeed!” said my friend, blowing blue “ ‘Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s.
rings into the air. “You dragged them from the 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. 6d., glass
Serpentine?” sherry, 8d.’ I see nothing in that.”
“No. They were found floating near the mar-
gin by a park-keeper. They have been identified as “Very likely not. It is most important, all the
her clothes, and it seemed to me that if the clothes same. As to the note, it is important also, or at
were there the body would not be far off.” least the initials are, so I congratulate you again.”
“By the same brilliant reasoning, every man’s “I’ve wasted time enough,” said Lestrade, ris-
body is to be found in the neighbourhood of his ing. “I believe in hard work and not in sitting
wardrobe. And pray what did you hope to arrive by the fire spinning fine theories. Good-day, Mr.
at through this?” Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom
“At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in of the matter first.” He gathered up the garments,
the disappearance.” thrust them into the bag, and made for the door.
“I am afraid that you will find it difficult.” “Just one hint to you, Lestrade,” drawled
“Are you, indeed, now?” cried Lestrade with Holmes before his rival vanished; “I will tell you
some bitterness. “I am afraid, Holmes, that you the true solution of the matter. Lady St. Simon is a
are not very practical with your deductions and myth. There is not, and there never has been, any
your inferences. You have made two blunders in such person.”
as many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss
Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then
Flora Millar.”
he turned to me, tapped his forehead three times,
“And how?” shook his head solemnly, and hurried away.
“In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a
card-case. In the card-case is a note. And here is He had hardly shut the door behind him when
the very note.” He slapped it down upon the table Holmes rose to put on his overcoat. “There is
in front of him. “Listen to this: something in what the fellow says about outdoor
work,” he remarked, “so I think, Watson, that I
“ ‘You will see me when all is ready. must leave you to your papers for a little.”
Come at once.
It was after five o’clock when Sherlock Holmes
“ ‘F.H.M.’
left me, but I had no time to be lonely, for within
Now my theory all along has been that Lady St. an hour there arrived a confectioner’s man with a
Simon was decoyed away by Flora Millar, and that very large flat box. This he unpacked with the help
she, with confederates, no doubt, was responsible of a youth whom he had brought with him, and
for her disappearance. Here, signed with her ini- presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite
tials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly epicurean little cold supper began to be laid out
slipped into her hand at the door and which lured upon our humble lodging-house mahogany. There
her within their reach.” were a couple of brace of cold woodcock, a pheas-
“Very good, Lestrade,” said Holmes, laughing. ant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of ancient
“You really are very fine indeed. Let me see it.” He and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these
took up the paper in a listless way, but his attention luxuries, my two visitors vanished away, like the
instantly became riveted, and he gave a little cry of genii of the Arabian Nights, with no explanation
satisfaction. “This is indeed important,” said he. save that the things had been paid for and were
“Ha! you find it so?” ordered to this address.
“Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly.” Just before nine o’clock Sherlock Holmes
Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head stepped briskly into the room. His features were
to look. “Why,” he shrieked, “you’re looking at the gravely set, but there was a light in his eye which
wrong side!” made me think that he had not been disappointed
“On the contrary, this is the right side.” in his conclusions.
“The right side? You’re mad! Here is the note “They have laid the supper, then,” he said, rub-
written in pencil over here.” bing his hands.
“And over here is what appears to be the frag- “You seem to expect company. They have laid
ment of a hotel bill, which interests me deeply.” for five.”
“There’s nothing in it. I looked at it before,”
“Yes, I fancy we may have some company drop-
said Lestrade.
ping in,” said he. “I am surprised that Lord St.

245
 The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor

Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I fancy that I “Pray make no apology to me,” said Lord St.
hear his step now upon the stairs.” Simon bitterly.
It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who “Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real
came bustling in, dangling his glasses more vigor- bad and that I should have spoken to you before I
ously than ever, and with a very perturbed expres- went; but I was kind of rattled, and from the time
sion upon his aristocratic features. when I saw Frank here again I just didn’t know
“My messenger reached you, then?” asked what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn’t
Holmes. fall down and do a faint right there before the al-
“Yes, and I confess that the contents startled tar.”
me beyond measure. Have you good authority for “Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my
what you say?” friend and me to leave the room while you explain
“The best possible.” this matter?”
Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his “If I may give an opinion,” remarked the
hand over his forehead. strange gentleman, “we’ve had just a little too
much secrecy over this business already. For my
“What will the Duke say,” he murmured,
part, I should like all Europe and America to hear
“when he hears that one of the family has been
the rights of it.” He was a small, wiry, sunburnt
subjected to such humiliation?”
man, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert
“It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that manner.
there is any humiliation.”
“Then I’ll tell our story right away,” said the
“Ah, you look on these things from another lady. “Frank here and I met in ’84, in McQuire’s
standpoint.” camp, near the Rockies, where pa was working
“I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank
hardly see how the lady could have acted other- and I; but then one day father struck a rich pocket
wise, though her abrupt method of doing it was and made a pile, while poor Frank here had a
undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, claim that petered out and came to nothing. The
she had no one to advise her at such a crisis.” richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last
“It was a slight, sir, a public slight,” said Lord pa wouldn’t hear of our engagement lasting any
St. Simon, tapping his fingers upon the table. longer, and he took me away to ’Frisco. Frank
“You must make allowance for this poor girl, wouldn’t throw up his hand, though; so he fol-
placed in so unprecedented a position.” lowed me there, and he saw me without pa know-
ing anything about it. It would only have made
“I will make no allowance. I am very angry him mad to know, so we just fixed it all up for
indeed, and I have been shamefully used.” ourselves. Frank said that he would go and make
“I think that I heard a ring,” said Holmes. “Yes, his pile, too, and never come back to claim me un-
there are steps on the landing. If I cannot persuade til he had as much as pa. So then I promised to
you to take a lenient view of the matter, Lord St. wait for him to the end of time and pledged my-
Simon, I have brought an advocate here who may self not to marry anyone else while he lived. ‘Why
be more successful.” He opened the door and ush- shouldn’t we be married right away, then,’ said he,
ered in a lady and gentleman. “Lord St. Simon,” ‘and then I will feel sure of you; and I won’t claim
said he “allow me to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. to be your husband until I come back?’ Well, we
Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I think, you have talked it over, and he had fixed it all up so nicely,
already met.” with a clergyman all ready in waiting, that we just
At the sight of these newcomers our client had did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek
sprung from his seat and stood very erect, with his his fortune, and I went back to pa.
eyes cast down and his hand thrust into the breast “The next I heard of Frank was that he was
of his frock-coat, a picture of offended dignity. The in Montana, and then he went prospecting in Ari-
lady had taken a quick step forward and had held zona, and then I heard of him from New Mexico.
out her hand to him, but he still refused to raise After that came a long newspaper story about how
his eyes. It was as well for his resolution, perhaps, a miners’ camp had been attacked by Apache In-
for her pleading face was one which it was hard to dians, and there was my Frank’s name among the
resist. killed. I fainted dead away, and I was very sick
“You’re angry, Robert,” said she. “Well, I guess for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and
you have every cause to be.” took me to half the doctors in ’Frisco. Not a word

246
 The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor

of news came for a year and more, so that I never been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped,
doubted that Frank was really dead. Then Lord St. came on to ’Frisco, found that I had given him up
Simon came to ’Frisco, and we came to London, for dead and had gone to England, followed me
and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very there, and had come upon me at last on the very
pleased, but I felt all the time that no man on this morning of my second wedding.”
earth would ever take the place in my heart that
“I saw it in a paper,” explained the American.
had been given to my poor Frank.
“It gave the name and the church but not where
“Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course the lady lived.”
I’d have done my duty by him. We can’t command
our love, but we can our actions. I went to the al- “Then we had a talk as to what we should
tar with him with the intention to make him just do, and Frank was all for openness, but I was so
as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may ashamed of it all that I felt as if I should like to van-
imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the al- ish away and never see any of them again—just
tar rails, I glanced back and saw Frank standing sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that
and looking at me out of the first pew. I thought I was alive. It was awful to me to think of all
it was his ghost at first; but when I looked again those lords and ladies sitting round that breakfast-
there he was still, with a kind of question in his table and waiting for me to come back. So Frank
eyes, as if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry took my wedding-clothes and things and made a
to see him. I wonder I didn’t drop. I know that ev- bundle of them, so that I should not be traced,
erything was turning round, and the words of the and dropped them away somewhere where no one
clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my could find them. It is likely that we should have
ear. I didn’t know what to do. Should I stop the gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good
service and make a scene in the church? I glanced gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this
at him again, and he seemed to know what I was evening, though how he found us is more than
thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to tell I can think, and he showed us very clearly and
me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right,
paper, and I knew that he was writing me a note. and that we should be putting ourselves in the
As I passed his pew on the way out I dropped my wrong if we were so secret. Then he offered to give
bouquet over to him, and he slipped the note into us a chance of talking to Lord St. Simon alone, and
my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was so we came right away round to his rooms at once.
only a line asking me to join him when he made Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very
the sign to me to do so. Of course I never doubted sorry if I have given you pain, and I hope that you
for a moment that my first duty was now to him, do not think very meanly of me.”
and I determined to do just whatever he might di- Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his
rect. rigid attitude, but had listened with a frowning
“When I got back I told my maid, who had brow and a compressed lip to this long narrative.
known him in California, and had always been his “Excuse me,” he said, “but it is not my custom
friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but to get a to discuss my most intimate personal affairs in this
few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I public manner.”
ought to have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was
dreadful hard before his mother and all those great “Then you won’t forgive me? You won’t shake
people. I just made up my mind to run away and hands before I go?”
explain afterwards. I hadn’t been at the table ten “Oh, certainly, if it would give you any plea-
minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at sure.” He put out his hand and coldly grasped that
the other side of the road. He beckoned to me and which she extended to him.
then began walking into the Park. I slipped out,
“I had hoped,” suggested Holmes, “that you
put on my things, and followed him. Some woman
would have joined us in a friendly supper.”
came talking something or other about Lord St. Si-
mon to me—seemed to me from the little I heard “I think that there you ask a little too much,”
as if he had a little secret of his own before mar- responded his Lordship. “I may be forced to acqui-
riage also—but I managed to get away from her esce in these recent developments, but I can hardly
and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab to- be expected to make merry over them. I think that
gether, and away we drove to some lodgings he with your permission I will now wish you all a
had taken in Gordon Square, and that was my true very good-night.” He included us all in a sweep-
wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank had ing bow and stalked out of the room.

247
 “Then I trust that you at least will honour me claim-jumping—which in miners’ parlance means
with your company,” said Sherlock Holmes. “It is taking possession of that which another person has
always a joy to meet an American, Mr. Moulton, a prior claim to—the whole situation became ab-
for I am one of those who believe that the folly solutely clear. She had gone off with a man, and
of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in the man was either a lover or was a previous hus-
far-gone years will not prevent our children from band—the chances being in favour of the latter.”
being some day citizens of the same world-wide “And how in the world did you find them?”
country under a flag which shall be a quartering
“It might have been difficult, but friend
of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes.”
Lestrade held information in his hands the value
“The case has been an interesting one,” re- of which he did not himself know. The initials
marked Holmes when our visitors had left us, “be- were, of course, of the highest importance, but
cause it serves to show very clearly how simple the more valuable still was it to know that within a
explanation may be of an affair which at first sight week he had settled his bill at one of the most se-
seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be lect London hotels.”
more natural than the sequence of events as nar-
rated by this lady, and nothing stranger than the “How did you deduce the select?”
result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Lestrade “By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed
of Scotland Yard.” and eightpence for a glass of sherry pointed to one
“You were not yourself at fault at all, then?” of the most expensive hotels. There are not many
in London which charge at that rate. In the sec-
“From the first, two facts were very obvious
ond one which I visited in Northumberland Av-
to me, the one that the lady had been quite will-
enue, I learned by an inspection of the book that
ing to undergo the wedding ceremony, the other
Francis H. Moulton, an American gentleman, had
that she had repented of it within a few minutes
left only the day before, and on looking over the
of returning home. Obviously something had oc-
entries against him, I came upon the very items
curred during the morning, then, to cause her to
which I had seen in the duplicate bill. His let-
change her mind. What could that something be?
ters were to be forwarded to 226 Gordon Square;
She could not have spoken to anyone when she
so thither I travelled, and being fortunate enough
was out, for she had been in the company of the
to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to
bridegroom. Had she seen someone, then? If she
give them some paternal advice and to point out
had, it must be someone from America because
to them that it would be better in every way that
she had spent so short a time in this country that
they should make their position a little clearer both
she could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire
to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in par-
so deep an influence over her that the mere sight of
ticular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as
him would induce her to change her plans so com-
you see, I made him keep the appointment.”
pletely. You see we have already arrived, by a pro-
cess of exclusion, at the idea that she might have “But with no very good result,” I remarked.
seen an American. Then who could this American “His conduct was certainly not very gracious.”
be, and why should he possess so much influence “Ah, Watson,” said Holmes, smiling, “perhaps
over her? It might be a lover; it might be a hus- you would not be very gracious either, if, after all
band. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been the trouble of wooing and wedding, you found
spent in rough scenes and under strange condi- yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of for-
tions. So far I had got before I ever heard Lord tune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon
St. Simon’s narrative. When he told us of a man very mercifully and thank our stars that we are
in a pew, of the change in the bride’s manner, of never likely to find ourselves in the same position.
so transparent a device for obtaining a note as the Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for
dropping of a bouquet, of her resort to her confi- the only problem we have still to solve is how to
dential maid, and of her very significant allusion to while away these bleak autumnal evenings.”
The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet
H
The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet

olmes,” said I as I stood one morn- Then, suddenly springing to his feet, he beat his
ing in our bow-window looking down head against the wall with such force that we both
the street, “here is a madman coming rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre
along. It seems rather sad that his rel- of the room. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down
atives should allow him to come out alone.” into the easy-chair and, sitting beside him, patted
My friend rose lazily from his armchair and his hand and chatted with him in the easy, sooth-
stood with his hands in the pockets of his dressing- ing tones which he knew so well how to employ.
gown, looking over my shoulder. It was a bright, “You have come to me to tell your story, have
crisp February morning, and the snow of the day you not?” said he. “You are fatigued with your
before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmer- haste. Pray wait until you have recovered yourself,
ing brightly in the wintry sun. Down the centre and then I shall be most happy to look into any
of Baker Street it had been ploughed into a brown little problem which you may submit to me.”
crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and The man sat for a minute or more with a heav-
on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still ing chest, fighting against his emotion. Then he
lay as white as when it fell. The grey pavement passed his handkerchief over his brow, set his lips
had been cleaned and scraped, but was still dan- tight, and turned his face towards us.
gerously slippery, so that there were fewer pas- “No doubt you think me mad?” said he.
sengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of “I see that you have had some great trouble,”
the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save responded Holmes.
the single gentleman whose eccentric conduct had “God knows I have!—a trouble which is
drawn my attention. enough to unseat my reason, so sudden and so
He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and terrible is it. Public disgrace I might have faced,
imposing, with a massive, strongly marked face although I am a man whose character has never
and a commanding figure. He was dressed in a yet borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot
sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining of every man; but the two coming together, and
hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey in so frightful a form, have been enough to shake
trousers. Yet his actions were in absurd contrast my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. The very
to the dignity of his dress and features, for he was noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be
running hard, with occasional little springs, such found out of this horrible affair.”
as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to “Pray compose yourself, sir,” said Holmes,
set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked “and let me have a clear account of who you are
his hands up and down, waggled his head, and and what it is that has befallen you.”
writhed his face into the most extraordinary con- “My name,” answered our visitor, “is proba-
tortions. bly familiar to your ears. I am Alexander Holder,
“What on earth can be the matter with him?” of the banking firm of Holder & Stevenson, of
I asked. “He is looking up at the numbers of the Threadneedle Street.”
houses.” The name was indeed well known to us as be-
“I believe that he is coming here,” said Holmes, longing to the senior partner in the second largest
rubbing his hands. private banking concern in the City of London.
What could have happened, then, to bring one
“Here?” of the foremost citizens of London to this most
“Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me pitiable pass? We waited, all curiosity, until with
professionally. I think that I recognise the symp- another effort he braced himself to tell his story.
toms. Ha! did I not tell you?” As he spoke, the “I feel that time is of value,” said he; “that is
man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and why I hastened here when the police inspector
pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded suggested that I should secure your co-operation.
with the clanging. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and
A few moments later he was in our room, still hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly
puffing, still gesticulating, but with so fixed a look through this snow. That is why I was so out of
of grief and despair in his eyes that our smiles were breath, for I am a man who takes very little ex-
turned in an instant to horror and pity. For a while ercise. I feel better now, and I will put the facts
he could not get his words out, but swayed his before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can.
body and plucked at his hair like one who has “It is, of course, well known to you that in
been driven to the extreme limits of his reason. a successful banking business as much depends

251
 The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet

upon our being able to find remunerative invest- “ ‘Precisely.’ He opened the case, and there,
ments for our funds as upon our increasing our imbedded in soft, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the
connection and the number of our depositors. One magnificent piece of jewellery which he had
of our most lucrative means of laying out money is named. ‘There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,’
in the shape of loans, where the security is unim- said he, ‘and the price of the gold chasing is incal-
peachable. We have done a good deal in this direc- culable. The lowest estimate would put the worth
tion during the last few years, and there are many of the coronet at double the sum which I have
noble families to whom we have advanced large asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my
sums upon the security of their pictures, libraries, security.’
or plate. “I took the precious case into my hands and
“Yesterday morning I was seated in my office looked in some perplexity from it to my illustrious
at the bank when a card was brought in to me by client.
one of the clerks. I started when I saw the name, “ ‘You doubt its value?’ he asked.
for it was that of none other than—well, perhaps
even to you I had better say no more than that it “ ‘Not at all. I only doubt—’
was a name which is a household word all over “ ‘The propriety of my leaving it. You may set
the earth—one of the highest, noblest, most ex- your mind at rest about that. I should not dream
alted names in England. I was overwhelmed by of doing so were it not absolutely certain that I
the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a
so, but he plunged at once into business with the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?’
air of a man who wishes to hurry quickly through “ ‘Ample.’
a disagreeable task.
“ ‘You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giv-
“ ‘Mr. Holder,’ said he, ‘I have been informed ing you a strong proof of the confidence which I
that you are in the habit of advancing money.’ have in you, founded upon all that I have heard
“ ‘The firm does so when the security is good.’ of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet
I answered. and to refrain from all gossip upon the matter but,
“ ‘It is absolutely essential to me,’ said he, ‘that above all, to preserve this coronet with every pos-
I should have £50,000 at once. I could, of course, sible precaution because I need not say that a great
borrow so trifling a sum ten times over from my public scandal would be caused if any harm were
friends, but I much prefer to make it a matter of to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as se-
business and to carry out that business myself. In rious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in
my position you can readily understand that it is the world to match these, and it would be impos-
unwise to place one’s self under obligations.’ sible to replace them. I leave it with you, however,
with every confidence, and I shall call for it in per-
“ ‘For how long, may I ask, do you want this
son on Monday morning.’
sum?’ I asked.
“Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I
“ ‘Next Monday I have a large sum due to me,
said no more but, calling for my cashier, I ordered
and I shall then most certainly repay what you ad-
him to pay over fifty £1000 notes. When I was
vance, with whatever interest you think it right
alone once more, however, with the precious case
to charge. But it is very essential to me that the
lying upon the table in front of me, I could not
money should be paid at once.’
but think with some misgivings of the immense
“ ‘I should be happy to advance it without fur- responsibility which it entailed upon me. There
ther parley from my own private purse,’ said I, could be no doubt that, as it was a national posses-
‘were it not that the strain would be rather more sion, a horrible scandal would ensue if any misfor-
than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to tune should occur to it. I already regretted having
do it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my ever consented to take charge of it. However, it
partner I must insist that, even in your case, every was too late to alter the matter now, so I locked it
businesslike precaution should be taken.’ up in my private safe and turned once more to my
“ ‘I should much prefer to have it so,’ said he, work.
raising up a square, black morocco case which he “When evening came I felt that it would be an
had laid beside his chair. ‘You have doubtless imprudence to leave so precious a thing in the of-
heard of the Beryl Coronet?’ fice behind me. Bankers’ safes had been forced
“ ‘One of the most precious public possessions before now, and why should not mine be? If
of the empire,’ said I. so, how terrible would be the position in which

252
 The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet

I should find myself! I determined, therefore, that him to my house, and I have found myself that I
for the next few days I would always carry the case could hardly resist the fascination of his manner.
backward and forward with me, so that it might He is older than Arthur, a man of the world to his
never be really out of my reach. With this inten- finger-tips, one who had been everywhere, seen
tion, I called a cab and drove out to my house everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of great
at Streatham, carrying the jewel with me. I did personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold
not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs and blood, far away from the glamour of his presence,
locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. I am convinced from his cynical speech and the
“And now a word as to my household, Mr. look which I have caught in his eyes that he is one
Holmes, for I wish you to thoroughly understand who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and
the situation. My groom and my page sleep out so, too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman’s
of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I quick insight into character.
have three maid-servants who have been with me “And now there is only she to be described.
a number of years and whose absolute reliability She is my niece; but when my brother died five
is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Parr, the years ago and left her alone in the world I adopted
second waiting-maid, has only been in my service her, and have looked upon her ever since as my
a few months. She came with an excellent charac- daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house—sweet,
ter, however, and has always given me satisfaction. loving, beautiful, a wonderful manager and house-
She is a very pretty girl and has attracted admirers keeper, yet as tender and quiet and gentle as a
who have occasionally hung about the place. That woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not
is the only drawback which we have found to her, know what I could do without her. In only one
but we believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in matter has she ever gone against my wishes. Twice
every way. my boy has asked her to marry him, for he loves
“So much for the servants. My family itself is her devotedly, but each time she has refused him.
so small that it will not take me long to describe it. I think that if anyone could have drawn him into
I am a widower and have an only son, Arthur. He the right path it would have been she, and that his
has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Holmes—a marriage might have changed his whole life; but
grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I now, alas! it is too late—forever too late!
am myself to blame. People tell me that I have “Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who
spoiled him. Very likely I have. When my dear live under my roof, and I shall continue with my
wife died I felt that he was all I had to love. I could miserable story.
not bear to see the smile fade even for a moment
“When we were taking coffee in the drawing-
from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Per-
room that night after dinner, I told Arthur and
haps it would have been better for both of us had
Mary my experience, and of the precious trea-
I been sterner, but I meant it for the best.
sure which we had under our roof, suppressing
“It was naturally my intention that he should
only the name of my client. Lucy Parr, who had
succeed me in my business, but he was not of a
brought in the coffee, had, I am sure, left the room;
business turn. He was wild, wayward, and, to
but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Mary
speak the truth, I could not trust him in the han-
and Arthur were much interested and wished to
dling of large sums of money. When he was young
see the famous coronet, but I thought it better not
he became a member of an aristocratic club, and
to disturb it.
there, having charming manners, he was soon the
intimate of a number of men with long purses and “ ‘Where have you put it?’ asked Arthur.
expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at “ ‘In my own bureau.’
cards and to squander money on the turf, until he “ ‘Well, I hope to goodness the house won’t be
had again and again to come to me and implore burgled during the night.’ said he.
me to give him an advance upon his allowance,
“ ‘It is locked up,’ I answered.
that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried
more than once to break away from the dangerous “ ‘Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I
company which he was keeping, but each time the was a youngster I have opened it myself with the
influence of his friend, Sir George Burnwell, was key of the box-room cupboard.’
enough to draw him back again. “He often had a wild way of talking, so that I
“And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a thought little of what he said. He followed me to
man as Sir George Burnwell should gain an in- my room, however, that night with a very grave
fluence over him, for he has frequently brought face.

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 The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet

“ ‘Look here, dad,’ said he with his eyes cast I was wide awake, but it had left an impression
down, ‘can you let me have £200?’ behind it as though a window had gently closed
“ ‘No, I cannot!’ I answered sharply. ‘I have somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Sud-
been far too generous with you in money matters.’ denly, to my horror, there was a distinct sound of
footsteps moving softly in the next room. I slipped
“ ‘You have been very kind,’ said he, ‘but I must out of bed, all palpitating with fear, and peeped
have this money, or else I can never show my face round the corner of my dressing-room door.
inside the club again.’
“ ‘Arthur!’ I screamed, ‘you villain! you thief!
“ ‘And a very good thing, too!’ I cried.
How dare you touch that coronet?’
“ ‘Yes, but you would not have me leave it a
“The gas was half up, as I had left it, and
dishonoured man,’ said he. ‘I could not bear the
my unhappy boy, dressed only in his shirt and
disgrace. I must raise the money in some way, and
trousers, was standing beside the light, holding the
if you will not let me have it, then I must try other
coronet in his hands. He appeared to be wrench-
means.’
ing at it, or bending it with all his strength. At
“I was very angry, for this was the third de- my cry he dropped it from his grasp and turned
mand during the month. ‘You shall not have a as pale as death. I snatched it up and examined it.
farthing from me,’ I cried, on which he bowed and One of the gold corners, with three of the beryls in
left the room without another word. it, was missing.
“When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, “ ‘You blackguard!’ I shouted, beside myself
made sure that my treasure was safe, and locked it with rage. ‘You have destroyed it! You have dis-
again. Then I started to go round the house to see honoured me forever! Where are the jewels which
that all was secure—a duty which I usually leave you have stolen?’
to Mary but which I thought it well to perform
“ ‘Stolen!’ he cried.
myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw
Mary herself at the side window of the hall, which “ ‘Yes, thief!’ I roared, shaking him by the
she closed and fastened as I approached. shoulder.
“ ‘Tell me, dad,’ said she, looking, I thought, a “ ‘There are none missing. There cannot be any
little disturbed, ‘did you give Lucy, the maid, leave missing,’ said he.
to go out to-night?’ “ ‘There are three missing. And you know
“ ‘Certainly not.’ where they are. Must I call you a liar as well as
a thief? Did I not see you trying to tear off another
“ ‘She came in just now by the back door. I have
piece?’
no doubt that she has only been to the side gate to
see someone, but I think that it is hardly safe and “ ‘You have called me names enough,’ said he,
should be stopped.’ ‘I will not stand it any longer. I shall not say
another word about this business, since you have
“ ‘You must speak to her in the morning, or I
chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in the
will if you prefer it. Are you sure that everything
morning and make my own way in the world.’
is fastened?’
“ ‘You shall leave it in the hands of the police!’
“ ‘Quite sure, dad.’
I cried half-mad with grief and rage. ‘I shall have
“ ‘Then, good-night.’ I kissed her and went up this matter probed to the bottom.’
to my bedroom again, where I was soon asleep.
“ ‘You shall learn nothing from me,’ said he
“I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. with a passion such as I should not have thought
Holmes, which may have any bearing upon the was in his nature. ‘If you choose to call the police,
case, but I beg that you will question me upon any let the police find what they can.’
point which I do not make clear.”
“By this time the whole house was astir, for I
“On the contrary, your statement is singularly had raised my voice in my anger. Mary was the
lucid.” first to rush into my room, and, at the sight of the
“I come to a part of my story now in which I coronet and of Arthur’s face, she read the whole
should wish to be particularly so. I am not a very story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on
heavy sleeper, and the anxiety in my mind tended, the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police
no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. and put the investigation into their hands at once.
About two in the morning, then, I was awakened When the inspector and a constable entered the
by some sound in the house. It had ceased ere house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with his

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 The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet

arms folded, asked me whether it was my inten- “None save my partner with his family and an
tion to charge him with theft. I answered that it occasional friend of Arthur’s. Sir George Burnwell
had ceased to be a private matter, but had become has been several times lately. No one else, I think.”
a public one, since the ruined coronet was national “Do you go out much in society?”
property. I was determined that the law should “Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We
have its way in everything. neither of us care for it.”
“ ‘At least,’ said he, ‘you will not have me ar- “That is unusual in a young girl.”
rested at once. It would be to your advantage as “She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so
well as mine if I might leave the house for five min- very young. She is four-and-twenty.”
utes.’ “This matter, from what you say, seems to have
“ ‘That you may get away, or perhaps that you been a shock to her also.”
may conceal what you have stolen,’ said I. And “Terrible! She is even more affected than I.”
then, realising the dreadful position in which I was “You have neither of you any doubt as to your
placed, I implored him to remember that not only son’s guilt?”
my honour but that of one who was far greater “How can we have when I saw him with my
than I was at stake; and that he threatened to raise own eyes with the coronet in his hands.”
a scandal which would convulse the nation. He
“I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was
might avert it all if he would but tell me what he
the remainder of the coronet at all injured?”
had done with the three missing stones.
“Yes, it was twisted.”
“ ‘You may as well face the matter,’ said I; “Do you not think, then, that he might have
‘you have been caught in the act, and no confes- been trying to straighten it?”
sion could make your guilt more heinous. If you
“God bless you! You are doing what you can
but make such reparation as is in your power, by
for him and for me. But it is too heavy a task.
telling us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven
What was he doing there at all? If his purpose
and forgotten.’
were innocent, why did he not say so?”
“ ‘Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for “Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he
it,’ he answered, turning away from me with a not invent a lie? His silence appears to me to cut
sneer. I saw that he was too hardened for any both ways. There are several singular points about
words of mine to influence him. There was but the case. What did the police think of the noise
one way for it. I called in the inspector and gave which awoke you from your sleep?”
him into custody. A search was made at once not “They considered that it might be caused by
only of his person but of his room and of every Arthur’s closing his bedroom door.”
portion of the house where he could possibly have
“A likely story! As if a man bent on felony
concealed the gems; but no trace of them could
would slam his door so as to wake a household.
be found, nor would the wretched boy open his
What did they say, then, of the disappearance of
mouth for all our persuasions and our threats.
these gems?”
This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, af-
ter going through all the police formalities, have “They are still sounding the planking and
hurried round to you to implore you to use your probing the furniture in the hope of finding them.”
skill in unravelling the matter. The police have “Have they thought of looking outside the
openly confessed that they can at present make house?”
nothing of it. You may go to any expense which “Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy.
you think necessary. I have already offered a re- The whole garden has already been minutely ex-
ward of £1000. My God, what shall I do! I have lost amined.”
my honour, my gems, and my son in one night. “Now, my dear sir,” said Holmes. “is it not
Oh, what shall I do!” obvious to you now that this matter really strikes
He put a hand on either side of his head and very much deeper than either you or the police
rocked himself to and fro, droning to himself like were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you
a child whose grief has got beyond words. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly
complex. Consider what is involved by your the-
Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few min- ory. You suppose that your son came down from
utes, with his brows knitted and his eyes fixed his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room,
upon the fire. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke
“Do you receive much company?” he asked. off by main force a small portion of it, went off

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 The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet

to some other place, concealed three gems out of which seemed the darker against the absolute pal-
the thirty-nine, with such skill that nobody can lor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever seen
find them, and then returned with the other thirty- such deadly paleness in a woman’s face. Her lips,
six into the room in which he exposed himself to too, were bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with
the greatest danger of being discovered. I ask you crying. As she swept silently into the room she
now, is such a theory tenable?” impressed me with a greater sense of grief than
the banker had done in the morning, and it was
“But what other is there?” cried the banker the more striking in her as she was evidently a
with a gesture of despair. “If his motives were in- woman of strong character, with immense capac-
nocent, why does he not explain them?” ity for self-restraint. Disregarding my presence,
“It is our task to find that out,” replied Holmes; she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand
“so now, if you please, Mr. Holder, we will set over his head with a sweet womanly caress.
off for Streatham together, and devote an hour to “You have given orders that Arthur should be
glancing a little more closely into details.” liberated, have you not, dad?” she asked.
My friend insisted upon my accompanying “No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to
them in their expedition, which I was eager the bottom.”
enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy were “But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know
deeply stirred by the story to which we had lis- what woman’s instincts are. I know that he has
tened. I confess that the guilt of the banker’s done no harm and that you will be sorry for hav-
son appeared to me to be as obvious as it did to ing acted so harshly.”
his unhappy father, but still I had such faith in “Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?”
Holmes’ judgment that I felt that there must be
“Who knows? Perhaps because he was so an-
some grounds for hope as long as he was dissat-
gry that you should suspect him.”
isfied with the accepted explanation. He hardly
spoke a word the whole way out to the southern “How could I help suspecting him, when I ac-
suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and tually saw him with the coronet in his hand?”
his hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest “Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at
thought. Our client appeared to have taken fresh it. Oh, do, do take my word for it that he is inno-
heart at the little glimpse of hope which had been cent. Let the matter drop and say no more. It is so
presented to him, and he even broke into a desul- dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in a prison!”
tory chat with me over his business affairs. A “I shall never let it drop until the gems are
short railway journey and a shorter walk brought found—never, Mary! Your affection for Arthur
us to Fairbank, the modest residence of the great blinds you as to the awful consequences to me. Far
financier. from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gen-
Fairbank was a good-sized square house of tleman down from London to inquire more deeply
white stone, standing back a little from the road. into it.”
A double carriage-sweep, with a snow-clad lawn, “This gentleman?” she asked, facing round to
stretched down in front to two large iron gates me.
which closed the entrance. On the right side was “No, his friend. He wished us to leave him
a small wooden thicket, which led into a narrow alone. He is round in the stable lane now.”
path between two neat hedges stretching from the
“The stable lane?” She raised her dark eye-
road to the kitchen door, and forming the trades-
brows. “What can he hope to find there? Ah! this,
men’s entrance. On the left ran a lane which
I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, that you will succeed
led to the stables, and was not itself within the
in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, that my
grounds at all, being a public, though little used,
cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime.”
thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing at the door
and walked slowly all round the house, across the “I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with
front, down the tradesmen’s path, and so round by you, that we may prove it,” returned Holmes, go-
the garden behind into the stable lane. So long was ing back to the mat to knock the snow from his
he that Mr. Holder and I went into the dining-room shoes. “I believe I have the honour of addressing
and waited by the fire until he should return. We Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or
were sitting there in silence when the door opened two?”
and a young lady came in. She was rather above “Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible
the middle height, slim, with dark hair and eyes, affair up.”

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 The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet

“You heard nothing yourself last night?” The banker’s dressing-room was a plainly fur-
“Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak nished little chamber, with a grey carpet, a large
loudly. I heard that, and I came down.” bureau, and a long mirror. Holmes went to the
bureau first and looked hard at the lock.
“You shut up the windows and doors the night
“Which key was used to open it?” he asked.
before. Did you fasten all the windows?”
“That which my son himself indicated—that of
“Yes.” the cupboard of the lumber-room.”
“Were they all fastened this morning?” “Have you it here?”
“Yes.” “That is it on the dressing-table.”
“You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bu-
think that you remarked to your uncle last night reau.
that she had been out to see him?” “It is a noiseless lock,” said he. “It is no won-
der that it did not wake you. This case, I presume,
“Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the
contains the coronet. We must have a look at it.”
drawing-room, and who may have heard uncle’s
He opened the case, and taking out the diadem he
remarks about the coronet.”
laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent speci-
“I see. You infer that she may have gone out men of the jeweller’s art, and the thirty-six stones
to tell her sweetheart, and that the two may have were the finest that I have ever seen. At one side
planned the robbery.” of the coronet was a cracked edge, where a corner
“But what is the good of all these vague theo- holding three gems had been torn away.
ries,” cried the banker impatiently, “when I have “Now, Mr. Holder,” said Holmes, “here is the
told you that I saw Arthur with the coronet in his corner which corresponds to that which has been
hands?” so unfortunately lost. Might I beg that you will
“Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back break it off.”
to that. About this girl, Miss Holder. You saw her The banker recoiled in horror. “I should not
return by the kitchen door, I presume?” dream of trying,” said he.
“Yes; when I went to see if the door was fas- “Then I will.” Holmes suddenly bent his
tened for the night I met her slipping in. I saw the strength upon it, but without result. “I feel it give
man, too, in the gloom.” a little,” said he; “but, though I am exceptionally
strong in the fingers, it would take me all my time
“Do you know him?” to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now,
“Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our what do you think would happen if I did break it,
vegetables round. His name is Francis Prosper.” Mr. Holder? There would be a noise like a pistol
“He stood,” said Holmes, “to the left of the shot. Do you tell me that all this happened within
door—that is to say, farther up the path than is a few yards of your bed and that you heard noth-
necessary to reach the door?” ing of it?”
“Yes, he did.” “I do not know what to think. It is all dark to
me.”
“And he is a man with a wooden leg?” “But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go.
Something like fear sprang up in the young What do you think, Miss Holder?”
lady’s expressive black eyes. “Why, you are like “I confess that I still share my uncle’s perplex-
a magician,” said she. “How do you know that?” ity.”
She smiled, but there was no answering smile in “Your son had no shoes or slippers on when
Holmes’ thin, eager face. you saw him?”
“I should be very glad now to go upstairs,” said “He had nothing on save only his trousers and
he. “I shall probably wish to go over the outside of shirt.”
the house again. Perhaps I had better take a look “Thank you. We have certainly been favoured
at the lower windows before I go up.” with extraordinary luck during this inquiry, and it
He walked swiftly round from one to the other, will be entirely our own fault if we do not succeed
pausing only at the large one which looked from in clearing the matter up. With your permission,
the hall onto the stable lane. This he opened and Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations
made a very careful examination of the sill with outside.”
his powerful magnifying lens. “Now we shall go He went alone, at his own request, for he
upstairs,” said he at last. explained that any unnecessary footmarks might

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 The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet

make his task more difficult. For an hour or more elastic-sided boot in his hand. He chucked it down
he was at work, returning at last with his feet into a corner and helped himself to a cup of tea.
heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable “I only looked in as I passed,” said he. “I am
as ever. going right on.”
“I think that I have seen now all that there is to
“Where to?”
see, Mr. Holder,” said he; “I can serve you best by
returning to my rooms.” “Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may
be some time before I get back. Don’t wait up for
“But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?”
me in case I should be late.”
“I cannot tell.”
“How are you getting on?”
The banker wrung his hands. “I shall never see
“Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been
them again!” he cried. “And my son? You give me
out to Streatham since I saw you last, but I did not
hopes?”
call at the house. It is a very sweet little problem,
“My opinion is in no way altered.” and I would not have missed it for a good deal.
“Then, for God’s sake, what was this dark busi- However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must
ness which was acted in my house last night?” get these disreputable clothes off and return to my
highly respectable self.”
“If you can call upon me at my Baker Street
rooms to-morrow morning between nine and ten I I could see by his manner that he had stronger
shall be happy to do what I can to make it clearer. I reasons for satisfaction than his words alone
understand that you give me carte blanche to act for would imply. His eyes twinkled, and there was
you, provided only that I get back the gems, and even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He
that you place no limit on the sum I may draw.” hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard
the slam of the hall door, which told me that he
“I would give my fortune to have them back.”
was off once more upon his congenial hunt.
“Very good. I shall look into the matter be-
I waited until midnight, but there was no sign
tween this and then. Good-bye; it is just possible
of his return, so I retired to my room. It was no
that I may have to come over here again before
uncommon thing for him to be away for days and
evening.”
nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so
It was obvious to me that my companion’s that his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not
mind was now made up about the case, although know at what hour he came in, but when I came
what his conclusions were was more than I could down to breakfast in the morning there he was
even dimly imagine. Several times during our with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper
homeward journey I endeavoured to sound him in the other, as fresh and trim as possible.
upon the point, but he always glided away to some
“You will excuse my beginning without you,
other topic, until at last I gave it over in despair.
Watson,” said he, “but you remember that our
It was not yet three when we found ourselves in
client has rather an early appointment this morn-
our rooms once more. He hurried to his cham-
ing.”
ber and was down again in a few minutes dressed
as a common loafer. With his collar turned up, “Why, it is after nine now,” I answered. “I
his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn should not be surprised if that were he. I thought
boots, he was a perfect sample of the class. I heard a ring.”
“I think that this should do,” said he, glancing It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was
into the glass above the fireplace. “I only wish that shocked by the change which had come over him,
you could come with me, Watson, but I fear that it for his face which was naturally of a broad and
won’t do. I may be on the trail in this matter, or massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in,
I may be following a will-o’-the-wisp, but I shall while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter.
soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back He entered with a weariness and lethargy which
in a few hours.” He cut a slice of beef from the was even more painful than his violence of the
joint upon the sideboard, sandwiched it between morning before, and he dropped heavily into the
two rounds of bread, and thrusting this rude meal armchair which I pushed forward for him.
into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. “I do not know what I have done to be so
I had just finished my tea when he returned, severely tried,” said he. “Only two days ago I was
evidently in excellent spirits, swinging an old a happy and prosperous man, without a care in

258
 The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet

the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishon- “There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder,”
oured age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels said Sherlock Holmes rather sternly.
of another. My niece, Mary, has deserted me.” “Owe!” He caught up a pen. “Name the sum,
“Deserted you?” and I will pay it.”
“Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept “No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very
in, her room was empty, and a note for me lay humble apology to that noble lad, your son, who
upon the hall table. I had said to her last night, in has carried himself in this matter as I should be
sorrow and not in anger, that if she had married proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance
my boy all might have been well with him. Per- to have one.”
haps it was thoughtless of me to say so. It is to “Then it was not Arthur who took them?”
that remark that she refers in this note: “I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that
it was not.”
“ ‘My dearest Uncle:
“You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at
“ ‘I feel that I have brought trouble
once to let him know that the truth is known.”
upon you, and that if I had acted dif-
“He knows it already. When I had cleared it all
ferently this terrible misfortune might
up I had an interview with him, and finding that
never have occurred. I cannot, with
he would not tell me the story, I told it to him, on
this thought in my mind, ever again be
which he had to confess that I was right and to
happy under your roof, and I feel that
add the very few details which were not yet quite
I must leave you forever. Do not worry
clear to me. Your news of this morning, however,
about my future, for that is provided
may open his lips.”
for; and, above all, do not search for
me, for it will be fruitless labour and “For heaven’s sake, tell me, then, what is this
an ill-service to me. In life or in death, extraordinary mystery!”
I am ever “I will do so, and I will show you the steps by
“ ‘Your loving which I reached it. And let me say to you, first,
“ ‘Mary.’ that which it is hardest for me to say and for you
to hear: there has been an understanding between
“What could she mean by that note, Mr. Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They
Holmes? Do you think it points to suicide?” have now fled together.”
“No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the “My Mary? Impossible!”
best possible solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you “It is unfortunately more than possible; it is cer-
are nearing the end of your troubles.” tain. Neither you nor your son knew the true char-
“Ha! You say so! You have heard something, acter of this man when you admitted him into your
Mr. Holmes; you have learned something! Where family circle. He is one of the most dangerous men
are the gems?” in England—a ruined gambler, an absolutely des-
perate villain, a man without heart or conscience.
“You would not think £1000 pounds apiece an Your niece knew nothing of such men. When he
excessive sum for them?” breathed his vows to her, as he had done to a hun-
“I would pay ten.” dred before her, she flattered herself that she alone
“That would be unnecessary. Three thousand had touched his heart. The devil knows best what
will cover the matter. And there is a little reward, he said, but at least she became his tool and was
I fancy. Have you your check-book? Here is a pen. in the habit of seeing him nearly every evening.”
Better make it out for £4000.” “I cannot, and I will not, believe it!” cried the
With a dazed face the banker made out the re- banker with an ashen face.
quired check. Holmes walked over to his desk, “I will tell you, then, what occurred in your
took out a little triangular piece of gold with three house last night. Your niece, when you had, as
gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. she thought, gone to your room, slipped down
and talked to her lover through the window which
With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up.
leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had
“You have it!” he gasped. “I am saved! I am pressed right through the snow, so long had he
saved!” stood there. She told him of the coronet. His
The reaction of joy was as passionate as his wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he
grief had been, and he hugged his recovered gems bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved
to his bosom. you, but there are women in whom the love of a

259
 The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet

lover extinguishes all other loves, and I think that certainly deserved little enough consideration at
she must have been one. She had hardly listened to his hands. He took the more chivalrous view, how-
his instructions when she saw you coming down- ever, and preserved her secret.”
stairs, on which she closed the window rapidly “And that was why she shrieked and fainted
and told you about one of the servants’ escapade when she saw the coronet,” cried Mr. Holder. “Oh,
with her wooden-legged lover, which was all per- my God! what a blind fool I have been! And his
fectly true. asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes!
“Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his inter- The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece
view with you but he slept badly on account of were at the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I
his uneasiness about his club debts. In the mid- have misjudged him!”
dle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his “When I arrived at the house,” continued
door, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised Holmes, “I at once went very carefully round it to
to see his cousin walking very stealthily along the observe if there were any traces in the snow which
passage until she disappeared into your dressing- might help me. I knew that none had fallen since
room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad slipped the evening before, and also that there had been
on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see a strong frost to preserve impressions. I passed
what would come of this strange affair. Presently along the tradesmen’s path, but found it all tram-
she emerged from the room again, and in the light pled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it,
of the passage-lamp your son saw that she car- however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a
ried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed woman had stood and talked with a man, whose
down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran round impressions on one side showed that he had
along and slipped behind the curtain near your a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been
door, whence he could see what passed in the hall disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to
beneath. He saw her stealthily open the window, the door, as was shown by the deep toe and light
hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and heel marks, while Wooden-leg had waited a little,
then closing it once more hurry back to her room, and then had gone away. I thought at the time
passing quite close to where he stood hid behind that this might be the maid and her sweetheart,
the curtain. of whom you had already spoken to me, and in-
“As long as she was on the scene he could not quiry showed it was so. I passed round the garden
take any action without a horrible exposure of the without seeing anything more than random tracks,
woman whom he loved. But the instant that she which I took to be the police; but when I got into
was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune the stable lane a very long and complex story was
this would be for you, and how all-important it written in the snow in front of me.
was to set it right. He rushed down, just as he “There was a double line of tracks of a booted
was, in his bare feet, opened the window, sprang man, and a second double line which I saw with
out into the snow, and ran down the lane, where delight belonged to a man with naked feet. I was
he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir at once convinced from what you had told me that
George Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur the latter was your son. The first had walked both
caught him, and there was a struggle between ways, but the other had run swiftly, and as his
them, your lad tugging at one side of the coro- tread was marked in places over the depression
net, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed af-
your son struck Sir George and cut him over the ter the other. I followed them up and found they
eye. Then something suddenly snapped, and your led to the hall window, where Boots had worn
son, finding that he had the coronet in his hands, all the snow away while waiting. Then I walked
rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your to the other end, which was a hundred yards or
room, and had just observed that the coronet had more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced
been twisted in the struggle and was endeavour- round, where the snow was cut up as though there
ing to straighten it when you appeared upon the had been a struggle, and, finally, where a few
scene.” drops of blood had fallen, to show me that I was
not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane,
“Is it possible?” gasped the banker. and another little smudge of blood showed that it
“You then roused his anger by calling him was he who had been hurt. When he came to the
names at a moment when he felt that he had de- highroad at the other end, I found that the pave-
served your warmest thanks. He could not explain ment had been cleared, so there was an end to that
the true state of affairs without betraying one who clue.

260
 “On entering the house, however, I examined, an acquaintance with his valet, learned that his
as you remember, the sill and framework of the master had cut his head the night before, and, fi-
hall window with my lens, and I could at once nally, at the expense of six shillings, made all sure
see that someone had passed out. I could distin- by buying a pair of his cast-off shoes. With these
guish the outline of an instep where the wet foot I journeyed down to Streatham and saw that they
had been placed in coming in. I was then begin- exactly fitted the tracks.”
ning to be able to form an opinion as to what had “I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yes-
occurred. A man had waited outside the window; terday evening,” said Mr. Holder.
someone had brought the gems; the deed had been
“Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man,
overseen by your son; he had pursued the thief;
so I came home and changed my clothes. It was
had struggled with him; they had each tugged at
a delicate part which I had to play then, for I saw
the coronet, their united strength causing injuries
that a prosecution must be avoided to avert scan-
which neither alone could have effected. He had
dal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see
returned with the prize, but had left a fragment in
that our hands were tied in the matter. I went and
the grasp of his opponent. So far I was clear. The
saw him. At first, of course, he denied everything.
question now was, who was the man and who was
But when I gave him every particular that had oc-
it brought him the coronet?
curred, he tried to bluster and took down a life-
“It is an old maxim of mine that when you have preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however,
excluded the impossible, whatever remains, how- and I clapped a pistol to his head before he could
ever improbable, must be the truth. Now, I knew strike. Then he became a little more reasonable. I
that it was not you who had brought it down, so told him that we would give him a price for the
there only remained your niece and the maids. But stones he held—£1000 apiece. That brought out
if it were the maids, why should your son allow the first signs of grief that he had shown. ‘Why,
himself to be accused in their place? There could dash it all!’ said he, ‘I’ve let them go at six hun-
be no possible reason. As he loved his cousin, dred for the three!’ I soon managed to get the ad-
however, there was an excellent explanation why dress of the receiver who had them, on promising
he should retain her secret—the more so as the se- him that there would be no prosecution. Off I set
cret was a disgraceful one. When I remembered to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones
that you had seen her at that window, and how at 1000 pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your
she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my son, told him that all was right, and eventually got
conjecture became a certainty. to my bed about two o’clock, after what I may call
“And who could it be who was her confeder- a really hard day’s work.”
ate? A lover evidently, for who else could out- “A day which has saved England from a great
weigh the love and gratitude which she must feel public scandal,” said the banker, rising. “Sir, I can-
to you? I knew that you went out little, and that not find words to thank you, but you shall not find
your circle of friends was a very limited one. But me ungrateful for what you have done. Your skill
among them was Sir George Burnwell. I had heard has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it.
of him before as being a man of evil reputation And now I must fly to my dear boy to apologise to
among women. It must have been he who wore him for the wrong which I have done him. As to
those boots and retained the missing gems. Even what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my very
though he knew that Arthur had discovered him, heart. Not even your skill can inform me where
he might still flatter himself that he was safe, for she is now.”
the lad could not say a word without compromis- “I think that we may safely say,” returned
ing his own family. Holmes, “that she is wherever Sir George Burnwell
“Well, your own good sense will suggest what is. It is equally certain, too, that whatever her sins
measures I took next. I went in the shape of a are, they will soon receive a more than sufficient
loafer to Sir George’s house, managed to pick up punishment.”
The Adventure of the Copper Beeches
T
The Adventure of the Copper Beeches

o the man who loves art for its own into the advertisement columns of a succession of
sake,” remarked Sherlock Holmes, toss- papers until at last, having apparently given up his
ing aside the advertisement sheet of the search, he had emerged in no very sweet temper to
Daily Telegraph, “it is frequently in its lecture me upon my literary shortcomings.
least important and lowliest manifestations that “At the same time,” he remarked after a pause,
the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is pleas- during which he had sat puffing at his long pipe
ant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far and gazing down into the fire, “you can hardly be
grasped this truth that in these little records of our open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of these
cases which you have been good enough to draw cases which you have been so kind as to interest
up, and, I am bound to say, occasionally to em- yourself in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime,
bellish, you have given prominence not so much in its legal sense, at all. The small matter in which
to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials I endeavoured to help the King of Bohemia, the
in which I have figured but rather to those inci- singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the
dents which may have been trivial in themselves, problem connected with the man with the twisted
but which have given room for those faculties of lip, and the incident of the noble bachelor, were
deduction and of logical synthesis which I have all matters which are outside the pale of the law.
made my special province.” But in avoiding the sensational, I fear that you may
“And yet,” said I, smiling, “I cannot quite hold have bordered on the trivial.”
myself absolved from the charge of sensationalism “The end may have been so,” I answered, “but
which has been urged against my records.” the methods I hold to have been novel and of in-
“You have erred, perhaps,” he observed, taking terest.”
up a glowing cinder with the tongs and lighting “Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public,
with it the long cherry-wood pipe which was wont the great unobservant public, who could hardly
to replace his clay when he was in a disputatious tell a weaver by his tooth or a compositor by his left
rather than a meditative mood—“you have erred thumb, care about the finer shades of analysis and
perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial. I can-
each of your statements instead of confining your- not blame you, for the days of the great cases are
self to the task of placing upon record that severe past. Man, or at least criminal man, has lost all en-
reasoning from cause to effect which is really the terprise and originality. As to my own little prac-
only notable feature about the thing.” tice, it seems to be degenerating into an agency for
recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to
“It seems to me that I have done you full justice
young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that
in the matter,” I remarked with some coldness, for
I have touched bottom at last, however. This note
I was repelled by the egotism which I had more
I had this morning marks my zero-point, I fancy.
than once observed to be a strong factor in my
Read it!” He tossed a crumpled letter across to me.
friend’s singular character.
It was dated from Montague Place upon the
“No, it is not selfishness or conceit,” said he,
preceding evening, and ran thus:
answering, as was his wont, my thoughts rather
than my words. “If I claim full justice for my art, it Dear Mr. Holmes:
is because it is an impersonal thing—a thing be- I am very anxious to consult you as
yond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. to whether I should or should not ac-
Therefore it is upon the logic rather than upon the cept a situation which has been offered
crime that you should dwell. You have degraded to me as governess. I shall call at half-
what should have been a course of lectures into a past ten to-morrow if I do not inconve-
series of tales.” nience you.
It was a cold morning of the early spring, and Yours faithfully,
we sat after breakfast on either side of a cheery Violet Hunter.
fire in the old room at Baker Street. A thick fog “Do you know the young lady?” I asked.
rolled down between the lines of dun-coloured
“Not I.”
houses, and the opposing windows loomed like
dark, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow “It is half-past ten now.”
wreaths. Our gas was lit and shone on the white “Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring.”
cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for the ta- “It may turn out to be of more interest than you
ble had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had think. You remember that the affair of the blue car-
been silent all the morning, dipping continuously buncle, which appeared to be a mere whim at first,

265
 The Adventure of the Copper Beeches

developed into a serious investigation. It may be entered. As I came in he gave quite a jump in his
so in this case, also.” chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper.
“Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very “ ‘That will do,’ said he; ‘I could not ask for
soon be solved, for here, unless I am much mis- anything better. Capital! capital!’ He seemed quite
taken, is the person in question.” enthusiastic and rubbed his hands together in the
most genial fashion. He was such a comfortable-
As he spoke the door opened and a young
looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at
lady entered the room. She was plainly but neatly
him.
dressed, with a bright, quick face, freckled like
a plover’s egg, and with the brisk manner of a “ ‘You are looking for a situation, miss?’ he
woman who has had her own way to make in the asked.
world. “ ‘Yes, sir.’
“You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure,” “ ‘As governess?’
said she, as my companion rose to greet her, “but I “ ‘Yes, sir.’
have had a very strange experience, and as I have “ ‘And what salary do you ask?’
no parents or relations of any sort from whom “ ‘I had £4 a month in my last place with
I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you Colonel Spence Munro.’
would be kind enough to tell me what I should
“ ‘Oh, tut, tut! sweating—rank sweating!’ he
do.”
cried, throwing his fat hands out into the air like
“Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy a man who is in a boiling passion. ‘How could
to do anything that I can to serve you.” anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with such
I could see that Holmes was favourably im- attractions and accomplishments?’
pressed by the manner and speech of his new “ ‘My accomplishments, sir, may be less than
client. He looked her over in his searching fashion, you imagine,’ said I. ‘A little French, a little Ger-
and then composed himself, with his lids drooping man, music, and drawing—’
and his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. “ ‘Tut, tut!’ he cried. ‘This is all quite beside the
“I have been a governess for five years,” said question. The point is, have you or have you not
she, “in the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but the bearing and deportment of a lady? There it is
two months ago the colonel received an appoint- in a nutshell. If you have not, you are not fitted for
ment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his chil- the rearing of a child who may some day play a
dren over to America with him, so that I found considerable part in the history of the country. But
myself without a situation. I advertised, and I an- if you have why, then, how could any gentleman
swered advertisements, but without success. At ask you to condescend to accept anything under
last the little money which I had saved began to the three figures? Your salary with me, madam,
run short, and I was at my wit’s end as to what I would commence at £100 a year.’
should do. “You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me,
“There is a well-known agency for governesses destitute as I was, such an offer seemed almost
in the West End called Westaway’s, and there I too good to be true. The gentleman, however, see-
used to call about once a week in order to see ing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face,
whether anything had turned up which might suit opened a pocket-book and took out a note.
me. Westaway was the name of the founder of the “ ‘It is also my custom,’ said he, smiling in the
business, but it is really managed by Miss Stoper. most pleasant fashion until his eyes were just two
She sits in her own little office, and the ladies who little shining slits amid the white creases of his
are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, and face, ‘to advance to my young ladies half their
are then shown in one by one, when she consults salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little
her ledgers and sees whether she has anything expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.’
which would suit them. “It seemed to me that I had never met so fasci-
“Well, when I called last week I was shown nating and so thoughtful a man. As I was already
into the little office as usual, but I found that in debt to my tradesmen, the advance was a great
Miss Stoper was not alone. A prodigiously stout convenience, and yet there was something unnat-
man with a very smiling face and a great heavy ural about the whole transaction which made me
chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his wish to know a little more before I quite commit-
throat sat at her elbow with a pair of glasses on ted myself.
his nose, looking very earnestly at the ladies who “ ‘May I ask where you live, sir?’ said I.

266
 The Adventure of the Copper Beeches

“ ‘Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Cop- “ ‘Ah, very well; then that quite settles the mat-
per Beeches, five miles on the far side of Winch- ter. It is a pity, because in other respects you
ester. It is the most lovely country, my dear young would really have done very nicely. In that case,
lady, and the dearest old country-house.’ Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more of your
“ ‘And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know young ladies.’
what they would be.’ “The manageress had sat all this while busy
“ ‘One child—one dear little romper just six with her papers without a word to either of us,
years old. Oh, if you could see him killing cock- but she glanced at me now with so much annoy-
roaches with a slipper! Smack! smack! smack! ance upon her face that I could not help suspecting
Three gone before you could wink!’ He leaned that she had lost a handsome commission through
back in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head my refusal.
again. “ ‘Do you desire your name to be kept upon the
“I was a little startled at the nature of the books?’ she asked.
child’s amusement, but the father’s laughter made “ ‘If you please, Miss Stoper.’
me think that perhaps he was joking.
“ ‘Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you
“ ‘My sole duties, then,’ I asked, ‘are to take refuse the most excellent offers in this fashion,’
charge of a single child?’ said she sharply. ‘You can hardly expect us to ex-
“ ‘No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear ert ourselves to find another such opening for you.
young lady,’ he cried. ‘Your duty would be, as I Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.’ She struck a gong
am sure your good sense would suggest, to obey upon the table, and I was shown out by the page.
any little commands my wife might give, provided “Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodg-
always that they were such commands as a lady ings and found little enough in the cupboard, and
might with propriety obey. You see no difficulty, two or three bills upon the table. I began to ask
heh?’ myself whether I had not done a very foolish thing.
“ ‘I should be happy to make myself useful.’ After all, if these people had strange fads and ex-
“ ‘Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are pected obedience on the most extraordinary mat-
faddy people, you know—faddy but kind-hearted. ters, they were at least ready to pay for their ec-
If you were asked to wear any dress which we centricity. Very few governesses in England are
might give you, you would not object to our lit- getting £100 a year. Besides, what use was my hair
tle whim. Heh?’ to me? Many people are improved by wearing it
short and perhaps I should be among the number.
“ ‘No,’ said I, considerably astonished at his Next day I was inclined to think that I had made a
words. mistake, and by the day after I was sure of it. I had
“ ‘Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be almost overcome my pride so far as to go back to
offensive to you?’ the agency and inquire whether the place was still
“ ‘Oh, no.’ open when I received this letter from the gentle-
man himself. I have it here and I will read it to
“ ‘Or to cut your hair quite short before you
you:
come to us?’
“I could hardly believe my ears. As you may
observe, Mr. Holmes, my hair is somewhat luxu- “ ‘The Copper Beeches, near Winchester.
riant, and of a rather peculiar tint of chestnut. It “ ‘Dear Miss Hunter:
has been considered artistic. I could not dream of “ ‘Miss Stoper has very kindly given
sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. me your address, and I write from here
“ ‘I am afraid that that is quite impossible,’ said to ask you whether you have reconsid-
I. He had been watching me eagerly out of his ered your decision. My wife is very
small eyes, and I could see a shadow pass over anxious that you should come, for she
his face as I spoke. has been much attracted by my de-
scription of you. We are willing to
“ ‘I am afraid that it is quite essential,’ said he. give £30 a quarter, or £120 a year, so
‘It is a little fancy of my wife’s, and ladies’ fan- as to recompense you for any little in-
cies, you know, madam, ladies’ fancies must be convenience which our fads may cause
consulted. And so you won’t cut your hair?’ you. They are not very exacting, af-
“ ‘No, sir, I really could not,’ I answered firmly. ter all. My wife is fond of a particular

267
 The Adventure of the Copper Beeches

shade of electric blue and would like pick for £40? There must be some strong reason
you to wear such a dress indoors in behind.”
the morning. You need not, however, “I thought that if I told you the circumstances
go to the expense of purchasing one, you would understand afterwards if I wanted your
as we have one belonging to my dear help. I should feel so much stronger if I felt that
daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), you were at the back of me.”
which would, I should think, fit you
“Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you.
very well. Then, as to sitting here or
I assure you that your little problem promises to
there, or amusing yourself in any man-
be the most interesting which has come my way
ner indicated, that need cause you no
for some months. There is something distinctly
inconvenience. As regards your hair,
novel about some of the features. If you should
it is no doubt a pity, especially as I
find yourself in doubt or in danger—”
could not help remarking its beauty
during our short interview, but I am “Danger! What danger do you foresee?”
afraid that I must remain firm upon Holmes shook his head gravely. “It would
this point, and I only hope that the cease to be a danger if we could define it,” said he.
increased salary may recompense you “But at any time, day or night, a telegram would
for the loss. Your duties, as far as the bring me down to your help.”
child is concerned, are very light. Now “That is enough.” She rose briskly from her
do try to come, and I shall meet you chair with the anxiety all swept from her face.
with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let “I shall go down to Hampshire quite easy in
me know your train. my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at
“ ‘Yours faithfully, once, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for
“ ‘Jephro Rucastle.’ Winchester to-morrow.” With a few grateful words
to Holmes she bade us both good-night and bus-
“That is the letter which I have just received,
tled off upon her way.
Mr. Holmes, and my mind is made up that I will
accept it. I thought, however, that before taking the “At least,” said I as we heard her quick, firm
final step I should like to submit the whole matter steps descending the stairs, “she seems to be a
to your consideration.” young lady who is very well able to take care of
herself.”
“Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up,
that settles the question,” said Holmes, smiling. “And she would need to be,” said Holmes
gravely. “I am much mistaken if we do not hear
“But you would not advise me to refuse?” from her before many days are past.”
“I confess that it is not the situation which I It was not very long before my friend’s pre-
should like to see a sister of mine apply for.” diction was fulfilled. A fortnight went by, dur-
“What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?” ing which I frequently found my thoughts turn-
“Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you ing in her direction and wondering what strange
have yourself formed some opinion?” side-alley of human experience this lonely woman
had strayed into. The unusual salary, the curious
“Well, there seems to me to be only one pos-
conditions, the light duties, all pointed to some-
sible solution. Mr. Rucastle seemed to be a very
thing abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot,
kind, good-natured man. Is it not possible that his
or whether the man were a philanthropist or a vil-
wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the matter
lain, it was quite beyond my powers to determine.
quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum,
As to Holmes, I observed that he sat frequently for
and that he humours her fancies in every way in
half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an
order to prevent an outbreak?”
abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with
“That is a possible solution—in fact, as matters a wave of his hand when I mentioned it. “Data!
stand, it is the most probable one. But in any case data! data!” he cried impatiently. “I can’t make
it does not seem to be a nice household for a young bricks without clay.” And yet he would always
lady.” wind up by muttering that no sister of his should
“But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!” ever have accepted such a situation.
“Well, yes, of course the pay is good—too good. The telegram which we eventually received
That is what makes me uneasy. Why should they came late one night just as I was thinking of turn-
give you £120 a year, when they could have their ing in and Holmes was settling down to one of

268
 The Adventure of the Copper Beeches

those all-night chemical researches which he fre- “Good heavens!” I cried. “Who would asso-
quently indulged in, when I would leave him ciate crime with these dear old homesteads?”
stooping over a retort and a test-tube at night and “They always fill me with a certain horror. It is
find him in the same position when I came down my belief, Watson, founded upon my experience,
to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yel- that the lowest and vilest alleys in London do not
low envelope, and then, glancing at the message, present a more dreadful record of sin than does
threw it across to me. the smiling and beautiful countryside.”
“Just look up the trains in Bradshaw,” said he, “You horrify me!”
and turned back to his chemical studies. “But the reason is very obvious. The pressure
The summons was a brief and urgent one. of public opinion can do in the town what the law
cannot accomplish. There is no lane so vile that the
Please be at the Black Swan Hotel scream of a tortured child, or the thud of a drunk-
at Winchester at midday to-morrow [it ard’s blow, does not beget sympathy and indig-
said]. Do come! I am at my wit’s end. nation among the neighbours, and then the whole
Hunter. machinery of justice is ever so close that a word of
complaint can set it going, and there is but a step
“Will you come with me?” asked Holmes, between the crime and the dock. But look at these
glancing up. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the
“I should wish to.” most part with poor ignorant folk who know little
of the law. Think of the deeds of hellish cruelty,
“Just look it up, then.” the hidden wickedness which may go on, year in,
“There is a train at half-past nine,” said I, glanc- year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had
ing over my Bradshaw. “It is due at Winchester at this lady who appeals to us for help gone to live
11.30.” in Winchester, I should never have had a fear for
“That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had her. It is the five miles of country which makes the
better postpone my analysis of the acetones, as we danger. Still, it is clear that she is not personally
may need to be at our best in the morning.” threatened.”
“No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us
By eleven o’clock the next day we were well
she can get away.”
upon our way to the old English capital. Holmes
had been buried in the morning papers all the way “Quite so. She has her freedom.”
down, but after we had passed the Hampshire bor- “What can be the matter, then? Can you sug-
der he threw them down and began to admire the gest no explanation?”
scenery. It was an ideal spring day, a light blue “I have devised seven separate explanations,
sky, flecked with little fleecy white clouds drift- each of which would cover the facts as far as we
ing across from west to east. The sun was shining know them. But which of these is correct can only
very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip be determined by the fresh information which we
in the air, which set an edge to a man’s energy. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is
All over the countryside, away to the rolling hills the tower of the cathedral, and we shall soon learn
around Aldershot, the little red and grey roofs of all that Miss Hunter has to tell.”
the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light
The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High
green of the new foliage.
Street, at no distance from the station, and there
“Are they not fresh and beautiful?” I cried with we found the young lady waiting for us. She had
all the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch awaited us
Baker Street. upon the table.
But Holmes shook his head gravely. “I am so delighted that you have come,” she
said earnestly. “It is so very kind of you both; but
“Do you know, Watson,” said he, “that it is one
indeed I do not know what I should do. Your ad-
of the curses of a mind with a turn like mine that I
vice will be altogether invaluable to me.”
must look at everything with reference to my own
special subject. You look at these scattered houses, “Pray tell us what has happened to you.”
and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at “I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have
them, and the only thought which comes to me promised Mr. Rucastle to be back before three.
is a feeling of their isolation and of the impunity I got his leave to come into town this morning,
with which crime may be committed there.” though he little knew for what purpose.”

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 The Adventure of the Copper Beeches

“Let us have everything in its due order.” some secret sorrow, this woman. She would of-
Holmes thrust his long thin legs out towards the ten be lost in deep thought, with the saddest look
fire and composed himself to listen. upon her face. More than once I have surprised
“In the first place, I may say that I have met, on her in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was
the whole, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. the disposition of her child which weighed upon
and Mrs. Rucastle. It is only fair to them to say her mind, for I have never met so utterly spoiled
that. But I cannot understand them, and I am not and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small for
easy in my mind about them.” his age, with a head which is quite disproportion-
ately large. His whole life appears to be spent in
“What can you not understand?” an alternation between savage fits of passion and
“Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving pain to any
have it all just as it occurred. When I came down, creature weaker than himself seems to be his one
Mr. Rucastle met me here and drove me in his dog- idea of amusement, and he shows quite remark-
cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he said, beau- able talent in planning the capture of mice, little
tifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, for birds, and insects. But I would rather not talk
it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he
but all stained and streaked with damp and bad has little to do with my story.”
weather. There are grounds round it, woods on “I am glad of all details,” remarked my friend,
three sides, and on the fourth a field which slopes “whether they seem to you to be relevant or not.”
down to the Southampton highroad, which curves “I shall try not to miss anything of importance.
past about a hundred yards from the front door. The one unpleasant thing about the house, which
This ground in front belongs to the house, but the struck me at once, was the appearance and con-
woods all round are part of Lord Southerton’s pre- duct of the servants. There are only two, a man
serves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough,
front of the hall door has given its name to the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers,
place. and a perpetual smell of drink. Twice since I have
“I was driven over by my employer, who was been with them he has been quite drunk, and yet
as amiable as ever, and was introduced by him that Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. His
evening to his wife and the child. There was no wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour
truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed face, as silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less ami-
to us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. able. They are a most unpleasant couple, but for-
Mrs. Rucastle is not mad. I found her to be a silent, tunately I spend most of my time in the nursery
pale-faced woman, much younger than her hus- and my own room, which are next to each other in
band, not more than thirty, I should think, while he one corner of the building.
can hardly be less than forty-five. From their con- “For two days after my arrival at the Copper
versation I have gathered that they have been mar- Beeches my life was very quiet; on the third, Mrs.
ried about seven years, that he was a widower, and Rucastle came down just after breakfast and whis-
that his only child by the first wife was the daugh- pered something to her husband.
ter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. Rucastle “ ‘Oh, yes,’ said he, turning to me, ‘we are very
told me in private that the reason why she had left much obliged to you, Miss Hunter, for falling in
them was that she had an unreasoning aversion to with our whims so far as to cut your hair. I as-
her stepmother. As the daughter could not have sure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest iota
been less than twenty, I can quite imagine that her from your appearance. We shall now see how the
position must have been uncomfortable with her electric-blue dress will become you. You will find
father’s young wife. it laid out upon the bed in your room, and if you
“Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in would be so good as to put it on we should both
mind as well as in feature. She impressed me nei- be extremely obliged.’
ther favourably nor the reverse. She was a nonen- “The dress which I found waiting for me was
tity. It was easy to see that she was passionately of a peculiar shade of blue. It was of excellent
devoted both to her husband and to her little son. material, a sort of beige, but it bore unmistakable
Her light grey eyes wandered continually from signs of having been worn before. It could not
one to the other, noting every little want and fore- have been a better fit if I had been measured for
stalling it if possible. He was kind to her also in his it. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight
bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they at the look of it, which seemed quite exaggerated
seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had in its vehemence. They were waiting for me in the

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 The Adventure of the Copper Beeches

drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretch- gaze. She said nothing, but I am convinced that
ing along the entire front of the house, with three she had divined that I had a mirror in my hand
long windows reaching down to the floor. A chair and had seen what was behind me. She rose at
had been placed close to the central window, with once.
its back turned towards it. In this I was asked to “ ‘Jephro,’ said she, ‘there is an impertinent fel-
sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down low upon the road there who stares up at Miss
on the other side of the room, began to tell me a se- Hunter.’
ries of the funniest stories that I have ever listened “ ‘No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?’ he asked.
to. You cannot imagine how comical he was, and “ ‘No, I know no one in these parts.’
I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Rucastle,
“ ‘Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly
however, who has evidently no sense of humour,
turn round and motion to him to go away.’
never so much as smiled, but sat with her hands in
“ ‘Surely it would be better to take no notice.’
her lap, and a sad, anxious look upon her face. Af-
ter an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle suddenly remarked “ ‘No, no, we should have him loitering here al-
that it was time to commence the duties of the day, ways. Kindly turn round and wave him away like
and that I might change my dress and go to little that.’
Edward in the nursery. “I did as I was told, and at the same instant
Mrs. Rucastle drew down the blind. That was a
“Two days later this same performance was
week ago, and from that time I have not sat again
gone through under exactly similar circumstances.
in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor
Again I changed my dress, again I sat in the win-
seen the man in the road.“
dow, and again I laughed very heartily at the
funny stories of which my employer had an im- “Pray continue,“ said Holmes. “Your narrative
mense répertoire, and which he told inimitably. promises to be a most interesting one.“
Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and “You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and
moving my chair a little sideways, that my own there may prove to be little relation between the
shadow might not fall upon the page, he begged different incidents of which I speak. On the very
me to read aloud to him. I read for about ten min- first day that I was at the Copper Beeches, Mr. Ru-
utes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then castle took me to a small outhouse which stands
suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard
me to cease and to change my dress. the sharp rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a
large animal moving about.
“You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how cu-
rious I became as to what the meaning of this ex- “ ‘Look in here!’ said Mr. Rucastle, showing me
traordinary performance could possibly be. They a slit between two planks. ‘Is he not a beauty?’
were always very careful, I observed, to turn my “I looked through and was conscious of two
face away from the window, so that I became con- glowing eyes, and of a vague figure huddled up in
sumed with the desire to see what was going on the darkness.
behind my back. At first it seemed to be impossi- “ ‘Don’t be frightened,’ said my employer,
ble, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror laughing at the start which I had given. ‘It’s only
had been broken, so a happy thought seized me, Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, but really old
and I concealed a piece of the glass in my hand- Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do any-
kerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst of my thing with him. We feed him once a day, and not
laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, too much then, so that he is always as keen as mus-
and was able with a little management to see all tard. Toller lets him loose every night, and God
that there was behind me. I confess that I was dis- help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs upon.
appointed. There was nothing. At least that was For goodness’ sake don’t you ever on any pretext
my first impression. At the second glance, how- set your foot over the threshold at night, for it’s as
ever, I perceived that there was a man standing in much as your life is worth.’
the Southampton Road, a small bearded man in “The warning was no idle one, for two nights
a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in my di- later I happened to look out of my bedroom win-
rection. The road is an important highway, and dow about two o’clock in the morning. It was a
there are usually people there. This man, however, beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of
was leaning against the railings which bordered the house was silvered over and almost as bright
our field and was looking earnestly up. I lowered as day. I was standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty
my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to of the scene, when I was aware that something was
find her eyes fixed upon me with a most searching moving under the shadow of the copper beeches.

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 The Adventure of the Copper Beeches

As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it the door and hurried past me without a word or a
was. It was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny look.
tinted, with hanging jowl, black muzzle, and huge “This aroused my curiosity, so when I went
projecting bones. It walked slowly across the lawn out for a walk in the grounds with my charge, I
and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. strolled round to the side from which I could see
That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart the windows of this part of the house. There were
which I do not think that any burglar could have four of them in a row, three of which were sim-
done. ply dirty, while the fourth was shuttered up. They
“And now I have a very strange experience to were evidently all deserted. As I strolled up and
tell you. I had, as you know, cut off my hair in down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucas-
London, and I had placed it in a great coil at the tle came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as
bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the child ever.
was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examin- “ ‘Ah!’ said he, ‘you must not think me rude if
ing the furniture of my room and by rearranging I passed you without a word, my dear young lady.
my own little things. There was an old chest of I was preoccupied with business matters.’
drawers in the room, the two upper ones empty
“I assured him that I was not offended. ‘By the
and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the
way,’ said I, ‘you seem to have quite a suite of spare
first two with my linen, and as I had still much to
rooms up there, and one of them has the shutters
pack away I was naturally annoyed at not having
up.’
the use of the third drawer. It struck me that it
might have been fastened by a mere oversight, so “He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me,
I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. a little startled at my remark.
The very first key fitted to perfection, and I drew “ ‘Photography is one of my hobbies,’ said he.
the drawer open. There was only one thing in it, ‘I have made my dark room up there. But, dear
but I am sure that you would never guess what it me! what an observant young lady we have come
was. It was my coil of hair. upon. Who would have believed it? Who would
“I took it up and examined it. It was of the have ever believed it?’ He spoke in a jesting tone,
same peculiar tint, and the same thickness. But but there was no jest in his eyes as he looked at
then the impossibility of the thing obtruded itself me. I read suspicion there and annoyance, but no
upon me. How could my hair have been locked jest.
in the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my “Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I un-
trunk, turned out the contents, and drew from derstood that there was something about that suite
the bottom my own hair. I laid the two tresses of rooms which I was not to know, I was all on
together, and I assure you that they were identi- fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity,
cal. Was it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, though I have my share of that. It was more a
I could make nothing at all of what it meant. I re- feeling of duty—a feeling that some good might
turned the strange hair to the drawer, and I said come from my penetrating to this place. They talk
nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that of woman’s instinct; perhaps it was woman’s in-
I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer stinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it
which they had locked. was there, and I was keenly on the lookout for any
“I am naturally observant, as you may have chance to pass the forbidden door.
remarked, Mr. Holmes, and I soon had a pretty “It was only yesterday that the chance came. I
good plan of the whole house in my head. There may tell you that, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller
was one wing, however, which appeared not to be and his wife find something to do in these deserted
inhabited at all. A door which faced that which rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large black
led into the quarters of the Tollers opened into linen bag with him through the door. Recently he
this suite, but it was invariably locked. One day, has been drinking hard, and yesterday evening he
however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucas- was very drunk; and when I came upstairs there
tle coming out through this door, his keys in his was the key in the door. I have no doubt at all that
hand, and a look on his face which made him a he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were
very different person to the round, jovial man to both downstairs, and the child was with them,
whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his so that I had an admirable opportunity. I turned
brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins the key gently in the lock, opened the door, and
stood out at his temples with passion. He locked slipped through.

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“There was a little passage in front of me, un- “ ‘Well, then, you know now. And if you ever
papered and uncarpeted, which turned at a right put your foot over that threshold again’—here in
angle at the farther end. Round this corner were an instant the smile hardened into a grin of rage,
three doors in a line, the first and third of which and he glared down at me with the face of a de-
were open. They each led into an empty room, mon—‘I’ll throw you to the mastiff.’
dusty and cheerless, with two windows in the one “I was so terrified that I do not know what I
and one in the other, so thick with dirt that the did. I suppose that I must have rushed past him
evening light glimmered dimly through them. The into my room. I remember nothing until I found
centre door was closed, and across the outside of it myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I
had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there
bed, padlocked at one end to a ring in the wall, and longer without some advice. I was frightened of
fastened at the other with stout cord. The door it- the house, of the man, of the woman, of the ser-
self was locked as well, and the key was not there. vants, even of the child. They were all horrible to
This barricaded door corresponded clearly with me. If I could only bring you down all would be
the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see well. Of course I might have fled from the house,
by the glimmer from beneath it that the room was but my curiosity was almost as strong as my fears.
not in darkness. Evidently there was a skylight My mind was soon made up. I would send you
which let in light from above. As I stood in the a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down
passage gazing at the sinister door and wonder- to the office, which is about half a mile from the
ing what secret it might veil, I suddenly heard the house, and then returned, feeling very much eas-
sound of steps within the room and saw a shadow ier. A horrible doubt came into my mind as I ap-
pass backward and forward against the little slit of proached the door lest the dog might be loose, but
dim light which shone out from under the door. I remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a
A mad, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the state of insensibility that evening, and I knew that
sight, Mr. Holmes. My overstrung nerves failed he was the only one in the household who had any
me suddenly, and I turned and ran—ran as though influence with the savage creature, or who would
some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and
the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought
through the door, and straight into the arms of Mr. of seeing you. I had no difficulty in getting leave
Rucastle, who was waiting outside. to come into Winchester this morning, but I must
“ ‘So,’ said he, smiling, ‘it was you, then. I be back before three o’clock, for Mr and Mrs. Ru-
thought that it must be when I saw the door open.’ castle are going on a visit, and will be away all the
evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I
“ ‘Oh, I am so frightened!’ I panted.
have told you all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and
“ ‘My dear young lady! my dear young I should be very glad if you could tell me what it
lady!’—you cannot think how caressing and sooth- all means, and, above all, what I should do.”
ing his manner was—‘and what has frightened
Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this
you, my dear young lady?’
extraordinary story. My friend rose now and
“But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He paced up and down the room, his hands in his
overdid it. I was keenly on my guard against him. pockets, and an expression of the most profound
“ ‘I was foolish enough to go into the empty gravity upon his face.
wing,’ I answered. ‘But it is so lonely and eerie “Is Toller still drunk?” he asked.
in this dim light that I was frightened and ran out
“Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that
again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in there!’
she could do nothing with him.”
“ ‘Only that?’ said he, looking at me keenly.
“That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-
“ ‘Why, what did you think?’ I asked. night?”
“ ‘Why do you think that I lock this door?’ “Yes.”
“ ‘I am sure that I do not know.’ “Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?”
“ ‘It is to keep people out who have no busi- “Yes, the wine-cellar.”
ness there. Do you see?’ He was still smiling in “You seem to me to have acted all through this
the most amiable manner. matter like a very brave and sensible girl, Miss
“ ‘I am sure if I had known—’ Hunter. Do you think that you could perform one

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 The Adventure of the Copper Beeches

more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not “We must be circumspect, for we are dealing
think you a quite exceptional woman.” with a very cunning man. We can do nothing until
“I will try. What is it?” seven o’clock. At that hour we shall be with you,
and it will not be long before we solve the mys-
“We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven
tery.”
o’clock, my friend and I. The Rucastles will be
gone by that time, and Toller will, we hope, be We were as good as our word, for it was just
incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who seven when we reached the Copper Beeches, hav-
might give the alarm. If you could send her ing put up our trap at a wayside public-house.
into the cellar on some errand, and then turn the The group of trees, with their dark leaves shin-
key upon her, you would facilitate matters im- ing like burnished metal in the light of the set-
mensely.” ting sun, were sufficient to mark the house even
had Miss Hunter not been standing smiling on the
“I will do it.”
door-step.
“Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into “Have you managed it?” asked Holmes.
the affair. Of course there is only one feasible ex-
A loud thudding noise came from somewhere
planation. You have been brought there to person-
downstairs. “That is Mrs. Toller in the cellar,” said
ate someone, and the real person is imprisoned in
she. “Her husband lies snoring on the kitchen rug.
this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this pris-
Here are his keys, which are the duplicates of Mr.
oner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter,
Rucastle’s.”
Miss Alice Rucastle, if I remember right, who was
said to have gone to America. You were chosen, “You have done well indeed!” cried Holmes
doubtless, as resembling her in height, figure, and with enthusiasm. “Now lead the way, and we shall
the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, soon see the end of this black business.”
very possibly in some illness through which she We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, fol-
has passed, and so, of course, yours had to be sac- lowed on down a passage, and found ourselves
rificed also. By a curious chance you came upon in front of the barricade which Miss Hunter had
her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly described. Holmes cut the cord and removed
some friend of hers—possibly her fiancé—and no the transverse bar. Then he tried the various
doubt, as you wore the girl’s dress and were so like keys in the lock, but without success. No sound
her, he was convinced from your laughter, when- came from within, and at the silence Holmes’ face
ever he saw you, and afterwards from your ges- clouded over.
ture, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and “I trust that we are not too late,” said he. “I
that she no longer desired his attentions. The dog think, Miss Hunter, that we had better go in with-
is let loose at night to prevent him from endeav- out you. Now, Watson, put your shoulder to it, and
ouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly we shall see whether we cannot make our way in.”
clear. The most serious point in the case is the dis- It was an old rickety door and gave at once be-
position of the child.” fore our united strength. Together we rushed into
“What on earth has that to do with it?” I ejacu- the room. It was empty. There was no furniture
lated. save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a basket-
“My dear Watson, you as a medical man are ful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the
continually gaining light as to the tendencies of prisoner gone.
a child by the study of the parents. Don’t you “There has been some villainy here,” said
see that the converse is equally valid. I have fre- Holmes; “this beauty has guessed Miss Hunter’s
quently gained my first real insight into the char- intentions and has carried his victim off.”
acter of parents by studying their children. This “But how?”
child’s disposition is abnormally cruel, merely for “Through the skylight. We shall soon see how
cruelty’s sake, and whether he derives this from he managed it.” He swung himself up onto the
his smiling father, as I should suspect, or from his roof. “Ah, yes,” he cried, “here’s the end of a long
mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did
their power.” it.”
“I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes,” “But it is impossible,” said Miss Hunter; “the
cried our client. “A thousand things come back ladder was not there when the Rucastles went
to me which make me certain that you have hit it. away.”
Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to “He has come back and done it. I tell you that
this poor creature.” he is a clever and dangerous man. I should not

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be very much surprised if this were he whose step “Ha!” said Holmes, looking keenly at her. “It is
I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that clear that Mrs. Toller knows more about this mat-
it would be as well for you to have your pistol ter than anyone else.”
ready.” “Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell
The words were hardly out of his mouth be- what I know.”
fore a man appeared at the door of the room, a “Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for
very fat and burly man, with a heavy stick in his there are several points on which I must confess
hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against that I am still in the dark.”
the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes
sprang forward and confronted him. “I will soon make it clear to you,” said she;
“and I’d have done so before now if I could ha’
“You villain!” said he, “where’s your daugh- got out from the cellar. If there’s police-court busi-
ter?” ness over this, you’ll remember that I was the one
The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice’s
at the open skylight. friend too.
“It is for me to ask you that,” he shrieked, “you “She was never happy at home, Miss Alice
thieves! Spies and thieves! I have caught you, have wasn’t, from the time that her father married
I? You are in my power. I’ll serve you!” He turned again. She was slighted like and had no say in any-
and clattered down the stairs as hard as he could thing, but it never really became bad for her until
go. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend’s house. As
“He’s gone for the dog!” cried Miss Hunter. well as I could learn, Miss Alice had rights of her
own by will, but she was so quiet and patient, she
“I have my revolver,” said I.
was, that she never said a word about them but just
“Better close the front door,” cried Holmes, and left everything in Mr. Rucastle’s hands. He knew
we all rushed down the stairs together. We had he was safe with her; but when there was a chance
hardly reached the hall when we heard the bay- of a husband coming forward, who would ask for
ing of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with all that the law would give him, then her father
a horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her
to listen to. An elderly man with a red face and to sign a paper, so that whether she married or not,
shaking limbs came staggering out at a side door. he could use her money. When she wouldn’t do it,
“My God!” he cried. “Someone has loosed the he kept on worrying her until she got brain-fever,
dog. It’s not been fed for two days. Quick, quick, and for six weeks was at death’s door. Then she
or it’ll be too late!” got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with
her beautiful hair cut off; but that didn’t make no
Holmes and I rushed out and round the an-
change in her young man, and he stuck to her as
gle of the house, with Toller hurrying behind us.
true as man could be.”
There was the huge famished brute, its black muz-
zle buried in Rucastle’s throat, while he writhed “Ah,” said Holmes, “I think that what you have
and screamed upon the ground. Running up, I been good enough to tell us makes the matter
blew its brains out, and it fell over with its keen fairly clear, and that I can deduce all that remains.
white teeth still meeting in the great creases of his Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this system
neck. With much labour we separated them and of imprisonment?”
carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the “Yes, sir.”
house. We laid him upon the drawing-room sofa,
and having dispatched the sobered Toller to bear “And brought Miss Hunter down from London
the news to his wife, I did what I could to relieve in order to get rid of the disagreeable persistence
his pain. We were all assembled round him when of Mr. Fowler.”
the door opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered “That was it, sir.”
the room. “But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a
“Mrs. Toller!” cried Miss Hunter. good seaman should be, blockaded the house, and
“Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he having met you succeeded by certain arguments,
came back before he went up to you. Ah, miss, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your
it is a pity you didn’t let me know what you were interests were the same as his.”
planning, for I would have told you that your pains “Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-
were wasted.” handed gentleman,” said Mrs. Toller serenely.

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 “And in this way he managed that your good door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but was always a bro-
man should have no want of drink, and that a lad- ken man, kept alive solely through the care of his
der should be ready at the moment when your devoted wife. They still live with their old ser-
master had gone out.” vants, who probably know so much of Rucastle’s
“You have it, sir, just as it happened.” past life that he finds it difficult to part from them.
Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were married, by
“I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller,” special license, in Southampton the day after their
said Holmes, “for you have certainly cleared up flight, and he is now the holder of a government
everything which puzzled us. And here comes appointment in the island of Mauritius. As to Miss
the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Violet Hunter, my friend Holmes, rather to my dis-
Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back appointment, manifested no further interest in her
to Winchester, as it seems to me that our locus when once she had ceased to be the centre of one
standi now is rather a questionable one.” of his problems, and she is now the head of a pri-
And thus was solved the mystery of the sinis- vate school at Walsall, where I believe that she has
ter house with the copper beeches in front of the met with considerable success.
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
Silver Blaze
I
Silver Blaze

am afraid, Watson, that I shall have to simple one. I presume that you have looked into
go,” said Holmes, as we sat down to- this matter of the murder of John Straker and the
gether to our breakfast one morning. disappearance of Silver Blaze?”
“Go! Where to?” “I have seen what the Telegraph and the Chroni-
“To Dartmoor; to King’s Pyland.” cle have to say.”
I was not surprised. Indeed, my only won- “It is one of those cases where the art of the rea-
der was that he had not already been mixed upon soner should be used rather for the sifting of de-
this extraordinary case, which was the one topic tails than for the acquiring of fresh evidence. The
of conversation through the length and breadth tragedy has been so uncommon, so complete and
of England. For a whole day my companion had of such personal importance to so many people,
rambled about the room with his chin upon his that we are suffering from a plethora of surmise,
chest and his brows knitted, charging and recharg- conjecture, and hypothesis. The difficulty is to
ing his pipe with the strongest black tobacco, and detach the framework of fact—of absolute unde-
absolutely deaf to any of my questions or remarks. niable fact—from the embellishments of theorists
Fresh editions of every paper had been sent up and reporters. Then, having established ourselves
by our news agent, only to be glanced over and upon this sound basis, it is our duty to see what
tossed down into a corner. Yet, silent as he was, I inferences may be drawn and what are the special
knew perfectly well what it was over which he was points upon which the whole mystery turns. On
brooding. There was but one problem before the Tuesday evening I received telegrams from both
public which could challenge his powers of analy- Colonel Ross, the owner of the horse, and from
sis, and that was the singular disappearance of the Inspector Gregory, who is looking after the case,
favorite for the Wessex Cup, and the tragic murder inviting my cooperation.
of its trainer. When, therefore, he suddenly an-
nounced his intention of setting out for the scene “Tuesday evening!” I exclaimed. “And this is
of the drama it was only what I had both expected Thursday morning. Why didn’t you go down yes-
and hoped for. terday?”
“I should be most happy to go down with you “Because I made a blunder, my dear Wat-
if I should not be in the way,” said I. son—which is, I am afraid, a more common occur-
“My dear Watson, you would confer a great fa- rence than any one would think who only knew
vor upon me by coming. And I think that your me through your memoirs. The fact is that I could
time will not be misspent, for there are points not believe it possible that the most remarkable
about the case which promise to make it an ab- horse in England could long remain concealed,
solutely unique one. We have, I think, just time to especially in so sparsely inhabited a place as the
catch our train at Paddington, and I will go fur- north of Dartmoor. From hour to hour yesterday
ther into the matter upon our journey. You would I expected to hear that he had been found, and
oblige me by bringing with you your very excellent that his abductor was the murderer of John Straker.
field-glass.” When, however, another morning had come, and
I found that beyond the arrest of young Fitzroy
And so it happened that an hour or so later Simpson nothing had been done, I felt that it was
I found myself in the corner of a first-class car- time for me to take action. Yet in some ways I feel
riage flying along en route for Exeter, while Sher- that yesterday has not been wasted.”
lock Holmes, with his sharp, eager face framed in
his ear-flapped travelling-cap, dipped rapidly into “You have formed a theory, then?”
the bundle of fresh papers which he had procured “At least I have got a grip of the essential facts
at Paddington. We had left Reading far behind of the case. I shall enumerate them to you, for
us before he thrust the last one of them under the nothing clears up a case so much as stating it to
seat, and offered me his cigar-case. another person, and I can hardly expect your co-
“We are going well,” said he, looking out the operation if I do not show you the position from
window and glancing at his watch. “Our rate at which we start.”
present is fifty-three and a half miles an hour.”
I lay back against the cushions, puffing at my
“I have not observed the quarter-mile posts,” cigar, while Holmes, leaning forward, with his
said I. long, thin forefinger checking off the points upon
“Nor have I. But the telegraph posts upon this the palm of his left hand, gave me a sketch of the
line are sixty yards apart, and the calculation is a events which had led to our journey.

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 Silver Blaze

“Silver Blaze,” said he, “is from the Somomy should drink nothing else. The maid carried a
stock, and holds as brilliant a record as his fa- lantern with her, as it was very dark and the path
mous ancestor. He is now in his fifth year, and has ran across the open moor.
brought in turn each of the prizes of the turf to “Edith Baxter was within thirty yards of the
Colonel Ross, his fortunate owner. Up to the time stables, when a man appeared out of the dark-
of the catastrophe he was the first favorite for the ness and called to her to stop. As he stepped into
Wessex Cup, the betting being three to one on him. the circle of yellow light thrown by the lantern she
He has always, however, been a prime favorite saw that he was a person of gentlemanly bearing,
with the racing public, and has never yet disap- dressed in a gray suit of tweeds, with a cloth cap.
pointed them, so that even at those odds enormous He wore gaiters, and carried a heavy stick with a
sums of money have been laid upon him. It is knob to it. She was most impressed, however, by
obvious, therefore, that there were many people the extreme pallor of his face and by the nervous-
who had the strongest interest in preventing Silver ness of his manner. His age, she thought, would
Blaze from being there at the fall of the flag next be rather over thirty than under it.
Tuesday.
“ ‘Can you tell me where I am?’ he asked. ‘I
“The fact was, of course, appreciated at King’s had almost made up my mind to sleep on the
Pyland, where the Colonel’s training-stable is situ- moor, when I saw the light of your lantern.’
ated. Every precaution was taken to guard the fa-
“ ‘You are close to the King’s Pyland training-
vorite. The trainer, John Straker, is a retired jockey
stables,’ said she.
who rode in Colonel Ross’s colors before he be-
came too heavy for the weighing-chair. He has “ ‘Oh, indeed! What a stroke of luck!’ he cried.
served the Colonel for five years as jockey and ‘I understand that a stable-boy sleeps there alone
for seven as trainer, and has always shown him- every night. Perhaps that is his supper which you
self to be a zealous and honest servant. Under are carrying to him. Now I am sure that you would
him were three lads; for the establishment was a not be too proud to earn the price of a new dress,
small one, containing only four horses in all. One would you?’ He took a piece of white paper folded
of these lads sat up each night in the stable, while up out of his waistcoat pocket. ‘See that the boy
the others slept in the loft. All three bore excellent has this to-night, and you shall have the prettiest
characters. John Straker, who is a married man, frock that money can buy.’
lived in a small villa about two hundred yards “She was frightened by the earnestness of his
from the stables. He has no children, keeps one manner, and ran past him to the window through
maid-servant, and is comfortably off. The coun- which she was accustomed to hand the meals. It
try round is very lonely, but about half a mile to was already opened, and Hunter was seated at the
the north there is a small cluster of villas which small table inside. She had begun to tell him of
have been built by a Tavistock contractor for the what had happened, when the stranger came up
use of invalids and others who may wish to en- again.
joy the pure Dartmoor air. Tavistock itself lies two
“ ‘Good-evening,’ said he, looking through the
miles to the west, while across the moor, also about
window. ‘I wanted to have a word with you.’ The
two miles distant, is the larger training establish-
girl has sworn that as he spoke she noticed the cor-
ment of Mapleton, which belongs to Lord Backwa-
ner of the little paper packet protruding from his
ter, and is managed by Silas Brown. In every other
closed hand.
direction the moor is a complete wilderness, in-
habited only by a few roaming gypsies. Such was “ ‘What business have you here?’ asked the lad.
the general situation last Monday night when the “ ‘It’s business that may put something into
catastrophe occurred. your pocket,’ said the other. ‘You’ve two horses
“On that evening the horses had been exercised in for the Wessex Cup—Silver Blaze and Bayard.
and watered as usual, and the stables were locked Let me have the straight tip and you won’t be a
up at nine o’clock. Two of the lads walked up to loser. Is it a fact that at the weights Bayard could
the trainer’s house, where they had supper in the give the other a hundred yards in five furlongs,
kitchen, while the third, Ned Hunter, remained and that the stable have put their money on him?’
on guard. At a few minutes after nine the maid, “ ‘So, you’re one of those damned touts!’ cried
Edith Baxter, carried down to the stables his sup- the lad. ‘I’ll show you how we serve them in King’s
per, which consisted of a dish of curried mutton. Pyland.’ He sprang up and rushed across the sta-
She took no liquid, as there was a water-tap in the ble to unloose the dog. The girl fled away to the
stables, and it was the rule that the lad on duty house, but as she ran she looked back and saw

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that the stranger was leaning through the window. “About a quarter of a mile from the stables
A minute later, however, when Hunter rushed out John Straker’s overcoat was flapping from a furze-
with the hound he was gone, and though he ran bush. Immediately beyond there was a bowl-
all round the buildings he failed to find any trace shaped depression in the moor, and at the bottom
of him.” of this was found the dead body of the unfortunate
trainer. His head had been shattered by a sav-
“One moment,” I asked. “Did the stable-boy, age blow from some heavy weapon, and he was
when he ran out with the dog, leave the door un- wounded on the thigh, where there was a long,
locked behind him?” clean cut, inflicted evidently by some very sharp
“Excellent, Watson, excellent!” murmured my instrument. It was clear, however, that Straker had
companion. “The importance of the point struck defended himself vigorously against his assailants,
me so forcibly that I sent a special wire to Dart- for in his right hand he held a small knife, which
moor yesterday to clear the matter up. The boy was clotted with blood up to the handle, while
locked the door before he left it. The window, I in his left he clasped a red and black silk cravat,
may add, was not large enough for a man to get which was recognized by the maid as having been
through. worn on the preceding evening by the stranger
who had visited the stables. Hunter, on recover-
“Hunter waited until his fellow-grooms had re- ing from his stupor, was also quite positive as to
turned, when he sent a message to the trainer and the ownership of the cravat. He was equally cer-
told him what had occurred. Straker was excited tain that the same stranger had, while standing at
at hearing the account, although he does not seem the window, drugged his curried mutton, and so
to have quite realized its true significance. It left deprived the stables of their watchman. As to the
him, however, vaguely uneasy, and Mrs. Straker, missing horse, there were abundant proofs in the
waking at one in the morning, found that he was mud which lay at the bottom of the fatal hollow
dressing. In reply to her inquiries, he said that that he had been there at the time of the struggle.
he could not sleep on account of his anxiety about But from that morning he has disappeared, and al-
the horses, and that he intended to walk down to though a large reward has been offered, and all the
the stables to see that all was well. She begged gypsies of Dartmoor are on the alert, no news has
him to remain at home, as she could hear the rain come of him. Finally, an analysis has shown that
pattering against the window, but in spite of her the remains of his supper left by the stable-lad con-
entreaties he pulled on his large mackintosh and tain an appreciable quantity of powdered opium,
left the house. while the people at the house partook of the same
dish on the same night without any ill effect.
“Mrs. Straker awoke at seven in the morning,
“Those are the main facts of the case, stripped
to find that her husband had not yet returned. She
of all surmise, and stated as baldly as possible. I
dressed herself hastily, called the maid, and set off
shall now recapitulate what the police have done
for the stables. The door was open; inside, hud-
in the matter.
dled together upon a chair, Hunter was sunk in
a state of absolute stupor, the favorite’s stall was “Inspector Gregory, to whom the case has
empty, and there were no signs of his trainer. been committed, is an extremely competent officer.
Were he but gifted with imagination he might rise
“The two lads who slept in the chaff-cutting to great heights in his profession. On his arrival
loft above the harness-room were quickly aroused. he promptly found and arrested the man upon
They had heard nothing during the night, for they whom suspicion naturally rested. There was lit-
are both sound sleepers. Hunter was obviously tle difficulty in finding him, for he inhabited one
under the influence of some powerful drug, and of those villas which I have mentioned. His name,
as no sense could be got out of him, he was left to it appears, was Fitzroy Simpson. He was a man
sleep it off while the two lads and the two women of excellent birth and education, who had squan-
ran out in search of the absentees. They still had dered a fortune upon the turf, and who lived now
hopes that the trainer had for some reason taken by doing a little quiet and genteel book-making in
out the horse for early exercise, but on ascending the sporting clubs of London. An examination of
the knoll near the house, from which all the neigh- his betting-book shows that bets to the amount of
boring moors were visible, they not only could see five thousand pounds had been registered by him
no signs of the missing favorite, but they perceived against the favorite. On being arrested he volun-
something which warned them that they were in teered that statement that he had come down to
the presence of a tragedy. Dartmoor in the hope of getting some information

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about the King’s Pyland horses, and also about case as it appears to the police, and improbable as
Desborough, the second favorite, which was in it is, all other explanations are more improbable
charge of Silas Brown at the Mapleton stables. He still. However, I shall very quickly test the mat-
did not attempt to deny that he had acted as de- ter when I am once upon the spot, and until then
scribed upon the evening before, but declared that I cannot really see how we can get much further
he had no sinister designs, and had simply wished than our present position.”
to obtain first-hand information. When confronted It was evening before we reached the little
with his cravat, he turned very pale, and was ut- town of Tavistock, which lies, like the boss of a
terly unable to account for its presence in the hand shield, in the middle of the huge circle of Dart-
of the murdered man. His wet clothing showed moor. Two gentlemen were awaiting us in the sta-
that he had been out in the storm of the night be- tion—the one a tall, fair man with lion-like hair
fore, and his stick, which was a Penang-lawyer and beard and curiously penetrating light blue
weighted with lead, was just such a weapon as eyes; the other a small, alert person, very neat
might, by repeated blows, have inflicted the ter- and dapper, in a frock-coat and gaiters, with trim
rible injuries to which the trainer had succumbed. little side-whiskers and an eye-glass. The latter
On the other hand, there was no wound upon his was Colonel Ross, the well-known sportsman; the
person, while the state of Straker’s knife would other, Inspector Gregory, a man who was rapidly
show that one at least of his assailants must bear making his name in the English detective service.
his mark upon him. There you have it all in a nut-
shell, Watson, and if you can give me any light I “I am delighted that you have come down, Mr.
shall be infinitely obliged to you.” Holmes,” said the Colonel. “The Inspector here
has done all that could possibly be suggested, but
I had listened with the greatest interest to the
I wish to leave no stone unturned in trying to
statement which Holmes, with characteristic clear-
avenge poor Straker and in recovering my horse.”
ness, had laid before me. Though most of the facts
were familiar to me, I had not sufficiently appreci- “Have there been any fresh developments?”
ated their relative importance, nor their connection asked Holmes.
to each other. “I am sorry to say that we have made very lit-
“Is in not possible,” I suggested, “that the in- tle progress,” said the Inspector. “We have an open
cised wound upon Straker may have been caused carriage outside, and as you would no doubt like
by his own knife in the convulsive struggles which to see the place before the light fails, we might talk
follow any brain injury?” it over as we drive.”
“It is more than possible; it is probable,” said A minute later we were all seated in a comfort-
Holmes. “In that case one of the main points in able landau, and were rattling through the quaint
favor of the accused disappears.” old Devonshire city. Inspector Gregory was full
“And yet,” said I, “even now I fail to under- of his case, and poured out a stream of remarks,
stand what the theory of the police can be.” while Holmes threw in an occasional question or
interjection. Colonel Ross leaned back with his
“I am afraid that whatever theory we state has
arms folded and his hat tilted over his eyes, while
very grave objections to it,” returned my compan-
I listened with interest to the dialogue of the two
ion. “The police imagine, I take it, that this Fitzroy
detectives. Gregory was formulating his theory,
Simpson, having drugged the lad, and having in
which was almost exactly what Holmes had fore-
some way obtained a duplicate key, opened the
told in the train.
stable door and took out the horse, with the in-
tention, apparently, of kidnapping him altogether. “The net is drawn pretty close round Fitzroy
His bridle is missing, so that Simpson must have Simpson,” he remarked, “and I believe myself that
put this on. Then, having left the door open be- he is our man. At the same time I recognize
hind him, he was leading the horse away over the that the evidence is purely circumstantial, and that
moor, when he was either met or overtaken by the some new development may upset it.”
trainer. A row naturally ensued. Simpson beat out “How about Straker’s knife?”
the trainer’s brains with his heavy stick without
receiving any injury from the small knife which “We have quite come to the conclusion that he
Straker used in self-defence, and then the thief ei- wounded himself in his fall.”
ther led the horse on to some secret hiding-place, “My friend Dr. Watson made that suggestion to
or else it may have bolted during the struggle, and me as we came down. If so, it would tell against
be now wandering out on the moors. That is the this man Simpson.”

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“Undoubtedly. He has neither a knife nor any event, and he was no friend to poor Straker. We
sign of a wound. The evidence against him is cer- have, however, examined the stables, and there is
tainly very strong. He had a great interest in the nothing to connect him with the affair.”
disappearance of the favorite. He lies under sus- “And nothing to connect this man Simpson
picion of having poisoned the stable-boy, he was with the interests of the Mapleton stables?”
undoubtedly out in the storm, he was armed with
“Nothing at all.”
a heavy stick, and his cravat was found in the dead
man’s hand. I really think we have enough to go Holmes leaned back in the carriage, and the
before a jury.” conversation ceased. A few minutes later our
driver pulled up at a neat little red-brick villa with
Holmes shook his head. “A clever counsel overhanging eaves which stood by the road. Some
would tear it all to rags,” said he. “Why should distance off, across a paddock, lay a long gray-
he take the horse out of the stable? If he wished tiled out-building. In every other direction the low
to injure it why could he not do it there? Has a curves of the moor, bronze-colored from the fad-
duplicate key been found in his possession? What ing ferns, stretched away to the sky-line, broken
chemist sold him the powdered opium? Above all, only by the steeples of Tavistock, and by a clus-
where could he, a stranger to the district, hide a ter of houses away to the westward which marked
horse, and such a horse as this? What is his own the Mapleton stables. We all sprang out with the
explanation as to the paper which he wished the exception of Holmes, who continued to lean back
maid to give to the stable-boy?” with his eyes fixed upon the sky in front of him,
“He says that it was a ten-pound note. One entirely absorbed in his own thoughts. It was only
was found in his purse. But your other difficul- when I touched his arm that he roused himself
ties are not so formidable as they seem. He is not with a violent start and stepped out of the carriage.
a stranger to the district. He has twice lodged at “Excuse me,” said he, turning to Colonel Ross,
Tavistock in the summer. The opium was probably who had looked at him in some surprise. “I was
brought from London. The key, having served its day-dreaming.” There was a gleam in his eyes and
purpose, would be hurled away. The horse may be a suppressed excitement in his manner which con-
at the bottom of one of the pits or old mines upon vinced me, used as I was to his ways, that his
the moor.” hand was upon a clue, though I could not imag-
“What does he say about the cravat?” ine where he had found it.
“He acknowledges that it is his, and declares “Perhaps you would prefer at once to go on to
that he had lost it. But a new element has been in- the scene of the crime, Mr. Holmes?” said Gregory.
troduced into the case which may account for his “I think that I should prefer to stay here a little
leading the horse from the stable.” and go into one or two questions of detail. Straker
Holmes pricked up his ears. was brought back here, I presume?”
“We have found traces which show that a party “Yes; he lies upstairs. The inquest is to-
of gypsies encamped on Monday night within a morrow.”
mile of the spot where the murder took place. On “He has been in your service some years,
Tuesday they were gone. Now, presuming that Colonel Ross?”
there was some understanding between Simpson “I have always found him an excellent servant.”
and these gypsies, might he not have been lead-
ing the horse to them when he was overtaken, and “I presume that you made an inventory of what
may they not have him now?” he had in this pockets at the time of his death, In-
spector?”
“It is certainly possible.”
“I have the things themselves in the sitting-
“The moor is being scoured for these gypsies. I room, if you would care to see them.”
have also examined every stable and out-house in
“I should be very glad.” We all filed into the
Tavistock, and for a radius of ten miles.”
front room and sat round the central table while
“There is another training-stable quite close, I the Inspector unlocked a square tin box and laid
understand?” a small heap of things before us. There was a box
“Yes, and that is a factor which we must cer- of vestas, two inches of tallow candle, an A D P
tainly not neglect. As Desborough, their horse, brier-root pipe, a pouch of seal-skin with half an
was second in the betting, they had an interest in ounce of long-cut Cavendish, a silver watch with a
the disappearance of the favorite. Silas Brown, the gold chain, five sovereigns in gold, an aluminum
trainer, is known to have had large bets upon the pencil-case, a few papers, and an ivory-handled

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knife with a very delicate, inflexible blade marked “I never had such a dress, sir,” answered the
Weiss & Co., London. lady.
“This is a very singular knife,” said Holmes, “Ah, that quite settles it,” said Holmes. And
lifting it up and examining it minutely. “I pre- with an apology he followed the Inspector outside.
sume, as I see blood-stains upon it, that it is the A short walk across the moor took us to the hollow
one which was found in the dead man’s grasp. in which the body had been found. At the brink
Watson, this knife is surely in your line?” of it was the furze-bush upon which the coat had
“It is what we call a cataract knife,” said I. been hung.
“There was no wind that night, I understand,”
“I thought so. A very delicate blade devised
said Holmes.
for very delicate work. A strange thing for a man
to carry with him upon a rough expedition, espe- “None; but very heavy rain.”
cially as it would not shut in his pocket.” “In that case the overcoat was not blown
against the furze-bush, but placed there.”
“The tip was guarded by a disk of cork which
we found beside his body,” said the Inspector. “Yes, it was laid across the bush.”
“His wife tells us that the knife had lain upon the “You fill me with interest, I perceive that the
dressing-table, and that he had picked it up as he ground has been trampled up a good deal. No
left the room. It was a poor weapon, but perhaps doubt many feet have been here since Monday
the best that he could lay his hands on at the mo- night.”
ment.” “A piece of matting has been laid here at the
“Very possible. How about these papers?” side, and we have all stood upon that.”
“Excellent.”
“Three of them are receipted hay-dealers’ ac-
counts. One of them is a letter of instructions from “In this bag I have one of the boots which
Colonel Ross. This other is a milliner’s account for Straker wore, one of Fitzroy Simpson’s shoes, and
thirty-seven pounds fifteen made out by Madame a cast horseshoe of Silver Blaze.”
Lesurier, of Bond Street, to William Derbyshire. “My dear Inspector, you surpass yourself!”
Mrs. Straker tells us that Derbyshire was a friend Holmes took the bag, and, descending into the hol-
of her husband’s and that occasionally his letters low, he pushed the matting into a more central
were addressed here.” position. Then stretching himself upon his face
“Madam Derbyshire had somewhat expensive and leaning his chin upon his hands, he made a
tastes,” remarked Holmes, glancing down the ac- careful study of the trampled mud in front of him.
count. “Twenty-two guineas is rather heavy for a “Hullo!” said he, suddenly. “What’s this?” It was
single costume. However there appears to be noth- a wax vesta half burned, which was so coated with
ing more to learn, and we may now go down to the mud that it looked at first like a little chip of wood.
scene of the crime.” “I cannot think how I came to overlook it,” said
the Inspector, with an expression of annoyance.
As we emerged from the sitting-room a
woman, who had been waiting in the passage, “It was invisible, buried in the mud. I only saw
took a step forward and laid her hand upon the it because I was looking for it.”
Inspector’s sleeve. Her face was haggard and thin “What! You expected to find it?”
and eager, stamped with the print of a recent hor- “I thought it not unlikely.”
ror. He took the boots from the bag, and compared
“Have you got them? Have you found them?” the impressions of each of them with marks upon
she panted. the ground. Then he clambered up to the rim of
the hollow, and crawled about among the ferns
“No, Mrs. Straker. But Mr. Holmes here has
and bushes.
come from London to help us, and we shall do all
that is possible.” “I am afraid that there are no more tracks,” said
the Inspector. “I have examined the ground very
“Surely I met you in Plymouth at a garden- carefully for a hundred yards in each direction.”
party some little time ago, Mrs. Straker?” said
“Indeed!” said Holmes, rising. “I should not
Holmes.
have the impertinence to do it again after what you
“No, sir; you are mistaken.” say. But I should like to take a little walk over the
“Dear me! Why, I could have sworn to it. You moor before it grows dark, that I may know my
wore a costume of dove-colored silk with ostrich- ground to-morrow, and I think that I shall put this
feather trimming.” horseshoe into my pocket for luck.”

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Colonel Ross, who had shown some signs of to the hollow in question. At Holmes’ request I
impatience at my companion’s quiet and system- walked down the bank to the right, and he to the
atic method of work, glanced at his watch. “I wish left, but I had not taken fifty paces before I heard
you would come back with me, Inspector,” said him give a shout, and saw him waving his hand to
he. “There are several points on which I should me. The track of a horse was plainly outlined in
like your advice, and especially as to whether we the soft earth in front of him, and the shoe which
do not owe it to the public to remove our horse’s he took from his pocket exactly fitted the impres-
name from the entries for the Cup.” sion.
“Certainly not,” cried Holmes, with decision. “See the value of imagination,” said Holmes.
“I should let the name stand.” “It is the one quality which Gregory lacks. We
The Colonel bowed. “I am very glad to have imagined what might have happened, acted upon
had your opinion, sir,” said he. “You will find us at the supposition, and find ourselves justified. Let
poor Straker’s house when you have finished your us proceed.”
walk, and we can drive together into Tavistock.” We crossed the marshy bottom and passed over
He turned back with the Inspector, while a quarter of a mile of dry, hard turf. Again the
Holmes and I walked slowly across the moor. The ground sloped, and again we came on the tracks.
sun was beginning to sink behind the stables of Then we lost them for half a mile, but only to pick
Mapleton, and the long, sloping plain in front them up once more quite close to Mapleton. It was
of us was tinged with gold, deepening into rich, Holmes who saw them first, and he stood point-
ruddy browns where the faded ferns and bram- ing with a look of triumph upon his face. A man’s
bles caught the evening light. But the glories of track was visible beside the horse’s.
the landscape were all wasted upon my compan- “The horse was alone before,” I cried.
ion, who was sunk in the deepest thought. “Quite so. It was alone before. Hullo, what is
“It’s this way, Watson,” said he at last. “We this?”
may leave the question of who killed John Straker The double track turned sharp off and took the
for the instant, and confine ourselves to finding direction of King’s Pyland. Holmes whistled, and
out what has become of the horse. Now, suppos- we both followed along after it. His eyes were on
ing that he broke away during or after the tragedy, the trail, but I happened to look a little to one side,
where could he have gone to? The horse is a very and saw to my surprise the same tracks coming
gregarious creature. If left to himself his instincts back again in the opposite direction.
would have been either to return to King’s Pyland “One for you, Watson,” said Holmes, when I
or go over to Mapleton. Why should he run wild pointed it out. “You have saved us a long walk,
upon the moor? He would surely have been seen which would have brought us back on our own
by now. And why should gypsies kidnap him? traces. Let us follow the return track.”
These people always clear out when they hear of We had not to go far. It ended at the paving of
trouble, for they do not wish to be pestered by the asphalt which led up to the gates of the Mapleton
police. They could not hope to sell such a horse. stables. As we approached, a groom ran out from
They would run a great risk and gain nothing by them.
taking him. Surely that is clear.” “We don’t want any loiterers about here,” said
“Where is he, then?” he.
“I have already said that he must have gone “I only wished to ask a question,” said Holmes,
to King’s Pyland or to Mapleton. He is not at with his finger and thumb in his waistcoat pocket.
King’s Pyland. Therefore he is at Mapleton. Let “Should I be too early to see your master, Mr. Silas
us take that as a working hypothesis and see what Brown, if I were to call at five o’clock to-morrow
it leads us to. This part of the moor, as the Inspec- morning?”
tor remarked, is very hard and dry. But it falls “Bless you, sir, if any one is about he will be,
away towards Mapleton, and you can see from for he is always the first stirring. But here he is, sir,
here that there is a long hollow over yonder, which to answer your questions for himself. No, sir, no;
must have been very wet on Monday night. If it is as much as my place is worth to let him see
our supposition is correct, then the horse must me touch your money. Afterwards, if you like.”
have crossed that, and there is the point where we As Sherlock Holmes replaced the half-crown
should look for his tracks.” which he had drawn from his pocket, a fierce-
We had been walking briskly during this con- looking elderly man strode out from the gate with
versation, and a few more minutes brought us a hunting-crop swinging in his hand.

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“What’s this, Dawson!” he cried. “No gossip- him. Of course you observed the peculiarly square
ing! Go about your business! And you, what the toes in the impressions, and that his own boots ex-
devil do you want here?” actly corresponded to them. Again, of course no
“Ten minutes’ talk with you, my good sir,” said subordinate would have dared to do such a thing.
Holmes in the sweetest of voices. I described to him how, when according to his cus-
tom he was the first down, he perceived a strange
“I’ve no time to talk to every gadabout. We
horse wandering over the moor. How he went out
want no stranger here. Be off, or you may find a
to it, and his astonishment at recognizing, from
dog at your heels.”
the white forehead which has given the favorite its
Holmes leaned forward and whispered some- name, that chance had put in his power the only
thing in the trainer’s ear. He started violently and horse which could beat the one upon which he had
flushed to the temples. put his money. Then I described how his first im-
“It’s a lie!” he shouted, “an infernal lie!” pulse had been to lead him back to King’s Pyland,
“Very good. Shall we argue about it here in and how the devil had shown him how he could
public or talk it over in your parlor?” hide the horse until the race was over, and how
he had led it back and concealed it at Mapleton.
“Oh, come in if you wish to.” When I told him every detail he gave it up and
Holmes smiled. “I shall not keep you more thought only of saving his own skin.”
than a few minutes, Watson,” said he. “Now, Mr.
“But his stables had been searched?”
Brown, I am quite at your disposal.”
“Oh, and old horse-fakir like him has many a
It was twenty minutes, and the reds had all
dodge.”
faded into grays before Holmes and the trainer
reappeared. Never have I seen such a change as “But are you not afraid to leave the horse in his
had been brought about in Silas Brown in that power now, since he has every interest in injuring
short time. His face was ashy pale, beads of perspi- it?”
ration shone upon his brow, and his hands shook “My dear fellow, he will guard it as the apple
until the hunting-crop wagged like a branch in the of his eye. He knows that his only hope of mercy
wind. His bullying, overbearing manner was all is to produce it safe.”
gone too, and he cringed along at my companion’s
“Colonel Ross did not impress me as a man
side like a dog with its master.
who would be likely to show much mercy in any
“Your instructions will be done. It shall all be case.”
done,” said he.
“The matter does not rest with Colonel Ross. I
“There must be no mistake,” said Holmes, follow my own methods, and tell as much or as
looking round at him. The other winced as he read little as I choose. That is the advantage of being
the menace in his eyes. unofficial. I don’t know whether you observed it,
“Oh no, there shall be no mistake. It shall be Watson, but the Colonel’s manner has been just a
there. Should I change it first or not?” trifle cavalier to me. I am inclined now to have
Holmes thought a little and then burst out a little amusement at his expense. Say nothing to
laughing. “No, don’t,” said he; “I shall write to him about the horse.”
you about it. No tricks, now, or—” “Certainly not without your permission.”
“Oh, you can trust me, you can trust me!” “And of course this is all quite a minor point
“Yes, I think I can. Well, you shall hear from compared to the question of who killed John
me to-morrow.” He turned upon his heel, disre- Straker.”
garding the trembling hand which the other held “And you will devote yourself to that?”
out to him, and we set off for King’s Pyland.
“On the contrary, we both go back to London
“A more perfect compound of the bully, cow- by the night train.”
ard, and sneak than Master Silas Brown I have sel-
I was thunderstruck by my friend’s words. We
dom met with,” remarked Holmes as we trudged
had only been a few hours in Devonshire, and that
along together.
he should give up an investigation which he had
“He has the horse, then?” begun so brilliantly was quite incomprehensible to
“He tried to bluster out of it, but I described to me. Not a word more could I draw from him until
him so exactly what his actions had been upon that we were back at the trainer’s house. The Colonel
morning that he is convinced that I was watching and the Inspector were awaiting us in the parlor.

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 Silver Blaze

“My friend and I return to town by the night- of my companion’s ability, but I saw by the In-
express,” said Holmes. “We have had a charming spector’s face that his attention had been keenly
little breath of your beautiful Dartmoor air.” aroused.
The Inspector opened his eyes, and the “You consider that to be important?” he asked.
Colonel’s lip curled in a sneer. “Exceedingly so.”
“So you despair of arresting the murderer of “Is there any point to which you would wish to
poor Straker,” said he. draw my attention?”
Holmes shrugged his shoulders. “There are “To the curious incident of the dog in the night-
certainly grave difficulties in the way,” said he. “I time.”
have every hope, however, that your horse will
“The dog did nothing in the night-time.”
start upon Tuesday, and I beg that you will have
your jockey in readiness. Might I ask for a photo- “That was the curious incident,” remarked
graph of Mr. John Straker?” Sherlock Holmes.
The Inspector took one from an envelope and Four days later Holmes and I were again in the
handed it to him. train, bound for Winchester to see the race for the
Wessex Cup. Colonel Ross met us by appointment
“My dear Gregory, you anticipate all my wants.
outside the station, and we drove in his drag to the
If I might ask you to wait here for an instant, I have
course beyond the town. His face was grave, and
a question which I should like to put to the maid.”
his manner was cold in the extreme.
“I must say that I am rather disappointed
“I have seen nothing of my horse,” said he.
in our London consultant,” said Colonel Ross,
bluntly, as my friend left the room. “I do not see “I suppose that you would know him when
that we are any further than when he came.” you saw him?” asked Holmes.
“At least you have his assurance that your The Colonel was very angry. “I have been on
horse will run,” said I. the turf for twenty years, and never was asked
such a question as that before,” said he. “A child
“Yes, I have his assurance,” said the Colonel, would know Silver Blaze, with his white forehead
with a shrug of his shoulders. “I should prefer to and his mottled off-foreleg.”
have the horse.”
“How is the betting?”
I was about to make some reply in defence of
my friend when he entered the room again. “Well, that is the curious part of it. You could
have got fifteen to one yesterday, but the price has
“Now, gentlemen,” said he, “I am quite ready become shorter and shorter, until you can hardly
for Tavistock.” get three to one now.”
As we stepped into the carriage one of the “Hum!” said Holmes. “Somebody knows
stable-lads held the door open for us. A sudden something, that is clear.”
idea seemed to occur to Holmes, for he leaned for-
As the drag drew up in the enclosure near the
ward and touched the lad upon the sleeve.
grand stand I glanced at the card to see the entries.
“You have a few sheep in the paddock,” he
Wessex Plate [it ran] 50 sovs. each h ft with
said. “Who attends to them?”
1000 sovs. added, for four and five year olds.
“I do, sir.” Second, £300. Third, £200. New course (one
“Have you noticed anything amiss with them mile and five furlongs).
of late?” 1. Mr. Heath Newton’s The Negro. Red cap.
“Well, sir, not of much account; but three of Cinnamon jacket.
them have gone lame, sir.” 2. Colonel Wardlaw’s Pugilist. Pink cap. Blue
I could see that Holmes was extremely pleased, and black jacket.
for he chuckled and rubbed his hands together. 3. Lord Backwater’s Desborough. Yellow cap
and sleeves.
“A long shot, Watson; a very long shot,” said 4. Colonel Ross’s Silver Blaze. Black cap. Red
he, pinching my arm. “Gregory, let me recom- jacket.
mend to your attention this singular epidemic 5. Duke of Balmoral’s Iris. Yellow and black
among the sheep. Drive on, coachman!” stripes.
Colonel Ross still wore an expression which 6. Lord Singleford’s Rasper. Purple cap. Black
showed the poor opinion which he had formed sleeves.

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 Silver Blaze

“We scratched our other one, and put all hopes “My dear sir, you have done wonders. The
on your word,” said the Colonel. “Why, what is horse looks very fit and well. It never went bet-
that? Silver Blaze favorite?” ter in its life. I owe you a thousand apologies for
“Five to four against Silver Blaze!” roared the having doubted your ability. You have done me a
ring. “Five to four against Silver Blaze! Five to great service by recovering my horse. You would
fifteen against Desborough! Five to four on the do me a greater still if you could lay your hands
field!” on the murderer of John Straker.”
“I have done so,” said Holmes quietly.
“There are the numbers up,” I cried. “They are
The Colonel and I stared at him in amazement.
all six there.”
“You have got him! Where is he, then?”
“All six there? Then my horse is running,” “He is here.”
cried the Colonel in great agitation. “But I don’t “Here! Where?”
see him. My colors have not passed.”
“In my company at the present moment.”
“Only five have passed. This must be he.” The Colonel flushed angrily. “I quite recognize
As I spoke a powerful bay horse swept out that I am under obligations to you, Mr. Holmes,”
from the weighting enclosure and cantered past said he, “but I must regard what you have just said
us, bearing on its back the well-known black and as either a very bad joke or an insult.”
red of the Colonel. Sherlock Holmes laughed. “I assure you that I
“That’s not my horse,” cried the owner. “That have not associated you with the crime, Colonel,”
beast has not a white hair upon its body. What is said he. “The real murderer is standing immedi-
this that you have done, Mr. Holmes?” ately behind you.” He stepped past and laid his
hand upon the glossy neck of the thoroughbred.
“Well, well, let us see how he gets on,” said “The horse!” cried both the Colonel and myself.
my friend, imperturbably. For a few minutes he
“Yes, the horse. And it may lessen his guilt if I
gazed through my field-glass. “Capital! An ex-
say that it was done in self-defence, and that John
cellent start!” he cried suddenly. “There they are,
Straker was a man who was entirely unworthy of
coming round the curve!”
your confidence. But there goes the bell, and as I
From our drag we had a superb view as they stand to win a little on this next race, I shall defer
came up the straight. The six horses were so a lengthy explanation until a more fitting time.”
close together that a carpet could have covered We had the corner of a Pullman car to ourselves
them, but half way up the yellow of the Mapleton that evening as we whirled back to London, and I
stable showed to the front. Before they reached fancy that the journey was a short one to Colonel
us, however, Desborough’s bolt was shot, and the Ross as well as to myself, as we listened to our
Colonel’s horse, coming away with a rush, passed companion’s narrative of the events which had oc-
the post a good six lengths before its rival, the curred at the Dartmoor training-stables upon the
Duke of Balmoral’s Iris making a bad third. Monday night, and the means by which he had
“It’s my race, anyhow,” gasped the Colonel, unravelled them.
passing his hand over his eyes. “I confess that I can “I confess,” said he, “that any theories which I
make neither head nor tail of it. Don’t you think had formed from the newspaper reports were en-
that you have kept up your mystery long enough, tirely erroneous. And yet there were indications
Mr. Holmes?” there, had they not been overlaid by other details
“Certainly, Colonel, you shall know everything. which concealed their true import. I went to De-
Let us all go round and have a look at the horse to- vonshire with the conviction that Fitzroy Simpson
gether. Here he is,” he continued, as we made our was the true culprit, although, of course, I saw that
way into the weighing enclosure, where only own- the evidence against him was by no means com-
ers and their friends find admittance. “You have plete. It was while I was in the carriage, just as
only to wash his face and his leg in spirits of wine, we reached the trainer’s house, that the immense
and you will find that he is the same old Silver significance of the curried mutton occurred to me.
Blaze as ever.” You may remember that I was distrait, and re-
mained sitting after you had all alighted. I was
“You take my breath away!” marvelling in my own mind how I could possibly
“I found him in the hands of a fakir, and took have overlooked so obvious a clue.”
the liberty of running him just as he was sent “I confess,” said the Colonel, “that even now I
over.” cannot see how it helps us.”

290
 Silver Blaze

“It was the first link in my chain of reasoning. a slight nick upon the tendons of a horse’s ham,
Powdered opium is by no means tasteless. The fla- and to do it subcutaneously, so as to leave abso-
vor is not disagreeable, but it is perceptible. Were lutely no trace. A horse so treated would develop
it mixed with any ordinary dish the eater would a slight lameness, which would be put down to
undoubtedly detect it, and would probably eat no a strain in exercise or a touch of rheumatism, but
more. A curry was exactly the medium which never to foul play.”
would disguise this taste. By no possible suppo- “Villain! Scoundrel!” cried the Colonel.
sition could this stranger, Fitzroy Simpson, have
“We have here the explanation of why John
caused curry to be served in the trainer’s family
Straker wished to take the horse out on to the
that night, and it is surely too monstrous a coinci-
moor. So spirited a creature would have certainly
dence to suppose that he happened to come along
roused the soundest of sleepers when it felt the
with powdered opium upon the very night when a
prick of the knife. It was absolutely necessary to
dish happened to be served which would disguise
do it in the open air.”
the flavor. That is unthinkable. Therefore Simpson
becomes eliminated from the case, and our atten- “I have been blind!” cried the Colonel. “Of
tion centers upon Straker and his wife, the only course that was why he needed the candle, and
two people who could have chosen curried mut- struck the match.”
ton for supper that night. The opium was added “Undoubtedly. But in examining his belong-
after the dish was set aside for the stable-boy, for ings I was fortunate enough to discover not only
the others had the same for supper with no ill ef- the method of the crime, but even its motives. As a
fects. Which of them, then, had access to that dish man of the world, Colonel, you know that men do
without the maid seeing them? not carry other people’s bills about in their pock-
ets. We have most of us quite enough to do to set-
“Before deciding that question I had grasped tle our own. I at once concluded that Straker was
the significance of the silence of the dog, for one leading a double life, and keeping a second estab-
true inference invariably suggests others. The lishment. The nature of the bill showed that there
Simpson incident had shown me that a dog was was a lady in the case, and one who had expensive
kept in the stables, and yet, though some one tastes. Liberal as you are with your servants, one
had been in and had fetched out a horse, he had can hardly expect that they can buy twenty-guinea
not barked enough to arouse the two lads in the walking dresses for their ladies. I questioned Mrs.
loft. Obviously the midnight visitor was some one Straker as to the dress without her knowing it, and
whom the dog knew well. having satisfied myself that it had never reached
“I was already convinced, or almost convinced, her, I made a note of the milliner’s address, and
that John Straker went down to the stables in the felt that by calling there with Straker’s photograph
dead of the night and took out Silver Blaze. For I could easily dispose of the mythical Derbyshire.
what purpose? For a dishonest one, obviously, or “From that time on all was plain. Straker had
why should he drug his own stable-boy? And yet led out the horse to a hollow where his light would
I was at a loss to know why. There have been be invisible. Simpson in his flight had dropped his
cases before now where trainers have made sure cravat, and Straker had picked it up—with some
of great sums of money by laying against their idea, perhaps, that he might use it in securing the
own horses, through agents, and then preventing horse’s leg. Once in the hollow, he had got be-
them from winning by fraud. Sometimes it is a hind the horse and had struck a light; but the crea-
pulling jockey. Sometimes it is some surer and ture frightened at the sudden glare, and with the
subtler means. What was it here? I hoped that strange instinct of animals feeling that some mis-
the contents of his pockets might help me to form chief was intended, had lashed out, and the steel
a conclusion. shoe had struck Straker full on the forehead. He
had already, in spite of the rain, taken off his over-
“And they did so. You cannot have forgotten
coat in order to do his delicate task, and so, as he
the singular knife which was found in the dead
fell, his knife gashed his thigh. Do I make it clear?”
man’s hand, a knife which certainly no sane man
would choose for a weapon. It was, as Dr. Wat- “Wonderful!” cried the Colonel. “Wonderful!
son told us, a form of knife which is used for the You might have been there!”
most delicate operations known in surgery. And it “My final shot was, I confess a very long one.
was to be used for a delicate operation that night. It struck me that so astute a man as Straker would
You must know, with your wide experience of turf not undertake this delicate tendon-nicking with-
matters, Colonel Ross, that it is possible to make out a little practice. What could he practice on?

291
My eyes fell upon the sheep, and I asked a ques- “You have explained all but one thing,” cried
tion which, rather to my surprise, showed that my the Colonel. “Where was the horse?”
surmise was correct.
“When I returned to London I called upon the “Ah, it bolted, and was cared for by one of your
milliner, who had recognized Straker as an excel- neighbors. We must have an amnesty in that direc-
lent customer of the name of Derbyshire, who had tion, I think. This is Clapham Junction, if I am not
a very dashing wife, with a strong partiality for ex- mistaken, and we shall be in Victoria in less than
pensive dresses. I have no doubt that this woman ten minutes. If you care to smoke a cigar in our
had plunged him over head and ears in debt, and rooms, Colonel, I shall be happy to give you any
so led him into this miserable plot.” other details which might interest you.”
The Yellow Face
 The Yellow Face

[In publishing these short sketches based upon “Yes, sir; he came in.”
the numerous cases in which my companion’s sin- “How long did he wait?”
gular gifts have made us the listeners to, and even-
“Half an hour, sir. He was a very restless gen-
tually the actors in, some strange drama, it is only
tleman, sir, a-walkin’ and a-stampin’ all the time
natural that I should dwell rather upon his suc-
he was here. I was waitin’ outside the door, sir, and
cesses than upon his failures. And this not so
I could hear him. At last he outs into the passage,
much for the sake of his reputations—for, indeed,
and he cries, ‘Is that man never goin’ to come?’
it was when he was at his wits’ end that his energy
Those were his very words, sir. ‘You’ll only need
and his versatility were most admirable—but be-
to wait a little longer,’ says I. ‘Then I’ll wait in the
cause where he failed it happened too often that no
open air, for I feel half choked,’ says he. ‘I’ll be
one else succeeded, and that the tale was left for-
back before long.’ And with that he ups and he
ever without a conclusion. Now and again, how-
outs, and all I could say wouldn’t hold him back.”
ever, it chanced that even when he erred, the truth
was still discovered. I have noted of some half- “Well, well, you did your best,” said Holmes,
dozen cases of the kind the Adventure of the Mus- as we walked into our room. “It’s very annoying,
grave Ritual and that which I am about to recount though, Watson. I was badly in need of a case, and

S
are the two which present the strongest features of this looks, from the man’s impatience, as if it were
interest.] of importance. Hullo! That’s not your pipe on the
table. He must have left his behind him. A nice
herlock Holmes was a man who sel- old brier with a good long stem of what the tobac-
dom took exercise for exercise’s sake. conists call amber. I wonder how many real amber
Few men were capable of greater muscu- mouthpieces there are in London? Some people
lar effort, and he was undoubtedly one think that a fly in it is a sign. Well, he must have
of the finest boxers of his weight that I have ever been disturbed in his mind to leave a pipe behind
seen; but he looked upon aimless bodily exertion him which he evidently values highly.”
as a waste of energy, and he seldom bestirred him-
self save when there was some professional object “How do you know that he values it highly?” I
to be served. Then he was absolutely untiring and asked.
indefatigable. That he should have kept himself in “Well, I should put the original cost of the pipe
training under such circumstances is remarkable, at seven and sixpence. Now it has, you see, been
but his diet was usually of the sparest, and his twice mended, once in the wooden stem and once
habits were simple to the verge of austerity. Save in the amber. Each of these mends, done, as you
for the occasional use of cocaine, he had no vices, observe, with silver bands, must have cost more
and he only turned to the drug as a protest against than the pipe did originally. The man must value
the monotony of existence when cases were scanty the pipe highly when he prefers to patch it up
and the papers uninteresting. rather than buy a new one with the same money.”
One day in early spring he had so far relaxed “Anything else?” I asked, for Holmes was turn-
as to go for a walk with me in the Park, where ing the pipe about in his hand, and staring at it in
the first faint shoots of green were breaking out his peculiar pensive way.
upon the elms, and the sticky spear-heads of the He held it up and tapped on it with his long,
chestnuts were just beginning to burst into their thin fore-finger, as a professor might who was lec-
five-fold leaves. For two hours we rambled about turing on a bone.
together, in silence for the most part, as befits “Pipes are occasionally of extraordinary inter-
two men who know each other intimately. It was est,” said he. “Nothing has more individuality,
nearly five before we were back in Baker Street save perhaps watches and bootlaces. The indica-
once more. tions here, however, are neither very marked nor
“Beg pardon, sir,” said our page-boy, as he very important. The owner is obviously a muscu-
opened the door. “There’s been a gentleman here lar man, left-handed, with an excellent set of teeth,
asking for you, sir.” careless in his habits, and with no need to practise
economy.”
Holmes glanced reproachfully at me. “So much
for afternoon walks!” said he. “Has this gentleman My friend threw out the information in a very
gone, then?” offhand way, but I saw that he cocked his eye at
me to see if I had followed his reasoning.
“Yes, sir.”
“You think a man must be well-to-do if he
“Didn’t you ask him in?” smokes a seven-shilling pipe,” said I.

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“This is Grosvenor mixture at eightpence an to him, and that his will all through was overriding
ounce,” Holmes answered, knocking a little out on his inclinations.
his palm. “As he might get an excellent smoke “It’s a very delicate thing,” said he. “One
for half the price, he has no need to practise econ- does not like to speak of one’s domestic affairs to
omy.” strangers. It seems dreadful to discuss the conduct
“And the other points?” of one’s wife with two men whom I have never
seen before. It’s horrible to have to do it. But I’ve
“He has been in the habit of lighting his pipe
got to the end of my tether, and I must have ad-
at lamps and gas-jets. You can see that it is quite
vice.”
charred all down one side. Of course a match
could not have done that. Why should a man hold “My dear Mr. Grant Munro—” began Holmes.
a match to the side of his pipe? But you cannot Our visitor sprang from his char. “What!” he
light it at a lamp without getting the bowl charred. cried, “you know my mane?”
And it is all on the right side of the pipe. From
that I gather that he is a left-handed man. You “If you wish to preserve your incognito,” said
hold your own pipe to the lamp, and see how nat- Holmes, smiling, “I would suggest that you cease
urally you, being right-handed, hold the left side to write your name upon the lining of your hat,
to the flame. You might do it once the other way, or else that you turn the crown towards the per-
but not as a constancy. This has always been held son whom you are addressing. I was about to say
so. Then he has bitten through his amber. It takes that my friend and I have listened to a good many
a muscular, energetic fellow, and one with a good strange secrets in this room, and that we have had
set of teeth, to do that. But if I am not mistaken the good fortune to bring peace to many troubled
I hear him upon the stair, so we shall have some- souls. I trust that we may do as much for you.
thing more interesting than his pipe to study.” Might I beg you, as time may prove to be of im-
portance, to furnish me with the facts of your case
An instant later our door opened, and a tall without further delay?”
young man entered the room. He was well but
quietly dressed in a dark-gray suit, and carried Our visitor again passed his hand over his fore-
a brown wide-awake in his hand. I should have head, as if he found it bitterly hard. From every
put him at about thirty, though he was really some gesture and expression I could see that he was a re-
years older. served, self-contained man, with a dash of pride in
his nature, more likely to hide his wounds than to
“I beg your pardon,” said he, with some embar- expose them. Then suddenly, with a fierce gesture
rassment; “I suppose I should have knocked. Yes, of his closed hand, like one who throws reserve to
of course I should have knocked. The fact is that I the winds, he began.
am a little upset, and you must put it all down to
that.” He passed his hand over his forehead like a “The facts are these, Mr. Holmes,” said he. “I
man who is half dazed, and then fell rather than am a married man, and have been so for three
sat down upon a chair. years. During that time my wife and I have loved
each other as fondly and lived as happily as any
“I can see that you have not slept for a night or two that ever were joined. We have not had a
two,” said Holmes, in his easy, genial way. “That difference, not one, in thought or word or deed.
tries a man’s nerves more than work, and more And now, since last Monday, there has suddenly
even than pleasure. May I ask how I can help sprung up a barrier between us, and I find that
you?” there is something in her life and in her thought
“I wanted your advice, sir. I don’t know what of which I know as little as if she were the woman
to do and my whole life seems to have gone to who brushes by me in the street. We are estranged,
pieces.” and I want to know why.
“You wish to employ me as a consulting detec- “Now there is one thing that I want to impress
tive?” upon you before I go any further, Mr. Holmes.
Effie loves me. Don’t let there be any mistake
“Not that only. I want your opinion as a judi- about that. She loves me with her whole heart and
cious man—as a man of the world. I want to know soul, and never more than now. I know it. I feel
what I ought to do next. I hope to God you’ll be it. I don’t want to argue about that. A man can
able to tell me.” tell easily enough when a woman loves him. But
He spoke in little, sharp, jerky outbursts, and it there’s this secret between us, and we can never be
seemed to me that to speak at all was very painful the same until it is cleared.”

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“Kindly let me have the facts, Mr. Munro,“ said “ ‘Oh,’ said she, in her playful way, ‘you said
Holmes, with some impatience. that you were only my banker, and bankers never
ask questions, you know.’
“I’ll tell you what I know about Effie’s history.
She was a widow when I met her first, though “ ‘If you really mean it, of course you shall have
quite young—only twenty-five. Her name then the money,’ said I.
was Mrs. Hebron. She went out to America when
“ ‘Oh, yes, I really mean it.’
she was young, and lived in the town of Atlanta,
where she married this Hebron, who was a lawyer “ ‘And you won’t tell me what you want it for?’
with a good practice. They had one child, but the “ ‘Some day, perhaps, but not just at present,
yellow fever broke out badly in the place, and both Jack.’
husband and child died of it. I have seen his death
certificate. This sickened her of America, and she “So I had to be content with that, thought it
came back to live with a maiden aunt at Pinner, in was the first time that there had ever been any se-
Middlesex. I may mention that her husband had cret between us. I gave her a check, and I never
left her comfortably off, and that she had a capi- thought any more of the matter. It may have noth-
tal of about four thousand five hundred pounds, ing to do with what came afterwards, but I thought
which had been so well invested by him that it it only right to mention it.
returned an average of seven per cent. She had “Well, I told you just now that there is a cot-
only been six months at Pinner when I met her; tage not far from our house. There is just a field
we fell in love with each other, and we married a between us, but to reach it you have to go along
few weeks afterwards. the road and then turn down a lane. Just beyond it
“I am a hop merchant myself, and as I have is a nice little grove of Scotch firs, and I used to be
an income of seven or eight hundred, we found very fond of strolling down there, for trees are al-
ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice eighty- ways a neighborly kind of things. The cottage had
pound-a-year villa at Norbury. Our little place was been standing empty this eight months, and it was
very countrified, considering that it is so close to a pity, for it was a pretty two storied place, with
town. We had an inn and two houses a little above an old-fashioned porch and honeysuckle about it.
us, and a single cottage at the other side of the I have stood many a time and thought what a neat
field which faces us, and except those there were little homestead it would make.
no houses until you got half way to the station. “Well, last Monday evening I was taking a stroll
My business took me into town at certain seasons, down that way, when I met an empty van coming
but in summer I had less to do, and then in our up the lane, and saw a pile of carpets and things
country home my wife and I were just as happy lying about on the grass-plot beside the porch. It
as could be wished. I tell you that there never was was clear that the cottage had at last been let. I
a shadow between us until this accursed affair be- walked past it, and wondered what sort of folk
gan. they were who had come to live so near us. And as
“There’s one thing I ought to tell you before I I looked I suddenly became aware that a face was
go further. When we married, my wife made over watching me out of one of the upper windows.
all her property to me—rather against my will, for “I don’t know what there was about that face,
I saw how awkward it would be if my business af- Mr. Holmes, but it seemed to send a chill right
fairs went wrong. However, she would have it so, down my back. I was some little way off, so that
and it was done. Well, about six weeks ago she I could not make out the features, but there was
came to me. something unnatural and inhuman about the face.
“ ‘Jack,’ said she, ‘when you took my money That was the impression that I had, and I moved
you said that if ever I wanted any I was to ask you quickly forwards to get a nearer view of the per-
for it.’ son who was watching me. But as I did so the face
suddenly disappeared, so suddenly that it seemed
“ ‘Certainly,’ said I. ‘It’s all your own.’ to have been plucked away into the darkness of the
“ ‘Well,’ said she, ‘I want a hundred pounds.’ room. I stood for five minutes thinking the busi-
ness over, and trying to analyze my impressions.
“I was a bit staggered at this, for I had imag-
I could not tell if the face were that of a man or
ined it was simply a new dress or something of the
a woman. It had been too far from me for that.
kind that she was after.
But its color was what had impressed me most. It
“ ‘What on earth for?’ I asked. was of a livid chalky white, and with something

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 The Yellow Face

set and rigid about it which was shockingly un- earth could my wife be doing out on the country
natural. So disturbed was I that I determined to road at three in the morning?
see a little more of the new inmates of the cottage. “I had sat for about twenty minutes turning the
I approached and knocked at the door, which was thing over in my mind and trying to find some
instantly opened by a tall, gaunt woman with a possible explanation. The more I thought, the
harsh, forbidding face. more extraordinary and inexplicable did it appear.
“ ‘What may you be wantin’?’ she asked, in a I was still puzzling over it when I heard the door
Northern accent. gently close again, and her footsteps coming up
the stairs.
“ ‘I am your neighbor over yonder,’ said I, nod- “ ‘Where in the world have you been, Effie?’ I
ding towards my house. ‘I see that you have only asked as she entered.
just moved in, so I thought that if I could be of any
help to you in any—’ “She gave a violent start and a kind of gasping
cry when I spoke, and that cry and start troubled
“ ‘Ay, we’ll just ask ye when we want ye,’ said me more than all the rest, for there was something
she, and shut the door in my face. Annoyed at indescribably guilty about them. My wife had al-
the churlish rebuff, I turned my back and walked ways been a woman of a frank, open nature, and
home. All evening, though I tried to think of it gave me a chill to see her slinking into her own
other things, my mind would still turn to the ap- room, and crying out and wincing when her own
parition at the window and the rudeness of the husband spoke to her.
woman. I determined to say nothing about the “ ‘You awake, Jack!’ she cried, with a nervous
former to my wife, for she is a nervous, highly laugh. ‘Why, I thought that nothing could awake
strung woman, and I had no wish that she would you.’
share the unpleasant impression which had been
produced upon myself. I remarked to her, how- “ ‘Where have you been?’ I asked, more sternly.
ever, before I fell asleep, that the cottage was now “ ‘I don’t wonder that you are surprised,’ said
occupied, to which she returned no reply. she, and I could see that her fingers were trembling
as she undid the fastenings of her mantle. ‘Why, I
“I am usually an extremely sound sleeper. It never remember having done such a thing in my
has been a standing jest in the family that noth- life before. The fact is that I felt as though I were
ing could ever wake me during the night. And choking, and had a perfect longing for a breath of
yet somehow on that particular night, whether fresh air. I really think that I should have fainted
it may have been the slight excitement produced if I had not gone out. I stood at the door for a few
by my little adventure or not I know not, but minutes, and now I am quite myself again.’
I slept much more lightly than usual. Half in
my dreams I was dimly conscious that something “All the time that she was telling me this story
was going on in the room, and gradually became she never once looked in my direction, and her
aware that my wife had dressed herself and was voice was quite unlike her usual tones. It was ev-
slipping on her mantle and her bonnet. My lips ident to me that she was saying what was false. I
were parted to murmur out some sleepy words of said nothing in reply, but turned my face to the
surprise or remonstrance at this untimely prepa- wall, sick at heart, with my mind filled with a
ration, when suddenly my half-opened eyes fell thousand venomous doubts and suspicions. What
upon her face, illuminated by the candle-light, and was it that my wife was concealing from me?
astonishment held me dumb. She wore an expres- Where had she been during that strange expedi-
sion such as I had never seen before—such as I tion? I felt that I should have no peace until I knew,
should have thought her incapable of assuming. and yet I shrank from asking her again after once
She was deadly pale and breathing fast, glancing she had told me what was false. All the rest of the
furtively towards the bed as she fastened her man- night I tossed and tumbled, framing theory after
tle, to see if she had disturbed me. Then, think- theory, each more unlikely than the last.
ing that I was still asleep, she slipped noiselessly “I should have gone to the City that day, but
from the room, and an instant later I heard a sharp I was too disturbed in my mind to be able to pay
creaking which could only come from the hinges attention to business matters. My wife seemed to
of the front door. I sat up in bed and rapped my be as upset as myself, and I could see from the
knuckles against the rail to make certain that I was little questioning glances which she kept shooting
truly awake. Then I took my watch from under the at me that she understood that I disbelieved her
pillow. It was three in the morning. What on this statement, and that she was at her wits’ end what

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to do. We hardly exchanged a word during break- be well. If you force your way into that cottage, all
fast, and immediately afterwards I went out for a is over between us.’
walk, that I might think the matter out in the fresh “There was such earnestness, such despair, in
morning air. her manner that her words arrested me, and I
“I went as far as the Crystal Palace, spent an stood irresolute before the door.
hour in the grounds, and was back in Norbury by “ ‘I will trust you on one condition, and on one
one o’clock. It happened that my way took me condition only,’ said I at last. ‘It is that this mys-
past the cottage, and I stopped for an instant to tery comes to an end from now. You are at liberty
look at the windows, and to see if I could catch a to preserve your secret, but you must promise me
glimpse of the strange face which had looked out that there shall be no more nightly visits, no more
at me on the day before. As I stood there, imagine doings which are kept from my knowledge. I am
my surprise, Mr. Holmes, when the door suddenly willing to forget those which are passed if you will
opened and my wife walked out. promise that there shall be no more in the future.’
“I was struck dumb with astonishment at the “ ‘I was sure that you would trust me,’ she
sight of her; but my emotions were nothing to cried, with a great sigh of relief. ‘It shall be just
those which showed themselves upon her face as you wish. Come away—oh, come away up to
when our eyes met. She seemed for an instant to the house.’
wish to shrink back inside the house again; and
“Still pulling at my sleeve, she led me away
then, seeing how useless all concealment must be,
from the cottage. As we went I glanced back, and
she came forward, with a very white face and
there was that yellow livid face watching us out
frightened eyes which belied the smile upon her
of the upper window. What link could there be
lips.
between that creature and my wife? Or how could
“ ‘Ah, Jack,’ she said, ‘I have just been in to see the coarse, rough woman whom I had seen the day
if I can be of any assistance to our new neighbors. before be connected with her? It was a strange
Why do you look at me like that, Jack? You are not puzzle, and yet I knew that my mind could never
angry with me?’ know ease again until I had solved it.
“ ‘So,’ said I, ‘this is where you went during the “For two days after this I stayed at home, and
night.’ my wife appeared to abide loyally by our engage-
“ ‘What do you mean?’ she cried. ment, for, as far as I know, she never stirred out of
the house. On the third day, however, I had ample
“ ‘You came here. I am sure of it. Who are
evidence that her solemn promise was not enough
these people, that you should visit them at such
to hold her back from this secret influence which
an hour?’
drew her away from her husband and her duty.
“ ‘I have not been here before.’
“I had gone into town on that day, but I re-
“ ‘How can you tell me what you know is turned by the 2.40 instead of the 3.36, which is my
false?’ I cried. ‘Your very voice changes as you usual train. As I entered the house the maid ran
speak. When have I ever had a secret from you? I into the hall with a startled face.
shall enter that cottage, and I shall probe the mat- “ ‘Where is your mistress?’ I asked.
ter to the bottom.’
“ ‘I think that she has gone out for a walk,’ she
“ ‘No, no, Jack, for God’s sake!’ she gasped, answered.
in uncontrollable emotion. Then, as I approached
the door, she seized my sleeve and pulled me back “My mind was instantly filled with suspicion.
with convulsive strength. I rushed upstairs to make sure that she was not in
the house. As I did so I happened to glance out of
“ ‘I implore you not to do this, Jack,’ she cried. one of the upper windows, and saw the maid with
‘I swear that I will tell you everything some day, whom I had just been speaking running across the
but nothing but misery can come of it if you enter field in the direction of the cottage. Then of course
that cottage.’ Then, as I tried to shake her off, she I saw exactly what it all meant. My wife had gone
clung to me in a frenzy of entreaty. over there, and had asked the servant to call her
“ ‘Trust me, Jack!’ she cried. ‘Trust me only this if I should return. Tingling with anger, I rushed
once. You will never have cause to regret it. You down and hurried across, determined to end the
know that I would not have a secret from you if it matter once and forever. I saw my wife and the
were not for your own sake. Our whole lives are maid hurrying back along the lane, but I did not
at stake in this. If you come home with me, all will stop to speak with them. In the cottage lay the

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 The Yellow Face

secret which was casting a shadow over my life. I man who is under the influence of extreme emo-
vowed that, come what might, it should be a secret tions. My companion sat silent for some time, with
no longer. I did not even knock when I reached it, his chin upon his hand, lost in thought.
but turned the handle and rushed into the passage. “Tell me,” said he at last, “could you swear that
“It was all still and quiet upon the ground floor. this was a man’s face which you saw at the win-
In the kitchen a kettle was singing on the fire, and dow?”
a large black cat lay coiled up in the basket; but “Each time that I saw it I was some distance
there was no sign of the woman whom I had seen away from it, so that it is impossible for me to say.”
before. I ran into the other room, but it was equally “You appear, however, to have been disagree-
deserted. Then I rushed up the stairs, only to find ably impressed by it.”
two other rooms empty and deserted at the top.
There was no one at all in the whole house. The “It seemed to be of an unnatural color, and to
furniture and pictures were of the most common have a strange rigidity about the features. When I
and vulgar description, save in the one chamber approached, it vanished with a jerk.”
at the window of which I had seen the strange “How long is it since your wife asked you for a
face. That was comfortable and elegant, and all hundred pounds?”
my suspicions rose into a fierce bitter flame when “Nearly two months.”
I saw that on the mantelpiece stood a copy of a
“Have you ever seen a photograph of her first
fell-length photograph of my wife, which had been
husband?”
taken at my request only three months ago.
“No; there was a great fire at Atlanta very
“I stayed long enough to make certain that the shortly after his death, and all her papers were de-
house was absolutely empty. Then I left it, feeling stroyed.”
a weight at my heart such as I had never had be-
fore. My wife came out into the hall as I entered “And yet she had a certificate of death. You say
my house; but I was too hurt and angry to speak that you saw it.”
with her, and pushing past her, I made my way “Yes; she got a duplicate after the fire.”
into my study. She followed me, however, before I “Did you ever meet any one who knew her in
could close the door. America?”
“ ‘I am sorry that I broke my promise, Jack,’ “No.”
said she; ‘but if you knew all the circumstances I “Did she ever talk of revisiting the place?”
am sure that you would forgive me.’
“No.”
“ ‘Tell me everything, then,’ said I. “Or get letters from it?”
“ ‘I cannot, Jack, I cannot,’ she cried. “No.”
“ ‘Until you tell me who it is that has been liv- “Thank you. I should like to think over the
ing in that cottage, and who it is to whom you matter a little now. If the cottage is now perma-
have given that photograph, there can never be any nently deserted we may have some difficulty. If,
confidence between us,’ said I, and breaking away on the other hand, as I fancy is more likely, the in-
from her, I left the house. That was yesterday, Mr. mates were warned of your coming, and left before
Holmes, and I have not seen her since, nor do I you entered yesterday, then they may be back now,
know anything more about this strange business. and we should clear it all up easily. Let me advise
It is the first shadow that has come between us, you, then, to return to Norbury, and to examine
and it has so shaken me that I do not know what the windows of the cottage again. If you have rea-
I should do for the best. Suddenly this morning son to believe that is inhabited, do not force your
it occurred to me that you were the man to advise way in, but send a wire to my friend and me. We
me, so I have hurried to you now, and I place my- shall be with you within an hour of receiving it,
self unreservedly in your hands. If there is any and we shall then very soon get to the bottom of
point which I have not made clear, pray question the business.”
me about it. But, above all, tell me quickly what I “And if it is still empty?”
am to do, for this misery is more than I can bear.”
“In that case I shall come out to-morrow and
Holmes and I had listened with the utmost in- talk it over with you. Good-bye, and, above all,
terest to this extraordinary statement, which had do not fret until you know that you really have a
been delivered in the jerky, broken fashion of a cause for it.”

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 The Yellow Face

“I am afraid that this is a bad business, Wat- come straight down to the cottage, hurried the in-
son,” said my companion, as he returned after ac- mates out at the back door, into the grove of fir-
companying Mr. Grant Munro to the door. “What trees, probably, which was mentioned as standing
do you make of it?” near. In this way he found the place deserted. I
“It had an ugly sound,” I answered. shall be very much surprised, however, if it still so
when he reconnoitres it this evening. What do you
“Yes. There’s blackmail in it, or I am much mis- think of my theory?”
taken.”
“It is all surmise.”
“And who is the blackmailer?”
“But at least it covers all the facts. When new
“Well, it must be the creature who lives in the facts come to our knowledge which cannot be cov-
only comfortable room in the place, and has her ered by it, it will be time enough to reconsider it.
photograph above his fireplace. Upon my word, We can do nothing more until we have a message
Watson, there is something very attractive about from our friend at Norbury.”
that livid face at the window, and I would not have
But we had not a very long time to wait for
missed the case for worlds.”
that. It came just as we had finished our tea.
“You have a theory?”
“Yes, a provisional one. But I shall be surprised “The cottage is still tenanted,” it said.
if it does not turn out to be correct. This woman’s “Have seen the face again at the win-
first husband is in that cottage.” dow. Will meet the seven o’clock train,
and will take no steps until you arrive.”
“Why do you think so?”
“How else can we explain her frenzied anxi- He was waiting on the platform when we
ety that her second one should not enter it? The stepped out, and we could see in the light of the
facts, as I read them, are something like this: This station lamps that he was very pale, and quivering
woman was married in America. Her husband with agitation.
developed some hateful qualities; or shall we say “They are still there, Mr. Holmes,” said he, lay-
that he contracted some loathsome disease, and ing his hand hard upon my friend’s sleeve. “I saw
became a leper or an imbecile? She flies from him lights in the cottage as I came down. We shall set-
at last, returns to England, changes her name, and tle it now once and for all.”
starts her life, as she thinks, afresh. She has been “What is your plan, then?” asked Holmes, as
married three years, and believes that her posi- he walked down the dark tree-lined road.
tion is quite secure, having shown her husband the
death certificate of some man whose name she has “I am going to force my way in and see for my-
assumed, when suddenly her whereabouts is dis- self who is in the house. I wish you both to be
covered by her first husband; or, we may suppose, there as witnesses.”
by some unscrupulous woman who has attached “You are quite determined to do this, in spite
herself to the invalid. They write to the wife, and of your wife’s warning that it is better that you
threaten to come and expose her. She asks for a should not solve the mystery?”
hundred pounds, and endeavors to buy them off. “Yes, I am determined.”
They come in spite of it, and when the husband
“Well, I think that you are in the right. Any
mentions casually to the wife that there a new-
truth is better than indefinite doubt. We had bet-
comers in the cottage, she knows in some way that
ter go up at once. Of course, legally, we are putting
they are her pursuers. She waits until her husband
ourselves hopelessly in the wrong; but I think that
is asleep, and then she rushes down to endeavor
it is worth it.”
to persuade them to leave her in peace. Having
no success, she goes again next morning, and her It was a very dark night, and a thin rain be-
husband meets her, as he has told us, as she comes gan to fall as we turned from the high road into
out. She promises him then not to go there again, a narrow lane, deeply rutted, with hedges on ei-
but two days afterwards the hope of getting rid of ther side. Mr. Grant Munro pushed impatiently
those dreadful neighbors was too strong for her, forward, however, and we stumbled after him as
and she made another attempt, taking down with best we could.
her the photograph which had probably been de- “There are the lights of my house,” he mur-
manded from her. In the midst of this interview mured, pointing to a glimmer among the trees.
the maid rushed in to say that the master had come “And here is the cottage which I am going to en-
home, on which the wife, knowing that he would ter.”

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 The Yellow Face

We turned a corner in the lane as he spoke, best of it. My husband died at Atlanta. My child
and there was the building close beside us. A yel- survived.”
low bar falling across the black foreground showed
that the door was not quite closed, and one win- “Your child?”
dow in the upper story was brightly illuminated. She drew a large silver locket from her bosom.
As we looked, we saw a dark blur moving across “You have never seen this open.”
the blind.
“There is that creature!” cried Grant Munro. “I understood that it did not open.”
“You can see for yourselves that some one is there.
Now follow me, and we shall soon know all.” She touched a spring, and the front hinged
back. There was a portrait within of a man strik-
We approached the door; but suddenly a ingly handsome and intelligent-looking, but bear-
woman appeared out of the shadow and stood in ing unmistakable signs upon his features of his
the golden track of the lamp-light. I could not see African descent.
her face in the he darkness, but her arms were
thrown out in an attitude of entreaty. “That is John Hebron, of Atlanta,” said the
“For God’s sake, don’t Jack!” she cried. “I had lady, “and a nobler man never walked the earth.
a presentiment that you would come this evening. I cut myself off from my race in order to wed him,
Think better of it, dear! Trust me again, and you but never once while he lived did I for an instant
will never have cause to regret it.” regret it. It was our misfortune that our only child
“I have trusted you too long, Effie,” he cried, took after his people rather than mine. It is often
sternly. “Leave go of me! I must pass you. My so in such matches, and little Lucy is darker far
friends and I are going to settle this matter once than ever her father was. But dark or fair, she is
and forever!” He pushed her to one side, and we my own dear little girlie, and her mother’s pet.”
followed closely after him. As he threw the door The little creature ran across at the words and nes-
open an old woman ran out in front of him and tled up against the lady’s dress. “When I left her in
tried to bar his passage, but he thrust her back, America,” she continued, “it was only because her
and an instant afterwards we were all upon the health was weak, and the change might have done
stairs. Grant Munro rushed into the lighted room her harm. She was given to the care of a faith-
at the top, and we entered at his heels. ful Scotch woman who had once been our servant.
Never for an instant did I dream of disowning her
It was a cosy, well-furnished apartment, with
as my child. But when chance threw you in my
two candles burning upon the table and two upon
way, Jack, and I learned to love you, I feared to tell
the mantelpiece. In the corner, stooping over a
you about my child. God forgive me, I feared that
desk, there sat what appeared to be a little girl.
I should lose you, and I had not the courage to
Her face was turned away as we entered, but we
tell you. I had to choose between you, and in my
could see that she was dressed in a red frock, and
weakness I turned away from my own little girl.
that she had long white gloves on. As she whisked
For three years I have kept her existence a secret
round to us, I gave a cry of surprise and hor-
from you, but I heard from the nurse, and I knew
ror. The face which she turned towards us was
that all was well with her. At last, however, there
of the strangest livid tint, and the features were
came an overwhelming desire to see the child once
absolutely devoid of any expression. An instant
more. I struggled against it, but in vain. Though
later the mystery was explained. Holmes, with a
I knew the danger, I determined to have the child
laugh, passed his hand behind the child’s ear, a
over, if it were but for a few weeks. I sent a hun-
mask peeled off from her countenance, an there
dred pounds to the nurse, and I gave her instruc-
was a little coal black negress, with all her white
tions about this cottage, so that she might come
teeth flashing in amusement at our amazed faces. I
as a neighbor, without my appearing to be in any
burst out laughing, out of sympathy with her mer-
way connected with her. I pushed my precautions
riment; but Grant Munro stood staring, with his
so far as to order her to keep the child in the house
hand clutching his throat.
during the daytime, and to cover up her little face
“My God!” he cried. “What can be the meaning and hands so that even those who might see her at
of this?” the window should not gossip about there being
“I will tell you the meaning of it,” cried the a black child in the neighborhood. If I had been
lady, sweeping into the room with a proud, set less cautious I might have been more wise, but I
face. “You have forced me, against my own judg- was half crazy with fear that you should learn the
ment, to tell you, and now we must both make the truth.

302
 “It was you who told me first that the cottage “We can talk it over more comfortably at
was occupied. I should have waited for the morn- home,” said he. “I am not a very good man, Effie,
ing, but I could not sleep for excitement, and so but I think that I am a better one than you have
at last I slipped out, knowing how difficult it is to given me credit for being.”
awake you. But you saw me go, and that was the
Holmes and I followed them down the lane,
beginning of my troubles. Next day you had my
and my friend plucked at my sleeve as we came
secret at your mercy, but you nobly refrained from
out.
pursuing your advantage. Three days later, how-
ever, the nurse and child only just escaped from “I think,” said he, “that we shall be of more use
the back door as you rushed in at the front one. in London than in Norbury.”
And now to-night you at last know all, and I ask
Not another word did he say of the case until
you what is to become of us, my child and me?”
late that night, when he was turning away, with
She clasped her hands and waited for an answer.
his lighted candle, for his bedroom.
It was a long ten minutes before Grant Munro
broke the silence, and when his answer came it “Watson,” said he, “if it should ever strike you
was one of which I love to think. He lifted the lit- that I am getting a little over-confident in my pow-
tle child, kissed her, and then, still carrying her, ers, or giving less pains to a case than it deserves,
he held his other hand out to his wife and turned kindly whisper ‘Norbury’ in my ear, and I shall be
towards the door. infinitely obliged to you.”
The Stock-Broker’s Clerk
S
The Stock-Broker’s Clerk

hortly after my marriage I had bought “I do my neighbor’s when he goes. He is al-

a connection in the Paddington district. ways ready to work off the debt.”
Old Mr. Farquhar, from whom I pur- “Ha! Nothing could be better,” said Holmes,
chased it, had at one time an excellent leaning back in his chair and looking keenly at me
general practice; but his age, and an affliction of from under his half closed lids. “I perceive that
the nature of St. Vitus’s dance from which he suf- you have been unwell lately. Summer colds are
fered, had very much thinned it. The public not always a little trying.”
unnaturally goes on the principle that he who “I was confined to the house by a sever chill
would heal others must himself be whole, and for three days last week. I thought, however, that I
looks askance at the curative powers of the man had cast off every trace of it.”
whose own case is beyond the reach of his drugs. “So you have. You look remarkably robust.”
Thus as my predecessor weakened his practice de-
“How, then, did you know of it?”
clined, until when I purchased it from him it had
sunk from twelve hundred to little more than three “My dear fellow, you know my methods.”
hundred a year. I had confidence, however, in my “You deduced it, then?”
own youth and energy, and was convinced that in “Certainly.”
a very few years the concern would be as flourish- “And from what?”
ing as ever. “From your slippers.”
For three months after taking over the practice I glanced down at the new patent leathers
I was kept very closely at work, and saw little of which I was wearing. “How on earth—” I began,
my friend Sherlock Holmes, for I was too busy to but Holmes answered my question before it was
visit Baker Street, and he seldom went anywhere asked.
himself save upon professional business. I was sur- “Your slippers are new,” he said. “You could
prised, therefore, when, one morning in June, as I not have had them more than a few weeks. The
sat reading the British Medical Journal after break- soles which you are at this moment presenting to
fast, I heard a ring at the bell, followed by the high, me are slightly scorched. For a moment I thought
somewhat strident tones of my old companion’s they might have got wet and been burned in the
voice. drying. But near the instep there is a small circu-
“Ah, my dear Watson,” said he, striding into lar wafer of paper with the shopman’s hieroglyph-
the room, “I am very delighted to see you! I trust ics upon it. Damp would of course have removed
that Mrs. Watson has entirely recovered from all this. You had, then, been sitting with our feet out-
the little excitements connected with our adven- stretched to the fire, which a man would hardly do
ture of the Sign of Four.” even in so wet a June as this if he were in his full
health.”
“Thank you, we are both very well,” said I,
shaking him warmly by the hand. Like all Holmes’s reasoning the thing seemed
simplicity itself when it was once explained. He
“And I hope, also,” he continued, sitting down read the thought upon my features, and his smile
in the rocking-chair, “that the cares of medical had a tinge of bitterness.
practice have not entirely obliterated the interest
“I am afraid that I rather give myself away
which you used to take in our little deductive
when I explain,” said he. “Results without causes
problems.”
are much more impressive. You are ready to come
“On the contrary,” I answered, “it was only last to Birmingham, then?”
night that I was looking over my old notes, and “Certainly. What is the case?”
classifying some of our past results.”
“You shall hear it all in the train. My client is
“I trust that you don’t consider your collection outside in a four-wheeler. Can you come at once?”
closed.” “In an instant.” I scribbled a note to my neigh-
“Not at all. I should wish nothing better than bor, rushed upstairs to explain the matter to my
to have some more of such experiences.” wife, and joined Holmes upon the door-step.
“To-day, for example?” “Your neighbor is a doctor,” said he, nodding
at the brass plate.
“Yes, to-day, if you like.”
“Yes; he bought a practice as I did.”
“And as far off as Birmingham?”
“An old-established one?”
“Certainly, if you wish it.” “Just the same as mine. Both have been ever
“And the practice?” since the houses were built.”

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 The Stock-Broker’s Clerk

“Ah! Then you got hold of the best of the two.” and tried there, but there were lots of other chaps
“I think I did. But how do you know?” on the same lay as myself, and it was a perfect frost
for a long time. I had been taking three pounds a
“By the steps, my boy. Yours are worn three week at Coxon’s, and I had saved about seventy
inches deeper than his. But this gentleman in the of them, but I soon worked my way through that
cab is my client, Mr. Hall Pycroft. Allow me to in- and out at the other end. I was fairly at the end of
troduce you to him. Whip your horse up, cabby, my tether at last, and could hardly find the stamps
for we have only just time to catch our train.” to answer the advertisements or the envelopes to
The man whom I found myself facing was a stick them to. I had worn out my boots paddling
well built, fresh-complexioned young fellow, with up office stairs, and I seemed just as far from get-
a frank, honest face and a slight, crisp, yellow mus- ting a billet as ever.
tache. He wore a very shiny top hat and a neat “At last I saw a vacancy at Mawson &
suit of sober black, which made him look what Williams’s, the great stock-broking firm in Lom-
he was—a smart young City man, of the class bard Street. I dare say E. C. is not much in your
who have been labeled cockneys, but who give us line, but I can tell you that this is about the richest
our crack volunteer regiments, and who turn out house in London. The advertisement was to be an-
more fine athletes and sportsmen than any body swered by letter only. I sent in my testimonial and
of men in these islands. His round, ruddy face application, but without the least hope of getting
was naturally full of cheeriness, but the corners of it. Back came an answer by return, saying that if I
his mouth seemed to me to be pulled down in a would appear next Monday I might take over my
half-comical distress. It was not, however, until we new duties at once, provided that my appearance
were all in a first-class carriage and well started was satisfactory. No one knows how these things
upon our journey to Birmingham that I was able are worked. Some people say that the manager
to learn what the trouble was which had driven just plunges his hand into the heap and takes the
him to Sherlock Holmes. first that comes. Anyhow it was my innings that
“We have a clear run here of seventy minutes,” time, and I don’t ever wish to feel better pleased.
Holmes remarked. “I want you, Mr. Hall Pycroft, The screw was a pound a week rise, and the duties
to tell my friend your very interesting experience just about the same as at Coxon’s.
exactly as you have told it to me, or with more de- “And now I come to the queer part of the busi-
tail if possible. It will be of use to me to hear the ness. I was in diggings out Hampstead way, 17
succession of events again. It is a case, Watson, Potter’s Terrace. Well, I was sitting doing a smoke
which may prove to have something in it, or may that very evening after I had been promised the
prove to have nothing, but which, at least, presents appointment, when up came my landlady with a
those unusual and outré features which are as dear card which had “Arthur Pinner, Financial Agent,”
to you as they are to me. Now, Mr. Pycroft, I shall printed upon it. I had never heard the name before
not interrupt you again.” and could not imagine what he wanted with me;
but, of course, I asked her to show him up. In he
Our young companion looked at me with a
walked, a middle-sized, dark-haired, dark-eyed,
twinkle in his eye.
black-bearded man, with a touch of the sheeny
“The worst of the story is,” said he, “that I about his nose. He had a brisk kind of way with
show myself up as such a confounded fool. Of him and spoke sharply, like a man who knew the
course it may work out all right, and I don’t see value of time.
that I could have done otherwise; but if I have lost “ ‘Mr. Hall Pycroft, I believe?’ said he.
my crib and get nothing in exchange I shall feel
“ ‘Yes, sir,’ I answered, pushing a chair towards
what a soft Johnnie I have been. I’m not very good
him.
at telling a story, Dr. Watson, but it is like this with
me: “ ‘Lately engaged at Coxon & Woodhouse’s?’
“ ‘Yes, sir.’
“I used to have a billet at Coxon & Wood-
house’s, of Draper’s Gardens, but they were let in “ ‘And now on the staff of Mawson’s.’
early in the spring through the Venezuelan loan, as “ ‘Quite so.’
no doubt you remember, and came a nasty crop- “ ‘Well,’ said he, ‘the fact is that I have heard
per. I had been with them five years, and old some really extraordinary stories about your finan-
Coxon gave me a ripping good testimonial when cial ability. You remember Parker, who used to be
the smash came, but of course we clerks were all Coxon’s manager? He can never say enough about
turned adrift, the twenty-seven of us. I tried here it.’

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 The Stock-Broker’s Clerk

“Of course I was pleased to hear this. I had Harry Pinner, is promoter, and joins the board af-
always been pretty sharp in the office, but I had ter allotment as managing director. He knew I was
never dreamed that I was talked about in the City in the swim down here, and asked me to pick up
in this fashion. a good man cheap. A young, pushing man with
“ ‘You have a good memory?’ said he. plenty of snap about him. Parker spoke of you,
and that brought me here tonight. We can only
“ ‘Pretty fair,’ I answered, modestly. offer you a beggarly five hundred to start with.’
“ ‘Have you kept in touch with the market “ ‘Five hundred a year!’ I shouted.
while you have been out of work?’ he asked.
“ ‘Only that at the beginning; but you are to
“ ‘Yes. I read the stock exchange list every have an overriding commission of one per cent on
morning.’ all business done by your agents, and you may
“ ‘Now that shows real application!’ he cried. take my word for it that this will come to more
‘That is the way to prosper! You won’t mind my than your salary.’
testing you, will you? Let me see. How are Ayr- “ ‘But I know nothing about hardware.’
shires?’ “ ‘Tut, my boy; you know about figures.’
“ ‘A hundred and six and a quarter to a hun- “My head buzzed, and I could hardly sit still in
dred and five and seven-eighths.’ my chair. But suddenly a little chill of doubt came
“ ‘And New Zealand consolidated?’ upon me.
“ ‘A hundred and four.’ “ ‘I must be frank with you,’ said I. ‘Mawson
only gives me two hundred, but Mawson is safe.
“ ‘And British Broken Hills?’
Now, really, I know so little about your company
“ ‘Seven to seven-and-six.’ that—’
“ ‘Wonderful!’ he cried, with his hands up. “ ‘Ah, smart, smart!’ he cried, in a kind of ec-
‘This quite fits in with all that I had heard. My stasy of delight. ‘You are the very man for us. You
boy, my boy, you are very much too good to be a are not to be talked over, and quite right, too. Now,
clerk at Mawson’s!’ here’s a note for a hundred pounds, and if you
“This outburst rather astonished me, as you think that we can do business you may just slip it
can think. ‘Well,’ said I, ‘other people don’t think into your pocket as an advance upon your salary.’
quite so much of me as you seem to do, Mr. Pinner. “ ‘That is very handsome,’ said I. ‘When should
I had a hard enough fight to get this berth, and I I take over my new duties?’
am very glad to have it.’ “ ‘Be in Birmingham to-morrow at one,’ said
“ ‘Pooh, man; you should soar above it. You he. ‘I have a note in my pocket here which you
are not in your true sphere. Now, I’ll tell you how will take to my brother. You will find him at 126b
it stands with me. What I have to offer is little Corporation Street, where the temporary offices of
enough when measured by your ability, but when the company are situated. Of course he must con-
compared with Mawson’s, it’s light to dark. Let firm your engagement, but between ourselves it
me see. When do you go to Mawson’s?’ will be all right.’
“ ‘On Monday.’ “ ‘Really, I hardly know how to express my
gratitude, Mr. Pinner,’ said I.
“ ‘Ha, ha! I think I would risk a little sporting
flutter that you don’t go there at all.’ “ ‘Not at all, my boy. You have only got your
desserts. There are one or two small things—mere
“ ‘Not go to Mawson’s?’ formalities—which I must arrange with you. You
“ ‘No, sir. By that day you will be the busi- have a bit of paper beside you there. Kindly write
ness manager of the Franco-Midland Hardware upon it “I am perfectly willing to act as business
Company, Limited, with a hundred and thirty-four manager to the Franco-Midland Hardware Com-
branches in the towns and villages of France, not pany, Limited, at a minimum salary of £500.” ’
counting one in Brussels and one in San Remo.’ “I did as he asked, and he put the paper in his
“This took my breath away. ‘I never heard of pocket.
it,’ said I. “ ‘There is one other detail,’ said he. ‘What do
“ ‘Very likely not. It has been kept very quiet, you intend to do about Mawson’s?’
for the capital was all privately subscribed, and it’s “I had forgotten all about Mawson’s in my joy.
too good a thing to let the public into. My brother, ‘I’ll write and resign,’ said I.

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 The Stock-Broker’s Clerk

“ ‘Precisely what I don’t want you to do. I had “ ‘Oh! I was expecting you, but you are a trifle
a row over you with Mawson’s manager. I had before your time. I had a note from my brother
gone up to ask him about you, and he was very this morning in which he sang your praises very
offensive; accused me of coaxing you away from loudly.’
the service of the firm, and that sort of thing. At “ ‘I was just looking for the offices when you
last I fairly lost my temper. “If you want good men came.’
you should pay them a good price,” said I. “ ‘We have not got our name up yet, for we
“ ‘ “He would rather have our small price than only secured these temporary premises last week.
your big one,” said he. Come up with me, and we will talk the matter
over.’
“ ‘ “I’ll lay you a fiver,” said I, “that when he
“I followed him to the top of a very lofty stair,
has my offer you’ll never so much as hear from
and there, right under the slates, were a couple of
him again.”
empty, dusty little rooms, uncarpeted and uncur-
“ ‘ “Done!” said he. “We picked him out of the tained, into which he led me. I had thought of a
gutter, and he won’t leave us so easily.” Those were great office with shining tables and rows of clerks,
his very words.’ such as I was used to, and I dare say I stared rather
“ ‘The impudent scoundrel!’ I cried. ‘I’ve never straight at the two deal chairs and one little table,
so much as seen him in my life. Why should I con- which, with a ledger and a waste paper basket,
sider him in any way? I shall certainly not write if made up the whole furniture.
you would rather I didn’t.’ “ ‘Don’t be disheartened, Mr. Pycroft,’ said my
new acquaintance, seeing the length of my face.
“ ‘Good! That’s a promise,’ said he, rising from
‘Rome was not built in a day, and we have lots of
his chair. ‘Well, I’m delighted to have got so good
money at our backs, though we don’t cut much
a man for my brother. Here’s your advance of a
dash yet in offices. Pray sit down, and let me have
hundred pounds, and here is the letter. Make a
your letter.’
note of the address, 126b Corporation Street, and
remember that one o’clock to-morrow is your ap- “I gave it to him, and her read it over very care-
pointment. Good-night; and may you have all the fully.
fortune that you deserve!’ “ ‘You seem to have made a vast impression
upon my brother Arthur,’ said he; ‘and I know
“That’s just about all that passed between us, that he is a pretty shrewd judge. Hew swears by
as near as I can remember. You can imagine, Dr. London, you know; and I by Birmingham; but this
Watson, how pleased I was at such an extraordi- time I shall follow his advice. Pray consider your-
nary bit of good fortune. I sat up half the night self definitely engaged.’
hugging myself over it, and next day I was off
“ ‘What are my duties?’ I asked.
to Birmingham in a train that would take me in
plenty time for my appointment. I took my things “ ‘You will eventually manage the great depot
to a hotel in New Street, and then I made my way in Paris, which will pour a flood of English crock-
to the address which had been given me. ery into the shops of a hundred and thirty-four
agents in France. The purchase will be completed
“It was a quarter of an hour before my time, but in a week, and meanwhile you will remain in
I thought that would make no difference. 126b was Birmingham and make yourself useful.’
a passage between two large shops, which led to a “ ‘How?’
winding stone stair, from which there were many
“For answer, he took a big red book out of a
flats, let as offices to companies or professional
drawer.
men. The names of the occupants were painted
“ ‘This is a directory of Paris,’ said he, ‘with the
at the bottom on the wall, but there was no such
trades after the names of the people. I want you
name as the Franco-Midland Hardware Company,
to take it home with you, and to mark off all the
Limited. I stood for a few minutes with my heart
hardware sellers, with their addresses. It would be
in my boots, wondering whether the whole thing
of the greatest use to me to have them.’
was an elaborate hoax or not, when up came a man
and addressed me. He was very like the chap I had “ ‘Surely there are classified lists?’ I suggested.
seen the night before, the same figure and voice, “ ‘Not reliable ones. Their system is different
but he was clean shaven and his hair was lighter. from ours. Stick at it, and let me have the lists by
Monday, at twelve. Good-day, Mr. Pycroft. If you
“ ‘Are you Mr. Hall Pycroft?’ he asked. continue to show zeal and intelligence you will
“ ‘Yes,’ said I. find the company a good master.’

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 The Stock-Broker’s Clerk

“I went back to the hotel with the big book un- much for me, and I could make no sense of it. And
der my arm, and with very conflicting feelings in then suddenly it struck me that what was dark to
my breast. On the one hand, I was definitely en- me might be very light to Mr. Sherlock Holmes. I
gaged and had a hundred pounds in my pocket; had just time to get up to town by the night train to
on the other, the look of the offices, the absence see him this morning, and to bring you both back
of name on the wall, and other of the points which with me to Birmingham.”
would strike a business man had left a bad impres- There was a pause after the stock-broker’s clerk
sion as to the position of my employers. However, had concluded his surprising experience. Then
come what might, I had my money, so I settled Sherlock Holmes cocked his eye at me, leaning
down to my task. All Sunday I was kept hard at back on the cushions with a pleased and yet criti-
work, and yet by Monday I had only got as far as cal face, like a connoisseur who has just taken his
H. I went round to my employer, found him in the first sip of a comet vintage.
same dismantled kind of room, and was told to “Rather fine, Watson, is it not?” said he. “There
keep at it until Wednesday, and then come again. are points in it which please me. I think that
On Wednesday it was still unfinished, so I ham- you will agree with me that an interview with Mr.
mered away until Friday—that is, yesterday. Then Arthur Harry Pinner in the temporary offices of
I brought it round to Mr. Harry Pinner. the Franco-Midland Hardware Company, Limited,
“ ‘Thank you very much,’ said he; ‘I fear that I would be a rather interesting experience for both
underrated the difficulty of the task. This list will of us.”
be of very material assistance to me.’ “But how can we do it?” I asked.
“ ‘It took some time,’ said I. “Oh, easily enough,” said Hall Pycroft, cheer-
“ ‘And now,’ said he, ‘I want you to make a list ily. “You are two friends of mine who are in want
of the furniture shops, for they all sell crockery.’ of a billet, and what could be more natural than
“ ‘Very good.’ that I should bring you both round to the manag-
ing director?”
“ ‘And you can come up to-morrow evening,
at seven, and let me know how you are getting “Quite so, of course,” said Holmes. “I should
on. Don’t overwork yourself. A couple of hours at like to have a look at the gentleman, and see if I
Day’s Music Hall in the evening would do you no can make anything of his little game. What quali-
harm after your labors.’ He laughed as he spoke, ties have you, my friend, which would make your
and I saw with a thrill that his second tooth upon services so valuable? Or is it possible that—” He
the left-hand side had been very badly stuffed with began biting his nails and staring blankly out of
gold.” the window, and we hardly drew another word
from him until we were in New Street.
Sherlock Holmes rubbed his hands with de-
At seven o’clock that evening we were walk-
light, and I stared with astonishment at our client.
ing, the three of us, down Corporation Street to
“You may well look surprised, Dr. Watson; but the company’s offices.
it is this way,” said he: “When I was speaking
“It is no use our being at all before our time,”
to the other chap in London, at the time that he
said our client. “He only comes there to see me,
laughed at my not going to Mawson’s, I happened
apparently, for the place is deserted up to the very
to notice that his tooth was stuffed in this very
hour he names.”
identical fashion. The glint of the gold in each
case caught my eye, you see. When I put that “That is suggestive,” remarked Holmes.
with the voice and figure being the same, and only “By Jove, I told you so!” cried the clerk. “That’s
those things altered which might be changed by a he walking ahead of us there.”
razor or a wig, I could not doubt that it was the He pointed to a smallish, dark, well-dressed
same man. Of course you expect two brothers to man who was bustling along the other side of the
be alike, but not that they should have the same road. As we watched him he looked across at a
tooth stuffed in the same way. He bowed me out, boy who was bawling out the latest edition of the
and I found myself in the street, hardly knowing evening paper, and running over among the cabs
whether I was on my head or my heels. Back I and busses, he bought one from him. Then, clutch-
went to my hotel, put my head in a basin of cold ing it in his hand, he vanished through a door-way.
water, and tried to think it out. Why had he sent “There he goes!” cried Hall Pycroft. “These
me from London to Birmingham? Why had he got are the company’s offices into which he has gone.
there before me? And why had he written a let- Come with me, and I’ll fix it up as easily as possi-
ter from himself to himself? It was altogether too ble.”

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 The Stock-Broker’s Clerk

Following his lead, we ascended five stories, “Certainly, Mr. Pycroft, certainly,” the other re-
until we found ourselves outside a half-opened sumed in a calmer tone. “You may wait here a
door, at which our client tapped. A voice within moment; and there is no reason why your friends
bade us enter, and we entered a bare, unfurnished should not wait with you. I will be entirely at your
room such as Hall Pycroft had described. At the service in three minutes, if I might trespass upon
single table sat the man whom we had seen in your patience so far.” He rose with a very courte-
the street, with his evening paper spread out in ous air, and, bowing to us, he passed out through
front of him, and as he looked up at us it seemed a door at the farther end of the room, which he
to me that I had never looked upon a face which closed behind him.
bore such marks of grief, and of something beyond “What now?” whispered Holmes. “Is he giving
grief—of a horror such as comes to few men in a us the slip?”
lifetime. His brow glistened with perspiration, his “Impossible,” answered Pycroft.
cheeks were of the dull, dead white of a fish’s belly, “Why so?”
and his eyes were wild and staring. He looked “That door leads into an inner room.”
at his clerk as though he failed to recognize him,
“There is no exit?”
and I could see by the astonishment depicted upon
“None.”
our conductor’s face that this was by no means the
usual appearance of his employer. “Is it furnished?”
“It was empty yesterday.”
“You look ill, Mr. Pinner!” he exclaimed.
“Then what on earth can he be doing? There is
“Yes, I am not very well,” answered the other, something which I don’t understand in his man-
making obvious efforts to pull himself together, ner. If ever a man was three parts mad with terror,
and licking his dry lips before he spoke. “Who that man’s name is Pinner. What can have put the
are these gentlemen whom you have brought with shivers on him?”
you?” “He suspects that we are detectives,” I sug-
“One is Mr. Harris, of Bermondsey, and the gested.
other is Mr. Price, of this town,” said our clerk, “That’s it,” cried Pycroft.
glibly. “They are friends of mine and gentlemen of Holmes shook his head. “He did not turn pale.
experience, but they have been out of a place for He was pale when we entered the room,” said he.
some little time, and they hoped that perhaps you “It is just possible that—”
might find an opening for them in the company’s His words were interrupted by a sharp rat-tat
employment.” from the direction of the inner door.
“Very possibly! Very possibly!” cried Mr. Pin- “What the deuce is he knocking at his own
ner with a ghastly smile. “Yes, I have no doubt that door for?” cried the clerk.
we shall be able to do something for you. What is Again and much louder cam the rat-tat-tat. We
your particular line, Mr. Harris?” all gazed expectantly at the closed door. Glanc-
“I am an accountant,” said Holmes. ing at Holmes, I saw his face turn rigid, and he
leaned forward in intense excitement. Then sud-
“Ah yes, we shall want something of the sort. denly came a low guggling, gargling sound, and a
And you, Mr. Price?” brisk drumming upon woodwork. Holmes sprang
“A clerk,” said I. frantically across the room and pushed at the door.
“I have every hope that the company may ac- It was fastened on the inner side. Following his
commodate you. I will let you know about it as example, we threw ourselves upon it with all our
soon as we come to any conclusion. And now I weight. One hinge snapped, then the other, and
beg that you will go. For God’s sake leave me to down came the door with a crash. Rushing over
myself!” it, we found ourselves in the inner room. It was
empty.
These last words were shot out of him, as But it was only for a moment that we were
though the constraint which he was evidently set- at fault. At one corner, the corner nearest the
ting upon himself had suddenly and utterly burst room which we had left, there was a second door.
asunder. Holmes and I glanced at each other, and Holmes sprang to it and pulled it open. A coat
Hall Pycroft took a step towards the table. and waistcoat were lying on the floor, and from
“You forget, Mr. Pinner, that I am here by ap- a hook behind the door, with his own braces
pointment to receive some directions from you,” round his neck, was hanging the managing di-
said he. rector of the Franco-Midland Hardware Company.

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 The Stock-Broker’s Clerk

His knees were drawn up, his head hung at a “Well, why did they want him to do it? Not
dreadful angle to his body, and the clatter of his as a business matter, for these arrangements are
heels against the door made the noise which had usually verbal, and there was no earthly business
broken in upon our conversation. In an instant I reason why this should be an exception. Don’t you
had caught him round the waist, and held him up see, my young friend, that they were very anxious
while Holmes and Pycroft untied the elastic bands to obtain a specimen of your handwriting, and had
which had disappeared between the livid creases no other way of doing it?”
of skin. Then we carried him into the other room, “And why?”
where he lay with a clay-colored face, puffing his
purple lips in and out with every breath—a dread- “Quite so. Why? When we answer that we
ful wreck of all that he had been but five minutes have made some progress with our little problem.
before. Why? There can be only one adequate reason.
Someone wanted to learn to imitate your writing,
“What do you think of him, Watson?” asked and had to procure a specimen of it first. And now
Holmes. if we pass on to the second point we find that each
I stooped over him and examined him. His throws light upon the other. That point is the re-
pulse was feeble and intermittent, but his breath- quest made by Pinner that you should not resign
ing grew longer, and there was a little shivering of your place, but should leave the manager of this
his eyelids, which showed a thin white slit of ball important business in the full expectation that a
beneath. Mr. Hall Pycroft, whom he had never seen, was
“It has been touch and go with him,” said I, about to enter the office upon the Monday morn-
“but he’ll live now. Just open that window, and ing.”
hand me the water carafe.” I undid his collar, “My God!” cried our client, “what a blind bee-
poured the cold water over his face, and raised tle I have been!”
and sank his arms until he drew a long, natural “Now you see the point about the handwrit-
breath. “It’s only a question of time now,” said I, ing. Suppose that some one turned up in your
as I turned away from him. place who wrote a completely different hand from
Holmes stood by the table, with his hands deep that in which you had applied for the vacancy, of
in his trouser’s pockets and his chin upon his course the game would have been up. But in the
breast. interval the rogue had learned to imitate you, and
“I suppose we ought to call the police in now,” his position was therefore secure, as I presume that
said he. “And yet I confess that I’d like to give nobody in the office had ever set eyes upon you.”
them a complete case when they come.” “Not a soul,” groaned Hall Pycroft.
“It’s a blessed mystery to me,” cried Pycroft, “Very good. Of course it was of the utmost
scratching his head. “Whatever they wanted to importance to prevent you from thinking better of
bring me all the way up here for, and then—” it, and also to keep you from coming into contact
“Pooh! All that is clear enough,” said Holmes with any one who might tell you that your double
impatiently. “It is this last sudden move.” was at work in Mawson’s office. Therefore they
gave you a handsome advance on your salary, and
“You understand the rest, then?” ran you off to the Midlands, where they gave you
“I think that it is fairly obvious. What do you enough work to do to prevent your going to Lon-
say, Watson?” don, where you might have burst their little game
I shrugged my shoulders. “I must confess that up. That is all plain enough.”
I am out of my depths,” said I. “But why should this man pretend to be his
“Oh surely if you consider the events at first own brother?”
they can only point to one conclusion.” “Well, that is pretty clear also. There are ev-
“What do you make of them?” idently only two of them in it. The other is im-
personating you at the office. This one acted as
“Well, the whole thing hinges upon two points. your engager, and then found that he could not
The first is the making of Pycroft write a declara- find you an employer without admitting a third
tion by which he entered the service of this pre- person into his plot. That he was most unwill-
posterous company. Do you not see how very sug- ing to do. He changed his appearance as far as
gestive that is?” he could, and trusted that the likeness, which you
“I am afraid I miss the point.” could not fail to observe, would be put down to a

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 The Stock-Broker’s Clerk

family resemblance. But for the happy chance of left day and night in the building. It ap-
the gold stuffing, your suspicions would probably pears that last week a new clerk named Hall
never have been aroused.” Pycroft was engaged by the firm. This per-
Hall Pycroft shook his clinched hands in the son appears to have been none other that
air. “Good Lord!” he cried, “while I have been Beddington, the famous forger and cracks-
fooled in this way, what has this other Hall Pycroft man, who, with his brother, had only re-
been doing at Mawson’s? What should we do, Mr. cently emerged from a five years’ spell of
Holmes? Tell me what to do.” penal servitude. By some mean, which are
“We must wire to Mawson’s.” not yet clear, he succeeded in winning, un-
der a false name, this official position in
“They shut at twelve on Saturdays.”
the office, which he utilized in order to ob-
“Never mind. There may be some door-keeper tain moulding of various locks, and a thor-
or attendant—” ough knowledge of the position of the strong
“Ah yes, they keep a permanent guard there room and the safes.
on account of the value of the securities that they “It is customary at Mawson’s for the clerks
hold. I remember hearing it talked of in the City.” to leave at midday on Saturday. Sergeant
“Very good; we shall wire to him, and see if Tuson, of the City Police, was somewhat
all is well, and if a clerk of your name is work- surprised, therefore to see a gentleman with
ing there. That is clear enough; but what is not so a carpet bag come down the steps at twenty
clear is why at sight of us one of the rogues should minutes past one. His suspicions being
instantly walk out of the room and hang himself.” aroused, the sergeant followed the man, and
“The paper!” croaked a voice behind us. The with the aid of Constable Pollack succeeded,
man was sitting up, blanched and ghastly, with after a most desperate resistance, in arrest-
returning reason in his eyes, and hands which ing him. It was at once clear that a daring
rubbed nervously at the broad red band which still and gigantic robbery had been committed.
encircled his throat. Nearly a hundred thousand pounds’ worth
“The paper! Of course!” yelled Holmes, in of American railway bonds, with a large
a paroxysm of excitement. “Idiot that I was! I amount of scrip in mines and other compa-
thought so must of our visit that the paper never nies, was discovered in the bag. On exam-
entered my head for an instant. To be sure, the se- ining the premises the body of the unfortu-
cret must be there.” He flattened it out upon the nate watchman was found doubled up and
table, and a cry of triumph burst from his lips. thrust into the largest of the safes, where it
“Look at this, Watson,” he cried. “It is a Lon- would not have been discovered until Mon-
don paper, an early edition of the Evening Stan- day morning had it not been for the prompt
dard. Here is what we want. Look at the head- action of Sergeant Tuson. The man’s skull
lines: ‘Crime in the City. Murder at Mawson & had been shattered by a blow from a poker
Williams’s. Gigantic attempted Robbery. Capture delivered from behind. There could be no
of the Criminal.’ Here, Watson, we are all equally doubt that Beddington had obtained en-
anxious to hear it, so kindly read it aloud to us.” trance by pretending that he had left some-
It appeared from its position in the paper to thing behind him, and having murdered the
have been the one event of importance in town, watchman, rapidly rifled the large safe, and
and the account of it ran in this way: then made off with his booty. His brother,
who usually works with him, has not ap-
“A desperate attempt at robbery, culminat-
peared in this job as far as can at present be
ing in the death of one man and the cap-
ascertained, although the police are making
ture of the criminal, occurred this afternoon
energetic inquiries as to his whereabouts.”
in the City. For some time back Mawson
& Williams, the famous financial house, “Well, we may save the police some little trouble in
have been the guardians of securities which that direction,” said Holmes, glancing at the hag-
amount in the aggregate to a sum of con- gard figure huddled up by the window. “Human
siderably over a million sterling. So con- nature is a strange mixture, Watson. You see that
scious was the manager of the responsibility even a villain and murderer can inspire such af-
which devolved upon him in consequence fection that his brother turns to suicide when he
of the great interests at stake that safes of learns that his neck is forfeited. However, we have
the very latest construction have been em- no choice as to our action. The doctor and I will
ployed, and an armed watchman has been remain on guard, Mr. Pycroft, if you will have the
kindness to step out for the police.”

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The “Gloria Scott”
I
The “Gloria Scott”

have some papers here,” said my friend only man I knew, and that only through the acci-
Sherlock Holmes, as we sat one winter’s dent of his bull terrier freezing on to my ankle one
night on either side of the fire, “which morning as I went down to chapel.
I really think, Watson, that it would be
“It was a prosaic way of forming a friendship,
worth your while to glance over. These are the
but it was effective. I was laid by the heels for
documents in the extraordinary case of the Gloria
ten days, but Trevor used to come in to inquire af-
Scott, and this is the message which struck Justice
ter me. At first it was only a minute’s chat, but
of the Peace Trevor dead with horror when he read
soon his visits lengthened, and before the end of
it.”
the term we were close friends. He was a hearty,
He had picked from a drawer a little tarnished full-blooded fellow, full of spirits and energy, the
cylinder, and, undoing the tape, he handed me a very opposite to me in most respects, but we had
short note scrawled upon a half-sheet of slate gray- some subjects in common, and it was a bond of
paper. union when I found that he was as friendless as I.
“The supply of game for London is going Finally, he invited me down to his father’s place at
steadily up,” it ran. “Head-keeper Hudson, we Donnithorpe, in Norfolk, and I accepted his hospi-
believe, had been now told to receive all orders tality for a month of the long vacation.
for fly-paper and for preservation of your hen- “Old Trevor was evidently a man of some
pheasant’s life.” wealth and consideration, a J.P., and a landed pro-
As I glanced up from reading this enigmatical prietor. Donnithorpe is a little hamlet just to the
message, I saw Holmes chuckling at the expression north of Langmere, in the country of the Broads.
upon my face. The house was and old-fashioned, wide-spread,
“You look a little bewildered,” said he. oak-beamed brick building, with a fine lime-lined
avenue leading up to it. There was excellent wild-
“I cannot see how such a message as this duck shooting in the fens, remarkably good fish-
could inspire horror. It seems to me to be rather ing, a small but select library, taken over, as I un-
grotesque than otherwise.” derstood, from a former occupant, and a tolerable
“Very likely. Yet the fact remains that the cook, so that he would be a fastidious man who
reader, who was a fine, robust old man, was could not put in a pleasant month there.
knocked clean down by it as if it had been the butt “Trevor senior was a widower, and my friend
end of a pistol.” his only son.
“You arouse my curiosity,” said I. “But why did
“There had been a daughter, I heard, but she
you say just now that there were very particular
had died of diphtheria while on a visit to Birm-
reasons why I should study this case?”
ingham. The father interested me extremely. He
“Because it was the first in which I was ever was a man of little culture, but with a consider-
engaged.” able amount of rude strength, both physically and
I had often endeavored to elicit from my com- mentally. He knew hardly any books, but he had
panion what had first turned his mind in the di- traveled far, had seen much of the world. And had
rection of criminal research, but had never caught remembered all that he had learned. In person he
him before in a communicative humor. Now he was a thick-set, burly man with a shock of grizzled
sat forward in this arm chair and spread out the hair, a brown, weather-beaten face, and blue eyes
documents upon his knees. Then he lit his pipe which were keen to the verge of fierceness. Yet
and sat for some time smoking and turning them he had a reputation for kindness and charity on
over. the country-side, and was noted for the leniency
of his sentences from the bench.
“You never heard me talk of Victor Trevor?” he
asked. “He was the only friend I made during the “One evening, shortly after my arrival, we were
two years I was at college. I was never a very socia- sitting over a glass of port after dinner, when
ble fellow, Watson, always rather fond of moping young Trevor began to talk about those habits of
in my rooms and working out my own little meth- observation and inference which I had already
ods of thought, so that I never mixed much with formed into a system, although I had not yet ap-
the men of my year. Bar fencing and boxing I had preciated the part which they were to play in my
few athletic tastes, and then my line of study was life. The old man evidently thought that his son
quite distinct from that of the other fellows, so that was exaggerating in his description of one or two
we had no points of contact at all. Trevor was the trivial feats which I had performed.

317
 The “Gloria Scott”

“ ‘Come, now, Mr. Holmes,’ said he, laughing “ ‘Ah, boys,’ said he, forcing a smile, ‘I hope I
good-humoredly. ‘I’m an excellent subject, if you haven’t frightened you. Strong as I look, there is a
can deduce anything from me.’ weak place in my heart, and it does not take much
“ ‘I fear there is not very much,’ I answered; ‘I to knock me over. I don’t know how you manage
might suggest that you have gone about in fear of this, Mr. Holmes, but it seems to me that all the
some personal attack with the last twelvemonth.’ detectives of fact and of fancy would be children
in your hands. That’s your line of life, sir, and you
“The laugh faded from his lips, and he stared may take the word of a man who has seen some-
at me in great surprise. thing of the world.’
“ ‘Well, that’s true enough,’ said he. ‘You know, “And that recommendation, with the exagger-
Victor,’ turning to his son, ‘when we broke up that ated estimate of my ability with which he pref-
poaching gang they swore to knife us, and Sir Ed- aced it, was, if you will believe me, Watson, the
ward Holly has actually been attacked. I’ve always very first thing which ever made me feel that a
been on my guard since then, though I have no profession might be made out of what had up to
idea how you know it.’ that time been the merest hobby. At the moment,
“ ‘You have a very handsome stick,’ I answered. however, I was too much concerned at the sudden
‘By the inscription I observed that you had not had illness of my host to think of anything else.
it more than a year. But you have taken some pains “ ‘I hope that I have said nothing to pain you?’
to bore the head of it and pour melted lead into said I.
the hole so as to make it a formidable weapon. I “ ‘Well, you certainly touched upon rather a
argued that you would not take such precautions tender point. Might I ask how you know, and how
unless you had some danger to fear.’ much you know?’ He spoke now in a half-jesting
“ ‘Anything else?’ he asked, smiling. fashion, but a look of terror still lurked at the back
of his eyes.
“ ‘You have boxed a good deal in your youth.’
“ ‘It is simplicity itself,’ said I. ‘When you bared
“ ‘Right again. How did you know it? Is my your arm to draw that fish into the boat I saw that
nose knocked a little out of the straight?’ J. A. had been tattooed in the bend of the elbow.
“ ‘No,’ said I. ‘It is your ears. They have the pe- The letters were still legible, but it was perfectly
culiar flattening and thickening which marks the clear from their blurred appearance, and from the
boxing man.’ staining of the skin round them, that efforts had
“ ‘Anything else?’ been made to obliterate them. It was obvious, then,
that those initials had once been very familiar to
“ ‘You have done a good deal of digging by you, and that you had afterwards wished to forget
your callosities.’ them.’
“ ‘Made all my money at the gold fields.’ “ ‘What an eye you have!’ he cried, with a sigh
“ ‘You have been in New Zealand.’ of relief. ‘It is just as you say. But we won’t talk
of it. Of all ghosts the ghosts of our old lovers are
“ ‘Right again.’ the worst. Come into the billiard-room and have a
“ ‘You have visited Japan.’ quiet cigar.’
“ ‘Quite true.’ “From that day, amid all his cordiality, there
was always a touch of suspicion in Mr. Trevor’s
“ ‘And you have been most intimately associ-
manner towards me. Even his son remarked it.
ated with some one whose initials were J. A., and
‘You’ve given the governor such a turn,’ said he,
whom you afterwards were eager to entirely for-
‘that he’ll never be sure again of what you know
get.’
and what you don’t know.’ He did not mean to
“Mr. Trevor stood slowly up, fixed his large show it, I am sure, but it was so strongly in his
blue eyes upon me with a strange wild stare, and mind that it peeped out at every action. At last
then pitched forward, with his face among the nut- I became so convinced that I was causing him un-
shells which strewed the cloth, in a dead faint. easiness that I drew my visit to a close. On the very
“You can imagine, Watson, how shocked both day, however, before I left, an incident occurred
his son and I were. His attack did not last long, which proved in the sequel to be of importance.
however, for when we undid his collar, and sprin- “We were sitting out upon the lawn on garden
kled the water from one of the finger-glasses over chairs, the three of us, basking in the sun and ad-
his face, he gave a gasp or two and sat up. miring the view across the Broads, when a maid

318
 The “Gloria Scott”

came out to say that there was a man at the door back to the diggings, and then, leaving us on the
who wanted to see Mr. Trevor. lawn, he went indoors. An hour later, when we
“ ‘What is his name?’ asked my host. entered the house, we found him stretched dead
drunk upon the dining-room sofa. The whole in-
“ ‘He would not give any.’
cident left a most ugly impression upon my mind,
“ ‘What does he want, then?’ and I was not sorry next day to leave Donnithorpe
“ ‘He says that you know him, and that he only behind me, for I felt that my presence must be a
wants a moment’s conversation.’ source of embarrassment to my friend.
“ ‘Show him round here.’ An instant after- “All this occurred during the first month of the
wards there appeared a little wizened fellow with long vacation. I went up to my London rooms,
a cringing manner and a shambling style of walk- where I spent seven weeks working out a few ex-
ing. He wore an open jacket, with a splotch of periments in organic chemistry. One day, however,
tar on the sleeve, a red-and-black check shirt, dun- when the autumn was far advanced and the vaca-
garee trousers, and heavy boots badly worn. His tion drawing to a close, I received a telegram from
face was thin and brown and crafty, with a perpet- my friend imploring me to return to Donnithorpe,
ual smile upon it, which showed an irregular line and saying that he was in great need of my advice
of yellow teeth, and his crinkled hands were half and assistance. Of course I dropped everything
closed in a way that is distinctive of sailors. As he and set out for the North once more.
came slouching across the lawn I heard Mr. Trevor “He met me with the dog-cart at the station,
make a sort of hiccoughing noise in his throat, and and I saw at a glance that the last two months had
jumping out of his chair, he ran into the house. He been very trying ones for him. He had grown thin
was back in a moment, and I smelt a strong reek and careworn, and had lost the loud, cheery man-
of brandy as he passed me. ner for which he had been remarkable.
“ ‘Well, my man,’ said he. ‘What can I do for “ ‘The governor is dying,’ were the first words
you?’ he said.
“The sailor stood looking at him with puckered “ ‘Impossible!’ I cried. ‘What is the matter?’
eyes, and with the same loose-lipped smile upon “ ‘Apoplexy. Nervous shock, He’s been on the
his face. verge all day. I doubt if we shall find him alive.’
“ ‘You don’t know me?’ he asked. “I was, as you may think, Watson, horrified at
“ ‘Why, dear me, it is surely Hudson,’ said Mr. this unexpected news.
Trevor in a tone of surprise. “ ‘What has caused it?’ I asked.
“ ‘Hudson it is, sir,’ said the seaman. ‘Why, it’s “ ‘Ah, that is the point. Jump in and we can talk
thirty year and more since I saw you last. Here it over while we drive. You remember that fellow
you are in your house, and me still picking my who came upon the evening before you left us?’
salt meat out of the harness cask.’ “ ‘Perfectly.’
“ ‘Tut, you will find that I have not forgotten “ ‘Do you know who it was that we let into the
old times,’ cried Mr. Trevor, and, walking towards house that day?’
the sailor, he said something in a low voice. ‘Go “ ‘I have no idea.’
into the kitchen,’ he continued out loud, ‘and you “ ‘It was the devil, Holmes,’ he cried.
will get food and drink. I have no doubt that I “I stared at him in astonishment.
shall find you a situation.’
“ ‘Yes, it was the devil himself. We have not
“ ‘Thank you, sir,’ said the seaman, touching had a peaceful hour since—not one. The governor
his fore-lock. ‘I’m just off a two-yearer in an eight- has never held up his head from that evening, and
knot tramp, short-handed at that, and I wants a now the life has been crushed out of him and his
rest. I thought I’d get it either with Mr. Beddoes or heart broken, all through this accursed Hudson.’
with you.’ “ ‘What power had he, then?’
“ ‘Ah!’ cried Trevor. ‘You know where Mr. Bed- “ ‘Ah, that is what I would give so much to
does is?’ know. The kindly, charitable, good old gover-
“ ‘Bless you, sir, I know where all my old nor—how could he have fallen into the clutches
friends are,’ said the fellow with a sinister smile, of such a ruffian! But I am so glad that you have
and he slouched off after the maid to the kitchen. come, Holmes. I trust very much to your judgment
Mr. Trevor mumbled something to us about having and discretion, and I know that you will advise me
been shipmate with the man when he was going for the best.’

319
 The “Gloria Scott”

“We were dashing along the smooth white “ ‘ “You’re not going away in any kind of spirit,
country road, with the long stretch of the Broads Hudson, I hope,” said my father, with a tameness
in front of us glimmering in the red light of the which mad my blood boil.
setting sun. From a grove upon our left I could “ ‘ “I’ve not had my ’pology,” said he sulkily,
already see the high chimneys and the flag-staff glancing in my direction.
which marked the squire’s dwelling.
“ ‘ “Victor, you will acknowledge that you have
“ ‘My father made the fellow gardener,’ said used this worthy fellow rather roughly,” said the
my companion, ‘and then, as that did not satisfy dad, turning to me.
him, he was promoted to be butler. The house
“ ‘ “On the contrary, I think that we have both
seemed to be at his mercy, and he wandered about
shown extraordinary patience towards him,” I an-
and did what he chose in it. The maids com-
swered.
plained of his drunken habits and his vile lan-
guage. The dad raised their wages all round to “ ‘ “Oh, you do, do you?” he snarls. “Very
recompense them for the annoyance. The fellow good, mate. We’ll see about that!”
would take the boat and my father’s best gun and “ ‘He slouched out of the room, and half an
treat himself to little shooting trips. And all this hour afterwards left the house, leaving my father
with such a sneering, leering, insolent face that I in a state of pitiable nervousness. Night after night
would have knocked him down twenty times over I heard him pacing his room, and it was just as he
if he had been a man of my own age. I tell you, was recovering his confidence that the blow did at
Holmes, I have had to keep a tight hold upon my- last fall.’
self all this time; and now I am asking myself
“ ‘And how?’ I asked eagerly.
whether, if I had let myself go a little more, I might
not have been a wiser man. “ ‘In a most extraordinary fashion. A letter
arrived for my father yesterday evening, bearing
“ ‘Well, matters went from bad to worse with the Fordingbridge post-mark. My father read it,
us, and this animal Hudson became more and clapped both his hands to his head, and began run-
more intrusive, until at last, on making some in- ning round the room in little circles like a man who
solent reply to my father in my presence one day, has been driven out of his senses. When I at last
I took him by the shoulders and turned him out of drew him down on to the sofa, his mouth and eye-
the room. He slunk away with a livid face and two lids were all puckered on one side, and I saw that
venomous eyes which uttered more threats than he had a stroke. Dr. Fordham came over at once.
his tongue could do. I don’t know what passed We put him to bed; but the paralysis has spread,
between the poor dad and him after that, but the he has shown no sign of returning consciousness,
dad came to me next day and asked me whether and I think that we shall hardly find him alive.’
I would mind apologizing to Hudson. I refused,
as you can imagine, and asked my father how he “ ‘You horrify me, Trevor!’ I cried. ‘What then
could allow such a wretch to take such liberties could have been in this letter to cause so dreadful
with himself and his household. a result?’

“ ‘ “Ah, my boy,” said he, “it is all very well to “ ‘Nothing. There lies the inexplicable part of
talk, but you don’t know how I am placed. But it. The message was absurd and trivial. Ah, my
you shall know, Victor. I’ll see that you shall know, God, it is as I feared!’
come what may. You wouldn’t believe harm of “As he spoke we came round the curve of the
your poor old father, would you, lad?” He was avenue, and saw in the fading light that every
very much moved, and shut himself up in the blind in the house had been drawn down. As we
study all day, where I could see through the win- dashed up to the door, my friend’s face convulsed
dow that he was writing busily. with grief, a gentleman in black emerged from it.
“ ‘That evening there came what seemed to me “ ‘When did it happen, doctor?’ asked Trevor.
to be a grand release, for Hudson told us that he “ ‘Almost immediately after you left.’
was going to leave us. He walked into the dining-
“ ‘Did he recover consciousness?’
room as we sat after dinner, and announced his
intention in the thick voice of a half-drunken man. “ ‘For an instant before the end.’

“ ‘ “I’ve had enough of Norfolk,” said he. “I’ll “ ‘Any message for me?’
run down to Mr. Beddoes in Hampshire. He’ll be “ ‘Only that the papers were in the back drawer
as glad to see me as you were, I dare say.” of the Japanese cabinet.’

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 The “Gloria Scott”

“My friend ascended with the doctor to the it.

chamber of death, while I remained in the study, “And then in an instant the key of the riddle
turning the whole matter over and over in my was in my hands, and I saw that every third word,
head, and feeling as sombre as ever I had done in beginning with the first, would give a message
my life. What was the past of this Trevor, pugilist, which might well drive old Trevor to despair.
traveler, and gold-digger, and how had he placed “It was short and terse, the warning, as I now
himself in the power of this acid-faced seaman? read it to my companion:
Why, too, should he faint at an allusion to the
“ ‘The game is up. Hudson has told all. Fly for
half-effaced initials upon his arm, and die of fright
your life.’
when he had a letter from Fordingham? Then I
remembered that Fordingham was in Hampshire, “Victor Trevor sank his face into his shaking
and that this Mr. Beddoes, whom the seaman had hands, ‘It must be that, I suppose,’ said he. “This
gone to visit and presumably to blackmail, had is worse than death, for it means disgrace as well.
also been mentioned as living in Hampshire. The But what is the meaning of these “head-keepers”
letter, then, might either come from Hudson, the and “hen-pheasants”?
seaman, saying that he had betrayed the guilty “ ‘It means nothing to the message, but it might
secret which appeared to exist, or it might come mean a good deal to us if we had no other means
from Beddoes, warning an old confederate that of discovering the sender. You see that he has be-
such a betrayal was imminent. So far it seemed gun by writing “The . . . game . . . is,” and so on.
clear enough. But then how could this letter be Afterwards he had, to fulfill the prearranged ci-
trivial and grotesque, as described by the son? He pher, to fill in any two words in each space. He
must have misread it. If so, it must have been one would naturally use the first words which came
of those ingenious secret codes which mean one to his mind, and if there were so many which re-
thing while they seem to mean another. I must ferred to sport among them, you may be tolerably
see this letter. If there were a hidden meaning in sure that he is either an ardent shot or interested in
it, I was confident that I could pluck it forth. For breeding. Do you know anything of this Beddoes?’
an hour I sat pondering over it in the gloom, un- “ ‘Why, now that you mention it,’ said he, ‘I
til at last a weeping maid brought in a lamp, and remember that my poor father used to have an in-
close at her heels came my friend Trevor, pale but vitation from him to shoot over his preserves every
composed, with these very papers which lie upon autumn.’
my knee held in his grasp. He sat down opposite “ ‘Then it is undoubtedly from him that the
to me, drew the lamp to the edge of the table, and note comes,’ said I. ‘It only remains for us to find
handed me a short note scribbled, as you see, upon out what this secret was which the sailor Hudson
a single sheet of gray paper. ‘The supply of game seems to have held over the heads of these two
for London is going steadily up,’ it ran. ‘Head- wealthy and respected men.’
keeper Hudson, we believe, has been now told to “ ‘Alas, Holmes, I fear that it is one of sin and
receive all orders for fly-paper and for preserva- shame!’ cried my friend. ‘But from you I shall have
tion of your hen-pheasant’s life.’ no secrets. Here is the statement which was drawn
“I dare say my face looked as bewildered as up by my father when he knew that the danger
yours did just now when first I read this message. from Hudson had become imminent. I found it in
Then I reread it very carefully. It was evidently the Japanese cabinet, as he told the doctor. Take it
as I had thought, and some secret meaning must and read it to me, for I have neither the strength
lie buried in this strange combination of words. nor the courage to do it myself.’
Or could it be that there was a prearranged sig- “These are the very papers, Watson, which he
nificance to such phrases as ‘fly-paper’ and ‘hen- handed to me, and I will read them to you, as I
pheasant’? Such a meaning would be arbitrary and read them in the old study that night to him. They
could not be deduced in any way. And yet I was are endorsed outside, as you see, ‘Some particu-
loath to believe that this was the case, and the pres- lars of the voyage of the bark Gloria Scott, from her
ence of the word Hudson seemed to show that the leaving Falmouth on the 8th October, 1855, to her
subject of the message was as I had guessed, and destruction in N. Lat. 15◦ 20’, W. Long. 25◦ 14’ on
that it was from Beddoes rather than the sailor. I Nov. 6th.’ It is in the form of a letter, and runs in
tried it backwards, but the combination ‘life pheas- this way:
ant’s hen’ was not encouraging. Then I tried al- “ ‘My dear, dear son, now that approaching dis-
ternate words, but neither ‘the of for’ nor ‘supply grace begins to darken the closing years of my life,
game London’ promised to throw any light upon I can write with all truth and honesty that it is not

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 The “Gloria Scott”

the terror of the law, it is not the loss of my posi- Chinese tea-trade, but she was an old-fashioned,
tion in the county, nor is it my fall in the eyes of all heavy-bowed, broad-beamed craft, and the new
who have known me, which cuts me to the heart; clippers had cut her out. She was a five-hundred-
but it is the thought that you should come to blush ton boat; and besides her thirty-eight jail-birds, she
for me—you who love me and who have seldom, carried twenty-six of a crew, eighteen soldiers, a
I hope, had reason to do other than respect me. captain, three mates, a doctor, a chaplain, and four
But if the blow falls which is forever hanging over warders. Nearly a hundred souls were in her, all
me, then I should wish you to read this, that you told, when we set said from Falmouth.
may know straight from me how far I have been “ ‘The partitions between the cells of the con-
to blame. On the other hand, if all should go well victs, instead of being of thick oak, as is usual in
(which may kind God Almighty grant!), then if by convict-ships, were quite thin and frail. The man
any chance this paper should be still undestroyed next to me, upon the aft side, was one whom I
and should fall into your hands, I conjure you, by had particularly noticed when we were led down
all you hold sacred, by the memory of your dear the quay. He was a young man with a clear, hair-
mother, and by the love which had been between less face, a long, thin nose, and rather nut-cracker
us, to hurl it into the fire and to never give one jaws. He carried his head very jauntily in the air,
thought to it again. had a swaggering style of walking, and was, above
“ ‘If then your eye goes onto read this line, I all else, remarkable for his extraordinary height. I
know that I shall already have been exposed and don’t think any of our heads would have come up
dragged from my home, or as is more likely, for to his shoulder, and I am sure that he could not
you know that my heart is weak, by lying with have measured less than six and a half feet. It was
my tongue sealed forever in death. In either case strange among so many sad and weary faces to see
the time for suppression is past, and every word one which was full of energy and resolution. The
which I tell you is the naked truth, and this I swear sight of it was to me like a fire in a snow-storm. I
as I hope for mercy. was glad, then, to find that he was my neighbor,
and gladder still when, in the dead of the night, I
“ ‘My name, dear lad, is not Trevor. I was James heard a whisper close to my ear, and found that
Armitage in my younger days, and you can un- he had managed to cut an opening in the board
derstand now the shock that it was to me a few which separated us.
weeks ago when your college friend addressed me “ ‘ “Hullo, chummy!” said he, “what’s your
in words which seemed to imply that he had sur- name, and what are you here for?“
prised my secret. As Armitage it was that I en- “ ‘I answered him, and asked in turn who I was
tered a London banking-house, and as Armitage talking with.
I was convicted of breaking my country’s laws,
“ ‘ “I’m Jack Prendergast,” said he, “and by
and was sentenced to transportation. Do not think
God! You’ll learn to bless my name before you’ve
very harshly of me, laddie. It was a debt of honor,
done with me.”
so called, which I had to pay, and I used money
“ ‘I remembered hearing of his case, for it
which was not my own to do it, in the certainty
was one which had made an immense sensation
that I could replace it before there could be any
throughout the country some time before my own
possibility of its being missed. But the most dread-
arrest. He was a man of good family and of great
ful ill-luck pursued me. The money which I had
ability, but on incurably vicious habits, who had be
reckoned upon never came to hand, and a prema-
an ingenious system of fraud obtained huge sums
ture examination of accounts exposed my deficit.
of money from the leading London merchants.
The case might have been dealt leniently with, but
the laws were more harshly administered thirty “ ‘ “Ha, ha! You remember my case!” said he
years ago than now, and on my twenty-third birth- proudly.
day I found myself chained as a felon with thirty- “ ‘ “Very well, indeed.”
seven other convicts in ’tween-decks of the bark “ ‘ “Then maybe you remember something
Gloria Scott, bound for Australia. queer about it?”
“ ‘ “What was that, then?”
“ ‘It was the year ’55 when the Crimean war
was at its height, and the old convict ships had “ ‘ “I’d had nearly a quarter of a million, hadn’t
been largely used as transports in the Black Sea. I?”
The government was compelled, therefore, to use “ ‘ “So it was said.”
smaller and less suitable vessels for sending out “ ‘ “But none was recovered, eh?”
their prisoners. The Gloria Scott had been in the “ ‘ “No.”

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 The “Gloria Scott”

“ ‘ “Well, where d’ye suppose the balance is?” the conspiracy, as the only means of saving our-
he asked. selves, and before we had crossed the Bay there
“ ‘ “I have no idea,” said I. were only two of the prisoners who were not in
the secret. One of these was of weak mind, and we
“ ‘ “Right between my finger and thumb,” he
did not dare to trust him, and the other was suf-
cried. “By God! I’ve go more pounds to my name
fering from jaundice, and could not be of any use
than you’ve hairs on your head. And if you’ve
to us.
money, my son, and know how to handle it and
spread it, you can do anything. Now, you don’t “ ‘From the beginning there was really nothing
think it likely that a man who could do anything is to prevent us from taking possession of the ship.
going to wear his breeches out sitting in the stink- The crew were a set of ruffians, specially picked
ing hold of a rat-gutted, beetle-ridden, mouldy for the job. The sham chaplain came into our cells
old coffin of a Chin China coaster. No, sir, such to exhort us, carrying a black bag, supposed to be
a man will look after himself and will look after full of tracts, and so often did he come that by the
his chums. You may lay to that! You hold on to third day we had each stowed away at the foot of
him, and you may kiss the book that he’ll haul you our beds a file, a brace of pistols, a pound of pow-
through.” der, and twenty slugs. Two of the warders were
“ ‘That was his style of talk, and at first I agents of Prendergast, and the second mate was
thought it meant nothing; but after a while, when his right-hand man. The captain, the two mates,
he had tested me and sworn me in with all pos- two warders Lieutenant Martin, his eighteen sol-
sible solemnity, he let me understand that there diers, and the doctor were all that we had against
really was a plot to gain command of the vessel. A us. Yet, safe as it was, we determined to neglect
dozen of the prisoners had hatched it before they no precaution, and to make our attack suddenly
came aboard, Prendergast was the leader, and his by night. It came, however, more quickly than we
money was the motive power. expected, and in this way.
“ ‘ “I’d a partner,” said he, “a rare good man, as “ ‘One evening, about the third week after our
true as a stock to a barrel. He’s got the dibbs, he start, the doctor had come down to see one of the
has, and where do you think he is at this moment? prisoners who was ill, and putting his hand down
Why, he’s the chaplain of this ship—the chaplain, on the bottom of his bunk he felt the outline of
no less! He came aboard with a black coat, and his the pistols. If he had been silent he might have
papers right, and money enough in his box to buy blown the whole thing, but he was a nervous lit-
the thing right up from keel to main-truck. The tle chap, so he gave a cry of surprise and turned
crew are his, body and soul. He could buy ’em at so pale that the man knew what was up in an in-
so much a gross with a cash discount, and he did stant and seized him. He was gagged before he
it before ever they signed on. He’s got two of the could give the alarm, and tied down upon the bed.
warders and Mereer, the second mate, and he’d get He had unlocked the door that led to the deck,
the captain himself, if he thought him worth it.” and we were through it in a rush. The two sen-
“ ‘ “What are we to do, then?” I asked. tries were shot down, and so was a corporal who
came running to see what was the matter. There
“ ‘ “What do you think?” said he. “We’ll make were two more soldiers at the door of the state-
the coats of some of these soldiers redder than ever room, and their muskets seemed not to be loaded,
the tailor did.” for they never fired upon us, and they were shot
“ ‘ “But they are armed,” said I. while trying to fix their bayonets. Then we rushed
“ ‘ “And so shall we be, my boy. There’s a brace on into the captain’s cabin, but as we pushed open
of pistols for every mother’s son of us, and if we the door there was an explosion from within, and
can’t carry this ship, with the crew at our back, it’s there he lay with his brains smeared over the chart
time we were all sent to a young misses’ boarding- of the Atlantic which was pinned upon the table,
school. You speak to your mate upon the left to- while the chaplain stood with a smoking pistol in
night, and see if he is to be trusted.” his hand at his elbow. The two mates had both
been seized by the crew, and the whole business
“ ‘I did so, and found my other neighbor to be
seemed to be settled.
a young fellow in much the same position as my-
self, whose crime had been forgery. His name was “ ‘The state-room was next the cabin, and we
Evans, but he afterwards changed it, like myself, flocked in there and flopped down on the settees,
and he is now a rich and prosperous man in the all speaking together, for we were just mad with
south of England. He was ready enough to join the feeling that we were free once more. There

323
 The “Gloria Scott”

were lockers all round, and Wilson, the sham chap- painter and let us go.
lain, knocked one of them in, and pulled out a “ ‘And now I come to the most surprising part
dozen of brown sherry. We cracked off the necks of my story, my dear son. The seamen had hauled
of the bottles, poured the stuff out into tumblers, the fore-yard aback during the rising, but now as
and were just tossing them off, when in an instant we left them they brought it square again, and as
without warning there came the roar of muskets in there was a light wind from the north and east
our ears, and the saloon was so full of smoke that the bark began to draw slowly away from us. Our
we could not see across the table. When it cleared boat lay, rising and falling, upon the long, smooth
again the place was a shambles. Wilson and eight rollers, and Evans and I, who were the most edu-
others were wriggling on the top of each other on cated of the party, were sitting in the sheets work-
the floor, and the blood and the brown sherry on ing out our position and planning what coast we
that table turn me sick now when I think of it. We should make for. It was a nice question, for the
were so cowed by the sight that I think we should Cape de Verds were about five hundred miles to
have given the job up if had not been for Prender- the north of us, and the African coast about seven
gast. He bellowed like a bull and rushed for the hundred to the east. On the whole, as the wind
door with all that were left alive at his heels. Out was coming round to the north, we thought that
we ran, and there on the poop were the lieutenent Sierra Leone might be best, and turned our head
and ten of his men. The swing skylights above in that direction, the bark being at that time nearly
the saloon table had been a bit open, and they had hull down on our starboard quarter. Suddenly as
fired on us through the slit. We got on them be- we looked at her we saw a dense black cloud of
fore they could load, and they stood to it like men; smoke shoot up from her, which hung like a mon-
but we had the upper hand of them, and in five strous tree upon the sky line. A few seconds later
minutes it was all over. My God! Was there ever a a roar like thunder burst upon our ears, and as
slaughter-house like that ship! Predergast was like the smoke thinned away there was no sign left of
a raging devil, and he picked the soldiers up as if the Gloria Scott. In an instant we swept the boat’s
they had been children and threw them overboard head round again and pulled with all our strength
alive or dead. There was one sergeant that was for the place where the haze still trailing over the
horribly wounded and yet kept on swimming for a water marked the scene of this catastrophe.
surprising time, until some one in mercy blew out “ ‘It was a long hour before we reached it, and
his brains. When the fighting was over there was at first we feared that we had come too late to save
no one left of our enemies except just the warders any one. A splintered boat and a number of crates
the mates, and the doctor. and fragments of spars rising and falling on the
“ ‘It was over them that the great quarrel arose. waves showed us where the vessel had foundered;
There were many of us who were glad enough to but there was no sign of life, and we had turned
win back our freedom, and yet who had no wish away in despair when we heard a cry for help, and
to have murder on our souls. It was one thing to saw at some distance a piece of wreckage with a
knock the soldiers over with their muskets in their man lying stretched across it. When we pulled him
hands, and it was another to stand by while men aboard the boat he proved to be a young seaman of
were being killed in cold blood. Eight of us, five the name of Hudson, who was so burned and ex-
convicts and three sailors, said that we would not hausted that he could give us no account of what
see it done. But there was no moving Predergast had happened until the following morning.
and those who were with him. Our only chance of “ ‘It seemed that after we had left, Prendergast
safety lay in making a clean job of it, said he, and and his gang had proceeded to put to death the
he would not leave a tongue with power to wag in five remaining prisoners. The two warders had
a witness-box. It nearly came to our sharing the been shot and thrown overboard, and so also had
fate of the prisoners, but at last he said that if we the third mate. Prendergast then descended into
wished we might take a boat and go. We jumped the ’tween-decks and with his own hands cut the
at the offer, for we were already sick of these blook- throat of the unfortunate surgeon. There only re-
thirsty doings, and we saw that there would be mained the first mate, who was a bold and active
worse before it was done. We were given a suit of man. When he saw the convict approaching him
sailor togs each, a barrel of water, two casks, one with the bloody knife in his hand he kicked off
of junk and one of biscuits, and a compass. Pren- his bonds, which he had somehow contrived to
dergast threw us over a chart, told us that we were loosen, and rushing down the deck he plunged
shipwrecked mariners whose ship had foundered into the after-hold. A dozen convicts, who de-
in Lat. 15◦ and Long. 25◦ west, and then cut the scended with their pistols in search of him, found

324
him with a match-box in his hand seated beside our fears. You will understand now how it was
an open powder-barrel, which was one of a hun- that I strove to keep the peace with him, and you
dred carried on board, and swearing that he would will in some measure sympathize with me in the
blow all hands up if he were in any way molested. fears which fill me, now that he has gone from me
An instant later the explosion occurred, though to his other victim with threats upon his tongue.’
Hudson thought it was caused by the misdirected
“Underneath is written in a hand so shaky as
bullet of one of the convicts rather than the mate’s
to be hardly legible, ‘Beddoes writes in cipher to
match. Be the cause what I may, it was the end of
say H. has told all. Sweet Lord, have mercy on our
the Gloria Scott and of the rabble who held com-
souls!’
mand of her.
“ ‘Such, in a few words, my dear boy, is the “That was the narrative which I read that night
history of this terrible business in which I was in- to young Trevor, and I think, Watson, that under
volved. Next day we were picked up by the brig the circumstances it was a dramatic one. The good
Hotspur, bound for Australia, whose captain found fellow was heart-broken at it, and went out to the
no difficulty in believing that we were the sur- Terai tea planting, where I hear that he is doing
vivors of a passenger ship which had foundered. well. As to the sailor and Beddoes, neither of them
The transport ship Gloria Scott was set down by was ever heard of again after that day on which
the Admiralty as being lost at sea, and no word the letter of warning was written. They both dis-
has ever leaked out as to her true fate. After an appeared utterly and completely. No complaint
excellent voyage the Hotspur landed us at Sydney, had been lodged with he police, so that Beddoes
where Evans and I changed our names and made had mistaken a threat for a deed. Hudson had
our way to the diggings, where, among the crowds been seen lurking about, and it was believed by
who were gathered from all nations, we had no the police that he had done away with Beddoes
difficulty in losing our former identities. The rest and had fled. For myself I believe that the truth
I need not relate. We prospered, we traveled, we was exactly the opposite. I think that it is most
came back as rich colonials to England, and we probable that Beddoes, pushed to desperation and
bought country estates. For more than twenty believing himself to have been already betrayed,
years we have led peaceful and useful lives, and had revenged himself upon Hudson, and had fled
we hoped that our past was forever buried. Imag- from the country with as much money as he could
ine, then, my feelings when in the seaman who lay his hands on. Those are the facts of the case,
came to us I recognized instantly the man who Doctor, and if they are of any use to your collec-
had been picked off the wreck. He had tracked us tion, I am sure that they are very heartily at your
down somehow, and had set himself to live upon service.”
The Musgrave Ritual
A
The Musgrave Ritual

n anomaly which often struck me in the he placed in the middle of the floor and, squatting
character of my friend Sherlock Holmes down upon a stool in front of it, he threw back the
was that, although in his methods of lid. I could see that it was already a third full of
thought he was the neatest and most me- bundles of paper tied up with red tape into sepa-
thodical of mankind, and although also he affected rate packages.
a certain quiet primness of dress, he was none the “There are cases enough here, Watson,” said
less in his personal habits one of the most un- he, looking at me with mischievous eyes. “I think
tidy men that ever drove a fellow-lodger to dis- that if you knew all that I had in this box you
traction. Not that I am in the least conventional in would ask me to pull some out instead of putting
that respect myself. The rough-and-tumble work others in.”
in Afghanistan, coming on the top of a natural “These are the records of your early work,
Bohemianism of disposition, has made me rather then?” I asked. “I have often wished that I had
more lax than befits a medical man. But with me notes of those cases.”
there is a limit, and when I find a man who keeps “Yes, my boy, these were all done prematurely
his cigars in the coal-scuttle, his tobacco in the toe before my biographer had come to glorify me.” He
end of a Persian slipper, and his unanswered corre- lifted bundle after bundle in a tender, caressing
spondence transfixed by a jack-knife into the very sort of way. “They are not all successes, Watson,”
centre of his wooden mantelpiece, then I begin to said he. “But there are some pretty little prob-
give myself virtuous airs. I have always held, too, lems among them. Here’s the record of the Tar-
that pistol practice should be distinctly an open- leton murders, and the case of Vamberry, the wine
air pastime; and when Holmes, in one of his queer merchant, and the adventure of the old Russian
humors, would sit in an arm-chair with his hair- woman, and the singular affair of the aluminium
trigger and a hundred Boxer cartridges, and pro- crutch, as well as a full account of Ricoletti of the
ceed to adorn the opposite wall with a patriotic V. club-foot, and his abominable wife. And here—ah,
R. done in bullet-pocks, I felt strongly that neither now, this really is something a little recherché.”
the atmosphere nor the appearance of our room
He dived his arm down to the bottom of the
was improved by it.
chest, and brought up a small wooden box with
Our chambers were always full of chemicals a sliding lid, such as children’s toys are kept in.
and of criminal relics which had a way of wan- From within he produced a crumpled piece of pa-
dering into unlikely positions, and of turning up per, and old-fashioned brass key, a peg of wood
in the butter-dish or in even less desirable places. with a ball of string attached to it, and three rusty
But his papers were my great crux. He had a old disks of metal.
horror of destroying documents, especially those “Well, my boy, what do you make of this lot?”
which were connected with his past cases, and yet he asked, smiling at my expression.
it was only once in every year or two that he would “It is a curious collection.”
muster energy to docket and arrange them; for, as “Very curious, and the story that hangs round
I have mentioned somewhere in these incoherent it will strike you as being more curious still.”
memoirs, the outbursts of passionate energy when “These relics have a history then?”
he performed the remarkable feats with which his
“So much so that they are history.”
name is associated were followed by reactions of
“What do you mean by that?”
lethargy during which he would lie about with his
violin and his books, hardly moving save from the Sherlock Holmes picked them up one by one,
sofa to the table. Thus month after month his pa- and laid them along the edge of the table. Then he
pers accumulated, until every corner of the room reseated himself in his chair and looked them over
was stacked with bundles of manuscript which with a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes.
were on no account to be burned, and which could “These,” said he, “are all that I have left to re-
not be put away save by their owner. One winter’s mind me of the adventure of the Musgrave Ritual.”
night, as we sat together by the fire, I ventured I had heard him mention the case more than
to suggest to him that, as he had finished past- once, though I had never been able to gather the
ing extracts into his common-place book, he might details. “I should be so glad,” said I, “if you would
employ the next two hours in making our room a give me an account of it.”
little more habitable. He could not deny the jus- “And leave the litter as it is?“ he cried, mis-
tice of my request, so with a rather rueful face he chievously. “Your tidiness won’t bear much strain
went off to his bedroom, from which he returned after all, Watson. But I should be glad that you
presently pulling a large tin box behind him. This should add this case to your annals, for there are

329
 The Musgrave Ritual

points in it which make it quite unique in the windows and all the venerable wreckage of a feu-
criminal records of this or, I believe, of any other dal keep. Once or twice we drifted into talk, and
country. A collection of my trifling achievements I can remember that more than once he expressed
would certainly be incomplete which contained no a keen interest in my methods of observation and
account of this very singular business. inference.
“You may remember how the affair of the Glo- “For four years I had seen nothing of him un-
ria Scott, and my conversation with the unhappy til one morning he walked into my room in Mon-
man whose fate I told you of, first turned my at- tague Street. He had changed little, was dressed
tention in the direction of the profession which has like a young man of fashion—he was always a bit
become my life’s work. You see me now when my of a dandy—and preserved the same quiet, suave
name has become known far and wide, and when manner which had formerly distinguished him.
I am generally recognized both by the public and “ ‘How has all gone with you Musgrave?’ I
by the official force as being a final court of ap- asked, after we had cordially shaken hands.
peal in doubtful cases. Even when you knew me “ ‘You probably heard of my poor father’s
first, at the time of the affair which you have com- death,’ said he; ‘he was carried off about two years
memorated in ‘A Study in Scarlet,’ I had already ago. Since then I have of course had the Hurlstone
established a considerable, though not a very lu- estates to manage, and as I am member for my
crative, connection. You can hardly realize, then, district as well, my life has been a busy one. But I
how difficult I found it at first, and how long I had understand, Holmes, that you are turning to prac-
to wait before I succeeded in making any headway. tical ends those powers with which you used to
“When I first came up to London I had rooms amaze us?’
in Montague Street, just round the corner from the “ ‘Yes,’ said I, ‘I have taken to living by my
British Museum, and there I waited, filling in my wits.’
too abundant leisure time by studying all those “ ‘I am delighted to hear it, for your advice at
branches of science which might make me more present would be exceedingly valuable to me. We
efficient. Now and again cases came in my way, have had some very strange doings at Hurlstone,
principally through the introduction of old fellow- and the police have been able to throw no light
students, for during my last years at the University upon the matter. It is really the most extraordi-
there was a good deal of talk there about myself nary and inexplicable business.’
and my methods. The third of these cases was
“You can imagine with what eagerness I lis-
that of the Musgrave Ritual, and it is to the inter-
tened to him, Watson, for the very chance for
est which was aroused by that singular chain of
which I had been panting during all those months
events, and the large issues which proved to be at
of inaction seemed to have come within my reach.
stake, that I trace my first stride towards to the po-
In my inmost heart I believed that I could succeed
sition which I now hold.
where others failed, and now I had the opportu-
“Reginald Musgrave had been in the same col- nity to test myself.
lege as myself, and I had some slight acquaintance “ ‘Pray, let me have the details,’ I cried.
with him. He was not generally popular among
“Reginald Musgrave sat down opposite to me,
the undergraduates, though it always seemed to
and lit the cigarette which I had pushed towards
me that what was set down as pride was really an
him.
attempt to cover extreme natural diffidence. In ap-
pearance he was a man of exceedingly aristocratic “ ‘You must know,’ said he, ‘that though I am
type, thin, high-nosed, and large-eyed, with lan- a bachelor, I have to keep up a considerable staff
guid and yet courtly manners. He was indeed a of servants at Hurlstone, for it is a rambling old
scion of one of the very oldest families in the king- place, and takes a good deal of looking after. I
dom, though his branch was a cadet one which preserve, too, and in the pheasant months I usu-
had separated from the northern Musgraves some ally have a house-party, so that it would not do to
time in the sixteenth century, and had established be short-handed. Altogether there are eight maids,
itself in western Sussex, where the Manor House the cook, the butler, two footmen, and a boy. The
of Hurlstone is perhaps the oldest inhabited build- garden and the stables of course have a separate
ing in the county. Something of his birth place staff.
seemed to cling to the man, and I never looked at “ ‘Of these servants the one who had been
his pale, keen face or the poise of his head without longest in our service was Brunton the butler. He
associating him with gray archways and mullioned was a young school-master out of place when he

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 The Musgrave Ritual

was first taken up by my father, but he was a man looked down this corridor, I saw a glimmer of light
of great energy and character, and he soon became coming from the open door of the library. I had
quite invaluable in the household. He was a well- myself extinguished the lamp and closed the door
grown, handsome man, with a splendid forehead, before coming to bed. Naturally my first thought
and though he has been with us for twenty years was of burglars. The corridors at Hurlstone have
he cannot be more than forty now. With his per- their walls largely decorated with trophies of old
sonal advantages and his extraordinary gifts—for weapons. From one of these I picked a battle-axe,
he can speak several languages and play nearly and then, leaving my candle behind me, I crept on
every musical instrument—it is wonderful that he tiptoe down the passage and peeped in at the open
should have been satisfied so long in such a posi- door.
tion, but I suppose that he was comfortable, and “ ‘Brunton, the butler, was in the library. He
lacked energy to make any change. The butler of was sitting, fully dressed, in an easy-chair, with a
Hurlstone is always a thing that is remembered by slip of paper which looked like a map upon his
all who visit us. knee, and his forehead sunk forward upon his
“ ‘But this paragon has one fault. He is a bit hand in deep thought. I stood dumb with as-
of a Don Juan, and you can imagine that for a tonishment, watching him from the darkness. A
man like him it is not a very difficult part to play small taper on the edge of the table shed a feeble
in a quiet country district. When he was married light which sufficed to show me that he was fully
it was all right, but since he has been a widower dressed. Suddenly, as I looked, he rose from his
we have had no end of trouble with him. A few chair, and walking over to a bureau at the side, he
months ago we were in hopes that he was about unlocked it and drew out one of the drawers. From
to settle down again for he became engaged to this he took a paper, and returning to his seat he
Rachel Howells, our second house-maid; but he flattened it out beside the taper on the edge of the
has thrown her over since then and taken up with table, and began to study it with minute attention.
Janet Tregellis, the daughter of the head game- My indignation at this calm examination of our
keeper. Rachel—who is a very good girl, but of an family documents overcame me so far that I took
excitable Welsh temperament—had a sharp touch a step forward, and Brunton, looking up, saw me
of brain-fever, and goes about the house now—or standing in the doorway. He sprang to his feet,
did until yesterday—like a black-eyed shadow of his face turned livid with fear, and he thrust into
her former self. That was our first drama at Hurl- his breast the chart-like paper which he had been
stone; but a second one came to drive it from our originally studying.
minds, and it was prefaced by the disgrace and “ ‘ “So!” said I. “This is how you repay the trust
dismissal of butler Brunton. which we have reposed in you. You will leave my
“ ‘This was how it came about. I have said that service to-morrow.”
the man was intelligent, and this very intelligence “ ‘He bowed with the look of a man who is ut-
has caused his ruin, for it seems to have led to an terly crushed, and slunk past me without a word.
insatiable curiosity about things which did not in The taper was still on the table, and by its light
the least concern him. I had no idea of the lengths I glanced to see what the paper was which Brun-
to which this would carry him, until the merest ton had taken from the bureau. To my surprise it
accident opened my eyes to it. was nothing of any importance at all, but simply
“ ‘I have said that the house is a rambling one. a copy of the questions and answers in the singu-
One day last week—on Thursday night, to be more lar old observance called the Musgrave Ritual. It
exact—I found that I could not sleep, having fool- is a sort of ceremony peculiar to our family, which
ishly taken a cup of strong café noir after my din- each Musgrave for centuries past has gone through
ner. After struggling against it until two in the on his coming of age—a thing of private interest,
morning, I felt that it was quite hopeless, so I rose and perhaps of some little importance to the ar-
and lit the candle with the intention of continuing chaeologist, like our own blazonings and charges,
a novel which I was reading. The book, however, but of no practical use whatever.’
had been left in the billiard-room, so I pulled on “ ‘We had better come back to the paper after-
my dressing-gown and started off to get it. wards,’ said I.
“ ‘In order to reach the billiard-room I had to “ ‘If you think it really necessary,’ he answered,
descend a flight of stairs and then to cross the head with some hesitation. ‘To continue my statement,
of a passage which led to the library and the gun- however: I relocked the bureau, using the key
room. You can imagine my surprise when, as I which Brunton had left, and I had turned to go

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when I was surprised to find that the butler had “ ‘ “He is gone. No one has seen him. He is not
returned, and was standing before me. in his room. Oh, yes, he is gone, he is gone!” She
“ ‘ “Mr. Musgrave, sir,” he cried, in a voice fell back against the wall with shriek after shriek of
which was hoarse with emotion, “I can’t bear dis- laughter, while I, horrified at this sudden hysteri-
grace, sir. I’ve always been proud above my station cal attack, rushed to the bell to summon help. The
in life, and disgrace would kill me. My blood will girl was taken to her room, still screaming and sob-
be on your head, sir—it will, indeed—if you drive bing, while I made inquiries about Brunton. There
me to despair. If you cannot keep me after what was no doubt about it that he had disappeared.
has passed, then for God’s sake let me give you His bed had not been slept in, he had been seen by
notice and leave in a month, as if of my own free no one since he had retired to his room the night
will. I could stand that, Mr. Musgrave, but not to before, and yet it was difficult to see how he could
be cast out before all the folk that I know so well.” have left the house, as both windows and doors
were found to be fastened in the morning. His
“ ‘ “You don’t deserve much consideration, clothes, his watch, and even his money were in his
Brunton,” I answered. “Your conduct has been room, but the black suit which he usually wore
most infamous. However, as you have been a long was missing. His slippers, too, were gone, but his
time in the family, I have no wish to bring pub- boots were left behind. Where then could butler
lic disgrace upon you. A month, however is too Brunton have gone in the night, and what could
long. Take yourself away in a week, and give what have become of him now?
reason you like for going.”
“ ‘Of course we searched the house from cellar
“ ‘ “Only a week, sir?” he cried, in a despairing to garret, but there was no trace of him. It is, as
voice. “A fortnight—say at least a fortnight!” I have said, a labyrinth of an old house, especially
“ ‘ “A week,” I repeated, “and you may con- the original wing, which is now practically unin-
sider yourself to have been very leniently dealt habited; but we ransacked every room and cellar
with.” without discovering the least sign of the missing
“ ‘He crept away, his face sunk upon his breast, man. It was incredible to me that he could have
like a broken man, while I put out the light and gone away leaving all his property behind him,
returned to my room. and yet where could he be? I called in the local
police, but without success. Rain had fallen on the
“ ‘For two days after this Brunton was most as- night before and we examined the lawn and the
siduous in his attention to his duties. I made no al- paths all round the house, but in vain. Matters
lusion to what had passed, and waited with some were in this state, when a new development quite
curiosity to see how he would cover his disgrace. drew our attention away from the original mystery.
On the third morning, however he did not appear,
as was his custom, after breakfast to receive my “ ‘For two days Rachel Howells had been so ill,
instructions for the day. As I left the dining-room sometimes delirious, sometimes hysterical, that a
I happened to meet Rachel Howells, the maid. I nurse had been employed to sit up with her at
have told you that she had only recently recovered night. On the third night after Brunton’s disap-
from an illness, and was looking so wretchedly pearance, the nurse, finding her patient sleeping
pale and wan that I remonstrated with her for be- nicely, had dropped into a nap in the arm-chair,
ing at work. when she woke in the early morning to find the
bed empty, the window open, and no signs of the
“ ‘ “You should be in bed,” I said. “Come back invalid. I was instantly aroused, and, with the
to your duties when you are stronger.” two footmen, started off at once in search of the
“ ‘She looked at me with so strange an expres- missing girl. It was not difficult to tell the direc-
sion that I began to suspect that her brain was af- tion which she had taken, for, starting from under
fected. her window, we could follow her footmarks eas-
“ ‘ “I am strong enough, Mr. Musgrave,” said ily across the lawn to the edge of the mere, where
she. they vanished close to the gravel path which leads
out of the grounds. The lake there is eight feet
“ ‘ “We will see what the doctor says,” I an- deep, and you can imagine our feelings when we
swered. “You must stop work now, and when you saw that the trail of the poor demented girl came
go downstairs just say that I wish to see Brunton.” to an end at the edge of it.
“ ‘ “The butler is gone,” said she. “ ‘Of course, we had the drags at once, and set
“ ‘ “Gone! Gone where?” to work to recover the remains, but no trace of

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the body could we find. On the other hand, we “ ‘What shall we give for it?’
brought to the surface an object of a most unex- “ ‘All that is ours.’
pected kind. It was a linen bag which contained “ ‘Why should we give it?’
within it a mass of old rusted and discolored metal “ ‘For the sake of the trust.’
and several dull-colored pieces of pebble or glass.
“ ‘The original has no date, but is in the spelling
This strange find was all that we could get from
of the middle of the seventeenth century,’ re-
the mere, and, although we made every possible
marked Musgrave. ‘I am afraid, however, that it
search and inquiry yesterday, we know nothing
can be of little help to you in solving this mystery.’
of the fate either of Rachel Howells or of Richard
Brunton. The county police are at their wits’ end, “ ‘At least,’ said I, ‘it gives us another mystery,
and I have come up to you as a last resource.’ and one which is even more interesting than the
first. It may be that the solution of the one may
“You can imagine, Watson, with what eager- prove to be the solution of the other. You will ex-
ness I listened to this extraordinary sequence of cuse me, Musgrave, if I say that your butler ap-
events, and endeavored to piece them together, pears to me to have been a very clever man, and to
and to devise some common thread upon which have had a clearer insight that ten generations of
they might all hang. The butler was gone. The his masters.’
maid was gone. The maid had loved the butler,
“ ‘I hardly follow you,’ said Musgrave. ‘The pa-
but had afterwards had cause to hate him. She
per seems to me to be of no practical importance.’
was of Welsh blood, fiery and passionate. She had
been terribly excited immediately after his disap- “ ‘But to me it seems immensely practical, and
pearance. She had flung into the lake a bag con- I fancy that Brunton took the same view. He had
taining some curious contents. These were all fac- probably seen it before that night on which you
tors which had to be taken into consideration, and caught him.’
yet none of them got quite to the heart of the mat- “ ‘It is very possible. We took no pains to hide
ter. What was the starting-point of this chain of it.’
events? There lay the end of this tangled line. “ ‘He simply wished, I should imagine, to re-
“ ‘I must see that paper, Musgrave,’ said I, fresh his memory upon that last occasion. He had,
‘which this butler of your thought it worth his as I understand, some sort of map or chart which
while to consult, even at the risk of the loss of his he was comparing with the manuscript, and which
place.’ he thrust into his pocket when you appeared.’
“ ‘That is true. But what could he have to do
“ ‘It is rather an absurd business, this ritual of
with this old family custom of ours, and what does
ours,’ he answered. ‘But it has at least the saving
this rigmarole mean?’
grace of antiquity to excuse it. I have a copy of the
questions and answers here if you care to run your “ ‘I don’t think that we should have much dif-
eye over them.’ ficulty in determining that,’ said I; ‘with your per-
mission we will take the first train down to Sussex,
“He handed me the very paper which I have and go a little more deeply into the matter upon
here, Watson, and this is the strange catechism to the spot.’
which each Musgrave had to submit when he came
“The same afternoon saw us both at Hurlstone.
to man’s estate. I will read you the questions and
Possibly you have seen pictures and read descrip-
answers as they stand.
tions of the famous old building, so I will con-
“ ‘Whose was it?’ fine my account of it to saying that it is built in
“ ‘His who is gone.’ the shape of an L, the long arm being the more
“ ‘Who shall have it?’ modern portion, and the shorter the ancient nu-
cleus, from which the other had developed. Over
“ ‘He who will come.’
the low, heavily-lintelled door, in the centre of this
“ ‘Where was the sun?’ old part, is chiseled the date, 1607, but experts are
“ ‘Over the oak.’ agreed that the beams and stone-work are really
“ ‘Where was the shadow?’ much older than this. The enormously thick walls
and tiny windows of this part had in the last cen-
“ ‘Under the elm.’
tury driven the family into building the new wing,
“ ‘How was it stepped?’ and the old one was used now as a store-house
“ ‘North by ten and by ten, east by five and by and a cellar, when it was used at all. A splen-
five, south by two and by two, west by one and by did park with fine old timber surrounds the house,
one, and so under.’ and the lake, to which my client had referred, lay

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close to the avenue, about two hundred yards from “ ‘I can give you it at once. It was sixty-four
the building. feet.’
“I was already firmly convinced, Watson, that “ ‘How do you come to know it?’ I asked, in
there were not three separate mysteries here, but surprise.
one only, and that if I could read the Musgrave “ ‘When my old tutor used to give me an ex-
Ritual aright I should hold in my hand the clue ercise in trigonometry, it always took the shape of
which would lead me to the truth concerning both measuring heights. When I was a lad I worked out
the butler Brunton and the maid Howells. To that every tree and building in the estate.’
then I turned all my energies. Why should this ser-
“This was an unexpected piece of luck. My
vant be so anxious to master this old formula? Ev-
data were coming more quickly than I could have
idently because he saw something in it which had
reasonably hoped.
escaped all those generations of country squires,
and from which he expected some personal advan- “ ‘Tell me,’ I asked, ‘did your butler ever ask
tage. What was it then, and how had it affected his you such a question?’
fate? “Reginald Musgrave looked at me in aston-
“It was perfectly obvious to me, on reading the ishment. ‘Now that you call it to my mind,’ he
ritual, that the measurements must refer to some answered, ‘Brunton did ask me about the height
spot to which the rest of the document alluded, of the tree some months ago, in connection with
and that if we could find that spot, we should be some little argument with the groom.’
in a fair way towards finding what the secret was “This was excellent news, Watson, for it
which the old Musgraves had thought it necessary showed me that I was on the right road. I looked
to embalm in so curious a fashion. There were up at the sun. It was low in the heavens, and I cal-
two guides given us to start with, an oak and an culated that in less than an hour it would lie just
elm. As to the oak there could be no question at above the topmost branches of the old oak. One
all. Right in front of the house, upon the left-hand condition mentioned in the Ritual would then be
side of the drive, there stood a patriarch among fulfilled. And the shadow of the elm must mean
oaks, one of the most magnificent trees that I have the farther end of the shadow, otherwise the trunk
ever seen. would have been chosen as the guide. I had, then,
“ ‘That was there when your ritual was drawn to find where the far end of the shadow would fall
up,’ said I, as we drove past it. when the sun was just clear of the oak.”
“ ‘It was there at the Norman Conquest in all “That must have been difficult, Holmes, when
probability,’ he answered. ‘It has a girth of twenty- the elm was no longer there.”
three feet.’ “Well, at least I knew that if Brunton could do
“Here was one of my fixed points secured. it, I could also. Besides, there was no real difficulty.
I went with Musgrave to his study and whittled
“ ‘Have you any old elms?’ I asked. myself this peg, to which I tied this long string
“ ‘There used to be a very old one over yonder with a knot at each yard. Then I took two lengths
but it was struck by lightning ten years ago, and of a fishing-rod, which came to just six feet, and
we cut down the stump,’ I went back with my client to where the elm had
“ ‘You can see where it used to be?’ been. The sun was just grazing the top of the oak.
I fastened the rod on end, marked out the direc-
“ ‘Oh, yes.’ tion of the shadow, and measured it. It was nine
“ ‘There are no other elms?’ feet in length.
“ ‘No old ones, but plenty of beeches.’ “Of course the calculation now was a simple
“ ‘I should like to see where it grew.’ one. If a rod of six feet threw a shadow of nine, a
tree of sixty-four feet would throw one of ninety-
“We had driven up in a dogcart, and my client six, and the line of the one would of course the line
led me away at once, without our entering the of the other. I measured out the distance, which
house, to the scar on the lawn where the elm had brought me almost to the wall of the house, and
stood. It was nearly midway between the oak and I thrust a peg into the spot. You can imagine my
the house. My investigation seemed to be pro- exultation, Watson, when within two inches of my
gressing. peg I saw a conical depression in the ground. I
“ ‘I suppose it is impossible to find out how knew that it was the mark made by Brunton in his
high the elm was?’ I asked. measurements, and that I was still upon his trail.

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“From this starting-point I proceeded to step, last in carrying it to one side. A black hole yawned
having first taken the cardinal points by my beneath into which we all peered, while Musgrave,
pocket-compass. Ten steps with each foot took me kneeling at the side, pushed down the lantern.
along parallel with the wall of the house, and again “A small chamber about seven feet deep and
I marked my spot with a peg. Then I carefully four feet square lay open to us. At one side of
paced off five to the east and two to the south. It this was a squat, brass-bound wooden box, the lid
brought me to the very threshold of the old door. of which was hinged upwards, with this curious
Two steps to the west meant now that I was to old-fashioned key projecting from the lock. It was
go two paces down the stone-flagged passage, and furred outside by a thick layer of dust, and damp
this was the place indicated by the Ritual. and worms had eaten through the wood, so that a
“Never have I felt such a cold chill of disap- crop of livid fungi was growing on the inside of it.
pointment, Watson. For a moment is seemed to Several discs of metal, old coins apparently, such
me that there must be some radical mistake in my as I hold here, were scattered over the bottom of
calculations. The setting sun shone full upon the the box, but it contained nothing else.
passage floor, and I could see that the old, foot-
“At the moment, however, we had no thought
worn gray stones with which it was paved were
for the old chest, for our eyes were riveted upon
firmly cemented together, and had certainly not
that which crouched beside it. It was the figure of
been moved for many a long year. Brunton had
a man, clad in a suit of black, who squatted down
not been at work here. I tapped upon the floor,
upon his hams with his forehead sunk upon the
but it sounded the same all over, and there was no
edge of the box and his two arms thrown out on
sign of any crack or crevice. But, Fortunately, Mus-
each side of it. The attitude had drawn all the stag-
grave, who had begun to appreciate the meaning
nant blood to the face, and no man could have rec-
of my proceedings, and who was now as excited
ognized that distorted liver-colored countenance;
as myself, took out his manuscript to check my
but his height, his dress, and his hair were all suf-
calculation.
ficient to show my client, when we had drawn the
“ ‘And under,’ he cried. ‘You have omitted the body up, that it was indeed his missing butler. He
“and under.” ’ had been dead some days, but there was no wound
“I had thought that it meant that we were to or bruise upon his person to show how he had met
dig, but now, of course, I saw at once that I was his dreadful end. When his body had been carried
wrong. ‘There is a cellar under this then?’ I cried. from the cellar we found ourselves still confronted
with a problem which was almost as formidable as
“ ‘Yes, and as old as the house. Down here,
that with which we had started.
through this door.’
“I confess that so far, Watson, I had been disap-
“We went down a winding stone stair, and my
pointed in my investigation. I had reckoned upon
companion, striking a match, lit a large lantern
solving the matter when once I had found the
which stood on a barrel in the corner. In an in-
place referred to in the Ritual; but now I was there,
stant it was obvious that we had at last come upon
and was apparently as far as ever from knowing
the true place, and that we had not been the only
what it was which the family had concealed with
people to visit the spot recently.
such elaborate precautions. It is true that I had
“It had been used for the storage of wood, but thrown a light upon the fate of Brunton, but now
the billets, which had evidently been littered over I had to ascertain how that fate had come upon
the floor, were now piled at the sides, so as to leave him, and what part had been played in the matter
a clear space in the middle. In this space lay a large by the woman who had disappeared. I sat down
and heavy flagstone with a rusted iron ring in the upon a keg in the corner and thought the whole
centre to which a thick shepherd’s-check muffler matter carefully over.
was attached.
“You know my methods in such cases, Wat-
“ ‘By Jove!’ cried my client. ‘That’s Brunton’s son. I put myself in the man’s place and, having
muffler. I have seen it on him, and could swear to first gauged his intelligence, I try to imagine how
it. What has the villain been doing here?’ I should myself have proceeded under the same
“At my suggestion a couple of the county po- circumstances. In this case the matter was simpli-
lice were summoned to be present, and I then en- fied by Brunton’s intelligence being quite first-rate,
deavored to raise the stone by pulling on the cra- so that it was unnecessary to make any allowance
vat. I could only move it slightly, and it was with for the personal equation, as the astronomers have
the aid of one of the constables that I succeeded at dubbed it. He knew that something valuable was

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 The Musgrave Ritual

concealed. He had spotted the place. He found into its place? Be that as it might, I seemed to see
that the stone which covered it was just too heavy that woman’s figure still clutching at her treasure
for a man to move unaided. What would he do trove and flying wildly up the winding stair, with
next? He could not get help from outside, even her ears ringing perhaps with the muffled screams
if he had some one whom he could trust, with- from behind her and with the drumming of fren-
out the unbarring of doors and considerable risk zied hands against the slab of stone which was
of detection. It was better, if he could, to have his choking her faithless lover’s life out.
helpmate inside the house. But whom could he “Here was the secret of her blanched face, her
ask? This girl had been devoted to him. A man shaken nerves, her peals of hysterical laughter on
always finds it hard to realize that he may have fi- the next morning. But what had been in the box?
nally lost a woman’s love, however badly he may What had she done with that? Of course, it must
have treated her. He would try by a few attentions have been the old metal and pebbles which my
to make his peace with the girl Howells, and then client had dragged from the mere. She had thrown
would engage her as his accomplice. Together they them in there at the first opportunity to remove the
would come at night to the cellar, and their united last trace of her crime.
force would suffice to raise the stone. So far I could
follow their actions as if I had actually seen them. “For twenty minutes I had sat motionless,
thinking the matter out. Musgrave still stood with
“But for two of them, and one a woman, it must a very pale face, swinging his lantern and peering
have been heavy work the raising of that stone. A down into the hole.
burly Sussex policeman and I had found it no light
“ ‘These are coins of Charles the First,’ said he,
job. What would they do to assist them? Probably
holding out the few which had been in the box;
what I should have done myself. I rose and exam-
‘you see we were right in fixing our date for the
ined carefully the different billets of wood which
Ritual.’
were scattered round the floor. Almost at once
I came upon what I expected. One piece, about “ ‘We may find something else of Charles the
three feet in length, had a very marked indenta- First,’ I cried, as the probable meaning of the first
tion at one end, while several were flattened at the two question of the Ritual broke suddenly upon
sides as if they had been compressed by some con- me. ‘Let me see the contents of the bag which you
siderable weight. Evidently, as they had dragged fished from the mere.’
the stone up they had thrust the chunks of wood “We ascended to his study, and he laid the de-
into the chink, until at last, when the opening was bris before me. I could understand his regarding
large enough to crawl through, they would hold it as of small importance when I looked at it, for
it open by a billet placed lengthwise, which might the metal was almost black and the stones lustre-
very well become indented at the lower end, since less and dull. I rubbed one of them on my sleeve,
the whole weight of the stone would press it down however, and it glowed afterwards like a spark in
on to the edge of this other slab. So far I was still the dark hollow of my hand. The metal work was
on safe ground. in the form of a double ring, but it had been bent
and twisted out of its original shape.
“And now how was I to proceed to recon-
struct this midnight drama? Clearly, only one “ ‘You must bear in mind,’ said I, ‘that the royal
could fit into the hole, and that one was Brunton. party made head in England even after the death
The girl must have waited above. Brunton then of the king, and that when they at last fled they
unlocked the box, handed up the contents pre- probably left many of their most precious posses-
sumably—since they were not to be found—and sions buried behind them, with the intention of
then—and then what happened? returning for them in more peaceful times.’
“What smouldering fire of vengeance had sud- “ ‘My ancestor, Sir Ralph Musgrave, was a
denly sprung into flame in this passionate Celtic prominent Cavalier and the right-hand man of
woman’s soul when she saw the man who had Charles the Second in his wanderings,’ said my
wronged her—wronged her, perhaps, far more friend.
than we suspected—in her power? Was it a chance “ ‘Ah, indeed!’ I answered. ‘Well now, I think
that the wood had slipped, and that the stone had that really should give us the last link that we
shut Brunton into what had become his sepulchre? wanted. I must congratulate you on coming into
Had she only been guilty of silence as to his fate? the possession, though in rather a tragic manner of
Or had some sudden blow from her hand dashed a relic which is of great intrinsic value, but of even
the support away and sent the slab crashing down greater importance as an historical curiosity.’

336
 “ ‘What is it, then?’ he gasped in astonishment. “ ‘And how was it then that Charles did not get
his crown when he returned?’ asked Musgrave,
“ ‘It is nothing less than the ancient crown of pushing back the relic into its linen bag.
the kings of England.’
“ ‘Ah, there you lay your finger upon the one
“ ‘The crown!’ point which we shall probably never be able to
clear up. It is likely that the Musgrave who held
“ ‘Precisely. Consider what the Ritual says: the secret died in the interval, and by some over-
How does it run? “Whose was it?” “His who is sight left this guide to his descendant without ex-
gone.” That was after the execution of Charles. plaining the meaning of it. From that day to this
Then, “Who shall have it?” “He who will come.” it has been handed down from father to son, until
That was Charles the Second, whose advent was at last it came within reach of a man who tore its
already foreseen. There can, I think, be no doubt secret out of it and lost his life in the venture.’
that this battered and shapeless diadem once en-
“And that’s the story of the Musgrave Ritual,
circled the brows of the royal Stuarts.’
Watson. They have the crown down at Hurl-
“ ‘And how came it in the pond?’ stone—though they had some legal bother and a
considerable sum to pay before they were allowed
“ ‘Ah, that is a question that will take some to retain it. I am sure that if you mentioned my
time to answer.’ And with that I sketched out to name they would be happy to show it to you. Of
him the whole long chain of surmise and of proof the woman nothing was ever heard, and the prob-
which I had constructed. The twilight had closed ability is that she got away out of England and car-
in and the moon was shining brightly in the sky ried herself and the memory of her crime to some
before my narrative was finished. land beyond the seas.”
The Reigate Puzzle
I
The Reigate Puzzle

t was some time before the health of my he soon found, as I had expected, that Holmes and
friend Mr. Sherlock Holmes recovered he had much in common.
from the strain caused by his immense On the evening of our arrival we were sitting
exertions in the spring of ’87. The whole in the Colonel’s gun-room after dinner, Holmes
question of the Netherland-Sumatra Company and stretched upon the sofa, while Hayter and I looked
of the colossal schemes of Baron Maupertuis are over his little armory of Eastern weapons.
too recent in the minds of the public, and are too “By the way,” said he suddenly, “I think I’ll
intimately concerned with politics and finance to take one of these pistols upstairs with me in case
be fitting subjects for this series of sketches. They we have an alarm.”
led, however, in an indirect fashion to a singular
and complex problem which gave my friend an “An alarm!” said I.
opportunity of demonstrating the value of a fresh “Yes, we’ve had a scare in this part lately. Old
weapon among the many with which he waged his Acton, who is one of our county magnates, had his
life-long battle against crime. house broken into last Monday. No great damage
done, but the fellows are still at large.”
On referring to my notes I see that it was upon
the 14th of April that I received a telegram from “No clue?” asked Holmes, cocking his eye at
Lyons which informed me that Holmes was lying the Colonel.
ill in the Hotel Dulong. Within twenty-four hours I “None as yet. But the affair is a pretty one,
was in his sick-room, and was relieved to find that one of our little country crimes, which must seem
there was nothing formidable in his symptoms. too small for your attention, Mr. Holmes, after this
Even his iron constitution, however, had broken great international affair.”
down under the strain of an investigation which Holmes waved away the compliment, though
had extended over two months, during which pe- his smile showed that it had pleased him.
riod he had never worked less than fifteen hours “Was there any feature of interest?”
a day, and had more than once, as he assured me,
kept to his task for five days at a stretch. Even the “I fancy not. The thieves ransacked the library
triumphant issue of his labors could not save him and got very little for their pains. The whole place
from reaction after so terrible an exertion, and at was turned upside down, drawers burst open, and
a time when Europe was ringing with his name presses ransacked, with the result that an odd vol-
and when his room was literally ankle-deep with ume of Pope’s Homer, two plated candlesticks, an
congratulatory telegrams I found him a prey to the ivory letter-weight, a small oak barometer, and a
blackest depression. Even the knowledge that he ball of twine are all that have vanished.”
had succeeded where the police of three countries “What an extraordinary assortment!” I ex-
had failed, and that he had outmanoeuvred at ev- claimed.
ery point the most accomplished swindler in Eu- “Oh, the fellows evidently grabbed hold of ev-
rope, was insufficient to rouse him from his ner- erything they could get.”
vous prostration. Holmes grunted from the sofa.
Three days later we were back in Baker Street “The county police ought to make something
together; but it was evident that my friend would of that,” said he; “why, it is surely obvious that—”
be much the better for a change, and the thought But I held up a warning finger.
of a week of spring time in the country was full
of attractions to me also. My old friend, Colonel “You are here for a rest, my dear fellow. For
Hayter, who had come under my professional Heaven’s sake don’t get started on a new problem
care in Afghanistan, had now taken a house near when your nerves are all in shreds.”
Reigate in Surrey, and had frequently asked me to Holmes shrugged his shoulders with a glance
come down to him upon a visit. On the last oc- of comic resignation towards the Colonel, and the
casion he had remarked that if my friend would talk drifted away into less dangerous channels.
only come with me he would be glad to extend It was destined, however, that all my profes-
his hospitality to him also. A little diplomacy was sional caution should be wasted, for next morning
needed, but when Holmes understood that the es- the problem obtruded itself upon us in such a way
tablishment was a bachelor one, and that he would that it was impossible to ignore it, and our country
be allowed the fullest freedom, he fell in with my visit took a turn which neither of us could have an-
plans and a week after our return from Lyons we ticipated. We were at breakfast when the Colonel’s
were under the Colonel’s roof. Hayter was a fine butler rushed in with all his propriety shaken out
old soldier who had seen much of the world, and of him.

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 The Reigate Puzzle

“Have you heard the news, sir?” he gasped. “If it’s a local villain there should not be much
“At the Cunningham’s sir!” difficulty in running him down,” said Holmes
“Burglary!” cried the Colonel, with his coffee- with a yawn. “All right, Watson, I don’t intend
cup in mid-air. to meddle.”
“Murder!” “Inspector Forrester, sir,” said the butler,
throwing open the door.
The Colonel whistled. “By Jove!” said he.
“Who’s killed, then? The J.P. or his son?” The official, a smart, keen-faced young fellow,
stepped into the room. “Good-morning, Colonel,”
“Neither, sir. It was William the coachman. said he; “I hope I don’t intrude, but we hear that
Shot through the heart, sir, and never spoke Mr. Holmes of Baker Street is here.”
again.”
The Colonel waved his hand towards my
“Who shot him, then?” friend, and the Inspector bowed.
“The burglar, sir. He was off like a shot and got “We thought that perhaps you would care to
clean away. He’d just broke in at the pantry win- step across, Mr. Holmes.”
dow when William came on him and met his end
“The fates are against you, Watson,” said he,
in saving his master’s property.”
laughing. “We were chatting about the matter
“What time?” when you came in, Inspector. Perhaps you can let
“It was last night, sir, somewhere about us have a few details.” As he leaned back in his
twelve.” chair in the familiar attitude I knew that the case
was hopeless.
“Ah, then, we’ll step over afterwards,” said
the Colonel, coolly settling down to his breakfast “We had no clue in the Acton affair. But here
again. “It’s a baddish business,” he added when we have plenty to go on, and there’s no doubt it is
the butler had gone; “he’s our leading man about the same party in each case. The man was seen.”
here, is old Cunningham, and a very decent fel- “Ah!”
low too. He’ll be cut up over this, for the man has “Yes, sir. But he was off like a deer after the
been in his service for years and was a good ser- shot that killed poor William Kirwan was fired.
vant. It’s evidently the same villains who broke Mr. Cunningham saw him from the bedroom win-
into Acton’s.” dow, and Mr. Alec Cunningham saw him from
“And stole that very singular collection,” said the back passage. It was quarter to twelve when
Holmes, thoughtfully. the alarm broke out. Mr. Cunningham had just
“Precisely.” got into bed, and Mr. Alec was smoking a pipe
in his dressing-gown. They both heard William
“Hum! It may prove the simplest matter in the the coachman calling for help, and Mr. Alec ran
world, but all the same at first glance this is just a down to see what was the matter. The back door
little curious, is it not? A gang of burglars acting was open, and as he came to the foot of the stairs
in the country might be expected to vary the scene he saw two men wrestling together outside. One
of their operations, and not to crack two cribs in of them fired a shot, the other dropped, and the
the same district within a few days. When you murderer rushed across the garden and over the
spoke last night of taking precautions I remem- hedge. Mr. Cunningham, looking out of his bed-
ber that it passed through my mind that this was room, saw the fellow as he gained the road, but
probably the last parish in England to which the lost sight of him at once. Mr. Alec stopped to see
thief or thieves would be likely to turn their atten- if he could help the dying man, and so the vil-
tion—which shows that I have still much to learn.” lain got clean away. Beyond the fact that he was a
“I fancy it’s some local practitioner,” said the middle-sized man and dressed in some dark stuff,
Colonel. “In that case, of course, Acton’s and we have no personal clue; but we are making en-
Cunningham’s are just the places he would go for, ergetic inquiries, and if he is a stranger we shall
since they are far the largest about here.” soon find him out.”
“And richest?” “What was this William doing there? Did he
“Well, they ought to be, but they’ve had a law- say anything before he died?”
suit for some years which has sucked the blood out “Not a word. He lives at the lodge with his
of both of them, I fancy. Old Acton has some claim mother, and as he was a very faithful fellow we
on half Cunningham’s estate, and the lawyers have imagine that he walked up to the house with the
been at it with both hands.” intention of seeing that all was right there. Of

342
 The Reigate Puzzle

course this Acton business has put every one on was tinged with color, and his eyes as bright as be-
their guard. The robber must have just burst open fore his illness. He sprang to his feet with all his
the door—the lock has been forced—when William old energy.
came upon him.” “I’ll tell you what,” said he, “I should like to
“Did William say anything to his mother before have a quiet little glance into the details of this
going out?” case. There is something in it which fascinates me
extremely. If you will permit me, Colonel, I will
“She is very old and deaf, and we can get no in- leave my friend Watson and you, and I will step
formation from her. The shock has made her half- round with the Inspector to test the truth of one or
witted, but I understand that she was never very two little fancies of mine. I will be with you again
bright. There is one very important circumstance, in half an hour.”
however. Look at this!”
An hour and half had elapsed before the In-
He took a small piece of torn paper from a spector returned alone.
note-book and spread it out upon his knee. “Mr. Holmes is walking up and down in the
“This was found between the finger and thumb field outside,” said he. “He wants us all four to go
of the dead man. It appears to be a fragment torn up to the house together.”
from a larger sheet. You will observe that the hour “To Mr. Cunningham’s?”
mentioned upon it is the very time at which the “Yes, sir.”
poor fellow met his fate. You see that his mur-
derer might have torn the rest of the sheet from “What for?”
him or he might have taken this fragment from the The Inspector shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t
murderer. It reads almost as though it were an ap- quite know, sir. Between ourselves, I think Mr.
pointment.” Holmes had not quite got over his illness yet. He’s
been behaving very queerly, and he is very much
Holmes took up the scrap of paper, a facsimile excited.”
of which is here reproduced.
“I don’t think you need alarm yourself,” said I.
at quarter to twelve “I have usually found that there was method in his
learn what madness.”
may “Some folks might say there was madness in
“Presuming that it is an appointment,” contin- his method,” muttered the Inspector. “But he’s all
ued the Inspector, “it is of course a conceivable the- on fire to start, Colonel, so we had best go out if
ory that this William Kirwan—though he had the you are ready.”
reputation of being an honest man, may have been We found Holmes pacing up and down in the
in league with the thief. He may have met him field, his chin sunk upon his breast, and his hands
there, may even have helped him to break in the thrust into his trousers pockets.
door, and then they may have fallen out between “The matter grows in interest,” said he. “Wat-
themselves.” son, your country-trip has been a distinct success.
“This writing is of extraordinary interest,” said I have had a charming morning.”
Holmes, who had been examining it with intense “You have been up to the scene of the crime, I
concentration. “These are much deeper waters understand,” said the Colonel.
than I had thought.” He sank his head upon his
“Yes; the Inspector and I have made quite a lit-
hands, while the Inspector smiled at the effect
tle reconnaissance together.”
which his case had had upon the famous London
specialist. “Any success?”
“Well, we have seen some very interesting
“Your last remark,” said Holmes, presently, “as
things. I’ll tell you what we did as we walk. First
to the possibility of there being an understanding
of all, we saw the body of this unfortunate man.
between the burglar and the servant, and this be-
He certainly died from a revolver wound as re-
ing a note of appointment from one to the other,
ported.”
is an ingenious and not entirely impossible suppo-
sition. But this writing opens up—” He sank his “Had you doubted it, then?”
head into his hands again and remained for some “Oh, it is as well to test everything. Our in-
minutes in the deepest thought. When he raised spection was not wasted. We then had an inter-
his face again, I was surprised to see that his cheek view with Mr. Cunningham and his son, who were

343
 The Reigate Puzzle

able to point out the exact spot where the mur- until we came to the side gate, which is separated
derer had broken through the garden-hedge in his by a stretch of garden from the hedge which lines
flight. That was of great interest.” the road. A constable was standing at the kitchen
“Naturally.” door.
“Then we had a look at this poor fellow’s “Throw the door open, officer,” said Holmes.
mother. We could get no information from her, “Now, it was on those stairs that young Mr. Cun-
however, as she is very old and feeble.” ningham stood and saw the two men struggling
just where we are. Old Mr. Cunningham was at
“And what is the result of your investigations?”
that window—the second on the left—and he saw
“The conviction that the crime is a very pecu- the fellow get away just to the left of that bush.
liar one. Perhaps our visit now may do something So did the son.They are both sure of it on account
to make it less obscure. I think that we are both of the bush. Then Mr. Alec ran out and knelt be-
agreed, Inspector that the fragment of paper in the side the wounded man. The ground is very hard,
dead man’s hand, bearing, as it does, the very hour you see, and there are no marks to guide us.” As
of his death written upon it, is of extreme impor- he spoke two men came down the garden path,
tance.” from round the angle of the house. The one was
“It should give a clue, Mr. Holmes.” an elderly man, with a strong, deep-lined, heavy-
“It does give a clue. Whoever wrote that note eyed face; the other a dashing young fellow, whose
was the man who brought William Kirwan out of bright, smiling expression and showy dress were
his bed at that hour. But where is the rest of that in strange contract with the business which had
sheet of paper?” brought us there.
“I examined the ground carefully in the hope “Still at it, then?” said he to Holmes. “I thought
of finding it,” said the Inspector. you Londoners were never at fault. You don’t seem
to be so very quick, after all.”
“It was torn out of the dead man’s hand. Why
was some one so anxious to get possession of it? “Ah, you must give us a little time,” said
Because it incriminated him. And what would he Holmes good-humoredly.
do with it? Thrust it into his pocket, most likely, “You’ll want it,” said young Alec Cunningham.
never noticing that a corner of it had been left in “Why, I don’t see that we have any clue at all.”
the grip of the corpse. If we could get the rest of
“There’s only one,” answered the Inspector.
that sheet it is obvious that we should have gone a
“We thought that if we could only find—Good
long way towards solving the mystery.”
heavens, Mr. Holmes! What is the matter?”
“Yes, but how can we get at the criminal’s
My poor friend’s face had suddenly assumed
pocket before we catch the criminal?”
the most dreadful expression. His eyes rolled up-
“Well, well, it was worth thinking over. Then wards, his features writhed in agony, and with a
there is another obvious point. The note was sent suppressed groan he dropped on his face upon the
to William. The man who wrote it could not have ground. Horrified at the suddenness and sever-
taken it; otherwise, of course, he might have de- ity of the attack, we carried him into the kitchen,
livered his own message by word of mouth. Who where he lay back in a large chair, and breathed
brought the note, then? Or did it come through heavily for some minutes. Finally, with a shame-
the post?” faced apology for his weakness, he rose once more.
“I have made inquiries,” said the Inspector. “Watson would tell you that I have only just re-
“William received a letter by the afternoon post covered from a severe illness,” he explained. “I am
yesterday. The envelope was destroyed by him.” liable to these sudden nervous attacks.”
“Excellent!” cried Holmes, clapping the Inspec- “Shall I send you home in my trap?” asked old
tor on the back. “You’ve seen the postman. It is a Cunningham.
pleasure to work with you. Well, here is the lodge,
and if you will come up, Colonel, I will show you “Well, since I am here, there is one point on
the scene of the crime.” which I should like to feel sure. We can very eas-
ily verify it.”
We passed the pretty cottage where the mur-
dered man had lived, and walked up an oak-lined “What was it?”
avenue to the fine old Queen Anne house, which “Well, it seems to me that it is just possible that
bears the date of Malplaquet upon the lintel of the the arrival of this poor fellow William was not be-
door. Holmes and the Inspector led us round it fore, but after, the entrance of the burglary into the

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 The Reigate Puzzle

house. You appear to take it for granted that, al- “I wrote it rather hurriedly.”
though the door was forced, the robber never got “You see you begin, ‘Whereas, at about a quar-
in.” ter to one on Tuesday morning an attempt was
“I fancy that is quite obvious,” said Mr. Cun- made,’ and so on. It was at a quarter to twelve,
ningham, gravely. “Why, my son Alec had not yet as a matter of fact.”
gone to bed, and he would certainly have heard I was pained at the mistake, for I knew how
any one moving about.” keenly Holmes would feel any slip of the kind. It
was his specialty to be accurate as to fact, but his
“Where was he sitting?”
recent illness had shaken him, and this one little
“I was smoking in my dressing-room.” incident was enough to show me that he was still
“Which window is that?” far from being himself. He was obviously embar-
rassed for an instant, while the Inspector raised
“The last on the left next my father’s.”
his eyebrows, and Alec Cunningham burst into a
“Both of your lamps were lit, of course?” laugh. The old gentleman corrected the mistake,
“Undoubtedly.” however, and handed the paper back to Holmes.
“There are some very singular points here,” “Get it printed as soon as possible,” he said; “I
said Holmes, smiling. “Is it not extraordinary that think your idea is an excellent one.”
a burglary—and a burglar who had had some pre- Holmes put the slip of paper carefully away
vious experience—should deliberately break into a into his pocket-book.
house at a time when he could see from the lights “And now,” said he, “it really would be a good
that two of the family were still afoot?” thing that we should all go over the house together
and make certain that this rather erratic burglar
“He must have been a cool hand.”
did not, after all, carry anything away with him.”
“Well, of course, if the case were not an odd Before entering, Holmes made an examination
one we should not have been driven to ask you of the door which had been forced. It was evident
for an explanation,” said young Mr. Alec. “But as that a chisel or strong knife had been thrust in,
to your ideas that the man had robbed the house and the lock forced back with it. We could see the
before William tackled him, I think it a most ab- marks in the wood where it had been pushed in.
surd notion. Wouldn’t we have found the place
“You don’t use bars, then?” he asked.
disarranged, and missed the things which he had
“We have never found it necessary.”
taken?”
“You don’t keep a dog?”
“It depends on what the things were,” said “Yes, but he is chained on the other side of the
Holmes. “You must remember that we are dealing house.”
with a burglar who is a very peculiar fellow, and
“When do the servants go to bed?”
who appears to work on lines of his own. Look,
for example, at the queer lot of things which he “About ten.”
took from Acton’s—what was it?—a ball of string, “I understand that William was usually in bed
a letter-weight, and I don’t know what other odds also at that hour.”
and ends.” “Yes.”
“It is singular that on this particular night he
“Well, we are quite in your hands, Mr.
should have been up. Now, I should be very glad
Holmes,” said old Cunningham. “Anything which
if you would have the kindness to show us over
you or the Inspector may suggest will most cer-
the house, Mr. Cunningham.”
tainly be done.”
A stone-flagged passage, with the kitchens
“In the first place,” said Holmes, “I should branching away from it, led by a wooden staircase
like you to offer a reward—coming from yourself, directly to the first floor of the house. It came out
for the officials may take a little time before they upon the landing opposite to a second more or-
would agree upon the sum, and these things can- namental stair which came up from the front hall.
not be done too promptly. I have jotted down the Out of this landing opened the drawing-room and
form here, if you would not mind signing it. Fifty several bedrooms, including those of Mr. Cunning-
pound was quite enough, I thought.” ham and his son. Holmes walked slowly, taking
“I would willingly give five hundred,” said the keen note of the architecture of the house. I could
J.P., taking the slip of paper and the pencil which tell from his expression that he was on a hot scent,
Holmes handed to him. “This is not quite correct, and yet I could not in the least imagine in what
however,” he added, glancing over the document. direction his inferences were leading him.

345
 The Reigate Puzzle

“My good sir,” said Mr. Cunningham with They rushed out of the room, leaving the In-
some impatience, “this is surely very unnecessary. spector, the Colonel, and me staring at each other.
That is my room at the end of the stairs, and my “’Pon my word, I am inclined to agree with
son’s is the one beyond it. I leave it to your judg- Master Alec,” said the official. “It may be the effect
ment whether it was possible for the thief to have of this illness, but it seems to me that—”
come up here without disturbing us.”
His words were cut short by a sudden scream
“You must try round and get on a fresh scent, I of “Help! Help! Murder!” With a thrill I recog-
fancy,” said the son with a rather malicious smile. nized the voice of that of my friend. I rushed
“Still, I must ask you to humor me a little madly from the room on to the landing. The cries,
further. I should like, for example, to see how which had sunk down into a hoarse, inarticulate
far the windows of the bedrooms command the shouting, came from the room which we had first
front. This, I understand is your son’s room”—he visited. I dashed in, and on into the dressing-
pushed open the door—“and that, I presume, is room beyond. The two Cunninghams were bend-
the dressing-room in which he sat smoking when ing over the prostrate figure of Sherlock Holmes,
the alarm was given. Where does the window the younger clutching his throat with both hands,
of that look out to?” He stepped across the bed- while the elder seemed to be twisting one of his
room, pushed open the door, and glanced round wrists. In an instant the three of us had torn them
the other chamber. away from him, and Holmes staggered to his feet,
very pale and evidently greatly exhausted.
“I hope that you are satisfied now?” said Mr.
Cunningham, tartly. “Arrest these men, Inspector,” he gasped.
“Thank you, I think I have seen all that I “On what charge?”
wished.” “That of murdering their coachman, William
“Then if it is really necessary we can go into Kirwan.”
my room.” The Inspector stared about him in bewilder-
ment. “Oh, come now, Mr. Holmes,” said he at
“If it is not too much trouble.”
last, “I’m sure you don’t really mean to—”
The J.P. shrugged his shoulders, and led the
“Tut, man, look at their faces!” cried Holmes,
way into his own chamber, which was a plainly
curtly.
furnished and commonplace room. As we moved
across it in the direction of the window, Holmes Never certainly have I seen a plainer confes-
fell back until he and I were the last of the group. sion of guilt upon human countenances. The older
Near the foot of the bed stood a dish of oranges man seemed numbed and dazed with a heavy,
and a carafe of water. As we passed it Holmes, to sullen expression upon his strongly-marked face.
my unutterable astonishment, leaned over in front The son, on the other hand, had dropped all that
of me and deliberately knocked the whole thing jaunty, dashing style which had characterized him,
over. The glass smashed into a thousand pieces and the ferocity of a dangerous wild beast gleamed
and the fruit rolled about into every corner of the in his dark eyes and distorted his handsome fea-
room. tures. The Inspector said nothing, but, stepping to
the door, he blew his whistle. Two of his consta-
“You’ve done it now, Watson,” said he, coolly. bles came at the call.
“A pretty mess you’ve made of the carpet.”
“I have no alternative, Mr. Cunningham,” said
I stooped in some confusion and began to pick he. “I trust that this may all prove to be an absurd
up the fruit, understanding for some reason my mistake, but you can see that—Ah, would you?
companion desired me to take the blame upon my- Drop it!” He struck out with his hand, and a re-
self. The others did the same, and set the table on volver which the younger man was in the act of
its legs again. cocking clattered down upon the floor.
“Hullo!” cried the Inspector, “where’s he got “Keep that,” said Holmes, quietly putting his
to?” foot upon it; “you will find it useful at the trial.
Holmes had disappeared. But this is what we really wanted.” He held up a
little crumpled piece of paper.
“Wait here an instant,” said young Alec Cun-
ningham. “The fellow is off his head, in my opin- “The remainder of the sheet!” cried the Inspec-
ion. Come with me, father, and see where he has tor.
got to!” “Precisely.”

346
 The Reigate Puzzle

“And where was it?” “Before going into this, I would draw your at-
tention to the fact that, if Alec Cunningham’s nar-
“Where I was sure it must be. I’ll make the
rative was correct, and if the assailant, after shoot-
whole matter clear to you presently. I think,
ing William Kirwan, had instantly fled, then it ob-
Colonel, that you and Watson might return now,
viously could not be he who tore the paper from
and I will be with you again in an hour at the fur-
the dead man’s hand. But if it was not he, it must
thest. The Inspector and I must have a word with
have been Alec Cunningham himself, for by the
the prisoners, but you will certainly see me back at
time that the old man had descended several ser-
luncheon time.”
vants were upon the scene. The point is a sim-
Sherlock Holmes was as good as his word, for ple one, but the Inspector had overlooked it be-
about one o’clock he rejoined us in the Colonel’s cause he had started with the supposition that
smoking-room. He was accompanied by a little el- these county magnates had had nothing to do with
derly gentleman, who was introduced to me as the the matter. Now, I make a point of never having
Mr. Acton whose house had been the scene of the any prejudices, and of following docilely wherever
original burglary. fact may lead me, and so, in the very first stage of
“I wished Mr. Acton to be present while I the investigation, I found myself looking a little
demonstrated this small matter to you,” said askance at the part which had been played by Mr.
Holmes, “for it is natural that he should take a Alec Cunningham.
keen interest in the details. I am afraid, my dear “And now I made a very careful examination of
Colonel, that you must regret the hour that you the corner of paper which the Inspector had sub-
took in such a stormy petrel as I am.” mitted to us. It was at once clear to me that it
“On the contrary,” answered the Colonel, formed part of a very remarkable document. Here
warmly, “I consider it the greatest privilege to have it is. Do you not now observed something very
been permitted to study your methods of working. suggestive about it?”
I confess that they quite surpass my expectations, “It has a very irregular look,” said the Colonel.
and that I am utterly unable to account for your “My dear sir,” cried Holmes, “there cannot be
result. I have not yet seen the vestige of a clue.” the least doubt in the world that it has been writ-
“I am afraid that my explanation may disillu- ten by two persons doing alternate words. When
sion you but it has always been my habit to hide I draw your attention to the strong t’s of ‘at’ and
none of my methods, either from my friend Wat- ‘to’, and ask you to compare them with the weak
son or from any one who might take an intelligent ones of ‘quarter’ and ‘twelve,’ you will instantly
interest in them. But, first, as I am rather shaken recognize the fact. A very brief analysis of these
by the knocking about which I had in the dressing- four words would enable you to say with the ut-
room, I think that I shall help myself to a dash of most confidence that the ‘learn’ and the ‘maybe’
your brandy, Colonel. My strength had been rather are written in the stronger hand, and the ‘what’ in
tried of late.” the weaker.”
“I trust that you had no more of those nervous “By Jove, it’s as clear as day!” cried the Colonel.
attacks.” “Why on earth should two men write a letter in
such a fashion?”
Sherlock Holmes laughed heartily. “We will
come to that in its turn,” said he. “I will lay an “Obviously the business was a bad one, and
account of the case before you in its due order, one of the men who distrusted the other was deter-
showing you the various points which guided me mined that, whatever was done, each should have
in my decision. Pray interrupt me if there is any an equal hand in it. Now, of the two men, it is
inference which is not perfectly clear to you. clear that the one who wrote the ‘at’ and ‘to’ was
the ringleader.”
“It is of the highest importance in the art of de-
tection to be able to recognize, out of a number of “How do you get at that?”
facts, which are incidental and which vital. Other- “We might deduce it from the mere character
wise your energy and attention must be dissipated of the one hand as compared with the other. But
instead of being concentrated. Now, in this case we have more assured reasons than that for sup-
there was not the slightest doubt in my mind from posing it. If you examine this scrap with attention
the first that the key of the whole matter must be you will come to the conclusion that the man with
looked for in the scrap of paper in the dead man’s the stronger hand wrote all his words first, leaving
hand. blanks for the other to fill up. These blanks were

347
 The Reigate Puzzle

not always sufficient, and you can see that the sec- bootmarks about this ditch, I was absolutely sure
ond man had a squeeze to fit his ‘quarter’ in be- not only that the Cunninghams had again lied, but
tween the ‘at’ and the ‘to,’ showing that the latter that there had never been any unknown man upon
were already written. The man who wrote all his the scene at all.
words first in undoubtedly the man who planned “And now I have to consider the motive of this
the affair.” singular crime. To get at this, I endeavored first of
“Excellent!” cried Mr. Acton. all to solve the reason of the original burglary at
“But very superficial,” said Holmes. “We come Mr. Acton’s. I understood, from something which
now, however, to a point which is of importance. the Colonel told us, that a lawsuit had been go-
You may not be aware that the deduction of a ing on between you, Mr. Acton, and the Cunning-
man’s age from his writing is one which has hams. Of course, it instantly occurred to me that
brought to considerable accuracy by experts. In they had broken into your library with the inten-
normal cases one can place a man in his true tion of getting at some document which might be
decade with tolerable confidence. I say normal of importance in the case.”
cases, because ill-health and physical weakness re- “Precisely so,” said Mr. Acton. “There can be
produce the signs of old age, even when the in- no possible doubt as to their intentions. I have the
valid is a youth. In this case, looking at the bold, clearest claim upon half of their present estate, and
strong hand of the one, and the rather broken- if they could have found a single paper—which,
backed appearance of the other, which still retains fortunately, was in the strong-box of my solici-
its legibility although the t’s have begun to lose tors—they would undoubtedly have crippled our
their crossing, we can say that the one was a young case.”
man and the other was advanced in years without “There you are,” said Holmes, smiling. “It was
being positively decrepit.” a dangerous, reckless attempt, in which I seem to
“Excellent!” cried Mr. Acton again. trace the influence of young Alec. Having found
nothing they tried to divert suspicion by making
“There is a further point, however, which is
it appear to be an ordinary burglary, to which
subtler and of greater interest. There is something
end they carried off whatever they could lay their
in common between these hands. They belong to
hands upon. That is all clear enough, but there was
men who are blood-relatives. It may be most ob-
much that was still obscure. What I wanted above
vious to you in the Greek e’s, but to me there are
all was to get the missing part of that note. I was
many small points which indicate the same thing.
certain that Alec had torn it out of the dead man’s
I have no doubt at all that a family mannerism
hand, and almost certain that he must have thrust
can be traced in these two specimens of writing.
it into the pocket of his dressing-gown. Where
I am only, of course, giving you the leading results
else could he have put it? The only question was
now of my examination of the paper. There were
whether it was still there. It was worth an effort to
twenty-three other deductions which would be of
find out, and for that object we all went up to the
more interest to experts than to you. They all tend
house.
to deepen the impression upon my mind that the
Cunninghams, father and son, had written this let- “The Cunninghams joined us, as you doubt-
ter. less remember, outside the kitchen door. It was,
of course, of the very first importance that they
“Having got so far, my next step was, of course,
should not be reminded of the existence of this
to examine into the details of the crime, and to
paper, otherwise they would naturally destroy it
see how far they would help us. I went up to the
without delay. The Inspector was about to tell
house with the Inspector, and saw all that was to
them the importance which we attached to it
be seen. The wound upon the dead man was, as
when, by the luckiest chance in the world, I tum-
I was able to determine with absolute confidence,
bled down in a sort of fit and so changed the con-
fired from a revolver at the distance of something
versation.”
over four yards. There was no powder-blackening
on the clothes. Evidently, therefore, Alec Cunning- “Good heavens!” cried the Colonel, laughing,
ham had lied when he said that the two men were “do you mean to say all our sympathy was wasted
struggling when the shot was fired. Again, both and your fit an imposture?”
father and son agreed as to the place where the “Speaking professionally, it was admirably
man escaped into the road. At that point, how- done,” cried I, looking in amazement at this man
ever, as it happens, there is a broadish ditch, moist who was forever confounding me with some new
at the bottom. As there were no indications of phase of his astuteness.

348
 “It is an art which is often useful,” said he. they made their raid upon Mr. Acton’s, and having
“When I recovered I managed, by a device which thus got them into his power, proceeded, under
had perhaps some little merit of ingenuity, to get threats of exposure, to levy black-mail upon them.
old Cunningham to write the word ‘twelve,’ so Mr. Alec, however, was a dangerous man to play
that I might compare it with the ‘twelve’ upon the games of that sort with. It was a stroke of posi-
paper.” tive genius on his part to see in the burglary scare
“Oh, what an ass I have been!” I exclaimed. which was convulsing the country side an oppor-
tunity of plausibly getting rid of the man whom
“I could see that you were commiserating me he feared. William was decoyed up and shot, and
over my weakness,” said Holmes, laughing. “I had they only got the whole of the note and paid
was sorry to cause you the sympathetic pain which a little more attention to detail in the accessories,
I know that you felt. We then went upstairs to- it is very possible that suspicion might never have
gether, and having entered the room and seen the been aroused.”
dressing-gown hanging up behind the door, I con-
“And the note?” I asked.
trived, by upsetting a table, to engage their at-
tention for the moment, and slipped back to ex- Sherlock Holmes placed the subjoined paper
amine the pockets. I had hardly got the paper, before us.
however—which was, as I had expected, in one of If you will only come around at quarter to
them—when the two Cunninghams were on me, twelve
and would, I verily believe, have murdered me to the east gate you will learn what
then and there but for your prompt and friendly will very much surprise you and may
aid. As it is, I feel that young man’s grip on my be of the greatest service to you and also
throat now, and the father has twisted my wrist to Annie Morrison. But say nothing to
round in the effort to get the paper out of my hand. anyone upon the matter
They saw that I must know all about it, you see, “It is very much the sort of thing that I ex-
and the sudden change from absolute security to pected,” said he. “Of course, we do not yet know
complete despair made them perfectly desperate. what the relations may have been between Alec
“I had a little talk with old Cunningham af- Cunningham, William Kirwan, and Annie Morri-
terwards as to the motive of the crime. He was son. The results shows that the trap was skillfully
tractable enough, though his son was a perfect baited. I am sure that you cannot fail to be de-
demon, ready to blow out his own or anybody lighted with the traces of heredity shown in the p’s
else’s brains if he could have got to his revolver. and in the tails of the g’s. The absence of the i-dots
When Cunningham saw that the case against him in the old man’s writing is also most characteristic.
was so strong he lost all heart and made a clean Watson, I think our quiet rest in the country has
breast of everything. It seems that William had se- been a distinct success, and I shall certainly return
cretly followed his two masters on the night when much invigorated to Baker Street to-morrow.”
The Crooked Man
O
The Crooked Man

ne summer night, a few months after “Yes, I’ve had a busy day,” I answered. “It may
my marriage, I was seated by my own seem very foolish in your eyes,” I added, “but re-
hearth smoking a last pipe and nodding ally I don’t know how you deduced it.”
over a novel, for my day’s work had been Holmes chuckled to himself.
an exhausting one. My wife had already gone up- “I have the advantage of knowing your habits,
stairs, and the sound of the locking of the hall door my dear Watson,” said he. “When your round is a
some time before told me that the servants had short one you walk, and when it is a long one you
also retired. I had risen from my seat and was use a hansom. As I perceive that your boots, al-
knocking out the ashes of my pipe when I sud- though used, are by no means dirty, I cannot doubt
denly heard the clang of the bell. that you are at present busy enough to justify the
I looked at the clock. It was a quarter to twelve. hansom.”
This could not be a visitor at so late an hour. A “Excellent!” I cried.
patient, evidently, and possibly an all-night sit- “Elementary,” said he. “It is one of those in-
ting. With a wry face I went out into the hall and stances where the reasoner can produce an effect
opened the door. To my astonishment it was Sher- which seems remarkable to his neighbor, because
lock Holmes who stood upon my step. the latter has missed the one little point which
“Ah, Watson,” said he, “I hoped that I might is the basis of the deduction. The same may be
not be too late to catch you.” said, my dear fellow, for the effect of some of these
little sketches of yours, which is entirely meretri-
“My dear fellow, pray come in.” cious, depending as it does upon your retaining
“You look surprised, and no wonder! Relieved, in your own hands some factors in the problem
too, I fancy! Hum! You still smoke the Arcadia which are never imparted to the reader. Now, at
mixture of your bachelor days then! There’s no present I am in the position of these same readers,
mistaking that fluffy ash upon your coat. It’s easy for I hold in this hand several threads of one of
to tell that you have been accustomed to wear a the strangest cases which ever perplexed a man’s
uniform, Watson. You’ll never pass as a pure-bred brain, and yet I lack the one or two which are
civilian as long as you keep that habit of carrying needful to complete my theory. But I’ll have them,
your handkerchief in your sleeve. Could you put Watson, I’ll have them!” His eyes kindled and a
me up tonight?” slight flush sprang into his thin cheeks. For an
“With pleasure.” instant the veil had lifted upon his keen, intense
nature, but for an instant only. When I glanced
“You told me that you had bachelor quarters again his face had resumed that red-Indian com-
for one, and I see that you have no gentleman visi- posure which had made so many regard him as a
tor at present. Your hat-stand proclaims as much.” machine rather than a man.
“I shall be delighted if you will stay.” “The problem presents features of interest,”
said he. “I may even say exceptional features of
“Thank you. I’ll fill the vacant peg then. Sorry
interest. I have already looked into the matter, and
to see that you’ve had the British workman in the
have come, as I think, within sight of my solution.
house. He’s a token of evil. Not the drains, I
If you could accompany me in that last step you
hope?”
might be of considerable service to me.”
“No, the gas.” “I should be delighted.”
“Ah! He has left two nail-marks from his boot “Could you go as far as Aldershot to-morrow?”
upon your linoleum just where the light strikes it. “I have no doubt Jackson would take my prac-
No, thank you, I had some supper at Waterloo, but tice.”
I’ll smoke a pipe with you with pleasure.” “Very good. I want to start by the 11.10 from
I handed him my pouch, and he seated himself Waterloo.”
opposite to me and smoked for some time in si- “That would give me time.”
lence. I was well aware that nothing but business “Then, if you are not too sleepy, I will give you
of importance would have brought him to me at a sketch of what has happened, and of what re-
such an hour, so I waited patiently until he should mains to be done.”
come round to it. “I was sleepy before you came. I am quite
“I see that you are professionally rather busy wakeful now.”
just now,” said he, glancing very keenly across at “I will compress the story as far as may be done
me. without omitting anything vital to the case. It is

353
 The Crooked Man

conceivable that you may even have read some ac- Another fact, which had struck Major Murphy and
count of the matter. It is the supposed murder of three out of five of the other officers with whom
Colonel Barclay, of the Royal Munsters, at Alder- I conversed, was the singular sort of depression
shot, which I am investigating.” which came upon him at times. As the major ex-
“I have heard nothing of it.” pressed it, the smile had often been struck from
his mouth, as if by some invisible hand, when he
“It has not excited much attention yet, except
has been joining the gaieties and chaff of the mess-
locally. The facts are only two days old. Briefly
table. For days on end, when the mood was on
they are these:
him, he has been sunk in the deepest gloom. This
“The Royal Munsters is, as you know, one of and a certain tinge of superstition were the only
the most famous Irish regiments in the British unusual traits in his character which his brother
army. It did wonders both in the Crimea and the officers had observed. The latter peculiarity took
Mutiny, and has since that time distinguished itself the form of a dislike to being left alone, especially
upon every possible occasion. It was commanded after dark. This puerile feature in a nature which
up to Monday night by James Barclay, a gallant was conspicuously manly had often given rise to
veteran, who started as a full private, was raised comment and conjecture.
to commissioned rank for his bravery at the time
of the Mutiny, and so lived to command the regi- “The first battalion of the Royal Munsters
ment in which he had once carried a musket. (which is the old 117th) has been stationed at
Aldershot for some years. The married officers live
“Colonel Barclay had married at the time when out of barracks, and the Colonel has during all this
he was a sergeant, and his wife, whose maiden time occupied a villa called Lachine, about half a
name was Miss Nancy Devoy, was the daughter of mile from the north camp. The house stands in its
a former color-sergeant in the same corps. There own grounds, but the west side of it is not more
was, therefore, as can be imagined, some little so- than thirty yards from the high-road. A coachman
cial friction when the young couple (for they were and two maids form the staff of servants. These
still young) found themselves in their new sur- with their master and mistress were the sole occu-
roundings. They appear, however, to have quickly pants of Lachine, for the Barclays had no children,
adapted themselves, and Mrs. Barclay has always, nor was it usual for them to have resident visitors.
I understand, been as popular with the ladies of
the regiment as her husband was with his brother “Now for the events at Lachine between nine
officers. I may add that she was a woman of great and ten on the evening of last Monday.
beauty, and that even now, when she has been mar- “Mrs. Barclay was, it appears, a member of the
ried for upwards of thirty years, she is still of a Roman Catholic Church, and had interested her-
striking and queenly appearance. self very much in the establishment of the Guild of
“Colonel Barclay’s family life appears to have St. George, which was formed in connection with
been a uniformly happy one. Major Murphy, to the Watt Street Chapel for the purpose of supply-
whom I owe most of my facts, assures me that he ing the poor with cast-off clothing. A meeting of
has never heard of any misunderstanding between the Guild had been held that evening at eight, and
the pair. On the whole, he thinks that Barclay’s Mrs. Barclay had hurried over her dinner in order
devotion to his wife was greater than his wife’s to be present at it. When leaving the house she
to Barclay. He was acutely uneasy if he were ab- was heard by the coachman to make some com-
sent from her for a day. She, on the other hand, monplace remark to her husband, and to assure
though devoted and faithful, was less obtrusively him that she would be back before very long. She
affectionate. But they were regarded in the regi- then called for Miss Morrison, a young lady who
ment as the very model of a middle-aged couple. lives in the next villa, and the two went off to-
There was absolutely nothing in their mutual rela- gether to their meeting. It lasted forty minutes,
tions to prepare people for the tragedy which was and at a quarter-past nine Mrs. Barclay returned
to follow. home, having left Miss Morrison at her door as
“Colonel Barclay himself seems to have had she passed.
some singular traits in his character. He was a “There is a room which is used as a morning-
dashing, jovial old solder in his usual mood, but room at Lachine. This faces the road and opens by
there were occasions on which he seemed to show a large glass folding-door on to the lawn. The lawn
himself capable of considerable violence and vin- is thirty yards across, and is only divided from the
dictiveness. This side of his nature, however, ap- highway by a low wall with an iron rail above it. It
pears never to have been turned towards his wife. was into this room that Mrs. Barclay went upon

354
 The Crooked Man

her return. The blinds were not down, for the he find it anywhere in the room. He went out
room was seldom used in the evening, but Mrs. again, therefore, through the window, and having
Barclay herself lit the lamp and then rang the bell, obtained the help of a policeman and of a med-
asking Jane Stewart, the house-maid, to bring her ical man, he returned. The lady, against whom
a cup of tea, which was quite contrary to her usual naturally the strongest suspicion rested, was re-
habits. The Colonel had been sitting in the dining- moved to her room, still in a state of insensibility.
room, but hearing that his wife had returned he The Colonel’s body was then placed upon the sofa,
joined her in the morning-room. The coachman and a careful examination made of the scene of the
saw him cross the hall and enter it. He was never tragedy.
seen again alive. “The injury from which the unfortunate vet-
“The tea which had been ordered was brought eran was suffering was found to be a jagged cut
up at the end of ten minutes; but the maid, as some two inches long at the back part of his head,
she approached the door, was surprised to hear which had evidently been caused by a violent
the voices of her master and mistress in furious al- blow from a blunt weapon. Nor was it difficult
tercation. She knocked without receiving any an- to guess what that weapon may have been. Upon
swer, and even turned the handle, but only to find the floor, close to the body, was lying a singular
that the door was locked upon the inside. Natu- club of hard carved wood with a bone handle. The
rally enough she ran down to tell the cook, and Colonel possessed a varied collection of weapons
the two women with the coachman came up into brought from the different countries in which he
the hall and listened to the dispute which was still had fought, and it is conjectured by the police that
raging. They all agreed that only two voices were his club was among his trophies. The servants
to be heard, those of Barclay and of his wife. Bar- deny having seen it before, but among the numer-
clay’s remarks were subdued and abrupt, so that ous curiosities in the house it is possible that it may
none of them were audible to the listeners. The have been overlooked. Nothing else of importance
lady’s, on the other hand, were most bitter, and was discovered in the room by the police, save the
when she raised her voice could be plainly heard. inexplicable fact that neither upon Mrs. Barclay’s
‘You coward!’ she repeated over and over again. person nor upon that of the victim nor in any part
‘What can be done now? What can be done now? of the room was the missing key to be found. The
Give me back my life. I will never so much as door had eventually to be opened by a locksmith
breathe the same air with you again! You coward! from Aldershot.
You Coward!’ Those were scraps of her conversa- “That was the state of things, Watson, when
tion, ending in a sudden dreadful cry in the man’s upon the Tuesday morning I, at the request of Ma-
voice, with a crash, and a piercing scream from jor Murphy, went down to Aldershot to supple-
the woman. Convinced that some tragedy had ment the efforts of the police. I think that you will
occurred, the coachman rushed to the door and acknowledge that the problem was already one of
strove to force it, while scream after scream issued interest, but my observations soon made me real-
from within. He was unable, however, to make his ize that it was in truth much more extraordinary
way in, and the maids were too distracted with than would at first sight appear.
fear to be of any assistance to him. A sudden “Before examining the room I cross-questioned
thought struck him, however, and he ran through the servants, but only succeeded in eliciting the
the hall door and round to the lawn upon which facts which I have already stated. One other detail
the long French windows open. One side of the of interest was remembered by Jane Stewart, the
window was open, which I understand was quite housemaid. You will remember that on hearing
usual in the summer-time, and he passed without the sound of the quarrel she descended and re-
difficulty into the room. His mistress had ceased to turned with the other servants. On that first occa-
scream and was stretched insensible upon a couch, sion, when she was alone, she says that the voices
while with his feet tilted over the side of an arm- of her master and mistress were sunk so low that
chair, and his head upon the ground near the cor- she could hear hardly anything, and judged by
ner of the fender, was lying the unfortunate soldier their tones rather than their words that they had
stone dead in a pool of his own blood. fallen out. On my pressing her, however, she re-
“Naturally, the coachman’s first thought, on membered that she heard the word David uttered
finding that he could do nothing for his master, twice by the lady. The point is of the utmost im-
was to open the door. But here an unexpected portance as guiding us towards the reason of the
and singular difficulty presented itself. The key sudden quarrel. The Colonel’s name, you remem-
was not in the inner side of the door, nor could ber, was James.

355
 The Crooked Man

“There was one thing in the case which had Holmes pulled a large sheet of tissue-paper out
made the deepest impression both upon the ser- of his pocket and carefully unfolded it upon his
vants and the police. This was the contortion of knee.
the Colonel’s face. It had set, according to their “What do you make of that?” he asked.
account, into the most dreadful expression of fear The paper was covered with he tracings of the
and horror which a human countenance is capa- foot-marks of some small animal. It had five well-
ble of assuming. More than one person fainted at marked foot-pads, an indication of long nails, and
the mere sight of him, so terrible was the effect. It the whole print might be nearly as large as a
was quite certain that he had foreseen his fate, and dessert-spoon.
that it had caused him the utmost horror. This, of “It’s a dog,” said I.
course, fitted in well enough with the police the-
“Did you ever hear of a dog running up a cur-
ory, if the Colonel could have seen his wife making
tain? I found distinct traces that this creature had
a murderous attack upon him. Nor was the fact of
done so.”
the wound being on the back of his head a fatal
“A monkey, then?”
objection to this, as he might have turned to avoid
the blow. No information could be got from the “But it is not the print of a monkey.”
lady herself, who was temporarily insane from an “What can it be, then?”
acute attack of brain-fever. “Neither dog nor cat nor monkey nor any crea-
ture that we are familiar with. I have tried to re-
“From the police I learned that Miss Morri- construct it from the measurements. Here are four
son, who you remember went out that evening prints where the beast has been standing motion-
with Mrs. Barclay, denied having any knowledge less. You see that it is no less than fifteen inches
of what it was which had caused the ill-humor in from fore-foot to hind. Add to that the length of
which her companion had returned. neck and head, and you get a creature not much
“Having gathered these facts, Watson, I less than two feet long—probably more if there
smoked several pipes over them, trying to sepa- is any tail. But now observe this other measure-
rate those which were crucial from others which ment. The animal has been moving, and we have
were merely incidental. There could be no ques- the length of its stride. In each case it is only about
tion that the most distinctive and suggestive point three inches. You have an indication, you see, of a
in the case was the singular disappearance of the long body with very short legs attached to it. It
door-key. A most careful search had failed to dis- has not been considerate enough to leave any of
cover it in the room. Therefore it must have been its hair behind it. But its general shape must be
taken from it. But neither the Colonel nor the what I have indicated, and it can run up a curtain,
Colonel’s wife could have taken it. That was per- and it is carnivorous.”
fectly clear. Therefore a third person must have “How do you deduce that?”
entered the room. And that third person could “Because it ran up the curtain. A canary’s cage
only have come in through the window. It seemed was hanging in the window, and its aim seems to
to me that a careful examination of the room and have been to get at the bird.”
the lawn might possibly reveal some traces of this “Then what was the beast?”
mysterious individual. You know my methods, “Ah, if I could give it a name it might go a
Watson. There was not one of them which I did long way towards solving the case. On the whole,
not apply to the inquiry. And it ended by my dis- it was probably some creature of the weasel and
covering traces, but very different ones from those stoat tribe—and yet it is larger than any of these
which I had expected. There had been a man in the that I have seen.”
room, and he had crossed the lawn coming from “But what had it to do with the crime?”
the road. I was able to obtain five very clear im-
“That, also, is still obscure. But we have
pressions of his foot-marks: one in the roadway
learned a good deal, you perceive. We know that
itself, at the point where he had climbed the low
a man stood in the road looking at the quarrel be-
wall, two on the lawn, and two very faint ones
tween the Barclays—the blinds were up and the
upon the stained boards near the window where
room lighted. We know, also, that he ran across the
he had entered. He had apparently rushed across
lawn, entered the room, accompanied by a strange
the lawn, for his toe-marks were much deeper than
animal, and that he either struck the Colonel or,
his heels. But it was not the man who surprised
as is equally possible, that the Colonel fell down
me. It was his companion.”
from sheer fright at the sight of him, and cut his
“His companion!” head on the corner of the fender. Finally, we have

356
 The Crooked Man

the curious fact that the intruder carried away the dock upon a capital charge unless the matter were
key with him when he left.” cleared up.
“Your discoveries seem to have left the business “Miss Morrison is a little ethereal slip of a girl,
more obscure that it was before,” said I. with timid eyes and blond hair, but I found her
“Quite so. They undoubtedly showed that the by no means wanting in shrewdness and common-
affair was much deeper than was at first conjec- sense. She sat thinking for some time after I had
tured. I thought the matter over, and I came to the spoken, and then, turning to me with a brisk air of
conclusion that I must approach the case from an- resolution, she broke into a remarkable statement
other aspect. But really, Watson, I am keeping you which I will condense for your benefit.
up, and I might just as well tell you all this on our “ ‘I promised my friend that I would say noth-
way to Aldershot to-morrow.” ing of the matter, and a promise is a promise,’
said she; ‘but if I can really help her when so
“Thank you, you have gone rather too far to
serious a charge is laid against her, and when
stop.”
her own mouth, poor darling, is closed by illness,
“It is quite certain that when Mrs. Barclay left then I think I am absolved from my promise. I
the house at half-past seven she was on good terms will tell you exactly what happened upon Monday
with her husband. She was never, as I think I evening.
have said, ostentatiously affectionate, but she was
“ ‘We were returning from the Watt Street Mis-
heard by the coachman chatting with the Colonel
sion about a quarter to nine o’clock. On our way
in a friendly fashion. Now, it was equally certain
we had to pass through Hudson Street, which is a
that, immediately on her return, she had gone to
very quiet thoroughfare. There is only one lamp in
the room in which she was least likely to see her
it, upon the left-hand side, and as we approached
husband, had flown to tea as an agitated woman
this lamp I saw a man coming towards us with
will, and finally, on his coming in to her, had bro-
is back very bent, and something like a box slung
ken into violent recriminations. Therefore some-
over one of his shoulders. He appeared to be de-
thing had occurred between seven-thirty and nine
formed, for he carried his head low and walked
o’clock which had completely altered her feelings
with his knees bent. We were passing him when
towards him. But Miss Morrison had been with
he raised his face to look at us in the circle of light
her during the whole of that hour and a half. It
thrown by the lamp, and as he did so he stopped
was absolutely certain, therefore, in spite of her
and screamed out in a dreadful voice, “My God,
denial, that she must know something of the mat-
it’s Nancy!” Mrs. Barclay turned as white as death,
ter.
and would have fallen down had the dreadful-
“My first conjecture was, that possibly there looking creature not caught hold of her. I was go-
had been some passages between this young lady ing to call for the police, but she, to my surprise,
and the old soldier, which the former had now spoke quite civilly to the fellow.
confessed to the wife. That would account for “ ‘ “I thought you had been dead this thirty
the angry return, and also for the girl’s denial years, Henry,” said she, in a shaking voice.
that anything had occurred. Nor would it be en-
“ ‘ “So I have,” said he, and it was awful to hear
tirely incompatible with most of the words over-
the tones that he said it in. He had a very dark,
head. But there was the reference to David, and
fearsome face, and a gleam in his eyes that comes
there was the known affection of the Colonel for
back to me in my dreams. His hair and whiskers
his wife, to weigh against it, to say nothing of the
were shot with gray, and his face was all crinkled
tragic intrusion of this other man, which might,
and puckered like a withered apple.
of course, be entirely disconnected with what had
gone before. It was not easy to pick one’s steps, “ ‘ “Just walk on a little way, dear,” said Mrs.
but, on the whole, I was inclined to dismiss the Barclay; “I want to have a word with this man.
idea that there had been anything between the There is nothing to be afraid of.” She tried to speak
Colonel and Miss Morrison, but more than ever boldly, but she was still deadly pale and could
convinced that the young lady held the clue as to hardly get her words out for the trembling of her
what it was which had turned Mrs. Barclay to ha- lips.
tred of her husband. I took the obvious course, “ ‘I did as she asked me, and they talked to-
therefore, of calling upon Miss M., of explaining gether for a few minutes. Then she came down
to her that I was perfectly certain that she held the the street with her eyes blazing, and I saw the crip-
facts in her possession, and of assuring her that pled wretch standing by the lamp-post and shak-
her friend, Mrs. Barclay, might find herself in the ing his clenched fists in the air as if he were made

357
 The Crooked Man

with rage. She never said a word until we were at “And you intend to ask him?”
the door here, when she took me by the hand and “Most certainly—but in the presence of a wit-
begged me to tell no one what had happened. ness.”
“ ‘ “It’s an old acquaintance of mine who has “And I am the witness?”
come down in the world,” said she. When I
“If you will be so good. If he can clear the mat-
promised her I would say nothing she kissed me,
ter up, well and good. If he refuses, we have no
and I have never seen her since. I have told you
alternative but to apply for a warrant.”
now the whole truth, and if I withheld it from the
police it is because I did not realize then the danger “But how do you know he’ll be there when we
in which my dear friend stood. I know that it can return?”
only be to her advantage that everything should “You may be sure that I took some precau-
be known.’ tions. I have one of my Baker Street boys mounting
“There was her statement, Watson, and to me, guard over him who would stick to him like a burr,
as you can imagine, it was like a light on a dark go where he might. We shall find him in Hudson
night. Everything which had been disconnected Street to-morrow, Watson, and meanwhile I should
before began at once to assume its true place, and be the criminal myself if I kept you out of bed any
I had a shadowy presentiment of the whole se- longer.”
quence of events. My next step obviously was to It was midday when we found ourselves at the
find the man who had produced such a remark- scene of the tragedy, and, under my companion’s
able impression upon Mrs. Barclay. If he were still guidance, we made our way at once to Hudson
in Aldershot it should not be a very difficult mat- Street. In spite of his capacity for concealing his
ter. There are not such a very great number of emotions, I could easily see that Holmes was in a
civilians, and a deformed man was sure to have state of suppressed excitement, while I was myself
attracted attention. I spent a day in the search, and tingling with that half-sporting, half-intellectual
by evening—this very evening, Watson—I had run pleasure which I invariably experienced when I as-
him down. The man’s name is Henry Wood, and sociated myself with him in his investigations.
he lives in lodgings in this same street in which “This is the street,” said he, as we turned into
the ladies met him. He has only been five days in a short thoroughfare lined with plain two-storied
the place. In the character of a registration-agent brick houses. “Ah, here is Simpson to report.”
I had a most interesting gossip with his landlady. “He’s in all right, Mr. Holmes,” cried a small
The man is by trade a conjurer and performer, go- street Arab, running up to us.
ing round the canteens after nightfall, and giving a
“Good, Simpson!” said Holmes, patting him
little entertainment at each. He carries some crea-
on the head. “Come along, Watson. This is the
ture about with him in that box; about which the
house.” He sent in his card with a message that he
landlady seemed to be in considerable trepidation,
had come on important business, and a moment
for she had never seen an animal like it. He uses
later we were face to face with the man whom we
it in some of his tricks according to her account.
had come to see. In spite of the warm weather he
So much the woman was able to tell me, and also
was crouching over a fire, and the little room was
that it was a wonder the man lived, seeing how
like an oven. The man sat all twisted and hud-
twisted he was, and that he spoke in a strange
dled in his chair in a way which gave an indescrib-
tongue sometimes, and that for the last two nights
ably impression of deformity; but the face which
she had heard him groaning and weeping in his
he turned towards us, though worn and swarthy,
bedroom. He was all right, as far as money went,
must at some time have been remarkable for its
but in his deposit he had given her what looked
beauty. He looked suspiciously at us now out of
like a bad florin. She showed it to me, Watson,
yellow-shot, bilious eyes, and, without speaking or
and it was an Indian rupee.
rising, he waved towards two chairs.
“So now, my dear fellow, you see exactly how
“Mr. Henry Wood, late of India, I believe,” said
we stand and why it is I want you. It is perfectly
Holmes, affably. “I’ve come over this little matter
plain that after the ladies parted from this man he
of Colonel Barclay’s death.”
followed them at a distance, that he saw the quar-
rel between husband and wife through the win- “What should I know about that?”
dow, that he rushed in, and that the creature which “That’s what I want to ascertain. You know, I
he carried in his box got loose. That is all very cer- suppose, that unless the matter is cleared up, Mrs.
tain. But he is the only person in this world who Barclay, who is an old friend of yours, will in all
can tell us exactly what happened in that room.” probability be tried for murder.”

358
 The Crooked Man

The man gave a violent start. up country. It was our only chance, for we could
“I don’t know who you are,” he cried, “nor not hope to fight our way out with all the women
how you come to know what you do know, but and children, so I volunteered to go out and to
will you swear that this is true that you tell me?” warn General Neill of our danger. My offer was
accepted, and I talked it over with Sergeant Bar-
“Why, they are only waiting for her to come to
clay, who was supposed to know the ground better
her senses to arrest her.”
than any other man, and who drew up a route by
“My God! Are you in the police yourself?” which I might get through the rebel lines. At ten
“No.” o’clock the same night I started off upon my jour-
“What business is it of yours, then?” ney. There were a thousand lives to save, but it was
of only one that I was thinking when I dropped
“It’s every man’s business to see justice done.”
over the wall that night.
“You can take my word that she is innocent.”
“Then you are guilty.” “My way ran down a dried-up watercourse,
which we hoped would screen me from the en-
“No, I am not.”
emy’s sentries; but as I crept round the corner of it
“Who killed Colonel James Barclay, then?” I walked right into six of them, who were crouch-
“It was a just providence that killed him. But, ing down in the dark waiting for me. In an instant
mind you this, that if I had knocked his brains I was stunned with a blow and bound hand and
out, as it was in my heart to do, he would have foot. But the real blow was to my heart and not to
had no more than his due from my hands. If his my head, for as I came to and listened to as much
own guilty conscience had not struck him down it as I could understand of their talk, I heard enough
is likely enough that I might have had his blood to tell me that my comrade, the very man who had
upon my soul. You want me to tell the story. Well, arranged the way that I was to take, had betrayed
I don’t know why I shouldn’t, for there’s no cause me by means of a native servant into the hands of
for me to be ashamed of it. the enemy.
“It was in this way, sir. You see me now with
“Well, there’s no need for me to dwell on that
my back like a camel and by ribs all awry, but there
part of it. You know now what James Barclay was
was a time when Corporal Henry Wood was the
capable of. Bhurtee was relieved by Neill next day,
smartest man in the 117th foot. We were in India
but the rebels took me away with them in their re-
then, in cantonments, at a place we’ll call Bhurtee.
treat, and it was many a long year before ever I
Barclay, who died the other day, was sergeant in
saw a white face again. I was tortured and tried to
the same company as myself, and the belle of the
get away, and was captured and tortured again.
regiment, ay, and the finest girl that ever had the
You can see for yourselves the state in which I
breath of life between her lips, was Nancy Devoy,
was left. Some of them that fled into Nepal took
the daughter of the color-sergeant. There were two
me with them, and then afterwards I was up past
men that loved her, and one that she loved, and
Darjeeling. The hill-folk up there murdered the
you’ll smile when you look at this poor thing hud-
rebels who had me, and I became their slave for a
dled before the fire, and hear me say that it was
time until I escaped; but instead of going south I
for my good looks that she loved me.
had to go north, until I found myself among the
“Well, though I had her heart, her father was Afghans. There I wandered about for many a year,
set upon her marrying Barclay. I was a harum- and at last came back to the Punjaub, where I lived
scarum, reckless lad, and he had had an educa- mostly among the natives and picked up a living
tion, and was already marked for the sword-belt. by the conjuring tricks that I had learned. What
But the girl held true to me, and it seemed that I use was it for me, a wretched cripple, to go back
would have had her when the Mutiny broke out, to England or to make myself known to my old
and all hell was loose in the country. comrades? Even my wish for revenge would not
“We were shut up in Bhurtee, the regiment of make me do that. I had rather that Nancy and
us with half a battery of artillery, a company of my old pals should think of Harry Wood as hav-
Sikhs, and a lot of civilians and women-folk. There ing died with a straight back, than see him living
were ten thousand rebels round us, and they were and crawling with a stick like a chimpanzee. They
as keen as a set of terriers round a rat-cage. About never doubted that I was dead, and I meant that
the second week of it our water gave out, and it they never should. I heard that Barclay had mar-
was a question whether we could communicate ried Nancy, and that he was rising rapidly in the
with General Neill’s column, which was moving regiment, but even that did not make me speak.

359
 “But when one gets old one has a longing for I call them, and Teddy is amazing quick on co-
home. For years I’ve been dreaming of the bright bras. I have one here without the fangs, and Teddy
green fields and the hedges of England. At last catches it every night to please the folk in the can-
I determined to see them before I died. I saved teen.
enough to bring me across, and then I came here “Any other point, sir?”
where the soldiers are, for I know their ways and
“Well, we may have to apply to you again if
how to amuse them and so earn enough to keep
Mrs. Barclay should prove to be in serious trou-
me.”
ble.”
“Your narrative is most interesting,” said Sher-
“In that case, of course, I’d come forward.”
lock Holmes. “I have already heard of your meet-
ing with Mrs. Barclay, and your mutual recogni- “But if not, there is no object in raking up this
tion. You then, as I understand, followed her home scandal against a dead man, foully as he has acted.
and saw through the window an altercation be- You have at least the satisfaction of knowing that
tween her husband and her, in which she doubt- for thirty years of his life his conscience bitterly
less cast his conduct to you in his teeth. Your reproached him for this wicked deed. Ah, there
own feelings overcame you, and you ran across the goes Major Murphy on the other side of the street.
lawn and broke in upon them.” Good-bye, Wood. I want to learn if anything has
happened since yesterday.”
“I did, sir, and at the sight of me he looked as
I have never seen a man look before, and over he We were in time to overtake the major before
went with his head on the fender. But he was dead he reached the corner.
before he fell. I read death on his face as plain as “Ah, Holmes,” he said: “I suppose you have
I can read that text over the fire. The bare sight of heard that all this fuss has come to nothing?”
me was like a bullet through his guilty heart.” “What then?”
“And then?” “The inquest is just over. The medical evi-
“Then Nancy fainted, and I caught up the key dence showed conclusively that death was due to
of the door from her hand, intending to unlock it apoplexy. You see it was quite a simple case after
and get help. But as I was doing it it seemed to me all.”
better to leave it alone and get away, for the thing “Oh, remarkably superficial,” said Holmes,
might look black against me, and any way my se- smiling. “Come, Watson, I don’t think we shall
cret would be out if I were taken. In my haste I be wanted in Aldershot any more.”
thrust the key into my pocket, and dropped my
“There’s one thing,” said I, as we walked down
stick while I was chasing Teddy, who had run up
to the station. “If the husband’s name was James,
the curtain. When I got him into his box, from
and the other was Henry, what was this talk about
which he had slipped, I was off as fast as I could
David?”
run.”
“That one word, my dear Watson, should have
“Who’s Teddy?” asked Holmes. told me the whole story had I been the ideal rea-
The man leaned over and pulled up the front soner which you are so fond of depicting. It was
of a kind of hutch in the corner. In an instant out evidently a term of reproach.”
there slipped a beautiful reddish-brown creature, “Of reproach?”
thin and lithe, with the legs of a stoat, a long, thin
nose, and a pair of the finest red eyes that ever I “Yes; David strayed a little occasionally, you
saw in an animal’s head. know, and on one occasion in the same direction as
Sergeant James Barclay. You remember the small
“It’s a mongoose,” I cried. affair of Uriah and Bathsheba? My biblical knowl-
“Well, some call them that, and some call them edge is a trifle rusty, I fear, but you will find the
ichneumon,” said the man. “Snake-catcher is what story in the first or second of Samuel.”
The Resident Patient
G
The Resident Patient

lancing over the somewhat incoherent “You are right, Watson,” said he. “It does seem
series of Memoirs with which I have en- a very preposterous way of settling a dispute.”
deavored to illustrate a few of the men- “Most preposterous!” I exclaimed, and then,
tal peculiarities of my friend Mr. Sher- suddenly realizing how he had echoed the inmost
lock Holmes, I have been struck by the difficulty thought of my soul, I sat up in my chair and stared
which I have experienced in picking out exam- at him in blank amazement.
ples which shall in every way answer my purpose. “What is this, Holmes?” I cried. “This is be-
For in those cases in which Holmes has performed yond anything which I could have imagined.”
some tour de force of analytical reasoning, and has He laughed heartily at my perplexity.
demonstrated the value of his peculiar methods of
“You remember,” said he, “that some little time
investigation, the facts themselves have often been
ago, when I read you the passage in one of Poe’s
so slight or so commonplace that I could not feel
sketches, in which a close reasoner follows the un-
justified in laying them before the public. On the
spoken thought of his companion, you were in-
other hand, it has frequently happened that he has
clined to treat the matter as a mere tour de force of
been concerned in some research where the facts
the author. On my remarking that I was constantly
have been of the most remarkable and dramatic
in the habit of doing the same thing you expressed
character, but where the share which he has him-
incredulity.”
self taken in determining their causes has been less
pronounced than I, as his biographer, could wish. “Oh, no!”
The small matter which I have chronicled under “Perhaps not with your tongue, my dear Wat-
the heading of “A Study in Scarlet,” and that other son, but certainly with your eyebrows. So when I
later one connected with the loss of the Gloria Scott, saw you throw down your paper and enter upon a
may serve as examples of this Scylla and Charyb- train of thought, I was very happy to have the op-
dis which are forever threatening the historian. It portunity of reading it off, and eventually of break-
may be that in the business of which I am now ing into it, as a proof that I had been in rapport
about to write the part which my friend played with you.”
is not sufficiently accentuated; and yet the whole But I was still far from satisfied. “In the exam-
train of circumstances is so remarkable that I can- ple which you read to me,” said I, “the reasoner
not bring myself to omit it entirely from this series. drew his conclusions from the actions of the man
It had been a close, rainy day in October. Our whom he observed. If I remember right, he stum-
blinds were half-drawn, and Holmes lay curled bled over a heap of stones, looked up at the stars,
upon the sofa, reading and re-reading a letter and so on. But I have been seated quietly in my
which he had received by the morning post. For chair, and what clues can I have given you?”
myself, my term of service in India had trained me “You do yourself an injustice. The features
to stand heat better than cold, and a thermometer are given to man as the means by which he shall
of 90 was no hardship. But the paper was uninter- express his emotions, and yours are faithful ser-
esting. Parliament had risen. Everybody was out vants.”
of town, and I yearned for the glades of the New “Do you mean to say that you read my train of
Forest or the shingle of Southsea. A depleted bank thoughts from my features?”
account had caused me to postpone my holiday, “Your features, and especially your eyes. Per-
and as to my companion, neither the country nor haps you cannot yourself recall how your reverie
the sea presented the slightest attraction to him. commenced?”
He loved to lie in the very centre of five millions of “No, I cannot.”
people, with his filaments stretching out and run- “Then I will tell you. After throwing down
ning through them, responsive to every little ru- your paper, which was the action which drew my
mor or suspicion of unsolved crime. Appreciation attention to you, you sat for half a minute with
of Nature found no place among his many gifts, a vacant expression. Then your eyes fixed them-
and his only change was when he turned his mind selves upon your newly-framed picture of General
from the evil-doer of the town to track down his Gordon, and I saw by the alteration in your face
brother of the country. that a train of thought had been started. But it
Finding that Holmes was too absorbed for con- did not lead very far. Your eyes turned across
versation, I had tossed aside the barren paper, and to the unframed portrait of Henry Ward Beecher
leaning back in my chair, I fell into a brown study. which stands upon the top of your books. You
Suddenly my companion’s voice broke in upon my then glanced up at the wall, and of course your
thoughts. meaning was obvious. You were thinking that if

363
 The Resident Patient

the portrait were framed it would just cover that “Hum! A doctor’s—general practitioner, I per-
bare space and correspond with Gordon’s picture ceive,” said Holmes. “Not been long in practice,
over there.” but has had a good deal to do. Come to consult
“You have followed me wonderfully!” I ex- us, I fancy! Lucky we came back!”
claimed. I was sufficiently conversant with Holmes’s
“So far I could hardly have gone astray. But methods to be able to follow his reasoning, and to
now your thoughts went back to Beecher, and you see that the nature and state of the various med-
looked hard across as if you were studying the ical instruments in the wicker basket which hung
character in his features. Then your eyes ceased in the lamplight inside the brougham had given
to pucker, but you continued to look across, and him the data for his swift deduction. The light in
your face was thoughtful. You were recalling the our window above showed that this late visit was
incidents of Beecher’s career. I was well aware that indeed intended for us. With some curiosity as
you could not do this without thinking of the mis- to what could have sent a brother medico to us at
sion which he undertook on behalf of the North such an hour, I followed Holmes into our sanctum.
at the time of the Civil War, for I remember you A pale, taper-faced man with sandy whiskers
expressing your passionate indignation at the way rose up from a chair by the fire as we entered. His
in which he was received by the more turbulent age may not have been more than three or four and
of our people. You felt so strongly about it that thirty, but his haggard expression and unhealthy
I knew you could not think of Beecher without hue told of a life which has sapped his strength
thinking of that also. When a moment later I saw and robbed him of his youth. His manner was
your eyes wander away from the picture, I sus- nervous and shy, like that of a sensitive gentle-
pected that your mind had now turned to the Civil man, and the thin white hand which he laid on the
War, and when I observed that your lips set, your mantelpiece as he rose was that of an artist rather
eyes sparkled, and your hands clinched, I was pos- than of a surgeon. His dress was quiet and som-
itive that you were indeed thinking of the gallantry bre—a black frock-coat, dark trousers, and a touch
which was shown by both sides in that desperate of color about his necktie.
struggle. But then, again, your face grew sadder; “Good-evening, doctor,” said Holmes, cheerily.
you shook your head. You were dwelling upon “I am glad to see that you have only been waiting
the sadness and horror and useless waste of life. a very few minutes.”
Your hand stole towards your own old wound, and “You spoke to my coachman, then?”
a smile quivered on your lips, which showed me
“No, it was the candle on the side-table that
that the ridiculous side of this method of settling
told me. Pray resume your seat and let me know
international questions had forced itself upon your
how I can serve you.”
mind. At this point I agreed with you that it was
preposterous, and was glad to find that all my de- “My name is Doctor Percy Trevelyan,” said our
ductions had been correct.” visitor, “and I live at 403 Brook Street.”
“Absolutely!” said I. “And now that you have “Are you not the author of a monograph upon
explained it, I confess that I am as amazed as be- obscure nervous lesions?” I asked.
fore.” His pale cheeks flushed with pleasure at hear-
“It was very superficial, my dear Watson, I as- ing that his work was known to me.
sure you. I should not have intruded it upon your “I so seldom hear of the work that I thought it
attention had you not shown some incredulity the was quite dead,” said he. “My publishers gave me
other day. But the evening has brought a breeze a most discouraging account of its sale. You are
with it. What do you say to a ramble through Lon- yourself, I presume, a medical man?”
don?” “A retired army surgeon.”
I was weary of our little sitting-room and “My own hobby has always been nervous dis-
gladly acquiesced. For three hours we strolled ease. I should wish to make it an absolute spe-
about together, watching the ever-changing kalei- cialty, but, of course, a man must take what he can
doscope of life as it ebbs and flows through Fleet get at first. This, however, is beside the question,
Street and the Strand. His characteristic talk, with Mr. Sherlock Holmes, and I quite appreciate how
its keen observance of detail and subtle power of valuable your time is. The fact is that a very sin-
inference held me amused and enthralled. It was gular train of events has occurred recently at my
ten o’clock before we reached Baker Street again. house in Brook Street, and to-night they came to
A brougham was waiting at our door. such a head that I felt it was quite impossible for

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me to wait another hour before asking for your ad- “I could not help smiling at the abruptness of
vice and assistance.” the question.
Sherlock Holmes sat down and lit his pipe. “ ‘I trust that I have my share,’ I said.
“You are very welcome to both,” said he. “Pray “ ‘Any bad habits? Not drawn towards drink,
let me have a detailed account of what the circum- eh?’
stances are which have disturbed you.” “ ‘Really, sir!’ I cried.
“One or two of them are so trivial,” said Dr. “ ‘Quite right! That’s all right! But I was bound
Trevelyan, “that really I am almost ashamed to to ask. With all these qualities, why are you not in
mention them. But the matter is so inexplicable, practice?’
and the recent turn which it has taken is so elabo- “I shrugged my shoulders.
rate, that I shall lay it all before you, and you shall
“ ‘Come, come!’ said he, in his bustling way.
judge what is essential and what is not.
‘It’s the old story. More in your brains than in your
“I am compelled, to begin with, to say some- pocket, eh? What would you say if I were to start
thing of my own college career. I am a London you in Brook Street?’
University man, you know, and I am sure that you “I stared at him in astonishment.
will not think that I am unduly singing my own
“ ‘Oh, it’s for my sake, not for yours,’ he cried.
praises if I say that my student career was consid-
‘I’ll be perfectly frank with you, and if it suits you
ered by my professors to be a very promising one.
it will suit me very well. I have a few thousands to
After I had graduated I continued to devote myself
invest, d’ye see, and I think I’ll sink them in you.’
to research, occupying a minor position in King’s
College Hospital, and I was fortunate enough to “ ‘But why?’ I gasped.
excite considerable interest by my research into “ ‘Well, it’s just like any other speculation, and
the pathology of catalepsy, and finally to win the safer than most.’
Bruce Pinkerton prize and medal by the mono- “ ‘What am I to do, then?’
graph on nervous lesions to which your friend has “ ‘I’ll tell you. I’ll take the house, furnish it,
just alluded. I should not go too far if I were to say pay the maids, and run the whole place. All you
that there was a general impression at that time have to do is just to wear out your chair in the
that a distinguished career lay before me. consulting-room. I’ll let you have pocket-money
“But the one great stumbling-block lay in my and everything. Then you hand over to me three
want of capital. As you will readily understand, quarters of what you earn, and you keep the other
a specialist who aims high is compelled to start quarter for yourself.’
in one of a dozen streets in the Cavendish Square “This was the strange proposal, Mr. Holmes,
quarter, all of which entail enormous rents and with which the man Blessington approached me.
furnishing expenses. Besides this preliminary out- I won’t weary you with the account of how we
lay, he must be prepared to keep himself for some bargained and negotiated. It ended in my mov-
years, and to hire a presentable carriage and horse. ing into the house next Lady-day, and starting in
To do this was quite beyond my power, and I practice on very much the same conditions as he
could only hope that by economy I might in ten had suggested. He came himself to live with me in
years’ time save enough to enable me to put up the character of a resident patient. His heart was
my plate. Suddenly, however, an unexpected inci- weak, it appears, and he needed constant medi-
dent opened up quite a new prospect to me. cal supervision. He turned the two best rooms of
“This was a visit from a gentleman of the name the first floor into a sitting-room and bedroom for
of Blessington, who was a complete stranger to himself. He was a man of singular habits, shun-
me. He came up to my room one morning, and ning company and very seldom going out. His life
plunged into business in an instant. was irregular, but in one respect he was regularity
itself. Every evening, at the same hour, he walked
“ ‘You are the same Percy Trevelyan who has
into the consulting-room, examined the books, put
had so distinguished a career and won a great
down five and three-pence for every guinea that I
prize lately?’ said he.
had earned, and carried the rest off to the strong-
“I bowed. box in his own room.
“ ‘Answer me frankly,’ he continued, ‘for you “I may say with confidence that he never had
will find it to your interest to do so. You have occasion to regret his speculation. From the first it
all the cleverness which makes a successful man. was a success. A few good cases and the reputa-
Have you the tact?’ tion which I had won in the hospital brought me

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rapidly to the front, and during the last few years with a tenderness which one would hardly have
I have made him a rich man. expected from his appearance.
“So much, Mr. Holmes, for my past history and “ ‘You will excuse my coming in, doctor,’ said
my relations with Mr. Blessington. It only remains he to me, speaking English with a slight lisp. ‘This
for me now to tell you what has occurred to bring is my father, and his health is a matter of the most
me her to-night. overwhelming importance to me.’
“Some weeks ago Mr. Blessington came down “I was touched by this filial anxiety. ‘You
to me in, as it seemed to me, a state of consider- would, perhaps, care to remain during the consul-
able agitation. He spoke of some burglary which, tation?’ said I.
he said, had been committed in the West End, and
he appeared, I remember, to be quite unnecessar- “ ‘Not for the world,’ he cried with a gesture of
ily excited about it, declaring that a day should horror. ‘It is more painful to me than I can express.
not pass before we should add stronger bolts to If I were to see my father in one of these dreadful
our windows and doors. For a week he contin- seizures I am convinced that I should never sur-
ued to be in a peculiar state of restlessness, peer- vive it. My own nervous system is an exception-
ing continually out of the windows, and ceasing ally sensitive one. With your permission, I will
to take the short walk which had usually been the remain in the waiting-room while you go into my
prelude to his dinner. From his manner it struck father’s case.’
me that he was in mortal dread of something or “To this, of course, I assented, and the young
somebody, but when I questioned him upon the man withdrew. The patient and I then plunged
point he became so offensive that I was compelled into a discussion of his case, of which I took ex-
to drop the subject. Gradually, as time passed, his haustive notes. He was not remarkable for intel-
fears appeared to die away, and he had renewed ligence, and his answers were frequently obscure,
his former habits, when a fresh event reduced him which I attributed to his limited acquaintance with
to the pitiable state of prostration in which he now our language. Suddenly, however, as I sat writing,
lies. he ceased to give any answer at all to my inquiries,
“What happened was this. Two days ago I re- and on my turning towards him I was shocked to
ceived the letter which I now read to you. Neither see that he was sitting bolt upright in his chair,
address nor date is attached to it. staring at me with a perfectly blank and rigid face.
He was again in the grip of his mysterious malady.
“ ‘A Russian nobleman who is now
resident in England,’ it runs, ‘would “My first feeling, as I have just said, was one
be glad to avail himself of the profes- of pity and horror. My second, I fear, was rather
sional assistance of Dr. Percy Trevelyan. one of professional satisfaction. I made notes of
He has been for some years a victim my patient’s pulse and temperature, tested the
to cataleptic attacks, on which, as is rigidity of his muscles, and examined his reflexes.
well known, Dr. Trevelyan is an author- There was nothing markedly abnormal in any of
ity. He proposes to call at about quar- these conditions, which harmonized with my for-
ter past six to-morrow evening, if Dr. mer experiences. I had obtained good results in
Trevelyan will make it convenient to be such cases by the inhalation of nitrite of amyl, and
at home.’ the present seemed an admirable opportunity of
testing its virtues. The bottle was downstairs in
“This letter interest me deeply, because the my laboratory, so leaving my patient seated in his
chief difficulty in the study of catalepsy is the chair, I ran down to get it. There was some little
rareness of the disease. You may believe, than, delay in finding it—five minutes, let us say—and
that I was in my consulting-room when, at the ap- then I returned. Imagine my amazement to find
pointed hour, the page showed in the patient. the room empty and the patient gone.
He was an elderly man, thin, demure, and “Of course, my first act was to run into the
common-place—by no means the conception one waiting-room. The son had gone also. The hall
forms of a Russian nobleman. I was much more door had been closed, but not shut. My page who
struck by the appearance of his companion. This admits patients is a new boy and by no means
was a tall young man, surprisingly handsome, quick. He waits downstairs, and runs up to show
with a dark, fierce face, and the limbs and chest patients out when I ring the consulting-room bell.
of a Hercules. He had his hand under the other’s He had heard nothing, and the affair remained a
arm as they entered, and helped him to a chair complete mystery. Mr. Blessington came in from

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 The Resident Patient

his walk shortly afterwards, but I did not say any- who called. It must have been the case, then, that
thing to him upon the subject, for, to tell the truth, the man in the waiting-room had, for some un-
I have got in the way of late of holding as little known reason, while I was busy with the other, as-
communication with him as possible. cended to the room of my resident patient. Noth-
“Well, I never thought that I should see any- ing has been touched or taken, but there were the
thing more of the Russian and his son, so you can footprints to prove that the intrusion was an un-
imagine my amazement when, at the very same doubted fact.
hour this evening, they both came marching into “Mr. Blessington seemed more excited over
my consulting-room, just as they had done before. the matter than I should have thought possible,
“ ‘I feel that I owe you a great many apologies though of course it was enough to disturb any-
for my abrupt departure yesterday, doctor,’ said body’s peace of mind. He actually sat crying in an
my patient. arm-chair, and I could hardly get him to speak co-
herently. It was his suggestion that I should come
“ ‘I confess that I was very much surprised at
round to you, and of course I at once saw the pro-
it,’ said I.
priety of it, for certainly the incident is a very sin-
“ ‘Well, the fact is,’ he remarked, ‘that when I gular one, though he appears to completely over-
recover from these attacks my mind is always very rate its importance. If you would only come back
clouded as to all that has gone before. I woke up with me in my brougham, you would at least be
in a strange room, as it seemed to me, and made able to soothe him, though I can hardly hope that
my way out into the street in a sort of dazed way you will be able to explain this remarkable occur-
when you were absent.’ rence.”
“ ‘And I,’ said the son, ‘seeing my father pass Sherlock Holmes had listened to this long nar-
the door of the waiting-room, naturally thought rative with an intentness which showed me that
that the consultation had come to an end. It was his interest was keenly aroused. His face was as
not until we had reached home that I began to re- impassive as ever, but his lids had drooped more
alize the true state of affairs.’ heavily over his eyes, and his smoke had curled
“ ‘Well,’ said I, laughing, ‘there is no harm done up more thickly from his pipe to emphasize each
except that you puzzled me terribly; so if you, sir, curious episode in the doctor’s tale. As our visi-
would kindly step into the waiting-room I shall tor concluded, Holmes sprang up without a word,
be happy to continue our consultation which was handed me my hat, picked his own from the table,
brought to so abrupt an ending.’ and followed Dr. Trevelyan to the door. Within a
“For half an hour or so I discussed that old quarter of an hour we had been dropped at the
gentleman’s symptoms with him, and then, hav- door of the physician’s residence in Brook Street,
ing prescribed for him, I saw him go off upon the one of those sombre, flat-faced houses which one
arm of his son. associates with a West-End practice. A small page
“I have told you that Mr. Blessington generally admitted us, and we began at once to ascend the
chose this hour of the day for his exercise. He came broad, well-carpeted stair.
in shortly afterwards and passed upstairs. An in- But a singular interruption brought us to a
stant later I heard him running down, and he burst standstill. The light at the top was suddenly
into my consulting-room like a man who is mad whisked out, and from the darkness came a reedy,
with panic. quivering voice.
“ ‘Who has been in my room?’ he cried. “I have a pistol,” it cried. “I give you my word
“ ‘No one,’ said I. that I’ll fire if you come any nearer.”
“ ‘It’s a lie!’ He yelled. ‘Come up and look!’ “This really grows outrageous, Mr. Blessing-
ton,” cried Dr. Trevelyan.
“I passed over the grossness of his language, as
he seemed half out of his mind with fear. When I “Oh, then it is you, doctor,” said the voice, with
went upstairs with him he pointed to several foot- a great heave of relief. “But those other gentlemen,
prints upon the light carpet. are they what they pretend to be?”
“ ‘D’you mean to say those are mine?’ he cried. We were conscious of a long scrutiny out of the
“They were certainly very much larger than darkness.
any which he could have made, and were evi- “Yes, yes, it’s all right,” said the voice at last.
dently quite fresh. It rained hard this afternoon, as “You can come up, and I am sorry if my precau-
you know, and my patients were the only people tions have annoyed you.”

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 The Resident Patient

He relit the stair gas as he spoke, and we saw “I can make little of it,” I confessed.
before us a singular-looking man, whose appear- “Well, it is quite evident that there are two
ance, as well as his voice, testified to his jangled men—more, perhaps, but at least two—who are
nerves. He was very fat, but had apparently at determined for some reason to get at this fellow
some time been much fatter, so that the skin hung Blessington. I have no doubt in my mind that both
about his face in loose pouches, like the cheeks of on the first and on the second occasion that young
a blood-hound. He was of a sickly color, and his man penetrated to Blessington’s room, while his
thin, sandy hair seemed to bristle up with the in- confederate, by an ingenious device, kept the doc-
tensity of his emotion. In his hand he held a pistol, tor from interfering.”
but he thrust it into his pocket as we advanced.
“And the catalepsy?”
“Good-evening, Mr. Holmes,” said he. “I am
sure I am very much obliged to you for coming “A fraudulent imitation, Watson, though I
round. No one ever needed your advice more than should hardly dare to hint as much to our special-
I do. I suppose that Dr. Trevelyan has told you of ist. It is a very easy complaint to imitate. I have
this most unwarrantable intrusion into my rooms.” done it myself.”
“Quite so,” said Holmes. “Who are these two “And then?”
men Mr. Blessington, and why do they wish to mo- “By the purest chance Blessington was out on
lest you?” each occasion. Their reason for choosing so un-
“Well, well,” said the resident patient, in a ner- usual an hour for a consultation was obviously to
vous fashion, “of course it is hard to say that. You insure that there should be no other patient in the
can hardly expect me to answer that, Mr. Holmes.” waiting-room. It just happened, however, that this
“Do you mean that you don’t know?” hour coincided with Blessington’s constitutional,
which seems to show that they were not very well
“Come in here, if you please. Just have the acquainted with his daily routine. Of course, if
kindness to step in here.” they had been merely after plunder they would at
He led the way into his bedroom, which was least have made some attempt to search for it. Be-
large and comfortably furnished. sides, I can read in a man’s eye when it is his own
“You see that,” said he, pointing to a big black skin that he is frightened for. It is inconceivable
box at the end of his bed. “I have never been a that this fellow could have made two such vindic-
very rich man, Mr. Holmes—never made but one tive enemies as these appear to be without know-
investment in my life, as Dr. Trevelyan would tell ing of it. I hold it, therefore, to be certain that he
you. But I don’t believe in bankers. I would never does know who these men are, and that for rea-
trust a banker, Mr. Holmes. Between ourselves, sons of his own he suppresses it. It is just possible
what little I have is in that box, so you can under- that to-morrow may find him in a more commu-
stand what it means to me when unknown people nicative mood.”
force themselves into my rooms.” “Is there not one alternative,” I suggested,
Holmes looked at Blessington in his question- “grotesquely improbably, no doubt, but still just
ing way and shook his head. conceivable? Might the whole story of the catalep-
“I cannot possibly advise you if you try to de- tic Russian and his son be a concoction of Dr.
ceive me,” said he. Trevelyan’s, who has, for his own purposes, been
in Blessington’s rooms?”
“But I have told you everything.”
Holmes turned on his heel with a gesture of I saw in the gaslight that Holmes wore an
disgust. “Good-night, Dr. Trevelyan,” said he. amused smile at this brilliant departure of mine.
“And no advice for me?” cried Blessington, in “My dear fellow,” said he, “it was one of the
a breaking voice. first solutions which occurred to me, but I was
soon able to corroborate the doctor’s tale. This
“My advice to your, sir, is to speak the truth.”
young man has left prints upon the stair-carpet
A minute later we were in the street and walk- which made it quite superfluous for me to ask to
ing for home. We had crossed Oxford Street and see those which he had made in the room. When
were half way down Harley Street before I could I tell you that his shoes were square-toed instead
get a word from my companion. of being pointed like Blessington’s, and were quite
“Sorry to bring you out on such a fool’s errand, an inch and a third longer than the doctor’s, you
Watson,” he said at last. “It is an interesting case, will acknowledge that there can be no doubt as to
too, at the bottom of it.” his individuality. But we may sleep on it now, for

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 The Resident Patient

I shall be surprised if we do not hear something like a plucked chicken’s, making the rest of him
further from Brook Street in the morning.” seem the more obese and unnatural by the con-
Sherlock Holmes’s prophecy was soon fulfilled, trast. He was clad only in his long night-dress, and
and in a dramatic fashion. At half-past seven next his swollen ankles and ungainly feet protruded
morning, in the first glimmer of daylight, I found starkly from beneath it. Beside him stood a smart-
him standing by my bedside in his dressing-gown. looking police-inspector, who was taking notes in
a pocket-book.
“There’s a brougham waiting for us, Watson,”
said he. “Ah, Mr. Holmes,” said he, heartily, as my
friend entered, “I am delighted to see you.”
“What’s the matter, then?”
“Good-morning, Lanner,” answered Holmes;
“The Brook Street business.” “you won’t think me an intruder, I am sure. Have
“Any fresh news?” you heard of the events which led up to this af-
“Tragic, but ambiguous,” said he, pulling up fair?”
the blind. “Look at this—a sheet from a note-book, “Yes, I heard something of them.”
with ‘For God’s sake come at once—P. T.,’ scrawled “Have you formed any opinion?”
upon it in pencil. Our friend, the doctor, was hard “As far as I can see, the man has been driven
put to it when he wrote this. Come along, my dear out of his senses by fright. The bed has been
fellow, for it’s an urgent call.” well slept in, you see. There’s his impression deep
In a quarter of an hour or so we were back at enough. It’s about five in the morning, you know,
the physician’s house. He came running out to that suicides are most common. That would be
meet us with a face of horror. about his time for hanging himself. It seems to
have been a very deliberate affair.”
“Oh, such a business!” he cried, with his hands
to his temples. “I should say that he has been dead about three
hours, judging by the rigidity of the muscles,” said
“What then?” I.
“Blessington has committed suicide!” “Noticed anything peculiar about the room?”
Holmes whistled. asked Holmes.
“Yes, he hanged himself during the night.” “Found a screw-driver and some screws on the
We had entered, and the doctor had preceded wash-hand stand. Seems to have smoked heavily
us into what was evidently his waiting-room. during the night, too. Here are four cigar-ends that
I picked out of the fireplace.”
“I really hardly know what I am doing,” he
“Hum!” said Holmes, “have you got his cigar-
cried. “The police are already upstairs. It has
holder?”
shaken me most dreadfully.”
“No, I have seen none.”
“When did you find it out?”
“His cigar-case, then?”
“He has a cup of tea taken in to him early every “Yes, it was in his coat-pocket.”
morning. When the maid entered, about seven,
Holmes opened it and smelled the single cigar
there the unfortunate fellow was hanging in the
which it contained.
middle of the room. He had tied his cord to the
hook on which the heavy lamp used to hang, and “Oh, this is an Havana, and these others are
he had jumped off from the top of the very box cigars of the peculiar sort which are imported by
that he showed us yesterday.” the Dutch from their East Indian colonies. They
are usually wrapped in straw, you know, and are
Holmes stood for a moment in deep thought. thinner for their length than any other brand.” He
“With your permission,” said he at last, “I picked up the four ends and examined them with
should like to go upstairs and look into the mat- his pocket-lens.
ter.” “Two of these have been smoked from a holder
We both ascended, followed by the doctor. and two without,” said he. “Two have been cut by
It was a dreadful sight which met us as we en- a not very sharp knife, and two have had the ends
tered the bedroom door. I have spoken of the im- bitten off by a set of excellent teeth. This is no sui-
pression of flabbiness which this man Blessington cide, Mr. Lanner. It is a very deeply planned and
conveyed. As he dangled from the hook it was ex- cold-blooded murder.”
aggerated and intensified until he was scarce hu- “Impossible!” cried the inspector.
man in his appearance. The neck was drawn out “And why?”

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 The Resident Patient

“Why should any one murder a man in so “He has played a not unimportant part in this
clumsy a fashion as by hanging him?” drama,” said he. “The three men having ascended
“That is what we have to find out.” the stairs, which they did on tiptoe, the elder man
first, the younger man second, and the unknown
“How could they get in?” man in the rear—”
“Through the front door.” “My dear Holmes!” I ejaculated.
“It was barred in the morning.” “Oh, there could be no question as to the su-
“Then it was barred after them.” perimposing of the footmarks. I had the advantage
of learning which was which last night. They as-
“How do you know?” cended, then, to Mr. Blessington’s room, the door
“I saw their traces. Excuse me a moment, and I of which they found to be locked. With the help of
may be able to give you some further information a wire, however, they forced round the key. Even
about it.” without the lens you will perceive, by the scratches
on this ward, where the pressure was applied.
He went over to the door, and turning the lock
he examined it in his methodical way. Then he “On entering the room their first proceeding
took out the key, which was on the inside, and in- must have been to gag Mr. Blessington. He may
spected that also. The bed, the carpet, the chairs have been asleep, or he may have been so para-
the mantelpiece, the dead body, and the rope were lyzed with terror as to have been unable to cry out.
each in turn examined, until at last he professed These walls are thick, and it is conceivable that his
himself satisfied, and with my aid and that of the shriek, if he had time to utter one, was unheard.
inspector cut down the wretched object and laid it “Having secured him, it is evident to me that
reverently under a sheet. a consultation of some sort was held. Probably
it was something in the nature of a judicial pro-
“How about this rope?” he asked.
ceeding. It must have lasted for some time, for
“It is cut off this,” said Dr. Trevelyan, drawing a it was then that these cigars were smoked. The
large coil from under the bed. “He was morbidly older man sat in that wicker chair; it was he who
nervous of fire, and always kept this beside him, used the cigar-holder. The younger man sat over
so that he might escape by the window in case the yonder; he knocked his ash off against the chest
stairs were burning.” of drawers. The third fellow paced up and down.
“That must have saved them trouble,” said Blessington, I think, sat upright in the bed, but of
Holmes, thoughtfully. “Yes, the actual facts are that I cannot be absolutely certain.
very plain, and I shall be surprised if by the af- “Well, it ended by their taking Blessington and
ternoon I cannot give you the reasons for them as hanging him. The matter was so prearranged that
well. I will take this photograph of Blessington, it is my belief that they brought with them some
which I see upon the mantelpiece, as it may help sort of block or pulley which might serve as a gal-
me in my inquiries.” lows. That screw-driver and those screws were, as
“But you have told us nothing!” cried the doc- I conceive, for fixing it up. Seeing the hook, how-
tor. ever they naturally saved themselves the trouble.
Having finished their work they made off, and the
“Oh, there can be no doubt as to the sequence door was barred behind them by their confeder-
of events,” said Holmes. “There were three of ate.”
them in it: the young man, the old man, and a
We had all listened with the deepest interest
third, to whose identity I have no clue. The first
to this sketch of the night’s doings, which Holmes
two, I need hardly remark, are the same who mas-
had deduced from signs so subtle and minute that,
queraded as the Russian count and his son, so we
even when he had pointed them out to us, we
can give a very full description of them. They
could scarcely follow him in his reasoning. The
were admitted by a confederate inside the house.
inspector hurried away on the instant to make in-
If I might offer you a word of advice, Inspector, it
quiries about the page, while Holmes and I re-
would be to arrest the page, who, as I understand,
turned to Baker Street for breakfast.
has only recently come into your service, Doctor.”
“I’ll be back by three,” said he, when we had
“The young imp cannot be found,” said Dr. finished our meal. “Both the inspector and the
Trevelyan; “the maid and the cook have just been doctor will meet me here at that hour, and I hope
searching for him.” by that time to have cleared up any little obscurity
Holmes shrugged his shoulders. which the case may still present.”

370
 Our visitors arrived at the appointed time, but full term, they set themselves, as you perceive, to
it was a quarter to four before my friend put in hunt down the traitor and to avenge the death of
an appearance. From his expression as he entered, their comrade upon him. Twice they tried to get at
however, I could see that all had gone well with him and failed; a third time, you see, it came off.
him. Is there anything further which I can explain, Dr.
“Any news, Inspector?” Trevelyan?”
“We have got the boy, sir.” “I think you have made it all remarkable clear,”
“Excellent, and I have got the men.” said the doctor. “No doubt the day on which he
was perturbed was the day when he had seen of
“You have got them!” we cried, all three. their release in the newspapers.”
“Well, at least I have got their identity. This
“Quite so. His talk about a burglary was the
so-called Blessington is, as I expected, well known
merest blind.”
at headquarters, and so are his assailants. Their
names are Biddle, Hayward, and Moffat.” “But why could he not tell you this?”
“The Worthingdon bank gang,” cried the in- “Well, my dear sir, knowing the vindictive
spector. character of his old associates, he was trying to
“Precisely,” said Holmes. hide his own identity from everybody as long as
“Then Blessington must have been Sutton.” he could. His secret was a shameful one, and he
could not bring himself to divulge it. However,
“Exactly,” said Holmes. wretch as he was, he was still living under the
“Why, that makes it as clear as crystal,” said shield of British law, and I have no doubt, Inspec-
the inspector. tor, that you will see that, though that shield may
But Trevelyan and I looked at each other in be- fail to guard, the sword of justice is still there to
wilderment. avenge.”
“You must surely remember the great Wor- Such were the singular circumstances in con-
thingdon bank business,” said Holmes. “Five nection with the Resident Patient and the Brook
men were in it—these four and a fifth called Street Doctor. From that night nothing has been
Cartwright. Tobin, the care-taker, was murdered, seen of the three murderers by the police, and
and the thieves got away with seven thousand it is surmised at Scotland Yard that they were
pounds. This was in 1875. They were all five ar- among the passengers of the ill-fated steamer No-
rested, but the evidence against them was by no rah Creina, which was lost some years ago with all
means conclusive. This Blessington or Sutton, who hands upon the Portuguese coast, some leagues to
was the worst of the gang, turned informer. On the north of Oporto. The proceedings against the
his evidence Cartwright was hanged and the other page broke down for want of evidence, and the
three got fifteen years apiece. When they got out Brook Street Mystery, as it was called, has never
the other day, which was some years before their until now been fully dealt with in any public print.
The Greek Interpreter
D
The Greek Interpreter

uring my long and intimate acquain- may take it that I am speaking the exact and literal
tance with Mr. Sherlock Holmes I had truth.”
never heard him refer to his relations, “Is he your junior?”
and hardly ever to his own early life.
“Seven years my senior.”
This reticence upon his part had increased the
somewhat inhuman effect which he produced “How comes it that he is unknown?”
upon me, until sometimes I found myself regard- “Oh, he is very well known in his own circle.”
ing him as an isolated phenomenon, a brain with- “Where, then?”
out a heart, as deficient in human sympathy as he “Well, in the Diogenes Club, for example.”
was pre-eminent in intelligence. His aversion to
I had never heard of the institution, and my
women and his disinclination to form new friend-
face must have proclaimed as much, for Sherlock
ships were both typical of his unemotional charac-
Holmes pulled out his watch.
ter, but not more so than his complete suppression
of every reference to his own people. I had come “The Diogenes Club is the queerest club in
to believe that he was an orphan with no relatives London, and Mycroft one of the queerest men.
living, but one day, to my very great surprise, he He’s always there from quarter to five to twenty
began to talk to me about his brother. to eight. It’s six now, so if you care for a stroll this
beautiful evening I shall be very happy to intro-
It was after tea on a summer evening, and the
duce you to two curiosities.”
conversation, which had roamed in a desultory,
spasmodic fashion from golf clubs to the causes Five minutes later we were in the street, walk-
of the change in the obliquity of the ecliptic, came ing towards Regent’s Circus.
round at last to the question of atavism and hered- “You wonder,” said my companion, “why it is
itary aptitudes. The point under discussion was, that Mycroft does not use his powers for detective
how far any singular gift in an individual was due work. He is incapable of it.”
to his ancestry and how far to his own early train- “But I thought you said—”
ing. “I said that he was my superior in observation
“In your own case,” said I, “from all that you and deduction. If the art of the detective began
have told me, it seems obvious that your faculty of and ended in reasoning from an arm-chair, my
observation and your peculiar facility for deduc- brother would be the greatest criminal agent that
tion are due to your own systematic training.” ever lived. But he has no ambition and no en-
“To some extent,” he answered, thoughtfully. ergy. He will not even go out of his way to verify
“My ancestors were country squires, who appear his own solution, and would rather be considered
to have led much the same life as is natural to their wrong than take the trouble to prove himself right.
class. But, none the less, my turn that way is in my Again and again I have taken a problem to him,
veins, and may have come with my grandmother, and have received an explanation which has after-
who was the sister of Vernet, the French artist. Art wards proved to be the correct one. And yet he
in the blood is liable to take the strangest forms.” was absolutely incapable of working out the prac-
“But how do you know that it is hereditary?” tical points which must be gone into before a case
could be laid before a judge or jury.”
“Because my brother Mycroft possesses it in a
larger degree than I do.” “It is not his profession, then?”
This was news to me indeed. If there were “By no means. What is to me a means of liveli-
another man with such singular powers in Eng- hood is to him the merest hobby of a dilettante. He
land, how was it that neither police nor public had has an extraordinary faculty for figures, and audits
heard of him? I put the question, with a hint that the books in some of the government departments.
it was my companion’s modesty which made him Mycroft lodges in Pall Mall, and he walks round
acknowledge his brother as his superior. Holmes the corner into Whitehall every morning and back
laughed at my suggestion. every evening. From year’s end to year’s end he
takes no other exercise, and is seen nowhere else,
“My dear Watson,” said he, “I cannot agree
except only in the Diogenes Club, which is just op-
with those who rank modesty among the virtues.
posite his rooms.”
To the logician all things should be seen exactly
as they are, and to underestimate one’s self is “I cannot recall the name.”
as much a departure from truth as to exaggerate “Very likely not. There are many men in Lon-
one’s own powers. When I say, therefore, that My- don, you know, who, some from shyness, some
croft has better powers of observation than I, you from misanthropy, have no wish for the company

375
 The Greek Interpreter

of their fellows. Yet they are not averse to com- The two men had stopped opposite the win-
fortable chairs and the latest periodicals. It is for dow. Some chalk marks over the waistcoat pocket
the convenience of these that the Diogenes Club were the only signs of billiards which I could see
was started, and it now contains the most unsocia- in one of them. The other was a very small, dark
ble and unclubable men in town. No member is fellow, with his hat pushed back and several pack-
permitted to take the least notice of any other one. ages under his arm.
Save in the Stranger’s Room, no talking is, under “An old soldier, I perceive,” said Sherlock.
any circumstances, allowed, and three offences, if
“And very recently discharged,” remarked the
brought to the notice of the committee, render the
brother.
talker liable to expulsion. My brother was one of
the founders, and I have myself found it a very “Served in India, I see.”
soothing atmosphere.” “And a non-commissioned officer.”
We had reached Pall Mall as we talked, and “Royal Artillery, I fancy,” said Sherlock.
were walking down it from the St. James’s end. “And a widower.”
Sherlock Holmes stopped at a door some little dis- “But with a child.”
tance from the Carlton, and, cautioning me not “Children, my dear boy, children.”
to speak, he led the way into the hall. Through
“Come,” said I, laughing, “this is a little too
the glass paneling I caught a glimpse of a large
much.”
and luxurious room, in which a considerable num-
ber of men were sitting about and reading papers, “Surely,” answered Holmes, “it is not hard to
each in his own little nook. Holmes showed me say that a man with that bearing, expression of au-
into a small chamber which looked out into Pall thority, and sunbaked skin, is a soldier, is more
Mall, and then, leaving me for a minute, he came than a private, and is not long from India.”
back with a companion whom I knew could only “That he has not left the service long is shown
be his brother. by his still wearing is ammunition boots, as they
Mycroft Holmes was a much larger and stouter are called,” observed Mycroft.
man than Sherlock. His body was absolutely cor- “He had not the cavalry stride, yet he wore his
pulent, but his face, though massive, had pre- hat on one side, as is shown by the lighter skin
served something of the sharpness of expression of that side of his brow. His weight is against his
which was so remarkable in that of his brother. His being a sapper. He is in the artillery.”
eyes, which were of a peculiarly light, watery gray, “Then, of course, his complete mourning
seemed to always retain that far-away, introspec- shows that he has lost some one very dear. The
tive look which I had only observed in Sherlock’s fact that he is doing his own shopping looks as
when he was exerting his full powers. though it were his wife. He has been buying things
“I am glad to meet you, sir,” said he, putting for children, you perceive. There is a rattle, which
out a broad, fat hand like the flipper of a seal. shows that one of them is very young. The wife
“I hear of Sherlock everywhere since you became probably died in childbed. The fact that he has
his chronicler. By the way, Sherlock, I expected to a picture-book under his arm shows that there is
see you round last week, to consult me over that another child to be thought of.”
Manor House case. I thought you might be a little I began to understand what my friend meant
out of your depth.” when he said that his brother possessed even
keener faculties that he did himself. He glanced
“No, I solved it,” said my friend, smiling.
across at me and smiled. Mycroft took snuff from
“It was Adams, of course.” a tortoise-shell box, and brushed away the wan-
“Yes, it was Adams.” dering grains from his coat front with a large, red
silk handkerchief.
“I was sure of it from the first.” The two sat
“By the way, Sherlock,” said he, “I have had
down together in the bow-window of the club.
something quite after your own heart—a most sin-
“To any one who wishes to study mankind this is
gular problem—submitted to my judgment. I re-
the spot,” said Mycroft. “Look at the magnificent
ally had not the energy to follow it up save in a
types! Look at these two men who are coming to-
very incomplete fashion, but it gave me a basis for
wards us, for example.”
some pleasing speculation. If you would care to
“The billiard-marker and the other?” hear the facts—”
“Precisely. What do you make of the other?” “My dear Mycroft, I should be delighted.”

376
 The Greek Interpreter

The brother scribbled a note upon a leaf of his “I say into the cab, but I soon became doubtful
pocket-book, and, ringing the bell, he handed it to as to whether it was not a carriage in which I found
the waiter. myself. It was certainly more roomy than the ordi-
“I have asked Mr. Melas to step across,” said nary four-wheeled disgrace to London, and the fit-
he. “He lodges on the floor above me, and I have tings, though frayed, were of rich quality. Mr. La-
some slight acquaintance with him, which led him timer seated himself opposite to me and we started
to come to me in his perplexity. Mr. Melas is a off through Charing Cross and up the Shaftesbury
Greek by extraction, as I understand, and he is a Avenue. We had come out upon Oxford Street and
remarkable linguist. He earns his living partly as I had ventured some remark as to this being a
interpreter in the law courts and partly by acting roundabout way to Kensington, when my words
as guide to any wealthy Orientals who may visit were arrested by the extraordinary conduct of my
the Northumberland Avenue hotels. I think I will companion.
leave him to tell his very remarkable experience in “He began by drawing a most formidable-
his own fashion.” looking bludgeon loaded with lead from his
A few minutes later we were joined by a short, pocket, and switching it backward and forward
stout man whose olive face and coal-black hair several times, as if to test its weight and strength.
proclaimed his Southern origin, though his speech Then he placed it without a word upon the seat
was that of an educated Englishman. He shook beside him. Having done this, he drew up the
hands eagerly with Sherlock Holmes, and his dark windows on each side, and I found to my aston-
eyes sparkled with pleasure when he understood ishment that they were covered with paper so as
that the specialist was anxious to hear his story. to prevent my seeing through them.
“I do not believe that the police credit me—on “ ‘I am sorry to cut off your view, Mr. Melas,’
my word, I do not,” said he in a wailing voice. said he. ‘The fact is that I have no intention that
“Just because they have never heard of it before, you should see what the place is to which we are
they think that such a thing cannot be. But I driving. It might possibly be inconvenient to me if
know that I shall never be easy in my mind un- you could find your way there again.’
til I know what has become of my poor man with “As you can imagine, I was utterly taken aback
the sticking-plaster upon his face.” by such an address. My companion was a pow-
“I am all attention,” said Sherlock Holmes. erful, broad-shouldered young fellow, and, apart
“This is Wednesday evening,” said Mr. Melas. from the weapon, I should not have had the slight-
“Well then, it was Monday night—only two days est chance in a struggle with him.
ago, you understand—that all this happened. I “ ‘This is very extraordinary conduct, Mr. La-
am an interpreter, as perhaps my neighbor there timer,’ I stammered. ‘You must be aware that what
has told you. I interpret all languages—or nearly you are doing is quite illegal.’
all—but as I am a Greek by birth and with a Gre-
“ ‘It is somewhat of a liberty, no doubt,’ said
cian name, it is with that particular tongue that I
he, ‘but we’ll make it up to you. I must warn you,
am principally associated. For many years I have
however, Mr. Melas, that if at any time to-night you
been the chief Greek interpreter in London, and
attempt to raise an alarm or do anything which is
my name is very well known in the hotels.
against my interests, you will find it a very serious
It happens not unfrequently that I am sent for thing. I beg you to remember that no one knows
at strange hours by foreigners who get into diffi- where you are, and that, whether you are in this
culties, or by travelers who arrive late and wish my carriage or in my house, you are equally in my
services. I was not surprised, therefore, on Mon- power.’
day night when a Mr. Latimer, a very fashionably
dressed young man, came up to my rooms and “His words were quiet, but he had a rasping
asked me to accompany him in a cab which was way of saying them which was very menacing. I
waiting at the door. A Greek friend had come to sat in silence wondering what on earth could be
see him upon business, he said, and as he could his reason for kidnapping me in this extraordinary
speak nothing but his own tongue, the services of fashion. Whatever it might be, it was perfectly
an interpreter were indispensable. He gave me to clear that there was no possible use in my resist-
understand that his house was some little distance ing, and that I could only wait to see what might
off, in Kensington, and he seemed to be in a great befall.
hurry, bustling me rapidly into the cab when we “For nearly two hours we drove without my
had descended to the street. having the least clue as to where we were going.

377
 The Greek Interpreter

Sometimes the rattle of the stones told of a paved in it. The younger had left us, but he suddenly
causeway, and at others our smooth, silent course returned through another door, leading with him
suggested asphalt; but, save by this variation in a gentleman clad in some sort of loose dressing-
sound, there was nothing at all which could in the gown who moved slowly towards us. As he came
remotest way help me to form a guess as to where into the circle of dim light which enables me to see
we were. The paper over each window was im- him more clearly I was thrilled with horror at his
penetrable to light, and a blue curtain was drawn appearance. He was deadly pale and terribly ema-
across the glass work in front. It was a quarter- ciated, with the protruding, brilliant eyes of a man
past seven when we left Pall Mall, and my watch whose spirit was greater than his strength. But
showed me that it was ten minutes to nine when what shocked me more than any signs of physical
we at last came to a standstill. My companion let weakness was that his face was grotesquely criss-
down the window, and I caught a glimpse of a crossed with sticking-plaster, and that one large
low, arched doorway with a lamp burning above pad of it was fastened over his mouth.
it. As I was hurried from the carriage it swung “ ‘Have you the slate, Harold?’ cried the older
open, and I found myself inside the house, with a man, as this strange being fell rather than sat down
vague impression of a lawn and trees on each side into a chair. ‘Are his hands loose? Now, then, give
of me as I entered. Whether these were private him the pencil. You are to ask the questions, Mr.
grounds, however, or bona-fide country was more Melas, and he will write the answers. Ask him first
than I could possibly venture to say. of all whether he is prepared to sign the papers?’
“There was a colored gas-lamp inside which “The man’s eyes flashed fire.
was turned so low that I could see little save that “ ‘Never!’ he wrote in Greek upon the slate.
the hall was of some size and hung with pictures. “ ‘On no condition?’ I asked, at the bidding of
In the dim light I could make out that the per- our tyrant.
son who had opened the door was a small, mean- “ ‘Only if I see her married in my presence by
looking, middle-aged man with rounded shoul- a Greek priest whom I know.’
ders. As he turned towards us the glint of the light
“The man giggled in his venomous way.
showed me that he was wearing glasses.
“ ‘You know what awaits you, then?’
“ ‘Is this Mr. Melas, Harold?’ said he.
“ ‘I care nothing for myself.’
“ ‘Yes.’ “These are samples of the questions and an-
“ ‘Well done, well done! No ill-will, Mr. Melas, swers which made up our strange half-spoken,
I hope, but we could not get on without you. If half-written conversation. Again and again I had
you deal fair with us you’ll not regret it, but if you to ask him whether he would give in and sign the
try any tricks, God help you!’ He spoke in a ner- documents. Again and again I had the same in-
vous, jerky fashion, and with little giggling laughs dignant reply. But soon a happy thought came to
in between, but somehow he impressed me with me. I took to adding on little sentences of my
fear more than the other. own to each question, innocent ones at first, to
test whether either of our companions knew any-
“ ‘What do you want with me?’ I asked.
thing of the matter, and then, as I found that they
“ ‘Only to ask a few questions of a Greek gen- showed no signs I played a more dangerous game.
tleman who is visiting us, and to let us have the Our conversation ran something like this:
answers. But say no more than you are told to say, “ ‘You can do no good by this obstinacy. Who
or—’ here came the nervous giggle again—‘you are you?’
had better never have been born.’
“ ‘I care not. I am a stranger in London.’
“As he spoke he opened a door and showed “ ‘Your fate will be upon your own head. How
the way into a room which appeared to be very long have you been here?’
richly furnished, but again the only light was af- “ ‘Let it be so. Three weeks.’
forded by a single lamp half-turned down. The
“ ‘The property can never be yours. What ails
chamber was certainly large, and the way in which
you?’
my feet sank into the carpet as I stepped across it
told me of its richness. I caught glimpses of vel- “ ‘It shall not go to villains. They are starving
vet chairs, a high white marble mantel-piece, and me.’
what seemed to be a suit of Japanese armor at one “ ‘You shall go free if you sign. What house is
side of it. There was a chair just under the lamp, this?’
and the elderly man motioned that I should sit “ ‘I will never sign. I do not know.’

378
 The Greek Interpreter

“ ‘You are not doing her any service. What is and his little pointed beard was thready and ill-
your name?’ nourished. He pushed his face forward as he
“ ‘Let me hear her say so. Kratides.’ spoke and his lips and eyelids were continually
twitching like a man with St. Vitus’s dance. I
“ ‘You shall see her if you sign. Where are you could not help thinking that his strange, catchy
from?’ little laugh was also a symptom of some nervous
“ ‘Then I shall never see her. Athens.’ malady. The terror of his face lay in his eyes, how-
“Another five minutes, Mr. Holmes, and I ever, steel gray, and glistening coldly with a malig-
should have wormed out the whole story under nant, inexorable cruelty in their depths.
their very noses. My very next question might “ ‘We shall know if you speak of this,’ said he.
have cleared the matter up, but at that instant the ‘We have our own means of information. Now you
door opened and a woman stepped into the room. will find the carriage waiting, and my friend will
I could not see her clearly enough to know more see you on your way.’
than that she was tall and graceful, with black hair, “I was hurried through the hall and into the ve-
and clad in some sort of loose white gown. hicle, again obtaining that momentary glimpse of
“ ‘Harold,’ said she, speaking English with a trees and a garden. Mr. Latimer followed closely at
broken accent. ‘I could not stay away longer. It is my heels, and took his place opposite to me with-
so lonely up there with only—Oh, my God, it is out a word. In silence we again drove for an inter-
Paul!’ minable distance with the windows raised, until at
last, just after midnight, the carriage pulled up.
“These last words were in Greek, and at the
same instant the man with a convulsive effort tore “ ‘You will get down here, Mr. Melas,’ said my
the plaster from his lips, and screaming out ‘So- companion. ‘I am sorry to leave you so far from
phy! Sophy!’ rushed into the woman’s arms. Their your house, but there is no alternative. Any at-
embrace was but for an instant, however, for the tempt upon your part to follow the carriage can
younger man seized the woman and pushed her only end in injury to yourself.’
out of the room, while the elder easily overpow- “He opened the door as he spoke, and I had
ered his emaciated victim, and dragged him away hardly time to spring out when the coachman
through the other door. For a moment I was left lashed the horse and the carriage rattled away. I
alone in the room, and I sprang to my feet with looked around me in astonishment. I was on some
some vague idea that I might in some way get sort of a heathy common mottled over with dark
a clue to what this house was in which I found clumps of furze-bushes. Far away stretched a line
myself. Fortunately, however, I took no steps, for of houses, with a light here and there in the upper
looking up I saw that the older man was standing windows. On the other side I saw the red signal-
in the door-way with his eyes fixed upon me. lamps of a railway.
“ ‘That will do, Mr. Melas,’ said he. ‘You “The carriage which had brought me was al-
perceive that we have taken you into our confi- ready out of sight. I stood gazing round and won-
dence over some very private business. We should dering where on earth I might be, when I saw
not have troubled you, only that our friend who some one coming towards me in the darkness. As
speaks Greek and who began these negotiations he came up to me I made out that he was a railway
has been forced to return to the East. It was quite porter.
necessary for us to find some one to take his place, “ ‘Can you tell me what place this is?’ I asked.
and we were fortunate in hearing of your powers.’ “ ‘Wandsworth Common,’ said he.
“I bowed. “ ‘Can I get a train into town?’
“ ‘There are five sovereigns here,’ said he, walk- “ ‘If you walk on a mile or so to Clapham Junc-
ing up to me, ‘which will, I hope, be a sufficient tion,’ said he, ‘you’ll just be in time for the last to
fee. But remember,’ he added, tapping me lightly Victoria.’
on the chest and giggling, ‘if you speak to a human “So that was the end of my adventure, Mr.
soul about this—one human soul, mind—well, Holmes. I do not know where I was, nor whom
may God have mercy upon your soul!’ I spoke with, nor anything save what I have told
“I cannot tell you the loathing and horror with you. But I know that there is foul play going on,
which this insignificant-looking man inspired me. and I want to help that unhappy man if I can. I
I could see him better now as the lamp-light shone told the whole story to Mr. Mycroft Holmes next
upon him. His features were peaky and sallow, morning, and subsequently to the police.”

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 The Greek Interpreter

We all sat in silence for some little time after lis- had been in England some little time, but he had
tening to this extraordinary narrative. Then Sher- not been in Greece.”
lock looked across at his brother. “Well, then, we will presume that she had come
“Any steps?” he asked. on a visit to England, and that this Harold had per-
Mycroft picked up the Daily News, which was suaded her to fly with him.”
lying on the side-table. “That is more probable.”
“Anybody supplying any information as “Then the brother—for that, I fancy, must be
to the whereabouts of a Greek gentleman the relationship—comes over from Greece to inter-
named Paul Kratides, from Athens, who is fere. He imprudently puts himself into the power
unable to speak English, will be rewarded. of the young man and his older associate. They
A similar reward paid to any one giving seize him and use violence towards him in or-
information about a Greek lady whose first der to make him sign some papers to make over
name is Sophy. X 2473. the girl’s fortune—of which he may be trustee—to
“That was in all the dailies. No answer.” them. This he refuses to do. In order to negotiate
“How about the Greek Legation?” with him they have to get an interpreter, and they
pitch upon this Mr. Melas, having used some other
“I have inquired. They know nothing.”
one before. The girl is not told of the arrival of her
“A wire to the head of the Athens police, brother, and finds it out by the merest accident.”
then?”
“Excellent, Watson!” cried Holmes. “I really
“Sherlock has all the energy of the family,” said fancy that you are not far from the truth. You see
Mycroft, turning to me. “Well, you take the case that we hold all the cards, and we have only to fear
up by all means, and let me know if you do any some sudden act of violence on their part. If they
good.” give us time we must have them.”
“Certainly,” answered my friend, rising from “But how can we find where this house lies?”
his chair. “I’ll let you know, and Mr. Melas also. In
“Well, if our conjecture is correct and the girl’s
the meantime, Mr. Melas, I should certainly be on
name is or was Sophy Kratides, we should have
my guard, if I were you, for of course they must
no difficulty in tracing her. That must be our
know through these advertisements that you have
main hope, for the brother is, of course, a com-
betrayed them.”
plete stranger. It is clear that some time has
As we walked home together, Holmes stopped elapsed since this Harold established these rela-
at a telegraph office and sent off several wires. tions with the girl—some weeks, at any rate—since
“You see, Watson,” he remarked, “our evening the brother in Greece has had time to hear of it and
has been by no means wasted. Some of my most come across. If they have been living in the same
interesting cases have come to me in this way place during this time, it is probable that we shall
through Mycroft. The problem which we have just have some answer to Mycroft’s advertisement.”
listened to, although it can admit of but one expla- We had reached our house in Baker Street
nation, has still some distinguishing features.” while we had been talking. Holmes ascended the
“You have hopes of solving it?” stair first, and as he opened the door of our room
“Well, knowing as much as we do, it will be he gave a start of surprise. Looking over his shoul-
singular indeed if we fail to discover the rest. You der, I was equally astonished. His brother Mycroft
must yourself have formed some theory which will was sitting smoking in the arm-chair.
explain the facts to which we have listened.” “Come in, Sherlock! Come in, sir,” said he
“In a vague way, yes.” blandly, smiling at our surprised faces. “You don’t
expect such energy from me, do you, Sherlock?
“What was your idea, then?”
But somehow this case attracts me.”
“It seemed to me to be obvious that this Greek
“How did you get here?”
girl had been carried off by the young Englishman
named Harold Latimer.” “I passed you in a hansom.”
“Carried off from where?” “There has been some new development?”
“Athens, perhaps.” “I had an answer to my advertisement.”
Sherlock Holmes shook his head. “This young “Ah!”
man could not talk a word of Greek. The lady “Yes, it came within a few minutes of your leav-
could talk English fairly well. Inference—that she ing.”

380
 The Greek Interpreter

“And to what effect?” we drove to Scotland Yard. “These men have got
Mycroft Holmes took out a sheet of paper. hold of Melas again. He is a man of no physical
courage, as they are well aware from their experi-
“Here it is,” said he, “written with a J pen on ence the other night. This villain was able to ter-
royal cream paper by a middle-aged man with a rorize him the instant that he got into his presence.
weak constitution. No doubt they want his professional services, but,
“Sir [he says]: having used him, they may be inclined to punish
“In answer to your advertisement of him for what they will regard as his treachery.”
to-day’s date, I beg to inform you that I Our hope was that, by taking train, we might
know the young lady in question very get to Beckenham as soon or sooner than the car-
well. If you should care to call upon riage. On reaching Scotland Yard, however, it was
me I could give you some particulars more than an hour before we could get Inspec-
as to her painful history. She is living tor Gregson and comply with the legal formali-
at present at The Myrtles, Beckenham. ties which would enable us to enter the house. It
“Yours faithfully, was a quarter to ten before we reached London
“J. Davenport. Bridge, and half past before the four of us alighted
on the Beckenham platform. A drive of half a mile
“He writes from Lower Brixton,” said Mycroft brought us to The Myrtles—a large, dark house
Holmes. “Do you not think that we might drive to standing back from the road in its own grounds.
him now, Sherlock, and learn these particulars?” Here we dismissed our cab, and made our way up
“My dear Mycroft, the brother’s life is more the drive together.
valuable than the sister’s story. I think we should “The windows are all dark,” remarked the in-
call at Scotland Yard for Inspector Gregson, and go spector. “The house seems deserted.”
straight out to Beckenham. We know that a man is “Our birds are flown and the nest empty,” said
being done to death, and every hour may be vital.” Holmes.
“Better pick up Mr. Melas on our way,” I sug- “Why do you say so?”
gested. “We may need an interpreter.”
“A carriage heavily loaded with luggage has
“Excellent,” said Sherlock Holmes. “Send the passed out during the last hour.”
boy for a four-wheeler, and we shall be off at
once.” He opened the table-drawer as he spoke, The inspector laughed. “I saw the wheel-tracks
and I noticed that he slipped his revolver into his in the light of the gate-lamp, but where does the
pocket. “Yes,” said he, in answer to my glance; “I luggage come in?”
should say from what we have heard, that we are “You may have observed the same wheel-tracks
dealing with a particularly dangerous gang.” going the other way. But the outward-bound ones
It was almost dark before we found ourselves were very much deeper—so much so that we can
in Pall Mall, at the rooms of Mr. Melas. A gentle- say for a certainty that there was a very consider-
man had just called for him, and he was gone. able weight on the carriage.”

“Can you tell me where?” asked Mycroft “You get a trifle beyond me there,” said the in-
Holmes. spector, shrugging his shoulder. “It will not be an
easy door to force, but we will try if we cannot
“I don’t know, sir,” answered the woman who make some one hear us.”
had opened the door; “I only know that he drove
away with the gentleman in a carriage.” He hammered loudly at the knocker and pulled
at the bell, but without any success. Holmes had
“Did the gentleman give a name?” slipped away, but he came back in a few minutes.
“No, sir.” “I have a window open,” said he.
“He wasn’t a tall, handsome, dark young “It is a mercy that you are on the side of the
man?” force, and not against it, Mr. Holmes,” remarked
“Oh, no, sir. He was a little gentleman, with the inspector, as he noted the clever way in which
glasses, thin in the face, but very pleasant in his my friend had forced back the catch. “Well, I think
ways, for he was laughing al the time that he was that under the circumstances we may enter with-
talking.” out an invitation.”
“Come along!” cried Sherlock Holmes, One after the other we made our way into
abruptly. “This grows serious,” he observed, as a large apartment, which was evidently that in

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 The Greek Interpreter

which Mr. Melas had found himself. The inspec- man in the last stage of emaciation, with several
tor had lit his lantern, and by its light we could strips of sticking-plaster arranged in a grotesque
see the two doors, the curtain, the lamp, and the pattern over his face. He had ceased to moan as we
suit of Japanese mail as he had described them. On laid him down, and a glance showed me that for
the table lay two glasses, and empty brandy-bottle, him at least our aid had come too late. Mr. Melas,
and the remains of a meal. however, still lived, and in less than an hour, with
“What is that?” asked Holmes, suddenly. the aid of ammonia and brandy I had the satisfac-
tion of seeing him open his eyes, and of knowing
We all stood still and listened. A low moan- that my hand had drawn him back from that dark
ing sound was coming from somewhere over our valley in which all paths meet.
heads. Holmes rushed to the door and out into
the hall. The dismal noise came from upstairs. He It was a simple story which he had to tell, and
dashed up, the inspector and I at his heels, while one which did but confirm our own deductions.
his brother Mycroft followed as quickly as his great His visitor, on entering his rooms, had drawn
bulk would permit. a life-preserver from his sleeve, and had so im-
Three doors faced up upon the second floor, pressed him with the fear of instant and inevitable
and it was from the central of these that the sinis- death that he had kidnapped him for the second
ter sounds were issuing, sinking sometimes into a time. Indeed, it was almost mesmeric, the effect
dull mumble and rising again into a shrill whine. which this giggling ruffian had produced upon the
It was locked, but the key had been left on the out- unfortunate linguist, for he could not speak of him
side. Holmes flung open the door and rushed in, save with trembling hands and a blanched cheek.
but he was out again in an instant, with his hand He had been taken swiftly to Beckenham, and had
to his throat. acted as interpreter in a second interview, even
more dramatic than the first, in which the two En-
“It’s charcoal,” he cried. “Give it time. It will glishmen had menaced their prisoner with instant
clear.” death if he did not comply with their demands. Fi-
Peering in, we could see that the only light nally, finding him proof against every threat, they
in the room came from a dull blue flame which had hurled him back into his prison, and after
flickered from a small brass tripod in the centre. reproaching Melas with his treachery, which ap-
It threw a livid, unnatural circle upon the floor, peared from the newspaper advertisement, they
while in the shadows beyond we saw the vague had stunned him with a blow from a stick, and
loom of two figures which crouched against the he remembered nothing more until he found us
wall. From the open door there reeked a horri- bending over him.
ble poisonous exhalation which set us gasping and
coughing. Holmes rushed to the top of the stairs And this was the singular case of the Grecian
to draw in the fresh air, and then, dashing into Interpreter, the explanation of which is still in-
the room, he threw up the window and hurled the volved in some mystery. We were able to find
brazen tripod out into the garden. out, by communicating with the gentleman who
had answered the advertisement, that the unfortu-
“We can enter in a minute,” he gasped, darting nate young lady came of a wealthy Grecian family,
out again. “Where is a candle? I doubt if we could and that she had been on a visit to some friends
strike a match in that atmosphere. Hold the light in England. While there she had met a young man
at the door and we shall get them out, Mycroft, named Harold Latimer, who had acquired an as-
now!” cendancy over her and had eventually persuaded
With a rush we got to the poisoned men and her to fly with him. Her friends, shocked at the
dragged them out into the well-lit hall. Both event, had contented themselves with informing
of them were blue-lipped and insensible, with her brother at Athens, and had then washed their
swollen, congested faces and protruding eyes. In- hands of the matter. The brother, on his arrival
deed, so distorted were their features that, save for in England, had imprudently placed himself in
his black beard and stout figure, we might have the power of Latimer and of his associate, whose
failed to recognize in one of them the Greek inter- name was Wilson Kemp—a man of the foulest an-
preter who had parted from us only a few hours tecedents. These two, finding that through his ig-
before at the Diogenes Club. His hands and feet norance of the language he was helpless in their
were securely strapped together, and he bore over hands, had kept him a prisoner, and had endeav-
one eye the marks of a violent blow. The other, ored by cruelty and starvation to make him sign
who was secured in a similar fashion, was a tall away his own and his sister’s property. They had

382
kept him in the house without the girl’s knowl- house which they had hired, having first, as they
edge, and the plaster over the face had been for the thought, taken vengeance both upon the man who
purpose of making recognition difficult in case she had defied and the one who had betrayed them.
should ever catch a glimpse of him. Her feminine Months afterwards a curious newspaper cut-
perception, however, had instantly seen through ting reached us from Buda-Pesth. It told how two
the disguise when, on the occasion of the inter- Englishmen who had been traveling with a woman
preter’s visit, she had seen him for the first time. had met with a tragic end. They had each been
The poor girl, however, was herself a prisoner, stabbed, it seems, and the Hungarian police were
for there was no one about the house except the of opinion that they had quarreled and had in-
man who acted as coachman, and his wife, both of flicted mortal injuries upon each other. Holmes,
whom were tools of the conspirators. Finding that however, is, I fancy, of a different way of thinking,
their secret was out, and that their prisoner was and holds to this day that, if one could find the
not to be coerced, the two villains with the girl had Grecian girl, one might learn how the wrongs of
fled away at a few hours’ notice from the furnished herself and her brother came to be avenged.
The Naval Treaty
T
The Naval Treaty

he July which immediately succeeded It is possible even that you may have
my marriage was made memorable by heard that through my uncle’s influ-
three cases of interest, in which I had the ence I obtained a good appointment at
privilege of being associated with Sher- the Foreign Office, and that I was in a
lock Holmes and of studying his methods. I find situation of trust and honor until a hor-
them recorded in my notes under the headings of rible misfortune came suddenly to blast
“The Adventure of the Second Stain,” “The Ad- my career.
venture of the Naval Treaty,” and “The Adventure There is no use writing of the details
of the Tired Captain.” The first of these, however, of that dreadful event. In the event
deals with interest of such importance and impli- of your acceding to my request it is
cates so many of the first families in the kingdom probably that I shall have to narrate
that for many years it will be impossible to make them to you. I have only just recovered
it public. No case, however, in which Holmes was from nine weeks of brain-fever, and am
engaged has ever illustrated the value of his ana- still exceedingly weak. Do you think
lytical methods so clearly or has impressed those that you could bring your friend Mr.
who were associated with him so deeply. I still Holmes down to see me? I should like
retain an almost verbatim report of the interview to have his opinion of the case, though
in which he demonstrated the true facts of the the authorities assure me that nothing
case to Monsieur Dubugue of the Paris police, and more can be done. Do try to bring him
Fritz von Waldbaum, the well-known specialist of down, and as soon as possible. Every
Dantzig, both of whom had wasted their energies minute seems an hour while I live in
upon what proved to be side-issues. The new cen- this state of horrible suspense. Assure
tury will have come, however, before the story can him that if I have not asked his advice
be safely told. Meanwhile I pass on to the second sooner it was not because I did not ap-
on my list, which promised also at one time to be preciate his talents, but because I have
of national importance, and was marked by several been off my head ever since the blow
incidents which give it a quite unique character. fell. Now I am clear again, though I
dare not think of it too much for fear of
During my school-days I had been intimately
a relapse. I am still so weak that I have
associated with a lad named Percy Phelps, who
to write, as you see, by dictating. Do
was of much the same age as myself, though he
try to bring him.
was two classes ahead of me. He was a very
Your old school-fellow,
brilliant boy, and carried away every prize which
Percy Phelps.
the school had to offer, finished his exploits by
winning a scholarship which sent him on to con-
There was something that touched me as I read
tinue his triumphant career at Cambridge. He was,
this letter, something pitiable in the reiterated ap-
I remember, extremely well connected, and even
peals to bring Holmes. So moved was I that even
when we were all little boys together we knew
had it been a difficult matter I should have tried
that his mother’s brother was Lord Holdhurst, the
it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his
great conservative politician. This gaudy relation-
art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid
ship did him little good at school. On the contrary,
as his client could be to receive it. My wife agreed
it seemed rather a piquant thing to us to chevy him
with me that not a moment should be lost in lay-
about the playground and hit him over the shins
ing the matter before him, and so within an hour
with a wicket. But it was another thing when he
of breakfast-time I found myself back once more
came out into the world. I heard vaguely that his
in the old rooms in Baker Street.
abilities and the influences which he commanded
had won him a good position at the Foreign Office, Holmes was seated at his side-table clad in his
and then he passed completely out of my mind un- dressing-gown, and working hard over a chemical
til the following letter recalled his existence: investigation. A large curved retort was boiling fu-
riously in the bluish flame of a Bunsen burner, and
the distilled drops were condensing into a two-litre
Briarbrae, Woking. measure. My friend hardly glanced up as I en-
My dear Watson: tered, and I, seeing that his investigation must be
I have no doubt that you can remem- of importance, seated myself in an arm-chair and
ber “Tadpole” Phelps, who was in the waited. He dipped into this bottle or that, draw-
fifth form when you were in the third. ing out a few drops of each with his glass pipette,

387
 The Naval Treaty

and finally brought a test-tube containing a solu- inquiring for you all morning. Ah, poor old chap,
tion over to the table. In his right hand he held a he clings to any straw! His father and his mother
slip of litmus-paper. asked me to see you, for the mere mention of the
“You come at a crisis, Watson,” said he. “If this subject is very painful to them.”
paper remains blue, all is well. If it turns red, it “We have had no details yet,” observed
means a man’s life.” He dipped it into the test- Holmes. “I perceive that you are not yourself a
tube and it flushed at once into a dull, dirty crim- member of the family.”
son. “Hum! I thought as much!” he cried. “I will
be at your service in an instant, Watson. You will Our acquaintance looked surprised, and then,
find tobacco in the Persian slipper.” He turned to glancing down, he began to laugh.
his desk and scribbled off several telegrams, which “Of course you saw the J H monogram on my
were handed over to the page-boy. Then he threw locket,” said he. “For a moment I thought you
himself down into the chair opposite, and drew up had done something clever. Joseph Harrison is
his knees until his fingers clasped round his long, my name, and as Percy is to marry my sister An-
thin shins. nie I shall at least be a relation by marriage. You
“A very commonplace little murder,” said he. will find my sister in his room, for she has nursed
“You’ve got something better, I fancy. You are the him hand-and-foot this two months back. Perhaps
stormy petrel of crime, Watson. What is it?” we’d better go in at once, for I know how impatient
I handed him the letter, which he read with the he is.”
most concentrated attention. The chamber in which we were shown was on
“It does not tell us very much, does it?” he re- the same floor as the drawing-room. It was fur-
marked, as he handed it back to me. nished partly as a sitting and partly as a bedroom,
with flowers arranged daintily in every nook and
“Hardly anything.”
corner. A young man, very pale and worn, was
“And yet the writing is of interest.” lying upon a sofa near the open window, through
“But the writing is not his own.” which came the rich scent of the garden and the
“Precisely. It is a woman’s.” balmy summer air. A woman was sitting beside
him, who rose as we entered.
“A man’s surely,” I cried.
“Shall I leave, Percy?” she asked.
“No, a woman’s, and a woman of rare charac-
ter. You see, at the commencement of an investiga- He clutched her hand to detain her. “How are
tion it is something to know that your client is in you, Watson?” said he, cordially. “I should never
close contact with some one who, for good or evil, have known you under that moustache, and I dare
has an exceptional nature. My interest is already say you would not be prepared to swear to me.
awakened in the case. If you are ready we will This I presume is your celebrated friend, Mr. Sher-
start at once for Woking, and see this diplomatist lock Holmes?”
who is in such evil case, and the lady to whom he
I introduced him in a few words, and we both
dictates his letters.”
sat down. The stout young man had left us, but his
We were fortunate enough to catch an early sister still remained with her hand in that of the
train at Waterloo, and in a little under an hour invalid. She was a striking-looking woman, a little
we found ourselves among the fir-woods and the short and thick for symmetry, but with a beautiful
heather of Woking. Briarbrae proved to be a large olive complexion, large, dark, Italian eyes, and a
detached house standing in extensive grounds wealth of deep black hair. Her rich tints made the
within a few minutes’ walk of the station. On white face of her companion the more worn and
sending in our cards we were shown into an el- haggard by the contrast.
egantly appointed drawing-room, where we were
joined in a few minutes by a rather stout man “I won’t waste your time,” said he, raising him-
who received us with much hospitality. His age self upon the sofa. “I’ll plunge into the matter
may have been nearer forty than thirty, but his without further preamble. I was a happy and suc-
cheeks were so ruddy and his eyes so merry that cessful man, Mr. Holmes, and on the eve of being
he still conveyed the impression of a plump and married, when a sudden and dreadful misfortune
mischievous boy. wrecked all my prospects in life.
“I am so glad that you have come,” said he, “I was, as Watson may have told you, in the
shaking our hands with effusion. “Percy has been Foreign Office, and through the influences of my

388
 The Naval Treaty

uncle, Lord Holdhurst, I rose rapidly to a responsi- and that he would travel down to Woking by the
ble position. When my uncle became foreign min- eleven-o’clock train, and I wanted if possible to
ister in this administration he gave me several mis- catch it.
sions of trust, and as I always brought them to a “When I came to examine the treaty I saw at
successful conclusion, he came at last to have the once that it was of such importance that my un-
utmost confidence in my ability and tact. cle had been guilty of no exaggeration in what he
“Nearly ten weeks ago—to be more accurate, had said. Without going into details, I may say
on the twenty-third of May—he called me into his that it defined the position of Great Britain towards
private room, and, after complimenting me on the the Triple Alliance, and fore-shadowed the policy
good work which I had done, he informed me that which this country would pursue in the event of
he had a new commission of trust for me to exe- the French fleet gaining a complete ascendancy
cute. over that of Italy in the Mediterranean. The ques-
“ ‘This,’ said he, taking a gray roll of paper tions treated in it were purely naval. At the end
from his bureau, ‘is the original of that secret treaty were the signatures of the high dignitaries who
between England and Italy of which, I regret to had signed it. I glanced my eyes over it, and then
say, some rumors have already got into the public settled down to my task of copying.
press. It is of enormous importance that nothing “It was a long document, written in the French
further should leak out. The French or the Russian language, and containing twenty-six separate ar-
embassy would pay an immense sum to learn the ticles. I copied as quickly as I could, but at nine
contents of these papers. They should not leave o’clock I had only done nine articles, and it seemed
my bureau were it not that it is absolutely neces- hopeless for me to attempt to catch my train. I was
sary to have them copied. You have a desk in your feeling drowsy and stupid, partly from my dinner
office?’ and also from the effects of a long day’s work. A
“ ‘Yes, sir.’ cup of coffee would clear my brain. A commission-
aire remains all night in a little lodge at the foot of
“ ‘Then take the treaty and lock it up there. I the stairs, and is in the habit of making coffee at
shall give directions that you may remain behind his spirit-lamp for any of the officials who may be
when the others go, so that you may copy it at your working over time. I rang the bell, therefore, to
leisure without fear of being overlooked. When summon him.
you have finished, relock both the original and the
“To my surprise, it was a woman who an-
draft in the desk, and hand them over to me per-
swered the summons, a large, coarse-faced, elderly
sonally to-morrow morning.’
woman, in an apron. She explained that she was
“I took the papers and—” the commissionaire’s wife, who did the charing,
“Excuse me an instant,” said Holmes. “Were and I gave her the order for the coffee.
you alone during this conversation?” “I wrote two more articles and then, feeling
“Absolutely.” more drowsy than ever, I rose and walked up and
“In a large room?” down the room to stretch my legs. My coffee had
not yet come, and I wondered what was the cause
“Thirty feet each way.” of the delay could be. Opening the door, I started
“In the centre?” down the corridor to find out. There was a straight
“Yes, about it.” passage, dimly lighted, which led from the room
in which I had been working, and was the only
“And speaking low?” exit from it. It ended in a curving staircase, with
“My uncle’s voice is always remarkably low. I the commissionaire’s lodge in the passage at the
hardly spoke at all.” bottom. Half way down this staircase is a small
“Thank you,” said Holmes, shutting his eyes; landing, with another passage running into it at
“pray go on.” right angles. This second one leads by means of a
second small stair to a side door, used by servants,
“I did exactly what he indicated, and waited
and also as a short cut by clerks when coming from
until the other clerks had departed. One of them in
Charles Street. Here is a rough chart of the place.”
my room, Charles Gorot, had some arrears of work
to make up, so I left him there and went out to “Thank you. I think that I quite follow you,”
dine. When I returned he was gone. I was anxious said Sherlock Holmes.
to hurry my work, for I knew that Joseph—the Mr. “It is of the utmost importance that you should
Harrison whom you saw just now—was in town, notice this point. I went down the stairs and into

389
 The Naval Treaty

the hall, where I found the commissionaire fast came three chimes from a neighboring clock. It
asleep in his box, with the kettle boiling furiously was quarter to ten.”
upon the spirit-lamp. I took off the kettle and blew “That is of enormous importance,” said
out the lamp, for the water was spurting over the Holmes, making a note upon his shirt-cuff.
floor. Then I put out my hand and was about “The night was very dark, and a thin, warm
to shake the man, who was still sleeping soundly, rain was falling. There was no one in Charles
when a bell over his head rang loudly, and he woke Street, but a great traffic was going on, as usual,
with a start. in Whitehall, at the extremity. We rushed along
“ ‘Mr. Phelps, sir!’ said he, looking at me in the pavement, bare-headed as we were, and at the
bewilderment. far corner we found a policeman standing.
“ ‘I came down to see if my coffee was ready.’ “ ‘A robbery has been committed,’ I gasped. ‘A
“ ‘I was boiling the kettle when I fell asleep, sir.’ document of immense value has been stolen from
He looked at me and then up at the still quivering the Foreign Office. Has any one passed this way?’
bell with an ever-growing astonishment upon his “ ‘I have been standing here for a quarter of an
face. hour, sir,’ said he; ‘only one person has passed dur-
“ ‘If you was here, sir, then who rang the bell?’ ing that time—a woman, tall and elderly, with a
he asked. Paisley shawl.’
“ ‘Ah, that is only my wife,’ cried the commis-
“ ‘The bell!’ I cried. ‘What bell is it?’
sionaire; ‘has no one else passed?’
“ ‘It’s the bell of the room you were working
“ ‘No one.’
in.’
“ ‘Then it must be the other way that the thief
“A cold hand seemed to close round my heart. took,’ cried the fellow, tugging at my sleeve.
Some one, then, was in that room where my pre-
cious treaty lay upon the table. I ran frantically up “But I was not satisfied, and the attempts
the stair and along the passage. There was no one which he made to draw me away increased my
in the corridors, Mr. Holmes. There was no one in suspicions.
the room. All was exactly as I left it, save only that “ ‘Which way did the woman go?’ I cried.
the papers which had been committed to my care “ ‘I don’t know, sir. I noticed her pass, but I had
had been taken from the desk on which they lay. no special reason for watching her. She seemed to
The copy was there, and the original was gone.” be in a hurry.’
Holmes sat up in his chair and rubbed his “ ‘How long ago was it?’
hands. I could see that the problem was entirely “ ‘Oh, not very many minutes.’
to his heart. “Pray, what did you do then?” he “ ‘Within the last five?’
murmured.
“ ‘Well, it could not be more than five.’
“I recognized in an instant that the thief must “ ‘You’re only wasting your time, sir, and every
have come up the stairs from the side door. Of minute now is of importance,’ cried the commis-
course I must have met him if he had come the sionaire; ‘take my word for it that my old woman
other way.” has nothing to do with it, and come down to the
“You were satisfied that he could not have other end of the street. Well, if you won’t, I will.’
been concealed in the room all the time, or in the And with that he rushed off in the other direction.
corridor which you have just described as dimly “But I was after him in an instant and caught
lighted?” him by the sleeve.
“It is absolutely impossible. A rat could not “ ‘Where do you live?’ said I.
conceal himself either in the room or the corridor. “ ‘16 Ivy Lane, Brixton,’ he answered. ‘But
There is no cover at all.” don’t let yourself be drawn away upon a false
“Thank you. Pray proceed.” scent, Mr. Phelps. Come to the other end of the
“The commissionaire, seeing by my pale face street and let us see if we can hear of anything.’
that something was to be feared, had followed me “Nothing was to be lost by following his ad-
upstairs. Now we both rushed along the corridor vice. With the policeman we both hurried down,
and down the steep steps which led to Charles but only to find the street full of traffic, many peo-
Street. The door at the bottom was closed, but ple coming and going, but all only too eager to get
unlocked. We flung it open and rushed out. I to a place of safety upon so wet a night. There was
can distinctly remember that as we did so there no lounger who could tell us who had passed.

390
 The Naval Treaty

“Then we returned to the office, and searched before she could get rid of the papers, presuming
the stairs and the passage without result. The cor- that she had them.
ridor which led to the room was laid down with a “The alarm had reached Scotland Yard by this
kind of creamy linoleum which shows an impres- time, and Mr. Forbes, the detective, came round at
sion very easily. We examined it very carefully, but once and took up the case with a great deal of en-
found no outline of any footmark.” ergy. We hired a hansom, and in half an hour we
“Had it been raining all evening?” were at the address which had been given to us.
“Since about seven.” A young woman opened the door, who proved to
be Mrs. Tangey’s eldest daughter. Her mother had
“How is it, then, that the woman who came
not come back yet, and we were shown into the
into the room about nine left no traces with her
front room to wait.
muddy boots?”
“I am glad you raised the point. It occurred to “About ten minutes later a knock came at the
me at the time. The charwomen are in the habit door, and here we made the one serious mistake
of taking off their boots at the commissionaire’s for which I blame myself. Instead of opening the
office, and putting on list slippers.” door ourselves, we allowed the girl to do so. We
heard her say, ‘Mother, there are two men in the
“That is very clear. There were no marks, then, house waiting to see you,’ and an instant after-
though the night was a wet one? The chain of wards we heard the patter of feet rushing down
events is certainly one of extraordinary interest. the passage. Forbes flung open the door, and we
What did you do next?” both ran into the back room or kitchen, but the
“We examined the room also. There is no pos- woman had got there before us. She stared at us
sibility of a secret door, and the windows are quite with defiant eyes, and then, suddenly recognizing
thirty feet from the ground. Both of them were fas- me, an expression of absolute astonishment came
tened on the inside. The carpet prevents any pos- over her face.
sibility of a trap-door, and the ceiling is of the ordi-
“ ‘Why, if it isn’t Mr. Phelps, of the office!’ she
nary whitewashed kind. I will pledge my life that
cried.
whoever stole my papers could only have come
through the door.” “ ‘Come, come, who did you think we were
when you ran away from us?’ asked my compan-
“How about the fireplace?”
ion.
“They use none. There is a stove. The bell-rope
“ ‘I thought you were the brokers,’ said she, ‘we
hangs from the wire just to the right of my desk.
have had some trouble with a tradesman.’
Whoever rang it must have come right up to the
desk to do it. But why should any criminal wish “ ‘That’s not quite good enough,’ answered
to ring the bell? It is a most insoluble mystery.” Forbes. ‘We have reason to believe that you have
“Certainly the incident was unusual. What taken a paper of importance from the Foreign Of-
were your next steps? You examined the room, fice, and that you ran in here to dispose of it. You
I presume, to see if the intruder had left any must come back with us to Scotland Yard to be
traces—any cigar-end or dropped glove or hairpin searched.’
or other trifle?” “It was in vain that she protested and resisted.
“There was nothing of the sort.” A four-wheeler was brought, and we all three
drove back in it. We had first made an examina-
“No smell?”
tion of the kitchen, and especially of the kitchen
“Well, we never thought of that.” fire, to see whether she might have made away
“Ah, a scent of tobacco would have been worth with the papers during the instant that she was
a great deal to us in such an investigation.” alone. There were no signs, however, of any ashes
“I never smoke myself, so I think I should have or scraps. When we reached Scotland Yard she
observed it if there had been any smell of tobacco. was handed over at once to the female searcher.
There was absolutely no clue of any kind. The I waited in an agony of suspense until she came
only tangible fact was that the commissionaire’s back with her report. There were no signs of the
wife—Mrs. Tangey was the name—had hurried papers.
out of the place. He could give no explanation “Then for the first time the horror of my situa-
save that it was about the time when the woman tion came in its full force. Hitherto I had been act-
always went home. The policeman and I agreed ing, and action had numbed thought. I had been
that our best plan would be to seize the woman so confident of regaining the treaty at once that I

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had not dared to think of what would be the con- traction, but as English in sympathy and tradition
sequence if I failed to do so. But now there was as you and I are. Nothing was found to implicate
nothing more to be done, and I had leisure to re- him in any way, and there the matter dropped.
alize my position. It was horrible. Watson there I turn to you, Mr. Holmes, as absolutely my last
would tell you that I was a nervous, sensitive boy hope. If you fail me, then my honor as well as my
at school. It is my nature. I thought of my uncle position are forever forfeited.”
and of his colleagues in the Cabinet, of the shame The invalid sank back upon his cushions, tired
which I had brought upon him, upon myself, upon out by this long recital, while his nurse poured him
every one connected with me. What though I was out a glass of some stimulating medicine. Holmes
the victim of an extraordinary accident? No al- sat silently, with his head thrown back and his eyes
lowance is made for accidents where diplomatic closed, in an attitude which might seem listless to
interests are at stake. I was ruined, shamefully, a stranger, but which I knew betokened the most
hopelessly ruined. I don’t know what I did. I fancy intense self-absorption.
I must have made a scene. I have a dim recollection “You statement has been so explicit,” said he at
of a group of officials who crowded round me, en- last, “that you have really left me very few ques-
deavoring to soothe me. One of them drove down tions to ask. There is one of the very utmost im-
with me to Waterloo, and saw me into the Wok- portance, however. Did you tell any one that you
ing train. I believe that he would have come all the had this special task to perform?”
way had it not been that Dr. Ferrier, who lives near
“No one.”
me, was going down by that very train. The doctor
“Not Miss Harrison here, for example?”
most kindly took charge of me, and it was well he
did so, for I had a fit in the station, and before we “No. I had not been back to Woking between
reached home I was practically a raving maniac. getting the order and executing the commission.”
“And none of your people had by chance been
“You can imagine the state of things here when to see you?”
they were roused from their beds by the doctor’s
“None.”
ringing and found me in this condition. Poor An-
nie here and my mother were broken-hearted. Dr. “Did any of them know their way about in the
Ferrier had just heard enough from the detective at office?”
the station to be able to give an idea of what had “Oh, yes, all of them had been shown over it.”
happened, and his story did not mend matters. It “Still, of course, if you said nothing to any one
was evident to all that I was in for a long illness, about the treaty these inquiries are irrelevant.”
so Joseph was bundled out of this cheery bedroom, “I said nothing.”
and it was turned into a sick-room for me. Here I “Do you know anything of the commission-
have lain, Mr. Holmes, for over nine weeks, uncon- aire?”
scious, and raving with brain-fever. If it had not “Nothing except that he is an old soldier.”
been for Miss Harrison here and for the doctor’s
“What regiment?”
care I should not be speaking to you now. She has
“Oh, I have heard—Coldstream Guards.”
nursed me by day and a hired nurse has looked
after me by night, for in my mad fits I was capable “Thank you. I have no doubt I can get de-
of anything. Slowly my reason has cleared, but it tails from Forbes. The authorities are excellent
is only during the last three days that my memory at amassing facts, though they do not always use
has quite returned. Sometimes I wish that it never them to advantage. What a lovely thing a rose is!”
had. The first thing that I did was to wire to Mr. He walked past the couch to the open window,
Forbes, who had the case in hand. He came out, and held up the drooping stalk of a moss-rose,
and assures me that, though everything has been looking down at the dainty blend of crimson and
done, no trace of a clue has been discovered. The green. It was a new phase of his character to me,
commissionaire and his wife have been examined for I had never before seen him show any keen
in every way without any light being thrown upon interest in natural objects.
the matter. The suspicions of the police then rested “There is nothing in which deduction is so nec-
upon young Gorot, who, as you may remember, essary as in religion,” said he, leaning with his
stayed over time in the office that night. His re- back against the shutters. “It can be built up as an
maining behind and his French name were really exact science by the reasoner. Our highest assur-
the only two points which could suggest suspicion; ance of the goodness of Providence seems to me
but, as a matter of fact, I did not begin work until to rest in the flowers. All other things, our pow-
he had gone, and his people are of Huguenot ex- ers our desires, our food, are all really necessary

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for our existence in the first instance. But this rose my dismissal—until my health was restored and I
is an extra. Its smell and its color are an embel- had an opportunity of repairing my misfortune.”
lishment of life, not a condition of it. It is only “Well, that was reasonable and considerate,”
goodness which gives extras, and so I say again said Holmes. “Come, Watson, for we have a goody
that we have much to hope from the flowers.” day’s work before us in town.”
Percy Phelps and his nurse looked at Holmes Mr. Joseph Harrison drove us down to the
during this demonstration with surprise and a station, and we were soon whirling up in a
good deal of disappointment written upon their Portsmouth train. Holmes was sunk in profound
faces. He had fallen into a reverie, with the moss- thought, and hardly opened his mouth until we
rose between his fingers. It had lasted some min- had passed Clapham Junction.
utes before the young lady broke in upon it. “It’s a very cheery thing to come into London
“Do you see any prospect of solving this mys- by any of these lines which run high, and allow
tery, Mr. Holmes?” she asked, with a touch of as- you to look down upon the houses like this.”
perity in her voice. I thought he was joking, for the view was sor-
did enough, but he soon explained himself.
“Oh, the mystery!” he answered, coming back
“Look at those big, isolated clumps of building
with a start to the realities of life. “Well, it would
rising up above the slates, like brick islands in a
be absurd to deny that the case is a very abstruse
lead-colored sea.”
and complicated one, but I can promise you that
“The board-schools.”
I will look into the matter and let you know any
points which may strike me.” “Light-houses, my boy! Beacons of the future!
Capsules with hundreds of bright little seeds in
“Do you see any clue?” each, out of which will spring the wise, better Eng-
“You have furnished me with seven, but, of land of the future. I suppose that man Phelps does
course, I must test them before I can pronounce not drink?”
upon their value.” “I should not think so.”
“You suspect some one?” “Nor should I, but we are bound to take every
possibility into account. The poor devil has cer-
“I suspect myself.”
tainly got himself into very deep water, and it’s a
“What!” question whether we shall ever be able to get him
“Of coming to conclusions too rapidly.” ashore. What did you think of Miss Harrison?”
“A girl of strong character.”
“Then go to London and test your conclu-
sions.” “Yes, but she is a good sort, or I am mistaken.
She and her brother are the only children of an
“Your advice is very excellent, Miss Harrison,” iron-master somewhere up Northumberland way.
said Holmes, rising. “I think, Watson, we cannot He got engaged to her when traveling last winter,
do better. Do not allow yourself to indulge in false and she came down to be introduced to his people,
hopes, Mr. Phelps. The affair is a very tangled with her brother as escort. Then came the smash,
one.” and she stayed on to nurse her lover, while brother
“I shall be in a fever until I see you again,” cried Joseph, finding himself pretty snug, stayed on too.
the diplomatist. I’ve been making a few independent inquiries, you
see. But to-day must be a day of inquiries.”
“Well, I’ll come out be the same train to-
morrow, though it’s more than likely that my re- “My practice—” I began.
port will be a negative one.” “Oh, if you find your own cases more interest-
ing than mine—” said Holmes, with some asperity.
“God bless you for promising to come,” cried
“I was going to say that my practice could get
our client. “It gives me fresh life to know that
along very well for a day or two, since it is the
something is being done. By the way, I have had a
slackest time in the year.”
letter from Lord Holdhurst.”
“Excellent,” said he, recovering his good-
“Ha! What did he say?” humor. “Then we’ll look into this matter together.
“He was cold, but not harsh. I dare say my I think that we should begin be seeing Forbes. He
severe illness prevented him from being that. He can probably tell us all the details we want un-
repeated that the matter was of the utmost impor- til we know from what side the case is to be ap-
tance, and added that no steps would be taken proached.”
about my future—by which he means, of course, “You said you had a clue?”

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 The Naval Treaty

“Well, we have several, but we can only test it seemed to me, accustomed as I was to his ev-
their value by further inquiry. The most difficult ery mood, that some new possibility had dawned
crime to track is the one which is purposeless. suddenly upon him.
Now this is not purposeless. Who is it who profits It was twenty past three when we reached our
by it? There is the French ambassador, there is the terminus, and after a hasty luncheon at the buffet
Russian, there is who-ever might sell it to either of we pushed on at once to Scotland Yard. Holmes
these, and there is Lord Holdhurst.” had already wired to Forbes, and we found him
“Lord Holdhurst!” waiting to receive us—a small, foxy man with a
sharp but by no means amiable expression. He
“Well, it is just conceivable that a statesman
was decidedly frigid in his manner to us, espe-
might find himself in a position where he was not
cially when he heard the errand upon which we
sorry to have such a document accidentally de-
had come.
stroyed.”
“I’ve heard of your methods before now, Mr.
“Not a statesman with the honorable record of
Holmes,” said he, tartly. “You are ready enough
Lord Holdhurst?”
to use all the information that the police can lay at
“It is a possibility and we cannot afford to dis- your disposal, and then you try to finish the case
regard it. We shall see the noble lord to-day and yourself and bring discredit on them.”
find out if he can tell us anything. Meanwhile I “On the contrary,” said Holmes, “out of my
have already set inquiries on foot.” last fifty-three cases my name has only appeared
“Already?” in four, and the police have had all the credit in
“Yes, I sent wires from Woking station to every forty-nine. I don’t blame you for not knowing this,
evening paper in London. This advertisement will for you are young and inexperienced, but if you
appear in each of them.” wish to get on in your new duties you will work
with me and not against me.”
He handed over a sheet torn from a note-book.
“I’d be very glad of a hint or two,” said the de-
On it was scribbled in pencil:
tective, changing his manner. “I’ve certainly had
“£10 reward. The number of the cab no credit from the case so far.”
which dropped a fare at or about the “What steps have you taken?”
door of the Foreign Office in Charles
“Tangey, the commissionaire, has been shad-
Street at quarter to ten in the evening
owed. He left the Guards with a good character
of May 23d. Apply 221b, Baker Street.”
and we can find nothing against him. His wife is
a bad lot, though. I fancy she knows more about
“You are confident that the thief came in a
this than appears.”
cab?”
“Have you shadowed her?”
“If not, there is no harm done. But if Mr. Phelps
is correct in stating that there is no hiding-place ei- “We have set one of our women on to her. Mrs.
ther in the room or the corridors, then the person Tangey drinks, and our woman has been with her
must have come from outside. If he came from twice when she was well on, but she could get
outside on so wet a night, and yet left no trace nothing out of her.”
of damp upon the linoleum, which was examined “I understand that they have had brokers in the
within a few minutes of his passing, then it is ex- house?”
ceeding probably that he came in a cab. Yes, I think “Yes, but they were paid off.”
that we may safely deduce a cab.”
“Where did the money come from?”
“It sounds plausible.”
“That was all right. His pension was due. They
“That is one of the clues of which I spoke. It have not shown any sign of being in funds.”
may lead us to something. And then, of course, “What explanation did she give of having an-
there is the bell—which is the most distinctive fea- swered the bell when Mr. Phelps rang for the cof-
ture of the case. Why should the bell ring? Was it fee?”
the thief who did it out of bravado? Or was it some
one who was with the thief who did it in order to “She said that he husband was very tired and
prevent the crime? Or was it an accident? Or was she wished to relieve him.”
it—?” He sank back into the state of intense and “Well, certainly that would agree with his be-
silent thought from which he had emerged; but ing found a little later asleep in his chair. There is

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 The Naval Treaty

nothing against them then but the woman’s char- prematurely tinged with gray, he seemed to repre-
acter. Did you ask her why she hurried away that sent that not to common type, a nobleman who is
night? Her haste attracted the attention of the po- in truth noble.
lice constable.” “Your name is very familiar to me, Mr.
“She was later than usual and wanted to get Holmes,” said he, smiling. “And, of course, I can-
home.” not pretend to be ignorant of the object of your
visit. There has only been one occurrence in these
“Did you point out to her that you and Mr.
offices which could call for your attention. In
Phelps, who started at least twenty minutes after
whose interest are you acting, may I ask?”
he, got home before her?”
“In that of Mr. Percy Phelps,” answered
“She explains that by the difference between a Holmes.
’bus and a hansom.”
“Ah, my unfortunate nephew! You can under-
“Did she make it clear why, on reaching her stand that our kinship makes it the more impossi-
house, she ran into the back kitchen?” ble for me to screen him in any way. I fear that the
“Because she had the money there with which incident must have a very prejudicial effect upon
to pay off the brokers.” his career.”
“She has at least an answer for everything. Did “But if the document is found?”
you ask her whether in leaving she met any one or “Ah, that, of course, would be different.”
saw any one loitering about Charles Street?” “I had one or two questions which I wished to
“She saw no one but the constable.” ask you, Lord Holdhurst.”
“I shall be happy to give you any information
“Well, you seem to have cross-examined her
in my power.”
pretty thoroughly. What else have you done?”
“Was it in this room that you gave your instruc-
“The clerk Gorot has been shadowed all these tions as to the copying of the document?”
nine weeks, but without result. We can show noth-
“It was.”
ing against him.”
“Then you could hardly have been overheard?”
“Anything else?”
“It is out of the question.”
“Well, we have nothing else to go upon—no ev- “Did you ever mention to any one that it was
idence of any kind.” your intention to give any one the treaty to be
“Have you formed a theory about how that bell copied?”
rang?” “Never.”
“Well, I must confess that it beats me. It was “You are certain of that?”
a cool hand, whoever it was, to go and give the “Absolutely.”
alarm like that.” “Well, since you never said so, and Mr. Phelps
“Yes, it was a queer thing to do. Many thanks never said so, and nobody else knew anything of
to you for what you have told me. If I can put the matter, then the thief’s presence in the room
the man into your hands you shall hear from me. was purely accidental. He saw his chance and he
Come along, Watson.” took it.”
“Where are we going to now?” I asked, as we The statesman smiled. “You take me out of my
left the office. province there,” said he.
“We are now going to interview Lord Hold- Holmes considered for a moment. “There is an-
hurst, the cabinet minister and future premier of other very important point which I wish to discuss
England.” with you,” said he. “You feared, as I understand,
that very grave results might follow from the de-
We were fortunate in finding that Lord Hold- tails of this treaty becoming known.”
hurst was still in his chambers in Downing Street,
A shadow passed over the expressive face of
and on Holmes sending in his card we were in-
the statesman. “Very grave results indeed.”
stantly shown up. The statesman received us
with that old-fashioned courtesy for which he is “Any have they occurred?”
remarkable, and seated us on the two luxuriant “Not yet.”
lounges on either side of the fireplace. Standing on “If the treaty had reached, let us say, the French
the rug between us, with his slight, tall figure, his or Russian Foreign Office, you would expect to
sharp features, thoughtful face, and curling hair hear of it?”

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“I should,” said Lord Holdhurst, with a wry “Any news?” he asked, eagerly.
face. “My report, as I expected, is a negative one,”
“Since nearly ten weeks have elapsed, then, said Holmes. “I have seen Forbes, and I have seen
and nothing has been heard, it is not unfair to your uncle, and I have set one or two trains of in-
suppose that for some reason the treaty has not quiry upon foot which may lead to something.”
reached them.” “You have not lost heart, then?”
Lord Holdhurst shrugged his shoulders. “By no means.”
“We can hardly suppose, Mr. Holmes, that the “God bless you for saying that!” cried Miss
thief took the treaty in order to frame it and hang Harrison. “If we keep our courage and our pa-
it up.” tience the truth must come out.”
“Perhaps he is waiting for a better price.” “We have more to tell you than you have for
“If he waits a little longer he will get no price us,” said Phelps, reseating himself upon the couch.
at all. The treaty will cease to be secret in a few “I hoped you might have something.”
months.”
“Yes, we have had an adventure during the
“That is most important,” said Holmes. “Of night, and one which might have proved to be a
course, it is a possible supposition that the thief serious one.” His expression grew very grave as
has had a sudden illness—” he spoke, and a look of something akin to fear
“An attack of brain-fever, for example?” asked sprang up in his eyes. “Do you know,” said he,
the statesman, flashing a swift glance at him. “that I begin to believe that I am the unconscious
“I did not say so,” said Holmes, imperturbably. centre of some monstrous conspiracy, and that my
“And now, Lord Holdhurst, we have already taken life is aimed at as well as my honor?”
up too much of your valuable time, and we shall “Ah!” cried Holmes.
wish you good-day.” “It sounds incredible, for I have not, as far as I
“Every success to your investigation, be the know, an enemy in the world. Yet from last night’s
criminal who it may,” answered the nobleman, as experience I can come to no other conclusion.”
he bowed us out the door. “Pray let me hear it.”
“He’s a fine fellow,” said Holmes, as we came “You must know that last night was the very
out into Whitehall. “But he has a struggle to keep first night that I have ever slept without a nurse in
up his position. He is far from rich and has many the room. I was so much better that I thought I
calls. You noticed, of course, that his boots had could dispense with one. I had a night-light burn-
been resoled. Now, Watson, I won’t detain you ing, however. Well, about two in the morning I
from your legitimate work any longer. I shall do had sunk into a light sleep when I was suddenly
nothing more to-day, unless I have an answer to aroused by a slight noise. It was like the sound
my cab advertisement. But I should be extremely which a mouse makes when it is gnawing a plank,
obliged to you if you would come down with me and I lay listening to it for some time under the im-
to Woking to-morrow, by the same train which we pression that it must come from that cause. Then
took yesterday.” it grew louder, and suddenly there came from the
I met him accordingly next morning and we window a sharp metallic snick. I sat up in amaze-
traveled down to Woking together. He had had ment. There could be no doubt what the sounds
no answer to his advertisement, he said, and no were now. The first ones had been caused by
fresh light had been thrown upon the case. He some one forcing an instrument through the slit
had, when he so willed it, the utter immobility of between the sashes, and the second by the catch
countenance of a red Indian, and I could not gather being pressed back.
from his appearance whether he was satisfied or “There was a pause then for about ten minutes,
not with the position of the case. His conversa- as if the person were waiting to see whether the
tion, I remember, was about the Bertillon system noise had awakened me. Then I heard a gentle
of measurements, and he expressed his enthusias- creaking as the window was very slowly opened.
tic admiration of the French savant. I could stand it no longer, for my nerves are not
We found our client still under the charge of what they used to be. I sprang out of bed and
his devoted nurse, but looking considerably better flung open the shutters. A man was crouching at
than before. He rose from the sofa and greeted us the window. I could see little of him, for he was
without difficulty when we entered. gone like a flash. He was wrapped in some sort

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of cloak which came across the lower part of his “They are more visible from the road,” sug-
face. One thing only I am sure of, and that is that gested Mr. Joseph Harrison.
he had some weapon in his hand. It looked to me “Ah, yes, of course. There is a door here which
like a long knife. I distinctly saw the gleam of it as he might have attempted. What is it for?”
he turned to run.” “It is the side entrance for trades-people. Of
“This is most interesting,” said Holmes. “Pray course it is locked at night.”
what did you do then?” “Have you ever had an alarm like this before?”
“I should have followed him through the open “Never,” said our client.
window if I had been stronger. As it was, I rang “Do you keep plate in the house, or anything
the bell and roused the house. It took me some to attract burglars?”
little time, for the bell rings in the kitchen and the “Nothing of value.”
servants all sleep upstairs. I shouted, however, and Holmes strolled round the house with his
that brought Joseph down, and he roused the oth- hands in his pockets and a negligent air which was
ers. Joseph and the groom found marks on the unusual with him.
bed outside the window, but the weather has been “By the way,” said he to Joseph Harrison, “you
so dry lately that they found it hopeless to follow found some place, I understand, where the fellow
the trail across the grass. There’s a place, however, scaled the fence. Let us have a look at that!”
on the wooden fence which skirts the road which The plump young man led us to a spot where
shows signs, they tell me, as if some one had got the top of one of the wooden rails had been
over, and had snapped the top of the rail in doing cracked. A small fragment of the wood was hang-
so. I have said nothing to the local police yet, for I ing down. Holmes pulled it off and examined it
thought I had best have your opinion first.” critically.
This tale of our client’s appeared to have an ex- “Do you think that was done last night? It
traordinary effect upon Sherlock Holmes. He rose looks rather old, does it not?”
from his chair and paced about the room in uncon- “Well, possibly so.”
trollable excitement. “There are no marks of any one jumping down
“Misfortunes never come single,” said Phelps, upon the other side. No, I fancy we shall get no
smiling, though it was evident that his adventure help here. Let us go back to the bedroom and talk
had somewhat shaken him. the matter over.”
“You have certainly had your share,” said Percy Phelps was walking very slowly, leaning
Holmes. “Do you think you could walk round the upon the arm of his future brother-in-law. Holmes
house with me?” walked swiftly across the lawn, and we were at
the open window of the bedroom long before the
“Oh, yes, I should like a little sunshine. Joseph others came up.
will come, too.”
“Miss Harrison,” said Holmes, speaking with
“And I also,” said Miss Harrison. the utmost intensity of manner, “you must stay
“I am afraid not,” said Holmes, shaking his where you are all day. Let nothing prevent you
head. “I think I must ask you to remain sitting from staying where you are all day. It is of the
exactly where you are.” utmost importance.”
“Certainly, if you wish it, Mr. Holmes,” said the
The young lady resumed her seat with an air of
girl in astonishment.
displeasure. Her brother, however, had joined us
and we set off all four together. We passed round “When you go to bed lock the door of this room
the lawn to the outside of the young diploma- on the outside and keep the key. Promise to do
tist’s window. There were, as he had said, marks this.”
upon the bed, but they were hopelessly blurred “But Percy?”
and vague. Holmes stopped over them for an in- “He will come to London with us.”
stant, and then rose shrugging his shoulders. “And am I to remain here?”
“I don’t think any one could make much of “It is for his sake. You can serve him. Quick!
this,” said he. “Let us go round the house and see Promise!”
why this particular room was chose by the burglar. She gave a quick nod of assent just as the other
I should have thought those larger windows of the two came up.
drawing-room and dining-room would have had “Why do you sit moping there, Annie?” cried
more attractions for him.” her brother. “Come out into the sunshine!”

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 The Naval Treaty

“No, thank you, Joseph. I have a slight “But how about our investigation in London?”
headache and this room is deliciously cool and asked Phelps, ruefully.
soothing.” “We can do that to-morrow. I think that just at
“What do you propose now, Mr. Holmes?” present I can be of more immediate use here.”
asked our client. “You might tell them at Briarbrae that I hope
“Well, in investigating this minor affair we to be back to-morrow night,” cried Phelps, as we
must not lose sight of our main inquiry. It would began to move from the platform.
be a very great help to me if you would come up “I hardly expect to go back to Briarbrae,” an-
to London with us.” swered Holmes, and waved his hand to us cheerily
as we shot out from the station.
“At once?”
Phelps and I talked it over on our journey, but
“Well, as soon as you conveniently can. Say in neither of us could devise a satisfactory reason for
an hour.” this new development.
“I feel quite strong enough, if I can really be of “I suppose he wants to find out some clue as
any help.” to the burglary last night, if a burglar it was. For
“The greatest possible.” myself, I don’t believe it was an ordinary thief.”
“What is your own idea, then?”
“Perhaps you would like me to stay there to-
night?” “Upon my word, you may put it down to my
weak nerves or not, but I believe there is some
“I was just going to propose it.” deep political intrigue going on around me, and
“Then, if my friend of the night comes to revisit that for some reason that passes my understanding
me, he will find the bird flown. We are all in your my life is aimed at by the conspirators. It sounds
hands, Mr. Holmes, and you must tell us exactly high-flown and absurd, but consider the fats! Why
what you would like done. Perhaps you would should a thief try to break in at a bedroom win-
prefer that Joseph came with us so as to look after dow, where there could be no hope of any plunder,
me?” and why should he come with a long knife in his
“Oh, no; my friend Watson is a medical man, hand?”
you know, and he’ll look after you. We’ll have our “You are sure it was not a house-breaker’s
lunch here, if you will permit us, and then we shall jimmy?”
all three set off for town together.” “Oh, no, it was a knife. I saw the flash of the
It was arranged as he suggested, though Miss blade quite distinctly.”
Harrison excused herself from leaving the bed- “But why on earth should you be pursued with
room, in accordance with Holmes’s suggestion. such animosity?”
What the object of my friend’s manoeuvres was I “Ah, that is the question.”
could not conceive, unless it were to keep the lady “Well, if Holmes takes the same view, that
away from Phelps, who, rejoiced by his return- would account for his action, would it not? Pre-
ing health and by the prospect of action, lunched suming that your theory is correct, if he can lay
with us in the dining-room. Holmes had still more his hands upon the man who threatened you last
startling surprise for us, however, for, after accom- night he will have gone a long way towards finding
panying us down to the station and seeing us into who took the naval treaty. It is absurd to suppose
our carriage, he calmly announced that he had no that you have two enemies, one of whom robs you,
intention of leaving Woking. while the other threatens your life.”
“There are one or two small points which I “But Holmes said that he was not going to Bri-
should desire to clear up before I go,” said he. arbrae.”
“Your absence, Mr. Phelps, will in some ways “I have known him for some time,” said I,
rather assist me. Watson, when you reach London “but I never knew him do anything yet without a
you would oblige me by driving at once to Baker very good reason,” and with that our conversation
Street with our friend here, and remaining with drifted off on to other topics.
him until I see you again. It is fortunate that you But it was a weary day for me. Phelps was
are old school-fellows, as you must have much to still weak after his long illness, and his misfortune
talk over. Mr. Phelps can have the spare bedroom made him querulous and nervous. In vain I en-
to-night, and I will be with you in time for break- deavored to interest him in Afghanistan, in India,
fast, for there is a train which will take me into in social questions, in anything which might take
Waterloo at eight.” his mind out of the groove. He would always come

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back to his lost treaty, wondering, guessing, spec- got out of it. Standing in the window we saw that
ulating, as to what Holmes was doing, what steps his left hand was swathed in a bandage and that
Lord Holdhurst was taking, what news we should his face was very grim and pale. He entered the
have in the morning. As the evening wore on his house, but it was some little time before he came
excitement became quite painful. upstairs.
“You have implicit faith in Holmes?” he asked. “He looks like a beaten man,” cried Phelps.
“I have seen him do some remarkable things.” I was forced to confess that he was right. “Af-
ter all,” said I, “the clue of the matter lies probably
“But he never brought light into anything quite
here in town.”
so dark as this?”
Phelps gave a groan.
“Oh, yes, I have known him solve questions
“I don’t know how it is,” said he, “but I had
which presented fewer clues than yours.”
hoped for so much from his return. But surely his
“But not where such large interests are at hand was not tied up like that yesterday. What can
stake?” be the matter?”
“I don’t know that. To my certain knowledge “You are not wounded, Holmes?” I asked, as
he has acted on behalf of three of the reigning my friend entered the room.
houses of Europe in very vital matters.” “Tut, it is only a scratch through my own clum-
“But you know him well, Watson. He is such siness,” he answered, nodding his good-mornings
an inscrutable fellow that I never quite know what to us. “This case of yours, Mr. Phelps, is certainly
to make of him. Do you think he is hopeful? Do one of the darkest which I have ever investigated.”
you think he expects to make a success of it?” “I feared that you would find it beyond you.”
“He has said nothing.” “It has been a most remarkable experience.”
“That is a bad sign.” “That bandage tells of adventures,” said I.
“On the contrary, I have noticed that when he “Won’t you tell us what has happened?”
is off the trail he generally says so. It is when he is “After breakfast, my dear Watson. Remember
on a scent and is not quite absolutely sure yet that that I have breathed thirty miles of Surrey air this
it is the right one that he is most taciturn. Now, morning. I suppose that there has been no answer
my dear fellow, we can’t help matters by making from my cabman advertisement? Well, well, we
ourselves nervous about them, so let me implore cannot expect to score every time.”
you to go to bed and so be fresh for whatever may The table was all laid, and just as I was about to
await us to-morrow.” ring Mrs. Hudson entered with the tea and coffee.
I was able at last to persuade my companion A few minutes later she brought in three covers,
to take my advice, though I knew from his excited and we all drew up to the table, Holmes ravenous,
manner that there was not much hope of sleep for I curious, and Phelps in the gloomiest state of de-
him. Indeed, his mood was infectious, for I lay pression.
tossing half the night myself, brooding over this “Mrs. Hudson has risen to the occasion,” said
strange problem, and inventing a hundred theo- Holmes, uncovering a dish of curried chicken.
ries, each of which was more impossible than the “Her cuisine is a little limited, but she has as good
last. Why had Holmes remained at Woking? Why an idea of breakfast as a Scotch-woman. What
had he asked Miss Harrison to remain in the sick- have you here, Watson?”
room all day? Why had he been so careful not to “Ham and eggs,” I answered.
inform the people at Briarbrae that he intended to “Good! What are you going to take, Mr.
remain near them? I cudgelled my brains until I Phelps—curried fowl or eggs, or will you help
fell asleep in the endeavor to find some explana- yourself?”
tion which would cover all these facts. “Thank you. I can eat nothing,” said Phelps.
It was seven o’clock when I awoke, and I set “Oh, come! Try the dish before you.”
off at once for Phelps’s room, to find him haggard “Thank you, I would really rather not.”
and spent after a sleepless night. His first question “Well, then,” said Holmes, with a mischievous
was whether Holmes had arrived yet. twinkle, “I suppose that you have no objection to
“He’ll be here when he promised,” said I, “and helping me?”
not an instant sooner or later.” Phelps raised the cover, and as he did so he ut-
And my words were true, for shortly after eight tered a scream, and sat there staring with a face as
a hansom dashed up to the door and our friend white as the plate upon which he looked. Across

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 The Naval Treaty

the centre of it was lying a little cylinder of blue- “The blind was not down in your room, and I
gray paper. He caught it up, devoured it with could see Miss Harrison sitting there reading by
his eyes, and then danced madly about the room, the table. It was quarter-past ten when she closed
passing it to his bosom and shrieking out in his de- her book, fastened the shutters, and retired.
light. Then he fell back into an arm-chair so limp
“I heard her shut the door, and felt quite sure
and exhausted with his own emotions that we had
that she had turned the key in the lock.”
to pour brandy down his throat to keep him from
fainting. “The key!” ejaculated Phelps.
“There! there!” said Holmes, soothing, patting “Yes, I had given Miss Harrison instructions to
him upon the shoulder. “It was too bad to spring lock the door on the outside and take the key with
it on you like this, but Watson here will tell you her when she went to bed. She carried out every
that I never can resist a touch of the dramatic.” one of my injunctions to the letter, and certainly
Phelps seized his hand and kissed it. “God without her cooperation you would not have that
bless you!” he cried. “You have saved my honor.” paper in you coat-pocket. She departed then and
“Well, my own was at stake, you know,” said the lights went out, and I was left squatting in the
Holmes. “I assure you it is just as hateful to me to rhododendron-bush.
fail in a case as it can be to you to blunder over a “The night was fine, but still it was a very
commission.” weary vigil. Of course it has the sort of excite-
Phelps thrust away the precious document into ment about it that the sportsman feels when he
the innermost pocket of his coat. lies beside the water-course and waits for the big
“I have not the heart to interrupt your breakfast game. It was very long, though—almost as long,
any further, and yet I am dying to know how you Watson, as when you and I waited in that deadly
got it and where it was.” room when we looked into the little problem of the
Speckled Band. There was a church-clock down at
Sherlock Holmes swallowed a cup of coffee,
Woking which struck the quarters, and I thought
and turned his attention to the ham and eggs.
more than once that it had stopped. At last how-
Then he rose, lit his pipe, and settled himself down
ever about two in the morning, I suddenly heard
into his chair.
the gentle sound of a bolt being pushed back and
“I’ll tell you what I did first, and how I came the creaking of a key. A moment later the ser-
to do it afterwards,” said he. “After leaving you vant’s door was opened, and Mr. Joseph Harrison
at the station I went for a charming walk through stepped out into the moonlight.”
some admirable Surrey scenery to a pretty little
village called Ripley, where I had my tea at an inn, “Joseph!” ejaculated Phelps.
and took the precaution of filling my flask and of “He was bare-headed, but he had a black coat
putting a paper of sandwiches in my pocket. There thrown over his shoulder so that he could conceal
I remained until evening, when I set off for Woking his face in an instant if there were any alarm. He
again, and found myself in the high-road outside walked on tiptoe under the shadow of the wall,
Briarbrae just after sunset. and when he reached the window he worked a
“Well, I waited until the road was clear—it long-bladed knife through the sash and pushed
is never a very frequented one at any time, I back the catch. Then he flung open the window,
fancy—and then I clambered over the fence into and putting his knife through the crack in the shut-
the grounds.” ters, he thrust the bar up and swung them open.
“Surely the gate was open!” ejaculated Phelps. “From where I lay I had a perfect view of the
“Yes, but I have a peculiar taste in these mat- inside of the room and of every one of his move-
ters. I chose the place where the three fir-trees ments. He lit the two candles which stood upon
stand, and behind their screen I got over with- the mantelpiece, and then he proceeded to turn
out the least chance of any one in the house be- back the corner of the carpet in the neighborhood
ing able to see me. I crouched down among of the door. Presently he stopped and picked out a
the bushes on the other side, and crawled from square piece of board, such as is usually left to
one to the other—witness the disreputable state of enable plumbers to get at the joints of the gas-
my trouser knees—until I had reached the clump pipes. This one covered, as a matter of fact, the
of rhododendrons just opposite to your bedroom T joint which gives off the pipe which supplies
window. There I squatted down and awaited de- the kitchen underneath. Out of this hiding-place
velopments. he drew that little cylinder of paper, pushed down

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 The Naval Treaty

the board, rearranged the carpet, blew out the can- out when you arrived with the doctor—my suspi-
dles, and walked straight into my arms as I stood cions all changed to certainties, especially as the
waiting for him outside the window. attempt was made on the first night upon which
“Well, he has rather more viciousness than I the nurse was absent, showing that the intruder
gave him credit for, has Master Joseph. He flew at was well acquainted with the ways of the house.”
me with his knife, and I had to grasp him twice, “How blind I have been!”
and got a cut over the knuckles, before I had the
upper hand of him. He looked murder out of the “The facts of the case, as far as I have worked
only eye he could see with when we had finished, them out, are these: this Joseph Harrison entered
but he listened to reason and gave up the papers. the office through the Charles Street door, and
Having got them I let my man go, but I wired full knowing his way he walked straight into your
particulars to Forbes this morning. If he is quick room the instant after you left it. Finding no one
enough to catch is bird, well and good. But if, as there he promptly rang the bell, and at the instant
I shrewdly suspect, he finds the nest empty before that he did so his eyes caught the paper upon the
he gets there, why, all the better for the govern- table. A glance showed him that chance had put in
ment. I fancy that Lord Holdhurst for one, and Mr. his way a State document of immense value, and
Percy Phelps for another, would very much rather in an instant he had thrust it into his pocket and
that the affair never got as far as a police-court. was gone. A few minutes elapsed, as you remem-
“My God!” gasped our client. “Do you tell ber, before the sleepy commissionaire drew your
me that during these long ten weeks of agony the attention to the bell, and those were just enough to
stolen papers were within the very room with me give the thief time to make his escape.
all the time?” “He made his way to Woking by the first train,
“So it was.” and having examined his booty and assured him-
“And Joseph! Joseph a villain and a thief!” self that it really was of immense value, he had
concealed it in what he thought was a very safe
“Hum! I am afraid Joseph’s character is a place, with the intention of taking it out again in a
rather deeper and more dangerous one than one day or two, and carrying it to the French embassy,
might judge from his appearance. From what I or wherever he thought that a long price was to
have heard from him this morning, I gather that he be had. Then came your sudden return. He, with-
has lost heavily in dabbling with stocks, and that out a moment’s warning, was bundled out of his
he is ready to do anything on earth to better his room, and from that time onward there were al-
fortunes. Being an absolutely selfish man, when a ways at least two of you there to prevent him from
chance presented itself he did not allow either his regaining his treasure. The situation to him must
sister’s happiness or your reputation to hold his have been a maddening one. But at last he thought
hand.” he saw his chance. He tried to steal in, but was baf-
Percy Phelps sank back in his chair. “My head fled by your wakefulness. You remember that you
whirls,” said he. “Your words have dazed me.” did not take your usual draught that night.”
“The principal difficulty in your case,” re- “I remember.”
marked Holmes, in his didactic fashion, “lay in
the fact of there being too much evidence. What “I fancy that he had taken steps to make that
was vital was overlaid and hidden by what was draught efficacious, and that he quite relied upon
irrelevant. Of all the facts which were presented your being unconscious. Of course, I understood
to us we had to pick just those which we deemed that he would repeat the attempt whenever it
to be essential, and then piece them together in could be done with safety. Your leaving the room
their order, so as to reconstruct this very remark- gave him the chance he wanted. I kept Miss Har-
able chain of events. I had already begun to sus- rison in it all day so that he might not anticipate
pect Joseph, from the fact that you had intended us. Then, having given him the idea that the coast
to travel home with him that night, and that there- was clear, I kept guard as I have described. I al-
fore it was a likely enough thing that he should call ready knew that the papers were probably in the
for you, knowing the Foreign Office well, upon his room, but I had no desire to rip up all the planking
way. When I heard that some one had been so anx- and skirting in search of them. I let him take them,
ious to get into the bedroom, in which no one but therefore, from the hiding-place, and so saved my-
Joseph could have concealed anything—you told self an infinity of trouble. Is there any other point
us in your narrative how you had turned Joseph which I can make clear?”

401
 “Why did he try the window on the first oc- any murderous intention? The knife was only
casion,” I asked, “when he might have entered by meant as a tool.”
the door?”
“In reaching the door he would have to pass “It may be so,” answered Holmes, shrugging
seven bedrooms. On the other hand, he could get his shoulders. “I can only say for certain that Mr.
out on to the lawn with ease. Anything else?” Joseph Harrison is a gentleman to whose mercy I
“You do not think,” asked Phelps, “that he had should be extremely unwilling to trust.”
The Final Problem
I
The Final Problem

t is with a heavy heart that I take up freely,” he remarked, in answer to my look rather
my pen to write these the last words than to my words; “I have been a little pressed of
in which I shall ever record the singu- late. Have you any objection to my closing your
lar gifts by which my friend Mr. Sher- shutters?”
lock Holmes was distinguished. In an incoher- The only light in the room came from the
ent and, as I deeply feel, an entirely inadequate lamp upon the table at which I had been reading.
fashion, I have endeavored to give some account Holmes edged his way round the wall and flinging
of my strange experiences in his company from the shutters together, he bolted them securely.
the chance which first brought us together at the “You are afraid of something?” I asked.
period of the “Study in Scarlet,” up to the time
“Well, I am.”
of his interference in the matter of the “Naval
Treaty”—an interference which had the unques- “Of what?”
tionable effect of preventing a serious international “Of air-guns.”
complication. It was my intention to have stopped “My dear Holmes, what do you mean?”
there, and to have said nothing of that event which “I think that you know me well enough, Wat-
has created a void in my life which the lapse of son, to understand that I am by no means a ner-
two years has done little to fill. My hand has vous man. At the same time, it is stupidity rather
been forced, however, by the recent letters in which than courage to refuse to recognize danger when
Colonel James Moriarty defends the memory of his it is close upon you. Might I trouble you for a
brother, and I have no choice but to lay the facts match?” He drew in the smoke of his cigarette as
before the public exactly as they occurred. I alone if the soothing influence was grateful to him.
know the absolute truth of the matter, and I am “I must apologize for calling so late,” said he,
satisfied that the time has come when no good pur- “and I must further beg you to be so unconven-
pose is to be served by its suppression. As far as tional as to allow me to leave your house presently
I know, there have been only three accounts in the by scrambling over your back garden wall.”
public press: that in the Journal de Genève on May
“But what does it all mean?” I asked.
6th, 1891, the Reuter’s despatch in the English pa-
pers on May 7th, and finally the recent letters to He held out his hand, and I saw in the light of
which I have alluded. Of these the first and sec- the lamp that two of his knuckles were burst and
ond were extremely condensed, while the last is, bleeding.
as I shall now show, an absolute perversion of the “It is not an airy nothing, you see,” said he,
facts. It lies with me to tell for the first time what smiling. “On the contrary, it is solid enough for a
really took place between Professor Moriarty and man to break his hand over. Is Mrs. Watson in?”
Mr. Sherlock Holmes. “She is away upon a visit.”
It may be remembered that after my marriage, “Indeed! You are alone?”
and my subsequent start in private practice, the “Quite.”
very intimate relations which had existed between “Then it makes it the easier for me to propose
Holmes and myself became to some extent modi- that you should come away with me for a week to
fied. He still came to me from time to time when the Continent.”
he desired a companion in his investigation, but
“Where?”
these occasions grew more and more seldom, un-
til I find that in the year 1890 there were only “Oh, anywhere. It’s all the same to me.”
three cases of which I retain any record. Dur- There was something very strange in all this. It
ing the winter of that year and the early spring was not Holmes’s nature to take an aimless holi-
of 1891, I saw in the papers that he had been day, and something about his pale, worn face told
engaged by the French government upon a mat- me that his nerves were at their highest tension.
ter of supreme importance, and I received two He saw the question in my eyes, and, putting his
notes from Holmes, dated from Narbonne and finger-tips together and his elbows upon his knees,
from Nimes, from which I gathered that his stay he explained the situation.
in France was likely to be a long one. It was with “You have probably never heard of Professor
some surprise, therefore, that I saw him walk into Moriarty?” said he.
my consulting-room upon the evening of April “Never.”
24th. It struck me that he was looking even paler “Aye, there’s the genius and the wonder of the
and thinner than usual. thing!” he cried. “The man pervades London, and
“Yes, I have been using myself up rather too no one has heard of him. That’s what puts him

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 The Final Problem

on a pinnacle in the records of crime. I tell you, that is undetected in this great city. He is a genius,
Watson, in all seriousness, that if I could beat that a philosopher, an abstract thinker. He has a brain
man, if I could free society of him, I should feel of the first order. He sits motionless, like a spider
that my own career had reached its summit, and in the center of its web, but that web has a thou-
I should be prepared to turn to some more placid sand radiations, and he knows well every quiver
line in life. Between ourselves, the recent cases in of each of them. He does little himself. He only
which I have been of assistance to the royal family plans. But his agents are numerous and splen-
of Scandinavia, and to the French republic, have didly organized. Is there a crime to be done, a
left me in such a position that I could continue to paper to be abstracted, we will say, a house to be
live in the quiet fashion which is most congenial rifled, a man to be removed—the word is passed
to me, and to concentrate my attention upon my to the Professor, the matter is organized and car-
chemical researches. But I could not rest, Watson, ried out. The agent may be caught. In that case
I could not sit quiet in my chair, if I thought that money is found for his bail or his defence. But
such a man as Professor Moriarty were walking the central power which uses the agent is never
the streets of London unchallenged.” caught—never so much as suspected. This was the
“What has he done, then?” organization which I deduced, Watson, and which
I devoted my whole energy to exposing and break-
“His career has been an extraordinary one. He ing up.
is a man of good birth and excellent education, en-
“But the Professor was fenced round with
dowed by nature with a phenomenal mathematical
safeguards so cunningly devised that, do what I
faculty. At the age of twenty-one he wrote a trea-
would, it seemed impossible to get evidence which
tise upon the Binomial Theorem, which has had
would convict in a court of law. You know my
a European vogue. On the strength of it he won
powers, my dear Watson, and yet at the end of
the Mathematical Chair at one of our smaller uni-
three months I was forced to confess that I had
versities, and had, to all appearance, a most bril-
at last met an antagonist who was my intellec-
liant career before him. But the man had hered-
tual equal. My horror at his crimes was lost in
itary tendencies of the most diabolical kind. A
my admiration at his skill. But at last he made a
criminal strain ran in his blood, which, instead of
trip—only a little, little trip—but it was more than
being modified, was increased and rendered in-
he could afford when I was so close upon him.
finitely more dangerous by his extraordinary men-
I had my chance, and, starting from that point, I
tal powers. Dark rumors gathered round him in
have woven my net round him until now it is all
the university town, and eventually he was com-
ready to close. In three days—that is to say, on
pelled to resign his chair and to come down to
Monday next—matters will be ripe, and the Pro-
London, where he set up as an army coach. So
fessor, with all the principal members of his gang,
much is known to the world, but what I am telling
will be in the hands of the police. Then will come
you now is what I have myself discovered.
the greatest criminal trial of the century, the clear-
“As you are aware, Watson, there is no one ing up of over forty mysteries, and the rope for all
who knows the higher criminal world of London of them; but if we move at all prematurely, you un-
so well as I do. For years past I have continually derstand, they may slip out of our hands even at
been conscious of some power behind the male- the last moment.
factor, some deep organizing power which forever “Now, if I could have done this without the
stands in the way of the law, and throws its shield knowledge of Professor Moriarty, all would have
over the wrong-doer. Again and again in cases of been well. But he was too wily for that. He saw
the most varying sorts—forgery cases, robberies, every step which I took to draw my toils round
murders—I have felt the presence of this force, and him. Again and again he strove to break away, but
I have deduced its action in many of those undis- I as often headed him off. I tell you, my friend, that
covered crimes in which I have not been personally if a detailed account of that silent contest could be
consulted. For years I have endeavored to break written, it would take its place as the most brilliant
through the veil which shrouded it, and at last bit of thrust-and-parry work in the history of de-
the time came when I seized my thread and fol- tection. Never have I risen to such a height, and
lowed it, until it led me, after a thousand cunning never have I been so hard pressed by an opponent.
windings, to ex-Professor Moriarty of mathemati- He cut deep, and yet I just undercut him. This
cal celebrity. morning the last steps were taken, and three days
“He is the Napoleon of crime, Watson. He is only were wanted to complete the business. I was
the organizer of half that is evil and of nearly all sitting in my room thinking the matter over, when

406
 The Final Problem

the door opened and Professor Moriarty stood be- “ ‘Have you any suggestion to make?’ I asked.
fore me. “ ‘You must drop it, Mr. Holmes,’ said he,
“My nerves are fairly proof, Watson, but I must swaying his face about. ‘You really must, you
confess to a start when I saw the very man who know.’
had been so much in my thoughts standing there “ ‘After Monday,’ said I.
on my threshold. His appearance was quite famil-
iar to me. He is extremely tall and thin, his fore- “ ‘Tut, tut,’ said he. ‘I am quite sure that a man
head domes out in a white curve, and his two eyes of your intelligence will see that there can be but
are deeply sunken in his head. He is clean-shaven, one outcome to this affair. It is necessary that you
pale, and ascetic-looking, retaining something of should withdraw. You have worked things in such
the professor in his features. His shoulders are a fashion that we have only one resource left. It
rounded from much study, and his face protrudes has been an intellectual treat to me to see the way
forward, and is forever slowly oscillating from side in which you have grappled with this affair, and I
to side in a curiously reptilian fashion. He peered say, unaffectedly, that it would be a grief to me to
at me with great curiosity in his puckered eyes. be forced to take any extreme measure. You smile,
sir, abut I assure you that it really would.’
“ ‘You have less frontal development that I
should have expected,’ said he, at last. ‘It is a “ ‘Danger is part of my trade,’ I remarked.
dangerous habit to finger loaded firearms in the “ ‘That is not danger,’ said he. ‘It is inevitable
pocket of one’s dressing-gown.’ destruction. You stand in the way not merely of
“The fact is that upon his entrance I had in- an individual, but of a mighty organization, the
stantly recognized the extreme personal danger full extent of which you, with all your cleverness,
in which I lay. The only conceivable escape for have been unable to realize. You must stand clear,
him lay in silencing my tongue. In an instant I Mr. Holmes, or be trodden under foot.’
had slipped the revolver from the drawer into my “ ‘I am afraid,’ said I, rising, ‘that in the plea-
pocket, and was covering him through the cloth. sure of this conversation I am neglecting business
At his remark I drew the weapon out and laid of importance which awaits me elsewhere.’
it cocked upon the table. He still smiled and “He rose also and looked at me in silence, shak-
blinked, but there was something about his eyes ing his head sadly.
which made me feel very glad that I had it there.
“ ‘Well, well,’ said he, at last. ‘It seems a pity,
“ ‘You evidently don’t now me,’ said he. but I have done what I could. I know every move
“ ‘On the contrary,’ I answered, ‘I think it is of your game. You can do nothing before Mon-
fairly evident that I do. Pray take a chair. I can day. It has been a duel between you and me, Mr.
spare you five minutes if you have anything to say.’ Holmes. You hope to place me in the dock. I tell
“ ‘All that I have to say has already crossed you that I will never stand in the dock. You hope
your mind,’ said he. to beat me. I tell you that you will never beat me.
If you are clever enough to bring destruction upon
“ ‘Then possibly my answer has crossed yours,’ me, rest assured that I shall do as much to you.’
I replied.
“ ‘You have paid me several compliments, Mr.
“ ‘You stand fast?’ Moriarty,’ said I. ‘Let me pay you one in return
“ ‘Absolutely.’ when I say that if I were assured of the former
“He clapped his hand into his pocket, and I eventuality I would, in the interests of the public,
raised the pistol from the table. But he merely cheerfully accept the latter.’
drew out a memorandum-book in which he had “ ‘I can promise you the one, but not the other,’
scribbled some dates. he snarled, and so turned his rounded back upon
“ ‘You crossed my patch on the 4th of January,’ me, and went peering and blinking out of the
said he. ‘On the 23d you incommoded me; by room.
the middle of February I was seriously inconve- “That was my singular interview with Profes-
nienced by you; at the end of March I was ab- sor Moriarty. I confess that it left an unpleasant
solutely hampered in my plans; and now, at the effect upon my mind. His soft, precise fashion
close of April, I find myself placed in such a posi- of speech leaves a conviction of sincerity which
tion through your continual persecution that I am a mere bully could not produce. Of course, you
in positive danger of losing my liberty. The situa- will say: ‘Why not take police precautions against
tion is becoming an impossible one.’ him?’ the reason is that I am well convinced that

407
 The Final Problem

it is from his agents the blow will fall. I have the “The practice is quiet,” said I, “and I have an
best proofs that it would be so.” accommodating neighbor. I should be glad to
come.”
“You have already been assaulted?”
“And to start to-morrow morning?”
“My dear Watson, Professor Moriarty is not a “If necessary.”
man who lets the grass grow under his feet. I
went out about mid-day to transact some business “Oh yes, it is most necessary. Then these are
in Oxford Street. As I passed the corner which your instructions, and I beg, my dear Watson, that
leads from Bentinck Street on to the Welbeck Street you will obey them to the letter, for you are now
crossing a two-horse van furiously driven whizzed playing a double-handed game with me against
round and was on me like a flash. I sprang for the the cleverest rogue and the most powerful syndi-
foot-path and saved myself by the fraction of a sec- cate of criminals in Europe. Now listen! You will
ond. The van dashed round by Marylebone Lane dispatch whatever luggage you intend to take by a
and was gone in an instant. I kept to the pave- trusty messenger unaddressed to Victoria to-night.
ment after that, Watson, but as I walked down Vere In the morning you will send for a hansom, de-
Street a brick came down from the roof of one of siring your man to take neither the first nor the
the houses, and was shattered to fragments at my second which may present itself. Into this hansom
feet. I called the police and had the place exam- you will jump, and you will drive to the Strand
ined. There were slates and bricks piled up on the end of the Lowther Arcade, handling the address
roof preparatory to some repairs, and they would to the cabman upon a slip of paper, with a request
have me believe that the wind had toppled over that he will not throw it away. Have your fare
one of these. Of course I knew better, but I could ready, and the instant that your cab stops, dash
prove nothing. I took a cab after that and reached through the Arcade, timing yourself to reach the
my brother’s rooms in Pall Mall, where I spent the other side at a quarter-past nine. You will find a
day. Now I have come round to you, and on my small brougham waiting close to the curb, driven
way I was attacked by a rough with a bludgeon. by a fellow with a heavy black cloak tipped at the
I knocked him down, and the police have him in collar with red. Into this you will step, and you
custody; but I can tell you with the most absolute will reach Victoria in time for the Continental ex-
confidence that no possible connection will ever be press.”
traced between the gentleman upon whose front “Where shall I meet you?”
teeth I have barked my knuckles and the retiring
“At the station. The second first-class carriage
mathematical coach, who is, I dare say, working
from the front will be reserved for us.”
out problems upon a black-board ten miles away.
You will not wonder, Watson, that my first act on “The carriage is our rendezvous, then?”
entering your rooms was to close your shutters, “Yes.”
and that I have been compelled to ask your permis-
sion to leave the house by some less conspicuous It was in vain that I asked Holmes to remain for
exit than the front door.” the evening. It was evident to me that he thought
he might bring trouble to the roof he was under,
I had often admired my friend’s courage, but and that that was the motive which impelled him
never more than now, as he sat quietly checking off to go. With a few hurried words as to our plans for
a series of incidents which must have combined to the morrow he rose and came out with me into the
make up a day of horror. garden, clambering over the wall which leads into
Mortimer Street, and immediately whistling for a
“You will spend the night here?” I said. hansom, in which I heard him drive away.
“No, my friend, you might find me a danger- In the morning I obeyed Holmes’s injunctions
ous guest. I have my plans laid, and all will be to the letter. A hansom was procured with such
well. Matters have gone so far now that they can precaution as would prevent its being one which
move without my help as far as the arrest goes, was placed ready for us, and I drove immediately
though my presence is necessary for a conviction. after breakfast to the Lowther Arcade, through
It is obvious, therefore, that I cannot do better than which I hurried at the top of my speed. A
get away for the few days which remain before the brougham was waiting with a very massive driver
police are at liberty to act. It would be a great plea- wrapped in a dark cloak, who, the instant that I
sure to me, therefore, if you could come on to the had stepped in, whipped up the horse and rattled
Continent with me.” off to Victoria Station. On my alighting there he

408
 The Final Problem

turned the carriage, and dashed away again with- and throwing off the black cassock and hat which
out so much as a look in my direction. had formed his disguise, he packed them away in
So far all had gone admirably. My luggage was a hand-bag.
waiting for me, and I had no difficulty in find- “Have you seen the morning paper, Watson?”
ing the carriage which Holmes had indicated, the “No.”
less so as it was the only one in the train which “You haven’t seen about Baker Street, then?”
was marked “Engaged.” My only source of anxi- “Baker Street?”
ety now was the non-appearance of Holmes. The “They set fire to our rooms last night. No great
station clock marked only seven minutes from the harm was done.”
time when we were due to start. In vain I searched
“Good heavens, Holmes, this is intolerable!”
among the groups of travellers and leave-takers for
the lithe figure of my friend. There was no sign of “They must have lost my track completely after
him. I spent a few minutes in assisting a venera- their bludgeon-man was arrested. Otherwise they
ble Italian priest, who was endeavoring to make a could not have imagined that I had returned to my
porter understand, in his broken English, that his rooms. They have evidently taken the precaution
luggage was to be booked through to Paris. Then, of watching you, however, and that is what has
having taken another look round, I returned to my brought Moriarty to Victoria. You could not have
carriage, where I found that the porter, in spite of made any slip in coming?”
the ticket, had given me my decrepit Italian friend “I did exactly what you advised.”
as a traveling companion. It was useless for me to “Did you find your brougham?”
explain to him that his presence was an intrusion, “Yes, it was waiting.”
for my Italian was even more limited than his En- “Did you recognize your coachman?”
glish, so I shrugged my shoulders resignedly, and “No.”
continued to look out anxiously for my friend. A
“It was my brother Mycroft. It is an advantage
chill of fear had come over me, as I thought that
to get about in such a case without taking a merce-
his absence might mean that some blow had fallen
nary into your confidence. But we must plan what
during the night. Already the doors had all been
we are to do about Moriarty now.”
shut and the whistle blown, when—
“As this is an express, and as the boat runs in
“My dear Watson,” said a voice, “you have not connection with it, I should think we have shaken
even condescended to say good-morning.” him off very effectively.”
I turned in uncontrollable astonishment. The “My dear Watson, you evidently did not real-
aged ecclesiastic had turned his face towards me. ize my meaning when I said that this man may be
For an instant the wrinkles were smoothed away, taken as being quite on the same intellectual plane
the nose drew away from the chin, the lower lip as myself. You do not imagine that if I were the
ceased to protrude and the mouth to mumble, the pursuer I should allow myself to be baffled by so
dull eyes regained their fire, the drooping figure slight an obstacle. Why, then, should you think so
expanded. The next the whole frame collapsed meanly of him?”
again, and Holmes had gone as quickly as he had “What will he do?”
come. “What I should do?”
“Good heavens!” I cried; “how you startled “What would you do, then?”
me!” “Engage a special.”
“Every precaution is still necessary,” he whis- “But it must be late.”
pered. “I have reason to think that they are hot “By no means. This train stops at Canterbury;
upon our trail. Ah, there is Moriarty himself.” and there is always at least a quarter of an hour’s
The train had already begun to move as delay at the boat. He will catch us there.”
Holmes spoke. Glancing back, I saw a tall man “One would think that we were the criminals.
pushing his way furiously through the crowd, and Let us have him arrested on his arrival.”
waving his hand as if he desired to have the train “It would be to ruin the work of three months.
stopped. It was too late, however, for we were We should get the big fish, but the smaller would
rapidly gathering momentum, and an instant later dart right and left out of the net. On Monday we
had shot clear of the station. should have them all. No, an arrest is inadmissi-
“With all our precautions, you see that we have ble.”
cut it rather fine,” said Holmes, laughing. He rose, “What then?”

409
 The Final Problem

“We shall get out at Canterbury.” one to cope with him. But I did think that I had
“And then?” put the game in their hands. I think that you had
better return to England, Watson.”
“Well, then we must make a cross-country jour-
ney to Newhaven, and so over to Dieppe. Moriarty “Why?”
will again do what I should do. He will get on to “Because you will find me a dangerous com-
Paris, mark down our luggage, and wait for two panion now. This man’s occupation is gone. He is
days at the depot. In the meantime we shall treat lost if he returns to London. If I read his character
ourselves to a couple of carpet-bags, encourage right he will devote his whole energies to reveng-
the manufactures of the countries through which ing himself upon me. He said as much in our short
we travel, and make our way at our leisure into interview, and I fancy that he meant it. I should
Switzerland, via Luxembourg and Basle.” certainly recommend you to return to your prac-
At Canterbury, therefore, we alighted, only to tice.”
find that we should have to wait an hour before we
It was hardly an appeal to be successful with
could get a train to Newhaven.
one who was an old campaigner as well as an old
I was still looking rather ruefully after the friend. We sat in the Strasbourg salle-à-manger ar-
rapidly disappearing luggage-van which con- guing the question for half an hour, but the same
tained my wardrobe, when Holmes pulled my night we had resumed our journey and were well
sleeve and pointed up the line. on our way to Geneva.
“Already, you see,” said he. For a charming week we wandered up the Val-
Far away, from among the Kentish woods there ley of the Rhone, and then, branching off at Leuk,
rose a thin spray of smoke. A minute later a car- we made our way over the Gemmi Pass, still deep
riage and engine could be seen flying along the in snow, and so, by way of Interlaken, to Meirin-
open curve which leads to the station. We had gen. It was a lovely trip, the dainty green of the
hardly time to take our place behind a pile of lug- spring below, the virgin white of the winter above;
gage when it passed with a rattle and a roar, beat- but it was clear to me that never for one instant
ing a blast of hot air into our faces. did Holmes forget the shadow which lay across
“There he goes,” said Holmes, as we watched him. In the homely Alpine villages or in the lonely
the carriage swing and rock over the point. “There mountain passes, I could tell by his quick glanc-
are limits, you see, to our friend’s intelligence. It ing eyes and his sharp scrutiny of every face that
would have been a coup-de-maı̂tre had he deduced passed us, that he was well convinced that, walk
what I would deduce and acted accordingly.” where we would, we could not walk ourselves
clear of the danger which was dogging our foot-
“And what would he have done had he over-
steps.
taken us?”
“There cannot be the least doubt that he would Once, I remember, as we passed over the
have made a murderous attack upon me. It is, Gemmi, and walked along the border of the
however, a game at which two may play. The ques- melancholy Daubensee, a large rock which had
tion, now is whether we should take a premature been dislodged from the ridge upon our right clat-
lunch here, or run our chance of starving before tered down and roared into the lake behind us. In
we reach the buffet at Newhaven.” an instant Holmes had raced up on to the ridge,
and, standing upon a lofty pinnacle, craned his
We made our way to Brussels that night and neck in every direction. It was in vain that our
spent two days there, moving on upon the third guide assured him that a fall of stones was a com-
day as far as Strasburg. On the Monday morning mon chance in the spring-time at that spot. He
Holmes had telegraphed to the London police, and said nothing, but he smiled at me with the air of a
in the evening we found a reply waiting for us at man who sees the fulfillment of that which he had
our hotel. Holmes tore it open, and then with a expected.
bitter curse hurled it into the grate.
And yet for all his watchfulness he was never
“I might have known it!” he groaned. “He has
depressed. On the contrary, I can never recollect
escaped!”
having seen him in such exuberant spirits. Again
“Moriarty?” and again he recurred to the fact that if he could
“They have secured the whole gang with the be assured that society was freed from Professor
exception of him. He has given them the slip. Of Moriarty he would cheerfully bring his own career
course, when I had left the country there was no to a conclusion.

410
 The Final Problem

“I think that I may go so far as to say, Wat- was addressed to me by the landlord. It appeared
son, that I have not lived wholly in vain,” he re- that within a very few minutes of our leaving,
marked. “If my record were closed to-night I could an English lady had arrived who was in the last
still survey it with equanimity. The air of London stage of consumption. She had wintered at Davos
is the sweeter for my presence. In over a thou- Platz, and was journeying now to join her friends
sand cases I am not aware that I have ever used at Lucerne, when a sudden hemorrhage had over-
my powers upon the wrong side. Of late I have taken her. It was thought that she could hardly
been tempted to look into the problems furnished live a few hours, but it would be a great consola-
by nature rather than those more superficial ones tion to her to see an English doctor, and, if I would
for which our artificial state of society is respon- only return, etc. The good Steiler assured me in
sible. Your memoirs will draw to an end, Watson, a postscript that he would himself look upon my
upon the day that I crown my career by the capture compliance as a very great favor, since the lady ab-
or extinction of the most dangerous and capable solutely refused to see a Swiss physician, and he
criminal in Europe.” could not but feel that he was incurring a great
I shall be brief, and yet exact, in the little which responsibility.
remains for me to tell. It is not a subject on which I The appeal was one which could not be ig-
would willingly dwell, and yet I am conscious that nored. It was impossible to refuse the request of
a duty devolves upon me to omit no detail. a fellow-countrywoman dying in a strange land.
Yet I had my scruples about leaving Holmes. It
It was on the third of May that we reached the
was finally agreed, however, that he should retain
little village of Meiringen, where we put up at the
the young Swiss messenger with him as guide and
Englischer Hof, then kept by Peter Steiler the el-
companion while I returned to Meiringen. My
der. Our landlord was an intelligent man, and
friend would stay some little time at the fall, he
spoke excellent English, having served for three
said, and would then walk slowly over the hill
years as waiter at the Grosvenor Hotel in London.
to Rosenlaui, where I was to rejoin him in the
At his advice, on the afternoon of the fourth we set
evening. As I turned away I saw Holmes, with
off together, with the intention of crossing the hills
his back against a rock and his arms folded, gaz-
and spending the night at the hamlet of Rosenlaui.
ing down at the rush of the waters. It was the last
We had strict injunctions, however, on no account
that I was ever destined to see of him in this world.
to pass the falls of Reichenbach, which are about
half-way up the hill, without making a small de- When I was near the bottom of the descent I
tour to see them. looked back. It was impossible, from that posi-
tion, to see the fall, but I could see the curving
It is, indeed, a fearful place. The torrent,
path which winds over the shoulder of the hill and
swollen by the melting snow, plunges into a
leads to it. Along this a man was, I remember,
tremendous abyss, from which the spray rolls up
walking very rapidly.
like the smoke from a burning house. The shaft
into which the river hurls itself is an immense I could see his black figure clearly outlined
chasm, lined by glistening coal-black rock, and against the green behind him. I noted him, and
narrowing into a creaming, boiling pit of incal- the energy with which he walked but he passed
culable depth, which brims over and shoots the from my mind again as I hurried on upon my er-
stream onward over its jagged lip. The long sweep rand.
of green water roaring forever down, and the thick It may have been a little over an hour before I
flickering curtain of spray hissing forever upward, reached Meiringen. Old Steiler was standing at the
turn a man giddy with their constant whirl and porch of his hotel.
clamor. We stood near the edge peering down
“Well,” said I, as I came hurrying up, “I trust
at the gleam of the breaking water far below us
that she is no worse?”
against the black rocks, and listening to the half-
human shout which came booming up with the A look of surprise passed over his face, and at
spray out of the abyss. the first quiver of his eyebrows my heart turned to
lead in my breast.
The path has been cut half-way round the fall
to afford a complete view, but it ends abruptly, “You did not write this?” I said, pulling the let-
and the traveler has to return as he came. We had ter from my pocket. “There is no sick English-
turned to do so, when we saw a Swiss lad come woman in the hotel?”
running along it with a letter in his hand. It bore “Certainly not!” he cried. “But it has the hotel
the mark of the hotel which we had just left, and mark upon it! Ha, it must have been written by

411
 The Final Problem

that tall Englishman who came in after you had square of paper upon which it had lain fluttered
gone. He said—” down on to the ground. Unfolding it, I found that
But I waited for none of the landlord’s expla- it consisted of three pages torn from his note-book
nations. In a tingle of fear I was already running and addressed to me. It was characteristic of the
down the village street, and making for the path man that the direction was as precise, and the writ-
which I had so lately descended. It had taken me ing as firm and clear, as though it had been written
an hour to come down. For all my efforts two more in his study.
had passed before I found myself at the fall of Re-
My dear Watson [it said]:
ichenbach once more. There was Holmes’s Alpine-
I write these few lines through the
stock still leaning against the rock by which I had
courtesy of Mr. Moriarty, who awaits
left him. But there was no sign of him, and it was
my convenience for the final discussion
in vain that I shouted. My only answer was my
of those questions which lie between
own voice reverberating in a rolling echo from the
us. He has been giving me a sketch
cliffs around me.
of the methods by which he avoided
It was the sight of that Alpine-stock which the English police and kept himself in-
turned me cold and sick. He had not gone to formed of our movements. They cer-
Rosenlaui, then. He had remained on that three- tainly confirm the very high opinion
foot path, with sheer wall on one side and sheer which I had formed of his abilities. I
drop on the other, until his enemy had overtaken am pleased to think that I shall be able
him. The young Swiss had gone too. He had prob- to free society from any further effects
ably been in the pay of Moriarty, and had left the of his presence, though I fear that it is
two men together. And then what had happened? at a cost which will give pain to my
Who was to tell us what had happened then? friends, and especially, my dear Wat-
I stood for a minute or two to collect myself, son, to you. I have already explained
for I was dazed with the horror of the thing. Then to you, however, that my career had in
I began to think of Holmes’s own methods and any case reached its crisis, and that no
to try to practise them in reading this tragedy. It possible conclusion to it could be more
was, alas, only too easy to do. During our con- congenial to me than this. Indeed, if
versation we had not gone to the end of the path, I may make a full confession to you,
and the Alpine-stock marked the place where we I was quite convinced that the letter
had stood. The blackish soil is kept forever soft from Meiringen was a hoax, and I al-
by the incessant drift of spray, and a bird would lowed you to depart on that errand un-
leave its tread upon it. Two lines of footmarks der the persuasion that some develop-
were clearly marked along the farther end of the ment of this sort would follow. Tell In-
path, both leading away from me. There were spector Patterson that the papers which
none returning. A few yards from the end the he needs to convict the gang are in pi-
soil was all ploughed up into a patch of mud, and geonhole M., done up in a blue enve-
the branches and ferns which fringed the chasm lope and inscribed “Moriarty.” I made
were torn and bedraggled. I lay upon my face and every disposition of my property be-
peered over with the spray spouting up all around fore leaving England, and handed it
me. It had darkened since I left, and now I could to my brother Mycroft. Pray give my
only see here and there the glistening of moisture greetings to Mrs. Watson, and believe
upon the black walls, and far away down at the me to be, my dear fellow,
end of the shaft the gleam of the broken water. I Very sincerely yours,
shouted; but only the same half-human cry of the Sherlock Holmes
fall was borne back to my ears.
But it was destined that I should after all have A few words may suffice to tell the little that
a last word of greeting from my friend and com- remains. An examination by experts leaves lit-
rade. I have said that his Alpine-stock had been tle doubt that a personal contest between the two
left leaning against a rock which jutted on to the men ended, as it could hardly fail to end in such
path. From the top of this bowlder the gleam of a situation, in their reeling over, locked in each
something bright caught my eye, and, raising my other’s arms. Any attempt at recovering the bod-
hand, I found that it came from the silver cigarette- ies was absolutely hopeless, and there, deep down
case which he used to carry. As I took it up a small in that dreadful cauldron of swirling water and

412
seething foam, will lie for all time the most dan- the dead man weighed upon them. Of their terri-
gerous criminal and the foremost champion of the ble chief few details came out during the proceed-
law of their generation. The Swiss youth was never ings, and if I have now been compelled to make a
found again, and there can be no doubt that he was clear statement of his career it is due to those inju-
one of the numerous agents whom Moriarty kept dicious champions who have endeavored to clear
in his employ. As to the gang, it will be within his memory by attacks upon him whom I shall
the memory of the public how completely the ev- ever regard as the best and the wisest man whom
idence which Holmes had accumulated exposed I have ever known.
their organization, and how heavily the hand of
The Return of Sherlock Holmes
The Adventure of the Empty House
I
The Adventure of the Empty House

t was in the spring of the year 1894 that conclusion of the inquest.
all London was interested, and the fash-
The Honourable Ronald Adair was the second
ionable world dismayed, by the murder
son of the Earl of Maynooth, at that time Governor
of the Honourable Ronald Adair under
of one of the Australian Colonies. Adair’s mother
most unusual and inexplicable circumstances. The
had returned from Australia to undergo the opera-
public has already learned those particulars of the
tion for cataract, and she, her son Ronald, and her
crime which came out in the police investigation;
daughter Hilda were living together at 427, Park
but a good deal was suppressed upon that oc-
Lane. The youth moved in the best society, had, so
casion, since the case for the prosecution was so
far as was known, no enemies, and no particular
overwhelmingly strong that it was not necessary
vices. He had been engaged to Miss Edith Wood-
to bring forward all the facts. Only now, at the
ley, of Carstairs, but the engagement had been bro-
end of nearly ten years, am I allowed to supply
ken off by mutual consent some months before,
those missing links which make up the whole of
and there was no sign that it had left any very pro-
that remarkable chain. The crime was of interest
found feeling behind it. For the rest the man’s life
in itself, but that interest was as nothing to me
moved in a narrow and conventional circle, for his
compared to the inconceivable sequel, which af-
habits were quiet and his nature unemotional. Yet
forded me the greatest shock and surprise of any
it was upon this easy-going young aristocrat that
event in my adventurous life. Even now, after
death came in most strange and unexpected form
this long interval, I find myself thrilling as I think
between the hours of ten and eleven-twenty on the
of it, and feeling once more that sudden flood of
night of March 30, 1894.
joy, amazement, and incredulity which utterly sub-
merged my mind. Let me say to that public which Ronald Adair was fond of cards, playing con-
has shown some interest in those glimpses which I tinually, but never for such stakes as would hurt
have occasionally given them of the thoughts and him. He was a member of the Baldwin, the
actions of a very remarkable man that they are not Cavendish, and the Bagatelle card clubs. It was
to blame me if I have not shared my knowledge shown that after dinner on the day of his death
with them, for I should have considered it my first he had played a rubber of whist at the latter
duty to have done so had I not been barred by a club. He had also played there in the after-
positive prohibition from his own lips, which was noon. The evidence of those who had played with
only withdrawn upon the third of last month. him—Mr. Murray, Sir John Hardy, and Colonel
Moran—showed that the game was whist, and that
It can be imagined that my close intimacy
there was a fairly equal fall of the cards. Adair
with Sherlock Holmes had interested me deeply
might have lost five pounds, but not more. His for-
in crime, and that after his disappearance I never
tune was a considerable one, and such a loss could
failed to read with care the various problems
not in any way affect him. He had played nearly
which came before the public, and I even at-
every day at one club or other, but he was a cau-
tempted more than once for my own private sat-
tious player, and usually rose a winner. It came
isfaction to employ his methods in their solution,
out in evidence that in partnership with Colonel
though with indifferent success. There was none,
Moran he had actually won as much as four hun-
however, which appealed to me like this tragedy
dred and twenty pounds in a sitting some weeks
of Ronald Adair. As I read the evidence at the in-
before from Godfrey Milner and Lord Balmoral.
quest, which led up to a verdict of wilful murder
So much for his recent history, as it came out at
against some person or persons unknown, I real-
the inquest.
ized more clearly than I had ever done the loss
which the community had sustained by the death On the evening of the crime he returned from
of Sherlock Holmes. There were points about this the club exactly at ten. His mother and sister were
strange business which would, I was sure, have out spending the evening with a relation. The ser-
specially appealed to him, and the efforts of the vant deposed that she heard him enter the front
police would have been supplemented, or more room on the second floor, generally used as his
probably anticipated, by the trained observation sitting-room. She had lit a fire there, and as it
and the alert mind of the first criminal agent in Eu- smoked she had opened the window. No sound
rope. All day as I drove upon my round I turned was heard from the room until eleven-twenty, the
over the case in my mind, and found no explana- hour of the return of Lady Maynooth and her
tion which appeared to me to be adequate. At the daughter. Desiring to say good-night, she had at-
risk of telling a twice-told tale I will recapitulate tempted to enter her son’s room. The door was
the facts as they were known to the public at the locked on the inside, and no answer could be got

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to their cries and knocking. Help was obtained with coloured glasses, whom I strongly suspected
and the door forced. The unfortunate young man of being a plain-clothes detective, was pointing out
was found lying near the table. His head had been some theory of his own, while the others crowded
horribly mutilated by an expanding revolver bul- round to listen to what he said. I got as near him
let, but no weapon of any sort was to be found as I could, but his observations seemed to me to be
in the room. On the table lay two bank-notes for absurd, so I withdrew again in some disgust. As
ten pounds each and seventeen pounds ten in sil- I did so I struck against an elderly deformed man,
ver and gold, the money arranged in little piles who had been behind me, and I knocked down
of varying amount. There were some figures also several books which he was carrying. I remember
upon a sheet of paper with the names of some club that as I picked them up I observed the title of one
friends opposite to them, from which it was con- of them, The Origin of Tree Worship, and it struck me
jectured that before his death he was endeavouring that the fellow must be some poor bibliophile who,
to make out his losses or winnings at cards. either as a trade or as a hobby, was a collector of
A minute examination of the circumstances obscure volumes. I endeavoured to apologize for
served only to make the case more complex. In the accident, but it was evident that these books
the first place, no reason could be given why the which I had so unfortunately maltreated were very
young man should have fastened the door upon precious objects in the eyes of their owner. With a
the inside. There was the possibility that the mur- snarl of contempt he turned upon his heel, and I
derer had done this and had afterwards escaped saw his curved back and white side-whiskers dis-
by the window. The drop was at least twenty feet, appear among the throng.
however, and a bed of crocuses in full bloom lay My observations of No. 427, Park Lane did lit-
beneath. Neither the flowers nor the earth showed tle to clear up the problem in which I was inter-
any sign of having been disturbed, nor were there ested. The house was separated from the street by
any marks upon the narrow strip of grass which a low wall and railing, the whole not more than
separated the house from the road. Apparently, five feet high. It was perfectly easy, therefore, for
therefore, it was the young man himself who had anyone to get into the garden, but the window was
fastened the door. But how did he come by his entirely inaccessible, since there was no water-pipe
death? No one could have climbed up to the win- or anything which could help the most active man
dow without leaving traces. Suppose a man had to climb it. More puzzled than ever I retraced my
fired through the window, it would indeed be a steps to Kensington. I had not been in my study
remarkable shot who could with a revolver in- five minutes when the maid entered to say that a
flict so deadly a wound. Again, Park Lane is a person desired to see me. To my astonishment it
frequented thoroughfare, and there is a cab-stand was none other than my strange old book-collector,
within a hundred yards of the house. No one had his sharp, wizened face peering out from a frame
heard a shot. And yet there was the dead man, of white hair, and his precious volumes, a dozen
and there the revolver bullet, which had mush- of them at least, wedged under his right arm.
roomed out, as soft-nosed bullets will, and so in- “You’re surprised to see me, sir,” said he, in a
flicted a wound which must have caused instanta- strange, croaking voice.
neous death. Such were the circumstances of the
I acknowledged that I was.
Park Lane Mystery, which were further compli-
cated by entire absence of motive, since, as I have “Well, I’ve a conscience, sir, and when I
said, young Adair was not known to have any en- chanced to see you go into this house, as I came
emy, and no attempt had been made to remove the hobbling after you, I thought to myself, I’ll just
money or valuables in the room. step in and see that kind gentleman, and tell him
that if I was a bit gruff in my manner there was
All day I turned these facts over in my mind,
not any harm meant, and that I am much obliged
endeavouring to hit upon some theory which
to him for picking up my books.”
could reconcile them all, and to find that line of
least resistance which my poor friend had declared “You make too much of a trifle,” said I. “May I
to be the starting-point of every investigation. I ask how you knew who I was?”
confess that I made little progress. In the evening “Well, sir, if it isn’t too great a liberty, I am a
I strolled across the Park, and found myself about neighbour of yours, for you’ll find my little book-
six o’clock at the Oxford Street end of Park Lane. shop at the corner of Church Street, and very
A group of loafers upon the pavements, all star- happy to see you, I am sure. Maybe you collect
ing up at a particular window, directed me to the yourself, sir; here’s British Birds, and Catullus, and
house which I had come to see. A tall, thin man The Holy War—a bargain every one of them. With

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 The Adventure of the Empty House

five volumes you could just fill that gap on that “This is indeed like the old days. We shall have
second shelf. It looks untidy, does it not, sir?” time for a mouthful of dinner before we need go.
I moved my head to look at the cabinet behind Well, then, about that chasm. I had no serious diffi-
me. When I turned again Sherlock Holmes was culty in getting out of it, for the very simple reason
standing smiling at me across my study table. I that I never was in it.”
rose to my feet, stared at him for some seconds in “You never were in it?”
utter amazement, and then it appears that I must “No, Watson, I never was in it. My note to
have fainted for the first and the last time in my you was absolutely genuine. I had little doubt that
life. Certainly a grey mist swirled before my eyes, I had come to the end of my career when I per-
and when it cleared I found my collar-ends un- ceived the somewhat sinister figure of the late Pro-
done and the tingling after-taste of brandy upon fessor Moriarty standing upon the narrow path-
my lips. Holmes was bending over my chair, his way which led to safety. I read an inexorable pur-
flask in his hand. pose in his grey eyes. I exchanged some remarks
with him, therefore, and obtained his courteous
“My dear Watson,” said the well-remembered
permission to write the short note which you af-
voice, “I owe you a thousand apologies. I had no
terwards received. I left it with my cigarette-box
idea that you would be so affected.”
and my stick and I walked along the pathway, Mo-
I gripped him by the arm. riarty still at my heels. When I reached the end I
“Holmes!” I cried. “Is it really you? Can it in- stood at bay. He drew no weapon, but he rushed at
deed be that you are alive? Is it possible that you me and threw his long arms around me. He knew
succeeded in climbing out of that awful abyss?” that his own game was up, and was only anxious
“Wait a moment,” said he. “Are you sure that to revenge himself upon me. We tottered together
you are really fit to discuss things? I have given upon the brink of the fall. I have some knowl-
you a serious shock by my unnecessarily dramatic edge, however, of baritsu, or the Japanese system
reappearance.” of wrestling, which has more than once been very
useful to me. I slipped through his grip, and he
“I am all right, but indeed, Holmes, I can with a horrible scream kicked madly for a few sec-
hardly believe my eyes. Good heavens, to think onds and clawed the air with both his hands. But
that you—you of all men—should be standing in for all his efforts he could not get his balance, and
my study!” Again I gripped him by the sleeve and over he went. With my face over the brink I saw
felt the thin, sinewy arm beneath it. “Well, you’re him fall for a long way. Then he struck a rock,
not a spirit, anyhow,” said I. “My dear chap, I am bounded off, and splashed into the water.”
overjoyed to see you. Sit down and tell me how I listened with amazement to this explanation,
you came alive out of that dreadful chasm.” which Holmes delivered between the puffs of his
He sat opposite to me and lit a cigarette in his cigarette.
old nonchalant manner. He was dressed in the “But the tracks!” I cried. “I saw with my own
seedy frock-coat of the book merchant, but the rest eyes that two went down the path and none re-
of that individual lay in a pile of white hair and old turned.”
books upon the table. Holmes looked even thinner “It came about in this way. The instant that the
and keener than of old, but there was a dead-white Professor had disappeared it struck me what a re-
tinge in his aquiline face which told me that his life ally extraordinarily lucky chance Fate had placed
recently had not been a healthy one. in my way. I knew that Moriarty was not the only
“I am glad to stretch myself, Watson,” said he. man who had sworn my death. There were at
“It is no joke when a tall man has to take a foot least three others whose desire for vengeance upon
off his stature for several hours on end. Now, my me would only be increased by the death of their
dear fellow, in the matter of these explanations we leader. They were all most dangerous men. One or
have, if I may ask for your co-operation, a hard other would certainly get me. On the other hand,
and dangerous night’s work in front of us. Per- if all the world was convinced that I was dead
haps it would be better if I gave you an account of they would take liberties, these men, they would
the whole situation when that work is finished.” lay themselves open, and sooner or later I could
“I am full of curiosity. I should much prefer to destroy them. Then it would be time for me to
hear now.” announce that I was still in the land of the living.
So rapidly does the brain act that I believe I had
“You’ll come with me to-night?” thought this all out before Professor Moriarty had
“When you like and where you like.” reached the bottom of the Reichenbach Fall.

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 The Adventure of the Empty House

“I stood up and examined the rocky wall be- could have done it in cold blood. It was a hundred
hind me. In your picturesque account of the mat- times more difficult than getting up. But I had
ter, which I read with great interest some months no time to think of the danger, for another stone
later, you assert that the wall was sheer. This was sang past me as I hung by my hands from the edge
not literally true. A few small footholds presented of the ledge. Halfway down I slipped, but by the
themselves, and there was some indication of a blessing of God I landed, torn and bleeding, upon
ledge. The cliff is so high that to climb it all was an the path. I took to my heels, did ten miles over
obvious impossibility, and it was equally impossi- the mountains in the darkness, and a week later I
ble to make my way along the wet path without found myself in Florence with the certainty that no
leaving some tracks. I might, it is true, have re- one in the world knew what had become of me.
versed my boots, as I have done on similar occa-
“I had only one confidant—my brother My-
sions, but the sight of three sets of tracks in one
croft. I owe you many apologies, my dear Watson,
direction would certainly have suggested a decep-
but it was all-important that it should be thought
tion. On the whole, then, it was best that I should
I was dead, and it is quite certain that you would
risk the climb. It was not a pleasant business, Wat-
not have written so convincing an account of my
son. The fall roared beneath me. I am not a fanci-
unhappy end had you not yourself thought that it
ful person, but I give you my word that I seemed
was true. Several times during the last three years I
to hear Moriarty’s voice screaming at me out of
have taken up my pen to write to you, but always I
the abyss. A mistake would have been fatal. More
feared lest your affectionate regard for me should
than once, as tufts of grass came out in my hand
tempt you to some indiscretion which would be-
or my foot slipped in the wet notches of the rock, I
tray my secret. For that reason I turned away
thought that I was gone. But I struggled upwards,
from you this evening when you upset my books,
and at last I reached a ledge several feet deep and
for I was in danger at the time, and any show of
covered with soft green moss, where I could lie
surprise and emotion upon your part might have
unseen in the most perfect comfort. There I was
drawn attention to my identity and led to the most
stretched when you, my dear Watson, and all your
deplorable and irreparable results. As to Mycroft, I
following were investigating in the most sympa-
had to confide in him in order to obtain the money
thetic and inefficient manner the circumstances of
which I needed. The course of events in London
my death.
did not run so well as I had hoped, for the trial
“At last, when you had all formed your in- of the Moriarty gang left two of its most danger-
evitable and totally erroneous conclusions, you de- ous members, my own most vindictive enemies,
parted for the hotel and I was left alone. I had at liberty. I travelled for two years in Tibet, there-
imagined that I had reached the end of my adven- fore, and amused myself by visiting Lhassa and
tures, but a very unexpected occurrence showed spending some days with the head Llama. You
me that there were surprises still in store for me. may have read of the remarkable explorations of
A huge rock, falling from above, boomed past me, a Norwegian named Sigerson, but I am sure that
struck the path, and bounded over into the chasm. it never occurred to you that you were receiving
For an instant I thought that it was an accident; news of your friend. I then passed through Persia,
but a moment later, looking up, I saw a man’s looked in at Mecca, and paid a short but interest-
head against the darkening sky, and another stone ing visit to the Khalifa at Khartoum, the results
struck the very ledge upon which I was stretched, of which I have communicated to the Foreign Of-
within a foot of my head. Of course, the mean- fice. Returning to France I spent some months in a
ing of this was obvious. Moriarty had not been research into the coal-tar derivatives, which I con-
alone. A confederate—and even that one glance ducted in a laboratory at Montpelier, in the South
had told me how dangerous a man that confeder- of France. Having concluded this to my satisfac-
ate was—had kept guard while the Professor had tion, and learning that only one of my enemies was
attacked me. From a distance, unseen by me, he now left in London, I was about to return when my
had been a witness of his friend’s death and of my movements were hastened by the news of this very
escape. He had waited, and then, making his way remarkable Park Lane Mystery, which not only ap-
round to the top of the cliff, he had endeavoured pealed to me by its own merits, but which seemed
to succeed where his comrade had failed. to offer some most peculiar personal opportuni-
“I did not take long to think about it, Watson. ties. I came over at once to London, called in
Again I saw that grim face look over the cliff, and my own person at Baker Street, threw Mrs. Hud-
I knew that it was the precursor of another stone. son into violent hysterics, and found that Mycroft
I scrambled down on to the path. I don’t think I had preserved my rooms and my papers exactly as

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 The Adventure of the Empty House

they had always been. So it was, my dear Watson, the back door of a house. We entered together and
that at two o’clock to-day I found myself in my old he closed it behind us.
arm-chair in my own old room, and only wishing The place was pitch-dark, but it was evident to
that I could have seen my old friend Watson in the me that it was an empty house. Our feet creaked
other chair which he has so often adorned.” and crackled over the bare planking, and my out-
Such was the remarkable narrative to which I stretched hand touched a wall from which the pa-
listened on that April evening—a narrative which per was hanging in ribbons. Holmes’s cold, thin
would have been utterly incredible to me had it fingers closed round my wrist and led me for-
not been confirmed by the actual sight of the tall, wards down a long hall, until I dimly saw the
spare figure and the keen, eager face, which I had murky fanlight over the door. Here Holmes turned
never thought to see again. In some manner he suddenly to the right, and we found ourselves in
had learned of my own sad bereavement, and his a large, square, empty room, heavily shadowed in
sympathy was shown in his manner rather than in the corners, but faintly lit in the centre from the
his words. “Work is the best antidote to sorrow, lights of the street beyond. There was no lamp
my dear Watson,” said he, “and I have a piece of near and the window was thick with dust, so that
work for us both to-night which, if we can bring we could only just discern each other’s figures
it to a successful conclusion, will in itself justify a within. My companion put his hand upon my
man’s life on this planet.” In vain I begged him to shoulder and his lips close to my ear.
tell me more. “You will hear and see enough be- “Do you know where we are?” he whispered.
fore morning,” he answered. “We have three years “Surely that is Baker Street,” I answered, star-
of the past to discuss. Let that suffice until half- ing through the dim window.
past nine, when we start upon the notable adven-
“Exactly. We are in Camden House, which
ture of the empty house.”
stands opposite to our own old quarters.”
It was indeed like old times when, at that hour, “But why are we here?”
I found myself seated beside him in a hansom, my
“Because it commands so excellent a view of
revolver in my pocket and the thrill of adventure
that picturesque pile. Might I trouble you, my
in my heart. Holmes was cold and stern and silent.
dear Watson, to draw a little nearer to the window,
As the gleam of the street-lamps flashed upon his
taking every precaution not to show yourself, and
austere features I saw that his brows were drawn
then to look up at our old rooms—the starting-
down in thought and his thin lips compressed. I
point of so many of our little adventures? We will
knew not what wild beast we were about to hunt
see if my three years of absence have entirely taken
down in the dark jungle of criminal London, but
away my power to surprise you.”
I was well assured from the bearing of this mas-
ter huntsman that the adventure was a most grave I crept forward and looked across at the famil-
one, while the sardonic smile which occasionally iar window. As my eyes fell upon it I gave a gasp
broke through his ascetic gloom boded little good and a cry of amazement. The blind was down
for the object of our quest. and a strong light was burning in the room. The
shadow of a man who was seated in a chair within
I had imagined that we were bound for Baker was thrown in hard, black outline upon the lumi-
Street, but Holmes stopped the cab at the cor- nous screen of the window. There was no mistak-
ner of Cavendish Square. I observed that as he ing the poise of the head, the squareness of the
stepped out he gave a most searching glance to shoulders, the sharpness of the features. The face
right and left, and at every subsequent street cor- was turned half-round, and the effect was that of
ner he took the utmost pains to assure that he was one of those black silhouettes which our grand-
not followed. Our route was certainly a singular parents loved to frame. It was a perfect reproduc-
one. Holmes’s knowledge of the byways of Lon- tion of Holmes. So amazed was I that I threw out
don was extraordinary, and on this occasion he my hand to make sure that the man himself was
passed rapidly, and with an assured step, through standing beside me. He was quivering with silent
a network of mews and stables the very existence laughter.
of which I had never known. We emerged at last
“Well?” said he.
into a small road, lined with old, gloomy houses,
which led us into Manchester Street, and so to “Good heavens!” I cried. “It is marvellous.”
Blandford Street. Here he turned swiftly down “I trust that age doth not wither nor custom
a narrow passage, passed through a wooden gate stale my infinite variety,’” said he, and I recognised
into a deserted yard, and then opened with a key in his voice the joy and pride which the artist takes

423
 The Adventure of the Empty House

in his own creation. “It really is rather like me, is sheltering themselves from the wind in the door-
it not?” way of a house some distance up the street. I tried
“I should be prepared to swear that it was to draw my companion’s attention to them, but he
you.” gave a little ejaculation of impatience and contin-
ued to stare into the street. More than once he
“The credit of the execution is due to Monsieur fidgeted with his feet and tapped rapidly with his
Oscar Meunier, of Grenoble, who spent some days fingers upon the wall. It was evident to me that he
in doing the moulding. It is a bust in wax. The rest was becoming uneasy and that his plans were not
I arranged myself during my visit to Baker Street working out altogether as he had hoped. At last,
this afternoon.” as midnight approached and the street gradually
“But why?” cleared, he paced up and down the room in un-
“Because, my dear Watson, I had the strongest controllable agitation. I was about to make some
possible reason for wishing certain people to think remark to him when I raised my eyes to the lighted
that I was there when I was really elsewhere.” window and again experienced almost as great a
surprise as before. I clutched Holmes’s arm and
“And you thought the rooms were watched?” pointed upwards.
“I knew that they were watched.” “The shadow has moved!” I cried.
“By whom?” It was, indeed, no longer the profile, but the
“By my old enemies, Watson. By the charming back, which was turned towards us.
society whose leader lies in the Reichenbach Fall. Three years had certainly not smoothed the as-
You must remember that they knew, and only they perities of his temper or his impatience with a less
knew, that I was still alive. Sooner or later they be- active intelligence than his own.
lieved that I should come back to my rooms. They
watched them continuously, and this morning they “Of course it has moved,” said he. “Am I
saw me arrive.” such a farcical bungler, Watson, that I should erect
an obvious dummy and expect that some of the
“How do you know?” sharpest men in Europe would be deceived by it?
“Because I recognised their sentinel when I We have been in this room two hours, and Mrs.
glanced out of my window. He is a harmless Hudson has made some change in that figure eight
enough fellow, Parker by name, a garroter by times, or once in every quarter of an hour. She
trade, and a remarkable performer upon the Jew’s works it from the front so that her shadow may
harp. I cared nothing for him. But I cared a great never be seen. Ah!” He drew in his breath with
deal for the much more formidable person who a shrill, excited intake. In the dim light I saw
was behind him, the bosom friend of Moriarty, the his head thrown forward, his whole attitude rigid
man who dropped the rocks over the cliff, the most with attention. Outside, the street was absolutely
cunning and dangerous criminal in London. That deserted. Those two men might still be crouching
is the man who is after me to-night, Watson, and in the doorway, but I could no longer see them. All
that is the man who is quite unaware that we are was still and dark, save only that brilliant yellow
after him.” screen in front of us with the black figure outlined
My friend’s plans were gradually revealing upon its centre. Again in the utter silence I heard
themselves. From this convenient retreat the that thin, sibilant note which spoke of intense sup-
watchers were being watched and the trackers pressed excitement. An instant later he pulled me
tracked. That angular shadow up yonder was the back into the blackest corner of the room, and I felt
bait and we were the hunters. In silence we stood his warning hand upon my lips. The fingers which
together in the darkness and watched the hurry- clutched me were quivering. Never had I known
ing figures who passed and repassed in front of my friend more moved, and yet the dark street still
us. Holmes was silent and motionless; but I could stretched lonely and motionless before us.
tell that he was keenly alert, and that his eyes were But suddenly I was aware of that which his
fixed intently upon the stream of passers-by. It keener senses had already distinguished. A low,
was a bleak and boisterous night, and the wind stealthy sound came to my ears, not from the di-
whistled shrilly down the long street. Many peo- rection of Baker Street, but from the back of the
ple were moving to and fro, most of them muffled very house in which we lay concealed. A door
in their coats and cravats. Once or twice it seemed opened and shut. An instant later steps crept
to me that I had seen the same figure before, and down the passage—steps which were meant to be
I especially noticed two men who appeared to be silent, but which reverberated harshly through the

424
 The Adventure of the Empty House

empty house. Holmes crouched back against the upon a whistle. There was the clatter of running
wall and I did the same, my hand closing upon the feet upon the pavement, and two policemen in
handle of my revolver. Peering through the gloom, uniform, with one plain-clothes detective, rushed
I saw the vague outline of a man, a shade blacker through the front entrance and into the room.
than the blackness of the open door. He stood “That you, Lestrade?” said Holmes.
for an instant, and then he crept forward, crouch-
“Yes, Mr. Holmes. I took the job myself. It’s
ing, menacing, into the room. He was within three
good to see you back in London, sir.”
yards of us, this sinister figure, and I had braced
myself to meet his spring, before I realized that he “I think you want a little unofficial help.
had no idea of our presence. He passed close be- Three undetected murders in one year won’t do,
side us, stole over to the window, and very softly Lestrade. But you handled the Molesey Mystery
and noiselessly raised it for half a foot. As he sank with less than your usual—that’s to say, you han-
to the level of this opening the light of the street, no dled it fairly well.”
longer dimmed by the dusty glass, fell full upon We had all risen to our feet, our prisoner
his face. The man seemed to be beside himself breathing hard, with a stalwart constable on each
with excitement. His two eyes shone like stars side of him. Already a few loiterers had begun to
and his features were working convulsively. He collect in the street. Holmes stepped up to the win-
was an elderly man, with a thin, projecting nose, dow, closed it, and dropped the blinds. Lestrade
a high, bald forehead, and a huge grizzled mous- had produced two candles and the policemen had
tache. An opera-hat was pushed to the back of uncovered their lanterns. I was able at last to have
his head, and an evening dress shirt-front gleamed a good look at our prisoner.
out through his open overcoat. His face was gaunt It was a tremendously virile and yet sinister
and swarthy, scored with deep, savage lines. In his face which was turned towards us. With the brow
hand he carried what appeared to be a stick, but of a philosopher above and the jaw of a sensualist
as he laid it down upon the floor it gave a metal- below, the man must have started with great ca-
lic clang. Then from the pocket of his overcoat he pacities for good or for evil. But one could not look
drew a bulky object, and he busied himself in some upon his cruel blue eyes, with their drooping, cyn-
task which ended with a loud, sharp click, as if a ical lids, or upon the fierce, aggressive nose and
spring or bolt had fallen into its place. Still kneel- the threatening, deep-lined brow, without read-
ing upon the floor he bent forward and threw all ing Nature’s plainest danger-signals. He took no
his weight and strength upon some lever, with the heed of any of us, but his eyes were fixed upon
result that there came a long, whirling, grinding Holmes’s face with an expression in which ha-
noise, ending once more in a powerful click. He tred and amazement were equally blended. “You
straightened himself then, and I saw that what he fiend!” he kept on muttering. “You clever, clever
held in his hand was a sort of gun, with a curi- fiend!”
ously misshapen butt. He opened it at the breech,
put something in, and snapped the breech-block. “Ah, Colonel!” said Holmes, arranging his
Then, crouching down, he rested the end of the rumpled collar; “ ‘journeys end in lovers’ meet-
barrel upon the ledge of the open window, and I ings,’ as the old play says. I don’t think I have had
saw his long moustache droop over the stock and the pleasure of seeing you since you favoured me
his eye gleam as it peered along the sights. I heard with those attentions as I lay on the ledge above
a little sigh of satisfaction as he cuddled the butt the Reichenbach Fall.”
into his shoulder, and saw that amazing target, the The Colonel still stared at my friend like a man
black man on the yellow ground, standing clear at in a trance. “You cunning, cunning fiend!” was all
the end of his fore sight. For an instant he was that he could say.
rigid and motionless. Then his finger tightened on “I have not introduced you yet,” said Holmes.
the trigger. There was a strange, loud whiz and a “This, gentlemen, is Colonel Sebastian Moran,
long, silvery tinkle of broken glass. At that instant once of Her Majesty’s Indian Army, and the best
Holmes sprang like a tiger on to the marksman’s heavy game shot that our Eastern Empire has ever
back and hurled him flat upon his face. He was up produced. I believe I am correct, Colonel, in saying
again in a moment, and with convulsive strength that your bag of tigers still remains unrivalled?”
he seized Holmes by the throat; but I struck him
The fierce old man said nothing, but still
on the head with the butt of my revolver and he
glared at my companion; with his savage eyes
dropped again upon the floor. I fell upon him,
and bristling moustache he was wonderfully like
and as I held him my comrade blew a shrill call
a tiger himself.

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 The Adventure of the Empty House

“I wonder that my very simple stratagem could With your usual happy mixture of cunning and
deceive so old a shikari,” said Holmes. “It must audacity you have got him.”
be very familiar to you. Have you not tethered a “Got him! Got whom, Mr. Holmes?”
young kid under a tree, lain above it with your ri-
fle, and waited for the bait to bring up your tiger? “The man that the whole force has been seek-
This empty house is my tree and you are my tiger. ing in vain—Colonel Sebastian Moran, who shot
You have possibly had other guns in reserve in the Honourable Ronald Adair with an expanding
case there should be several tigers, or in the un- bullet from an air-gun through the open window
likely supposition of your own aim failing you. of the second-floor front of No. 427, Park Lane,
These,” he pointed around, “are my other guns. upon the 30th of last month. That’s the charge,
The parallel is exact.” Lestrade. And now, Watson, if you can endure the
draught from a broken window, I think that half
Colonel Moran sprang forward, with a snarl of an hour in my study over a cigar may afford you
rage, but the constables dragged him back. The some profitable amusement.”
fury upon his face was terrible to look at.
Our old chambers had been left unchanged
“I confess that you had one small surprise for through the supervision of Mycroft Holmes and
me,” said Holmes. “I did not anticipate that you the immediate care of Mrs. Hudson. As I en-
would yourself make use of this empty house and tered I saw, it is true, an unwonted tidiness, but
this convenient front window. I had imagined the old landmarks were all in their place. There
you as operating from the street, where my friend were the chemical corner and the acid-stained,
Lestrade and his merry men were awaiting you. deal-topped table. There upon a shelf was the
With that exception all has gone as I expected.” row of formidable scrap-books and books of ref-
Colonel Moran turned to the official detective. erence which many of our fellow-citizens would
“You may or may not have just cause for ar- have been so glad to burn. The diagrams, the
resting me,” said he, “but at least there can be no violin-case, and the pipe-rack—even the Persian
reason why I should submit to the gibes of this slipper which contained the tobacco—all met my
person. If I am in the hands of the law let things eyes as I glanced round me. There were two
be done in a legal way.” occupants of the room—one Mrs. Hudson, who
beamed upon us both as we entered; the other
“Well, that’s reasonable enough,” said the strange dummy which had played so impor-
Lestrade. “Nothing further you have to say, Mr. tant a part in the evening’s adventures. It was a
Holmes, before we go?” wax-coloured model of my friend, so admirably
Holmes had picked up the powerful air-gun done that it was a perfect facsimile. It stood on a
from the floor and was examining its mechanism. small pedestal table with an old dressing-gown of
“An admirable and unique weapon,” said he, Holmes’s so draped round it that the illusion from
“noiseless and of tremendous power. I knew Von the street was absolutely perfect.
Herder, the blind German mechanic, who con- “I hope you preserved all precautions, Mrs.
structed it to the order of the late Professor Mo- Hudson?” said Holmes.
riarty. For years I have been aware of its existence, “I went to it on my knees, sir, just as you told
though I have never before had the opportunity of me.”
handling it. I commend it very specially to your
attention, Lestrade, and also the bullets which fit “Excellent. You carried the thing out very well.
it.” Did you observe where the bullet went?”

“You can trust us to look after that, Mr. “Yes, sir. I’m afraid it has spoilt your beauti-
Holmes,” said Lestrade, as the whole party moved ful bust, for it passed right through the head and
towards the door. “Anything further to say?” flattened itself on the wall. I picked it up from the
carpet. Here it is!”
“Only to ask what charge you intend to pre-
fer?” Holmes held it out to me. “A soft revolver bul-
let, as you perceive, Watson. There’s genius in
“What charge, sir? Why, of course, the at- that, for who would expect to find such a thing
tempted murder of Mr. Sherlock Holmes.” fired from an air-gun. All right, Mrs. Hudson, I
“Not so, Lestrade. I do not propose to appear am much obliged for your assistance. And now,
in the matter at all. To you, and to you only, be- Watson, let me see you in your old seat once more,
longs the credit of the remarkable arrest which you for there are several points which I should like to
have effected. Yes, Lestrade, I congratulate you! discuss with you.”

426
 The Adventure of the Empty House

He had thrown off the seedy frock-coat, and iron nerve, and the story is still told in India how
now he was the Holmes of old in the mouse- he crawled down a drain after a wounded man-
coloured dressing-gown which he took from his eating tiger. There are some trees, Watson, which
effigy. grow to a certain height and then suddenly de-
“The old shikari’s nerves have not lost their velop some unsightly eccentricity. You will see it
steadiness nor his eyes their keenness,” said he, often in humans. I have a theory that the individ-
with a laugh, as he inspected the shattered fore- ual represents in his development the whole pro-
head of his bust. cession of his ancestors, and that such a sudden
turn to good or evil stands for some strong influ-
“Plumb in the middle of the back of the head ence which came into the line of his pedigree. The
and smack through the brain. He was the best shot person becomes, as it were, the epitome of the his-
in India, and I expect that there are few better in tory of his own family.”
London. Have you heard the name?”
“No, I have not.” “It is surely rather fanciful.”

“Well, well, such is fame! But, then, if I remem- “Well, I don’t insist upon it. Whatever the
ber aright, you had not heard the name of Pro- cause, Colonel Moran began to go wrong. With-
fessor James Moriarty, who had one of the great out any open scandal he still made India too hot to
brains of the century. Just give me down my index hold him. He retired, came to London, and again
of biographies from the shelf.” acquired an evil name. It was at this time that he
was sought out by Professor Moriarty, to whom for
He turned over the pages lazily, leaning back in
a time he was chief of the staff. Moriarty supplied
his chair and blowing great clouds from his cigar.
him liberally with money and used him only in
“My collection of M’s is a fine one,” said he. one or two very high-class jobs which no ordinary
“Moriarty himself is enough to make any letter il- criminal could have undertaken. You may have
lustrious, and here is Morgan the poisoner, and some recollection of the death of Mrs. Stewart, of
Merridew of abominable memory, and Mathews, Lauder, in 1887. Not? Well, I am sure Moran was
who knocked out my left canine in the waiting- at the bottom of it; but nothing could be proved.
room at Charing Cross, and, finally, here is our So cleverly was the Colonel concealed that even
friend of to-night.” when the Moriarty gang was broken up we could
He handed over the book, and I read: not incriminate him. You remember at that date,
when I called upon you in your rooms, how I put
Moran, Sebastian, Colonel. Unem- up the shutters for fear of air-guns? No doubt you
ployed. Formerly 1st Bengalore Pi- thought me fanciful. I knew exactly what I was
oneers. Born London, 1840. Son doing, for I knew of the existence of this remark-
of Sir Augustus Moran, C.B., once able gun, and I knew also that one of the best shots
British Minister to Persia. Edu- in the world would be behind it. When we were
cated Eton and Oxford. Served in in Switzerland he followed us with Moriarty, and
Jowaki Campaign, Afghan Campaign, it was undoubtedly he who gave me that evil five
Charasiab (despatches), Sherpur, and minutes on the Reichenbach ledge.
Cabul. Author of Heavy Game of the
Western Himalayas, 1881; Three Months “You may think that I read the papers with
in the Jungle, 1884. Address: Conduit some attention during my sojourn in France, on
Street. Clubs: The Anglo-Indian, the the look-out for any chance of laying him by the
Tankerville, the Bagatelle Card Club. heels. So long as he was free in London my life
would really not have been worth living. Night
On the margin was written, in Holmes’s precise and day the shadow would have been over me,
hand: and sooner or later his chance must have come.
What could I do? I could not shoot him at sight,
The second most dangerous man in or I should myself be in the dock. There was no
London. use appealing to a magistrate. They cannot inter-
fere on the strength of what would appear to them
“This is astonishing,” said I, as I handed back to be a wild suspicion. So I could do nothing. But
the volume. “The man’s career is that of an hon- I watched the criminal news, knowing that sooner
ourable soldier.” or later I should get him. Then came the death
“It is true,” Holmes answered. “Up to a cer- of this Ronald Adair. My chance had come at
tain point he did well. He was always a man of last! Knowing what I did, was it not certain that

427
Colonel Moran had done it? He had played cards and young Adair had between them won a consid-
with the lad; he had followed him home from the erable amount of money. Now, Moran undoubt-
club; he had shot him through the open window. edly played foul—of that I have long been aware.
There was not a doubt of it. The bullets alone are I believe that on the day of the murder Adair had
enough to put his head in a noose. I came over discovered that Moran was cheating. Very likely
at once. I was seen by the sentinel, who would, he had spoken to him privately, and had threat-
I knew, direct the Colonel’s attention to my pres- ened to expose him unless he voluntarily resigned
ence. He could not fail to connect my sudden re- his membership of the club and promised not to
turn with his crime and to be terribly alarmed. I play cards again. It is unlikely that a youngster
was sure that he would make an attempt to get like Adair would at once make a hideous scandal
me out of the way at once, and would bring round by exposing a well-known man so much older than
his murderous weapon for that purpose. I left himself. Probably he acted as I suggest. The exclu-
him an excellent mark in the window, and, having sion from his clubs would mean ruin to Moran,
warned the police that they might be needed—by who lived by his ill-gotten card gains. He there-
the way, Watson, you spotted their presence in that fore murdered Adair, who at the time was endeav-
doorway with unerring accuracy—I took up what ouring to work out how much money he should
seemed to me to be a judicious post for observa- himself return, since he could not profit by his
tion, never dreaming that he would choose the partner’s foul play. He locked the door lest the
same spot for his attack. Now, my dear Watson, ladies should surprise him and insist upon know-
does anything remain for me to explain?” ing what he was doing with these names and
“Yes,” said I. “You have not made it clear what coins. Will it pass?”
was Colonel Moran’s motive in murdering the “I have no doubt that you have hit upon the
Honourable Ronald Adair.” truth.”
“Ah! my dear Watson, there we come into
“It will be verified or disproved at the trial.
those realms of conjecture where the most logical
Meanwhile, come what may, Colonel Moran will
mind may be at fault. Each may form his own hy-
trouble us no more, the famous air-gun of Von
pothesis upon the present evidence, and yours is
Herder will embellish the Scotland Yard Museum,
as likely to be correct as mine.”
and once again Mr. Sherlock Holmes is free to
“You have formed one, then?” devote his life to examining those interesting lit-
“I think that it is not difficult to explain the tle problems which the complex life of London so
facts. It came out in evidence that Colonel Moran plentifully presents.”
The Adventure of the Norwood Builder
F
The Adventure of the Norwood Builder

rom the point of view of the crimi- the bell, followed immediately by a hollow drum-
nal expert,” said Mr. Sherlock Holmes, ming sound, as if someone were beating on the
“London has become a singularly unin- outer door with his fist. As it opened there came a
teresting city since the death of the late tumultuous rush into the hall, rapid feet clattered
lamented Professor Moriarty.” up the stair, and an instant later a wild-eyed and
“I can hardly think that you would find many frantic young man, pale, dishevelled, and palpitat-
decent citizens to agree with you,” I answered. ing, burst into the room. He looked from one to
the other of us, and under our gaze of inquiry he
“Well, well, I must not be selfish,” said he, became conscious that some apology was needed
with a smile, as he pushed back his chair from the for this unceremonious entry.
breakfast-table. “The community is certainly the
gainer, and no one the loser, save the poor out-of- “I’m sorry, Mr. Holmes,” he cried. “You
work specialist, whose occupation has gone. With mustn’t blame me. I am nearly mad. Mr. Holmes,
that man in the field one’s morning paper pre- I am the unhappy John Hector McFarlane.”
sented infinite possibilities. Often it was only the He made the announcement as if the name
smallest trace, Watson, the faintest indication, and alone would explain both his visit and its manner;
yet it was enough to tell me that the great malig- but I could see by my companion’s unresponsive
nant brain was there, as the gentlest tremors of the face that it meant no more to him than to me.
edges of the web remind one of the foul spider
which lurks in the centre. Petty thefts, wanton as- “Have a cigarette, Mr. McFarlane,” said he,
saults, purposeless outrage—to the man who held pushing his case across. “I am sure that with your
the clue all could be worked into one connected symptoms my friend Dr. Watson here would pre-
whole. To the scientific student of the higher crim- scribe a sedative. The weather has been so very
inal world no capital in Europe offered the advan- warm these last few days. Now, if you feel a lit-
tages which London then possessed. But now—” tle more composed, I should be glad if you would
He shrugged his shoulders in humorous depreca- sit down in that chair and tell us very slowly and
tion of the state of things which he had himself quietly who you are and what it is that you want.
done so much to produce. You mentioned your name as if I should recognise
it, but I assure you that, beyond the obvious facts
At the time of which I speak Holmes had been that you are a bachelor, a solicitor, a Freemason,
back for some months, and I, at his request, had and an asthmatic, I know nothing whatever about
sold my practice and returned to share the old you.”
quarters in Baker Street. A young doctor, named
Verner, had purchased my small Kensington prac- Familiar as I was with my friend’s methods, it
tice, and given with astonishingly little demur was not difficult for me to follow his deductions,
the highest price that I ventured to ask—an inci- and to observe the untidiness of attire, the sheaf of
dent which only explained itself some years later legal papers, the watch-charm, and the breathing
when I found that Verner was a distant relation which had prompted them. Our client, however,
of Holmes’s, and that it was my friend who had stared in amazement.
really found the money. “Yes, I am all that, Mr. Holmes, and in addition
Our months of partnership had not been so un- I am the most unfortunate man at this moment in
eventful as he had stated, for I find, on looking London. For Heaven’s sake don’t abandon me, Mr.
over my notes, that this period includes the case Holmes! If they come to arrest me before I have
of the papers of Ex-President Murillo, and also the finished my story, make them give me time so that
shocking affair of the Dutch steamship Friesland, I may tell you the whole truth. I could go to jail
which so nearly cost us both our lives. His cold happy if I knew that you were working for me out-
and proud nature was always averse, however, to side.”
anything in the shape of public applause, and he
“Arrest you!” said Holmes. “This is really most
bound me in the most stringent terms to say no
grati—most interesting. On what charge do you
further word of himself, his methods, or his suc-
expect to be arrested?”
cesses—a prohibition which, as I have explained,
has only now been removed. “Upon the charge of murdering Mr. Jonas
Oldacre, of Lower Norwood.”
Mr. Sherlock Holmes was leaning back in his
chair after his whimsical protest, and was unfold- My companion’s expressive face showed a
ing his morning paper in a leisurely fashion, when sympathy which was not, I am afraid, entirely un-
our attention was arrested by a tremendous ring at mixed with satisfaction.

431
 The Adventure of the Norwood Builder

“Dear me,” said he; “it was only this moment at For some years he has practically with-
breakfast that I was saying to my friend, Dr. Wat- drawn from the business, in which he is
son, that sensational cases had disappeared out of said to have amassed considerable wealth.
our papers.” A small timber-yard still exists, however,
at the back of the house, and last night,
Our visitor stretched forward a quivering hand
about twelve o’clock, an alarm was given
and picked up the Daily Telegraph, which still lay
that one of the stacks was on fire. The en-
upon Holmes’s knee.
gines were soon upon the spot, but the dry
“If you had looked at it, sir, you would have wood burned with great fury, and it was
seen at a glance what the errand is on which I impossible to arrest the conflagration un-
have come to you this morning. I feel as if my til the stack had been entirely consumed.
name and my misfortune must be in every man’s Up to this point the incident bore the ap-
mouth.” He turned it over to expose the central pearance of an ordinary accident, but fresh
page. “Here it is, and with your permission I will indications seem to point to serious crime.
read it to you. Listen to this, Mr. Holmes. The Surprise was expressed at the absence of
head-lines are: ‘Mysterious Affair at Lower Nor- the master of the establishment from the
wood. Disappearance of a Well-known Builder. scene of the fire, and an inquiry followed,
Suspicion of Murder and Arson. A Clue to the which showed that he had disappeared from
Criminal.’ That is the clue which they are already the house. An examination of his room re-
following, Mr. Holmes, and I know that it leads vealed that the bed had not been slept in,
infallibly to me. I have been followed from Lon- that a safe which stood in it was open, that a
don Bridge Station, and I am sure that they are number of important papers were scattered
only waiting for the warrant to arrest me. It will about the room, and, finally, that there were
break my mother’s heart—it will break her heart!” signs of a murderous struggle, slight traces
He wrung his hands in an agony of apprehension, of blood being found within the room, and
and swayed backwards and forwards in his chair. an oaken walking-stick, which also showed
stains of blood upon the handle. It is known
I looked with interest upon this man, who was
that Mr. Jonas Oldacre had received a late
accused of being the perpetrator of a crime of vi-
visitor in his bedroom upon that night, and
olence. He was flaxen-haired and handsome in a
the stick found has been identified as the
washed-out negative fashion, with frightened blue
property of this person, who is a young
eyes and a clean-shaven face, with a weak, sensi-
London solicitor named John Hector Mc-
tive mouth. His age may have been about twenty-
Farlane, junior partner of Graham and Mc-
seven; his dress and bearing that of a gentleman.
Farlane, of 426, Gresham Buildings, E.C.
From the pocket of his light summer overcoat pro-
The police believe that they have evidence
truded the bundle of endorsed papers which pro-
in their possession which supplies a very
claimed his profession.
convincing motive for the crime, and alto-
“We must use what time we have,” said gether it cannot be doubted that sensational
Holmes. “Watson, would you have the kindness developments will follow.
to take the paper and to read me the paragraph in
question?” “Later.—It is rumoured as we go to press
that Mr. John Hector McFarlane has ac-
Underneath the vigorous head-lines which our tually been arrested on the charge of the
client had quoted I read the following suggestive murder of Mr. Jonas Oldacre. It is at
narrative:— least certain that a warrant has been issued.
“Late last night, or early this morning, an There have been further and sinister devel-
incident occurred at Lower Norwood which opments in the investigation at Norwood.
points, it is feared, to a serious crime. Mr. Besides the signs of a struggle in the room
Jonas Oldacre is a well-known resident of of the unfortunate builder it is now known
that suburb, where he has carried on his that the French windows of his bedroom
business as a builder for many years. Mr. (which is on the ground floor) were found
Oldacre is a bachelor, fifty-two years of to be open, that there were marks as if some
age, and lives in Deep Dene House, at the bulky object had been dragged across to the
Sydenham end of the road of that name. wood-pile, and, finally, it is asserted that
He has had the reputation of being a man charred remains have been found among the
of eccentric habits, secretive and retiring. charcoal ashes of the fire. The police theory

432
 The Adventure of the Norwood Builder

is that a most sensational crime has been “Well, Mr. Holmes, it is difficult for me to
committed, that the victim was clubbed to refuse you anything, for you have been of use to
death in his own bedroom, his papers ri- the force once or twice in the past, and we owe
fled, and his dead body dragged across to you a good turn at Scotland Yard,” said Lestrade.
the wood-stack, which was then ignited so “At the same time I must remain with my prisoner,
as to hide all traces of the crime. The con- and I am bound to warn him that anything he may
duct of the criminal investigation has been say will appear in evidence against him.”
left in the experienced hands of Inspector “I wish nothing better,” said our client. “All I
Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, who is follow- ask is that you should hear and recognise the ab-
ing up the clues with his accustomed en- solute truth.”
ergy and sagacity.” Lestrade looked at his watch. “I’ll give you half
Sherlock Holmes listened with closed eyes and an hour,” said he.
finger-tips together to this remarkable account. “I must explain first,” said McFarlane, “that I
knew nothing of Mr. Jonas Oldacre. His name
“The case has certainly some points of inter-
was familiar to me, for many years ago my par-
est,” said he, in his languid fashion. “May I ask,
ents were acquainted with him, but they drifted
in the first place, Mr. McFarlane, how it is that you
apart. I was very much surprised, therefore, when
are still at liberty, since there appears to be enough
yesterday, about three o’clock in the afternoon, he
evidence to justify your arrest?”
walked into my office in the City. But I was still
“I live at Torrington Lodge, Blackheath, with more astonished when he told me the object of his
my parents, Mr. Holmes; but last night, having visit. He had in his hand several sheets of a note-
to do business very late with Mr. Jonas Oldacre, book, covered with scribbled writing—here they
I stayed at an hotel in Norwood, and came to my are—and he laid them on my table.
business from there. I knew nothing of this affair “ ‘Here is my will,’ said he. ‘I want you, Mr.
until I was in the train, when I read what you have McFarlane, to cast it into proper legal shape. I will
just heard. I at once saw the horrible danger of my sit here while you do so.’
position, and I hurried to put the case into your “I set myself to copy it, and you can imagine
hands. I have no doubt that I should have been my astonishment when I found that, with some
arrested either at my City office or at my home. A reservations, he had left all his property to me.
man followed me from London Bridge Station, and He was a strange little, ferret-like man, with white
I have no doubt—Great Heaven, what is that?” eyelashes, and when I looked up at him I found his
It was a clang of the bell, followed instantly by keen grey eyes fixed upon me with an amused ex-
heavy steps upon the stair. A moment later our pression. I could hardly believe my own senses as
old friend Lestrade appeared in the doorway. Over I read the terms of the will; but he explained that
his shoulder I caught a glimpse of one or two uni- he was a bachelor with hardly any living relation,
formed policemen outside. that he had known my parents in his youth, and
that he had always heard of me as a very deserv-
“Mr. John Hector McFarlane?” said Lestrade.
ing young man, and was assured that his money
Our unfortunate client rose with a ghastly face. would be in worthy hands. Of course, I could only
“I arrest you for the wilful murder of Mr. Jonas stammer out my thanks. The will was duly fin-
Oldacre, of Lower Norwood.” ished, signed, and witnessed by my clerk. This
is it on the blue paper, and these slips, as I have
McFarlane turned to us with a gesture of de- explained, are the rough draft. Mr. Jonas Oldacre
spair, and sank into his chair once more like one then informed me that there were a number of doc-
who is crushed. uments—building leases, title-deeds, mortgages,
“One moment, Lestrade,” said Holmes. “Half scrip, and so forth—which it was necessary that I
an hour more or less can make no difference to should see and understand. He said that his mind
you, and the gentleman was about to give us an would not be easy until the whole thing was set-
account of this very interesting affair, which might tled, and he begged me to come out to his house
aid us in clearing it up.” at Norwood that night, bringing the will with me,
and to arrange matters. ‘Remember, my boy, not
“I think there will be no difficulty in clearing it one word to your parents about the affair until ev-
up,” said Lestrade, grimly. erything is settled. We will keep it as a little sur-
“None the less, with your permission, I should prise for them.’ He was very insistent upon this
be much interested to hear his account.” point, and made me promise it faithfully.

433
 The Adventure of the Norwood Builder

“You can imagine, Mr. Holmes, that I was not “Oh, yes; no doubt that is what I must have
in a humour to refuse him anything that he might meant,” said Holmes, with his enigmatical smile.
ask. He was my benefactor, and all my desire was Lestrade had learned by more experiences than
to carry out his wishes in every particular. I sent a he would care to acknowledge that that razor-like
telegram home, therefore, to say that I had impor- brain could cut through that which was impenetra-
tant business on hand, and that it was impossible ble to him. I saw him look curiously at my com-
for me to say how late I might be. Mr. Oldacre panion.
had told me that he would like me to have supper “I think I should like to have a word with you
with him at nine, as he might not be home be- presently, Mr. Sherlock Holmes,” said he. “Now,
fore that hour. I had some difficulty in finding his Mr. McFarlane, two of my constables are at the
house, however, and it was nearly half-past before door and there is a four-wheeler waiting.” The
I reached it. I found him—” wretched young man arose, and with a last be-
“One moment!” said Holmes. “Who opened seeching glance at us walked from the room. The
the door?” officers conducted him to the cab, but Lestrade re-
mained.
“A middle-aged woman, who was, I suppose,
his housekeeper.” Holmes had picked up the pages which formed
the rough draft of the will, and was looking at
“And it was she, I presume, who mentioned
them with the keenest interest upon his face.
your name?”
“There are some points about that document,
“Exactly,” said McFarlane.
Lestrade, are there not?” said he, pushing them
“Pray proceed.” over.
McFarlane wiped his damp brow and then con- The official looked at them with a puzzled ex-
tinued his narrative:— pression.
“I was shown by this woman into a sitting- “I can read the first few lines, and these in the
room, where a frugal supper was laid out. Af- middle of the second page, and one or two at the
terwards Mr. Jonas Oldacre led me into his bed- end. Those are as clear as print,” said he; “but the
room, in which there stood a heavy safe. This he writing in between is very bad, and there are three
opened and took out a mass of documents, which places where I cannot read it at all.”
we went over together. It was between eleven and “What do you make of that?” said Holmes.
twelve when we finished. He remarked that we
must not disturb the housekeeper. He showed me “Well, what do you make of it?”
out through his own French window, which had “That it was written in a train; the good writ-
been open all this time.” ing represents stations, the bad writing movement,
and the very bad writing passing over points. A
“Was the blind down?” asked Holmes.
scientific expert would pronounce at once that this
“I will not be sure, but I believe that it was only was drawn up on a suburban line, since nowhere
half down. Yes, I remember how he pulled it up save in the immediate vicinity of a great city could
in order to swing open the window. I could not there be so quick a succession of points. Grant-
find my stick, and he said, ‘Never mind, my boy; ing that his whole journey was occupied in draw-
I shall see a good deal of you now, I hope, and I ing up the will, then the train was an express,
will keep your stick until you come back to claim only stopping once between Norwood and Lon-
it.’ I left him there, the safe open, and the papers don Bridge.”
made up in packets upon the table. It was so late
Lestrade began to laugh.
that I could not get back to Blackheath, so I spent
the night at the Anerley Arms, and I knew noth- “You are too many for me when you begin to
ing more until I read of this horrible affair in the get on your theories, Mr. Holmes,” said he. “How
morning.” does this bear on the case?”
“Anything more that you would like to ask, “Well, it corroborates the young man’s story to
Mr. Holmes?” said Lestrade, whose eyebrows had the extent that the will was drawn up by Jonas
gone up once or twice during this remarkable ex- Oldacre in his journey yesterday. It is curious—is
planation. it not?—that a man should draw up so important
a document in so haphazard a fashion. It sug-
“Not until I have been to Blackheath.” gests that he did not think it was going to be of
“You mean to Norwood,” said Lestrade. much practical importance. If a man drew up a

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 The Adventure of the Norwood Builder

will which he did not intend ever to be effective he He seizes a stick, which he observes there, kills
might do it so.” Oldacre, and departs after burning the body.”
“Well, he drew up his own death-warrant at the “Why should the tramp burn the body?”
same time,” said Lestrade. “For the matter of that why should McFar-
lane?”
“Oh, you think so?”
“To hide some evidence.”
“Don’t you?” “Possibly the tramp wanted to hide that any
“Well, it is quite possible; but the case is not murder at all had been committed.”
clear to me yet.” “And why did the tramp take nothing?”
“Because they were papers that he could not
“Not clear? Well, if that isn’t clear, what could
negotiate.”
be clear? Here is a young man who learns sud-
Lestrade shook his head, though it seemed to
denly that if a certain older man dies he will suc-
me that his manner was less absolutely assured
ceed to a fortune. What does he do? He says
than before.
nothing to anyone, but he arranges that he shall
go out on some pretext to see his client that night; “Well, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, you may look for
he waits until the only other person in the house your tramp, and while you are finding him we will
is in bed, and then in the solitude of a man’s room hold on to our man. The future will show which
he murders him, burns his body in the wood-pile, is right. Just notice this point, Mr. Holmes: that so
and departs to a neighbouring hotel. The blood- far as we know none of the papers were removed,
stains in the room and also on the stick are very and that the prisoner is the one man in the world
slight. It is probable that he imagined his crime who had no reason for removing them, since he
to be a bloodless one, and hoped that if the body was heir-at-law and would come into them in any
were consumed it would hide all traces of the case.”
method of his death—traces which for some rea- My friend seemed struck by this remark.
son must have pointed to him. Is all this not obvi- “I don’t mean to deny that the evidence is in
ous?” some ways very strongly in favour of your the-
ory,” said he. “I only wish to point out that there
“It strikes me, my good Lestrade, as being just
are other theories possible. As you say, the future
a trifle too obvious,” said Holmes. “You do not
will decide. Good morning! I dare say that in the
add imagination to your other great qualities; but
course of the day I shall drop in at Norwood and
if you could for one moment put yourself in the
see how you are getting on.”
place of this young man, would you choose the
When the detective departed my friend rose
very night after the will had been made to commit
and made his preparations for the day’s work with
your crime? Would it not seem dangerous to you
the alert air of a man who has a congenial task be-
to make so very close a relation between the two
fore him.
incidents? Again, would you choose an occasion
when you are known to be in the house, when a “My first movement, Watson,” said he, as he
servant has let you in? And, finally, would you bustled into his frock-coat, “must, as I said, be in
take the great pains to conceal the body and yet the direction of Blackheath.”
leave your own stick as a sign that you were the “And why not Norwood?”
criminal? Confess, Lestrade, that all this is very “Because we have in this case one singular in-
unlikely.” cident coming close to the heels of another singu-
lar incident. The police are making the mistake
“As to the stick, Mr. Holmes, you know as well
of concentrating their attention upon the second,
as I do that a criminal is often flurried and does
because it happens to be the one which is actu-
things which a cool man would avoid. He was
ally criminal. But it is evident to me that the logi-
very likely afraid to go back to the room. Give me
cal way to approach the case is to begin by trying
another theory that would fit the facts.”
to throw some light upon the first incident—the
“I could very easily give you half-a-dozen,” curious will, so suddenly made, and to so unex-
said Holmes. “Here, for example, is a very pos- pected an heir. It may do something to simplify
sible and even probable one. I make you a free what followed. No, my dear fellow, I don’t think
present of it. The older man is showing documents you can help me. There is no prospect of dan-
which are of evident value. A passing tramp sees ger, or I should not dream of stirring out without
them through the window, the blind of which is you. I trust that when I see you in the evening I
only half down. Exit the solicitor. Enter the tramp! will be able to report that I have been able to do

435
 The Adventure of the Norwood Builder

something for this unfortunate youngster who has “ ‘Neither my son nor I want anything from
thrown himself upon my protection.” Jonas Oldacre, dead or alive,’ she cried, with a
It was late when my friend returned, and I proper spirit. ‘There is a God in Heaven, Mr.
could see by a glance at his haggard and anxious Holmes, and that same God who has punished
face that the high hopes with which he had started that wicked man will show in His own good time
had not been fulfilled. For an hour he droned away that my son’s hands are guiltless of his blood.’
upon his violin, endeavouring to soothe his own “Well, I tried one or two leads, but could get
ruffled spirits. At last he flung down the instru- at nothing which would help our hypothesis, and
ment and plunged into a detailed account of his several points which would make against it. I gave
misadventures. it up at last and off I went to Norwood.
“It’s all going wrong, Watson—all as wrong as “This place, Deep Dene House, is a big mod-
it can go. I kept a bold face before Lestrade, but, ern villa of staring brick, standing back in its own
upon my soul, I believe that for once the fellow is grounds, with a laurel-clumped lawn in front of it.
on the right track and we are on the wrong. All my To the right and some distance back from the road
instincts are one way and all the facts are the other, was the timber-yard which had been the scene of
and I much fear that British juries have not yet the fire. Here’s a rough plan on a leaf of my
attained that pitch of intelligence when they will note-book. This window on the left is the one
give the preference to my theories over Lestrade’s which opens into Oldacre’s room. You can look
facts.” into it from the road, you see. That is about the
“Did you go to Blackheath?” only bit of consolation I have had to-day. Lestrade
was not there, but his head constable did the hon-
“Yes, Watson, I went there, and I found very ours. They had just made a great treasure-trove.
quickly that the late lamented Oldacre was a pretty They had spent the morning raking among the
considerable black-guard. The father was away in ashes of the burned wood-pile, and besides the
search of his son. The mother was at home—a charred organic remains they had secured sev-
little, fluffy, blue-eyed person, in a tremor of fear eral discoloured metal discs. I examined them
and indignation. Of course, she would not admit with care, and there was no doubt that they were
even the possibility of his guilt. But she would not trouser buttons. I even distinguished that one of
express either surprise or regret over the fate of them was marked with the name of ‘Hyams,’ who
Oldacre. On the contrary, she spoke of him with was Oldacre’s tailor. I then worked the lawn very
such bitterness that she was unconsciously consid- carefully for signs and traces, but this drought has
erably strengthening the case of the police, for, of made everything as hard as iron. Nothing was to
course, if her son had heard her speak of the man be seen save that some body or bundle had been
in this fashion it would predispose him towards dragged through a low privet hedge which is in a
hatred and violence. ‘He was more like a malig- line with the wood-pile. All that, of course, fits in
nant and cunning ape than a human being,’ said with the official theory. I crawled about the lawn
she, ‘and he always was, ever since he was a young with an August sun on my back, but I got up at
man.’ the end of an hour no wiser than before.
“ ‘You knew him at that time?’ said I. “Well, after this fiasco I went into the bedroom
“ ‘Yes, I knew him well; in fact, he was an old and examined that also. The blood-stains were
suitor of mine. Thank Heaven that I had the sense very slight, mere smears and discolorations, but
to turn away from him and to marry a better, if a undoubtedly fresh. The stick had been removed,
poorer, man. I was engaged to him, Mr. Holmes, but there also the marks were slight. There is no
when I heard a shocking story of how he had doubt about the stick belonging to our client. He
turned a cat loose in an aviary, and I was so horri- admits it. Footmarks of both men could be made
fied at his brutal cruelty that I would have nothing out on the carpet, but none of any third person,
more to do with him.’ She rummaged in a bu- which again is a trick for the other side. They were
reau, and presently she produced a photograph of piling up their score all the time and we were at a
a woman, shamefully defaced and mutilated with standstill.
a knife. ‘That is my own photograph,’ she said. “Only one little gleam of hope did I get—and
‘He sent it to me in that state, with his curse, upon yet it amounted to nothing. I examined the con-
my wedding morning.’ tents of the safe, most of which had been taken out
“ ‘Well,’ said I, ‘at least he has forgiven you and left on the table. The papers had been made
now, since he has left all his property to your son.’ up into sealed envelopes, one or two of which had

436
 The Adventure of the Norwood Builder

been opened by the police. They were not, so far there ever a more mild-mannered, Sunday-school
as I could judge, of any great value, nor did the young man?”
bank-book show that Mr. Oldacre was in such very
“It is true.”
affluent circumstances. But it seemed to me that all
the papers were not there. There were allusions to “Unless we succeed in establishing an alter-
some deeds—possibly the more valuable—which native theory this man is lost. You can hardly
I could not find. This, of course, if we could def- find a flaw in the case which can now be pre-
initely prove it, would turn Lestrade’s argument sented against him, and all further investigation
against himself, for who would steal a thing if he has served to strengthen it. By the way, there is
knew that he would shortly inherit it? one curious little point about those papers which
“Finally, having drawn every other cover and may serve us as the starting-point for an inquiry.
picked up no scent, I tried my luck with the house- On looking over the bank-book I found that the
keeper. Mrs. Lexington is her name, a little, dark, low state of the balance was principally due to
silent person, with suspicious and sidelong eyes. large cheques which have been made out during
She could tell us something if she would—I am the last year to Mr. Cornelius. I confess that I
convinced of it. But she was as close as wax. should be interested to know who this Mr. Cor-
Yes, she had let Mr. McFarlane in at half-past nine. nelius may be with whom a retired builder has
She wished her hand had withered before she had such very large transactions. Is it possible that he
done so. She had gone to bed at half-past ten. Her has had a hand in the affair? Cornelius might be a
room was at the other end of the house, and she broker, but we have found no scrip to correspond
could hear nothing of what passed. Mr. McFar- with these large payments. Failing any other indi-
lane had left his hat, and to the best of her belief cation my researches must now take the direction
his stick, in the hall. She had been awakened by of an inquiry at the bank for the gentleman who
the alarm of fire. Her poor, dear master had cer- has cashed these cheques. But I fear, my dear fel-
tainly been murdered. Had he any enemies? Well, low, that our case will end ingloriously by Lestrade
every man had enemies, but Mr. Oldacre kept him- hanging our client, which will certainly be a tri-
self very much to himself, and only met people in umph for Scotland Yard.”
the way of business. She had seen the buttons, and I do not know how far Sherlock Holmes took
was sure that they belonged to the clothes which any sleep that night, but when I came down to
he had worn last night. The wood-pile was very breakfast I found him pale and harassed, his bright
dry, for it had not rained for a month. It burned eyes the brighter for the dark shadows round
like tinder, and by the time she reached the spot them. The carpet round his chair was littered with
nothing could be seen but flames. She and all cigarette-ends and with the early editions of the
the firemen smelled the burned flesh from inside morning papers. An open telegram lay upon the
it. She knew nothing of the papers, nor of Mr. table.
Oldacre’s private affairs.
“What do you think of this, Watson?” he asked,
“So, my dear Watson, there’s my report of a
tossing it across.
failure. And yet—and yet—”—he clenched his
thin hands in a paroxysm of conviction—“I know It was from Norwood, and ran as follows:
it’s all wrong. I feel it in my bones. There is some-
thing that has not come out, and that housekeeper “Important fresh evidence to hand.
knows it. There was a sort of sulky defiance in McFarlane’s guilt definitely estab-
her eyes, which only goes with guilty knowledge. lished. Advise you to abandon case.
However, there’s no good talking any more about — Lestrade.
it, Watson; but unless some lucky chance comes “This sounds serious,” said I.
our way I fear that the Norwood Disappearance
Case will not figure in that chronicle of our suc- “It is Lestrade’s little cock-a-doodle of victory,”
cesses which I foresee that a patient public will Holmes answered, with a bitter smile. “And yet
sooner or later have to endure.” it may be premature to abandon the case. After
all, important fresh evidence is a two-edged thing,
“Surely,” said I, “the man’s appearance would and may possibly cut in a very different direction
go far with any jury?” to that which Lestrade imagines. Take your break-
“That is a dangerous argument, my dear Wat- fast, Watson, and we will go out together and see
son. You remember that terrible murderer, Bert what we can do. I feel as if I shall need your com-
Stevens, who wanted us to get him off in ’87? Was pany and your moral support to-day.”

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 The Adventure of the Norwood Builder

My friend had no breakfast himself, for it was As he held the waxen print close to the blood-
one of his peculiarities that in his more intense mo- stain it did not take a magnifying glass to see that
ments he would permit himself no food, and I have the two were undoubtedly from the same thumb.
known him presume upon his iron strength until It was evident to me that our unfortunate client
he has fainted from pure inanition. “At present was lost.
I cannot spare energy and nerve force for diges- “That is final,” said Lestrade.
tion,” he would say in answer to my medical re- “Yes, that is final,” I involuntarily echoed.
monstrances. I was not surprised, therefore, when “It is final,” said Holmes.
this morning he left his untouched meal behind Something in his tone caught my ear, and I
him and started with me for Norwood. A crowd turned to look at him. An extraordinary change
of morbid sightseers were still gathered round had come over his face. It was writhing with in-
Deep Dene House, which was just such a suburban ward merriment. His two eyes were shining like
villa as I had pictured. Within the gates Lestrade stars. It seemed to me that he was making desper-
met us, his face flushed with victory, his manner ate efforts to restrain a convulsive attack of laugh-
grossly triumphant. ter.
“Well, Mr. Holmes, have you proved us to be “Dear me! Dear me!” he said at last. “Well,
wrong yet? Have you found your tramp?” he now, who would have thought it? And how de-
cried. ceptive appearances may be, to be sure! Such a
“I have formed no conclusion whatever,” my nice young man to look at! It is a lesson to us not
companion answered. to trust our own judgment, is it not, Lestrade?”
“Yes, some of us are a little too much inclined
“But we formed ours yesterday, and now it
to be cocksure, Mr. Holmes,” said Lestrade. The
proves to be correct; so you must acknowledge that
man’s insolence was maddening, but we could not
we have been a little in front of you this time, Mr.
resent it.
Holmes.”
“What a providential thing that this young man
“You certainly have the air of something un- should press his right thumb against the wall in
usual having occurred,” said Holmes. taking his hat from the peg! Such a very natural
Lestrade laughed loudly. action, too, if you come to think of it.” Holmes was
“You don’t like being beaten any more than the outwardly calm, but his whole body gave a wrig-
rest of us do,” said he. “A man can’t expect always gle of suppressed excitement as he spoke. “By the
to have it his own way, can he, Dr. Watson? Step way, Lestrade, who made this remarkable discov-
this way, if you please, gentlemen, and I think I ery?”
can convince you once for all that it was John Mc- “It was the housekeeper, Mrs. Lexington, who
Farlane who did this crime.” drew the night constable’s attention to it.”
“Where was the night constable?”
He led us through the passage and out into a
“He remained on guard in the bedroom where
dark hall beyond.
the crime was committed, so as to see that nothing
“This is where young McFarlane must have was touched.”
come out to get his hat after the crime was done,” “But why didn’t the police see this mark yes-
said he. “Now, look at this.” With dramatic sud- terday?”
denness he struck a match and by its light exposed
“Well, we had no particular reason to make a
a stain of blood upon the whitewashed wall. As he
careful examination of the hall. Besides, it’s not in
held the match nearer I saw that it was more than
a very prominent place, as you see.”
a stain. It was the well-marked print of a thumb.
“No, no, of course not. I suppose there is no
“Look at that with your magnifying glass, Mr. doubt that the mark was there yesterday?”
Holmes.” Lestrade looked at Holmes as if he thought he
“Yes, I am doing so.” was going out of his mind. I confess that I was
“You are aware that no two thumb marks are myself surprised both at his hilarious manner and
alike?” at his rather wild observation.
“I don’t know whether you think that McFar-
“I have heard something of the kind.” lane came out of jail in the dead of the night in
“Well, then, will you please compare that print order to strengthen the evidence against himself,”
with this wax impression of young McFarlane’s said Lestrade. “I leave it to any expert in the world
right thumb, taken by my orders this morning?” whether that is not the mark of his thumb.”

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 The Adventure of the Norwood Builder

“It is unquestionably the mark of his thumb.” Lestrade knew my friend too well to disregard
his words. He laid down his pen and looked curi-
“There, that’s enough,” said Lestrade. “I am
ously at him.
a practical man, Mr. Holmes, and when I have got
my evidence I come to my conclusions. If you have “What do you mean, Mr. Holmes?”
anything to say you will find me writing my report “Only that there is an important witness whom
in the sitting-room.” you have not seen.”
Holmes had recovered his equanimity, though “Can you produce him?”
I still seemed to detect gleams of amusement in his
“I think I can.”
expression.
“Then do so.”
“Dear me, this is a very sad development, Wat-
son, is it not?” said he. “And yet there are singular “I will do my best. How many constables have
points about it which hold out some hopes for our you?”
client.” “There are three within call.”
“I am delighted to hear it,” said I, heartily. “I “Excellent!” said Holmes. “May I ask if they
was afraid it was all up with him.” are all large, able-bodied men with powerful
voices?”
“I would hardly go so far as to say that, my
dear Watson. The fact is that there is one really “I have no doubt they are, though I fail to see
serious flaw in this evidence to which our friend what their voices have to do with it.”
attaches so much importance.” “Perhaps I can help you to see that and one or
“Indeed, Holmes! What is it?” two other things as well,” said Holmes. “Kindly
summon your men, and I will try.”
“Only this: that I know that that mark was not
there when I examined the hall yesterday. And Five minutes later three policemen had assem-
now, Watson, let us have a little stroll round in the bled in the hall.
sunshine.” “In the outhouse you will find a considerable
quantity of straw,” said Holmes. “I will ask you to
With a confused brain, but with a heart into
carry in two bundles of it. I think it will be of the
which some warmth of hope was returning, I ac-
greatest assistance in producing the witness whom
companied my friend in a walk round the garden.
I require. Thank you very much. I believe you have
Holmes took each face of the house in turn and
some matches in your pocket, Watson. Now, Mr.
examined it with great interest. He then led the
Lestrade, I will ask you all to accompany me to the
way inside and went over the whole building from
top landing.”
basement to attics. Most of the rooms were unfur-
nished, but none the less Holmes inspected them As I have said, there was a broad corridor there,
all minutely. Finally, on the top corridor, which which ran outside three empty bedrooms. At one
ran outside three untenanted bedrooms, he again end of the corridor we were all marshalled by Sher-
was seized with a spasm of merriment. lock Holmes, the constables grinning and Lestrade
staring at my friend with amazement, expectation,
“There are really some very unique features and derision chasing each other across his features.
about this case, Watson,” said he. “I think it is Holmes stood before us with the air of a conjurer
time now that we took our friend Lestrade into who is performing a trick.
our confidence. He has had his little smile at our
expense, and perhaps we may do as much by him “Would you kindly send one of your consta-
if my reading of this problem proves to be correct. bles for two buckets of water? Put the straw on
Yes, yes; I think I see how we should approach it.” the floor here, free from the wall on either side.
Now I think that we are all ready.”
The Scotland Yard inspector was still writing in
the parlour when Holmes interrupted him. Lestrade’s face had begun to grow red and an-
gry.
“I understood that you were writing a report of
“I don’t know whether you are playing a game
this case,” said he.
with us, Mr. Sherlock Holmes,” said he. “If you
“So I am.” know anything, you can surely say it without all
“Don’t you think it may be a little premature? I this tomfoolery.”
can’t help thinking that your evidence is not com- “I assure you, my good Lestrade, that I have
plete.” an excellent reason for everything that I do. You

439
 The Adventure of the Norwood Builder

may possibly remember that you chaffed me a lit- though it is a mystery to me how you did it. You
tle some hours ago, when the sun seemed on your have saved an innocent man’s life, and you have
side of the hedge, so you must not grudge me a prevented a very grave scandal, which would have
little pomp and ceremony now. Might I ask you, ruined my reputation in the Force.”
Watson, to open that window, and then to put a Holmes smiled and clapped Lestrade upon the
match to the edge of the straw?” shoulder.
I did so, and, driven by the draught, a coil of “Instead of being ruined, my good sir, you will
grey smoke swirled down the corridor, while the find that your reputation has been enormously en-
dry straw crackled and flamed. hanced. Just make a few alterations in that report
“Now we must see if we can find this witness which you were writing, and they will understand
for you, Lestrade. Might I ask you all to join in the how hard it is to throw dust in the eyes of Inspec-
cry of ‘Fire!’? Now, then; one, two, three—” tor Lestrade.”
“Fire!” we all yelled. “And you don’t want your name to appear?”
“Thank you. I will trouble you once again.” “Not at all. The work is its own reward. Per-
“Fire!” haps I shall get the credit also at some distant day
“Just once more, gentlemen, and all together.” when I permit my zealous historian to lay out his
foolscap once more—eh, Watson? Well, now, let us
“Fire!” The shout must have rung over Nor-
see where this rat has been lurking.”
wood.
A lath-and-plaster partition had been run
It had hardly died away when an amazing
across the passage six feet from the end, with a
thing happened. A door suddenly flew open out
door cunningly concealed in it. It was lit within
of what appeared to be solid wall at the end of the
by slits under the eaves. A few articles of furni-
corridor, and a little, wizened man darted out of
ture and a supply of food and water were within,
it, like a rabbit out of its burrow.
together with a number of books and papers.
“Capital!” said Holmes, calmly. “Watson, a
“There’s the advantage of being a builder,” said
bucket of water over the straw. That will do!
Holmes, as we came out. “He was able to fix up
Lestrade, allow me to present you with your prin-
his own little hiding-place without any confeder-
cipal missing witness, Mr. Jonas Oldacre.”
ate—save, of course, that precious housekeeper of
The detective stared at the new-comer with his, whom I should lose no time in adding to your
blank amazement. The latter was blinking in the bag, Lestrade.”
bright light of the corridor, and peering at us
“I’ll take your advice. But how did you know
and at the smouldering fire. It was an odious
of this place, Mr. Holmes?”
face—crafty, vicious, malignant, with shifty, light-
grey eyes and white eyelashes. “I made up my mind that the fellow was in
“What’s this, then?” said Lestrade at last. hiding in the house. When I paced one corridor
“What have you been doing all this time, eh?” and found it six feet shorter than the correspond-
ing one below, it was pretty clear where he was.
Oldacre gave an uneasy laugh, shrinking back I thought he had not the nerve to lie quiet before
from the furious red face of the angry detective. an alarm of fire. We could, of course, have gone
“I have done no harm.” in and taken him, but it amused me to make him
“No harm? You have done your best to get an reveal himself; besides, I owed you a little mystifi-
innocent man hanged. If it wasn’t for this gentle- cation, Lestrade, for your chaff in the morning.”
man here, I am not sure that you would not have “Well, sir, you certainly got equal with me on
succeeded.” that. But how in the world did you know that he
The wretched creature began to whimper. was in the house at all?”
“I am sure, sir, it was only my practical joke.” “The thumb-mark, Lestrade. You said it was fi-
“Oh! a joke, was it? You won’t find the laugh nal; and so it was, in a very different sense. I knew
on your side, I promise you. Take him down and it had not been there the day before. I pay a good
keep him in the sitting-room until I come. Mr. deal of attention to matters of detail, as you may
Holmes,” he continued, when they had gone, “I have observed, and I had examined the hall and
could not speak before the constables, but I don’t was sure that the wall was clear. Therefore, it had
mind saying, in the presence of Dr. Watson, that been put on during the night.”
this is the brightest thing that you have done yet, “But how?”

440
 “Very simply. When those packets were sealed same time have an ample and crushing revenge
up, Jonas Oldacre got McFarlane to secure one of upon his old sweetheart, if he could give the im-
the seals by putting his thumb upon the soft wax. pression that he had been murdered by her only
It would be done so quickly and so naturally that child. It was a masterpiece of villainy, and he car-
I dare say the young man himself has no recol- ried it out like a master. The idea of the will, which
lection of it. Very likely it just so happened, and would give an obvious motive for the crime, the
Oldacre had himself no notion of the use he would secret visit unknown to his own parents, the re-
put it to. Brooding over the case in that den of his, tention of the stick, the blood, and the animal re-
it suddenly struck him what absolutely damning mains and buttons in the wood-pile, all were ad-
evidence he could make against McFarlane by us- mirable. It was a net from which it seemed to
ing that thumb-mark. It was the simplest thing in me a few hours ago that there was no possible es-
the world for him to take a wax impression from cape. But he had not that supreme gift of the artist,
the seal, to moisten it in as much blood as he could the knowledge of when to stop. He wished to
get from a pin-prick, and to put the mark upon the improve that which was already perfect—to draw
wall during the night, either with his own hand the rope tighter yet round the neck of his unfortu-
or with that of his housekeeper. If you examine nate victim—and so he ruined all. Let us descend,
among those documents which he took with him Lestrade. There are just one or two questions that
into his retreat I will lay you a wager that you find I would ask him.”
the seal with the thumb-mark upon it.” The malignant creature was seated in his own
“Wonderful!” said Lestrade. “Wonderful! It’s parlour with a policeman upon each side of him.
all as clear as crystal, as you put it. But what is the
“It was a joke, my good sir, a practical joke,
object of this deep deception, Mr. Holmes?”
nothing more,” he whined incessantly. “I assure
It was amusing to me to see how the detective’s you, sir, that I simply concealed myself in order
overbearing manner had changed suddenly to that to see the effect of my disappearance, and I am
of a child asking questions of its teacher. sure that you would not be so unjust as to imagine
“Well, I don’t think that is very hard to ex- that I would have allowed any harm to befall poor
plain. A very deep, malicious, vindictive person young Mr. McFarlane.”
is the gentleman who is now awaiting us down-
“That’s for a jury to decide,” said Lestrade.
stairs. You know that he was once refused by
“Anyhow, we shall have you on a charge of con-
McFarlane’s mother? You don’t! I told you that
spiracy, if not for attempted murder.”
you should go to Blackheath first and Norwood
afterwards. Well, this injury, as he would con- “And you’ll probably find that your creditors
sider it, has rankled in his wicked, scheming brain, will impound the banking account of Mr. Cor-
and all his life he has longed for vengeance, but nelius,” said Holmes.
never seen his chance. During the last year or two The little man started and turned his malignant
things have gone against him—secret speculation, eyes upon my friend.
I think—and he finds himself in a bad way. He de-
termines to swindle his creditors, and for this pur- “I have to thank you for a good deal,” said he.
pose he pays large cheques to a certain Mr. Cor- “Perhaps I’ll pay my debt some day.”
nelius, who is, I imagine, himself under another Holmes smiled indulgently.
name. I have not traced these cheques yet, but I “I fancy that for some few years you will find
have no doubt that they were banked under that your time very fully occupied,” said he. “By the
name at some provincial town where Oldacre from way, what was it you put into the wood-pile be-
time to time led a double existence. He intended sides your old trousers? A dead dog, or rabbits,
to change his name altogether, draw this money, or what? You won’t tell? Dear me, how very un-
and vanish, starting life again elsewhere.” kind of you! Well, well, I dare say that a couple of
“Well, that’s likely enough.” rabbits would account both for the blood and for
“It would strike him that in disappearing he the charred ashes. If ever you write an account,
might throw all pursuit off his track, and at the Watson, you can make rabbits serve your turn.”
The Adventure of the Dancing Men
H
The Adventure of the Dancing Men

olmes had been seated for some hours in him. 5. Your cheque-book is locked in my drawer,
silence with his long, thin back curved and you have not asked for the key. 6. You do not
over a chemical vessel in which he propose to invest your money in this manner.”
was brewing a particularly malodorous “How absurdly simple!” I cried.
product. His head was sunk upon his breast, and
he looked from my point of view like a strange, “Quite so!” said he, a little nettled. “Every
lank bird, with dull grey plumage and a black top- problem becomes very childish when once it is ex-
knot. plained to you. Here is an unexplained one. See
what you can make of that, friend Watson.” He
“So, Watson,” said he, suddenly, “you do not
tossed a sheet of paper upon the table and turned
propose to invest in South African securities?”
once more to his chemical analysis.
I gave a start of astonishment. Accustomed as
I was to Holmes’s curious faculties, this sudden I looked with amazement at the absurd hiero-
intrusion into my most intimate thoughts was ut- glyphics upon the paper.
terly inexplicable. “Why, Holmes, it is a child’s drawing,” I cried.
“How on earth do you know that?” I asked. “Oh, that’s your idea!”
He wheeled round upon his stool, with a “What else should it be?”
steaming test-tube in his hand and a gleam of
“That is what Mr. Hilton Cubitt, of Ridling
amusement in his deep-set eyes.
Thorpe Manor, Norfolk, is very anxious to know.
“Now, Watson, confess yourself utterly taken This little conundrum came by the first post, and
aback,” said he. he was to follow by the next train. There’s a ring
“I am.” at the bell, Watson. I should not be very much
“I ought to make you sign a paper to that ef- surprised if this were he.”
fect.” A heavy step was heard upon the stairs, and
“Why?” an instant later there entered a tall, ruddy, clean-
shaven gentleman, whose clear eyes and florid
“Because in five minutes you will say that it is
cheeks told of a life led far from the fogs of Baker
all so absurdly simple.”
Street. He seemed to bring a whiff of his strong,
“I am sure that I shall say nothing of the kind.” fresh, bracing, east-coast air with him as he en-
“You see, my dear Watson”—he propped his tered. Having shaken hands with each of us, he
test-tube in the rack and began to lecture with was about to sit down when his eye rested upon
the air of a professor addressing his class—“it is the paper with the curious markings, which I had
not really difficult to construct a series of infer- just examined and left upon the table.
ences, each dependent upon its predecessor and “Well, Mr. Holmes, what do you make of
each simple in itself. If, after doing so, one simply these?” he cried. “They told me that you were fond
knocks out all the central inferences and presents of queer mysteries, and I don’t think you can find
one’s audience with the starting-point and the con- a queerer one than that. I sent the paper on ahead
clusion, one may produce a startling, though pos- so that you might have time to study it before I
sibly a meretricious, effect. Now, it was not really came.”
difficult, by an inspection of the groove between
your left forefinger and thumb, to feel sure that “It is certainly rather a curious production,”
you did not propose to invest your small capital in said Holmes. “At first sight it would appear to
the goldfields.” be some childish prank. It consists of a number of
absurd little figures dancing across the paper upon
“I see no connection.”
which they are drawn. Why should you attribute
“Very likely not; but I can quickly show you a any importance to so grotesque an object?”
close connection. Here are the missing links of the
very simple chain: 1. You had chalk between your “I never should, Mr. Holmes. But my wife
left finger and thumb when you returned from the does. It is frightening her to death. She says noth-
club last night. 2. You put chalk there when you ing, but I can see terror in her eyes. That’s why I
play billiards to steady the cue. 3. You never play want to sift the matter to the bottom.”
billiards except with Thurston. 4. You told me four Holmes held up the paper so that the sunlight
weeks ago that Thurston had an option on some shone full upon it. It was a page torn from a note-
South African property which would expire in a book. The markings were done in pencil, and ran
month, and which he desired you to share with in this way:—

445
 The Adventure of the Dancing Men

of trouble. One day my wife received a letter from

America. I saw the American stamp. She turned
deadly white, read the letter, and threw it into the
fire. She made no allusion to it afterwards, and
Holmes examined it for some time, and then, fold- I made none, for a promise is a promise; but she
ing it carefully up, he placed it in his pocket-book. has never known an easy hour from that moment.
There is always a look of fear upon her face—a
“This promises to be a most interesting and un-
look as if she were waiting and expecting. She
usual case,” said he. “You gave me a few particu-
would do better to trust me. She would find that
lars in your letter, Mr. Hilton Cubitt, but I should
I was her best friend. But until she speaks I can
be very much obliged if you would kindly go over
say nothing. Mind you, she is a truthful woman,
it all again for the benefit of my friend, Dr. Wat-
Mr. Holmes, and whatever trouble there may have
son.”
been in her past life it has been no fault of hers. I
“I’m not much of a story-teller,” said our vis- am only a simple Norfolk squire, but there is not
itor, nervously clasping and unclasping his great, a man in England who ranks his family honour
strong hands. “You’ll just ask me anything that I more highly than I do. She knows it well, and she
don’t make clear. I’ll begin at the time of my mar- knew it well before she married me. She would
riage last year; but I want to say first of all that, never bring any stain upon it—of that I am sure.
though I’m not a rich man, my people have been
“Well, now I come to the queer part of my
at Ridling Thorpe for a matter of five centuries,
story. About a week ago—it was the Tuesday of
and there is no better known family in the County
last week—I found on one of the window-sills a
of Norfolk. Last year I came up to London for the
number of absurd little dancing figures, like these
Jubilee, and I stopped at a boarding-house in Rus-
upon the paper. They were scrawled with chalk. I
sell Square, because Parker, the vicar of our parish,
thought that it was the stable-boy who had drawn
was staying in it. There was an American young
them, but the lad swore he knew nothing about it.
lady there—Patrick was the name—Elsie Patrick.
Anyhow, they had come there during the night.
In some way we became friends, until before my
I had them washed out, and I only mentioned
month was up I was as much in love as a man
the matter to my wife afterwards. To my sur-
could be. We were quietly married at a registry
prise she took it very seriously, and begged me
office, and we returned to Norfolk a wedded cou-
if any more came to let her see them. None did
ple. You’ll think it very mad, Mr. Holmes, that a
come for a week, and then yesterday morning I
man of a good old family should marry a wife in
found this paper lying on the sun-dial in the gar-
this fashion, knowing nothing of her past or of her
den. I showed it to Elsie, and down she dropped
people; but if you saw her and knew her it would
in a dead faint. Since then she has looked like a
help you to understand.
woman in a dream, half dazed, and with terror al-
“She was very straight about it, was Elsie. I ways lurking in her eyes. It was then that I wrote
can’t say that she did not give me every chance of and sent the paper to you, Mr. Holmes. It was
getting out of it if I wished to do so. ‘I have had not a thing that I could take to the police, for they
some very disagreeable associations in my life,’ would have laughed at me, but you will tell me
said she; ‘I wish to forget all about them. I would what to do. I am not a rich man; but if there is
rather never allude to the past, for it is very painful any danger threatening my little woman I would
to me. If you take me, Hilton, you will take a spend my last copper to shield her.”
woman who has nothing that she need be person-
He was a fine creature, this man of the old En-
ally ashamed of; but you will have to be content
glish soil, simple, straight, and gentle, with his
with my word for it, and to allow me to be silent
great, earnest blue eyes and broad, comely face.
as to all that passed up to the time when I became
His love for his wife and his trust in her shone in
yours. If these conditions are too hard, then go
his features. Holmes had listened to his story with
back to Norfolk and leave me to the lonely life in
the utmost attention, and now he sat for some time
which you found me.’ It was only the day before
in silent thought.
our wedding that she said those very words to me.
I told her that I was content to take her on her own “Don’t you think, Mr. Cubitt,” said he, at last,
terms, and I have been as good as my word. “that your best plan would be to make a direct ap-
“Well, we have been married now for a year, peal to your wife, and to ask her to share her secret
and very happy we have been. But about a month with you?”
ago, at the end of June, I saw for the first time signs Hilton Cubitt shook his massive head.

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 The Adventure of the Dancing Men

“A promise is a promise, Mr. Holmes. If Elsie “It’s getting on my nerves, this business, Mr.
wished to tell me she would. If not, it is not for me Holmes,” said he, as he sank, like a wearied man,
to force her confidence. But I am justified in taking into an arm-chair. “It’s bad enough to feel that you
my own line—and I will.” are surrounded by unseen, unknown folk, who
“Then I will help you with all my heart. In the have some kind of design upon you; but when,
first place, have you heard of any strangers being in addition to that, you know that it is just killing
seen in your neighbourhood?” your wife by inches, then it becomes as much as
flesh and blood can endure. She’s wearing away
“No.” under it—just wearing away before my eyes.”
“I presume that it is a very quiet place. Any “Has she said anything yet?”
fresh face would cause comment?”
“No, Mr. Holmes, she has not. And yet there
“In the immediate neighbourhood, yes. But have been times when the poor girl has wanted to
we have several small watering-places not very far speak, and yet could not quite bring herself to take
away. And the farmers take in lodgers.” the plunge. I have tried to help her; but I dare say I
“These hieroglyphics have evidently a mean- did it clumsily, and scared her off from it. She has
ing. If it is a purely arbitrary one it may be impos- spoken about my old family, and our reputation in
sible for us to solve it. If, on the other hand, it is the county, and our pride in our unsullied honour,
systematic, I have no doubt that we shall get to the and I always felt it was leading to the point; but
bottom of it. But this particular sample is so short somehow it turned off before we got there.”
that I can do nothing, and the facts which you have “But you have found out something for your-
brought me are so indefinite that we have no ba- self?”
sis for an investigation. I would suggest that you “A good deal, Mr. Holmes. I have several fresh
return to Norfolk, that you keep a keen look-out, dancing men pictures for you to examine, and,
and that you take an exact copy of any fresh danc- what is more important, I have seen the fellow.”
ing men which may appear. It is a thousand pities
that we have not a reproduction of those which “What, the man who draws them?”
were done in chalk upon the window-sill. Make “Yes, I saw him at his work. But I will tell you
a discreet inquiry also as to any strangers in the everything in order. When I got back after my visit
neighbourhood. When you have collected some to you, the very first thing I saw next morning was
fresh evidence come to me again. That is the best a fresh crop of dancing men. They had been drawn
advice which I can give you, Mr. Hilton Cubitt. If in chalk upon the black wooden door of the tool-
there are any pressing fresh developments I shall house, which stands beside the lawn in full view
be always ready to run down and see you in your of the front windows. I took an exact copy, and
Norfolk home.” here it is.” He unfolded a paper and laid it upon
The interview left Sherlock Holmes very the table. Here is a copy of the hieroglyphics:—
thoughtful, and several times in the next few days
I saw him take his slip of paper from his note-book
and look long and earnestly at the curious figures
inscribed upon it. He made no allusion to the af- “Excellent!” said Holmes. “Excellent! Pray con-
fair, however, until one afternoon a fortnight or so tinue.”
later. I was going out when he called me back. “When I had taken the copy I rubbed out the
“You had better stay here, Watson.” marks; but two mornings later a fresh inscription
had appeared. I have a copy of it here”:—
“Why?”
“Because I had a wire from Hilton Cubitt this
morning—you remember Hilton Cubitt, of the
dancing men? He was to reach Liverpool Street
at one-twenty. He may be here at any moment. Holmes rubbed his hands and chuckled with de-
I gather from his wire that there have been some light.
new incidents of importance.” “Our material is rapidly accumulating,” said
We had not long to wait, for our Norfolk squire he.
came straight from the station as fast as a hansom “Three days later a message was left scrawled
could bring him. He was looking worried and de- upon paper, and placed under a pebble upon the
pressed, with tired eyes and a lined forehead. sun-dial. Here it is. The characters are, as you see,

447
 The Adventure of the Dancing Men

exactly the same as the last one. After that I deter- “It was on a different panel of the door.”
mined to lie in wait; so I got out my revolver and I “Excellent! This is far the most important of all
sat up in my study, which overlooks the lawn and for our purpose. It fills me with hopes. Now, Mr.
garden. About two in the morning I was seated by Hilton Cubitt, please continue your most interest-
the window, all being dark save for the moonlight ing statement.”
outside, when I heard steps behind me, and there
“I have nothing more to say, Mr. Holmes, ex-
was my wife in her dressing-gown. She implored
cept that I was angry with my wife that night for
me to come to bed. I told her frankly that I wished
having held me back when I might have caught
to see who it was who played such absurd tricks
the skulking rascal. She said that she feared that I
upon us. She answered that it was some senseless
might come to harm. For an instant it had crossed
practical joke, and that I should not take any notice
my mind that perhaps what she really feared was
of it.
that he might come to harm, for I could not doubt
“ ‘If it really annoys you, Hilton, we might go that she knew who this man was and what he
and travel, you and I, and so avoid this nuisance.’ meant by these strange signals. But there is a
“ ‘What, be driven out of our own house by a tone in my wife’s voice, Mr. Holmes, and a look
practical joker?’ said I. ‘Why, we should have the in her eyes which forbid doubt, and I am sure that
whole county laughing at us.’ it was indeed my own safety that was in her mind.
There’s the whole case, and now I want your ad-
“ ‘Well, come to bed,’ said she, ‘and we can dis-
vice as to what I ought to do. My own inclination
cuss it in the morning.’
is to put half-a-dozen of my farm lads in the shrub-
“Suddenly, as she spoke, I saw her white face bery, and when this fellow comes again to give him
grow whiter yet in the moonlight, and her hand such a hiding that he will leave us in peace for the
tightened upon my shoulder. Something was mov- future.”
ing in the shadow of the tool-house. I saw a dark,
“I fear it is too deep a case for such simple
creeping figure which crawled round the corner
remedies,” said Holmes. “How long can you stay
and squatted in front of the door. Seizing my pistol
in London?”
I was rushing out, when my wife threw her arms
round me and held me with convulsive strength. “I must go back to-day. I would not leave my
I tried to throw her off, but she clung to me most wife alone all night for anything. She is very ner-
desperately. At last I got clear, but by the time I vous and begged me to come back.”
had opened the door and reached the house the “I dare say you are right. But if you could have
creature was gone. He had left a trace of his pres- stopped I might possibly have been able to return
ence, however, for there on the door was the very with you in a day or two. Meanwhile you will
same arrangement of dancing men which had al- leave me these papers, and I think that it is very
ready twice appeared, and which I have copied on likely that I shall be able to pay you a visit shortly
that paper. There was no other sign of the fellow and to throw some light upon your case.”
anywhere, though I ran all over the grounds. And Sherlock Holmes preserved his calm profes-
yet the amazing thing is that he must have been sional manner until our visitor had left us, al-
there all the time, for when I examined the door though it was easy for me, who knew him so well,
again in the morning he had scrawled some more to see that he was profoundly excited. The mo-
of his pictures under the line which I had already ment that Hilton Cubitt’s broad back had disap-
seen.” peared through the door my comrade rushed to
“Have you that fresh drawing?” the table, laid out all the slips of paper contain-
ing dancing men in front of him, and threw him-
“Yes; it is very short, but I made a copy of it,
self into an intricate and elaborate calculation. For
and here it is.”
two hours I watched him as he covered sheet after
Again he produced a paper. The new dance sheet of paper with figures and letters, so com-
was in this form:— pletely absorbed in his task that he had evidently
forgotten my presence. Sometimes he was making
progress and whistled and sang at his work; some-
times he was puzzled, and would sit for long spells
“Tell me,” said Holmes—and I could see by his with a furrowed brow and a vacant eye. Finally he
eyes that he was much excited—“was this a mere sprang from his chair with a cry of satisfaction,
addition to the first, or did it appear to be entirely and walked up and down the room rubbing his
separate?” hands together. Then he wrote a long telegram

448
 The Adventure of the Dancing Men

upon a cable form. “If my answer to this is as I some days made Ridling Thorpe Manor a house-
hope, you will have a very pretty case to add to hold word through the length and breadth of Eng-
your collection, Watson,” said he. “I expect that land.
we shall be able to go down to Norfolk to-morrow, We had hardly alighted at North Walsham, and
and to take our friend some very definite news as mentioned the name of our destination, when the
to the secret of his annoyance.” station-master hurried towards us. “I suppose that
I confess that I was filled with curiosity, but I you are the detectives from London?” said he.
was aware that Holmes liked to make his disclo- A look of annoyance passed over Holmes’s
sures at his own time and in his own way; so I face.
waited until it should suit him to take me into his “What makes you think such a thing?”
confidence.
“Because Inspector Martin from Norwich has
But there was a delay in that answering tele- just passed through. But maybe you are the sur-
gram, and two days of impatience followed, dur- geons. She’s not dead—or wasn’t by last accounts.
ing which Holmes pricked up his ears at every You may be in time to save her yet—though it be
ring of the bell. On the evening of the second for the gallows.”
there came a letter from Hilton Cubitt. All was Holmes’s brow was dark with anxiety.
quiet with him, save that a long inscription had
appeared that morning upon the pedestal of the “We are going to Ridling Thorpe Manor,” said
sun-dial. He inclosed a copy of it, which is here he, “but we have heard nothing of what has passed
reproduced:— there.”
“It’s a terrible business,” said the station-
master. “They are shot, both Mr. Hilton Cubitt and
his wife. She shot him and then herself—so the
servants say. He’s dead and her life is despaired of.
Dear, dear, one of the oldest families in the County
of Norfolk, and one of the most honoured.”
Holmes bent over this grotesque frieze for some Without a word Holmes hurried to a carriage,
minutes, and then suddenly sprang to his feet with and during the long seven miles’ drive he never
an exclamation of surprise and dismay. His face opened his mouth. Seldom have I seen him so ut-
was haggard with anxiety. terly despondent. He had been uneasy during all
our journey from town, and I had observed that
“We have let this affair go far enough,” said he. he had turned over the morning papers with anx-
“Is there a train to North Walsham to-night?” ious attention; but now this sudden realization of
I turned up the time-table. The last had just his worst fears left him in a blank melancholy. He
gone. leaned back in his seat, lost in gloomy speculation.
Yet there was much around to interest us, for we
“Then we shall breakfast early and take the were passing through as singular a country-side
very first in the morning,” said Holmes. “Our as any in England, where a few scattered cottages
presence is most urgently needed. Ah! here is our represented the population of to-day, while on ev-
expected cablegram. One moment, Mrs. Hudson; ery hand enormous square-towered churches bris-
there may be an answer. No, that is quite as I ex- tled up from the flat, green landscape and told of
pected. This message makes it even more essential the glory and prosperity of old East Anglia. At last
that we should not lose an hour in letting Hilton the violet rim of the German Ocean appeared over
Cubitt know how matters stand, for it is a singular the green edge of the Norfolk coast, and the driver
and a dangerous web in which our simple Norfolk pointed with his whip to two old brick and tim-
squire is entangled.” ber gables which projected from a grove of trees.
So, indeed, it proved, and as I come to the “That’s Ridling Thorpe Manor,” said he.
dark conclusion of a story which had seemed to As we drove up to the porticoed front door I
me to be only childish and bizarre I experience observed in front of it, beside the tennis lawn, the
once again the dismay and horror with which I black tool-house and the pedestalled sun-dial with
was filled. Would that I had some brighter end- which we had such strange associations. A dapper
ing to communicate to my readers, but these are little man, with a quick, alert manner and a waxed
the chronicles of fact, and I must follow to their moustache, had just descended from a high dog-
dark crisis the strange chain of events which for cart. He introduced himself as Inspector Martin,

449
 The Adventure of the Dancing Men

of the Norfolk Constabulary, and he was consid- “Nothing.”

erably astonished when he heard the name of my “You have acted with great discretion. Who
companion. sent for you?”
“Why, Mr. Holmes, the crime was only com- “The housemaid, Saunders.”
mitted at three this morning. How could you hear
“Was it she who gave the alarm?”
of it in London and get to the spot as soon as I?”
“She and Mrs. King, the cook.”
“I anticipated it. I came in the hope of prevent-
ing it.” “Where are they now?”
“Then you must have important evidence of “In the kitchen, I believe.”
which we are ignorant, for they were said to be “Then I think we had better hear their story at
a most united couple.” once.”
“I have only the evidence of the dancing men,” The old hall, oak-panelled and high-
said Holmes. “I will explain the matter to you windowed, had been turned into a court of in-
later. Meanwhile, since it is too late to prevent vestigation. Holmes sat in a great, old-fashioned
this tragedy, I am very anxious that I should use chair, his inexorable eyes gleaming out of his hag-
the knowledge which I possess in order to ensure gard face. I could read in them a set purpose to
that justice be done. Will you associate me in your devote his life to this quest until the client whom
investigation, or will you prefer that I should act he had failed to save should at last be avenged.
independently?” The trim Inspector Martin, the old, grey-headed
“I should be proud to feel that we were act- country doctor, myself, and a stolid village police-
ing together, Mr. Holmes,” said the inspector, man made up the rest of that strange company.
earnestly. The two women told their story clearly enough.
“In that case I should be glad to hear the evi- They had been aroused from their sleep by the
dence and to examine the premises without an in- sound of an explosion, which had been followed a
stant of unnecessary delay.” minute later by a second one. They slept in adjoin-
ing rooms, and Mrs. King had rushed in to Saun-
Inspector Martin had the good sense to allow
ders. Together they had descended the stairs. The
my friend to do things in his own fashion, and
door of the study was open and a candle was burn-
contented himself with carefully noting the results.
ing upon the table. Their master lay upon his face
The local surgeon, an old, white-haired man, had
in the centre of the room. He was quite dead. Near
just come down from Mrs. Hilton Cubitt’s room,
the window his wife was crouching, her head lean-
and he reported that her injuries were serious,
ing against the wall. She was horribly wounded,
but not necessarily fatal. The bullet had passed
and the side of her face was red with blood. She
through the front of her brain, and it would prob-
breathed heavily, but was incapable of saying any-
ably be some time before she could regain con-
thing. The passage, as well as the room, was full
sciousness. On the question of whether she had
of smoke and the smell of powder. The window
been shot or had shot herself he would not ven-
was certainly shut and fastened upon the inside.
ture to express any decided opinion. Certainly the
Both women were positive upon the point. They
bullet had been discharged at very close quarters.
had at once sent for the doctor and for the con-
There was only the one pistol found in the room,
stable. Then, with the aid of the groom and the
two barrels of which had been emptied. Mr. Hilton
stable-boy, they had conveyed their injured mis-
Cubitt had been shot through the heart. It was
tress to her room. Both she and her husband had
equally conceivable that he had shot her and then
occupied the bed. She was clad in her dress—he
himself, or that she had been the criminal, for the
in his dressing-gown, over his night clothes. Noth-
revolver lay upon the floor midway between them.
ing had been moved in the study. So far as they
“Has he been moved?” asked Holmes. knew there had never been any quarrel between
“We have moved nothing except the lady. We husband and wife. They had always looked upon
could not leave her lying wounded upon the floor.” them as a very united couple.
“How long have you been here, doctor?” These were the main points of the servants’ ev-
“Since four o’clock.” idence. In answer to Inspector Martin they were
clear that every door was fastened upon the in-
“Anyone else?”
side, and that no one could have escaped from
“Yes, the constable here.” the house. In answer to Holmes they both re-
“And you have touched nothing?” membered that they were conscious of the smell

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 The Adventure of the Dancing Men

of powder from the moment that they ran out of a smell of powder I remarked that the point was
their rooms upon the top floor. “I commend that an extremely important one?”
fact very carefully to your attention,” said Holmes “Yes, sir; but I confess I did not quite follow
to his professional colleague. “And now I think you.”
that we are in a position to undertake a thorough “It suggested that at the time of the firing the
examination of the room.” window as well as the door of the room had been
The study proved to be a small chamber, lined open. Otherwise the fumes of powder could not
on three sides with books, and with a writing- have been blown so rapidly through the house. A
table facing an ordinary window, which looked draught in the room was necessary for that. Both
out upon the garden. Our first attention was given door and window were only open for a very short
to the body of the unfortunate squire, whose huge time, however.”
frame lay stretched across the room. His dis- “How do you prove that?”
ordered dress showed that he had been hastily “Because the candle has not guttered.”
aroused from sleep. The bullet had been fired at “Capital!” cried the inspector. “Capital!”
him from the front, and had remained in his body “Feeling sure that the window had been open
after penetrating the heart. His death had certainly at the time of the tragedy I conceived that there
been instantaneous and painless. There was no might have been a third person in the affair, who
powder-marking either upon his dressing-gown or stood outside this opening and fired through it.
on his hands. According to the country surgeon Any shot directed at this person might hit the sash.
the lady had stains upon her face, but none upon I looked, and there, sure enough, was the bullet
her hand. mark!”
“The absence of the latter means nothing, “But how came the window to be shut and fas-
though its presence may mean everything,” said tened?”
Holmes. “Unless the powder from a badly-fitting “The woman’s first instinct would be to shut
cartridge happens to spurt backwards, one may and fasten the window. But, halloa! what is this?”
fire many shots without leaving a sign. I would It was a lady’s hand-bag which stood upon the
suggest that Mr. Cubitt’s body may now be re- study table—a trim little hand-bag of crocodile-
moved. I suppose, doctor, you have not recovered skin and silver. Holmes opened it and turned the
the bullet which wounded the lady?” contents out. There were twenty fifty-pound notes
“A serious operation will be necessary before of the Bank of England, held together by an india-
that can be done. But there are still four car- rubber band—nothing else.
tridges in the revolver. Two have been fired and “This must be preserved, for it will figure in
two wounds inflicted, so that each bullet can be the trial,” said Holmes, as he handed the bag with
accounted for.” its contents to the inspector. “It is now necessary
“So it would seem,” said Holmes. “Perhaps that we should try to throw some light upon this
you can account also for the bullet which has so third bullet, which has clearly, from the splinter-
obviously struck the edge of the window?” ing of the wood, been fired from inside the room.
He had turned suddenly, and his long, thin fin- I should like to see Mrs. King, the cook, again.
ger was pointing to a hole which had been drilled You said, Mrs. King, that you were awakened by a
right through the lower window-sash about an loud explosion. When you said that, did you mean
inch above the bottom. that it seemed to you to be louder than the second
one?”
“By George!” cried the inspector. “How ever
“Well, sir, it wakened me from my sleep, and
did you see that?”
so it is hard to judge. But it did seem very loud.”
“Because I looked for it.” “You don’t think that it might have been two
“Wonderful!” said the country doctor. “You are shots fired almost at the same instant?”
certainly right, sir. Then a third shot has been “I am sure I couldn’t say, sir.”
fired, and therefore a third person must have been “I believe that it was undoubtedly so. I rather
present. But who could that have been and how think, Inspector Martin, that we have now ex-
could he have got away?” hausted all that this room can teach us. If you
“That is the problem which we are now about will kindly step round with me, we shall see what
to solve,” said Sherlock Holmes. “You remember, fresh evidence the garden has to offer.”
Inspector Martin, when the servants said that on A flower-bed extended up to the study win-
leaving their room they were at once conscious of dow, and we all broke into an exclamation as we

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 The Adventure of the Dancing Men

approached it. The flowers were trampled down, worked for some time at the study-table. Finally
and the soft soil was imprinted all over with foot- he handed a note to the boy, with directions to put
marks. Large, masculine feet they were, with pe- it into the hands of the person to whom it was ad-
culiarly long, sharp toes. Holmes hunted about dressed, and especially to answer no questions of
among the grass and leaves like a retriever after a any sort which might be put to him. I saw the
wounded bird. Then, with a cry of satisfaction, he outside of the note, addressed in straggling, irreg-
bent forward and picked up a little brazen cylin- ular characters, very unlike Holmes’s usual precise
der. hand. It was consigned to Mr. Abe Slaney, Elrige’s
“I thought so,” said he; “the revolver had an Farm, East Ruston, Norfolk.
ejector, and here is the third cartridge. I really “I think, inspector,” Holmes remarked, “that
think, Inspector Martin, that our case is almost you would do well to telegraph for an escort, as, if
complete.” my calculations prove to be correct, you may have
The country inspector’s face had shown his a particularly dangerous prisoner to convey to the
intense amazement at the rapid and masterful county jail. The boy who takes this note could no
progress of Holmes’s investigation. At first he had doubt forward your telegram. If there is an af-
shown some disposition to assert his own posi- ternoon train to town, Watson, I think we should
tion; but now he was overcome with admiration do well to take it, as I have a chemical analysis
and ready to follow without question wherever of some interest to finish, and this investigation
Holmes led. draws rapidly to a close.”
“Whom do you suspect?” he asked. When the youth had been dispatched with the
“I’ll go into that later. There are several points note, Sherlock Holmes gave his instructions to the
in this problem which I have not been able to ex- servants. If any visitor were to call asking for Mrs.
plain to you yet. Now that I have got so far I had Hilton Cubitt no information should be given as
best proceed on my own lines, and then clear the to her condition, but he was to be shown at once
whole matter up once and for all.” into the drawing-room. He impressed these points
“Just as you wish, Mr. Holmes, so long as we upon them with the utmost earnestness. Finally
get our man.” he led the way into the drawing-room with the re-
mark that the business was now out of our hands,
“I have no desire to make mysteries, but it is
and that we must while away the time as best we
impossible at the moment of action to enter into
might until we could see what was in store for us.
long and complex explanations. I have the threads
The doctor had departed to his patients, and only
of this affair all in my hand. Even if this lady
the inspector and myself remained.
should never recover consciousness we can still re-
construct the events of last night and ensure that “I think that I can help you to pass an hour
justice be done. First of all I wish to know whether in an interesting and profitable manner,” said
there is any inn in this neighbourhood known as Holmes, drawing his chair up to the table and
‘Elrige’s’?” spreading out in front of him the various papers
The servants were cross-questioned, but none upon which were recorded the antics of the danc-
of them had heard of such a place. The stable-boy ing men. “As to you, friend Watson, I owe you
threw a light upon the matter by remembering that every atonement for having allowed your natural
a farmer of that name lived some miles off in the curiosity to remain so long unsatisfied. To you,
direction of East Ruston. inspector, the whole incident may appeal as a re-
markable professional study. I must tell you first
“Is it a lonely farm?”
of all the interesting circumstances connected with
“Very lonely, sir.” the previous consultations which Mr. Hilton Cu-
“Perhaps they have not heard yet of all that bitt has had with me in Baker Street.” He then
happened here during the night?” shortly recapitulated the facts which have already
“Maybe not, sir.” been recorded. “I have here in front of me these
singular productions, at which one might smile
Holmes thought for a little and then a curious
had they not proved themselves to be the fore-
smile played over his face.
runners of so terrible a tragedy. I am fairly famil-
“Saddle a horse, my lad,” said he. “I shall wish iar with all forms of secret writings, and am my-
you to take a note to Elrige’s Farm.” self the author of a trifling monograph upon the
He took from his pocket the various slips of subject, in which I analyze one hundred and sixty
the dancing men. With these in front of him he separate ciphers; but I confess that this is entirely

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 The Adventure of the Dancing Men

new to me. The object of those who invented the stand respectively for N, V, and R.
system has apparently been to conceal that these “Even now I was in considerable difficulty, but
characters convey a message, and to give the idea a happy thought put me in possession of several
that they are the mere random sketches of chil- other letters. It occurred to me that if these appeals
dren. came, as I expected, from someone who had been
“Having once recognised, however, that the intimate with the lady in her early life, a combina-
symbols stood for letters, and having applied the tion which contained two E’s with three letters be-
rules which guide us in all forms of secret writ- tween might very well stand for the name ‘ELSIE.’
ings, the solution was easy enough. The first mes- On examination I found that such a combination
sage submitted to me was so short that it was im- formed the termination of the message which was
possible for me to do more than to say with some three times repeated. It was certainly some appeal
confidence that the symbol to ‘Elsie.’ In this way I had got my L, S, and I.
But what appeal could it be? There were only four
letters in the word which preceded ‘Elsie,’ and it
ended in E. Surely the word must be ‘COME.’ I
tried all other four letters ending in E, but could
stood for E. As you are aware, E is the most com-
find none to fit the case. So now I was in posses-
mon letter in the English alphabet, and it predom-
sion of C, O, and M, and I was in a position to
inates to so marked an extent that even in a short
attack the first message once more, dividing it into
sentence one would expect to find it most often.
words and putting dots for each symbol which was
Out of fifteen symbols in the first message four
still unknown. So treated it worked out in this
were the same, so it was reasonable to set this
fashion:
down as E. It is true that in some cases the fig-
ure was bearing a flag and in some cases not, but .M .ERE ..E SL.NE.
it was probable from the way in which the flags “Now the first letter can only be A, which is a
were distributed that they were used to break the most useful discovery, since it occurs no fewer than
sentence up into words. I accepted this as a hy- three times in this short sentence, and the H is also
pothesis, and noted that E was represented by apparent in the second word. Now it becomes:—
AM HERE A.E SLANE.
Or, filling in the obvious vacancies in the name:—
“But now came the real difficulty of the inquiry. AM HERE ABE SLANEY.
The order of the English letters after E is by I had so many letters now that I could proceed
no means well marked, and any preponderance with considerable confidence to the second mes-
which may be shown in an average of a printed sage, which worked out in this fashion:—
sheet may be reversed in a single short sentence.
A. ELRI.ES.
Speaking roughly, T, A, O, I, N, S, H, R, D, and L
are the numerical order in which letters occur; but Here I could only make sense by putting T and
T, A, O, and I are very nearly abreast of each other, G for the missing letters, and supposing that the
and it would be an endless task to try each combi- name was that of some house or inn at which the
nation until a meaning was arrived at. I, therefore, writer was staying.”
waited for fresh material. In my second interview Inspector Martin and I had listened with the ut-
with Mr. Hilton Cubitt he was able to give me two most interest to the full and clear account of how
other short sentences and one message, which ap- my friend had produced results which had led to
peared—since there was no flag—to be a single so complete a command over our difficulties.
word. Here are the symbols. Now, in the single “What did you do then, sir?” asked the inspec-
word I have already got the two E’s coming sec- tor.
ond and fourth in a word of five letters. It might be
‘sever,’ or ‘lever,’ or ‘never.’ There can be no ques- “I had every reason to suppose that this Abe
tion that the latter as a reply to an appeal is far the Slaney was an American, since Abe is an Amer-
most probable, and the circumstances pointed to ican contraction, and since a letter from America
its being a reply written by the lady. Accepting it had been the starting-point of all the trouble. I
as correct, we are now able to say that the symbols had also every cause to think that there was some
criminal secret in the matter. The lady’s allusions
to her past and her refusal to take her husband
into her confidence both pointed in that direction.

453
 The Adventure of the Dancing Men

I therefore cabled to my friend, Wilson Hargreave, door. Every precaution is necessary when dealing
of the New York Police Bureau, who has more than with such a fellow. You will need your handcuffs,
once made use of my knowledge of London crime. inspector. You can leave the talking to me.”
I asked him whether the name of Abe Slaney was We waited in silence for a minute—one of those
known to him. Here is his reply: ‘The most dan- minutes which one can never forget. Then the
gerous crook in Chicago.’ On the very evening door opened and the man stepped in. In an in-
upon which I had his answer Hilton Cubitt sent stant Holmes clapped a pistol to his head and
me the last message from Slaney. Working with Martin slipped the handcuffs over his wrists. It
known letters it took this form:— was all done so swiftly and deftly that the fellow
ELSIE .RE.ARE TO MEET THY GO. was helpless before he knew that he was attacked.
The addition of a P and a D completed a message He glared from one to the other of us with a pair
which showed me that the rascal was proceeding of blazing black eyes. Then he burst into a bitter
from persuasion to threats, and my knowledge of laugh.
the crooks of Chicago prepared me to find that he “Well, gentlemen, you have the drop on me this
might very rapidly put his words into action. I time. I seem to have knocked up against some-
at once came to Norfolk with my friend and col- thing hard. But I came here in answer to a letter
league, Dr. Watson, but, unhappily, only in time to from Mrs. Hilton Cubitt. Don’t tell me that she is
find that the worst had already occurred.” in this? Don’t tell me that she helped to set a trap
“It is a privilege to be associated with you in for me?”
the handling of a case,” said the inspector, warmly.
“Mrs. Hilton Cubitt was seriously injured and
“You will excuse me, however, if I speak frankly to
is at death’s door.”
you. You are only answerable to yourself, but I
have to answer to my superiors. If this Abe Slaney, The man gave a hoarse cry of grief which rang
living at Elrige’s, is indeed the murderer, and if through the house.
he has made his escape while I am seated here, I “You’re crazy!” he cried, fiercely. “It was he
should certainly get into serious trouble.” that was hurt, not she. Who would have hurt little
“You need not be uneasy. He will not try to Elsie? I may have threatened her, God forgive me,
escape.” but I would not have touched a hair of her pretty
“How do you know?” head. Take it back—you! Say that she is not hurt!”
“To fly would be a confession of guilt.” “She was found badly wounded by the side of
“Then let us go to arrest him.” her dead husband.”
“I expect him here every instant.” He sank with a deep groan on to the settee and
buried his face in his manacled hands. For five
“But why should he come?”
minutes he was silent. Then he raised his face once
“Because I have written and asked him.” more, and spoke with the cold composure of de-
“But this is incredible, Mr. Holmes! Why spair.
should he come because you have asked him? “I have nothing to hide from you, gentlemen,”
Would not such a request rather rouse his suspi- said he. “If I shot the man he had his shot at me,
cions and cause him to fly?” and there’s no murder in that. But if you think I
“I think I have known how to frame the let- could have hurt that woman, then you don’t know
ter,” said Sherlock Holmes. “In fact, if I am not either me or her. I tell you there was never a man
very much mistaken, here is the gentleman him- in this world loved a woman more than I loved
self coming up the drive.” her. I had a right to her. She was pledged to
A man was striding up the path which led to me years ago. Who was this Englishman that he
the door. He was a tall, handsome, swarthy fel- should come between us? I tell you that I had the
low, clad in a suit of grey flannel, with a Panama first right to her, and that I was only claiming my
hat, a bristling black beard, and a great, aggressive own.”
hooked nose, and flourishing a cane as he walked. “She broke away from your influence when she
He swaggered up the path as if the place belonged found the man that you are,” said Holmes, sternly.
to him, and we heard his loud, confident peal at “She fled from America to avoid you, and she mar-
the bell. ried an honourable gentleman in England. You
“I think, gentlemen,” said Holmes, quietly, dogged her and followed her and made her life a
“that we had best take up our position behind the misery to her in order to induce her to abandon

454
 The Adventure of the Dancing Men

the husband whom she loved and respected in or- after her marriage to this Englishman that I was
der to fly with you, whom she feared and hated. able to find out where she was. I wrote to her,
You have ended by bringing about the death of a but got no answer. After that I came over, and, as
noble man and driving his wife to suicide. That is letters were no use, I put my messages where she
your record in this business, Mr. Abe Slaney, and could read them.
you will answer for it to the law.” “Well, I have been here a month now. I lived
“If Elsie dies I care nothing what becomes of in that farm, where I had a room down below, and
me,” said the American. He opened one of his could get in and out every night, and no one the
hands and looked at a note crumpled up in his wiser. I tried all I could to coax Elsie away. I knew
palm. “See here, mister,” he cried, with a gleam that she read the messages, for once she wrote an
of suspicion in his eyes, “you’re not trying to scare answer under one of them. Then my temper got
me over this, are you? If the lady is hurt as bad the better of me, and I began to threaten her. She
as you say, who was it that wrote this note?” He sent me a letter then, imploring me to go away
tossed it forwards on to the table. and saying that it would break her heart if any
“I wrote it to bring you here.” scandal should come upon her husband. She said
that she would come down when her husband was
“You wrote it? There was no one on earth out- asleep at three in the morning, and speak with me
side the Joint who knew the secret of the dancing through the end window, if I would go away af-
men. How came you to write it?” terwards and leave her in peace. She came down
“What one man can invent another can dis- and brought money with her, trying to bribe me
cover,” said Holmes. “There is a cab coming to to go. This made me mad, and I caught her arm
convey you to Norwich, Mr. Slaney. But, mean- and tried to pull her through the window. At that
while, you have time to make some small repa- moment in rushed the husband with his revolver
ration for the injury you have wrought. Are you in his hand. Elsie had sunk down upon the floor,
aware that Mrs. Hilton Cubitt has herself lain un- and we were face to face. I was heeled also, and
der grave suspicion of the murder of her husband, I held up my gun to scare him off and let me get
and that it was only my presence here and the away. He fired and missed me. I pulled off al-
knowledge which I happened to possess which has most at the same instant, and down he dropped.
saved her from the accusation? The least that you I made away across the garden, and as I went I
owe her is to make it clear to the whole world that heard the window shut behind me. That’s God’s
she was in no way, directly or indirectly, responsi- truth, gentlemen, every word of it, and I heard no
ble for his tragic end.” more about it until that lad came riding up with a
“I ask nothing better,” said the American. “I note which made me walk in here, like a jay, and
guess the very best case I can make for myself is give myself into your hands.”
the absolute naked truth.” A cab had driven up whilst the American had
“It is my duty to warn you that it will be used been talking. Two uniformed policemen sat inside.
against you,” cried the inspector, with the magnif- Inspector Martin rose and touched his prisoner on
icent fair-play of the British criminal law. the shoulder.
Slaney shrugged his shoulders. “It is time for us to go.”
“I’ll chance that,” said he. “First of all, I want “Can I see her first?”
you gentlemen to understand that I have known “No, she is not conscious. Mr. Sherlock
this lady since she was a child. There were seven Holmes, I only hope that if ever again I have an im-
of us in a gang in Chicago, and Elsie’s father was portant case I shall have the good fortune to have
the boss of the Joint. He was a clever man, was you by my side.”
old Patrick. It was he who invented that writing, We stood at the window and watched the cab
which would pass as a child’s scrawl unless you drive away. As I turned back my eye caught the
just happened to have the key to it. Well, Elsie pellet of paper which the prisoner had tossed upon
learned some of our ways; but she couldn’t stand the table. It was the note with which Holmes had
the business, and she had a bit of honest money of decoyed him.
her own, so she gave us all the slip and got away
to London. She had been engaged to me, and she “See if you can read it, Watson,” said he, with
would have married me, I believe, if I had taken a smile.
over another profession; but she would have noth- It contained no word, but this little line of danc-
ing to do with anything on the cross. It was only ing men:—

455
 forty is our train, and I fancy we should be back in
Baker Street for dinner.

“If you use the code which I have explained,” said Only one word of epilogue. The American, Abe
Holmes, “you will find that it simply means ‘Come Slaney, was condemned to death at the winter as-
here at once.’ I was convinced that it was an invi- sizes at Norwich; but his penalty was changed to
tation which he would not refuse, since he could penal servitude in consideration of mitigating cir-
never imagine that it could come from anyone cumstances, and the certainty that Hilton Cubitt
but the lady. And so, my dear Watson, we have had fired the first shot. Of Mrs. Hilton Cubitt I
ended by turning the dancing men to good when only know that I have heard she recovered entirely,
they have so often been the agents of evil, and I and that she still remains a widow, devoting her
think that I have fulfilled my promise of giving whole life to the care of the poor and to the ad-
you something unusual for your note-book. Three- ministration of her husband’s estate.
The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist
F
The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist

rom the years 1894 to 1901 inclusive Mr. his keen eyes darted over her; “so ardent a bicyclist
Sherlock Holmes was a very busy man. must be full of energy.”
It is safe to say that there was no pub- She glanced down in surprise at her own feet,
lic case of any difficulty in which he was and I observed the slight roughening of the side of
not consulted during those eight years, and there the sole caused by the friction of the edge of the
were hundreds of private cases, some of them of pedal.
the most intricate and extraordinary character, in
“Yes, I bicycle a good deal, Mr. Holmes, and
which he played a prominent part. Many startling
that has something to do with my visit to you to-
successes and a few unavoidable failures were the
day.”
outcome of this long period of continuous work.
As I have preserved very full notes of all these My friend took the lady’s ungloved hand and
cases, and was myself personally engaged in many examined it with as close an attention and as little
of them, it may be imagined that it is no easy task sentiment as a scientist would show to a specimen.
to know which I should select to lay before the “You will excuse me, I am sure. It is my busi-
public. I shall, however, preserve my former rule, ness,” said he, as he dropped it. “I nearly fell into
and give the preference to those cases which derive the error of supposing that you were typewriting.
their interest not so much from the brutality of the Of course, it is obvious that it is music. You ob-
crime as from the ingenuity and dramatic quality serve the spatulate finger-end, Watson, which is
of the solution. For this reason I will now lay be- common to both professions? There is a spiritual-
fore the reader the facts connected with Miss Vi- ity about the face, however”—he gently turned it
olet Smith, the solitary cyclist of Charlington, and towards the light—“which the typewriter does not
the curious sequel of our investigation, which cul- generate. This lady is a musician.”
minated in unexpected tragedy. It is true that the “Yes, Mr. Holmes, I teach music.”
circumstances did not admit of any striking illus-
“In the country, I presume, from your complex-
tration of those powers for which my friend was
ion.”
famous, but there were some points about the case
which made it stand out in those long records of “Yes, sir; near Farnham, on the borders of Sur-
crime from which I gather the material for these rey.”
little narratives. “A beautiful neighbourhood and full of the
On referring to my note-book for the year 1895 most interesting associations. You remember, Wat-
I find that it was upon Saturday, the 23rd of April, son, that it was near there that we took Archie
that we first heard of Miss Violet Smith. Her Stamford, the forger. Now, Miss Violet, what has
visit was, I remember, extremely unwelcome to happened to you near Farnham, on the borders of
Holmes, for he was immersed at the moment in a Surrey?”
very abstruse and complicated problem concern- The young lady, with great clearness and com-
ing the peculiar persecution to which John Vin- posure, made the following curious statement:—
cent Harden, the well-known tobacco millionaire, “My father is dead, Mr. Holmes. He was James
had been subjected. My friend, who loved above Smith, who conducted the orchestra at the old Im-
all things precision and concentration of thought, perial Theatre. My mother and I were left with-
resented anything which distracted his attention out a relation in the world except one uncle, Ralph
from the matter in hand. And yet without a harsh- Smith, who went to Africa twenty-five years ago,
ness which was foreign to his nature it was impos- and we have never had a word from him since.
sible to refuse to listen to the story of the young When father died we were left very poor, but one
and beautiful woman, tall, graceful, and queenly, day we were told that there was an advertisement
who presented herself at Baker Street late in the in the Times inquiring for our whereabouts. You
evening and implored his assistance and advice. It can imagine how excited we were, for we thought
was vain to urge that his time was already fully that someone had left us a fortune. We went at
occupied, for the young lady had come with the once to the lawyer whose name was given in the
determination to tell her story, and it was evident paper. There we met two gentlemen, Mr. Car-
that nothing short of force could get her out of the ruthers and Mr. Woodley, who were home on a
room until she had done so. With a resigned air visit from South Africa. They said that my uncle
and a somewhat weary smile, Holmes begged the was a friend of theirs, that he died some months
beautiful intruder to take a seat and to inform us before in great poverty in Johannesburg, and that
what it was that was troubling her. he had asked them with his last breath to hunt up
“At least it cannot be your health,” said he, as his relations and see that they were in no want. It

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 The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist

seemed strange to us that Uncle Ralph, who took his arms one day after dinner—he was hideously
no notice of us when he was alive, should be so strong—and he swore that he would not let me
careful to look after us when he was dead; but Mr. go until I had kissed him. Mr. Carruthers came
Carruthers explained that the reason was that my in and tore him off from me, on which he turned
uncle had just heard of the death of his brother, upon his own host, knocking him down and cut-
and so felt responsible for our fate.” ting his face open. That was the end of his visit,
“Excuse me,” said Holmes; “when was this in- as you can imagine. Mr. Carruthers apologized to
terview?” me next day, and assured me that I should never
be exposed to such an insult again. I have not seen
“Last December—four months ago.” Mr. Woodley since.
“Pray proceed.” “And now, Mr. Holmes, I come at last to the
“Mr. Woodley seemed to me to be a most odi- special thing which has caused me to ask your ad-
ous person. He was for ever making eyes at me—a vice to-day. You must know that every Saturday
coarse, puffy-faced, red-moustached young man, forenoon I ride on my bicycle to Farnham Station
with his hair plastered down on each side of his in order to get the 12.22 to town. The road from
forehead. I thought that he was perfectly hate- Chiltern Grange is a lonely one, and at one spot it
ful—and I was sure that Cyril would not wish me is particularly so, for it lies for over a mile between
to know such a person.” Charlington Heath upon one side and the woods
“Oh, Cyril is his name!” said Holmes, smiling. which lie round Charlington Hall upon the other.
You could not find a more lonely tract of road any-
The young lady blushed and laughed. where, and it is quite rare to meet so much as a
“Yes, Mr. Holmes; Cyril Morton, an electrical cart, or a peasant, until you reach the high road
engineer, and we hope to be married at the end of near Crooksbury Hill. Two weeks ago I was pass-
the summer. Dear me, how did I get talking about ing this place when I chanced to look back over
him? What I wished to say was that Mr. Wood- my shoulder, and about two hundred yards behind
ley was perfectly odious, but that Mr. Carruthers, me I saw a man, also on a bicycle. He seemed to
who was a much older man, was more agreeable. be a middle-aged man, with a short, dark beard.
He was a dark, sallow, clean-shaven, silent per- I looked back before I reached Farnham, but the
son; but he had polite manners and a pleasant man was gone, so I thought no more about it. But
smile. He inquired how we were left, and on find- you can imagine how surprised I was, Mr. Holmes,
ing that we were very poor he suggested that I when on my return on the Monday I saw the same
should come and teach music to his only daugh- man on the same stretch of road. My astonish-
ter, aged ten. I said that I did not like to leave my ment was increased when the incident occurred
mother, on which he suggested that I should go again, exactly as before, on the following Saturday
home to her every week-end, and he offered me a and Monday. He always kept his distance and did
hundred a year, which was certainly splendid pay. not molest me in any way, but still it certainly was
So it ended by my accepting, and I went down very odd. I mentioned it to Mr. Carruthers, who
to Chiltern Grange, about six miles from Farn- seemed interested in what I said, and told me that
ham. Mr. Carruthers was a widower, but he had he had ordered a horse and trap, so that in future
engaged a lady-housekeeper, a very respectable, I should not pass over these lonely roads without
elderly person, called Mrs. Dixon, to look after some companion.
his establishment. The child was a dear, and ev- “The horse and trap were to have come this
erything promised well. Mr. Carruthers was very week, but for some reason they were not deliv-
kind and very musical, and we had most pleasant ered, and again I had to cycle to the station. That
evenings together. Every week-end I went home to was this morning. You can think that I looked out
my mother in town. when I came to Charlington Heath, and there, sure
“The first flaw in my happiness was the arrival enough, was the man, exactly as he had been the
of the red-moustached Mr. Woodley. He came for two weeks before. He always kept so far from me
a visit of a week, and oh, it seemed three months that I could not clearly see his face, but it was cer-
to me! He was a dreadful person, a bully to ev- tainly someone whom I did not know. He was
eryone else, but to me something infinitely worse. dressed in a dark suit with a cloth cap. The only
He made odious love to me, boasted of his wealth, thing about his face that I could clearly see was
said that if I married him I would have the finest his dark beard. To-day I was not alarmed, but I
diamonds in London, and finally, when I would was filled with curiosity, and I determined to find
have nothing to do with him, he seized me in out who he was and what he wanted. I slowed

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 The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist

down my machine, but he slowed down his. Then Carruthers, takes a great deal of interest in me.
I stopped altogether, but he stopped also. Then I We are thrown rather together. I play his accom-
laid a trap for him. There is a sharp turning of paniments in the evening. He has never said any-
the road, and I pedalled very quickly round this, thing. He is a perfect gentleman. But a girl always
and then I stopped and waited. I expected him to knows.”
shoot round and pass me before he could stop. But “Ha!” Holmes looked grave. “What does he do
he never appeared. Then I went back and looked for a living?”
round the corner. I could see a mile of road, but he
was not on it. To make it the more extraordinary, “He is a rich man.”
there was no side road at this point down which “No carriages or horses?”
he could have gone.” “Well, at least he is fairly well-to-do. But he
Holmes chuckled and rubbed his hands. “This goes into the City two or three times a week. He is
case certainly presents some features of its own,” deeply interested in South African gold shares.”
said he. “How much time elapsed between your “You will let me know any fresh development,
turning the corner and your discovery that the Miss Smith. I am very busy just now, but I will find
road was clear?” time to make some inquiries into your case. In the
“Two or three minutes.” meantime take no step without letting me know.
“Then he could not have retreated down the Good-bye, and I trust that we shall have nothing
road, and you say that there are no side roads?” but good news from you.”
“None.” “It is part of the settled order of Nature that
“Then he certainly took a footpath on one side such a girl should have followers,” said Holmes,
or the other.” as he pulled at his meditative pipe, “but for choice
not on bicycles in lonely country roads. Some se-
“It could not have been on the side of the heath cretive lover, beyond all doubt. But there are cu-
or I should have seen him.” rious and suggestive details about the case, Wat-
“So by the process of exclusion we arrive at son.”
the fact that he made his way towards Charling- “That he should appear only at that point?”
ton Hall, which, as I understand, is situated in its
own grounds on one side of the road. Anything “Exactly. Our first effort must be to find who
else?” are the tenants of Charlington Hall. Then, again,
how about the connection between Carruthers and
“Nothing, Mr. Holmes, save that I was so per-
Woodley, since they appear to be men of such a
plexed that I felt I should not be happy until I had
different type? How came they both to be so keen
seen you and had your advice.”
upon looking up Ralph Smith’s relations? One
Holmes sat in silence for some little time. more point. What sort of a menage is it which pays
“Where is the gentleman to whom you are en- double the market price for a governess, but does
gaged?” he asked, at last. not keep a horse although six miles from the sta-
“He is in the Midland Electrical Company, at tion? Odd, Watson—very odd!”
Coventry.” “You will go down?”
“He would not pay you a surprise visit?” “No, my dear fellow, you will go down. This
“Oh, Mr. Holmes! As if I should not know may be some trifling intrigue, and I cannot break
him!” my other important research for the sake of it. On
Monday you will arrive early at Farnham; you will
“Have you had any other admirers?”
conceal yourself near Charlington Heath; you will
“Several before I knew Cyril.” observe these facts for yourself, and act as your
“And since?” own judgment advises. Then, having inquired
“There was this dreadful man, Woodley, if you as to the occupants of the Hall, you will come
can call him an admirer.” back to me and report. And now, Watson, not
another word of the matter until we have a few
“No one else?”
solid stepping-stones on which we may hope to
Our fair client seemed a little confused. get across to our solution.”
“Who was he?” asked Holmes. We had ascertained from the lady that she went
“Oh, it may be a mere fancy of mine; but it has down upon the Monday by the train which leaves
seemed to me sometimes that my employer, Mr. Waterloo at 9.50, so I started early and caught the

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 The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist

9.13. At Farnham Station I had no difficulty in minutes I could see him standing among the trees.
being directed to Charlington Heath. It was im- His hands were raised and he seemed to be settling
possible to mistake the scene of the young lady’s his necktie. Then he mounted his cycle and rode
adventure, for the road runs between the open away from me down the drive towards the Hall. I
heath on one side and an old yew hedge upon ran across the heath and peered through the trees.
the other, surrounding a park which is studded Far away I could catch glimpses of the old grey
with magnificent trees. There was a main gate- building with its bristling Tudor chimneys, but the
way of lichen-studded stone, each side pillar sur- drive ran through a dense shrubbery, and I saw no
mounted by mouldering heraldic emblems; but be- more of my man.
sides this central carriage drive I observed several However, it seemed to me that I had done a
points where there were gaps in the hedge and fairly good morning’s work, and I walked back
paths leading through them. The house was invis- in high spirits to Farnham. The local house-agent
ible from the road, but the surroundings all spoke could tell me nothing about Charlington Hall, and
of gloom and decay. referred me to a well-known firm in Pall Mall.
The heath was covered with golden patches There I halted on my way home, and met with
of flowering gorse, gleaming magnificently in the courtesy from the representative. No, I could not
light of the bright spring sunshine. Behind one have Charlington Hall for the summer. I was just
of these clumps I took up my position, so as to too late. It had been let about a month ago. Mr.
command both the gateway of the Hall and a long Williamson was the name of the tenant. He was
stretch of the road upon either side. It had been a respectable elderly gentleman. The polite agent
deserted when I left it, but now I saw a cyclist rid- was afraid he could say no more, as the affairs of
ing down it from the opposite direction to that in his clients were not matters which he could dis-
which I had come. He was clad in a dark suit, and cuss.
I saw that he had a black beard. On reaching the Mr. Sherlock Holmes listened with attention to
end of the Charlington grounds he sprang from the long report which I was able to present to him
his machine and led it through a gap in the hedge, that evening, but it did not elicit that word of curt
disappearing from my view. praise which I had hoped for and should have val-
A quarter of an hour passed and then a sec- ued. On the contrary, his austere face was even
ond cyclist appeared. This time it was the young more severe than usual as he commented upon the
lady coming from the station. I saw her look about things that I had done and the things that I had
her as she came to the Charlington hedge. An in- not.
stant later the man emerged from his hiding-place, “Your hiding-place, my dear Watson, was very
sprang upon his cycle, and followed her. In all faulty. You should have been behind the hedge;
the broad landscape those were the only moving then you would have had a close view of this in-
figures, the graceful girl sitting very straight upon teresting person. As it is you were some hundreds
her machine, and the man behind her bending low of yards away, and can tell me even less than Miss
over his handle-bar, with a curiously furtive sug- Smith. She thinks she does not know the man; I
gestion in every movement. She looked back at am convinced she does. Why, otherwise, should
him and slowed her pace. He slowed also. She he be so desperately anxious that she should not
stopped. He at once stopped too, keeping two get so near him as to see his features? You describe
hundred yards behind her. Her next movement him as bending over the handle-bar. Concealment
was as unexpected as it was spirited. She suddenly again, you see. You really have done remarkably
whisked her wheels round and dashed straight at badly. He returns to the house and you want to
him! He was as quick as she, however, and darted find out who he is. You come to a London house-
off in desperate flight. Presently she came back up agent!”
the road again, her head haughtily in the air, not “What should I have done?” I cried, with some
deigning to take any further notice of her silent heat.
attendant. He had turned also, and still kept his
“Gone to the nearest public-house. That is the
distance until the curve of the road hid them from
centre of country gossip. They would have told
my sight.
you every name, from the master to the scullery-
I remained in my hiding-place, and it was well maid. Williamson! It conveys nothing to my mind.
that I did so, for presently the man reappeared cy- If he is an elderly man he is not this active cyclist
cling slowly back. He turned in at the Hall gates who sprints away from that athletic young lady’s
and dismounted from his machine. For some few pursuit. What have we gained by your expedition?

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 The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist

The knowledge that the girl’s story is true. I never Williamson is a white-bearded man, and he lives
doubted it. That there is a connection between the alone with a small staff of servants at the Hall.
cyclist and the Hall. I never doubted that either. There is some rumour that he is or has been a
That the Hall is tenanted by Williamson. Who’s clergyman; but one or two incidents of his short
the better for that? Well, well, my dear sir, don’t residence at the Hall struck me as peculiarly unec-
look so depressed. We can do little more until next clesiastical. I have already made some inquiries
Saturday, and in the meantime I may make one or at a clerical agency, and they tell me that there
two inquiries myself.” was a man of that name in orders whose career
Next morning we had a note from Miss Smith, has been a singularly dark one. The landlord fur-
recounting shortly and accurately the very inci- ther informed me that there are usually week-end
dents which I had seen, but the pith of the letter visitors—‘a warm lot, sir’—at the Hall, and espe-
lay in the postscript: cially one gentleman with a red moustache, Mr.
Woodley by name, who was always there. We had
“I am sure that you will respect my got as far as this when who should walk in but
confidence, Mr. Holmes, when I tell the gentleman himself, who had been drinking his
you that my place here has become dif- beer in the tap-room and had heard the whole con-
ficult owing to the fact that my em- versation. Who was I? What did I want? What
ployer has proposed marriage to me. did I mean by asking questions? He had a fine
I am convinced that his feelings are flow of language, and his adjectives were very vig-
most deep and most honourable. At orous. He ended a string of abuse by a vicious
the same time my promise is, of course, back-hander which I failed to entirely avoid. The
given. He took my refusal very seri- next few minutes were delicious. It was a straight
ously, but also very gently. You can un- left against a slogging ruffian. I emerged as you
derstand, however, that the situation is see me. Mr. Woodley went home in a cart. So
a little strained.” ended my country trip, and it must be confessed
that, however enjoyable, my day on the Surrey bor-
“Our young friend seems to be getting into der has not been much more profitable than your
deep waters,” said Holmes, thoughtfully, as he fin- own.”
ished the letter. “The case certainly presents more
The Thursday brought us another letter from
features of interest and more possibility of devel-
our client.
opment than I had originally thought. I should
be none the worse for a quiet, peaceful day in the You will not be surprised, Mr.
country, and I am inclined to run down this af- Holmes [said she] to hear that I am
ternoon and test one or two theories which I have leaving Mr. Carruthers’s employment.
formed.” Even the high pay cannot reconcile me
Holmes’s quiet day in the country had a singu- to the discomforts of my situation. On
lar termination, for he arrived at Baker Street late Saturday I come up to town and I do
in the evening with a cut lip and a discoloured not intend to return. Mr. Carruthers
lump upon his forehead, besides a general air of has got a trap, and so the dangers of
dissipation which would have made his own per- the lonely road, if there ever were any
son the fitting object of a Scotland Yard investiga- dangers, are now over.
tion. He was immensely tickled by his own adven- As to the special cause of my leav-
tures, and laughed heartily as he recounted them. ing, it is not merely the strained situ-
“I get so little active exercise that it is always a ation with Mr. Carruthers, but it is the
treat,” said he. “You are aware that I have some reappearance of that odious man, Mr.
proficiency in the good old British sport of boxing. Woodley. He was always hideous, but
Occasionally it is of service. To-day, for example, I he looks more awful than ever now, for
should have come to very ignominious grief with- he appears to have had an accident and
out it.” he is much disfigured. I saw him out of
the window, but I am glad to say I did
I begged him to tell me what had occurred. not meet him. He had a long talk with
“I found that country pub which I had already Mr. Carruthers, who seemed much ex-
recommended to your notice, and there I made my cited afterwards. Woodley must be
discreet inquiries. I was in the bar, and a gar- staying in the neighbourhood, for he
rulous landlord was giving me all that I wanted. did not sleep here, and yet I caught

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 The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist

a glimpse of him again this morning in our direction. Holmes gave an exclamation of
slinking about in the shrubbery. I impatience.
would sooner have a savage wild ani- “I had given a margin of half an hour,” said
mal loose about the place. I loathe and he. “If that is her trap she must be making for the
fear him more than I can say. How can earlier train. I fear, Watson, that she will be past
Mr. Carruthers endure such a creature Charlington before we can possibly meet her.”
for a moment? However, all my trou-
From the instant that we passed the rise we
bles will be over on Saturday.
could no longer see the vehicle, but we hastened
onwards at such a pace that my sedentary life be-
“So I trust, Watson; so I trust,” said Holmes, gan to tell upon me, and I was compelled to fall
gravely. “There is some deep intrigue going on behind. Holmes, however, was always in train-
round that little woman, and it is our duty to see ing, for he had inexhaustible stores of nervous en-
that no one molests her upon that last journey. ergy upon which to draw. His springy step never
I think, Watson, that we must spare time to run slowed until suddenly, when he was a hundred
down together on Saturday morning, and make yards in front of me, he halted, and I saw him
sure that this curious and inconclusive investiga- throw up his hand with a gesture of grief and de-
tion has no untoward ending.” spair. At the same instant an empty dog-cart, the
I confess that I had not up to now taken a very horse cantering, the reins trailing, appeared round
serious view of the case, which had seemed to me the curve of the road and rattled swiftly towards
rather grotesque and bizarre than dangerous. That us.
a man should lie in wait for and follow a very “Too late, Watson; too late!” cried Holmes, as
handsome woman is no unheard-of thing, and if I ran panting to his side. “Fool that I was not to
he had so little audacity that he not only dared not allow for that earlier train! It’s abduction, Wat-
address her, but even fled from her approach, he son—abduction! Murder! Heaven knows what!
was not a very formidable assailant. The ruffian Block the road! Stop the horse! That’s right. Now,
Woodley was a very different person, but, except jump in, and let us see if I can repair the conse-
on one occasion, he had not molested our client, quences of my own blunder.”
and now he visited the house of Carruthers with- We had sprung into the dog-cart, and Holmes,
out intruding upon her presence. The man on the after turning the horse, gave it a sharp cut with
bicycle was doubtless a member of those week-end the whip, and we flew back along the road. As we
parties at the Hall of which the publican had spo- turned the curve the whole stretch of road between
ken; but who he was or what he wanted was as ob- the Hall and the heath was opened up. I grasped
scure as ever. It was the severity of Holmes’s man- Holmes’s arm.
ner and the fact that he slipped a revolver into his
“That’s the man!” I gasped.
pocket before leaving our rooms which impressed
me with the feeling that tragedy might prove to A solitary cyclist was coming towards us. His
lurk behind this curious train of events. head was down and his shoulders rounded as he
put every ounce of energy that he possessed on to
A rainy night had been followed by a glo- the pedals. He was flying like a racer. Suddenly he
rious morning, and the heath-covered country- raised his bearded face, saw us close to him, and
side with the glowing clumps of flowering gorse pulled up, springing from his machine. That coal-
seemed all the more beautiful to eyes which were black beard was in singular contrast to the pallor
weary of the duns and drabs and slate-greys of of his face, and his eyes were as bright as if he had
London. Holmes and I walked along the broad, a fever. He stared at us and at the dog-cart. Then
sandy road inhaling the fresh morning air, and a look of amazement came over his face.
rejoicing in the music of the birds and the fresh
“Halloa! Stop there!” he shouted, holding his
breath of the spring. From a rise of the road on
bicycle to block our road. “Where did you get that
the shoulder of Crooksbury Hill we could see the
dog-cart? Pull up, man!” he yelled, drawing a pis-
grim Hall bristling out from amidst the ancient
tol from his side pocket. “Pull up, I say, or, by
oaks, which, old as they were, were still younger
George, I’ll put a bullet into your horse.”
than the building which they surrounded. Holmes
pointed down the long tract of road which wound, Holmes threw the reins into my lap and sprang
a reddish yellow band, between the brown of the down from the cart.
heath and the budding green of the woods. Far “You’re the man we want to see. Where is Miss
away, a black dot, we could see a vehicle moving Violet Smith?” he said, in his quick, clear way.

464
 The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist

“That’s what I am asking you. You’re in her her stood a brutal, heavy-faced, red-moustached
dog-cart. You ought to know where she is.” young man, his gaitered legs parted wide, one
“We met the dog-cart on the road. There was arm akimbo, the other waving a riding-crop, his
no one in it. We drove back to help the young whole attitude suggestive of triumphant bravado.
lady.” Between them an elderly, grey-bearded man, wear-
ing a short surplice over a light tweed suit, had
“Good Lord! Good Lord! what shall I evidently just completed the wedding service, for
do?” cried the stranger, in an ecstasy of despair. he pocketed his prayer-book as we appeared and
“They’ve got her, that hellhound Woodley and the slapped the sinister bridegroom upon the back in
blackguard parson. Come, man, come, if you re- jovial congratulation.
ally are her friend. Stand by me and we’ll save her,
if I have to leave my carcass in Charlington Wood.” “They’re married!” I gasped.
He ran distractedly, his pistol in his hand, to- “Come on!” cried our guide; “come on!” He
wards a gap in the hedge. Holmes followed him, rushed across the glade, Holmes and I at his heels.
and I, leaving the horse grazing beside the road, As we approached, the lady staggered against the
followed Holmes. trunk of the tree for support. Williamson, the ex-
clergyman, bowed to us with mock politeness, and
“This is where they came through,” said he,
the bully Woodley advanced with a shout of brutal
pointing to the marks of several feet upon the
and exultant laughter.
muddy path. “Halloa! Stop a minute! Who’s this
in the bush?” “You can take your beard off, Bob,” said he. “I
know you right enough. Well, you and your pals
It was a young fellow about seventeen, dressed
have just come in time for me to be able to intro-
like an ostler, with leather cords and gaiters. He
duce you to Mrs. Woodley.”
lay upon his back, his knees drawn up, a terrible
cut upon his head. He was insensible, but alive. A Our guide’s answer was a singular one. He
glance at his wound told me that it had not pene- snatched off the dark beard which had disguised
trated the bone. him and threw it on the ground, disclosing a
“That’s Peter, the groom,” cried the stranger. long, sallow, clean-shaven face below it. Then he
“He drove her. The beasts have pulled him off and raised his revolver and covered the young ruffian,
clubbed him. Let him lie; we can’t do him any who was advancing upon him with his dangerous
good, but we may save her from the worst fate that riding-crop swinging in his hand.
can befall a woman.” “Yes,” said our ally, “I am Bob Carruthers, and
We ran frantically down the path, which I’ll see this woman righted if I have to swing for it.
wound among the trees. We had reached the I told you what I’d do if you molested her, and, by
shrubbery which surrounded the house when the Lord, I’ll be as good as my word!”
Holmes pulled up. “You’re too late. She’s my wife!”
“They didn’t go to the house. Here are their “No, she’s your widow.”
marks on the left—here, beside the laurel bushes!
His revolver cracked, and I saw the blood spurt
Ah, I said so!”
from the front of Woodley’s waistcoat. He spun
As he spoke a woman’s shrill scream—a round with a scream and fell upon his back, his
scream which vibrated with a frenzy of hor- hideous red face turning suddenly to a dreadful
ror—burst from the thick green clump of bushes mottled pallor. The old man, still clad in his sur-
in front of us. It ended suddenly on its highest plice, burst into such a string of foul oaths as I have
note with a choke and a gurgle. never heard, and pulled out a revolver of his own,
“This way! This way! They are in the bowl- but before he could raise it he was looking down
ing alley,” cried the stranger, darting through the the barrel of Holmes’s weapon.
bushes. “Ah, the cowardly dogs! Follow me, gen- “Enough of this,” said my friend, coldly. “Drop
tlemen! Too late! too late! by the living Jingo!” that pistol! Watson, pick it up! Hold it to his head!
We had broken suddenly into a lovely glade of Thank you. You, Carruthers, give me that revolver.
greensward surrounded by ancient trees. On the We’ll have no more violence. Come, hand it over!”
farther side of it, under the shadow of a mighty “Who are you, then?”
oak, there stood a singular group of three peo-
ple. One was a woman, our client, drooping and “My name is Sherlock Holmes.”
faint, a handkerchief round her mouth. Opposite “Good Lord!”

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 The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist

“You have heard of me, I see. I will represent where I knew these rascals were lurking, without
the official police until their arrival. Here, you!” following her on my bicycle just to see that she
he shouted to a frightened groom who had ap- came to no harm. I kept my distance from her,
peared at the edge of the glade. “Come here. Take and I wore a beard so that she should not recog-
this note as hard as you can ride to Farnham.” He nise me, for she is a good and high-spirited girl,
scribbled a few words upon a leaf from his note- and she wouldn’t have stayed in my employment
book. “Give it to the superintendent at the police- long if she had thought that I was following her
station. Until he comes I must detain you all under about the country roads.”
my personal custody.” “Why didn’t you tell her of her danger?”
The strong, masterful personality of Holmes “Because then, again, she would have left me,
dominated the tragic scene, and all were equally and I couldn’t bear to face that. Even if she
puppets in his hands. Williamson and Carruthers couldn’t love me it was a great deal to me just to
found themselves carrying the wounded Woodley see her dainty form about the house, and to hear
into the house, and I gave my arm to the fright- the sound of her voice.”
ened girl. The injured man was laid on his bed, “Well,” said I, “you call that love, Mr. Car-
and at Holmes’s request I examined him. I carried ruthers, but I should call it selfishness.”
my report to where he sat in the old tapestry-hung “Maybe the two things go together. Anyhow, I
dining-room with his two prisoners before him. couldn’t let her go. Besides, with this crowd about,
“He will live,” said I. it was well that she should have someone near to
“What!” cried Carruthers, springing out of his look after her. Then when the cable came I knew
chair. “I’ll go upstairs and finish him first. Do you they were bound to make a move.”
tell me that that girl, that angel, is to be tied to “What cable?”
Roaring Jack Woodley for life?” Carruthers took a telegram from his pocket.
“You need not concern yourself about that,” “That’s it,” said he.
said Holmes. “There are two very good reasons It was short and concise:
why she should under no circumstances be his The old man is dead.
wife. In the first place, we are very safe in ques- “Hum!” said Holmes. “I think I see how things
tioning Mr. Williamson’s right to solemnize a mar- worked, and I can understand how this message
riage.” would, as you say, bring them to a head. But while
“I have been ordained,” cried the old rascal. we wait you might tell me what you can.”
“And also unfrocked.” The old reprobate with the surplice burst into
“Once a clergyman, always a clergyman.” a volley of bad language.
“By Heaven,” said he, “if you squeal on us, Bob
“I think not. How about the license?”
Carruthers, I’ll serve you as you served Jack Wood-
“We had a license for the marriage. I have it ley. You can bleat about the girl to your heart’s
here in my pocket.” content, for that’s your own affair, but if you round
“Then you got it by a trick. But in any case a on your pals to this plain-clothes copper it will be
forced marriage is no marriage, but it is a very se- the worst day’s work that ever you did.”
rious felony, as you will discover before you have “Your reverence need not be excited,” said
finished. You’ll have time to think the point out Holmes, lighting a cigarette. “The case is clear
during the next ten years or so, unless I am mis- enough against you, and all I ask is a few details
taken. As to you, Carruthers, you would have for my private curiosity. However, if there’s any
done better to keep your pistol in your pocket.” difficulty in your telling me I’ll do the talking, and
“I begin to think so, Mr. Holmes; but when I then you will see how far you have a chance of
thought of all the precaution I had taken to shield holding back your secrets. In the first place, three
this girl—for I loved her, Mr. Holmes, and it is the of you came from South Africa on this game—you
only time that ever I knew what love was—it fairly Williamson, you Carruthers, and Woodley.”
drove me mad to think that she was in the power of “Lie number one,” said the old man; “I never
the greatest brute and bully in South Africa, a man saw either of them until two months ago, and I
whose name is a holy terror from Kimberley to Jo- have never been in Africa in my life, so you can
hannesburg. Why, Mr. Holmes, you’ll hardly be- put that in your pipe and smoke it, Mr. Busybody
lieve it, but ever since that girl has been in my em- Holmes!”
ployment I never once let her go past this house, “What he says is true,” said Carruthers.

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 The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist

“Well, well, two of you came over. His rev- swearing that he would have her yet. She was leav-
erence is our own home-made article. You had ing me this week-end, and I had got a trap to take
known Ralph Smith in South Africa. You had rea- her to the station, but I was so uneasy in my mind
son to believe he would not live long. You found that I followed her on my bicycle. She had got
out that his niece would inherit his fortune. How’s a start, however, and before I could catch her the
that—eh?” mischief was done. The first thing I knew about it
Carruthers nodded and Williamson swore. was when I saw you two gentlemen driving back
in her dog-cart.”
“She was next-of-kin, no doubt, and you were
Holmes rose and tossed the end of his cigarette
aware that the old fellow would make no will.”
into the grate. “I have been very obtuse, Wat-
“Couldn’t read or write,” said Carruthers. son,” said he. “When in your report you said that
“So you came over, the two of you, and hunted you had seen the cyclist as you thought arrange
up the girl. The idea was that one of you was to his necktie in the shrubbery, that alone should
marry her and the other have a share of the plun- have told me all. However, we may congratulate
der. For some reason Woodley was chosen as the ourselves upon a curious and in some respects a
husband. Why was that?” unique case. I perceive three of the county con-
stabulary in the drive, and I am glad to see that
“We played cards for her on the voyage. He the little ostler is able to keep pace with them;
won.” so it is likely that neither he nor the interesting
“I see. You got the young lady into your ser- bridegroom will be permanently damaged by their
vice, and there Woodley was to do the courting. morning’s adventures. I think, Watson, that in
She recognised the drunken brute that he was, and your medical capacity you might wait upon Miss
would have nothing to do with him. Meanwhile, Smith and tell her that if she is sufficiently re-
your arrangement was rather upset by the fact that covered we shall be happy to escort her to her
you had yourself fallen in love with the lady. You mother’s home. If she is not quite convalescent
could no longer bear the idea of this ruffian own- you will find that a hint that we were about to
ing her.” telegraph to a young electrician in the Midlands
would probably complete the cure. As to you, Mr.
“No, by George, I couldn’t!”
Carruthers, I think that you have done what you
“There was a quarrel between you. He left you could to make amends for your share in an evil
in a rage, and began to make his own plans inde- plot. There is my card, sir, and if my evidence can
pendently of you.” be of help to you in your trial it shall be at your
“It strikes me, Williamson, there isn’t very disposal.”
much that we can tell this gentleman,” cried Car- In the whirl of our incessant activity it has often
ruthers, with a bitter laugh. “Yes, we quarreled, been difficult for me, as the reader has probably
and he knocked me down. I am level with him on observed, to round off my narratives, and to give
that, anyhow. Then I lost sight of him. That was those final details which the curious might expect.
when he picked up with this cast padre here. I Each case has been the prelude to another, and the
found that they had set up house-keeping together crisis once over the actors have passed for ever out
at this place on the line that she had to pass for the of our busy lives. I find, however, a short note at
station. I kept my eye on her after that, for I knew the end of my manuscripts dealing with this case,
there was some devilry in the wind. I saw them in which I have put it upon record that Miss Vi-
from time to time, for I was anxious to know what olet Smith did indeed inherit a large fortune, and
they were after. Two days ago Woodley came up that she is now the wife of Cyril Morton, the se-
to my house with this cable, which showed that nior partner of Morton & Kennedy, the famous
Ralph Smith was dead. He asked me if I would Westminster electricians. Williamson and Wood-
stand by the bargain. I said I would not. He asked ley were both tried for abduction and assault, the
me if I would marry the girl myself and give him former getting seven years and the latter ten. Of
a share. I said I would willingly do so, but that the fate of Carruthers I have no record, but I am
she would not have me. He said, ‘Let us get her sure that his assault was not viewed very gravely
married first, and after a week or two she may see by the Court, since Woodley had the reputation of
things a bit different.’ I said I would have noth- being a most dangerous ruffian, and I think that a
ing to do with violence. So he went off cursing, few months were sufficient to satisfy the demands
like the foul-mouthed blackguard that he was, and of justice.

467
The Adventure of the Priory School
W
The Adventure of the Priory School

e have had some dramatic entrances “My colleague, Dr. Watson, could tell you that
and exits upon our small stage at Baker we are very busy at present. I am retained in
Street, but I cannot recollect anything this case of the Ferrers Documents, and the Aber-
more sudden and startling than the first gavenny murder is coming up for trial. Only a
appearance of Thorneycroft Huxtable, M.A., Ph.D., very important issue could call me from London
etc. His card, which seemed too small to carry the at present.”
weight of his academic distinctions, preceded him “Important!” Our visitor threw up his hands.
by a few seconds, and then he entered himself—so “Have you heard nothing of the abduction of the
large, so pompous, and so dignified that he was only son of the Duke of Holdernesse?”
the very embodiment of self-possession and solid-
“What! the late Cabinet Minister?”
ity. And yet his first action when the door had
closed behind him was to stagger against the ta- “Exactly. We had tried to keep it out of the pa-
ble, whence he slipped down upon the floor, and pers, but there was some rumour in the Globe last
there was that majestic figure prostrate and insen- night. I thought it might have reached your ears.”
sible upon our bearskin hearthrug. Holmes shot out his long, thin arm and picked
We had sprung to our feet, and for a few mo- out Volume “H” in his encyclopaedia of reference.
ments we stared in silent amazement at this pon- “ ‘Holdernesse, 6th Duke, K.G., P.C.’—half the
derous piece of wreckage, which told of some sud- alphabet! ‘Baron Beverley, Earl of Carston’—dear
den and fatal storm far out on the ocean of life. me, what a list! ‘Lord Lieutenant of Hallamshire
Then Holmes hurried with a cushion for his head since 1900. Married Edith, daughter of Sir Charles
and I with brandy for his lips. The heavy white Appledore, 1888. Heir and only child, Lord Saltire.
face was seamed with lines of trouble, the hang- Owns about two hundred and fifty thousand acres.
ing pouches under the closed eyes were leaden in Minerals in Lancashire and Wales. Address: Carl-
colour, the loose mouth drooped dolorously at the ton House Terrace; Holdernesse Hall, Hallamshire;
corners, the rolling chins were unshaven. Collar Carston Castle, Bangor, Wales. Lord of the Ad-
and shirt bore the grime of a long journey, and the miralty, 1872; Chief Secretary of State for—’ Well,
hair bristled unkempt from the well-shaped head. well, this man is certainly one of the greatest sub-
It was a sorely-stricken man who lay before us. jects of the Crown!”
“What is it, Watson?” asked Holmes. “The greatest and perhaps the wealthiest. I am
“Absolute exhaustion—possibly mere hunger aware, Mr. Holmes, that you take a very high line
and fatigue,” said I, with my finger on the thready in professional matters, and that you are prepared
pulse, where the stream of life trickled thin and to work for the work’s sake. I may tell you, how-
small. ever, that his Grace has already intimated that a
cheque for five thousand pounds will be handed
“Return ticket from Mackleton, in the North
over to the person who can tell him where his son
of England,” said Holmes, drawing it from the
is, and another thousand to him who can name the
watch-pocket. “It is not twelve o’clock yet. He
man, or men, who have taken him.”
has certainly been an early starter.”
“It is a princely offer,” said Holmes. “Wat-
The puckered eyelids had begun to quiver, and
son, I think that we shall accompany Dr. Huxtable
now a pair of vacant, grey eyes looked up at us.
back to the North of England. And now, Dr.
An instant later the man had scrambled on to his
Huxtable, when you have consumed that milk you
feet, his face crimson with shame.
will kindly tell me what has happened, when it
“Forgive this weakness, Mr. Holmes; I have happened, how it happened, and, finally, what Dr.
been a little overwrought. Thank you, if I might Thorneycroft Huxtable, of the Priory School, near
have a glass of milk and a biscuit I have no doubt Mackleton, has to do with the matter, and why
that I should be better. I came personally, Mr. he comes three days after an event—the state of
Holmes, in order to ensure that you would return your chin gives the date—to ask for my humble
with me. I feared that no telegram would convince services.”
you of the absolute urgency of the case.”
Our visitor had consumed his milk and bis-
“When you are quite restored— cuits. The light had come back to his eyes and the
“I am quite well again. I cannot imagine how colour to his cheeks as he set himself with great
I came to be so weak. I wish you, Mr. Holmes, to vigour and lucidity to explain the situation.
come to Mackleton with me by the next train.” “I must inform you, gentlemen, that the Pri-
My friend shook his head. ory is a preparatory school, of which I am the

471
 The Adventure of the Priory School

founder and principal. ‘Huxtable’s Sidelights on Ho- been alone in his flight. Heidegger, the German
race’ may possibly recall my name to your mem- master, was missing. His room was on the second
ories. The Priory is, without exception, the best floor, at the farther end of the building, facing the
and most select preparatory school in England. same way as Lord Saltire’s. His bed had also been
Lord Leverstoke, the Earl of Blackwater, Sir Cath- slept in; but he had apparently gone away partly
cart Soames—they all have entrusted their sons to dressed, since his shirt and socks were lying on the
me. But I felt that my school had reached its zenith floor. He had undoubtedly let himself down by the
when, three weeks ago, the Duke of Holdernesse ivy, for we could see the marks of his feet where
sent Mr. James Wilder, his secretary, with the inti- he had landed on the lawn. His bicycle was kept
mation that young Lord Saltire, ten years old, his in a small shed beside this lawn, and it also was
only son and heir, was about to be committed to gone.
my charge. Little did I think that this would be “He had been with me for two years, and came
the prelude to the most crushing misfortune of my with the best references; but he was a silent, mo-
life. rose man, not very popular either with masters or
“On May 1st the boy arrived, that being the be- boys. No trace could be found of the fugitives,
ginning of the summer term. He was a charm- and now on Thursday morning we are as ignorant
ing youth, and he soon fell into our ways. I may as we were on Tuesday. Inquiry was, of course,
tell you—I trust that I am not indiscreet, but half- made at once at Holdernesse Hall. It is only a few
confidences are absurd in such a case—that he was miles away, and we imagined that in some sudden
not entirely happy at home. It is an open secret attack of home-sickness he had gone back to his
that the Duke’s married life had not been a peace- father; but nothing had been heard of him. The
ful one, and the matter had ended in a separation Duke is greatly agitated—and as to me, you have
by mutual consent, the Duchess taking up her res- seen yourselves the state of nervous prostration to
idence in the South of France. This had occurred which the suspense and the responsibility have re-
very shortly before, and the boy’s sympathies are duced me. Mr. Holmes, if ever you put forward
known to have been strongly with his mother. He your full powers, I implore you to do so now, for
moped after her departure from Holdernesse Hall, never in your life could you have a case which is
and it was for this reason that the Duke desired to more worthy of them.”
send him to my establishment. In a fortnight the Sherlock Holmes had listened with the utmost
boy was quite at home with us, and was appar- intentness to the statement of the unhappy school-
ently absolutely happy. master. His drawn brows and the deep furrow be-
“He was last seen on the night of May tween them showed that he needed no exhorta-
13th—that is, the night of last Monday. His room tion to concentrate all his attention upon a prob-
was on the second floor, and was approached lem which, apart from the tremendous interests
through another larger room in which two boys involved, must appeal so directly to his love of
were sleeping. These boys saw and heard nothing, the complex and the unusual. He now drew out
so that it is certain that young Saltire did not pass his note-book and jotted down one or two memo-
out that way. His window was open, and there is randa.
a stout ivy plant leading to the ground. We could “You have been very remiss in not coming to
trace no footmarks below, but it is sure that this is me sooner,” said he, severely. “You start me on
the only possible exit. my investigation with a very serious handicap. It
“His absence was discovered at seven o’clock is inconceivable, for example, that this ivy and this
on Tuesday morning. His bed had been slept lawn would have yielded nothing to an expert ob-
in. He had dressed himself fully before going off server.”
in his usual school suit of black Eton jacket and “I am not to blame, Mr. Holmes. His Grace
dark grey trousers. There were no signs that any- was extremely desirous to avoid all public scan-
one had entered the room, and it is quite certain dal. He was afraid of his family unhappiness being
that anything in the nature of cries, or a struggle, dragged before the world. He has a deep horror of
would have been heard, since Caunter, the elder anything of the kind.”
boy in the inner room, is a very light sleeper. “But there has been some official investiga-
“When Lord Saltire’s disappearance was dis- tion?”
covered I at once called a roll of the whole es- “Yes, sir, and it has proved most disappointing.
tablishment, boys, masters, and servants. It was An apparent clue was at once obtained, since a boy
then that we ascertained that Lord Saltire had not and a young man were reported to have been seen

472
 The Adventure of the Priory School

leaving a neighbouring station by an early train. “No.”

Only last night we had news that the couple had “Did he get any letters?”
been hunted down in Liverpool, and they prove “Yes; one letter.”
to have no connection whatever with the matter in
“From whom?”
hand. Then it was that in my despair and disap-
pointment, after a sleepless night, I came straight “From his father.”
to you by the early train.” “Do you open the boys’ letters?”
“I suppose the local investigation was relaxed “No.”
while this false clue was being followed up?” “How do you know it was from the father?”
“It was entirely dropped.” “The coat of arms was on the envelope, and it
“So that three days have been wasted. The af- was addressed in the Duke’s peculiar stiff hand.
fair has been most deplorably handled.” Besides, the Duke remembers having written.”
“I feel it, and admit it.” “When had he a letter before that?”
“Not for several days.”
“And yet the problem should be capable of ul-
timate solution. I shall be very happy to look into “Had he ever one from France?”
it. Have you been able to trace any connection be- “No; never.”
tween the missing boy and this German master?” “You see the point of my questions, of course.
“None at all.” Either the boy was carried off by force or he went
of his own free will. In the latter case you would
“Was he in the master’s class?”
expect that some prompting from outside would
“No; he never exchanged a word with him so be needed to make so young a lad do such a thing.
far as I know.” If he has had no visitors, that prompting must have
“That is certainly very singular. Had the boy a come in letters. Hence I try to find out who were
bicycle?” his correspondents.”
“No.” “I fear I cannot help you much. His only corre-
“Was any other bicycle missing?” spondent, so far as I know, was his own father.”
“No.” “Who wrote to him on the very day of his dis-
appearance. Were the relations between father and
“Is that certain?”
son very friendly?”
“Quite.”
“His Grace is never very friendly with any-
“Well, now, you do not mean to seriously sug- one. He is completely immersed in large public
gest that this German rode off upon a bicycle in the questions, and is rather inaccessible to all ordinary
dead of the night bearing the boy in his arms?” emotions. But he was always kind to the boy in his
“Certainly not.” own way.”
“Then what is the theory in your mind?” “But the sympathies of the latter were with the
“The bicycle may have been a blind. It may mother?”
have been hidden somewhere and the pair gone “Yes.”
off on foot.” “Did he say so?”
“Quite so; but it seems rather an absurd blind, “No.”
does it not? Were there other bicycles in this “The Duke, then?”
shed?” “Good heavens, no!”
“Several.” “Then how could you know?”
“Would he not have hidden a couple he de- “I have had some confidential talks with Mr.
sired to give the idea that they had gone off upon James Wilder, his Grace’s secretary. It was he who
them?” gave me the information about Lord Saltire’s feel-
“I suppose he would.” ings.”
“Of course he would. The blind theory won’t “I see. By the way, that last letter of the
do. But the incident is an admirable starting-point Duke’s—was it found in the boy’s room after he
for an investigation. After all, a bicycle is not an was gone?”
easy thing to conceal or to destroy. One other ques- “No; he had taken it with him. I think, Mr.
tion. Did anyone call to see the boy on the day Holmes, it is time that we were leaving for Eu-
before he disappeared?” ston.”

473
 The Adventure of the Priory School

“I will order a four-wheeler. In a quarter of an “The matter can be easily remedied,” said the
hour we shall be at your service. If you are tele- brow-beaten doctor; “Mr. Sherlock Holmes can re-
graphing home, Mr. Huxtable, it would be well to turn to London by the morning train.”
allow the people in your neighbourhood to imag- “Hardly that, Doctor, hardly that,” said
ine that the inquiry is still going on in Liverpool, Holmes, in his blandest voice. “This northern air
or wherever else that red herring led your pack. In is invigorating and pleasant, so I propose to spend
the meantime I will do a little quiet work at your a few days upon your moors, and to occupy my
own doors, and perhaps the scent is not so cold mind as best I may. Whether I have the shelter of
but that two old hounds like Watson and myself your roof or of the village inn is, of course, for you
may get a sniff of it.” to decide.”
That evening found us in the cold, bracing I could see that the unfortunate doctor was in
atmosphere of the Peak country, in which Dr. the last stage of indecision, from which he was
Huxtable’s famous school is situated. It was al- rescued by the deep, sonorous voice of the red-
ready dark when we reached it. A card was lying bearded Duke, which boomed out like a dinner-
on the hall table, and the butler whispered some- gong.
thing to his master, who turned to us with agita- “I agree with Mr. Wilder, Dr. Huxtable, that you
tion in every heavy feature. would have done wisely to consult me. But since
“The Duke is here,” said he. “The Duke and Mr. Holmes has already been taken into your con-
Mr. Wilder are in the study. Come, gentlemen, and fidence, it would indeed be absurd that we should
I will introduce you.” not avail ourselves of his services. Far from go-
ing to the inn, Mr. Holmes, I should be pleased if
I was, of course, familiar with the pictures of you would come and stay with me at Holdernesse
the famous statesman, but the man himself was Hall.”
very different from his representation. He was
“I thank your Grace. For the purposes of my
a tall and stately person, scrupulously dressed,
investigation I think that it would be wiser for me
with a drawn, thin face, and a nose which was
to remain at the scene of the mystery.”
grotesquely curved and long. His complexion was
of a dead pallor, which was more startling by con- “Just as you like, Mr. Holmes. Any information
trast with a long, dwindling beard of vivid red, which Mr. Wilder or I can give you is, of course, at
which flowed down over his white waistcoat, with your disposal.”
his watch-chain gleaming through its fringe. Such “It will probably be necessary for me to see you
was the stately presence who looked stonily at us at the Hall,” said Holmes. “I would only ask you
from the centre of Dr. Huxtable’s hearthrug. Be- now, sir, whether you have formed any explana-
side him stood a very young man, whom I un- tion in your own mind as to the mysterious disap-
derstood to be Wilder, the private secretary. He pearance of your son?”
was small, nervous, alert, with intelligent, light- “No, sir, I have not.”
blue eyes and mobile features. It was he who at
“Excuse me if I allude to that which is painful
once, in an incisive and positive tone, opened the
to you, but I have no alternative. Do you think that
conversation.
the Duchess had anything to do with the matter?”
“I called this morning, Dr. Huxtable, too late to The great Minister showed perceptible hesita-
prevent you from starting for London. I learned tion.
that your object was to invite Mr. Sherlock Holmes
“I do not think so,” he said, at last.
to undertake the conduct of this case. His Grace
is surprised, Dr. Huxtable, that you should have “The other most obvious explanation is that the
taken such a step without consulting him.” child has been kidnapped for the purpose of levy-
ing ransom. You have not had any demand of the
“When I learned that the police had failed—” sort?”
“His Grace is by no means convinced that the “No, sir.”
police have failed.” “One more question, your Grace. I understand
“But surely, Mr. Wilder—” that you wrote to your son upon the day when this
incident occurred.”
“You are well aware, Dr. Huxtable, that his
“No; I wrote upon the day before.”
Grace is particularly anxious to avoid all public
scandal. He prefers to take as few people as possi- “Exactly. But he received it on that day?”
ble into his confidence.” “Yes.”

474
 The Adventure of the Priory School

“Was there anything in your letter which might brought into my room, where he laid it out on the
have unbalanced him or induced him to take such bed, and, having balanced the lamp in the middle
a step?” of it, he began to smoke over it, and occasionally to
“No, sir, certainly not.” point out objects of interest with the reeking amber
of his pipe.
“Did you post that letter yourself?”
The nobleman’s reply was interrupted by his “This case grows upon me, Watson,” said he.
secretary, who broke in with some heat. “There are decidedly some points of interest in
connection with it. In this early stage I want you
“His Grace is not in the habit of posting letters to realize those geographical features which may
himself,” said he. “This letter was laid with others have a good deal to do with our investigation.
upon the study table, and I myself put them in the
post-bag.” “Look at this map. This dark square is the Pri-
ory School. I’ll put a pin in it. Now, this line is the
“You are sure this one was among them?”
main road. You see that it runs east and west past
“Yes; I observed it.” the school, and you see also that there is no side
“How many letters did your Grace write that road for a mile either way. If these two folk passed
day?” away by road it was this road.”
“Twenty or thirty. I have a large correspon- “Exactly.”
dence. But surely this is somewhat irrelevant?”
“By a singular and happy chance we are able to
“Not entirely,” said Holmes.
some extent to check what passed along this road
“For my own part,” the Duke continued, “I during the night in question. At this point, where
have advised the police to turn their attention to my pipe is now resting, a country constable was
the South of France. I have already said that I on duty from twelve to six. It is, as you perceive,
do not believe that the Duchess would encourage the first cross road on the east side. This man de-
so monstrous an action, but the lad had the most clares that he was not absent from his post for an
wrong-headed opinions, and it is possible that he instant, and he is positive that neither boy nor man
may have fled to her, aided and abetted by this could have gone that way unseen. I have spoken
German. I think, Dr. Huxtable, that we will now with this policeman to-night, and he appears to me
return to the Hall.” to be a perfectly reliable person. That blocks this
I could see that there were other questions end. We have now to deal with the other. There
which Holmes would have wished to put; but the is an inn here, the Red Bull, the landlady of which
nobleman’s abrupt manner showed that the inter- was ill. She had sent to Mackleton for a doctor,
view was at an end. It was evident that to his but he did not arrive until morning, being absent
intensely aristocratic nature this discussion of his at another case. The people at the inn were alert
intimate family affairs with a stranger was most all night, awaiting his coming, and one or other of
abhorrent, and that he feared lest every fresh ques- them seems to have continually had an eye upon
tion would throw a fiercer light into the discreetly the road. They declare that no one passed. If their
shadowed corners of his ducal history. evidence is good, then we are fortunate enough to
When the nobleman and his secretary had left, be able to block the west, and also to be able to say
my friend flung himself at once with characteristic that the fugitives did not use the road at all.”
eagerness into the investigation. “But the bicycle?” I objected.
The boy’s chamber was carefully examined, “Quite so. We will come to the bicycle
and yielded nothing save the absolute conviction presently. To continue our reasoning: if these peo-
that it was only through the window that he could ple did not go by the road, they must have tra-
have escaped. The German master’s room and ef- versed the country to the north of the house or
fects gave no further clue. In his case a trailer to the south of the house. That is certain. Let us
of ivy had given way under his weight, and we weigh the one against the other. On the south of
saw by the light of a lantern the mark on the lawn the house is, as you perceive, a large district of
where his heels had come down. That one dint in arable land, cut up into small fields, with stone
the short green grass was the only material witness walls between them. There, I admit that a bicycle
left of this inexplicable nocturnal flight. is impossible. We can dismiss the idea. We turn to
Sherlock Holmes left the house alone, and only the country on the north. Here there lies a grove of
returned after eleven. He had obtained a large trees, marked as the ‘Ragged Shaw,’ and on the far-
ordnance map of the neighbourhood, and this he ther side stretches a great rolling moor, Lower Gill

475
 The Adventure of the Priory School

Moor, extending for ten miles and sloping gradu- He was fully dressed, and had apparently already
ally upwards. Here, at one side of this wilderness, been out.
is Holdernesse Hall, ten miles by road, but only six “I have done the lawn and the bicycle shed,”
across the moor. It is a peculiarly desolate plain. A said he. “I have also had a ramble through the
few moor farmers have small holdings, where they Ragged Shaw. Now, Watson, there is cocoa ready
rear sheep and cattle. Except these, the plover and in the next room. I must beg you to hurry, for we
the curlew are the only inhabitants until you come have a great day before us.”
to the Chesterfield high road. There is a church
there, you see, a few cottages, and an inn. Beyond His eyes shone, and his cheek was flushed with
that the hills become precipitous. Surely it is here the exhilaration of the master workman who sees
to the north that our quest must lie.” his work lie ready before him. A very different
Holmes, this active, alert man, from the introspec-
“But the bicycle?” I persisted. tive and pallid dreamer of Baker Street. I felt, as
“Well, well!” said Holmes, impatiently. “A I looked upon that supple figure, alive with ner-
good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor vous energy, that it was indeed a strenuous day
is intersected with paths and the moon was at the that awaited us.
full. Halloa! what is this?” And yet it opened in the blackest disappoint-
There was an agitated knock at the door, and an ment. With high hopes we struck across the peaty,
instant afterwards Dr. Huxtable was in the room. russet moor, intersected with a thousand sheep
In his hand he held a blue cricket-cap, with a white paths, until we came to the broad, light-green belt
chevron on the peak. which marked the morass between us and Holder-
“At last we have a clue!” he cried. “Thank nesse. Certainly, if the lad had gone homewards,
Heaven! at last we are on the dear boy’s track! he must have passed this, and he could not pass
It is his cap.” it without leaving his traces. But no sign of him
or the German could be seen. With a darkening
“Where was it found?” face my friend strode along the margin, eagerly
“In the van of the gipsies who camped on the observant of every muddy stain upon the mossy
moor. They left on Tuesday. To-day the police surface. Sheep-marks there were in profusion, and
traced them down and examined their caravan. at one place, some miles down, cows had left their
This was found.” tracks. Nothing more.
“How do they account for it?” “Check number one,” said Holmes, looking
“They shuffled and lied—said that they found gloomily over the rolling expanse of the moor.
it on the moor on Tuesday morning. They know “There is another morass down yonder and a nar-
where he is, the rascals! Thank goodness, they are row neck between. Halloa! halloa! halloa! what
all safe under lock and key. Either the fear of the have we here?”
law or the Duke’s purse will certainly get out of We had come on a small black ribbon of path-
them all that they know.” way. In the middle of it, clearly marked on the
“So far, so good,” said Holmes, when the doc- sodden soil, was the track of a bicycle.
tor had at last left the room. “It at least bears out “Hurrah!” I cried. “We have it.”
the theory that it is on the side of the Lower Gill But Holmes was shaking his head, and his face
Moor that we must hope for results. The police was puzzled and expectant rather than joyous.
have really done nothing locally, save the arrest
of these gipsies. Look here, Watson! There is a “A bicycle, certainly, but not the bicycle,” said
watercourse across the moor. You see it marked he. “I am familiar with forty-two different im-
here in the map. In some parts it widens into a pressions left by tyres. This, as you perceive, is
morass. This is particularly so in the region be- a Dunlop, with a patch upon the outer cover. Hei-
tween Holdernesse Hall and the school. It is vain degger’s tyres were Palmer’s, leaving longitudi-
to look elsewhere for tracks in this dry weather; nal stripes. Aveling, the mathematical master, was
but at that point there is certainly a chance of some sure upon the point. Therefore, it is not Heideg-
record being left. I will call you early to-morrow ger’s track.”
morning, and you and I will try if we can throw “The boy’s, then?”
some little light upon the mystery.” “Possibly, if we could prove a bicycle to have
The day was just breaking when I woke to find been in his possession. But this we have utterly
the long, thin form of Holmes by my bedside. failed to do. This track, as you perceive, was made

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 The Adventure of the Priory School

by a rider who was going from the direction of the be no doubt of it. Look at this impression, where
school.” you get both tyres clear. The one is as deep as the
“Or towards it?” other. That can only mean that the rider is throw-
ing his weight on to the handle-bar, as a man does
“No, no, my dear Watson. The more deeply
when he is sprinting. By Jove! he has had a fall.”
sunk impression is, of course, the hind wheel,
upon which the weight rests. You perceive several There was a broad, irregular smudge covering
places where it has passed across and obliterated some yards of the track. Then there were a few
the more shallow mark of the front one. It was un- footmarks, and the tyre reappeared once more.
doubtedly heading away from the school. It may “A side-slip,” I suggested.
or may not be connected with our inquiry, but we Holmes held up a crumpled branch of flower-
will follow it backwards before we go any farther.” ing gorse. To my horror I perceived that the yellow
We did so, and at the end of a few hundred blossoms were all dabbled with crimson. On the
yards lost the tracks as we emerged from the path, too, and among the heather were dark stains
boggy portion of the moor. Following the path of clotted blood.
backwards, we picked out another spot, where a “Bad!” said Holmes. “Bad! Stand clear, Wat-
spring trickled across it. Here, once again, was the son! Not an unnecessary footstep! What do I
mark of the bicycle, though nearly obliterated by read here? He fell wounded, he stood up, he
the hoofs of cows. After that there was no sign, but remounted, he proceeded. But there is no other
the path ran right on into Ragged Shaw, the wood track. Cattle on this side path. He was surely not
which backed on to the school. From this wood gored by a bull? Impossible! But I see no traces
the cycle must have emerged. Holmes sat down of anyone else. We must push on, Watson. Surely
on a boulder and rested his chin in his hands. I with stains as well as the track to guide us he can-
had smoked two cigarettes before he moved. not escape us now.”
“Well, well,” said he, at last. “It is, of course, Our search was not a very long one. The tracks
possible that a cunning man might change the tyre of the tyre began to curve fantastically upon the
of his bicycle in order to leave unfamiliar tracks. A wet and shining path. Suddenly, as I looked ahead,
criminal who was capable of such a thought is a the gleam of metal caught my eye from amid the
man whom I should be proud to do business with. thick gorse bushes. Out of them we dragged a bi-
We will leave this question undecided and hark cycle, Palmer-tyred, one pedal bent, and the whole
back to our morass again, for we have left a good front of it horribly smeared and slobbered with
deal unexplored.” blood. On the other side of the bushes a shoe was
We continued our systematic survey of the projecting. We ran round, and there lay the unfor-
edge of the sodden portion of the moor, and soon tunate rider. He was a tall man, full bearded, with
our perseverance was gloriously rewarded. Right spectacles, one glass of which had been knocked
across the lower part of the bog lay a miry path. out. The cause of his death was a frightful blow
Holmes gave a cry of delight as he approached upon the head, which had crushed in part of his
it. An impression like a fine bundle of telegraph skull. That he could have gone on after receiv-
wires ran down the centre of it. It was the Palmer ing such an injury said much for the vitality and
tyre. courage of the man. He wore shoes, but no socks,
and his open coat disclosed a night-shirt beneath
“Here is Herr Heidegger, sure enough!” cried
it. It was undoubtedly the German master.
Holmes, exultantly. “My reasoning seems to have
been pretty sound, Watson.” Holmes turned the body over reverently, and
examined it with great attention. He then sat in
“I congratulate you.” deep thought for a time, and I could see by his
“But we have a long way still to go. Kindly ruffled brow that this grim discovery had not, in
walk clear of the path. Now let us follow the trail. his opinion, advanced us much in our inquiry.
I fear that it will not lead very far.” “It is a little difficult to know what to do, Wat-
We found, however, as we advanced that son,” said he, at last. “My own inclinations are to
this portion of the moor is intersected with soft push this inquiry on, for we have already lost so
patches, and, though we frequently lost sight of much time that we cannot afford to waste another
the track, we always succeeded in picking it up hour. On the other hand, we are bound to inform
once more. the police of the discovery, and to see that this poor
“Do you observe,” said Holmes, “that the rider fellow’s body is looked after.”
is now undoubtedly forcing the pace? There can “I could take a note back.”

477
 The Adventure of the Priory School

“But I need your company and assistance. Wait “Holmes,” I cried, “this is impossible.”
a bit! There is a fellow cutting peat up yonder. “Admirable!” he said. “A most illuminating re-
Bring him over here, and he will guide the police.” mark. It is impossible as I state it, and therefore I
I brought the peasant across, and Holmes dis- must in some respect have stated it wrong. Yet you
patched the frightened man with a note to Dr. saw for yourself. Can you suggest any fallacy?”
Huxtable. “He could not have fractured his skull in a
“Now, Watson,” said he, “we have picked up fall?”
two clues this morning. One is the bicycle with “In a morass, Watson?”
the Palmer tyre, and we see what that has led to. “I am at my wit’s end.”
The other is the bicycle with the patched Dunlop. “Tut, tut; we have solved some worse prob-
Before we start to investigate that, let us try to re- lems. At least we have plenty of material, if we can
alize what we do know so as to make the most of it, only use it. Come, then, and, having exhausted
and to separate the essential from the accidental.” the Palmer, let us see what the Dunlop with the
“First of all I wish to impress upon you that the patched cover has to offer us.”
boy certainly left of his own free will. He got down We picked up the track and followed it on-
from his window and he went off, either alone or wards for some distance; but soon the moor rose
with someone. That is sure.” into a long, heather-tufted curve, and we left the
watercourse behind us. No further help from
I assented.
tracks could be hoped for. At the spot where we
“Well, now, let us turn to this unfortunate Ger- saw the last of the Dunlop tyre it might equally
man master. The boy was fully dressed when he have led to Holdernesse Hall, the stately towers of
fled. Therefore, he foresaw what he would do. But which rose some miles to our left, or to a low, grey
the German went without his socks. He certainly village which lay in front of us, and marked the
acted on very short notice.” position of the Chesterfield high road.
“Undoubtedly.” As we approached the forbidding and squalid
“Why did he go? Because, from his bedroom inn, with the sign of a game-cock above the door,
window, he saw the flight of the boy. Because he Holmes gave a sudden groan and clutched me by
wished to overtake him and bring him back. He the shoulder to save himself from falling. He had
seized his bicycle, pursued the lad, and in pursu- had one of those violent strains of the ankle which
ing him met his death.” leave a man helpless. With difficulty he limped up
to the door, where a squat, dark, elderly man was
“So it would seem.”
smoking a black clay pipe.
“Now I come to the critical part of my argu- “How are you, Mr. Reuben Hayes?” said
ment. The natural action of a man in pursuing a Holmes.
little boy would be to run after him. He would “Who are you, and how do you get my name so
know that he could overtake him. But the German pat?” the countryman answered, with a suspicious
does not do so. He turns to his bicycle. I am told flash of a pair of cunning eyes.
that he was an excellent cyclist. He would not do
“Well, it’s printed on the board above your
this if he did not see that the boy had some swift
head. It’s easy to see a man who is master of his
means of escape.”
own house. I suppose you haven’t such a thing as
“The other bicycle.” a carriage in your stables?”
“Let us continue our reconstruction. He meets “No; I have not.”
his death five miles from the school—not by a bul- “I can hardly put my foot to the ground.”
let, mark you, which even a lad might conceivably “Don’t put it to the ground.”
discharge, but by a savage blow dealt by a vigor-
“But I can’t walk.”
ous arm. The lad, then, had a companion in his
“Well, then, hop.”
flight. And the flight was a swift one, since it took
five miles before an expert cyclist could overtake Mr. Reuben Hayes’s manner was far from gra-
them. Yet we survey the ground round the scene cious, but Holmes took it with admirable good-
of the tragedy. What do we find? A few cattle humour.
tracks, nothing more. I took a wide sweep round, “Look here, my man,” said he. “This is really
and there is no path within fifty yards. Another cy- rather an awkward fix for me. I don’t mind how I
clist could have had nothing to do with the actual get on.”
murder. Nor were there any human footmarks.” “Neither do I,” said the morose landlord.

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 The Adventure of the Priory School

“The matter is very important. I would offer “Where?”

you a sovereign for the use of a bicycle.” “Well, everywhere. They were at the morass,
The landlord pricked up his ears. and again on the path, and again near where poor
“Where do you want to go?” Heidegger met his death.”
“To Holdernesse Hall.” “Exactly. Well, now, Watson, how many cows
did you see on the moor?”
“Pals of the Dook, I suppose?” said the land-
lord, surveying our mud-stained garments with “I don’t remember seeing any.”
ironical eyes. “Strange, Watson, that we should see tracks all
Holmes laughed good-naturedly. along our line, but never a cow on the whole moor;
very strange, Watson, eh?”
“He’ll be glad to see us, anyhow.”
“Yes, it is strange.”
“Why?”
“Because we bring him news of his lost son.” “Now, Watson, make an effort; throw your
mind back! Can you see those tracks upon the
The landlord gave a very visible start. path?”
“What, you’re on his track?” “Yes, I can.”
“He has been heard of in Liverpool. They ex- “Can you recall that the tracks were some-
pect to get him every hour.” times like that, Watson”—he arranged a number
Again a swift change passed over the heavy, of bread-crumbs in this fashion—: : : : :—“and
unshaven face. His manner was suddenly genial. sometimes like this”—: . : . : . : .—“and occa-
“I’ve less reason to wish the Dook well than sionally like this”—. ˙ . ˙ . ˙ .“ Can you remember
most men,” said he, “for I was his head coachman that?”
once, and cruel bad he treated me. It was him that “No, I cannot.”
sacked me without a character on the word of a “But I can. I could swear to it. However, we
lying corn-chandler. But I’m glad to hear that the will go back at our leisure and verify it. What a
young lord was heard of in Liverpool, and I’ll help blind beetle I have been not to draw my conclu-
you to take the news to the Hall.” sion!”
“Thank you,” said Holmes. “We’ll have some
“And what is your conclusion?”
food first. Then you can bring round the bicycle.”
“Only that it is a remarkable cow which walks,
“I haven’t got a bicycle.”
canters, and gallops. By George, Watson, it was no
Holmes held up a sovereign. brain of a country publican that thought out such
“I tell you, man, that I haven’t got one. I’ll let a blind as that! The coast seems to be clear, save
you have two horses as far as the Hall.” for that lad in the smithy. Let us slip out and see
“Well, well,” said Holmes, “we’ll talk about it what we can see.”
when we’ve had something to eat.” There were two rough-haired, unkempt horses
When we were left alone in the stone-flagged in the tumble-down stable. Holmes raised the hind
kitchen it was astonishing how rapidly that leg of one of them and laughed aloud.
sprained ankle recovered. It was nearly nightfall, “Old shoes, but newly shod—old shoes, but
and we had eaten nothing since early morning, so new nails. This case deserves to be a classic. Let
that we spent some time over our meal. Holmes us go across to the smithy.”
was lost in thought, and once or twice he walked The lad continued his work without regarding
over to the window and stared earnestly out. It us. I saw Holmes’s eye darting to right and left
opened on to a squalid courtyard. In the far cor- among the litter of iron and wood which was scat-
ner was a smithy, where a grimy lad was at work. tered about the floor. Suddenly, however, we heard
On the other side were the stables. Holmes had sat a step behind us, and there was the landlord, his
down again after one of these excursions, when he heavy eyebrows drawn over his savage eyes, his
suddenly sprang out of his chair with a loud ex- swarthy features convulsed with passion. He held
clamation. a short, metal-headed stick in his hand, and he ad-
“By Heaven, Watson, I believe that I’ve got it!” vanced in so menacing a fashion that I was right
he cried. “Yes, yes, it must be so. Watson, do you glad to feel the revolver in my pocket.
remember seeing any cow-tracks to-day?” “You infernal spies!” the man cried. “What are
“Yes, several.” you doing there?”

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 The Adventure of the Priory School

“Why, Mr. Reuben Hayes,” said Holmes, coolly, Wilder’s bicycle was leaning against the wall be-
“one might think that you were afraid of our find- side it. No one was moving about the house, nor
ing something out.” could we catch a glimpse of any faces at the win-
The man mastered himself with a violent effort, dows. Slowly the twilight crept down as the sun
and his grim mouth loosened into a false laugh, sank behind the high towers of Holdernesse Hall.
which was more menacing than his frown. Then in the gloom we saw the two side-lamps of
a trap light up in the stable yard of the inn, and
“You’re welcome to all you can find out in my shortly afterwards heard the rattle of hoofs, as it
smithy,” said he. “But look here, mister, I don’t wheeled out into the road and tore off at a furious
care for folk poking about my place without my pace in the direction of Chesterfield.
leave, so the sooner you pay your score and get
out of this the better I shall be pleased.” “What do you make of that, Watson?” Holmes
whispered.
“All right, Mr. Hayes—no harm meant,” said
Holmes. “We have been having a look at your “It looks like a flight.”
horses, but I think I’ll walk after all. It’s not far, “A single man in a dog-cart, so far as I could
I believe.” see. Well, it certainly was not Mr. James Wilder,
“Not more than two miles to the Hall gates. for there he is at the door.”
That’s the road to the left.” He watched us with A red square of light had sprung out of the
sullen eyes until we had left his premises. darkness. In the middle of it was the black fig-
We did not go very far along the road, for ure of the secretary, his head advanced, peering
Holmes stopped the instant that the curve hid us out into the night. It was evident that he was ex-
from the landlord’s view. pecting someone. Then at last there were steps in
“We were warm, as the children say, at that the road, a second figure was visible for an instant
inn,” said he. “I seem to grow colder every step against the light, the door shut, and all was black
that I take away from it. No, no; I can’t possibly once more. Five minutes later a lamp was lit in a
leave it.” room upon the first floor.
“I am convinced,” said I, “that this Reuben “It seems to be a curious class of custom that is
Hayes knows all about it. A more self-evident vil- done by the Fighting Cock,” said Holmes.
lain I never saw.” “The bar is on the other side.”
“Oh! he impressed you in that way, did he? “Quite so. These are what one may call the pri-
There are the horses, there is the smithy. Yes, it vate guests. Now, what in the world is Mr. James
is an interesting place, this Fighting Cock. I think Wilder doing in that den at this hour of night, and
we shall have another look at it in an unobtrusive who is the companion who comes to meet him
way.” there? Come, Watson, we must really take a risk
A long, sloping hillside, dotted with grey lime- and try to investigate this a little more closely.”
stone boulders, stretched behind us. We had Together we stole down to the road and crept
turned off the road, and were making our way up across to the door of the inn. The bicycle still
the hill, when, looking in the direction of Holder- leaned against the wall. Holmes struck a match
nesse Hall, I saw a cyclist coming swiftly along. and held it to the back wheel, and I heard him
“Get down, Watson!” cried Holmes, with a chuckle as the light fell upon a patched Dunlop
heavy hand upon my shoulder. We had hardly tyre. Up above us was the lighted window.
sunk from view when the man flew past us on
“I must have a peep through that, Watson. If
the road. Amid a rolling cloud of dust I caught a
you bend your back and support yourself upon the
glimpse of a pale, agitated face—a face with hor-
wall, I think that I can manage.”
ror in every lineament, the mouth open, the eyes
staring wildly in front. It was like some strange An instant later his feet were on my shoulders.
caricature of the dapper James Wilder whom we But he was hardly up before he was down again.
had seen the night before. “Come, my friend,” said he, “our day’s work
“The Duke’s secretary!” cried Holmes. “Come, has been quite long enough. I think that we have
Watson, let us see what he does.” gathered all that we can. It’s a long walk to the
We scrambled from rock to rock until in a few school, and the sooner we get started the better.”
moments we had made our way to a point from He hardly opened his lips during that weary
which we could see the front door of the inn. trudge across the moor, nor would he enter the

480
 The Adventure of the Priory School

school when he reached it, but went on to Mackle- “The fact is, your Grace,” said he, “that my col-
ton Station, whence he could send some telegrams. league, Dr. Watson, and myself had an assurance
Late at night I heard him consoling Dr. Huxtable, from Dr. Huxtable that a reward had been offered
prostrated by the tragedy of his master’s death, in this case. I should like to have this confirmed
and later still he entered my room as alert and from your own lips.”
vigorous as he had been when he started in the “Certainly, Mr. Holmes.”
morning. “All goes well, my friend,” said he. “I “It amounted, if I am correctly informed, to
promise that before to-morrow evening we shall five thousand pounds to anyone who will tell you
have reached the solution of the mystery.” where your son is?”
At eleven o’clock next morning my friend and I “Exactly.”
were walking up the famous yew avenue of Hold- “And another thousand to the man who will
ernesse Hall. We were ushered through the mag- name the person or persons who keep him in cus-
nificent Elizabethan doorway and into his Grace’s tody?”
study. There we found Mr. James Wilder, demure “Exactly.”
and courtly, but with some trace of that wild terror “Under the latter heading is included, no
of the night before still lurking in his furtive eyes doubt, not only those who may have taken him
and in his twitching features. away, but also those who conspire to keep him in
“You have come to see his Grace? I am sorry; his present position?”
but the fact is that the Duke is far from well. He “Yes, yes,” cried the Duke, impatiently. “If
has been very much upset by the tragic news. We you do your work well, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, you
received a telegram from Dr. Huxtable yesterday will have no reason to complain of niggardly treat-
afternoon, which told us of your discovery.” ment.”
“I must see the Duke, Mr. Wilder.” My friend rubbed his thin hands together with
“But he is in his room.” an appearance of avidity which was a surprise to
me, who knew his frugal tastes.
“Then I must go to his room.”
“I fancy that I see your Grace’s cheque-book
“I believe he is in his bed.” upon the table,” said he. “I should be glad if you
“I will see him there.” would make me out a cheque for six thousand
pounds. It would be as well, perhaps, for you to
Holmes’s cold and inexorable manner showed
cross it. The Capital and Counties Bank, Oxford
the secretary that it was useless to argue with him.
Street branch, are my agents.”
“Very good, Mr. Holmes; I will tell him that His Grace sat very stern and upright in his
you are here.” chair, and looked stonily at my friend.
After half an hour’s delay the great nobleman “Is this a joke, Mr. Holmes? It is hardly a sub-
appeared. His face was more cadaverous than ject for pleasantry.”
ever, his shoulders had rounded, and he seemed “Not at all, your Grace. I was never more
to me to be an altogether older man than he had earnest in my life.”
been the morning before. He greeted us with a “What do you mean, then?”
stately courtesy and seated himself at his desk, his
“I mean that I have earned the reward. I know
red beard streaming down on to the table.
where your son is, and I know some, at least, of
“Well, Mr. Holmes?” said he. those who are holding him.”
But my friend’s eyes were fixed upon the sec- The Duke’s beard had turned more aggres-
retary, who stood by his master’s chair. sively red than ever against his ghastly white face.
“I think, your Grace, that I could speak more “Where is he?” he gasped.
freely in Mr. Wilder’s absence.” “He is, or was last night, at the Fighting Cock
Inn, about two miles from your park gate.”
The man turned a shade paler and cast a ma-
lignant glance at Holmes. The Duke fell back in his chair.
“And whom do you accuse?”
“If your Grace wishes—”
Sherlock Holmes’s answer was an astounding
“Yes, yes; you had better go. Now, Mr. Holmes, one. He stepped swiftly forward and touched the
what have you to say?” Duke upon the shoulder.
My friend waited until the door had closed be- “I accuse you,” said he. “And now, your Grace,
hind the retreating secretary. I’ll trouble you for that cheque.”

481
 The Adventure of the Priory School

Never shall I forget the Duke’s appearance as may take counsel how far we can minimize this
he sprang up and clawed with his hands like one hideous scandal.”
who is sinking into an abyss. Then, with an ex- “Exactly,” said Holmes. “I think, your Grace,
traordinary effort of aristocratic self-command, he that this can only be done by absolute and com-
sat down and sank his face in his hands. It was plete frankness between us. I am disposed to help
some minutes before he spoke. your Grace to the best of my ability; but in order to
“How much do you know?” he asked at last, do so I must understand to the last detail how the
without raising his head. matter stands. I realize that your words applied to
“I saw you together last night.” Mr. James Wilder, and that he is not the murderer.”
“Does anyone else besides your friend know?” “No; the murderer has escaped.”
“I have spoken to no one.” Sherlock Holmes smiled demurely.
The Duke took a pen in his quivering fingers “Your Grace can hardly have heard of any
and opened his cheque-book. small reputation which I possess, or you would
“I shall be as good as my word, Mr. Holmes. not imagine that it is so easy to escape me. Mr.
I am about to write your cheque, however unwel- Reuben Hayes was arrested at Chesterfield on my
come the information which you have gained may information at eleven o’clock last night. I had a
be to me. When the offer was first made I little telegram from the head of the local police before I
thought the turn which events might take. But left the school this morning.”
you and your friend are men of discretion, Mr. The Duke leaned back in his chair and stared
Holmes?” with amazement at my friend.
“I hardly understand your Grace.” “You seem to have powers that are hardly hu-
“I must put it plainly, Mr. Holmes. If only you man,” said he. “So Reuben Hayes is taken? I am
two know of this incident, there is no reason why right glad to hear it, if it will not react upon the
it should go any farther. I think twelve thousand fate of James.”
pounds is the sum that I owe you, is it not?” “Your secretary?”
But Holmes smiled and shook his head. “No, sir; my son.”
“I fear, your Grace, that matters can hardly It was Holmes’s turn to look astonished.
be arranged so easily. There is the death of this
“I confess that this is entirely new to me, your
schoolmaster to be accounted for.”
Grace. I must beg you to be more explicit.”
“But James knew nothing of that. You cannot
“I will conceal nothing from you. I agree with
hold him responsible for that. It was the work of
you that complete frankness, however painful it
this brutal ruffian whom he had the misfortune to
may be to me, is the best policy in this desper-
employ.”
ate situation to which James’s folly and jealousy
“I must take the view, your Grace, that when a have reduced us. When I was a very young man,
man embarks upon a crime he is morally guilty of Mr. Holmes, I loved with such a love as comes
any other crime which may spring from it.” only once in a lifetime. I offered the lady mar-
“Morally, Mr. Holmes. No doubt you are right. riage, but she refused it on the grounds that such
But surely not in the eyes of the law. A man cannot a match might mar my career. Had she lived I
be condemned for a murder at which he was not would certainly never have married anyone else.
present, and which he loathes and abhors as much She died, and left this one child, whom for her
as you do. The instant that he heard of it he made sake I have cherished and cared for. I could not
a complete confession to me, so filled was he with acknowledge the paternity to the world; but I gave
horror and remorse. He lost not an hour in break- him the best of educations, and since he came to
ing entirely with the murderer. Oh, Mr. Holmes, manhood I have kept him near my person. He
you must save him—you must save him! I tell you surprised my secret, and has presumed ever since
that you must save him!” The Duke had dropped upon the claim which he has upon me and upon
the last attempt at self-command, and was pac- his power of provoking a scandal, which would be
ing the room with a convulsed face and with his abhorrent to me. His presence had something to
clenched hands raving in the air. At last he mas- do with the unhappy issue of my marriage. Above
tered himself and sat down once more at his desk. all, he hated my young legitimate heir from the
“I appreciate your conduct in coming here before first with a persistent hatred. You may well ask me
you spoke to anyone else,” said he. “At least, we why, under these circumstances, I still kept James

482
 The Adventure of the Priory School

under my roof. I answer that it was because I could break the entail, and so make it possible for the es-
see his mother’s face in his, and that for her dear tate to be left to him by will. He knew well that I
sake there was no end to my long-suffering. All should never willingly invoke the aid of the police
her pretty ways, too—there was not one of them against him. I say that he would have proposed
which he could not suggest and bring back to my such a bargain to me, but he did not actually do
memory. I could not send him away. But I feared so, for events moved too quickly for him, and he
so much lest he should do Arthur—that is, Lord had not time to put his plans into practice.
Saltire—a mischief that I dispatched him for safety
“What brought all his wicked scheme to wreck
to Dr. Huxtable’s school.
was your discovery of this man Heidegger’s dead
“James came into contact with this fellow body. James was seized with horror at the news.
Hayes because the man was a tenant of mine, It came to us yesterday as we sat together in this
and James acted as agent. The fellow was a ras- study. Dr. Huxtable had sent a telegram. James
cal from the beginning; but in some extraordinary was so overwhelmed with grief and agitation that
way James became intimate with him. He had al- my suspicions, which had never been entirely ab-
ways a taste for low company. When James deter- sent, rose instantly to a certainty, and I taxed him
mined to kidnap Lord Saltire it was of this man’s with the deed. He made a complete voluntary con-
service that he availed himself. You remember fession. Then he implored me to keep his secret
that I wrote to Arthur upon that last day. Well, for three days longer, so as to give his wretched
James opened the letter and inserted a note ask- accomplice a chance of saving his guilty life. I
ing Arthur to meet him in a little wood called the yielded—as I have always yielded—to his prayers,
Ragged Shaw, which is near to the school. He and instantly James hurried off to the Fighting
used the Duchess’s name, and in that way got Cock to warn Hayes and give him the means of
the boy to come. That evening James bicycled flight. I could not go there by daylight without
over—I am telling you what he has himself con- provoking comment, but as soon as night fell I
fessed to me—and he told Arthur, whom he met hurried off to see my dear Arthur. I found him
in the wood, that his mother longed to see him, safe and well, but horrified beyond expression by
that she was awaiting him on the moor, and that the dreadful deed he had witnessed. In deference
if he would come back into the wood at midnight to my promise, and much against my will, I con-
he would find a man with a horse, who would sented to leave him there for three days under the
take him to her. Poor Arthur fell into the trap. charge of Mrs. Hayes, since it was evident that it
He came to the appointment and found this fel- was impossible to inform the police where he was
low Hayes with a led pony. Arthur mounted, without telling them also who was the murderer,
and they set off together. It appears—though this and I could not see how that murderer could be
James only heard yesterday—that they were pur- punished without ruin to my unfortunate James.
sued, that Hayes struck the pursuer with his stick, You asked for frankness, Mr. Holmes, and I have
and that the man died of his injuries. Hayes taken you at your word, for I have now told you
brought Arthur to his public-house, the Fighting everything without an attempt at circumlocution
Cock, where he was confined in an upper room, or concealment. Do you in turn be as frank with
under the care of Mrs. Hayes, who is a kindly me.”
woman, but entirely under the control of her bru- “I will,” said Holmes. “In the first place, your
tal husband. Grace, I am bound to tell you that you have placed
yourself in a most serious position in the eyes of
“Well, Mr. Holmes, that was the state of affairs
the law. You have condoned a felony and you have
when I first saw you two days ago. I had no more
aided the escape of a murderer; for I cannot doubt
idea of the truth than you. You will ask me what
that any money which was taken by James Wilder
was James’s motive in doing such a deed. I answer
to aid his accomplice in his flight came from your
that there was a great deal which was unreasoning
Grace’s purse.”
and fanatical in the hatred which he bore my heir.
In his view he should himself have been heir of The Duke bowed his assent.
all my estates, and he deeply resented those social
“This is indeed a most serious matter. Even
laws which made it impossible. At the same time
more culpable in my opinion, your Grace, is your
he had a definite motive also. He was eager that I
attitude towards your younger son. You leave him
should break the entail, and he was of opinion that
in this den for three days.”
it lay in my power to do so. He intended to make
a bargain with me—to restore Arthur if I would “Under solemn promises—”

483
 “What are promises to such people as these? “In that case, your Grace, since you have your-
You have no guarantee that he will not be spir- self stated that any unhappiness in your married
ited away again. To humour your guilty elder son life was caused by his presence, I would suggest
you have exposed your innocent younger son to that you make such amends as you can to the
imminent and unnecessary danger. It was a most Duchess, and that you try to resume those rela-
unjustifiable action.” tions which have been so unhappily interrupted.”
The proud lord of Holdernesse was not accus- “That also I have arranged, Mr. Holmes. I
tomed to be so rated in his own ducal hall. The wrote to the Duchess this morning.”
blood flushed into his high forehead, but his con- “In that case,” said Holmes, rising, “I think that
science held him dumb. my friend and I can congratulate ourselves upon
“I will help you, but on one condition only. It is several most happy results from our little visit to
that you ring for the footman and let me give such the North. There is one other small point upon
orders as I like.” which I desire some light. This fellow Hayes had
Without a word the Duke pressed the electric shod his horses with shoes which counterfeited the
bell. A servant entered. tracks of cows. Was it from Mr. Wilder that he
“You will be glad to hear,” said Holmes, “that learned so extraordinary a device?”
your young master is found. It is the Duke’s desire The Duke stood in thought for a moment, with
that the carriage shall go at once to the Fighting a look of intense surprise on his face. Then he
Cock Inn to bring Lord Saltire home. opened a door and showed us into a large room
“Now,” said Holmes, when the rejoicing lackey furnished as a museum. He led the way to a glass
had disappeared, “having secured the future, we case in a corner, and pointed to the inscription.
can afford to be more lenient with the past. I am “These shoes,” it ran, “were dug up in the
not in an official position, and there is no reason, moat of Holdernesse Hall. They are for the use
so long as the ends of justice are served, why I of horses; but they are shaped below with a cloven
should disclose all that I know. As to Hayes I say foot of iron, so as to throw pursuers off the track.
nothing. The gallows awaits him, and I would do They are supposed to have belonged to some of
nothing to save him from it. What he will divulge the marauding Barons of Holdernesse in the Mid-
I cannot tell, but I have no doubt that your Grace dle Ages.“
could make him understand that it is to his in- Holmes opened the case, and moistening his
terest to be silent. From the police point of view finger he passed it along the shoe. A thin film of
he will have kidnapped the boy for the purpose recent mud was left upon his skin.
of ransom. If they do not themselves find it out I
see no reason why I should prompt them to take a “Thank you,” said he, as he replaced the glass.
broader point of view. I would warn your Grace, “It is the second most interesting object that I have
however, that the continued presence of Mr. James seen in the North.”
Wilder in your household can only lead to misfor- “And the first?”
tune.” Holmes folded up his cheque and placed it
“I understand that, Mr. Holmes, and it is al- carefully in his note-book. “I am a poor man,”
ready settled that he shall leave me for ever and said he, as he patted it affectionately and thrust it
go to seek his fortune in Australia.” into the depths of his inner pocket.
The Adventure of Black Peter
I
The Adventure of Black Peter

have never known my friend to be in “Good gracious, Holmes!” I cried. “You don’t
better form, both mental and physical, mean to say that you have been walking about
than in the year ’95. His increasing fame London with that thing?”
had brought with it an immense prac- “I drove to the butcher’s and back.”
tice, and I should be guilty of an indiscretion if I
“The butcher’s?”
were even to hint at the identity of some of the il-
lustrious clients who crossed our humble thresh- “And I return with an excellent appetite. There
old in Baker Street. Holmes, however, like all can be no question, my dear Watson, of the value
great artists, lived for his art’s sake, and, save in of exercise before breakfast. But I am prepared to
the case of the Duke of Holdernesse, I have sel- bet that you will not guess the form that my exer-
dom known him claim any large reward for his cise has taken.”
inestimable services. So unworldly was he—or “I will not attempt it.”
so capricious—that he frequently refused his help He chuckled as he poured out the coffee.
to the powerful and wealthy where the problem
made no appeal to his sympathies, while he would “If you could have looked into Allardyce’s back
devote weeks of most intense application to the af- shop you would have seen a dead pig swung from
fairs of some humble client whose case presented a hook in the ceiling, and a gentleman in his shirt-
those strange and dramatic qualities which ap- sleeves furiously stabbing at it with this weapon.
pealed to his imagination and challenged his in- I was that energetic person, and I have satisfied
genuity. myself that by no exertion of my strength can I
transfix the pig with a single blow. Perhaps you
In this memorable year ’95 a curious and in- would care to try?”
congruous succession of cases had engaged his at- “Not for worlds. But why were you doing
tention, ranging from his famous investigation of this?”
the sudden death of Cardinal Tosca—an inquiry “Because it seemed to me to have an indirect
which was carried out by him at the express de- bearing upon the mystery of Woodman’s Lee. Ah,
sire of His Holiness the Pope—down to his arrest Hopkins, I got your wire last night, and I have
of Wilson, the notorious canary-trainer, which re- been expecting you. Come and join us.”
moved a plague-spot from the East-End of Lon-
don. Close on the heels of these two famous Our visitor was an exceedingly alert man,
cases came the tragedy of Woodman’s Lee, and the thirty years of age, dressed in a quiet tweed suit,
very obscure circumstances which surrounded the but retaining the erect bearing of one who was ac-
death of Captain Peter Carey. No record of the do- customed to official uniform. I recognised him at
ings of Mr. Sherlock Holmes would be complete once as Stanley Hopkins, a young police inspector
which did not include some account of this very for whose future Holmes had high hopes, while
unusual affair. he in turn professed the admiration and respect
of a pupil for the scientific methods of the famous
During the first week of July my friend had amateur. Hopkins’s brow was clouded, and he sat
been absent so often and so long from our lodg- down with an air of deep dejection.
ings that I knew he had something on hand. The “No, thank you, sir. I breakfasted before I came
fact that several rough-looking men called during round. I spent the night in town, for I came up yes-
that time and inquired for Captain Basil made me terday to report.”
understand that Holmes was working somewhere “And what had you to report?”
under one of the numerous disguises and names
with which he concealed his own formidable iden- “Failure, sir; absolute failure.”
tity. He had at least five small refuges in different “You have made no progress?”
parts of London in which he was able to change “None.”
his personality. He said nothing of his business to
“Dear me! I must have a look at the matter.”
me, and it was not my habit to force a confidence.
The first positive sign which he gave me of the di- “I wish to heavens that you would, Mr. Holmes.
rection which his investigation was taking was an It’s my first big chance, and I am at my wit’s end.
extraordinary one. He had gone out before break- For goodness’ sake come down and lend me a
fast, and I had sat down to mine, when he strode hand.”
into the room, his hat upon his head and a huge “Well, well, it just happens that I have already
barbed-headed spear tucked like an umbrella un- read all the available evidence, including the re-
der his arm. port of the inquest, with some care. By the way,

487
 The Adventure of Black Peter

what do you make of that tobacco-pouch found the colour of his huge beard, but for the humours
on the scene of the crime? Is there no clue there?” which were the terror of all around him. I need
Hopkins looked surprised. not say that he was loathed and avoided by every
one of his neighbours, and that I have not heard
“It was the man’s own pouch, sir. His initials
one single word of sorrow about his terrible end.
were inside it. And it was of seal-skin—and he an
old sealer.” “You must have read in the account of the in-
“But he had no pipe.” quest about the man’s cabin, Mr. Holmes; but per-
haps your friend here has not heard of it. He
“No, sir, we could find no pipe; indeed, he had built himself a wooden outhouse—he always
smoked very little. And yet he might have kept called it ‘the cabin’—a few hundred yards from his
some tobacco for his friends.” house, and it was here that he slept every night.
“No doubt. I only mention it because if I had It was a little, single-roomed hut, sixteen feet by
been handling the case I should have been inclined ten. He kept the key in his pocket, made his own
to make that the starting-point of my investigation. bed, cleaned it himself, and allowed no other foot
However, my friend Dr. Watson knows nothing of to cross the threshold. There are small windows
this matter, and I should be none the worse for on each side, which were covered by curtains and
hearing the sequence of events once more. Just never opened. One of these windows was turned
give us some short sketch of the essentials.” towards the high road, and when the light burned
Stanley Hopkins drew a slip of paper from his in it at night the folk used to point it out to each
pocket. other and wonder what Black Peter was doing in
there. That’s the window, Mr. Holmes, which gave
“I have a few dates here which will give you the
us one of the few bits of positive evidence that
career of the dead man, Captain Peter Carey. He
came out at the inquest.
was born in ’45—fifty years of age. He was a most
daring and successful seal and whale fisher. In “You remember that a stonemason, named
1883 he commanded the steam sealer Sea Unicorn, Slater, walking from Forest Row about one
of Dundee. He had then had several successful o’clock in the morning—two days before the
voyages in succession, and in the following year, murder—stopped as he passed the grounds and
1884, he retired. After that he travelled for some looked at the square of light still shining among
years, and finally he bought a small place called the trees. He swears that the shadow of a man’s
Woodman’s Lee, near Forest Row, in Sussex. There head turned sideways was clearly visible on the
he has lived for six years, and there he died just a blind, and that this shadow was certainly not that
week ago to-day. of Peter Carey, whom he knew well. It was that
“There were some most singular points about of a bearded man, but the beard was short and
the man. In ordinary life he was a strict Puritan—a bristled forwards in a way very different from that
silent, gloomy fellow. His household consisted of of the captain. So he says, but he had been two
his wife, his daughter, aged twenty, and two fe- hours in the public-house, and it is some distance
male servants. These last were continually chang- from the road to the window. Besides, this refers
ing, for it was never a very cheery situation, and to the Monday, and the crime was done upon the
sometimes it became past all bearing. The man Wednesday.
was an intermittent drunkard, and when he had “On the Tuesday Peter Carey was in one of his
the fit on him he was a perfect fiend. He has been blackest moods, flushed with drink and as savage
known to drive his wife and his daughter out of as a dangerous wild beast. He roamed about the
doors in the middle of the night, and flog them house, and the women ran for it when they heard
through the park until the whole village outside him coming. Late in the evening he went down
the gates was aroused by their screams. to his own hut. About two o’clock the following
“He was summoned once for a savage assault morning his daughter, who slept with her window
upon the old vicar, who had called upon him to open, heard a most fearful yell from that direc-
remonstrate with him upon his conduct. In short, tion, but it was no unusual thing for him to bawl
Mr. Holmes, you would go far before you found and shout when he was in drink, so no notice was
a more dangerous man than Peter Carey, and I taken. On rising at seven one of the maids noticed
have heard that he bore the same character when that the door of the hut was open, but so great
he commanded his ship. He was known in the was the terror which the man caused that it was
trade as Black Peter, and the name was given him, midday before anyone would venture down to see
not only on account of his swarthy features and what had become of him. Peeping into the open

488
 The Adventure of Black Peter

door they saw a sight which sent them flying with which came in his way. The fact that the crime
white faces into the village. Within an hour I was was committed at two in the morning, and yet Pe-
on the spot and had taken over the case. ter Carey was fully dressed, suggested that he had
“Well, I have fairly steady nerves, as you know, an appointment with the murderer, which is borne
Mr. Holmes, but I give you my word that I got a out by the fact that a bottle of rum and two dirty
shake when I put my head into that little house. glasses stood upon the table.”
It was droning like a harmonium with the flies “Yes,” said Holmes; “I think that both infer-
and bluebottles, and the floor and walls were like ences are permissible. Was there any other spirit
a slaughter-house. He had called it a cabin, and but rum in the room?”
a cabin it was sure enough, for you would have “Yes; there was a tantalus containing brandy
thought that you were in a ship. There was a bunk and whisky on the sea-chest. It is of no impor-
at one end, a sea-chest, maps and charts, a picture tance to us, however, since the decanters were full,
of the Sea Unicorn, a line of log-books on a shelf, all and it had therefore not been used.”
exactly as one would expect to find it in a captain’s “For all that its presence has some signifi-
room. And there in the middle of it was the man cance,” said Holmes. “However, let us hear some
himself, his face twisted like a lost soul in torment, more about the objects which do seem to you to
and his great brindled beard stuck upwards in his bear upon the case.”
agony. Right through his broad breast a steel har- “There was this tobacco-pouch upon the table.”
poon had been driven, and it had sunk deep into “What part of the table?”
the wood of the wall behind him. He was pinned “It lay in the middle. It was of coarse
like a beetle on a card. Of course, he was quite seal-skin—the straight-haired skin, with a leather
dead, and had been so from the instant that he thong to bind it. Inside was ‘P.C.’ on the flap.
had uttered that last yell of agony. There was half an ounce of strong ship’s tobacco
“I know your methods, sir, and I applied them. in it.”
Before I permitted anything to be moved I exam- “Excellent! What more?”
ined most carefully the ground outside, and also Stanley Hopkins drew from his pocket a drab-
the floor of the room. There were no footmarks.” covered note-book. The outside was rough and
“Meaning that you saw none?” worn, the leaves discoloured. On the first page
were written the initials “J.H.N.” and the date
“I assure you, sir, that there were none.”
“1883.” Holmes laid it on the table and examined
“My good Hopkins, I have investigated many it in his minute way, while Hopkins and I gazed
crimes, but I have never yet seen one which was over each shoulder. On the second page were
committed by a flying creature. As long as the the printed letters “C.P.R.,” and then came several
criminal remains upon two legs so long must there sheets of numbers. Another heading was Argen-
be some indentation, some abrasion, some trifling tine, another Costa Rica, and another San Paulo,
displacement which can be detected by the sci- each with pages of signs and figures after it.
entific searcher. It is incredible that this blood- “What do you make of these?” asked Holmes.
bespattered room contained no trace which could “They appear to be lists of Stock Exchange se-
have aided us. I understand, however, from the curities. I thought that ‘J.H.N.’ were the initials
inquest that there were some objects which you of a broker, and that ‘C.P.R.’ may have been his
failed to overlook?” client.”
The young inspector winced at my compan- “Try Canadian Pacific Railway,” said Holmes.
ion’s ironical comments. Stanley Hopkins swore between his teeth and
“I was a fool not to call you in at the time, struck his thigh with his clenched hand.
Mr. Holmes. However, that’s past praying for now. “What a fool I have been!” he cried. “Of course,
Yes, there were several objects in the room which it is as you say. Then ‘J.H.N.’ are the only ini-
called for special attention. One was the harpoon tials we have to solve. I have already examined
with which the deed was committed. It had been the old Stock Exchange lists, and I can find no one
snatched down from a rack on the wall. Two oth- in 1883 either in the House or among the outside
ers remained there, and there was a vacant place brokers whose initials correspond with these. Yet
for the third. On the stock was engraved ‘S.S.. Sea I feel that the clue is the most important one that
Unicorn, Dundee.’ This seemed to establish that I hold. You will admit, Mr. Holmes, that there is
the crime had been done in a moment of fury, a possibility that these initials are those of the sec-
and that the murderer had seized the first weapon ond person who was present—in other words, of

489
 The Adventure of Black Peter

the murderer. I would also urge that the introduc- “It would have been an easier task a week ago,”
tion into the case of a document relating to large said he. “But even now my visit may not be en-
masses of valuable securities gives us for the first tirely fruitless. Watson, if you can spare the time I
time some indication of a motive for the crime.” should be very glad of your company. If you will
Sherlock Holmes’s face showed that he was call a four-wheeler, Hopkins, we shall be ready to
thoroughly taken aback by this new development. start for Forest Row in a quarter of an hour.”
“I must admit both your points,” said he. “I Alighting at the small wayside station, we
confess that this note-book, which did not appear drove for some miles through the remains of
at the inquest, modifies any views which I may widespread woods, which were once part of that
have formed. I had come to a theory of the crime great forest which for so long held the Saxon in-
in which I can find no place for this. Have you en- vaders at bay—the impenetrable “weald,” for sixty
deavoured to trace any of the securities here men- years the bulwark of Britain. Vast sections of it
tioned?” have been cleared, for this is the seat of the first
iron-works of the country, and the trees have been
“Inquiries are now being made at the offices, felled to smelt the ore. Now the richer fields of
but I fear that the complete register of the stock- the North have absorbed the trade, and nothing
holders of these South American concerns is in save these ravaged groves and great scars in the
South America, and that some weeks must elapse earth show the work of the past. Here in a clear-
before we can trace the shares.” ing upon the green slope of a hill stood a long,
Holmes had been examining the cover of the low stone house, approached by a curving drive
note-book with his magnifying lens. running through the fields. Nearer the road, and
“Surely there is some discolouration here,” said surrounded on three sides by bushes, was a small
he. outhouse, one window and the door facing in our
direction. It was the scene of the murder.
“Yes, sir, it is a blood-stain. I told you that I
picked the book off the floor.” Stanley Hopkins led us first to the house,
where he introduced us to a haggard, grey-haired
“Was the blood-stain above or below?” woman, the widow of the murdered man, whose
“On the side next the boards.” gaunt and deep-lined face, with the furtive look of
“Which proves, of course, that the book was terror in the depths of her red-rimmed eyes, told
dropped after the crime was committed.” of the years of hardship and ill-usage which she
had endured. With her was her daughter, a pale,
“Exactly, Mr. Holmes. I appreciated that point, fair-haired girl, whose eyes blazed defiantly at us
and I conjectured that it was dropped by the mur- as she told us that she was glad that her father
derer in his hurried flight. It lay near the door.” was dead, and that she blessed the hand which
“I suppose that none of these securities have had struck him down. It was a terrible household
been found among the property of the dead man?” that Black Peter Carey had made for himself, and it
“No, sir.” was with a sense of relief that we found ourselves
in the sunlight again and making our way along a
“Have you any reason to suspect robbery?”
path which had been worn across the fields by the
“No, sir. Nothing seemed to have been feet of the dead man.
touched.” The outhouse was the simplest of dwellings,
“Dear me, it is certainly a very interesting case. wooden-walled, shingle-roofed, one window be-
Then there was a knife, was there not?” side the door and one on the farther side. Stanley
“A sheath-knife, still in its sheath. It lay at the Hopkins drew the key from his pocket, and had
feet of the dead man. Mrs. Carey has identified it stooped to the lock, when he paused with a look
as being her husband’s property.” of attention and surprise upon his face.
Holmes was lost in thought for some time. “Someone has been tampering with it,” he said.
“Well,” said he, at last, “I suppose I shall have There could be no doubt of the fact. The wood-
to come out and have a look at it.” work was cut and the scratches showed white
through the paint, as if they had been that instant
Stanley Hopkins gave a cry of joy. done. Holmes had been examining the window.
“Thank you, sir. That will indeed be a weight “Someone has tried to force this also. Whoever
off my mind.” it was has failed to make his way in. He must have
Holmes shook his finger at the inspector. been a very poor burglar.”

490
 The Adventure of Black Peter

“This is a most extraordinary thing,” said the It was a long and melancholy vigil, and yet
inspector; “I could swear that these marks were brought with it something of the thrill which the
not here yesterday evening.” hunter feels when he lies beside the water pool
“Some curious person from the village, per- and waits for the coming of the thirsty beast of
haps,” I suggested. prey. What savage creature was it which might
steal upon us out of the darkness? Was it a fierce
“Very unlikely. Few of them would dare to tiger of crime, which could only be taken fight-
set foot in the grounds, far less try to force their ing hard with flashing fang and claw, or would it
way into the cabin. What do you think of it, Mr. prove to be some skulking jackal, dangerous only
Holmes?” to the weak and unguarded?
“I think that fortune is very kind to us.” In absolute silence we crouched amongst the
“You mean that the person will come again?” bushes, waiting for whatever might come. At first
“It is very probable. He came expecting to find the steps of a few belated villagers, or the sound of
the door open. He tried to get in with the blade voices from the village, lightened our vigil; but one
of a very small penknife. He could not manage it. by one these interruptions died away and an abso-
What would he do?” lute stillness fell upon us, save for the chimes of
the distant church, which told us of the progress
“Come again next night with a more useful of the night, and for the rustle and whisper of a
tool.” fine rain falling amid the foliage which roofed us
“So I should say. It will be our fault if we are in.
not there to receive him. Meanwhile, let me see Half-past two had chimed, and it was the dark-
the inside of the cabin.” est hour which precedes the dawn, when we all
The traces of the tragedy had been removed, started as a low but sharp click came from the di-
but the furniture within the little room still stood rection of the gate. Someone had entered the drive.
as it had been on the night of the crime. For two Again there was a long silence, and I had begun to
hours, with most intense concentration, Holmes fear that it was a false alarm, when a stealthy step
examined every object in turn, but his face showed was heard upon the other side of the hut, and a
that his quest was not a successful one. Once only moment later a metallic scraping and clinking. The
he paused in his patient investigation. man was trying to force the lock! This time his skill
“Have you taken anything off this shelf, Hop- was greater or his tool was better, for there was a
kins?” sudden snap and the creak of the hinges. Then
a match was struck, and next instant the steady
“No; I have moved nothing.” light from a candle filled the interior of the hut.
“Something has been taken. There is less dust Through the gauze curtain our eyes were all riv-
in this corner of the shelf than elsewhere. It may eted upon the scene within.
have been a book lying on its side. It may have The nocturnal visitor was a young man, frail
been a box. Well, well, I can do nothing more. Let and thin, with a black moustache which intensified
us walk in these beautiful woods, Watson, and give the deadly pallor of his face. He could not have
a few hours to the birds and the flowers. We shall been much above twenty years of age. I have never
meet you here later, Hopkins, and see if we can seen any human being who appeared to be in such
come to closer quarters with the gentleman who a pitiable fright, for his teeth were visibly chatter-
has paid this visit in the night.” ing and he was shaking in every limb. He was
It was past eleven o’clock when we formed dressed like a gentleman, in Norfolk jacket and
our little ambuscade. Hopkins was for leaving knickerbockers, with a cloth cap upon his head.
the door of the hut open, but Holmes was of the We watched him staring round with frightened
opinion that this would rouse the suspicions of the eyes. Then he laid the candle-end upon the ta-
stranger. The lock was a perfectly simple one, and ble and disappeared from our view into one of the
only a strong blade was needed to push it back. corners. He returned with a large book, one of the
Holmes also suggested that we should wait, not log-books which formed a line upon the shelves.
inside the hut, but outside it among the bushes Leaning on the table he rapidly turned over the
which grew round the farther window. In this way leaves of this volume until he came to the entry
we should be able to watch our man if he struck a which he sought. Then, with an angry gesture of
light, and see what his object was in this stealthy his clenched hand, he closed the book, replaced it
nocturnal visit. in the corner, and put out the light. He had hardly

491
 The Adventure of Black Peter

turned to leave the hut when Hopkins’s hand was he bade farewell to my mother. He left us a list
on the fellow’s collar, and I heard his loud gasp of the securities he was taking, and he swore that
of terror as he understood that he was taken. The he would come back with his honour cleared, and
candle was re-lit, and there was our wretched cap- that none who had trusted him would suffer. Well,
tive shivering and cowering in the grasp of the de- no word was ever heard from him again. Both the
tective. He sank down upon the sea-chest, and yacht and he vanished utterly. We believed, my
looked helplessly from one of us to the other. mother and I, that he and it, with the securities
“Now, my fine fellow,” said Stanley Hopkins, that he had taken with him, were at the bottom of
“who are you, and what do you want here?” the sea. We had a faithful friend, however, who is a
business man, and it was he who discovered some
The man pulled himself together and faced us
time ago that some of the securities which my fa-
with an effort at self-composure.
ther had with him have reappeared on the London
“You are detectives, I suppose?” said he. “You market. You can imagine our amazement. I spent
imagine I am connected with the death of Captain months in trying to trace them, and at last, after
Peter Carey. I assure you that I am innocent.” many doublings and difficulties, I discovered that
“We’ll see about that,” said Hopkins. “First of the original seller had been Captain Peter Carey,
all, what is your name?” the owner of this hut.
“It is John Hopley Neligan.” “Naturally, I made some inquiries about the
I saw Holmes and Hopkins exchange a quick man. I found that he had been in command of
glance. a whaler which was due to return from the Arctic
seas at the very time when my father was cross-
“What are you doing here?” ing to Norway. The autumn of that year was a
“Can I speak confidentially?” stormy one, and there was a long succession of
“No, certainly not.” southerly gales. My father’s yacht may well have
“Why should I tell you?” been blown to the north, and there met by Captain
Peter Carey’s ship. If that were so, what had be-
“If you have no answer it may go badly with come of my father? In any case, if I could prove
you at the trial.” from Peter Carey’s evidence how these securities
The young man winced. came on the market it would be a proof that my
“Well, I will tell you,” he said. “Why should father had not sold them, and that he had no view
I not? And yet I hate to think of this old scandal to personal profit when he took them.
gaining a new lease of life. Did you ever hear of “I came down to Sussex with the intention of
Dawson and Neligan?” seeing the captain, but it was at this moment that
I could see from Hopkins’s face that he never his terrible death occurred. I read at the inquest a
had; but Holmes was keenly interested. description of his cabin, in which it stated that the
old log-books of his vessel were preserved in it. It
“You mean the West-country bankers,” said he.
struck me that if I could see what occurred in the
“They failed for a million, ruined half the county
month of August, 1883, on board the Sea Unicorn, I
families of Cornwall, and Neligan disappeared.”
might settle the mystery of my father’s fate. I tried
“Exactly. Neligan was my father.” last night to get at these log-books, but was unable
At last we were getting something positive, and to open the door. To-night I tried again, and suc-
yet it seemed a long gap between an absconding ceeded; but I find that the pages which deal with
banker and Captain Peter Carey pinned against that month have been torn from the book. It was
the wall with one of his own harpoons. We all at that moment I found myself a prisoner in your
listened intently to the young man’s words. hands.”
“It was my father who was really concerned. “Is that all?” asked Hopkins.
Dawson had retired. I was only ten years of age at “Yes, that is all.” His eyes shifted as he said it.
the time, but I was old enough to feel the shame “You have nothing else to tell us?”
and horror of it all. It has always been said that He hesitated.
my father stole all the securities and fled. It is not
“No; there is nothing.”
true. It was his belief that if he were given time in
which to realize them all would be well and every “You have not been here before last night?”
creditor paid in full. He started in his little yacht “No.”
for Norway just before the warrant was issued for “Then how do you account for that?” cried
his arrest. I can remember that last night when Hopkins, as he held up the damning note-book,

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 The Adventure of Black Peter

with the initials of our prisoner on the first leaf “You really think that your solution must be
and the blood-stain on the cover. correct?” asked Holmes.
The wretched man collapsed. He sank his face “I could not imagine a more complete case.”
in his hands and trembled all over.
“It did not seem to me conclusive.”
“Where did you get it?” he groaned. “I did not
know. I thought I had lost it at the hotel.” “You astonish me, Mr. Holmes. What more
“That is enough,” said Hopkins, sternly. could one ask for?”
“Whatever else you have to say you must say in “Does your explanation cover every point?”
court. You will walk down with me now to the
“Undoubtedly. I find that young Neligan ar-
police-station. Well, Mr. Holmes, I am very much
rived at the Brambletye Hotel on the very day of
obliged to you and to your friend for coming down
the crime. He came on the pretence of playing
to help me. As it turns out your presence was un-
golf. His room was on the ground-floor, and he
necessary, and I would have brought the case to
could get out when he liked. That very night he
this successful issue without you; but none the less
went down to Woodman’s Lee, saw Peter Carey
I am very grateful. Rooms have been reserved for
at the hut, quarrelled with him, and killed him
you at the Brambletye Hotel, so we can all walk
with the harpoon. Then, horrified by what he had
down to the village together.”
done, he fled out of the hut, dropping the note-
“Well, Watson, what do you think of it?” asked book which he had brought with him in order to
Holmes, as we travelled back next morning. question Peter Carey about these different securi-
“I can see that you are not satisfied.” ties. You may have observed that some of them
“Oh, yes, my dear Watson, I am perfectly satis- were marked with ticks, and the others—the great
fied. At the same time Stanley Hopkins’s methods majority—were not. Those which are ticked have
do not commend themselves to me. I am disap- been traced on the London market; but the others
pointed in Stanley Hopkins. I had hoped for bet- presumably were still in the possession of Carey,
ter things from him. One should always look for and young Neligan, according to his own account,
a possible alternative and provide against it. It is was anxious to recover them in order to do the
the first rule of criminal investigation.” right thing by his father’s creditors. After his flight
“What, then, is the alternative?” he did not dare to approach the hut again for some
time; but at last he forced himself to do so in order
“The line of investigation which I have myself to obtain the information which he needed. Surely
been pursuing. It may give us nothing. I cannot that is all simple and obvious?”
tell. But at least I shall follow it to the end.”
Holmes smiled and shook his head.
Several letters were waiting for Holmes at
Baker Street. He snatched one of them up, opened “It seems to me to have only one drawback,
it, and burst out into a triumphant chuckle of Hopkins, and that is that it is intrinsically impos-
laughter. sible. Have you tried to drive a harpoon through a
“Excellent, Watson. The alternative develops. body? No? Tut, tut, my dear sir, you must really
Have you telegraph forms? Just write a couple of pay attention to these details. My friend Watson
messages for me: ‘Sumner, Shipping Agent, Rat- could tell you that I spent a whole morning in that
cliff Highway. Send three men on, to arrive ten exercise. It is no easy matter, and requires a strong
to-morrow morning.—Basil.’ That’s my name in and practised arm. But this blow was delivered
those parts. The other is: ‘Inspector Stanley Hop- with such violence that the head of the weapon
kins, 46, Lord Street, Brixton. Come breakfast sank deep into the wall. Do you imagine that this
to-morrow at nine-thirty. Important. Wire if un- anaemic youth was capable of so frightful an as-
able to come.—Sherlock Holmes.’ There, Watson, sault? Is he the man who hobnobbed in rum and
this infernal case has haunted me for ten days. I water with Black Peter in the dead of the night?
hereby banish it completely from my presence. To- Was it his profile that was seen on the blind two
morrow I trust that we shall hear the last of it for nights before? No, no, Hopkins; it is another and a
ever.” more formidable person for whom we must seek.”
Sharp at the hour named Inspector Stanley The detective’s face had grown longer and
Hopkins appeared, and we sat down together to longer during Holmes’s speech. His hopes and his
the excellent breakfast which Mrs. Hudson had ambitions were all crumbling about him. But he
prepared. The young detective was in high spir- would not abandon his position without a strug-
its at his success. gle.

493
 The Adventure of Black Peter

“You can’t deny that Neligan was present that “Yes, sir.” He took a sheaf of worn and greasy
night, Mr. Holmes. The book will prove that. I forms from his pocket. Holmes glanced over them
fancy that I have evidence enough to satisfy a jury, and returned them.
even if you are able to pick a hole in it. Besides, “You are just the man I want,” said he. “Here’s
Mr. Holmes, I have laid my hand upon my man. the agreement on the side-table. If you sign it the
As to this terrible person of yours, where is he?” whole matter will be settled.”
“I rather fancy that he is on the stair,” said The seaman lurched across the room and took
Holmes, serenely. “I think, Watson, that you up the pen.
would do well to put that revolver where you can
“Shall I sign here?” he asked, stooping over the
reach it.” He rose, and laid a written paper upon a
table.
side-table. “Now we are ready,” said he.
Holmes leaned over his shoulder and passed
There had been some talking in gruff voices
both hands over his neck.
outside, and now Mrs. Hudson opened the door
to say that there were three men inquiring for Cap- “This will do,” said he.
tain Basil. I heard a click of steel and a bellow like an en-
“Show them in one by one,” said Holmes. raged bull. The next instant Holmes and the sea-
man were rolling on the ground together. He was
The first who entered was a little ribston- a man of such gigantic strength that, even with the
pippin of a man, with ruddy cheeks and fluffy handcuffs which Holmes had so deftly fastened
white side-whiskers. Holmes had drawn a letter upon his wrists, he would have very quickly over-
from his pocket. powered my friend had Hopkins and I not rushed
“What name?” he asked. to his rescue. Only when I pressed the cold muzzle
“James Lancaster.” of the revolver to his temple did he at last under-
stand that resistance was vain. We lashed his an-
“I am sorry, Lancaster, but the berth is full. kles with cord and rose breathless from the strug-
Here is half a sovereign for your trouble. Just step gle.
into this room and wait there for a few minutes.”
“I must really apologize, Hopkins,” said Sher-
The second man was a long, dried-up creature, lock Holmes; “I fear that the scrambled eggs
with lank hair and sallow cheeks. His name was are cold. However, you will enjoy the rest of
Hugh Pattins. He also received his dismissal, his your breakfast all the better, will you not, for the
half-sovereign, and the order to wait. thought that you have brought your case to a tri-
The third applicant was a man of remarkable umphant conclusion.”
appearance. A fierce bull-dog face was framed Stanley Hopkins was speechless with amaze-
in a tangle of hair and beard, and two bold dark ment.
eyes gleamed behind the cover of thick, tufted,
“I don’t know what to say, Mr. Holmes,” he
overhung eyebrows. He saluted and stood sailor-
blurted out at last, with a very red face. “It seems
fashion, turning his cap round in his hands.
to me that I have been making a fool of myself
“Your name?” asked Holmes. from the beginning. I understand now, what I
“Patrick Cairns.” should never have forgotten, that I am the pupil
and you are the master. Even now I see what you
“Harpooner?”
have done, but I don’t know how you did it, or
“Yes, sir. Twenty-six voyages.” what it signifies.”
“Dundee, I suppose?” “Well, well,” said Holmes, good-humouredly.
“Yes, sir.” “We all learn by experience, and your lesson this
time is that you should never lose sight of the al-
“And ready to start with an exploring ship?”
ternative. You were so absorbed in young Neli-
“Yes, sir.” gan that you could not spare a thought to Patrick
“What wages?” Cairns, the true murderer of Peter Carey.”
“Eight pounds a month.” The hoarse voice of the seaman broke in on our
conversation.
“Could you start at once?”
“See here, mister,” said he, “I make no com-
“As soon as I get my kit.” plaint of being man-handled in this fashion, but I
“Have you your papers?” would have you call things by their right names.

494
 The Adventure of Black Peter

You say I murdered Peter Carey; I say I killed Peter to fix it all two nights later. When I came I found
Carey, and there’s all the difference. Maybe you him three parts drunk and in a vile temper. We
don’t believe what I say. Maybe you think I am sat down and we drank and we yarned about old
just slinging you a yarn.” times, but the more he drank the less I liked the
“Not at all,” said Holmes. “Let us hear what look on his face. I spotted that harpoon upon the
you have to say.” wall, and I thought I might need it before I was
through. Then at last he broke out at me, spitting
“It’s soon told, and, by the Lord, every word of
and cursing, with murder in his eyes and a great
it is truth. I knew Black Peter, and when he pulled
clasp-knife in his hand. He had not time to get it
out his knife I whipped a harpoon through him
from the sheath before I had the harpoon through
sharp, for I knew that it was him or me. That’s
him. Heavens! what a yell he gave; and his face
how he died. You can call it murder. Anyhow, I’d
gets between me and my sleep! I stood there, with
as soon die with a rope round my neck as with
his blood splashing round me, and I waited for a
Black Peter’s knife in my heart.”
bit; but all was quiet, so I took heart once more. I
“How came you there?” asked Holmes. looked round, and there was the tin box on a shelf.
“I’ll tell it you from the beginning. Just sit me I had as much right to it as Peter Carey, anyhow,
up a little so as I can speak easy. It was in ’83 so I took it with me and left the hut. Like a fool I
that it happened—August of that year. Peter Carey left my baccy-pouch upon the table.
was master of the Sea Unicorn, and I was spare “Now I’ll tell you the queerest part of the whole
harpooner. We were coming out of the ice-pack story. I had hardly got outside the hut when
on our way home, with head winds and a week’s I heard someone coming, and I hid among the
southerly gale, when we picked up a little craft bushes. A man came slinking along, went into
that had been blown north. There was one man the hut, gave a cry as if he had seen a ghost, and
on her—a landsman. The crew had thought she legged it as hard as he could run until he was out
would founder, and had made for the Norwegian of sight. Who he was or what he wanted is more
coast in the dinghy. I guess they were all drowned. than I can tell. For my part I walked ten miles, got
Well, we took him on board, this man, and he and a train at Tunbridge Wells, and so reached London,
the skipper had some long talks in the cabin. All and no one the wiser.
the baggage we took off with him was one tin box.
So far as I know, the man’s name was never men- “Well, when I came to examine the box I found
tioned, and on the second night he disappeared there was no money in it, and nothing but papers
as if he had never been. It was given out that that I would not dare to sell. I had lost my hold on
he had either thrown himself overboard or fallen Black Peter, and was stranded in London without a
overboard in the heavy weather that we were hav- shilling. There was only my trade left. I saw these
ing. Only one man knew what had happened to advertisements about harpooners and high wages,
him, and that was me, for with my own eyes I saw so I went to the shipping agents, and they sent me
the skipper tip up his heels and put him over the here. That’s all I know, and I say again that if I
rail in the middle watch of a dark night, two days killed Black Peter the law should give me thanks,
before we sighted the Shetland lights. for I saved them the price of a hempen rope.”
“Well, I kept my knowledge to myself and “A very clear statement,” said Holmes, rising
waited to see what would come of it. When we and lighting his pipe. “I think, Hopkins, that you
got back to Scotland it was easily hushed up, and should lose no time in conveying your prisoner to
nobody asked any questions. A stranger died by a place of safety. This room is not well adapted for
an accident, and it was nobody’s business to in- a cell, and Mr. Patrick Cairns occupies too large a
quire. Shortly after Peter Carey gave up the sea, proportion of our carpet.”
and it was long years before I could find where he “Mr. Holmes,” said Hopkins, “I do not know
was. I guessed that he had done the deed for the how to express my gratitude. Even now I do not
sake of what was in that tin box, and that he could understand how you attained this result.”
afford now to pay me well for keeping my mouth “Simply by having the good fortune to get the
shut. right clue from the beginning. It is very possible
“I found out where he was through a sailor if I had known about this note-book it might have
man that had met him in London, and down I led away my thoughts, as it did yours. But all I
went to squeeze him. The first night he was rea- heard pointed in the one direction. The amazing
sonable enough, and was ready to give me what strength, the skill in the use of the harpoon, the
would make me free of the sea for life. We were rum and water, the seal-skin tobacco-pouch, with

495
the coarse tobacco—all these pointed to a seaman, in 1883. When I found Patrick Cairns among the
and one who had been a whaler. I was convinced harpooners my research was nearing its end. I ar-
that the initials ‘P.C.’ upon the pouch were a coin- gued that the man was probably in London, and
cidence, and not those of Peter Carey, since he sel- that he would desire to leave the country for a
dom smoked, and no pipe was found in his cabin. time. I therefore spent some days in the East-end,
You remember that I asked whether whisky and devised an Arctic expedition, put forth tempting
brandy were in the cabin. You said they were. terms for harpooners who would serve under Cap-
How many landsmen are there who would drink tain Basil—and behold the result!”
rum when they could get these other spirits? Yes, “Wonderful!” cried Hopkins. “Wonderful!”
I was certain it was a seaman.”
“You must obtain the release of young Neligan
“And how did you find him?” as soon as possible,” said Holmes. “I confess that
“My dear sir, the problem had become a very I think you owe him some apology. The tin box
simple one. If it were a seaman, it could only must be returned to him, but, of course, the se-
be a seaman who had been with him on the Sea curities which Peter Carey has sold are lost for
Unicorn. So far as I could learn he had sailed in ever. There’s the cab, Hopkins, and you can re-
no other ship. I spent three days in wiring to move your man. If you want me for the trial, my
Dundee, and at the end of that time I had ascer- address and that of Watson will be somewhere in
tained the names of the crew of the Sea Unicorn Norway—I’ll send particulars later.”
The Adventure of Charles Augustus
Milverton
I
The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton

t is years since the incidents of which not only from treacherous valets or maids, but fre-
I speak took place, and yet it is with quently from genteel ruffians who have gained the
diffidence that I allude to them. For a confidence and affection of trusting women. He
long time, even with the utmost discre- deals with no niggard hand. I happen to know
tion and reticence, it would have been impossible that he paid seven hundred pounds to a footman
to make the facts public; but now the principal per- for a note two lines in length, and that the ruin of
son concerned is beyond the reach of human law, a noble family was the result. Everything which
and with due suppression the story may be told in is in the market goes to Milverton, and there are
such fashion as to injure no one. It records an abso- hundreds in this great city who turn white at his
lutely unique experience in the career both of Mr. name. No one knows where his grip may fall, for
Sherlock Holmes and of myself. The reader will he is far too rich and far too cunning to work from
excuse me if I conceal the date or any other fact by hand to mouth. He will hold a card back for years
which he might trace the actual occurrence. in order to play it at the moment when the stake
We had been out for one of our evening ram- is best worth winning. I have said that he is the
bles, Holmes and I, and had returned about six worst man in London, and I would ask you how
o’clock on a cold, frosty winter’s evening. As could one compare the ruffian who in hot blood
Holmes turned up the lamp the light fell upon a bludgeons his mate with this man, who methodi-
card on the table. He glanced at it, and then, with cally and at his leisure tortures the soul and wrings
an ejaculation of disgust, threw it on the floor. I the nerves in order to add to his already swollen
picked it up and read:— money-bags?”
I had seldom heard my friend speak with such
Charles Augustus Milverton, intensity of feeling.
Appledore Towers, “But surely,” said I, “the fellow must be within
Hampstead. the grasp of the law?”
Agent.
“Technically, no doubt, but practically not.
“Who is he?” I asked. What would it profit a woman, for example, to
get him a few months’ imprisonment if her own
“The worst man in London,” Holmes an-
ruin must immediately follow? His victims dare
swered, as he sat down and stretched his legs be-
not hit back. If ever he blackmailed an innocent
fore the fire. “Is anything on the back of the card?”
person, then, indeed, we should have him; but he
I turned it over. is as cunning as the Evil One. No, no; we must
“Will call at 6.30—C.A.M.,” I read. find other ways to fight him.”
“Hum! He’s about due. Do you feel a creep- “And why is he here?”
ing, shrinking sensation, Watson, when you stand “Because an illustrious client has placed her
before the serpents in the Zoo and see the slith- piteous case in my hands. It is the Lady Eva Brack-
ery, gliding, venomous creatures, with their deadly well, the most beautiful debutante of last season.
eyes and wicked, flattened faces? Well, that’s how She is to be married in a fortnight to the Earl of
Milverton impresses me. I’ve had to do with fifty Dovercourt. This fiend has several imprudent let-
murderers in my career, but the worst of them ters—imprudent, Watson, nothing worse—which
never gave me the repulsion which I have for this were written to an impecunious young squire in
fellow. And yet I can’t get out of doing business the country. They would suffice to break off the
with him—indeed, he is here at my invitation.” match. Milverton will send the letters to the Earl
“But who is he?” unless a large sum of money is paid him. I have
been commissioned to meet him, and—to make
“I’ll tell you, Watson. He is the king of all the
the best terms I can.”
blackmailers. Heaven help the man, and still more
the woman, whose secret and reputation come into At that instant there was a clatter and a rattle
the power of Milverton. With a smiling face and a in the street below. Looking down I saw a stately
heart of marble he will squeeze and squeeze until carriage and pair, the brilliant lamps gleaming on
he has drained them dry. The fellow is a genius in the glossy haunches of the noble chestnuts. A foot-
his way, and would have made his mark in some man opened the door, and a small, stout man in a
more savoury trade. His method is as follows: He shaggy astrachan overcoat descended. A minute
allows it to be known that he is prepared to pay later he was in the room.
very high sums for letters which compromise peo- Charles Augustus Milverton was a man of fifty,
ple of wealth or position. He receives these wares with a large, intellectual head, a round, plump,

499
 The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton

hairless face, a perpetual frozen smile, and two that these letters should be placed in the hands of
keen grey eyes, which gleamed brightly from be- the Earl, then you would indeed be foolish to pay
hind broad, golden-rimmed glasses. There was so large a sum of money to regain them.” He rose
something of Mr. Pickwick’s benevolence in his and seized his astrachan coat.
appearance, marred only by the insincerity of the Holmes was grey with anger and mortification.
fixed smile and by the hard glitter of those rest-
less and penetrating eyes. His voice was as smooth “Wait a little,” he said. “You go too fast. We
and suave as his countenance, as he advanced with would certainly make every effort to avoid scan-
a plump little hand extended, murmuring his re- dal in so delicate a matter.”
gret for having missed us at his first visit. Holmes Milverton relapsed into his chair.
disregarded the outstretched hand and looked at
“I was sure that you would see it in that light,”
him with a face of granite. Milverton’s smile
he purred.
broadened; he shrugged his shoulders, removed
his overcoat, folded it with great deliberation over “At the same time,” Holmes continued, “Lady
the back of a chair, and then took a seat. Eva is not a wealthy woman. I assure you that
“This gentleman?” said he, with a wave in my two thousand pounds would be a drain upon her
direction. “Is it discreet? Is it right?” resources, and that the sum you name is utterly
beyond her power. I beg, therefore, that you will
“Dr. Watson is my friend and partner.” moderate your demands, and that you will return
“Very good, Mr. Holmes. It is only in your the letters at the price I indicate, which is, I assure
client’s interests that I protested. The matter is so you, the highest that you can get.”
very delicate—”
Milverton’s smile broadened and his eyes twin-
“Dr. Watson has already heard of it.” kled humorously.
“Then we can proceed to business. You say that “I am aware that what you say is true about the
you are acting for Lady Eva. Has she empowered lady’s resources,” said he. “At the same time, you
you to accept my terms?” must admit that the occasion of a lady’s marriage
“What are your terms?” is a very suitable time for her friends and relatives
“Seven thousand pounds.” to make some little effort upon her behalf. They
may hesitate as to an acceptable wedding present.
“And the alternative?”
Let me assure them that this little bundle of letters
“My dear sir, it is painful for me to discuss it; would give more joy than all the candelabra and
but if the money is not paid on the 14th there cer- butter-dishes in London.”
tainly will be no marriage on the 18th.” His insuf-
“It is impossible,” said Holmes.
ferable smile was more complacent than ever.
Holmes thought for a little. “Dear me, dear me, how unfortunate!” cried
Milverton, taking out a bulky pocket-book. “I can-
“You appear to me,” he said, at last, “to be tak- not help thinking that ladies are ill-advised in not
ing matters too much for granted. I am, of course, making an effort. Look at this!” He held up a little
familiar with the contents of these letters. My note with a coat-of-arms upon the envelope. “That
client will certainly do what I may advise. I shall belongs to—well, perhaps it is hardly fair to tell
counsel her to tell her future husband the whole the name until to-morrow morning. But at that
story and to trust to his generosity.” time it will be in the hands of the lady’s husband.
Milverton chuckled. And all because she will not find a beggarly sum
“You evidently do not know the Earl,” said he. which she could get by turning her diamonds into
paste. It is such a pity. Now, you remember the
From the baffled look upon Holmes’s face I
sudden end of the engagement between the Hon-
could see clearly that he did.
ourable Miss Miles and Colonel Dorking? Only
“What harm is there in the letters?” he asked. two days before the wedding there was a para-
“They are sprightly—very sprightly,” Milver- graph in the Morning Post to say that it was all off.
ton answered. “The lady was a charming corre- And why? It is almost incredible, but the absurd
spondent. But I can assure you that the Earl of sum of twelve hundred pounds would have set-
Dovercourt would fail to appreciate them. How- tled the whole question. Is it not pitiful? And here
ever, since you think otherwise, we will let it rest I find you, a man of sense, boggling about terms
at that. It is purely a matter of business. If you when your client’s future and honour are at stake.
think that it is in the best interests of your client You surprise me, Mr. Holmes.”

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 The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton

“What I say is true,” Holmes answered. “The time was spent at Hampstead, and that it was not
money cannot be found. Surely it is better for you wasted, I knew nothing of what he was doing.
to take the substantial sum which I offer than to At last, however, on a wild, tempestuous evening,
ruin this woman’s career, which can profit you in when the wind screamed and rattled against the
no way?” windows, he returned from his last expedition,
“There you make a mistake, Mr. Holmes. An and having removed his disguise he sat before the
exposure would profit me indirectly to a consider- fire and laughed heartily in his silent inward fash-
able extent. I have eight or ten similar cases ma- ion.
turing. If it was circulated among them that I had “You would not call me a marrying man, Wat-
made a severe example of the Lady Eva I should son?”
find all of them much more open to reason. You “No, indeed!”
see my point?” “You’ll be interested to hear that I am en-
Holmes sprang from his chair. gaged.”
“Get behind him, Watson! Don’t let him out! “My dear fellow! I congrat—”
Now, sir, let us see the contents of that note-book.” “To Milverton’s housemaid.”
Milverton had glided as quick as a rat to the “Good heavens, Holmes!”
side of the room, and stood with his back against “I wanted information, Watson.”
the wall. “Surely you have gone too far?”
“Mr. Holmes, Mr. Holmes,” he said, turning the “It was a most necessary step. I am a plumber
front of his coat and exhibiting the butt of a large with a rising business, Escott by name. I have
revolver, which projected from the inside pocket. walked out with her each evening, and I have
“I have been expecting you to do something orig- talked with her. Good heavens, those talks! How-
inal. This has been done so often, and what good ever, I have got all I wanted. I know Milverton’s
has ever come from it? I assure you that I am house as I know the palm of my hand.”
armed to the teeth, and I am perfectly prepared to “But the girl, Holmes?”
use my weapons, knowing that the law will sup-
He shrugged his shoulders.
port me. Besides, your supposition that I would
bring the letters here in a note-book is entirely mis- “You can’t help it, my dear Watson. You must
taken. I would do nothing so foolish. And now, play your cards as best you can when such a stake
gentlemen, I have one or two little interviews this is on the table. However, I rejoice to say that I
evening, and it is a long drive to Hampstead.” He have a hated rival who will certainly cut me out
stepped forward, took up his coat, laid his hand the instant that my back is turned. What a splen-
on his revolver, and turned to the door. I picked did night it is!”
up a chair, but Holmes shook his head and I laid it “You like this weather?”
down again. With bow, a smile, and a twinkle Mil- “It suits my purpose. Watson, I mean to burgle
verton was out of the room, and a few moments Milverton’s house to-night.”
after we heard the slam of the carriage door and I had a catching of the breath, and my skin
the rattle of the wheels as he drove away. went cold at the words, which were slowly uttered
Holmes sat motionless by the fire, his hands in a tone of concentrated resolution. As a flash of
buried deep in his trouser pockets, his chin sunk lightning in the night shows up in an instant ev-
upon his breast, his eyes fixed upon the glowing ery detail of a wide landscape, so at one glance
embers. For half an hour he was silent and still. I seemed to see every possible result of such an
Then, with the gesture of a man who has taken his action—the detection, the capture, the honoured
decision, he sprang to his feet and passed into his career ending in irreparable failure and disgrace,
bedroom. A little later a rakish young workman my friend himself lying at the mercy of the odious
with a goatee beard and a swagger lit his clay pipe Milverton.
at the lamp before descending into the street. “I’ll “For Heaven’s sake, Holmes, think what you
be back some time, Watson,” said he, and vanished are doing,” I cried.
into the night. I understood that he had opened “My dear fellow, I have given it every consid-
his campaign against Charles Augustus Milverton; eration. I am never precipitate in my actions, nor
but I little dreamed the strange shape which that would I adopt so energetic and indeed so danger-
campaign was destined to take. ous a course if any other were possible. Let us
For some days Holmes came and went at all look at the matter clearly and fairly. I suppose that
hours in this attire, but beyond a remark that his you will admit that the action is morally justifiable,

501
 The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton

though technically criminal. To burgle his house is a first-class, up-to-date burgling kit, with nickel-
no more than to forcibly take his pocket-book—an plated jemmy, diamond-tipped glass-cutter, adapt-
action in which you were prepared to aid me.” able keys, and every modern improvement which
I turned it over in my mind. the march of civilization demands. Here, too, is
my dark lantern. Everything is in order. Have you
“Yes,” I said; “it is morally justifiable so long a pair of silent shoes?”
as our object is to take no articles save those which
“I have rubber-soled tennis shoes.”
are used for an illegal purpose.”
“Excellent. And a mask?”
“Exactly. Since it is morally justifiable I have
only to consider the question of personal risk. “I can make a couple out of black silk.”
Surely a gentleman should not lay much stress “I can see that you have a strong natural turn
upon this when a lady is in most desperate need for this sort of thing. Very good; do you make the
of his help?” masks. We shall have some cold supper before we
“You will be in such a false position.” start. It is now nine-thirty. At eleven we shall drive
as far as Church Row. It is a quarter of an hour’s
“Well, that is part of the risk. There is no other walk from there to Appledore Towers. We shall
possible way of regaining these letters. The un- be at work before midnight. Milverton is a heavy
fortunate lady has not the money, and there are sleeper and retires punctually at ten-thirty. With
none of her people in whom she could confide. any luck we should be back here by two, with the
To-morrow is the last day of grace, and unless we Lady Eva’s letters in my pocket.”
can get the letters to-night this villain will be as
good as his word and will bring about her ruin. Holmes and I put on our dress-clothes, so that
I must, therefore, abandon my client to her fate we might appear to be two theatre-goers home-
or I must play this last card. Between ourselves, ward bound. In Oxford Street we picked up a
Watson, it’s a sporting duel between this fellow hansom and drove to an address in Hampstead.
Milverton and me. He had, as you saw, the best Here we paid off our cab, and with our great-coats
of the first exchanges; but my self-respect and my buttoned up, for it was bitterly cold and the wind
reputation are concerned to fight it to a finish.” seemed to blow through us, we walked along the
edge of the Heath.
“Well, I don’t like it; but I suppose it must be,”
said I. “When do we start?” “It’s a business that needs delicate treatment,”
said Holmes. “These documents are contained in
“You are not coming.” a safe in the fellow’s study, and the study is the
“Then you are not going,” said I. “I give you ante-room of his bed-chamber. On the other hand,
my word of honour—and I never broke it in my like all these stout, little men who do themselves
life—that I will take a cab straight to the police- well, he is a plethoric sleeper. Agatha—that’s my
station and give you away unless you let me share fiancee—says it is a joke in the servants’ hall that
this adventure with you.” it’s impossible to wake the master. He has a sec-
retary who is devoted to his interests and never
“You can’t help me.”
budges from the study all day. That’s why we are
“How do you know that? You can’t tell what going at night. Then he has a beast of a dog which
may happen. Anyway, my resolution is taken. roams the garden. I met Agatha late the last two
Other people beside you have self-respect and evenings, and she locks the brute up so as to give
even reputations.” me a clear run. This is the house, this big one
Holmes had looked annoyed, but his brow in its own grounds. Through the gate—now to
cleared, and he clapped me on the shoulder. the right among the laurels. We might put on our
masks here, I think. You see, there is not a glimmer
“Well, well, my dear fellow, be it so. We of light in any of the windows, and everything is
have shared the same room for some years, and working splendidly.”
it would be amusing if we ended by sharing the
same cell. You know, Watson, I don’t mind con- With our black silk face-coverings, which
fessing to you that I have always had an idea turned us into two of the most truculent figures in
that I would have made a highly efficient crimi- London, we stole up to the silent, gloomy house.
nal. This is the chance of my lifetime in that di- A sort of tiled veranda extended along one side of
rection. See here!” He took a neat little leather it, lined by several windows and two doors.
case out of a drawer, and opening it he exhib- “That’s his bedroom,” Holmes whispered.
ited a number of shining instruments. “This is “This door opens straight into the study. It would

502
 The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton

suit us best, but it is bolted as well as locked, and “I don’t like it,” he whispered, putting his lips
we should make too much noise getting in. Come to my very ear. “I can’t quite make it out. Anyhow,
round here. There’s a greenhouse which opens we have no time to lose.”
into the drawing-room.” “Can I do anything?”
The place was locked, but Holmes removed a
“Yes; stand by the door. If you hear anyone
circle of glass and turned the key from the inside.
come, bolt it on the inside, and we can get away
An instant afterwards he had closed the door be-
as we came. If they come the other way, we can
hind us, and we had become felons in the eyes of
get through the door if our job is done, or hide
the law. The thick, warm air of the conservatory
behind these window curtains if it is not. Do you
and the rich, choking fragrance of exotic plants
understand?”
took us by the throat. He seized my hand in the
darkness and led me swiftly past banks of shrubs I nodded and stood by the door. My first feel-
which brushed against our faces. Holmes had re- ing of fear had passed away, and I thrilled now
markable powers, carefully cultivated, of seeing in with a keener zest than I had ever enjoyed when
the dark. Still holding my hand in one of his he we were the defenders of the law instead of its
opened a door, and I was vaguely conscious that defiers. The high object of our mission, the con-
we had entered a large room in which a cigar had sciousness that it was unselfish and chivalrous, the
been smoked not long before. He felt his way villainous character of our opponent, all added to
among the furniture, opened another door, and the sporting interest of the adventure. Far from
closed it behind us. Putting out my hand I felt feeling guilty, I rejoiced and exulted in our dan-
several coats hanging from the wall, and I under- gers. With a glow of admiration I watched Holmes
stood that I was in a passage. We passed along it, unrolling his case of instruments and choosing his
and Holmes very gently opened a door upon the tool with the calm, scientific accuracy of a surgeon
right-hand side. Something rushed out at us and who performs a delicate operation. I knew that
my heart sprang into my mouth, but I could have the opening of safes was a particular hobby with
laughed when I realized that it was the cat. A fire him, and I understood the joy which it gave him
was burning in this new room, and again the air to be confronted with this green and gold mon-
was heavy with tobacco smoke. Holmes entered ster, the dragon which held in its maw the repu-
on tiptoe, waited for me to follow, and then very tations of many fair ladies. Turning up the cuffs
gently closed the door. We were in Milverton’s of his dress-coat—he had placed his overcoat on a
study, and a portiere at the farther side showed the chair—Holmes laid out two drills, a jemmy, and
entrance to his bedroom. several skeleton keys. I stood at the centre door
It was a good fire, and the room was illumi- with my eyes glancing at each of the others, ready
nated by it. Near the door I saw the gleam of an for any emergency; though, indeed, my plans were
electric switch, but it was unnecessary, even if it somewhat vague as to what I should do if we were
had been safe, to turn it on. At one side of the fire- interrupted. For half an hour Holmes worked with
place was a heavy curtain, which covered the bay concentrated energy, laying down one tool, pick-
window we had seen from outside. On the other ing up another, handling each with the strength
side was the door which communicated with the and delicacy of the trained mechanic. Finally I
veranda. A desk stood in the centre, with a turn- heard a click, the broad green door swung open,
ing chair of shining red leather. Opposite was a and inside I had a glimpse of a number of paper
large bookcase, with a marble bust of Athene on packets, each tied, sealed, and inscribed. Holmes
the top. In the corner between the bookcase and picked one out, but it was hard to read by the flick-
the wall there stood a tall green safe, the firelight ering fire, and he drew out his little dark lantern,
flashing back from the polished brass knobs upon for it was too dangerous, with Milverton in the
its face. Holmes stole across and looked at it. Then next room, to switch on the electric light. Suddenly
he crept to the door of the bedroom, and stood I saw him halt, listen intently, and then in an in-
with slanting head listening intently. No sound stant he had swung the door of the safe to, picked
came from within. Meanwhile it had struck me up his coat, stuffed his tools into the pockets, and
that it would be wise to secure our retreat through darted behind the window curtain, motioning me
the outer door, so I examined it. To my amazement to do the same.
it was neither locked nor bolted! I touched Holmes It was only when I had joined him there that I
on the arm, and he turned his masked face in that heard what had alarmed his quicker senses. There
direction. I saw him start, and he was evidently as was a noise somewhere within the house. A door
surprised as I. slammed in the distance. Then a confused, dull

503
 The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton

murmur broke itself into the measured thud of Several times I had observed that Milverton
heavy footsteps rapidly approaching. They were in looked at his watch, and once he had risen and
the passage outside the room. They paused at the sat down again, with a gesture of impatience. The
door. The door opened. There was a sharp snick idea, however, that he might have an appointment
as the electric light was turned on. The door closed at so strange an hour never occurred to me until a
once more, and the pungent reek of a strong cigar faint sound reached my ears from the veranda out-
was borne to our nostrils. Then the footsteps con- side. Milverton dropped his papers and sat rigid
tinued backwards and forwards, backwards and in his chair. The sound was repeated, and then
forwards, within a few yards of us. Finally, there there came a gentle tap at the door. Milverton rose
was a creak from a chair, and the footsteps ceased. and opened it.
Then a key clicked in a lock and I heard the rustle “Well,” said he, curtly, “you are nearly half an
of papers. hour late.”
So far I had not dared to look out, but now I So this was the explanation of the unlocked
gently parted the division of the curtains in front door and of the nocturnal vigil of Milverton. There
of me and peeped through. From the pressure of was the gentle rustle of a woman’s dress. I had
Holmes’s shoulder against mine I knew that he closed the slit between the curtains as Milverton’s
was sharing my observations. Right in front of face had turned in our direction, but now I ven-
us, and almost within our reach, was the broad, tured very carefully to open it once more. He had
rounded back of Milverton. It was evident that we resumed his seat, the cigar still projecting at an in-
had entirely miscalculated his movements, that he solent angle from the corner of his mouth. In front
had never been to his bedroom, but that he had of him, in the full glare of the electric light, there
been sitting up in some smoking or billiard room stood a tall, slim, dark woman, a veil over her face,
in the farther wing of the house, the windows of a mantle drawn round her chin. Her breath came
which we had not seen. His broad, grizzled head, quick and fast, and every inch of the lithe figure
with its shining patch of baldness, was in the im- was quivering with strong emotion.
mediate foreground of our vision. He was lean-
ing far back in the red leather chair, his legs out- “Well,” said Milverton, “you’ve made me lose
stretched, a long black cigar projecting at an angle a good night’s rest, my dear. I hope you’ll prove
from his mouth. He wore a semi-military smoking worth it. You couldn’t come any other time—eh?”
jacket, claret-coloured, with a black velvet collar. The woman shook her head.
In his hand he held a long legal document, which “Well, if you couldn’t you couldn’t. If the
he was reading in an indolent fashion, blowing Countess is a hard mistress you have your chance
rings of tobacco smoke from his lips as he did so. to get level with her now. Bless the girl, what are
There was no promise of a speedy departure in his you shivering about? That’s right! Pull yourself
composed bearing and his comfortable attitude. together! Now, let us get down to business.” He
I felt Holmes’s hand steal into mine and give took a note from the drawer of his desk. “You say
me a reassuring shake, as if to say that the situa- that you have five letters which compromise the
tion was within his powers and that he was easy Countess d’Albert. You want to sell them. I want
in his mind. I was not sure whether he had seen to buy them. So far so good. It only remains to
what was only too obvious from my position, that fix a price. I should want to inspect the letters, of
the door of the safe was imperfectly closed, and course. If they are really good specimens—Great
that Milverton might at any moment observe it. In heavens, is it you?”
my own mind I had determined that if I were sure, The woman without a word had raised her veil
from the rigidity of his gaze, that it had caught his and dropped the mantle from her chin. It was a
eye, I would at once spring out, throw my great- dark, handsome, clear-cut face which confronted
coat over his head, pinion him, and leave the rest Milverton, a face with a curved nose, strong,
to Holmes. But Milverton never looked up. He dark eyebrows shading hard, glittering eyes, and
was languidly interested by the papers in his hand, a straight, thin-lipped mouth set in a dangerous
and page after page was turned as he followed smile.
the argument of the lawyer. At least, I thought,
when he has finished the document and the cigar “It is I,” she said; “the woman whose life you
he will go to his room; but before he had reached have ruined.”
the end of either there came a remarkable devel- Milverton laughed, but fear vibrated in his
opment which turned our thoughts into quite an- voice. “You were so very obstinate,” said he. “Why
other channel. did you drive me to such extremities? I assure you

504
 The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton

I wouldn’t hurt a fly of my own accord, but every the key in the lock. At the same instant we heard
man has his business, and what was I to do? I put voices in the house and the sound of hurrying
the price well within your means. You would not feet. The revolver shots had roused the house-
pay.” hold. With perfect coolness Holmes slipped across
“So you sent the letters to my husband, and to the safe, filled his two arms with bundles of let-
he—the noblest gentleman that ever lived, a man ters, and poured them all into the fire. Again and
whose boots I was never worthy to lace—he broke again he did it, until the safe was empty. Some-
his gallant heart and died. You remember that last one turned the handle and beat upon the outside
night when I came through that door I begged and of the door. Holmes looked swiftly round. The
prayed you for mercy, and you laughed in my face letter which had been the messenger of death for
as you are trying to laugh now, only your coward Milverton lay, all mottled with his blood, upon the
heart cannot keep your lips from twitching? Yes, table. Holmes tossed it in among the blazing pa-
you never thought to see me here again, but it was pers. Then he drew the key from the outer door,
that night which taught me how I could meet you passed through after me, and locked it on the out-
face to face, and alone. Well, Charles Milverton, side. “This way, Watson,” said he; “we can scale
what have you to say?” the garden wall in this direction.”
“Don’t imagine that you can bully me,” said I could not have believed that an alarm could
he, rising to his feet. “I have only to raise my have spread so swiftly. Looking back, the huge
voice, and I could call my servants and have you house was one blaze of light. The front door was
arrested. But I will make allowance for your nat- open, and figures were rushing down the drive.
ural anger. Leave the room at once as you came, The whole garden was alive with people, and
and I will say no more.” one fellow raised a view-halloa as we emerged
The woman stood with her hand buried in her from the veranda and followed hard at our heels.
bosom, and the same deadly smile on her thin lips. Holmes seemed to know the ground perfectly, and
he threaded his way swiftly among a plantation
“You will ruin no more lives as you ruined of small trees, I close at his heels, and our fore-
mine. You will wring no more hearts as you wrung most pursuer panting behind us. It was a six-foot
mine. I will free the world of a poisonous thing. wall which barred our path, but he sprang to the
Take that, you hound, and that!—and that!—and top and over. As I did the same I felt the hand of
that!” the man behind me grab at my ankle; but I kicked
She had drawn a little, gleaming revolver, and myself free and scrambled over a glass-strewn cop-
emptied barrel after barrel into Milverton’s body, ing. I fell upon my face among some bushes; but
the muzzle within two feet of his shirt front. He Holmes had me on my feet in an instant, and to-
shrank away and then fell forward upon the table, gether we dashed away across the huge expanse
coughing furiously and clawing among the papers. of Hampstead Heath. We had run two miles, I
Then he staggered to his feet, received another suppose, before Holmes at last halted and listened
shot, and rolled upon the floor. “You’ve done me,” intently. All was absolute silence behind us. We
he cried, and lay still. The woman looked at him had shaken off our pursuers and were safe.
intently and ground her heel into his upturned
We had breakfasted and were smoking our
face. She looked again, but there was no sound
morning pipe on the day after the remarkable
or movement. I heard a sharp rustle, the night air
experience which I have recorded when Mr.
blew into the heated room, and the avenger was
Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, very solemn and im-
gone.
pressive, was ushered into our modest sitting-
No interference upon our part could have room.
saved the man from his fate; but as the woman
poured bullet after bullet into Milverton’s shrink- “Good morning, Mr. Holmes,” said he; “good
ing body I was about to spring out, when I felt morning. May I ask if you are very busy just
Holmes’s cold, strong grasp upon my wrist. I now?”
understood the whole argument of that firm, re- “Not too busy to listen to you.”
straining grip—that it was no affair of ours; that
“I thought that, perhaps, if you had nothing
justice had overtaken a villain; that we had our
particular on hand, you might care to assist us in
own duties and our own objects which were not
a most remarkable case which occurred only last
to be lost sight of. But hardly had the woman
night at Hampstead.”
rushed from the room when Holmes, with swift,
silent steps, was over at the other door. He turned “Dear me!” said Holmes. “What was that?”

505
 “A murder—a most dramatic and remarkable are certain crimes which the law cannot touch, and
murder. I know how keen you are upon these which therefore, to some extent, justify private re-
things, and I would take it as a great favour if you venge. No, it’s no use arguing. I have made up
would step down to Appledore Towers and give us my mind. My sympathies are with the criminals
the benefit of your advice. It is no ordinary crime. rather than with the victim, and I will not handle
We have had our eyes upon this Mr. Milverton for this case.”
some time, and, between ourselves, he was a bit of Holmes had not said one word to me about the
a villain. He is known to have held papers which tragedy which we had witnessed, but I observed
he used for blackmailing purposes. These papers all the morning that he was in his most thoughtful
have all been burned by the murderers. No article mood, and he gave me the impression, from his va-
of value was taken, as it is probable that the crimi- cant eyes and his abstracted manner, of a man who
nals were men of good position, whose sole object is striving to recall something to his memory. We
was to prevent social exposure.” were in the middle of our lunch when he suddenly
“Criminals!” said Holmes. “Plural!” sprang to his feet. “By Jove, Watson; I’ve got it!”
“Yes, there were two of them. They were, as he cried. “Take your hat! Come with me!” He hur-
nearly as possible, captured red-handed. We have ried at his top speed down Baker Street and along
their foot-marks, we have their description; it’s ten Oxford Street, until we had almost reached Regent
to one that we trace them. The first fellow was a bit Circus. Here on the left hand there stands a shop
too active, but the second was caught by the under- window filled with photographs of the celebrities
gardener and only got away after a struggle. He and beauties of the day. Holmes’s eyes fixed them-
was a middle-sized, strongly-built man—square selves upon one of them, and following his gaze I
jaw, thick neck, moustache, a mask over his eyes.” saw the picture of a regal and stately lady in Court
dress, with a high diamond tiara upon her noble
“That’s rather vague,” said Sherlock Holmes.
head. I looked at that delicately-curved nose, at
“Why, it might be a description of Watson!”
the marked eyebrows, at the straight mouth, and
“It’s true,” said the inspector, with much the strong little chin beneath it. Then I caught
amusement. “It might be a description of Watson.” my breath as I read the time-honoured title of the
“Well, I am afraid I can’t help you, Lestrade,” great nobleman and statesman whose wife she had
said Holmes. “The fact is that I knew this fellow been. My eyes met those of Holmes, and he put
Milverton, that I considered him one of the most his finger to his lips as we turned away from the
dangerous men in London, and that I think there window.
The Adventure of the Six Napoleons
I
The Adventure of the Six Napoleons

t was no very unusual thing for Mr. crash, and hurrying in he found a plaster bust of
Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, to look in Napoleon, which stood with several other works
upon us of an evening, and his visits of art upon the counter, lying shivered into frag-
were welcome to Sherlock Holmes, for ments. He rushed out into the road, but, although
they enabled him to keep in touch with all that several passers-by declared that they had noticed
was going on at the police head-quarters. In return a man run out of the shop, he could neither see
for the news which Lestrade would bring, Holmes anyone nor could he find any means of identify-
was always ready to listen with attention to the ing the rascal. It seemed to be one of those sense-
details of any case upon which the detective was less acts of Hooliganism which occur from time to
engaged, and was able occasionally, without any time, and it was reported to the constable on the
active interference, to give some hint or sugges- beat as such. The plaster cast was not worth more
tion drawn from his own vast knowledge and ex- than a few shillings, and the whole affair appeared
perience. to be too childish for any particular investigation.
On this particular evening Lestrade had spo- ”The second case, however, was more serious
ken of the weather and the newspapers. Then he and also more singular. It occurred only last night.
had fallen silent, puffing thoughtfully at his cigar.
“In Kennington Road, and within a few hun-
Holmes looked keenly at him.
dred yards of Morse Hudson’s shop, there lives a
“Anything remarkable on hand?” he asked. well-known medical practitioner, named Dr. Bar-
“Oh, no, Mr. Holmes, nothing very particular.” nicot, who has one of the largest practices upon
“Then tell me about it.” the south side of the Thames. His residence and
principal consulting-room is at Kennington Road,
Lestrade laughed. but he has a branch surgery and dispensary at
“Well, Mr. Holmes, there is no use denying that Lower Brixton Road, two miles away. This Dr. Bar-
there is something on my mind. And yet it is such nicot is an enthusiastic admirer of Napoleon, and
an absurd business that I hesitated to bother you his house is full of books, pictures, and relics of
about it. On the other hand, although it is trivial, the French Emperor. Some little time ago he pur-
it is undoubtedly queer, and I know that you have chased from Morse Hudson two duplicate plas-
a taste for all that is out of the common. But in my ter casts of the famous head of Napoleon by the
opinion it comes more in Dr. Watson’s line than French sculptor, Devine. One of these he placed in
ours.” his hall in the house at Kennington Road, and the
“Disease?” said I. other on the mantelpiece of the surgery at Lower
Brixton. Well, when Dr. Barnicot came down this
“Madness, anyhow. And a queer madness too!
morning he was astonished to find that his house
You wouldn’t think there was anyone living at this
had been burgled during the night, but that noth-
time of day who had such a hatred of Napoleon
ing had been taken save the plaster head from the
the First that he would break any image of him
hall. It had been carried out and had been dashed
that he could see.”
savagely against the garden wall, under which its
Holmes sank back in his chair. splintered fragments were discovered.”
“That’s no business of mine,” said he. Holmes rubbed his hands.
“Exactly. That’s what I said. But then, when “This is certainly very novel,” said he.
the man commits burglary in order to break im-
ages which are not his own, that brings it away “I thought it would please you. But I have not
from the doctor and on to the policeman.” got to the end yet. Dr. Barnicot was due at his
surgery at twelve o’clock, and you can imagine
Holmes sat up again.
his amazement when, on arriving there, he found
“Burglary! This is more interesting. Let me that the window had been opened in the night,
hear the details.” and that the broken pieces of his second bust were
Lestrade took out his official note-book and re- strewn all over the room. It had been smashed
freshed his memory from its pages. to atoms where it stood. In neither case were there
any signs which could give us a clue as to the crim-
“The first case reported was four days ago,”
inal or lunatic who had done the mischief. Now,
said he. “It was at the shop of Morse Hudson,
Mr. Holmes, you have got the facts.”
who has a place for the sale of pictures and stat-
ues in the Kennington Road. The assistant had “They are singular, not to say grotesque,” said
left the front shop for an instant when he heard a Holmes. “May I ask whether the two busts

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 The Adventure of the Six Napoleons

smashed in Dr. Barnicot’s rooms were the ex- The development for which my friend had
act duplicates of the one which was destroyed in asked came in a quicker and an infinitely more
Morse Hudson’s shop?” tragic form than he could have imagined. I was
“They were taken from the same mould.” still dressing in my bedroom next morning when
there was a tap at the door and Holmes entered, a
“Such a fact must tell against the theory that
telegram in his hand. He read it aloud:
the man who breaks them is influenced by any
general hatred of Napoleon. Considering how “Come instantly, 131, Pitt Street,
many hundreds of statues of the great Emperor Kensington. — “Lestrade.”
must exist in London, it is too much to suppose “What is it, then?” I asked.
such a coincidence as that a promiscuous icono- “Don’t know—may be anything. But I suspect
clast should chance to begin upon three specimens it is the sequel of the story of the statues. In that
of the same bust.” case our friend, the image-breaker, has begun op-
“Well, I thought as you do,” said Lestrade. “On erations in another quarter of London. There’s cof-
the other hand, this Morse Hudson is the purveyor fee on the table, Watson, and I have a cab at the
of busts in that part of London, and these three door.”
were the only ones which had been in his shop for In half an hour we had reached Pitt Street, a
years. So, although, as you say, there are many quiet little backwater just beside one of the brisk-
hundreds of statues in London, it is very probable est currents of London life. No. 131 was one of a
that these three were the only ones in that district. row, all flat-chested, respectable, and most unro-
Therefore, a local fanatic would begin with them. mantic dwellings. As we drove up we found the
What do you think, Dr. Watson?” railings in front of the house lined by a curious
“There are no limits to the possibilities of crowd. Holmes whistled.
monomania,” I answered. “There is the condi- “By George! it’s attempted murder at the
tion which the modern French psychologists have least. Nothing less will hold the London message-
called the ‘idée fixe,’ which may be trifling in char- boy. There’s a deed of violence indicated in that
acter, and accompanied by complete sanity in ev- fellow’s round shoulders and outstretched neck.
ery other way. A man who had read deeply about What’s this, Watson? The top steps swilled down
Napoleon, or who had possibly received some and the other ones dry. Footsteps enough, any-
hereditary family injury through the great war, how! Well, well, there’s Lestrade at the front win-
might conceivably form such an idée fixe and under dow, and we shall soon know all about it.”
its influence be capable of any fantastic outrage.” The official received us with a very grave face
“That won’t do, my dear Watson,” said and showed us into a sitting-room, where an ex-
Holmes, shaking his head; “for no amount of idée ceedingly unkempt and agitated elderly man, clad
fixe would enable your interesting monomaniac to in a flannel dressing-gown, was pacing up and
find out where these busts were situated.” down. He was introduced to us as the owner of the
house—Mr. Horace Harker, of the Central Press
“Well, how do you explain it?”
Syndicate.
“I don’t attempt to do so. I would only ob-
“It’s the Napoleon bust business again,” said
serve that there is a certain method in the gentle-
Lestrade. “You seemed interested last night, Mr.
man’s eccentric proceedings. For example, in Dr.
Holmes, so I thought perhaps you would be glad
Barnicot’s hall, where a sound might arouse the
to be present now that the affair has taken a very
family, the bust was taken outside before being
much graver turn.”
broken, whereas in the surgery, where there was
less danger of an alarm, it was smashed where it “What has it turned to, then?”
stood. The affair seems absurdly trifling, and yet “To murder. Mr. Harker, will you tell these gen-
I dare call nothing trivial when I reflect that some tlemen exactly what has occurred?”
of my most classic cases have had the least promis- The man in the dressing-gown turned upon us
ing commencement. You will remember, Watson, with a most melancholy face.
how the dreadful business of the Abernetty family “It’s an extraordinary thing,” said he, “that all
was first brought to my notice by the depth which my life I have been collecting other people’s news,
the parsley had sunk into the butter upon a hot and now that a real piece of news has come my
day. I can’t afford, therefore, to smile at your three own way I am so confused and bothered that I
broken busts, Lestrade, and I shall be very much can’t put two words together. If I had come in
obliged to you if you will let me hear of any fresh here as a journalist I should have interviewed my-
developments of so singular a chain of events.” self and had two columns in every evening paper.

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 The Adventure of the Six Napoleons

As it is I am giving away valuable copy by telling was no name on his clothing, and nothing in his
my story over and over to a string of different peo- pockets save an apple, some string, a shilling map
ple, and I can make no use of it myself. However, of London, and a photograph. Here it is.”
I’ve heard your name, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, and It was evidently taken by a snap-shot from
if you’ll only explain this queer business I shall be a small camera. It represented an alert, sharp-
paid for my trouble in telling you the story.” featured simian man with thick eyebrows, and a
Holmes sat down and listened. very peculiar projection of the lower part of the
face like the muzzle of a baboon.
“It all seems to centre round that bust of
Napoleon which I bought for this very room about “And what became of the bust?” asked
four months ago. I picked it up cheap from Hard- Holmes, after a careful study of this picture.
ing Brothers, two doors from the High Street Sta- “We had news of it just before you came. It has
tion. A great deal of my journalistic work is done been found in the front garden of an empty house
at night, and I often write until the early morn- in Campden House Road. It was broken into frag-
ing. So it was to-day. I was sitting in my den, ments. I am going round now to see it. Will you
which is at the back of the top of the house, about come?”
three o’clock, when I was convinced that I heard “Certainly. I must just take one look round.”
some sounds downstairs. I listened, but they were He examined the carpet and the window. “The
not repeated, and I concluded that they came from fellow had either very long legs or was a most ac-
outside. Then suddenly, about five minutes later, tive man,” said he. “With an area beneath, it was
there came a most horrible yell—the most dreadful no mean feat to reach that window-ledge and open
sound, Mr. Holmes, that ever I heard. It will ring that window. Getting back was comparatively sim-
in my ears as long as I live. I sat frozen with hor- ple. Are you coming with us to see the remains of
ror for a minute or two. Then I seized the poker your bust, Mr. Harker?”
and went downstairs. When I entered this room The disconsolate journalist had seated himself
I found the window wide open, and I at once ob- at a writing-table.
served that the bust was gone from the mantel- “I must try and make something of it,” said he,
piece. Why any burglar should take such a thing “though I have no doubt that the first editions of
passes my understanding, for it was only a plaster the evening papers are out already with full de-
cast and of no real value whatever. tails. It’s like my luck! You remember when the
“You can see for yourself that anyone going out stand fell at Doncaster? Well, I was the only jour-
through that open window could reach the front nalist in the stand, and my journal the only one
doorstep by taking a long stride. This was clearly that had no account of it, for I was too shaken to
what the burglar had done, so I went round and write it. And now I’ll be too late with a murder
opened the door. Stepping out into the dark I done on my own doorstep.”
nearly fell over a dead man who was lying there. As we left the room we heard his pen travelling
I ran back for a light, and there was the poor fel- shrilly over the foolscap.
low, a great gash in his throat and the whole place The spot where the fragments of the bust had
swimming in blood. He lay on his back, his knees been found was only a few hundred yards away.
drawn up, and his mouth horribly open. I shall see For the first time our eyes rested upon this present-
him in my dreams. I had just time to blow on my ment of the great Emperor, which seemed to raise
police-whistle, and then I must have fainted, for such frantic and destructive hatred in the mind of
I knew nothing more until I found the policeman the unknown. It lay scattered in splintered shards
standing over me in the hall.” upon the grass. Holmes picked up several of them
“Well, who was the murdered man?” asked and examined them carefully. I was convinced
Holmes. from his intent face and his purposeful manner
“There’s nothing to show who he was,” said that at last he was upon a clue.
Lestrade. “You shall see the body at the mortuary, “Well?” asked Lestrade.
but we have made nothing of it up to now. He is a Holmes shrugged his shoulders.
tall man, sunburned, very powerful, not more than “We have a long way to go yet,” said he. “And
thirty. He is poorly dressed, and yet does not ap- yet—and yet—well, we have some suggestive facts
pear to be a labourer. A horn-handled clasp knife to act upon. The possession of this trifling bust
was lying in a pool of blood beside him. Whether was worth more in the eyes of this strange crim-
it was the weapon which did the deed, or whether inal than a human life. That is one point. Then
it belonged to the dead man, I do not know. There there is the singular fact that he did not break it in

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the house, or immediately outside the house, if to “You don’t seriously believe that?”
break it was his sole object.”
Holmes smiled.
“He was rattled and bustled by meeting this
“Don’t I? Well, perhaps I don’t. But I am sure
other fellow. He hardly knew what he was doing.”
that it will interest Mr. Horace Harker and the
“Well, that’s likely enough. But I wish to call subscribers of the Central Press Syndicate. Now,
your attention very particularly to the position of Watson, I think that we shall find that we have
this house in the garden of which the bust was de- a long and rather complex day’s work before us.
stroyed.” I should be glad, Lestrade, if you could make it
Lestrade looked about him. convenient to meet us at Baker Street at six o’clock
“It was an empty house, and so he knew that this evening. Until then I should like to keep this
he would not be disturbed in the garden.” photograph found in the dead man’s pocket. It is
possible that I may have to ask your company and
“Yes, but there is another empty house farther
assistance upon a small expedition which will have
up the street which he must have passed before he
be undertaken to-night, if my chain of reasoning
came to this one. Why did he not break it there,
should prove to be correct. Until then, good-bye
since it is evident that every yard that he carried it
and good luck!”
increased the risk of someone meeting him?”
“I give it up,” said Lestrade. Sherlock Holmes and I walked together to the
High Street, where he stopped at the shop of Hard-
Holmes pointed to the street lamp above our ing Brothers, whence the bust had been purchased.
heads. A young assistant informed us that Mr. Harding
“He could see what he was doing here and he would be absent until after noon, and that he was
could not there. That was his reason.” himself a newcomer who could give us no infor-
“By Jove! that’s true,” said the detective. “Now mation. Holmes’s face showed his disappointment
that I come to think of it, Dr. Barnicot’s bust and annoyance.
was broken not far from his red lamp. Well, Mr. “Well, well, we can’t expect to have it all our
Holmes, what are we to do with that fact?” own way, Watson,” he said, at last. “We must come
“To remember it—to docket it. We may come back in the afternoon if Mr. Harding will not be
on something later which will bear upon it. What here until then. I am, as you have no doubt sur-
steps do you propose to take now, Lestrade?” mised, endeavouring to trace these busts to their
“The most practical way of getting at it, in my source, in order to find if there is not something
opinion, is to identify the dead man. There should peculiar which may account for their remarkable
be no difficulty about that. When we have found fate. Let us make for Mr. Morse Hudson, of the
who he is and who his associates are, we should Kennington Road, and see if he can throw any
have a good start in learning what he was doing light upon the problem.”
in Pitt Street last night, and who it was who met A drive of an hour brought us to the picture-
him and killed him on the doorstep of Mr. Horace dealer’s establishment. He was a small, stout man
Harker. Don’t you think so?” with a red face and a peppery manner.
“No doubt; and yet it is not quite the way in “Yes, sir. On my very counter, sir,” said he.
which I should approach the case.” “What we pay rates and taxes for I don’t know,
“What would you do, then?” when any ruffian can come in and break one’s
“Oh, you must not let me influence you in any goods. Yes, sir, it was I who sold Dr. Barnicot
way! I suggest that you go on your line and I on his two statues. Disgraceful, sir! A Nihilist plot,
mine. We can compare notes afterwards, and each that’s what I make it. No one but an Anarchist
will supplement the other.” would go about breaking statues. Red republi-
cans, that’s what I call ’em. Who did I get the
“Very good,” said Lestrade.
statues from? I don’t see what that has to do with
“If you are going back to Pitt Street you might it. Well, if you really want to know, I got them from
see Mr. Horace Harker. Tell him from me that Gelder & Co., in Church Street, Stepney. They are
I have quite made up my mind, and that it is a well-known house in the trade, and have been
certain that a dangerous homicidal lunatic with this twenty years. How many had I? Three—two
Napoleonic delusions was in his house last night. and one are three—two of Dr. Barnicot’s and one
It will be useful for his article.” smashed in broad daylight on my own counter. Do
Lestrade stared. I know that photograph? No, I don’t. Yes, I do,

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 The Adventure of the Six Napoleons

though. Why, it’s Beppo. He was a kind of Ital- establishment, and the only time that we have ever
ian piece-work man, who made himself useful in had the police in it was over this very fellow. It was
the shop. He could carve a bit and gild and frame, more than a year ago now. He knifed another Ital-
and do odd jobs. The fellow left me last week, and ian in the street, and then he came to the works
I’ve heard nothing of him since. No, I don’t know with the police on his heels, and he was taken
where he came from nor where he went to. I have here. Beppo was his name—his second name I
nothing against him while he was here. He was never knew. Serve me right for engaging a man
gone two days before the bust was smashed.” with such a face. But he was a good workman,
“Well, that’s all we could reasonably expect one of the best.”
to get from Morse Hudson,” said Holmes, as we “What did he get?”
emerged from the shop. “We have this Beppo as a “The man lived and he got off with a year. I
common factor, both in Kennington and in Kens- have no doubt he is out now; but he has not dared
ington, so that is worth a ten-mile drive. Now, to show his nose here. We have a cousin of his
Watson, let us make for Gelder & Co., of Stepney, here, and I dare say he could tell you where he is.”
the source and origin of busts. I shall be surprised
“No, no,” cried Holmes, “not a word to the
if we don’t get some help down there.”
cousin—not a word, I beg you. The matter is very
In rapid succession we passed through the important, and the farther I go with it the more
fringe of fashionable London, hotel London, the- important it seems to grow. When you referred in
atrical London, literary London, commercial Lon- your ledger to the sale of those casts I observed
don, and, finally, maritime London, till we came that the date was June 3rd of last year. Could you
to a riverside city of a hundred thousand souls, give me the date when Beppo was arrested?”
where the tenement houses swelter and reek with
“I could tell you roughly by the pay-list,” the
the outcasts of Europe. Here, in a broad thorough-
manager answered. “Yes,” he continued, after
fare, once the abode of wealthy City merchants, we
some turning over of pages, “he was paid last on
found the sculpture works for which we searched.
May 20th.”
Outside was a considerable yard full of monumen-
tal masonry. Inside was a large room in which fifty “Thank you,” said Holmes. “I don’t think that
workers were carving or moulding. The manager, I need intrude upon your time and patience any
a big blond German, received us civilly, and gave a more.” With a last word of caution that he should
clear answer to all Holmes’s questions. A reference say nothing as to our researches we turned our
to his books showed that hundreds of casts had faces westward once more.
been taken from a marble copy of Devine’s head The afternoon was far advanced before we
of Napoleon, but that the three which had been were able to snatch a hasty luncheon at a restau-
sent to Morse Hudson a year or so before had been rant. A news-bill at the entrance announced
half of a batch of six, the other three being sent to “Kensington Outrage. Murder by a Madman,”
Harding Brothers, of Kensington. There was no and the contents of the paper showed that Mr. Ho-
reason why those six should be different to any of race Harker had got his account into print after
the other casts. He could suggest no possible cause all. Two columns were occupied with a highly sen-
why anyone should wish to destroy them—in fact, sational and flowery rendering of the whole inci-
he laughed at the idea. Their wholesale price was dent. Holmes propped it against the cruet-stand
six shillings, but the retailer would get twelve or and read it while he ate. Once or twice he chuck-
more. The cast was taken in two moulds from led.
each side of the face, and then these two profiles “This is all right, Watson,” said he. “Listen to
of plaster of Paris were joined together to make the this:
complete bust. The work was usually done by Ital- “It is satisfactory to know that there can
ians in the room we were in. When finished the be no difference of opinion upon this case,
busts were put on a table in the passage to dry, since Mr. Lestrade, one of the most experi-
and afterwards stored. That was all he could tell enced members of the official force, and Mr.
us. Sherlock Holmes, the well-known consult-
But the production of the photograph had a ing expert, have each come to the conclu-
remarkable effect upon the manager. His face sion that the grotesque series of incidents,
flushed with anger, and his brows knotted over his which have ended in so tragic a fashion,
blue Teutonic eyes. arise from lunacy rather than from delib-
“Ah, the rascal!” he cried. “Yes, indeed, I know erate crime. No explanation save mental
him very well. This has always been a respectable aberration can cover the facts.

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 The Adventure of the Six Napoleons

“The Press, Watson, is a most valuable institution “We have an inspector who makes a specialty
if you only know how to use it. And now, if you of Saffron Hill and the Italian quarter. Well, this
have quite finished, we will hark back to Kensing- dead man had some Catholic emblem round his
ton and see what the manager of Harding Brothers neck, and that, along with his colour, made me
has to say to the matter.” think he was from the South. Inspector Hill knew
The founder of that great emporium proved to him the moment he caught sight of him. His name
be a brisk, crisp little person, very dapper and is Pietro Venucci, from Naples, and he is one of the
quick, with a clear head and a ready tongue. greatest cut-throats in London. He is connected
with the Mafia, which, as you know, is a secret
“Yes, sir, I have already read the account in
political society, enforcing its decrees by murder.
the evening papers. Mr. Horace Harker is a cus-
Now you see how the affair begins to clear up.
tomer of ours. We supplied him with the bust
The other fellow is probably an Italian also, and a
some months ago. We ordered three busts of that
member of the Mafia. He has broken the rules in
sort from Gelder & Co., of Stepney. They are all
some fashion. Pietro is set upon his track. Proba-
sold now. To whom? Oh, I dare say by consult-
bly the photograph we found in his pocket is the
ing our sales book we could very easily tell you.
man himself, so that he may not knife the wrong
Yes, we have the entries here. One to Mr. Harker,
person. He dogs the fellow, he sees him enter a
you see, and one to Mr. Josiah Brown, of Labur-
house, he waits outside for him, and in the scuf-
num Lodge, Laburnum Vale, Chiswick, and one
fle he receives his own death-wound. How is that,
to Mr. Sandeford, of Lower Grove Road, Reading.
Mr. Sherlock Holmes?”
No, I have never seen this face which you show
me in the photograph. You would hardly forget Holmes clapped his hands approvingly.
it, would you, sir, for I’ve seldom seen an uglier. “Excellent, Lestrade, excellent!” he cried. “But
Have we any Italians on the staff? Yes, sir, we I didn’t quite follow your explanation of the de-
have several among our workpeople and cleaners. struction of the busts.”
I dare say they might get a peep at that sales book “The busts! You never can get those busts out
if they wanted to. There is no particular reason for of your head. After all, that is nothing; petty
keeping a watch upon that book. Well, well, it’s larceny, six months at the most. It is the murder
a very strange business, and I hope that you’ll let that we are really investigating, and I tell you that
me know if anything comes of your inquiries.” I am gathering all the threads into my hands.”
Holmes had taken several notes during Mr. “And the next stage?”
Harding’s evidence, and I could see that he was “Is a very simple one. I shall go down with Hill
thoroughly satisfied by the turn which affairs were to the Italian quarter, find the man whose photo-
taking. He made no remark, however, save that, graph we have got, and arrest him on the charge
unless we hurried, we should be late for our ap- of murder. Will you come with us?”
pointment with Lestrade. Sure enough, when we “I think not. I fancy we can attain our end
reached Baker Street the detective was already in a simpler way. I can’t say for certain, because
there, and we found him pacing up and down it all depends—well, it all depends upon a factor
in a fever of impatience. His look of importance which is completely outside our control. But I have
showed that his day’s work had not been in vain. great hopes—in fact, the betting is exactly two to
“Well?” he asked. “What luck, Mr. Holmes?” one—that if you will come with us to-night I shall
“We have had a very busy day, and not en- be able to help you to lay him by the heels.”
tirely a wasted one,” my friend explained. “We “In the Italian quarter?”
have seen both the retailers and also the wholesale “No; I fancy Chiswick is an address which is
manufacturers. I can trace each of the busts now more likely to find him. If you will come with me
from the beginning.” to Chiswick to-night, Lestrade, I’ll promise to go
“The busts!” cried Lestrade. “Well, well, you to the Italian quarter with you to-morrow, and no
have your own methods, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, harm will be done by the delay. And now I think
and it is not for me to say a word against them, that a few hours’ sleep would do us all good, for I
but I think I have done a better day’s work than do not propose to leave before eleven o’clock, and
you. I have identified the dead man.” it is unlikely that we shall be back before morning.
You’ll dine with us, Lestrade, and then you are
“You don’t say so?”
welcome to the sofa until it is time for us to start.
“And found a cause for the crime.” In the meantime, Watson, I should be glad if you
“Splendid!” would ring for an express messenger, for I have a

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 The Adventure of the Six Napoleons

letter to send, and it is important that it should go and then a very gentle creaking sound came to our
at once.” ears. The window was being opened. The noise
Holmes spent the evening in rummaging ceased, and again there was a long silence. The
among the files of the old daily papers with which fellow was making his way into the house. We
one of our lumber-rooms was packed. When at saw the sudden flash of a dark lantern inside the
last he descended it was with triumph in his eyes, room. What he sought was evidently not there, for
but he said nothing to either of us as to the result again we saw the flash through another blind, and
of his researches. For my own part, I had followed then through another.
step by step the methods by which he had traced “Let us get to the open window. We will nab
the various windings of this complex case, and, him as he climbs out,” Lestrade whispered.
though I could not yet perceive the goal which we But before we could move the man had
would reach, I understood clearly that Holmes ex- emerged again. As he came out into the glimmer-
pected this grotesque criminal to make an attempt ing patch of light we saw that he carried some-
upon the two remaining busts, one of which, I re- thing white under his arm. He looked stealthily
membered, was at Chiswick. No doubt the object all round him. The silence of the deserted street
of our journey was to catch him in the very act, and reassured him. Turning his back upon us he laid
I could not but admire the cunning with which my down his burden, and the next instant there was
friend had inserted a wrong clue in the evening pa- the sound of a sharp tap, followed by a clatter
per, so as to give the fellow the idea that he could and rattle. The man was so intent upon what he
continue his scheme with impunity. I was not sur- was doing that he never heard our steps as we
prised when Holmes suggested that I should take stole across the grass plot. With the bound of a
my revolver with me. He had himself picked up tiger Holmes was on his back, and an instant later
the loaded hunting-crop which was his favourite Lestrade and I had him by either wrist and the
weapon. handcuffs had been fastened. As we turned him
A four-wheeler was at the door at eleven, and over I saw a hideous, sallow face, with writhing,
in it we drove to a spot at the other side of Ham- furious features, glaring up at us, and I knew that
mersmith Bridge. Here the cabman was directed it was indeed the man of the photograph whom
to wait. A short walk brought us to a secluded we had secured.
road fringed with pleasant houses, each standing But it was not our prisoner to whom Holmes
in its own grounds. In the light of a street lamp was giving his attention. Squatted on the doorstep,
we read “Laburnum Villa” upon the gate-post of he was engaged in most carefully examining that
one of them. The occupants had evidently retired which the man had brought from the house. It was
to rest, for all was dark save for a fanlight over a bust of Napoleon like the one which we had seen
the hall door, which shed a single blurred circle on that morning, and it had been broken into similar
to the garden path. The wooden fence which sep- fragments. Carefully Holmes held each separate
arated the grounds from the road threw a dense shard to the light, but in no way did it differ from
black shadow upon the inner side, and here it was any other shattered piece of plaster. He had just
that we crouched. completed his examination when the hall lights
“I fear that you’ll have a long wait,” Holmes flew up, the door opened, and the owner of the
whispered. “We may thank our stars that it is house, a jovial, rotund figure in shirt and trousers,
not raining. I don’t think we can even venture to presented himself.
smoke to pass the time. However, it’s a two to one “Mr. Josiah Brown, I suppose?” said Holmes.
chance that we get something to pay us for our “Yes, sir; and you, no doubt, are Mr. Sherlock
trouble.” Holmes? I had the note which you sent by the
It proved, however, that our vigil was not to express messenger, and I did exactly what you
be so long as Holmes had led us to fear, and it told me. We locked every door on the inside and
ended in a very sudden and singular fashion. In awaited developments. Well, I’m very glad to see
an instant, without the least sound to warn us of that you have got the rascal. I hope, gentlemen,
his coming, the garden gate swung open, and a that you will come in and have some refreshment.”
lithe, dark figure, as swift and active as an ape, However, Lestrade was anxious to get his man
rushed up the garden path. We saw it whisk past into safe quarters, so within a few minutes our cab
the light thrown from over the door and disappear had been summoned and we were all four upon
against the black shadow of the house. There was our way to London. Not a word would our cap-
a long pause, during which we held our breath, tive say; but he glared at us from the shadow of

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 The Adventure of the Six Napoleons

his matted hair, and once, when my hand seemed was ushered in. In his right hand he carried an
within his reach, he snapped at it like a hungry old-fashioned carpet-bag, which he placed upon
wolf. We stayed long enough at the police-station the table.
to learn that a search of his clothing revealed noth- “Is Mr. Sherlock Holmes here?”
ing save a few shillings and a long sheath knife, My friend bowed and smiled. “Mr. Sandeford,
the handle of which bore copious traces of recent of Reading, I suppose?” said he.
blood. “Yes, sir, I fear that I am a little late; but the
“That’s all right,” said Lestrade, as we parted. trains were awkward. You wrote to me about a
“Hill knows all these gentry, and he will give a bust that is in my possession.”
name to him. You’ll find that my theory of the “Exactly.”
Mafia will work out all right. But I’m sure I am “I have your letter here. You said, ‘I desire to
exceedingly obliged to you, Mr. Holmes, for the possess a copy of Devine’s Napoleon, and am pre-
workmanlike way in which you laid hands upon pared to pay you ten pounds for the one which is
him. I don’t quite understand it all yet.” in your possession.’ Is that right?”
“Certainly.”
“I fear it is rather too late an hour for expla-
nations,” said Holmes. “Besides, there are one or “I was very much surprised at your letter, for
two details which are not finished off, and it is I could not imagine how you knew that I owned
one of those cases which are worth working out to such a thing.”
the very end. If you will come round once more “Of course you must have been surprised, but
to my rooms at six o’clock to-morrow I think I the explanation is very simple. Mr. Harding, of
shall be able to show you that even now you have Harding Brothers, said that they had sold you their
not grasped the entire meaning of this business, last copy, and he gave me your address.”
which presents some features which make it ab- “Oh, that was it, was it? Did he tell you what I
solutely original in the history of crime. If ever I paid for it?”
permit you to chronicle any more of my little prob- “No, he did not.”
lems, Watson, I foresee that you will enliven your “Well, I am an honest man, though not a very
pages by an account of the singular adventure of rich one. I only gave fifteen shillings for the bust,
the Napoleonic busts.” and I think you ought to know that before I take
ten pounds from you.”
When we met again next evening Lestrade was
furnished with much information concerning our “I am sure the scruple does you honour, Mr.
prisoner. His name, it appeared, was Beppo, sec- Sandeford. But I have named that price, so I in-
ond name unknown. He was a well-known ne’er- tend to stick to it.”
do-well among the Italian colony. He had once “Well, it is very handsome of you, Mr. Holmes.
been a skilful sculptor and had earned an honest I brought the bust up with me, as you asked me to
living, but he had taken to evil courses and had do. Here it is!” He opened his bag, and at last we
twice already been in jail—once for a petty theft saw placed upon our table a complete specimen
and once, as we had already heard, for stabbing of that bust which we had already seen more than
a fellow-countryman. He could talk English per- once in fragments.
fectly well. His reasons for destroying the busts Holmes took a paper from his pocket and laid
were still unknown, and he refused to answer any a ten-pound note upon the table.
questions upon the subject; but the police had dis- “You will kindly sign that paper, Mr. Sande-
covered that these same busts might very well have ford, in the presence of these witnesses. It is sim-
been made by his own hands, since he was en- ply to say that you transfer every possible right
gaged in this class of work at the establishment that you ever had in the bust to me. I am a me-
of Gelder & Co. To all this information, much of thodical man, you see, and you never know what
which we already knew, Holmes listened with po- turn events might take afterwards. Thank you, Mr.
lite attention; but I, who knew him so well, could Sandeford; here is your money, and I wish you a
clearly see that his thoughts were elsewhere, and I very good evening.”
detected a mixture of mingled uneasiness and ex- When our visitor had disappeared Sherlock
pectation beneath that mask which he was wont to Holmes’s movements were such as to rivet our at-
assume. At last he started in his chair and his eyes tention. He began by taking a clean white cloth
brightened. There had been a ring at the bell. A from a drawer and laying it over the table. Then
minute later we heard steps upon the stairs, and an he placed his newly-acquired bust in the centre of
elderly, red-faced man with grizzled side-whiskers the cloth. Finally, he picked up his hunting-crop

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 The Adventure of the Six Napoleons

and struck Napoleon a sharp blow on the top of “The main fact is that he had the pearl, and
the head. The figure broke into fragments, and at that moment, when it was on his person, he
Holmes bent eagerly over the shattered remains. was pursued by the police. He made for the fac-
Next instant, with a loud shout of triumph, he held tory in which he worked, and he knew that he
up one splinter, in which a round, dark object was had only a few minutes in which to conceal this
fixed like a plum in a pudding. enormously valuable prize, which would other-
wise be found on him when he was searched. Six
“Gentlemen,” he cried, “let me introduce you
plaster casts of Napoleon were drying in the pas-
to the famous black pearl of the Borgias.”
sage. One of them was still soft. In an instant
Lestrade and I sat silent for a moment, and Beppo, a skilful workman, made a small hole in
then, with a spontaneous impulse, we both broke the wet plaster, dropped in the pearl, and with a
out clapping as at the well-wrought crisis of a play. few touches covered over the aperture once more.
A flush of colour sprang to Holmes’s pale cheeks, It was an admirable hiding-place. No one could
and he bowed to us like the master dramatist who possibly find it. But Beppo was condemned to a
receives the homage of his audience. It was at year’s imprisonment, and in the meanwhile his six
such moments that for an instant he ceased to busts were scattered over London. He could not
be a reasoning machine, and betrayed his human tell which contained his treasure. Only by break-
love for admiration and applause. The same sin- ing them could he see. Even shaking would tell
gularly proud and reserved nature which turned him nothing, for as the plaster was wet it was
away with disdain from popular notoriety was ca- probable that the pearl would adhere to it—as, in
pable of being moved to its depths by spontaneous fact, it has done. Beppo did not despair, and he
wonder and praise from a friend. conducted his search with considerable ingenuity
and perseverance. Through a cousin who works
“Yes, gentlemen,” said he, “it is the most fa-
with Gelder he found out the retail firms who had
mous pearl now existing in the world, and it has
bought the busts. He managed to find employ-
been my good fortune, by a connected chain of in-
ment with Morse Hudson, and in that way tracked
ductive reasoning, to trace it from the Prince of
down three of them. The pearl was not there.
Colonna’s bedroom at the Dacre Hotel, where it
Then, with the help of some Italian employe, he suc-
was lost, to the interior of this, the last of the six
ceeded in finding out where the other three busts
busts of Napoleon which were manufactured by
had gone. The first was at Harker’s. There he was
Gelder & Co., of Stepney. You will remember,
dogged by his confederate, who held Beppo re-
Lestrade, the sensation caused by the disappear-
sponsible for the loss of the pearl, and he stabbed
ance of this valuable jewel, and the vain efforts of
him in the scuffle which followed.”
the London police to recover it. I was myself con-
sulted upon the case; but I was unable to throw “If he was his confederate why should he carry
any light upon it. Suspicion fell upon the maid of his photograph?” I asked.
the Princess, who was an Italian, and it was proved “As a means of tracing him if he wished to in-
that she had a brother in London, but we failed to quire about him from any third person. That was
trace any connection between them. The maid’s the obvious reason. Well, after the murder I calcu-
name was Lucretia Venucci, and there is no doubt lated that Beppo would probably hurry rather than
in my mind that this Pietro who was murdered delay his movements. He would fear that the po-
two nights ago was the brother. I have been look- lice would read his secret, and so he hastened on
ing up the dates in the old files of the paper, and before they should get ahead of him. Of course, I
I find that the disappearance of the pearl was ex- could not say that he had not found the pearl in
actly two days before the arrest of Beppo for some Harker’s bust. I had not even concluded for cer-
crime of violence, an event which took place in the tain that it was the pearl; but it was evident to me
factory of Gelder & Co., at the very moment when that he was looking for something, since he carried
these busts were being made. Now you clearly see the bust past the other houses in order to break it
the sequence of events, though you see them, of in the garden which had a lamp overlooking it.
course, in the inverse order to the way in which Since Harker’s bust was one in three the chances
they presented themselves to me. Beppo had the were exactly as I told you, two to one against the
pearl in his possession. He may have stolen it from pearl being inside it. There remained two busts,
Pietro, he may have been Pietro’s confederate, he and it was obvious that he would go for the Lon-
may have been the go-between of Pietro and his don one first. I warned the inmates of the house,
sister. It is of no consequence to us which is the so as to avoid a second tragedy, and we went down
correct solution. with the happiest results. By that time, of course,

517
I knew for certain that it was the Borgia pearl that come down to-morrow there’s not a man, from
we were after. The name of the murdered man the oldest inspector to the youngest constable, who
linked the one event with the other. There only re- wouldn’t be glad to shake you by the hand.”
mained a single bust—the Reading one—and the “Thank you!” said Holmes. “Thank you!” and
pearl must be there. I bought it in your presence as he turned away it seemed to me that he was
from the owner—and there it lies.” more nearly moved by the softer human emotions
We sat in silence for a moment. than I had ever seen him. A moment later he was
the cold and practical thinker once more. “Put the
“Well,” said Lestrade, “I’ve seen you handle a pearl in the safe, Watson,” said he, “and get out the
good many cases, Mr. Holmes, but I don’t know papers of the Conk-Singleton forgery case. Good-
that I ever knew a more workmanlike one than bye, Lestrade. If any little problem comes your
that. We’re not jealous of you at Scotland Yard. way I shall be happy, if I can, to give you a hint or
No, sir, we are very proud of you, and if you two as to its solution.”
The Adventure of the Three Students
I
The Adventure of the Three Students

t was in the year ’95 that a combination ungracious acquiescence, while our visitor in hur-
of events, into which I need not enter, ried words and with much excitable gesticulation
caused Mr. Sherlock Holmes and myself poured forth his story.
to spend some weeks in one of our great
“I must explain to you, Mr. Holmes, that to-
University towns, and it was during this time that
morrow is the first day of the examination for the
the small but instructive adventure which I am
Fortescue Scholarship. I am one of the examiners.
about to relate befell us. It will be obvious that
My subject is Greek, and the first of the papers
any details which would help the reader to exactly
consists of a large passage of Greek translation
identify the college or the criminal would be inju-
which the candidate has not seen. This passage
dicious and offensive. So painful a scandal may
is printed on the examination paper, and it would
well be allowed to die out. With due discretion the
naturally be an immense advantage if the candi-
incident itself may, however, be described, since
date could prepare it in advance. For this reason
it serves to illustrate some of those qualities for
great care is taken to keep the paper secret.
which my friend was remarkable. I will endeav-
our in my statement to avoid such terms as would “To-day about three o’clock the proofs of this
serve to limit the events to any particular place, or paper arrived from the printers. The exercise con-
give a clue as to the people concerned. sists of half a chapter of Thucydides. I had to read
it over carefully, as the text must be absolutely cor-
We were residing at the time in furnished lodg- rect. At four-thirty my task was not yet completed.
ings close to a library where Sherlock Holmes was I had, however, promised to take tea in a friend’s
pursuing some laborious researches in early En- rooms, so I left the proof upon my desk. I was
glish charters—researches which led to results so absent rather more than an hour.
striking that they may be the subject of one of my
future narratives. Here it was that one evening we “You are aware, Mr. Holmes, that our college
received a visit from an acquaintance, Mr. Hilton doors are double—a green baize one within and a
Soames, tutor and lecturer at the College of St. heavy oak one without. As I approached my outer
Luke’s. Mr. Soames was a tall, spare man, of a door I was amazed to see a key in it. For an instant
nervous and excitable temperament. I had always I imagined that I had left my own there, but on
known him to be restless in his manner, but on this feeling in my pocket I found that it was all right.
particular occasion he was in such a state of uncon- The only duplicate which existed, so far as I knew,
trollable agitation that it was clear something very was that which belonged to my servant, Bannister,
unusual had occurred. a man who has looked after my room for ten years,
and whose honesty is absolutely above suspicion. I
“I trust, Mr. Holmes, that you can spare me a found that the key was indeed his, that he had en-
few hours of your valuable time. We have had a tered my room to know if I wanted tea, and that he
very painful incident at St. Luke’s, and really, but had very carelessly left the key in the door when
for the happy chance of your being in the town, I he came out. His visit to my room must have been
should have been at a loss what to do.” within a very few minutes of my leaving it. His
forgetfulness about the key would have mattered
“I am very busy just now, and I desire no dis- little upon any other occasion, but on this one day
tractions,” my friend answered. “I should much it has produced the most deplorable consequences.
prefer that you called in the aid of the police.”
“The moment I looked at my table I was aware
“No, no, my dear sir; such a course is utterly that someone had rummaged among my papers.
impossible. When once the law is evoked it can- The proof was in three long slips. I had left them
not be stayed again, and this is just one of those all together. Now, I found that one of them was
cases where, for the credit of the college, it is most lying on the floor, one was on the side table near
essential to avoid scandal. Your discretion is as the window, and the third was where I had left it.”
well known as your powers, and you are the one Holmes stirred for the first time.
man in the world who can help me. I beg you, Mr.
Holmes, to do what you can.” “The first page on the floor, the second in the
window, the third where you left it,” said he.
My friend’s temper had not improved since he
“Exactly, Mr. Holmes. You amaze me. How
had been deprived of the congenial surroundings
could you possibly know that?”
of Baker Street. Without his scrap-books, his chem-
icals, and his homely untidiness, he was an un- “Pray continue your very interesting state-
comfortable man. He shrugged his shoulders in ment.”

521
 The Adventure of the Three Students

“For an instant I imagined that Bannister had devoid of interest. Had anyone visited you in your
taken the unpardonable liberty of examining my room after the papers came to you?”
papers. He denied it, however, with the ut- “Yes; young Daulat Ras, an Indian student who
most earnestness, and I am convinced that he was lives on the same stair, came in to ask me some
speaking the truth. The alternative was that some- particulars about the examination.”
one passing had observed the key in the door, had “For which he was entered?”
known that I was out, and had entered to look at
“Yes.”
the papers. A large sum of money is at stake, for
the scholarship is a very valuable one, and an un- “And the papers were on your table?”
scrupulous man might very well run a risk in order “To the best of my belief they were rolled up.”
to gain an advantage over his fellows. “But might be recognised as proofs?”
“Possibly.”
“Bannister was very much upset by the inci-
“No one else in your room?”
dent. He had nearly fainted when we found that
the papers had undoubtedly been tampered with. “No.”
I gave him a little brandy and left him collapsed “Did anyone know that these proofs would be
in a chair while I made a most careful examination there?”
of the room. I soon saw that the intruder had left “No one save the printer.”
other traces of his presence besides the rumpled “Did this man Bannister know?”
papers. On the table in the window were several “No, certainly not. No one knew.”
shreds from a pencil which had been sharpened. A
“Where is Bannister now?”
broken tip of lead was lying there also. Evidently
“He was very ill, poor fellow. I left him col-
the rascal had copied the paper in a great hurry,
lapsed in the chair. I was in such a hurry to come
had broken his pencil, and had been compelled to
to you.”
put a fresh point to it.”
“You left your door open?”
“Excellent!” said Holmes, who was recovering “I locked up the papers first.”
his good-humour as his attention became more “Then it amounts to this, Mr. Soames, that un-
engrossed by the case. “Fortune has been your less the Indian student recognised the roll as being
friend.” proofs, the man who tampered with them came
“This was not all. I have a new writing-table upon them accidentally without knowing that they
with a fine surface of red leather. I am prepared were there.”
to swear, and so is Bannister, that it was smooth “So it seems to me.”
and unstained. Now I found a clean cut in it about Holmes gave an enigmatic smile.
three inches long—not a mere scratch, but a pos- “Well,” said he, “let us go round. Not one
itive cut. Not only this, but on the table I found of your cases, Watson—mental, not physical. All
a small ball of black dough, or clay, with specks right; come if you want to. Now, Mr. Soames—at
of something which looks like sawdust in it. I am your disposal!”
convinced that these marks were left by the man The sitting-room of our client opened by a long,
who rifled the papers. There were no footmarks low, latticed window on to the ancient lichen-
and no other evidence as to his identity. I was at tinted court of the old college. A Gothic arched
my wits’ ends, when suddenly the happy thought door led to a worn stone staircase. On the ground
occurred to me that you were in the town, and I floor was the tutor’s room. Above were three
came straight round to put the matter into your students, one on each story. It was already twi-
hands. Do help me, Mr. Holmes! You see my light when we reached the scene of our problem.
dilemma. Either I must find the man or else the Holmes halted and looked earnestly at the win-
examination must be postponed until fresh papers dow. Then he approached it, and, standing on tip-
are prepared, and since this cannot be done with- toe with his neck craned, he looked into the room.
out explanation there will ensue a hideous scandal,
“He must have entered through the door. There
which will throw a cloud not only on the college,
is no opening except the one pane,” said our
but on the University. Above all things I desire to
learned guide.
settle the matter quietly and discreetly.”
“Dear me!” said Holmes, and he smiled in a
“I shall be happy to look into it and to give singular way as he glanced at our companion.
you such advice as I can,” said Holmes, rising and “Well, if there is nothing to be learned here we
putting on his overcoat. “The case is not entirely had best go inside.”

522
 The Adventure of the Three Students

The lecturer unlocked the outer door and ush- at the end of a word. You are aware that Johann
ered us into his room. We stood at the entrance Faber is the most common maker’s name. Is it not
while Holmes made an examination of the carpet. clear that there is just as much of the pencil left
“I am afraid there are no signs here,” said he. as usually follows the Johann?” He held the small
“One could hardly hope for any upon so dry a day. table sideways to the electric light. “I was hoping
Your servant seems to have quite recovered. You that if the paper on which he wrote was thin some
left him in a chair, you say; which chair?” trace of it might come through upon this polished
surface. No, I see nothing. I don’t think there is
“By the window there.” anything more to be learned here. Now for the
“I see. Near this little table. You can come in central table. This small pellet is, I presume, the
now. I have finished with the carpet. Let us take black, doughy mass you spoke of. Roughly pyra-
the little table first. Of course, what has happened midal in shape and hollowed out, I perceive. As
is very clear. The man entered and took the papers, you say, there appear to be grains of sawdust in it.
sheet by sheet, from the central table. He carried Dear me, this is very interesting. And the cut—a
them over to the window table, because from there positive tear, I see. It began with a thin scratch and
he could see if you came across the courtyard, and ended in a jagged hole. I am much indebted to you
so could effect an escape.” for directing my attention to this case, Mr. Soames.
“As a matter of fact he could not,” said Soames, Where does that door lead to?”
“for I entered by the side door.” “To my bedroom.”
“Ah, that’s good! Well, anyhow, that was in his “Have you been in it since your adventure?”
mind. Let me see the three strips. No finger im-
“No; I came straight away for you.”
pressions—no! Well, he carried over this one first
and he copied it. How long would it take him to “I should like to have a glance round. What a
do that, using every possible contraction? A quar- charming, old-fashioned room! Perhaps you will
ter of an hour, not less. Then he tossed it down and kindly wait a minute until I have examined the
seized the next. He was in the midst of that when floor. No, I see nothing. What about this curtain?
your return caused him to make a very hurried You hang your clothes behind it. If anyone were
retreat—very hurried, since he had not time to re- forced to conceal himself in this room he must do
place the papers which would tell you that he had it there, since the bed is too low and the wardrobe
been there. You were not aware of any hurrying too shallow. No one there, I suppose?”
feet on the stair as you entered the outer door?” As Holmes drew the curtain I was aware, from
“No, I can’t say I was.” some little rigidity and alertness of his attitude,
that he was prepared for an emergency. As a mat-
“Well, he wrote so furiously that he broke his
ter of fact the drawn curtain disclosed nothing but
pencil, and had, as you observe, to sharpen it
three or four suits of clothes hanging from a line of
again. This is of interest, Watson. The pencil was
pegs. Holmes turned away and stooped suddenly
not an ordinary one. It was above the usual size,
to the floor.
with a soft lead; the outer colour was dark blue,
the maker’s name was printed in silver lettering, “Halloa! What’s this?” said he.
and the piece remaining is only about an inch and It was a small pyramid of black, putty-like
a half long. Look for such a pencil, Mr. Soames, stuff, exactly like the one upon the table of the
and you have got your man. When I add that he study. Holmes held it out on his open palm in
possesses a large and very blunt knife, you have the glare of the electric light.
an additional aid.”
“Your visitor seems to have left traces in your
Mr. Soames was somewhat overwhelmed by bedroom as well as in your sitting-room, Mr.
this flood of information. “I can follow the other Soames.”
points,” said he, “but really, in this matter of the
“What could he have wanted there?”
length—”
“I think it is clear enough. You came back by an
Holmes held out a small chip with the letters
unexpected way, and so he had no warning until
NN and a space of clear wood after them.
you were at the very door. What could he do? He
“You see?” caught up everything which would betray him and
“No, I fear that even now—” he rushed into your bedroom to conceal himself.”
“Watson, I have always done you an injustice. “Good gracious, Mr. Holmes, do you mean to
There are others. What could this NN be? It is tell me that all the time I was talking to Bannister

523
 The Adventure of the Three Students

in this room we had the man prisoner if we had He has been idling all this term, and he must look
only known it?” forward with dread to the examination.”
“So I read it.” “Then it is he whom you suspect?”
“Surely there is another alternative, Mr. “I dare not go so far as that. But of the three he
Holmes. I don’t know whether you observed my is perhaps the least unlikely.”
bedroom window?” “Exactly. Now, Mr. Soames, let us have a look
at your servant, Bannister.”
“Lattice-paned, lead framework, three sepa-
rate windows, one swinging on hinge and large He was a little, white-faced, clean-shaven,
enough to admit a man.” grizzly-haired fellow of fifty. He was still suffering
from this sudden disturbance of the quiet routine
“Exactly. And it looks out on an angle of the of his life. His plump face was twitching with his
courtyard so as to be partly invisible. The man nervousness, and his fingers could not keep still.
might have effected his entrance there, left traces “We are investigating this unhappy business,
as he passed through the bedroom, and, finally, Bannister,” said his master.
finding the door open have escaped that way.”
“Yes, sir.”
Holmes shook his head impatiently. “I understand,” said Holmes, “that you left
“Let us be practical,” said he. “I understand your key in the door?”
you to say that there are three students who use “Yes, sir.”
this stair and are in the habit of passing your “Was it not very extraordinary that you should
door?” do this on the very day when there were these pa-
“Yes, there are.” pers inside?”
“And they are all in for this examination?” “It was most unfortunate, sir. But I have occa-
sionally done the same thing at other times.”
“Yes.”
“When did you enter the room?”
“Have you any reason to suspect any one of
“It was about half-past four. That is Mr.
them more than the others?”
Soames’s tea time.”
Soames hesitated. “How long did you stay?”
“It is a very delicate question,” said he. “One “When I saw that he was absent I withdrew at
hardly likes to throw suspicion where there are no once.”
proofs.” “Did you look at these papers on the table?”
“Let us hear the suspicions. I will look after the “No, sir; certainly not.”
proofs.“ “How came you to leave the key in the door?”
“I will tell you, then, in a few words the charac- “I had the tea-tray in my hand. I thought I
ter of the three men who inhabit these rooms. The would come back for the key. Then I forgot.”
lower of the three is Gilchrist, a fine scholar and “Has the outer door a spring lock?”
athlete; plays in the Rugby team and the cricket “No, sir.”
team for the college, and got his Blue for the hur-
“Then it was open all the time?”
dles and the long jump. He is a fine, manly fellow.
His father was the notorious Sir Jabez Gilchrist, “Yes, sir.”
who ruined himself on the turf. My scholar has “Anyone in the room could get out?”
been left very poor, but he is hard-working and “Yes, sir.”
industrious. He will do well. “When Mr. Soames returned and called for
“The second floor is inhabited by Daulat Ras, you, you were very much disturbed?”
the Indian. He is a quiet, inscrutable fellow, as “Yes, sir. Such a thing has never happened dur-
most of those Indians are. He is well up in his ing the many years that I have been here. I nearly
work, though his Greek is his weak subject. He is fainted, sir.”
steady and methodical. “So I understand. Where were you when you
“The top floor belongs to Miles McLaren. He began to feel bad?”
is a brilliant fellow when he chooses to work—one “Where was I, sir? Why, here, near the door.”
of the brightest intellects of the University, but he “That is singular, because you sat down in that
is wayward, dissipated, and unprincipled. He was chair over yonder near the corner. Why did you
nearly expelled over a card scandal in his first year. pass these other chairs?”

524
 The Adventure of the Three Students

“I don’t know, sir. It didn’t matter to me where which he was searching. Only at the third did
I sat.” our visit prove abortive. The outer door would
“I really don’t think he knew much about it, not open to our knock, and nothing more substan-
Mr. Holmes. He was looking very bad—quite tial than a torrent of bad language came from be-
ghastly.” hind it. “I don’t care who you are. You can go to
blazes!” roared the angry voice. “To-morrow’s the
“You stayed here when your master left?”
exam, and I won’t be drawn by anyone.”
“Only for a minute or so. Then I locked the “A rude fellow,” said our guide, flushing with
door and went to my room.” anger as we withdrew down the stair. “Of course,
“Whom do you suspect?” he did not realize that it was I who was knocking,
“Oh, I would not venture to say, sir. I don’t be- but none the less his conduct was very uncourte-
lieve there is any gentleman in this University who ous, and, indeed, under the circumstances rather
is capable of profiting by such an action. No, sir, suspicious.”
I’ll not believe it.” Holmes’s response was a curious one.
“Thank you; that will do,” said Holmes. “Oh, “Can you tell me his exact height?” he asked.
one more word. You have not mentioned to any “Really, Mr. Holmes, I cannot undertake to say.
of the three gentlemen whom you attend that any- He is taller than the Indian, not so tall as Gilchrist.
thing is amiss?” I suppose five foot six would be about it.”
“No, sir; not a word.” “That is very important,” said Holmes. “And
now, Mr. Soames, I wish you good-night.”
“You haven’t seen any of them?”
Our guide cried aloud in his astonishment and
“No, sir.” dismay. “Good gracious, Mr. Holmes, you are
“Very good. Now, Mr. Soames, we will take a surely not going to leave me in this abrupt fashion!
walk in the quadrangle, if you please.” You don’t seem to realize the position. To-morrow
Three yellow squares of light shone above us in is the examination. I must take some definite ac-
the gathering gloom. tion to-night. I cannot allow the examination to be
held if one of the papers has been tampered with.
“Your three birds are all in their nests,” said The situation must be faced.”
Holmes, looking up. “Halloa! What’s that? One of
“You must leave it as it is. I shall drop round
them seems restless enough.”
early to-morrow morning and chat the matter over.
It was the Indian, whose dark silhouette ap- It is possible that I may be in a position then to
peared suddenly upon his blind. He was pacing indicate some course of action. Meanwhile you
swiftly up and down his room. change nothing—nothing at all.”
“I should like to have a peep at each of them,” “Very good, Mr. Holmes.”
said Holmes. “Is it possible?” “You can be perfectly easy in your mind. We
“No difficulty in the world,” Soames answered. shall certainly find some way out of your difficul-
“This set of rooms is quite the oldest in the college, ties. I will take the black clay with me, also the
and it is not unusual for visitors to go over them. pencil cuttings. Good-bye.”
Come along, and I will personally conduct you.” When we were out in the darkness of the quad-
“No names, please!” said Holmes, as we rangle we again looked up at the windows. The
knocked at Gilchrist’s door. A tall, flaxen-haired, Indian still paced his room. The others were invis-
slim young fellow opened it, and made us wel- ible.
come when he understood our errand. There were “Well, Watson, what do you think of it?”
some really curious pieces of mediaeval domes- Holmes asked, as we came out into the main street.
tic architecture within. Holmes was so charmed “Quite a little parlour game—sort of three-card
with one of them that he insisted on drawing it trick, is it not? There are your three men. It must
on his note-book, broke his pencil, had to borrow be one of them. You take your choice. Which is
one from our host, and finally borrowed a knife to yours?”
sharpen his own. The same curious accident hap- “The foul-mouthed fellow at the top. He is the
pened to him in the rooms of the Indian—a silent, one with the worst record. And yet that Indian
little, hook-nosed fellow, who eyed us askance and was a sly fellow also. Why should he be pacing
was obviously glad when Holmes’s architectural his room all the time?”
studies had come to an end. I could not see that “There is nothing in that. Many men do it
in either case Holmes had come upon the clue for when they are trying to learn anything by heart.”

525
 The Adventure of the Three Students

“He looked at us in a queer way.” “But what fresh evidence could you have got?”
“So would you if a flock of strangers came in “Aha! It is not for nothing that I have turned
on you when you were preparing for an examina- myself out of bed at the untimely hour of six. I
tion next day, and every moment was of value. No, have put in two hours’ hard work and covered
I see nothing in that. Pencils, too, and knives—all at least five miles, with something to show for it.
was satisfactory. But that fellow does puzzle me.” Look at that!”
“Who?” He held out his hand. On the palm were three
little pyramids of black, doughy clay.
“Why, Bannister, the servant. What’s his game
in the matter?” “Why, Holmes, you had only two yesterday!”
“And one more this morning. It is a fair argu-
“He impressed me as being a perfectly honest
ment that wherever No. 3 came from is also the
man.”
source of Nos. 1 and 2. Eh, Watson? Well, come
“So he did me. That’s the puzzling part. Why along and put friend Soames out of his pain.”
should a perfectly honest man—well, well, here’s The unfortunate tutor was certainly in a state of
a large stationer’s. We shall begin our researches pitiable agitation when we found him in his cham-
here.” bers. In a few hours the examination would com-
There were only four stationers of any conse- mence, and he was still in the dilemma between
quence in the town, and at each Holmes produced making the facts public and allowing the culprit
his pencil chips and bid high for a duplicate. All to compete for the valuable scholarship. He could
were agreed that one could be ordered, but that it hardly stand still, so great was his mental agita-
was not a usual size of pencil and that it was sel- tion, and he ran towards Holmes with two eager
dom kept in stock. My friend did not appear to be hands outstretched.
depressed by his failure, but shrugged his shoul- “Thank Heaven that you have come! I feared
ders in half-humorous resignation. that you had given it up in despair. What am I to
“No good, my dear Watson. This, the best and do? Shall the examination proceed?”
only final clue, has run to nothing. But, indeed, “Yes; let it proceed by all means.”
I have little doubt that we can build up a suffi- “But this rascal—?”
cient case without it. By Jove! my dear fellow, it
“He shall not compete.”
is nearly nine, and the landlady babbled of green
peas at seven-thirty. What with your eternal to- “You know him?”
bacco, Watson, and your irregularity at meals, I “I think so. If this matter is not to become pub-
expect that you will get notice to quit and that lic we must give ourselves certain powers, and re-
I shall share your downfall—not, however, before solve ourselves into a small private court-martial.
we have solved the problem of the nervous tutor, You there, if you please, Soames! Watson, you
the careless servant, and the three enterprising stu- here! I’ll take the arm-chair in the middle. I think
dents.” that we are now sufficiently imposing to strike ter-
ror into a guilty breast. Kindly ring the bell!”
Holmes made no further allusion to the mat-
ter that day, though he sat lost in thought for a Bannister entered, and shrunk back in evident
long time after our belated dinner. At eight in the surprise and fear at our judicial appearance.
morning he came into my room just as I finished “You will kindly close the door,” said Holmes.
my toilet. “Now, Bannister, will you please tell us the truth
about yesterday’s incident?”
“Well, Watson,” said he, “it is time we went
down to St. Luke’s. Can you do without break- The man turned white to the roots of his hair.
fast?” “I have told you everything, sir.”
“Certainly.” “Nothing to add?”
“Soames will be in a dreadful fidget until we “Nothing at all, sir.”
are able to tell him something positive.” “Well, then, I must make some suggestions to
you. When you sat down on that chair yester-
“Have you anything positive to tell him?”
day, did you do so in order to conceal some ob-
“I think so.” ject which would have shown who had been in the
“You have formed a conclusion?” room?”
“Yes, my dear Watson; I have solved the mys- Bannister’s face was ghastly.
tery.” “No, sir; certainly not.”

526
 The Adventure of the Three Students

“It is only a suggestion,” said Holmes, suavely. being a callous criminal. Perhaps it would be eas-
“I frankly admit that I am unable to prove it. But it ier for you if I were to tell Mr. Soames what oc-
seems probable enough, since the moment that Mr. curred, and you can check me where I am wrong.
Soames’s back was turned you released the man Shall I do so? Well, well, don’t trouble to answer.
who was hiding in that bedroom.” Listen, and see that I do you no injustice.
Bannister licked his dry lips. “From the moment, Mr. Soames, that you said
“There was no man, sir.” to me that no one, not even Bannister, could have
told that the papers were in your room, the case
“Ah, that’s a pity, Bannister. Up to now you began to take a definite shape in my mind. The
may have spoken the truth, but now I know that printer one could, of course, dismiss. He could ex-
you have lied.” amine the papers in his own office. The Indian I
The man’s face set in sullen defiance. also thought nothing of. If the proofs were in a
roll he could not possibly know what they were.
“There was no man, sir.”
On the other hand, it seemed an unthinkable coin-
“Come, come, Bannister!” cidence that a man should dare to enter the room,
“No, sir; there was no one.” and that by chance on that very day the papers
were on the table. I dismissed that. The man who
“In that case you can give us no further infor-
entered knew that the papers were there. How did
mation. Would you please remain in the room?
he know?
Stand over there near the bedroom door. Now,
Soames, I am going to ask you to have the great “When I approached your room I examined the
kindness to go up to the room of young Gilchrist, window. You amused me by supposing that I was
and to ask him to step down into yours.” contemplating the possibility of someone having
in broad daylight, under the eyes of all these op-
An instant later the tutor returned, bringing
posite rooms, forced himself through it. Such an
with him the student. He was a fine figure of
idea was absurd. I was measuring how tall a man
a man, tall, lithe, and agile, with a springy step
would need to be in order to see as he passed
and a pleasant, open face. His troubled blue eyes
what papers were on the central table. I am six
glanced at each of us, and finally rested with an
feet high, and I could do it with an effort. No one
expression of blank dismay upon Bannister in the
less than that would have a chance. Already you
farther corner.
see I had reason to think that if one of your three
“Just close the door,” said Holmes. “Now, Mr. students was a man of unusual height he was the
Gilchrist, we are all quite alone here, and no one most worth watching of the three.
need ever know one word of what passes between
“I entered and I took you into my confidence
us. We can be perfectly frank with each other.
as to the suggestions of the side table. Of the cen-
We want to know, Mr. Gilchrist, how you, an hon-
tre table I could make nothing, until in your de-
ourable man, ever came to commit such an action
scription of Gilchrist you mentioned that he was a
as that of yesterday?”
long-distance jumper. Then the whole thing came
The unfortunate young man staggered back to me in an instant, and I only needed certain cor-
and cast a look full of horror and reproach at Ban- roborative proofs, which I speedily obtained.
nister.
“What happened was this. This young fel-
“No, no, Mr. Gilchrist, sir; I never said a low had employed his afternoon at the athletic
word—never one word!” cried the servant. grounds, where he had been practising the jump.
“No, but you have now,” said Holmes. “Now, He returned carrying his jumping shoes, which are
sir, you must see that after Bannister’s words your provided, as you are aware, with several sharp
position is hopeless, and that your only chance lies spikes. As he passed your window he saw, by
in a frank confession.” means of his great height, these proofs upon your
table, and conjectured what they were. No harm
For a moment Gilchrist, with upraised hand, would have been done had it not been that as he
tried to control his writhing features. The next he passed your door he perceived the key which had
had thrown himself on his knees beside the table been left by the carelessness of your servant. A
and, burying his face in his hands, he had burst sudden impulse came over him to enter and see if
into a storm of passionate sobbing. they were indeed the proofs. It was not a danger-
“Come, come,” said Holmes, kindly; “it is hu- ous exploit, for he could always pretend that he
man to err, and at least no one can accuse you of had simply looked in to ask a question.

527
 “Well, when he saw that they were indeed the Gilchrist pointed to Bannister.
proofs, it was then that he yielded to temptation.
He put his shoes on the table. What was it you put “There is the man who set me in the right
on that chair near the window?” path,” said he.
“Gloves,” said the young man.
Holmes looked triumphantly at Bannister. “He “Come now, Bannister,” said Holmes. “It will
put his gloves on the chair, and he took the proofs, be clear to you from what I have said that only
sheet by sheet, to copy them. He thought the you could have let this young man out, since you
tutor must return by the main gate, and that he were left in the room, and must have locked the
would see him. As we know, he came back by door when you went out. As to his escaping by
the side gate. Suddenly he heard him at the very that window, it was incredible. Can you not clear
door. There was no possible escape. He forgot his up the last point in this mystery, and tell us the
gloves, but he caught up his shoes and darted into reasons for your action?”
the bedroom. You observe that the scratch on that
table is slight at one side, but deepens in the direc- “It was simple enough, sir, if you only had
tion of the bedroom door. That in itself is enough known; but with all your cleverness it was impos-
to show us that the shoe had been drawn in that di- sible that you could know. Time was, sir, when
rection and that the culprit had taken refuge there. I was butler to old Sir Jabez Gilchrist, this young
The earth round the spike had been left on the ta- gentleman’s father. When he was ruined I came to
ble, and a second sample was loosened and fell the college as servant, but I never forgot my old
in the bedroom. I may add that I walked out to employer because he was down in the world. I
the athletic grounds this morning, saw that tena- watched his son all I could for the sake of the old
cious black clay is used in the jumping-pit, and days. Well, sir, when I came into this room yester-
carried away a specimen of it, together with some day when the alarm was given, the very first thing
of the fine tan or sawdust which is strewn over it I saw was Mr. Gilchrist’s tan gloves a-lying in that
to prevent the athlete from slipping. Have I told chair. I knew those gloves well, and I understood
the truth, Mr. Gilchrist?” their message. If Mr. Soames saw them the game
The student had drawn himself erect. was up. I flopped down into that chair, and noth-
ing would budge me until Mr. Soames he went for
“Yes, sir, it is true,” said he.
you. Then out came my poor young master, whom
“Good heavens, have you nothing to add?” I had dandled on my knee, and confessed it all to
cried Soames. me. Wasn’t it natural, sir, that I should save him,
“Yes, sir, I have, but the shock of this disgrace- and wasn’t it natural also that I should try to speak
ful exposure has bewildered me. I have a letter to him as his dead father would have done, and
here, Mr. Soames, which I wrote to you early this make him understand that he could not profit by
morning in the middle of a restless night. It was such a deed? Could you blame me, sir?”
before I knew that my sin had found me out. Here
it is, sir. You will see that I have said, ‘I have deter- “No, indeed,” said Holmes, heartily, springing
mined not to go in for the examination. I have been to his feet. “Well, Soames, I think we have cleared
offered a commission in the Rhodesian Police, and your little problem up, and our breakfast awaits us
I am going out to South Africa at once.’ ” at home. Come, Watson! As to you, sir, I trust that
“I am indeed pleased to hear that you did not a bright future awaits you in Rhodesia. For once
intend to profit by your unfair advantage,” said you have fallen low. Let us see in the future how
Soames. “But why did you change your purpose?” high you can rise.”
The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez
W
The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez

hen I look at the three massive “What can he want?” I ejaculated, as a man
manuscript volumes which contain our stepped out of it.
work for the year 1894 I confess that it “Want! He wants us. And we, my poor Watson,
is very difficult for me, out of such a want overcoats and cravats and goloshes, and ev-
wealth of material, to select the cases which are ery aid that man ever invented to fight the weather.
most interesting in themselves and at the same Wait a bit, though! There’s the cab off again!
time most conducive to a display of those pecu- There’s hope yet. He’d have kept it if he had
liar powers for which my friend was famous. As wanted us to come. Run down, my dear fellow,
I turn over the pages I see my notes upon the and open the door, for all virtuous folk have been
repulsive story of the red leech and the terrible long in bed.”
death of Crosby the banker. Here also I find an
When the light of the hall lamp fell upon our
account of the Addleton tragedy and the singu-
midnight visitor I had no difficulty in recognising
lar contents of the ancient British barrow. The fa-
him. It was young Stanley Hopkins, a promis-
mous Smith-Mortimer succession case comes also
ing detective, in whose career Holmes had several
within this period, and so does the tracking and
times shown a very practical interest.
arrest of Huret, the Boulevard assassin—an ex-
ploit which won for Holmes an autograph letter “Is he in?” he asked, eagerly.
of thanks from the French President and the Order “Come up, my dear sir,” said Holmes’s voice
of the Legion of Honour. Each of these would fur- from above. “I hope you have no designs upon us
nish a narrative, but on the whole I am of opinion on such a night as this.”
that none of them unite so many singular points of The detective mounted the stairs, and our lamp
interest as the episode of Yoxley Old Place, which gleamed upon his shining waterproof. I helped
includes not only the lamentable death of young him out of it while Holmes knocked a blaze out of
Willoughby Smith, but also those subsequent de- the logs in the grate.
velopments which threw so curious a light upon “Now, my dear Hopkins, draw up and warm
the causes of the crime. your toes,” said he. “Here’s a cigar, and the doc-
It was a wild, tempestuous night towards the tor has a prescription containing hot water and a
close of November. Holmes and I sat together in lemon which is good medicine on a night like this.
silence all the evening, he engaged with a pow- It must be something important which has brought
erful lens deciphering the remains of the original you out in such a gale.”
inscription upon a palimpsest, I deep in a recent
“It is indeed, Mr. Holmes. I’ve had a bustling
treatise upon surgery. Outside the wind howled
afternoon, I promise you. Did you see anything of
down Baker Street, while the rain beat fiercely
the Yoxley case in the latest editions?”
against the windows. It was strange there in the
very depths of the town, with ten miles of man’s “I’ve seen nothing later than the fifteenth cen-
handiwork on every side of us, to feel the iron grip tury to-day.”
of Nature, and to be conscious that to the huge el- “Well, it was only a paragraph, and all wrong
emental forces all London was no more than the at that, so you have not missed anything. I haven’t
molehills that dot the fields. I walked to the win- let the grass grow under my feet. It’s down in
dow and looked out on the deserted street. The oc- Kent, seven miles from Chatham and three from
casional lamps gleamed on the expanse of muddy the railway line. I was wired for at three-fifteen,
road and shining pavement. A single cab was reached Yoxley Old Place at five, conducted my in-
splashing its way from the Oxford Street end. vestigation, was back at Charing Cross by the last
“Well, Watson, it’s as well we have not to turn train, and straight to you by cab.”
out to-night,” said Holmes, laying aside his lens “Which means, I suppose, that you are not
and rolling up the palimpsest. “I’ve done enough quite clear about your case?”
for one sitting. It is trying work for the eyes. So “It means that I can make neither head nor tail
far as I can make out it is nothing more exciting of it. So far as I can see it is just as tangled a busi-
than an Abbey’s accounts dating from the second ness as ever I handled, and yet at first it seemed
half of the fifteenth century. Halloa! halloa! halloa! so simple that one couldn’t go wrong. There’s no
What’s this?” motive, Mr. Holmes. That’s what bothers me—I
Amid the droning of the wind there had come can’t put my hand on a motive. Here’s a man
the stamping of a horse’s hoofs and the long grind dead—there’s no denying that—but, so far as I can
of a wheel as it rasped against the kerb. The cab see, no reason on earth why anyone should wish
which I had seen had pulled up at our door. him harm.”

531
 The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez

Holmes lit his cigar and leaned back in his garden. Those are the only people that you would
chair. find within the grounds of Yoxley Old Place. At
“Let us hear about it,” said he. the same time, the gate of the garden is a hundred
yards from the main London to Chatham road. It
“I’ve got my facts pretty clear,” said Stanley opens with a latch, and there is nothing to prevent
Hopkins. “All I want now is to know what they anyone from walking in.
all mean. The story, so far as I can make it out,
is like this. Some years ago this country house, “Now I will give you the evidence of Susan
Yoxley Old Place, was taken by an elderly man, Tarlton, who is the only person who can say any-
who gave the name of Professor Coram. He was thing positive about the matter. It was in the
an invalid, keeping his bed half the time, and the forenoon, between eleven and twelve. She was en-
other half hobbling round the house with a stick gaged at the moment in hanging some curtains in
or being pushed about the grounds by the gar- the upstairs front bedroom. Professor Coram was
dener in a bath-chair. He was well liked by the still in bed, for when the weather is bad he sel-
few neighbours who called upon him, and he has dom rises before midday. The housekeeper was
the reputation down there of being a very learned busied with some work in the back of the house.
man. His household used to consist of an elderly Willoughby Smith had been in his bedroom, which
housekeeper, Mrs. Marker, and of a maid, Susan he uses as a sitting-room; but the maid heard him
Tarlton. These have both been with him since his at that moment pass along the passage and de-
arrival, and they seem to be women of excellent scend to the study immediately below her. She
character. The Professor is writing a learned book, did not see him, but she says that she could not
and he found it necessary about a year ago to en- be mistaken in his quick, firm tread. She did not
gage a secretary. The first two that he tried were hear the study door close, but a minute or so later
not successes; but the third, Mr. Willoughby Smith, there was a dreadful cry in the room below. It was
a very young man straight from the University, a wild, hoarse scream, so strange and unnatural
seems to have been just what his employer wanted. that it might have come either from a man or a
His work consisted in writing all the morning to woman. At the same instant there was a heavy
the Professor’s dictation, and he usually spent thud, which shook the old house, and then all
the evening in hunting up references and pas- was silence. The maid stood petrified for a mo-
sages which bore upon the next day’s work. This ment, and then, recovering her courage, she ran
Willoughby Smith has nothing against him either downstairs. The study door was shut, and she
as a boy at Uppingham or as a young man at Cam- opened it. Inside young Mr. Willoughby Smith
bridge. I have seen his testimonials, and from the was stretched upon the floor. At first she could
first he was a decent, quiet, hardworking fellow, see no injury, but as she tried to raise him she
with no weak spot in him at all. And yet this is saw that blood was pouring from the underside of
the lad who has met his death this morning in the his neck. It was pierced by a very small but very
Professor’s study under circumstances which can deep wound, which had divided the carotid artery.
point only to murder.” The instrument with which the injury had been in-
The wind howled and screamed at the win- flicted lay upon the carpet beside him. It was one
dows. Holmes and I drew closer to the fire while of those small sealing-wax knives to be found on
the young inspector slowly and point by point de- old-fashioned writing-tables, with an ivory handle
veloped his singular narrative. and a stiff blade. It was part of the fittings of the
Professor’s own desk.
“If you were to search all England,” said he,
“I don’t suppose you could find a household “At first the maid thought that young Smith
more self-contained or free from outside influ- was already dead, but on pouring some water
ences. Whole weeks would pass and not one of from the carafe over his forehead he opened his
them go past the garden gate. The Professor was eyes for an instant. ‘The Professor,’ he mur-
buried in his work and existed for nothing else. mured—‘it was she.’ The maid is prepared to
Young Smith knew nobody in the neighbourhood, swear that those were the exact words. He tried
and lived very much as his employer did. The two desperately to say something else, and he held his
women had nothing to take them from the house. right hand up in the air. Then he fell back dead.
Mortimer the gardener, who wheels the bath-chair,
is an Army pensioner—an old Crimean man of ex- “In the meantime the housekeeper had also ar-
cellent character. He does not live in the house, but rived upon the scene, but she was just too late
in a three-roomed cottage at the other end of the to catch the young man’s dying words. Leaving

532
 The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez

Susan with the body, she hurried to the Profes- be no question, however, that someone had passed
sor’s room. He was sitting up in bed horribly ag- along the grass border which lines the path, and
itated, for he had heard enough to convince him that he had done so in order to avoid leaving a
that something terrible had occurred. Mrs. Marker track. I could not find anything in the nature of
is prepared to swear that the Professor was still a distinct impression, but the grass was trodden
in his night-clothes, and, indeed, it was impossi- down and someone had undoubtedly passed. It
ble for him to dress without the help of Mortimer, could only have been the murderer, since neither
whose orders were to come at twelve o’clock. The the gardener nor anyone else had been there that
Professor declares that he heard the distant cry, but morning and the rain had only begun during the
that he knows nothing more. He can give no expla- night.”
nation of the young man’s last words, ‘The Profes- “One moment,” said Holmes. “Where does this
sor—it was she,’ but imagines that they were the path lead to?”
outcome of delirium. He believes that Willoughby “To the road.”
Smith had not an enemy in the world, and can “How long is it?”
give no reason for the crime. His first action was “A hundred yards or so.”
to send Mortimer the gardener for the local po-
“At the point where the path passes through
lice. A little later the chief constable sent for me.
the gate you could surely pick up the tracks?”
Nothing was moved before I got there, and strict
“Unfortunately, the path was tiled at that
orders were given that no one should walk upon
point.”
the paths leading to the house. It was a splendid
chance of putting your theories into practice, Mr. “Well, on the road itself?”
Sherlock Holmes. There was really nothing want- “No; it was all trodden into mire.”
ing.” “Tut-tut! Well, then, these tracks upon the
grass, were they coming or going?”
“Except Mr. Sherlock Holmes,” said my com-
panion, with a somewhat bitter smile. “Well, let “It was impossible to say. There was never any
us hear about it. What sort of job did you make of outline.”
it?” “A large foot or a small?”
“You could not distinguish.”
“I must ask you first, Mr. Holmes, to glance
at this rough plan, which will give you a general Holmes gave an ejaculation of impatience.
idea of the position of the Professor’s study and “It has been pouring rain and blowing a hurri-
the various points of the case. It will help you in cane ever since,” said he. “It will be harder to read
following my investigation.” now than that palimpsest. Well, well, it can’t be
helped. What did you do, Hopkins, after you had
He unfolded the rough chart, which I here re- made certain that you had made certain of noth-
produce, and he laid it across Holmes’s knee. I ing?”
rose, and, standing behind Holmes, I studied it
“I think I made certain of a good deal, Mr.
over his shoulder.
Holmes. I knew that someone had entered the
“It is very rough, of course, and it only deals house cautiously from without. I next examined
with the points which seem to me to be essential. the corridor. It is lined with cocoanut matting and
All the rest you will see later for yourself. Now, had taken no impression of any kind. This brought
first of all, presuming that the assassin entered the me into the study itself. It is a scantily-furnished
house, how did he or she come in? Undoubtedly room. The main article is a large writing-table with
by the garden path and the back door, from which a fixed bureau. This bureau consists of a dou-
there is direct access to the study. Any other way ble column of drawers with a central small cup-
would have been exceedingly complicated. The es- board between them. The drawers were open, the
cape must have also been made along that line, cupboard locked. The drawers, it seems, were al-
for of the two other exits from the room one was ways open, and nothing of value was kept in them.
blocked by Susan as she ran downstairs and the There were some papers of importance in the cup-
other leads straight to the Professor’s bedroom. I board, but there were no signs that this had been
therefore directed my attention at once to the gar- tampered with, and the Professor assures me that
den path, which was saturated with recent rain nothing was missing. It is certain that no robbery
and would certainly show any footmarks. has been committed.
“My examination showed me that I was deal- “I come now to the body of the young man. It
ing with a cautious and expert criminal. No foot- was found near the bureau, and just to the left of
marks were to be found on the path. There could it, as marked upon that chart. The stab was on the

533
 The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez

right side of the neck and from behind forwards, words of the dying man. As to her being a per-
so that it is almost impossible that it could have son of refinement and well dressed, they are, as
been self-inflicted.” you perceive, handsomely mounted in solid gold,
“Unless he fell upon the knife,” said Holmes. and it is inconceivable that anyone who wore such
glasses could be slatternly in other respects. You
“Exactly. The idea crossed my mind. But we will find that the clips are too wide for your nose,
found the knife some feet away from the body, so showing that the lady’s nose was very broad at
that seems impossible. Then, of course, there are the base. This sort of nose is usually a short and
the man’s own dying words. And, finally, there coarse one, but there are a sufficient number of
was this very important piece of evidence which exceptions to prevent me from being dogmatic or
was found clasped in the dead man’s right hand.” from insisting upon this point in my description.
From his pocket Stanley Hopkins drew a small My own face is a narrow one, and yet I find that I
paper packet. He unfolded it and disclosed a cannot get my eyes into the centre, or near the cen-
golden pince-nez, with two broken ends of black tre, of these glasses. Therefore the lady’s eyes are
silk cord dangling from the end of it. “Willoughby set very near to the sides of the nose. You will per-
Smith had excellent sight,” he added. “There can ceive, Watson, that the glasses are concave and of
be no question that this was snatched from the face unusual strength. A lady whose vision has been so
or the person of the assassin.” extremely contracted all her life is sure to have the
physical characteristics of such vision, which are
Sherlock Holmes took the glasses into his hand
seen in the forehead, the eyelids, and the shoul-
and examined them with the utmost attention and
ders.”
interest. He held them on his nose, endeavoured
to read through them, went to the window and “Yes,” I said, “I can follow each of your argu-
stared up the street with them, looked at them ments. I confess, however, that I am unable to un-
most minutely in the full light of the lamp, and derstand how you arrive at the double visit to the
finally, with a chuckle, seated himself at the table optician.”
and wrote a few lines upon a sheet of paper, which
Holmes took the glasses in his hand.
he tossed across to Stanley Hopkins.
“You will perceive,” he said, “that the clips are
“That’s the best I can do for you,” said he. “It
lined with tiny bands of cork to soften the pressure
may prove to be of some use.”
upon the nose. One of these is discoloured and
The astonished detective read the note aloud. worn to some slight extent, but the other is new.
It ran as follows: Evidently one has fallen off and been replaced. I
should judge that the older of them has not been
“Wanted, a woman of good address, there more than a few months. They exactly cor-
attired like a lady. She has a remark- respond, so I gather that the lady went back to the
ably thick nose, with eyes which are same establishment for the second.”
set close upon either side of it. She
has a puckered forehead, a peering ex- “By George, it’s marvellous!” cried Hopkins, in
pression, and probably rounded shoul- an ecstasy of admiration. “To think that I had all
ders. There are indications that she that evidence in my hand and never knew it! I had
has had recourse to an optician at least intended, however, to go the round of the London
twice during the last few months. As opticians.”
her glasses are of remarkable strength “Of course you would. Meanwhile, have you
and as opticians are not very numer- anything more to tell us about the case?”
ous, there should be no difficulty in
tracing her.” “Nothing, Mr. Holmes. I think that you know
as much as I do now—probably more. We have
Holmes smiled at the astonishment of Hopkins, had inquiries made as to any stranger seen on the
which must have been reflected upon my features. country roads or at the railway station. We have
heard of none. What beats me is the utter want of
“Surely my deductions are simplicity itself,”
all object in the crime. Not a ghost of a motive can
said he. “It would be difficult to name any arti-
anyone suggest.”
cles which afford a finer field for inference than a
pair of glasses, especially so remarkable a pair as “Ah! there I am not in a position to help
these. That they belong to a woman I infer from you. But I suppose you want us to come out to-
their delicacy, and also, of course, from the last morrow?”

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 The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez

“If it is not asking too much, Mr. Holmes. “Yes, sir; there is no other.”
There’s a train from Charing Cross to Chatham at “On this strip of grass?”
six in the morning, and we should be at Yoxley “Certainly, Mr. Holmes.”
Old Place between eight and nine.”
“Hum! It was a very remarkable perfor-
“Then we shall take it. Your case has certainly mance—very remarkable. Well, I think we have
some features of great interest, and I shall be de- exhausted the path. Let us go farther. This gar-
lighted to look into it. Well, it’s nearly one, and we den door is usually kept open, I suppose? Then
had best get a few hours’ sleep. I dare say you can this visitor had nothing to do but to walk in. The
manage all right on the sofa in front of the fire. I’ll idea of murder was not in her mind, or she would
light my spirit-lamp and give you a cup of coffee have provided herself with some sort of weapon,
before we start.” instead of having to pick this knife off the writing-
The gale had blown itself out next day, but it table. She advanced along this corridor, leaving no
was a bitter morning when we started upon our traces upon the cocoanut matting. Then she found
journey. We saw the cold winter sun rise over the herself in this study. How long was she there? We
dreary marshes of the Thames and the long, sullen have no means of judging.”
reaches of the river, which I shall ever associate “Not more than a few minutes, sir. I forgot to
with our pursuit of the Andaman Islander in the tell you that Mrs. Marker, the housekeeper, had
earlier days of our career. After a long and weary been in there tidying not very long before—about
journey we alighted at a small station some miles a quarter of an hour, she says.”
from Chatham. While a horse was being put into a
“Well, that gives us a limit. Our lady enters
trap at the local inn we snatched a hurried break-
this room and what does she do? She goes over to
fast, and so we were all ready for business when
the writing-table. What for? Not for anything in
we at last arrived at Yoxley Old Place. A constable
the drawers. If there had been anything worth her
met us at the garden gate.
taking it would surely have been locked up. No; it
“Well, Wilson, any news?” was for something in that wooden bureau. Halloa!
“No, sir, nothing.” what is that scratch upon the face of it? Just hold
“No reports of any stranger seen?” a match, Watson. Why did you not tell me of this,
“No, sir. Down at the station they are certain Hopkins?”
that no stranger either came or went yesterday.” The mark which he was examining began upon
“Have you had inquiries made at inns and the brass work on the right-hand side of the key-
lodgings?” hole, and extended for about four inches, where it
had scratched the varnish from the surface.
“Yes, sir; there is no one that we cannot account
“I noticed it, Mr. Holmes. But you’ll always
for.”
find scratches round a keyhole.”
“Well, it’s only a reasonable walk to Chatham.
“This is recent, quite recent. See how the brass
Anyone might stay there, or take a train without
shines where it is cut. An old scratch would be the
being observed. This is the garden path of which I
same colour as the surface. Look at it through my
spoke, Mr. Holmes. I’ll pledge my word there was
lens. There’s the varnish, too, like earth on each
no mark on it yesterday.”
side of a furrow. Is Mrs. Marker there?”
“On which side were the marks on the grass?”
A sad-faced, elderly woman came into the
“This side, sir. This narrow margin of grass be- room.
tween the path and the flower-bed. I can’t see the
“Did you dust this bureau yesterday morn-
traces now, but they were clear to me then.”
ing?”
“Yes, yes; someone has passed along,” said
“Yes, sir.”
Holmes, stooping over the grass border. “Our lady
must have picked her steps carefully, must she not, “Did you notice this scratch?”
since on the one side she would leave a track on the “No, sir, I did not.”
path, and on the other an even clearer one on the “I am sure you did not, for a duster would have
soft bed?” swept away these shreds of varnish. Who has the
“Yes, sir, she must have been a cool hand.” key of this bureau?”
I saw an intent look pass over Holmes’s face. “The Professor keeps it on his watch-chain.”
“You say that she must have come back this “Is it a simple key?”
way?” “No, sir; it is a Chubb’s key.”

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 The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez

“Very good. Mrs. Marker, you can go. Now we hand to Holmes I perceived that it also was stained
are making a little progress. Our lady enters the yellow with nicotine.
room, advances to the bureau, and either opens it “A smoker, Mr. Holmes?” said he, speaking
or tries to do so. While she is thus engaged young well-chosen English with a curious little mincing
Willoughby Smith enters the room. In her hurry accent. “Pray take a cigarette. And you, sir? I can
to withdraw the key she makes this scratch upon recommend them, for I have them especially pre-
the door. He seizes her, and she, snatching up pared by Ionides of Alexandria. He sends me a
the nearest object, which happens to be this knife, thousand at a time, and I grieve to say that I have
strikes at him in order to make him let go his hold. to arrange for a fresh supply every fortnight. Bad,
The blow is a fatal one. He falls and she escapes, sir, very bad, but an old man has few pleasures.
either with or without the object for which she has Tobacco and my work—that is all that is left to
come. Is Susan the maid there? Could anyone have me.”
got away through that door after the time that you
Holmes had lit a cigarette, and was shooting
heard the cry, Susan?”
little darting glances all over the room.
“No sir; it is impossible. Before I got down the “Tobacco and my work, but now only tobacco,”
stair I’d have seen anyone in the passage. Besides, the old man exclaimed. “Alas! what a fatal inter-
the door never opened, for I would have heard it.” ruption! Who could have foreseen such a terrible
“That settles this exit. Then no doubt the lady catastrophe? So estimable a young man! I assure
went out the way she came. I understand that this you that after a few months’ training he was an ad-
other passage leads only to the Professor’s room. mirable assistant. What do you think of the matter,
There is no exit that way?” Mr. Holmes?”
“No, sir.” “I have not yet made up my mind.”
“We shall go down it and make the acquain- “I shall indeed be indebted to you if you can
tance of the Professor. Halloa, Hopkins! this is throw a light where all is so dark to us. To a poor
very important, very important indeed. The Pro- bookworm and invalid like myself such a blow
fessor’s corridor is also lined with cocoanut mat- is paralyzing. I seem to have lost the faculty of
ting.” thought. But you are a man of action—you are a
man of affairs. It is part of the everyday routine of
“Well, sir, what of that?” your life. You can preserve your balance in every
“Don’t you see any bearing upon the case? emergency. We are fortunate indeed in having you
Well, well, I don’t insist upon it. No doubt I am at our side.”
wrong. And yet it seems to me to be suggestive. Holmes was pacing up and down one side of
Come with me and introduce me.” the room whilst the old Professor was talking. I
We passed down the passage, which was of the observed that he was smoking with extraordinary
same length as that which led to the garden. At rapidity. It was evident that he shared our host’s
the end was a short flight of steps ending in a door. liking for the fresh Alexandrian cigarettes.
Our guide knocked, and then ushered us into the “Yes, sir, it is a crushing blow,” said the old
Professor’s bedroom. man. “That is my magnum opus—the pile of pa-
pers on the side table yonder. It is my analysis of
It was a very large chamber, lined with innu-
the documents found in the Coptic monasteries of
merable volumes, which had overflowed from the
Syria and Egypt, a work which will cut deep at the
shelves and lay in piles in the corners, or were
very foundations of revealed religion. With my en-
stacked all round at the base of the cases. The
feebled health I do not know whether I shall ever
bed was in the centre of the room, and in it,
be able to complete it now that my assistant has
propped up with pillows, was the owner of the
been taken from me. Dear me, Mr. Holmes; why,
house. I have seldom seen a more remarkable-
you are even a quicker smoker than I am myself.”
looking person. It was a gaunt, aquiline face which
was turned towards us, with piercing dark eyes, Holmes smiled.
which lurked in deep hollows under overhung and “I am a connoisseur,” said he, taking another
tufted brows. His hair and beard were white, save cigarette from the box—his fourth—and lighting
that the latter was curiously stained with yellow it from the stub of that which he had finished.
around his mouth. A cigarette glowed amid the “I will not trouble you with any lengthy cross-
tangle of white hair, and the air of the room was examination, Professor Coram, since I gather that
fetid with stale tobacco-smoke. As he held out his you were in bed at the time of the crime and could

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 The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez

know nothing about it. I would only ask this. Holmes was curiously distrait, and we walked
What do you imagine that this poor fellow meant up and down the garden path for some time in
by his last words: ‘The Professor—it was she’?” silence.
The Professor shook his head. “Have you a clue?” I asked, at last.
“Susan is a country girl,” said he, “and you “It depends upon those cigarettes that I
know the incredible stupidity of that class. I fancy smoked,” said he. “It is possible that I am utterly
that the poor fellow murmured some incoherent mistaken. The cigarettes will show me.”
delirious words, and that she twisted them into “My dear Holmes,” I exclaimed, “how on
this meaningless message.” earth—”
“I see. You have no explanation yourself of the “Well, well, you may see for yourself. If not,
tragedy?” there’s no harm done. Of course, we always have
“Possibly an accident; possibly—I only breathe the optician clue to fall back upon, but I take a
it among ourselves—a suicide. Young men have short cut when I can get it. Ah, here is the good
their hidden troubles—some affair of the heart, Mrs. Marker! Let us enjoy five minutes of instruc-
perhaps, which we have never known. It is a more tive conversation with her.”
probable supposition than murder.” I may have remarked before that Holmes had,
“But the eye-glasses?” when he liked, a peculiarly ingratiating way with
“Ah! I am only a student—a man of dreams. women, and that he very readily established terms
I cannot explain the practical things of life. But of confidence with them. In half the time which
still, we are aware, my friend, that love-gages may he had named he had captured the housekeeper’s
take strange shapes. By all means take another goodwill, and was chatting with her as if he had
cigarette. It is a pleasure to see anyone appreci- known her for years.
ate them so. A fan, a glove, glasses—who knows “Yes, Mr. Holmes, it is as you say, sir. He
what article may be carried as a token or treasured does smoke something terrible. All day and some-
when a man puts an end to his life? This gentle- times all night, sir. I’ve seen that room of a morn-
man speaks of footsteps in the grass; but, after all, ing—well, sir, you’d have thought it was a London
it is easy to be mistaken on such a point. As to the fog. Poor young Mr. Smith, he was a smoker also,
knife, it might well be thrown far from the unfor- but not as bad as the Professor. His health—well, I
tunate man as he fell. It is possible that I speak as don’t know that it’s better nor worse for the smok-
a child, but to me it seems that Willoughby Smith ing.”
has met his fate by his own hand.” “Ah!” said Holmes, “but it kills the appetite.”
Holmes seemed struck by the theory thus put “Well, I don’t know about that, sir.”
forward, and he continued to walk up and down “I suppose the Professor eats hardly any-
for some time, lost in thought and consuming thing?”
cigarette after cigarette. “Well, he is variable. I’ll say that for him.”
“Tell me, Professor Coram,” he said, at last, “I’ll wager he took no breakfast this morning,
“what is in that cupboard in the bureau?” and won’t face his lunch after all the cigarettes I
“Nothing that would help a thief. Family pa- saw him consume.”
pers, letters from my poor wife, diplomas of Uni- “Well, you’re out there, sir, as it happens, for
versities which have done me honour. Here is the he ate a remarkable big breakfast this morning. I
key. You can look for yourself.” don’t know when I’ve known him make a better
Holmes picked up the key and looked at it for one, and he’s ordered a good dish of cutlets for
an instant; then he handed it back. his lunch. I’m surprised myself, for since I came
“No; I hardly think that it would help me,” into that room yesterday and saw young Mr. Smith
said he. “I should prefer to go quietly down to lying there on the floor I couldn’t bear to look at
your garden and turn the whole matter over in my food. Well, it takes all sorts to make a world, and
head. There is something to be said for the theory the Professor hasn’t let it take his appetite away.”
of suicide which you have put forward. We must We loitered the morning away in the garden.
apologize for having intruded upon you, Profes- Stanley Hopkins had gone down to the village to
sor Coram, and I promise that we won’t disturb look into some rumours of a strange woman who
you until after lunch. At two o’clock we will come had been seen by some children on the Chatham
again and report to you anything which may have Road the previous morning. As to my friend, all
happened in the interval.” his usual energy seemed to have deserted him. I

537
 The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez

had never known him handle a case in such a half- it from your own lips. Meanwhile I will recon-
hearted fashion. Even the news brought back by struct what is past for your benefit, so that you
Hopkins that he had found the children and that may know the information which I still require.
they had undoubtedly seen a woman exactly corre- “A lady yesterday entered your study. She
sponding with Holmes’s description, and wearing came with the intention of possessing herself of
either spectacles or eye-glasses, failed to rouse any certain documents which were in your bureau. She
sign of keen interest. He was more attentive when had a key of her own. I have had an opportunity
Susan, who waited upon us at lunch, volunteered of examining yours, and I do not find that slight
the information that she believed Mr. Smith had discolouration which the scratch made upon the
been out for a walk yesterday morning, and that he varnish would have produced. You were not an
had only returned half an hour before the tragedy accessory, therefore, and she came, so far as I can
occurred. I could not myself see the bearing of this read the evidence, without your knowledge to rob
incident, but I clearly perceived that Holmes was you.”
weaving it into the general scheme which he had The Professor blew a cloud from his lips. “This
formed in his brain. Suddenly he sprang from his is most interesting and instructive,” said he. “Have
chair and glanced at his watch. “Two o’clock, gen- you no more to add? Surely, having traced this
tlemen,” said he. “We must go up and have it out lady so far, you can also say what has become of
with our friend the Professor.” her.”
The old man had just finished his lunch, and “I will endeavour to do so. In the first place
certainly his empty dish bore evidence to the good she was seized by your secretary, and stabbed him
appetite with which his housekeeper had credited in order to escape. This catastrophe I am inclined
him. He was, indeed, a weird figure as he turned to regard as an unhappy accident, for I am con-
his white mane and his glowing eyes towards us. vinced that the lady had no intention of inflicting
The eternal cigarette smouldered in his mouth. He so grievous an injury. An assassin does not come
had been dressed and was seated in an arm-chair unarmed. Horrified by what she had done she
by the fire. rushed wildly away from the scene of the tragedy.
“Well, Mr. Holmes, have you solved this mys- Unfortunately for her she had lost her glasses in
tery yet?” He shoved the large tin of cigarettes the scuffle, and as she was extremely short-sighted
which stood on a table beside him towards my she was really helpless without them. She ran
companion. Holmes stretched out his hand at the down a corridor, which she imagined to be that
same moment, and between them they tipped the by which she had come—both were lined with co-
box over the edge. For a minute or two we were all coanut matting—and it was only when it was too
on our knees retrieving stray cigarettes from im- late that she understood that she had taken the
possible places. When we rose again I observed wrong passage and that her retreat was cut off be-
that Holmes’s eyes were shining and his cheeks hind her. What was she to do? She could not go
tinged with colour. Only at a crisis have I seen back. She could not remain where she was. She
those battle-signals flying. must go on. She went on. She mounted a stair,
“Yes,” said he, “I have solved it.” pushed open a door, and found herself in your
room.”
Stanley Hopkins and I stared in amazement.
Something like a sneer quivered over the gaunt The old man sat with his mouth open star-
features of the old Professor. ing wildly at Holmes. Amazement and fear were
stamped upon his expressive features. Now, with
“Indeed! In the garden?”
an effort, he shrugged his shoulders and burst into
“No, here.” insincere laughter.
“Here! When?” “All very fine, Mr. Holmes,” said he. “But there
“This instant.” is one little flaw in your splendid theory. I was my-
“You are surely joking, Mr. Sherlock Holmes. self in my room, and I never left it during the day.”
You compel me to tell you that this is too serious a “I am aware of that, Professor Coram.”
matter to be treated in such a fashion.” “And you mean to say that I could lie upon that
“I have forged and tested every link of my bed and not be aware that a woman had entered
chain, Professor Coram, and I am sure that it is my room?”
sound. What your motives are or what exact part “I never said so. You were aware of it. You
you play in this strange business I am not yet able spoke with her. You recognised her. You aided her
to say. In a few minutes I shall probably hear to escape.”

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 The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez

Again the Professor burst into high-keyed For the first time the old man stirred. “God
laughter. He had risen to his feet and his eyes bless you, Anna!” he cried. “God bless you!”
glowed like embers. She cast a look of the deepest disdain in his
“You are mad!” he cried. “You are talking in- direction. “Why should you cling so hard to that
sanely. I helped her to escape? Where is she now?” wretched life of yours, Sergius?” said she. “It has
“She is there,” said Holmes, and he pointed to done harm to many and good to none—not even to
a high bookcase in the corner of the room. yourself. However, it is not for me to cause the frail
thread to be snapped before God’s time. I have
I saw the old man throw up his arms, a ter- enough already upon my soul since I crossed the
rible convulsion passed over his grim face, and threshold of this cursed house. But I must speak
he fell back in his chair. At the same instant the or I shall be too late.
bookcase at which Holmes pointed swung round
“I have said, gentlemen, that I am this man’s
upon a hinge, and a woman rushed out into the
wife. He was fifty and I a foolish girl of twenty
room. “You are right!” she cried, in a strange for-
when we married. It was in a city of Russia, a
eign voice. “You are right! I am here.”
University—I will not name the place.”
She was brown with the dust and draped with
“God bless you, Anna!” murmured the old
the cobwebs which had come from the walls of
man again.
her hiding-place. Her face, too, was streaked with
grime, and at the best she could never have been “We were reformers—revolutionists—Nihilists,
handsome, for she had the exact physical charac- you understand. He and I and many more. Then
teristics which Holmes had divined, with, in ad- there came a time of trouble, a police officer was
dition, a long and obstinate chin. What with her killed, many were arrested, evidence was wanted,
natural blindness, and what with the change from and in order to save his own life and to earn a great
dark to light, she stood as one dazed, blinking reward my husband betrayed his own wife and his
about her to see where and who we were. And yet, companions. Yes, we were all arrested upon his
in spite of all these disadvantages, there was a cer- confession. Some of us found our way to the gal-
tain nobility in the woman’s bearing, a gallantry in lows and some to Siberia. I was among these last,
the defiant chin and in the upraised head, which but my term was not for life. My husband came to
compelled something of respect and admiration. England with his ill-gotten gains, and has lived in
Stanley Hopkins had laid his hand upon her arm quiet ever since, knowing well that if the Brother-
and claimed her as his prisoner, but she waved him hood knew where he was not a week would pass
aside gently, and yet with an overmastering dig- before justice would be done.”
nity which compelled obedience. The old man lay The old man reached out a trembling hand and
back in his chair, with a twitching face, and stared helped himself to a cigarette. “I am in your hands,
at her with brooding eyes. Anna,” said he. “You were always good to me.”
“Yes, sir, I am your prisoner,” she said. “From “I have not yet told you the height of his vil-
where I stood I could hear everything, and I know lainy,” said she. “Among our comrades of the Or-
that you have learned the truth. I confess it all. der there was one who was the friend of my heart.
It was I who killed the young man. But you are He was noble, unselfish, loving—all that my hus-
right, you who say it was an accident. I did not band was not. He hated violence. We were all
even know that it was a knife which I held in my guilty—if that is guilt—but he was not. He wrote
hand, for in my despair I snatched anything from for ever dissuading us from such a course. These
the table and struck at him to make him let me go. letters would have saved him. So would my diary,
It is the truth that I tell.” in which from day to day I had entered both my
“Madam,” said Holmes, “I am sure that it is feelings towards him and the view which each of
the truth. I fear that you are far from well.” us had taken. My husband found and kept both
diary and letters. He hid them, and he tried hard
She had turned a dreadful colour, the more to swear away the young man’s life. In this he
ghastly under the dark dust-streaks upon her face. failed, but Alexis was sent a convict to Siberia,
She seated herself on the side of the bed; then she where now, at this moment, he works in a salt
resumed. mine. Think of that, you villain, you villain; now,
“I have only a little time here,” she said, “but now, at this very moment, Alexis, a man whose
I would have you to know the whole truth. I am name you are not worthy to speak, works and lives
this man’s wife. He is not an Englishman. He is a like a slave, and yet I have your life in my hands
Russian. His name I will not tell.” and I let you go.”

539
 The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez

“You were always a noble woman, Anna,” said police left the house I should slip away by night
the old man, puffing at his cigarette. and come back no more. But in some way you
She had risen, but she fell back again with a have read our plans.” She tore from the bosom
little cry of pain. of her dress a small packet. “These are my last
words,” said she; “here is the packet which will
“I must finish,” she said. “When my term was save Alexis. I confide it to your honour and to
over I set myself to get the diary and letters which, your love of justice. Take it! You will deliver it at
if sent to the Russian Government, would procure the Russian Embassy. Now I have done my duty,
my friend’s release. I knew that my husband had and—”
come to England. After months of searching I dis-
“Stop her!” cried Holmes. He had bounded
covered where he was. I knew that he still had the
across the room and had wrenched a small phial
diary, for when I was in Siberia I had a letter from
from her hand.
him once reproaching me and quoting some pas-
sages from its pages. Yet I was sure that with his “Too late!” she said, sinking back on the bed.
revengeful nature he would never give it to me of “Too late! I took the poison before I left my hiding-
his own free will. I must get it for myself. With place. My head swims! I am going! I charge you,
this object I engaged an agent from a private de- sir, to remember the packet.”
tective firm, who entered my husband’s house as “A simple case, and yet in some ways an in-
secretary—it was your second secretary, Sergius, structive one,” Holmes remarked, as we travelled
the one who left you so hurriedly. He found that back to town. “It hinged from the outset upon the
papers were kept in the cupboard, and he got an pince-nez. But for the fortunate chance of the dy-
impression of the key. He would not go farther. ing man having seized these I am not sure that
He furnished me with a plan of the house, and he we could ever have reached our solution. It was
told me that in the forenoon the study was always clear to me from the strength of the glasses that
empty, as the secretary was employed up here. So the wearer must have been very blind and help-
at last I took my courage in both hands and I came less when deprived of them. When you asked me
down to get the papers for myself. I succeeded, to believe that she walked along a narrow strip of
but at what a cost! grass without once making a false step I remarked,
“I had just taken the papers and was locking as you may remember, that it was a noteworthy
the cupboard when the young man seized me. I performance. In my mind I set it down as an
had seen him already that morning. He had met impossible performance, save in the unlikely case
me in the road and I had asked him to tell me that she had a second pair of glasses. I was forced,
where Professor Coram lived, not knowing that he therefore, to seriously consider the hypothesis that
was in his employ.” she had remained within the house. On perceiving
the similarity of the two corridors it became clear
“Exactly! exactly!” said Holmes. “The sec- that she might very easily have made such a mis-
retary came back and told his employer of the take, and in that case it was evident that she must
woman he had met. Then in his last breath he have entered the Professor’s room. I was keenly
tried to send a message that it was she—the she on the alert, therefore, for whatever would bear
whom he had just discussed with him.” out this supposition, and I examined the room nar-
“You must let me speak,” said the woman, in rowly for anything in the shape of a hiding-place.
an imperative voice, and her face contracted as if The carpet seemed continuous and firmly nailed,
in pain. “When he had fallen I rushed from the so I dismissed the idea of a trap-door. There might
room, chose the wrong door, and found myself in well be a recess behind the books. As you are
my husband’s room. He spoke of giving me up. aware, such devices are common in old libraries.
I showed him that if he did so his life was in my I observed that books were piled on the floor at
hands. If he gave me to the law I could give him all other points, but that one bookcase was left
to the Brotherhood. It was not that I wished to clear. This, then, might be the door. I could see
live for my own sake, but it was that I desired to no marks to guide me, but the carpet was of a dun
accomplish my purpose. He knew that I would colour, which lends itself very well to examination.
do what I said—that his own fate was involved in I therefore smoked a great number of those excel-
mine. For that reason and for no other he shielded lent cigarettes, and I dropped the ash all over the
me. He thrust me into that dark hiding-place, a space in front of the suspected bookcase. It was
relic of old days, known only to himself. He took a simple trick, but exceedingly effective. I then
his meals in his own room, and so was able to give went downstairs and I ascertained, in your pres-
me part of his food. It was agreed that when the ence, Watson, without your perceiving the drift

540
of my remarks, that Professor Coram’s consump- had, in our absence, come out from her retreat.
tion of food had increased—as one would expect Well, Hopkins, here we are at Charing Cross, and
when he is supplying a second person. We then I congratulate you on having brought your case to
ascended to the room again, when, by upsetting a successful conclusion. You are going to head-
the cigarette-box, I obtained a very excellent view quarters, no doubt. I think, Watson, you and I will
of the floor, and was able to see quite clearly, from drive together to the Russian Embassy.”
the traces upon the cigarette ash, that the prisoner
The Adventure of the Missing
Three-Quarter
W
The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter

e were fairly accustomed to receive “Pray sit down and tell me what is the matter.”
weird telegrams at Baker Street, but “It’s awful, Mr. Holmes, simply awful! I won-
I have a particular recollection of one der my hair isn’t grey. Godfrey Staunton—you’ve
which reached us on a gloomy Febru- heard of him, of course? He’s simply the hinge
ary morning some seven or eight years ago and that the whole team turns on. I’d rather spare
gave Mr. Sherlock Holmes a puzzled quarter of an two from the pack and have Godfrey for my three-
hour. It was addressed to him, and ran thus: quarter line. Whether it’s passing, or tackling, or
“Please await me. Terrible misfortune. dribbling, there’s no one to touch him; and then,
Right wing three-quarter missing; in- he’s got the head and can hold us all together.
dispensable to-morrow. — Overton.” What am I to do? That’s what I ask you, Mr.
“Strand post-mark and dispatched ten-thirty- Holmes. There’s Moorhouse, first reserve, but he
six,” said Holmes, reading it over and over. “Mr. is trained as a half, and he always edges right in on
Overton was evidently considerably excited when to the scrum instead of keeping out on the touch-
he sent it, and somewhat incoherent in conse- line. He’s a fine place-kick, it’s true, but, then,
quence. Well, well, he will be here, I dare say, by he has no judgment, and he can’t sprint for nuts.
the time I have looked through the times, and then Why, Morton or Johnson, the Oxford fliers, could
we shall know all about it. Even the most insignif- romp round him. Stevenson is fast enough, but
icant problem would be welcome in these stagnant he couldn’t drop from the twenty-five line, and a
days.” three-quarter who can’t either punt or drop isn’t
worth a place for pace alone. No, Mr. Holmes, we
Things had indeed been very slow with us, and
are done unless you can help me to find Godfrey
I had learned to dread such periods of inaction, for
Staunton.”
I knew by experience that my companion’s brain
was so abnormally active that it was dangerous My friend had listened with amused surprise
to leave it without material upon which to work. to this long speech, which was poured forth with
For years I had gradually weaned him from that extraordinary vigour and earnestness, every point
drug mania which had threatened once to check being driven home by the slapping of a brawny
his remarkable career. Now I knew that under or- hand upon the speaker’s knee. When our visitor
dinary conditions he no longer craved for this arti- was silent Holmes stretched out his hand and took
ficial stimulus, but I was well aware that the fiend down letter “S” of his commonplace book. For
was not dead, but sleeping; and I have known once he dug in vain into that mine of varied in-
that the sleep was a light one and the waking near formation.
when in periods of idleness I have seen the drawn “There is Arthur H. Staunton, the rising young
look upon Holmes’s ascetic face, and the brood- forger,” said he, “and there was Henry Staunton,
ing of his deep-set and inscrutable eyes. There- whom I helped to hang, but Godfrey Staunton is a
fore I blessed this Mr. Overton, whoever he might new name to me.”
be, since he had come with his enigmatic message It was our visitor’s turn to look surprised.
to break that dangerous calm which brought more “Why, Mr. Holmes, I thought you knew
peril to my friend than all the storms of his tem- things,” said he. “I suppose, then, if you have
pestuous life. never heard of Godfrey Staunton you don’t know
As we had expected, the telegram was soon fol- Cyril Overton either?”
lowed by its sender, and the card of Mr. Cyril Over- Holmes shook his head good-humouredly.
ton, of Trinity College, Cambridge, announced the “Great Scot!” cried the athlete. “Why, I was
arrival of an enormous young man, sixteen stone first reserve for England against Wales, and I’ve
of solid bone and muscle, who spanned the door- skippered the ’Varsity all this year. But that’s noth-
way with his broad shoulders and looked from one ing! I didn’t think there was a soul in England who
of us to the other with a comely face which was didn’t know Godfrey Staunton, the crack three-
haggard with anxiety. quarter, Cambridge, Blackheath, and five Interna-
“Mr. Sherlock Holmes?” tionals. Good Lord! Mr. Holmes, where have you
My companion bowed. lived?”
“I’ve been down to Scotland Yard, Mr. Holmes. Holmes laughed at the young giant’s naive as-
I saw Inspector Stanley Hopkins. He advised me tonishment.
to come to you. He said the case, so far as he could “You live in a different world to me, Mr. Over-
see, was more in your line than in that of the reg- ton, a sweeter and healthier one. My ramifications
ular police.” stretch out into many sections of society, but never,

545
 The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter

I am happy to say, into amateur sport, which is “I wired to Cambridge to learn if anything had
the best and soundest thing in England. However, been heard of him there. I have had an answer. No
your unexpected visit this morning shows me that one has seen him.”
even in that world of fresh air and fair play there “Could he have got back to Cambridge?”
may be work for me to do; so now, my good sir, I
“Yes, there is a late train—quarter-past eleven.”
beg you to sit down and to tell me slowly and qui-
etly exactly what it is that has occurred, and how “But so far as you can ascertain he did not take
you desire that I should help you.” it?”
“No, he has not been seen.”
Young Overton’s face assumed the bothered
look of the man who is more accustomed to us- “What did you do next?”
ing his muscles than his wits; but by degrees, with “I wired to Lord Mount-James.”
many repetitions and obscurities which I may omit “Why to Lord Mount-James?”
from his narrative, he laid his strange story before
us. “Godfrey is an orphan, and Lord Mount-James
is his nearest relative—his uncle, I believe.”
“It’s this way, Mr. Holmes. As I have said, I “Indeed. This throws new light upon the mat-
am the skipper of the Rugger team of Cambridge ter. Lord Mount-James is one of the richest men in
’Varsity, and Godfrey Staunton is my best man. To- England.”
morrow we play Oxford. Yesterday we all came up
and we settled at Bentley’s private hotel. At ten “So I’ve heard Godfrey say.”
o’clock I went round and saw that all the fellows “And your friend was closely related?”
had gone to roost, for I believe in strict training “Yes, he was his heir, and the old boy is nearly
and plenty of sleep to keep a team fit. I had a eighty—cram full of gout, too. They say he could
word or two with Godfrey before he turned in. He chalk his billiard-cue with his knuckles. He never
seemed to me to be pale and bothered. I asked him allowed Godfrey a shilling in his life, for he is an
what was the matter. He said he was all right—just absolute miser, but it will all come to him right
a touch of headache. I bade him good-night and enough.”
left him. Half an hour later the porter tells me
“Have you heard from Lord Mount-James?”
that a rough-looking man with a beard called with
a note for Godfrey. He had not gone to bed and “No.”
the note was taken to his room. Godfrey read it “What motive could your friend have in going
and fell back in a chair as if he had been pole- to Lord Mount-James?”
axed. The porter was so scared that he was going “Well, something was worrying him the night
to fetch me, but Godfrey stopped him, had a drink before, and if it was to do with money it is possi-
of water, and pulled himself together. Then he ble that he would make for his nearest relative who
went downstairs, said a few words to the man who had so much of it, though from all I have heard he
was waiting in the hall, and the two of them went would not have much chance of getting it. God-
off together. The last that the porter saw of them, frey was not fond of the old man. He would not
they were almost running down the street in the go if he could help it.”
direction of the Strand. This morning Godfrey’s
room was empty, his bed had never been slept in, “Well, we can soon determine that. If your
and his things were all just as I had seen them the friend was going to his relative, Lord Mount-
night before. He had gone off at a moment’s no- James, you have then to explain the visit of this
tice with this stranger, and no word has come from rough-looking fellow at so late an hour, and the
him since. I don’t believe he will ever come back. agitation that was caused by his coming.”
He was a sportsman, was Godfrey, down to his Cyril Overton pressed his hands to his head. “I
marrow, and he wouldn’t have stopped his train- can make nothing of it,” said he.
ing and let in his skipper if it were not for some “Well, well, I have a clear day, and I shall
cause that was too strong for him. No; I feel as if be happy to look into the matter,” said Holmes.
he were gone for good and we should never see “I should strongly recommend you to make your
him again.” preparations for your match without reference to
Sherlock Holmes listened with the deepest at- this young gentleman. It must, as you say, have
tention to this singular narrative. been an overpowering necessity which tore him
away in such a fashion, and the same necessity is
“What did you do?” he asked. likely to hold him away. Let us step round together

546
 The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter

to this hotel, and see if the porter can throw any “A pen, sir.”
fresh light upon the matter.” “Was the telegraphic form one of these on the
Sherlock Holmes was a past-master in the art table?”
of putting a humble witness at his ease, and very “Yes, sir; it was the top one.”
soon, in the privacy of Godfrey Staunton’s aban- Holmes rose. Taking the forms he carried them
doned room, he had extracted all that the porter over to the window and carefully examined that
had to tell. The visitor of the night before was not a which was uppermost.
gentleman, neither was he a working man. He was
simply what the porter described as a “medium- “It is a pity he did not write in pencil,” said
looking chap”; a man of fifty, beard grizzled, pale he, throwing them down again with a shrug of
face, quietly dressed. He seemed himself to be agi- disappointment. “As you have no doubt fre-
tated. The porter had observed his hand trembling quently observed, Watson, the impression usually
when he had held out the note. Godfrey Staunton goes through—a fact which has dissolved many
had crammed the note into his pocket. Staunton a happy marriage. However, I can find no trace
had not shaken hands with the man in the hall. here. I rejoice, however, to perceive that he wrote
They had exchanged a few sentences, of which with a broad-pointed quill pen, and I can hardly
the porter had only distinguished the one word doubt that we will find some impression upon
“time.” Then they had hurried off in the manner this blotting-pad. Ah, yes, surely this is the very
described. It was just half-past ten by the hall thing!”
clock. He tore off a strip of the blotting-paper and
turned towards us the following hieroglyphic:
“Let me see,” said Holmes, seating himself on
Staunton’s bed. “You are the day porter, are you ekas sdoG rof su yb dnatS
not?” Cyril Overton was much excited. “Hold it to
“Yes, sir; I go off duty at eleven.” the glass!” he cried.
“The night porter saw nothing, I suppose?” “That is unnecessary,” said Holmes. “The pa-
per is thin, and the reverse will give the message.
“No, sir; one theatre party came in late. No one
Here it is.” He turned it over and we read:
else.”
Stand by us for Gods sake
“Were you on duty all day yesterday?”
“So that is the tail end of the telegram which
“Yes, sir.” Godfrey Staunton dispatched within a few hours
“Did you take any messages to Mr. Staunton?” of his disappearance. There are at least six words
“Yes, sir; one telegram.” of the message which have escaped us; but what
“Ah! that’s interesting. What o’clock was remains—‘Stand by us for God’s sake!’—proves
this?” that this young man saw a formidable danger
which approached him, and from which someone
“About six.” else could protect him. ‘Us,’ mark you! Another
“Where was Mr. Staunton when he received person was involved. Who should it be but the
it?” pale-faced, bearded man, who seemed himself in
“Here in his room.” so nervous a state? What, then, is the connec-
“Were you present when he opened it?” tion between Godfrey Staunton and the bearded
man? And what is the third source from which
“Yes, sir; I waited to see if there was an an- each of them sought for help against pressing dan-
swer.” ger? Our inquiry has already narrowed down to
“Well, was there?” that.”
“Yes, sir. He wrote an answer.” “We have only to find to whom that telegram
“Did you take it?” is addressed,” I suggested.
“No; he took it himself.” “Exactly, my dear Watson. Your reflection,
though profound, had already crossed my mind.
“But he wrote it in your presence?”
But I dare say it may have come to your notice
“Yes, sir. I was standing by the door, and he that if you walk into a post-office and demand to
with his back turned at that table. When he had see the counterfoil of another man’s message there
written it he said, ‘All right, porter, I will take this may be some disinclination on the part of the of-
myself.’ ” ficials to oblige you. There is so much red tape
“What did he write it with?” in these matters! However, I have no doubt that

547
 The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter

with a little delicacy and finesse the end may be at- “Nothing of the sort, sir!” screamed the little
tained. Meanwhile, I should like in your presence, man. “Don’t look to me for a penny—not a penny!
Mr. Overton, to go through these papers which You understand that, Mr. Detective! I am all the
have been left upon the table.” family that this young man has got, and I tell you
There were a number of letters, bills, and note- that I am not responsible. If he has any expecta-
books, which Holmes turned over and examined tions it is due to the fact that I have never wasted
with quick, nervous fingers and darting, penetrat- money, and I do not propose to begin to do so
ing eyes. “Nothing here,” he said, at last. “By the now. As to those papers with which you are mak-
way, I suppose your friend was a healthy young ing so free, I may tell you that in case there should
fellow—nothing amiss with him?” be anything of any value among them you will
be held strictly to account for what you do with
“Sound as a bell.” them.”
“Have you ever known him ill?” “Very good, sir,” said Sherlock Holmes. “May
“Not a day. He has been laid up with a hack, I ask in the meanwhile whether you have yourself
and once he slipped his knee-cap, but that was any theory to account for this young man’s disap-
nothing.” pearance?”
“Perhaps he was not so strong as you suppose. “No, sir, I have not. He is big enough and old
I should think he may have had some secret trou- enough to look after himself, and if he is so fool-
ble. With your assent I will put one or two of ish as to lose himself I entirely refuse to accept the
these papers in my pocket, in case they should responsibility of hunting for him.”
bear upon our future inquiry.” “I quite understand your position,” said
“One moment! one moment!” cried a queru- Holmes, with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
lous voice, and we looked up to find a queer lit- “Perhaps you don’t quite understand mine. God-
tle old man, jerking and twitching in the doorway. frey Staunton appears to have been a poor man. If
He was dressed in rusty black, with a very broad he has been kidnapped it could not have been for
brimmed top-hat and a loose white necktie—the anything which he himself possesses. The fame
whole effect being that of a very rustic parson or of your wealth has gone abroad, Lord Mount-
of an undertaker’s mute. Yet, in spite of his shabby James, and it is entirely possible that a gang of
and even absurd appearance, his voice had a sharp thieves have secured your nephew in order to gain
crackle, and his manner a quick intensity which from him some information as to your house, your
commanded attention. habits, and your treasure.”
“Who are you, sir, and by what right do you The face of our unpleasant little visitor turned
touch this gentleman’s papers?” he asked. as white as his neckcloth.
“I am a private detective, and I am endeavour- “Heavens, sir, what an idea! I never thought
ing to explain his disappearance.” of such villainy! What inhuman rogues there are
in the world! But Godfrey is a fine lad—a staunch
“Oh, you are, are you? And who instructed lad. Nothing would induce him to give his old un-
you, eh?” cle away. I’ll have the plate moved over to the bank
“This gentleman, Mr. Staunton’s friend, was re- this evening. In the meantime spare no pains, Mr.
ferred to me by Scotland Yard.” Detective! I beg you to leave no stone unturned to
“Who are you, sir?” bring him safely back. As to money, well, so far as
a fiver, or even a tenner, goes, you can always look
“I am Cyril Overton.” to me.”
“Then it is you who sent me a telegram. My Even in his chastened frame of mind the noble
name is Lord Mount-James. I came round as miser could give us no information which could
quickly as the Bayswater ’bus would bring me. So help us, for he knew little of the private life of his
you have instructed a detective?” nephew. Our only clue lay in the truncated tele-
“Yes, sir.” gram, and with a copy of this in his hand Holmes
“And are you prepared to meet the cost?” set forth to find a second link for his chain. We
had shaken off Lord Mount-James, and Overton
“I have no doubt, sir, that my friend Godfrey, had gone to consult with the other members of his
when we find him, will be prepared to do that.” team over the misfortune which had befallen them.
“But if he is never found, eh? Answer me that!” There was a telegraph-office at a short distance
“In that case no doubt his family—” from the hotel. We halted outside it.

548
 The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter

“It’s worth trying, Watson,” said Holmes. “Of struck me, however, as being the one which was
course, with a warrant we could demand to see the most likely to interest that exceedingly unpleasant
counterfoils, but we have not reached that stage old person.”
yet. I don’t suppose they remember faces in so “It certainly did that. But what are your alter-
busy a place. Let us venture it.” natives?”
“I am sorry to trouble you,” said he, in his “I could mention several. You must admit
blandest manner, to the young woman behind the that it is curious and suggestive that this incident
grating; “there is some small mistake about a tele- should occur on the eve of this important match,
gram I sent yesterday. I have had no answer, and and should involve the only man whose presence
I very much fear that I must have omitted to put seems essential to the success of the side. It may,
my name at the end. Could you tell me if this was of course, be coincidence, but it is interesting. Am-
so?” ateur sport is free from betting, but a good deal of
The young woman turned over a sheaf of coun- outside betting goes on among the public, and it
terfoils. is possible that it might be worth someone’s while
“What o’clock was it?” she asked. to get at a player as the ruffians of the turf get at
a race-horse. There is one explanation. A second
“A little after six.”
very obvious one is that this young man really is
“Whom was it to?” the heir of a great property, however modest his
Holmes put his finger to his lips and glanced at means may at present be, and it is not impossible
me. “The last words in it were ‘for God’s sake,’ ” that a plot to hold him for ransom might be con-
he whispered, confidentially; “I am very anxious cocted.”
at getting no answer.” “These theories take no account of the tele-
The young woman separated one of the forms. gram.”
“This is it. There is no name,” said she, smooth- “Quite true, Watson. The telegram still remains
ing it out upon the counter. the only solid thing with which we have to deal,
“Then that, of course, accounts for my getting and we must not permit our attention to wander
no answer,” said Holmes. “Dear me, how very away from it. It is to gain light upon the purpose
stupid of me, to be sure! Good morning, miss, and of this telegram that we are now upon our way
many thanks for having relieved my mind.” He to Cambridge. The path of our investigation is
chuckled and rubbed his hands when we found at present obscure, but I shall be very much sur-
ourselves in the street once more. prised if before evening we have not cleared it up
or made a considerable advance along it.”
“Well?” I asked.
It was already dark when we reached the old
“We progress, my dear Watson, we progress. I University city. Holmes took a cab at the station,
had seven different schemes for getting a glimpse and ordered the man to drive to the house of Dr.
of that telegram, but I could hardly hope to suc- Leslie Armstrong. A few minutes later we had
ceed the very first time.” stopped at a large mansion in the busiest thor-
“And what have you gained?” oughfare. We were shown in, and after a long wait
“A starting-point for our investigation.” He were at last admitted into the consulting-room,
hailed a cab. “King’s Cross Station,” said he. where we found the doctor seated behind his ta-
ble.
“We have a journey, then?”
It argues the degree in which I had lost touch
“Yes; I think we must run down to Cambridge
with my profession that the name of Leslie Arm-
together. All the indications seem to me to point
strong was unknown to me. Now I am aware that
in that direction.”
he is not only one of the heads of the medical
“Tell me,” I asked, as we rattled up Gray’s Inn school of the University, but a thinker of European
Road, “have you any suspicion yet as to the cause reputation in more than one branch of science.
of the disappearance? I don’t think that among all Yet even without knowing his brilliant record one
our cases I have known one where the motives are could not fail to be impressed by a mere glance
more obscure. Surely you don’t really imagine that at the man, the square, massive face, the brood-
he may be kidnapped in order to give information ing eyes under the thatched brows, and the gran-
against his wealthy uncle?” ite moulding of the inflexible jaw. A man of deep
“I confess, my dear Watson, that that does not character, a man with an alert mind, grim, ascetic,
appeal to me as a very probable explanation. It self-contained, formidable—so I read Dr. Leslie

549
 The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter

Armstrong. He held my friend’s card in his hand, “No, I have not.”

and he looked up with no very pleased expression “Was Mr. Staunton a healthy man?”
upon his dour features. “Absolutely.”
“I have heard your name, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, “Did you ever know him ill?”
and I am aware of your profession, one of which I “Never.”
by no means approve.”
Holmes popped a sheet of paper before the
“In that, doctor, you will find yourself in agree- doctor’s eyes. “Then perhaps you will explain
ment with every criminal in the country,” said my this receipted bill for thirteen guineas, paid by Mr.
friend, quietly. Godfrey Staunton last month to Dr. Leslie Arm-
“So far as your efforts are directed towards the strong of Cambridge. I picked it out from among
suppression of crime, sir, they must have the sup- the papers upon his desk.”
port of every reasonable member of the commu- The doctor flushed with anger.
nity, though I cannot doubt that the official ma- “I do not feel that there is any reason why I
chinery is amply sufficient for the purpose. Where should render an explanation to you, Mr. Holmes.”
your calling is more open to criticism is when you
Holmes replaced the bill in his note-book. “If
pry into the secrets of private individuals, when
you prefer a public explanation it must come
you rake up family matters which are better hid-
sooner or later,” said he. “I have already told you
den, and when you incidentally waste the time of
that I can hush up that which others will be bound
men who are more busy than yourself. At the
to publish, and you would really be wiser to take
present moment, for example, I should be writing
me into your complete confidence.”
a treatise instead of conversing with you.”
“I know nothing about it.”
“No doubt, doctor; and yet the conversation
“Did you hear from Mr. Staunton in London?”
may prove more important than the treatise. In-
cidentally I may tell you that we are doing the re- “Certainly not.”
verse of what you very justly blame, and that we “Dear me, dear me; the post-office again!”
are endeavouring to prevent anything like public Holmes sighed, wearily. “A most urgent telegram
exposure of private matters which must necessar- was dispatched to you from London by Godfrey
ily follow when once the case is fairly in the hands Staunton at six-fifteen yesterday evening—a tele-
of the official police. You may look upon me sim- gram which is undoubtedly associated with his
ply as an irregular pioneer who goes in front of the disappearance—and yet you have not had it. It
regular forces of the country. I have come to ask is most culpable. I shall certainly go down to the
you about Mr. Godfrey Staunton.” office here and register a complaint.”
“What about him?” Dr. Leslie Armstrong sprang up from behind
his desk, and his dark face was crimson with fury.
“You know him, do you not?”
“I’ll trouble you to walk out of my house, sir,”
“He is an intimate friend of mine.” said he. “You can tell your employer, Lord Mount-
“You are aware that he has disappeared?” James, that I do not wish to have anything to do
“Ah, indeed!” There was no change of expres- either with him or with his agents. No, sir, not an-
sion in the rugged features of the doctor. other word!” He rang the bell furiously. “John,
show these gentlemen out!” A pompous butler
“He left his hotel last night. He has not been
ushered us severely to the door, and we found our-
heard of.”
selves in the street. Holmes burst out laughing.
“No doubt he will return.” “Dr. Leslie Armstrong is certainly a man of en-
“To-morrow is the ’Varsity football match.” ergy and character,” said he. “I have not seen a
“I have no sympathy with these childish man who, if he turned his talents that way, was
games. The young man’s fate interests me deeply, more calculated to fill the gap left by the illustri-
since I know him and like him. The football match ous Moriarty. And now, my poor Watson, here
does not come within my horizon at all.” we are, stranded and friendless in this inhospitable
town, which we cannot leave without abandoning
“I claim your sympathy, then, in my investiga-
our case. This little inn just opposite Armstrong’s
tion of Mr. Staunton’s fate. Do you know where he
house is singularly adapted to our needs. If you
is?”
would engage a front room and purchase the nec-
“Certainly not.” essaries for the night, I may have time to make a
“You have not seen him since yesterday?” few inquiries.”

550
 The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter

These few inquiries proved, however, to be a impede the passage of my bicycle. Nothing could
more lengthy proceeding than Holmes had imag- have been more admirable than his way of putting
ined, for he did not return to the inn until nearly it. I at once rode past the carriage, and, keeping to
nine o’clock. He was pale and dejected, stained the main road, I went on for a few miles, and then
with dust, and exhausted with hunger and fatigue. halted in a convenient place to see if the carriage
A cold supper was ready upon the table, and when passed. There was no sign of it, however, and so
his needs were satisfied and his pipe alight he was it became evident that it had turned down one of
ready to take that half comic and wholly philo- several side roads which I had observed. I rode
sophic view which was natural to him when his back, but again saw nothing of the carriage, and
affairs were going awry. The sound of carriage now, as you perceive, it has returned after me. Of
wheels caused him to rise and glance out of the course, I had at the outset no particular reason to
window. A brougham and pair of greys under the connect these journeys with the disappearance of
glare of a gas-lamp stood before the doctor’s door. Godfrey Staunton, and was only inclined to inves-
“It’s been out three hours,” said Holmes; tigate them on the general grounds that everything
“started at half-past six, and here it is back again. which concerns Dr. Armstrong is at present of in-
That gives a radius of ten or twelve miles, and he terest to us; but, now that I find he keeps so keen
does it once, or sometimes twice, a day.” a look-out upon anyone who may follow him on
these excursions, the affair appears more impor-
“No unusual thing for a doctor in practice.” tant, and I shall not be satisfied until I have made
“But Armstrong is not really a doctor in prac- the matter clear.”
tice. He is a lecturer and a consultant, but he does “We can follow him to-morrow.”
not care for general practice, which distracts him
“Can we? It is not so easy as you seem to think.
from his literary work. Why, then, does he make
You are not familiar with Cambridgeshire scenery,
these long journeys, which must be exceedingly
are you? It does not lend itself to concealment.
irksome to him, and who is it that he visits?”
All this country that I passed over to-night is as
“His coachman—” flat and clean as the palm of your hand, and the
“My dear Watson, can you doubt that it was to man we are following is no fool, as he very clearly
him that I first applied? I do not know whether it showed to-night. I have wired to Overton to let
came from his own innate depravity or from the us know any fresh London developments at this
promptings of his master, but he was rude enough address, and in the meantime we can only con-
to set a dog at me. Neither dog nor man liked centrate our attention upon Dr. Armstrong, whose
the look of my stick, however, and the matter fell name the obliging young lady at the office allowed
through. Relations were strained after that, and me to read upon the counterfoil of Staunton’s ur-
further inquiries out of the question. All that I gent message. He knows where the young man
have learned I got from a friendly native in the is—to that I’ll swear—and if he knows, then it
yard of our own inn. It was he who told me of the must be our own fault if we cannot manage to
doctor’s habits and of his daily journey. At that in- know also. At present it must be admitted that
stant, to give point to his words, the carriage came the odd trick is in his possession, and, as you are
round to the door.” aware, Watson, it is not my habit to leave the game
in that condition.”
“Could you not follow it?”
And yet the next day brought us no nearer to
“Excellent, Watson! You are scintillating this the solution of the mystery. A note was handed in
evening. The idea did cross my mind. There is, as after breakfast, which Holmes passed across to me
you may have observed, a bicycle shop next to our with a smile.
inn. Into this I rushed, engaged a bicycle, and was
able to get started before the carriage was quite out Sir [it ran]:
of sight. I rapidly overtook it, and then, keeping I can assure you that you are wasting
at a discreet distance of a hundred yards or so, I your time in dogging my movements.
followed its lights until we were clear of the town. I have, as you discovered last night, a
We had got well out on the country road when a window at the back of my brougham,
somewhat mortifying incident occurred. The car- and if you desire a twenty-mile ride
riage stopped, the doctor alighted, walked swiftly which will lead you to the spot from
back to where I had also halted, and told me in an which you started, you have only to
excellent sardonic fashion that he feared the road follow me. Meanwhile, I can inform
was narrow, and that he hoped his carriage did not you that no spying upon me can in any

551
 The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter

way help Mr. Godfrey Staunton, and I “Yes, the local evening paper has an excellent
am convinced that the best service you account in its last edition. Oxford won by a goal
can do to that gentleman is to return at and two tries. The last sentences of the description
once to London and to report to your say:
employer that you are unable to trace “ ‘The defeat of the Light Blues may be
him. Your time in Cambridge will cer- entirely attributed to the unfortunate ab-
tainly be wasted. sence of the crack International, Godfrey
Yours faithfully, Staunton, whose want was felt at every in-
Leslie Armstrong. stant of the game. The lack of combination
in the three-quarter line and their weak-
“An outspoken, honest antagonist is the doc- ness both in attack and defence more than
tor,” said Holmes. “Well, well, he excites my cu- neutralized the efforts of a heavy and hard-
riosity, and I must really know more before I leave working pack.’ ”
him.” “Then our friend Overton’s forebodings have been
“His carriage is at his door now,” said I. “There justified,” said Holmes. “Personally I am in agree-
he is stepping into it. I saw him glance up at our ment with Dr. Armstrong, and football does not
window as he did so. Suppose I try my luck upon come within my horizon. Early to bed to-night,
the bicycle?” Watson, for I foresee that to-morrow may be an
eventful day.”
“No, no, my dear Watson! With all respect for
your natural acumen I do not think that you are I was horrified by my first glimpse of Holmes
quite a match for the worthy doctor. I think that next morning, for he sat by the fire holding his
possibly I can attain our end by some independent tiny hypodermic syringe. I associated that instru-
explorations of my own. I am afraid that I must ment with the single weakness of his nature, and
leave you to your own devices, as the appearance I feared the worst when I saw it glittering in his
of two inquiring strangers upon a sleepy country- hand. He laughed at my expression of dismay, and
side might excite more gossip than I care for. No laid it upon the table.
doubt you will find some sights to amuse you in “No, no, my dear fellow, there is no cause for
this venerable city, and I hope to bring back a more alarm. It is not upon this occasion the instrument
favourable report to you before evening.” of evil, but it will rather prove to be the key which
Once more, however, my friend was destined will unlock our mystery. On this syringe I base
to be disappointed. He came back at night weary all my hopes. I have just returned from a small
and unsuccessful. scouting expedition and everything is favourable.
Eat a good breakfast, Watson, for I propose to get
“I have had a blank day, Watson. Having upon Dr. Armstrong’s trail to-day, and once on it I
got the doctor’s general direction, I spent the will not stop for rest or food until I run him to his
day in visiting all the villages upon that side of burrow.”
Cambridge, and comparing notes with publicans
and other local news agencies. I have covered “In that case,” said I, “we had best carry our
some ground: Chesterton, Histon, Waterbeach, breakfast with us, for he is making an early start.
and Oakington have each been explored and have His carriage is at the door.”
each proved disappointing. The daily appearance “Never mind. Let him go. He will be clever if
of a brougham and pair could hardly have been he can drive where I cannot follow him. When you
overlooked in such Sleepy Hollows. The doctor have finished come downstairs with me, and I will
has scored once more. Is there a telegram for me?” introduce you to a detective who is a very eminent
specialist in the work that lies before us.”
“Yes; I opened it. Here it is:
When we descended I followed Holmes into
“ ‘Ask for Pompey from Jeremy Dixon,
the stable yard, where he opened the door of a
Trinity College.’
loose-box and led out a squat, lop-eared, white-
“I don’t understand it.” and-tan dog, something between a beagle and a
“Oh, it is clear enough. It is from our friend foxhound.
Overton, and is in answer to a question from me. “Let me introduce you to Pompey,” said he.
I’ll just send round a note to Mr. Jeremy Dixon, “Pompey is the pride of the local draghounds,
and then I have no doubt that our luck will turn. no very great flier, as his build will show, but a
By the way, is there any news of the match?” staunch hound on a scent. Well, Pompey, you may

552
 The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter

not be fast, but I expect you will be too fast for and knocked again without response. And yet the
a couple of middle-aged London gentlemen, so I cottage was not deserted, for a low sound came to
will take the liberty of fastening this leather leash our ears—a kind of drone of misery and despair,
to your collar. Now, boy, come along, and show which was indescribably melancholy. Holmes
what you can do.” He led him across to the doc- paused irresolute, and then he glanced back at the
tor’s door. The dog sniffed round for an instant, road which we had just traversed. A brougham
and then with a shrill whine of excitement started was coming down it, and there could be no mis-
off down the street, tugging at his leash in his ef- taking those grey horses.
forts to go faster. In half an hour, we were clear of “By Jove, the doctor is coming back!” cried
the town and hastening down a country road. Holmes. “That settles it. We are bound to see what
“What have you done, Holmes?” I asked. it means before he comes.”
“A threadbare and venerable device, but useful He opened the door and we stepped into the
upon occasion. I walked into the doctor’s yard this hall. The droning sound swelled louder upon our
morning and shot my syringe full of aniseed over ears until it became one long, deep wail of distress.
the hind wheel. A draghound will follow aniseed It came from upstairs. Holmes darted up and I
from here to John o’ Groat’s, and our friend Arm- followed him. He pushed open a half-closed door
strong would have to drive through the Cam be- and we both stood appalled at the sight before us.
fore he would shake Pompey off his trail. Oh, the A woman, young and beautiful, was lying dead
cunning rascal! This is how he gave me the slip upon the bed. Her calm, pale face, with dim,
the other night.” wide-opened blue eyes, looked upward from amid
The dog had suddenly turned out of the main a great tangle of golden hair. At the foot of the
road into a grass-grown lane. Half a mile farther bed, half sitting, half kneeling, his face buried in
this opened into another broad road, and the trail the clothes, was a young man, whose frame was
turned hard to the right in the direction of the racked by his sobs. So absorbed was he by his bit-
town, which we had just quitted. The road took ter grief that he never looked up until Holmes’s
a sweep to the south of the town and continued in hand was on his shoulder.
the opposite direction to that in which we started. “Are you Mr. Godfrey Staunton?”
“This détour has been entirely for our benefit, “Yes, yes; I am—but you are too late. She is
then?” said Holmes. “No wonder that my in- dead.”
quiries among those villages led to nothing. The
doctor has certainly played the game for all it is The man was so dazed that he could not
worth, and one would like to know the reason for be made to understand that we were anything
such elaborate deception. This should be the vil- but doctors who had been sent to his assistance.
lage of Trumpington to the right of us. And, by Holmes was endeavouring to utter a few words of
Jove! here is the brougham coming round the cor- consolation, and to explain the alarm which had
ner. Quick, Watson, quick, or we are done!” been caused to his friends by his sudden disap-
pearance, when there was a step upon the stairs,
He sprang through a gate into a field, dragging and there was the heavy, stern, questioning face of
the reluctant Pompey after him. We had hardly got Dr. Armstrong at the door.
under the shelter of the hedge when the carriage
rattled past. I caught a glimpse of Dr. Armstrong “So, gentlemen,” said he, “you have attained
within, his shoulders bowed, his head sunk on his your end, and have certainly chosen a particularly
hands, the very image of distress. I could tell by delicate moment for your intrusion. I would not
my companion’s graver face that he also had seen. brawl in the presence of death, but I can assure
you that if I were a younger man your monstrous
“I fear there is some dark ending to our quest,” conduct would not pass with impunity.”
said he. “It cannot be long before we know it.
Come, Pompey! Ah, it is the cottage in the field!” “Excuse me, Dr. Armstrong, I think we are a
little at cross-purposes,” said my friend, with dig-
There could be no doubt that we had reached nity. “If you could step downstairs with us we may
the end of our journey. Pompey ran about and each be able to give some light to the other upon
whined eagerly outside the gate where the marks this miserable affair.”
of the brougham’s wheels were still to be seen. A
footpath led across to the lonely cottage. Holmes A minute later the grim doctor and ourselves
tied the dog to the hedge, and we hastened on- were in the sitting-room below.
wards. My friend knocked at the little rustic door, “Well, sir?” said he.

553
 “I wish you to understand, in the first place, best to keep the thing from everyone, for when
that I am not employed by Lord Mount-James, once such a whisper gets about it is not long be-
and that my sympathies in this matter are entirely fore everyone has heard it. Thanks to this lonely
against that nobleman. When a man is lost it is cottage and his own discretion, Godfrey has up to
my duty to ascertain his fate, but having done so now succeeded. Their secret was known to no one
the matter ends so far as I am concerned; and so save to me and to one excellent servant who has
long as there is nothing criminal, I am much more at present gone for assistance to Trumpington. But
anxious to hush up private scandals than to give at last there came a terrible blow in the shape of
them publicity. If, as I imagine, there is no breach dangerous illness to his wife. It was consumption
of the law in this matter, you can absolutely de- of the most virulent kind. The poor boy was half
pend upon my discretion and my co-operation in crazed with grief, and yet he had to go to London
keeping the facts out of the papers.” to play this match, for he could not get out of it
Dr. Armstrong took a quick step forward and without explanations which would expose his se-
wrung Holmes by the hand. cret. I tried to cheer him up by a wire, and he sent
me one in reply imploring me to do all I could.
“You are a good fellow,” said he. “I had mis-
This was the telegram which you appear in some
judged you. I thank Heaven that my compunction
inexplicable way to have seen. I did not tell him
at leaving poor Staunton all alone in this plight
how urgent the danger was, for I knew that he
caused me to turn my carriage back, and so to
could do no good here, but I sent the truth to the
make your acquaintance. Knowing as much as
girl’s father, and he very injudiciously communi-
you do, the situation is very easily explained. A
cated it to Godfrey. The result was that he came
year ago Godfrey Staunton lodged in London for
straight away in a state bordering on frenzy, and
a time, and became passionately attached to his
has remained in the same state, kneeling at the end
landlady’s daughter, whom he married. She was
of her bed, until this morning death put an end to
as good as she was beautiful, and as intelligent as
her sufferings. That is all, Mr. Holmes, and I am
she was good. No man need be ashamed of such a
sure that I can rely upon your discretion and that
wife. But Godfrey was the heir to this crabbed old
of your friend.”
nobleman, and it was quite certain that the news
of his marriage would have been the end of his in- Holmes grasped the doctor’s hand.
heritance. I knew the lad well, and I loved him for “Come, Watson,” said he, and we passed from
his many excellent qualities. I did all I could to that house of grief into the pale sunlight of the
help him to keep things straight. We did our very winter day.
The Adventure of the Abbey Grange
I
The Adventure of the Abbey Grange

t was on a bitterly cold and frosty morn- “I will, my dear Watson, I will. At present I am,
ing during the winter of ’97 that I was as you know, fairly busy, but I propose to devote
awakened by a tugging at my shoulder. my declining years to the composition of a text-
It was Holmes. The candle in his hand book which shall focus the whole art of detection
shone upon his eager, stooping face and told me into one volume. Our present research appears to
at a glance that something was amiss. be a case of murder.”
“Come, Watson, come!” he cried. “The game is “You think this Sir Eustace is dead, then?”
afoot. Not a word! Into your clothes and come!” “I should say so. Hopkins’s writing shows con-
Ten minutes later we were both in a cab and rat- siderable agitation, and he is not an emotional
tling through the silent streets on our way to Char- man. Yes, I gather there has been violence, and
ing Cross Station. The first faint winter’s dawn that the body is left for our inspection. A mere sui-
was beginning to appear, and we could dimly see cide would not have caused him to send for me. As
the occasional figure of an early workman as he to the release of the lady, it would appear that she
passed us, blurred and indistinct in the opalescent has been locked in her room during the tragedy.
London reek. Holmes nestled in silence into his We are moving in high life, Watson; crackling pa-
heavy coat, and I was glad to do the same, for the per, ‘E.B.’ monogram, coat-of-arms, picturesque
air was most bitter and neither of us had broken address. I think that friend Hopkins will live up
our fast. It was not until we had consumed some to his reputation and that we shall have an inter-
hot tea at the station, and taken our places in the esting morning. The crime was committed before
Kentish train, that we were sufficiently thawed, he twelve last night.”
to speak and I to listen. Holmes drew a note from “How can you possibly tell?”
his pocket and read it aloud:
“By an inspection of the trains and by reckon-
ing the time. The local police had to be called
“Abbey Grange, Marsham, Kent, in, they had to communicate with Scotland Yard,
“3.30 a.m. Hopkins had to go out, and he in turn had to send
“My dear Mr. Holmes: for me. All that makes a fair night’s work. Well,
“I should be very glad of your imme- here we are at Chislehurst Station, and we shall
diate assistance in what promises to be soon set our doubts at rest.”
a most remarkable case. It is something
A drive of a couple of miles through narrow
quite in your line. Except for releas-
country lanes brought us to a park gate, which
ing the lady I will see that everything
was opened for us by an old lodge-keeper, whose
is kept exactly as I have found it, but I
haggard face bore the reflection of some great dis-
beg you not to lose an instant, as it is
aster. The avenue ran through a noble park, be-
difficult to leave Sir Eustace there.
tween lines of ancient elms, and ended in a low,
“Yours faithfully, widespread house, pillared in front after the fash-
“Stanley Hopkins.” ion of Palladio. The central part was evidently of
a great age and shrouded in ivy, but the large win-
“Hopkins has called me in seven times, and on dows showed that modern changes had been car-
each occasion his summons has been entirely jus- ried out, and one wing of the house appeared to be
tified,” said Holmes. “I fancy that every one of his entirely new. The youthful figure and alert, eager
cases has found its way into your collection, and I face of Inspector Stanley Hopkins confronted us in
must admit, Watson, that you have some power of the open doorway.
selection which atones for much which I deplore in
your narratives. Your fatal habit of looking at ev- “I’m very glad you have come, Mr. Holmes.
erything from the point of view of a story instead And you too, Dr. Watson! But, indeed, if I had my
of as a scientific exercise has ruined what might time over again I should not have troubled you, for
have been an instructive and even classical series since the lady has come to herself she has given so
of demonstrations. You slur over work of the ut- clear an account of the affair that there is not much
most finesse and delicacy in order to dwell upon left for us to do. You remember that Lewisham
sensational details which may excite, but cannot gang of burglars?”
possibly instruct, the reader.” “What, the three Randalls?”
“Why do you not write them yourself?” I said, “Exactly; the father and two sons. It’s their
with some bitterness. work. I have not a doubt of it. They did a job at

557
 The Adventure of the Abbey Grange

Sydenham a fortnight ago, and were seen and de- is no use my attempting to conceal that our mar-
scribed. Rather cool to do another so soon and so riage has not been a happy one. I fear that all
near, but it is they, beyond all doubt. It’s a hanging our neighbours would tell you that, even if I were
matter this time.” to attempt to deny it. Perhaps the fault may be
“Sir Eustace is dead, then?” partly mine. I was brought up in the freer, less
conventional atmosphere of South Australia, and
“Yes; his head was knocked in with his own
this English life, with its proprieties and its prim-
poker.”
ness, is not congenial to me. But the main reason
“Sir Eustace Brackenstall, the driver tells me.” lies in the one fact which is notorious to every-
“Exactly—one of the richest men in Kent. Lady one, and that is that Sir Eustace was a confirmed
Brackenstall is in the morning-room. Poor lady, drunkard. To be with such a man for an hour is
she has had a most dreadful experience. She unpleasant. Can you imagine what it means for
seemed half dead when I saw her first. I think you a sensitive and high-spirited woman to be tied to
had best see her and hear her account of the facts. him for day and night? It is a sacrilege, a crime, a
Then we will examine the dining-room together.” villainy to hold that such a marriage is binding. I
Lady Brackenstall was no ordinary person. Sel- say that these monstrous laws of yours will bring
dom have I seen so graceful a figure, so wom- a curse upon the land—Heaven will not let such
anly a presence, and so beautiful a face. She was wickedness endure.” For an instant she sat up, her
a blonde, golden-haired, blue-eyed, and would, cheeks flushed, and her eyes blazing from under
no doubt, have had the perfect complexion which the terrible mark upon her brow. Then the strong,
goes with such colouring had not her recent ex- soothing hand of the austere maid drew her head
perience left her drawn and haggard. Her suffer- down on to the cushion, and the wild anger died
ings were physical as well as mental, for over one away into passionate sobbing. At last she contin-
eye rose a hideous, plum-coloured swelling, which ued:—
her maid, a tall, austere woman, was bathing as- “I will tell you about last night. You are aware,
siduously with vinegar and water. The lady lay perhaps, that in this house all servants sleep in the
back exhausted upon a couch, but her quick, ob- modern wing. This central block is made up of the
servant gaze as we entered the room, and the alert dwelling-rooms, with the kitchen behind and our
expression of her beautiful features, showed that bedroom above. My maid Theresa sleeps above
neither her wits nor her courage had been shaken my room. There is no one else, and no sound
by her terrible experience. She was enveloped in a could alarm those who are in the farther wing.
loose dressing-gown of blue and silver, but a black This must have been well known to the robbers,
sequin-covered dinner-dress was hung upon the or they would not have acted as they did.
couch beside her. “Sir Eustace retired about half-past ten. The
“I have told you all that happened, Mr. Hop- servants had already gone to their quarters. Only
kins,” she said, wearily; “could you not repeat it my maid was up, and she had remained in her
for me? Well, if you think it necessary, I will tell room at the top of the house until I needed her
these gentlemen what occurred. Have they been in services. I sat until after eleven in this room, ab-
the dining-room yet?” sorbed in a book. Then I walked round to see that
“I thought they had better hear your ladyship’s all was right before I went upstairs. It was my cus-
story first.” tom to do this myself, for, as I have explained, Sir
“I shall be glad when you can arrange matters. Eustace was not always to be trusted. I went into
It is horrible to me to think of him still lying there.” the kitchen, the butler’s pantry, the gun-room, the
She shuddered and buried her face in her hands. billiard-room, the drawing-room, and finally the
As she did so the loose gown fell back from her dining-room. As I approached the window, which
forearms. Holmes uttered an exclamation. is covered with thick curtains, I suddenly felt the
wind blow upon my face and realized that it was
“You have other injuries, madam! What is
open. I flung the curtain aside and found myself
this?” Two vivid red spots stood out on one of the
face to face with a broad-shouldered, elderly man
white, round limbs. She hastily covered it.
who had just stepped into the room. The window
“It is nothing. It has no connection with the is a long French one, which really forms a door
hideous business of last night. If you and your leading to the lawn. I held my bedroom candle
friend will sit down I will tell you all I can. lit in my hand, and, by its light, behind the first
“I am the wife of Sir Eustace Brackenstall. I man I saw two others, who were in the act of en-
have been married about a year. I suppose that it tering. I stepped back, but the fellow was on me

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 The Adventure of the Abbey Grange

in an instant. He caught me first by the wrist and was enough to drive a woman out of her wits, tied
then by the throat. I opened my mouth to scream, there, and her very dress spotted with him; but she
but he struck me a savage blow with his fist over never wanted courage, did Miss Mary Fraser of
the eye, and felled me to the ground. I must have Adelaide, and Lady Brackenstall of Abbey Grange
been unconscious for a few minutes, for when I hasn’t learned new ways. You’ve questioned her
came to myself I found that they had torn down long enough, you gentlemen, and now she is com-
the bell-rope and had secured me tightly to the ing to her own room, just with her old Theresa, to
oaken chair which stands at the head of the dining- get the rest that she badly needs.”
room table. I was so firmly bound that I could not With a motherly tenderness the gaunt woman
move, and a handkerchief round my mouth pre- put her arm round her mistress and led her from
vented me from uttering any sound. It was at this the room.
instant that my unfortunate husband entered the
room. He had evidently heard some suspicious “She has been with her all her life,” said Hop-
sounds, and he came prepared for such a scene as kins. “Nursed her as a baby, and came with her
he found. He was dressed in his shirt and trousers, to England when they first left Australia eighteen
with his favourite blackthorn cudgel in his hand. months ago. Theresa Wright is her name, and the
He rushed at one of the burglars, but another—it kind of maid you don’t pick up nowadays. This
was the elderly man—stooped, picked the poker way, Mr. Holmes, if you please!”
out of the grate, and struck him a horrible blow The keen interest had passed out of Holmes’s
as he passed. He fell without a groan, and never expressive face, and I knew that with the mystery
moved again. I fainted once more, but again it all the charm of the case had departed. There still
could only have been a very few minutes during remained an arrest to be effected, but what were
which I was insensible. When I opened my eyes these commonplace rogues that he should soil his
I found that they had collected the silver from the hands with them? An abstruse and learned spe-
sideboard, and they had drawn a bottle of wine cialist who finds that he has been called in for a
which stood there. Each of them had a glass in his case of measles would experience something of the
hand. I have already told you, have I not, that one annoyance which I read in my friend’s eyes. Yet
was elderly, with a beard, and the others young, the scene in the dining-room of the Abbey Grange
hairless lads. They might have been a father with was sufficiently strange to arrest his attention and
his two sons. They talked together in whispers. to recall his waning interest.
Then they came over and made sure that I was It was a very large and high chamber, with
still securely bound. Finally they withdrew, clos- carved oak ceiling, oaken panelling, and a fine ar-
ing the window after them. It was quite a quarter ray of deer’s heads and ancient weapons around
of an hour before I got my mouth free. When I the walls. At the farther end from the door was
did so my screams brought the maid to my assis- the high French window of which we had heard.
tance. The other servants were soon alarmed, and Three smaller windows on the right-hand side
we sent for the local police, who instantly com- filled the apartment with cold winter sunshine. On
municated with London. That is really all that I the left was a large, deep fireplace, with a mas-
can tell you, gentlemen, and I trust that it will not sive, over-hanging oak mantelpiece. Beside the
be necessary for me to go over so painful a story fireplace was a heavy oaken chair with arms and
again.” cross-bars at the bottom. In and out through the
“Any questions, Mr. Holmes?” asked Hopkins. open woodwork was woven a crimson cord, which
was secured at each side to the crosspiece below.
“I will not impose any further tax upon Lady In releasing the lady the cord had been slipped off
Brackenstall’s patience and time,” said Holmes. her, but the knots with which it had been secured
“Before I go into the dining-room I should like to still remained. These details only struck our at-
hear your experience.” He looked at the maid. tention afterwards, for our thoughts were entirely
“I saw the men before ever they came into the absorbed by the terrible object which lay upon the
house,” said she. “As I sat by my bedroom win- tiger-skin hearthrug in front of the fire.
dow I saw three men in the moonlight down by It was the body of a tall, well-made man, about
the lodge gate yonder, but I thought nothing of it forty years of age. He lay upon his back, his face
at the time. It was more than an hour after that I upturned, with his white teeth grinning through
heard my mistress scream, and down I ran, to find his short black beard. His two clenched hands
her, poor lamb, just as she says, and him on the were raised above his head, and a heavy black-
floor with his blood and brains over the room. It thorn stick lay across them. His dark, handsome,

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 The Adventure of the Abbey Grange

aquiline features were convulsed into a spasm of where it had snapped off when the burglar had
vindictive hatred, which had set his dead face in dragged it down.
a terribly fiendish expression. He had evidently “When this was pulled down the bell in the
been in his bed when the alarm had broken out, for kitchen must have rung loudly,” he remarked.
he wore a foppish embroidered night-shirt, and his “No one could hear it. The kitchen stands right
bare feet projected from his trousers. His head was at the back of the house.”
horribly injured, and the whole room bore witness “How did the burglar know no one would hear
to the savage ferocity of the blow which had struck it? How dared he pull at a bell-rope in that reck-
him down. Beside him lay the heavy poker, bent less fashion?”
into a curve by the concussion. Holmes examined
“Exactly, Mr. Holmes, exactly. You put the
both it and the indescribable wreck which it had
very question which I have asked myself again
wrought.
and again. There can be no doubt that this fel-
“He must be a powerful man, this elder Ran- low must have known the house and its habits. He
dall,” he remarked. must have perfectly understood that the servants
“Yes,” said Hopkins. “I have some record of would all be in bed at that comparatively early
the fellow, and he is a rough customer.” hour, and that no one could possibly hear a bell
“You should have no difficulty in getting him.” ring in the kitchen. Therefore he must have been
in close league with one of the servants. Surely
“Not the slightest. We have been on the look- that is evident. But there are eight servants, and
out for him, and there was some idea that he had all of good character.”
got away to America. Now that we know the gang
“Other things being equal,” said Holmes, “one
are here I don’t see how they can escape. We have
would suspect the one at whose head the mas-
the news at every seaport already, and a reward
ter threw a decanter. And yet that would in-
will be offered before evening. What beats me is
volve treachery towards the mistress to whom this
how they could have done so mad a thing, know-
woman seems devoted. Well, well, the point is a
ing that the lady could describe them, and that we
minor one, and when you have Randall you will
could not fail to recognise the description.”
probably find no difficulty in securing his accom-
“Exactly. One would have expected that they plice. The lady’s story certainly seems to be cor-
would have silenced Lady Brackenstall as well.” roborated, if it needed corroboration, by every de-
“They may not have realized,” I suggested, tail which we see before us.” He walked to the
“that she had recovered from her faint.” French window and threw it open. “There are no
“That is likely enough. If she seemed to be signs here, but the ground is iron hard, and one
senseless they would not take her life. What about would not expect them. I see that these candles on
this poor fellow, Hopkins? I seem to have heard the mantelpiece have been lighted.”
some queer stories about him.” “Yes; it was by their light and that of the lady’s
bedroom candle that the burglars saw their way
“He was a good-hearted man when he was
about.”
sober, but a perfect fiend when he was drunk, or
“And what did they take?”
rather when he was half drunk, for he seldom re-
ally went the whole way. The devil seemed to be “Well, they did not take much—only half-a-
in him at such times, and he was capable of any- dozen articles of plate off the sideboard. Lady
thing. From what I hear, in spite of all his wealth Brackenstall thinks that they were themselves so
and his title, he very nearly came our way once or disturbed by the death of Sir Eustace that they
twice. There was a scandal about his drenching a did not ransack the house as they would otherwise
dog with petroleum and setting it on fire—her la- have done.”
dyship’s dog, to make the matter worse—and that “No doubt that is true. And yet they drank
was only hushed up with difficulty. Then he threw some wine, I understand.”
a decanter at that maid, Theresa Wright; there was “To steady their own nerves.”
trouble about that. On the whole, and between “Exactly. These three glasses upon the side-
ourselves, it will be a brighter house without him. board have been untouched, I suppose?”
What are you looking at now?” “Yes; and the bottle stands as they left it.”
Holmes was down on his knees examining “Let us look at it. Halloa! halloa! what is this?”
with great attention the knots upon the red cord The three glasses were grouped together, all
with which the lady had been secured. Then he of them tinged with wine, and one of them con-
carefully scrutinized the broken and frayed end taining some dregs of bees-wing. The bottle stood

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 The Adventure of the Abbey Grange

near them, two-thirds full, and beside it lay a long, his doubts would settle down upon him again, and
deeply-stained cork. Its appearance and the dust his knitted brows and abstracted eyes would show
upon the bottle showed that it was no common that his thoughts had gone back once more to the
vintage which the murderers had enjoyed. great dining-room of the Abbey Grange in which
A change had come over Holmes’s manner. He this midnight tragedy had been enacted. At last,
had lost his listless expression, and again I saw an by a sudden impulse, just as our train was crawl-
alert light of interest in his keen, deep-set eyes. He ing out of a suburban station, he sprang on to the
raised the cork and examined it minutely. platform and pulled me out after him.
“How did they draw it?” he asked. “Excuse me, my dear fellow,” said he, as we
Hopkins pointed to a half-opened drawer. In it watched the rear carriages of our train disappear-
lay some table linen and a large cork-screw. ing round a curve; “I am sorry to make you the
victim of what may seem a mere whim, but on my
“Did Lady Brackenstall say that screw was
life, Watson, I simply can’t leave that case in this
used?”
condition. Every instinct that I possess cries out
“No; you remember that she was senseless at against it. It’s wrong—it’s all wrong—I’ll swear
the moment when the bottle was opened.” that it’s wrong. And yet the lady’s story was com-
“Quite so. As a matter of fact that screw was plete, the maid’s corroboration was sufficient, the
not used. This bottle was opened by a pocket- detail was fairly exact. What have I to put against
screw, probably contained in a knife, and not more that? Three wine-glasses, that is all. But if I had
than an inch and a half long. If you examine the not taken things for granted, if I had examined ev-
top of the cork you will observe that the screw erything with care which I would have shown had
was driven in three times before the cork was ex- we approached the case de novo and had no cut-
tracted. It has never been transfixed. This long and-dried story to warp my mind, would I not
screw would have transfixed it and drawn it with then have found something more definite to go
a single pull. When you catch this fellow you will upon? Of course I should. Sit down on this bench,
find that he has one of these multiplex knives in Watson, until a train for Chislehurst arrives, and
his possession.” allow me to lay the evidence before you, imploring
you in the first instance to dismiss from your mind
“Excellent!” said Hopkins.
the idea that anything which the maid or her mis-
“But these glasses do puzzle me, I confess. tress may have said must necessarily be true. The
Lady Brackenstall actually saw the three men lady’s charming personality must not be permitted
drinking, did she not?” to warp our judgment.
“Yes; she was clear about that.”
“Surely there are details in her story which, if
“Then there is an end of it. What more is to we looked at it in cold blood, would excite our sus-
be said? And yet you must admit that the three picion. These burglars made a considerable haul at
glasses are very remarkable, Hopkins. What, you Sydenham a fortnight ago. Some account of them
see nothing remarkable! Well, well, let it pass. Per- and of their appearance was in the papers, and
haps when a man has special knowledge and spe- would naturally occur to anyone who wished to
cial powers like my own it rather encourages him invent a story in which imaginary robbers should
to seek a complex explanation when a simpler one play a part. As a matter of fact, burglars who have
is at hand. Of course, it must be a mere chance done a good stroke of business are, as a rule, only
about the glasses. Well, good morning, Hopkins. I too glad to enjoy the proceeds in peace and quiet
don’t see that I can be of any use to you, and you without embarking on another perilous undertak-
appear to have your case very clear. You will let ing. Again, it is unusual for burglars to operate
me know when Randall is arrested, and any fur- at so early an hour; it is unusual for burglars to
ther developments which may occur. I trust that strike a lady to prevent her screaming, since one
I shall soon have to congratulate you upon a suc- would imagine that was the sure way to make her
cessful conclusion. Come, Watson, I fancy that we scream; it is unusual for them to commit murder
may employ ourselves more profitably at home.” when their numbers are sufficient to overpower
During our return journey I could see by one man; it is unusual for them to be content with
Holmes’s face that he was much puzzled by some- a limited plunder when there is much more within
thing which he had observed. Every now and their reach; and finally I should say that it was very
then, by an effort, he would throw off the impres- unusual for such men to leave a bottle half empty.
sion and talk as if the matter were clear, but then How do all these unusuals strike you, Watson?”

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 The Adventure of the Abbey Grange

“Their cumulative effect is certainly consider- off to report to head-quarters, took possession of
able, and yet each of them is quite possible in it- the dining-room, locked the door upon the inside,
self. The most unusual thing of all, as it seems to and devoted himself for two hours to one of those
me, is that the lady should be tied to the chair.” minute and laborious investigations which formed
“Well, I am not so clear about that, Watson; for the solid basis on which his brilliant edifices of de-
it is evident that they must either kill her or else duction were reared. Seated in a corner like an
secure her in such a way that she could not give interested student who observes the demonstra-
immediate notice of their escape. But at any rate I tion of his professor, I followed every step of that
have shown, have I not, that there is a certain ele- remarkable research. The window, the curtains,
ment of improbability about the lady’s story? And the carpet, the chair, the rope—each in turn was
now on the top of this comes the incident of the minutely examined and duly pondered. The body
wine-glasses.” of the unfortunate baronet had been removed, but
all else remained as we had seen it in the morning.
“What about the wine-glasses?” Then, to my astonishment, Holmes climbed up on
“Can you see them in your mind’s eye?” to the massive mantelpiece. Far above his head
“I see them clearly.” hung the few inches of red cord which were still
attached to the wire. For a long time he gazed up-
“We are told that three men drank from them.
ward at it, and then in an attempt to get nearer to it
Does that strike you as likely?”
he rested his knee upon a wooden bracket on the
“Why not? There was wine in each glass.” wall. This brought his hand within a few inches
“Exactly; but there was bees-wing only in one of the broken end of the rope, but it was not this
glass. You must have noticed that fact. What does so much as the bracket itself which seemed to en-
that suggest to your mind?” gage his attention. Finally he sprang down with
“The last glass filled would be most likely to an ejaculation of satisfaction.
contain bees-wing.” “It’s all right, Watson,” said he. “We have got
“Not at all. The bottle was full of it, and it is our case—one of the most remarkable in our col-
inconceivable that the first two glasses were clear lection. But, dear me, how slow-witted I have
and the third heavily charged with it. There are been, and how nearly I have committed the blun-
two possible explanations, and only two. One is der of my lifetime! Now, I think that with a few
that after the second glass was filled the bottle was missing links my chain is almost complete.”
violently agitated, and so the third glass received “You have got your men?”
the bees-wing. That does not appear probable. No,
“Man, Watson, man. Only one, but a very
no; I am sure that I am right.”
formidable person. Strong as a lion—witness the
“What, then, do you suppose?” blow that bent that poker. Six foot three in height,
“That only two glasses were used, and that the active as a squirrel, dexterous with his fingers; fi-
dregs of both were poured into a third glass, so as nally, remarkably quick-witted, for this whole in-
to give the false impression that three people had genious story is of his concoction. Yes, Watson, we
been here. In that way all the bees-wing would be have come upon the handiwork of a very remark-
in the last glass, would it not? Yes, I am convinced able individual. And yet in that bell-rope he has
that this is so. But if I have hit upon the true ex- given us a clue which should not have left us a
planation of this one small phenomenon, then in doubt.”
an instant the case rises from the commonplace to “Where was the clue?”
the exceedingly remarkable, for it can only mean
“Well, if you were to pull down a bell-rope,
that Lady Brackenstall and her maid have deliber-
Watson, where would you expect it to break?
ately lied to us, that not one word of their story
Surely at the spot where it is attached to the wire.
is to be believed, that they have some very strong
Why should it break three inches from the top as
reason for covering the real criminal, and that we
this one has done?”
must construct our case for ourselves without any
help from them. That is the mission which now “Because it is frayed there?”
lies before us, and here, Watson, is the Chislehurst “Exactly. This end, which we can examine, is
train.” frayed. He was cunning enough to do that with his
The household of the Abbey Grange were knife. But the other end is not frayed. You could
much surprised at our return, but Sherlock not observe that from here, but if you were on the
Holmes, finding that Stanley Hopkins had gone mantelpiece you would see that it is cut clean off

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 The Adventure of the Abbey Grange

without any mark of fraying whatever. You can They were married in January of last year. Yes, she
reconstruct what occurred. The man needed the is down in the morning-room again, and I have no
rope. He would not tear it down for fear of giv- doubt she will see you, but you must not ask too
ing the alarm by ringing the bell. What did he do? much of her, for she has gone through all that flesh
He sprang up on the mantelpiece, could not quite and blood will stand.”
reach it, put his knee on the bracket—you will see Lady Brackenstall was reclining on the same
the impression in the dust—and so got his knife to couch, but looked brighter than before. The maid
bear upon the cord. I could not reach the place by had entered with us, and began once more to fo-
at least three inches, from which I infer that he is ment the bruise upon her mistress’s brow.
at least three inches a bigger man than I. Look at
“I hope,” said the lady, “that you have not come
that mark upon the seat of the oaken chair! What
to cross-examine me again?”
is it?”
“No,” Holmes answered, in his gentlest voice,
“Blood.”
“I will not cause you any unnecessary trouble,
“Undoubtedly it is blood. This alone puts the Lady Brackenstall, and my whole desire is to make
lady’s story out of court. If she were seated on things easy for you, for I am convinced that you
the chair when the crime was done, how comes are a much-tried woman. If you will treat me as a
that mark? No, no; she was placed in the chair friend and trust me you may find that I will justify
after the death of her husband. I’ll wager that the your trust.”
black dress shows a corresponding mark to this. “What do you want me to do?”
We have not yet met our Waterloo, Watson, but
“To tell me the truth.”
this is our Marengo, for it begins in defeat and
ends in victory. I should like now to have a few “Mr. Holmes!”
words with the nurse Theresa. We must be wary “No, no, Lady Brackenstall, it is no use. You
for awhile, if we are to get the information which may have heard of any little reputation which I
we want.” possess. I will stake it all on the fact that your
She was an interesting person, this stern Aus- story is an absolute fabrication.”
tralian nurse. Taciturn, suspicious, ungracious, it Mistress and maid were both staring at Holmes
took some time before Holmes’s pleasant manner with pale faces and frightened eyes.
and frank acceptance of all that she said thawed “You are an impudent fellow!” cried Theresa.
her into a corresponding amiability. She did not “Do you mean to say that my mistress has told a
attempt to conceal her hatred for her late employer. lie?”
“Yes, sir, it is true that he threw the decanter Holmes rose from his chair.
at me. I heard him call my mistress a name, and “Have you nothing to tell me?”
I told him that he would not dare to speak so if
her brother had been there. Then it was that he “I have told you everything.”
threw it at me. He might have thrown a dozen if “Think once more, Lady Brackenstall. Would it
he had but left my bonny bird alone. He was for not be better to be frank?”
ever illtreating her, and she too proud to complain. For an instant there was hesitation in her beau-
She will not even tell me all that he has done to tiful face. Then some new strong thought caused
her. She never told me of those marks on her arm it to set like a mask.
that you saw this morning, but I know very well
“I have told you all I know.”
that they come from a stab with a hat-pin. The sly
fiend—Heaven forgive me that I should speak of Holmes took his hat and shrugged his shoul-
him so, now that he is dead, but a fiend he was ders. “I am sorry,” he said, and without another
if ever one walked the earth. He was all honey word we left the room and the house. There was a
when first we met him, only eighteen months ago, pond in the park, and to this my friend led the way.
and we both feel as if it were eighteen years. She It was frozen over, but a single hole was left for the
had only just arrived in London. Yes, it was her convenience of a solitary swan. Holmes gazed at
first voyage—she had never been from home be- it and then passed on to the lodge gate. There he
fore. He won her with his title and his money and scribbled a short note for Stanley Hopkins and left
his false London ways. If she made a mistake she it with the lodge-keeper.
has paid for it, if ever a woman did. What month “It may be a hit or it may be a miss, but we are
did we meet him? Well, I tell you it was just after bound to do something for friend Hopkins, just to
we arrived. We arrived in June, and it was July. justify this second visit,” said he. “I will not quite

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take him into my confidence yet. I think our next know that the stolen silver was at the bottom of
scene of operations must be the shipping office of that pond?”
the Adelaide-Southampton line, which stands at “I didn’t know it.”
the end of Pall Mall, if I remember right. There is a “But you told me to examine it.”
second line of steamers which connect South Aus-
“You got it, then?”
tralia with England, but we will draw the larger
cover first.” “Yes, I got it.”
Holmes’s card sent in to the manager ensured “I am very glad if I have helped you.”
instant attention, and he was not long in acquiring “But you haven’t helped me. You have made
all the information which he needed. In June of the affair far more difficult. What sort of burglars
’95 only one of their line had reached a home port. are they who steal silver and then throw it into the
It was the Rock of Gibraltar, their largest and best nearest pond?”
boat. A reference to the passenger list showed that “It was certainly rather eccentric behaviour. I
Miss Fraser of Adelaide, with her maid, had made was merely going on the idea that if the silver
the voyage in her. The boat was now on her way had been taken by persons who did not want it,
to Australia, somewhere to the south of the Suez who merely took it for a blind as it were, then they
Canal. Her officers were the same as in ’95, with would naturally be anxious to get rid of it.”
one exception. The first officer, Mr. Jack Croker, “But why should such an idea cross your
had been made a captain and was to take charge of mind?”
their new ship, the Bass Rock, sailing in two days’ “Well, I thought it was possible. When they
time from Southampton. He lived at Sydenham, came out through the French window there was
but he was likely to be in that morning for instruc- the pond, with one tempting little hole in the ice,
tions, if we cared to wait for him. right in front of their noses. Could there be a better
No; Mr. Holmes had no desire to see him, but hiding-place?”
would be glad to know more about his record and “Ah, a hiding-place—that is better!” cried Stan-
character. ley Hopkins. “Yes, yes, I see it all now! It was
His record was magnificent. There was not an early, there were folk upon the roads, they were
officer in the fleet to touch him. As to his character, afraid of being seen with the silver, so they sank
he was reliable on duty, but a wild, desperate fel- it in the pond, intending to return for it when the
low off the deck of his ship, hot-headed, excitable, coast was clear. Excellent, Mr. Holmes—that is bet-
but loyal, honest, and kind-hearted. That was the ter than your idea of a blind.”
pith of the information with which Holmes left “Quite so; you have got an admirable theory. I
the office of the Adelaide-Southampton company. have no doubt that my own ideas were quite wild,
Thence he drove to Scotland Yard, but instead of but you must admit that they have ended in dis-
entering he sat in his cab with his brows drawn covering the silver.”
down, lost in profound thought. Finally he drove
“Yes, sir, yes. It was all your doing. But I have
round to the Charing Cross telegraph office, sent
had a bad set-back.”
off a message, and then, at last, we made for Baker
Street once more. “A set-back?”
“Yes, Mr. Holmes. The Randall gang were ar-
“No, I couldn’t do it, Watson,” said he, as
rested in New York this morning.”
we re-entered our room. “Once that warrant was
made out nothing on earth would save him. Once “Dear me, Hopkins! That is certainly rather
or twice in my career I feel that I have done more against your theory that they committed a murder
real harm by my discovery of the criminal than in Kent last night.”
ever he had done by his crime. I have learned cau- “It is fatal, Mr. Holmes, absolutely fatal. Still,
tion now, and I had rather play tricks with the law there are other gangs of three besides the Randalls,
of England than with my own conscience. Let us or it may be some new gang of which the police
know a little more before we act.” have never heard.”
Before evening we had a visit from Inspector “Quite so; it is perfectly possible. What, are
Stanley Hopkins. Things were not going very well you off?”
with him. “Yes, Mr. Holmes; there is no rest for me until
“I believe that you are a wizard, Mr. Holmes. I have got to the bottom of the business. I suppose
I really do sometimes think that you have powers you have no hint to give me?”
that are not human. Now, how on earth could you “I have given you one.”

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 The Adventure of the Abbey Grange

“Which?” away with you. I should not sit here smoking with
“Well, I suggested a blind.” you if I thought that you were a common criminal,
you may be sure of that. Be frank with me, and we
“But why, Mr. Holmes, why?”
may do some good. Play tricks with me, and I’ll
“Ah, that’s the question, of course. But I com- crush you.”
mend the idea to your mind. You might possibly “What do you wish me to do?”
find that there was something in it. You won’t stop
for dinner? Well, good-bye, and let us know how “To give me a true account of all that happened
you get on.” at the Abbey Grange last night—a true account,
mind you, with nothing added and nothing taken
Dinner was over and the table cleared before off. I know so much already that if you go one
Holmes alluded to the matter again. He had lit inch off the straight I’ll blow this police whistle
his pipe and held his slippered feet to the cheerful from my window and the affair goes out of my
blaze of the fire. Suddenly he looked at his watch. hands for ever.”
“I expect developments, Watson.” The sailor thought for a little. Then he struck
“When?” his leg with his great, sun-burned hand.
“Now—within a few minutes. I dare say you “I’ll chance it,” he cried. “I believe you are a
thought I acted rather badly to Stanley Hopkins man of your word, and a white man, and I’ll tell
just now?” you the whole story. But one thing I will say first.
“I trust your judgment.” So far as I am concerned I regret nothing and I fear
nothing, and I would do it all again and be proud
“A very sensible reply, Watson. You must look
of the job. Curse the beast, if he had as many lives
at it this way: what I know is unofficial; what he
as a cat he would owe them all to me! But it’s the
knows is official. I have the right to private judg-
lady, Mary—Mary Fraser—for never will I call her
ment, but he has none. He must disclose all, or
by that accursed name. When I think of getting
he is a traitor to his service. In a doubtful case I
her into trouble, I who would give my life just to
would not put him in so painful a position, and
bring one smile to her dear face, it’s that that turns
so I reserve my information until my own mind is
my soul into water. And yet—and yet—what less
clear upon the matter.”
could I do? I’ll tell you my story, gentlemen, and
“But when will that be?” then I’ll ask you as man to man what less could I
“The time has come. You will now be present do.
at the last scene of a remarkable little drama.” “I must go back a bit. You seem to know ev-
There was a sound upon the stairs, and our erything, so I expect that you know that I met her
door was opened to admit as fine a specimen of when she was a passenger and I was first officer
manhood as ever passed through it. He was a of the Rock of Gibraltar. From the first day I met
very tall young man, golden-moustached, blue- her she was the only woman to me. Every day
eyed, with a skin which had been burned by trop- of that voyage I loved her more, and many a time
ical suns, and a springy step which showed that since have I kneeled down in the darkness of the
the huge frame was as active as it was strong. He night watch and kissed the deck of that ship be-
closed the door behind him, and then he stood cause I knew her dear feet had trod it. She was
with clenched hands and heaving breast, choking never engaged to me. She treated me as fairly as
down some overmastering emotion. ever a woman treated a man. I have no complaint
“Sit down, Captain Croker. You got my tele- to make. It was all love on my side, and all good
gram?” comradeship and friendship on hers. When we
parted she was a free woman, but I could never
Our visitor sank into an arm-chair and looked again be a free man.
from one to the other of us with questioning eyes.
“Next time I came back from sea I heard of her
“I got your telegram, and I came at the hour marriage. Well, why shouldn’t she marry whom
you said. I heard that you had been down to the she liked? Title and money—who could carry
office. There was no getting away from you. Let’s them better than she? She was born for all that
hear the worst. What are you going to do with me? is beautiful and dainty. I didn’t grieve over her
Arrest me? Speak out, man! You can’t sit there and marriage. I was not such a selfish hound as that. I
play with me like a cat with a mouse.” just rejoiced that good luck had come her way, and
“Give him a cigar,” said Holmes. “Bite on that she had not thrown herself away on a penni-
that, Captain Croker, and don’t let your nerves run less sailor. That’s how I loved Mary Fraser.

565
 The Adventure of the Abbey Grange

“Well, I never thought to see her again; but the end of the rope to make it look natural, else
last voyage I was promoted, and the new boat was they would wonder how in the world a burglar
not yet launched, so I had to wait for a couple of could have got up there to cut it. Then I gathered
months with my people at Sydenham. One day up a few plates and pots of silver, to carry out the
out in a country lane I met Theresa Wright, her idea of a robbery, and there I left them with orders
old maid. She told me about her, about him, about to give the alarm when I had a quarter of an hour’s
everything. I tell you, gentlemen, it nearly drove start. I dropped the silver into the pond and made
me mad. This drunken hound, that he should off for Sydenham, feeling that for once in my life I
dare to raise his hand to her whose boots he was had done a real good night’s work. And that’s the
not worthy to lick! I met Theresa again. Then I truth and the whole truth, Mr. Holmes, if it costs
met Mary herself—and met her again. Then she me my neck.”
would meet me no more. But the other day I had Holmes smoked for some time in silence. Then
a notice that I was to start on my voyage within a he crossed the room and shook our visitor by the
week, and I determined that I would see her once hand.
before I left. Theresa was always my friend, for “That’s what I think,” said he. “I know that ev-
she loved Mary and hated this villain almost as ery word is true, for you have hardly said a word
much as I did. From her I learned the ways of the which I did not know. No one but an acrobat or a
house. Mary used to sit up reading in her own lit- sailor could have got up to that bell-rope from the
tle room downstairs. I crept round there last night bracket, and no one but a sailor could have made
and scratched at the window. At first she would the knots with which the cord was fastened to the
not open to me, but in her heart I know that now chair. Only once had this lady been brought into
she loves me, and she could not leave me in the contact with sailors, and that was on her voyage,
frosty night. She whispered to me to come round and it was someone of her own class of life, since
to the big front window, and I found it open before she was trying hard to shield him and so showing
me so as to let me into the dining-room. Again that she loved him. You see how easy it was for
I heard from her own lips things that made my me to lay my hands upon you when once I had
blood boil, and again I cursed this brute who mis- started upon the right trail.”
handled the woman that I loved. Well, gentlemen,
“I thought the police never could have seen
I was standing with her just inside the window,
through our dodge.”
in all innocence, as Heaven is my judge, when he
rushed like a madman into the room, called her “And the police haven’t; nor will they, to the
the vilest name that a man could use to a woman, best of my belief. Now, look here, Captain Croker,
and welted her across the face with the stick he this is a very serious matter, though I am willing
had in his hand. I had sprung for the poker, and to admit that you acted under the most extreme
it was a fair fight between us. See here on my arm provocation to which any man could be subjected.
where his first blow fell. Then it was my turn, I am not sure that in defence of your own life your
and I went through him as if he had been a rot- action will not be pronounced legitimate. How-
ten pumpkin. Do you think I was sorry? Not I! ever, that is for a British jury to decide. Mean-
It was his life or mine, but far more than that it while I have so much sympathy for you that if you
was his life or hers, for how could I leave her in choose to disappear in the next twenty-four hours
the power of this madman? That was how I killed I will promise you that no one will hinder you.”
him. Was I wrong? Well, then, what would either “And then it will all come out?”
of you gentlemen have done if you had been in my “Certainly it will come out.”
position? The sailor flushed with anger.
“She had screamed when he struck her, and “What sort of proposal is that to make a man?
that brought old Theresa down from the room I know enough of law to understand that Mary
above. There was a bottle of wine on the side- would be had as accomplice. Do you think I would
board, and I opened it and poured a little between leave her alone to face the music while I slunk
Mary’s lips, for she was half dead with the shock. away? No, sir; let them do their worst upon me,
Then I took a drop myself. Theresa was as cool as but for Heaven’s sake, Mr. Holmes, find some way
ice, and it was her plot as much as mine. We must of keeping my poor Mary out of the courts.”
make it appear that burglars had done the thing. Holmes for a second time held out his hand to
Theresa kept on repeating our story to her mis- the sailor.
tress, while I swarmed up and cut the rope of the “I was only testing you, and you ring true ev-
bell. Then I lashed her in her chair, and frayed out ery time. Well, it is a great responsibility that I

566
take upon myself, but I have given Hopkins an ex- guilty or not guilty?”
cellent hint, and if he can’t avail himself of it I can “Not guilty, my lord,” said I.
do no more. See here, Captain Croker, we’ll do
this in due form of law. You are the prisoner. Wat- “Vox populi, vox Dei. You are acquitted, Cap-
tain Croker. So long as the law does not find some
son, you are a British jury, and I never met a man
other victim you are safe from me. Come back
who was more eminently fitted to represent one.
I am the judge. Now, gentleman of the jury, you to this lady in a year, and may her future and
have heard the evidence. Do you find the prisoner yours justify us in the judgment which we have
pronounced this night.”
The Adventure of the Second Stain
I
The Adventure of the Second Stain

had intended “The Adventure of the “When I discovered my loss, Mr. Holmes,
Abbey Grange” to be the last of those which was at eight o’clock this morning, I at once
exploits of my friend, Mr. Sherlock informed the Prime Minister. It was at his sugges-
Holmes, which I should ever communi- tion that we have both come to you.”
cate to the public. This resolution of mine was not “Have you informed the police?”
due to any lack of material, since I have notes of “No, sir,” said the Prime Minister, with the
many hundreds of cases to which I have never al- quick, decisive manner for which he was famous.
luded, nor was it caused by any waning interest on “We have not done so, nor is it possible that we
the part of my readers in the singular personality should do so. To inform the police must, in the
and unique methods of this remarkable man. The long run, mean to inform the public. This is what
real reason lay in the reluctance which Mr. Holmes we particularly desire to avoid.”
has shown to the continued publication of his ex- “And why, sir?”
periences. So long as he was in actual professional
“Because the document in question is of such
practice the records of his successes were of some
immense importance that its publication might
practical value to him; but since he has definitely
very easily—I might almost say probably—lead to
retired from London and betaken himself to study
European complications of the utmost moment. It
and bee-farming on the Sussex Downs, notoriety
is not too much to say that peace or war may hang
has become hateful to him, and he has perempto-
upon the issue. Unless its recovery can be attended
rily requested that his wishes in this matter should
with the utmost secrecy, then it may as well not be
be strictly observed. It was only upon my rep-
recovered at all, for all that is aimed at by those
resenting to him that I had given a promise that
who have taken it is that its contents should be
“The Adventure of the Second Stain” should be
generally known.”
published when the times were ripe, and pointing
out to him that it is only appropriate that this long “I understand. Now, Mr. Trelawney Hope, I
series of episodes should culminate in the most im- should be much obliged if you would tell me ex-
portant international case which he has ever been actly the circumstances under which this docu-
called upon to handle, that I at last succeeded in ment disappeared.”
obtaining his consent that a carefully-guarded ac- “That can be done in a very few words, Mr.
count of the incident should at last be laid before Holmes. The letter—for it was a letter from a for-
the public. If in telling the story I seem to be some- eign potentate—was received six days ago. It was
what vague in certain details the public will read- of such importance that I have never left it in my
ily understand that there is an excellent reason for safe, but I have taken it across each evening to my
my reticence. house in Whitehall Terrace, and kept it in my bed-
room in a locked despatch-box. It was there last
It was, then, in a year, and even in a decade, night. Of that I am certain. I actually opened the
that shall be nameless, that upon one Tuesday box while I was dressing for dinner, and saw the
morning in autumn we found two visitors of Euro- document inside. This morning it was gone. The
pean fame within the walls of our humble room in despatch-box had stood beside the glass upon my
Baker Street. The one, austere, high-nosed, eagle- dressing-table all night. I am a light sleeper, and so
eyed, and dominant, was none other than the il- is my wife. We are both prepared to swear that no
lustrious Lord Bellinger, twice Premier of Britain. one could have entered the room during the night.
The other, dark, clear-cut, and elegant, hardly yet And yet I repeat that the paper is gone.”
of middle age, and endowed with every beauty “What time did you dine?”
of body and of mind, was the Right Honourable
“Half-past seven.”
Trelawney Hope, Secretary for European Affairs,
and the most rising statesman in the country. They “How long was it before you went to bed?”
sat side by side upon our paper-littered settee, and “My wife had gone to the theatre. I waited up
it was easy to see from their worn and anxious for her. It was half-past eleven before we went to
faces that it was business of the most pressing im- our room.”
portance which had brought them. The Premier’s “Then for four hours the despatch-box had lain
thin, blue-veined hands were clasped tightly over unguarded?”
the ivory head of his umbrella, and his gaunt, as- “No one is ever permitted to enter that room
cetic face looked gloomily from Holmes to me. The save the housemaid in the morning, and my valet,
European Secretary pulled nervously at his mous- or my wife’s maid, during the rest of the day. They
tache and fidgeted with the seals of his watch- are both trusty servants who have been with us for
chain. some time. Besides, neither of them could possibly

571
 The Adventure of the Second Stain

have known that there was anything more valu- “Mr. Holmes, the envelope is a long, thin one
able than the ordinary departmental papers in my of pale blue colour. There is a seal of red wax
despatch-box.” stamped with a crouching lion. It is addressed in
“Who did know of the existence of that letter?” large, bold handwriting to—”
“No one in the house.” “I fear, sir,” said Holmes, “that, interesting and
indeed essential as these details are, my inquiries
“Surely your wife knew?”
must go more to the root of things. What was the
“No, sir; I had said nothing to my wife until I letter?”
missed the paper this morning.” “That is a State secret of the utmost importance,
The Premier nodded approvingly. and I fear that I cannot tell you, nor do I see that
“I have long known, sir, how high is your sense it is necessary. If by the aid of the powers which
of public duty,” said he. “I am convinced that in you are said to possess you can find such an enve-
the case of a secret of this importance it would rise lope as I describe with its enclosure, you will have
superior to the most intimate domestic ties.” deserved well of your country, and earned any re-
The European Secretary bowed. ward which it lies in our power to bestow.”
Sherlock Holmes rose with a smile.
“You do me no more than justice, sir. Until this
morning I have never breathed one word to my “You are two of the most busy men in the coun-
wife upon this matter.” try,” said he, “and in my own small way I have
also a good many calls upon me. I regret exceed-
“Could she have guessed?”
ingly that I cannot help you in this matter, and any
“No, Mr. Holmes, she could not have continuation of this interview would be a waste of
guessed—nor could anyone have guessed.” time.”
“Have you lost any documents before?” The Premier sprang to his feet with that quick,
“No, sir.” fierce gleam of his deep-set eyes before which a
“Who is there in England who did know of the Cabinet has cowered. “I am not accustomed, sir—”
existence of this letter?” he began, but mastered his anger and resumed his
seat. For a minute or more we all sat in silence.
“Each member of the Cabinet was informed of
Then the old statesman shrugged his shoulders.
it yesterday; but the pledge of secrecy which at-
“We must accept your terms, Mr. Holmes. No
tends every Cabinet meeting was increased by the
doubt you are right, and it is unreasonable for us
solemn warning which was given by the Prime
to expect you to act unless we give you our entire
Minister. Good heavens, to think that within a few
confidence.”
hours I should myself have lost it!” His handsome
face was distorted with a spasm of despair, and his “I agree with you, sir,” said the younger states-
hands tore at his hair. For a moment we caught man.
a glimpse of the natural man, impulsive, ardent, “Then I will tell you, relying entirely upon your
keenly sensitive. The next the aristocratic mask honour and that of your colleague, Dr. Watson. I
was replaced, and the gentle voice had returned. may appeal to your patriotism also, for I could not
“Besides the members of the Cabinet there are two, imagine a greater misfortune for the country than
or possibly three, departmental officials who know that this affair should come out.”
of the letter. No one else in England, Mr. Holmes, “You may safely trust us.”
I assure you.” “The letter, then, is from a certain foreign po-
“But abroad?” tentate who has been ruffled by some recent Colo-
“I believe that no one abroad has seen it save nial developments of this country. It has been
the man who wrote it. I am well convinced that written hurriedly and upon his own responsibility
his Ministers—that the usual official channels have entirely. Inquiries have shown that his Ministers
not been employed.” know nothing of the matter. At the same time it is
couched in so unfortunate a manner, and certain
Holmes considered for some little time.
phrases in it are of so provocative a character, that
“Now, sir, I must ask you more particularly its publication would undoubtedly lead to a most
what this document is, and why its disappearance dangerous state of feeling in this country. There
should have such momentous consequences?” would be such a ferment, sir, that I do not hesi-
The two statesmen exchanged a quick glance tate to say that within a week of the publication
and the Premier’s shaggy eyebrows gathered in a of that letter this country would be involved in a
frown. great war.”

572
 The Adventure of the Second Stain

Holmes wrote a name upon a slip of paper and “I think it is very probable.”
handed it to the Premier. “Then, sir, prepare for war.”
“Exactly. It was he. And it is this letter—this
“That is a hard saying, Mr. Holmes.”
letter which may well mean the expenditure of a
thousand millions and the lives of a hundred thou- “Consider the facts, sir. It is inconceivable that
sand men—which has become lost in this unac- it was taken after eleven-thirty at night, since I un-
countable fashion.” derstand that Mr. Hope and his wife were both in
the room from that hour until the loss was found
“Have you informed the sender?”
out. It was taken, then, yesterday evening between
“Yes, sir, a cipher telegram has been seven-thirty and eleven-thirty, probably near the
despatched.” earlier hour, since whoever took it evidently knew
“Perhaps he desires the publication of the let- that it was there and would naturally secure it as
ter.” early as possible. Now, sir, if a document of this
“No, sir, we have strong reason to believe that importance were taken at that hour, where can it
he already understands that he has acted in an in- be now? No one has any reason to retain it. It
discreet and hot-headed manner. It would be a has been passed rapidly on to those who need it.
greater blow to him and to his country than to us What chance have we now to overtake or even to
if this letter were to come out.” trace it? It is beyond our reach.”

“If this is so, whose interest is it that the letter The Prime Minister rose from the settee.
should come out? Why should anyone desire to “What you say is perfectly logical, Mr. Holmes.
steal it or to publish it?” I feel that the matter is indeed out of our hands.”
“There, Mr. Holmes, you take me into regions “Let us presume, for argument’s sake, that
of high international politics. But if you consider the document was taken by the maid or by the
the European situation you will have no difficulty valet—”
in perceiving the motive. The whole of Europe is
“They are both old and tried servants.”
an armed camp. There is a double league which
makes a fair balance of military power. Great “I understand you to say that your room is on
Britain holds the scales. If Britain were driven the second floor, that there is no entrance from
into war with one confederacy, it would assure the without, and that from within no one could go up
supremacy of the other confederacy, whether they unobserved. It must, then, be somebody in the
joined in the war or not. Do you follow?” house who has taken it. To whom would the thief
“Very clearly. It is then the interest of the en- take it? To one of several international spies and
emies of this potentate to secure and publish this secret agents, whose names are tolerably familiar
letter, so as to make a breach between his country to me. There are three who may be said to be the
and ours?” heads of their profession. I will begin my research
by going round and finding if each of them is at
“Yes, sir.” his post. If one is missing—especially if he has
“And to whom would this document be sent if disappeared since last night—we will have some
it fell into the hands of an enemy?” indication as to where the document has gone.”
“To any of the great Chancelleries of Europe. “Why should he be missing?” asked the Euro-
It is probably speeding on its way thither at the pean Secretary. “He would take the letter to an
present instant as fast as steam can take it.” Embassy in London, as likely as not.”
Mr. Trelawney Hope dropped his head on his “I fancy not. These agents work independently,
chest and groaned aloud. The Premier placed his and their relations with the Embassies are often
hand kindly upon his shoulder. strained.”
“It is your misfortune, my dear fellow. No one The Prime Minister nodded his acquiescence.
can blame you. There is no precaution which you
have neglected. Now, Mr. Holmes, you are in full “I believe you are right, Mr. Holmes. He would
possession of the facts. What course do you rec- take so valuable a prize to head-quarters with his
ommend?” own hands. I think that your course of action is
an excellent one. Meanwhile, Hope, we cannot ne-
Holmes shook his head mournfully. glect all our other duties on account of this one
“You think, sir, that unless this document is re- misfortune. Should there be any fresh develop-
covered there will be war?” ments during the day we shall communicate with

573
 The Adventure of the Second Stain

you, and you will no doubt let us know the results amateur tenors in the country. Mr. Lucas
of your own inquiries.” is an unmarried man, thirty-four years of
The two statesmen bowed and walked gravely age, and his establishment consists of Mrs.
from the room. Pringle, an elderly housekeeper, and of Mit-
ton, his valet. The former retires early and
When our illustrious visitors had departed sleeps at the top of the house. The valet
Holmes lit his pipe in silence, and sat for some was out for the evening, visiting a friend at
time lost in the deepest thought. I had opened the Hammersmith. From ten o’clock onwards
morning paper and was immersed in a sensational Mr. Lucas had the house to himself. What
crime which had occurred in London the night be- occurred during that time has not yet tran-
fore, when my friend gave an exclamation, sprang spired, but at a quarter to twelve Police-
to his feet, and laid his pipe down upon the man- constable Barrett, passing along Godolphin
telpiece. Street, observed that the door of No. 16 was
“Yes,” said he, “there is no better way of ap- ajar. He knocked, but received no answer.
proaching it. The situation is desperate, but not Perceiving a light in the front room he ad-
hopeless. Even now, if we could be sure which vanced into the passage and again knocked,
of them has taken it, it is just possible that it has but without reply. He then pushed open
not yet passed out of his hands. After all, it is a the door and entered. The room was in a
question of money with these fellows, and I have state of wild disorder, the furniture being
the British Treasury behind me. If it’s on the mar- all swept to one side, and one chair lying
ket I’ll buy it—if it means another penny on the on its back in the centre. Beside this chair,
income-tax. It is conceivable that the fellow might and still grasping one of its legs, lay the un-
hold it back to see what bids come from this side fortunate tenant of the house. He had been
before he tries his luck on the other. There are stabbed to the heart and must have died in-
only those three capable of playing so bold a game; stantly. The knife with which the crime had
there are Oberstein, La Rothiere, and Eduardo Lu- been committed was a curved Indian dag-
cas. I will see each of them.” ger, plucked down from a trophy of Orien-
I glanced at my morning paper. tal arms which adorned one of the walls.
Robbery does not appear to have been the
“Is that Eduardo Lucas of Godolphin Street?” motive of the crime, for there had been no
“Yes.” attempt to remove the valuable contents of
“You will not see him.” the room. Mr. Eduardo Lucas was so well
known and popular that his violent and
“Why not?” mysterious fate will arouse painful inter-
“He was murdered in his house last night.” est and intense sympathy in a wide-spread
My friend has so often astonished me in the circle of friends.
course of our adventures that it was with a sense of “Well, Watson, what do you make of this?” asked
exultation that I realized how completely I had as- Holmes, after a long pause.
tonished him. He stared in amazement, and then “It is an amazing coincidence.”
snatched the paper from my hands. This was the
paragraph which I had been engaged in reading “A coincidence! Here is one of the three men
when he rose from his chair: whom we had named as possible actors in this
drama, and he meets a violent death during the
Murder in Westminster
very hours when we know that that drama was
A crime of mysterious character was com- being enacted. The odds are enormous against
mitted last night at 16, Godolphin Street, its being coincidence. No figures could express
one of the old-fashioned and secluded rows them. No, my dear Watson, the two events are
of eighteenth-century houses which lie be- connected—must be connected. It is for us to find
tween the river and the Abbey, almost in the connection.”
the shadow of the great Tower of the Houses
of Parliament. This small but select man- “But now the official police must know all.”
sion has been inhabited for some years by “Not at all. They know all they see
Mr. Eduardo Lucas, well known in soci- at Godolphin Street. They know—and shall
ety circles both on account of his charm- know—nothing of Whitehall Terrace. Only we
ing personality and because he has the well- know of both events, and can trace the relation
deserved reputation of being one of the best between them. There is one obvious point which

574
 The Adventure of the Second Stain

would, in any case, have turned my suspicions am aware that there was a most deplorable occur-
against Lucas. Godolphin Street, Westminster, is rence in our house last night. I know that a paper
only a few minutes’ walk from Whitehall Terrace. has disappeared. But because the matter is polit-
The other secret agents whom I have named live ical my husband refuses to take me into his com-
in the extreme West-end. It was easier, therefore, plete confidence. Now it is essential—essential, I
for Lucas than for the others to establish a connec- say—that I should thoroughly understand it. You
tion or receive a message from the European Sec- are the only other person, save only these politi-
retary’s household—a small thing, and yet where cians, who knows the true facts. I beg you, then,
events are compressed into a few hours it may Mr. Holmes, to tell me exactly what has happened
prove essential. Halloa! what have we here?” and what it will lead to. Tell me all, Mr. Holmes.
Mrs. Hudson had appeared with a lady’s card Let no regard for your client’s interests keep you
upon her salver. Holmes glanced at it, raised his silent, for I assure you that his interests, if he
eyebrows, and handed it over to me. would only see it, would be best served by tak-
ing me into his complete confidence. What was
“Ask Lady Hilda Trelawney Hope if she will be this paper which was stolen?”
kind enough to step up,” said he. “Madam, what you ask me is really impossi-
A moment later our modest apartment, already ble.”
so distinguished that morning, was further hon- She groaned and sank her face in her hands.
oured by the entrance of the most lovely woman “You must see that this is so, madam. If your
in London. I had often heard of the beauty of husband thinks fit to keep you in the dark over this
the youngest daughter of the Duke of Belmin- matter, is it for me, who has only learned the true
ster, but no description of it, and no contempla- facts under the pledge of professional secrecy, to
tion of colourless photographs, had prepared me tell what he has withheld? It is not fair to ask it. It
for the subtle, delicate charm and the beautiful is him whom you must ask.”
colouring of that exquisite head. And yet as we “I have asked him. I come to you as a last re-
saw it that autumn morning, it was not its beauty source. But without your telling me anything def-
which would be the first thing to impress the ob- inite, Mr. Holmes, you may do a great service if
server. The cheek was lovely, but it was paled you would enlighten me on one point.”
with emotion; the eyes were bright, but it was the “What is it, madam?”
brightness of fever; the sensitive mouth was tight
“Is my husband’s political career likely to suf-
and drawn in an effort after self-command. Ter-
fer through this incident?”
ror—not beauty—was what sprang first to the eye
as our fair visitor stood framed for an instant in “Well, madam, unless it is set right it may cer-
the open door. tainly have a very unfortunate effect.”
“Ah!” She drew in her breath sharply as one
“Has my husband been here, Mr. Holmes?” whose doubts are resolved.
“Yes, madam, he has been here.” “One more question, Mr. Holmes. From an ex-
“Mr. Holmes, I implore you not to tell him that pression which my husband dropped in the first
I came here.” Holmes bowed coldly, and motioned shock of this disaster I understood that terrible
the lady to a chair. public consequences might arise from the loss of
this document.”
“Your ladyship places me in a very delicate po-
“If he said so, I certainly cannot deny it.”
sition. I beg that you will sit down and tell me
“Of what nature are they?”
what you desire; but I fear that I cannot make any
unconditional promise.” “Nay, madam, there again you ask me more
than I can possibly answer.”
She swept across the room and seated herself “Then I will take up no more of your time. I
with her back to the window. It was a queenly cannot blame you, Mr. Holmes, for having refused
presence—tall, graceful, and intensely womanly. to speak more freely, and you on your side will
“Mr. Holmes,” she said, and her white-gloved not, I am sure, think the worse of me because I de-
hands clasped and unclasped as she spoke—“I will sire, even against his will, to share my husband’s
speak frankly to you in the hope that it may in- anxieties. Once more I beg that you will say noth-
duce you to speak frankly in return. There is com- ing of my visit.” She looked back at us from the
plete confidence between my husband and me on door, and I had a last impression of that beauti-
all matters save one. That one is politics. On this ful haunted face, the startled eyes, and the drawn
his lips are sealed. He tells me nothing. Now, I mouth. Then she was gone.

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 The Adventure of the Second Stain

“Now, Watson, the fair sex is your depart- ever. No motive was suggested. The room was
ment,” said Holmes, with a smile, when the dwin- full of articles of value, but none had been taken.
dling frou-frou of skirts had ended in the slam of The dead man’s papers had not been tampered
the front door. “What was the fair lady’s game? with. They were carefully examined, and showed
What did she really want?” that he was a keen student of international poli-
“Surely her own statement is clear and her anx- tics, an indefatigable gossip, a remarkable linguist,
iety very natural.” and an untiring letter-writer. He had been on inti-
mate terms with the leading politicians of several
“Hum! Think of her appearance, Watson—her
countries. But nothing sensational was discovered
manner, her suppressed excitement, her restless-
among the documents which filled his drawers. As
ness, her tenacity in asking questions. Remember
to his relations with women, they appeared to have
that she comes of a caste who do not lightly show
been promiscuous but superficial. He had many
emotion.”
acquaintances among them, but few friends, and
“She was certainly much moved.” no one whom he loved. His habits were regular,
“Remember also the curious earnestness with his conduct inoffensive. His death was an abso-
which she assured us that it was best for her hus- lute mystery, and likely to remain so.
band that she should know all. What did she mean As to the arrest of John Mitton, the valet, it
by that? And you must have observed, Watson, was a counsel of despair as an alternative to ab-
how she manoeuvred to have the light at her back. solute inaction. But no case could be sustained
She did not wish us to read her expression.” against him. He had visited friends in Hammer-
“Yes; she chose the one chair in the room.” smith that night. The alibi was complete. It is true
that he started home at an hour which should have
“And yet the motives of women are so in-
brought him to Westminster before the time when
scrutable. You remember the woman at Margate
the crime was discovered, but his own explana-
whom I suspected for the same reason. No pow-
tion that he had walked part of the way seemed
der on her nose—that proved to be the correct
probable enough in view of the fineness of the
solution. How can you build on such a quick-
night. He had actually arrived at twelve o’clock,
sand? Their most trivial action may mean vol-
and appeared to be overwhelmed by the unex-
umes, or their most extraordinary conduct may
pected tragedy. He had always been on good
depend upon a hairpin or a curling-tongs. Good
terms with his master. Several of the dead man’s
morning, Watson.”
possessions—notably a small case of razors—had
“You are off?” been found in the valet’s boxes, but he explained
“Yes; I will wile away the morning at Godol- that they had been presents from the deceased,
phin Street with our friends of the regular estab- and the housekeeper was able to corroborate the
lishment. With Eduardo Lucas lies the solution of story. Mitton had been in Lucas’s employment for
our problem, though I must admit that I have not three years. It was noticeable that Lucas did not
an inkling as to what form it may take. It is a cap- take Mitton on the Continent with him. Some-
ital mistake to theorize in advance of the facts. Do times he visited Paris for three months on end, but
you stay on guard, my good Watson, and receive Mitton was left in charge of the Godolphin Street
any fresh visitors. I’ll join you at lunch if I am house. As to the housekeeper, she had heard noth-
able.” ing on the night of the crime. If her master had a
All that day and the next and the next Holmes visitor he had himself admitted him.
was in a mood which his friends would call taci- So for three mornings the mystery remained,
turn, and others morose. He ran out and ran in, so far as I could follow it in the papers. If Holmes
smoked incessantly, played snatches on his violin, knew more he kept his own counsel, but, as he
sank into reveries, devoured sandwiches at irreg- told me that Inspector Lestrade had taken him into
ular hours, and hardly answered the casual ques- his confidence in the case, I knew that he was in
tions which I put to him. It was evident to me close touch with every development. Upon the
that things were not going well with him or his fourth day there appeared a long telegram from
quest. He would say nothing of the case, and it Paris which seemed to solve the whole question.
was from the papers that I learned the particulars A discovery has just been made by the
of the inquest, and the arrest with the subsequent Parisian police [said the Daily Telegraph]
release of John Mitton, the valet of the deceased. which raises the veil which hung round the
The coroner’s jury brought in the obvious “Wilful tragic fate of Mr. Eduardo Lucas, who met
Murder,” but the parties remained as unknown as his death by violence last Monday night at

576
 The Adventure of the Second Stain

Godolphin Street, Westminster. Our read- “Surely it is final as regards the man’s death.”
ers will remember that the deceased gentle- “The man’s death is a mere incident—a triv-
man was found stabbed in his room, and ial episode—in comparison with our real task,
that some suspicion attached to his valet, which is to trace this document and save a Eu-
but that the case broke down on an alibi. ropean catastrophe. Only one important thing
Yesterday a lady, who has been known as has happened in the last three days, and that is
Mme. Henri Fournaye, occupying a small that nothing has happened. I get reports almost
villa in the Rue Austerlitz, was reported hourly from the Government, and it is certain
to the authorities by her servants as being that nowhere in Europe is there any sign of trou-
insane. An examination showed that she ble. Now, if this letter were loose—no, it can’t be
had indeed developed mania of a dangerous loose—but if it isn’t loose, where can it be? Who
and permanent form. On inquiry the police has it? Why is it held back? That’s the question
have discovered that Mme. Henri Fournaye that beats in my brain like a hammer. Was it, in-
only returned from a journey to London on deed, a coincidence that Lucas should meet his
Tuesday last, and there is evidence to con- death on the night when the letter disappeared?
nect her with the crime at Westminster. A Did the letter ever reach him? If so, why is it not
comparison of photographs has proved con- among his papers? Did this mad wife of his carry
clusively that M. Henri Fournaye and Ed- it off with her? If so, is it in her house in Paris?
uardo Lucas were really one and the same How could I search for it without the French po-
person, and that the deceased had for some lice having their suspicions aroused? It is a case,
reason lived a double life in London and my dear Watson, where the law is as dangerous
Paris. Mme. Fournaye, who is of Creole to us as the criminals are. Every man’s hand is
origin, is of an extremely excitable nature, against us, and yet the interests at stake are colos-
and has suffered in the past from attacks of sal. Should I bring it to a successful conclusion
jealousy which have amounted to frenzy. It it will certainly represent the crowning glory of
is conjectured that it was in one of these my career. Ah, here is my latest from the front!”
that she committed the terrible crime which He glanced hurriedly at the note which had been
has caused such a sensation in London. Her handed in. “Halloa! Lestrade seems to have ob-
movements upon the Monday night have served something of interest. Put on your hat, Wat-
not yet been traced, but it is undoubted son, and we will stroll down together to Westmin-
that a woman answering to her description ster.”
attracted much attention at Charing Cross
Station on Tuesday morning by the wild- It was my first visit to the scene of the crime—a
ness of her appearance and the violence of high, dingy, narrow-chested house, prim, formal,
her gestures. It is probable, therefore, that and solid, like the century which gave it birth.
the crime was either committed when in- Lestrade’s bulldog features gazed out at us from
sane, or that its immediate effect was to the front window, and he greeted us warmly when
drive the unhappy woman out of her mind. a big constable had opened the door and let us in.
At present she is unable to give any co- The room into which we were shown was that in
herent account of the past, and the doctors which the crime had been committed, but no trace
hold out no hopes of the re-establishment of it now remained, save an ugly, irregular stain
of her reason. There is evidence that a upon the carpet. This carpet was a small square
woman, who might have been Mme. Four- drugget in the centre of the room, surrounded by
naye, was seen for some hours on Mon- a broad expanse of beautiful, old-fashioned wood-
day night watching the house in Godolphin flooring in square blocks highly polished. Over
Street. the fireplace was a magnificent trophy of weapons,
one of which had been used on that tragic night. In
“What do you think of that, Holmes?” I had read the window was a sumptuous writing-desk, and
the account aloud to him, while he finished his every detail of the apartment, the pictures, the
breakfast. rugs, and the hangings, all pointed to a taste which
“My dear Watson,” said he, as he rose from the was luxurious to the verge of effeminacy.
table and paced up and down the room, “you are “Seen the Paris news?” asked Lestrade.
most long-suffering, but if I have told you nothing
in the last three days it is because there is nothing Holmes nodded.
to tell. Even now this report from Paris does not “Our French friends seem to have touched the
help us much.” spot this time. No doubt it’s just as they say. She

577
 The Adventure of the Second Stain

knocked at the door—surprise visit, I guess, for he white facing of the old-fashioned floor. “What do
kept his life in water-tight compartments. He let you make of that, Mr. Holmes?”
her in—couldn’t keep her in the street. She told “Why, it is simple enough. The two stains
him how she had traced him, reproached him, one did correspond, but the carpet has been turned
thing led to another, and then with that dagger so round. As it was square and unfastened it was
handy the end soon came. It wasn’t all done in easily done.”
an instant, though, for these chairs were all swept “The official police don’t need you, Mr.
over yonder, and he had one in his hand as if he Holmes, to tell them that the carpet must have
had tried to hold her off with it. We’ve got it all been turned round. That’s clear enough, for the
clear as if we had seen it.” stains lie above each other—if you lay it over this
Holmes raised his eyebrows. way. But what I want to know is, who shifted the
“And yet you have sent for me?” carpet, and why?”
“Ah, yes, that’s another matter—a mere trifle, I could see from Holmes’s rigid face that he
but the sort of thing you take an interest in—queer, was vibrating with inward excitement.
you know, and what you might call freakish. It has “Look here, Lestrade,” said he, “has that con-
nothing to do with the main fact—can’t have, on stable in the passage been in charge of the place all
the face of it.” the time?”
“What is it, then?” “Yes, he has.”
“Well, take my advice. Examine him carefully.
“Well, you know, after a crime of this sort we
Don’t do it before us. We’ll wait here. You take
are very careful to keep things in their position.
him into the back room. You’ll be more likely to
Nothing has been moved. Officer in charge here
get a confession out of him alone. Ask him how
day and night. This morning, as the man was
he dared to admit people and leave them alone in
buried and the investigation over—so far as this
this room. Don’t ask him if he has done it. Take it
room is concerned—we thought we could tidy up
for granted. Tell him you know someone has been
a bit. This carpet. You see, it is not fastened down;
here. Press him. Tell him that a full confession is
only just laid there. We had occasion to raise it.
his only chance of forgiveness. Do exactly what I
We found—”
tell you!”
“Yes? You found—” “By George, if he knows I’ll have it out of him!”
Holmes’s face grew tense with anxiety. cried Lestrade. He darted into the hall, and a few
“Well, I’m sure you would never guess in a moments later his bullying voice sounded from the
hundred years what we did find. You see that stain back room.
on the carpet? Well, a great deal must have soaked “Now, Watson, now!” cried Holmes, with fren-
through, must it not?” zied eagerness. All the demoniacal force of the
“Undoubtedly it must.” man masked behind that listless manner burst out
in a paroxysm of energy. He tore the drugget from
“Well, you will be surprised to hear that there the floor, and in an instant was down on his hands
is no stain on the white woodwork to correspond.” and knees clawing at each of the squares of wood
“No stain! But there must—” beneath it. One turned sideways as he dug his
“Yes; so you would say. But the fact remains nails into the edge of it. It hinged back like the lid
that there isn’t.” of a box. A small black cavity opened beneath it.
Holmes plunged his eager hand into it, and drew
He took the corner of the carpet in his hand
it out with a bitter snarl of anger and disappoint-
and, turning it over, he showed that it was indeed
ment. It was empty.
as he said.
“Quick, Watson, quick! Get it back again!”
“But the underside is as stained as the upper. The wooden lid was replaced, and the drugget
It must have left a mark.” had only just been drawn straight when Lestrade’s
Lestrade chuckled with delight at having puz- voice was heard in the passage. He found Holmes
zled the famous expert. leaning languidly against the mantelpiece, re-
“Now I’ll show you the explanation. There is a signed and patient, endeavouring to conceal his
second stain, but it does not correspond with the irrepressible yawns.
other. See for yourself.” As he spoke he turned “Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Holmes. I can
over another portion of the carpet, and there, sure see that you are bored to death with the whole af-
enough, was a great crimson spill upon the square fair. Well, he has confessed, all right. Come in

578
 The Adventure of the Second Stain

here, MacPherson. Let these gentlemen hear of thought there was no harm in letting her just put
your most inexcusable conduct.” her head through the door.”
The big constable, very hot and penitent, sidled “How was she dressed?”
into the room. “Quiet, sir—a long mantle down to her feet.”
“I meant no harm, sir, I’m sure. The young “What time was it?”
woman came to the door last evening—mistook “It was just growing dusk at the time. They
the house, she did. And then we got talking. It’s were lighting the lamps as I came back with the
lonesome, when you’re on duty here all day.” brandy.”
“Well, what happened then?” “Very good,” said Holmes. “Come, Watson,
I think that we have more important work else-
“She wanted to see where the crime was
where.”
done—had read about it in the papers, she said.
She was a very respectable, well-spoken young As we left the house Lestrade remained in the
woman, sir, and I saw no harm in letting her have front room, while the repentant constable opened
a peep. When she saw that mark on the carpet, the door to let us out. Holmes turned on the step
down she dropped on the floor, and lay as if she and held up something in his hand. The constable
were dead. I ran to the back and got some water, stared intently.
but I could not bring her to. Then I went round the “Good Lord, sir!” he cried, with amazement on
corner to the Ivy Plant for some brandy, and by the his face. Holmes put his finger on his lips, re-
time I had brought it back the young woman had placed his hand in his breast-pocket, and burst out
recovered and was off—ashamed of herself, I dare laughing as we turned down the street. “Excel-
say, and dared not face me.” lent!” said he. “Come, friend Watson, the curtain
rings up for the last act. You will be relieved to
“How about moving that drugget?”
hear that there will be no war, that the Right Hon-
“Well, sir, it was a bit rumpled, certainly, when ourable Trelawney Hope will suffer no set-back in
I came back. You see, she fell on it, and it lies on his brilliant career, that the indiscreet Sovereign
a polished floor with nothing to keep it in place. I will receive no punishment for his indiscretion,
straightened it out afterwards.” that the Prime Minister will have no European
“It’s a lesson to you that you can’t deceive me, complication to deal with, and that with a little
Constable MacPherson,” said Lestrade, with dig- tact and management upon our part nobody will
nity. “No doubt you thought that your breach of be a penny the worse for what might have been a
duty could never be discovered, and yet a mere very ugly incident.”
glance at that drugget was enough to convince me My mind filled with admiration for this ex-
that someone had been admitted to the room. It’s traordinary man.
lucky for you, my man, that nothing is missing, “You have solved it!” I cried.
or you would find yourself in Queer Street. I’m “Hardly that, Watson. There are some points
sorry to have called you down over such a petty which are as dark as ever. But we have so much
business, Mr. Holmes, but I thought the point of that it will be our own fault if we cannot get the
the second stain not corresponding with the first rest. We will go straight to Whitehall Terrace and
would interest you.” bring the matter to a head.”
“Certainly, it was most interesting. Has this When we arrived at the residence of the Euro-
woman only been here once, constable?” pean Secretary it was for Lady Hilda Trelawney
“Yes, sir, only once.” Hope that Sherlock Holmes inquired. We were
shown into the morning-room.
“Who was she?”
“Mr. Holmes!” said the lady, and her face was
“Don’t know the name, sir. Was answering
pink with her indignation, “this is surely most un-
an advertisement about type-writing, and came to
fair and ungenerous upon your part. I desired, as
the wrong number—very pleasant, genteel young
I have explained, to keep my visit to you a secret,
woman, sir.”
lest my husband should think that I was intruding
“Tall? Handsome?” into his affairs. And yet you compromise me by
“Yes, sir; she was a well-grown young woman. coming here and so showing that there are busi-
I suppose you might say she was handsome. Per- ness relations between us.”
haps some would say she was very handsome. “Unfortunately, madam, I had no possible al-
‘Oh, officer, do let me have a peep!’ says she. She ternative. I have been commissioned to recover
had pretty, coaxing ways, as you might say, and I this immensely important paper. I must therefore

579
 The Adventure of the Second Stain

ask you, madam, to be kind enough to place it in returned the lost letter to your husband. Take
my hands.” my advice and be frank with me; it is your only
The lady sprang to her feet, with the colour chance.”
all dashed in an instant from her beautiful face. Her courage was admirable. Even now she
Her eyes glazed—she tottered—I thought that she would not own defeat.
would faint. Then with a grand effort she rallied “I tell you again, Mr. Holmes, that you are un-
from the shock, and a supreme astonishment and der some absurd illusion.”
indignation chased every other expression from Holmes rose from his chair.
her features. “I am sorry for you, Lady Hilda. I have done
“You—you insult me, Mr. Holmes.” my best for you; I can see that it is all in vain.”
“Come, come, madam, it is useless. Give up He rang the bell. The butler entered.
the letter.” “Is Mr. Trelawney Hope at home?”
She darted to the bell. “He will be home, sir, at a quarter to one.”
“The butler shall show you out.” Holmes glanced at his watch.
“Do not ring, Lady Hilda. If you do, then all “Still a quarter of an hour,” said he. “Very
my earnest efforts to avoid a scandal will be frus- good, I shall wait.”
trated. Give up the letter and all will be set right. The butler had hardly closed the door behind
If you will work with me I can arrange everything. him when Lady Hilda was down on her knees at
If you work against me I must expose you.” Holmes’s feet, her hands out-stretched, her beau-
She stood grandly defiant, a queenly figure, her tiful face upturned and wet with her tears.
eyes fixed upon his as if she would read his very “Oh, spare me, Mr. Holmes! Spare me!” she
soul. Her hand was on the bell, but she had for- pleaded, in a frenzy of supplication. “For Heaven’s
borne to ring it. sake, don’t tell him! I love him so! I would not
“You are trying to frighten me. It is not a very bring one shadow on his life, and this I know
manly thing, Mr. Holmes, to come here and brow- would break his noble heart.”
beat a woman. You say that you know something. Holmes raised the lady. “I am thankful,
What is it that you know?” madam, that you have come to your senses even
“Pray sit down, madam. You will hurt your- at this last moment! There is not an instant to lose.
self there if you fall. I will not speak until you sit Where is the letter?”
down. Thank you.” She darted across to a writing-desk, unlocked
it, and drew out a long blue envelope.
“I give you five minutes, Mr. Holmes.”
“Here it is, Mr. Holmes. Would to Heaven I
“One is enough, Lady Hilda. I know of your
had never seen it!”
visit to Eduardo Lucas, of your giving him this
document, of your ingenious return to the room “How can we return it?” Holmes muttered.
last night, and of the manner in which you took “Quick, quick, we must think of some way! Where
the letter from the hiding-place under the carpet.” is the despatch-box?”
“Still in his bedroom.”
She stared at him with an ashen face and
gulped twice before she could speak. “What a stroke of luck! Quick, madam, bring
it here!”
“You are mad, Mr. Holmes—you are mad!” she
A moment later she had appeared with a red
cried, at last.
flat box in her hand.
He drew a small piece of cardboard from his
“How did you open it before? You have a du-
pocket. It was the face of a woman cut out of a
plicate key? Yes, of course you have. Open it!”
portrait.
From out of her bosom Lady Hilda had drawn
“I have carried this because I thought it might a small key. The box flew open. It was stuffed with
be useful,” said he. “The policeman has recog- papers. Holmes thrust the blue envelope deep
nised it.” down into the heart of them, between the leaves of
She gave a gasp and her head dropped back in some other document. The box was shut, locked,
the chair. and returned to the bedroom.
“Come, Lady Hilda. You have the letter. The “Now we are ready for him,” said Holmes; “we
matter may still be adjusted. I have no desire to have still ten minutes. I am going far to screen you,
bring trouble to you. My duty ends when I have Lady Hilda. In return you will spend the time in

580
 The Adventure of the Second Stain

telling me frankly the real meaning of this extraor- “What happened after that is like some fearful
dinary affair.” dream. I have a vision of a dark, frantic face, of
“Mr. Holmes, I will tell you everything,” cried a woman’s voice, which screamed in French, ‘My
the lady. “Oh, Mr. Holmes, I would cut off my waiting is not in vain. At last, at last I have found
right hand before I gave him a moment of sor- you with her!’ There was a savage struggle. I saw
row! There is no woman in all London who loves him with a chair in his hand, a knife gleamed in
her husband as I do, and yet if he knew how I hers. I rushed from the horrible scene, ran from
have acted—how I have been compelled to act—he the house, and only next morning in the paper did
would never forgive me. For his own honour I learn the dreadful result. That night I was happy,
stands so high that he could not forget or pardon for I had my letter, and I had not seen yet what the
a lapse in another. Help me, Mr. Holmes! My hap- future would bring.
piness, his happiness, our very lives are at stake!” “It was the next morning that I realized that I
“Quick, madam, the time grows short!” had only exchanged one trouble for another. My
husband’s anguish at the loss of his paper went to
“It was a letter of mine, Mr. Holmes, an indis-
my heart. I could hardly prevent myself from there
creet letter written before my marriage—a foolish
and then kneeling down at his feet and telling him
letter, a letter of an impulsive, loving girl. I meant
what I had done. But that again would mean a
no harm, and yet he would have thought it crimi-
confession of the past. I came to you that morning
nal. Had he read that letter his confidence would
in order to understand the full enormity of my of-
have been for ever destroyed. It is years since I
fence. From the instant that I grasped it my whole
wrote it. I had thought that the whole matter was
mind was turned to the one thought of getting
forgotten. Then at last I heard from this man, Lu-
back my husband’s paper. It must still be where
cas, that it had passed into his hands, and that he
Lucas had placed it, for it was concealed before
would lay it before my husband. I implored his
this dreadful woman entered the room. If it had
mercy. He said that he would return my letter if
not been for her coming, I should not have known
I would bring him a certain document which he
where his hiding-place was. How was I to get into
described in my husband’s despatch-box. He had
the room? For two days I watched the place, but
some spy in the office who had told him of its ex-
the door was never left open. Last night I made a
istence. He assured me that no harm could come
last attempt. What I did and how I succeeded, you
to my husband. Put yourself in my position, Mr.
have already learned. I brought the paper back
Holmes! What was I to do?”
with me, and thought of destroying it since I could
“Take your husband into your confidence.” see no way of returning it, without confessing my
“I could not, Mr. Holmes, I could not! On the guilt to my husband. Heavens, I hear his step upon
one side seemed certain ruin; on the other, terrible the stair!”
as it seemed to take my husband’s paper, still in a The European Secretary burst excitedly into the
matter of politics I could not understand the con- room.
sequences, while in a matter of love and trust they
were only too clear to me. I did it, Mr. Holmes! “Any news, Mr. Holmes, any news?” he cried.
I took an impression of his key; this man Lu- “I have some hopes.”
cas furnished a duplicate. I opened his despatch-
box, took the paper, and conveyed it to Godolphin “Ah, thank heaven!” His face became radiant.
Street.” “The Prime Minister is lunching with me. May he
share your hopes? He has nerves of steel, and yet
“What happened there, madam?” I know that he has hardly slept since this terrible
“I tapped at the door as agreed. Lucas opened event. Jacobs, will you ask the Prime Minister to
it. I followed him into his room, leaving the hall come up? As to you, dear, I fear that this is a mat-
door ajar behind me, for I feared to be alone with ter of politics. We will join you in a few minutes in
the man. I remember that there was a woman out- the dining-room.”
side as I entered. Our business was soon done. He
The Prime Minister’s manner was subdued,
had my letter on his desk; I handed him the docu-
but I could see by the gleam of his eyes and the
ment. He gave me the letter. At this instant there
twitchings of his bony hands that he shared the
was a sound at the door. There were steps in the
excitement of his young colleague.
passage. Lucas quickly turned back the drugget,
thrust the document into some hiding-place there, “I understand that you have something to re-
and covered it over. port, Mr. Holmes?”

581
 “Purely negative as yet,” my friend answered. “Surely it is easily decided, Hope,” said the
“I have inquired at every point where it might be, Premier. “Let us have the despatch-box brought
and I am sure that there is no danger to be appre- in.”
hended.” The Secretary rang the bell.
“But that is not enough, Mr. Holmes. We can- “Jacobs, bring down my despatch-box. This is
not live for ever on such a volcano. We must have a farcical waste of time, but still, if nothing else
something definite.” will satisfy you, it shall be done. Thank you, Ja-
“I am in hopes of getting it. That is why I am cobs; put it here. I have always had the key on my
here. The more I think of the matter the more watch-chain. Here are the papers, you see. Letter
convinced I am that the letter has never left this from Lord Merrow, report from Sir Charles Hardy,
house.” memorandum from Belgrade, note on the Russo-
“Mr. Holmes!” German grain taxes, letter from Madrid, note from
“If it had it would certainly have been public Lord Flowers—good heavens! what is this? Lord
by now.” Bellinger! Lord Bellinger!”
“But why should anyone take it in order to The Premier snatched the blue envelope from
keep it in his house?” his hand.
“I am not convinced that anyone did take it.” “Yes, it is it—and the letter is intact. Hope, I
congratulate you.”
“Then how could it leave the despatch-box?”
“Thank you! Thank you! What a weight from
“I am not convinced that it ever did leave the
my heart. But this is inconceivable—impossible.
despatch-box.”
Mr. Holmes, you are a wizard, a sorcerer! How
“Mr. Holmes, this joking is very ill-timed. You did you know it was there?”
have my assurance that it left the box.”
“Because I knew it was nowhere else.”
“Have you examined the box since Tuesday
“I cannot believe my eyes!” He ran wildly to
morning?”
the door. “Where is my wife? I must tell her that
“No; it was not necessary.” all is well. Hilda! Hilda!” we heard his voice on
“You may conceivably have overlooked it.” the stairs.
“Impossible, I say.” The Premier looked at Holmes with twinkling
“But I am not convinced of it; I have known eyes.
such things to happen. I presume there are other “Come, sir,” said he. “There is more in this
papers there. Well, it may have got mixed with than meets the eye. How came the letter back in
them.” the box?”
“It was on the top.” Holmes turned away smiling from the keen
“Someone may have shaken the box and dis- scrutiny of those wonderful eyes.
placed it.” “We also have our diplomatic secrets,” said he,
“No, no; I had everything out.” and picking up his hat he turned to the door.
The Hound of the Baskervilles
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

Table of contents
Mr. Sherlock Holmes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 587
The Curse of the Baskervilles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 590
The Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 594
Sir Henry Baskerville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 598
Three Broken Threads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 604
Baskerville Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 608
The Stapletons of Merripit House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 612
First Report of Dr. Watson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 618
Second Report of Dr. Watson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 621
Extract from the Diary of Dr. Watson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 629
The Man on the Tor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 633
Death on the Moor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 639
Fixing the Nets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 644
The Hound of the Baskervilles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 649
A Retrospection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 654

585
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

CHAPTER I.

M
Mr. Sherlock Holmes

r. Sherlock Holmes, who was usually “Really, Watson, you excel yourself,” said
very late in the mornings, save upon Holmes, pushing back his chair and lighting a
those not infrequent occasions when he cigarette. “I am bound to say that in all the ac-
was up all night, was seated at the counts which you have been so good as to give
breakfast table. I stood upon the hearth-rug and of my own small achievements you have habitu-
picked up the stick which our visitor had left be- ally underrated your own abilities. It may be that
hind him the night before. It was a fine, thick you are not yourself luminous, but you are a con-
piece of wood, bulbous-headed, of the sort which ductor of light. Some people without possessing
is known as a “Penang lawyer.” Just under the genius have a remarkable power of stimulating it.
head was a broad silver band nearly an inch across. I confess, my dear fellow, that I am very much in
“To James Mortimer, M.R.C.S., from his friends of your debt.”
the C.C.H.,” was engraved upon it, with the date He had never said as much before, and I must
“1884.” It was just such a stick as the old-fashioned admit that his words gave me keen pleasure, for
family practitioner used to carry—dignified, solid, I had often been piqued by his indifference to my
and reassuring. admiration and to the attempts which I had made
“Well, Watson, what do you make of it?” to give publicity to his methods. I was proud, too,
to think that I had so far mastered his system as to
Holmes was sitting with his back to me, and I
apply it in a way which earned his approval. He
had given him no sign of my occupation.
now took the stick from my hands and examined it
“How did you know what I was doing? I be- for a few minutes with his naked eyes. Then with
lieve you have eyes in the back of your head.” an expression of interest he laid down his cigarette,
“I have, at least, a well-polished, silver-plated and carrying the cane to the window, he looked
coffee-pot in front of me,” said he. “But, tell me, over it again with a convex lens.
Watson, what do you make of our visitor’s stick? “Interesting, though elementary,” said he as
Since we have been so unfortunate as to miss him he returned to his favourite corner of the settee.
and have no notion of his errand, this accidental “There are certainly one or two indications upon
souvenir becomes of importance. Let me hear you the stick. It gives us the basis for several deduc-
reconstruct the man by an examination of it.” tions.”
“I think,” said I, following as far as I could the “Has anything escaped me?” I asked with some
methods of my companion, “that Dr. Mortimer is self-importance. “I trust that there is nothing of
a successful, elderly medical man, well-esteemed consequence which I have overlooked?”
since those who know him give him this mark of “I am afraid, my dear Watson, that most of
their appreciation.” your conclusions were erroneous. When I said that
“Good!” said Holmes. “Excellent!” you stimulated me I meant, to be frank, that in
noting your fallacies I was occasionally guided to-
“I think also that the probability is in favour of
wards the truth. Not that you are entirely wrong
his being a country practitioner who does a great
in this instance. The man is certainly a country
deal of his visiting on foot.”
practitioner. And he walks a good deal.”
“Why so?” “Then I was right.”
“Because this stick, though originally a very “To that extent.”
handsome one has been so knocked about that I “But that was all.”
can hardly imagine a town practitioner carrying it. “No, no, my dear Watson, not all—by no
The thick-iron ferrule is worn down, so it is evi- means all. I would suggest, for example, that a
dent that he has done a great amount of walking presentation to a doctor is more likely to come
with it.” from a hospital than from a hunt, and that when
“Perfectly sound!” said Holmes. the initials ‘C.C.’ are placed before that hospital
“And then again, there is the ‘friends of the the words ‘Charing Cross’ very naturally suggest
C.C.H.’ I should guess that to be the Something themselves.”
Hunt, the local hunt to whose members he has “You may be right.”
possibly given some surgical assistance, and which “The probability lies in that direction. And if
has made him a small presentation in return.” we take this as a working hypothesis we have a

587
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

fresh basis from which to start our construction of “Mortimer, James, M.R.C.S., 1882,
this unknown visitor.” Grimpen, Dartmoor, Devon. House-
surgeon, from 1882 to 1884, at Char-
“Well, then, supposing that ‘C.C.H.’ does stand ing Cross Hospital. Winner of the Jack-
for ‘Charing Cross Hospital,’ what further infer- son prize for Comparative Pathology,
ences may we draw?” with essay entitled ‘Is Disease a Rever-
“Do none suggest themselves? You know my sion?’ Corresponding member of the
methods. Apply them!” Swedish Pathological Society. Author
of ‘Some Freaks of Atavism’ (Lancet
“I can only think of the obvious conclusion that 1882). ‘Do We Progress?’ (Journal of
the man has practised in town before going to the Psychology, March, 1883). Medical Offi-
country.” cer for the parishes of Grimpen, Thors-
“I think that we might venture a little farther ley, and High Barrow.”
than this. Look at it in this light. On what occasion
“No mention of that local hunt, Watson,” said
would it be most probable that such a presentation
Holmes with a mischievous smile, “but a country
would be made? When would his friends unite to
doctor, as you very astutely observed. I think that
give him a pledge of their good will? Obviously
I am fairly justified in my inferences. As to the
at the moment when Dr. Mortimer withdrew from
adjectives, I said, if I remember right, amiable, un-
the service of the hospital in order to start in prac-
ambitious, and absent-minded. It is my experience
tice for himself. We know there has been a presen-
that it is only an amiable man in this world who re-
tation. We believe there has been a change from
ceives testimonials, only an unambitious one who
a town hospital to a country practice. Is it, then,
abandons a London career for the country, and
stretching our inference too far to say that the pre-
only an absent-minded one who leaves his stick
sentation was on the occasion of the change?”
and not his visiting-card after waiting an hour in
“It certainly seems probable.” your room.”
“And the dog?”
“Now, you will observe that he could not have
been on the staff of the hospital, since only a “Has been in the habit of carrying this stick be-
man well-established in a London practice could hind his master. Being a heavy stick the dog has
hold such a position, and such a one would not held it tightly by the middle, and the marks of his
drift into the country. What was he, then? If he teeth are very plainly visible. The dog’s jaw, as
was in the hospital and yet not on the staff he shown in the space between these marks, is too
could only have been a house-surgeon or a house- broad in my opinion for a terrier and not broad
physician—little more than a senior student. And enough for a mastiff. It may have been—yes, by
he left five years ago—the date is on the stick. So Jove, it is a curly-haired spaniel.”
your grave, middle-aged family practitioner van- He had risen and paced the room as he spoke.
ishes into thin air, my dear Watson, and there Now he halted in the recess of the window. There
emerges a young fellow under thirty, amiable, un- was such a ring of conviction in his voice that I
ambitious, absent-minded, and the possessor of a glanced up in surprise.
favourite dog, which I should describe roughly as “My dear fellow, how can you possibly be so
being larger than a terrier and smaller than a mas- sure of that?”
tiff.”
“For the very simple reason that I see the dog
I laughed incredulously as Sherlock Holmes himself on our very door-step, and there is the ring
leaned back in his settee and blew little wavering of its owner. Don’t move, I beg you, Watson. He
rings of smoke up to the ceiling. is a professional brother of yours, and your pres-
ence may be of assistance to me. Now is the dra-
“As to the latter part, I have no means of check-
matic moment of fate, Watson, when you hear a
ing you,” said I, “but at least it is not difficult to
step upon the stair which is walking into your life,
find out a few particulars about the man’s age and
and you know not whether for good or ill. What
professional career.” From my small medical shelf
does Dr. James Mortimer, the man of science, ask
I took down the Medical Directory and turned up
of Sherlock Holmes, the specialist in crime? Come
the name. There were several Mortimers, but only
in!”
one who could be our visitor. I read his record
aloud. The appearance of our visitor was a surprise
to me, since I had expected a typical country

588
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

practitioner. He was a very tall, thin man, with you have any objection to my running my finger
a long nose like a beak, which jutted out be- along your parietal fissure? A cast of your skull,
tween two keen, gray eyes, set closely together sir, until the original is available, would be an or-
and sparkling brightly from behind a pair of gold- nament to any anthropological museum. It is not
rimmed glasses. He was clad in a professional my intention to be fulsome, but I confess that I
but rather slovenly fashion, for his frock-coat was covet your skull.”
dingy and his trousers frayed. Though young, his Sherlock Holmes waved our strange visitor into
long back was already bowed, and he walked with a chair. “You are an enthusiast in your line of
a forward thrust of his head and a general air of thought, I perceive, sir, as I am in mine,” said
peering benevolence. As he entered his eyes fell he. “I observe from your forefinger that you make
upon the stick in Holmes’s hand, and he ran to- your own cigarettes. Have no hesitation in lighting
wards it with an exclamation of joy. “I am so very one.”
glad,” said he. “I was not sure whether I had left
it here or in the Shipping Office. I would not lose The man drew out paper and tobacco and
that stick for the world.” twirled the one up in the other with surprising
dexterity. He had long, quivering fingers as agile
“A presentation, I see,” said Holmes.
and restless as the antennae of an insect.
“Yes, sir.”
Holmes was silent, but his little darting glances
“From Charing Cross Hospital?” showed me the interest which he took in our curi-
“From one or two friends there on the occasion ous companion.
of my marriage.”
“I presume, sir,” said he at last, “that it was
“Dear, dear, that’s bad!” said Holmes, shaking not merely for the purpose of examining my skull
his head. that you have done me the honour to call here last
Dr. Mortimer blinked through his glasses in night and again to-day?”
mild astonishment. “No, sir, no; though I am happy to have had
“Why was it bad?” the opportunity of doing that as well. I came to
“Only that you have disarranged our little de- you, Mr. Holmes, because I recognized that I am
ductions. Your marriage, you say?” myself an unpractical man and because I am sud-
“Yes, sir. I married, and so left the hospital, denly confronted with a most serious and extraor-
and with it all hopes of a consulting practice. It dinary problem. Recognizing, as I do, that you are
was necessary to make a home of my own.” the second highest expert in Europe—”
“Come, come, we are not so far wrong, after “Indeed, sir! May I inquire who has the honour
all,” said Holmes. “And now, Dr. James Mor- to be the first?” asked Holmes with some asperity.
timer—” “To the man of precisely scientific mind the
“Mister, sir, Mister—a humble M.R.C.S.” work of Monsieur Bertillon must always appeal
“And a man of precise mind, evidently.” strongly.”
“A dabbler in science, Mr. Holmes, a picker up “Then had you not better consult him?”
of shells on the shores of the great unknown ocean. “I said, sir, to the precisely scientific mind. But
I presume that it is Mr. Sherlock Holmes whom I as a practical man of affairs it is acknowledged that
am addressing and not—” you stand alone. I trust, sir, that I have not inad-
“No, this is my friend Dr. Watson.” vertently—”
“Glad to meet you, sir. I have heard your name “Just a little,” said Holmes. “I think, Dr. Mor-
mentioned in connection with that of your friend. timer, you would do wisely if without more ado
You interest me very much, Mr. Holmes. I had you would kindly tell me plainly what the exact
hardly expected so dolichocephalic a skull or such nature of the problem is in which you demand my
well-marked supra-orbital development. Would assistance.”

589
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

CHAPTER II.
The Curse of the Baskervilles

“I have in my pocket a manuscript,” said Dr. manuscript to the light and read in a high, crack-
James Mortimer. ing voice the following curious, old-world narra-
“I observed it as you entered the room,” said tive:—
Holmes. “Of the origin of the Hound of the
“It is an old manuscript.” Baskervilles there have been many state-
“Early eighteenth century, unless it is a ments, yet as I come in a direct line from
forgery.” Hugo Baskerville, and as I had the story
from my father, who also had it from his,
“How can you say that, sir?” I have set it down with all belief that it
“You have presented an inch or two of it to my occurred even as is here set forth. And I
examination all the time that you have been talk- would have you believe, my sons, that the
ing. It would be a poor expert who could not give same Justice which punishes sin may also
the date of a document within a decade or so. You most graciously forgive it, and that no ban
may possibly have read my little monograph upon is so heavy but that by prayer and repen-
the subject. I put that at 1730.” tance it may be removed. Learn then from
“The exact date is 1742.” Dr. Mortimer drew this story not to fear the fruits of the past,
it from his breast-pocket. “This family paper was but rather to be circumspect in the future,
committed to my care by Sir Charles Baskerville, that those foul passions whereby our family
whose sudden and tragic death some three months has suffered so grievously may not again be
ago created so much excitement in Devonshire. I loosed to our undoing.
may say that I was his personal friend as well as “Know then that in the time of the Great
his medical attendant. He was a strong-minded Rebellion (the history of which by the
man, sir, shrewd, practical, and as unimaginative learned Lord Clarendon I most earnestly
as I am myself. Yet he took this document very commend to your attention) this Manor of
seriously, and his mind was prepared for just such Baskerville was held by Hugo of that name,
an end as did eventually overtake him.” nor can it be gainsaid that he was a most
Holmes stretched out his hand for the wild, profane, and godless man. This, in
manuscript and flattened it upon his knee. truth, his neighbours might have pardoned,
“You will observe, Watson, the alternative use seeing that saints have never flourished in
of the long s and the short. It is one of several those parts, but there was in him a cer-
indications which enabled me to fix the date.” tain wanton and cruel humour which made
his name a byword through the West. It
I looked over his shoulder at the yellow paper
chanced that this Hugo came to love (if, in-
and the faded script. At the head was written:
deed, so dark a passion may be known un-
“Baskerville Hall,” and below in large, scrawling
der so bright a name) the daughter of a yeo-
figures: “1742.”
man who held lands near the Baskerville es-
“It appears to be a statement of some sort.” tate. But the young maiden, being discreet
“Yes, it is a statement of a certain legend which and of good repute, would ever avoid him,
runs in the Baskerville family.” for she feared his evil name. So it came to
“But I understand that it is something more pass that one Michaelmas this Hugo, with
modern and practical upon which you wish to five or six of his idle and wicked compan-
consult me?” ions, stole down upon the farm and carried
off the maiden, her father and brothers be-
“Most modern. A most practical, pressing mat- ing from home, as he well knew. When they
ter, which must be decided within twenty-four had brought her to the Hall the maiden was
hours. But the manuscript is short and is inti- placed in an upper chamber, while Hugo
mately connected with the affair. With your per- and his friends sat down to a long carouse,
mission I will read it to you.” as was their nightly custom. Now, the
Holmes leaned back in his chair, placed his poor lass upstairs was like to have her wits
finger-tips together, and closed his eyes, with turned at the singing and shouting and ter-
an air of resignation. Dr. Mortimer turned the rible oaths which came up to her from be-

590
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

low, for they say that the words used by that he could scarce speak, but at last he
Hugo Baskerville, when he was in wine, said that he had indeed seen the unhappy
were such as might blast the man who said maiden, with the hounds upon her track.
them. At last in the stress of her fear she did ‘But I have seen more than that,’ said he,
that which might have daunted the bravest ‘for Hugo Baskerville passed me upon his
or most active man, for by the aid of the black mare, and there ran mute behind him
growth of ivy which covered (and still cov- such a hound of hell as God forbid should
ers) the south wall she came down from un- ever be at my heels.’ So the drunken squires
der the eaves, and so homeward across the cursed the shepherd and rode onward. But
moor, there being three leagues betwixt the soon their skins turned cold, for there came
Hall and her father’s farm. a galloping across the moor, and the black
mare, dabbled with white froth, went past
“It chanced that some little time later
with trailing bridle and empty saddle. Then
Hugo left his guests to carry food and
the revellers rode close together, for a great
drink—with other worse things, per-
fear was on them, but they still followed
chance—to his captive, and so found the
over the moor, though each, had he been
cage empty and the bird escaped. Then,
alone, would have been right glad to have
as it would seem, he became as one that
turned his horse’s head. Riding slowly in
hath a devil, for, rushing down the stairs
this fashion they came at last upon the
into the dining-hall, he sprang upon the
hounds. These, though known for their val-
great table, flagons and trenchers flying be-
our and their breed, were whimpering in a
fore him, and he cried aloud before all the
cluster at the head of a deep dip or goyal,
company that he would that very night ren-
as we call it, upon the moor, some slinking
der his body and soul to the Powers of Evil
away and some, with starting hackles and
if he might but overtake the wench. And
staring eyes, gazing down the narrow val-
while the revellers stood aghast at the fury
ley before them.
of the man, one more wicked or, it may
be, more drunken than the rest, cried out “The company had come to a halt, more
that they should put the hounds upon her. sober men, as you may guess, than when
Whereat Hugo ran from the house, crying they started. The most of them would by no
to his grooms that they should saddle his means advance, but three of them, the bold-
mare and unkennel the pack, and giving the est, or it may be the most drunken, rode for-
hounds a kerchief of the maid’s, he swung ward down the goyal. Now, it opened into
them to the line, and so off full cry in the a broad space in which stood two of those
moonlight over the moor. great stones, still to be seen there, which
were set by certain forgotten peoples in the
“Now, for some space the revellers stood
days of old. The moon was shining bright
agape, unable to understand all that had
upon the clearing, and there in the centre
been done in such haste. But anon their be-
lay the unhappy maid where she had fallen,
mused wits awoke to the nature of the deed
dead of fear and of fatigue. But it was not
which was like to be done upon the moor-
the sight of her body, nor yet was it that
lands. Everything was now in an uproar,
of the body of Hugo Baskerville lying near
some calling for their pistols, some for their
her, which raised the hair upon the heads
horses, and some for another flask of wine.
of these three daredevil roysterers, but it
But at length some sense came back to their
was that, standing over Hugo, and pluck-
crazed minds, and the whole of them, thir-
ing at his throat, there stood a foul thing,
teen in number, took horse and started in
a great, black beast, shaped like a hound,
pursuit. The moon shone clear above them,
yet larger than any hound that ever mor-
and they rode swiftly abreast, taking that
tal eye has rested upon. And even as they
course which the maid must needs have
looked the thing tore the throat out of Hugo
taken if she were to reach her own home.
Baskerville, on which, as it turned its blaz-
“They had gone a mile or two when they ing eyes and dripping jaws upon them, the
passed one of the night shepherds upon the three shrieked with fear and rode for dear
moorlands, and they cried to him to know life, still screaming, across the moor. One,
if he had seen the hunt. And the man, it is said, died that very night of what he
as the story goes, was so crazed with fear had seen, and the other twain were but bro-

591
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

ken men for the rest of their days. these days of nouveaux riches it is refresh-
“Such is the tale, my sons, of the coming ing to find a case where the scion of an old
of the hound which is said to have plagued county family which has fallen upon evil
the family so sorely ever since. If I have set days is able to make his own fortune and to
it down it is because that which is clearly bring it back with him to restore the fallen
known hath less terror than that which is grandeur of his line. Sir Charles, as is well
but hinted at and guessed. Nor can it be known, made large sums of money in South
denied that many of the family have been African speculation. More wise than those
unhappy in their deaths, which have been who go on until the wheel turns against
sudden, bloody, and mysterious. Yet may them, he realized his gains and returned to
we shelter ourselves in the infinite good- England with them. It is only two years
ness of Providence, which would not for- since he took up his residence at Baskerville
ever punish the innocent beyond that third Hall, and it is common talk how large were
or fourth generation which is threatened in those schemes of reconstruction and im-
Holy Writ. To that Providence, my sons, I provement which have been interrupted by
hereby commend you, and I counsel you by his death. Being himself childless, it was
way of caution to forbear from crossing the his openly expressed desire that the whole
moor in those dark hours when the powers country-side should, within his own life-
of evil are exalted. time, profit by his good fortune, and many
will have personal reasons for bewailing his
“[This from Hugo Baskerville to his sons untimely end. His generous donations to
Rodger and John, with instructions that local and county charities have been fre-
they say nothing thereof to their sister Eliz- quently chronicled in these columns.
abeth.]“
“The circumstances connected with the
When Dr. Mortimer had finished reading this death of Sir Charles cannot be said to have
singular narrative he pushed his spectacles up on been entirely cleared up by the inquest, but
his forehead and stared across at Mr. Sherlock at least enough has been done to dispose
Holmes. The latter yawned and tossed the end of of those rumours to which local supersti-
his cigarette into the fire. tion has given rise. There is no reason
“Well?” said he. whatever to suspect foul play, or to imag-
ine that death could be from any but nat-
“Do you not find it interesting?”
ural causes. Sir Charles was a widower,
“To a collector of fairy tales.” and a man who may be said to have been in
Dr. Mortimer drew a folded newspaper out of some ways of an eccentric habit of mind. In
his pocket. spite of his considerable wealth he was sim-
ple in his personal tastes, and his indoor
“Now, Mr. Holmes, we will give you some-
servants at Baskerville Hall consisted of a
thing a little more recent. This is the Devon County
married couple named Barrymore, the hus-
Chronicle of May 14th of this year. It is a short ac-
band acting as butler and the wife as house-
count of the facts elicited at the death of Sir Charles
keeper. Their evidence, corroborated by that
Baskerville which occurred a few days before that
of several friends, tends to show that Sir
date.”
Charles’s health has for some time been im-
My friend leaned a little forward and his ex- paired, and points especially to some af-
pression became intent. Our visitor readjusted his fection of the heart, manifesting itself in
glasses and began:— changes of colour, breathlessness, and acute
“The recent sudden death of Sir Charles attacks of nervous depression. Dr. James
Baskerville, whose name has been men- Mortimer, the friend and medical attendant
tioned as the probable Liberal candidate for of the deceased, has given evidence to the
Mid-Devon at the next election, has cast a same effect.
gloom over the county. Though Sir Charles “The facts of the case are simple. Sir
had resided at Baskerville Hall for a com- Charles Baskerville was in the habit every
paratively short period his amiability of night before going to bed of walking down
character and extreme generosity had won the famous Yew Alley of Baskerville Hall.
the affection and respect of all who had The evidence of the Barrymores shows that
been brought into contact with him. In this had been his custom. On the 4th of

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

May Sir Charles had declared his inten- man when last heard of was in America,
tion of starting next day for London, and and inquiries are being instituted with a
had ordered Barrymore to prepare his lug- view to informing him of his good fortune.”
gage. That night he went out as usual for Dr. Mortimer refolded his paper and replaced
his nocturnal walk, in the course of which it in his pocket.
he was in the habit of smoking a cigar.
He never returned. At twelve o’clock Bar- “Those are the public facts, Mr. Holmes, in con-
rymore, finding the hall door still open, nection with the death of Sir Charles Baskerville.”
became alarmed, and, lighting a lantern, “I must thank you,” said Sherlock Holmes,
went in search of his master. The day had “for calling my attention to a case which certainly
been wet, and Sir Charles’s footmarks were presents some features of interest. I had observed
easily traced down the Alley. Half-way some newspaper comment at the time, but I was
down this walk there is a gate which leads exceedingly preoccupied by that little affair of the
out on to the moor. There were indications Vatican cameos, and in my anxiety to oblige the
that Sir Charles had stood for some little Pope I lost touch with several interesting English
time here. He then proceeded down the Al- cases. This article, you say, contains all the public
ley, and it was at the far end of it that his facts?”
body was discovered. One fact which has “It does.”
not been explained is the statement of Bar-
“Then let me have the private ones.” He leaned
rymore that his master’s footprints altered
back, put his finger-tips together, and assumed his
their character from the time that he passed
most impassive and judicial expression.
the moor-gate, and that he appeared from
thence onward to have been walking upon “In doing so,” said Dr. Mortimer, who had be-
his toes. One Murphy, a gipsy horse-dealer, gun to show signs of some strong emotion, “I am
was on the moor at no great distance at the telling that which I have not confided to anyone.
time, but he appears by his own confession My motive for withholding it from the coroner’s
to have been the worse for drink. He de- inquiry is that a man of science shrinks from plac-
clares that he heard cries, but is unable to ing himself in the public position of seeming to in-
state from what direction they came. No dorse a popular superstition. I had the further mo-
signs of violence were to be discovered upon tive that Baskerville Hall, as the paper says, would
Sir Charles’s person, and though the doc- certainly remain untenanted if anything were done
tor’s evidence pointed to an almost incredi- to increase its already rather grim reputation. For
ble facial distortion—so great that Dr. Mor- both these reasons I thought that I was justified in
timer refused at first to believe that it was telling rather less than I knew, since no practical
indeed his friend and patient who lay before good could result from it, but with you there is no
him—it was explained that that is a symp- reason why I should not be perfectly frank.
tom which is not unusual in cases of dys- “The moor is very sparsely inhabited, and
pnoea and death from cardiac exhaustion. those who live near each other are thrown very
This explanation was borne out by the post- much together. For this reason I saw a good deal
mortem examination, which showed long- of Sir Charles Baskerville. With the exception of
standing organic disease, and the coroner’s Mr. Frankland, of Lafter Hall, and Mr. Stapleton,
jury returned a verdict in accordance with the naturalist, there are no other men of education
the medical evidence. It is well that this is within many miles. Sir Charles was a retiring man,
so, for it is obviously of the utmost impor- but the chance of his illness brought us together,
tance that Sir Charles’s heir should settle at and a community of interests in science kept us so.
the Hall and continue the good work which He had brought back much scientific information
has been so sadly interrupted. Had the pro- from South Africa, and many a charming evening
saic finding of the coroner not finally put an we have spent together discussing the comparative
end to the romantic stories which have been anatomy of the Bushman and the Hottentot.
whispered in connection with the affair, it
“Within the last few months it became increas-
might have been difficult to find a tenant
ingly plain to me that Sir Charles’s nervous system
for Baskerville Hall. It is understood that
was strained to the breaking point. He had taken
the next of kin is Mr. Henry Baskerville,
this legend which I have read you exceedingly to
if he be still alive, the son of Sir Charles
heart—so much so that, although he would walk
Baskerville’s younger brother. The young
in his own grounds, nothing would induce him to

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

go out upon the moor at night. Incredible as it idently having a serious effect upon his health. I
may appear to you, Mr. Holmes, he was honestly thought that a few months among the distractions
convinced that a dreadful fate overhung his fam- of town would send him back a new man. Mr. Sta-
ily, and certainly the records which he was able to pleton, a mutual friend who was much concerned
give of his ancestors were not encouraging. The at his state of health, was of the same opinion. At
idea of some ghastly presence constantly haunted the last instant came this terrible catastrophe.
him, and on more than one occasion he has asked “On the night of Sir Charles’s death Barrymore
me whether I had on my medical journeys at night the butler, who made the discovery, sent Perkins
ever seen any strange creature or heard the baying the groom on horseback to me, and as I was sitting
of a hound. The latter question he put to me sev- up late I was able to reach Baskerville Hall within
eral times, and always with a voice which vibrated an hour of the event. I checked and corroborated
with excitement. all the facts which were mentioned at the inquest.
“I can well remember driving up to his house I followed the footsteps down the Yew Alley, I saw
in the evening some three weeks before the fatal the spot at the moor-gate where he seemed to have
event. He chanced to be at his hall door. I had waited, I remarked the change in the shape of the
descended from my gig and was standing in front prints after that point, I noted that there were no
of him, when I saw his eyes fix themselves over other footsteps save those of Barrymore on the soft
my shoulder, and stare past me with an expres- gravel, and finally I carefully examined the body,
sion of the most dreadful horror. I whisked round which had not been touched until my arrival. Sir
and had just time to catch a glimpse of something Charles lay on his face, his arms out, his fingers
which I took to be a large black calf passing at the dug into the ground, and his features convulsed
head of the drive. So excited and alarmed was he with some strong emotion to such an extent that I
that I was compelled to go down to the spot where could hardly have sworn to his identity. There was
the animal had been and look around for it. It was certainly no physical injury of any kind. But one
gone, however, and the incident appeared to make false statement was made by Barrymore at the in-
the worst impression upon his mind. I stayed with quest. He said that there were no traces upon the
him all the evening, and it was on that occasion, ground round the body. He did not observe any.
to explain the emotion which he had shown, that But I did—some little distance off, but fresh and
he confided to my keeping that narrative which clear.”
I read to you when first I came. I mention this “Footprints?”
small episode because it assumes some importance
“Footprints.”
in view of the tragedy which followed, but I was
convinced at the time that the matter was entirely “A man’s or a woman’s?”
trivial and that his excitement had no justification. Dr. Mortimer looked strangely at us for an in-
“It was at my advice that Sir Charles was about stant, and his voice sank almost to a whisper as he
to go to London. His heart was, I knew, affected, answered:—
and the constant anxiety in which he lived, how- “Mr. Holmes, they were the footprints of a gi-
ever chimerical the cause of it might be, was ev- gantic hound!”

CHAPTER III.
The Problem

I confess at these words a shudder passed hard, dry glitter which shot from them when he
through me. There was a thrill in the doctor’s was keenly interested.
voice which showed that he was himself deeply “You saw this?”
moved by that which he told us. Holmes leaned
“As clearly as I see you.”
forward in his excitement and his eyes had the
“And you said nothing?”

594
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

“What was the use?” “How high was it?”

“How was it that no one else saw it?” “About four feet high.”
“The marks were some twenty yards from the “Then anyone could have got over it?”
body and no one gave them a thought. I don’t sup- “Yes.”
pose I should have done so had I not known this “And what marks did you see by the wicket-
legend.” gate?”
“There are many sheep-dogs on the moor?” “None in particular.”
“No doubt, but this was no sheep-dog.” “Good heaven! Did no one examine?”
“You say it was large?” “Yes, I examined myself.”
“Enormous.” “And found nothing?”
“But it had not approached the body?” “It was all very confused. Sir Charles had evi-
“No.“ dently stood there for five or ten minutes.”
“What sort of night was it?” “How do you know that?”
“Because the ash had twice dropped from his
“Damp and raw.”
cigar.”
“But not actually raining?”
“Excellent! This is a colleague, Watson, after
“No.” our own heart. But the marks?”
“What is the Alley like?” “He had left his own marks all over that small
“There are two lines of old yew hedge, twelve patch of gravel. I could discern no others.”
feet high and impenetrable. The walk in the centre Sherlock Holmes struck his hand against his
is about eight feet across.” knee with an impatient gesture.
“Is there anything between the hedges and the “If I had only been there!” he cried. “It is ev-
walk?” idently a case of extraordinary interest, and one
“Yes, there is a strip of grass about six feet which presented immense opportunities to the sci-
broad on either side.” entific expert. That gravel page upon which I
might have read so much has been long ere this
“I understand that the yew hedge is penetrated
smudged by the rain and defaced by the clogs of
at one point by a gate?”
curious peasants. Oh, Dr. Mortimer, Dr. Mortimer,
“Yes, the wicket-gate which leads on to the to think that you should not have called me in! You
moor.” have indeed much to answer for.”
“Is there any other opening?” “I could not call you in, Mr. Holmes, without
“None.” disclosing these facts to the world, and I have al-
“So that to reach the Yew Alley one either has ready given my reasons for not wishing to do so.
to come down it from the house or else to enter it Besides, besides—”
by the moor-gate?” “Why do you hesitate?”
“There is an exit through a summer-house at “There is a realm in which the most acute and
the far end.” most experienced of detectives is helpless.”
“Had Sir Charles reached this?” “You mean that the thing is supernatural?”
“No; he lay about fifty yards from it.” “I did not positively say so.”
“Now, tell me, Dr. Mortimer—and this is im- “No, but you evidently think it.”
portant—the marks which you saw were on the “Since the tragedy, Mr. Holmes, there have
path and not on the grass?” come to my ears several incidents which are hard
“No marks could show on the grass.” to reconcile with the settled order of Nature.”
“For example?”
“Were they on the same side of the path as the
moor-gate?” “I find that before the terrible event occurred
several people had seen a creature upon the moor
“Yes; they were on the edge of the path on the
which corresponds with this Baskerville demon,
same side as the moor-gate.”
and which could not possibly be any animal
“You interest me exceedingly. Another point. known to science. They all agreed that it was
Was the wicket-gate closed?” a huge creature, luminous, ghastly, and spectral.
“Closed and padlocked.” I have cross-examined these men, one of them a

595
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

hard-headed countryman, one a farrier, and one a Holmes, what would you advise me to do with
moorland farmer, who all tell the same story of this him?”
dreadful apparition, exactly corresponding to the “Why should he not go to the home of his fa-
hell-hound of the legend. I assure you that there thers?”
is a reign of terror in the district, and that it is a “It seems natural, does it not? And yet, con-
hardy man who will cross the moor at night.” sider that every Baskerville who goes there meets
“And you, a trained man of science, believe it with an evil fate. I feel sure that if Sir Charles
to be supernatural?” could have spoken with me before his death he
“I do not know what to believe.” would have warned me against bringing this, the
last of the old race, and the heir to great wealth,
Holmes shrugged his shoulders.
to that deadly place. And yet it cannot be de-
“I have hitherto confined my investigations to nied that the prosperity of the whole poor, bleak
this world,” said he. “In a modest way I have com- country-side depends upon his presence. All the
bated evil, but to take on the Father of Evil himself good work which has been done by Sir Charles
would, perhaps, be too ambitious a task. Yet you will crash to the ground if there is no tenant of the
must admit that the footmark is material.” Hall. I fear lest I should be swayed too much by
“The original hound was material enough to my own obvious interest in the matter, and that is
tug a man’s throat out, and yet he was diabolical why I bring the case before you and ask for your
as well.” advice.”
“I see that you have quite gone over to the su- Holmes considered for a little time.
pernaturalists. But now, Dr. Mortimer, tell me this. “Put into plain words, the matter is this,” said
If you hold these views, why have you come to he. “In your opinion there is a diabolical agency
consult me at all? You tell me in the same breath which makes Dartmoor an unsafe abode for a
that it is useless to investigate Sir Charles’s death, Baskerville—that is your opinion?”
and that you desire me to do it.” “At least I might go the length of saying that
“I did not say that I desired you to do it.” there is some evidence that this may be so.”
“Exactly. But surely, if your supernatural the-
“Then, how can I assist you?”
ory be correct, it could work the young man evil
“By advising me as to what I should do with in London as easily as in Devonshire. A devil with
Sir Henry Baskerville, who arrives at Waterloo Sta- merely local powers like a parish vestry would be
tion”—Dr. Mortimer looked at his watch—“in ex- too inconceivable a thing.”
actly one hour and a quarter.” “You put the matter more flippantly, Mr.
“He being the heir?” Holmes, than you would probably do if you were
“Yes. On the death of Sir Charles we inquired brought into personal contact with these things.
for this young gentleman and found that he had Your advice, then, as I understand it, is that the
been farming in Canada. From the accounts which young man will be as safe in Devonshire as in Lon-
have reached us he is an excellent fellow in every don. He comes in fifty minutes. What would you
way. I speak not as a medical man but as a trustee recommend?”
and executor of Sir Charles’s will.” “I recommend, sir, that you take a cab, call
“There is no other claimant, I presume?” off your spaniel who is scratching at my front
door, and proceed to Waterloo to meet Sir Henry
“None. The only other kinsman whom we
Baskerville.”
have been able to trace was Rodger Baskerville,
“And then?”
the youngest of three brothers of whom poor Sir
Charles was the elder. The second brother, who “And then you will say nothing to him at all
died young, is the father of this lad Henry. The until I have made up my mind about the matter.”
third, Rodger, was the black sheep of the family. “How long will it take you to make up your
He came of the old masterful Baskerville strain, mind?”
and was the very image, they tell me, of the family “Twenty-four hours. At ten o’clock to-morrow,
picture of old Hugo. He made England too hot to Dr. Mortimer, I will be much obliged to you if you
hold him, fled to Central America, and died there will call upon me here, and it will be of help to
in 1876 of yellow fever. Henry is the last of the me in my plans for the future if you will bring Sir
Baskervilles. In one hour and five minutes I meet Henry Baskerville with you.”
him at Waterloo Station. I have had a wire that he “I will do so, Mr. Holmes.” He scribbled the
arrived at Southampton this morning. Now, Mr. appointment on his shirtcuff and hurried off in his

596
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

strange, peering, absent-minded fashion. Holmes “Open the window, then! You have been at
stopped him at the head of the stair. your club all day, I perceive.”
“Only one more question, Dr. Mortimer. You “My dear Holmes!”
say that before Sir Charles Baskerville’s death sev- “Am I right?”
eral people saw this apparition upon the moor?” “Certainly, but how?”
“Three people did.” He laughed at my bewildered expression.
“There is a delightful freshness about you, Wat-
“Did any see it after?” son, which makes it a pleasure to exercise any
“I have not heard of any.” small powers which I possess at your expense. A
“Thank you. Good morning.” gentleman goes forth on a showery and miry day.
He returns immaculate in the evening with the
Holmes returned to his seat with that quiet gloss still on his hat and his boots. He has been
look of inward satisfaction which meant that he a fixture therefore all day. He is not a man with in-
had a congenial task before him. timate friends. Where, then, could he have been?
“Going out, Watson?” Is it not obvious?”
“Unless I can help you.” “Well, it is rather obvious.”
“The world is full of obvious things which no-
“No, my dear fellow, it is at the hour of action body by any chance ever observes. Where do you
that I turn to you for aid. But this is splendid, re- think that I have been?”
ally unique from some points of view. When you
“A fixture also.”
pass Bradley’s, would you ask him to send up a
“On the contrary, I have been to Devonshire.”
pound of the strongest shag tobacco? Thank you.
It would be as well if you could make it convenient “In spirit?”
not to return before evening. Then I should be “Exactly. My body has remained in this arm-
very glad to compare impressions as to this most chair and has, I regret to observe, consumed in my
interesting problem which has been submitted to absence two large pots of coffee and an incredible
us this morning.” amount of tobacco. After you left I sent down to
Stamford’s for the Ordnance map of this portion of
I knew that seclusion and solitude were very the moor, and my spirit has hovered over it all day.
necessary for my friend in those hours of intense I flatter myself that I could find my way about.”
mental concentration during which he weighed
“A large scale map, I presume?”
every particle of evidence, constructed alternative
“Very large.” He unrolled one section and held
theories, balanced one against the other, and made
it over his knee. “Here you have the particular dis-
up his mind as to which points were essential and
trict which concerns us. That is Baskerville Hall in
which immaterial. I therefore spent the day at
the middle.”
my club and did not return to Baker Street until
evening. It was nearly nine o’clock when I found “With a wood round it?”
myself in the sitting-room once more. “Exactly. I fancy the Yew Alley, though not
marked under that name, must stretch along this
My first impression as I opened the door was line, with the moor, as you perceive, upon the right
that a fire had broken out, for the room was so of it. This small clump of buildings here is the
filled with smoke that the light of the lamp upon hamlet of Grimpen, where our friend Dr. Mortimer
the table was blurred by it. As I entered, how- has his headquarters. Within a radius of five miles
ever, my fears were set at rest, for it was the acrid there are, as you see, only a very few scattered
fumes of strong coarse tobacco which took me by dwellings. Here is Lafter Hall, which was men-
the throat and set me coughing. Through the haze tioned in the narrative. There is a house indicated
I had a vague vision of Holmes in his dressing- here which may be the residence of the natural-
gown coiled up in an armchair with his black clay ist—Stapleton, if I remember right, was his name.
pipe between his lips. Several rolls of paper lay Here are two moorland farm-houses, High Tor and
around him. Foulmire. Then fourteen miles away the great con-
“Caught cold, Watson?” said he. vict prison of Princetown. Between and around
“No, it’s this poisonous atmosphere.” these scattered points extends the desolate, lifeless
moor. This, then, is the stage upon which tragedy
“I suppose it is pretty thick, now that you men- has been played, and upon which we may help to
tion it.” play it again.”
“Thick! It is intolerable.” “It must be a wild place.”

597
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

“Yes, the setting is a worthy one. If the devil “He was running, Watson—running desper-
did desire to have a hand in the affairs of men—” ately, running for his life, running until he burst
his heart and fell dead upon his face.”
“Then you are yourself inclining to the super-
natural explanation.” “Running from what?”
“The devil’s agents may be of flesh and blood, “There lies our problem. There are indications
may they not? There are two questions waiting for that the man was crazed with fear before ever he
us at the outset. The one is whether any crime has began to run.”
been committed at all; the second is, what is the “How can you say that?”
crime and how was it committed? Of course, if “I am presuming that the cause of his fears
Dr. Mortimer’s surmise should be correct, and we came to him across the moor. If that were so, and
are dealing with forces outside the ordinary laws it seems most probable, only a man who had lost
of Nature, there is an end of our investigation. But his wits would have run from the house instead of
we are bound to exhaust all other hypotheses be- towards it. If the gipsy’s evidence may be taken
fore falling back upon this one. I think we’ll shut as true, he ran with cries for help in the direction
that window again, if you don’t mind. It is a sin- where help was least likely to be. Then, again,
gular thing, but I find that a concentrated atmo- whom was he waiting for that night, and why was
sphere helps a concentration of thought. I have he waiting for him in the Yew Alley rather than in
not pushed it to the length of getting into a box to his own house?”
think, but that is the logical outcome of my con-
“You think that he was waiting for someone?”
victions. Have you turned the case over in your
mind?” “The man was elderly and infirm. We can
understand his taking an evening stroll, but the
“Yes, I have thought a good deal of it in the ground was damp and the night inclement. Is it
course of the day.” natural that he should stand for five or ten min-
“What do you make of it?” utes, as Dr. Mortimer, with more practical sense
than I should have given him credit for, deduced
“It is very bewildering.” from the cigar ash?”
“It has certainly a character of its own. There “But he went out every evening.”
are points of distinction about it. That change in “I think it unlikely that he waited at the moor-
the footprints, for example. What do you make of gate every evening. On the contrary, the evidence
that?” is that he avoided the moor. That night he waited
“Mortimer said that the man had walked on there. It was the night before he made his depar-
tiptoe down that portion of the alley.” ture for London. The thing takes shape, Watson.
It becomes coherent. Might I ask you to hand
“He only repeated what some fool had said at
me my violin, and we will postpone all further
the inquest. Why should a man walk on tiptoe
thought upon this business until we have had the
down the alley?”
advantage of meeting Dr. Mortimer and Sir Henry
“What then?” Baskerville in the morning.”

CHAPTER IV.
Sir Henry Baskerville

Our breakfast-table was cleared early, and by the young baronet. The latter was a small, alert,
Holmes waited in his dressing-gown for the dark-eyed man about thirty years of age, very stur-
promised interview. Our clients were punctual to dily built, with thick black eyebrows and a strong,
their appointment, for the clock had just struck pugnacious face. He wore a ruddy-tinted tweed
ten when Dr. Mortimer was shown up, followed suit and had the weather-beaten appearance of one

598
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

who has spent most of his time in the open air, and “What do you make of it, Dr. Mortimer? You
yet there was something in his steady eye and the must allow that there is nothing supernatural
quiet assurance of his bearing which indicated the about this, at any rate?”
gentleman. “No, sir, but it might very well come from
“This is Sir Henry Baskerville,” said Dr. Mor- someone who was convinced that the business is
timer. supernatural.”
“Why, yes,” said he, “and the strange thing is, “What business?” asked Sir Henry sharply. “It
Mr. Sherlock Holmes, that if my friend here had seems to me that all you gentlemen know a great
not proposed coming round to you this morning deal more than I do about my own affairs.”
I should have come on my own account. I under- “You shall share our knowledge before you
stand that you think out little puzzles, and I’ve had leave this room, Sir Henry. I promise you that,”
one this morning which wants more thinking out said Sherlock Holmes. “We will confine ourselves
than I am able to give it.” for the present with your permission to this very
interesting document, which must have been put
“Pray take a seat, Sir Henry. Do I under-
together and posted yesterday evening. Have you
stand you to say that you have yourself had some
yesterday’s Times, Watson?”
remarkable experience since you arrived in Lon-
don?” “It is here in the corner.”
“Might I trouble you for it—the inside page,
“Nothing of much importance, Mr. Holmes.
please, with the leading articles?” He glanced
Only a joke, as like as not. It was this letter, if you
swiftly over it, running his eyes up and down the
can call it a letter, which reached me this morn-
columns. “Capital article this on free trade. Permit
ing.”
me to give you an extract from it.
He laid an envelope upon the table, and we “ ‘You may be cajoled into imagining that
all bent over it. It was of common quality, gray- your own special trade or your own indus-
ish in colour. The address, “Sir Henry Baskerville, try will be encouraged by a protective tar-
Northumberland Hotel,” was printed in rough iff, but it stands to reason that such legisla-
characters; the postmark “Charing Cross,” and the tion must in the long run keep away wealth
date of posting the preceding evening. from the country, diminish the value of our
“Who knew that you were going to the imports, and lower the general conditions
Northumberland Hotel?” asked Holmes, glancing of life in this island.’
keenly across at our visitor. “What do you think of that, Watson?” cried
“No one could have known. We only decided Holmes in high glee, rubbing his hands together
after I met Dr. Mortimer.” with satisfaction. “Don’t you think that is an ad-
“But Dr. Mortimer was no doubt already stop- mirable sentiment?”
ping there?” Dr. Mortimer looked at Holmes with an air
of professional interest, and Sir Henry Baskerville
“No, I had been staying with a friend,” said the
turned a pair of puzzled dark eyes upon me.
doctor. “There was no possible indication that we
intended to go to this hotel.” “I don’t know much about the tariff and things
of that kind,” said he; “but it seems to me we’ve
“Hum! Someone seems to be very deeply in- got a bit off the trail so far as that note is con-
terested in your movements.” Out of the envelope cerned.”
he took a half-sheet of foolscap paper folded into
“On the contrary, I think we are particularly
four. This he opened and spread flat upon the ta-
hot upon the trail, Sir Henry. Watson here knows
ble. Across the middle of it a single sentence had
more about my methods than you do, but I fear
been formed by the expedient of pasting printed
that even he has not quite grasped the significance
words upon it. It ran:
of this sentence.”
As you value your life or your reason “No, I confess that I see no connection.”
keep away from the moor. “And yet, my dear Watson, there is so very
close a connection that the one is extracted out
The word “moor” only was printed in ink. of the other. ‘You,’ ‘your,’ ‘your,’ ‘life,’ ‘reason,’
“Now,” said Sir Henry Baskerville, “perhaps ‘value,’ ‘keep away,’ ‘from the.’ Don’t you see now
you will tell me, Mr. Holmes, what in thunder is whence these words have been taken?”
the meaning of that, and who it is that takes so “By thunder, you’re right! Well, if that isn’t
much interest in my affairs?” smart!” cried Sir Henry.

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

“If any possible doubt remained it is settled by “There are one or two indications, and yet the
the fact that ‘keep away’ and ‘from the’ are cut out utmost pains have been taken to remove all clues.
in one piece.” The address, you observe is printed in rough char-
“Well, now—so it is!” acters. But the Times is a paper which is seldom
found in any hands but those of the highly edu-
“Really, Mr. Holmes, this exceeds anything
cated. We may take it, therefore, that the letter
which I could have imagined,” said Dr. Mortimer,
was composed by an educated man who wished
gazing at my friend in amazement. “I could under-
to pose as an uneducated one, and his effort to
stand anyone saying that the words were from a
conceal his own writing suggests that that writ-
newspaper; but that you should name which, and
ing might be known, or come to be known, by
add that it came from the leading article, is really
you. Again, you will observe that the words are
one of the most remarkable things which I have
not gummed on in an accurate line, but that some
ever known. How did you do it?”
are much higher than others. ‘Life,’ for example
“I presume, Doctor, that you could tell the skull is quite out of its proper place. That may point to
of a negro from that of an Esquimau?” carelessness or it may point to agitation and hurry
“Most certainly.” upon the part of the cutter. On the whole I incline
“But how?” to the latter view, since the matter was evidently
important, and it is unlikely that the composer of
“Because that is my special hobby. The differ-
such a letter would be careless. If he were in a
ences are obvious. The supra-orbital crest, the fa-
hurry it opens up the interesting question why he
cial angle, the maxillary curve, the—”
should be in a hurry, since any letter posted up
“But this is my special hobby, and the differ- to early morning would reach Sir Henry before he
ences are equally obvious. There is as much dif- would leave his hotel. Did the composer fear an
ference to my eyes between the leaded bourgeois interruption—and from whom?”
type of a Times article and the slovenly print of
“We are coming now rather into the region of
an evening half-penny paper as there could be be-
guesswork,” said Dr. Mortimer.
tween your negro and your Esquimau. The de-
tection of types is one of the most elementary “Say, rather, into the region where we balance
branches of knowledge to the special expert in probabilities and choose the most likely. It is the
crime, though I confess that once when I was very scientific use of the imagination, but we have al-
young I confused the Leeds Mercury with the West- ways some material basis on which to start our
ern Morning News. But a Times leader is entirely speculation. Now, you would call it a guess, no
distinctive, and these words could have been taken doubt, but I am almost certain that this address
from nothing else. As it was done yesterday the has been written in a hotel.”
strong probability was that we should find the “How in the world can you say that?”
words in yesterday’s issue.” “If you examine it carefully you will see that
“So far as I can follow you, then, Mr. Holmes,” both the pen and the ink have given the writer
said Sir Henry Baskerville, “someone cut out this trouble. The pen has spluttered twice in a single
message with a scissors—” word, and has run dry three times in a short ad-
“Nail-scissors,” said Holmes. “You can see that dress, showing that there was very little ink in the
it was a very short-bladed scissors, since the cutter bottle. Now, a private pen or ink-bottle is seldom
had to take two snips over ‘keep away.’ ” allowed to be in such a state, and the combination
of the two must be quite rare. But you know the
“That is so. Someone, then, cut out the mes-
hotel ink and the hotel pen, where it is rare to get
sage with a pair of short-bladed scissors, pasted it
anything else. Yes, I have very little hesitation in
with paste—”
saying that could we examine the waste-paper bas-
“Gum,” said Holmes. kets of the hotels around Charing Cross until we
“With gum on to the paper. But I want to know found the remains of the mutilated Times leader
why the word ‘moor’ should have been written?” we could lay our hands straight upon the person
“Because he could not find it in print. The other who sent this singular message. Halloa! Halloa!
words were all simple and might be found in any What’s this?”
issue, but ‘moor’ would be less common.” He was carefully examining the foolscap, upon
“Why, of course, that would explain it. Have which the words were pasted, holding it only an
you read anything else in this message, Mr. inch or two from his eyes.
Holmes?” “Well?”

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

“Nothing,” said he, throwing it down. “It is brown boots—gave six dollars for them—and had
a blank half-sheet of paper, without even a water- one stolen before ever I had them on my feet.”
mark upon it. I think we have drawn as much “It seems a singularly useless thing to steal,”
as we can from this curious letter; and now, Sir said Sherlock Holmes. “I confess that I share Dr.
Henry, has anything else of interest happened to Mortimer’s belief that it will not be long before the
you since you have been in London?” missing boot is found.”
“Why, no, Mr. Holmes. I think not.” “And, now, gentlemen,” said the baronet with
“You have not observed anyone follow or decision, “it seems to me that I have spoken quite
watch you?” enough about the little that I know. It is time that
you kept your promise and gave me a full account
“I seem to have walked right into the thick of of what we are all driving at.”
a dime novel,” said our visitor. “Why in thunder
“Your request is a very reasonable one,”
should anyone follow or watch me?”
Holmes answered. “Dr. Mortimer, I think you
“We are coming to that. You have nothing else could not do better than to tell your story as you
to report to us before we go into this matter?” told it to us.”
“Well, it depends upon what you think worth Thus encouraged, our scientific friend drew his
reporting.” papers from his pocket, and presented the whole
“I think anything out of the ordinary routine of case as he had done upon the morning before. Sir
life well worth reporting.” Henry Baskerville listened with the deepest atten-
tion, and with an occasional exclamation of sur-
Sir Henry smiled.
prise.
“I don’t know much of British life yet, for I “Well, I seem to have come into an inheritance
have spent nearly all my time in the States and in with a vengeance,” said he when the long narrative
Canada. But I hope that to lose one of your boots is was finished. “Of course, I’ve heard of the hound
not part of the ordinary routine of life over here.” ever since I was in the nursery. It’s the pet story
“You have lost one of your boots?” of the family, though I never thought of taking it
“My dear sir,” cried Dr. Mortimer, “it is only seriously before. But as to my uncle’s death—well,
mislaid. You will find it when you return to the it all seems boiling up in my head, and I can’t get
hotel. What is the use of troubling Mr. Holmes it clear yet. You don’t seem quite to have made up
with trifles of this kind?” your mind whether it’s a case for a policeman or a
“Well, he asked me for anything outside the or- clergyman.”
dinary routine.” “Precisely.”
“And now there’s this affair of the letter to me
“Exactly,” said Holmes, “however foolish the
at the hotel. I suppose that fits into its place.”
incident may seem. You have lost one of your
boots, you say?” “It seems to show that someone knows more
than we do about what goes on upon the moor,”
“Well, mislaid it, anyhow. I put them both out- said Dr. Mortimer.
side my door last night, and there was only one in
“And also,” said Holmes, “that someone is not
the morning. I could get no sense out of the chap
ill-disposed towards you, since they warn you of
who cleans them. The worst of it is that I only
danger.”
bought the pair last night in the Strand, and I have
“Or it may be that they wish, for their own pur-
never had them on.”
poses, to scare me away.”
“If you have never worn them, why did you “Well, of course, that is possible also. I am very
put them out to be cleaned?” much indebted to you, Dr. Mortimer, for introduc-
“They were tan boots and had never been var- ing me to a problem which presents several inter-
nished. That was why I put them out.” esting alternatives. But the practical point which
“Then I understand that on your arrival in Lon- we now have to decide, Sir Henry, is whether it
don yesterday you went out at once and bought a is or is not advisable for you to go to Baskerville
pair of boots?” Hall.”
“I did a good deal of shopping. Dr. Mortimer “Why should I not go?”
here went round with me. You see, if I am to “There seems to be danger.”
be squire down there I must dress the part, and “Do you mean danger from this family fiend or
it may be that I have got a little careless in my do you mean danger from human beings?”
ways out West. Among other things I bought these “Well, that is what we have to find out.”

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

“Whichever it is, my answer is fixed. There is I saw that a hansom cab with a man inside which
no devil in hell, Mr. Holmes, and there is no man had halted on the other side of the street was now
upon earth who can prevent me from going to the proceeding slowly onward again.
home of my own people, and you may take that to “There’s our man, Watson! Come along! We’ll
be my final answer.” His dark brows knitted and have a good look at him, if we can do no more.”
his face flushed to a dusky red as he spoke. It was At that instant I was aware of a bushy black
evident that the fiery temper of the Baskervilles beard and a pair of piercing eyes turned upon us
was not extinct in this their last representative. through the side window of the cab. Instantly
“Meanwhile,” said he, “I have hardly had time to the trapdoor at the top flew up, something was
think over all that you have told me. It’s a big screamed to the driver, and the cab flew madly off
thing for a man to have to understand and to de- down Regent Street. Holmes looked eagerly round
cide at one sitting. I should like to have a quiet for another, but no empty one was in sight. Then
hour by myself to make up my mind. Now, look he dashed in wild pursuit amid the stream of the
here, Mr. Holmes, it’s half-past eleven now and I traffic, but the start was too great, and already the
am going back right away to my hotel. Suppose cab was out of sight.
you and your friend, Dr. Watson, come round and “There now!” said Holmes bitterly as he
lunch with us at two. I’ll be able to tell you more emerged panting and white with vexation from the
clearly then how this thing strikes me.” tide of vehicles. “Was ever such bad luck and such
“Is that convenient to you, Watson?” bad management, too? Watson, Watson, if you are
“Perfectly.” an honest man you will record this also and set it
against my successes!”
“Then you may expect us. Shall I have a cab
“Who was the man?”
called?”
“I have not an idea.”
“I’d prefer to walk, for this affair has flurried
“A spy?”
me rather.”
“Well, it was evident from what we have heard
“I’ll join you in a walk, with pleasure,” said his that Baskerville has been very closely shadowed
companion. by someone since he has been in town. How
“Then we meet again at two o’clock. Au revoir, else could it be known so quickly that it was the
and good-morning!” Northumberland Hotel which he had chosen? If
they had followed him the first day I argued that
We heard the steps of our visitors descend the
they would follow him also the second. You may
stair and the bang of the front door. In an instant
have observed that I twice strolled over to the win-
Holmes had changed from the languid dreamer to
dow while Dr. Mortimer was reading his legend.”
the man of action.
“Yes, I remember.”
“Your hat and boots, Watson, quick! Not a
“I was looking out for loiterers in the street,
moment to lose!” He rushed into his room in his
but I saw none. We are dealing with a clever man,
dressing-gown and was back again in a few sec-
Watson. This matter cuts very deep, and though
onds in a frock-coat. We hurried together down
I have not finally made up my mind whether it
the stairs and into the street. Dr. Mortimer and
is a benevolent or a malevolent agency which is in
Baskerville were still visible about two hundred
touch with us, I am conscious always of power and
yards ahead of us in the direction of Oxford Street.
design. When our friends left I at once followed
“Shall I run on and stop them?” them in the hopes of marking down their invisible
“Not for the world, my dear Watson. I am per- attendant. So wily was he that he had not trusted
fectly satisfied with your company if you will tol- himself upon foot, but he had availed himself of
erate mine. Our friends are wise, for it is certainly a cab so that he could loiter behind or dash past
a very fine morning for a walk.” them and so escape their notice. His method had
the additional advantage that if they were to take
He quickened his pace until we had decreased
a cab he was all ready to follow them. It has, how-
the distance which divided us by about half. Then,
ever, one obvious disadvantage.”
still keeping a hundred yards behind, we followed
into Oxford Street and so down Regent Street. “It puts him in the power of the cabman.”
Once our friends stopped and stared into a shop “Exactly.”
window, upon which Holmes did the same. An “What a pity we did not get the number!”
instant afterwards he gave a little cry of satisfac- “My dear Watson, clumsy as I have been, you
tion, and, following the direction of his eager eyes, surely do not seriously imagine that I neglected to

602
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

get the number? No. 2704 is our man. But that is “Could you ring him up?—thank you! And I
no use to us for the moment.” should be glad to have change of this five-pound
“I fail to see how you could have done more.” note.”
A lad of fourteen, with a bright, keen face, had
“On observing the cab I should have instantly
obeyed the summons of the manager. He stood
turned and walked in the other direction. I should
now gazing with great reverence at the famous de-
then at my leisure have hired a second cab and
tective.
followed the first at a respectful distance, or, bet-
ter still, have driven to the Northumberland Hotel “Let me have the Hotel Directory,” said
and waited there. When our unknown had fol- Holmes. “Thank you! Now, Cartwright, there are
lowed Baskerville home we should have had the the names of twenty-three hotels here, all in the
opportunity of playing his own game upon him- immediate neighbourhood of Charing Cross. Do
self and seeing where he made for. As it is, by you see?”
an indiscreet eagerness, which was taken advan- “Yes, sir.”
tage of with extraordinary quickness and energy “You will visit each of these in turn.”
by our opponent, we have betrayed ourselves and
lost our man.” “Yes, sir.”
“You will begin in each case by giving the out-
We had been sauntering slowly down Regent
side porter one shilling. Here are twenty-three
Street during this conversation, and Dr. Mortimer,
shillings.”
with his companion, had long vanished in front of
us. “Yes, sir.”
“There is no object in our following them,” said “You will tell him that you want to see the
Holmes. “The shadow has departed and will not waste-paper of yesterday. You will say that an im-
return. We must see what further cards we have portant telegram has miscarried and that you are
in our hands and play them with decision. Could looking for it. You understand?”
you swear to that man’s face within the cab?” “Yes, sir.”
“I could swear only to the beard.” “But what you are really looking for is the cen-
tre page of the Times with some holes cut in it with
“And so could I—from which I gather that in scissors. Here is a copy of the Times. It is this page.
all probability it was a false one. A clever man You could easily recognize it, could you not?”
upon so delicate an errand has no use for a beard
save to conceal his features. Come in here, Wat- “Yes, sir.”
son!” “In each case the outside porter will send for
the hall porter, to whom also you will give a
He turned into one of the district messenger
shilling. Here are twenty-three shillings. You
offices, where he was warmly greeted by the man-
will then learn in possibly twenty cases out of the
ager.
twenty-three that the waste of the day before has
“Ah, Wilson, I see you have not forgotten the been burned or removed. In the three other cases
little case in which I had the good fortune to help you will be shown a heap of paper and you will
you?” look for this page of the Times among it. The odds
“No, sir, indeed I have not. You saved my good are enormously against your finding it. There
name, and perhaps my life.” are ten shillings over in case of emergencies. Let
me have a report by wire at Baker Street before
“My dear fellow, you exaggerate. I have some evening. And now, Watson, it only remains for us
recollection, Wilson, that you had among your to find out by wire the identity of the cabman, No.
boys a lad named Cartwright, who showed some 2704, and then we will drop into one of the Bond
ability during the investigation.” Street picture galleries and fill in the time until we
“Yes, sir, he is still with us.” are due at the hotel.”

603
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

CHAPTER V.
Three Broken Threads

Sherlock Holmes had, in a very remarkable As we came round the top of the stairs we had
degree, the power of detaching his mind at will. run up against Sir Henry Baskerville himself. His
For two hours the strange business in which we face was flushed with anger, and he held an old
had been involved appeared to be forgotten, and and dusty boot in one of his hands. So furious was
he was entirely absorbed in the pictures of the he that he was hardly articulate, and when he did
modern Belgian masters. He would talk of noth- speak it was in a much broader and more Western
ing but art, of which he had the crudest ideas, from dialect than any which we had heard from him in
our leaving the gallery until we found ourselves at the morning.
the Northumberland Hotel. “Seems to me they are playing me for a sucker
“Sir Henry Baskerville is upstairs expecting in this hotel,” he cried. “They’ll find they’ve
you,” said the clerk. “He asked me to show you started in to monkey with the wrong man unless
up at once when you came.” they are careful. By thunder, if that chap can’t find
“Have you any objection to my looking at your my missing boot there will be trouble. I can take
register?” said Holmes. a joke with the best, Mr. Holmes, but they’ve got a
bit over the mark this time.”
“Not in the least.”
“Still looking for your boot?”
The book showed that two names had been
added after that of Baskerville. One was “Yes, sir, and mean to find it.”
Theophilus Johnson and family, of Newcastle; the “But, surely, you said that it was a new brown
other Mrs. Oldmore and maid, of High Lodge, Al- boot?”
ton. “So it was, sir. And now it’s an old black one.”
“Surely that must be the same Johnson whom “What! you don’t mean to say—?”
I used to know,” said Holmes to the porter. “A “That’s just what I do mean to say. I only had
lawyer, is he not, gray-headed, and walks with a three pairs in the world—the new brown, the old
limp?” black, and the patent leathers, which I am wearing.
“No, sir; this is Mr. Johnson, the coal-owner, a Last night they took one of my brown ones, and
very active gentleman, not older than yourself.” to-day they have sneaked one of the black. Well,
“Surely you are mistaken about his trade?” have you got it? Speak out, man, and don’t stand
staring!”
“No, sir! he has used this hotel for many years,
An agitated German waiter had appeared upon
and he is very well known to us.”
the scene.
“Ah, that settles it. Mrs. Oldmore, too; I seem
“No, sir; I have made inquiry all over the hotel,
to remember the name. Excuse my curiosity, but
but I can hear no word of it.”
often in calling upon one friend one finds an-
other.” “Well, either that boot comes back before sun-
down or I’ll see the manager and tell him that I go
“She is an invalid lady, sir. Her husband was
right straight out of this hotel.”
once mayor of Gloucester. She always comes to us
when she is in town.” “It shall be found, sir—I promise you that if
you will have a little patience it will be found.”
“Thank you; I am afraid I cannot claim her ac-
“Mind it is, for it’s the last thing of mine that I’ll
quaintance. We have established a most important
lose in this den of thieves. Well, well, Mr. Holmes,
fact by these questions, Watson,” he continued in
you’ll excuse my troubling you about such a tri-
a low voice as we went upstairs together. “We
fle—”
know now that the people who are so interested
in our friend have not settled down in his own ho- “I think it’s well worth troubling about.”
tel. That means that while they are, as we have “Why, you look very serious over it.”
seen, very anxious to watch him, they are equally “How do you explain it?”
anxious that he should not see them. Now, this is “I just don’t attempt to explain it. It seems the
a most suggestive fact.” very maddest, queerest thing that ever happened
“What does it suggest?” to me.”
“It suggests—halloa, my dear fellow, what on “The queerest perhaps—” said Holmes,
earth is the matter?” thoughtfully.

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

“What do you make of it yourself?” “That’s so,” said Baskerville. “By the way, Dr.
“Well, I don’t profess to understand it yet. This Mortimer, who is this Barrymore, anyhow?”
case of yours is very complex, Sir Henry. When “He is the son of the old caretaker, who is dead.
taken in conjunction with your uncle’s death I am They have looked after the Hall for four genera-
not sure that of all the five hundred cases of cap- tions now. So far as I know, he and his wife are as
ital importance which I have handled there is one respectable a couple as any in the county.”
which cuts so deep. But we hold several threads “At the same time,” said Baskerville, “it’s clear
in our hands, and the odds are that one or other of enough that so long as there are none of the family
them guides us to the truth. We may waste time at the Hall these people have a mighty fine home
in following the wrong one, but sooner or later we and nothing to do.”
must come upon the right.” “That is true.”
We had a pleasant luncheon in which little “Did Barrymore profit at all by Sir Charles’s
was said of the business which had brought us will?” asked Holmes.
together. It was in the private sitting-room to “He and his wife had five hundred pounds
which we afterwards repaired that Holmes asked each.”
Baskerville what were his intentions. “Ha! Did they know that they would receive
“To go to Baskerville Hall.” this?”
“And when?” “Yes; Sir Charles was very fond of talking about
the provisions of his will.”
“At the end of the week.”
“That is very interesting.”
“On the whole,” said Holmes, “I think that “I hope,” said Dr. Mortimer, “that you do not
your decision is a wise one. I have ample evidence look with suspicious eyes upon everyone who re-
that you are being dogged in London, and amid ceived a legacy from Sir Charles, for I also had a
the millions of this great city it is difficult to dis- thousand pounds left to me.”
cover who these people are or what their object can
“Indeed! And anyone else?”
be. If their intentions are evil they might do you
a mischief, and we should be powerless to prevent “There were many insignificant sums to indi-
it. You did not know, Dr. Mortimer, that you were viduals, and a large number of public charities.
followed this morning from my house?” The residue all went to Sir Henry.”
“And how much was the residue?”
Dr. Mortimer started violently.
“Seven hundred and forty thousand pounds.”
“Followed! By whom?”
Holmes raised his eyebrows in surprise. “I had
“That, unfortunately, is what I cannot tell you. no idea that so gigantic a sum was involved,” said
Have you among your neighbours or acquain- he.
tances on Dartmoor any man with a black, full “Sir Charles had the reputation of being rich,
beard?” but we did not know how very rich he was until
“No—or, let me see—why, yes. Barrymore, Sir we came to examine his securities. The total value
Charles’s butler, is a man with a full, black beard.” of the estate was close on to a million.”
“Ha! Where is Barrymore?” “Dear me! It is a stake for which a man might
well play a desperate game. And one more ques-
“He is in charge of the Hall.”
tion, Dr. Mortimer. Supposing that anything hap-
“We had best ascertain if he is really there, or pened to our young friend here—you will for-
if by any possibility he might be in London.” give the unpleasant hypothesis!—who would in-
“How can you do that?” herit the estate?”
“Give me a telegraph form. ‘Is all ready for Sir “Since Rodger Baskerville, Sir Charles’s
Henry?’ That will do. Address to Mr. Barrymore, younger brother died unmarried, the estate would
Baskerville Hall. What is the nearest telegraph- descend to the Desmonds, who are distant cousins.
office? Grimpen. Very good, we will send a second James Desmond is an elderly clergyman in West-
wire to the postmaster, Grimpen: ‘Telegram to Mr. moreland.”
Barrymore to be delivered into his own hand. If “Thank you. These details are all of great inter-
absent, please return wire to Sir Henry Baskerville, est. Have you met Mr. James Desmond?”
Northumberland Hotel.’ That should let us know “Yes; he once came down to visit Sir Charles.
before evening whether Barrymore is at his post in He is a man of venerable appearance and of saintly
Devonshire or not.” life. I remember that he refused to accept any

605
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

settlement from Sir Charles, though he pressed it “Well, now, that is real kind of you, Dr. Wat-
upon him.” son,” said he. “You see how it is with me, and
“And this man of simple tastes would be the you know just as much about the matter as I do.
heir to Sir Charles’s thousands.” If you will come down to Baskerville Hall and see
me through I’ll never forget it.”
“He would be the heir to the estate because
that is entailed. He would also be the heir to The promise of adventure had always a fascina-
the money unless it were willed otherwise by the tion for me, and I was complimented by the words
present owner, who can, of course, do what he of Holmes and by the eagerness with which the
likes with it.” baronet hailed me as a companion.

“And have you made your will, Sir Henry?” “I will come, with pleasure,” said I. “I do not
know how I could employ my time better.”
“No, Mr. Holmes, I have not. I’ve had no time,
“And you will report very carefully to me,”
for it was only yesterday that I learned how mat-
said Holmes. “When a crisis comes, as it will do,
ters stood. But in any case I feel that the money
I will direct how you shall act. I suppose that by
should go with the title and estate. That was my
Saturday all might be ready?”
poor uncle’s idea. How is the owner going to re-
store the glories of the Baskervilles if he has not “Would that suit Dr. Watson?”
money enough to keep up the property? House, “Perfectly.”
land, and dollars must go together.”
“Then on Saturday, unless you hear to the
“Quite so. Well, Sir Henry, I am of one mind contrary, we shall meet at the 10.30 train from
with you as to the advisability of your going down Paddington.”
to Devonshire without delay. There is only one
We had risen to depart when Baskerville gave a
provision which I must make. You certainly must
cry, of triumph, and diving into one of the corners
not go alone.”
of the room he drew a brown boot from under a
“Dr. Mortimer returns with me.” cabinet.
“But Dr. Mortimer has his practice to attend “My missing boot!” he cried.
to, and his house is miles away from yours. With
“May all our difficulties vanish as easily!” said
all the good will in the world he may be unable
Sherlock Holmes.
to help you. No, Sir Henry, you must take with
you someone, a trusty man, who will be always by “But it is a very singular thing,” Dr. Mortimer
your side.” remarked. “I searched this room carefully before
lunch.”
“Is it possible that you could come yourself, Mr.
Holmes?” “And so did I,” said Baskerville. “Every inch
of it.”
“If matters came to a crisis I should endeavour
to be present in person; but you can understand “There was certainly no boot in it then.”
that, with my extensive consulting practice and “In that case the waiter must have placed it
with the constant appeals which reach me from there while we were lunching.”
many quarters, it is impossible for me to be absent The German was sent for but professed to
from London for an indefinite time. At the present know nothing of the matter, nor could any in-
instant one of the most revered names in England quiry clear it up. Another item had been added
is being besmirched by a blackmailer, and only I to that constant and apparently purposeless se-
can stop a disastrous scandal. You will see how ries of small mysteries which had succeeded each
impossible it is for me to go to Dartmoor.” other so rapidly. Setting aside the whole grim
“Whom would you recommend, then?” story of Sir Charles’s death, we had a line of in-
Holmes laid his hand upon my arm. explicable incidents all within the limits of two
days, which included the receipt of the printed
“If my friend would undertake it there is no letter, the black-bearded spy in the hansom, the
man who is better worth having at your side when loss of the new brown boot, the loss of the old
you are in a tight place. No one can say so more black boot, and now the return of the new brown
confidently than I.” boot. Holmes sat in silence in the cab as we drove
The proposition took me completely by sur- back to Baker Street, and I knew from his drawn
prise, but before I had time to answer, Baskerville brows and keen face that his mind, like my own,
seized me by the hand and wrung it heartily. was busy in endeavouring to frame some scheme

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into which all these strange and apparently dis- told me that he was a detective and that I was to
connected episodes could be fitted. All afternoon say nothing about him to anyone.”
and late into the evening he sat lost in tobacco and “My good fellow, this is a very serious busi-
thought. ness, and you may find yourself in a pretty bad
Just before dinner two telegrams were handed position if you try to hide anything from me. You
in. The first ran: say that your fare told you that he was a detec-
Have just heard that Barrymore is at tive?”
the Hall. — Baskerville. “Yes, he did.”
The second: “When did he say this?”
“When he left me.”
Visited twenty-three hotels as directed,
but sorry to report unable to trace cut “Did he say anything more?”
sheet of Times. — Cartwright. “He mentioned his name.”
“There go two of my threads, Watson. There Holmes cast a swift glance of triumph at me.
is nothing more stimulating than a case where ev- “Oh, he mentioned his name, did he? That was im-
erything goes against you. We must cast round for prudent. What was the name that he mentioned?”
another scent.” “His name,” said the cabman, “was Mr. Sher-
lock Holmes.”
“We have still the cabman who drove the spy.”
Never have I seen my friend more completely
“Exactly. I have wired to get his name and ad- taken aback than by the cabman’s reply. For an
dress from the Official Registry. I should not be instant he sat in silent amazement. Then he burst
surprised if this were an answer to my question.” into a hearty laugh.
The ring at the bell proved to be something “A touch, Watson—an undeniable touch!” said
even more satisfactory than an answer, however, he. “I feel a foil as quick and supple as my own.
for the door opened and a rough-looking fellow He got home upon me very prettily that time. So
entered who was evidently the man himself. his name was Sherlock Holmes, was it?”
“I got a message from the head office that a “Yes, sir, that was the gentleman’s name.”
gent at this address had been inquiring for 2704,” “Excellent! Tell me where you picked him up
said he. “I’ve driven my cab this seven years and and all that occurred.”
never a word of complaint. I came here straight “He hailed me at half-past nine in Trafalgar
from the Yard to ask you to your face what you Square. He said that he was a detective, and he
had against me.” offered me two guineas if I would do exactly what
“I have nothing in the world against you, my he wanted all day and ask no questions. I was
good man,” said Holmes. “On the contrary, I have glad enough to agree. First we drove down to
half a sovereign for you if you will give me a clear the Northumberland Hotel and waited there un-
answer to my questions.” til two gentlemen came out and took a cab from
“Well, I’ve had a good day and no mistake,” the rank. We followed their cab until it pulled up
said the cabman, with a grin. “What was it you somewhere near here.”
wanted to ask, sir?” “This very door,” said Holmes.
“First of all your name and address, in case I “Well, I couldn’t be sure of that, but I dare say
want you again.” my fare knew all about it. We pulled up half-way
down the street and waited an hour and a half.
“John Clayton, 3 Turpey Street, the Borough.
Then the two gentlemen passed us, walking, and
My cab is out of Shipley’s Yard, near Waterloo Sta-
we followed down Baker Street and along—”
tion.”
“I know,” said Holmes.
Sherlock Holmes made a note of it.
“Until we got three-quarters down Regent
“Now, Clayton, tell me all about the fare who Street. Then my gentleman threw up the trap, and
came and watched this house at ten o’clock this he cried that I should drive right away to Water-
morning and afterwards followed the two gentle- loo Station as hard as I could go. I whipped up
men down Regent Street.” the mare and we were there under the ten min-
The man looked surprised and a little embar- utes. Then he paid up his two guineas, like a good
rassed. “Why, there’s no good my telling you one, and away he went into the station. Only just
things, for you seem to know as much as I do al- as he was leaving he turned round and he said:
ready,” said he. “The truth is that the gentleman ‘It might interest you to know that you have been

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driving Mr. Sherlock Holmes.’ That’s how I come “Good night, sir, and thank you!”
to know the name.” John Clayton departed chuckling, and Holmes
“I see. And you saw no more of him?” turned to me with a shrug of his shoulders and a
“Not after he went into the station.” rueful smile.
“And how would you describe Mr. Sherlock “Snap goes our third thread, and we end where
Holmes?” we began,” said he. “The cunning rascal! He knew
The cabman scratched his head. “Well, he our number, knew that Sir Henry Baskerville had
wasn’t altogether such an easy gentleman to de- consulted me, spotted who I was in Regent Street,
scribe. I’d put him at forty years of age, and he conjectured that I had got the number of the cab
was of a middle height, two or three inches shorter and would lay my hands on the driver, and so sent
than you, sir. He was dressed like a toff, and he back this audacious message. I tell you, Watson,
had a black beard, cut square at the end, and a this time we have got a foeman who is worthy of
pale face. I don’t know as I could say more than our steel. I’ve been checkmated in London. I can
that.” only wish you better luck in Devonshire. But I’m
not easy in my mind about it.”
“Colour of his eyes?”
“About what?”
“No, I can’t say that.”
“About sending you. It’s an ugly business,
“Nothing more that you can remember?”
Watson, an ugly dangerous business, and the more
“No, sir; nothing.” I see of it the less I like it. Yes, my dear fellow, you
“Well, then, here is your half-sovereign. There’s may laugh, but I give you my word that I shall
another one waiting for you if you can bring any be very glad to have you back safe and sound in
more information. Good night!” Baker Street once more.”

CHAPTER VI.
Baskerville Hall

Sir Henry Baskerville and Dr. Mortimer were a very amiable disposition, so that this persecu-
ready upon the appointed day, and we started as tion does not arise from him. I really think that
arranged for Devonshire. Mr. Sherlock Holmes we may eliminate him entirely from our calcula-
drove with me to the station and gave me his last tions. There remain the people who will actually
parting injunctions and advice. surround Sir Henry Baskerville upon the moor.”
“I will not bias your mind by suggesting theo- “Would it not be well in the first place to get
ries or suspicions, Watson,” said he; “I wish you rid of this Barrymore couple?”
simply to report facts in the fullest possible man-
ner to me, and you can leave me to do the theoriz- “By no means. You could not make a greater
ing.” mistake. If they are innocent it would be a cruel in-
justice, and if they are guilty we should be giving
“What sort of facts?” I asked. up all chance of bringing it home to them. No, no,
“Anything which may seem to have a bear- we will preserve them upon our list of suspects.
ing however indirect upon the case, and especially Then there is a groom at the Hall, if I remember
the relations between young Baskerville and his right. There are two moorland farmers. There is
neighbours or any fresh particulars concerning the our friend Dr. Mortimer, whom I believe to be en-
death of Sir Charles. I have made some inquiries tirely honest, and there is his wife, of whom we
myself in the last few days, but the results have, know nothing. There is this naturalist, Stapleton,
I fear, been negative. One thing only appears to and there is his sister, who is said to be a young
be certain, and that is that Mr. James Desmond, lady of attractions. There is Mr. Frankland, of
who is the next heir, is an elderly gentleman of Lafter Hall, who is also an unknown factor, and

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

there are one or two other neighbours. These are “I’ve been over a good part of the world since I
the folk who must be your very special study.” left it, Dr. Watson,” said he; “but I have never seen
“I will do my best.” a place to compare with it.”
“You have arms, I suppose?” “I never saw a Devonshire man who did not
swear by his county,” I remarked.
“Yes, I thought it as well to take them.”
“It depends upon the breed of men quite as
“Most certainly. Keep your revolver near you
much as on the county,” said Dr. Mortimer. “A
night and day, and never relax your precautions.”
glance at our friend here reveals the rounded head
Our friends had already secured a first-class of the Celt, which carries inside it the Celtic enthu-
carriage and were waiting for us upon the plat- siasm and power of attachment. Poor Sir Charles’s
form. head was of a very rare type, half Gaelic, half
“No, we have no news of any kind,” said Dr. Ivernian in its characteristics. But you were very
Mortimer in answer to my friend’s questions. “I young when you last saw Baskerville Hall, were
can swear to one thing, and that is that we have not you not?”
been shadowed during the last two days. We have “I was a boy in my ’teens at the time of my fa-
never gone out without keeping a sharp watch, ther’s death, and had never seen the Hall, for he
and no one could have escaped our notice.” lived in a little cottage on the South Coast. Thence
“You have always kept together, I presume?” I went straight to a friend in America. I tell you it
“Except yesterday afternoon. I usually give up is all as new to me as it is to Dr. Watson, and I’m
one day to pure amusement when I come to town, as keen as possible to see the moor.”
so I spent it at the Museum of the College of Sur- “Are you? Then your wish is easily granted,
geons.” for there is your first sight of the moor,” said Dr.
“And I went to look at the folk in the park,” Mortimer, pointing out of the carriage window.
said Baskerville. “But we had no trouble of any Over the green squares of the fields and the low
kind.” curve of a wood there rose in the distance a gray,
“It was imprudent, all the same,” said Holmes, melancholy hill, with a strange jagged summit,
shaking his head and looking very grave. “I beg, dim and vague in the distance, like some fantas-
Sir Henry, that you will not go about alone. Some tic landscape in a dream. Baskerville sat for a long
great misfortune will befall you if you do. Did you time, his eyes fixed upon it, and I read upon his ea-
get your other boot?” ger face how much it meant to him, this first sight
of that strange spot where the men of his blood
“No, sir, it is gone forever.”
had held sway so long and left their mark so deep.
“Indeed. That is very interesting. Well, good- There he sat, with his tweed suit and his American
bye,” he added as the train began to glide down accent, in the corner of a prosaic railway-carriage,
the platform. “Bear in mind, Sir Henry, one of the and yet as I looked at his dark and expressive face
phrases in that queer old legend which Dr. Mor- I felt more than ever how true a descendant he was
timer has read to us, and avoid the moor in those of that long line of high-blooded, fiery, and master-
hours of darkness when the powers of evil are ex- ful men. There were pride, valour, and strength in
alted.” his thick brows, his sensitive nostrils, and his large
I looked back at the platform when we had left hazel eyes. If on that forbidding moor a difficult
it far behind, and saw the tall, austere figure of and dangerous quest should lie before us, this was
Holmes standing motionless and gazing after us. at least a comrade for whom one might venture to
take a risk with the certainty that he would bravely
The journey was a swift and pleasant one, and I
share it.
spent it in making the more intimate acquaintance
of my two companions and in playing with Dr. The train pulled up at a small wayside station
Mortimer’s spaniel. In a very few hours the brown and we all descended. Outside, beyond the low,
earth had become ruddy, the brick had changed to white fence, a wagonette with a pair of cobs was
granite, and red cows grazed in well-hedged fields waiting. Our coming was evidently a great event,
where the lush grasses and more luxuriant vegeta- for station-master and porters clustered round us
tion spoke of a richer, if a damper, climate. Young to carry out our luggage. It was a sweet, simple
Baskerville stared eagerly out of the window, and country spot, but I was surprised to observe that
cried aloud with delight as he recognized the fa- by the gate there stood two soldierly men in dark
miliar features of the Devon scenery. uniforms, who leaned upon their short rifles and

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glanced keenly at us as we passed. The coach- “It is Selden, the Notting Hill murderer.”
man, a hard-faced, gnarled little fellow, saluted Sir I remembered the case well, for it was one in
Henry Baskerville, and in a few minutes we were which Holmes had taken an interest on account
flying swiftly down the broad, white road. Rolling of the peculiar ferocity of the crime and the wan-
pasture lands curved upward on either side of us, ton brutality which had marked all the actions of
and old gabled houses peeped out from amid the the assassin. The commutation of his death sen-
thick green foliage, but behind the peaceful and tence had been due to some doubts as to his com-
sunlit country-side there rose ever, dark against plete sanity, so atrocious was his conduct. Our
the evening sky, the long, gloomy curve of the wagonette had topped a rise and in front of us
moor, broken by the jagged and sinister hills. rose the huge expanse of the moor, mottled with
The wagonette swung round into a side road, gnarled and craggy cairns and tors. A cold wind
and we curved upward through deep lanes worn swept down from it and set us shivering. Some-
by centuries of wheels, high banks on either where there, on that desolate plain, was lurk-
side, heavy with dripping moss and fleshy hart’s- ing this fiendish man, hiding in a burrow like a
tongue ferns. Bronzing bracken and mottled bram- wild beast, his heart full of malignancy against the
ble gleamed in the light of the sinking sun. Still whole race which had cast him out. It needed
steadily rising, we passed over a narrow gran- but this to complete the grim suggestiveness of
ite bridge, and skirted a noisy stream which the barren waste, the chilling wind, and the dark-
gushed swiftly down, foaming and roaring amid ling sky. Even Baskerville fell silent and pulled his
the gray boulders. Both road and stream wound overcoat more closely around him.
up through a valley dense with scrub oak and We had left the fertile country behind and be-
fir. At every turn Baskerville gave an exclamation neath us. We looked back on it now, the slanting
of delight, looking eagerly about him and asking rays of a low sun turning the streams to threads
countless questions. To his eyes all seemed beauti- of gold and glowing on the red earth new turned
ful, but to me a tinge of melancholy lay upon the by the plough and the broad tangle of the wood-
country-side, which bore so clearly the mark of the lands. The road in front of us grew bleaker and
waning year. Yellow leaves carpeted the lanes and wilder over huge russet and olive slopes, sprinkled
fluttered down upon us as we passed. The rat- with giant boulders. Now and then we passed a
tle of our wheels died away as we drove through moorland cottage, walled and roofed with stone,
drifts of rotting vegetation—sad gifts, as it seemed with no creeper to break its harsh outline. Sud-
to me, for Nature to throw before the carriage of denly we looked down into a cup-like depression,
the returning heir of the Baskervilles. patched with stunted oaks and firs which had been
“Halloa!” cried Dr. Mortimer, “what is this?” twisted and bent by the fury of years of storm. Two
A steep curve of heath-clad land, an outlying high, narrow towers rose over the trees. The driver
spur of the moor, lay in front of us. On the summit, pointed with his whip.
hard and clear like an equestrian statue upon its “Baskerville Hall,” said he.
pedestal, was a mounted soldier, dark and stern, Its master had risen and was staring with
his rifle poised ready over his forearm. He was flushed cheeks and shining eyes. A few min-
watching the road along which we travelled. utes later we had reached the lodge-gates, a
“What is this, Perkins?” asked Dr. Mortimer. maze of fantastic tracery in wrought iron, with
Our driver half turned in his seat. weather-bitten pillars on either side, blotched with
lichens, and surmounted by the boars’ heads of the
“There’s a convict escaped from Princetown, Baskervilles. The lodge was a ruin of black gran-
sir. He’s been out three days now, and the warders ite and bared ribs of rafters, but facing it was a
watch every road and every station, but they’ve new building, half constructed, the first fruit of Sir
had no sight of him yet. The farmers about here Charles’s South African gold.
don’t like it, sir, and that’s a fact.”
Through the gateway we passed into the av-
“Well, I understand that they get five pounds if enue, where the wheels were again hushed amid
they can give information.” the leaves, and the old trees shot their branches
“Yes, sir, but the chance of five pounds is but a in a sombre tunnel over our heads. Baskerville
poor thing compared to the chance of having your shuddered as he looked up the long, dark drive
throat cut. You see, it isn’t like any ordinary con- to where the house glimmered like a ghost at the
vict. This is a man that would stick at nothing.” farther end.
“Who is he, then?” “Was it here?” he asked in a low voice.

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“No, no, the Yew Alley is on the other side.” “It’s just as I imagined it,” said Sir Henry. “Is
The young heir glanced round with a gloomy it not the very picture of an old family home? To
face. think that this should be the same hall in which for
five hundred years my people have lived. It strikes
“It’s no wonder my uncle felt as if trouble were
me solemn to think of it.”
coming on him in such a place as this,” said he.
I saw his dark face lit up with a boyish enthu-
“It’s enough to scare any man. I’ll have a row of
siasm as he gazed about him. The light beat upon
electric lamps up here inside of six months, and
him where he stood, but long shadows trailed
you won’t know it again, with a thousand candle-
down the walls and hung like a black canopy
power Swan and Edison right here in front of the
above him. Barrymore had returned from taking
hall door.”
our luggage to our rooms. He stood in front of us
The avenue opened into a broad expanse of now with the subdued manner of a well-trained
turf, and the house lay before us. In the fad- servant. He was a remarkable-looking man, tall,
ing light I could see that the centre was a heavy handsome, with a square black beard and pale,
block of building from which a porch projected. distinguished features.
The whole front was draped in ivy, with a patch “Would you wish dinner to be served at once,
clipped bare here and there where a window or a sir?”
coat-of-arms broke through the dark veil. From
“Is it ready?”
this central block rose the twin towers, ancient,
crenelated, and pierced with many loopholes. To “In a very few minutes, sir. You will find hot
right and left of the turrets were more modern water in your rooms. My wife and I will be happy,
wings of black granite. A dull light shone through Sir Henry, to stay with you until you have made
heavy mullioned windows, and from the high your fresh arrangements, but you will understand
chimneys which rose from the steep, high-angled that under the new conditions this house will re-
roof there sprang a single black column of smoke. quire a considerable staff.”
“What new conditions?”
“Welcome, Sir Henry! Welcome to Baskerville
“I only meant, sir, that Sir Charles led a very re-
Hall!”
tired life, and we were able to look after his wants.
A tall man had stepped from the shadow of the You would, naturally, wish to have more company,
porch to open the door of the wagonette. The fig- and so you will need changes in your household.”
ure of a woman was silhouetted against the yellow “Do you mean that your wife and you wish to
light of the hall. She came out and helped the man leave?”
to hand down our bags.
“Only when it is quite convenient to you, sir.”
“You don’t mind my driving straight home, Sir “But your family have been with us for several
Henry?” said Dr. Mortimer. “My wife is expecting generations, have they not? I should be sorry to
me.” begin my life here by breaking an old family con-
“Surely you will stay and have some dinner?” nection.”
“No, I must go. I shall probably find some I seemed to discern some signs of emotion
work awaiting me. I would stay to show you over upon the butler’s white face.
the house, but Barrymore will be a better guide “I feel that also, sir, and so does my wife. But to
than I. Good-bye, and never hesitate night or day tell the truth, sir, we were both very much attached
to send for me if I can be of service.” to Sir Charles, and his death gave us a shock and
The wheels died away down the drive while made these surroundings very painful to us. I fear
Sir Henry and I turned into the hall, and the door that we shall never again be easy in our minds at
clanged heavily behind us. It was a fine apart- Baskerville Hall.”
ment in which we found ourselves, large, lofty, and “But what do you intend to do?”
heavily raftered with huge balks of age-blackened “I have no doubt, sir, that we shall succeed
oak. In the great old-fashioned fireplace behind in establishing ourselves in some business. Sir
the high iron dogs a log-fire crackled and snapped. Charles’s generosity has given us the means to do
Sir Henry and I held out our hands to it, for we so. And now, sir, perhaps I had best show you to
were numb from our long drive. Then we gazed your rooms.”
round us at the high, thin window of old stained A square balustraded gallery ran round the top
glass, the oak panelling, the stags’ heads, the coats- of the old hall, approached by a double stair. From
of-arms upon the walls, all dim and sombre in the this central point two long corridors extended the
subdued light of the central lamp. whole length of the building, from which all the

611
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bedrooms opened. My own was in the same wing wonder that my uncle got a little jumpy if he lived
as Baskerville’s and almost next door to it. These all alone in such a house as this. However, if it
rooms appeared to be much more modern than suits you, we will retire early to-night, and perhaps
the central part of the house, and the bright paper things may seem more cheerful in the morning.”
and numerous candles did something to remove I drew aside my curtains before I went to bed
the sombre impression which our arrival had left and looked out from my window. It opened upon
upon my mind. the grassy space which lay in front of the hall door.
But the dining-room which opened out of the Beyond, two copses of trees moaned and swung
hall was a place of shadow and gloom. It was in a rising wind. A half moon broke through the
a long chamber with a step separating the dais rifts of racing clouds. In its cold light I saw be-
where the family sat from the lower portion re- yond the trees a broken fringe of rocks, and the
served for their dependents. At one end a min- long, low curve of the melancholy moor. I closed
strel’s gallery overlooked it. Black beams shot the curtain, feeling that my last impression was in
across above our heads, with a smoke-darkened keeping with the rest.
ceiling beyond them. With rows of flaring torches And yet it was not quite the last. I found my-
to light it up, and the colour and rude hilarity of self weary and yet wakeful, tossing restlessly from
an old-time banquet, it might have softened; but side to side, seeking for the sleep which would not
now, when two black-clothed gentlemen sat in the come. Far away a chiming clock struck out the
little circle of light thrown by a shaded lamp, one’s quarters of the hours, but otherwise a deathly si-
voice became hushed and one’s spirit subdued. A lence lay upon the old house. And then suddenly,
dim line of ancestors, in every variety of dress, in the very dead of the night, there came a sound
from the Elizabethan knight to the buck of the Re- to my ears, clear, resonant, and unmistakable. It
gency, stared down upon us and daunted us by was the sob of a woman, the muffled, strangling
their silent company. We talked little, and I for one gasp of one who is torn by an uncontrollable sor-
was glad when the meal was over and we were row. I sat up in bed and listened intently. The
able to retire into the modern billiard-room and noise could not have been far away and was cer-
smoke a cigarette. tainly in the house. For half an hour I waited with
“My word, it isn’t a very cheerful place,” said every nerve on the alert, but there came no other
Sir Henry. “I suppose one can tone down to it, but sound save the chiming clock and the rustle of the
I feel a bit out of the picture at present. I don’t ivy on the wall.

CHAPTER VII.
The Stapletons of Merripit House

The fresh beauty of the following morning did we have to blame!” said the baronet. “We were
something to efface from our minds the grim and tired with our journey and chilled by our drive,
gray impression which had been left upon both so we took a gray view of the place. Now we are
of us by our first experience of Baskerville Hall. fresh and well, so it is all cheerful once more.”
As Sir Henry and I sat at breakfast the sunlight
flooded in through the high mullioned windows, “And yet it was not entirely a question of imag-
throwing watery patches of colour from the coats ination,” I answered. “Did you, for example, hap-
of arms which covered them. The dark panelling pen to hear someone, a woman I think, sobbing in
glowed like bronze in the golden rays, and it was the night?”
hard to realize that this was indeed the chamber
which had struck such a gloom into our souls “That is curious, for I did when I was half
upon the evening before. asleep fancy that I heard something of the sort. I
waited quite a time, but there was no more of it,
“I guess it is ourselves and not the house that so I concluded that it was all a dream.”

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

“I heard it distinctly, and I am sure that it was “My boy here. James, you delivered that tele-
really the sob of a woman.” gram to Mr. Barrymore at the Hall last week, did
you not?”
“We must ask about this right away.” He rang
the bell and asked Barrymore whether he could ac- “Yes, father, I delivered it.”
count for our experience. It seemed to me that the “Into his own hands?” I asked.
pallid features of the butler turned a shade paler “Well, he was up in the loft at the time, so that
still as he listened to his master’s question. I could not put it into his own hands, but I gave it
“There are only two women in the house, Sir into Mrs. Barrymore’s hands, and she promised to
Henry,” he answered. “One is the scullery-maid, deliver it at once.”
who sleeps in the other wing. The other is my “Did you see Mr. Barrymore?”
wife, and I can answer for it that the sound could “No, sir; I tell you he was in the loft.”
not have come from her.”
“If you didn’t see him, how do you know he
And yet he lied as he said it, for it chanced that was in the loft?”
after breakfast I met Mrs. Barrymore in the long “Well, surely his own wife ought to know
corridor with the sun full upon her face. She was where he is,” said the postmaster testily. “Didn’t
a large, impassive, heavy-featured woman with a he get the telegram? If there is any mistake it is for
stern set expression of mouth. But her tell-tale Mr. Barrymore himself to complain.”
eyes were red and glanced at me from between
It seemed hopeless to pursue the inquiry any
swollen lids. It was she, then, who wept in the
farther, but it was clear that in spite of Holmes’s
night, and if she did so her husband must know
ruse we had no proof that Barrymore had not
it. Yet he had taken the obvious risk of discov-
been in London all the time. Suppose that it were
ery in declaring that it was not so. Why had he
so—suppose that the same man had been the last
done this? And why did she weep so bitterly?
who had seen Sir Charles alive, and the first to dog
Already round this pale-faced, handsome, black-
the new heir when he returned to England. What
bearded man there was gathering an atmosphere
then? Was he the agent of others or had he some
of mystery and of gloom. It was he who had been
sinister design of his own? What interest could
the first to discover the body of Sir Charles, and we
he have in persecuting the Baskerville family? I
had only his word for all the circumstances which
thought of the strange warning clipped out of the
led up to the old man’s death. Was it possible that
leading article of the Times. Was that his work
it was Barrymore after all whom we had seen in
or was it possibly the doing of someone who was
the cab in Regent Street? The beard might well
bent upon counteracting his schemes? The only
have been the same. The cabman had described
conceivable motive was that which had been sug-
a somewhat shorter man, but such an impression
gested by Sir Henry, that if the family could be
might easily have been erroneous. How could I
scared away a comfortable and permanent home
settle the point forever? Obviously the first thing
would be secured for the Barrymores. But surely
to do was to see the Grimpen postmaster, and find
such an explanation as that would be quite inad-
whether the test telegram had really been placed
equate to account for the deep and subtle schem-
in Barrymore’s own hands. Be the answer what it
ing which seemed to be weaving an invisible net
might, I should at least have something to report
round the young baronet. Holmes himself had
to Sherlock Holmes.
said that no more complex case had come to him in
Sir Henry had numerous papers to examine af- all the long series of his sensational investigations.
ter breakfast, so that the time was propitious for I prayed, as I walked back along the gray, lonely
my excursion. It was a pleasant walk of four miles road, that my friend might soon be freed from his
along the edge of the moor, leading me at last to a preoccupations and able to come down to take this
small gray hamlet, in which two larger buildings, heavy burden of responsibility from my shoulders.
which proved to be the inn and the house of Dr. Suddenly my thoughts were interrupted by the
Mortimer, stood high above the rest. The postmas- sound of running feet behind me and by a voice
ter, who was also the village grocer, had a clear which called me by name. I turned, expecting
recollection of the telegram. to see Dr. Mortimer, but to my surprise it was a
“Certainly, sir,” said he, “I had the telegram de- stranger who was pursuing me. He was a small,
livered to Mr. Barrymore exactly as directed.” slim, clean-shaven, prim-faced man, flaxen-haired
and lean-jawed, between thirty and forty years of
“Who delivered it?” age, dressed in a gray suit and wearing a straw

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

hat. A tin box for botanical specimens hung over “Have you any better explanation?”
his shoulder and he carried a green butterfly-net “I have not come to any conclusion.”
in one of his hands. “Has Mr. Sherlock Holmes?”
“You will, I am sure, excuse my presumption, The words took away my breath for an instant,
Dr. Watson,” said he, as he came panting up to but a glance at the placid face and steadfast eyes
where I stood. “Here on the moor we are homely of my companion showed that no surprise was in-
folk and do not wait for formal introductions. You tended.
may possibly have heard my name from our mu- “It is useless for us to pretend that we do not
tual friend, Mortimer. I am Stapleton, of Merripit know you, Dr. Watson,” said he. “The records
House.” of your detective have reached us here, and you
“Your net and box would have told me as could not celebrate him without being known
much,” said I, “for I knew that Mr. Stapleton was yourself. When Mortimer told me your name he
a naturalist. But how did you know me?” could not deny your identity. If you are here, then
“I have been calling on Mortimer, and he it follows that Mr. Sherlock Holmes is interesting
pointed you out to me from the window of his himself in the matter, and I am naturally curious
surgery as you passed. As our road lay the same to know what view he may take.”
way I thought that I would overtake you and in- “I am afraid that I cannot answer that ques-
troduce myself. I trust that Sir Henry is none the tion.”
worse for his journey?” “May I ask if he is going to honour us with a
“He is very well, thank you.” visit himself?”
“He cannot leave town at present. He has other
“We were all rather afraid that after the sad
cases which engage his attention.”
death of Sir Charles the new baronet might refuse
to live here. It is asking much of a wealthy man “What a pity! He might throw some light on
to come down and bury himself in a place of this that which is so dark to us. But as to your own
kind, but I need not tell you that it means a very researches, if there is any possible way in which I
great deal to the country-side. Sir Henry has, I can be of service to you I trust that you will com-
suppose, no superstitious fears in the matter?” mand me. If I had any indication of the nature of
your suspicions or how you propose to investigate
“I do not think that it is likely.”
the case, I might perhaps even now give you some
“Of course you know the legend of the fiend aid or advice.”
dog which haunts the family?” “I assure you that I am simply here upon a visit
“I have heard it.” to my friend, Sir Henry, and that I need no help of
“It is extraordinary how credulous the peasants any kind.”
are about here! Any number of them are ready to “Excellent!” said Stapleton. “You are perfectly
swear that they have seen such a creature upon the right to be wary and discreet. I am justly reproved
moor.” He spoke with a smile, but I seemed to read for what I feel was an unjustifiable intrusion, and
in his eyes that he took the matter more seriously. I promise you that I will not mention the matter
“The story took a great hold upon the imagination again.”
of Sir Charles, and I have no doubt that it led to We had come to a point where a narrow grassy
his tragic end.” path struck off from the road and wound away
“But how?” across the moor. A steep, boulder-sprinkled hill
lay upon the right which had in bygone days been
“His nerves were so worked up that the ap-
cut into a granite quarry. The face which was
pearance of any dog might have had a fatal effect
turned towards us formed a dark cliff, with ferns
upon his diseased heart. I fancy that he really did
and brambles growing in its niches. From over a
see something of the kind upon that last night in
distant rise there floated a gray plume of smoke.
the Yew Alley. I feared that some disaster might
occur, for I was very fond of the old man, and I “A moderate walk along this moor-path brings
knew that his heart was weak.” us to Merripit House,” said he. “Perhaps you will
spare an hour that I may have the pleasure of in-
“How did you know that?” troducing you to my sister.”
“My friend Mortimer told me.” My first thought was that I should be by Sir
“You think, then, that some dog pursued Sir Henry’s side. But then I remembered the pile
Charles, and that he died of fright in conse- of papers and bills with which his study table
quence?” was littered. It was certain that I could not help

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

with those. And Holmes had expressly said that “Yes, there are one or two paths which a very
I should study the neighbours upon the moor. I active man can take. I have found them out.”
accepted Stapleton’s invitation, and we turned to- “But why should you wish to go into so horri-
gether down the path. ble a place?”
“It is a wonderful place, the moor,” said he, “Well, you see the hills beyond? They are re-
looking round over the undulating downs, long ally islands cut off on all sides by the impassable
green rollers, with crests of jagged granite foam- mire, which has crawled round them in the course
ing up into fantastic surges. “You never tire of of years. That is where the rare plants and the but-
the moor. You cannot think the wonderful secrets terflies are, if you have the wit to reach them.”
which it contains. It is so vast, and so barren, and
“I shall try my luck some day.”
so mysterious.”
He looked at me with a surprised face.
“You know it well, then?”
“For God’s sake put such an idea out of your
“I have only been here two years. The residents
mind,” said he. “Your blood would be upon my
would call me a newcomer. We came shortly after
head. I assure you that there would not be the
Sir Charles settled. But my tastes led me to explore
least chance of your coming back alive. It is only
every part of the country round, and I should think
by remembering certain complex landmarks that I
that there are few men who know it better than I
am able to do it.”
do.”
“Halloa!” I cried. “What is that?”
“Is it hard to know?”
A long, low moan, indescribably sad, swept
“Very hard. You see, for example, this great over the moor. It filled the whole air, and yet it
plain to the north here with the queer hills break- was impossible to say whence it came. From a
ing out of it. Do you observe anything remarkable dull murmur it swelled into a deep roar, and then
about that?” sank back into a melancholy, throbbing murmur
“It would be a rare place for a gallop.” once again. Stapleton looked at me with a curious
“You would naturally think so and the thought expression in his face.
has cost several their lives before now. You notice “Queer place, the moor!” said he.
those bright green spots scattered thickly over it?” “But what is it?”
“Yes, they seem more fertile than the rest.” “The peasants say it is the Hound of the
Stapleton laughed. Baskervilles calling for its prey. I’ve heard it once
“That is the great Grimpen Mire,” said he. “A or twice before, but never quite so loud.”
false step yonder means death to man or beast. I looked round, with a chill of fear in my heart,
Only yesterday I saw one of the moor ponies wan- at the huge swelling plain, mottled with the green
der into it. He never came out. I saw his head for patches of rushes. Nothing stirred over the vast ex-
quite a long time craning out of the bog-hole, but panse save a pair of ravens, which croaked loudly
it sucked him down at last. Even in dry seasons it from a tor behind us.
is a danger to cross it, but after these autumn rains “You are an educated man. You don’t believe
it is an awful place. And yet I can find my way to such nonsense as that?” said I. “What do you think
the very heart of it and return alive. By George, is the cause of so strange a sound?”
there is another of those miserable ponies!”
“Bogs make queer noises sometimes. It’s the
Something brown was rolling and tossing mud settling, or the water rising, or something.”
among the green sedges. Then a long, agonized,
“No, no, that was a living voice.”
writhing neck shot upward and a dreadful cry
echoed over the moor. It turned me cold with “Well, perhaps it was. Did you ever hear a bit-
horror, but my companion’s nerves seemed to be tern booming?”
stronger than mine. “No, I never did.”
“It’s gone!” said he. “The mire has him. Two “It’s a very rare bird—practically extinct—in
in two days, and many more, perhaps, for they get England now, but all things are possible upon the
in the way of going there in the dry weather, and moor. Yes, I should not be surprised to learn that
never know the difference until the mire has them what we have heard is the cry of the last of the
in its clutches. It’s a bad place, the great Grimpen bitterns.”
Mire.” “It’s the weirdest, strangest thing that ever I
“And you say you can penetrate it?” heard in my life.”

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

“Yes, it’s rather an uncanny place altogether. have seemed impassive were it not for the sensitive
Look at the hill-side yonder. What do you make of mouth and the beautiful dark, eager eyes. With
those?” her perfect figure and elegant dress she was, in-
The whole steep slope was covered with gray deed, a strange apparition upon a lonely moorland
circular rings of stone, a score of them at least. path. Her eyes were on her brother as I turned,
and then she quickened her pace towards me. I
“What are they? Sheep-pens?”
had raised my hat and was about to make some
“No, they are the homes of our worthy ances- explanatory remark, when her own words turned
tors. Prehistoric man lived thickly on the moor, all my thoughts into a new channel.
and as no one in particular has lived there since, “Go back!” she said. “Go straight back to Lon-
we find all his little arrangements exactly as he left don, instantly.”
them. These are his wigwams with the roofs off.
You can even see his hearth and his couch if you I could only stare at her in stupid surprise. Her
have the curiosity to go inside.” eyes blazed at me, and she tapped the ground im-
patiently with her foot.
“But it is quite a town. When was it inhabited?”
“Why should I go back?” I asked.
“Neolithic man—no date.”
“I cannot explain.” She spoke in a low, eager
“What did he do?” voice, with a curious lisp in her utterance. “But
“He grazed his cattle on these slopes, and he for God’s sake do what I ask you. Go back and
learned to dig for tin when the bronze sword be- never set foot upon the moor again.”
gan to supersede the stone axe. Look at the great “But I have only just come.”
trench in the opposite hill. That is his mark. Yes, “Man, man!” she cried. “Can you not tell when
you will find some very singular points about the a warning is for your own good? Go back to Lon-
moor, Dr. Watson. Oh, excuse me an instant! It is don! Start to-night! Get away from this place at all
surely Cyclopides.” costs! Hush, my brother is coming! Not a word
A small fly or moth had fluttered across our of what I have said. Would you mind getting that
path, and in an instant Stapleton was rushing with orchid for me among the mares-tails yonder? We
extraordinary energy and speed in pursuit of it. are very rich in orchids on the moor, though, of
To my dismay the creature flew straight for the course, you are rather late to see the beauties of
great mire, and my acquaintance never paused for the place.”
an instant, bounding from tuft to tuft behind it, Stapleton had abandoned the chase and came
his green net waving in the air. His gray clothes back to us breathing hard and flushed with his ex-
and jerky, zigzag, irregular progress made him not ertions.
unlike some huge moth himself. I was standing
“Halloa, Beryl!” said he, and it seemed to me
watching his pursuit with a mixture of admira-
that the tone of his greeting was not altogether a
tion for his extraordinary activity and fear lest he
cordial one.
should lose his footing in the treacherous mire,
when I heard the sound of steps, and turning “Well, Jack, you are very hot.”
round found a woman near me upon the path. She “Yes, I was chasing a Cyclopides. He is very
had come from the direction in which the plume rare and seldom found in the late autumn. What
of smoke indicated the position of Merripit House, a pity that I should have missed him!” He spoke
but the dip of the moor had hid her until she was unconcernedly, but his small light eyes glanced in-
quite close. cessantly from the girl to me.
I could not doubt that this was the Miss Sta- “You have introduced yourselves, I can see.”
pleton of whom I had been told, since ladies of “Yes. I was telling Sir Henry that it was rather
any sort must be few upon the moor, and I re- late for him to see the true beauties of the moor.”
membered that I had heard someone describe her “Why, who do you think this is?”
as being a beauty. The woman who approached
“I imagine that it must be Sir Henry
me was certainly that, and of a most uncommon
Baskerville.”
type. There could not have been a greater con-
trast between brother and sister, for Stapleton was “No, no,” said I. “Only a humble commoner,
neutral tinted, with light hair and gray eyes, while but his friend. My name is Dr. Watson.”
she was darker than any brunette whom I have A flush of vexation passed over her expressive
seen in England—slim, elegant, and tall. She had face. “We have been talking at cross purposes,”
a proud, finely cut face, so regular that it might said she.

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

“Why, you had not very much time for talk,” “We have books, we have our studies, and we
her brother remarked with the same questioning have interesting neighbours. Dr. Mortimer is a
eyes. most learned man in his own line. Poor Sir Charles
was also an admirable companion. We knew him
“I talked as if Dr. Watson were a resident in-
well, and miss him more than I can tell. Do you
stead of being merely a visitor,” said she. “It can-
think that I should intrude if I were to call this af-
not much matter to him whether it is early or late
ternoon and make the acquaintance of Sir Henry?”
for the orchids. But you will come on, will you
not, and see Merripit House?” “I am sure that he would be delighted.”

A short walk brought us to it, a bleak moor- “Then perhaps you would mention that I pro-
land house, once the farm of some grazier in the pose to do so. We may in our humble way do
old prosperous days, but now put into repair and something to make things more easy for him until
turned into a modern dwelling. An orchard sur- he becomes accustomed to his new surroundings.
rounded it, but the trees, as is usual upon the Will you come upstairs, Dr. Watson, and inspect
moor, were stunted and nipped, and the effect of my collection of Lepidoptera? I think it is the most
the whole place was mean and melancholy. We complete one in the south-west of England. By the
were admitted by a strange, wizened, rusty-coated time that you have looked through them lunch will
old manservant, who seemed in keeping with the be almost ready.”
house. Inside, however, there were large rooms But I was eager to get back to my charge. The
furnished with an elegance in which I seemed melancholy of the moor, the death of the unfor-
to recognize the taste of the lady. As I looked tunate pony, the weird sound which had been as-
from their windows at the interminable granite- sociated with the grim legend of the Baskervilles,
flecked moor rolling unbroken to the farthest hori- all these things tinged my thoughts with sadness.
zon I could not but marvel at what could have Then on the top of these more or less vague im-
brought this highly educated man and this beauti- pressions there had come the definite and distinct
ful woman to live in such a place. warning of Miss Stapleton, delivered with such in-
tense earnestness that I could not doubt that some
“Queer spot to choose, is it not?” said he as if
grave and deep reason lay behind it. I resisted all
in answer to my thought. “And yet we manage to
pressure to stay for lunch, and I set off at once
make ourselves fairly happy, do we not, Beryl?”
upon my return journey, taking the grass-grown
“Quite happy,” said she, but there was no ring path by which we had come.
of conviction in her words. It seems, however, that there must have been
“I had a school,” said Stapleton. “It was in the some short cut for those who knew it, for before I
north country. The work to a man of my temper- had reached the road I was astounded to see Miss
ament was mechanical and uninteresting, but the Stapleton sitting upon a rock by the side of the
privilege of living with youth, of helping to mould track. Her face was beautifully flushed with her
those young minds, and of impressing them with exertions, and she held her hand to her side.
one’s own character and ideals, was very dear to “I have run all the way in order to cut you off,
me. However, the fates were against us. A serious Dr. Watson,” said she. “I had not even time to put
epidemic broke out in the school and three of the on my hat. I must not stop, or my brother may
boys died. It never recovered from the blow, and miss me. I wanted to say to you how sorry I am
much of my capital was irretrievably swallowed about the stupid mistake I made in thinking that
up. And yet, if it were not for the loss of the charm- you were Sir Henry. Please forget the words I said,
ing companionship of the boys, I could rejoice over which have no application whatever to you.”
my own misfortune, for, with my strong tastes for “But I can’t forget them, Miss Stapleton,” said I.
botany and zoology, I find an unlimited field of “I am Sir Henry’s friend, and his welfare is a very
work here, and my sister is as devoted to Nature as close concern of mine. Tell me why it was that
I am. All this, Dr. Watson, has been brought upon you were so eager that Sir Henry should return to
your head by your expression as you surveyed the London.”
moor out of our window.”
“A woman’s whim, Dr. Watson. When you
“It certainly did cross my mind that it might be know me better you will understand that I cannot
a little dull—less for you, perhaps, than for your always give reasons for what I say or do.”
sister.”
“No, no. I remember the thrill in your voice.
“No, no, I am never dull,” said she, quickly. I remember the look in your eyes. Please, please,

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be frank with me, Miss Stapleton, for ever since “But I do. If you have any influence with Sir
I have been here I have been conscious of shad- Henry, take him away from a place which has al-
ows all round me. Life has become like that ways been fatal to his family. The world is wide.
great Grimpen Mire, with little green patches ev- Why should he wish to live at the place of dan-
erywhere into which one may sink and with no ger?”
guide to point the track. Tell me then what it was “Because it is the place of danger. That is Sir
that you meant, and I will promise to convey your Henry’s nature. I fear that unless you can give me
warning to Sir Henry.” some more definite information than this it would
An expression of irresolution passed for an in- be impossible to get him to move.”
stant over her face, but her eyes had hardened “I cannot say anything definite, for I do not
again when she answered me. know anything definite.”
“You make too much of it, Dr. Watson,” said “I would ask you one more question, Miss Sta-
she. “My brother and I were very much shocked pleton. If you meant no more than this when you
by the death of Sir Charles. We knew him very in- first spoke to me, why should you not wish your
timately, for his favourite walk was over the moor brother to overhear what you said? There is noth-
to our house. He was deeply impressed with ing to which he, or anyone else, could object.”
the curse which hung over the family, and when
this tragedy came I naturally felt that there must “My brother is very anxious to have the Hall
be some grounds for the fears which he had ex- inhabited, for he thinks it is for the good of the
pressed. I was distressed therefore when another poor folk upon the moor. He would be very angry
member of the family came down to live here, and if he knew that I have said anything which might
I felt that he should be warned of the danger which induce Sir Henry to go away. But I have done my
he will run. That was all which I intended to con- duty now and I will say no more. I must get back,
vey. or he will miss me and suspect that I have seen
you. Good-bye!“ She turned and had disappeared
“But what is the danger?”
in a few minutes among the scattered boulders,
“You know the story of the hound?” while I, with my soul full of vague fears, pursued
“I do not believe in such nonsense.” my way to Baskerville Hall.

CHAPTER VIII.
First Report of Dr. Watson

From this point onward I will follow the course its grim charm. When you are once out upon its
of events by transcribing my own letters to Mr. bosom you have left all traces of modern England
Sherlock Holmes which lie before me on the ta- behind you, but on the other hand you are con-
ble. One page is missing, but otherwise they are scious everywhere of the homes and the work of
exactly as written and show my feelings and sus- the prehistoric people. On all sides of you as you
picions of the moment more accurately than my walk are the houses of these forgotten folk, with
memory, clear as it is upon these tragic events, can their graves and the huge monoliths which are
possibly do. supposed to have marked their temples. As you
look at their gray stone huts against the scarred
Baskerville Hall, October 13th. hill-sides you leave your own age behind you, and
My dear Holmes: if you were to see a skin-clad, hairy man crawl out
My previous letters and telegrams have kept you from the low door fitting a flint-tipped arrow on
pretty well up to date as to all that has occurred in to the string of his bow, you would feel that his
this most God-forsaken corner of the world. The presence there was more natural than your own.
longer one stays here the more does the spirit of The strange thing is that they should have lived
the moor sink into one’s soul, its vastness, and also so thickly on what must always have been most

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

unfruitful soil. I am no antiquarian, but I could cool and unemotional brother. Yet he also gives
imagine that they were some unwarlike and har- the idea of hidden fires. He has certainly a very
ried race who were forced to accept that which marked influence over her, for I have seen her con-
none other would occupy. tinually glance at him as she talked as if seeking
All this, however, is foreign to the mission on approbation for what she said. I trust that he is
which you sent me and will probably be very un- kind to her. There is a dry glitter in his eyes, and a
interesting to your severely practical mind. I can firm set of his thin lips, which goes with a positive
still remember your complete indifference as to and possibly a harsh nature. You would find him
whether the sun moved round the earth or the an interesting study.
earth round the sun. Let me, therefore, return to He came over to call upon Baskerville on that
the facts concerning Sir Henry Baskerville. first day, and the very next morning he took us
If you have not had any report within the last both to show us the spot where the legend of the
few days it is because up to to-day there was noth- wicked Hugo is supposed to have had its origin.
ing of importance to relate. Then a very surpris- It was an excursion of some miles across the moor
ing circumstance occurred, which I shall tell you to a place which is so dismal that it might have
in due course. But, first of all, I must keep you in suggested the story. We found a short valley be-
touch with some of the other factors in the situa- tween rugged tors which led to an open, grassy
tion. space flecked over with the white cotton grass. In
the middle of it rose two great stones, worn and
One of these, concerning which I have said lit- sharpened at the upper end, until they looked like
tle, is the escaped convict upon the moor. There the huge corroding fangs of some monstrous beast.
is strong reason now to believe that he has got In every way it corresponded with the scene of the
right away, which is a considerable relief to the old tragedy. Sir Henry was much interested and
lonely householders of this district. A fortnight asked Stapleton more than once whether he did
has passed since his flight, during which he has really believe in the possibility of the interference
not been seen and nothing has been heard of him. of the supernatural in the affairs of men. He spoke
It is surely inconceivable that he could have held lightly, but it was evident that he was very much in
out upon the moor during all that time. Of course, earnest. Stapleton was guarded in his replies, but
so far as his concealment goes there is no diffi- it was easy to see that he said less than he might,
culty at all. Any one of these stone huts would and that he would not express his whole opinion
give him a hiding-place. But there is nothing to out of consideration for the feelings of the baronet.
eat unless he were to catch and slaughter one of He told us of similar cases, where families had suf-
the moor sheep. We think, therefore, that he has fered from some evil influence, and he left us with
gone, and the outlying farmers sleep the better in the impression that he shared the popular view
consequence. upon the matter.
We are four able-bodied men in this household, On our way back we stayed for lunch at Mer-
so that we could take good care of ourselves, but ripit House, and it was there that Sir Henry made
I confess that I have had uneasy moments when the acquaintance of Miss Stapleton. From the
I have thought of the Stapletons. They live miles first moment that he saw her he appeared to be
from any help. There are one maid, an old manser- strongly attracted by her, and I am much mistaken
vant, the sister, and the brother, the latter not a if the feeling was not mutual. He referred to her
very strong man. They would be helpless in the again and again on our walk home, and since then
hands of a desperate fellow like this Notting Hill hardly a day has passed that we have not seen
criminal, if he could once effect an entrance. Both something of the brother and sister. They dine
Sir Henry and I were concerned at their situa- here to-night, and there is some talk of our go-
tion, and it was suggested that Perkins the groom ing to them next week. One would imagine that
should go over to sleep there, but Stapleton would such a match would be very welcome to Stapleton,
not hear of it. and yet I have more than once caught a look of
The fact is that our friend, the baronet, begins the strongest disapprobation in his face when Sir
to display a considerable interest in our fair neigh- Henry has been paying some attention to his sister.
bour. It is not to be wondered at, for time hangs He is much attached to her, no doubt, and would
heavily in this lonely spot to an active man like lead a lonely life without her, but it would seem
him, and she is a very fascinating and beautiful the height of selfishness if he were to stand in the
woman. There is something tropical and exotic way of her making so brilliant a marriage. Yet I
about her which forms a singular contrast to her am certain that he does not wish their intimacy to

619
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ripen into love, and I have several times observed and sometimes against them, so that he is period-
that he has taken pains to prevent them from be- ically either carried in triumph down the village
ing tête-à-tête. By the way, your instructions to me street or else burned in effigy, according to his lat-
never to allow Sir Henry to go out alone will be- est exploit. He is said to have about seven lawsuits
come very much more onerous if a love affair were upon his hands at present, which will probably
to be added to our other difficulties. My popular- swallow up the remainder of his fortune and so
ity would soon suffer if I were to carry out your draw his sting and leave him harmless for the fu-
orders to the letter. ture. Apart from the law he seems a kindly, good-
natured person, and I only mention him because
The other day—Thursday, to be more ex- you were particular that I should send some de-
act—Dr. Mortimer lunched with us. He has been scription of the people who surround us. He is
excavating a barrow at Long Down, and has got curiously employed at present, for, being an am-
a prehistoric skull which fills him with great joy. ateur astronomer, he has an excellent telescope,
Never was there such a single-minded enthusiast with which he lies upon the roof of his own house
as he! The Stapletons came in afterwards, and and sweeps the moor all day in the hope of catch-
the good doctor took us all to the Yew Alley, at ing a glimpse of the escaped convict. If he would
Sir Henry’s request, to show us exactly how ev- confine his energies to this all would be well, but
erything occurred upon that fatal night. It is a there are rumours that he intends to prosecute Dr.
long, dismal walk, the Yew Alley, between two Mortimer for opening a grave without the consent
high walls of clipped hedge, with a narrow band of the next-of-kin, because he dug up the Neolithic
of grass upon either side. At the far end is an old skull in the barrow on Long Down. He helps to
tumble-down summer-house. Half-way down is keep our lives from being monotonous and gives a
the moor-gate, where the old gentleman left his little comic relief where it is badly needed.
cigar-ash. It is a white wooden gate with a latch.
Beyond it lies the wide moor. I remembered your And now, having brought you up to date in
theory of the affair and tried to picture all that the escaped convict, the Stapletons, Dr. Mortimer,
had occurred. As the old man stood there he and Frankland, of Lafter Hall, let me end on that
saw something coming across the moor, something which is most important and tell you more about
which terrified him so that he lost his wits, and ran the Barrymores, and especially about the surpris-
and ran until he died of sheer horror and exhaus- ing development of last night.
tion. There was the long, gloomy tunnel down First of all about the test telegram, which you
which he fled. And from what? A sheep-dog of sent from London in order to make sure that Bar-
the moor? Or a spectral hound, black, silent, and rymore was really here. I have already explained
monstrous? Was there a human agency in the mat- that the testimony of the postmaster shows that the
ter? Did the pale, watchful Barrymore know more test was worthless and that we have no proof one
than he cared to say? It was all dim and vague, but way or the other. I told Sir Henry how the matter
always there is the dark shadow of crime behind stood, and he at once, in his downright fashion,
it. had Barrymore up and asked him whether he had
received the telegram himself. Barrymore said that
One other neighbour I have met since I wrote he had.
last. This is Mr. Frankland, of Lafter Hall, who
lives some four miles to the south of us. He is an “Did the boy deliver it into your own hands?”
elderly man, red-faced, white-haired, and choleric. asked Sir Henry.
His passion is for the British law, and he has spent Barrymore looked surprised, and considered
a large fortune in litigation. He fights for the mere for a little time.
pleasure of fighting and is equally ready to take
“No,” said he, “I was in the box-room at the
up either side of a question, so that it is no wonder
time, and my wife brought it up to me.”
that he has found it a costly amusement. Some-
times he will shut up a right of way and defy the “Did you answer it yourself?”
parish to make him open it. At others he will with “No; I told my wife what to answer and she
his own hands tear down some other man’s gate went down to write it.”
and declare that a path has existed there from time
immemorial, defying the owner to prosecute him In the evening he recurred to the subject of his
for trespass. He is learned in old manorial and own accord.
communal rights, and he applies his knowledge “I could not quite understand the object of your
sometimes in favour of the villagers of Fernworthy questions this morning, Sir Henry,” said he. “I

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trust that they do not mean that I have done any- I have told you that the corridor is broken by
thing to forfeit your confidence?” the balcony which runs round the hall, but that it
is resumed upon the farther side. I waited until he
Sir Henry had to assure him that it was not so
had passed out of sight and then I followed him.
and pacify him by giving him a considerable part
When I came round the balcony he had reached
of his old wardrobe, the London outfit having now
the end of the farther corridor, and I could see
all arrived.
from the glimmer of light through an open door
Mrs. Barrymore is of interest to me. She is that he had entered one of the rooms. Now, all
a heavy, solid person, very limited, intensely re- these rooms are unfurnished and unoccupied, so
spectable, and inclined to be puritanical. You that his expedition became more mysterious than
could hardly conceive a less emotional subject. Yet ever. The light shone steadily as if he were stand-
I have told you how, on the first night here, I ing motionless. I crept down the passage as noise-
heard her sobbing bitterly, and since then I have lessly as I could and peeped round the corner of
more than once observed traces of tears upon her the door.
face. Some deep sorrow gnaws ever at her heart.
Barrymore was crouching at the window with
Sometimes I wonder if she has a guilty memory
the candle held against the glass. His profile was
which haunts her, and sometimes I suspect Barry-
half turned towards me, and his face seemed to
more of being a domestic tyrant. I have always felt
be rigid with expectation as he stared out into the
that there was something singular and question-
blackness of the moor. For some minutes he stood
able in this man’s character, but the adventure of
watching intently. Then he gave a deep groan and
last night brings all my suspicions to a head.
with an impatient gesture he put out the light. In-
And yet it may seem a small matter in itself. stantly I made my way back to my room, and very
You are aware that I am not a very sound sleeper, shortly came the stealthy steps passing once more
and since I have been on guard in this house my upon their return journey. Long afterwards when
slumbers have been lighter than ever. Last night, I had fallen into a light sleep I heard a key turn
about two in the morning, I was aroused by a somewhere in a lock, but I could not tell whence
stealthy step passing my room. I rose, opened my the sound came. What it all means I cannot guess,
door, and peeped out. A long black shadow was but there is some secret business going on in this
trailing down the corridor. It was thrown by a man house of gloom which sooner or later we shall get
who walked softly down the passage with a can- to the bottom of. I do not trouble you with my the-
dle held in his hand. He was in shirt and trousers, ories, for you asked me to furnish you only with
with no covering to his feet. I could merely see the facts. I have had a long talk with Sir Henry this
outline, but his height told me that it was Barry- morning, and we have made a plan of campaign
more. He walked very slowly and circumspectly, founded upon my observations of last night. I will
and there was something indescribably guilty and not speak about it just now, but it should make my
furtive in his whole appearance. next report interesting reading.

CHAPTER IX.
Second Report of Dr. Watson

THE LIGHT UPON THE MOOR fast upon us. In my last report I ended upon my
top note with Barrymore at the window, and now
Baskerville Hall, Oct. 15th.
I have quite a budget already which will, unless
My dear Holmes: I am much mistaken, considerably surprise you.
If I was compelled to leave you without much Things have taken a turn which I could not have
news during the early days of my mission you anticipated. In some ways they have within the
must acknowledge that I am making up for lost last forty-eight hours become much clearer and in
time, and that events are now crowding thick and

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some ways they have become more complicated. “Then we shall do it together.”
But I will tell you all and you shall judge for your- “But surely he would hear us.”
self. “The man is rather deaf, and in any case we
Before breakfast on the morning following my must take our chance of that. We’ll sit up in my
adventure I went down the corridor and examined room to-night and wait until he passes.” Sir Henry
the room in which Barrymore had been on the rubbed his hands with pleasure, and it was evi-
night before. The western window through which dent that he hailed the adventure as a relief to his
he had stared so intently has, I noticed, one pe- somewhat quiet life upon the moor.
culiarity above all other windows in the house—it The baronet has been in communication with
commands the nearest outlook on the moor. There the architect who prepared the plans for Sir
is an opening between two trees which enables one Charles, and with a contractor from London, so
from this point of view to look right down upon it, that we may expect great changes to begin here
while from all the other windows it is only a dis- soon. There have been decorators and furnishers
tant glimpse which can be obtained. It follows, up from Plymouth, and it is evident that our friend
therefore, that Barrymore, since only this window has large ideas, and means to spare no pains or ex-
would serve the purpose, must have been looking pense to restore the grandeur of his family. When
out for something or somebody upon the moor. the house is renovated and refurnished, all that he
The night was very dark, so that I can hardly imag- will need will be a wife to make it complete. Be-
ine how he could have hoped to see anyone. It had tween ourselves there are pretty clear signs that
struck me that it was possible that some love in- this will not be wanting if the lady is willing, for
trigue was on foot. That would have accounted for I have seldom seen a man more infatuated with a
his stealthy movements and also for the uneasiness woman than he is with our beautiful neighbour,
of his wife. The man is a striking-looking fellow, Miss Stapleton. And yet the course of true love
very well equipped to steal the heart of a country does not run quite as smoothly as one would un-
girl, so that this theory seemed to have something der the circumstances expect. To-day, for example,
to support it. That opening of the door which I its surface was broken by a very unexpected ripple,
had heard after I had returned to my room might which has caused our friend considerable perplex-
mean that he had gone out to keep some clandes- ity and annoyance.
tine appointment. So I reasoned with myself in the After the conversation which I have quoted
morning, and I tell you the direction of my suspi- about Barrymore, Sir Henry put on his hat and
cions, however much the result may have shown prepared to go out. As a matter of course I did the
that they were unfounded. same.
But whatever the true explanation of Barry- “What, are you coming, Watson?” he asked,
more’s movements might be, I felt that the respon- looking at me in a curious way.
sibility of keeping them to myself until I could ex- “That depends on whether you are going on
plain them was more than I could bear. I had an the moor,” said I.
interview with the baronet in his study after break- “Yes, I am.”
fast, and I told him all that I had seen. He was less “Well, you know what my instructions are. I
surprised than I had expected. am sorry to intrude, but you heard how earnestly
“I knew that Barrymore walked about nights, Holmes insisted that I should not leave you, and
and I had a mind to speak to him about it,” said especially that you should not go alone upon the
he. “Two or three times I have heard his steps in moor.”
the passage, coming and going, just about the hour Sir Henry put his hand upon my shoulder with
you name.” a pleasant smile.
“Perhaps then he pays a visit every night to that “My dear fellow,” said he, “Holmes, with all
particular window,” I suggested. his wisdom, did not foresee some things which
have happened since I have been on the moor. You
“Perhaps he does. If so, we should be able to understand me? I am sure that you are the last
shadow him, and see what it is that he is after. I man in the world who would wish to be a spoil-
wonder what your friend Holmes would do, if he sport. I must go out alone.”
were here.”
It put me in a most awkward position. I was at
“I believe that he would do exactly what you a loss what to say or what to do, and before I had
now suggest,” said I. “He would follow Barrymore made up my mind he picked up his cane and was
and see what he did.” gone.

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But when I came to think the matter over my his head to hers, and she raised one hand as if in
conscience reproached me bitterly for having on protest. Next moment I saw them spring apart and
any pretext allowed him to go out of my sight. I turn hurriedly round. Stapleton was the cause of
imagined what my feelings would be if I had to the interruption. He was running wildly towards
return to you and to confess that some misfortune them, his absurd net dangling behind him. He
had occurred through my disregard for your in- gesticulated and almost danced with excitement in
structions. I assure you my cheeks flushed at the front of the lovers. What the scene meant I could
very thought. It might not even now be too late to not imagine, but it seemed to me that Stapleton
overtake him, so I set off at once in the direction of was abusing Sir Henry, who offered explanations,
Merripit House. which became more angry as the other refused to
I hurried along the road at the top of my speed accept them. The lady stood by in haughty silence.
without seeing anything of Sir Henry, until I came Finally Stapleton turned upon his heel and beck-
to the point where the moor path branches off. oned in a peremptory way to his sister, who, after
There, fearing that perhaps I had come in the an irresolute glance at Sir Henry, walked off by the
wrong direction after all, I mounted a hill from side of her brother. The naturalist’s angry gestures
which I could command a view—the same hill showed that the lady was included in his displea-
which is cut into the dark quarry. Thence I saw sure. The baronet stood for a minute looking after
him at once. He was on the moor path, about a them, and then he walked slowly back the way that
quarter of a mile off, and a lady was by his side he had come, his head hanging, the very picture of
who could only be Miss Stapleton. It was clear dejection.
that there was already an understanding between What all this meant I could not imagine, but
them and that they had met by appointment. They I was deeply ashamed to have witnessed so inti-
were walking slowly along in deep conversation, mate a scene without my friend’s knowledge. I
and I saw her making quick little movements of ran down the hill therefore and met the baronet at
her hands as if she were very earnest in what she the bottom. His face was flushed with anger and
was saying, while he listened intently, and once his brows were wrinkled, like one who is at his
or twice shook his head in strong dissent. I stood wit’s ends what to do.
among the rocks watching them, very much puz- “Halloa, Watson! Where have you dropped
zled as to what I should do next. To follow them from?” said he. “You don’t mean to say that you
and break into their intimate conversation seemed came after me in spite of all?”
to be an outrage, and yet my clear duty was never
I explained everything to him: how I had found
for an instant to let him out of my sight. To act the
it impossible to remain behind, how I had followed
spy upon a friend was a hateful task. Still, I could
him, and how I had witnessed all that had oc-
see no better course than to observe him from the
curred. For an instant his eyes blazed at me, but
hill, and to clear my conscience by confessing to
my frankness disarmed his anger, and he broke at
him afterwards what I had done. It is true that
last into a rather rueful laugh.
if any sudden danger had threatened him I was
too far away to be of use, and yet I am sure that “You would have thought the middle of that
you will agree with me that the position was very prairie a fairly safe place for a man to be private,”
difficult, and that there was nothing more which I said he, “but, by thunder, the whole country-side
could do. seems to have been out to see me do my woo-
ing—and a mighty poor wooing at that! Where
Our friend, Sir Henry, and the lady had halted
had you engaged a seat?”
on the path and were standing deeply absorbed
in their conversation, when I was suddenly aware “I was on that hill.”
that I was not the only witness of their interview. “Quite in the back row, eh? But her brother was
A wisp of green floating in the air caught my eye, well up to the front. Did you see him come out on
and another glance showed me that it was carried us?”
on a stick by a man who was moving among the “Yes, I did.”
broken ground. It was Stapleton with his butterfly-
“Did he ever strike you as being crazy—this
net. He was very much closer to the pair than I
brother of hers?”
was, and he appeared to be moving in their di-
rection. At this instant Sir Henry suddenly drew “I can’t say that he ever did.”
Miss Stapleton to his side. His arm was round “I dare say not. I always thought him sane
her, but it seemed to me that she was straining enough until to-day, but you can take it from me
away from him with her face averted. He stooped that either he or I ought to be in a strait-jacket.

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What’s the matter with me, anyhow? You’ve lived runs in his family. That his advances should be
near me for some weeks, Watson. Tell me straight, rejected so brusquely without any reference to the
now! Is there anything that would prevent me lady’s own wishes, and that the lady should ac-
from making a good husband to a woman that I cept the situation without protest, is very amaz-
loved?” ing. However, our conjectures were set at rest by
“I should say not.” a visit from Stapleton himself that very afternoon.
“He can’t object to my worldly position, so it He had come to offer apologies for his rudeness
must be myself that he has this down on. What of the morning, and after a long private interview
has he against me? I never hurt man or woman in with Sir Henry in his study, the upshot of their
my life that I know of. And yet he would not so conversation was that the breach is quite healed,
much as let me touch the tips of her fingers.” and that we are to dine at Merripit House next Fri-
“Did he say so?” day as a sign of it.
“That, and a deal more. I tell you, Watson, “I don’t say now that he isn’t a crazy man,”
I’ve only known her these few weeks, but from the said Sir Henry; “I can’t forget the look in his eyes
first I just felt that she was made for me, and she, when he ran at me this morning, but I must allow
too—she was happy when she was with me, and that no man could make a more handsome apol-
that I’ll swear. There’s a light in a woman’s eyes ogy than he has done.”
that speaks louder than words. But he has never “Did he give any explanation of his conduct?”
let us get together, and it was only to-day for the “His sister is everything in his life, he says.
first time that I saw a chance of having a few words That is natural enough, and I am glad that he
with her alone. She was glad to meet me, but when should understand her value. They have always
she did it was not love that she would talk about, been together, and according to his account he has
and she wouldn’t have let me talk about it either if been a very lonely man with only her as a compan-
she could have stopped it. She kept coming back ion, so that the thought of losing her was really ter-
to it that this was a place of danger, and that she rible to him. He had not understood, he said, that
would never be happy until I had left it. I told I was becoming attached to her, but when he saw
her that since I had seen her I was in no hurry to with his own eyes that it was really so, and that
leave it, and that if she really wanted me to go, she might be taken away from him, it gave him
the only way to work it was for her to arrange to such a shock that for a time he was not responsi-
go with me. With that I offered in as many words ble for what he said or did. He was very sorry for
to marry her, but before she could answer, down all that had passed, and he recognized how fool-
came this brother of hers, running at us with a ish and how selfish it was that he should imagine
face on him like a madman. He was just white that he could hold a beautiful woman like his sis-
with rage, and those light eyes of his were blazing ter to himself for her whole life. If she had to leave
with fury. What was I doing with the lady? How him he had rather it was to a neighbour like my-
dared I offer her attentions which were distasteful self than to anyone else. But in any case it was a
to her? Did I think that because I was a baronet blow to him, and it would take him some time be-
I could do what I liked? If he had not been her fore he could prepare himself to meet it. He would
brother I should have known better how to answer withdraw all opposition upon his part if I would
him. As it was I told him that my feelings towards promise for three months to let the matter rest and
his sister were such as I was not ashamed of, and to be content with cultivating the lady’s friendship
that I hoped that she might honour me by becom- during that time without claiming her love. This I
ing my wife. That seemed to make the matter no promised, and so the matter rests.”
better, so then I lost my temper too, and I answered So there is one of our small mysteries cleared
him rather more hotly than I should perhaps, con- up. It is something to have touched bottom any-
sidering that she was standing by. So it ended by where in this bog in which we are floundering. We
his going off with her, as you saw, and here am I know now why Stapleton looked with disfavour
as badly puzzled a man as any in this county. Just upon his sister’s suitor—even when that suitor
tell me what it all means, Watson, and I’ll owe you was so eligible a one as Sir Henry. And now I
more than ever I can hope to pay.” pass on to another thread which I have extricated
I tried one or two explanations, but, indeed, I out of the tangled skein, the mystery of the sobs
was completely puzzled myself. Our friend’s ti- in the night, of the tear-stained face of Mrs. Bar-
tle, his fortune, his age, his character, and his ap- rymore, of the secret journey of the butler to the
pearance are all in his favour, and I know noth- western lattice window. Congratulate me, my dear
ing against him unless it be this dark fate which Holmes, and tell me that I have not disappointed

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

you as an agent—that you do not regret the confi- livid and trembling, before us. His dark eyes, glar-
dence which you showed in me when you sent me ing out of the white mask of his face, were full
down. All these things have by one night’s work of horror and astonishment as he gazed from Sir
been thoroughly cleared. Henry to me.
I have said “by one night’s work,” but, in truth, “What are you doing here, Barrymore?”
it was by two nights’ work, for on the first we drew “Nothing, sir.” His agitation was so great that
entirely blank. I sat up with Sir Henry in his rooms he could hardly speak, and the shadows sprang
until nearly three o’clock in the morning, but no up and down from the shaking of his candle. “It
sound of any sort did we hear except the chiming was the window, sir. I go round at night to see that
clock upon the stairs. It was a most melancholy they are fastened.”
vigil, and ended by each of us falling asleep in “On the second floor?”
our chairs. Fortunately we were not discouraged, “Yes, sir, all the windows.”
and we determined to try again. The next night “Look here, Barrymore,” said Sir Henry,
we lowered the lamp, and sat smoking cigarettes sternly; “we have made up our minds to have the
without making the least sound. It was incredible truth out of you, so it will save you trouble to tell
how slowly the hours crawled by, and yet we were it sooner rather than later. Come, now! No lies!
helped through it by the same sort of patient inter- What were you doing at that window?”
est which the hunter must feel as he watches the The fellow looked at us in a helpless way, and
trap into which he hopes the game may wander. he wrung his hands together like one who is in the
One struck, and two, and we had almost for the last extremity of doubt and misery.
second time given it up in despair, when in an in-
“I was doing no harm, sir. I was holding a can-
stant we both sat bolt upright in our chairs, with
dle to the window.”
all our weary senses keenly on the alert once more.
We had heard the creak of a step in the passage. “And why were you holding a candle to the
window?”
Very stealthily we heard it pass along until it “Don’t ask me, Sir Henry—don’t ask me! I give
died away in the distance. Then the baronet gently you my word, sir, that it is not my secret, and that
opened his door and we set out in pursuit. Al- I cannot tell it. If it concerned no one but myself I
ready our man had gone round the gallery, and would not try to keep it from you.”
the corridor was all in darkness. Softly we stole A sudden idea occurred to me, and I took the
along until we had come into the other wing. We candle from the trembling hand of the butler.
were just in time to catch a glimpse of the tall,
“He must have been holding it as a signal,” said
black-bearded figure, his shoulders rounded, as
I. “Let us see if there is any answer.” I held it as he
he tip-toed down the passage. Then he passed
had done, and stared out into the darkness of the
through the same door as before, and the light of
night. Vaguely I could discern the black bank of
the candle framed it in the darkness and shot one
the trees and the lighter expanse of the moor, for
single yellow beam across the gloom of the corri-
the moon was behind the clouds. And then I gave
dor. We shuffled cautiously towards it, trying ev-
a cry of exultation, for a tiny pin-point of yellow
ery plank before we dared to put our whole weight
light had suddenly transfixed the dark veil, and
upon it. We had taken the precaution of leaving
glowed steadily in the centre of the black square
our boots behind us, but, even so, the old boards
framed by the window.
snapped and creaked beneath our tread. Some-
times it seemed impossible that he should fail to “There it is!” I cried.
hear our approach. However, the man is fortu- “No, no, sir, it is nothing—nothing at all!” the
nately rather deaf, and he was entirely preoccu- butler broke in; “I assure you, sir—”
pied in that which he was doing. When at last we “Move your light across the window, Watson!”
reached the door and peeped through we found cried the baronet. “See, the other moves also!
him crouching at the window, candle in hand, his Now, you rascal, do you deny that it is a signal?
white, intent face pressed against the pane, exactly Come, speak up! Who is your confederate out yon-
as I had seen him two nights before. der, and what is this conspiracy that is going on?”
The man’s face became openly defiant.
We had arranged no plan of campaign, but the
baronet is a man to whom the most direct way is “It is my business, and not yours. I will not
always the most natural. He walked into the room, tell.”
and as he did so Barrymore sprang up from the “Then you leave my employment right away.”
window with a sharp hiss of his breath and stood, “Very good, sir. If I must I must.”

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“And you go in disgrace. By thunder, you may hard at his heels, what could we do? We took him
well be ashamed of yourself. Your family has lived in and fed him and cared for him. Then you re-
with mine for over a hundred years under this turned, sir, and my brother thought he would be
roof, and here I find you deep in some dark plot safer on the moor than anywhere else until the hue
against me.” and cry was over, so he lay in hiding there. But ev-
“No, no, sir; no, not against you!” It was a ery second night we made sure if he was still there
woman’s voice, and Mrs. Barrymore, paler and by putting a light in the window, and if there was
more horror-struck than her husband, was stand- an answer my husband took out some bread and
ing at the door. Her bulky figure in a shawl and meat to him. Every day we hoped that he was
skirt might have been comic were it not for the in- gone, but as long as he was there we could not
tensity of feeling upon her face. desert him. That is the whole truth, as I am an
honest Christian woman, and you will see that if
“We have to go, Eliza. This is the end of it. You
there is blame in the matter it does not lie with my
can pack our things,” said the butler.
husband, but with me, for whose sake he has done
“Oh, John, John, have I brought you to this? It all that he has.”
is my doing, Sir Henry—all mine. He has done
The woman’s words came with an intense
nothing except for my sake and because I asked
earnestness which carried conviction with them.
him.”
“Is this true, Barrymore?”
“Speak out, then! What does it mean?”
“Yes, Sir Henry. Every word of it.”
“My unhappy brother is starving on the moor.
“Well, I cannot blame you for standing by your
We cannot let him perish at our very gates. The
own wife. Forget what I have said. Go to your
light is a signal to him that food is ready for him,
room, you two, and we shall talk further about this
and his light out yonder is to show the spot to
matter in the morning.”
which to bring it.”
When they were gone we looked out of the
“Then your brother is—” window again. Sir Henry had flung it open, and
“The escaped convict, sir—Selden, the crimi- the cold night wind beat in upon our faces. Far
nal.” away in the black distance there still glowed that
“That’s the truth, sir,” said Barrymore. “I said one tiny point of yellow light.
that it was not my secret and that I could not tell “I wonder he dares,” said Sir Henry.
it to you. But now you have heard it, and you will “It may be so placed as to be only visible from
see that if there was a plot it was not against you.” here.”
This, then, was the explanation of the stealthy “Very likely. How far do you think it is?”
expeditions at night and the light at the window. “Out by the Cleft Tor, I think.”
Sir Henry and I both stared at the woman in
“Not more than a mile or two off.”
amazement. Was it possible that this stolidly re-
spectable person was of the same blood as one of “Hardly that.”
the most notorious criminals in the country? “Well, it cannot be far if Barrymore had to carry
“Yes, sir, my name was Selden, and he is my out the food to it. And he is waiting, this villain,
younger brother. We humoured him too much beside that candle. By thunder, Watson, I am going
when he was a lad, and gave him his own way out to take that man!”
in everything until he came to think that the world The same thought had crossed my own mind.
was made for his pleasure, and that he could do It was not as if the Barrymores had taken us into
what he liked in it. Then as he grew older he met their confidence. Their secret had been forced from
wicked companions, and the devil entered into them. The man was a danger to the community, an
him until he broke my mother’s heart and dragged unmitigated scoundrel for whom there was neither
our name in the dirt. From crime to crime he sank pity nor excuse. We were only doing our duty in
lower and lower, until it is only the mercy of God taking this chance of putting him back where he
which has snatched him from the scaffold; but to could do no harm. With his brutal and violent na-
me, sir, he was always the little curly-headed boy ture, others would have to pay the price if we held
that I had nursed and played with, as an elder sis- our hands. Any night, for example, our neigh-
ter would. That was why he broke prison, sir. bours the Stapletons might be attacked by him,
He knew that I was here and that we could not and it may have been the thought of this which
refuse to help him. When he dragged himself here made Sir Henry so keen upon the adventure.
one night, weary and starving, with the warders “I will come,” said I.

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“Then get your revolver and put on your boots. “They say it is the cry of the Hound of the
The sooner we start the better, as the fellow may Baskervilles.”
put out his light and be off.” He groaned and was silent for a few moments.
In five minutes we were outside the door, start- “A hound it was,” he said, at last, “but it
ing upon our expedition. We hurried through the seemed to come from miles away, over yonder, I
dark shrubbery, amid the dull moaning of the au- think.”
tumn wind and the rustle of the falling leaves. The “It was hard to say whence it came.”
night air was heavy with the smell of damp and “It rose and fell with the wind. Isn’t that the
decay. Now and again the moon peeped out for direction of the great Grimpen Mire?”
an instant, but clouds were driving over the face
“Yes, it is.”
of the sky, and just as we came out on the moor
a thin rain began to fall. The light still burned “Well, it was up there. Come now, Watson,
steadily in front. didn’t you think yourself that it was the cry of a
hound? I am not a child. You need not fear to
“Are you armed?” I asked. speak the truth.”
“I have a hunting-crop.” “Stapleton was with me when I heard it last.
“We must close in on him rapidly, for he is said He said that it might be the calling of a strange
to be a desperate fellow. We shall take him by sur- bird.”
prise and have him at our mercy before he can re- “No, no, it was a hound. My God, can there be
sist.” some truth in all these stories? Is it possible that
“I say, Watson,” said the baronet, “what would I am really in danger from so dark a cause? You
Holmes say to this? How about that hour of dark- don’t believe it, do you, Watson?”
ness in which the power of evil is exalted?” “No, no.”
As if in answer to his words there rose sud- “And yet it was one thing to laugh about it in
denly out of the vast gloom of the moor that London, and it is another to stand out here in the
strange cry which I had already heard upon the darkness of the moor and to hear such a cry as
borders of the great Grimpen Mire. It came with that. And my uncle! There was the footprint of
the wind through the silence of the night, a long, the hound beside him as he lay. It all fits together.
deep mutter, then a rising howl, and then the sad I don’t think that I am a coward, Watson, but that
moan in which it died away. Again and again it sound seemed to freeze my very blood. Feel my
sounded, the whole air throbbing with it, strident, hand!”
wild, and menacing. The baronet caught my sleeve It was as cold as a block of marble.
and his face glimmered white through the dark- “You’ll be all right to-morrow.”
ness.
“I don’t think I’ll get that cry out of my head.
“My God, what’s that, Watson?” What do you advise that we do now?”
“I don’t know. It’s a sound they have on the “Shall we turn back?”
moor. I heard it once before.” “No, by thunder; we have come out to get our
It died away, and an absolute silence closed in man, and we will do it. We after the convict, and
upon us. We stood straining our ears, but nothing a hell-hound, as likely as not, after us. Come on!
came. We’ll see it through if all the fiends of the pit were
“Watson,” said the baronet, “it was the cry of a loose upon the moor.”
hound.” We stumbled slowly along in the darkness,
My blood ran cold in my veins, for there was a with the black loom of the craggy hills around us,
break in his voice which told of the sudden horror and the yellow speck of light burning steadily in
which had seized him. front. There is nothing so deceptive as the distance
of a light upon a pitch-dark night, and sometimes
“What do they call this sound?” he asked. the glimmer seemed to be far away upon the hori-
“Who?” zon and sometimes it might have been within a
“The folk on the country-side.” few yards of us. But at last we could see whence
it came, and then we knew that we were indeed
“Oh, they are ignorant people. Why should
very close. A guttering candle was stuck in a
you mind what they call it?”
crevice of the rocks which flanked it on each side
“Tell me, Watson. What do they say of it?” so as to keep the wind from it and also to pre-
I hesitated but could not escape the question. vent it from being visible, save in the direction of

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Baskerville Hall. A boulder of granite concealed two rocks, while we watched him disappearing in
our approach, and crouching behind it we gazed the distance.
over it at the signal light. It was strange to see And it was at this moment that there occurred a
this single candle burning there in the middle of most strange and unexpected thing. We had risen
the moor, with no sign of life near it—just the one from our rocks and were turning to go home, hav-
straight yellow flame and the gleam of the rock on ing abandoned the hopeless chase. The moon was
each side of it. low upon the right, and the jagged pinnacle of a
“What shall we do now?” whispered Sir Henry. granite tor stood up against the lower curve of its
silver disc. There, outlined as black as an ebony
“Wait here. He must be near his light. Let us statue on that shining back-ground, I saw the fig-
see if we can get a glimpse of him.” ure of a man upon the tor. Do not think that it was
The words were hardly out of my mouth when a delusion, Holmes. I assure you that I have never
we both saw him. Over the rocks, in the crevice of in my life seen anything more clearly. As far as I
which the candle burned, there was thrust out an could judge, the figure was that of a tall, thin man.
evil yellow face, a terrible animal face, all seamed He stood with his legs a little separated, his arms
and scored with vile passions. Foul with mire, folded, his head bowed, as if he were brooding
with a bristling beard, and hung with matted hair, over that enormous wilderness of peat and granite
it might well have belonged to one of those old which lay before him. He might have been the very
savages who dwelt in the burrows on the hillsides. spirit of that terrible place. It was not the convict.
The light beneath him was reflected in his small, This man was far from the place where the latter
cunning eyes which peered fiercely to right and had disappeared. Besides, he was a much taller
left through the darkness, like a crafty and savage man. With a cry of surprise I pointed him out to
animal who has heard the steps of the hunters. the baronet, but in the instant during which I had
turned to grasp his arm the man was gone. There
Something had evidently aroused his suspi- was the sharp pinnacle of granite still cutting the
cions. It may have been that Barrymore had some lower edge of the moon, but its peak bore no trace
private signal which we had neglected to give, or of that silent and motionless figure.
the fellow may have had some other reason for
I wished to go in that direction and to search
thinking that all was not well, but I could read his
the tor, but it was some distance away. The
fears upon his wicked face. Any instant he might
baronet’s nerves were still quivering from that cry,
dash out the light and vanish in the darkness. I
which recalled the dark story of his family, and
sprang forward therefore, and Sir Henry did the
he was not in the mood for fresh adventures. He
same. At the same moment the convict screamed
had not seen this lonely man upon the tor and
out a curse at us and hurled a rock which splin-
could not feel the thrill which his strange presence
tered up against the boulder which had sheltered
and his commanding attitude had given to me. “A
us. I caught one glimpse of his short, squat,
warder, no doubt,” said he. “The moor has been
strongly-built figure as he sprang to his feet and
thick with them since this fellow escaped.” Well,
turned to run. At the same moment by a lucky
perhaps his explanation may be the right one, but
chance the moon broke through the clouds. We
I should like to have some further proof of it. To-
rushed over the brow of the hill, and there was
day we mean to communicate to the Princetown
our man running with great speed down the other
people where they should look for their missing
side, springing over the stones in his way with the
man, but it is hard lines that we have not actually
activity of a mountain goat. A lucky long shot of
had the triumph of bringing him back as our own
my revolver might have crippled him, but I had
prisoner. Such are the adventures of last night, and
brought it only to defend myself if attacked, and
you must acknowledge, my dear Holmes, that I
not to shoot an unarmed man who was running
have done you very well in the matter of a report.
away.
Much of what I tell you is no doubt quite irrel-
We were both swift runners and in fairly good evant, but still I feel that it is best that I should
training, but we soon found that we had no chance let you have all the facts and leave you to select
of overtaking him. We saw him for a long time for yourself those which will be of most service to
in the moonlight until he was only a small speck you in helping you to your conclusions. We are
moving swiftly among the boulders upon the side certainly making some progress. So far as the Bar-
of a distant hill. We ran and ran until we were rymores go we have found the motive of their ac-
completely blown, but the space between us grew tions, and that has cleared up the situation very
ever wider. Finally we stopped and sat panting on much. But the moor with its mysteries and its

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strange inhabitants remains as inscrutable as ever. light upon this also. Best of all would it be if you
Perhaps in my next I may be able to throw some could come down to us. In any case you will hear
from me again in the course of the next few days.

CHAPTER X.
Extract from the Diary of Dr. Watson

So far I have been able to quote from the re- such a thing. To do so would be to descend to the
ports which I have forwarded during these early level of these poor peasants, who are not content
days to Sherlock Holmes. Now, however, I have with a mere fiend dog but must needs describe
arrived at a point in my narrative where I am com- him with hell-fire shooting from his mouth and
pelled to abandon this method and to trust once eyes. Holmes would not listen to such fancies, and
more to my recollections, aided by the diary which I am his agent. But facts are facts, and I have twice
I kept at the time. A few extracts from the latter heard this crying upon the moor. Suppose that
will carry me on to those scenes which are indeli- there were really some huge hound loose upon it;
bly fixed in every detail upon my memory. I pro- that would go far to explain everything. But where
ceed, then, from the morning which followed our could such a hound lie concealed, where did it get
abortive chase of the convict and our other strange its food, where did it come from, how was it that
experiences upon the moor. no one saw it by day? It must be confessed that
October 16th.—A dull and foggy day with the natural explanation offers almost as many dif-
a drizzle of rain. The house is banked in with ficulties as the other. And always, apart from the
rolling clouds, which rise now and then to show hound, there is the fact of the human agency in
the dreary curves of the moor, with thin, silver London, the man in the cab, and the letter which
veins upon the sides of the hills, and the distant warned Sir Henry against the moor. This at least
boulders gleaming where the light strikes upon was real, but it might have been the work of a pro-
their wet faces. It is melancholy outside and in. tecting friend as easily as of an enemy. Where is
The baronet is in a black reaction after the excite- that friend or enemy now? Has he remained in
ments of the night. I am conscious myself of a London, or has he followed us down here? Could
weight at my heart and a feeling of impending he—could he be the stranger whom I saw upon
danger—ever present danger, which is the more the tor?
terrible because I am unable to define it. It is true that I have had only the one glance
And have I not cause for such a feeling? Con- at him, and yet there are some things to which I
sider the long sequence of incidents which have all am ready to swear. He is no one whom I have
pointed to some sinister influence which is at work seen down here, and I have now met all the neigh-
around us. There is the death of the last occupant bours. The figure was far taller than that of Staple-
of the Hall, fulfilling so exactly the conditions of ton, far thinner than that of Frankland. Barrymore
the family legend, and there are the repeated re- it might possibly have been, but we had left him
ports from peasants of the appearance of a strange behind us, and I am certain that he could not have
creature upon the moor. Twice I have with my followed us. A stranger then is still dogging us,
own ears heard the sound which resembled the just as a stranger dogged us in London. We have
distant baying of a hound. It is incredible, impos- never shaken him off. If I could lay my hands upon
sible, that it should really be outside the ordinary that man, then at last we might find ourselves at
laws of nature. A spectral hound which leaves the end of all our difficulties. To this one purpose
material footmarks and fills the air with its howl- I must now devote all my energies.
ing is surely not to be thought of. Stapleton may My first impulse was to tell Sir Henry all my
fall in with such a superstition, and Mortimer also; plans. My second and wisest one is to play my
but if I have one quality upon earth it is common- own game and speak as little as possible to any-
sense, and nothing will persuade me to believe in one. He is silent and distrait. His nerves have been

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strangely shaken by that sound upon the moor. I I shrugged my shoulders. “If he were safely
will say nothing to add to his anxieties, but I will out of the country it would relieve the tax-payer of
take my own steps to attain my own end. a burden.”
We had a small scene this morning after break- “But how about the chance of his holding
fast. Barrymore asked leave to speak with Sir someone up before he goes?”
Henry, and they were closeted in his study some “He would not do anything so mad, sir. We
little time. Sitting in the billiard-room I more than have provided him with all that he can want. To
once heard the sound of voices raised, and I had commit a crime would be to show where he was
a pretty good idea what the point was which was hiding.”
under discussion. After a time the baronet opened “That is true,” said Sir Henry. “Well, Barry-
his door and called for me. more—”
“Barrymore considers that he has a grievance,” “God bless you, sir, and thank you from my
he said. “He thinks that it was unfair on our part heart! It would have killed my poor wife had he
to hunt his brother-in-law down when he, of his been taken again.”
own free will, had told us the secret.”
“I guess we are aiding and abetting a felony,
The butler was standing very pale but very col- Watson? But, after what we have heard I don’t feel
lected before us. as if I could give the man up, so there is an end of
it. All right, Barrymore, you can go.”
“I may have spoken too warmly, sir,” said he,
“and if I have, I am sure that I beg your pardon. With a few broken words of gratitude the man
At the same time, I was very much surprised when turned, but he hesitated and then came back.
I heard you two gentlemen come back this morn- “You’ve been so kind to us, sir, that I should
ing and learned that you had been chasing Selden. like to do the best I can for you in return. I know
The poor fellow has enough to fight against with- something, Sir Henry, and perhaps I should have
out my putting more upon his track.” said it before, but it was long after the inquest that
I found it out. I’ve never breathed a word about
“If you had told us of your own free will
it yet to mortal man. It’s about poor Sir Charles’s
it would have been a different thing,” said the
death.”
baronet, “you only told us, or rather your wife
only told us, when it was forced from you and you The baronet and I were both upon our feet. “Do
could not help yourself.” you know how he died?”

“I didn’t think you would have taken advan- “No, sir, I don’t know that.”
tage of it, Sir Henry—indeed I didn’t.” “What then?”
“The man is a public danger. There are lonely “I know why he was at the gate at that hour. It
houses scattered over the moor, and he is a fellow was to meet a woman.”
who would stick at nothing. You only want to get a “To meet a woman! He?”
glimpse of his face to see that. Look at Mr. Staple- “Yes, sir.”
ton’s house, for example, with no one but himself
“And the woman’s name?”
to defend it. There’s no safety for anyone until he
is under lock and key.” “I can’t give you the name, sir, but I can give
you the initials. Her initials were L. L.”
“He’ll break into no house, sir. I give you my
solemn word upon that. But he will never trou- “How do you know this, Barrymore?”
ble anyone in this country again. I assure you, Sir “Well, Sir Henry, your uncle had a letter that
Henry, that in a very few days the necessary ar- morning. He had usually a great many letters,
rangements will have been made and he will be for he was a public man and well known for his
on his way to South America. For God’s sake, sir, I kind heart, so that everyone who was in trouble
beg of you not to let the police know that he is still was glad to turn to him. But that morning, as it
on the moor. They have given up the chase there, chanced, there was only this one letter, so I took
and he can lie quiet until the ship is ready for him. the more notice of it. It was from Coombe Tracey,
You can’t tell on him without getting my wife and and it was addressed in a woman’s hand.”
me into trouble. I beg you, sir, to say nothing to “Well?”
the police.”
“Well, sir, I thought no more of the matter,
“What do you say, Watson?” and never would have done had it not been for

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my wife. Only a few weeks ago she was cleaning I went at once to my room and drew up my
out Sir Charles’s study—it had never been touched report of the morning’s conversation for Holmes.
since his death—and she found the ashes of a It was evident to me that he had been very busy
burned letter in the back of the grate. The greater of late, for the notes which I had from Baker Street
part of it was charred to pieces, but one little slip, were few and short, with no comments upon the
the end of a page, hung together, and the writing information which I had supplied and hardly any
could still be read, though it was gray on a black reference to my mission. No doubt his blackmail-
ground. It seemed to us to be a postscript at the ing case is absorbing all his faculties. And yet this
end of the letter, and it said: ‘Please, please, as you new factor must surely arrest his attention and re-
are a gentleman, burn this letter, and be at the gate new his interest. I wish that he were here.
by ten o’clock’. Beneath it were signed the initials
October 17th.—All day to-day the rain
L. L.”
poured down, rustling on the ivy and dripping
“Have you got that slip?” from the eaves. I thought of the convict out
“No, sir, it crumbled all to bits after we moved upon the bleak, cold, shelterless moor. Poor devil!
it.” Whatever his crimes, he has suffered something
to atone for them. And then I thought of that
“Had Sir Charles received any other letters in
other one—the face in the cab, the figure against
the same writing?”
the moon. Was he also out in that deluged—the
“Well, sir, I took no particular notice of his let- unseen watcher, the man of darkness? In the
ters. I should not have noticed this one, only it evening I put on my waterproof and I walked far
happened to come alone.” upon the sodden moor, full of dark imaginings, the
“And you have no idea who L. L. is?” rain beating upon my face and the wind whistling
about my ears. God help those who wander into
“No, sir. No more than you have. But I ex-
the great mire now, for even the firm uplands are
pect if we could lay our hands upon that lady we
becoming a morass. I found the black tor upon
should know more about Sir Charles’s death.”
which I had seen the solitary watcher, and from
“I cannot understand, Barrymore, how you its craggy summit I looked out myself across the
came to conceal this important information.” melancholy downs. Rain squalls drifted across
“Well, sir, it was immediately after that our their russet face, and the heavy, slate-coloured
own trouble came to us. And then again, sir, we clouds hung low over the landscape, trailing in
were both of us very fond of Sir Charles, as we gray wreaths down the sides of the fantastic hills.
well might be considering all that he has done for In the distant hollow on the left, half hidden by the
us. To rake this up couldn’t help our poor master, mist, the two thin towers of Baskerville Hall rose
and it’s well to go carefully when there’s a lady in above the trees. They were the only signs of hu-
the case. Even the best of us—” man life which I could see, save only those prehis-
“You thought it might injure his reputation?” toric huts which lay thickly upon the slopes of the
hills. Nowhere was there any trace of that lonely
“Well, sir, I thought no good could come of it. man whom I had seen on the same spot two nights
But now you have been kind to us, and I feel as if before.
it would be treating you unfairly not to tell you all
that I know about the matter.” As I walked back I was overtaken by Dr. Mor-
timer driving in his dog-cart over a rough moor-
“Very good, Barrymore; you can go.” When the
land track which led from the outlying farmhouse
butler had left us Sir Henry turned to me. “Well,
of Foulmire. He has been very attentive to us, and
Watson, what do you think of this new light?”
hardly a day has passed that he has not called at
“It seems to leave the darkness rather blacker the Hall to see how we were getting on. He in-
than before.” sisted upon my climbing into his dog-cart, and he
“So I think. But if we can only trace L. L. gave me a lift homeward. I found him much trou-
it should clear up the whole business. We have bled over the disappearance of his little spaniel. It
gained that much. We know that there is someone had wandered on to the moor and had never come
who has the facts if we can only find her. What do back. I gave him such consolation as I might, but
you think we should do?” I thought of the pony on the Grimpen Mire, and I
do not fancy that he will see his little dog again.
“Let Holmes know all about it at once. It will
give him the clue for which he has been seeking. I “By the way, Mortimer,” said I as we jolted
am much mistaken if it does not bring him down.” along the rough road, “I suppose there are few

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people living within driving distance of this whom gives me one more strong card which I can play in
you do not know?” due time.
“Hardly any, I think.” Mortimer had stayed to dinner, and he and
“Can you, then, tell me the name of any woman the baronet played écarté afterwards. The butler
whose initials are L. L.?” brought me my coffee into the library, and I took
the chance to ask him a few questions.
He thought for a few minutes.
“Well,” said I, “has this precious relation of
“No,” said he. “There are a few gipsies and yours departed, or is he still lurking out yonder?”
labouring folk for whom I can’t answer, but among “I don’t know, sir. I hope to heaven that he has
the farmers or gentry there is no one whose ini- gone, for he has brought nothing but trouble here!
tials are those. Wait a bit though,” he added after I’ve not heard of him since I left out food for him
a pause. “There is Laura Lyons—her initials are L. last, and that was three days ago.”
L.—but she lives in Coombe Tracey.”
“Did you see him then?”
“Who is she?” I asked.
“No, sir, but the food was gone when next I
“She is Frankland’s daughter.” went that way.”
“What! Old Frankland the crank?” “Then he was certainly there?”
“Exactly. She married an artist named Lyons, “So you would think, sir, unless it was the other
who came sketching on the moor. He proved to man who took it.”
be a blackguard and deserted her. The fault from I sat with my coffee-cup halfway to my lips and
what I hear may not have been entirely on one stared at Barrymore.
side. Her father refused to have anything to do “You know that there is another man then?”
with her because she had married without his con-
“Yes, sir; there is another man upon the moor.”
sent, and perhaps for one or two other reasons as
well. So, between the old sinner and the young “Have you seen him?”
one the girl has had a pretty bad time.” “No, sir.”
“How does she live?” “How do you know of him then?”
“I fancy old Frankland allows her a pittance, “Selden told me of him, sir, a week ago or
but it cannot be more, for his own affairs are con- more. He’s in hiding, too, but he’s not a convict
siderably involved. Whatever she may have de- as far as I can make out. I don’t like it, Dr. Wat-
served one could not allow her to go hopelessly to son—I tell you straight, sir, that I don’t like it.” He
the bad. Her story got about, and several of the spoke with a sudden passion of earnestness.
people here did something to enable her to earn “Now, listen to me, Barrymore! I have no inter-
an honest living. Stapleton did for one, and Sir est in this matter but that of your master. I have
Charles for another. I gave a trifle myself. It was come here with no object except to help him. Tell
to set her up in a typewriting business.” me, frankly, what it is that you don’t like.”
He wanted to know the object of my inquiries, Barrymore hesitated for a moment, as if he re-
but I managed to satisfy his curiosity without gretted his outburst, or found it difficult to express
telling him too much, for there is no reason why his own feelings in words.
we should take anyone into our confidence. To- “It’s all these goings-on, sir,” he cried at last,
morrow morning I shall find my way to Coombe waving his hand towards the rain-lashed window
Tracey, and if I can see this Mrs. Laura Lyons, of which faced the moor. “There’s foul play some-
equivocal reputation, a long step will have been where, and there’s black villainy brewing, to that
made towards clearing one incident in this chain I’ll swear! Very glad I should be, sir, to see Sir
of mysteries. I am certainly developing the wis- Henry on his way back to London again!”
dom of the serpent, for when Mortimer pressed “But what is it that alarms you?”
his questions to an inconvenient extent I asked him “Look at Sir Charles’s death! That was bad
casually to what type Frankland’s skull belonged, enough, for all that the coroner said. Look at the
and so heard nothing but craniology for the rest of noises on the moor at night. There’s not a man
our drive. I have not lived for years with Sherlock would cross it after sundown if he was paid for
Holmes for nothing. it. Look at this stranger hiding out yonder, and
I have only one other incident to record upon watching and waiting! What’s he waiting for?
this tempestuous and melancholy day. This was What does it mean? It means no good to anyone
my conversation with Barrymore just now, which of the name of Baskerville, and very glad I shall be

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to be quit of it all on the day that Sir Henry’s new “Selden found out that he has got a lad who
servants are ready to take over the Hall.” works for him and brings him all he needs. I dare
say he goes to Coombe Tracey for what he wants.”
“But about this stranger,” said I. “Can you tell
me anything about him? What did Selden say? “Very good, Barrymore. We may talk further of
Did he find out where he hid, or what he was do- this some other time.” When the butler had gone
ing?” I walked over to the black window, and I looked
through a blurred pane at the driving clouds and
“He saw him once or twice, but he is a deep at the tossing outline of the wind-swept trees. It
one, and gives nothing away. At first he thought is a wild night indoors, and what must it be in
that he was the police, but soon he found that he a stone hut upon the moor. What passion of ha-
had some lay of his own. A kind of gentleman he tred can it be which leads a man to lurk in such a
was, as far as he could see, but what he was doing place at such a time! And what deep and earnest
he could not make out.” purpose can he have which calls for such a trial!
“And where did he say that he lived?” There, in that hut upon the moor, seems to lie the
very centre of that problem which has vexed me
“Among the old houses on the hillside—the
so sorely. I swear that another day shall not have
stone huts where the old folk used to live.”
passed before I have done all that man can do to
“But how about his food?” reach the heart of the mystery.

CHAPTER XI.
The Man on the Tor

The extract from my private diary which forms Coombe Tracey. At first he was very eager to
the last chapter has brought my narrative up to come, but on second thoughts it seemed to both
the 18th of October, a time when these strange of us that if I went alone the results might be bet-
events began to move swiftly towards their ter- ter. The more formal we made the visit the less
rible conclusion. The incidents of the next few information we might obtain. I left Sir Henry be-
days are indelibly graven upon my recollection, hind, therefore, not without some prickings of con-
and I can tell them without reference to the notes science, and drove off upon my new quest.
made at the time. I start then from the day which
When I reached Coombe Tracey I told Perkins
succeeded that upon which I had established two
to put up the horses, and I made inquiries for the
facts of great importance, the one that Mrs. Laura
lady whom I had come to interrogate. I had no
Lyons of Coombe Tracey had written to Sir Charles
difficulty in finding her rooms, which were central
Baskerville and made an appointment with him at
and well appointed. A maid showed me in with-
the very place and hour that he met his death, the
out ceremony, and as I entered the sitting-room
other that the lurking man upon the moor was to
a lady, who was sitting before a Remington type-
be found among the stone huts upon the hill-side.
writer, sprang up with a pleasant smile of wel-
With these two facts in my possession I felt that
come. Her face fell, however, when she saw that I
either my intelligence or my courage must be defi-
was a stranger, and she sat down again and asked
cient if I could not throw some further light upon
me the object of my visit.
these dark places.
The first impression left by Mrs. Lyons was
I had no opportunity to tell the baronet what I one of extreme beauty. Her eyes and hair were
had learned about Mrs. Lyons upon the evening of the same rich hazel colour, and her cheeks,
before, for Dr. Mortimer remained with him at though considerably freckled, were flushed with
cards until it was very late. At breakfast, however, the exquisite bloom of the brunette, the dainty
I informed him about my discovery, and asked pink which lurks at the heart of the sulphur rose.
him whether he would care to accompany me to Admiration was, I repeat, the first impression. But

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

the second was criticism. There was something “But if you saw him so seldom and wrote so
subtly wrong with the face, some coarseness of seldom, how did he know enough about your af-
expression, some hardness, perhaps, of eye, some fairs to be able to help you, as you say that he has
looseness of lip which marred its perfect beauty. done?”
But these, of course, are after-thoughts. At the mo- She met my difficulty with the utmost readi-
ment I was simply conscious that I was in the pres- ness.
ence of a very handsome woman, and that she was “There were several gentlemen who knew my
asking me the reasons for my visit. I had not quite sad history and united to help me. One was Mr.
understood until that instant how delicate my mis- Stapleton, a neighbour and intimate friend of Sir
sion was. Charles’s. He was exceedingly kind, and it was
“I have the pleasure,” said I, “of knowing your through him that Sir Charles learned about my af-
father.” It was a clumsy introduction, and the lady fairs.”
made me feel it. I knew already that Sir Charles Baskerville had
“There is nothing in common between my fa- made Stapleton his almoner upon several occa-
ther and me,” she said. “I owe him nothing, and sions, so the lady’s statement bore the impress of
his friends are not mine. If it were not for the late truth upon it.
Sir Charles Baskerville and some other kind hearts “Did you ever write to Sir Charles asking him
I might have starved for all that my father cared.” to meet you?” I continued.
“It was about the late Sir Charles Baskerville Mrs. Lyons flushed with anger again.
that I have come here to see you.”
“Really, sir, this is a very extraordinary ques-
The freckles started out on the lady’s face. tion.”
“What can I tell you about him?” she asked, “I am sorry, madam, but I must repeat it.”
and her fingers played nervously over the stops of “Then I answer, certainly not.”
her typewriter.
“Not on the very day of Sir Charles’s death?”
“You knew him, did you not?”
The flush had faded in an instant, and a deathly
“I have already said that I owe a great deal to face was before me. Her dry lips could not speak
his kindness. If I am able to support myself it is the “No” which I saw rather than heard.
largely due to the interest which he took in my
“Surely your memory deceives you,” said I. “I
unhappy situation.”
could even quote a passage of your letter. It ran
“Did you correspond with him?” ‘Please, please, as you are a gentleman, burn this
The lady looked quickly up with an angry letter, and be at the gate by ten o’clock.‘”
gleam in her hazel eyes. I thought that she had fainted, but she recov-
“What is the object of these questions?” she ered herself by a supreme effort.
asked sharply. “Is there no such thing as a gentleman?” she
“The object is to avoid a public scandal. It is gasped.
better that I should ask them here than that the “You do Sir Charles an injustice. He did burn
matter should pass outside our control.” the letter. But sometimes a letter may be legible
She was silent and her face was still very pale. even when burned. You acknowledge now that
At last she looked up with something reckless and you wrote it?”
defiant in her manner. “Yes, I did write it,” she cried, pouring out her
“Well, I’ll answer,” she said. “What are your soul in a torrent of words. “I did write it. Why
questions?” should I deny it? I have no reason to be ashamed
“Did you correspond with Sir Charles?” of it. I wished him to help me. I believed that if I
had an interview I could gain his help, so I asked
“I certainly wrote to him once or twice to ac- him to meet me.”
knowledge his delicacy and his generosity.”
“But why at such an hour?”
“Have you the dates of those letters?”
“Because I had only just learned that he was
“No.” going to London next day and might be away for
“Have you ever met him?” months. There were reasons why I could not get
“Yes, once or twice, when he came into there earlier.”
Coombe Tracey. He was a very retiring man, and “But why a rendezvous in the garden instead
he preferred to do good by stealth.” of a visit to the house?”

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

“Do you think a woman could go alone at that that he may force me to live with him. At the time
hour to a bachelor’s house?” that I wrote this letter to Sir Charles I had learned
“Well, what happened when you did get that there was a prospect of my regaining my free-
there?” dom if certain expenses could be met. It meant
everything to me—peace of mind, happiness, self-
“I never went.”
respect—everything. I knew Sir Charles’s generos-
“Mrs. Lyons!” ity, and I thought that if he heard the story from
“No, I swear it to you on all I hold sacred. I my own lips he would help me.”
never went. Something intervened to prevent my “Then how is it that you did not go?”
going.”
“Because I received help in the interval from
“What was that?” another source.”
“That is a private matter. I cannot tell it.”
“Why then, did you not write to Sir Charles
“You acknowledge then that you made an ap- and explain this?”
pointment with Sir Charles at the very hour and
place at which he met his death, but you deny that “So I should have done had I not seen his death
you kept the appointment.” in the paper next morning.”
“That is the truth.” The woman’s story hung coherently together,
and all my questions were unable to shake it.
Again and again I cross-questioned her, but I
I could only check it by finding if she had, in-
could never get past that point.
deed, instituted divorce proceedings against her
“Mrs. Lyons,” said I, as I rose from this long husband at or about the time of the tragedy.
and inconclusive interview, “you are taking a very
It was unlikely that she would dare to say that
great responsibility and putting yourself in a very
she had not been to Baskerville Hall if she really
false position by not making an absolutely clean
had been, for a trap would be necessary to take
breast of all that you know. If I have to call in
her there, and could not have returned to Coombe
the aid of the police you will find how seriously
Tracey until the early hours of the morning. Such
you are compromised. If your position is innocent,
an excursion could not be kept secret. The proba-
why did you in the first instance deny having writ-
bility was, therefore, that she was telling the truth,
ten to Sir Charles upon that date?”
or, at least, a part of the truth. I came away baffled
“Because I feared that some false conclusion and disheartened. Once again I had reached that
might be drawn from it and that I might find my- dead wall which seemed to be built across every
self involved in a scandal.” path by which I tried to get at the object of my
“And why were you so pressing that Sir mission. And yet the more I thought of the lady’s
Charles should destroy your letter?” face and of her manner the more I felt that some-
“If you have read the letter you will know.” thing was being held back from me. Why should
she turn so pale? Why should she fight against ev-
“I did not say that I had read all the letter.”
ery admission until it was forced from her? Why
“You quoted some of it.” should she have been so reticent at the time of the
“I quoted the postscript. The letter had, as I tragedy? Surely the explanation of all this could
said, been burned and it was not all legible. I not be as innocent as she would have me believe.
ask you once again why it was that you were so For the moment I could proceed no farther in that
pressing that Sir Charles should destroy this letter direction, but must turn back to that other clue
which he received on the day of his death.” which was to be sought for among the stone huts
“The matter is a very private one.” upon the moor.
“The more reason why you should avoid a pub- And that was a most vague direction. I real-
lic investigation.” ized it as I drove back and noted how hill after hill
showed traces of the ancient people. Barrymore’s
“I will tell you, then. If you have heard any-
only indication had been that the stranger lived in
thing of my unhappy history you will know that I
one of these abandoned huts, and many hundreds
made a rash marriage and had reason to regret it.”
of them are scattered throughout the length and
“I have heard so much.” breadth of the moor. But I had my own experience
“My life has been one incessant persecution for a guide since it had shown me the man himself
from a husband whom I abhor. The law is upon his standing upon the summit of the Black Tor. That
side, and every day I am faced by the possibility then should be the centre of my search. From there

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

I should explore every hut upon the moor until I Bench. It cost me 200 pounds, but I got my ver-
lighted upon the right one. If this man were in- dict.”
side it I should find out from his own lips, at the “Did it do you any good?”
point of my revolver if necessary, who he was and
why he had dogged us so long. He might slip “None, sir, none. I am proud to say that I had
away from us in the crowd of Regent Street, but it no interest in the matter. I act entirely from a sense
would puzzle him to do so upon the lonely moor. of public duty. I have no doubt, for example, that
On the other hand, if I should find the hut and its the Fernworthy people will burn me in effigy to-
tenant should not be within it I must remain there, night. I told the police last time they did it that
however long the vigil, until he returned. Holmes they should stop these disgraceful exhibitions. The
had missed him in London. It would indeed be a County Constabulary is in a scandalous state, sir,
triumph for me if I could run him to earth, where and it has not afforded me the protection to which
my master had failed. I am entitled. The case of Frankland v. Regina will
bring the matter before the attention of the public.
Luck had been against us again and again in I told them that they would have occasion to regret
this inquiry, but now at last it came to my aid. their treatment of me, and already my words have
And the messenger of good fortune was none come true.”
other than Mr. Frankland, who was standing, gray-
“How so?” I asked.
whiskered and red-faced, outside the gate of his
garden, which opened on to the high road along The old man put on a very knowing expression.
which I travelled. “Because I could tell them what they are dying
“Good-day, Dr. Watson,” cried he with un- to know; but nothing would induce me to help the
wonted good humour, “you must really give your rascals in any way.”
horses a rest, and come in to have a glass of wine I had been casting round for some excuse by
and to congratulate me.” which I could get away from his gossip, but now
My feelings towards him were very far from be- I began to wish to hear more of it. I had seen
ing friendly after what I had heard of his treatment enough of the contrary nature of the old sinner to
of his daughter, but I was anxious to send Perkins understand that any strong sign of interest would
and the wagonette home, and the opportunity was be the surest way to stop his confidences.
a good one. I alighted and sent a message to Sir “Some poaching case, no doubt?” said I, with
Henry that I should walk over in time for dinner. an indifferent manner.
Then I followed Frankland into his dining-room. “Ha, ha, my boy, a very much more important
“It is a great day for me, sir—one of the red- matter than that! What about the convict on the
letter days of my life,” he cried with many chuck- moor?”
les. “I have brought off a double event. I mean to I started. “You don’t mean that you know
teach them in these parts that law is law, and that where he is?” said I.
there is a man here who does not fear to invoke it.
“I may not know exactly where he is, but I am
I have established a right of way through the centre
quite sure that I could help the police to lay their
of old Middleton’s park, slap across it, sir, within
hands on him. Has it never struck you that the
a hundred yards of his own front door. What do
way to catch that man was to find out where he
you think of that? We’ll teach these magnates that
got his food, and so trace it to him?”
they cannot ride roughshod over the rights of the
commoners, confound them! And I’ve closed the He certainly seemed to be getting uncomfort-
wood where the Fernworthy folk used to picnic. ably near the truth. “No doubt,” said I; “but how
These infernal people seem to think that there are do you know that he is anywhere upon the moor?”
no rights of property, and that they can swarm “I know it because I have seen with my own
where they like with their papers and their bot- eyes the messenger who takes him his food.”
tles. Both cases decided, Dr. Watson, and both in
My heart sank for Barrymore. It was a serious
my favour. I haven’t had such a day since I had Sir
thing to be in the power of this spiteful old busy-
John Morland for trespass, because he shot in his
body. But his next remark took a weight from my
own warren.”
mind.
“How on earth did you do that?”
“You’ll be surprised to hear that his food is
“Look it up in the books, sir. It will repay taken to him by a child. I see him every day
reading—Frankland v. Morland, Court of Queen’s through my telescope upon the roof. He passes

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

along the same path at the same hour, and to “Well! Am I right?”
whom should he be going except to the convict?” “Certainly, there is a boy who seems to have
Here was luck indeed! And yet I suppressed some secret errand.”
all appearance of interest. A child! Barrymore
“And what the errand is even a county consta-
had said that our unknown was supplied by a
ble could guess. But not one word shall they have
boy. It was on his track, and not upon the con-
from me, and I bind you to secrecy also, Dr. Wat-
vict’s, that Frankland had stumbled. If I could get
son. Not a word! You understand!”
his knowledge it might save me a long and weary
hunt. But incredulity and indifference were evi- “Just as you wish.”
dently my strongest cards. “They have treated me shamefully—shamefully.
“I should say that it was much more likely that When the facts come out in Frankland v. Regina
it was the son of one of the moorland shepherds I venture to think that a thrill of indignation will
taking out his father’s dinner.” run through the country. Nothing would induce
The least appearance of opposition struck fire me to help the police in any way. For all they cared
out of the old autocrat. His eyes looked malig- it might have been me, instead of my effigy, which
nantly at me, and his gray whiskers bristled like these rascals burned at the stake. Surely you are
those of an angry cat. not going! You will help me to empty the decanter
in honour of this great occasion!”
“Indeed, sir!” said he, pointing out over the
wide-stretching moor. “Do you see that Black Tor But I resisted all his solicitations and succeeded
over yonder? Well, do you see the low hill be- in dissuading him from his announced intention of
yond with the thornbush upon it? It is the stoniest walking home with me. I kept the road as long as
part of the whole moor. Is that a place where a his eye was on me, and then I struck off across
shepherd would be likely to take his station? Your the moor and made for the stony hill over which
suggestion, sir, is a most absurd one.” the boy had disappeared. Everything was work-
I meekly answered that I had spoken without ing in my favour, and I swore that it should not
knowing all the facts. My submission pleased him be through lack of energy or perseverance that I
and led him to further confidences. should miss the chance which fortune had thrown
in my way.
“You may be sure, sir, that I have very good
grounds before I come to an opinion. I have seen The sun was already sinking when I reached
the boy again and again with his bundle. Ev- the summit of the hill, and the long slopes beneath
ery day, and sometimes twice a day, I have been me were all golden-green on one side and gray
able—but wait a moment, Dr. Watson. Do my shadow on the other. A haze lay low upon the
eyes deceive me, or is there at the present moment farthest sky-line, out of which jutted the fantastic
something moving upon that hill-side?” shapes of Belliver and Vixen Tor. Over the wide
expanse there was no sound and no movement.
It was several miles off, but I could distinctly
One great gray bird, a gull or curlew, soared aloft
see a small dark dot against the dull green and
in the blue heaven. He and I seemed to be the
gray.
only living things between the huge arch of the
“Come, sir, come!” cried Frankland, rushing sky and the desert beneath it. The barren scene,
upstairs. “You will see with your own eyes and the sense of loneliness, and the mystery and ur-
judge for yourself.” gency of my task all struck a chill into my heart.
The telescope, a formidable instrument The boy was nowhere to be seen. But down be-
mounted upon a tripod, stood upon the flat leads neath me in a cleft of the hills there was a circle
of the house. Frankland clapped his eye to it and of the old stone huts, and in the middle of them
gave a cry of satisfaction. there was one which retained sufficient roof to act
“Quick, Dr. Watson, quick, before he passes as a screen against the weather. My heart leaped
over the hill!” within me as I saw it. This must be the burrow
There he was, sure enough, a small urchin with where the stranger lurked. At last my foot was on
a little bundle upon his shoulder, toiling slowly the threshold of his hiding place—his secret was
up the hill. When he reached the crest I saw within my grasp.
the ragged uncouth figure outlined for an instant As I approached the hut, walking as warily as
against the cold blue sky. He looked round him Stapleton would do when with poised net he drew
with a furtive and stealthy air, as one who dreads near the settled butterfly, I satisfied myself that
pursuit. Then he vanished over the hill. the place had indeed been used as a habitation.

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

A vague pathway among the boulders led to the If there was one report there might be others,
dilapidated opening which served as a door. All so I looked round the hut in search of them. There
was silent within. The unknown might be lurking was no trace, however, of anything of the kind, nor
there, or he might be prowling on the moor. My could I discover any sign which might indicate the
nerves tingled with the sense of adventure. Throw- character or intentions of the man who lived in
ing aside my cigarette, I closed my hand upon the this singular place, save that he must be of Spar-
butt of my revolver and, walking swiftly up to the tan habits and cared little for the comforts of life.
door, I looked in. The place was empty. When I thought of the heavy rains and looked at
But there were ample signs that I had not come the gaping roof I understood how strong and im-
upon a false scent. This was certainly where the mutable must be the purpose which had kept him
man lived. Some blankets rolled in a waterproof in that inhospitable abode. Was he our malignant
lay upon that very stone slab upon which Neolithic enemy, or was he by chance our guardian angel? I
man had once slumbered. The ashes of a fire were swore that I would not leave the hut until I knew.
heaped in a rude grate. Beside it lay some cook- Outside the sun was sinking low and the west
ing utensils and a bucket half-full of water. A lit- was blazing with scarlet and gold. Its reflection
ter of empty tins showed that the place had been was shot back in ruddy patches by the distant
occupied for some time, and I saw, as my eyes be- pools which lay amid the great Grimpen Mire.
came accustomed to the checkered light, a pan- There were the two towers of Baskerville Hall, and
nikin and a half-full bottle of spirits standing in there a distant blur of smoke which marked the
the corner. In the middle of the hut a flat stone village of Grimpen. Between the two, behind the
served the purpose of a table, and upon this stood hill, was the house of the Stapletons. All was sweet
a small cloth bundle—the same, no doubt, which I and mellow and peaceful in the golden evening
had seen through the telescope upon the shoulder light, and yet as I looked at them my soul shared
of the boy. It contained a loaf of bread, a tinned none of the peace of nature but quivered at the
tongue, and two tins of preserved peaches. As I vagueness and the terror of that interview which
set it down again, after having examined it, my every instant was bringing nearer. With tingling
heart leaped to see that beneath it there lay a sheet nerves, but a fixed purpose, I sat in the dark recess
of paper with writing upon it. I raised it, and this of the hut and waited with sombre patience for the
was what I read, roughly scrawled in pencil:— coming of its tenant.
Dr. Watson has gone to Coombe Tracey.
And then at last I heard him. Far away came
For a minute I stood there with the paper in
the sharp clink of a boot striking upon a stone.
my hands thinking out the meaning of this curt
Then another and yet another, coming nearer and
message. It was I, then, and not Sir Henry, who
nearer. I shrank back into the darkest corner, and
was being dogged by this secret man. He had not
cocked the pistol in my pocket, determined not to
followed me himself, but he had set an agent—the
discover myself until I had an opportunity of see-
boy, perhaps—upon my track, and this was his re-
ing something of the stranger. There was a long
port. Possibly I had taken no step since I had been
pause which showed that he had stopped. Then
upon the moor which had not been observed and
once more the footsteps approached and a shadow
reported. Always there was this feeling of an un-
fell across the opening of the hut.
seen force, a fine net drawn round us with infinite
skill and delicacy, holding us so lightly that it was “It is a lovely evening, my dear Watson,” said a
only at some supreme moment that one realized well-known voice. “I really think that you will be
that one was indeed entangled in its meshes. more comfortable outside than in.”

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

CHAPTER XII.
Death on the Moor

For a moment or two I sat breathless, hardly “Excellent, Watson! And how did you localize
able to believe my ears. Then my senses and my me? You saw me, perhaps, on the night of the con-
voice came back to me, while a crushing weight vict hunt, when I was so imprudent as to allow the
of responsibility seemed in an instant to be lifted moon to rise behind me?”
from my soul. That cold, incisive, ironical voice “Yes, I saw you then.”
could belong to but one man in all the world.
“And have no doubt searched all the huts until
“Holmes!” I cried—“Holmes!” you came to this one?”
“Come out,” said he, “and please be careful “No, your boy had been observed, and that
with the revolver.” gave me a guide where to look.”
I stooped under the rude lintel, and there he sat “The old gentleman with the telescope, no
upon a stone outside, his gray eyes dancing with doubt. I could not make it out when first I saw
amusement as they fell upon my astonished fea- the light flashing upon the lens.” He rose and
tures. He was thin and worn, but clear and alert, peeped into the hut. “Ha, I see that Cartwright
his keen face bronzed by the sun and roughened has brought up some supplies. What’s this paper?
by the wind. In his tweed suit and cloth cap he So you have been to Coombe Tracey, have you?”
looked like any other tourist upon the moor, and “Yes.”
he had contrived, with that cat-like love of per- “To see Mrs. Laura Lyons?”
sonal cleanliness which was one of his character-
“Exactly.”
istics, that his chin should be as smooth and his
linen as perfect as if he were in Baker Street. “Well done! Our researches have evidently
been running on parallel lines, and when we unite
“I never was more glad to see anyone in my our results I expect we shall have a fairly full
life,” said I, as I wrung him by the hand. knowledge of the case.”
“Or more astonished, eh?” “Well, I am glad from my heart that you are
“Well, I must confess to it.” here, for indeed the responsibility and the mystery
were both becoming too much for my nerves. But
“The surprise was not all on one side, I assure how in the name of wonder did you come here,
you. I had no idea that you had found my occa- and what have you been doing? I thought that
sional retreat, still less that you were inside it, until you were in Baker Street working out that case of
I was within twenty paces of the door.” blackmailing.”
“My footprint, I presume?” “That was what I wished you to think.”
“No, Watson; I fear that I could not under- “Then you use me, and yet do not trust me!”
take to recognize your footprint amid all the foot- I cried with some bitterness. “I think that I have
prints of the world. If you seriously desire to de- deserved better at your hands, Holmes.”
ceive me you must change your tobacconist; for “My dear fellow, you have been invaluable to
when I see the stub of a cigarette marked Bradley, me in this as in many other cases, and I beg that
Oxford Street, I know that my friend Watson is you will forgive me if I have seemed to play a trick
in the neighbourhood. You will see it there be- upon you. In truth, it was partly for your own
side the path. You threw it down, no doubt, at sake that I did it, and it was my appreciation of
that supreme moment when you charged into the the danger which you ran which led me to come
empty hut.” down and examine the matter for myself. Had I
“Exactly.” been with Sir Henry and you it is confident that
my point of view would have been the same as
“I thought as much—and knowing your ad-
yours, and my presence would have warned our
mirable tenacity I was convinced that you were
very formidable opponents to be on their guard.
sitting in ambush, a weapon within reach, waiting
As it is, I have been able to get about as I could not
for the tenant to return. So you actually thought
possibly have done had I been living in the Hall,
that I was the criminal?”
and I remain an unknown factor in the business,
“I did not know who you were, but I was de- ready to throw in all my weight at a critical mo-
termined to find out.” ment.”

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

“But why keep me in the dark?” “There can be no doubt about the matter. They
“For you to know could not have helped us, meet, they write, there is a complete understand-
and might possibly have led to my discovery. You ing between them. Now, this puts a very powerful
would have wished to tell me something, or in weapon into our hands. If I could only use it to
your kindness you would have brought me out detach his wife—”
some comfort or other, and so an unnecessary risk “His wife?”
would be run. I brought Cartwright down with “I am giving you some information now, in re-
me—you remember the little chap at the express turn for all that you have given me. The lady who
office—and he has seen after my simple wants: a has passed here as Miss Stapleton is in reality his
loaf of bread and a clean collar. What does man wife.”
want more? He has given me an extra pair of eyes
upon a very active pair of feet, and both have been “Good heavens, Holmes! Are you sure of what
invaluable.” you say? How could he have permitted Sir Henry
to fall in love with her?”
“Then my reports have all been wasted!”—My
voice trembled as I recalled the pains and the pride “Sir Henry’s falling in love could do no harm to
with which I had composed them. anyone except Sir Henry. He took particular care
that Sir Henry did not make love to her, as you have
Holmes took a bundle of papers from his yourself observed. I repeat that the lady is his wife
pocket. and not his sister.”
“Here are your reports, my dear fellow, and “But why this elaborate deception?”
very well thumbed, I assure you. I made excellent
arrangements, and they are only delayed one day “Because he foresaw that she would be very
upon their way. I must compliment you exceed- much more useful to him in the character of a free
ingly upon the zeal and the intelligence which you woman.”
have shown over an extraordinarily difficult case.” All my unspoken instincts, my vague suspi-
I was still rather raw over the deception which cions, suddenly took shape and centred upon the
had been practised upon me, but the warmth of naturalist. In that impassive, colourless man, with
Holmes’s praise drove my anger from my mind. his straw hat and his butterfly-net, I seemed to see
I felt also in my heart that he was right in what something terrible—a creature of infinite patience
he said and that it was really best for our purpose and craft, with a smiling face and a murderous
that I should not have known that he was upon the heart.
moor. “It is he, then, who is our enemy—it is he who
“That’s better,” said he, seeing the shadow rise dogged us in London?”
from my face. “And now tell me the result of your “So I read the riddle.”
visit to Mrs. Laura Lyons—it was not difficult for
me to guess that it was to see her that you had “And the warning—it must have come from
gone, for I am already aware that she is the one her!”
person in Coombe Tracey who might be of service “Exactly.”
to us in the matter. In fact, if you had not gone to- The shape of some monstrous villainy, half
day it is exceedingly probable that I should have seen, half guessed, loomed through the darkness
gone to-morrow.” which had girt me so long.
The sun had set and dusk was settling over the “But are you sure of this, Holmes? How do you
moor. The air had turned chill and we withdrew know that the woman is his wife?”
into the hut for warmth. There, sitting together
in the twilight, I told Holmes of my conversation “Because he so far forgot himself as to tell you
with the lady. So interested was he that I had to a true piece of autobiography upon the occasion
repeat some of it twice before he was satisfied. when he first met you, and I dare say he has many
a time regretted it since. He was once a school-
“This is most important,” said he when I had master in the north of England. Now, there is no
concluded. “It fills up a gap which I had been un- one more easy to trace than a schoolmaster. There
able to bridge, in this most complex affair. You are scholastic agencies by which one may identify
are aware, perhaps, that a close intimacy exists be- any man who has been in the profession. A little
tween this lady and the man Stapleton?” investigation showed me that a school had come
“I did not know of a close intimacy.” to grief under atrocious circumstances, and that

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the man who had owned it—the name was differ- “Hush!” he whispered. “Hush!”
ent—had disappeared with his wife. The descrip- The cry had been loud on account of its vehe-
tions agreed. When I learned that the missing man mence, but it had pealed out from somewhere far
was devoted to entomology the identification was off on the shadowy plain. Now it burst upon our
complete.” ears, nearer, louder, more urgent than before.
The darkness was rising, but much was still “Where is it?” Holmes whispered; and I knew
hidden by the shadows. from the thrill of his voice that he, the man of iron,
“If this woman is in truth his wife, where does was shaken to the soul. “Where is it, Watson?”
Mrs. Laura Lyons come in?” I asked. “There, I think.” I pointed into the darkness.
“No, there!”
“That is one of the points upon which your
own researches have shed a light. Your interview Again the agonized cry swept through the
with the lady has cleared the situation very much. silent night, louder and much nearer than ever.
I did not know about a projected divorce between And a new sound mingled with it, a deep, mut-
herself and her husband. In that case, regarding tered rumble, musical and yet menacing, rising
Stapleton as an unmarried man, she counted no and falling like the low, constant murmur of the
doubt upon becoming his wife.” sea.
“The hound!” cried Holmes. “Come, Watson,
“And when she is undeceived?” come! Great heavens, if we are too late!”
“Why, then we may find the lady of service. It He had started running swiftly over the moor,
must be our first duty to see her—both of us—to- and I had followed at his heels. But now from
morrow. Don’t you think, Watson, that you are somewhere among the broken ground immedi-
away from your charge rather long? Your place ately in front of us there came one last despair-
should be at Baskerville Hall.” ing yell, and then a dull, heavy thud. We halted
The last red streaks had faded away in the west and listened. Not another sound broke the heavy
and night had settled upon the moor. A few faint silence of the windless night.
stars were gleaming in a violet sky. I saw Holmes put his hand to his forehead like
“One last question, Holmes,” I said, as I rose. a man distracted. He stamped his feet upon the
“Surely there is no need of secrecy between you ground.
and me. What is the meaning of it all? What is he “He has beaten us, Watson. We are too late.”
after?” “No, no, surely not!”
Holmes’s voice sank as he answered:— “Fool that I was to hold my hand. And
you, Watson, see what comes of abandoning your
“It is murder, Watson—refined, cold-blooded, charge! But, by Heaven, if the worst has happened,
deliberate murder. Do not ask me for particulars. we’ll avenge him!”
My nets are closing upon him, even as his are upon
Blindly we ran through the gloom, blunder-
Sir Henry, and with your help he is already al-
ing against boulders, forcing our way through
most at my mercy. There is but one danger which
gorse bushes, panting up hills and rushing down
can threaten us. It is that he should strike before
slopes, heading always in the direction whence
we are ready to do so. Another day—two at the
those dreadful sounds had come. At every rise
most—and I have my case complete, but until then
Holmes looked eagerly round him, but the shad-
guard your charge as closely as ever a fond mother
ows were thick upon the moor, and nothing moved
watched her ailing child. Your mission to-day has
upon its dreary face.
justified itself, and yet I could almost wish that you
had not left his side. Hark!” “Can you see anything?”
“Nothing.”
A terrible scream—a prolonged yell of horror
“But, hark, what is that?”
and anguish—burst out of the silence of the moor.
That frightful cry turned the blood to ice in my A low moan had fallen upon our ears. There
veins. it was again upon our left! On that side a ridge
of rocks ended in a sheer cliff which overlooked a
“Oh, my God!” I gasped. “What is it? What stone-strewn slope. On its jagged face was spread-
does it mean?” eagled some dark, irregular object. As we ran to-
Holmes had sprung to his feet, and I saw his wards it the vague outline hardened into a defi-
dark, athletic outline at the door of the hut, his nite shape. It was a prostrate man face downward
shoulders stooping, his head thrust forward, his upon the ground, the head doubled under him at
face peering into the darkness. a horrible angle, the shoulders rounded and the

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

body hunched together as if in the act of throw- and from the summit we gazed out over the shad-
ing a somersault. So grotesque was the attitude owy moor, half silver and half gloom. Far away,
that I could not for the instant realize that that miles off, in the direction of Grimpen, a single
moan had been the passing of his soul. Not a steady yellow light was shining. It could only
whisper, not a rustle, rose now from the dark fig- come from the lonely abode of the Stapletons.
ure over which we stooped. Holmes laid his hand With a bitter curse I shook my fist at it as I gazed.
upon him, and held it up again, with an excla- “Why should we not seize him at once?”
mation of horror. The gleam of the match which “Our case is not complete. The fellow is wary
he struck shone upon his clotted fingers and upon and cunning to the last degree. It is not what we
the ghastly pool which widened slowly from the know, but what we can prove. If we make one false
crushed skull of the victim. And it shone upon move the villain may escape us yet.”
something else which turned our hearts sick and
“What can we do?”
faint within us—the body of Sir Henry Baskerville!
“There will be plenty for us to do to-morrow.
There was no chance of either of us forget-
To-night we can only perform the last offices to
ting that peculiar ruddy tweed suit—the very one
our poor friend.”
which he had worn on the first morning that we
had seen him in Baker Street. We caught the one Together we made our way down the precip-
clear glimpse of it, and then the match flickered itous slope and approached the body, black and
and went out, even as the hope had gone out of our clear against the silvered stones. The agony of
souls. Holmes groaned, and his face glimmered those contorted limbs struck me with a spasm of
white through the darkness. pain and blurred my eyes with tears.
“The brute! the brute!” I cried with clenched “We must send for help, Holmes! We cannot
hands. “Oh Holmes, I shall never forgive myself carry him all the way to the Hall. Good heavens,
for having left him to his fate.” are you mad?”
“I am more to blame than you, Watson. In or- He had uttered a cry and bent over the body.
der to have my case well rounded and complete, Now he was dancing and laughing and wringing
I have thrown away the life of my client. It is the my hand. Could this be my stern, self-contained
greatest blow which has befallen me in my career. friend? These were hidden fires, indeed!
But how could I know—how could l know—that “A beard! A beard! The man has a beard!”
he would risk his life alone upon the moor in the “A beard?”
face of all my warnings?” “It is not the baronet—it is—why, it is my
“That we should have heard his screams—my neighbour, the convict!”
God, those screams!—and yet have been unable to With feverish haste we had turned the body
save him! Where is this brute of a hound which over, and that dripping beard was pointing up to
drove him to his death? It may be lurking among the cold, clear moon. There could be no doubt
these rocks at this instant. And Stapleton, where about the beetling forehead, the sunken animal
is he? He shall answer for this deed.” eyes. It was indeed the same face which had glared
“He shall. I will see to that. Uncle and nephew upon me in the light of the candle from over the
have been murdered—the one frightened to death rock—the face of Selden, the criminal.
by the very sight of a beast which he thought to Then in an instant it was all clear to me. I re-
be supernatural, the other driven to his end in his membered how the baronet had told me that he
wild flight to escape from it. But now we have had handed his old wardrobe to Barrymore. Bar-
to prove the connection between the man and the rymore had passed it on in order to help Selden
beast. Save from what we heard, we cannot even in his escape. Boots, shirt, cap—it was all Sir
swear to the existence of the latter, since Sir Henry Henry’s. The tragedy was still black enough, but
has evidently died from the fall. But, by heavens, this man had at least deserved death by the laws of
cunning as he is, the fellow shall be in my power his country. I told Holmes how the matter stood,
before another day is past!” my heart bubbling over with thankfulness and joy.
We stood with bitter hearts on either side of “Then the clothes have been the poor devil’s
the mangled body, overwhelmed by this sudden death,” said he. “It is clear enough that the
and irrevocable disaster which had brought all hound has been laid on from some article of Sir
our long and weary labours to so piteous an end. Henry’s—the boot which was abstracted in the ho-
Then, as the moon rose we climbed to the top of tel, in all probability—and so ran this man down.
the rocks over which our poor friend had fallen, There is one very singular thing, however: How

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came Selden, in the darkness, to know that the “He appears to have broken his neck by falling
hound was on his trail?” over these rocks. My friend and I were strolling on
“He heard him.” the moor when we heard a cry.”
“To hear a hound upon the moor would not “I heard a cry also. That was what brought me
work a hard man like this convict into such a out. I was uneasy about Sir Henry.”
paroxysm of terror that he would risk recapture “Why about Sir Henry in particular?” I could
by screaming wildly for help. By his cries he must not help asking.
have run a long way after he knew the animal was “Because I had suggested that he should come
on his track. How did he know?” over. When he did not come I was surprised, and
“A greater mystery to me is why this hound, I naturally became alarmed for his safety when I
presuming that all our conjectures are correct—” heard cries upon the moor. By the way”—his eyes
darted again from my face to Holmes’s—“did you
“I presume nothing.”
hear anything else besides a cry?”
“Well, then, why this hound should be loose to- “No,” said Holmes; “did you?”
night. I suppose that it does not always run loose
“No.”
upon the moor. Stapleton would not let it go un-
less he had reason to think that Sir Henry would “What do you mean, then?”
be there.” “Oh, you know the stories that the peasants tell
“My difficulty is the more formidable of the about a phantom hound, and so on. It is said to be
two, for I think that we shall very shortly get an heard at night upon the moor. I was wondering if
explanation of yours, while mine may remain for- there were any evidence of such a sound to-night.”
ever a mystery. The question now is, what shall “We heard nothing of the kind,” said I.
we do with this poor wretch’s body? We cannot “And what is your theory of this poor fellow’s
leave it here to the foxes and the ravens.” death?”
“I suggest that we put it in one of the huts until “I have no doubt that anxiety and exposure
we can communicate with the police.” have driven him off his head. He has rushed about
“Exactly. I have no doubt that you and I could the moor in a crazy state and eventually fallen over
carry it so far. Halloa, Watson, what’s this? It’s here and broken his neck.”
the man himself, by all that’s wonderful and auda- “That seems the most reasonable theory,” said
cious! Not a word to show your suspicions—not a Stapleton, and he gave a sigh which I took to in-
word, or my plans crumble to the ground.” dicate his relief. “What do you think about it, Mr.
Sherlock Holmes?”
A figure was approaching us over the moor,
and I saw the dull red glow of a cigar. The moon My friend bowed his compliments.
shone upon him, and I could distinguish the dap- “You are quick at identification,” said he.
per shape and jaunty walk of the naturalist. He “We have been expecting you in these parts
stopped when he saw us, and then came on again. since Dr. Watson came down. You are in time to
“Why, Dr. Watson, that’s not you, is it? You are see a tragedy.”
the last man that I should have expected to see out “Yes, indeed. I have no doubt that my friend’s
on the moor at this time of night. But, dear me, explanation will cover the facts. I will take an un-
what’s this? Somebody hurt? Not—don’t tell me pleasant remembrance back to London with me to-
that it is our friend Sir Henry!” He hurried past me morrow.”
and stooped over the dead man. I heard a sharp “Oh, you return to-morrow?”
intake of his breath and the cigar fell from his fin- “That is my intention.”
gers.
“I hope your visit has cast some light upon
“Who—who’s this?” he stammered. those occurrences which have puzzled us?”
“It is Selden, the man who escaped from Holmes shrugged his shoulders.
Princetown.” “One cannot always have the success for which
Stapleton turned a ghastly face upon us, but by one hopes. An investigator needs facts, and not
a supreme effort he had overcome his amazement legends or rumours. It has not been a satisfactory
and his disappointment. He looked sharply from case.”
Holmes to me. My friend spoke in his frankest and most un-
“Dear me! What a very shocking affair! How concerned manner. Stapleton still looked hard at
did he die?” him. Then he turned to me.

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

“I would suggest carrying this poor fellow to ton’s offer of hospitality, Holmes and I set off to
my house, but it would give my sister such a fright Baskerville Hall, leaving the naturalist to return
that I do not feel justified in doing it. I think that alone. Looking back we saw the figure moving
if we put something over his face he will be safe slowly away over the broad moor, and behind him
until morning.” that one black smudge on the silvered slope which
showed where the man was lying who had come
And so it was arranged. Resisting Staple- so horribly to his end.

CHAPTER XIII.
Fixing the Nets

“We’re at close grips at last,” said Holmes as “Found dead without a mark upon him. You
we walked together across the moor. “What a and I know that he died of sheer fright, and we
nerve the fellow has! How he pulled himself to- know also what frightened him; but how are we to
gether in the face of what must have been a para- get twelve stolid jurymen to know it? What signs
lyzing shock when he found that the wrong man are there of a hound? Where are the marks of its
had fallen a victim to his plot. I told you in fangs? Of course we know that a hound does not
London, Watson, and I tell you now again, that bite a dead body and that Sir Charles was dead
we have never had a foeman more worthy of our before ever the brute overtook him. But we have
steel.” to prove all this, and we are not in a position to do
“I am sorry that he has seen you.” it.”
“And so was I at first. But there was no getting “Well, then, to-night?”
out of it.” “We are not much better off to-night. Again,
“What effect do you think it will have upon his there was no direct connection between the hound
plans now that he knows you are here?” and the man’s death. We never saw the hound.
We heard it; but we could not prove that it was
“It may cause him to be more cautious, or it running upon this man’s trail. There is a complete
may drive him to desperate measures at once. Like absence of motive. No, my dear fellow; we must
most clever criminals, he may be too confident in reconcile ourselves to the fact that we have no case
his own cleverness and imagine that he has com- at present, and that it is worth our while to run
pletely deceived us.” any risk in order to establish one.”
“Why should we not arrest him at once?” “And how do you propose to do so?”
“My dear Watson, you were born to be a man of “I have great hopes of what Mrs. Laura Lyons
action. Your instinct is always to do something en- may do for us when the position of affairs is made
ergetic. But supposing, for argument’s sake, that clear to her. And I have my own plan as well. Suf-
we had him arrested to-night, what on earth the ficient for to-morrow is the evil thereof; but I hope
better off should we be for that? We could prove before the day is past to have the upper hand at
nothing against him. There’s the devilish cunning last.”
of it! If he were acting through a human agent we I could draw nothing further from him, and he
could get some evidence, but if we were to drag walked, lost in thought, as far as the Baskerville
this great dog to the light of day it would not help gates.
us in putting a rope round the neck of its master.”
“Are you coming up?”
“Surely we have a case.”
“Yes; I see no reason for further concealment.
“Not a shadow of one—only surmise and con- But one last word, Watson. Say nothing of the
jecture. We should be laughed out of court if we hound to Sir Henry. Let him think that Selden’s
came with such a story and such evidence.” death was as Stapleton would have us believe. He
“There is Sir Charles’s death.” will have a better nerve for the ordeal which he

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will have to undergo to-morrow, when he is en- don’t know that Watson and I are much the wiser
gaged, if I remember your report aright, to dine since we came down.”
with these people.” “I think that I shall be in a position to make the
“And so am I.” situation rather more clear to you before long. It
“Then you must excuse yourself and he must has been an exceedingly difficult and most com-
go alone. That will be easily arranged. And now, plicated business. There are several points upon
if we are too late for dinner, I think that we are which we still want light—but it is coming all the
both ready for our suppers.” same.”

Sir Henry was more pleased than surprised to “We’ve had one experience, as Watson has no
see Sherlock Holmes, for he had for some days doubt told you. We heard the hound on the moor,
been expecting that recent events would bring him so I can swear that it is not all empty superstition.
down from London. He did raise his eyebrows, I had something to do with dogs when I was out
however, when he found that my friend had nei- West, and I know one when I hear one. If you
ther any luggage nor any explanations for its ab- can muzzle that one and put him on a chain I’ll be
sence. Between us we soon supplied his wants, ready to swear you are the greatest detective of all
and then over a belated supper we explained to the time.”
baronet as much of our experience as it seemed de- “I think I will muzzle him and chain him all
sirable that he should know. But first I had the un- right if you will give me your help.”
pleasant duty of breaking the news to Barrymore “Whatever you tell me to do I will do.”
and his wife. To him it may have been an unmit-
igated relief, but she wept bitterly in her apron. “Very good; and I will ask you also to do it
To all the world he was the man of violence, half blindly, without always asking the reason.”
animal and half demon; but to her he always re- “Just as you like.”
mained the little wilful boy of her own girlhood, “If you will do this I think the chances are that
the child who had clung to her hand. Evil indeed our little problem will soon be solved. I have no
is the man who has not one woman to mourn him. doubt—”
“I’ve been moping in the house all day since He stopped suddenly and stared fixedly up
Watson went off in the morning,” said the baronet. over my head into the air. The lamp beat upon
“I guess I should have some credit, for I have kept his face, and so intent was it and so still that it
my promise. If I hadn’t sworn not to go about might have been that of a clear-cut classical statue,
alone I might have had a more lively evening, for a personification of alertness and expectation.
I had a message from Stapleton asking me over
there.” “What is it?” we both cried.
“I have no doubt that you would have had a I could see as he looked down that he was re-
more lively evening,” said Holmes drily. “By the pressing some internal emotion. His features were
way, I don’t suppose you appreciate that we have still composed, but his eyes shone with amused
been mourning over you as having broken your exultation.
neck?” “Excuse the admiration of a connoisseur,” said
Sir Henry opened his eyes. “How was that?” he as he waved his hand towards the line of por-
traits which covered the opposite wall. “Watson
“This poor wretch was dressed in your clothes. won’t allow that I know anything of art, but that is
I fear your servant who gave them to him may get mere jealousy, because our views upon the subject
into trouble with the police.” differ. Now, these are a really very fine series of
“That is unlikely. There was no mark on any of portraits.”
them, as far as I know.” “Well, I’m glad to hear you say so,” said Sir
“That’s lucky for him—in fact, it’s lucky for all Henry, glancing with some surprise at my friend.
of you, since you are all on the wrong side of the “I don’t pretend to know much about these things,
law in this matter. I am not sure that as a con- and I’d be a better judge of a horse or a steer than
scientious detective my first duty is not to arrest of a picture. I didn’t know that you found time for
the whole household. Watson’s reports are most such things.”
incriminating documents.” “I know what is good when I see it, and I see
“But how about the case?” asked the baronet. it now. That’s a Kneller, I’ll swear, that lady in
“Have you made anything out of the tangle? I the blue silk over yonder, and the stout gentleman

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with the wig ought to be a Reynolds. They are all The face of Stapleton had sprung out of the
family portraits, I presume?” canvas.
“Every one.” “Ha, you see it now. My eyes have been trained
“Do you know the names?” to examine faces and not their trimmings. It is
the first quality of a criminal investigator that he
“Barrymore has been coaching me in them, and
should see through a disguise.”
I think I can say my lessons fairly well.”
“But this is marvellous. It might be his por-
“Who is the gentleman with the telescope?” trait.”
“That is Rear-Admiral Baskerville, who served “Yes, it is an interesting instance of a throw-
under Rodney in the West Indies. The man with back, which appears to be both physical and spiri-
the blue coat and the roll of paper is Sir William tual. A study of family portraits is enough to con-
Baskerville, who was Chairman of Committees of vert a man to the doctrine of reincarnation. The
the House of Commons under Pitt.” fellow is a Baskerville—that is evident.”
“And this Cavalier opposite to me—the one “With designs upon the succession.”
with the black velvet and the lace?”
“Exactly. This chance of the picture has sup-
“Ah, you have a right to know about him. That plied us with one of our most obvious missing
is the cause of all the mischief, the wicked Hugo, links. We have him, Watson, we have him, and
who started the Hound of the Baskervilles. We’re I dare swear that before to-morrow night he will
not likely to forget him.” be fluttering in our net as helpless as one of his
I gazed with interest and some surprise upon own butterflies. A pin, a cork, and a card, and we
the portrait. add him to the Baker Street collection!” He burst
“Dear me!” said Holmes, “he seems a quiet, into one of his rare fits of laughter as he turned
meek-mannered man enough, but I dare say that away from the picture. I have not heard him laugh
there was a lurking devil in his eyes. I had pic- often, and it has always boded ill to somebody.
tured him as a more robust and ruffianly person.” I was up betimes in the morning, but Holmes
“There’s no doubt about the authenticity, for was afoot earlier still, for I saw him as I dressed,
the name and the date, 1647, are on the back of the coming up the drive.
canvas.” “Yes, we should have a full day to-day,” he re-
Holmes said little more, but the picture of the marked, and he rubbed his hands with the joy of
old roysterer seemed to have a fascination for him, action. “The nets are all in place, and the drag is
and his eyes were continually fixed upon it dur- about to begin. We’ll know before the day is out
ing supper. It was not until later, when Sir Henry whether we have caught our big, lean-jawed pike,
had gone to his room, that I was able to follow or whether he has got through the meshes.”
the trend of his thoughts. He led me back into the “Have you been on the moor already?”
banqueting-hall, his bedroom candle in his hand, “I have sent a report from Grimpen to Prince-
and he held it up against the time-stained portrait town as to the death of Selden. I think I can
on the wall. promise that none of you will be troubled in
“Do you see anything there?” the matter. And I have also communicated with
I looked at the broad plumed hat, the curl- my faithful Cartwright, who would certainly have
ing love-locks, the white lace collar, and the pined away at the door of my hut, as a dog does at
straight, severe face which was framed between his master’s grave, if I had not set his mind at rest
them. It was not a brutal countenance, but it was about my safety.”
prim, hard, and stern, with a firm-set, thin-lipped “What is the next move?”
mouth, and a coldly intolerant eye. “To see Sir Henry. Ah, here he is!”
“Is it like anyone you know?” “Good morning, Holmes,” said the baronet.
“There is something of Sir Henry about the “You look like a general who is planning a battle
jaw.” with his chief of the staff.”
“Just a suggestion, perhaps. But wait an in- “That is the exact situation. Watson was asking
stant!” He stood upon a chair, and, holding up the for orders.”
light in his left hand, he curved his right arm over “And so do I.”
the broad hat and round the long ringlets. “Very good. You are engaged, as I understand,
“Good heavens!” I cried, in amazement. to dine with our friends the Stapletons to-night.”

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“I hope that you will come also. They are very path which leads from Merripit House to the
hospitable people, and I am sure that they would Grimpen Road, and is your natural way home.”
be very glad to see you.” “I will do just what you say.”
“I fear that Watson and I must go to London.” “Very good. I should be glad to get away as
“To London?” soon after breakfast as possible, so as to reach Lon-
don in the afternoon.”
“Yes, I think that we should be more useful
I was much astounded by this programme,
there at the present juncture.”
though I remembered that Holmes had said to Sta-
The baronet’s face perceptibly lengthened. pleton on the night before that his visit would ter-
“I hoped that you were going to see me minate next day. It had not crossed my mind, how-
through this business. The Hall and the moor are ever, that he would wish me to go with him, nor
not very pleasant places when one is alone.” could I understand how we could both be absent
“My dear fellow, you must trust me implicitly at a moment which he himself declared to be crit-
and do exactly what I tell you. You can tell your ical. There was nothing for it, however, but im-
friends that we should have been happy to have plicit obedience; so we bade good-bye to our rue-
come with you, but that urgent business required ful friend, and a couple of hours afterwards we
us to be in town. We hope very soon to return to were at the station of Coombe Tracey and had dis-
Devonshire. Will you remember to give them that patched the trap upon its return journey. A small
message?” boy was waiting upon the platform.
“If you insist upon it.” “Any orders, sir?”
“You will take this train to town, Cartwright.
“There is no alternative, I assure you.”
The moment you arrive you will send a wire to Sir
I saw by the baronet’s clouded brow that he Henry Baskerville, in my name, to say that if he
was deeply hurt by what he regarded as our de- finds the pocket-book which I have dropped he is
sertion. to send it by registered post to Baker Street.”
“When do you desire to go?” he asked coldly. “Yes, sir.”
“Immediately after breakfast. We will drive in “And ask at the station office if there is a mes-
to Coombe Tracey, but Watson will leave his things sage for me.”
as a pledge that he will come back to you. Watson, The boy returned with a telegram, which
you will send a note to Stapleton to tell him that Holmes handed to me. It ran:
you regret that you cannot come.” Wire received. Coming down with un-
“I have a good mind to go to London with signed warrant. Arrive five-forty.
you,” said the baronet. “Why should I stay here — Lestrade.
alone?” “That is in answer to mine of this morning. He
“Because it is your post of duty. Because you is the best of the professionals, I think, and we
gave me your word that you would do as you were may need his assistance. Now, Watson, I think that
told, and I tell you to stay.” we cannot employ our time better than by calling
upon your acquaintance, Mrs. Laura Lyons.”
“All right, then, I’ll stay.”
His plan of campaign was beginning to be evi-
“One more direction! I wish you to drive to dent. He would use the baronet in order to con-
Merripit House. Send back your trap, however, vince the Stapletons that we were really gone,
and let them know that you intend to walk home.” while we should actually return at the instant
“To walk across the moor?” when we were likely to be needed. That telegram
“Yes.” from London, if mentioned by Sir Henry to the Sta-
pletons, must remove the last suspicions from their
“But that is the very thing which you have so
minds. Already I seemed to see our nets drawing
often cautioned me not to do.”
closer around that lean-jawed pike.
“This time you may do it with safety. If I had Mrs. Laura Lyons was in her office, and Sher-
not every confidence in your nerve and courage I lock Holmes opened his interview with a frank-
would not suggest it, but it is essential that you ness and directness which considerably amazed
should do it.” her.
“Then I will do it.” “I am investigating the circumstances which
“And as you value your life do not go across attended the death of the late Sir Charles
the moor in any direction save along the straight Baskerville,” said he. “My friend here, Dr. Watson,

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

has informed me of what you have communicated, the consequences of his own wicked acts? Ask me
and also of what you have withheld in connection what you like, and there is nothing which I shall
with that matter.” hold back. One thing I swear to you, and that is
“What have I withheld?” she asked defiantly. that when I wrote the letter I never dreamed of
any harm to the old gentleman, who had been my
“You have confessed that you asked Sir Charles
kindest friend.”
to be at the gate at ten o’clock. We know that that
was the place and hour of his death. You have “I entirely believe you, madam,” said Sherlock
withheld what the connection is between these Holmes. “The recital of these events must be very
events.” painful to you, and perhaps it will make it easier if
I tell you what occurred, and you can check me if
“There is no connection.” I make any material mistake. The sending of this
“In that case the coincidence must indeed be an letter was suggested to you by Stapleton?”
extraordinary one. But I think that we shall suc- “He dictated it.”
ceed in establishing a connection after all. I wish “I presume that the reason he gave was that
to be perfectly frank with you, Mrs. Lyons. We re- you would receive help from Sir Charles for the
gard this case as one of murder, and the evidence legal expenses connected with your divorce?”
may implicate not only your friend Mr. Stapleton, “Exactly.”
but his wife as well.”
“And then after you had sent the letter he dis-
The lady sprang from her chair. suaded you from keeping the appointment?”
“His wife!” she cried. “He told me that it would hurt his self-respect
“The fact is no longer a secret. The person who that any other man should find the money for such
has passed for his sister is really his wife.” an object, and that though he was a poor man him-
Mrs. Lyons had resumed her seat. Her hands self he would devote his last penny to removing
were grasping the arms of her chair, and I saw that the obstacles which divided us.”
the pink nails had turned white with the pressure “He appears to be a very consistent character.
of her grip. And then you heard nothing until you read the re-
ports of the death in the paper?”
“His wife!” she said again. “His wife! He is not
“No.”
a married man.”
“And he made you swear to say nothing about
Sherlock Holmes shrugged his shoulders. your appointment with Sir Charles?”
“Prove it to me! Prove it to me! And if you can “He did. He said that the death was a very
do so—!” The fierce flash of her eyes said more mysterious one, and that I should certainly be sus-
than any words. pected if the facts came out. He frightened me into
“I have come prepared to do so,” said Holmes, remaining silent.”
drawing several papers from his pocket. “Here is a “Quite so. But you had your suspicions?”
photograph of the couple taken in York four years She hesitated and looked down.
ago. It is indorsed ‘Mr. and Mrs. Vandeleur,’ but “I knew him,” she said. “But if he had kept
you will have no difficulty in recognizing him, and faith with me I should always have done so with
her also, if you know her by sight. Here are three him.”
written descriptions by trustworthy witnesses of “I think that on the whole you have had a for-
Mr. and Mrs. Vandeleur, who at that time kept St. tunate escape,” said Sherlock Holmes. “You have
Oliver’s private school. Read them and see if you had him in your power and he knew it, and yet you
can doubt the identity of these people.” are alive. You have been walking for some months
She glanced at them, and then looked up at us very near to the edge of a precipice. We must wish
with the set, rigid face of a desperate woman. you good-morning now, Mrs. Lyons, and it is prob-
“Mr. Holmes,” she said, “this man had offered able that you will very shortly hear from us again.”
me marriage on condition that I could get a divorce “Our case becomes rounded off, and difficulty
from my husband. He has lied to me, the villain, after difficulty thins away in front of us,” said
in every conceivable way. Not one word of truth Holmes as we stood waiting for the arrival of the
has he ever told me. And why—why? I imagined express from town. “I shall soon be in the posi-
that all was for my own sake. But now I see that I tion of being able to put into a single connected
was never anything but a tool in his hands. Why narrative one of the most singular and sensational
should I preserve faith with him who never kept crimes of modern times. Students of criminology
any with me? Why should I try to shield him from will remember the analogous incidents in Godno,

648
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

in Little Russia, in the year ’66, and of course there days when they had first worked together. I could
are the Anderson murders in North Carolina, but well remember the scorn which the theories of the
this case possesses some features which are en- reasoner used then to excite in the practical man.
tirely its own. Even now we have no clear case
“Anything good?” he asked.
against this very wily man. But I shall be very
much surprised if it is not clear enough before we “The biggest thing for years,” said Holmes.
go to bed this night.” “We have two hours before we need think of start-
The London express came roaring into the sta- ing. I think we might employ it in getting some
tion, and a small, wiry bulldog of a man had dinner and then, Lestrade, we will take the Lon-
sprung from a first-class carriage. We all three don fog out of your throat by giving you a breath
shook hands, and I saw at once from the rever- of the pure night air of Dartmoor. Never been
ential way in which Lestrade gazed at my com- there? Ah, well, I don’t suppose you will forget
panion that he had learned a good deal since the your first visit.”

CHAPTER XIV.
The Hound of the Baskervilles

One of Sherlock Holmes’s defects—if, indeed, The wagonette was paid off and ordered to return
one may call it a defect—was that he was exceed- to Coombe Tracey forthwith, while we started to
ingly loath to communicate his full plans to any walk to Merripit House.
other person until the instant of their fulfilment. “Are you armed, Lestrade?”
Partly it came no doubt from his own masterful na- The little detective smiled.
ture, which loved to dominate and surprise those “As long as I have my trousers I have a hip-
who were around him. Partly also from his profes- pocket, and as long as I have my hip-pocket I have
sional caution, which urged him never to take any something in it.”
chances. The result, however, was very trying for “Good! My friend and I are also ready for
those who were acting as his agents and assistants. emergencies.”
I had often suffered under it, but never more so
“You’re mighty close about this affair, Mr.
than during that long drive in the darkness. The
Holmes. What’s the game now?”
great ordeal was in front of us; at last we were
about to make our final effort, and yet Holmes had “A waiting game.”
said nothing, and I could only surmise what his “My word, it does not seem a very cheerful
course of action would be. My nerves thrilled with place,” said the detective with a shiver, glancing
anticipation when at last the cold wind upon our round him at the gloomy slopes of the hill and at
faces and the dark, void spaces on either side of the huge lake of fog which lay over the Grimpen
the narrow road told me that we were back upon Mire. “I see the lights of a house ahead of us.”
the moor once again. Every stride of the horses “That is Merripit House and the end of our
and every turn of the wheels was taking us nearer journey. I must request you to walk on tiptoe and
to our supreme adventure. not to talk above a whisper.”
Our conversation was hampered by the pres- We moved cautiously along the track as if we
ence of the driver of the hired wagonette, so that were bound for the house, but Holmes halted us
we were forced to talk of trivial matters when our when we were about two hundred yards from it.
nerves were tense with emotion and anticipation. “This will do,” said he. “These rocks upon the
It was a relief to me, after that unnatural restraint, right make an admirable screen.”
when we at last passed Frankland’s house and “We are to wait here?”
knew that we were drawing near to the Hall and “Yes, we shall make our little ambush here. Get
to the scene of action. We did not drive up to the into this hollow, Lestrade. You have been inside
door but got down near the gate of the avenue. the house, have you not, Watson? Can you tell

649
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

the position of the rooms? What are those latticed Holmes’s face was turned towards it, and he mut-
windows at this end?” tered impatiently as he watched its sluggish drift.
“I think they are the kitchen windows.” “It’s moving towards us, Watson.”
“And the one beyond, which shines so “Is that serious?”
brightly?”
“Very serious, indeed—the one thing upon
“That is certainly the dining-room.” earth which could have disarranged my plans. He
“The blinds are up. You know the lie of the can’t be very long, now. It is already ten o’clock.
land best. Creep forward quietly and see what Our success and even his life may depend upon
they are doing—but for heaven’s sake don’t let his coming out before the fog is over the path.”
them know that they are watched!” The night was clear and fine above us. The stars
I tiptoed down the path and stooped behind shone cold and bright, while a half-moon bathed
the low wall which surrounded the stunted or- the whole scene in a soft, uncertain light. Before
chard. Creeping in its shadow I reached a point us lay the dark bulk of the house, its serrated roof
whence I could look straight through the uncur- and bristling chimneys hard outlined against the
tained window. silver-spangled sky. Broad bars of golden light
There were only two men in the room, Sir from the lower windows stretched across the or-
Henry and Stapleton. They sat with their pro- chard and the moor. One of them was suddenly
files towards me on either side of the round table. shut off. The servants had left the kitchen. There
Both of them were smoking cigars, and coffee and only remained the lamp in the dining-room where
wine were in front of them. Stapleton was talking the two men, the murderous host and the uncon-
with animation, but the baronet looked pale and scious guest, still chatted over their cigars.
distrait. Perhaps the thought of that lonely walk Every minute that white woolly plain which
across the ill-omened moor was weighing heavily covered one half of the moor was drifting closer
upon his mind. and closer to the house. Already the first thin
As I watched them Stapleton rose and left the wisps of it were curling across the golden square
room, while Sir Henry filled his glass again and of the lighted window. The farther wall of the or-
leaned back in his chair, puffing at his cigar. I chard was already invisible, and the trees were
heard the creak of a door and the crisp sound of standing out of a swirl of white vapour. As we
boots upon gravel. The steps passed along the watched it the fog-wreaths came crawling round
path on the other side of the wall under which I both corners of the house and rolled slowly into
crouched. Looking over, I saw the naturalist pause one dense bank, on which the upper floor and the
at the door of an out-house in the corner of the or- roof floated like a strange ship upon a shadowy
chard. A key turned in a lock, and as he passed in sea. Holmes struck his hand passionately upon
there was a curious scuffling noise from within. the rock in front of us and stamped his feet in his
He was only a minute or so inside, and then I impatience.
heard the key turn once more and he passed me “If he isn’t out in a quarter of an hour the path
and re-entered the house. I saw him rejoin his will be covered. In half an hour we won’t be able
guest, and I crept quietly back to where my com- to see our hands in front of us.”
panions were waiting to tell them what I had seen. “Shall we move farther back upon higher
“You say, Watson, that the lady is not there?” ground?”
Holmes asked, when I had finished my report.
“Yes, I think it would be as well.”
“No.”
So as the fog-bank flowed onward we fell back
“Where can she be, then, since there is no light before it until we were half a mile from the house,
in any other room except the kitchen?” and still that dense white sea, with the moon
“I cannot think where she is.” silvering its upper edge, swept slowly and inex-
I have said that over the great Grimpen Mire orably on.
there hung a dense, white fog. It was drifting “We are going too far,” said Holmes. “We dare
slowly in our direction, and banked itself up like a not take the chance of his being overtaken before
wall on that side of us, low, but thick and well he can reach us. At all costs we must hold our
defined. The moon shone on it, and it looked ground where we are.” He dropped on his knees
like a great shimmering ice-field, with the heads and clapped his ear to the ground. “Thank God, I
of the distant tors as rocks borne upon its surface. think that I hear him coming.”

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

A sound of quick steps broke the silence of the ran that night. I am reckoned fleet of foot, but he
moor. Crouching among the stones we stared in- outpaced me as much as I outpaced the little pro-
tently at the silver-tipped bank in front of us. The fessional. In front of us as we flew up the track
steps grew louder, and through the fog, as through we heard scream after scream from Sir Henry and
a curtain, there stepped the man whom we were the deep roar of the hound. I was in time to see
awaiting. He looked round him in surprise as the beast spring upon its victim, hurl him to the
he emerged into the clear, starlit night. Then he ground, and worry at his throat. But the next in-
came swiftly along the path, passed close to where stant Holmes had emptied five barrels of his re-
we lay, and went on up the long slope behind us. volver into the creature’s flank. With a last howl of
As he walked he glanced continually over either agony and a vicious snap in the air, it rolled upon
shoulder, like a man who is ill at ease. its back, four feet pawing furiously, and then fell
“Hist!” cried Holmes, and I heard the sharp limp upon its side. I stooped, panting, and pressed
click of a cocking pistol. “Look out! It’s coming!” my pistol to the dreadful, shimmering head, but it
was useless to press the trigger. The giant hound
There was a thin, crisp, continuous patter from was dead.
somewhere in the heart of that crawling bank. The
cloud was within fifty yards of where we lay, and Sir Henry lay insensible where he had fallen.
we glared at it, all three, uncertain what horror We tore away his collar, and Holmes breathed a
was about to break from the heart of it. I was prayer of gratitude when we saw that there was
at Holmes’s elbow, and I glanced for an instant no sign of a wound and that the rescue had been
at his face. It was pale and exultant, his eyes in time. Already our friend’s eyelids shivered and
shining brightly in the moonlight. But suddenly he made a feeble effort to move. Lestrade thrust
they started forward in a rigid, fixed stare, and his brandy-flask between the baronet’s teeth, and
his lips parted in amazement. At the same in- two frightened eyes were looking up at us.
stant Lestrade gave a yell of terror and threw him- “My God!” he whispered. “What was it? What,
self face downward upon the ground. I sprang in heaven’s name, was it?”
to my feet, my inert hand grasping my pistol, my “It’s dead, whatever it is,” said Holmes. “We’ve
mind paralyzed by the dreadful shape which had laid the family ghost once and forever.”
sprung out upon us from the shadows of the fog.
A hound it was, an enormous coal-black hound, In mere size and strength it was a terrible crea-
but not such a hound as mortal eyes have ever ture which was lying stretched before us. It was
seen. Fire burst from its open mouth, its eyes not a pure bloodhound and it was not a pure mas-
glowed with a smouldering glare, its muzzle and tiff; but it appeared to be a combination of the
hackles and dewlap were outlined in flickering two—gaunt, savage, and as large as a small li-
flame. Never in the delirious dream of a disor- oness. Even now, in the stillness of death, the huge
dered brain could anything more savage, more ap- jaws seemed to be dripping with a bluish flame
palling, more hellish be conceived than that dark and the small, deep-set, cruel eyes were ringed
form and savage face which broke upon us out of with fire. I placed my hand upon the glowing
the wall of fog. muzzle, and as I held them up my own fingers
smouldered and gleamed in the darkness.
With long bounds the huge black creature was
leaping down the track, following hard upon the “Phosphorus,” I said.
footsteps of our friend. So paralyzed were we by “A cunning preparation of it,” said Holmes,
the apparition that we allowed him to pass be- sniffing at the dead animal. “There is no smell
fore we had recovered our nerve. Then Holmes which might have interfered with his power of
and I both fired together, and the creature gave a scent. We owe you a deep apology, Sir Henry, for
hideous howl, which showed that one at least had having exposed you to this fright. I was prepared
hit him. He did not pause, however, but bounded for a hound, but not for such a creature as this.
onward. Far away on the path we saw Sir Henry And the fog gave us little time to receive him.”
looking back, his face white in the moonlight, his
hands raised in horror, glaring helplessly at the “You have saved my life.”
frightful thing which was hunting him down. “Having first endangered it. Are you strong
But that cry of pain from the hound had blown enough to stand?”
all our fears to the winds. If he was vulnerable he “Give me another mouthful of that brandy and
was mortal, and if we could wound him we could I shall be ready for anything. So! Now, if you will
kill him. Never have I seen a man run as Holmes help me up. What do you propose to do?”

651
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

“To leave you here. You are not fit for further was secured at the back of the pillar. Another cov-
adventures to-night. If you will wait, one or other ered the lower part of the face, and over it two dark
of us will go back with you to the Hall.” eyes—eyes full of grief and shame and a dreadful
He tried to stagger to his feet; but he was still questioning—stared back at us. In a minute we
ghastly pale and trembling in every limb. We had torn off the gag, unswathed the bonds, and
helped him to a rock, where he sat shivering with Mrs. Stapleton sank upon the floor in front of us.
his face buried in his hands. As her beautiful head fell upon her chest I saw the
clear red weal of a whiplash across her neck.
“We must leave you now,” said Holmes. “The
rest of our work must be done, and every moment “The brute!” cried Holmes. “Here, Lestrade,
is of importance. We have our case, and now we your brandy-bottle! Put her in the chair! She has
only want our man. fainted from ill-usage and exhaustion.”
She opened her eyes again.
“It’s a thousand to one against our finding him
at the house,” he continued as we retraced our “Is he safe?” she asked. “Has he escaped?”
steps swiftly down the path. “Those shots must “He cannot escape us, madam.”
have told him that the game was up.” “No, no, I did not mean my husband. Sir
“We were some distance off, and this fog may Henry? Is he safe?”
have deadened them.” “Yes.”
“He followed the hound to call him off—of that “And the hound?”
you may be certain. No, no, he’s gone by this time! “It is dead.”
But we’ll search the house and make sure.” She gave a long sigh of satisfaction.
The front door was open, so we rushed in and “Thank God! Thank God! Oh, this villain!
hurried from room to room to the amazement of a See how he has treated me!” She shot her arms
doddering old manservant, who met us in the pas- out from her sleeves, and we saw with horror that
sage. There was no light save in the dining-room, they were all mottled with bruises. “But this is
but Holmes caught up the lamp and left no corner nothing—nothing! It is my mind and soul that he
of the house unexplored. No sign could we see has tortured and defiled. I could endure it all, ill-
of the man whom we were chasing. On the up- usage, solitude, a life of deception, everything, as
per floor, however, one of the bedroom doors was long as I could still cling to the hope that I had his
locked. love, but now I know that in this also I have been
“There’s someone in here,” cried Lestrade. “I his dupe and his tool.” She broke into passionate
can hear a movement. Open this door!” sobbing as she spoke.
A faint moaning and rustling came from “You bear him no good will, madam,” said
within. Holmes struck the door just over the lock Holmes. “Tell us then where we shall find him.
with the flat of his foot and it flew open. Pistol in If you have ever aided him in evil, help us now
hand, we all three rushed into the room. and so atone.”
But there was no sign within it of that desper- “There is but one place where he can have
ate and defiant villain whom we expected to see. fled,” she answered. “There is an old tin mine
Instead we were faced by an object so strange and on an island in the heart of the mire. It was there
so unexpected that we stood for a moment staring that he kept his hound and there also he had made
at it in amazement. preparations so that he might have a refuge. That
is where he would fly.”
The room had been fashioned into a small mu-
The fog-bank lay like white wool against the
seum, and the walls were lined by a number of
window. Holmes held the lamp towards it.
glass-topped cases full of that collection of butter-
flies and moths the formation of which had been “See,” said he. “No one could find his way into
the relaxation of this complex and dangerous man. the Grimpen Mire to-night.”
In the centre of this room there was an upright She laughed and clapped her hands. Her eyes
beam, which had been placed at some period as and teeth gleamed with fierce merriment.
a support for the old worm-eaten baulk of timber “He may find his way in, but never out,” she
which spanned the roof. To this post a figure was cried. “How can he see the guiding wands to-
tied, so swathed and muffled in the sheets which night? We planted them together, he and I, to mark
had been used to secure it that one could not for the pathway through the mire. Oh, if I could only
the moment tell whether it was that of a man or have plucked them out to-day. Then indeed you
a woman. One towel passed round the throat and would have had him at your mercy!”

652
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

It was evident to us that all pursuit was in “Exactly. He retained it in his hand after using
vain until the fog had lifted. Meanwhile we it to set the hound upon the track. He fled when
left Lestrade in possession of the house while he knew the game was up, still clutching it. And
Holmes and I went back with the baronet to he hurled it away at this point of his flight. We
Baskerville Hall. The story of the Stapletons could know at least that he came so far in safety.”
no longer be withheld from him, but he took the
But more than that we were never destined to
blow bravely when he learned the truth about the
know, though there was much which we might
woman whom he had loved. But the shock of the
surmise. There was no chance of finding foot-
night’s adventures had shattered his nerves, and
steps in the mire, for the rising mud oozed swiftly
before morning he lay delirious in a high fever, un-
in upon them, but as we at last reached firmer
der the care of Dr. Mortimer. The two of them were
ground beyond the morass we all looked eagerly
destined to travel together round the world before
for them. But no slightest sign of them ever met
Sir Henry had become once more the hale, hearty
our eyes. If the earth told a true story, then Sta-
man that he had been before he became master of
pleton never reached that island of refuge towards
that ill-omened estate.
which he struggled through the fog upon that
And now I come rapidly to the conclusion of last night. Somewhere in the heart of the great
this singular narrative, in which I have tried to Grimpen Mire, down in the foul slime of the huge
make the reader share those dark fears and vague morass which had sucked him in, this cold and
surmises which clouded our lives so long and cruel-hearted man is forever buried.
ended in so tragic a manner. On the morning after
Many traces we found of him in the bog-girt
the death of the hound the fog had lifted and we
island where he had hid his savage ally. A huge
were guided by Mrs. Stapleton to the point where
driving-wheel and a shaft half-filled with rubbish
they had found a pathway through the bog. It
showed the position of an abandoned mine. Be-
helped us to realize the horror of this woman’s life
side it were the crumbling remains of the cottages
when we saw the eagerness and joy with which
of the miners, driven away no doubt by the foul
she laid us on her husband’s track. We left her
reek of the surrounding swamp. In one of these a
standing upon the thin peninsula of firm, peaty
staple and chain with a quantity of gnawed bones
soil which tapered out into the widespread bog.
showed where the animal had been confined. A
From the end of it a small wand planted here and
skeleton with a tangle of brown hair adhering to it
there showed where the path zigzagged from tuft
lay among the debris.
to tuft of rushes among those green-scummed pits
and foul quagmires which barred the way to the “A dog!” said Holmes. “By Jove, a curly-haired
stranger. Rank reeds and lush, slimy water-plants spaniel. Poor Mortimer will never see his pet
sent an odour of decay and a heavy miasmatic again. Well, I do not know that this place contains
vapour onto our faces, while a false step plunged any secret which we have not already fathomed.
us more than once thigh-deep into the dark, quiv- He could hide his hound, but he could not hush
ering mire, which shook for yards in soft undula- its voice, and hence came those cries which even
tions around our feet. Its tenacious grip plucked in daylight were not pleasant to hear. On an emer-
at our heels as we walked, and when we sank into gency he could keep the hound in the out-house at
it it was as if some malignant hand was tugging us Merripit, but it was always a risk, and it was only
down into those obscene depths, so grim and pur- on the supreme day, which he regarded as the end
poseful was the clutch in which it held us. Once of all his efforts, that he dared do it. This paste
only we saw a trace that someone had passed that in the tin is no doubt the luminous mixture with
perilous way before us. From amid a tuft of cotton which the creature was daubed. It was suggested,
grass which bore it up out of the slime some dark of course, by the story of the family hell-hound,
thing was projecting. Holmes sank to his waist and by the desire to frighten old Sir Charles to
as he stepped from the path to seize it, and had death. No wonder the poor devil of a convict
we not been there to drag him out he could never ran and screamed, even as our friend did, and as
have set his foot upon firm land again. He held an we ourselves might have done, when he saw such
old black boot in the air. “Meyers, Toronto,” was a creature bounding through the darkness of the
printed on the leather inside. moor upon his track. It was a cunning device, for,
apart from the chance of driving your victim to his
“It is worth a mud bath,” said he. “It is our
death, what peasant would venture to inquire too
friend Sir Henry’s missing boot.”
closely into such a creature should he get sight of
“Thrown there by Stapleton in his flight.” it, as many have done, upon the moor? I said it in

653
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

London, Watson, and I say it again now, that never green-splotched bog which stretched away until it
yet have we helped to hunt down a more danger- merged into the russet slopes of the moor.
ous man than he who is lying yonder”—he swept
his long arm towards the huge mottled expanse of

CHAPTER XV.
A Retrospection

It was the end of November and Holmes and I under the heading B in my indexed list of cases.”
sat, upon a raw and foggy night, on either side of
“Perhaps you would kindly give me a sketch of
a blazing fire in our sitting-room in Baker Street.
the course of events from memory.”
Since the tragic upshot of our visit to Devonshire
he had been engaged in two affairs of the ut- “Certainly, though I cannot guarantee that I
most importance, in the first of which he had ex- carry all the facts in my mind. Intense mental
posed the atrocious conduct of Colonel Upwood concentration has a curious way of blotting out
in connection with the famous card scandal of the what has passed. The barrister who has his case
Nonpareil Club, while in the second he had de- at his fingers’ ends, and is able to argue with an
fended the unfortunate Mme. Montpensier from expert upon his own subject finds that a week or
the charge of murder which hung over her in con- two of the courts will drive it all out of his head
nection with the death of her step-daughter, Mlle. once more. So each of my cases displaces the
Carere, the young lady who, as it will be remem- last, and Mlle. Carere has blurred my recollection
bered, was found six months later alive and mar- of Baskerville Hall. To-morrow some other little
ried in New York. My friend was in excellent spir- problem may be submitted to my notice which will
its over the success which had attended a succes- in turn dispossess the fair French lady and the in-
sion of difficult and important cases, so that I was famous Upwood. So far as the case of the Hound
able to induce him to discuss the details of the goes, however, I will give you the course of events
Baskerville mystery. I had waited patiently for the as nearly as I can, and you will suggest anything
opportunity, for I was aware that he would never which I may have forgotten.
permit cases to overlap, and that his clear and log- “My inquiries show beyond all question that
ical mind would not be drawn from its present the family portrait did not lie, and that this fel-
work to dwell upon memories of the past. Sir low was indeed a Baskerville. He was a son of
Henry and Dr. Mortimer were, however, in Lon- that Rodger Baskerville, the younger brother of
don, on their way to that long voyage which had Sir Charles, who fled with a sinister reputation to
been recommended for the restoration of his shat- South America, where he was said to have died
tered nerves. They had called upon us that very unmarried. He did, as a matter of fact, marry,
afternoon, so that it was natural that the subject and had one child, this fellow, whose real name
should come up for discussion. is the same as his father’s. He married Beryl Gar-
“The whole course of events,” said Holmes, cia, one of the beauties of Costa Rica, and, having
“from the point of view of the man who called purloined a considerable sum of public money, he
himself Stapleton was simple and direct, although changed his name to Vandeleur and fled to Eng-
to us, who had no means in the beginning of land, where he established a school in the east
knowing the motives of his actions and could only of Yorkshire. His reason for attempting this spe-
learn part of the facts, it all appeared exceedingly cial line of business was that he had struck up
complex. I have had the advantage of two conver- an acquaintance with a consumptive tutor upon
sations with Mrs. Stapleton, and the case has now the voyage home, and that he had used this man’s
been so entirely cleared up that I am not aware ability to make the undertaking a success. Fraser,
that there is anything which has remained a secret the tutor, died however, and the school which had
to us. You will find a few notes upon the matter begun well sank from disrepute into infamy. The

654
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

Vandeleurs found it convenient to change their at night. Several times Stapleton lurked about with
name to Stapleton, and he brought the remains his hound, but without avail. It was during these
of his fortune, his schemes for the future, and his fruitless quests that he, or rather his ally, was seen
taste for entomology to the south of England. I by peasants, and that the legend of the demon dog
learned at the British Museum that he was a rec- received a new confirmation. He had hoped that
ognized authority upon the subject, and that the his wife might lure Sir Charles to his ruin, but here
name of Vandeleur has been permanently attached she proved unexpectedly independent. She would
to a certain moth which he had, in his Yorkshire not endeavour to entangle the old gentleman in a
days, been the first to describe. sentimental attachment which might deliver him
“We now come to that portion of his life which over to his enemy. Threats and even, I am sorry
has proved to be of such intense interest to us. to say, blows refused to move her. She would have
The fellow had evidently made inquiry and found nothing to do with it, and for a time Stapleton was
that only two lives intervened between him and a at a deadlock.
valuable estate. When he went to Devonshire his
plans were, I believe, exceedingly hazy, but that “He found a way out of his difficulties through
he meant mischief from the first is evident from the chance that Sir Charles, who had conceived a
the way in which he took his wife with him in the friendship for him, made him the minister of his
character of his sister. The idea of using her as a charity in the case of this unfortunate woman, Mrs.
decoy was clearly already in his mind, though he Laura Lyons. By representing himself as a single
may not have been certain how the details of his man he acquired complete influence over her, and
plot were to be arranged. He meant in the end to he gave her to understand that in the event of her
have the estate, and he was ready to use any tool obtaining a divorce from her husband he would
or run any risk for that end. His first act was to es- marry her. His plans were suddenly brought to a
tablish himself as near to his ancestral home as he head by his knowledge that Sir Charles was about
could, and his second was to cultivate a friendship to leave the Hall on the advice of Dr. Mortimer,
with Sir Charles Baskerville and with the neigh- with whose opinion he himself pretended to coin-
bours. cide. He must act at once, or his victim might get
beyond his power. He therefore put pressure upon
“The baronet himself told him about the family
Mrs. Lyons to write this letter, imploring the old
hound, and so prepared the way for his own death.
man to give her an interview on the evening before
Stapleton, as I will continue to call him, knew that
his departure for London. He then, by a specious
the old man’s heart was weak and that a shock
argument, prevented her from going, and so had
would kill him. So much he had learned from
the chance for which he had waited.
Dr. Mortimer. He had heard also that Sir Charles
was superstitious and had taken this grim legend “Driving back in the evening from Coombe
very seriously. His ingenious mind instantly sug- Tracey he was in time to get his hound, to treat
gested a way by which the baronet could be done it with his infernal paint, and to bring the beast
to death, and yet it would be hardly possible to round to the gate at which he had reason to ex-
bring home the guilt to the real murderer. pect that he would find the old gentleman wait-
“Having conceived the idea he proceeded to ing. The dog, incited by its master, sprang over the
carry it out with considerable finesse. An ordinary wicket-gate and pursued the unfortunate baronet,
schemer would have been content to work with a who fled screaming down the Yew Alley. In that
savage hound. The use of artificial means to make gloomy tunnel it must indeed have been a dread-
the creature diabolical was a flash of genius upon ful sight to see that huge black creature, with its
his part. The dog he bought in London from Ross flaming jaws and blazing eyes, bounding after its
and Mangles, the dealers in Fulham Road. It was victim. He fell dead at the end of the alley from
the strongest and most savage in their possession. heart disease and terror. The hound had kept upon
He brought it down by the North Devon line and the grassy border while the baronet had run down
walked a great distance over the moor so as to get the path, so that no track but the man’s was vis-
it home without exciting any remarks. He had al- ible. On seeing him lying still the creature had
ready on his insect hunts learned to penetrate the probably approached to sniff at him, but finding
Grimpen Mire, and so had found a safe hiding- him dead had turned away again. It was then
place for the creature. Here he kennelled it and that it left the print which was actually observed
waited his chance. by Dr. Mortimer. The hound was called off and
“But it was some time coming. The old gentle- hurried away to its lair in the Grimpen Mire, and
man could not be decoyed outside of his grounds a mystery was left which puzzled the authorities,

655
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

alarmed the country-side, and finally brought the driven to use the dog, he might always have the
case within the scope of our observation. means of setting him upon his track. With char-
acteristic promptness and audacity he set about
“So much for the death of Sir Charles
this at once, and we cannot doubt that the boots or
Baskerville. You perceive the devilish cunning of
chamber-maid of the hotel was well bribed to help
it, for really it would be almost impossible to make
him in his design. By chance, however, the first
a case against the real murderer. His only accom-
boot which was procured for him was a new one
plice was one who could never give him away, and
and, therefore, useless for his purpose. He then
the grotesque, inconceivable nature of the device
had it returned and obtained another—a most in-
only served to make it more effective. Both of the
structive incident, since it proved conclusively to
women concerned in the case, Mrs. Stapleton and
my mind that we were dealing with a real hound,
Mrs. Laura Lyons, were left with a strong suspi-
as no other supposition could explain this anxiety
cion against Stapleton. Mrs. Stapleton knew that
to obtain an old boot and this indifference to a new
he had designs upon the old man, and also of the
one. The more outré and grotesque an incident is
existence of the hound. Mrs. Lyons knew neither
the more carefully it deserves to be examined, and
of these things, but had been impressed by the
the very point which appears to complicate a case
death occurring at the time of an uncancelled ap-
is, when duly considered and scientifically han-
pointment which was only known to him. How-
dled, the one which is most likely to elucidate it.
ever, both of them were under his influence, and
he had nothing to fear from them. The first half “Then we had the visit from our friends next
of his task was successfully accomplished but the morning, shadowed always by Stapleton in the
more difficult still remained. cab. From his knowledge of our rooms and of my
appearance, as well as from his general conduct,
“It is possible that Stapleton did not know of I am inclined to think that Stapleton’s career of
the existence of an heir in Canada. In any case crime has been by no means limited to this single
he would very soon learn it from his friend Dr. Baskerville affair. It is suggestive that during the
Mortimer, and he was told by the latter all de- last three years there have been four considerable
tails about the arrival of Henry Baskerville. Staple- burglaries in the West Country, for none of which
ton’s first idea was that this young stranger from was any criminal ever arrested. The last of these, at
Canada might possibly be done to death in Lon- Folkestone Court, in May, was remarkable for the
don without coming down to Devonshire at all. cold-blooded pistoling of the page, who surprised
He distrusted his wife ever since she had refused the masked and solitary burglar. I cannot doubt
to help him in laying a trap for the old man, and that Stapleton recruited his waning resources in
he dared not leave her long out of his sight for this fashion, and that for years he has been a des-
fear he should lose his influence over her. It was perate and dangerous man.
for this reason that he took her to London with
him. They lodged, I find, at the Mexborough Pri- “We had an example of his readiness of re-
vate Hotel, in Craven Street, which was actually source that morning when he got away from us
one of those called upon by my agent in search so successfully, and also of his audacity in sending
of evidence. Here he kept his wife imprisoned back my own name to me through the cabman.
in her room while he, disguised in a beard, fol- From that moment he understood that I had taken
lowed Dr. Mortimer to Baker Street and afterwards over the case in London, and that therefore there
to the station and to the Northumberland Hotel. was no chance for him there. He returned to Dart-
His wife had some inkling of his plans; but she moor and awaited the arrival of the baronet.”
had such a fear of her husband—a fear founded “One moment!” said I. “You have, no doubt,
upon brutal ill-treatment—that she dare not write described the sequence of events correctly, but
to warn the man whom she knew to be in dan- there is one point which you have left unexplained.
ger. If the letter should fall into Stapleton’s hands What became of the hound when its master was in
her own life would not be safe. Eventually, as we London?”
know, she adopted the expedient of cutting out
“I have given some attention to this matter and
the words which would form the message, and ad-
it is undoubtedly of importance. There can be no
dressing the letter in a disguised hand. It reached
question that Stapleton had a confidant, though it
the baronet, and gave him the first warning of his
is unlikely that he ever placed himself in his power
danger.
by sharing all his plans with him. There was an
“It was very essential for Stapleton to get some old manservant at Merripit House, whose name
article of Sir Henry’s attire so that, in case he was was Anthony. His connection with the Stapletons

656
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

can be traced for several years, as far back as the of great service to me, and especially that one in-
schoolmastering days, so that he must have been cidentally truthful piece of biography of Staple-
aware that his master and mistress were really hus- ton’s. I was able to establish the identity of the
band and wife. This man has disappeared and has man and the woman and knew at last exactly how
escaped from the country. It is suggestive that An- I stood. The case had been considerably com-
thony is not a common name in England, while plicated through the incident of the escaped con-
Antonio is so in all Spanish or Spanish-American vict and the relations between him and the Barry-
countries. The man, like Mrs. Stapleton herself, mores. This also you cleared up in a very effective
spoke good English, but with a curious lisping ac- way, though I had already come to the same con-
cent. I have myself seen this old man cross the clusions from my own observations.
Grimpen Mire by the path which Stapleton had “By the time that you discovered me upon the
marked out. It is very probable, therefore, that in moor I had a complete knowledge of the whole
the absence of his master it was he who cared for business, but I had not a case which could go to
the hound, though he may never have known the a jury. Even Stapleton’s attempt upon Sir Henry
purpose for which the beast was used. that night which ended in the death of the unfor-
“The Stapletons then went down to Devon- tunate convict did not help us much in proving
shire, whither they were soon followed by Sir murder against our man. There seemed to be no
Henry and you. One word now as to how I stood alternative but to catch him red-handed, and to
myself at that time. It may possibly recur to your do so we had to use Sir Henry, alone and appar-
memory that when I examined the paper upon ently unprotected, as a bait. We did so, and at the
which the printed words were fastened I made a cost of a severe shock to our client we succeeded
close inspection for the water-mark. In doing so in completing our case and driving Stapleton to
I held it within a few inches of my eyes, and was his destruction. That Sir Henry should have been
conscious of a faint smell of the scent known as exposed to this is, I must confess, a reproach to
white jessamine. There are seventy-five perfumes, my management of the case, but we had no means
which it is very necessary that a criminal expert of foreseeing the terrible and paralyzing spectacle
should be able to distinguish from each other, and which the beast presented, nor could we predict
cases have more than once within my own expe- the fog which enabled him to burst upon us at
rience depended upon their prompt recognition. such short notice. We succeeded in our object at
The scent suggested the presence of a lady, and al- a cost which both the specialist and Dr. Mortimer
ready my thoughts began to turn towards the Sta- assure me will be a temporary one. A long journey
pletons. Thus I had made certain of the hound, may enable our friend to recover not only from his
and had guessed at the criminal before ever we shattered nerves but also from his wounded feel-
went to the west country. ings. His love for the lady was deep and sincere,
and to him the saddest part of all this black busi-
“It was my game to watch Stapleton. It was ev- ness was that he should have been deceived by her.
ident, however, that I could not do this if I were
“It only remains to indicate the part which
with you, since he would be keenly on his guard.
she had played throughout. There can be no
I deceived everybody, therefore, yourself included,
doubt that Stapleton exercised an influence over
and I came down secretly when I was supposed
her which may have been love or may have been
to be in London. My hardships were not so great
fear, or very possibly both, since they are by no
as you imagined, though such trifling details must
means incompatible emotions. It was, at least, ab-
never interfere with the investigation of a case. I
solutely effective. At his command she consented
stayed for the most part at Coombe Tracey, and
to pass as his sister, though he found the limits of
only used the hut upon the moor when it was nec-
his power over her when he endeavoured to make
essary to be near the scene of action. Cartwright
her the direct accessory to murder. She was ready
had come down with me, and in his disguise as
to warn Sir Henry so far as she could without im-
a country boy he was of great assistance to me. I
plicating her husband, and again and again she
was dependent upon him for food and clean linen.
tried to do so. Stapleton himself seems to have
When I was watching Stapleton, Cartwright was
been capable of jealousy, and when he saw the
frequently watching you, so that I was able to keep
baronet paying court to the lady, even though it
my hand upon all the strings.
was part of his own plan, still he could not help
“I have already told you that your reports interrupting with a passionate outburst which re-
reached me rapidly, being forwarded instantly vealed the fiery soul which his self-contained man-
from Baker Street to Coombe Tracey. They were ner so cleverly concealed. By encouraging the in-

657
timacy he made it certain that Sir Henry would least it would paralyze the resistance which might
frequently come to Merripit House and that he be offered.”
would sooner or later get the opportunity which
he desired. On the day of the crisis, however, “No doubt. There only remains one difficulty.
his wife turned suddenly against him. She had If Stapleton came into the succession, how could
learned something of the death of the convict, and he explain the fact that he, the heir, had been liv-
she knew that the hound was being kept in the out- ing unannounced under another name so close to
house on the evening that Sir Henry was coming to the property? How could he claim it without caus-
dinner. She taxed her husband with his intended ing suspicion and inquiry?”
crime, and a furious scene followed, in which he “It is a formidable difficulty, and I fear that you
showed her for the first time that she had a ri- ask too much when you expect me to solve it. The
val in his love. Her fidelity turned in an instant past and the present are within the field of my in-
to bitter hatred and he saw that she would betray quiry, but what a man may do in the future is a
him. He tied her up, therefore, that she might have hard question to answer. Mrs. Stapleton has heard
no chance of warning Sir Henry, and he hoped, her husband discuss the problem on several occa-
no doubt, that when the whole country-side put sions. There were three possible courses. He might
down the baronet’s death to the curse of his family, claim the property from South America, establish
as they certainly would do, he could win his wife his identity before the British authorities there and
back to accept an accomplished fact and to keep so obtain the fortune without ever coming to Eng-
silent upon what she knew. In this I fancy that in land at all; or he might adopt an elaborate disguise
any case he made a miscalculation, and that, if we during the short time that he need be in London;
had not been there, his doom would none the less or, again, he might furnish an accomplice with the
have been sealed. A woman of Spanish blood does proofs and papers, putting him in as heir, and re-
not condone such an injury so lightly. And now, taining a claim upon some proportion of his in-
my dear Watson, without referring to my notes, I come. We cannot doubt from what we know of
cannot give you a more detailed account of this cu- him that he would have found some way out of the
rious case. I do not know that anything essential difficulty. And now, my dear Watson, we have had
has been left unexplained.” some weeks of severe work, and for one evening, I
“He could not hope to frighten Sir Henry to think, we may turn our thoughts into more pleas-
death as he had done the old uncle with his bogie ant channels. I have a box for ‘Les Huguenots.’
hound.” Have you heard the De Reszkes? Might I trouble
“The beast was savage and half-starved. If its you then to be ready in half an hour, and we can
appearance did not frighten its victim to death, at stop at Marcini’s for a little dinner on the way?”
The Valley Of Fear
 The Valley Of Fear

Table of contents

Part I
The Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 665
Sherlock Holmes Discourses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 668
The Tragedy of Birlstone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 672
Darkness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 676
The People Of the Drama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 681
A Dawning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 686
The Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 692

Part II
The Man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 701
The Bodymaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 705
Lodge 341, Vermissa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 712
The Valley of Fear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 718
The Darkest Hour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 723
Danger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 728
The Trapping of Birdy Edwards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 733
Epilogue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 737

661
 PART I.
The Tragedy of Birlstone
 The Valley Of Fear

CHAPTER I.

I
The Warning

am inclined to think—” said I. learn to guard myself. But in calling Moriarty a

“I should do so,” Sherlock Holmes criminal you are uttering libel in the eyes of the
remarked impatiently. law—and there lie the glory and the wonder of
it! The greatest schemer of all time, the orga-
I believe that I am one of the most
nizer of every deviltry, the controlling brain of the
long-suffering of mortals; but I’ll admit that I was
underworld, a brain which might have made or
annoyed at the sardonic interruption.
marred the destiny of nations—that’s the man! But
“Really, Holmes,” said I severely, “you are a lit- so aloof is he from general suspicion, so immune
tle trying at times.” from criticism, so admirable in his management
He was too much absorbed with his own and self-effacement, that for those very words that
thoughts to give any immediate answer to my re- you have uttered he could hale you to a court and
monstrance. He leaned upon his hand, with his emerge with your year’s pension as a solatium for
untasted breakfast before him, and he stared at the his wounded character. Is he not the celebrated au-
slip of paper which he had just drawn from its en- thor of The Dynamics of an Asteroid, a book which
velope. Then he took the envelope itself, held it ascends to such rarefied heights of pure mathe-
up to the light, and very carefully studied both the matics that it is said that there was no man in the
exterior and the flap. scientific press capable of criticizing it? Is this a
“It is Porlock’s writing,” said he thoughtfully. man to traduce? Foul-mouthed doctor and slan-
“I can hardly doubt that it is Porlock’s writing, dered professor—such would be your respective
though I have seen it only twice before. The Greek roles! That’s genius, Watson. But if I am spared by
e with the peculiar top flourish is distinctive. But if lesser men, our day will surely come.”
it is Porlock, then it must be something of the very
“May I be there to see!” I exclaimed devoutly.
first importance.”
“But you were speaking of this man Porlock.”
He was speaking to himself rather than to me;
but my vexation disappeared in the interest which “Ah, yes—the so-called Porlock is a link in the
the words awakened. chain some little way from its great attachment.
“Who then is Porlock?” I asked. Porlock is not quite a sound link—between our-
selves. He is the only flaw in that chain so far as I
“Porlock, Watson, is a nom-de-plume, a mere
have been able to test it.”
identification mark; but behind it lies a shifty and
evasive personality. In a former letter he frankly
“But no chain is stronger than its weakest link.”
informed me that the name was not his own, and
defied me ever to trace him among the teeming “Exactly, my dear Watson! Hence the extreme
millions of this great city. Porlock is important, importance of Porlock. Led on by some rudi-
not for himself, but for the great man with whom mentary aspirations towards right, and encour-
he is in touch. Picture to yourself the pilot fish aged by the judicious stimulation of an occasional
with the shark, the jackal with the lion—anything ten-pound note sent to him by devious meth-
that is insignificant in companionship with what is ods, he has once or twice given me advance in-
formidable: not only formidable, Watson, but sin- formation which has been of value—that highest
ister—in the highest degree sinister. That is where value which anticipates and prevents rather than
he comes within my purview. You have heard me avenges crime. I cannot doubt that, if we had the
speak of Professor Moriarty?” cipher, we should find that this communication is
“The famous scientific criminal, as famous of the nature that I indicate.”
among crooks as—”
Again Holmes flattened out the paper upon his
“My blushes, Watson!” Holmes murmured in a
unused plate. I rose and, leaning over him, stared
deprecating voice.
down at the curious inscription, which ran as fol-
“I was about to say, as he is unknown to the lows:
public.”
“A touch! A distinct touch!” cried Holmes. 534 C2 13 127 36 31 4 17 21 41
“You are developing a certain unexpected vein DOUGLAS 109 293 5 37 BIRLSTONE
of pawky humour, Watson, against which I must 26 BIRLSTONE 9 47 171

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 The Valley Of Fear

“What do you make of it, Holmes?” Holmes sat for some little time twisting this let-
“It is obviously an attempt to convey secret in- ter between his fingers, and frowning, as he stared
formation.” into the fire.
“But what is the use of a cipher message with- “After all,” he said at last, “there may be noth-
out the cipher?” ing in it. It may be only his guilty conscience.
Knowing himself to be a traitor, he may have read
“In this instance, none at all.”
the accusation in the other’s eyes.”
“Why do you say ‘in this instance’?”
“The other being, I presume, Professor Mori-
“Because there are many ciphers which I would arty.”
read as easily as I do the apocrypha of the agony
“No less! When any of that party talk about
column: such crude devices amuse the intelligence
‘He’ you know whom they mean. There is one
without fatiguing it. But this is different. It is
predominant ‘He’ for all of them.”
clearly a reference to the words in a page of some
book. Until I am told which page and which book “But what can he do?”
I am powerless.” “Hum! That’s a large question. When you have
one of the first brains of Europe up against you,
“But why ‘Douglas’ and ‘Birlstone’?”
and all the powers of darkness at his back, there
“Clearly because those are words which were are infinite possibilities. Anyhow, Friend Porlock
not contained in the page in question.” is evidently scared out of his senses—kindly com-
“Then why has he not indicated the book?” pare the writing in the note to that upon its en-
“Your native shrewdness, my dear Watson, velope; which was done, he tells us, before this
that innate cunning which is the delight of your ill-omened visit. The one is clear and firm. The
friends, would surely prevent you from inclosing other hardly legible.”
cipher and message in the same envelope. Should “Why did he write at all? Why did he not sim-
it miscarry, you are undone. As it is, both have to ply drop it?”
go wrong before any harm comes from it. Our sec- “Because he feared I would make some inquiry
ond post is now overdue, and I shall be surprised after him in that case, and possibly bring trouble
if it does not bring us either a further letter of ex- on him.”
planation, or, as is more probable, the very volume
“No doubt,” said I. “Of course.” I had picked
to which these figures refer.”
up the original cipher message and was bending
Holmes’s calculation was fulfilled within a very my brows over it. “It’s pretty maddening to think
few minutes by the appearance of Billy, the page, that an important secret may lie here on this slip
with the very letter which we were expecting. of paper, and that it is beyond human power to
“The same writing,” remarked Holmes, as he penetrate it.”
opened the envelope, “and actually signed,” he Sherlock Holmes had pushed away his un-
added in an exultant voice as he unfolded the epis- tasted breakfast and lit the unsavoury pipe which
tle. “Come, we are getting on, Watson.” His brow was the companion of his deepest meditations. “I
clouded, however, as he glanced over the contents. wonder!” said he, leaning back and staring at the
“Dear me, this is very disappointing! I fear, ceiling. “Perhaps there are points which have es-
Watson, that all our expectations come to nothing. caped your Machiavellian intellect. Let us consider
I trust that the man Porlock will come to no harm. the problem in the light of pure reason. This man’s
reference is to a book. That is our point of depar-
“Dear Mr. Holmes [he says]: ture.”
“I will go no further in this matter.
“A somewhat vague one.”
It is too dangerous—he suspects me. I
can see that he suspects me. He came “Let us see then if we can narrow it down. As
to me quite unexpectedly after I had ac- I focus my mind upon it, it seems rather less im-
tually addressed this envelope with the penetrable. What indications have we as to this
intention of sending you the key to the book?”
cipher. I was able to cover it up. If he “None.”
had seen it, it would have gone hard “Well, well, it is surely not quite so bad as that.
with me. But I read suspicion in his The cipher message begins with a large 534, does
eyes. Please burn the cipher message, it not? We may take it as a working hypothesis
which can now be of no use to you. that 534 is the particular page to which the ci-
“Fred Porlock.” pher refers. So our book has already become a

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 The Valley Of Fear

large book which is surely something gained. What “There are difficulties, Watson. The vocabulary
other indications have we as to the nature of this of Bradshaw is nervous and terse, but limited. The
large book? The next sign is C2. What do you selection of words would hardly lend itself to the
make of that, Watson?” sending of general messages. We will eliminate
“Chapter the second, no doubt.” Bradshaw. The dictionary is, I fear, inadmissible
for the same reason. What then is left?”
“Hardly that, Watson. You will, I am sure,
agree with me that if the page be given, the num- “An almanac!”
ber of the chapter is immaterial. Also that if page “Excellent, Watson! I am very much mistaken
534 finds us only in the second chapter, the length if you have not touched the spot. An almanac! Let
of the first one must have been really intolerable.” us consider the claims of Whitaker’s Almanac. It
is in common use. It has the requisite number of
“Column!” I cried.
pages. It is in double column. Though reserved
“Brilliant, Watson. You are scintillating this in its earlier vocabulary, it becomes, if I remember
morning. If it is not column, then I am very much right, quite garrulous towards the end.” He picked
deceived. So now, you see, we begin to visual- the volume from his desk. “Here is page 534, col-
ize a large book printed in double columns which umn two, a substantial block of print dealing, I
are each of a considerable length, since one of the perceive, with the trade and resources of British In-
words is numbered in the document as the two dia. Jot down the words, Watson! Number thirteen
hundred and ninety-third. Have we reached the is ‘Mahratta.’ Not, I fear, a very auspicious begin-
limits of what reason can supply?” ning. Number one hundred and twenty-seven is
“I fear that we have.” ‘Government’; which at least makes sense, though
“Surely you do yourself an injustice. One more somewhat irrelevant to ourselves and Professor
coruscation, my dear Watson—yet another brain- Moriarty. Now let us try again. What does the
wave! Had the volume been an unusual one, he Mahratta government do? Alas! the next word is
would have sent it to me. Instead of that, he had ‘pig’s-bristles.’ We are undone, my good Watson!
intended, before his plans were nipped, to send It is finished!”
me the clue in this envelope. He says so in his He had spoken in jesting vein, but the twitch-
note. This would seem to indicate that the book is ing of his bushy eyebrows bespoke his disappoint-
one which he thought I would have no difficulty ment and irritation. I sat helpless and unhappy,
in finding for myself. He had it—and he imagined staring into the fire. A long silence was broken by
that I would have it, too. In short, Watson, it is a a sudden exclamation from Holmes, who dashed
very common book.” at a cupboard, from which he emerged with a sec-
ond yellow-covered volume in his hand.
“What you say certainly sounds plausible.”
“We pay the price, Watson, for being too up-
“So we have contracted our field of search to a to-date!” he cried. “We are before our time, and
large book, printed in double columns and in com- suffer the usual penalties. Being the seventh of
mon use.” January, we have very properly laid in the new
“The Bible!” I cried triumphantly. almanac. It is more than likely that Porlock
“Good, Watson, good! But not, if I may say so, took his message from the old one. No doubt
quite good enough! Even if I accepted the compli- he would have told us so had his letter of ex-
ment for myself I could hardly name any volume planation been written. Now let us see what
which would be less likely to lie at the elbow of page 534 has in store for us. Number thirteen
one of Moriarty’s associates. Besides, the editions is ‘There,’ which is much more promising. Num-
of Holy Writ are so numerous that he could hardly ber one hundred and twenty-seven is ‘is’—‘There
suppose that two copies would have the same pag- is’ ”—Holmes’s eyes were gleaming with excite-
ination. This is clearly a book which is standard- ment, and his thin, nervous fingers twitched as
ized. He knows for certain that his page 534 will he counted the words—“ ‘danger.’ Ha! Ha! Cap-
exactly agree with my page 534.” ital! Put that down, Watson. ‘There is danger—
may—come—very—soon—one.’ Then we have
“But very few books would correspond with
the name ‘Douglas’—‘rich—country—now—at—
that.”
Birlstone—House—Birlstone—confidence—is—
“Exactly. Therein lies our salvation. Our search pressing.’ There, Watson! What do you think
is narrowed down to standardized books which of pure reason and its fruit? If the greengrocer
anyone may be supposed to possess.” had such a thing as a laurel wreath, I should send
“Bradshaw!” Billy round for it.”

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 The Valley Of Fear

I was staring at the strange message which I the intellectual joy of the problem. For this reason
had scrawled, as he deciphered it, upon a sheet of the affection and respect of the Scotchman for his
foolscap on my knee. amateur colleague were profound, and he showed
“What a queer, scrambling way of expressing them by the frankness with which he consulted
his meaning!” said I. Holmes in every difficulty. Mediocrity knows
“On the contrary, he has done quite remark- nothing higher than itself; but talent instantly rec-
ably well,” said Holmes. “When you search a sin- ognizes genius, and MacDonald had talent enough
gle column for words with which to express your for his profession to enable him to perceive that
meaning, you can hardly expect to get everything there was no humiliation in seeking the assistance
you want. You are bound to leave something to of one who already stood alone in Europe, both in
the intelligence of your correspondent. The pur- his gifts and in his experience. Holmes was not
port is perfectly clear. Some deviltry is intended prone to friendship, but he was tolerant of the big
against one Douglas, whoever he may be, resid- Scotchman, and smiled at the sight of him.
ing as stated, a rich country gentleman. He is “You are an early bird, Mr. Mac,” said he. “I
sure—‘confidence’ was as near as he could get to wish you luck with your worm. I fear this means
‘confident’—that it is pressing. There is our re- that there is some mischief afoot.”
sult—and a very workmanlike little bit of analysis “If you said ‘hope’ instead of ‘fear,’ it would be
it was!” nearer the truth, I’m thinking, Mr. Holmes,” the
Holmes had the impersonal joy of the true inspector answered, with a knowing grin. “Well,
artist in his better work, even as he mourned maybe a wee nip would keep out the raw morning
darkly when it fell below the high level to which chill. No, I won’t smoke, I thank you. I’ll have
he aspired. He was still chuckling over his suc- to be pushing on my way; for the early hours of a
cess when Billy swung open the door and Inspec- case are the precious ones, as no man knows better
tor MacDonald of Scotland Yard was ushered into than your own self. But—but—”
the room. The inspector had stopped suddenly, and was
Those were the early days at the end of the staring with a look of absolute amazement at a pa-
’80’s, when Alec MacDonald was far from hav- per upon the table. It was the sheet upon which I
ing attained the national fame which he has now had scrawled the enigmatic message.
achieved. He was a young but trusted member
“Douglas!” he stammered. “Birlstone! What’s
of the detective force, who had distinguished him-
this, Mr. Holmes? Man, it’s witchcraft! Where in
self in several cases which had been entrusted to
the name of all that is wonderful did you get those
him. His tall, bony figure gave promise of excep-
names?”
tional physical strength, while his great cranium
and deep-set, lustrous eyes spoke no less clearly of “It is a cipher that Dr. Watson and I have had
the keen intelligence which twinkled out from be- occasion to solve. But why—what’s amiss with the
hind his bushy eyebrows. He was a silent, precise names?”
man with a dour nature and a hard Aberdonian The inspector looked from one to the other of
accent. us in dazed astonishment. “Just this,” said he,
Twice already in his career had Holmes helped “that Mr. Douglas of Birlstone Manor House was
him to attain success, his own sole reward being horribly murdered last night!”

CHAPTER II.
Sherlock Holmes Discourses

It was one of those dramatic moments for by the amazing announcement. Without having a
which my friend existed. It would be an overstate- tinge of cruelty in his singular composition, he was
ment to say that he was shocked or even excited undoubtedly callous from long over-stimulation.

668
 The Valley Of Fear

Yet, if his emotions were dulled, his intellectual “You think there is someone behind him?”
perceptions were exceedingly active. There was “I know there is.”
no trace then of the horror which I had myself felt “This professor that I’ve heard you mention?”
at this curt declaration; but his face showed rather
“Exactly!”
the quiet and interested composure of the chemist
who sees the crystals falling into position from his Inspector MacDonald smiled, and his eyelid
oversaturated solution. quivered as he glanced towards me. “I won’t con-
ceal from you, Mr. Holmes, that we think in the
“Remarkable!” said he. “Remarkable!”
C. I. D. that you have a wee bit of a bee in your
“You don’t seem surprised.” bonnet over this professor. I made some inquiries
“Interested, Mr. Mac, but hardly surprised. myself about the matter. He seems to be a very
Why should I be surprised? I receive an anony- respectable, learned, and talented sort of man.”
mous communication from a quarter which I know “I’m glad you’ve got so far as to recognize the
to be important, warning me that danger threatens talent.”
a certain person. Within an hour I learn that this
“Man, you can’t but recognize it! After I heard
danger has actually materialized and that the per-
your view I made it my business to see him. I
son is dead. I am interested; but, as you observe, I
had a chat with him on eclipses. How the talk got
am not surprised.”
that way I canna think; but he had out a reflec-
In a few short sentences he explained to the in- tor lantern and a globe, and made it all clear in a
spector the facts about the letter and the cipher. minute. He lent me a book; but I don’t mind say-
MacDonald sat with his chin on his hands and his ing that it was a bit above my head, though I had
great sandy eyebrows bunched into a yellow tan- a good Aberdeen upbringing. He’d have made a
gle. grand meenister with his thin face and gray hair
“I was going down to Birlstone this morning,” and solemn-like way of talking. When he put his
said he. “I had come to ask you if you cared to hand on my shoulder as we were parting, it was
come with me—you and your friend here. But like a father’s blessing before you go out into the
from what you say we might perhaps be doing bet- cold, cruel world.”
ter work in London.” Holmes chuckled and rubbed his hands.
“I rather think not,” said Holmes. “Great!” he said. “Great! Tell me, Friend Mac-
“Hang it all, Mr. Holmes!” cried the inspector. Donald, this pleasing and touching interview was,
“The papers will be full of the Birlstone mystery in I suppose, in the professor’s study?”
a day or two; but where’s the mystery if there is a “That’s so.”
man in London who prophesied the crime before “A fine room, is it not?”
ever it occurred? We have only to lay our hands “Very fine—very handsome indeed, Mr.
on that man, and the rest will follow.” Holmes.”
“No doubt, Mr. Mac. But how do you propose “You sat in front of his writing desk?”
to lay your hands on the so-called Porlock?”
“Just so.”
MacDonald turned over the letter which
“Sun in your eyes and his face in the shadow?”
Holmes had handed him. “Posted in Camber-
well—that doesn’t help us much. Name, you say, “Well, it was evening; but I mind that the lamp
is assumed. Not much to go on, certainly. Didn’t was turned on my face.”
you say that you have sent him money?” “It would be. Did you happen to observe a pic-
ture over the professor’s head?”
“Twice.”
“I don’t miss much, Mr. Holmes. Maybe I
“And how?”
learned that from you. Yes, I saw the picture—a
“In notes to Camberwell post-office.” young woman with her head on her hands, peep-
“Did you ever trouble to see who called for ing at you sideways.”
them?” “That painting was by Jean Baptiste Greuze.”
“No.” The inspector endeavoured to look interested.
The inspector looked surprised and a little “Jean Baptiste Greuze,” Holmes continued,
shocked. “Why not?” joining his finger tips and leaning well back in his
“Because I always keep faith. I had promised chair, “was a French artist who flourished between
when he first wrote that I would not try to trace the years 1750 and 1800. I allude, of course to his
him.” working career. Modern criticism has more than

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 The Valley Of Fear

indorsed the high opinion formed of him by his “Absolutely nothing. That was what amazed
contemporaries.” me. However, you have now seen the point of the
The inspector’s eyes grew abstracted. “Hadn’t picture. It shows him to be a very wealthy man.
we better—” he said. How did he acquire wealth? He is unmarried. His
younger brother is a station master in the west of
“We are doing so,” Holmes interrupted. “All England. His chair is worth seven hundred a year.
that I am saying has a very direct and vital bearing And he owns a Greuze.”
upon what you have called the Birlstone Mystery.
“Well?”
In fact, it may in a sense be called the very centre
of it.” “Surely the inference is plain.”
“You mean that he has a great income and that
MacDonald smiled feebly, and looked appeal-
he must earn it in an illegal fashion?”
ingly to me. “Your thoughts move a bit too quick
“Exactly. Of course I have other reasons for
for me, Mr. Holmes. You leave out a link or two,
thinking so—dozens of exiguous threads which
and I can’t get over the gap. What in the whole
lead vaguely up towards the centre of the web
wide world can be the connection between this
where the poisonous, motionless creature is lurk-
dead painting man and the affair at Birlstone?”
ing. I only mention the Greuze because it brings
“All knowledge comes useful to the detective,” the matter within the range of your own observa-
remarked Holmes. “Even the trivial fact that in tion.”
the year 1865 a picture by Greuze entitled La Je- “Well, Mr. Holmes, I admit that what you say
une Fille a l’Agneau fetched one million two hun- is interesting: it’s more than interesting—it’s just
dred thousand francs—more than forty thousand wonderful. But let us have it a little clearer if you
pounds—at the Portalis sale may start a train of can. Is it forgery, coining, burglary—where does
reflection in your mind.” the money come from?”
It was clear that it did. The inspector looked “Have you ever read of Jonathan Wild?”
honestly interested. “Well, the name has a familiar sound. Some-
“I may remind you,” Holmes continued, “that one in a novel, was he not? I don’t take much
the professor’s salary can be ascertained in several stock of detectives in novels—chaps that do things
trustworthy books of reference. It is seven hun- and never let you see how they do them. That’s
dred a year.” just inspiration: not business.”
“Then how could he buy—” “Jonathan Wild wasn’t a detective, and he
wasn’t in a novel. He was a master criminal, and
“Quite so! How could he?”
he lived last century—1750 or thereabouts.”
“Ay, that’s remarkable,” said the inspector “Then he’s no use to me. I’m a practical man.”
thoughtfully. “Talk away, Mr. Holmes. I’m just
“Mr. Mac, the most practical thing that you ever
loving it. It’s fine!”
did in your life would be to shut yourself up for
Holmes smiled. He was always warmed by three months and read twelve hours a day at the
genuine admiration—the characteristic of the real annals of crime. Everything comes in circles—even
artist. “What about Birlstone?” he asked. Professor Moriarty. Jonathan Wild was the hidden
“We’ve time yet,” said the inspector, glancing force of the London criminals, to whom he sold his
at his watch. “I’ve a cab at the door, and it won’t brains and his organization on a fifteen per cent
take us twenty minutes to Victoria. But about this commission. The old wheel turns, and the same
picture: I thought you told me once, Mr. Holmes, spoke comes up. It’s all been done before, and
that you had never met Professor Moriarty.” will be again. I’ll tell you one or two things about
Moriarty which may interest you.”
“No, I never have.”
“You’ll interest me, right enough.”
“Then how do you know about his rooms?”
“I happen to know who is the first link in his
“Ah, that’s another matter. I have been three chain—a chain with this Napoleon-gone-wrong at
times in his rooms, twice waiting for him un- one end, and a hundred broken fighting men, pick-
der different pretexts and leaving before he came. pockets, blackmailers, and card sharpers at the
Once—well, I can hardly tell about the once to an other, with every sort of crime in between. His
official detective. It was on the last occasion that I chief of staff is Colonel Sebastian Moran, as aloof
took the liberty of running over his papers—with and guarded and inaccessible to the law as him-
the most unexpected results.” self. What do you think he pays him?”
“You found something compromising?” “I’d like to hear.”

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 The Valley Of Fear

“Six thousand a year. That’s paying for brains, “If so, it would, of course, be against the first
you see—the American business principle. I hypothesis and in favour of the second. Mori-
learned that detail quite by chance. It’s more than arty may have been engaged to engineer it on a
the Prime Minister gets. That gives you an idea promise of part spoils, or he may have been paid
of Moriarty’s gains and of the scale on which he so much down to manage it. Either is possible. But
works. Another point: I made it my business to whichever it may be, or if it is some third combi-
hunt down some of Moriarty’s checks lately—just nation, it is down at Birlstone that we must seek
common innocent checks that he pays his house- the solution. I know our man too well to suppose
hold bills with. They were drawn on six different that he has left anything up here which may lead
banks. Does that make any impression on your us to him.”
mind?” “Then to Birlstone we must go!” cried MacDon-
“Queer, certainly! But what do you gather from ald, jumping from his chair. “My word! it’s later
it?” than I thought. I can give you, gentlemen, five
minutes for preparation, and that is all.”
“That he wanted no gossip about his wealth.
“And ample for us both,” said Holmes, as he
No single man should know what he had. I have
sprang up and hastened to change from his dress-
no doubt that he has twenty banking accounts; the
ing gown to his coat. “While we are on our way,
bulk of his fortune abroad in the Deutsche Bank
Mr. Mac, I will ask you to be good enough to tell
or the Credit Lyonnais as likely as not. Sometime
me all about it.”
when you have a year or two to spare I commend
to you the study of Professor Moriarty.” “All about it” proved to be disappointingly lit-
tle, and yet there was enough to assure us that
Inspector MacDonald had grown steadily more the case before us might well be worthy of the ex-
impressed as the conversation proceeded. He had pert’s closest attention. He brightened and rubbed
lost himself in his interest. Now his practical his thin hands together as he listened to the mea-
Scotch intelligence brought him back with a snap gre but remarkable details. A long series of sterile
to the matter in hand. weeks lay behind us, and here at last there was a
“He can keep, anyhow,” said he. “You’ve got fitting object for those remarkable powers which,
us side-tracked with your interesting anecdotes, like all special gifts, become irksome to their owner
Mr. Holmes. What really counts is your remark when they are not in use. That razor brain blunted
that there is some connection between the profes- and rusted with inaction.
sor and the crime. That you get from the warning Sherlock Holmes’s eyes glistened, his pale
received through the man Porlock. Can we for our cheeks took a warmer hue, and his whole eager
present practical needs get any further than that?” face shone with an inward light when the call for
“We may form some conception as to the mo- work reached him. Leaning forward in the cab,
tives of the crime. It is, as I gather from your orig- he listened intently to MacDonald’s short sketch
inal remarks, an inexplicable, or at least an unex- of the problem which awaited us in Sussex. The
plained, murder. Now, presuming that the source inspector was himself dependent, as he explained
of the crime is as we suspect it to be, there might be to us, upon a scribbled account forwarded to him
two different motives. In the first place, I may tell by the milk train in the early hours of the morn-
you that Moriarty rules with a rod of iron over his ing. White Mason, the local officer, was a per-
people. His discipline is tremendous. There is only sonal friend, and hence MacDonald had been noti-
one punishment in his code. It is death. Now we fied much more promptly than is usual at Scotland
might suppose that this murdered man—this Dou- Yard when provincials need their assistance. It is
glas whose approaching fate was known by one a very cold scent upon which the Metropolitan ex-
of the arch-criminal’s subordinates—had in some pert is generally asked to run.
way betrayed the chief. His punishment followed, “Dear Inspector MacDonald [said
and would be known to all—if only to put the fear the letter which he read to us]:
of death into them.” “Official requisition for your services
“Well, that is one suggestion, Mr. Holmes.” is in separate envelope. This is for your
private eye. Wire me what train in the
“The other is that it has been engineered by
morning you can get for Birlstone, and
Moriarty in the ordinary course of business. Was
I will meet it—or have it met if I am too
there any robbery?”
occupied. This case is a snorter. Don’t
“I have not heard.” waste a moment in getting started. If

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 The Valley Of Fear

you can bring Mr. Holmes, please do “That was in the enclosed official report. It
so; for he will find something after his didn’t say ‘horrible’: that’s not a recognized offi-
own heart. We would think the whole cial term. It gave the name John Douglas. It men-
thing had been fixed up for theatrical tioned that his injuries had been in the head, from
effect if there wasn’t a dead man in the the discharge of a shotgun. It also mentioned the
middle of it. My word! it is a snorter.“ hour of the alarm, which was close on to midnight
last night. It added that the case was undoubtedly
“Your friend seems to be no fool,” remarked one of murder, but that no arrest had been made,
Holmes. and that the case was one which presented some
very perplexing and extraordinary features. That’s
“No, sir, White Mason is a very live man, if I absolutely all we have at present, Mr. Holmes.”
am any judge.”
“Then, with your permission, we will leave it at
“Well, have you anything more?” that, Mr. Mac. The temptation to form premature
theories upon insufficient data is the bane of our
“Only that he will give us every detail when
profession. I can see only two things for certain at
we meet.”
present—a great brain in London, and a dead man
“Then how did you get at Mr. Douglas and the in Sussex. It’s the chain between that we are going
fact that he had been horribly murdered?” to trace.”

CHAPTER III.
The Tragedy of Birlstone

Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove About half a mile from the town, standing in
my own insignificant personality and to describe an old park famous for its huge beech trees, is the
events which occurred before we arrived upon the ancient Manor House of Birlstone. Part of this ven-
scene by the light of knowledge which came to us erable building dates back to the time of the first
afterwards. Only in this way can I make the reader crusade, when Hugo de Capus built a fortalice in
appreciate the people concerned and the strange the centre of the estate, which had been granted to
setting in which their fate was cast. him by the Red King. This was destroyed by fire
in 1543, and some of its smoke-blackened corner
The village of Birlstone is a small and very stones were used when, in Jacobean times, a brick
ancient cluster of half-timbered cottages on the country house rose upon the ruins of the feudal
northern border of the county of Sussex. For cen- castle.
turies it had remained unchanged; but within the
The Manor House, with its many gables and
last few years its picturesque appearance and situ-
its small diamond-paned windows, was still much
ation have attracted a number of well-to-do res-
as the builder had left it in the early seventeenth
idents, whose villas peep out from the woods
century. Of the double moats which had guarded
around. These woods are locally supposed to
its more warlike predecessor, the outer had been
be the extreme fringe of the great Weald forest,
allowed to dry up, and served the humble func-
which thins away until it reaches the northern
tion of a kitchen garden. The inner one was still
chalk downs. A number of small shops have come
there, and lay forty feet in breadth, though now
into being to meet the wants of the increased pop-
only a few feet in depth, round the whole house.
ulation; so there seems some prospect that Birl-
A small stream fed it and continued beyond it, so
stone may soon grow from an ancient village into
that the sheet of water, though turbid, was never
a modern town. It is the centre for a considerable
ditch-like or unhealthy. The ground floor windows
area of country, since Tunbridge Wells, the nearest
were within a foot of the surface of the water.
place of importance, is ten or twelve miles to the
eastward, over the borders of Kent. The only approach to the house was over a

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 The Valley Of Fear

drawbridge, the chains and windlass of which had the county without introductions were few and far
long been rusted and broken. The latest tenants between. This mattered the less to her, as she was
of the Manor House had, however, with charac- retiring by disposition, and very much absorbed,
teristic energy, set this right, and the drawbridge to all appearance, in her husband and her domestic
was not only capable of being raised, but actually duties. It was known that she was an English lady
was raised every evening and lowered every morn- who had met Mr. Douglas in London, he being at
ing. By thus renewing the custom of the old feu- that time a widower. She was a beautiful woman,
dal days the Manor House was converted into an tall, dark, and slender, some twenty years younger
island during the night—a fact which had a very than her husband, a disparity which seemed in no
direct bearing upon the mystery which was soon wise to mar the contentment of their family life.
to engage the attention of all England. It was remarked sometimes, however, by those
The house had been untenanted for some years who knew them best, that the confidence between
and was threatening to moulder into a picturesque the two did not appear to be complete, since the
decay when the Douglases took possession of wife was either very reticent about her husband’s
it. This family consisted of only two individu- past life, or else, as seemed more likely, was im-
als—John Douglas and his wife. Douglas was a perfectly informed about it. It had also been noted
remarkable man, both in character and in person. and commented upon by a few observant people
In age he may have been about fifty, with a strong- that there were signs sometimes of some nerve-
jawed, rugged face, a grizzling moustache, pecu- strain upon the part of Mrs. Douglas, and that
liarly keen gray eyes, and a wiry, vigorous figure she would display acute uneasiness if her absent
which had lost nothing of the strength and activ- husband should ever be particularly late in his
ity of youth. He was cheery and genial to all, but return. On a quiet countryside, where all gos-
somewhat offhand in his manners, giving the im- sip is welcome, this weakness of the lady of the
pression that he had seen life in social strata on Manor House did not pass without remark, and
some far lower horizon than the county society of it bulked larger upon people’s memory when the
Sussex. events arose which gave it a very special signifi-
Yet, though looked at with some curiosity and cance.
reserve by his more cultivated neighbours, he soon There was yet another individual whose resi-
acquired a great popularity among the villagers, dence under that roof was, it is true, only an inter-
subscribing handsomely to all local objects, and mittent one, but whose presence at the time of the
attending their smoking concerts and other func- strange happenings which will now be narrated
tions, where, having a remarkably rich tenor voice, brought his name prominently before the pub-
he was always ready to oblige with an excellent lic. This was Cecil James Barker, of Hales Lodge,
song. He appeared to have plenty of money, which Hampstead.
was said to have been gained in the California gold Cecil Barker’s tall, loose-jointed figure was a
fields, and it was clear from his own talk and that familiar one in the main street of Birlstone village;
of his wife that he had spent a part of his life in for he was a frequent and welcome visitor at the
America. Manor House. He was the more noticed as be-
The good impression which had been pro- ing the only friend of the past unknown life of Mr.
duced by his generosity and by his democratic Douglas who was ever seen in his new English sur-
manners was increased by a reputation gained for roundings. Barker was himself an undoubted En-
utter indifference to danger. Though a wretched glishman; but by his remarks it was clear that he
rider, he turned out at every meet, and took the had first known Douglas in America and had there
most amazing falls in his determination to hold lived on intimate terms with him. He appeared to
his own with the best. When the vicarage caught be a man of considerable wealth, and was reputed
fire he distinguished himself also by the fearless- to be a bachelor.
ness with which he reentered the building to save In age he was rather younger than
property, after the local fire brigade had given it Douglas—forty-five at the most—a tall, straight,
up as impossible. Thus it came about that John broad-chested fellow with a clean-shaved, prize-
Douglas of the Manor House had within five years fighter face, thick, strong, black eyebrows, and a
won himself quite a reputation in Birlstone. pair of masterful black eyes which might, even
His wife, too, was popular with those who had without the aid of his very capable hands, clear a
made her acquaintance; though, after the English way for him through a hostile crowd. He neither
fashion, the callers upon a stranger who settled in rode nor shot, but spent his days in wandering

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 The Valley Of Fear

round the old village with his pipe in his mouth, the table. One glance at the victim was enough
or in driving with his host, or in his absence with to show the healer that his presence could be dis-
his hostess, over the beautiful countryside. “An pensed with. The man had been horribly injured.
easy-going, free-handed gentleman,” said Ames, Lying across his chest was a curious weapon, a
the butler. “But, my word! I had rather not be the shotgun with the barrel sawed off a foot in front
man that crossed him!” He was cordial and inti- of the triggers. It was clear that this had been
mate with Douglas, and he was no less friendly fired at close range and that he had received the
with his wife—a friendship which more than once whole charge in the face, blowing his head almost
seemed to cause some irritation to the husband, to pieces. The triggers had been wired together, so
so that even the servants were able to perceive his as to make the simultaneous discharge more de-
annoyance. Such was the third person who was structive.
one of the family when the catastrophe occurred. The country policeman was unnerved and
As to the other denizens of the old building, troubled by the tremendous responsibility which
it will suffice out of a large household to mention had come so suddenly upon him. “We will touch
the prim, respectable, and capable Ames, and Mrs. nothing until my superiors arrive,” he said in a
Allen, a buxom and cheerful person, who relieved hushed voice, staring in horror at the dreadful
the lady of some of her household cares. The other head.
six servants in the house bear no relation to the “Nothing has been touched up to now,” said
events of the night of January 6th. Cecil Barker. “I’ll answer for that. You see it all
It was at eleven forty-five that the first alarm exactly as I found it.”
reached the small local police station, in charge of “When was that?” The sergeant had drawn out
Sergeant Wilson of the Sussex Constabulary. Ce- his notebook.
cil Barker, much excited, had rushed up to the “It was just half-past eleven. I had not begun
door and pealed furiously upon the bell. A terri- to undress, and I was sitting by the fire in my bed-
ble tragedy had occurred at the Manor House, and room when I heard the report. It was not very
John Douglas had been murdered. That was the loud—it seemed to be muffled. I rushed down—I
breathless burden of his message. He had hurried don’t suppose it was thirty seconds before I was in
back to the house, followed within a few minutes the room.”
by the police sergeant, who arrived at the scene of “Was the door open?”
the crime a little after twelve o’clock, after taking
“Yes, it was open. Poor Douglas was lying as
prompt steps to warn the county authorities that
you see him. His bedroom candle was burning on
something serious was afoot.
the table. It was I who lit the lamp some minutes
On reaching the Manor House, the sergeant afterward.”
had found the drawbridge down, the windows “Did you see no one?”
lighted up, and the whole household in a state of
“No. I heard Mrs. Douglas coming down the
wild confusion and alarm. The white-faced ser-
stair behind me, and I rushed out to prevent her
vants were huddling together in the hall, with the
from seeing this dreadful sight. Mrs. Allen, the
frightened butler wringing his hands in the door-
housekeeper, came and took her away. Ames
way. Only Cecil Barker seemed to be master of
had arrived, and we ran back into the room once
himself and his emotions; he had opened the door
more.”
which was nearest to the entrance and he had
beckoned to the sergeant to follow him. At that “But surely I have heard that the drawbridge is
moment there arrived Dr. Wood, a brisk and ca- kept up all night.”
pable general practitioner from the village. The “Yes, it was up until I lowered it.”
three men entered the fatal room together, while “Then how could any murderer have got away?
the horror-stricken butler followed at their heels, It is out of the question! Mr. Douglas must have
closing the door behind him to shut out the terri- shot himself.”
ble scene from the maid servants. “That was our first idea. But see!” Barker
The dead man lay on his back, sprawling with drew aside the curtain, and showed that the long,
outstretched limbs in the centre of the room. He diamond-paned window was open to its full ex-
was clad only in a pink dressing gown, which cov- tent. “And look at this!” He held the lamp down
ered his night clothes. There were carpet slippers and illuminated a smudge of blood like the mark
on his bare feet. The doctor knelt beside him and of a boot-sole upon the wooden sill. “Someone has
held down the hand lamp which had stood on stood there in getting out.”

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 The Valley Of Fear

“You mean that someone waded across the “V. V.—341. I can make no sense of that.”
moat?” The sergeant kept turning it over in his big fin-
“Exactly!” gers. “What’s V. V.? Somebody’s initials, maybe.
“Then if you were in the room within half a What have you got there, Dr. Wood?”
minute of the crime, he must have been in the wa- It was a good-sized hammer which had been
ter at that very moment.” lying on the rug in front of the fireplace—a
“I have not a doubt of it. I wish to heaven substantial, workmanlike hammer. Cecil Barker
that I had rushed to the window! But the curtain pointed to a box of brass-headed nails upon the
screened it, as you can see, and so it never occurred mantelpiece.
to me. Then I heard the step of Mrs. Douglas, and “Mr. Douglas was altering the pictures yester-
I could not let her enter the room. It would have day,” he said. “I saw him myself, standing upon
been too horrible.” that chair and fixing the big picture above it. That
“Horrible enough!” said the doctor, looking at accounts for the hammer.”
the shattered head and the terrible marks which
“We’d best put it back on the rug where we
surrounded it. “I’ve never seen such injuries since
found it,” said the sergeant, scratching his puzzled
the Birlstone railway smash.”
head in his perplexity. “It will want the best brains
“But, I say,” remarked the police sergeant, in the force to get to the bottom of this thing. It will
whose slow, bucolic common sense was still pon- be a London job before it is finished.” He raised
dering the open window. “It’s all very well your the hand lamp and walked slowly round the room.
saying that a man escaped by wading this moat, “Hullo!” he cried, excitedly, drawing the window
but what I ask you is, how did he ever get into the curtain to one side. “What o’clock were those cur-
house at all if the bridge was up?” tains drawn?”
“Ah, that’s the question,” said Barker. “When the lamps were lit,” said the butler. “It
“At what o’clock was it raised?” would be shortly after four.”
“It was nearly six o’clock,” said Ames, the but- “Someone had been hiding here, sure enough.”
ler. He held down the light, and the marks of muddy
“I’ve heard,” said the sergeant, “that it was boots were very visible in the corner. “I’m bound
usually raised at sunset. That would be nearer to say this bears out your theory, Mr. Barker. It
half-past four than six at this time of year.” looks as if the man got into the house after four
“Mrs. Douglas had visitors to tea,” said Ames. when the curtains were drawn and before six when
“I couldn’t raise it until they went. Then I wound the bridge was raised. He slipped into this room,
it up myself.” because it was the first that he saw. There was no
other place where he could hide, so he popped in
“Then it comes to this,” said the sergeant:
behind this curtain. That all seems clear enough. It
“If anyone came from outside—if they did—they
is likely that his main idea was to burgle the house;
must have got in across the bridge before six and
but Mr. Douglas chanced to come upon him, so he
been in hiding ever since, until Mr. Douglas came
murdered him and escaped.”
into the room after eleven.”
“That is so! Mr. Douglas went round the house “That’s how I read it,” said Barker. “But, I say,
every night the last thing before he turned in to aren’t we wasting precious time? Couldn’t we start
see that the lights were right. That brought him in out and scour the country before the fellow gets
here. The man was waiting and shot him. Then away?”
he got away through the window and left his gun The sergeant considered for a moment.
behind him. That’s how I read it; for nothing else “There are no trains before six in the morning;
will fit the facts.” so he can’t get away by rail. If he goes by road
The sergeant picked up a card which lay beside with his legs all dripping, it’s odds that someone
the dead man on the floor. The initials V. V. and will notice him. Anyhow, I can’t leave here myself
under them the number 341 were rudely scrawled until I am relieved. But I think none of you should
in ink upon it. go until we see more clearly how we all stand.”
“What’s this?” he asked, holding it up. The doctor had taken the lamp and was nar-
Barker looked at it with curiosity. “I never no- rowly scrutinizing the body. “What’s this mark?”
ticed it before,” he said. “The murderer must have he asked. “Could this have any connection with
left it behind him.” the crime?”

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 The Valley Of Fear

The dead man’s right arm was thrust out from “Yes, indeed. Master always wore his plain
his dressing gown, and exposed as high as the el- gold wedding ring on the little finger of his left
bow. About halfway up the forearm was a curious hand. That ring with the rough nugget on it was
brown design, a triangle inside a circle, standing above it, and the twisted snake ring on the third
out in vivid relief upon the lard-coloured skin. finger. There’s the nugget and there’s the snake,
“It’s not tattooed,” said the doctor, peering but the wedding ring is gone.”
through his glasses. “I never saw anything like it. “He’s right,” said Barker.
The man has been branded at some time as they
brand cattle. What is the meaning of this?” “Do you tell me,” said the sergeant, “that the
wedding ring was below the other?”
“I don’t profess to know the meaning of it,”
said Cecil Barker; “but I have seen the mark on “Always!”
Douglas many times this last ten years.” “Then the murderer, or whoever it was, first
“And so have I,” said the butler. “Many a time took off this ring you call the nugget ring, then the
when the master has rolled up his sleeves I have wedding ring, and afterwards put the nugget ring
noticed that very mark. I’ve often wondered what back again.”
it could be.”
“That is so!”
“Then it has nothing to do with the crime, any-
how,” said the sergeant. “But it’s a rum thing all The worthy country policeman shook his head.
the same. Everything about this case is rum. Well, “Seems to me the sooner we get London on to this
what is it now?” case the better,” said he. “White Mason is a smart
man. No local job has ever been too much for
The butler had given an exclamation of aston-
White Mason. It won’t be long now before he is
ishment and was pointing at the dead man’s out-
here to help us. But I expect we’ll have to look to
stretched hand.
London before we are through. Anyhow, I’m not
“They’ve taken his wedding ring!” he gasped. ashamed to say that it is a deal too thick for the
“What!” likes of me.”

CHAPTER IV.
Darkness

At three in the morning the chief Sussex detec- we will get our work done before they get pok-
tive, obeying the urgent call from Sergeant Wilson ing their noses into it and messing up all the trails.
of Birlstone, arrived from headquarters in a light There has been nothing like this that I can remem-
dog-cart behind a breathless trotter. By the five- ber. There are some bits that will come home to
forty train in the morning he had sent his message you, Mr. Holmes, or I am mistaken. And you also,
to Scotland Yard, and he was at the Birlstone sta- Dr. Watson; for the medicos will have a word to
tion at twelve o’clock to welcome us. White Ma- say before we finish. Your room is at the Westville
son was a quiet, comfortable-looking person in a Arms. There’s no other place; but I hear that it
loose tweed suit, with a clean-shaved, ruddy face, is clean and good. The man will carry your bags.
a stoutish body, and powerful bandy legs adorned This way, gentlemen, if you please.”
with gaiters, looking like a small farmer, a retired
gamekeeper, or anything upon earth except a very He was a very bustling and genial person, this
favourable specimen of the provincial criminal of- Sussex detective. In ten minutes we had all found
ficer. our quarters. In ten more we were seated in the
parlour of the inn and being treated to a rapid
“A real downright snorter, Mr. MacDonald!” he sketch of those events which have been outlined in
kept repeating. “We’ll have the pressmen down the previous chapter. MacDonald made an occa-
like flies when they understand it. I’m hoping sional note, while Holmes sat absorbed, with the

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 The Valley Of Fear

expression of surprised and reverent admiration “That is very helpful, Mr. Holmes. No doubt
with which the botanist surveys the rare and pre- you are right. Wonderful! Wonderful! Do you
cious bloom. carry the names of all the gun makers in the world
“Remarkable!” he said, when the story was un- in your memory?”
folded, “most remarkable! I can hardly recall any Holmes dismissed the subject with a wave.
case where the features have been more peculiar.” “No doubt it is an American shotgun,” White
“I thought you would say so, Mr. Holmes,” said Mason continued. “I seem to have read that a
White Mason in great delight. “We’re well up with sawed-off shotgun is a weapon used in some parts
the times in Sussex. I’ve told you now how mat- of America. Apart from the name upon the barrel,
ters were, up to the time when I took over from the idea had occurred to me. There is some evi-
Sergeant Wilson between three and four this morn- dence then, that this man who entered the house
ing. My word! I made the old mare go! But I need and killed its master was an American.”
not have been in such a hurry, as it turned out; MacDonald shook his head. “Man, you are
for there was nothing immediate that I could do. surely travelling overfast,” said he. “I have heard
Sergeant Wilson had all the facts. I checked them no evidence yet that any stranger was ever in the
and considered them and maybe added a few of house at all.”
my own.” “The open window, the blood on the sill, the
“What were they?” asked Holmes eagerly. queer card, the marks of boots in the corner, the
“Well, I first had the hammer examined. There gun!”
was Dr. Wood there to help me. We found no signs “Nothing there that could not have been ar-
of violence upon it. I was hoping that if Mr. Dou- ranged. Mr. Douglas was an American, or had
glas defended himself with the hammer, he might lived long in America. So had Mr. Barker. You
have left his mark upon the murderer before he don’t need to import an American from outside in
dropped it on the mat. But there was no stain.” order to account for American doings.”
“That, of course, proves nothing at all,” re- “Ames, the butler—”
marked Inspector MacDonald. “There has been “What about him? Is he reliable?”
many a hammer murder and no trace on the ham- “Ten years with Sir Charles Chandos—as solid
mer.” as a rock. He has been with Douglas ever since
“Quite so. It doesn’t prove it wasn’t used. But he took the Manor House five years ago. He has
there might have been stains, and that would have never seen a gun of this sort in the house.”
helped us. As a matter of fact there were none. “The gun was made to conceal. That’s why
Then I examined the gun. They were buckshot car- the barrels were sawed. It would fit into any box.
tridges, and, as Sergeant Wilson pointed out, the How could he swear there was no such gun in the
triggers were wired together so that, if you pulled house?”
on the hinder one, both barrels were discharged.
Whoever fixed that up had made up his mind that “Well, anyhow, he had never seen one.”
he was going to take no chances of missing his MacDonald shook his obstinate Scotch head.
man. The sawed gun was not more than two foot “I’m not convinced yet that there was ever anyone
long—one could carry it easily under one’s coat. in the house,” said he. “I’m asking you to con-
There was no complete maker’s name; but the seedar” (his accent became more Aberdonian as
printed letters P-E-N were on the fluting between he lost himself in his argument) “I’m asking you to
the barrels, and the rest of the name had been cut conseedar what it involves if you suppose that this
off by the saw.” gun was ever brought into the house, and that all
these strange things were done by a person from
“A big P with a flourish above it, E and N
outside. Oh, man, it’s just inconceivable! It’s clean
smaller?” asked Holmes.
against common sense! I put it to you, Mr. Holmes,
“Exactly.” judging it by what we have heard.”
“Pennsylvania Small Arms Company—well- “Well, state your case, Mr. Mac,” said Holmes
known American firm,” said Holmes. in his most judicial style.
White Mason gazed at my friend as the little “The man is not a burglar, supposing that he
village practitioner looks at the Harley Street spe- ever existed. The ring business and the card point
cialist who by a word can solve the difficulties that to premeditated murder for some private reason.
perplex him. Very good. Here is a man who slips into a house

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with the deliberate intention of committing mur- summits a shapeless something which had once
der. He knows, if he knows anything, that he been the rampant lion of Capus of Birlstone. A
will have a deeficulty in making his escape, as the short walk along the winding drive with such
house is surrounded with water. What weapon sward and oaks around it as one only sees in rural
would he choose? You would say the most silent in England, then a sudden turn, and the long, low Ja-
the world. Then he could hope when the deed was cobean house of dingy, liver-coloured brick lay be-
done to slip quickly from the window, to wade the fore us, with an old-fashioned garden of cut yews
moat, and to get away at his leisure. That’s under- on each side of it. As we approached it, there was
standable. But is it understandable that he should the wooden drawbridge and the beautiful broad
go out of his way to bring with him the most noisy moat as still and luminous as quicksilver in the
weapon he could select, knowing well that it will cold, winter sunshine.
fetch every human being in the house to the spot Three centuries had flowed past the old Manor
as quick as they can run, and that it is all odds that House, centuries of births and of homecomings, of
he will be seen before he can get across the moat? country dances and of the meetings of fox hunters.
Is that credible, Mr. Holmes?” Strange that now in its old age this dark business
“Well, you put the case strongly,” my friend should have cast its shadow upon the venerable
replied thoughtfully. “It certainly needs a good walls! And yet those strange, peaked roofs and
deal of justification. May I ask, Mr. White Mason, quaint, overhung gables were a fitting covering
whether you examined the farther side of the moat to grim and terrible intrigue. As I looked at the
at once to see if there were any signs of the man deep-set windows and the long sweep of the dull-
having climbed out from the water?” coloured, water-lapped front, I felt that no more
“There were no signs, Mr. Holmes. But it is a fitting scene could be set for such a tragedy.
stone ledge, and one could hardly expect them.” “That’s the window,” said White Mason, “that
“No tracks or marks?” one on the immediate right of the drawbridge. It’s
open just as it was found last night.”
“None.”
“It looks rather narrow for a man to pass.”
“Ha! Would there be any objection, Mr. White
“Well, it wasn’t a fat man, anyhow. We don’t
Mason, to our going down to the house at once?
need your deductions, Mr. Holmes, to tell us that.
There may possibly be some small point which
But you or I could squeeze through all right.”
might be suggestive.”
Holmes walked to the edge of the moat and
“I was going to propose it, Mr. Holmes; but I
looked across. Then he examined the stone ledge
thought it well to put you in touch with all the
and the grass border beyond it.
facts before we go. I suppose if anything should
strike you—” White Mason looked doubtfully at “I’ve had a good look, Mr. Holmes,” said White
the amateur. Mason. “There is nothing there, no sign that any-
one has landed—but why should he leave any
“I have worked with Mr. Holmes before,” said sign?”
Inspector MacDonald. “He plays the game.”
“Exactly. Why should he? Is the water always
“My own idea of the game, at any rate,” said turbid?”
Holmes, with a smile. “I go into a case to help the
“Generally about this colour. The stream
ends of justice and the work of the police. If I have
brings down the clay.”
ever separated myself from the official force, it is
because they have first separated themselves from “How deep is it?”
me. I have no wish ever to score at their expense. “About two feet at each side and three in the
At the same time, Mr. White Mason, I claim the middle.”
right to work in my own way and give my results “So we can put aside all idea of the man having
at my own time—complete rather than in stages.” been drowned in crossing.”
“I am sure we are honoured by your presence “No, a child could not be drowned in it.”
and to show you all we know,” said White Mason We walked across the drawbridge, and were
cordially. “Come along, Dr. Watson, and when the admitted by a quaint, gnarled, dried-up person,
time comes we’ll all hope for a place in your book.” who was the butler, Ames. The poor old fellow
We walked down the quaint village street with was white and quivering from the shock. The vil-
a row of pollarded elms on each side of it. Just lage sergeant, a tall, formal, melancholy man, still
beyond were two ancient stone pillars, weather- held his vigil in the room of Fate. The doctor had
stained and lichen-blotched bearing upon their departed.

678
 The Valley Of Fear

“Anything fresh, Sergeant Wilson?” asked “You put it very clearly,” said Holmes. “I am
White Mason. inclined to agree with you.”
“No, sir.” “Well, then, we are driven back to the theory
that it was done by someone from outside. We
“Then you can go home. You’ve had enough.
are still faced with some big difficulties; but any-
We can send for you if we want you. The butler
how they have ceased to be impossibilities. The
had better wait outside. Tell him to warn Mr. Ce-
man got into the house between four-thirty and
cil Barker, Mrs. Douglas, and the housekeeper that
six; that is to say, between dusk and the time when
we may want a word with them presently. Now,
the bridge was raised. There had been some vis-
gentlemen, perhaps you will allow me to give you
itors, and the door was open; so there was noth-
the views I have formed first, and then you will be
ing to prevent him. He may have been a common
able to arrive at your own.”
burglar, or he may have had some private grudge
He impressed me, this country specialist. He against Mr. Douglas. Since Mr. Douglas has spent
had a solid grip of fact and a cool, clear, common- most of his life in America, and this shotgun seems
sense brain, which should take him some way in to be an American weapon, it would seem that
his profession. Holmes listened to him intently, the private grudge is the more likely theory. He
with no sign of that impatience which the official slipped into this room because it was the first he
exponent too often produced. came to, and he hid behind the curtain. There
“Is it suicide, or is it murder—that’s our first he remained until past eleven at night. At that
question, gentlemen, is it not? If it were suicide, time Mr. Douglas entered the room. It was a short
then we have to believe that this man began by tak- interview, if there were any interview at all; for
ing off his wedding ring and concealing it; that he Mrs. Douglas declares that her husband had not
then came down here in his dressing gown, tram- left her more than a few minutes when she heard
pled mud into a corner behind the curtain in or- the shot.”
der to give the idea someone had waited for him, “The candle shows that,” said Holmes.
opened the window, put blood on the—” “Exactly. The candle, which was a new one,
“We can surely dismiss that,” said MacDonald. is not burned more than half an inch. He must
have placed it on the table before he was attacked;
“So I think. Suicide is out of the question. Then
otherwise, of course, it would have fallen when he
a murder has been done. What we have to deter-
fell. This shows that he was not attacked the in-
mine is, whether it was done by someone outside
stant that he entered the room. When Mr. Barker
or inside the house.”
arrived the candle was lit and the lamp was out.”
“Well, let’s hear the argument.” “That’s all clear enough.”
“There are considerable difficulties both ways, “Well, now, we can reconstruct things on those
and yet one or the other it must be. We will sup- lines. Mr. Douglas enters the room. He puts down
pose first that some person or persons inside the the candle. A man appears from behind the cur-
house did the crime. They got this man down here tain. He is armed with this gun. He demands
at a time when everything was still and yet no one the wedding ring—Heaven only knows why, but
was asleep. They then did the deed with the queer- so it must have been. Mr. Douglas gave it up.
est and noisiest weapon in the world so as to tell Then either in cold blood or in the course of a
everyone what had happened—a weapon that was struggle—Douglas may have gripped the hammer
never seen in the house before. That does not seem that was found upon the mat—he shot Douglas
a very likely start, does it?” in this horrible way. He dropped his gun and
“No, it does not.” also it would seem this queer card—V. V. 341,
whatever that may mean—and he made his escape
“Well, then, everyone is agreed that after the
through the window and across the moat at the
alarm was given only a minute at the most had
very moment when Cecil Barker was discovering
passed before the whole household—not Mr. Ce-
the crime. How’s that, Mr. Holmes?”
cil Barker alone, though he claims to have been
the first, but Ames and all of them were on the “Very interesting, but just a little unconvinc-
spot. Do you tell me that in that time the guilty ing.”
person managed to make footmarks in the corner, “Man, it would be absolute nonsense if it
open the window, mark the sill with blood, take wasn’t that anything else is even worse!” cried
the wedding ring off the dead man’s finger, and MacDonald. “Somebody killed the man, and who-
all the rest of it? It’s impossible!” ever it was I could clearly prove to you that he

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 The Valley Of Fear

should have done it some other way. What does “this is black ink and the other purplish. It was
he mean by allowing his retreat to be cut off like done by a thick pen, and these are fine. No, it was
that? What does he mean by using a shotgun when done elsewhere, I should say. Can you make any-
silence was his one chance of escape? Come, Mr. thing of the inscription, Ames?”
Holmes, it’s up to you to give us a lead, since you “No, sir, nothing.”
say Mr. White Mason’s theory is unconvincing.” “What do you think, Mr. Mac?”
Holmes had sat intently observant during this “It gives me the impression of a secret society
long discussion, missing no word that was said, of some sort; the same with his badge upon the
with his keen eyes darting to right and to left, and forearm.”
his forehead wrinkled with speculation. “That’s my idea, too,” said White Mason.
“I should like a few more facts before I get so “Well, we can adopt it as a working hypothe-
far as a theory, Mr. Mac,” said he, kneeling down sis and then see how far our difficulties disappear.
beside the body. “Dear me! these injuries are re- An agent from such a society makes his way into
ally appalling. Can we have the butler in for a mo- the house, waits for Mr. Douglas, blows his head
ment? . . . Ames, I understand that you have often nearly off with this weapon, and escapes by wad-
seen this very unusual mark—a branded triangle ing the moat, after leaving a card beside the dead
inside a circle—upon Mr. Douglas’s forearm?” man, which will when mentioned in the papers,
“Frequently, sir.” tell other members of the society that vengeance
“You never heard any speculation as to what it has been done. That all hangs together. But why
meant?” this gun, of all weapons?”
“Exactly.”
“No, sir.”
“And why the missing ring?”
“It must have caused great pain when it was in-
“Quite so.”
flicted. It is undoubtedly a burn. Now, I observe,
Ames, that there is a small piece of plaster at the “And why no arrest? It’s past two now. I
angle of Mr. Douglas’s jaw. Did you observe that take it for granted that since dawn every consta-
in life?” ble within forty miles has been looking out for a
wet stranger?”
“Yes, sir, he cut himself in shaving yesterday
morning.” “That is so, Mr. Holmes.”
“Well, unless he has a burrow close by or a
“Did you ever know him to cut himself in shav-
change of clothes ready, they can hardly miss him.
ing before?”
And yet they have missed him up to now!” Holmes
“Not for a very long time, sir.” had gone to the window and was examining with
“Suggestive!” said Holmes. “It may, of course, his lens the blood mark on the sill. “It is clearly the
be a mere coincidence, or it may point to some ner- tread of a shoe. It is remarkably broad; a splay-
vousness which would indicate that he had reason foot, one would say. Curious, because, so far as
to apprehend danger. Had you noticed anything one can trace any footmark in this mud-stained
unusual in his conduct, yesterday, Ames?” corner, one would say it was a more shapely sole.
“It struck me that he was a little restless and However, they are certainly very indistinct. What’s
excited, sir.” this under the side table?”
“Mr. Douglas’s dumb-bells,” said Ames.
“Ha! The attack may not have been entirely un-
expected. We do seem to make a little progress, do “Dumb-bell—there’s only one. Where’s the
we not? Perhaps you would rather do the ques- other?”
tioning, Mr. Mac?” “I don’t know, Mr. Holmes. There may have
been only one. I have not noticed them for
“No, Mr. Holmes, it’s in better hands than
months.”
mine.”
“One dumb-bell—” Holmes said seriously; but
“Well, then, we will pass to this card—V. V. 341. his remarks were interrupted by a sharp knock at
It is rough cardboard. Have you any of the sort in the door.
the house?”
A tall, sunburned, capable-looking, clean-
“I don’t think so.” shaved man looked in at us. I had no difficulty
Holmes walked across to the desk and dabbed in guessing that it was the Cecil Barker of whom
a little ink from each bottle on to the blotting pa- I had heard. His masterful eyes travelled quickly
per. “It was not printed in this room,” he said; with a questioning glance from face to face.

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“Sorry to interrupt your consultation,” said he, able journey. There was a saddlebag with spanner
“but you should hear the latest news.” and oilcan, but no clue as to the owner.

“An arrest?” “It would be a grand help to the police,” said

the inspector, “if these things were numbered and
“No such luck. But they’ve found his bicycle. registered. But we must be thankful for what
The fellow left his bicycle behind him. Come and we’ve got. If we can’t find where he went to, at
have a look. It is within a hundred yards of the least we are likely to get where he came from. But
hall door.” what in the name of all that is wonderful made the
fellow leave it behind? And how in the world has
We found three or four grooms and idlers
he got away without it? We don’t seem to get a
standing in the drive inspecting a bicycle which
gleam of light in the case, Mr. Holmes.”
had been drawn out from a clump of evergreens
in which it had been concealed. It was a well used “Don’t we?” my friend answered thoughtfully.
Rudge-Whitworth, splashed as from a consider- “I wonder!”

CHAPTER V.
The People Of the Drama

“Have you seen all you want of the study?” the pantry at the back of the house, putting away
asked White Mason as we reentered the house. the silver, when he heard the bell ring violently.
“For the time,” said the inspector, and Holmes He heard no shot; but it was hardly possible he
nodded. would, as the pantry and kitchens were at the very
back of the house and there were several closed
“Then perhaps you would now like to hear the doors and a long passage between. The house-
evidence of some of the people in the house. We keeper had come out of her room, attracted by the
could use the dining-room, Ames. Please come violent ringing of the bell. They had gone to the
yourself first and tell us what you know.” front of the house together.
The butler’s account was a simple and a clear
As they reached the bottom of the stair he had
one, and he gave a convincing impression of sin-
seen Mrs. Douglas coming down it. No, she was
cerity. He had been engaged five years before,
not hurrying; it did not seem to him that she was
when Douglas first came to Birlstone. He under-
particularly agitated. Just as she reached the bot-
stood that Mr. Douglas was a rich gentleman who
tom of the stair Mr. Barker had rushed out of the
had made his money in America. He had been
study. He had stopped Mrs. Douglas and begged
a kind and considerate employer—not quite what
her to go back.
Ames was used to, perhaps; but one can’t have ev-
erything. He never saw any signs of apprehension “For God’s sake, go back to your room!” he
in Mr. Douglas: on the contrary, he was the most cried. “Poor Jack is dead! You can do nothing.
fearless man he had ever known. He ordered the For God’s sake, go back!”
drawbridge to be pulled up every night because it After some persuasion upon the stairs Mrs.
was the ancient custom of the old house, and he Douglas had gone back. She did not scream. She
liked to keep the old ways up. made no outcry whatever. Mrs. Allen, the house-
Mr. Douglas seldom went to London or left the keeper, had taken her upstairs and stayed with her
village; but on the day before the crime he had in the bedroom. Ames and Mr. Barker had then re-
been shopping at Tunbridge Wells. He (Ames) had turned to the study, where they had found every-
observed some restlessness and excitement on the thing exactly as the police had seen it. The candle
part of Mr. Douglas that day; for he had seemed was not lit at that time; but the lamp was burn-
impatient and irritable, which was unusual with ing. They had looked out of the window; but the
him. He had not gone to bed that night; but was in night was very dark and nothing could be seen

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 The Valley Of Fear

or heard. They had then rushed out into the hall, In his own mind he had a very definite the-
where Ames had turned the windlass which low- ory about the murder. Douglas was a reticent
ered the drawbridge. Mr. Barker had then hurried man, and there were some chapters in his life of
off to get the police. which he never spoke. He had emigrated to Amer-
ica when he was a very young man. He had
Such, in its essentials, was the evidence of the
prospered well, and Barker had first met him in
butler.
California, where they had become partners in a
The account of Mrs. Allen, the housekeeper, successful mining claim at a place called Benito
was, so far as it went, a corroboration of that of Canyon. They had done very well; but Douglas
her fellow servant. The housekeeper’s room was had suddenly sold out and started for England.
rather nearer to the front of the house than the He was a widower at that time. Barker had af-
pantry in which Ames had been working. She terwards realized his money and come to live in
was preparing to go to bed when the loud ring- London. Thus they had renewed their friendship.
ing of the bell had attracted her attention. She was Douglas had given him the impression that
a little hard of hearing. Perhaps that was why she some danger was hanging over his head, and he
had not heard the shot; but in any case the study had always looked upon his sudden departure
was a long way off. She remembered hearing some from California, and also his renting a house in
sound which she imagined to be the slamming of so quiet a place in England, as being connected
a door. That was a good deal earlier—half an hour with this peril. He imagined that some secret so-
at least before the ringing of the bell. When Mr. ciety, some implacable organization, was on Dou-
Ames ran to the front she went with him. She glas’s track, which would never rest until it killed
saw Mr. Barker, very pale and excited, come out him. Some remarks of his had given him this idea;
of the study. He intercepted Mrs. Douglas, who though he had never told him what the society
was coming down the stairs. He entreated her to was, nor how he had come to offend it. He could
go back, and she answered him, but what she said only suppose that the legend upon the placard had
could not be heard. some reference to this secret society.
“Take her up! Stay with her!” he had said to “How long were you with Douglas in Califor-
Mrs. Allen. nia?” asked Inspector MacDonald.
She had therefore taken her to the bedroom, “Five years altogether.”
and endeavoured to soothe her. She was greatly “He was a bachelor, you say?”
excited, trembling all over, but made no other at- “A widower.”
tempt to go downstairs. She just sat in her dress- “Have you ever heard where his first wife came
ing gown by her bedroom fire, with her head sunk from?”
in her hands. Mrs. Allen stayed with her most of “No, I remember his saying that she was of
the night. As to the other servants, they had all German extraction, and I have seen her portrait.
gone to bed, and the alarm did not reach them un- She was a very beautiful woman. She died of ty-
til just before the police arrived. They slept at the phoid the year before I met him.”
extreme back of the house, and could not possibly “You don’t associate his past with any particu-
have heard anything. lar part of America?”
So far the housekeeper could add nothing on “I have heard him talk of Chicago. He knew
cross-examination save lamentations and expres- that city well and had worked there. I have heard
sions of amazement. him talk of the coal and iron districts. He had trav-
elled a good deal in his time.”
Cecil Barker succeeded Mrs. Allen as a witness.
“Was he a politician? Had this secret society to
As to the occurrences of the night before, he had
do with politics?”
very little to add to what he had already told the
police. Personally, he was convinced that the mur- “No, he cared nothing about politics.”
derer had escaped by the window. The bloodstain “You have no reason to think it was criminal?”
was conclusive, in his opinion, on that point. Be- “On the contrary, I never met a straighter man
sides, as the bridge was up, there was no other in my life.”
possible way of escaping. He could not explain “Was there anything curious about his life in
what had become of the assassin or why he had California?”
not taken his bicycle, if it were indeed his. He “He liked best to stay and to work at our claim
could not possibly have been drowned in the moat, in the mountains. He would never go where other
which was at no place more than three feet deep. men were if he could help it. That’s why I first

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 The Valley Of Fear

thought that someone was after him. Then when “But you have seen a good deal of her since.”
he left so suddenly for Europe I made sure that it Barker looked sternly at the detective. “I have
was so. I believe that he had a warning of some seen a good deal of him since,” he answered. “If I
sort. Within a week of his leaving half a dozen have seen her, it is because you cannot visit a man
men were inquiring for him.” without knowing his wife. If you imagine there is
“What sort of men?” any connection—”
“Well, they were a mighty hard-looking crowd. “I imagine nothing, Mr. Barker. I am bound to
They came up to the claim and wanted to know make every inquiry which can bear upon the case.
where he was. I told them that he was gone to Eu- But I mean no offense.”
rope and that I did not know where to find him. “Some inquiries are offensive,” Barker an-
They meant him no good—it was easy to see that.” swered angrily.
“Were these men Americans—Californians?” “It’s only the facts that we want. It is in your
interest and everyone’s interest that they should be
“Well, I don’t know about Californians. They cleared up. Did Mr. Douglas entirely approve your
were Americans, all right. But they were not min- friendship with his wife?”
ers. I don’t know what they were, and was very Barker grew paler, and his great, strong hands
glad to see their backs.” were clasped convulsively together. “You have no
“That was six years ago?” right to ask such questions!” he cried. “What has
“Nearer seven.” this to do with the matter you are investigating?”
“And then you were together five years in Cal- “I must repeat the question.”
ifornia, so that this business dates back not less “Well, I refuse to answer.”
than eleven years at the least?” “You can refuse to answer; but you must be
aware that your refusal is in itself an answer, for
“That is so.”
you would not refuse if you had not something to
“It must be a very serious feud that would be conceal.”
kept up with such earnestness for as long as that. Barker stood for a moment with his face set
It would be no light thing that would give rise to grimly and his strong black eyebrows drawn low
it.” in intense thought. Then he looked up with a
“I think it shadowed his whole life. It was smile. “Well, I guess you gentlemen are only do-
never quite out of his mind.” ing your clear duty after all, and I have no right
“But if a man had a danger hanging over him, to stand in the way of it. I’d only ask you not to
and knew what it was, don’t you think he would worry Mrs. Douglas over this matter; for she has
turn to the police for protection?” enough upon her just now. I may tell you that
poor Douglas had just one fault in the world, and
“Maybe it was some danger that he could not
that was his jealousy. He was fond of me—no man
be protected against. There’s one thing you should
could be fonder of a friend. And he was devoted
know. He always went about armed. His revolver
to his wife. He loved me to come here, and was
was never out of his pocket. But, by bad luck, he
forever sending for me. And yet if his wife and I
was in his dressing gown and had left it in the bed-
talked together or there seemed any sympathy be-
room last night. Once the bridge was up, I guess
tween us, a kind of wave of jealousy would pass
he thought he was safe.”
over him, and he would be off the handle and say-
“I should like these dates a little clearer,” said ing the wildest things in a moment. More than
MacDonald. “It is quite six years since Douglas once I’ve sworn off coming for that reason, and
left California. You followed him next year, did then he would write me such penitent, imploring
you not?” letters that I just had to. But you can take it from
“That is so.” me, gentlemen, if it was my last word, that no man
ever had a more loving, faithful wife—and I can
“And he had been married five years. You must
say also no friend could be more loyal than I!”
have returned about the time of his marriage.”
It was spoken with fervour and feeling, and yet
“About a month before. I was his best man.” Inspector MacDonald could not dismiss the sub-
“Did you know Mrs. Douglas before her mar- ject.
riage?” “You are aware,” said he, “that the dead man’s
“No, I did not. I had been away from England wedding ring has been taken from his finger?”
for ten years.” “So it appears,” said Barker.

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 The Valley Of Fear

“What do you mean by ‘appears’? You know it pictured. It is true that her face was pale and
as a fact.” drawn, like that of one who has endured a great
The man seemed confused and undecided. shock; but her manner was composed, and the
“When I said ‘appears’ I meant that it was con- finely moulded hand which she rested upon the
ceivable that he had himself taken off the ring.” edge of the table was as steady as my own. Her
sad, appealing eyes travelled from one to the other
“The mere fact that the ring should be absent,
of us with a curiously inquisitive expression. That
whoever may have removed it, would suggest to
questioning gaze transformed itself suddenly into
anyone’s mind, would it not, that the marriage and
abrupt speech.
the tragedy were connected?”
“Have you found anything out yet?” she asked.
Barker shrugged his broad shoulders. “I can’t
Was it my imagination that there was an under-
profess to say what it means.” he answered. “But
tone of fear rather than of hope in the question?
if you mean to hint that it could reflect in any way
upon this lady’s honour”—his eyes blazed for an “We have taken every possible step, Mrs. Dou-
instant, and then with an evident effort he got a glas,” said the inspector. “You may rest assured
grip upon his own emotions—“well, you are on that nothing will be neglected.”
the wrong track, that’s all.” “Spare no money,” she said in a dead, even
“I don’t know that I’ve anything else to ask you tone. “It is my desire that every possible effort
at present,” said MacDonald, coldly. should be made.”
“Perhaps you can tell us something which may
“There was one small point,” remarked Sher-
throw some light upon the matter.”
lock Holmes. “When you entered the room there
was only a candle lighted on the table, was there “I fear not; but all I know is at your service.”
not?” “We have heard from Mr. Cecil Barker that you
did not actually see—that you were never in the
“Yes, that was so.”
room where the tragedy occurred?”
“By its light you saw that some terrible incident
“No, he turned me back upon the stairs. He
had occurred?”
begged me to return to my room.”
“Exactly.” “Quite so. You had heard the shot, and you
“You at once rang for help?” had at once come down.”
“Yes.” “I put on my dressing gown and then came
“And it arrived very speedily?” down.”
“Within a minute or so.” “How long was it after hearing the shot that
you were stopped on the stair by Mr. Barker?”
“And yet when they arrived they found that
“It may have been a couple of minutes. It is
the candle was out and that the lamp had been
so hard to reckon time at such a moment. He im-
lighted. That seems very remarkable.”
plored me not to go on. He assured me that I could
Again Barker showed some signs of indecision. do nothing. Then Mrs. Allen, the housekeeper, led
“I don’t see that it was remarkable, Mr. Holmes,” me upstairs again. It was all like some dreadful
he answered after a pause. “The candle threw a dream.”
very bad light. My first thought was to get a better “Can you give us any idea how long your hus-
one. The lamp was on the table; so I lit it.” band had been downstairs before you heard the
“And blew out the candle?” shot?”
“Exactly.” “No, I cannot say. He went from his dressing
Holmes asked no further question, and Barker, room, and I did not hear him go. He did the round
with a deliberate look from one to the other of us, of the house every night, for he was nervous of
which had, as it seemed to me, something of defi- fire. It is the only thing that I have ever known
ance in it, turned and left the room. him nervous of.”
Inspector MacDonald had sent up a note to “That is just the point which I want to come
the effect that he would wait upon Mrs. Douglas to, Mrs. Douglas. You have known your husband
in her room; but she had replied that she would only in England, have you not?”
meet us in the dining room. She entered now, a “Yes, we have been married five years.”
tall and beautiful woman of thirty, reserved and “Have you heard him speak of anything which
self-possessed to a remarkable degree, very dif- occurred in America and might bring some danger
ferent from the tragic and distracted figure I had upon him?”

684
 The Valley Of Fear

Mrs. Douglas thought earnestly before she an- “There is one other point,” said Inspector Mac-
swered. “Yes.” she said at last, “I have always felt Donald. “You met Mr. Douglas in a boarding
that there was a danger hanging over him. He re- house in London, did you not, and became en-
fused to discuss it with me. It was not from want gaged to him there? Was there any romance, any-
of confidence in me—there was the most complete thing secret or mysterious, about the wedding?”
love and confidence between us—but it was out “There was romance. There is always romance.
of his desire to keep all alarm away from me. He There was nothing mysterious.”
thought I should brood over it if I knew all, and so “He had no rival?”
he was silent.” “No, I was quite free.”
“How did you know it, then?” “You have heard, no doubt, that his wedding
Mrs. Douglas’s face lit with a quick smile. “Can ring has been taken. Does that suggest anything
a husband ever carry about a secret all his life and to you? Suppose that some enemy of his old life
a woman who loves him have no suspicion of it? I had tracked him down and committed this crime,
knew it by his refusal to talk about some episodes what possible reason could he have for taking his
in his American life. I knew it by certain precau- wedding ring?”
tions he took. I knew it by certain words he let For an instant I could have sworn that the
fall. I knew it by the way he looked at unexpected faintest shadow of a smile flickered over the
strangers. I was perfectly certain that he had some woman’s lips.
powerful enemies, that he believed they were on “I really cannot tell,” she answered. “It is cer-
his track, and that he was always on his guard tainly a most extraordinary thing.”
against them. I was so sure of it that for years I “Well, we will not detain you any longer, and
have been terrified if ever he came home later than we are sorry to have put you to this trouble at such
was expected.” a time,” said the inspector. “There are some other
“Might I ask,” asked Holmes, “what the words points, no doubt; but we can refer to you as they
were which attracted your attention?” arise.”
“The Valley of Fear,” the lady answered. “That She rose, and I was again conscious of that
was an expression he has used when I questioned quick, questioning glance with which she had just
him. ‘I have been in the Valley of Fear. I am not surveyed us. “What impression has my evidence
out of it yet.’—‘Are we never to get out of the Val- made upon you?” The question might as well have
ley of Fear?’ I have asked him when I have seen been spoken. Then, with a bow, she swept from
him more serious than usual. ‘Sometimes I think the room.
that we never shall,’ he has answered.” “She’s a beautiful woman—a very beautiful
woman,” said MacDonald thoughtfully, after the
“Surely you asked him what he meant by the door had closed behind her. “This man Barker has
Valley of Fear?” certainly been down here a good deal. He is a
“I did; but his face would become very grave man who might be attractive to a woman. He ad-
and he would shake his head. ‘It is bad enough mits that the dead man was jealous, and maybe he
that one of us should have been in its shadow,’ he knew best himself what cause he had for jealousy.
said. ‘Please God it shall never fall upon you!’ It Then there’s that wedding ring. You can’t get past
was some real valley in which he had lived and in that. The man who tears a wedding ring off a dead
which something terrible had occurred to him, of man’s—What do you say to it, Mr. Holmes?”
that I am certain; but I can tell you no more.” My friend had sat with his head upon his
“And he never mentioned any names?” hands, sunk in the deepest thought. Now he rose
and rang the bell. “Ames,” he said, when the but-
“Yes, he was delirious with fever once when he
ler entered, “where is Mr. Cecil Barker now?”
had his hunting accident three years ago. Then I
remember that there was a name that came contin- “I’ll see, sir.”
ually to his lips. He spoke it with anger and a sort He came back in a moment to say that Barker
of horror. McGinty was the name—Bodymaster was in the garden.
McGinty. I asked him when he recovered who “Can you remember, Ames, what Mr. Barker
Bodymaster McGinty was, and whose body he was had on his feet last night when you joined him in
master of. ‘Never of mine, thank God!’ he an- the study?”
swered with a laugh, and that was all I could get “Yes, Mr. Holmes. He had a pair of bedroom
from him. But there is a connection between Body- slippers. I brought him his boots when he went for
master McGinty and the Valley of Fear.” the police.”

685
 The Valley Of Fear

“Where are the slippers now?” Stooping with one of his quick feline pounces,
“They are still under the chair in the hall.” he placed the slipper upon the blood mark on the
sill. It exactly corresponded. He smiled in silence
“Very good, Ames. It is, of course, important at his colleagues.
for us to know which tracks may be Mr. Barker’s
The inspector was transfigured with excite-
and which from outside.”
ment. His native accent rattled like a stick upon
“Yes, sir. I may say that I noticed that the slip- railings.
pers were stained with blood—so indeed were my
“Man,” he cried, “there’s not a doubt of it!
own.”
Barker has just marked the window himself. It’s a
“That is natural enough, considering the con- good deal broader than any bootmark. I mind that
dition of the room. Very good, Ames. We will ring you said it was a splay-foot, and here’s the expla-
if we want you.” nation. But what’s the game, Mr. Holmes—what’s
A few minutes later we were in the study. the game?”
Holmes had brought with him the carpet slippers “Ay, what’s the game?” my friend repeated
from the hall. As Ames had observed, the soles of thoughtfully.
both were dark with blood. White Mason chuckled and rubbed his fat
“Strange!” murmured Holmes, as he stood hands together in his professional satisfaction. “I
in the light of the window and examined them said it was a snorter!” he cried. “And a real snorter
minutely. “Very strange indeed!” it is!”

CHAPTER VI.
A Dawning Light

The three detectives had many matters of de- house, there was a stone seat. As I approached
tail into which to inquire; so I returned alone to the spot I was aware of voices, some remark in the
our modest quarters at the village inn. But before deep tones of a man, answered by a little ripple of
doing so I took a stroll in the curious old-world feminine laughter.
garden which flanked the house. Rows of very an- An instant later I had come round the end of
cient yew trees cut into strange designs girded it the hedge and my eyes lit upon Mrs. Douglas and
round. Inside was a beautiful stretch of lawn with the man Barker before they were aware of my pres-
an old sundial in the middle, the whole effect so ence. Her appearance gave me a shock. In the
soothing and restful that it was welcome to my dining-room she had been demure and discreet.
somewhat jangled nerves. Now all pretense of grief had passed away from
In that deeply peaceful atmosphere one could her. Her eyes shone with the joy of living, and
forget, or remember only as some fantastic night- her face still quivered with amusement at some re-
mare, that darkened study with the sprawling, mark of her companion. He sat forward, his hands
bloodstained figure on the floor. And yet, as I clasped and his forearms on his knees, with an an-
strolled round it and tried to steep my soul in its swering smile upon his bold, handsome face. In an
gentle balm, a strange incident occurred, which instant—but it was just one instant too late—they
brought me back to the tragedy and left a sinis- resumed their solemn masks as my figure came
ter impression in my mind. into view. A hurried word or two passed between
them, and then Barker rose and came towards me.
I have said that a decoration of yew trees circled
the garden. At the end farthest from the house “Excuse me, sir,” said he, “but am I addressing
they thickened into a continuous hedge. On the Dr. Watson?”
other side of this hedge, concealed from the eyes I bowed with a coldness which showed, I dare
of anyone approaching from the direction of the say, very plainly the impression which had been

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 The Valley Of Fear

produced upon my mind. So saying I raised my hat and went upon my

“We thought that it was probably you, as your way, leaving them still seated behind that conceal-
friendship with Mr. Sherlock Holmes is so well ing hedge. I looked back as I rounded the far
known. Would you mind coming over and speak- end of it, and saw that they were still talking very
ing to Mrs. Douglas for one instant?” earnestly together, and, as they were gazing after
me, it was clear that it was our interview that was
I followed him with a dour face. Very clearly
the subject of their debate.
I could see in my mind’s eye that shattered fig-
ure on the floor. Here within a few hours of the “I wish none of their confidences,” said
tragedy were his wife and his nearest friend laugh- Holmes, when I reported to him what had oc-
ing together behind a bush in the garden which curred. He had spent the whole afternoon at the
had been his. I greeted the lady with reserve. I had Manor House in consultation with his two col-
grieved with her grief in the dining-room. Now I leagues, and returned about five with a ravenous
met her appealing gaze with an unresponsive eye. appetite for a high tea which I had ordered for
him. “No confidences, Watson; for they are mighty
“I fear that you think me callous and hard-
awkward if it comes to an arrest for conspiracy and
hearted,” said she.
murder.”
I shrugged my shoulders. “It is no business of
mine,” said I. “You think it will come to that?”
“Perhaps some day you will do me justice. If He was in his most cheerful and debonair hu-
you only realized—” mour. “My dear Watson, when I have extermi-
nated that fourth egg I shall be ready to put you in
“There is no need why Dr. Watson should real-
touch with the whole situation. I don’t say that we
ize,” said Barker quickly. “As he has himself said,
have fathomed it—far from it—but when we have
it is no possible business of his.”
traced the missing dumb-bell—”
“Exactly,” said I, “and so I will beg leave to re-
“The dumb-bell!”
sume my walk.”
“One moment, Dr. Watson,” cried the woman “Dear me, Watson, is it possible that you have
in a pleading voice. “There is one question which not penetrated the fact that the case hangs upon
you can answer with more authority than anyone the missing dumb-bell? Well, well, you need not
else in the world, and it may make a very great dif- be downcast; for between ourselves I don’t think
ference to me. You know Mr. Holmes and his re- that either Inspector Mac or the excellent local
lations with the police better than anyone else can. practitioner has grasped the overwhelming impor-
Supposing that a matter were brought confiden- tance of this incident. One dumb-bell, Watson!
tially to his knowledge, is it absolutely necessary Consider an athlete with one dumb-bell! Picture to
that he should pass it on to the detectives?” yourself the unilateral development, the imminent
danger of a spinal curvature. Shocking, Watson,
“Yes, that’s it,” said Barker eagerly. “Is he on shocking!”
his own or is he entirely in with them?”
He sat with his mouth full of toast and his
“I really don’t know that I should be justified
eyes sparkling with mischief, watching my intel-
in discussing such a point.”
lectual entanglement. The mere sight of his excel-
“I beg—I implore that you will, Dr. Watson! I lent appetite was an assurance of success, for I had
assure you that you will be helping us—helping very clear recollections of days and nights with-
me greatly if you will guide us on that point.” out a thought of food, when his baffled mind had
There was such a ring of sincerity in the chafed before some problem while his thin, eager
woman’s voice that for the instant I forgot all about features became more attenuated with the asceti-
her levity and was moved only to do her will. cism of complete mental concentration. Finally he
“Mr. Holmes is an independent investigator,” lit his pipe, and sitting in the inglenook of the old
I said. “He is his own master, and would act as village inn he talked slowly and at random about
his own judgment directed. At the same time, he his case, rather as one who thinks aloud than as
would naturally feel loyalty towards the officials one who makes a considered statement.
who were working on the same case, and he would “A lie, Watson—a great, big, thumping, obtru-
not conceal from them anything which would help sive, uncompromising lie—that’s what meets us
them in bringing a criminal to justice. Beyond this on the threshold! There is our starting point. The
I can say nothing, and I would refer you to Mr. whole story told by Barker is a lie. But Barker’s
Holmes himself if you wanted fuller information.” story is corroborated by Mrs. Douglas. Therefore

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 The Valley Of Fear

she is lying also. They are both lying, and in a con- is to some extent muffled when the discharge is at
spiracy. So now we have the clear problem. Why very close range, as it undoubtedly was in this in-
are they lying, and what is the truth which they are stance. It would not be very loud, and yet in the si-
trying so hard to conceal? Let us try, Watson, you lence of the night it should have easily penetrated
and I, if we can get behind the lie and reconstruct to Mrs. Allen’s room. She is, as she has told us,
the truth. somewhat deaf; but none the less she mentioned
“How do I know that they are lying? Because it in her evidence that she did hear something like a
is a clumsy fabrication which simply could not be door slamming half an hour before the alarm was
true. Consider! According to the story given to us, given. Half an hour before the alarm was given
the assassin had less than a minute after the mur- would be a quarter to eleven. I have no doubt that
der had been committed to take that ring, which what she heard was the report of the gun, and that
was under another ring, from the dead man’s fin- this was the real instant of the murder.
ger, to replace the other ring—a thing which he “If this is so, we have now to determine what
would surely never have done—and to put that Barker and Mrs. Douglas, presuming that they are
singular card beside his victim. I say that this was not the actual murderers, could have been doing
obviously impossible. from quarter to eleven, when the sound of the
shot brought them down, until quarter past eleven,
“You may argue—but I have too much respect
when they rang the bell and summoned the ser-
for your judgment, Watson, to think that you will
vants. What were they doing, and why did they
do so—that the ring may have been taken before
not instantly give the alarm? That is the question
the man was killed. The fact that the candle had
which faces us, and when it has been answered
been lit only a short time shows that there had
we shall surely have gone some way to solve our
been no lengthy interview. Was Douglas, from
problem.”
what we hear of his fearless character, a man who
would be likely to give up his wedding ring at such “I am convinced myself,” said I, “that there is
short notice, or could we conceive of his giving it an understanding between those two people. She
up at all? No, no, Watson, the assassin was alone must be a heartless creature to sit laughing at some
with the dead man for some time with the lamp jest within a few hours of her husband’s murder.”
lit. Of that I have no doubt at all. “Exactly. She does not shine as a wife even
in her own account of what occurred. I am not
“But the gunshot was apparently the cause of a whole-souled admirer of womankind, as you
death. Therefore the shot must have been fired are aware, Watson, but my experience of life has
some time earlier than we are told. But there could taught me that there are few wives, having any re-
be no mistake about such a matter as that. We are gard for their husbands, who would let any man’s
in the presence, therefore, of a deliberate conspir- spoken word stand between them and that hus-
acy upon the part of the two people who heard band’s dead body. Should I ever marry, Watson, I
the gunshot—of the man Barker and of the woman should hope to inspire my wife with some feeling
Douglas. When on the top of this I am able to show which would prevent her from being walked off by
that the blood mark on the windowsill was delib- a housekeeper when my corpse was lying within a
erately placed there by Barker, in order to give a few yards of her. It was badly stage-managed; for
false clue to the police, you will admit that the case even the rawest investigators must be struck by the
grows dark against him. absence of the usual feminine ululation. If there
“Now we have to ask ourselves at what hour had been nothing else, this incident alone would
the murder actually did occur. Up to half-past ten have suggested a prearranged conspiracy to my
the servants were moving about the house; so it mind.”
was certainly not before that time. At a quarter to “You think then, definitely, that Barker and
eleven they had all gone to their rooms with the Mrs. Douglas are guilty of the murder?”
exception of Ames, who was in the pantry. I have “There is an appalling directness about your
been trying some experiments after you left us this questions, Watson,” said Holmes, shaking his pipe
afternoon, and I find that no noise which MacDon- at me. “They come at me like bullets. If you put
ald can make in the study can penetrate to me in it that Mrs. Douglas and Barker know the truth
the pantry when the doors are all shut. about the murder, and are conspiring to conceal it,
“It is otherwise, however, from the house- then I can give you a whole-souled answer. I am
keeper’s room. It is not so far down the corridor, sure they do. But your more deadly proposition
and from it I could vaguely hear a voice when it is not so clear. Let us for a moment consider the
was very loudly raised. The sound from a shotgun difficulties which stand in the way.

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 The Valley Of Fear

“We will suppose that this couple are united “And yet there should be no combination of
by the bonds of a guilty love, and that they have events for which the wit of man cannot conceive
determined to get rid of the man who stands be- an explanation. Simply as a mental exercise, with-
tween them. It is a large supposition; for discreet out any assertion that it is true, let me indicate a
inquiry among servants and others has failed to possible line of thought. It is, I admit, mere imagi-
corroborate it in any way. On the contrary, there nation; but how often is imagination the mother of
is a good deal of evidence that the Douglases were truth?
very attached to each other.” “We will suppose that there was a guilty secret,
“That, I am sure, cannot he true.” said I, think- a really shameful secret in the life of this man Dou-
ing of the beautiful smiling face in the garden. glas. This leads to his murder by someone who is,
“Well at least they gave that impression. How- we will suppose, an avenger, someone from out-
ever, we will suppose that they are an extraordi- side. This avenger, for some reason which I con-
narily astute couple, who deceive everyone upon fess I am still at a loss to explain, took the dead
this point, and conspire to murder the husband. man’s wedding ring. The vendetta might conceiv-
He happens to be a man over whose head some ably date back to the man’s first marriage, and the
danger hangs—” ring be taken for some such reason.
“We have only their word for that.” “Before this avenger got away, Barker and the
wife had reached the room. The assassin con-
Holmes looked thoughtful. “I see, Watson. You vinced them that any attempt to arrest him would
are sketching out a theory by which everything lead to the publication of some hideous scandal.
they say from the beginning is false. According They were converted to this idea, and preferred to
to your idea, there was never any hidden men- let him go. For this purpose they probably lowered
ace, or secret society, or Valley of Fear, or Boss the bridge, which can be done quite noiselessly,
MacSomebody, or anything else. Well, that is a and then raised it again. He made his escape, and
good sweeping generalization. Let us see what for some reason thought that he could do so more
that brings us to. They invent this theory to ac- safely on foot than on the bicycle. He therefore left
count for the crime. They then play up to the idea his machine where it would not be discovered un-
by leaving this bicycle in the park as proof of the til he had got safely away. So far we are within the
existence of some outsider. The stain on the win- bounds of possibility, are we not?”
dowsill conveys the same idea. So does the card on
“Well, it is possible, no doubt,” said I, with
the body, which might have been prepared in the
some reserve.
house. That all fits into your hypothesis, Watson.
But now we come on the nasty, angular, uncom- “We have to remember, Watson, that what-
promising bits which won’t slip into their places. ever occurred is certainly something very extraor-
Why a cut-off shotgun of all weapons—and an dinary. Well, now, to continue our supposititious
American one at that? How could they be so sure case, the couple—not necessarily a guilty cou-
that the sound of it would not bring someone on ple—realize after the murderer is gone that they
to them? It’s a mere chance as it is that Mrs. Allen have placed themselves in a position in which it
did not start out to inquire for the slamming door. may be difficult for them to prove that they did
Why did your guilty couple do all this, Watson?” not themselves either do the deed or connive at
it. They rapidly and rather clumsily met the situ-
“I confess that I can’t explain it.”
ation. The mark was put by Barker’s bloodstained
“Then again, if a woman and her lover conspire slipper upon the window-sill to suggest how the
to murder a husband, are they going to advertise fugitive got away. They obviously were the two
their guilt by ostentatiously removing his wedding who must have heard the sound of the gun; so
ring after his death? Does that strike you as very they gave the alarm exactly as they would have
probable, Watson?” done, but a good half hour after the event.”
“No, it does not.” “And how do you propose to prove all this?”
“And once again, if the thought of leaving a “Well, if there were an outsider, he may be
bicycle concealed outside had occurred to you, traced and taken. That would be the most effec-
would it really have seemed worth doing when the tive of all proofs. But if not—well, the resources
dullest detective would naturally say this is an ob- of science are far from being exhausted. I think
vious blind, as the bicycle is the first thing which that an evening alone in that study would help me
the fugitive needed in order to make his escape.” much.”
“I can conceive of no explanation.” “An evening alone!”

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 The Valley Of Fear

“I propose to go up there presently. I have ar- “But this may all fit in with your theories,” I
ranged it with the estimable Ames, who is by no remarked.
means whole-hearted about Barker. I shall sit in “That may or may not be. But let us hear the
that room and see if its atmosphere brings me in- end, Mr. Mac. Was there nothing to identify this
spiration. I’m a believer in the genius loci. You man?”
smile, Friend Watson. Well, we shall see. By the “So little that it was evident that he had care-
way, you have that big umbrella of yours, have you fully guarded himself against identification. There
not?” were no papers or letters, and no marking upon
“It is here.” the clothes. A cycle map of the county lay on his
“Well, I’ll borrow that if I may.” bedroom table. He had left the hotel after break-
fast yesterday morning on his bicycle, and no more
“Certainly—but what a wretched weapon! If
was heard of him until our inquiries.”
there is danger—”
“That’s what puzzles me, Mr. Holmes,” said
“Nothing serious, my dear Watson, or I should White Mason. “If the fellow did not want the hue
certainly ask for your assistance. But I’ll take the and cry raised over him, one would imagine that
umbrella. At present I am only awaiting the return he would have returned and remained at the hotel
of our colleagues from Tunbridge Wells, where as an inoffensive tourist. As it is, he must know
they are at present engaged in trying for a likely that he will be reported to the police by the hotel
owner to the bicycle.” manager and that his disappearance will be con-
It was nightfall before Inspector MacDonald nected with the murder.”
and White Mason came back from their expedi- “So one would imagine. Still, he has been jus-
tion, and they arrived exultant, reporting a great tified of his wisdom up to date, at any rate, since
advance in our investigation. he has not been taken. But his description—what
“Man, I’ll admeet that I had my doubts if there of that?”
was ever an outsider,” said MacDonald, “but that’s MacDonald referred to his notebook. “Here we
all past now. We’ve had the bicycle identified, and have it so far as they could give it. They don’t seem
we have a description of our man; so that’s a long to have taken any very particular stock of him; but
step on our journey.” still the porter, the clerk, and the chambermaid are
“It sounds to me like the beginning of the end,” all agreed that this about covers the points. He
said Holmes. “I’m sure I congratulate you both was a man about five foot nine in height, fifty or
with all my heart.” so years of age, his hair slightly grizzled, a grayish
“Well, I started from the fact that Mr. Dou- moustache, a curved nose, and a face which all of
glas had seemed disturbed since the day before, them described as fierce and forbidding.”
when he had been at Tunbridge Wells. It was at “Well, bar the expression, that might almost be
Tunbridge Wells then that he had become con- a description of Douglas himself,” said Holmes.
scious of some danger. It was clear, therefore, “He is just over fifty, with grizzled hair and mous-
that if a man had come over with a bicycle it was tache, and about the same height. Did you get
from Tunbridge Wells that he might be expected to anything else?”
have come. We took the bicycle over with us and “He was dressed in a heavy gray suit with a
showed it at the hotels. It was identified at once by reefer jacket, and he wore a short yellow overcoat
the manager of the Eagle Commercial as belonging and a soft cap.”
to a man named Hargrave, who had taken a room “What about the shotgun?”
there two days before. This bicycle and a small “It is less than two feet long. It could very well
valise were his whole belongings. He had regis- have fitted into his valise. He could have carried it
tered his name as coming from London, but had inside his overcoat without difficulty.”
given no address. The valise was London made, “And how do you consider that all this bears
and the contents were British; but the man himself upon the general case?”
was undoubtedly an American.”
“Well, Mr. Holmes,” said MacDonald, “when
“Well, well,” said Holmes gleefully, “you have we have got our man—and you may be sure that I
indeed done some solid work while I have been had his description on the wires within five min-
sitting spinning theories with my friend! It’s a les- utes of hearing it—we shall be better able to judge.
son in being practical, Mr. Mac.” But, even as it stands, we have surely gone a long
“Ay, it’s just that, Mr. Holmes,” said the inspec- way. We know that an American calling himself
tor with satisfaction. Hargrave came to Tunbridge Wells two days ago

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 The Valley Of Fear

with bicycle and valise. In the latter was a sawed- at least that they reached the room before he es-
off shotgun; so he came with the deliberate pur- caped—and that they fabricated evidence of his
pose of crime. Yesterday morning he set off for escape through the window, whereas in all proba-
this place on his bicycle, with his gun concealed bility they had themselves let him go by lowering
in his overcoat. No one saw him arrive, so far the bridge. That’s my reading of the first half.”
as we can learn; but he need not pass through The two detectives shook their heads.
the village to reach the park gates, and there are
“Well, Mr. Holmes, if this is true, we only tum-
many cyclists upon the road. Presumably he at
ble out of one mystery into another,” said the Lon-
once concealed his cycle among the laurels where
don inspector.
it was found, and possibly lurked there himself,
with his eye on the house, waiting for Mr. Douglas “And in some ways a worse one,” added White
to come out. The shotgun is a strange weapon to Mason. “The lady has never been in America in all
use inside a house; but he had intended to use it her life. What possible connection could she have
outside, and there it has very obvious advantages, with an American assassin which would cause her
as it would be impossible to miss with it, and the to shelter him?”
sound of shots is so common in an English sport- “I freely admit the difficulties,” said Holmes. “I
ing neighbourhood that no particular notice would propose to make a little investigation of my own
be taken.” to-night, and it is just possible that it may con-
tribute something to the common cause.”
“That is all very clear,” said Holmes.
“Can we help you, Mr. Holmes?”
“Well, Mr. Douglas did not appear. What was “No, no! Darkness and Dr. Watson’s um-
he to do next? He left his bicycle and approached brella—my wants are simple. And Ames, the faith-
the house in the twilight. He found the bridge ful Ames, no doubt he will stretch a point for me.
down and no one about. He took his chance, in- All my lines of thought lead me back invariably
tending, no doubt, to make some excuse if he met to the one basic question—why should an athletic
anyone. He met no one. He slipped into the first man develop his frame upon so unnatural an in-
room that he saw, and concealed himself behind strument as a single dumb-bell?”
the curtain. Thence he could see the drawbridge
It was late that night when Holmes returned
go up, and he knew that his only escape was
from his solitary excursion. We slept in a double-
through the moat. He waited until quarter-past
bedded room, which was the best that the little
eleven, when Mr. Douglas upon his usual nightly
country inn could do for us. I was already asleep
round came into the room. He shot him and es-
when I was partly awakened by his entrance.
caped, as arranged. He was aware that the bicycle
would be described by the hotel people and be a “Well, Holmes,” I murmured, “have you found
clue against him; so he left it there and made his anything out?”
way by some other means to London or to some He stood beside me in silence, his candle in his
safe hiding place which he had already arranged. hand. Then the tall, lean figure inclined towards
How is that, Mr. Holmes?” me. “I say, Watson,” he whispered, “would you
be afraid to sleep in the same room with a lunatic,
“Well, Mr. Mac, it is very good and very clear
a man with softening of the brain, an idiot whose
so far as it goes. That is your end of the story.
mind has lost its grip?”
My end is that the crime was committed half an
hour earlier than reported; that Mrs. Douglas and “Not in the least,” I answered in astonishment.
Barker are both in a conspiracy to conceal some- “Ah, that’s lucky,” he said, and not another
thing; that they aided the murderer’s escape—or word would he utter that night.

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 The Valley Of Fear

CHAPTER VII.
The Solution

Next morning, after breakfast, we found In- “You are holding something back. It’s hardly
spector MacDonald and White Mason seated in fair of you, Mr. Holmes.” The inspector was an-
close consultation in the small parlour of the local noyed.
police sergeant. On the table in front of them were “You know my methods of work, Mr. Mac. But
piled a number of letters and telegrams, which I will hold it back for the shortest time possible. I
they were carefully sorting and docketing. Three only wish to verify my details in one way, which
had been placed on one side. can very readily be done, and then I make my bow
“Still on the track of the elusive bicyclist?” and return to London, leaving my results entirely
Holmes asked cheerfully. “What is the latest news at your service. I owe you too much to act other-
of the ruffian?” wise; for in all my experience I cannot recall any
more singular and interesting study.”
MacDonald pointed ruefully to his heap of cor-
respondence. “This is clean beyond me, Mr. Holmes. We saw
you when we returned from Tunbridge Wells last
“He is at present reported from Leicester, Not-
night, and you were in general agreement with our
tingham, Southampton, Derby, East Ham, Rich-
results. What has happened since then to give you
mond, and fourteen other places. In three of
a completely new idea of the case?”
them—East Ham, Leicester, and Liverpool—there
is a clear case against him, and he has actually “Well, since you ask me, I spent, as I told you
been arrested. The country seems to be full of the that I would, some hours last night at the Manor
fugitives with yellow coats.” House.”
“Well, what happened?”
“Dear me!” said Holmes sympathetically.
“Now, Mr. Mac and you, Mr. White Mason, I wish “Ah, I can only give you a very general answer
to give you a very earnest piece of advice. When to that for the moment. By the way, I have been
I went into this case with you I bargained, as you reading a short but clear and interesting account
will no doubt remember, that I should not present of the old building, purchasable at the modest sum
you with half-proved theories, but that I should re- of one penny from the local tobacconist.”
tain and work out my own ideas until I had satis- Here Holmes drew a small tract, embellished
fied myself that they were correct. For this reason with a rude engraving of the ancient Manor
I am not at the present moment telling you all that House, from his waistcoat pocket.
is in my mind. On the other hand, I said that I “It immensely adds to the zest of an investiga-
would play the game fairly by you, and I do not tion, my dear Mr. Mac, when one is in conscious
think it is a fair game to allow you for one un- sympathy with the historical atmosphere of one’s
necessary moment to waste your energies upon a surroundings. Don’t look so impatient; for I as-
profitless task. Therefore I am here to advise you sure you that even so bald an account as this raises
this morning, and my advice to you is summed up some sort of picture of the past in one’s mind. Per-
in three words—abandon the case.” mit me to give you a sample. ‘Erected in the fifth
MacDonald and White Mason stared in amaze- year of the reign of James I, and standing upon the
ment at their celebrated colleague. site of a much older building, the Manor House of
Birlstone presents one of the finest surviving ex-
“You consider it hopeless!” cried the inspector.
amples of the moated Jacobean residence—’ ”
“I consider your case to be hopeless. I do not
“You are making fools of us, Mr. Holmes!”
consider that it is hopeless to arrive at the truth.”
“Tut, tut, Mr. Mac!—the first sign of temper I
“But this cyclist. He is not an invention. We have detected in you. Well, I won’t read it verba-
have his description, his valise, his bicycle. The tim, since you feel so strongly upon the subject.
fellow must be somewhere. Why should we not But when I tell you that there is some account of
get him?” the taking of the place by a parliamentary colonel
“Yes, yes, no doubt he is somewhere, and no in 1644, of the concealment of Charles for several
doubt we shall get him; but I would not have you days in the course of the Civil War, and finally of
waste your energies in East Ham or Liverpool. I a visit there by the second George, you will ad-
am sure that we can find some shorter cut to a re- mit that there are various associations of interest
sult.” connected with this ancient house.”

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 The Valley Of Fear

“I don’t doubt it, Mr. Holmes; but that is no “I will tell you exactly what to do, if you will
business of ours.” do it.”
“Is it not? Is it not? Breadth of view, my dear “Well, I’m bound to say I’ve always found you
Mr. Mac, is one of the essentials of our profes- had reason behind all your queer ways. I’ll do
sion. The interplay of ideas and the oblique uses of what you advise.”
knowledge are often of extraordinary interest. You “And you, Mr. White Mason?”
will excuse these remarks from one who, though a The country detective looked helplessly from
mere connoisseur of crime, is still rather older and one to the other. Holmes and his methods were
perhaps more experienced than yourself.” new to him. “Well, if it is good enough for the in-
“I’m the first to admit that,” said the detective spector, it is good enough for me,” he said at last.
heartily. “You get to your point, I admit; but you “Capital!” said Holmes. “Well, then, I should
have such a deuced round-the-corner way of doing recommend a nice, cheery country walk for both
it.” of you. They tell me that the views from Birlstone
“Well, well, I’ll drop past history and get down Ridge over the Weald are very remarkable. No
to present-day facts. I called last night, as I have doubt lunch could be got at some suitable hostelry;
already said, at the Manor House. I did not see though my ignorance of the country prevents me
either Barker or Mrs. Douglas. I saw no neces- from recommending one. In the evening, tired but
sity to disturb them; but I was pleased to hear that happy—”
the lady was not visibly pining and that she had “Man, this is getting past a joke!” cried Mac-
partaken of an excellent dinner. My visit was spe- Donald, rising angrily from his chair.
cially made to the good Mr. Ames, with whom I “Well, well, spend the day as you like,” said
exchanged some amiabilities, which culminated in Holmes, patting him cheerfully upon the shoul-
his allowing me, without reference to anyone else, der. “Do what you like and go where you will, but
to sit alone for a time in the study.” meet me here before dusk without fail—without
“What! With that?” I ejaculated. fail, Mr. Mac.”
“No, no, everything is now in order. You gave “That sounds more like sanity.”
permission for that, Mr. Mac, as I am informed. “All of it was excellent advice; but I don’t in-
The room was in its normal state, and in it I passed sist, so long as you are here when I need you. But
an instructive quarter of an hour.” now, before we part, I want you to write a note to
“What were you doing?” Mr. Barker.”
“Well, not to make a mystery of so simple a “Well?”
matter, I was looking for the missing dumb-bell. It “I’ll dictate it, if you like. Ready?
has always bulked rather large in my estimate of
the case. I ended by finding it.” “Dear Sir:
“It has struck me that it is our duty
“Where?”
to drain the moat, in the hope that we
“Ah, there we come to the edge of the unex- may find some—“
plored. Let me go a little further, a very little fur-
ther, and I will promise that you shall share every- “It’s impossible,” said the inspector. “I’ve
thing that I know.” made inquiry.”
“Well, we’re bound to take you on your own “Tut, tut! My dear sir, please do what I ask
terms,” said the inspector; “but when it comes to you.”
telling us to abandon the case—why in the name “Well, go on.”
of goodness should we abandon the case?”
“—in the hope that we may find
“For the simple reason, my dear Mr. Mac, that
something which may bear upon our
you have not got the first idea what it is that you
investigation. I have made arrange-
are investigating.”
ments, and the workmen will be at
“We are investigating the murder of Mr. John work early to-morrow morning divert-
Douglas of Birlstone Manor.” ing the stream—“
“Yes, yes, so you are. But don’t trouble to trace
the mysterious gentleman upon the bicycle. I as- “Impossible!”
sure you that it won’t help you.” “—diverting the stream; so I thought
“Then what do you suggest that we do?” it best to explain matters beforehand.

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 The Valley Of Fear

“Now sign that, and send it by hand about four cold,” said the London detective with comic resig-
o’clock. At that hour we shall meet again in this nation.
room. Until then we may each do what we like; We all had good reason to join in the aspiration;
for I can assure you that this inquiry has come to for our vigil was a long and bitter one. Slowly the
a definite pause.” shadows darkened over the long, sombre face of
Evening was drawing in when we reassembled. the old house. A cold, damp reek from the moat
Holmes was very serious in his manner, myself cu- chilled us to the bones and set our teeth chatter-
rious, and the detectives obviously critical and an- ing. There was a single lamp over the gateway and
noyed. a steady globe of light in the fatal study. Every-
“Well, gentlemen,” said my friend gravely, “I thing else was dark and still.
am asking you now to put everything to the “How long is this to last?” asked the inspector
test with me, and you will judge for yourselves finally. “And what is it we are watching for?”
whether the observations I have made justify the “I have no more notion than you how long it is
conclusions to which I have come. It is a chill to last,” Holmes answered with some asperity. “If
evening, and I do not know how long our expe- criminals would always schedule their movements
dition may last; so I beg that you will wear your like railway trains, it would certainly be more con-
warmest coats. It is of the first importance that we venient for all of us. As to what it is we—Well,
should be in our places before it grows dark; so that’s what we are watching for!”
with your permission we shall get started at once.”
As he spoke the bright, yellow light in the
We passed along the outer bounds of the study was obscured by somebody passing to and
Manor House park until we came to a place where fro before it. The laurels among which we lay
there was a gap in the rails which fenced it. were immediately opposite the window and not
Through this we slipped, and then in the gathering more than a hundred feet from it. Presently it was
gloom we followed Holmes until we had reached thrown open with a whining of hinges, and we
a shrubbery which lies nearly opposite to the main could dimly see the dark outline of a man’s head
door and the drawbridge. The latter had not been and shoulders looking out into the gloom. For
raised. Holmes crouched down behind the screen some minutes he peered forth in furtive, stealthy
of laurels, and we all three followed his example. fashion, as one who wishes to be assured that he
“Well, what are we to do now?” asked Mac- is unobserved. Then he leaned forward, and in the
Donald with some gruffness. intense silence we were aware of the soft lapping
“Possess our souls in patience and make as lit- of agitated water. He seemed to be stirring up the
tle noise as possible,” Holmes answered. moat with something which he held in his hand.
Then suddenly he hauled something in as a fisher-
“What are we here for at all? I really think that man lands a fish—some large, round object which
you might treat us with more frankness.” obscured the light as it was dragged through the
Holmes laughed. “Watson insists that I am the open casement.
dramatist in real life,” said he. “Some touch of “Now!” cried Holmes. “Now!”
the artist wells up within me, and calls insistently
for a well-staged performance. Surely our profes- We were all upon our feet, staggering after
sion, Mr. Mac, would be a drab and sordid one if him with our stiffened limbs, while he ran swiftly
we did not sometimes set the scene so as to glo- across the bridge and rang violently at the bell.
rify our results. The blunt accusation, the bru- There was the rasping of bolts from the other
tal tap upon the shoulder—what can one make of side, and the amazed Ames stood in the entrance.
such a dénouement? But the quick inference, the Holmes brushed him aside without a word and,
subtle trap, the clever forecast of coming events, followed by all of us, rushed into the room which
the triumphant vindication of bold theories—are had been occupied by the man whom we had been
these not the pride and the justification of our life’s watching.
work? At the present moment you thrill with the The oil lamp on the table represented the glow
glamour of the situation and the anticipation of the which we had seen from outside. It was now in the
hunt. Where would be that thrill if I had been as hand of Cecil Barker, who held it towards us as we
definite as a timetable? I only ask a little patience, entered. Its light shone upon his strong, resolute,
Mr. Mac, and all will be clear to you.” clean-shaved face and his menacing eyes.
“Well, I hope the pride and justification and the “What the devil is the meaning of all this?” he
rest of it will come before we all get our death of cried. “What are you after, anyhow?”

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 The Valley Of Fear

Holmes took a swift glance round, and then as to give ample space for the truncated fowling
pounced upon a sodden bundle tied together with piece. The tailor’s tab is on the neck—‘Neal, Out-
cord which lay where it had been thrust under the fitter, Vermissa, U. S. A.’ I have spent an instruc-
writing table. tive afternoon in the rector’s library, and have en-
“This is what we are after, Mr. Barker—this larged my knowledge by adding the fact that Ver-
bundle, weighted with a dumb-bell, which you missa is a flourishing little town at the head of
have just raised from the bottom of the moat.” one of the best known coal and iron valleys in the
United States. I have some recollection, Mr. Barker,
Barker stared at Holmes with amazement in his that you associated the coal districts with Mr. Dou-
face. “How in thunder came you to know anything glas’s first wife, and it would surely not be too far-
about it?” he asked. fetched an inference that the V. V. upon the card by
“Simply that I put it there.” the dead body might stand for Vermissa Valley, or
“You put it there! You!” that this very valley which sends forth emissaries
of murder may be that Valley of Fear of which we
“Perhaps I should have said ‘replaced it
have heard. So much is fairly clear. And now, Mr.
there,’ ” said Holmes. “You will remember, Inspec-
Barker, I seem to be standing rather in the way of
tor MacDonald, that I was somewhat struck by the
your explanation.”
absence of a dumb-bell. I drew your attention to
it; but with the pressure of other events you had It was a sight to see Cecil Barker’s expressive
hardly the time to give it the consideration which face during this exposition of the great detective.
would have enabled you to draw deductions from Anger, amazement, consternation, and indecision
it. When water is near and a weight is missing swept over it in turn. Finally he took refuge in a
it is not a very far-fetched supposition that some- somewhat acrid irony.
thing has been sunk in the water. The idea was “You know such a lot, Mr. Holmes, perhaps
at least worth testing; so with the help of Ames, you had better tell us some more,” he sneered.
who admitted me to the room, and the crook of “I have no doubt that I could tell you a great
Dr. Watson’s umbrella, I was able last night to fish deal more, Mr. Barker; but it would come with a
up and inspect this bundle. better grace from you.”
“It was of the first importance, however, that “Oh, you think so, do you? Well, all I can say
we should be able to prove who placed it there. is that if there’s any secret here it is not my secret,
This we accomplished by the very obvious device and I am not the man to give it away.”
of announcing that the moat would be dried to-
“Well, if you take that line, Mr. Barker,” said the
morrow, which had, of course, the effect that who-
inspector quietly, “we must just keep you in sight
ever had hidden the bundle would most certainly
until we have the warrant and can hold you.”
withdraw it the moment that darkness enabled
him to do so. We have no less than four witnesses “You can do what you damn please about
as to who it was who took advantage of the op- that,” said Barker defiantly.
portunity, and so, Mr. Barker, I think the word lies The proceedings seemed to have come to a def-
now with you.” inite end so far as he was concerned; for one had
Sherlock Holmes put the sopping bundle upon only to look at that granite face to realize that no
the table beside the lamp and undid the cord peine forte et dure would ever force him to plead
which bound it. From within he extracted a dumb- against his will. The deadlock was broken, how-
bell, which he tossed down to its fellow in the cor- ever, by a woman’s voice. Mrs. Douglas had been
ner. Next he drew forth a pair of boots. “Ameri- standing listening at the half opened door, and
can, as you perceive,” he remarked, pointing to the now she entered the room.
toes. Then he laid upon the table a long, deadly, “You have done enough for now, Cecil,” said
sheathed knife. Finally he unravelled a bundle she. “Whatever comes of it in the future, you have
of clothing, comprising a complete set of under- done enough.”
clothes, socks, a gray tweed suit, and a short yel- “Enough and more than enough,” remarked
low overcoat. Sherlock Holmes gravely. “I have every sympa-
“The clothes are commonplace,” remarked thy with you, madam, and should strongly urge
Holmes, “save only the overcoat, which is full of you to have some confidence in the common sense
suggestive touches.” He held it tenderly towards of our jurisdiction and to take the police volun-
the light. “Here, as you perceive, is the inner tarily into your complete confidence. It may be
pocket prolonged into the lining in such fashion that I am myself at fault for not following up the

695
 The Valley Of Fear

hint which you conveyed to me through my friend, Inspector MacDonald had been staring at the
Dr. Watson; but, at that time I had every reason newcomer with the greatest amazement. “Well,
to believe that you were directly concerned in the this fairly beats me!” he cried at last. “If you are
crime. Now I am assured that this is not so. At Mr. John Douglas of Birlstone Manor, then whose
the same time, there is much that is unexplained, death have we been investigating for these two
and I should strongly recommend that you ask Mr. days, and where in the world have you sprung
Douglas to tell us his own story.” from now? You seemed to me to come out of the
Mrs. Douglas gave a cry of astonishment at floor like a jack-in-a-box.”
Holmes’s words. The detectives and I must have “Ah, Mr. Mac,” said Holmes, shaking a reprov-
echoed it, when we were aware of a man who ing forefinger, “you would not read that excel-
seemed to have emerged from the wall, who ad- lent local compilation which described the conceal-
vanced now from the gloom of the corner in which ment of King Charles. People did not hide in those
he had appeared. Mrs. Douglas turned, and in days without excellent hiding places, and the hid-
an instant her arms were round him. Barker had ing place that has once been used may be again.
seized his outstretched hand. I had persuaded myself that we should find Mr.
“It’s best this way, Jack,” his wife repeated; “I Douglas under this roof.”
am sure that it is best.” “And how long have you been playing this
trick upon us, Mr. Holmes?” said the inspector an-
“Indeed, yes, Mr. Douglas,” said Sherlock
grily. “How long have you allowed us to waste
Holmes, “I am sure that you will find it best.”
ourselves upon a search that you knew to be an
The man stood blinking at us with the dazed absurd one?”
look of one who comes from the dark into the light.
“Not one instant, my dear Mr. Mac. Only last
It was a remarkable face, bold gray eyes, a strong,
night did I form my views of the case. As they
short-clipped, grizzled moustache, a square, pro-
could not be put to the proof until this evening, I
jecting chin, and a humorous mouth. He took a
invited you and your colleague to take a holiday
good look at us all, and then to my amazement he
for the day. Pray what more could I do? When I
advanced to me and handed me a bundle of paper.
found the suit of clothes in the moat, it at once be-
“I’ve heard of you,” said he in a voice which came apparent to me that the body we had found
was not quite English and not quite American, but could not have been the body of Mr. John Douglas
was altogether mellow and pleasing. “You are the at all, but must be that of the bicyclist from Tun-
historian of this bunch. Well, Dr. Watson, you’ve bridge Wells. No other conclusion was possible.
never had such a story as that pass through your Therefore I had to determine where Mr. John Dou-
hands before, and I’ll lay my last dollar on that. glas himself could be, and the balance of probabil-
Tell it your own way; but there are the facts, and ity was that with the connivance of his wife and
you can’t miss the public so long as you have those. his friend he was concealed in a house which had
I’ve been cooped up two days, and I’ve spent the such conveniences for a fugitive, and awaiting qui-
daylight hours—as much daylight as I could get eter times when he could make his final escape.”
in that rat trap—in putting the thing into words. “Well, you figured it out about right,” said
You’re welcome to them—you and your public. Douglas approvingly. “I thought I’d dodge your
There’s the story of the Valley of Fear.” British law; for I was not sure how I stood un-
“That’s the past, Mr. Douglas,” said Sherlock der it, and also I saw my chance to throw these
Holmes quietly. “What we desire now is to hear hounds once for all off my track. Mind you, from
your story of the present.” first to last I have done nothing to be ashamed of,
“You’ll have it, sir,” said Douglas. “May I and nothing that I would not do again; but you’ll
smoke as I talk? Well, thank you, Mr. Holmes. judge that for yourselves when I tell you my story.
You’re a smoker yourself, if I remember right, and Never mind warning me, Inspector: I’m ready to
you’ll guess what it is to be sitting for two days stand pat upon the truth.
with tobacco in your pocket and afraid that the “I’m not going to begin at the beginning. That’s
smell will give you away.” He leaned against the all there,” he indicated my bundle of papers, “and
mantelpiece and sucked at the cigar which Holmes a mighty queer yarn you’ll find it. It all comes
had handed him. “I’ve heard of you, Mr. Holmes. down to this: That there are some men that have
I never guessed that I should meet you. But be- good cause to hate me and would give their last
fore you are through with that,” he nodded at my dollar to know that they had got me. So long as
papers, “you will say I’ve brought you something I am alive and they are alive, there is no safety in
fresh.” this world for me. They hunted me from Chicago

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 The Valley Of Fear

to California, then they chased me out of Amer- down on the floor. He dodged round the table as
ica; but when I married and settled down in this quick as an eel, and a moment later he’d got his
quiet spot I thought my last years were going to be gun from under his coat. I heard him cock it; but I
peaceable. had got hold of it before he could fire. I had it by
“I never explained to my wife how things were. the barrel, and we wrestled for it all ends up for a
Why should I pull her into it? She would never minute or more. It was death to the man that lost
have a quiet moment again; but would always be his grip.
imagining trouble. I fancy she knew something, “He never lost his grip; but he got it butt down-
for I may have dropped a word here or a word ward for a moment too long. Maybe it was I that
there; but until yesterday, after you gentlemen had pulled the trigger. Maybe we just jolted it off be-
seen her, she never knew the rights of the mat- tween us. Anyhow, he got both barrels in the face,
ter. She told you all she knew, and so did Barker and there I was, staring down at all that was left
here; for on the night when this thing happened of Ted Baldwin. I’d recognized him in the town-
there was mighty little time for explanations. She ship, and again when he sprang for me; but his
knows everything now, and I would have been a own mother wouldn’t recognize him as I saw him
wiser man if I had told her sooner. But it was a then. I’m used to rough work; but I fairly turned
hard question, dear,” he took her hand for an in- sick at the sight of him.
stant in his own, “and I acted for the best. “I was hanging on the side of the table when
“Well, gentlemen, the day before these hap- Barker came hurrying down. I heard my wife com-
penings I was over in Tunbridge Wells, and I got ing, and I ran to the door and stopped her. It was
a glimpse of a man in the street. It was only a no sight for a woman. I promised I’d come to her
glimpse; but I have a quick eye for these things, soon. I said a word or two to Barker—he took it all
and I never doubted who it was. It was the worst in at a glance—and we waited for the rest to come
enemy I had among them all—one who has been along. But there was no sign of them. Then we un-
after me like a hungry wolf after a caribou all these derstood that they could hear nothing, and that all
years. I knew there was trouble coming, and I that had happened was known only to ourselves.
came home and made ready for it. I guessed I’d “It was at that instant that the idea came to me.
fight through it all right on my own, my luck was I was fairly dazzled by the brilliance of it. The
a proverb in the States about ’76. I never doubted man’s sleeve had slipped up and there was the
that it would be with me still. branded mark of the lodge upon his forearm. See
“I was on my guard all that next day, and never here!”
went out into the park. It’s as well, or he’d have The man whom we had known as Douglas
had the drop on me with that buckshot gun of his turned up his own coat and cuff to show a brown
before ever I could draw on him. After the bridge triangle within a circle exactly like that which we
was up—my mind was always more restful when had seen upon the dead man.
that bridge was up in the evenings—I put the thing “It was the sight of that which started me on it.
clear out of my head. I never dreamed of his get- I seemed to see it all clear at a glance. There were
ting into the house and waiting for me. But when his height and hair and figure, about the same as
I made my round in my dressing gown, as was my own. No one could swear to his face, poor
my habit, I had no sooner entered the study than I devil! I brought down this suit of clothes, and in a
scented danger. I guess when a man has had dan- quarter of an hour Barker and I had put my dress-
gers in his life—and I’ve had more than most in ing gown on him and he lay as you found him. We
my time—there is a kind of sixth sense that waves tied all his things into a bundle, and I weighted
the red flag. I saw the signal clear enough, and them with the only weight I could find and put
yet I couldn’t tell you why. Next instant I spotted them through the window. The card he had meant
a boot under the window curtain, and then I saw to lay upon my body was lying beside his own.
why plain enough. “My rings were put on his finger; but when it
“I’d just the one candle that was in my hand; came to the wedding ring,” he held out his mus-
but there was a good light from the hall lamp cular hand, “you can see for yourselves that I had
through the open door. I put down the candle and struck the limit. I have not moved it since the day I
jumped for a hammer that I’d left on the mantel. was married, and it would have taken a file to get it
At the same moment he sprang at me. I saw the off. I don’t know, anyhow, that I should have cared
glint of a knife, and I lashed at him with the ham- to part with it; but if I had wanted to I couldn’t. So
mer. I got him somewhere; for the knife tinkled we just had to leave that detail to take care of itself.

697
 The Valley Of Fear

On the other hand, I brought a bit of plaster down “The English law is in the main a just law. You
and put it where I am wearing one myself at this will get no worse than your deserts from that, Mr.
instant. You slipped up there, Mr. Holmes, clever Douglas. But I would ask you how did this man
as you are; for if you had chanced to take off that know that you lived here, or how to get into your
plaster you would have found no cut underneath house, or where to hide to get you?”
it.
“I know nothing of this.”
“Well, that was the situation. If I could lie low
for a while and then get away where I could be Holmes’s face was very white and grave. “The
joined by my ‘widow’ we should have a chance story is not over yet, I fear,” said he. “You may find
at last of living in peace for the rest of our lives. worse dangers than the English law, or even than
These devils would give me no rest so long as I your enemies from America. I see trouble before
was above ground; but if they saw in the papers you, Mr. Douglas. You’ll take my advice and still
that Baldwin had got his man, there would be an be on your guard.”
end of all my troubles. I hadn’t much time to make
it all clear to Barker and to my wife; but they un- And now, my long-suffering readers, I will ask
derstood enough to be able to help me. I knew all you to come away with me for a time, far from
about this hiding place, so did Ames; but it never the Sussex Manor House of Birlstone, and far also
entered his head to connect it with the matter. I from the year of grace in which we made our
retired into it, and it was up to Barker to do the eventful journey which ended with the strange
rest. story of the man who had been known as John
Douglas. I wish you to journey back some twenty
“I guess you can fill in for yourselves what he
years in time, and westward some thousands of
did. He opened the window and made the mark
miles in space, that I may lay before you a singular
on the sill to give an idea of how the murderer es-
and terrible narrative—so singular and so terrible
caped. It was a tall order, that; but as the bridge
that you may find it hard to believe that even as I
was up there was no other way. Then, when ev-
tell it, even so did it occur.
erything was fixed, he rang the bell for all he was
worth. What happened afterward you know. And Do not think that I intrude one story before an-
so, gentlemen, you can do what you please; but other is finished. As you read on you will find that
I’ve told you the truth and the whole truth, so help this is not so. And when I have detailed those dis-
me God! What I ask you now is how do I stand by tant events and you have solved this mystery of the
the English law?” past, we shall meet once more in those rooms on
There was a silence which was broken by Sher- Baker Street, where this, like so many other won-
lock Holmes. derful happenings, will find its end.

698
PART II.
The Scowrers
 The Valley Of Fear

CHAPTER I.
The Man

It was the fourth of February in the year 1875. gray eyes which twinkle inquiringly from time to
It had been a severe winter, and the snow lay time as he looks round through his spectacles at
deep in the gorges of the Gilmerton Mountains. the people about him. It is easy to see that he is
The steam ploughs had, however, kept the rail- of a sociable and possibly simple disposition, anx-
road open, and the evening train which connects ious to be friendly to all men. Anyone could pick
the long line of coal-mining and iron-working set- him at once as gregarious in his habits and com-
tlements was slowly groaning its way up the steep municative in his nature, with a quick wit and a
gradients which lead from Stagville on the plain ready smile. And yet the man who studied him
to Vermissa, the central township which lies at more closely might discern a certain firmness of
the head of Vermissa Valley. From this point jaw and grim tightness about the lips which would
the track sweeps downward to Bartons Crossing, warn him that there were depths beyond, and that
Helmdale, and the purely agricultural county of this pleasant, brown-haired young Irishman might
Merton. It was a single-track railroad; but at ev- conceivably leave his mark for good or evil upon
ery siding—and they were numerous—long lines any society to which he was introduced.
of trucks piled with coal and iron ore told of the Having made one or two tentative remarks to
hidden wealth which had brought a rude popula- the nearest miner, and receiving only short, gruff
tion and a bustling life to this most desolate corner replies, the traveller resigned himself to unconge-
of the United States of America. nial silence, staring moodily out of the window at
For desolate it was! Little could the first pi- the fading landscape.
oneer who had traversed it have ever imagined It was not a cheering prospect. Through the
that the fairest prairies and the most lush water growing gloom there pulsed the red glow of the
pastures were valueless compared to this gloomy furnaces on the sides of the hills. Great heaps
land of black crag and tangled forest. Above the of slag and dumps of cinders loomed up on each
dark and often scarcely penetrable woods upon side, with the high shafts of the collieries towering
their flanks, the high, bare crowns of the moun- above them. Huddled groups of mean, wooden
tains, white snow, and jagged rock towered upon houses, the windows of which were beginning to
each flank, leaving a long, winding, tortuous val- outline themselves in light, were scattered here
ley in the centre. Up this the little train was slowly and there along the line, and the frequent halt-
crawling. ing places were crowded with their swarthy inhab-
The oil lamps had just been lit in the lead- itants.
ing passenger car, a long, bare carriage in which The iron and coal valleys of the Vermissa dis-
some twenty or thirty people were seated. The trict were no resorts for the leisured or the cul-
greater number of these were workmen returning tured. Everywhere there were stern signs of the
from their day’s toil in the lower part of the val- crudest battle of life, the rude work to be done,
ley. At least a dozen, by their grimed faces and and the rude, strong workers who did it.
the safety lanterns which they carried, proclaimed
The young traveller gazed out into this dismal
themselves miners. These sat smoking in a group
country with a face of mingled repulsion and inter-
and conversed in low voices, glancing occasionally
est, which showed that the scene was new to him.
at two men on the opposite side of the car, whose
At intervals he drew from his pocket a bulky letter
uniforms and badges showed them to be police-
to which he referred, and on the margins of which
men.
he scribbled some notes. Once from the back of
Several women of the labouring class and one his waist he produced something which one would
or two travellers who might have been small lo- hardly have expected to find in the possession of
cal storekeepers made up the rest of the company, so mild-mannered a man. It was a navy revolver
with the exception of one young man in a corner of the largest size. As he turned it slantwise to
by himself. It is with this man that we are con- the light, the glint upon the rims of the copper
cerned. Take a good look at him, for he is worth shells within the drum showed that it was fully
it. loaded. He quickly restored it to his secret pocket,
He is a fresh-complexioned, middle-sized but not before it had been observed by a working
young man, not far, one would guess, from his man who had seated himself upon the adjoining
thirtieth year. He has large, shrewd, humorous bench.

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“Hullo, mate!” said he. “You seem heeled and “That’s good enough. I’m Brother Scanlan,
ready.” Lodge 341, Vermissa Valley. Glad to see you in
The young man smiled with an air of embar- these parts.”
rassment. “Thank you. I’m Brother John McMurdo,
“Yes,” said he, “we need them sometimes in the Lodge 29, Chicago. Bodymaster J. H. Scott. But
place I come from.” I am in luck to meet a brother so early.”
“And where may that be?” “Well, there are plenty of us about. You won’t
find the order more flourishing anywhere in the
“I’m last from Chicago.” States than right here in Vermissa Valley. But we
“A stranger in these parts?” could do with some lads like you. I can’t under-
“Yes.” stand a spry man of the union finding no work to
do in Chicago.”
“You may find you need it here,” said the work-
man. “I found plenty of work to do,” said McMurdo.
“Ah! is that so?” The young man seemed inter- “Then why did you leave?”
ested. McMurdo nodded towards the policemen and
“Have you heard nothing of doings here- smiled. “I guess those chaps would be glad to
abouts?” know,” he said.
Scanlan groaned sympathetically. “In trouble?”
“Nothing out of the way.”
he asked in a whisper.
“Why, I thought the country was full of it.
“Deep.”
You’ll hear quick enough. What made you come
here?” “A penitentiary job?”
“I heard there was always work for a willing “And the rest.”
man.” “Not a killing!”
“Are you a member of the union?” “It’s early days to talk of such things,” said Mc-
“Sure.” Murdo with the air of a man who had been sur-
prised into saying more than he intended. “I’ve
“Then you’ll get your job, I guess. Have you my own good reasons for leaving Chicago, and let
any friends?” that be enough for you. Who are you that you
“Not yet; but I have the means of making should take it on yourself to ask such things?”
them.” His gray eyes gleamed with sudden and danger-
“How’s that, then?” ous anger from behind his glasses.
“I am one of the Eminent Order of Freemen. “All right, mate, no offense meant. The boys
There’s no town without a lodge, and where there will think none the worse of you, whatever you
is a lodge I’ll find my friends.” may have done. Where are you bound for now?”
The remark had a singular effect upon his com- “Vermissa.”
panion. He glanced round suspiciously at the oth- “That’s the third halt down the line. Where are
ers in the car. The miners were still whispering you staying?”
among themselves. The two police officers were McMurdo took out an envelope and held it
dozing. He came across, seated himself close to close to the murky oil lamp. “Here is the ad-
the young traveller, and held out his hand. dress—Jacob Shafter, Sheridan Street. It’s a board-
“Put it there,” he said. ing house that was recommended by a man I knew
A hand-grip passed between the two. in Chicago.”
“I see you speak the truth,” said the workman. “Well, I don’t know it; but Vermissa is out of
“But it’s well to make certain.” He raised his right my beat. I live at Hobson’s Patch, and that’s here
hand to his right eyebrow. The traveller at once where we are drawing up. But, say, there’s one
raised his left hand to his left eyebrow. bit of advice I’ll give you before we part: If you’re
in trouble in Vermissa, go straight to the Union
“Dark nights are unpleasant,” said the work- House and see Boss McGinty. He is the Bodymas-
man. ter of Vermissa Lodge, and nothing can happen
“Yes, for strangers to travel,” the other an- in these parts unless Black Jack McGinty wants it.
swered. So long, mate! Maybe we’ll meet in lodge one of

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 The Valley Of Fear

these evenings. But mind my words: If you are in “I’m not afraid of you, and don’t you think
trouble, go to Boss McGinty.” it!” cried McMurdo. “My name’s Jack Mc-
Scanlan descended, and McMurdo was left Murdo—see? If you want me, you’ll find me at Ja-
once again to his thoughts. Night had now fallen, cob Shafter’s on Sheridan Street, Vermissa; so I’m
and the flames of the frequent furnaces were roar- not hiding from you, am I? Day or night I dare to
ing and leaping in the darkness. Against their look the like of you in the face—don’t make any
lurid background dark figures were bending and mistake about that!”
straining, twisting and turning, with the motion of There was a murmur of sympathy and ad-
winch or of windlass, to the rhythm of an eternal miration from the miners at the dauntless de-
clank and roar. meanour of the newcomer, while the two police-
men shrugged their shoulders and renewed a con-
“I guess hell must look something like that,”
versation between themselves.
said a voice.
A few minutes later the train ran into the ill-
McMurdo turned and saw that one of the po-
lit station, and there was a general clearing; for
licemen had shifted in his seat and was staring out
Vermissa was by far the largest town on the line.
into the fiery waste.
McMurdo picked up his leather gripsack and was
“For that matter,” said the other policeman, “I about to start off into the darkness, when one of
allow that hell must be something like that. If there the miners accosted him.
are worse devils down yonder than some we could “By Gar, mate! you know how to speak to the
name, it’s more than I’d expect. I guess you are cops,” he said in a voice of awe. “It was grand to
new to this part, young man?” hear you. Let me carry your grip and show you
“Well, what if I am?” McMurdo answered in a the road. I’m passing Shafter’s on the way to my
surly voice. own shack.”
“Just this, mister, that I should advise you to There was a chorus of friendly “Good-nights”
be careful in choosing your friends. I don’t think from the other miners as they passed from the plat-
I’d begin with Mike Scanlan or his gang if I were form. Before ever he had set foot in it, McMurdo
you.” the turbulent had become a character in Vermissa.
“What the hell is it to you who are my friends?” The country had been a place of terror; but the
roared McMurdo in a voice which brought every town was in its way even more depressing. Down
head in the carriage round to witness the alterca- that long valley there was at least a certain gloomy
tion. “Did I ask you for your advice, or did you grandeur in the huge fires and the clouds of drift-
think me such a sucker that I couldn’t move with- ing smoke, while the strength and industry of man
out it? You speak when you are spoken to, and found fitting monuments in the hills which he had
by the Lord you’d have to wait a long time if it spilled by the side of his monstrous excavations.
was me!” He thrust out his face and grinned at the But the town showed a dead level of mean ugli-
patrolmen like a snarling dog. ness and squalor. The broad street was churned
up by the traffic into a horrible rutted paste of
The two policemen, heavy, good-natured men, muddy snow. The sidewalks were narrow and
were taken aback by the extraordinary vehemence uneven. The numerous gas-lamps served only to
with which their friendly advances had been re- show more clearly a long line of wooden houses,
jected. each with its veranda facing the street, unkempt
“No offense, stranger,” said one. “It was a and dirty.
warning for your own good, seeing that you are, As they approached the centre of the town the
by your own showing, new to the place.” scene was brightened by a row of well-lit stores,
“I’m new to the place; but I’m not new to you and even more by a cluster of saloons and gam-
and your kind!” cried McMurdo in cold fury. “I ing houses, in which the miners spent their hard-
guess you’re the same in all places, shoving your earned but generous wages.
advice in when nobody asks for it.” “That’s the Union House,” said the guide,
“Maybe we’ll see more of you before very pointing to one saloon which rose almost to the
long,” said one of the patrolmen with a grin. dignity of being a hotel. “Jack McGinty is the boss
“You’re a real hand-picked one, if I am a judge.” there.”
“I was thinking the same,” remarked the other. “What sort of a man is he?” McMurdo asked.
“I guess we may meet again.” “What! have you never heard of the boss?”

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 The Valley Of Fear

“How could I have heard of him when you a pleasing embarrassment which brought a wave
know that I am a stranger in these parts?” of colour over her pale face. Framed in the bright
“Well, I thought his name was known clear light of the open doorway, it seemed to McMurdo
across the country. It’s been in the papers often that he had never seen a more beautiful picture;
enough.” the more attractive for its contrast with the sor-
did and gloomy surroundings. A lovely violet
“What for?”
growing upon one of those black slag-heaps of the
“Well,” the miner lowered his voice—“over the mines would not have seemed more surprising. So
affairs.” entranced was he that he stood staring without a
“What affairs?” word, and it was she who broke the silence.
“Good Lord, mister! you are queer, if I must “I thought it was father,” said she with a pleas-
say it without offense. There’s only one set of af- ing little touch of a German accent. “Did you come
fairs that you’ll hear of in these parts, and that’s to see him? He is downtown. I expect him back
the affairs of the Scowrers.” every minute.”
“Why, I seem to have read of the Scowrers in McMurdo continued to gaze at her in open ad-
Chicago. A gang of murderers, are they not?” miration until her eyes dropped in confusion be-
“Hush, on your life!” cried the miner, standing fore this masterful visitor.
still in alarm, and gazing in amazement at his com- “No, miss,” he said at last, “I’m in no hurry to
panion. “Man, you won’t live long in these parts see him. But your house was recommended to me
if you speak in the open street like that. Many a for board. I thought it might suit me—and now I
man has had the life beaten out of him for less.” know it will.”
“Well, I know nothing about them. It’s only “You are quick to make up your mind,” said
what I have read.” she with a smile.
“And I’m not saying that you have not read the
“Anyone but a blind man could do as much,”
truth.” The man looked nervously round him as
the other answered.
he spoke, peering into the shadows as if he feared
to see some lurking danger. “If killing is mur- She laughed at the compliment. “Come right
der, then God knows there is murder and to spare. in, sir,” she said. “I’m Miss Ettie Shafter, Mr.
But don’t you dare to breathe the name of Jack Shafter’s daughter. My mother’s dead, and I run
McGinty in connection with it, stranger; for every the house. You can sit down by the stove in the
whisper goes back to him, and he is not one that front room until father comes along—Ah, here he
is likely to let it pass. Now, that’s the house you’re is! So you can fix things with him right away.”
after, that one standing back from the street. You’ll A heavy, elderly man came plodding up the
find old Jacob Shafter that runs it as honest a man path. In a few words McMurdo explained his busi-
as lives in this township.” ness. A man of the name of Murphy had given him
“I thank you,” said McMurdo, and shaking the address in Chicago. He in turn had had it from
hands with his new acquaintance he plodded, someone else. Old Shafter was quite ready. The
gripsack in hand, up the path which led to the stranger made no bones about terms, agreed at
dwelling house, at the door of which he gave a once to every condition, and was apparently fairly
resounding knock. flush of money. For seven dollars a week paid in
It was opened at once by someone very differ- advance he was to have board and lodging.
ent from what he had expected. It was a woman, So it was that McMurdo, the self-confessed
young and singularly beautiful. She was of the fugitive from justice, took up his abode under the
German type, blonde and fair-haired, with the pi- roof of the Shafters, the first step which was to lead
quant contrast of a pair of beautiful dark eyes with to so long and dark a train of events, ending in a
which she surveyed the stranger with surprise and far distant land.

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 The Valley Of Fear

CHAPTER II.
The Bodymaster

McMurdo was a man who made his mark spoken of. He spoke wistfully of a sudden leav-
quickly. Wherever he was the folk around soon ing, a breaking of old ties, a flight into a strange
knew it. Within a week he had become infinitely world, ending in this dreary valley, and Ettie lis-
the most important person at Shafter’s. There tened, her dark eyes gleaming with pity and with
were ten or a dozen boarders there; but they were sympathy—those two qualities which may turn so
honest foremen or commonplace clerks from the rapidly and so naturally to love.
stores, of a very different calibre from the young McMurdo had obtained a temporary job as
Irishman. Of an evening when they gathered to- bookkeeper; for he was a well-educated man. This
gether his joke was always the readiest, his con- kept him out most of the day, and he had not
versation the brightest, and his song the best. He found occasion yet to report himself to the head
was a born boon companion, with a magnetism of the lodge of the Eminent Order of Freemen.
which drew good humour from all around him. He was reminded of his omission, however, by a
And yet he showed again and again, as he had visit one evening from Mike Scanlan, the fellow
shown in the railway carriage, a capacity for sud- member whom he had met in the train. Scanlan,
den, fierce anger, which compelled the respect and the small, sharp-faced, nervous, black-eyed man,
even the fear of those who met him. For the law, seemed glad to see him once more. After a glass
too, and all who were connected with it, he exhib- or two of whisky he broached the object of his visit.
ited a bitter contempt which delighted some and “Say, McMurdo,” said he, “I remembered your
alarmed others of his fellow boarders. address, so l made bold to call. I’m surprised
From the first he made it evident, by his open that you’ve not reported to the Bodymaster. Why
admiration, that the daughter of the house had haven’t you seen Boss McGinty yet?”
won his heart from the instant that he had set eyes “Well, I had to find a job. I have been busy.”
upon her beauty and her grace. He was no back- “You must find time for him if you have none
ward suitor. On the second day he told her that he for anything else. Good Lord, man! you’re a fool
loved her, and from then onward he repeated the not to have been down to the Union House and
same story with an absolute disregard of what she registered your name the first morning after you
might say to discourage him. came here! If you run against him—well, you
“Someone else?” he would cry. “Well, the mustn’t, that’s all!”
worse luck for someone else! Let him look out for McMurdo showed mild surprise. “I’ve been a
himself! Am I to lose my life’s chance and all my member of the lodge for over two years, Scanlan,
heart’s desire for someone else? You can keep on but I never heard that duties were so pressing as
saying no, Ettie: the day will come when you will all that.”
say yes, and I’m young enough to wait.” “Maybe not in Chicago.”
He was a dangerous suitor, with his glib Irish “Well, it’s the same society here.”
tongue, and his pretty, coaxing ways. There was
“Is it?”
about him also that glamour of experience and of
mystery which attracts a woman’s interest, and fi- Scanlan looked at him long and fixedly. There
nally her love. He could talk of the sweet val- was something sinister in his eyes.
leys of County Monaghan from which he came, “Isn’t it?”
of the lovely, distant island, the low hills and “You’ll tell me that in a month’s time. I hear
green meadows of which seemed the more beauti- you had a talk with the patrolmen after I left the
ful when imagination viewed them from this place train.”
of grime and snow.
“How did you know that?”
Then he was versed in the life of the cities
“Oh, it got about—things do get about for good
of the North, of Detroit, and the lumber camps
and for bad in this district.”
of Michigan, and finally of Chicago, where he
had worked in a planing mill. And afterwards “Well, yes. I told the hounds what I thought of
came the hint of romance, the feeling that strange them.”
things had happened to him in that great city, so “By the Lord, you’ll be a man after McGinty’s
strange and so intimate that they might not be heart!”

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 The Valley Of Fear

“What, does he hate the police too?” “It’s a murder society, that’s vat it is.”
Scanlan burst out laughing. “You go and see McMurdo laughed incredulously. “How can
him, my lad,” said he as he took his leave. “It’s you prove that?” he asked.
not the police but you that he’ll hate if you don’t! “Prove it! Are there not fifty murders to prove
Now, take a friend’s advice and go at once!” it? Vat about Milman and Van Shorst, and the
It chanced that on the same evening McMurdo Nicholson family, and old Mr. Hyam, and little
had another more pressing interview which urged Billy James, and the others? Prove it! Is there a
him in the same direction. It may have been that man or a voman in this valley vat does not know
his attentions to Ettie had been more evident than it?”
before, or that they had gradually obtruded them- “See here!” said McMurdo earnestly. “I want
selves into the slow mind of his good German you to take back what you’ve said, or else make
host; but, whatever the cause, the boarding-house it good. One or the other you must do before I
keeper beckoned the young man into his private quit this room. Put yourself in my place. Here
room and started on the subject without any cir- am I, a stranger in the town. I belong to a society
cumlocution. that I know only as an innocent one. You’ll find it
“It seems to me, mister,” said he, “that you through the length and breadth of the States, but
are gettin’ set on my Ettie. Ain’t that so, or am always as an innocent one. Now, when I am count-
I wrong?” ing upon joining it here, you tell me that it is the
“Yes, that is so,” the young man answered. same as a murder society called the Scowrers. I
guess you owe me either an apology or else an ex-
“Vell, I vant to tell you right now that it ain’t no planation, Mr. Shafter.”
manner of use. There’s someone slipped in afore
you.” “I can but tell you vat the whole vorld knows,
mister. The bosses of the one are the bosses of the
“She told me so.” other. If you offend the one, it is the other vat vill
“Vell, you can lay that she told you truth. But strike you. We have proved it too often.”
did she tell you who it vas?” “That’s just gossip—I want proof!” said Mc-
“No, I asked her; but she wouldn’t tell.” Murdo.
“I dare say not, the leetle baggage! Perhaps she “If you live here long you vill get your proof.
did not vish to frighten you avay.” But I forget that you are yourself one of them.
“Frighten!” McMurdo was on fire in a moment. You vill soon be as bad as the rest. But you vill
find other lodgings, mister. I cannot have you
“Ah, yes, my friend! You need not be ashamed
here. Is it not bad enough that one of these people
to be frightened of him. It is Teddy Baldwin.”
come courting my Ettie, and that I dare not turn
“And who the devil is he?” him down, but that I should have another for my
“He is a boss of Scowrers.” boarder? Yes, indeed, you shall not sleep here after
“Scowrers! I’ve heard of them before. It’s to-night!”
Scowrers here and Scowrers there, and always in a McMurdo found himself under sentence of
whisper! What are you all afraid of? Who are the banishment both from his comfortable quarters
Scowrers?” and from the girl whom he loved. He found her
The boarding-house keeper instinctively sank alone in the sitting-room that same evening, and
his voice, as everyone did who talked about that he poured his troubles into her ear.
terrible society. “The Scowrers,” said he, “are the “Sure, your father is after giving me notice,” he
Eminent Order of Freemen!” said. “It’s little I would care if it was just my room,
The young man stared. “Why, I am a member but indeed, Ettie, though it’s only a week that I’ve
of that order myself.” known you, you are the very breath of life to me,
and I can’t live without you!”
“You! I vould never have had you in my house
“Oh, hush, Mr. McMurdo, don’t speak so!”
if I had known it—not if you vere to pay me a hun-
said the girl. “I have told you, have I not, that
dred dollar a week.”
you are too late? There is another, and if I have
“What’s wrong with the order? It’s for charity not promised to marry him at once, at least I can
and good fellowship. The rules say so.” promise no one else.”
“Maybe in some places. Not here!” “Suppose I had been first, Ettie, would I have
“What is it here?” had a chance?”

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 The Valley Of Fear

The girl sank her face into her hands. “I wish are wronged and have no other way to help them-
to heaven that you had been first!” she sobbed. selves.”
McMurdo was down on his knees before her “Oh, Jack, don’t let me hear you speak so! That
in an instant. “For God’s sake, Ettie, let it stand is how he speaks—the other one!”
at that!” he cried. “Will you ruin your life and “Baldwin—he speaks like that, does he?”
my own for the sake of this promise? Follow your “And that is why I loathe him so. Oh, Jack,
heart, acushla! ’Tis a safer guide than any promise now I can tell you the truth. I loathe him with all
before you knew what it was that you were say- my heart; but I fear him also. I fear him for my-
ing.” self; but above all I fear him for father. I know that
He had seized Ettie’s white hand between his some great sorrow would come upon us if I dared
own strong brown ones. to say what I really felt. That is why I have put
him off with half-promises. It was in real truth our
“Say that you will be mine, and we will face it only hope. But if you would fly with me, Jack, we
out together!” could take father with us and live forever far from
“Not here?” the power of these wicked men.”
“Yes, here.” Again there was the struggle upon McMurdo’s
“No, no, Jack!” His arms were round her now. face, and again it set like granite. “No harm shall
“It could not be here. Could you take me away?” come to you, Ettie—nor to your father either. As
to wicked men, I expect you may find that I am as
A struggle passed for a moment over Mc- bad as the worst of them before we’re through.”
Murdo’s face; but it ended by setting like gran- “No, no, Jack! I would trust you anywhere.”
ite. “No, here,” he said. “I’ll hold you against the
McMurdo laughed bitterly. “Good Lord! how
world, Ettie, right here where we are!”
little you know of me! Your innocent soul, my dar-
“Why should we not leave together?” ling, could not even guess what is passing in mine.
“No, Ettie, I can’t leave here.” But, hullo, who’s the visitor?”
“But why?” The door had opened suddenly, and a young
fellow came swaggering in with the air of one who
“I’d never hold my head up again if I felt that is the master. He was a handsome, dashing young
I had been driven out. Besides, what is there to be man of about the same age and build as McMurdo
afraid of? Are we not free folks in a free country? himself. Under his broad-brimmed black felt hat,
If you love me, and I you, who will dare to come which he had not troubled to remove, a handsome
between?” face with fierce, domineering eyes and a curved
“You don’t know, Jack. You’ve been here too hawk-bill of a nose looked savagely at the pair who
short a time. You don’t know this Baldwin. You sat by the stove.
don’t know McGinty and his Scowrers.” Ettie had jumped to her feet full of confusion
“No, I don’t know them, and I don’t fear them, and alarm. “I’m glad to see you, Mr. Baldwin,”
and I don’t believe in them!” said McMurdo. “I’ve said she. “You’re earlier than I had thought. Come
lived among rough men, my darling, and instead and sit down.”
of fearing them it has always ended that they have Baldwin stood with his hands on his hips look-
feared me—always, Ettie. It’s mad on the face of it! ing at McMurdo. “Who is this?” he asked curtly.
If these men, as your father says, have done crime “It’s a friend of mine, Mr. Baldwin, a new
after crime in the valley, and if everyone knows boarder here. Mr. McMurdo, may I introduce you
them by name, how comes it that none are brought to Mr. Baldwin?”
to justice? You answer me that, Ettie!” The young men nodded in surly fashion to
“Because no witness dares to appear against each other.
them. He would not live a month if he did. Also “Maybe Miss Ettie has told you how it is with
because they have always their own men to swear us?” said Baldwin.
that the accused one was far from the scene of the “I didn’t understand that there was any rela-
crime. But surely, Jack, you must have read all this. tion between you.”
I had understood that every paper in the United “Didn’t you? Well, you can understand it now.
States was writing about it.” You can take it from me that this young lady is
“Well, I have read something, it is true; but mine, and you’ll find it a very fine evening for a
I had thought it was a story. Maybe these men walk.”
have some reason in what they do. Maybe they “Thank you, I am in no humour for a walk.”

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 The Valley Of Fear

“Aren’t you?” The man’s savage eyes were acushla, there! Don’t be disturbed or fear for me.
blazing with anger. “Maybe you are in a humour I’m a Freeman myself. I’m after telling your father
for a fight, Mr. Boarder!” about it. Maybe I am no better than the others; so
“That I am!” cried McMurdo, springing to his don’t make a saint of me. Perhaps you hate me
feet. “You never said a more welcome word.” too, now that I’ve told you as much?”
“For God’s sake, Jack! Oh, for God’s sake!” “Hate you, Jack? While life lasts I could never
cried poor, distracted Ettie. “Oh, Jack, Jack, he will do that! I’ve heard that there is no harm in be-
hurt you!” ing a Freeman anywhere but here; so why should
I think the worse of you for that? But if you are a
“Oh, it’s Jack, is it?” said Baldwin with an oath.
Freeman, Jack, why should you not go down and
“You’ve come to that already, have you?”
make a friend of Boss McGinty? Oh, hurry, Jack,
“Oh, Ted, be reasonable—be kind! For my hurry! Get your word in first, or the hounds will
sake, Ted, if ever you loved me, be big-hearted and be on your trail.”
forgiving!”
“I was thinking the same thing,” said Mc-
“I think, Ettie, that if you were to leave us alone Murdo. “I’ll go right now and fix it. You can tell
we could get this thing settled,” said McMurdo your father that I’ll sleep here to-night and find
quietly. “Or maybe, Mr. Baldwin, you will take some other quarters in the morning.”
a turn down the street with me. It’s a fine evening, The bar of McGinty’s saloon was crowded as
and there’s some open ground beyond the next usual, for it was the favourite loafing place of all
block.” the rougher elements of the town. The man was
“I’ll get even with you without needing to dirty popular; for he had a rough, jovial disposition
my hands,” said his enemy. “You’ll wish you had which formed a mask, covering a great deal which
never set foot in this house before I am through lay behind it. But apart from this popularity, the
with you!” fear in which he was held throughout the town-
“No time like the present,” cried McMurdo. ship, and indeed down the whole thirty miles of
“I’ll choose my own time, mister. You can leave the valley and past the mountains on each side
the time to me. See here!” He suddenly rolled up of it, was enough in itself to fill his bar; for none
his sleeve and showed upon his forearm a peculiar could afford to neglect his good will.
sign which appeared to have been branded there. Besides those secret powers which it was uni-
It was a circle with a triangle within it. “D’you versally believed that he exercised in so pitiless
know what that means?” a fashion, he was a high public official, a mu-
nicipal councillor, and a commissioner of roads,
“I neither know nor care!”
elected to the office through the votes of the ruffi-
“Well, you will know, I’ll promise you that. You ans who in turn expected to receive favours at his
won’t be much older, either. Perhaps Miss Ettie hands. Assessments and taxes were enormous; the
can tell you something about it. As to you, Ettie, public works were notoriously neglected, the ac-
you’ll come back to me on your knees—d’ye hear, counts were slurred over by bribed auditors, and
girl?—on your knees—and then I’ll tell you what the decent citizen was terrorized into paying pub-
your punishment may be. You’ve sowed—and by lic blackmail, and holding his tongue lest some
the Lord, I’ll see that you reap!” He glanced at worse thing befall him.
them both in fury. Then he turned upon his heel,
Thus it was that, year by year, Boss McGinty’s
and an instant later the outer door had banged be-
diamond pins became more obtrusive, his gold
hind him.
chains more weighty across a more gorgeous vest,
For a few moments McMurdo and the girl and his saloon stretched farther and farther, until it
stood in silence. Then she threw her arms around threatened to absorb one whole side of the Market
him. Square.
“Oh, Jack, how brave you were! But it is no McMurdo pushed open the swinging door of
use, you must fly! To-night—Jack—to-night! It’s the saloon and made his way amid the crowd of
your only hope. He will have your life. I read it men within, through an atmosphere blurred with
in his horrible eyes. What chance have you against tobacco smoke and heavy with the smell of spir-
a dozen of them, with Boss McGinty and all the its. The place was brilliantly lighted, and the huge,
power of the lodge behind them?” heavily gilt mirrors upon every wall reflected and
McMurdo disengaged her hands, kissed her, multiplied the garish illumination. There were
and gently pushed her back into a chair. “There, several bartenders in their shirt sleeves, hard at

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work mixing drinks for the loungers who fringed “So you are good enough to pass my appear-
the broad, brass-trimmed counter. ance?”
At the far end, with his body resting upon the “Sure,” said McMurdo.
bar and a cigar stuck at an acute angle from the “And you were told to see me?”
corner of his mouth, stood a tall, strong, heavily “I was.”
built man who could be none other than the fa- “And who told you?”
mous McGinty himself. He was a black-maned gi- “Brother Scanlan of Lodge 341, Vermissa. I
ant, bearded to the cheek-bones, and with a shock drink your health Councillor, and to our better ac-
of raven hair which fell to his collar. His complex- quaintance.” He raised a glass with which he had
ion was as swarthy as that of an Italian, and his been served to his lips and elevated his little finger
eyes were of a strange dead black, which, com- as he drank it.
bined with a slight squint, gave them a particularly
McGinty, who had been watching him nar-
sinister appearance.
rowly, raised his thick black eyebrows. “Oh, it’s
All else in the man—his noble proportions, his like that, is it?” said he. “I’ll have to look a bit
fine features, and his frank bearing—fitted in with closer into this, Mister—”
that jovial, man-to-man manner which he affected. “McMurdo.”
Here, one would say, is a bluff, honest fellow,
“A bit closer, Mr. McMurdo; for we don’t take
whose heart would be sound however rude his
folk on trust in these parts, nor believe all we’re
outspoken words might seem. It was only when
told neither. Come in here for a moment, behind
those dead, dark eyes, deep and remorseless, were
the bar.”
turned upon a man that he shrank within himself,
feeling that he was face to face with an infinite pos- There was a small room there, lined with bar-
sibility of latent evil, with a strength and courage rels. McGinty carefully closed the door, and then
and cunning behind it which made it a thousand seated himself on one of them, biting thoughtfully
times more deadly. on his cigar and surveying his companion with
those disquieting eyes. For a couple of minutes
Having had a good look at his man, McMurdo he sat in complete silence. McMurdo bore the in-
elbowed his way forward with his usual careless spection cheerfully, one hand in his coat pocket,
audacity, and pushed himself through the little the other twisting his brown moustache. Suddenly
group of courtiers who were fawning upon the McGinty stooped and produced a wicked-looking
powerful boss, laughing uproariously at the small- revolver.
est of his jokes. The young stranger’s bold gray
“See here, my joker,” said he, “if I thought you
eyes looked back fearlessly through their glasses at
were playing any game on us, it would be short
the deadly black ones which turned sharply upon
work for you.”
him.
“This is a strange welcome,” McMurdo an-
“Well, young man, I can’t call your face to swered with some dignity, “for the Bodymaster of
mind.” a lodge of Freemen to give to a stranger brother.”
“I’m new here, Mr. McGinty.” “Ay, but it’s just that same that you have to
“You are not so new that you can’t give a gen- prove,” said McGinty, “and God help you if you
tleman his proper title.” fail! Where were you made?”
“He’s Councillor McGinty, young man,” said a “Lodge 29, Chicago.”
voice from the group. “When?”
“I’m sorry, Councillor. I’m strange to the ways “June 24, 1872.”
of the place. But I was advised to see you.” “What Bodymaster?”
“Well, you see me. This is all there is. What “James H. Scott.”
d’you think of me?” “Who is your district ruler?”
“Well, it’s early days. If your heart is as big as “Bartholomew Wilson.”
your body, and your soul as fine as your face, then “Hum! You seem glib enough in your tests.
I’d ask for nothing better,” said McMurdo. What are you doing here?”
“Working, the same as you—but a poorer job.”
“By Gar! you’ve got an Irish tongue in your
head anyhow,” cried the saloon-keeper, not quite “You have your back answer quick enough.”
certain whether to humour this audacious visitor “Yes, I was always quick of speech.”
or to stand upon his dignity. “Are you quick of action?”

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 The Valley Of Fear

“I have had that name among those that knew “That’s about the size of it,” McMurdo an-
me best.” swered.
“Well, we may try you sooner than you think. “Well, I guess you’ll go far. Say, can you make
Have you heard anything of the lodge in these those dollars yet?”
parts?” McMurdo took half a dozen from his pocket.
“I’ve heard that it takes a man to be a brother.” “Those never passed the Philadelphia mint,” said
he.
“True for you, Mr. McMurdo. Why did you
leave Chicago?” “You don’t say!” McGinty held them to the
light in his enormous hand, which was hairy as
“I’m damned if I tell you that!”
a gorilla’s. “I can see no difference. Gar! you’ll
McGinty opened his eyes. He was not used be a mighty useful brother, I’m thinking! We can
to being answered in such fashion, and it amused do with a bad man or two among us, Friend Mc-
him. “Why won’t you tell me?” Murdo: for there are times when we have to take
“Because no brother may tell another a lie.” our own part. We’d soon be against the wall if we
“Then the truth is too bad to tell?” didn’t shove back at those that were pushing us.”
“You can put it that way if you like.” “Well, I guess I’ll do my share of shoving with
the rest of the boys.”
“See here, mister, you can’t expect me, as Body-
“You seem to have a good nerve. You didn’t
master, to pass into the lodge a man for whose past
squirm when I shoved this gun at you.”
he can’t answer.”
“It was not me that was in danger.”
McMurdo looked puzzled. Then he took a
worn newspaper cutting from an inner pocket. “Who then?”
“It was you, Councillor.” McMurdo drew a
“You wouldn’t squeal on a fellow?” said he.
cocked pistol from the side pocket of his peajacket.
“I’ll wipe my hand across your face if you say “I was covering you all the time. I guess my shot
such words to me!” cried McGinty hotly. would have been as quick as yours.”
“You are right, Councillor,” said McMurdo “By Gar!” McGinty flushed an angry red and
meekly. “I should apologize. I spoke without then burst into a roar of laughter. “Say, we’ve had
thought. Well, I know that I am safe in your hands. no such holy terror come to hand this many a year.
Look at that clipping.” I reckon the lodge will learn to be proud of you
McGinty glanced his eyes over the account of . . . Well, what the hell do you want? And can’t I
the shooting of one Jonas Pinto, in the Lake Saloon, speak alone with a gentleman for five minutes but
Market Street, Chicago, in the New Year week of you must butt in on us?”
1874. The bartender stood abashed. “I’m sorry,
“Your work?” he asked, as he handed back the Councillor, but it’s Ted Baldwin. He says he must
paper. see you this very minute.”
McMurdo nodded. The message was unnecessary; for the set, cruel
face of the man himself was looking over the ser-
“Why did you shoot him?”
vant’s shoulder. He pushed the bartender out and
“I was helping Uncle Sam to make dollars. closed the door on him.
Maybe mine were not as good gold as his, but they
“So,” said he with a furious glance at Mc-
looked as well and were cheaper to make. This
Murdo, “you got here first, did you? I’ve a word
man Pinto helped me to shove the queer—”
to say to you, Councillor, about this man.”
“To do what?” “Then say it here and now before my face,”
“Well, it means to pass the dollars out into cir- cried McMurdo.
culation. Then he said he would split. Maybe he “I’ll say it at my own time, in my own way.”
did split. I didn’t wait to see. I just killed him and
“Tut! Tut!” said McGinty, getting off his barrel.
lighted out for the coal country.”
“This will never do. We have a new brother here,
“Why the coal country?” Baldwin, and it’s not for us to greet him in such
“’Cause I’d read in the papers that they weren’t fashion. Hold out your hand, man, and make it
too particular in those parts.” up!”
McGinty laughed. “You were first a coiner and “Never!” cried Baldwin in a fury.
then a murderer, and you came to these parts be- “I’ve offered to fight him if he thinks I have
cause you thought you’d be welcome.” wronged him,” said McMurdo. “I’ll fight him with

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 The Valley Of Fear

fists, or, if that won’t satisfy him, I’ll fight him any He took a bottle of champagne down from the
other way he chooses. Now, I’ll leave it to you, shelf and twisted out the cork.
Councillor, to judge between us as a Bodymaster “See now,” he continued, as he filled three high
should.” glasses. “Let us drink the quarrelling toast of the
“What is it, then?” lodge. After that, as you know, there can be no
“A young lady. She’s free to choose for her- bad blood between us. Now, then the left hand on
self.” the apple of my throat. I say to you, Ted Baldwin,
“Is she?” cried Baldwin. what is the offense, sir?”
“As between two brothers of the lodge I should “The clouds are heavy,” answered Baldwin.
say that she was,” said the Boss. “But they will forever brighten.”
“Oh, that’s your ruling, is it?” “And this I swear!”
“Yes, it is, Ted Baldwin,” said McGinty, with a The men drank their glasses, and the same cer-
wicked stare. “Is it you that would dispute it?” emony was performed between Baldwin and Mc-
“You would throw over one that has stood by Murdo
you this five years in favour of a man that you “There!” cried McGinty, rubbing his hands.
never saw before in your life? You’re not Body- “That’s the end of the black blood. You come un-
master for life, Jack McGinty, and by God! when der lodge discipline if it goes further, and that’s
next it comes to a vote—” a heavy hand in these parts, as Brother Bald-
The Councillor sprang at him like a tiger. His win knows—and as you will damn soon find out,
hand closed round the other’s neck, and he hurled Brother McMurdo, if you ask for trouble!”
him back across one of the barrels. In his mad fury
“Faith, I’d be slow to do that,” said McMurdo.
he would have squeezed the life out of him if Mc-
He held out his hand to Baldwin. “I’m quick to
Murdo had not interfered.
quarrel and quick to forgive. It’s my hot Irish
“Easy, Councillor! For heaven’s sake, go easy!” blood, they tell me. But it’s over for me, and I
he cried, as he dragged him back. bear no grudge.”
McGinty released his hold, and Baldwin, Baldwin had to take the proffered hand, for the
cowed and shaken gasping for breath, and shiv- baleful eye of the terrible Boss was upon him. But
ering in every limb, as one who has looked over his sullen face showed how little the words of the
the very edge of death, sat up on the barrel over other had moved him.
which he had been hurled.
McGinty clapped them both on the shoulders.
“You’ve been asking for it this many a day, Ted
“Tut! These girls! These girls!” he cried. “To think
Baldwin—now you’ve got it!” cried McGinty, his
that the same petticoats should come between two
huge chest rising and falling. “Maybe you think
of my boys! It’s the devil’s own luck! Well, it’s the
if I was voted down from Bodymaster you would
colleen inside of them that must settle the ques-
find yourself in my shoes. It’s for the lodge to say
tion for it’s outside the jurisdiction of a Bodymas-
that. But so long as I am the chief I’ll have no man
ter—and the Lord be praised for that! We have
lift his voice against me or my rulings.”
enough on us, without the women as well. You’ll
“I have nothing against you,” mumbled Bald- have to be affiliated to Lodge 341, Brother Mc-
win, feeling his throat. Murdo. We have our own ways and methods, dif-
“Well, then,” cried the other, relapsing in a mo- ferent from Chicago. Saturday night is our meet-
ment into a bluff joviality, “we are all good friends ing, and if you come then, we’ll make you free
again and there’s an end of the matter.” forever of the Vermissa Valley.”

711
 The Valley Of Fear

CHAPTER III.
Lodge 341, Vermissa

On the day following the evening which had of the organized ruffianism which terrorized the
contained so many exciting events, McMurdo district. There was a hush as he entered, and many
moved his lodgings from old Jacob Shafter’s and a curious glance was cast at him; but the rela-
took up his quarters at the Widow MacNamara’s tions between policemen and criminals are pecu-
on the extreme outskirts of the town. Scanlan, liar in some parts of the States, and McGinty him-
his original acquaintance aboard the train, had oc- self standing behind his counter, showed no sur-
casion shortly afterwards to move into Vermissa, prise when the policeman enrolled himself among
and the two lodged together. There was no other his customers.
boarder, and the hostess was an easy-going old “A straight whisky, for the night is bitter,” said
Irishwoman who left them to themselves; so that the police officer. “I don’t think we have met be-
they had a freedom for speech and action welcome fore, Councillor?”
to men who had secrets in common.
“You’ll be the new captain?” said McGinty.
Shafter had relented to the extent of letting Mc-
“That’s so. We’re looking to you, Councillor,
Murdo come to his meals there when he liked; so
and to the other leading citizens, to help us in up-
that his intercourse with Ettie was by no means
holding law and order in this township. Captain
broken. On the contrary, it drew closer and more
Marvin is my name.”
intimate as the weeks went by.
“We’d do better without you, Captain Marvin,”
In his bedroom at his new abode McMurdo felt
said McGinty coldly; “for we have our own police
it safe to take out the coining moulds, and under
of the township, and no need for any imported
many a pledge of secrecy a number of brothers
goods. What are you but the paid tool of the capi-
from the lodge were allowed to come in and see
talists, hired by them to club or shoot your poorer
them, each carrying away in his pocket some ex-
fellow citizen?”
amples of the false money, so cunningly struck that
there was never the slightest difficulty or danger in “Well, well, we won’t argue about that,” said
passing it. Why, with such a wonderful art at his the police officer good-humouredly. “I expect we
command, McMurdo should condescend to work all do our duty same as we see it; but we can’t
at all was a perpetual mystery to his companions; all see it the same.” He had drunk off his glass
though he made it clear to anyone who asked him and had turned to go, when his eyes fell upon the
that if he lived without any visible means it would face of Jack McMurdo, who was scowling at his
very quickly bring the police upon his track. elbow. “Hullo! Hullo!” he cried, looking him up
and down. “Here’s an old acquaintance!”
One policeman was indeed after him already;
but the incident, as luck would have it, did the McMurdo shrank away from him. “I was never
adventurer a great deal more good than harm. Af- a friend to you nor any other cursed copper in my
ter the first introduction there were few evenings life,” said he.
when he did not find his way to McGinty’s saloon, “An acquaintance isn’t always a friend,” said
there to make closer acquaintance with “the boys,” the police captain, grinning. “You’re Jack Mc-
which was the jovial title by which the dangerous Murdo of Chicago, right enough, and don’t you
gang who infested the place were known to one deny it!”
another. His dashing manner and fearlessness of McMurdo shrugged his shoulders. “I’m not
speech made him a favourite with them all; while denying it,” said he. “D’ye think I’m ashamed of
the rapid and scientific way in which he polished my own name?”
off his antagonist in an “all in” bar-room scrap
“You’ve got good cause to be, anyhow.”
earned the respect of that rough community. An-
other incident, however, raised him even higher in “What the devil d’you mean by that?” he
their estimation. roared with his fists clenched.
Just at the crowded hour one night, the door “No, no, Jack, bluster won’t do with me. I was
opened and a man entered with the quiet blue uni- an officer in Chicago before ever I came to this
form and peaked cap of the mine police. This was darned coal bunker, and I know a Chicago crook
a special body raised by the railways and colliery when I see one.”
owners to supplement the efforts of the ordinary McMurdo’s face fell. “Don’t tell me that you’re
civil police, who were perfectly helpless in the face Marvin of the Chicago Central!” he cried.

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 The Valley Of Fear

“Just the same old Teddy Marvin, at your ser- some members of the company were already turn-
vice. We haven’t forgotten the shooting of Jonas ing their eyes. McGinty sat at the head with a flat
Pinto up there.” black velvet cap upon his shock of tangled black
“I never shot him.” hair, and a coloured purple stole round his neck,
so that he seemed to be a priest presiding over
“Did you not? That’s good impartial evidence, some diabolical ritual. To right and left of him
ain’t it? Well, his death came in uncommon handy were the higher lodge officials, the cruel, hand-
for you, or they would have had you for shoving some face of Ted Baldwin among them. Each of
the queer. Well, we can let that be bygones; for, these wore some scarf or medallion as emblem of
between you and me—and perhaps I’m going fur- his office.
ther than my duty in saying it—they could get no
clear case against you, and Chicago’s open to you They were, for the most part, men of mature
to-morrow.” age; but the rest of the company consisted of
young fellows from eighteen to twenty-five, the
“I’m very well where I am.” ready and capable agents who carried out the com-
“Well, I’ve given you the pointer, and you’re a mands of their seniors. Among the older men were
sulky dog not to thank me for it.” many whose features showed the tigerish, lawless
souls within; but looking at the rank and file it
“Well, I suppose you mean well, and I do thank
was difficult to believe that these eager and open-
you,” said McMurdo in no very gracious manner.
faced young fellows were in very truth a danger-
“It’s mum with me so long as I see you liv- ous gang of murderers, whose minds had suffered
ing on the straight,” said the captain. “But, by the such complete moral perversion that they took a
Lord! if you get off after this, it’s another story! So horrible pride in their proficiency at the business,
good-night to you—and goodnight, Councillor.” and looked with deepest respect at the man who
He left the bar-room; but not before he had cre- had the reputation of making what they called “a
ated a local hero. McMurdo’s deeds in far Chicago clean job.”
had been whispered before. He had put off all To their contorted natures it had become a spir-
questions with a smile, as one who did not wish to ited and chivalrous thing to volunteer for service
have greatness thrust upon him. But now the thing against some man who had never injured them,
was officially confirmed. The bar loafers crowded and whom in many cases they had never seen in
round him and shook him heartily by the hand. their lives. The crime committed, they quarrelled
He was free of the community from that time on. as to who had actually struck the fatal blow, and
He could drink hard and show little trace of it; amused one another and the company by describ-
but that evening, had his mate Scanlan not been ing the cries and contortions of the murdered man.
at hand to lead him home, the feted hero would At first they had shown some secrecy in their
surely have spent his night under the bar. arrangements; but at the time which this narra-
On a Saturday night McMurdo was introduced tive describes their proceedings were extraordinar-
to the lodge. He had thought to pass in with- ily open, for the repeated failures of the law had
out ceremony as being an initiate of Chicago; but proved to them that, on the one hand, no one
there were particular rites in Vermissa of which would dare to witness against them, and on the
they were proud, and these had to be undergone other they had an unlimited number of stanch wit-
by every postulant. The assembly met in a large nesses upon whom they could call, and a well-
room reserved for such purposes at the Union filled treasure chest from which they could draw
House. Some sixty members assembled at Ver- the funds to engage the best legal talent in the
missa; but that by no means represented the full state. In ten long years of outrage there had
strength of the organization, for there were sev- been no single conviction, and the only danger
eral other lodges in the valley, and others across that ever threatened the Scowrers lay in the victim
the mountains on each side, who exchanged mem- himself—who, however outnumbered and taken
bers when any serious business was afoot, so that by surprise, might and occasionally did leave his
a crime might be done by men who were strangers mark upon his assailants.
to the locality. Altogether there were not less than McMurdo had been warned that some ordeal
five hundred scattered over the coal district. lay before him; but no one would tell him in what
In the bare assembly room the men were gath- it consisted. He was led now into an outer room by
ered round a long table. At the side was a sec- two solemn brothers. Through the plank partition
ond one laden with bottles and glasses, on which he could hear the murmur of many voices from

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 The Valley Of Fear

the assembly within. Once or twice he caught the “He is of stout heart,” said the voice. “Can you
sound of his own name, and he knew that they bear pain?”
were discussing his candidacy. Then there entered “As well as another,” he answered.
an inner guard with a green and gold sash across
his chest. “Test him!”
“The Bodymaster orders that he shall be It was all he could do to keep himself from
trussed, blinded, and entered,” said he. screaming out, for an agonizing pain shot through
his forearm. He nearly fainted at the sudden shock
The three of them removed his coat, turned up
of it; but he bit his lip and clenched his hands to
the sleeve of his right arm, and finally passed a
hide his agony.
rope round above the elbows and made it fast.
They next placed a thick black cap right over his “I can take more than that,” said he.
head and the upper part of his face, so that he This time there was loud applause. A finer
could see nothing. He was then led into the as- first appearance had never been made in the lodge.
sembly hall. Hands clapped him on the back, and the hood was
It was pitch dark and very oppressive under plucked from his head. He stood blinking and
his hood. He heard the rustle and murmur of the smiling amid the congratulations of the brothers.
people round him, and then the voice of McGinty “One last word, Brother McMurdo,” said
sounded dull and distant through the covering of McGinty. “You have already sworn the oath of
his ears. secrecy and fidelity, and you are aware that the
“John McMurdo,” said the voice, “are you punishment for any breach of it is instant and in-
already a member of the Ancient Order of evitable death?”
Freemen?”
“I am,” said McMurdo.
He bowed in assent.
“And you accept the rule of the Bodymaster for
“Is your lodge No. 29, Chicago?” the time being under all circumstances?”
He bowed again. “I do.”
“Dark nights are unpleasant,” said the voice.
“Then in the name of Lodge 341, Vermissa, I
“Yes, for strangers to travel,” he answered. welcome you to its privileges and debates. You
“The clouds are heavy.” will put the liquor on the table, Brother Scanlan,
and we will drink to our worthy brother.”
“Yes, a storm is approaching.”
“Are the brethren satisfied?” asked the Body- McMurdo’s coat had been brought to him; but
master. before putting it on he examined his right arm,
which still smarted heavily. There on the flesh of
There was a general murmur of assent. the forearm was a circle with a triangle within it,
“We know, Brother, by your sign and by your deep and red, as the branding iron had left it. One
countersign that you are indeed one of us,” said or two of his neighbours pulled up their sleeves
McGinty. “We would have you know, however, and showed their own lodge marks.
that in this county and in other counties of these
“We’ve all had it,” said one; “but not all as
parts we have certain rites, and also certain du-
brave as you over it.”
ties of our own which call for good men. Are you
ready to be tested?” “Tut! It was nothing,” said he; but it burned
and ached all the same.
“I am.”
“Are you of stout heart?” When the drinks which followed the ceremony
of initiation had all been disposed of, the business
“I am.” of the lodge proceeded. McMurdo, accustomed
“Take a stride forward to prove it.” only to the prosaic performances of Chicago, lis-
As the words were said he felt two hard points tened with open ears and more surprise than he
in front of his eyes, pressing upon them so that it ventured to show to what followed.
appeared as if he could not move forward without “The first business on the agenda paper,” said
a danger of losing them. None the less, he nerved McGinty, “is to read the following letter from Divi-
himself to step resolutely out, and as he did so the sion Master Windle of Merton County Lodge 249.
pressure melted away. There was a low murmur He says:
of applause.

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 The Valley Of Fear

“Dear Sir: come of it. But they are men who will make a
“There is a job to be done on An- clean job when they are about it.”
drew Rae of Rae & Sturmash, coal own- “And time, too!” cried Ted Baldwin. “Folk are
ers near this place. You will remem- gettin’ out of hand in these parts. It was only last
ber that your lodge owes us a return, week that three of our men were turned off by
having had the service of two brethren Foreman Blaker. It’s been owing him a long time,
in the matter of the patrolman last fall. and he’ll get it full and proper.”
You will send two good men, they will “Get what?” McMurdo whispered to his neigh-
be taken charge of by Treasurer Hig- bour.
gins of this lodge, whose address you
“The business end of a buckshot cartridge!”
know. He will show them when to act
cried the man with a loud laugh. “What think you
and where. Yours in freedom,
of our ways, Brother?”
“J. W. Windle D. M. A. O. F.
McMurdo’s criminal soul seemed to have al-
“Windle has never refused us when we have ready absorbed the spirit of the vile association of
had occasion to ask for the loan of a man or two, which he was now a member. “I like it well,” said
and it is not for us to refuse him.” McGinty paused he. “’Tis a proper place for a lad of mettle.”
and looked round the room with his dull, malevo- Several of those who sat around heard his
lent eyes. “Who will volunteer for the job?” words and applauded them.
Several young fellows held up their hands. The “What’s that?” cried the black-maned Body-
Bodymaster looked at them with an approving master from the end of the table.
smile. “’Tis our new brother, sir, who finds our ways
to his taste.”
“You’ll do, Tiger Cormac. If you handle it as
well as you did the last, you won’t be wrong. And McMurdo rose to his feet for an instant. “I
you, Wilson.” would say, Eminent Bodymaster, that if a man
should be wanted I should take it as an honour
“I’ve no pistol,” said the volunteer, a mere boy to be chosen to help the lodge.”
in his teens.
There was great applause at this. It was felt that
“It’s your first, is it not? Well, you have to be a new sun was pushing its rim above the horizon.
blooded some time. It will be a great start for you. To some of the elders it seemed that the progress
As to the pistol, you’ll find it waiting for you, or was a little too rapid.
I’m mistaken. If you report yourselves on Monday, “I would move,” said the secretary, Harraway,
it will be time enough. You’ll get a great welcome a vulture-faced old graybeard who sat near the
when you return.” chairman, “that Brother McMurdo should wait un-
“Any reward this time?” asked Cormac, a til it is the good pleasure of the lodge to employ
thick-set, dark-faced, brutal-looking young man, him.”
whose ferocity had earned him the nickname of “Sure, that was what I meant; I’m in your
“Tiger.” hands,” said McMurdo.
“Never mind the reward. You just do it for the “Your time will come, Brother,” said the chair-
honour of the thing. Maybe when it is done there man. “We have marked you down as a willing
will be a few odd dollars at the bottom of the box.” man, and we believe that you will do good work
“What has the man done?” asked young Wil- in these parts. There is a small matter to-night in
son. which you may take a hand if it so please you.”
“I will wait for something that is worth while.”
“Sure, it’s not for the likes of you to ask what
the man has done. He has been judged over there. “You can come to-night, anyhow, and it will
That’s no business of ours. All we have to do is help you to know what we stand for in this com-
to carry it out for them, same as they would for munity. I will make the announcement later.
us. Speaking of that, two brothers from the Mer- Meanwhile,” he glanced at his agenda paper, “I
ton lodge are coming over to us next week to do have one or two more points to bring before the
some business in this quarter.” meeting. First of all, I will ask the treasurer as to
our bank balance. There is the pension to Jim Car-
“Who are they?” asked someone. naway’s widow. He was struck down doing the
“Faith, it is wiser not to ask. If you know noth- work of the lodge, and it is for us to see that she is
ing, you can testify nothing, and no trouble can not the loser.”

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“Jim was shot last month when they tried to that others will be sent in their stead. And we are
kill Chester Wilcox of Marley Creek,” McMurdo’s making it dangerous for ourselves. The small men
neighbour informed him. could not harm us. They had not the money nor
“The funds are good at the moment,” said the the power. So long as we did not squeeze them
treasurer, with the bankbook in front of him. “The too dry, they would stay on under our power. But
firms have been generous of late. Max Linder & if these big companies find that we stand between
Co. paid five hundred to be left alone. Walker them and their profits, they will spare no pains
Brothers sent in a hundred; but I took it on my- and no expense to hunt us down and bring us to
self to return it and ask for five. If I do not hear court.”
by Wednesday, their winding gear may get out of There was a hush at these ominous words, and
order. We had to burn their breaker last year be- every face darkened as gloomy looks were ex-
fore they became reasonable. Then the West Sec- changed. So omnipotent and unchallenged had
tion Coaling Company has paid its annual contri- they been that the very thought that there was pos-
bution. We have enough on hand to meet any obli- sible retribution in the background had been ban-
gations.” ished from their minds. And yet the idea struck a
“What about Archie Swindon?” asked a chill to the most reckless of them.
brother. “It is my advice,” the speaker continued, “that
we go easier upon the small men. On the day that
“He has sold out and left the district. The old
they have all been driven out the power of this so-
devil left a note for us to say that he had rather be
ciety will have been broken.”
a free crossing sweeper in New York than a large
mine owner under the power of a ring of black- Unwelcome truths are not popular. There
mailers. By Gar! it was as well that he made a were angry cries as the speaker resumed his seat.
break for it before the note reached us! I guess he McGinty rose with gloom upon his brow.
won’t show his face in this valley again.” “Brother Morris,” said he, “you were always
An elderly, clean-shaved man with a kindly a croaker. So long as the members of this lodge
face and a good brow rose from the end of the ta- stand together there is no power in the United
ble which faced the chairman. “Mr. Treasurer,” he States that can touch them. Sure, have we not
asked, “may I ask who has bought the property of tried it often enough in the law courts? I expect
this man that we have driven out of the district?” the big companies will find it easier to pay than
to fight, same as the little companies do. And
“Yes, Brother Morris. It has been bought by the now, Brethren,” McGinty took off his black vel-
State & Merton County Railroad Company.” vet cap and his stole as he spoke, “this lodge has
“And who bought the mines of Todman and of finished its business for the evening, save for one
Lee that came into the market in the same way last small matter which may be mentioned when we
year?” are parting. The time has now come for fraternal
“The same company, Brother Morris.” refreshment and for harmony.”
“And who bought the ironworks of Manson Strange indeed is human nature. Here were
and of Shuman and of Van Deher and of Atwood, these men, to whom murder was familiar, who
which have all been given up of late?” again and again had struck down the father of the
family, some man against whom they had no per-
“They were all bought by the West Gilmerton sonal feeling, without one thought of compunction
General Mining Company.” or of compassion for his weeping wife or helpless
“I don’t see, Brother Morris,” said the chair- children, and yet the tender or pathetic in music
man, “that it matters to us who buys them, since could move them to tears. McMurdo had a fine
they can’t carry them out of the district.” tenor voice, and if he had failed to gain the good
“With all respect to you, Eminent Bodymaster, will of the lodge before, it could no longer have
I think it may matter very much to us. This process been withheld after he had thrilled them with “I’m
has been going on now for ten long years. We are Sitting on the Stile, Mary,” and “On the Banks of
gradually driving all the small men out of trade. Allan Water.”
What is the result? We find in their places great In his very first night the new recruit had made
companies like the Railroad or the General Iron, himself one of the most popular of the brethren,
who have their directors in New York or Philadel- marked already for advancement and high office.
phia, and care nothing for our threats. We can There were other qualities needed, however, be-
take it out of their local bosses, but it only means sides those of good fellowship, to make a worthy

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Freeman, and of these he was given an example “And how would they bring about our destruc-
before the evening was over. The whisky bottle tion, Mr. Standback?” cried McGinty. “Is it by the
had passed round many times, and the men were police? Sure, half of them are in our pay and half
flushed and ripe for mischief when their Bodymas- of them afraid of us. Or is it by the law courts and
ter rose once more to address them. the judge? Haven’t we tried that before now, and
“Boys,” said he, “there’s one man in this town what ever came of it?”
that wants trimming up, and it’s for you to see “There is a Judge Lynch that might try the
that he gets it. I’m speaking of James Stanger of case,” said Brother Morris.
the Herald. You’ve seen how he’s been opening his A general shout of anger greeted the sugges-
mouth against us again?” tion.
There was a murmur of assent, with many a “I have but to raise my finger,” cried McGinty,
muttered oath. McGinty took a slip of paper from “and I could put two hundred men into this town
his waistcoat pocket. that would clear it out from end to end.” Then sud-
Law and Order! denly raising his voice and bending his huge black
That’s how he heads it. brows into a terrible frown, “See here, Brother
Morris, I have my eye on you, and have had for
“Reign of terror in the coal and
some time! You’ve no heart yourself, and you try
iron district
to take the heart out of others. It will be an ill
“Twelve years have now elapsed since the day for you, Brother Morris, when your own name
first assassinations which proved the ex- comes on our agenda paper, and I’m thinking that
istence of a criminal organization in our it’s just there that I ought to place it.”
midst. From that day these outrages have
never ceased, until now they have reached Morris had turned deadly pale, and his knees
a pitch which makes us the opprobrium of seemed to give way under him as he fell back into
the civilized world. Is it for such results as his chair. He raised his glass in his trembling hand
this that our great country welcomes to its and drank before he could answer. “I apologize,
bosom the alien who flies from the despo- Eminent Bodymaster, to you and to every brother
tisms of Europe? Is it that they shall them- in this lodge if I have said more than I should. I
selves become tyrants over the very men am a faithful member—you all know that—and it
who have given them shelter, and that a is my fear lest evil come to the lodge which makes
state of terrorism and lawlessness should me speak in anxious words. But I have greater
be established under the very shadow of the trust in your judgment than in my own, Eminent
sacred folds of the starry Flag of Freedom Bodymaster, and I promise you that I will not of-
which would raise horror in our minds if fend again.”
we read of it as existing under the most ef- The Bodymaster’s scowl relaxed as he listened
fete monarchy of the East? The men are to the humble words. “Very good, Brother Morris.
known. The organization is patent and It’s myself that would be sorry if it were needful to
public. How long are we to endure it? Can give you a lesson. But so long as I am in this chair
we forever live— we shall be a united lodge in word and in deed.
Sure, I’ve read enough of the slush!“ cried the And now, boys,” he continued, looking round at
chairman, tossing the paper down upon the table. the company, “I’ll say this much, that if Stanger got
”That’s what he says of us. The question I’m ask- his full deserts there would be more trouble than
ing you is what shall we say to him?“ we need ask for. These editors hang together, and
every journal in the state would be crying out for
“Kill him!” cried a dozen fierce voices. police and troops. But I guess you can give him
“I protest against that,” said Brother Morris, a pretty severe warning. Will you fix it, Brother
the man of the good brow and shaved face. “I tell Baldwin?”
you, Brethren, that our hand is too heavy in this “Sure!” said the young man eagerly.
valley, and that there will come a point where in
“How many will you take?”
self-defense every man will unite to crush us out.
James Stanger is an old man. He is respected in “Half a dozen, and two to guard the door.
the township and the district. His paper stands for You’ll come, Gower, and you, Mansel, and you,
all that is solid in the valley. If that man is struck Scanlan, and the two Willabys.”
down, there will be a stir through this state that “I promised the new brother he should go,”
will only end with our destruction.” said the chairman.

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 The Valley Of Fear

Ted Baldwin looked at McMurdo with eyes long, thin limbs quivered under the blows. The
which showed that he had not forgotten nor for- others ceased at last; but Baldwin, his cruel face
given. “Well, he can come if he wants,” he said in set in an infernal smile, was hacking at the man’s
a surly voice. “That’s enough. The sooner we get head, which he vainly endeavoured to defend with
to work the better.” his arms. His white hair was dabbled with patches
The company broke up with shouts and yells of blood. Baldwin was still stooping over his vic-
and snatches of drunken song. The bar was still tim, putting in a short, vicious blow whenever he
crowded with revellers, and many of the brethren could see a part exposed, when McMurdo dashed
remained there. The little band who had been told up the stair and pushed him back.
off for duty passed out into the street, proceeding “You’ll kill the man,” said he. “Drop it!”
in twos and threes along the sidewalk so as not Baldwin looked at him in amazement. “Curse
to provoke attention. It was a bitterly cold night, you!” he cried. “Who are you to interfere—you
with a half-moon shining brilliantly in a frosty, that are new to the lodge? Stand back!” He raised
star-spangled sky. The men stopped and gathered his stick; but McMurdo had whipped his pistol out
in a yard which faced a high building. The words of his hip pocket.
“Vermissa Herald” were printed in gold lettering
between the brightly lit windows. From within “Stand back yourself!” he cried. “I’ll blow your
came the clanking of the printing press. face in if you lay a hand on me. As to the lodge,
wasn’t it the order of the Bodymaster that the man
“Here, you,” said Baldwin to McMurdo, “you
was not to be killed—and what are you doing but
can stand below at the door and see that the road
killing him?”
is kept open for us. Arthur Willaby can stay with
you. You others come with me. Have no fears, “It’s truth he says,” remarked one of the men.
boys; for we have a dozen witnesses that we are in “By Gar! you’d best hurry yourselves!” cried
the Union Bar at this very moment.” the man below. “The windows are all lighting up,
It was nearly midnight, and the street was de- and you’ll have the whole town here inside of five
serted save for one or two revellers upon their way minutes.”
home. The party crossed the road, and, pushing There was indeed the sound of shouting in the
open the door of the newspaper office, Baldwin street, and a little group of compositors and press-
and his men rushed in and up the stair which men was forming in the hall below and nerving
faced them. McMurdo and another remained be- itself to action. Leaving the limp and motion-
low. From the room above came a shout, a cry for less body of the editor at the head of the stair,
help, and then the sound of trampling feet and of the criminals rushed down and made their way
falling chairs. An instant later a gray-haired man swiftly along the street. Having reached the Union
rushed out on the landing. House, some of them mixed with the crowd in
He was seized before he could get farther, and McGinty’s saloon, whispering across the bar to the
his spectacles came tinkling down to McMurdo’s Boss that the job had been well carried through.
feet. There was a thud and a groan. He was on Others, and among them McMurdo, broke away
his face, and half a dozen sticks were clattering to- into side streets, and so by devious paths to their
gether as they fell upon him. He writhed, and his own homes.

CHAPTER IV.
The Valley of Fear

When McMurdo awoke next morning he had and swollen. Having his own peculiar source of
good reason to remember his initiation into the income, he was irregular in his attendance at his
lodge. His head ached with the effect of the drink, work; so he had a late breakfast, and remained at
and his arm, where he had been branded, was hot home for the morning writing a long letter to a

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friend. Afterwards he read the Daily Herald. In a winding valley beneath, with its scattered mines
special column put in at the last moment he read: and factories blackening the snow on each side of
Outrage at the herald office — it, and of the wooded and white-capped ranges
Editor seriously injured flanking it.
It was a short account of the facts with which he McMurdo strolled up the winding path hedged
was himself more familiar than the writer could in with evergreens until he reached the deserted
have been. It ended with the statement: restaurant which forms the centre of summer gai-
The matter is now in the hands of the po- ety. Beside it was a bare flagstaff, and underneath
lice; but it can hardly be hoped that their it a man, his hat drawn down and the collar of his
exertions will be attended by any better re- overcoat turned up. When he turned his face Mc-
sults than in the past. Some of the men Murdo saw that it was Brother Morris, he who had
were recognized, and there is hope that a incurred the anger of the Bodymaster the night be-
conviction may be obtained. The source fore. The lodge sign was given and exchanged as
of the outrage was, it need hardly be said, they met.
that infamous society which has held this “I wanted to have a word with you, Mr. Mc-
community in bondage for so long a pe- Murdo,” said the older man, speaking with a
riod, and against which the Herald has hesitation which showed that he was on delicate
taken so uncompromising a stand. Mr. ground. “It was kind of you to come.”
Stanger’s many friends will rejoice to hear “Why did you not put your name to the note?”
that, though he has been cruelly and bru- “One has to be cautious, mister. One never
tally beaten, and though he has sustained knows in times like these how a thing may come
severe injuries about the head, there is no back to one. One never knows either who to trust
immediate danger to his life. or who not to trust.”
Below it stated that a guard of police, armed with “Surely one may trust brothers of the lodge.”
Winchester rifles, had been requisitioned for the “No, no, not always,” cried Morris with vehe-
defense of the office. mence. “Whatever we say, even what we think,
McMurdo had laid down the paper, and was seems to go back to that man McGinty.”
lighting his pipe with a hand which was shaky “Look here!” said McMurdo sternly. “It was
from the excesses of the previous evening, when only last night, as you know well, that I swore
there was a knock outside, and his landlady good faith to our Bodymaster. Would you be ask-
brought to him a note which had just been handed ing me to break my oath?”
in by a lad. It was unsigned, and ran thus: “If that is the view you take,” said Morris sadly,
“I can only say that I am sorry I gave you the trou-
I should wish to speak to you, but
ble to come and meet me. Things have come to a
would rather not do so in your house.
bad pass when two free citizens cannot speak their
You will find me beside the flagstaff
thoughts to each other.”
upon Miller Hill. If you will come there
now, I have something which it is im- McMurdo, who had been watching his com-
portant for you to hear and for me to panion very narrowly, relaxed somewhat in his
say. bearing. “Sure I spoke for myself only,” said he.
“I am a newcomer, as you know, and I am strange
McMurdo read the note twice with the utmost to it all. It is not for me to open my mouth, Mr.
surprise; for he could not imagine what it meant Morris, and if you think well to say anything to
or who was the author of it. Had it been in a femi- me I am here to hear it.”
nine hand, he might have imagined that it was the “And to take it back to Boss McGinty!” said
beginning of one of those adventures which had Morris bitterly.
been familiar enough in his past life. But it was “Indeed, then, you do me injustice there,” cried
the writing of a man, and of a well educated one, McMurdo. “For myself I am loyal to the lodge, and
too. Finally, after some hesitation, he determined so I tell you straight; but I would be a poor creature
to see the matter through. if I were to repeat to any other what you might say
Miller Hill is an ill-kept public park in the very to me in confidence. It will go no further than me;
centre of the town. In summer it is a favourite though I warn you that you may get neither help
resort of the people; but in winter it is desolate nor sympathy.”
enough. From the top of it one has a view not only “I have given up looking for either the one or
of the whole straggling, grimy town, but of the the other,” said Morris. “I may be putting my very

719
 The Valley Of Fear

life in your hands by what I say; but, bad as you a job. If I backed down I knew well what would
are—and it seemed to me last night that you were come to me. Maybe I’m a coward. Maybe it’s the
shaping to be as bad as the worst—still you are thought of my poor little woman and the children
new to it, and your conscience cannot yet be as that makes me one. Anyhow I went. I guess it will
hardened as theirs. That was why I thought to haunt me forever.
speak with you.” “It was a lonely house, twenty miles from here,
“Well, what have you to say?” over the range yonder. I was told off for the door,
“If you give me away, may a curse be on you!” same as you were last night. They could not trust
me with the job. The others went in. When they
“Sure, I said I would not.” came out their hands were crimson to the wrists.
“I would ask you, then, when you joined the As we turned away a child was screaming out of
Freeman’s society in Chicago and swore vows of the house behind us. It was a boy of five who had
charity and fidelity, did ever it cross your mind seen his father murdered. I nearly fainted with
that you might find it would lead you to crime?” the horror of it, and yet I had to keep a bold and
“If you call it crime,” McMurdo answered. smiling face; for well I knew that if I did not it
would be out of my house that they would come
“Call it crime!” cried Morris, his voice vibrating
next with their bloody hands and it would be my
with passion. “You have seen little of it if you can
little Fred that would be screaming for his father.
call it anything else. Was it crime last night when
a man old enough to be your father was beaten till “But I was a criminal then, part sharer in a mur-
the blood dripped from his white hairs? Was that der, lost forever in this world, and lost also in the
crime—or what else would you call it?” next. I am a good Catholic; but the priest would
have no word with me when he heard I was a
“There are some would say it was war,” said
Scowrer, and I am excommunicated from my faith.
McMurdo, “a war of two classes with all in, so
That’s how it stands with me. And I see you go-
that each struck as best it could.”
ing down the same road, and I ask you what the
“Well, did you think of such a thing when you end is to be. Are you ready to be a cold-blooded
joined the Freeman’s society at Chicago?” murderer also, or can we do anything to stop it?”
“No, I’m bound to say I did not.” “What would you do?” asked McMurdo
“Nor did I when I joined it at Philadelphia. It abruptly. “You would not inform?”
was just a benefit club and a meeting place for “God forbid!” cried Morris. “Sure, the very
one’s fellows. Then I heard of this place—curse the thought would cost me my life.”
hour that the name first fell upon my ears!—and I
“That’s well,” said McMurdo. “I’m thinking
came to better myself! My God! to better my-
that you are a weak man and that you make too
self! My wife and three children came with me. I
much of the matter.”
started a dry goods store on Market Square, and I
prospered well. The word had gone round that I “Too much! Wait till you have lived here longer.
was a Freeman, and I was forced to join the local Look down the valley! See the cloud of a hun-
lodge, same as you did last night. I’ve the badge dred chimneys that overshadows it! I tell you that
of shame on my forearm and something worse the cloud of murder hangs thicker and lower than
branded on my heart. I found that I was under that over the heads of the people. It is the Valley
the orders of a black villain and caught in a mesh- of Fear, the Valley of Death. The terror is in the
work of crime. What could I do? Every word I said hearts of the people from the dusk to the dawn.
to make things better was taken as treason, same Wait, young man, and you will learn for yourself.”
as it was last night. I can’t get away; for all I have “Well, I’ll let you know what I think when I
in the world is in my store. If I leave the society, have seen more,” said McMurdo carelessly. “What
I know well that it means murder to me, and God is very clear is that you are not the man for the
knows what to my wife and children. Oh, man, place, and that the sooner you sell out—if you
it is awful—awful!” He put his hands to his face, only get a dime a dollar for what the business is
and his body shook with convulsive sobs. worth—the better it will be for you. What you have
McMurdo shrugged his shoulders. “You were said is safe with me; but, by Gar! if I thought you
too soft for the job,” said he. “You are the wrong were an informer—”
sort for such work.” “No, no!” cried Morris piteously.
“I had a conscience and a religion; but they “Well, let it rest at that. I’ll bear what you have
made me a criminal among them. I was chosen for said in mind, and maybe some day I’ll come back

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 The Valley Of Fear

to it. I expect you meant kindly by speaking to me “Well, I guess because I tell you not. That’s
like this. Now I’ll be getting home.” enough for most folk in these parts.”
“One word before you go,” said Morris. “We “It may be enough for most folk; but it ain’t
may have been seen together. They may want to enough for me, Councillor,” said McMurdo boldly.
know what we have spoken about.” “If you are a judge of men, you’ll know that.”
“Ah! that’s well thought of.” The swarthy giant glared at him, and his hairy
“I offer you a clerkship in my store.” paw closed for an instant round the glass as
though he would hurl it at the head of his com-
“And I refuse it. That’s our business. Well, so panion. Then he laughed in his loud, boisterous,
long, Brother Morris, and may you find things go insincere fashion.
better with you in the future.”
“You’re a queer card, for sure,” said he. “Well,
That same afternoon, as McMurdo sat smok- if you want reasons, I’ll give them. Did Morris say
ing, lost in thought beside the stove of his sitting- nothing to you against the lodge?”
room, the door swung open and its framework
“No.”
was filled with the huge figure of Boss McGinty.
He passed the sign, and then seating himself op- “Nor against me?”
posite to the young man he looked at him steadily “No.”
for some time, a look which was as steadily re- “Well, that’s because he daren’t trust you. But
turned. in his heart he is not a loyal brother. We know that
“I’m not much of a visitor, Brother McMurdo,” well. So we watch him and we wait for the time to
he said at last. “I guess I am too busy over the folk admonish him. I’m thinking that the time is draw-
that visit me. But I thought I’d stretch a point and ing near. There’s no room for scabby sheep in our
drop down to see you in your own house.” pen. But if you keep company with a disloyal man,
we might think that you were disloyal, too. See?”
“I’m proud to see you here, Councillor,” Mc-
Murdo answered heartily, bringing his whisky bot- “There’s no chance of my keeping company
tle out of the cupboard. “It’s an honour that I had with him; for I dislike the man,” McMurdo an-
not expected.” swered. “As to being disloyal, if it was any man
but you he would not use the word to me twice.”
“How’s the arm?” asked the Boss.
“Well, that’s enough,” said McGinty, draining
McMurdo made a wry face. “Well, I’m not for- off his glass. “I came down to give you a word in
getting it,” he said; “but it’s worth it.” season, and you’ve had it.”
“Yes, it’s worth it,” the other answered, “to “I’d like to know,” said McMurdo, “how you
those that are loyal and go through with it and ever came to learn that I had spoken with Morris
are a help to the lodge. What were you speaking at all?”
to Brother Morris about on Miller Hill this morn-
McGinty laughed. “It’s my business to know
ing?”
what goes on in this township,” said he. “I guess
The question came so suddenly that it was well you’d best reckon on my hearing all that passes.
that he had his answer prepared. He burst into a Well, time’s up, and I’ll just say—”
hearty laugh. “Morris didn’t know I could earn a But his leavetaking was cut short in a very un-
living here at home. He shan’t know either; for he expected fashion. With a sudden crash the door
has got too much conscience for the likes of me. flew open, and three frowning, intent faces glared
But he’s a good-hearted old chap. It was his idea in at them from under the peaks of police caps.
that I was at a loose end, and that he would do McMurdo sprang to his feet and half drew his re-
me a good turn by offering me a clerkship in a dry volver; but his arm stopped midway as he became
goods store.” conscious that two Winchester rifles were levelled
“Oh, that was it?” at his head. A man in uniform advanced into the
“Yes, that was it.” room, a six-shooter in his hand. It was Captain
“And you refused it?” Marvin, once of Chicago, and now of the Mine
Constabulary. He shook his head with a half-smile
“Sure. Couldn’t I earn ten times as much in my at McMurdo.
own bedroom with four hours’ work?”
“I thought you’d be getting into trouble, Mr.
“That’s so. But I wouldn’t get about too much Crooked McMurdo of Chicago,” said he. “Can’t
with Morris.” keep out of it, can you? Take your hat and come
“Why not?” along with us.”

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“I guess you’ll pay for this, Captain Marvin,” “I’ll bid you good-bye,” said the Boss, shaking
said McGinty. “Who are you, I’d like to know, to hands. “I’ll see Reilly the lawyer and take the de-
break into a house in this fashion and molest hon- fense upon myself. Take my word for it that they
est, law-abiding men?” won’t be able to hold you.”
“You’re standing out in this deal, Councillor “I wouldn’t bet on that. Guard the prisoner,
McGinty,” said the police captain. “We are not out you two, and shoot him if he tries any games. I’ll
after you, but after this man McMurdo. It is for search the house before I leave.”
you to help, not to hinder us in our duty,” He did so; but apparently found no trace of the
concealed plant. When he had descended he and
“He is a friend of mine, and I’ll answer for his
his men escorted McMurdo to headquarters. Dark-
conduct,” said the Boss.
ness had fallen, and a keen blizzard was blowing
“By all accounts, Mr. McGinty, you may have to so that the streets were nearly deserted; but a few
answer for your own conduct some of these days,” loiterers followed the group, and emboldened by
the captain answered. “This man McMurdo was a invisibility shouted imprecations at the prisoner.
crook before ever he came here, and he’s a crook “Lynch the cursed Scowrer!” they cried.
still. Cover him, Patrolman, while I disarm him.” “Lynch him!” They laughed and jeered as he was
“There’s my pistol,” said McMurdo coolly. pushed into the police station. After a short, for-
“Maybe, Captain Marvin, if you and I were alone mal examination from the inspector in charge he
and face to face you would not take me so easily.” was put into the common cell. Here he found Bald-
win and three other criminals of the night before,
“Where’s your warrant?” asked McGinty. “By all arrested that afternoon and waiting their trial
Gar! a man might as well live in Russia as in Ver- next morning.
missa while folk like you are running the police.
But even within this inner fortress of the law
It’s a capitalist outrage, and you’ll hear more of it,
the long arm of the Freemen was able to extend.
I reckon.”
Late at night there came a jailer with a straw bun-
“You do what you think is your duty the best dle for their bedding, out of which he extracted
way you can, Councillor. We’ll look after ours.” two bottles of whisky, some glasses, and a pack
of cards. They spent a hilarious night, without an
“What am I accused of?” asked McMurdo.
anxious thought as to the ordeal of the morning.
“Of being concerned in the beating of old Ed- Nor had they cause, as the result was to show.
itor Stanger at the Herald office. It wasn’t your The magistrate could not possibly, on the evidence,
fault that it isn’t a murder charge.” have held them for a higher court. On the one
“Well, if that’s all you have against him,” cried hand the compositors and pressmen were forced
McGinty with a laugh, “you can save yourself a to admit that the light was uncertain, that they
deal of trouble by dropping it right now. This man were themselves much perturbed, and that it was
was with me in my saloon playing poker up to difficult for them to swear to the identity of the
midnight, and I can bring a dozen to prove it.” assailants; although they believed that the accused
were among them. Cross examined by the clever
“That’s your affair, and I guess you can settle attorney who had been engaged by McGinty, they
it in court to-morrow. Meanwhile, come on, Mc- were even more nebulous in their evidence.
Murdo, and come quietly if you don’t want a gun
The injured man had already deposed that he
across your head. You stand wide, Mr. McGinty;
was so taken by surprise by the suddenness of the
for I warn you I will stand no resistance when I
attack that he could state nothing beyond the fact
am on duty!”
that the first man who struck him wore a mous-
So determined was the appearance of the cap- tache. He added that he knew them to be Scowr-
tain that both McMurdo and his boss were forced ers, since no one else in the community could pos-
to accept the situation. The latter managed to have sibly have any enmity to him, and he had long
a few whispered words with the prisoner before been threatened on account of his outspoken edi-
they parted. torials. On the other hand, it was clearly shown by
the united and unfaltering evidence of six citizens,
“What about—” he jerked his thumb upward
including that high municipal official, Councillor
to signify the coining plant.
McGinty, that the men had been at a card party
“All right,” whispered McMurdo, who had de- at the Union House until an hour very much later
vised a safe hiding place under the floor. than the commission of the outrage.

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 The Valley Of Fear

Needless to say that they were discharged with But there were others who sat with compressed
something very near to an apology from the bench lips and brooding eyes as the men filed out of the
for the inconvenience to which they had been put, dock. One of them, a little, dark-bearded, resolute
together with an implied censure of Captain Mar- fellow, put the thoughts of himself and comrades
vin and the police for their officious zeal. into words as the ex-prisoners passed him.
The verdict was greeted with loud applause
by a court in which McMurdo saw many famil- “You damned murderers!” he said. “We’ll fix
iar faces. Brothers of the lodge smiled and waved. you yet!”

CHAPTER V.
The Darkest Hour

If anything had been needed to give an impetus with a man who was regarded as a criminal.
to Jack McMurdo’s popularity among his fellows One morning after a sleepless night she de-
it would have been his arrest and acquittal. That a termined to see him, possibly for the last time,
man on the very night of joining the lodge should and make one strong endeavour to draw him
have done something which brought him before from those evil influences which were sucking him
the magistrate was a new record in the annals of down. She went to his house, as he had often
the society. Already he had earned the reputation begged her to do, and made her way into the room
of a good boon companion, a cheery reveller, and which he used as his sitting-room. He was seated
withal a man of high temper, who would not take at a table, with his back turned and a letter in front
an insult even from the all-powerful Boss himself. of him. A sudden spirit of girlish mischief came
But in addition to this he impressed his comrades over her—she was still only nineteen. He had not
with the idea that among them all there was not heard her when she pushed open the door. Now
one whose brain was so ready to devise a blood- she tiptoed forward and laid her hand lightly upon
thirsty scheme, or whose hand would be more ca- his bended shoulders.
pable of carrying it out. “He’ll be the boy for the
clean job,” said the oldsters to one another, and If she had expected to startle him, she certainly
waited their time until they could set him to his succeeded; but only in turn to be startled her-
work. self. With a tiger spring he turned on her, and
his right hand was feeling for her throat. At the
McGinty had instruments enough already; but same instant with the other hand he crumpled up
he recognized that this was a supremely able one. the paper that lay before him. For an instant he
He felt like a man holding a fierce bloodhound in stood glaring. Then astonishment and joy took
leash. There were curs to do the smaller work; but the place of the ferocity which had convulsed his
some day he would slip this creature upon its prey. features—a ferocity which had sent her shrinking
A few members of the lodge, Ted Baldwin among back in horror as from something which had never
them, resented the rapid rise of the stranger and before intruded into her gentle life.
hated him for it; but they kept clear of him, for he “It’s you!” said he, mopping his brow. “And
was as ready to fight as to laugh. to think that you should come to me, heart of my
But if he gained favour with his fellows, there heart, and I should find nothing better to do than
was another quarter, one which had become even to want to strangle you! Come then, darling,” and
more vital to him, in which he lost it. Ettie he held out his arms, “let me make it up to you.”
Shafter’s father would have nothing more to do But she had not recovered from that sudden
with him, nor would he allow him to enter the glimpse of guilty fear which she had read in the
house. Ettie herself was too deeply in love to give man’s face. All her woman’s instinct told her that
him up altogether, and yet her own good sense it was not the mere fright of a man who is startled.
warned her of what would come from a marriage Guilt—that was it—guilt and fear!

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 The Valley Of Fear

“What’s come over you, Jack?” she cried. “Why give it up! It was to ask you that I came here to-
were you so scared of me? Oh, Jack, if your con- day. Oh, Jack, see—I beg it of you on my bended
science was at ease, you would not have looked at knees! Kneeling here before you I implore you to
me like that!” give it up!”
“Sure, I was thinking of other things, and when He raised her and soothed her with her head
you came tripping so lightly on those fairy feet of against his breast.
yours—” “Sure, my darlin’, you don’t know what it is
“No, no, it was more than that, Jack.” Then a you are asking. How could I give it up when it
sudden suspicion seized her. “Let me see that let- would be to break my oath and to desert my com-
ter you were writing.” rades? If you could see how things stand with me
you could never ask it of me. Besides, if I wanted
“Ah, Ettie, I couldn’t do that.”
to, how could I do it? You don’t suppose that the
Her suspicions became certainties. “It’s to an- lodge would let a man go free with all its secrets?”
other woman,” she cried. “I know it! Why else “I’ve thought of that, Jack. I’ve planned it all.
should you hold it from me? Was it to your wife Father has saved some money. He is weary of this
that you were writing? How am I to know that place where the fear of these people darkens our
you are not a married man—you, a stranger, that lives. He is ready to go. We would fly together
nobody knows?” to Philadelphia or New York, where we would be
“I am not married, Ettie. See now, I swear it! safe from them.”
You’re the only one woman on earth to me. By the McMurdo laughed. “The lodge has a long arm.
cross of Christ I swear it!” Do you think it could not stretch from here to
He was so white with passionate earnestness Philadelphia or New York?”
that she could not but believe him. “Well, then, to the West, or to England, or to
“Well, then,” she cried, “why will you not show Germany, where father came from—anywhere to
me the letter?” get away from this Valley of Fear!”
“I’ll tell you, acushla,” said he. “I’m under oath McMurdo thought of old Brother Morris.
not to show it, and just as I wouldn’t break my “Sure, it is the second time I have heard the val-
word to you so I would keep it to those who hold ley so named,” said he. “The shadow does indeed
my promise. It’s the business of the lodge, and seem to lie heavy on some of you.”
even to you it’s secret. And if I was scared when “It darkens every moment of our lives. Do you
a hand fell on me, can’t you understand it when it suppose that Ted Baldwin has ever forgiven us? If
might have been the hand of a detective?” it were not that he fears you, what do you suppose
She felt that he was telling the truth. He gath- our chances would be? If you saw the look in those
ered her into his arms and kissed away her fears dark, hungry eyes of his when they fall on me!”
and doubts. “By Gar! I’d teach him better manners if I
“Sit here by me, then. It’s a queer throne for caught him at it! But see here, little girl. I can’t
such a queen; but it’s the best your poor lover can leave here. I can’t—take that from me once and for
find. He’ll do better for you some of these days, all. But if you will leave me to find my own way,
I’m thinking. Now your mind is easy once again, I will try to prepare a way of getting honourably
is it not?” out of it.”
“There is no honour in such a matter.”
“How can it ever be at ease, Jack, when I know
that you are a criminal among criminals, when I “Well, well, it’s just how you look at it. But if
never know the day that I may hear you are in you’ll give me six months, I’ll work it so that I can
court for murder? ‘McMurdo the Scowrer,’ that’s leave without being ashamed to look others in the
what one of our boarders called you yesterday. It face.”
went through my heart like a knife.” The girl laughed with joy. “Six months!” she
cried. “Is it a promise?”
“Sure, hard words break no bones.”
“Well, it may be seven or eight. But within a
“But they were true.” year at the furthest we will leave the valley behind
“Well, dear, it’s not so bad as you think. We are us.”
but poor men that are trying in our own way to It was the most that Ettie could obtain, and yet
get our rights.” it was something. There was this distant light to
Ettie threw her arms round her lover’s neck. illuminate the gloom of the immediate future. She
“Give it up, Jack! For my sake, for God’s sake, returned to her father’s house more light-hearted

724
 The Valley Of Fear

than she had ever been since Jack McMurdo had had done good and unselfish service for the com-
come into her life. munity. They were reticent, however, as to the im-
mediate job in hand.
It might be thought that as a member, all
the doings of the society would be told to him; “They chose us because neither I nor the boy
but he was soon to discover that the organiza- here drink,” Lawler explained. “They can count
tion was wider and more complex than the sim- on us saying no more than we should. You must
ple lodge. Even Boss McGinty was ignorant as to not take it amiss, but it is the orders of the County
many things; for there was an official named the Delegate that we obey.”
County Delegate, living at Hobson’s Patch farther “Sure, we are all in it together,” said Scanlan,
down the line, who had power over several dif- McMurdo’s mate, as the four sat together at sup-
ferent lodges which he wielded in a sudden and per.
arbitrary way. Only once did McMurdo see him, a “That’s true enough, and we’ll talk till the cows
sly, little gray-haired rat of a man, with a slinking come home of the killing of Charlie Williams or of
gait and a sidelong glance which was charged with Simon Bird, or any other job in the past. But till
malice. Evans Pott was his name, and even the the work is done we say nothing.”
great Boss of Vermissa felt towards him something
of the repulsion and fear which the huge Danton “There are half a dozen about here that I have
may have felt for the puny but dangerous Robe- a word to say to,” said McMurdo, with an oath. “I
spierre. suppose it isn’t Jack Knox of Ironhill that you are
after. I’d go some way to see him get his deserts.”
One day Scanlan, who was McMurdo’s fel- “No, it’s not him yet.”
low boarder, received a note from McGinty in-
closing one from Evans Pott, which informed him “Or Herman Strauss?”
that he was sending over two good men, Lawler “No, nor him either.”
and Andrews, who had instructions to act in the “Well, if you won’t tell us we can’t make you;
neighbourhood; though it was best for the cause but I’d be glad to know.”
that no particulars as to their objects should be
given. Would the Bodymaster see to it that suit- Lawler smiled and shook his head. He was not
able arrangements be made for their lodgings and to be drawn.
comfort until the time for action should arrive? In spite of the reticence of their guests, Scan-
McGinty added that it was impossible for anyone lan and McMurdo were quite determined to be
to remain secret at the Union House, and that, present at what they called “the fun.” When, there-
therefore, he would be obliged if McMurdo and fore, at an early hour one morning McMurdo
Scanlan would put the strangers up for a few days heard them creeping down the stairs he awak-
in their boarding house. ened Scanlan, and the two hurried on their clothes.
When they were dressed they found that the oth-
The same evening the two men arrived, each ers had stolen out, leaving the door open behind
carrying his gripsack. Lawler was an elderly man, them. It was not yet dawn, and by the light of the
shrewd, silent, and self-contained, clad in an old lamps they could see the two men some distance
black frock coat, which with his soft felt hat and down the street. They followed them warily, tread-
ragged, grizzled beard gave him a general resem- ing noiselessly in the deep snow.
blance to an itinerant preacher. His companion
Andrews was little more than a boy, frank-faced The boarding house was near the edge of the
and cheerful, with the breezy manner of one who town, and soon they were at the crossroads which
is out for a holiday and means to enjoy every is beyond its boundary. Here three men were
minute of it. Both men were total abstainers, and waiting, with whom Lawler and Andrews held a
behaved in all ways as exemplary members of the short, eager conversation. Then they all moved on
society, with the one simple exception that they together. It was clearly some notable job which
were assassins who had often proved themselves needed numbers. At this point there are several
to be most capable instruments for this association trails which lead to various mines. The strangers
of murder. Lawler had already carried out four- took that which led to the Crow Hill, a huge busi-
teen commissions of the kind, and Andrews three. ness which was in strong hands which had been
able, thanks to their energetic and fearless New
They were, as McMurdo found, quite ready to England manager, Josiah H. Dunn, to keep some
converse about their deeds in the past, which they order and discipline during the long reign of ter-
recounted with the half-bashful pride of men who ror.

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 The Valley Of Fear

Day was breaking now, and a line of work- identity of these men who in front of a hundred
men were slowly making their way, singly and in spectators had wrought this double crime.
groups, along the blackened path. Scanlan and McMurdo made their way back;
McMurdo and Scanlan strolled on with the oth- Scanlan somewhat subdued, for it was the first
ers, keeping in sight of the men whom they fol- murder job that he had seen with his own eyes,
lowed. A thick mist lay over them, and from the and it appeared less funny than he had been led
heart of it there came the sudden scream of a steam to believe. The horrible screams of the dead man-
whistle. It was the ten-minute signal before the ager’s wife pursued them as they hurried to the
cages descended and the day’s labour began. town. McMurdo was absorbed and silent; but
he showed no sympathy for the weakening of his
When they reached the open space round the
companion.
mine shaft there were a hundred miners waiting,
stamping their feet and blowing on their fingers; “Sure, it is like a war,” he repeated. “What is it
for it was bitterly cold. The strangers stood in a but a war between us and them, and we hit back
little group under the shadow of the engine house. where we best can.”
Scanlan and McMurdo climbed a heap of slag from There was high revel in the lodge room at the
which the whole scene lay before them. They Union House that night, not only over the killing
saw the mine engineer, a great bearded Scotchman of the manager and engineer of the Crow Hill
named Menzies, come out of the engine house and mine, which would bring this organization into
blow his whistle for the cages to be lowered. line with the other blackmailed and terror-stricken
At the same instant a tall, loose-framed young companies of the district, but also over a distant
man with a clean-shaved, earnest face advanced triumph which had been wrought by the hands of
eagerly towards the pit head. As he came for- the lodge itself.
ward his eyes fell upon the group, silent and mo- It would appear that when the County Dele-
tionless, under the engine house. The men had gate had sent over five good men to strike a blow
drawn down their hats and turned up their collars in Vermissa, he had demanded that in return three
to screen their faces. For a moment the presenti- Vermissa men should be secretly selected and sent
ment of Death laid its cold hand upon the man- across to kill William Hales of Stake Royal, one
ager’s heart. At the next he had shaken it off and of the best known and most popular mine owners
saw only his duty towards intrusive strangers. in the Gilmerton district, a man who was believed
not to have an enemy in the world; for he was in all
“Who are you?” he asked as he advanced.
ways a model employer. He had insisted, however,
“What are you loitering there for?”
upon efficiency in the work, and had, therefore,
There was no answer; but the lad Andrews paid off certain drunken and idle employees who
stepped forward and shot him in the stomach. The were members of the all-powerful society. Coffin
hundred waiting miners stood as motionless and notices hung outside his door had not weakened
helpless as if they were paralyzed. The manager his resolution, and so in a free, civilized country
clapped his two hands to the wound and doubled he found himself condemned to death.
himself up. Then he staggered away; but another
The execution had now been duly carried out.
of the assassins fired, and he went down sidewise,
Ted Baldwin, who sprawled now in the seat of
kicking and clawing among a heap of clinkers.
honour beside the Bodymaster, had been chief of
Menzies, the Scotchman, gave a roar of rage at the
the party. His flushed face and glazed, blood-shot
sight and rushed with an iron spanner at the mur-
eyes told of sleeplessness and drink. He and his
derers; but was met by two balls in the face which
two comrades had spent the night before among
dropped him dead at their very feet.
the mountains. They were unkempt and weather-
There was a surge forward of some of the min- stained. But no heroes, returning from a forlorn
ers, and an inarticulate cry of pity and of anger; hope, could have had a warmer welcome from
but a couple of the strangers emptied their six- their comrades.
shooters over the heads of the crowd, and they The story was told and retold amid cries of de-
broke and scattered, some of them rushing wildly light and shouts of laughter. They had waited for
back to their homes in Vermissa. their man as he drove home at nightfall, taking
When a few of the bravest had rallied, and their station at the top of a steep hill, where his
there was a return to the mine, the murderous horse must be at a walk. He was so furred to
gang had vanished in the mists of morning, with- keep out the cold that he could not lay his hand
out a single witness being able to swear to the on his pistol. They had pulled him out and shot

726
 The Valley Of Fear

him again and again. He had screamed for mercy. the war, all scars and grizzle. We’ve had two tries
The screams were repeated for the amusement of at him; but had no luck, and Jim Carnaway lost his
the lodge. life over it. Now it’s for you to take it over. That’s
“Let’s hear again how he squealed,” they cried. the house—all alone at the Iron Dike crossroad,
same as you see here on the map—without another
None of them knew the man; but there is eter-
within earshot. It’s no good by day. He’s armed
nal drama in a killing, and they had shown the
and shoots quick and straight, with no questions
Scowrers of Gilmerton that the Vermissa men were
asked. But at night—well, there he is with his wife,
to be relied upon.
three children, and a hired help. You can’t pick or
There had been one contretemps; for a man and choose. It’s all or none. If you could get a bag
his wife had driven up while they were still empty- of blasting powder at the front door with a slow
ing their revolvers into the silent body. It had been match to it—”
suggested that they should shoot them both; but “What’s the man done?”
they were harmless folk who were not connected
“Didn’t I tell you he shot Jim Carnaway?”
with the mines, so they were sternly bidden to
drive on and keep silent, lest a worse thing befall “Why did he shoot him?”
them. And so the blood-mottled figure had been “What in thunder has that to do with you? Car-
left as a warning to all such hard-hearted employ- naway was about his house at night, and he shot
ers, and the three noble avengers had hurried off him. That’s enough for me and you. You’ve got to
into the mountains where unbroken nature comes settle the thing right.”
down to the very edge of the furnaces and the slag “There’s these two women and the children.
heaps. Here they were, safe and sound, their work Do they go up too?”
well done, and the plaudits of their companions in “They have to—else how can we get him?”
their ears. “It seems hard on them; for they’ve done noth-
It had been a great day for the Scowrers. The ing.”
shadow had fallen even darker over the valley. But “What sort of fool’s talk is this? Do you back
as the wise general chooses the moment of victory out?”
in which to redouble his efforts, so that his foes “Easy, Councillor, easy! What have I ever said
may have no time to steady themselves after dis- or done that you should think I would be after
aster, so Boss McGinty, looking out upon the scene standing back from an order of the Bodymaster of
of his operations with his brooding and malicious my own lodge? If it’s right or if it’s wrong, it’s for
eyes, had devised a new attack upon those who you to decide.”
opposed him. That very night, as the half-drunken
“You’ll do it, then?”
company broke up, he touched McMurdo on the
arm and led him aside into that inner room where “Of course I will do it.”
they had their first interview. “When?”
“See here, my lad,” said he, “I’ve got a job “Well, you had best give me a night or two that
that’s worthy of you at last. You’ll have the do- I may see the house and make my plans. Then—”
ing of it in your own hands.” “Very good,” said McGinty, shaking him by the
“Proud I am to hear it,” McMurdo answered. hand. “I leave it with you. It will be a great day
when you bring us the news. It’s just the last
“You can take two men with you—Manders
stroke that will bring them all to their knees.”
and Reilly. They have been warned for service.
We’ll never be right in this district until Chester McMurdo thought long and deeply over the
Wilcox has been settled, and you’ll have the thanks commission which had been so suddenly placed
of every lodge in the coal fields if you can down in his hands. The isolated house in which Chester
him.” Wilcox lived was about five miles off in an adja-
cent valley. That very night he started off all alone
“I’ll do my best, anyhow. Who is he, and where to prepare for the attempt. It was daylight before
shall I find him?” he returned from his reconnaissance. Next day
McGinty took his eternal half-chewed, half- he interviewed his two subordinates, Manders and
smoked cigar from the corner of his mouth, and Reilly, reckless youngsters who were as elated as if
proceeded to draw a rough diagram on a page torn it were a deer-hunt.
from his notebook. Two nights later they met outside the town,
“He’s the chief foreman of the Iron Dike Com- all three armed, and one of them carrying a sack
pany. He’s a hard citizen, an old colour sergeant of stuffed with the powder which was used in the

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 The Valley Of Fear

quarries. It was two in the morning before they When a few weeks later it was reported in the pa-
came to the lonely house. The night was a windy pers that Wilcox had been shot at from an ambus-
one, with broken clouds drifting swiftly across cade, it was an open secret that McMurdo was still
the face of a three-quarter moon. They had been at work upon his unfinished job.
warned to be on their guard against bloodhounds; Such were the methods of the Society of
so they moved forward cautiously, with their pis- Freemen, and such were the deeds of the Scowr-
tols cocked in their hands. But there was no sound ers by which they spread their rule of fear over
save the howling of the wind, and no movement the great and rich district which was for so long
but the swaying branches above them. a period haunted by their terrible presence. Why
McMurdo listened at the door of the lonely should these pages be stained by further crimes?
house; but all was still within. Then he leaned the Have I not said enough to show the men and their
powder bag against it, ripped a hole in it with his methods?
knife, and attached the fuse. When it was well These deeds are written in history, and there
alight he and his two companions took to their are records wherein one may read the details of
heels, and were some distance off, safe and snug
them. There one may learn of the shooting of Po-
in a sheltering ditch, before the shattering roar of
licemen Hunt and Evans because they had ven-
the explosion, with the low, deep rumble of the
tured to arrest two members of the society—a dou-
collapsing building, told them that their work was ble outrage planned at the Vermissa lodge and car-
done. No cleaner job had ever been carried out in ried out in cold blood upon two helpless and dis-
the bloodstained annals of the society. armed men. There also one may read of the shoot-
But alas that work so well organized and boldly ing of Mrs. Larbey when she was nursing her hus-
carried out should all have gone for nothing! band, who had been beaten almost to death by or-
Warned by the fate of the various victims, and ders of Boss McGinty. The killing of the elder Jenk-
knowing that he was marked down for destruc- ins, shortly followed by that of his brother, the mu-
tion, Chester Wilcox had moved himself and his tilation of James Murdoch, the blowing up of the
family only the day before to some safer and less Staphouse family, and the murder of the Stendals
known quarters, where a guard of police should all followed hard upon one another in the same
watch over them. It was an empty house which terrible winter.
had been torn down by the gunpowder, and the
Darkly the shadow lay upon the Valley of Fear.
grim old colour sergeant of the war was still teach-
The spring had come with running brooks and
ing discipline to the miners of Iron Dike.
blossoming trees. There was hope for all Nature
“Leave him to me,” said McMurdo. “He’s my bound so long in an iron grip; but nowhere was
man, and I’ll get him sure if I have to wait a year there any hope for the men and women who lived
for him.” under the yoke of the terror. Never had the cloud
A vote of thanks and confidence was passed in above them been so dark and hopeless as in the
full lodge, and so for the time the matter ended. early summer of the year 1875.

CHAPTER VI.
Danger

It was the height of the reign of terror. Mc- blacker were the scowls which greeted him as he
Murdo, who had already been appointed Inner passed along the streets of Vermissa. In spite of
Deacon, with every prospect of some day succeed- their terror the citizens were taking heart to band
ing McGinty as Bodymaster, was now so necessary themselves together against their oppressors. Ru-
to the councils of his comrades that nothing was mours had reached the lodge of secret gatherings
done without his help and advice. The more pop- in the Herald office and of distribution of firearms
ular he became, however, with the Freemen, the among the law-abiding people. But McGinty and

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his men were undisturbed by such reports. They “Ah, it’s the first thought that came to you! So
were numerous, resolute, and well armed. Their it will be up at the lodge. Didn’t I say to you that
opponents were scattered and powerless. It would it would end in murder?”
all end, as it had done in the past, in aimless talk
and possibly in impotent arrests. So said McGinty, “Sure, what is murder? Isn’t it common
McMurdo, and all the bolder spirits. enough in these parts?”
It was a Saturday evening in May. Saturday “It is, indeed; but it’s not for me to point out
was always the lodge night, and McMurdo was the man that is to be murdered. I’d never rest easy
leaving his house to attend it when Morris, the again. And yet it’s our own necks that may be at
weaker brother of the order, came to see him. His stake. In God’s name what shall I do?” He rocked
brow was creased with care, and his kindly face to and fro in his agony of indecision.
was drawn and haggard.
“Can I speak with you freely, Mr. McMurdo?” But his words had moved McMurdo deeply. It
was easy to see that he shared the other’s opinion
“Sure.” as to the danger, and the need for meeting it. He
“I can’t forget that I spoke my heart to you gripped Morris’s shoulder and shook him in his
once, and that you kept it to yourself, even though earnestness.
the Boss himself came to ask you about it.”
“See here, man,” he cried, and he almost
“What else could I do if you trusted me? It screeched the words in his excitement, “you won’t
wasn’t that I agreed with what you said.” gain anything by sitting keening like an old wife
“I know that well. But you are the one that I at a wake. Let’s have the facts. Who is the fellow?
can speak to and be safe. I’ve a secret here,” he Where is he? How did you hear of him? Why did
put his hand to his breast, “and it is just burning you come to me?”
the life out of me. I wish it had come to any one
of you but me. If I tell it, it will mean murder, for “I came to you; for you are the one man that
sure. If I don’t, it may bring the end of us all. God would advise me. I told you that I had a store
help me, but I am near out of my wits over it!” in the East before I came here. I left good friends
behind me, and one of them is in the telegraph ser-
McMurdo looked at the man earnestly. He was vice. Here’s a letter that I had from him yesterday.
trembling in every limb. He poured some whisky It’s this part from the top of the page. You can read
into a glass and handed it to him. “That’s the it yourself.”
physic for the likes of you,” said he. “Now let me
hear of it.” This was what McMurdo read:
Morris drank, and his white face took a tinge
How are the Scowrers getting on in
of colour. “I can tell it to you all in one sentence,”
your parts? We read plenty of them in
said he. “There’s a detective on our trail.”
the papers. Between you and me I ex-
McMurdo stared at him in astonishment. pect to hear news from you before long.
“Why, man, you’re crazy,” he said. “Isn’t the place Five big corporations and the two rail-
full of police and detectives and what harm did roads have taken the thing up in dead
they ever do us?” earnest. They mean it, and you can bet
“No, no, it’s no man of the district. As you say, they’ll get there! They are right deep
we know them, and it is little that they can do. But down into it. Pinkerton has taken hold
you’ve heard of Pinkerton’s?” under their orders, and his best man,
Birdy Edwards, is operating. The thing
“I’ve read of some folk of that name.” has got to be stopped right now.
“Well, you can take it from me you’ve no show
when they are on your trail. It’s not a take-it-or-
“Now read the postscript.”
miss-it government concern. It’s a dead earnest
business proposition that’s out for results and
Of course, what I give you is what I
keeps out till by hook or crook it gets them. If
learned in business; so it goes no fur-
a Pinkerton man is deep in this business, we are
ther. It’s a queer cipher that you han-
all destroyed.”
dle by the yard every day and can get
“We must kill him.” no meaning from.

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McMurdo sat in silence for some time, with the themselves the task of clearing out the Scowrers;
letter in his listless hands. The mist had lifted for but, whatever his reason, his actions were those
a moment, and there was the abyss before him. of a man who is preparing for the worst. Ev-
“Does anyone else know of this?” he asked. ery paper which would incriminate him was de-
stroyed before he left the house. After that he gave
“I have told no one else.”
a long sigh of satisfaction; for it seemed to him
“But this man—your friend—has he any other that he was safe. And yet the danger must still
person that he would be likely to write to?” have pressed somewhat upon him; for on his way
“Well, I dare say he knows one or two more.” to the lodge he stopped at old man Shafter’s. The
house was forbidden him; but when he tapped at
“Of the lodge?”
the window Ettie came out to him. The dancing
“It’s likely enough.” Irish deviltry had gone from her lover’s eyes. She
“I was asking because it is likely that he may read his danger in his earnest face.
have given some description of this fellow Birdy “Something has happened!” she cried. “Oh,
Edwards—then we could get on his trail.” Jack, you are in danger!”
“Well, it’s possible. But I should not think he “Sure, it is not very bad, my sweetheart. And
knew him. He is just telling me the news that came yet it may be wise that we make a move before it
to him by way of business. How would he know is worse.”
this Pinkerton man?” “Make a move?”
McMurdo gave a violent start. “I promised you once that I would go some day.
I think the time is coming. I had news to-night,
“By Gar!” he cried, “I’ve got him. What a fool
bad news, and I see trouble coming.”
I was not to know it. Lord! but we’re in luck! We
will fix him before he can do any harm. See here, “The police?”
Morris, will you leave this thing in my hands?” “Well, a Pinkerton. But, sure, you wouldn’t
know what that is, acushla, nor what it may mean
“Sure, if you will only take it off mine.”
to the likes of me. I’m too deep in this thing, and
“I’ll do that. You can stand right back and let I may have to get out of it quick. You said you
me run it. Even your name need not be mentioned. would come with me if I went.”
I’ll take it all on myself, as if it were to me that this “Oh, Jack, it would be the saving of you!”
letter has come. Will that content you?”
“I’m an honest man in some things, Ettie. I
“It’s just what I would ask.” wouldn’t hurt a hair of your bonny head for all
“Then leave it at that and keep your head shut. that the world can give, nor ever pull you down
Now I’ll get down to the lodge, and we’ll soon one inch from the golden throne above the clouds
make old man Pinkerton sorry for himself.” where I always see you. Would you trust me?”
“You wouldn’t kill this man?” She put her hand in his without a word. “Well,
then, listen to what I say, and do as I order you,
“The less you know, Friend Morris, the easier for indeed it’s the only way for us. Things are go-
your conscience will be, and the better you will ing to happen in this valley. I feel it in my bones.
sleep. Ask no questions, and let these things settle There may be many of us that will have to look out
themselves. I have hold of it now.” for ourselves. I’m one, anyhow. If I go, by day or
Morris shook his head sadly as he left. “I feel night, it’s you that must come with me!”
that his blood is on my hands,” he groaned. “I’d come after you, Jack.”
“Self-protection is no murder, anyhow,” said “No, no, you shall come with me. If this valley
McMurdo, smiling grimly. “It’s him or us. I guess is closed to me and I can never come back, how can
this man would destroy us all if we left him long I leave you behind, and me perhaps in hiding from
in the valley. Why, Brother Morris, we’ll have to the police with never a chance of a message? It’s
elect you Bodymaster yet; for you’ve surely saved with me you must come. I know a good woman in
the lodge.” the place I come from, and it’s there I’d leave you
And yet it was clear from his actions that he till we can get married. Will you come?”
thought more seriously of this new intrusion than “Yes, Jack, I will come.”
his words would show. It may have been his guilty “God bless you for your trust in me! It’s a fiend
conscience, it may have been the reputation of out of hell that I should be if I abused it. Now,
the Pinkerton organization, it may have been the mark you, Ettie, it will be just a word to you, and
knowledge that great, rich corporations had set when it reaches you, you will drop everything and

730
 The Valley Of Fear

come right down to the waiting room at the depot “It is in this letter which has come into my
and stay there till I come for you.” hands,” said McMurdo. He read the passage
“Day or night, I’ll come at the word, Jack.” aloud. “It is a matter of honour with me that I
can give no further particulars about the letter, nor
Somewhat eased in mind, now that his own
put it into your hands; but I assure you that there
preparations for escape had been begun, Mc-
is nothing else in it which can affect the interests
Murdo went on to the lodge. It had already assem-
of the lodge. I put the case before you as it has
bled, and only by complicated signs and counter-
reached me.”
signs could he pass through the outer guard and
inner guard who close-tiled it. A buzz of pleasure “Let me say, Mr. Chairman,” said one of the
and welcome greeted him as he entered. The long older brethren, “that I have heard of Birdy Ed-
room was crowded, and through the haze of to- wards, and that he has the name of being the best
bacco smoke he saw the tangled black mane of the man in the Pinkerton service.”
Bodymaster, the cruel, unfriendly features of Bald- “Does anyone know him by sight?” asked
win, the vulture face of Harraway, the secretary, McGinty.
and a dozen more who were among the leaders of “Yes,” said McMurdo, “I do.”
the lodge. He rejoiced that they should all be there There was a murmur of astonishment through
to take counsel over his news. the hall.
“Indeed, it’s glad we are to see you, Brother!” “I believe we hold him in the hollow of our
cried the chairman. “There’s business here that hands,” he continued with an exulting smile upon
wants a Solomon in judgment to set it right.” his face. “If we act quickly and wisely, we can cut
“It’s Lander and Egan,” explained his neigh- this thing short. If I have your confidence and your
bour as he took his seat. “They both claim the help, it is little that we have to fear.”
head money given by the lodge for the shooting of “What have we to fear, anyhow? What can he
old man Crabbe over at Stylestown, and who’s to know of our affairs?”
say which fired the bullet?” “You might say so if all were as stanch as you,
McMurdo rose in his place and raised his hand. Councillor. But this man has all the millions of the
The expression of his face froze the attention of the capitalists at his back. Do you think there is no
audience. There was a dead hush of expectation. weaker brother among all our lodges that could
not be bought? He will get at our secrets—maybe
“Eminent Bodymaster,” he said, in a solemn
has got them already. There’s only one sure cure.”
voice, “I claim urgency!”
“That he never leaves the valley,” said Baldwin.
“Brother McMurdo claims urgency,” said
McMurdo nodded. “Good for you, Brother
McGinty. “It’s a claim that by the rules of this
Baldwin,” he said. “You and I have had our differ-
lodge takes precedence. Now Brother, we attend
ences, but you have said the true word to-night.”
you.”
“Where is he, then? Where shall we know
McMurdo took the letter from his pocket.
him?”
“Eminent Bodymaster and Brethren,” he said, “Eminent Bodymaster,” said McMurdo,
“I am the bearer of ill news this day; but it is bet- earnestly, “I would put it to you that this is too
ter that it should be known and discussed, than vital a thing for us to discuss in open lodge. God
that a blow should fall upon us without warning forbid that I should throw a doubt on anyone here;
which would destroy us all. I have information but if so much as a word of gossip got to the ears
that the most powerful and richest organizations in of this man, there would be an end of any chance
this state have bound themselves together for our of our getting him. I would ask the lodge to choose
destruction, and that at this very moment there is a a trusty committee, Mr. Chairman—yourself, if I
Pinkerton detective, one Birdy Edwards, at work in might suggest it, and Brother Baldwin here, and
the valley collecting the evidence which may put a five more. Then I can talk freely of what I know
rope round the necks of many of us, and send ev- and of what I advise should be done.”
ery man in this room into a felon’s cell. That is the
The proposition was at once adopted, and the
situation for the discussion of which I have made
committee chosen. Besides the chairman and Bald-
a claim of urgency.”
win there were the vulture-faced secretary, Har-
There was a dead silence in the room. It was raway, Tiger Cormac, the brutal young assassin,
broken by the chairman. Carter, the treasurer, and the brothers Willaby,
“What is your evidence for this, Brother Mc- fearless and desperate men who would stick at
Murdo?” he asked. nothing.

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 The Valley Of Fear

The usual revelry of the lodge was short and this.’—‘I guess you should,’ said I. He had filled
subdued: for there was a cloud upon the men’s the form with stuff that might have been Chinese,
spirits, and many there for the first time began for all we could make of it. ‘He fires a sheet of
to see the cloud of avenging Law drifting up in this off every day,’ said the clerk. ‘Yes,’ said I; ‘it’s
that serene sky under which they had dwelt so special news for his paper, and he’s scared that the
long. The horrors they had dealt out to others had others should tap it.’ That was what the operator
been so much a part of their settled lives that the thought and what I thought at the time; but I think
thought of retribution had become a remote one, differently now.”
and so seemed the more startling now that it came
“By Gar! I believe you are right,” said McGinty.
so closely upon them. They broke up early and left
“But what do you allow that we should do about
their leaders to their council.
it?”
“Now, McMurdo!” said McGinty when they
were alone. The seven men sat frozen in their “Why not go right down now and fix him?”
seats. someone suggested.
“I said just now that I knew Birdy Edwards,” “Ay, the sooner the better.”
McMurdo explained. “I need not tell you that he “I’d start this next minute if I knew where we
is not here under that name. He’s a brave man, but could find him,” said McMurdo. “He’s in Hob-
not a crazy one. He passes under the name of Steve son’s Patch; but I don’t know the house. I’ve got a
Wilson, and he is lodging at Hobson’s Patch.” plan, though, if you’ll only take my advice.”
“How do you know this?”
“Well, what is it?”
“Because I fell into talk with him. I thought lit-
tle of it at the time, nor would have given it a sec- “I’ll go to the Patch to-morrow morning. I’ll
ond thought but for this letter; but now I’m sure find him through the operator. He can locate him,
it’s the man. I met him on the cars when I went I guess. Well, then I’ll tell him that I’m a Freeman
down the line on Wednesday—a hard case if ever myself. I’ll offer him all the secrets of the lodge for
there was one. He said he was a reporter. I be- a price. You bet he’ll tumble to it. I’ll tell him the
lieved it for the moment. Wanted to know all he papers are at my house, and that it’s as much as
could about the Scowrers and what he called ‘the my life would be worth to let him come while folk
outrages’ for a New York paper. Asked me ev- were about. He’ll see that that’s horse sense. Let
ery kind of question so as to get something. You him come at ten o’clock at night, and he shall see
bet I was giving nothing away. ‘I’d pay for it and everything. That will fetch him sure.”
pay well,’ said he, ‘if I could get some stuff that “Well?”
would suit my editor.’ I said what I thought would
please him best, and he handed me a twenty-dollar “You can plan the rest for yourselves. Widow
bill for my information. ‘There’s ten times that for MacNamara’s is a lonely house. She’s as true as
you,’ said he, ‘if you can find me all that I want.’ ” steel and as deaf as a post. There’s only Scanlan
and me in the house. If I get his promise—and I’ll
“What did you tell him, then?” let you know if I do—I’d have the whole seven of
“Any stuff I could make up.” you come to me by nine o’clock. We’ll get him in.
“How do you know he wasn’t a newspaper If ever he gets out alive—well, he can talk of Birdy
man?” Edwards’s luck for the rest of his days!”
“I’ll tell you. He got out at Hobson’s Patch, and “There’s going to be a vacancy at Pinkerton’s
so did I. I chanced into the telegraph bureau, and or I’m mistaken. Leave it at that, McMurdo. At
he was leaving it. nine to-morrow we’ll be with you. You once get
“ ‘See here,’ said the operator after he’d gone the door shut behind him, and you can leave the
out, ‘I guess we should charge double rates for rest with us.”

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 The Valley Of Fear

CHAPTER VII.
The Trapping of Birdy Edwards

As McMurdo had said, the house in which he he has got results, and that he has passed them
lived was a lonely one and very well suited for on.”
such a crime as they had planned. It was on the “There’s not a weak man in the lodge,” cried
extreme fringe of the town and stood well back McGinty. “True as steel, every man of them. And
from the road. In any other case the conspirators yet, by the Lord! there is that skunk Morris. What
would have simply called out their man, as they about him? If any man gives us away, it would be
had many a time before, and emptied their pis- he. I’ve a mind to send a couple of the boys round
tols into his body; but in this instance it was very before evening to give him a beating up and see
necessary to find out how much he knew, how he what they can get from him.”
knew it, and what had been passed on to his em- “Well, there would be no harm in that,” Mc-
ployers. Murdo answered. “I won’t deny that I have a lik-
It was possible that they were already too late ing for Morris and would be sorry to see him come
and that the work had been done. If that was to harm. He has spoken to me once or twice over
indeed so, they could at least have their revenge lodge matters, and though he may not see them
upon the man who had done it. But they were the same as you or I, he never seemed the sort that
hopeful that nothing of great importance had yet squeals. But still it is not for me to stand between
come to the detective’s knowledge, as otherwise, him and you.”
they argued, he would not have troubled to write “I’ll fix the old devil!” said McGinty with an
down and forward such trivial information as Mc- oath. “I’ve had my eye on him this year past.”
Murdo claimed to have given him. However, all “Well, you know best about that,” McMurdo
this they would learn from his own lips. Once in answered. “But whatever you do must be to-
their power, they would find a way to make him morrow; for we must lie low until the Pinkerton
speak. It was not the first time that they had han- affair is settled up. We can’t afford to set the po-
dled an unwilling witness. lice buzzing, to-day of all days.”
“True for you,” said McGinty. “And we’ll learn
McMurdo went to Hobson’s Patch as agreed.
from Birdy Edwards himself where he got his
The police seemed to take particular interest in
news if we have to cut his heart out first. Did he
him that morning, and Captain Marvin—he who
seem to scent a trap?”
had claimed the old acquaintance with him at
McMurdo laughed. “I guess I took him on his
Chicago—actually addressed him as he waited at
weak point,” he said. “If he could get on a good
the station. McMurdo turned away and refused to
trail of the Scowrers, he’s ready to follow it into
speak with him. He was back from his mission
hell. I took his money,” McMurdo grinned as he
in the afternoon, and saw McGinty at the Union
produced a wad of dollar notes, “and as much
House.
more when he has seen all my papers.”
“He is coming,” he said. “What papers?”
“Good!” said McGinty. The giant was in “Well, there are no papers. But I filled him up
his shirt sleeves, with chains and seals gleaming about constitutions and books of rules and forms
athwart his ample waistcoat and a diamond twin- of membership. He expects to get right down to
kling through the fringe of his bristling beard. the end of everything before he leaves.”
Drink and politics had made the Boss a very rich as “Faith, he’s right there,” said McGinty grimly.
well as powerful man. The more terrible, therefore, “Didn’t he ask you why you didn’t bring him the
seemed that glimpse of the prison or the gallows papers?”
which had risen before him the night before. “As if I would carry such things, and me a sus-
pected man, and Captain Marvin after speaking to
“Do you reckon he knows much?” he asked
me this very day at the depot!”
anxiously.
“Ay, I heard of that,” said McGinty. “I guess
McMurdo shook his head gloomily. “He’s been the heavy end of this business is coming on to you.
here some time—six weeks at the least. I guess he We could put him down an old shaft when we’ve
didn’t come into these parts to look at the prospect. done with him; but however we work it we can’t
If he has been working among us all that time with get past the man living at Hobson’s Patch and you
the railroad money at his back, I should expect that being there to-day.”

733
 The Valley Of Fear

McMurdo shrugged his shoulders. “If we han- exposed for so secret a meeting. Yet its distance
dle it right, they can never prove the killing,” said from the road made it of less consequence. Finally
he. “No one can see him come to the house after he discussed the matter with his fellow lodger.
dark, and I’ll lay to it that no one will see him go. Scanlan, though a Scowrer, was an inoffensive lit-
Now see here, Councillor, I’ll show you my plan tle man who was too weak to stand against the
and I’ll ask you to fit the others into it. You will opinion of his comrades, but was secretly horrified
all come in good time. Very well. He comes at ten. by the deeds of blood at which he had sometimes
He is to tap three times, and me to open the door been forced to assist. McMurdo told him shortly
for him. Then I’ll get behind him and shut it. He’s what was intended.
our man then.” “And if I were you, Mike Scanlan, I would take
“That’s all easy and plain.” a night off and keep clear of it. There will be
“Yes; but the next step wants considering. He’s bloody work here before morning.”
a hard proposition. He’s heavily armed. I’ve “Well, indeed then, Mac,” Scanlan answered.
fooled him proper, and yet he is likely to be on “It’s not the will but the nerve that is wanting in
his guard. Suppose I show him right into a room me. When I saw Manager Dunn go down at the
with seven men in it where he expected to find me colliery yonder it was just more than I could stand.
alone. There is going to be shooting, and some- I’m not made for it, same as you or McGinty. If the
body is going to be hurt.” lodge will think none the worse of me, I’ll just do
“That’s so.” as you advise and leave you to yourselves for the
evening.”
“And the noise is going to bring every damned
copper in the township on top of it.” The men came in good time as arranged. They
were outwardly respectable citizens, well clad and
“I guess you are right.” cleanly; but a judge of faces would have read lit-
“This is how I should work it. You will all be tle hope for Birdy Edwards in those hard mouths
in the big room—same as you saw when you had and remorseless eyes. There was not a man in the
a chat with me. I’ll open the door for him, show room whose hands had not been reddened a dozen
him into the parlour beside the door, and leave times before. They were as hardened to human
him there while I get the papers. That will give murder as a butcher to sheep.
me the chance of telling you how things are shap- Foremost, of course, both in appearance and in
ing. Then I will go back to him with some faked guilt, was the formidable Boss. Harraway, the sec-
papers. As he is reading them I will jump for him retary, was a lean, bitter man with a long, scraggy
and get my grip on his pistol arm. You’ll hear me neck and nervous, jerky limbs, a man of incorrupt-
call and in you will rush. The quicker the better; ible fidelity where the finances of the order were
for he is as strong a man as I, and I may have more concerned, and with no notion of justice or hon-
than I can manage. But I allow that I can hold him esty to anyone beyond. The treasurer, Carter, was a
till you come.” middle-aged man, with an impassive, rather sulky
“It’s a good plan,” said McGinty. “The lodge expression, and a yellow parchment skin. He was
will owe you a debt for this. I guess when I move a capable organizer, and the actual details of nearly
out of the chair I can put a name to the man that’s every outrage had sprung from his plotting brain.
coming after me.” The two Willabys were men of action, tall, lithe
“Sure, Councillor, I am little more than a re- young fellows with determined faces, while their
cruit,” said McMurdo; but his face showed what companion, Tiger Cormac, a heavy, dark youth,
he thought of the great man’s compliment. was feared even by his own comrades for the fe-
rocity of his disposition. These were the men who
When he had returned home he made his own
assembled that night under the roof of McMurdo
preparations for the grim evening in front of him.
for the killing of the Pinkerton detective.
First he cleaned, oiled, and loaded his Smith &
Wesson revolver. Then he surveyed the room in Their host had placed whisky upon the table,
which the detective was to be trapped. It was a and they had hastened to prime themselves for the
large apartment, with a long deal table in the cen- work before them. Baldwin and Cormac were al-
tre, and the big stove at one side. At each of the ready half-drunk, and the liquor had brought out
other sides were windows. There were no shutters all their ferocity. Cormac placed his hands on the
on these: only light curtains which drew across. stove for an instant—it had been lighted, for the
McMurdo examined these attentively. No doubt it nights were still cold.
must have struck him that the apartment was very “That will do,” said he, with an oath.

734
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“Ay,” said Baldwin, catching his meaning. “If he said nothing. Still with the same singular gaze
he is strapped to that, we will have the truth out he looked from man to man.
of him.” “Well!” cried Boss McGinty at last. “Is he here?
“We’ll have the truth out of him, never fear,” Is Birdy Edwards here?”
said McMurdo. He had nerves of steel, this man; “Yes,” McMurdo answered slowly. “Birdy Ed-
for though the whole weight of the affair was on wards is here. I am Birdy Edwards!”
him his manner was as cool and unconcerned as
There were ten seconds after that brief speech
ever. The others marked it and applauded.
during which the room might have been empty, so
“You are the one to handle him,” said the Boss profound was the silence. The hissing of a kettle
approvingly. “Not a warning will he get till your upon the stove rose sharp and strident to the ear.
hand is on his throat. It’s a pity there are no shut- Seven white faces, all turned upward to this man
ters to your windows.” who dominated them, were set motionless with ut-
McMurdo went from one to the other and drew ter terror. Then, with a sudden shivering of glass,
the curtains tighter. “Sure no one can spy upon us a bristle of glistening rifle barrels broke through
now. It’s close upon the hour.” each window, while the curtains were torn from
“Maybe he won’t come. Maybe he’ll get a sniff their hangings.
of danger,” said the secretary. At the sight Boss McGinty gave the roar of a
“He’ll come, never fear,” McMurdo answered. wounded bear and plunged for the half-opened
“He is as eager to come as you can be to see him. door. A levelled revolver met him there with the
Hark to that!” stern blue eyes of Captain Marvin of the Mine Po-
lice gleaming behind the sights. The Boss recoiled
They all sat like wax figures, some with their and fell back into his chair.
glasses arrested halfway to their lips. Three loud
knocks had sounded at the door. “You’re safer there, Councillor,” said the man
whom they had known as McMurdo. “And you,
“Hush!” McMurdo raised his hand in caution. Baldwin, if you don’t take your hand off your pis-
An exulting glance went round the circle, and tol, you’ll cheat the hangman yet. Pull it out, or
hands were laid upon hidden weapons. by the Lord that made me—There, that will do.
“Not a sound, for your lives!” McMurdo whis- There are forty armed men round this house, and
pered, as he went from the room, closing the door you can figure it out for yourself what chance you
carefully behind him. have. Take their pistols, Marvin!”
With strained ears the murderers waited. They There was no possible resistance under the
counted the steps of their comrade down the pas- menace of those rifles. The men were disarmed.
sage. Then they heard him open the outer door. Sulky, sheepish, and amazed, they still sat round
There were a few words as of greeting. Then they the table.
were aware of a strange step inside and of an un- “I’d like to say a word to you before we sep-
familiar voice. An instant later came the slam of arate,” said the man who had trapped them. “I
the door and the turning of the key in the lock. guess we may not meet again until you see me on
Their prey was safe within the trap. Tiger Cormac the stand in the courthouse. I’ll give you some-
laughed horribly, and Boss McGinty clapped his thing to think over between now and then. You
great hand across his mouth. know me now for what I am. At last I can put my
“Be quiet, you fool!” he whispered. “You’ll be cards on the table. I am Birdy Edwards of Pinker-
the undoing of us yet!” ton’s. I was chosen to break up your gang. I had a
There was a mutter of conversation from the hard and dangerous game to play. Not a soul, not
next room. It seemed interminable. Then the door one soul, not my nearest and dearest, knew that I
opened, and McMurdo appeared, his finger upon was playing it. Only Captain Marvin here and my
his lip. employers knew that. But it’s over to-night, thank
God, and I am the winner!”
He came to the end of the table and looked
round at them. A subtle change had come over The seven pale, rigid faces looked up at him.
him. His manner was as of one who has great There was unappeasable hatred in their eyes. He
work to do. His face had set into granite firmness. read the relentless threat.
His eyes shone with a fierce excitement behind “Maybe you think that the game is not over yet.
his spectacles. He had become a visible leader of Well, I take my chance of that. Anyhow, some of
men. They stared at him with eager interest; but you will take no further hand, and there are sixty

735
 The Valley Of Fear

more besides yourselves that will see a jail this secret was coming out. A letter had come into the
night. I’ll tell you this, that when I was put upon town that would have set you wise to it all. Then I
this job I never believed there was such a society had to act and act quickly.
as yours. I thought it was paper talk, and that I “I’ve nothing more to say to you, except that
would prove it so. They told me it was to do with when my time comes I’ll die the easier when I
the Freemen; so I went to Chicago and was made think of the work I have done in this valley. Now,
one. Then I was surer than ever that it was just Marvin, I’ll keep you no more. Take them in and
paper talk; for I found no harm in the society, but get it over.”
a deal of good.
There is little more to tell. Scanlan had been
“Still, I had to carry out my job, and I came given a sealed note to be left at the address of
to the coal valleys. When I reached this place I Miss Ettie Shafter, a mission which he had ac-
learned that I was wrong and that it wasn’t a dime cepted with a wink and a knowing smile. In the
novel after all. So I stayed to look after it. I never early hours of the morning a beautiful woman and
killed a man in Chicago. I never minted a dollar a much muffled man boarded a special train which
in my life. Those I gave you were as good as any had been sent by the railroad company, and made
others; but I never spent money better. But I knew a swift, unbroken journey out of the land of dan-
the way into your good wishes and so I pretended ger. It was the last time that ever either Ettie or
to you that the law was after me. It all worked just her lover set foot in the Valley of Fear. Ten days
as I thought. later they were married in Chicago, with old Jacob
“So I joined your infernal lodge, and I took my Shafter as witness of the wedding.
share in your councils. Maybe they will say that I The trial of the Scowrers was held far from
was as bad as you. They can say what they like, so the place where their adherents might have terri-
long as I get you. But what is the truth? The night fied the guardians of the law. In vain they strug-
I joined you beat up old man Stanger. I could not gled. In vain the money of the lodge—money
warn him, for there was no time; but I held your squeezed by blackmail out of the whole country-
hand, Baldwin, when you would have killed him. side—was spent like water in the attempt to save
If ever I have suggested things, so as to keep my them. That cold, clear, unimpassioned statement
place among you, they were things which I knew I from one who knew every detail of their lives, their
could prevent. I could not save Dunn and Men- organization, and their crimes was unshaken by all
zies, for I did not know enough; but I will see the wiles of their defenders. At last after so many
that their murderers are hanged. I gave Chester years they were broken and scattered. The cloud
Wilcox warning, so that when I blew his house in was lifted forever from the valley.
he and his folk were in hiding. There was many a McGinty met his fate upon the scaffold, cring-
crime that I could not stop; but if you look back ing and whining when the last hour came. Eight
and think how often your man came home the of his chief followers shared his fate. Fifty-odd
other road, or was down in town when you went had various degrees of imprisonment. The work
for him, or stayed indoors when you thought he of Birdy Edwards was complete.
would come out, you’ll see my work.”
And yet, as he had guessed, the game was not
“You blasted traitor!” hissed McGinty through over yet. There was another hand to be played,
his closed teeth. and yet another and another. Ted Baldwin, for
“Ay, John McGinty, you may call me that if it one, had escaped the scaffold; so had the Will-
eases your smart. You and your like have been abys; so had several others of the fiercest spirits
the enemy of God and man in these parts. It took of the gang. For ten years they were out of the
a man to get between you and the poor devils of world, and then came a day when they were free
men and women that you held under your grip. once more—a day which Edwards, who knew his
There was just one way of doing it, and I did it. men, was very sure would be an end of his life of
You call me a traitor; but I guess there’s many a peace. They had sworn an oath on all that they
thousand will call me a deliverer that went down thought holy to have his blood as a vengeance for
into hell to save them. I’ve had three months of their comrades. And well they strove to keep their
it. I wouldn’t have three such months again if they vow!
let me loose in the treasury at Washington for it. I From Chicago he was chased, after two at-
had to stay till I had it all, every man and every se- tempts so near success that it was sure that the
cret right here in this hand. I’d have waited a little third would get him. From Chicago he went un-
longer if it hadn’t come to my knowledge that my der a changed name to California, and it was there

736
 The Valley Of Fear

that the light went for a time out of his life when he cleared—only just in time—for England. And
Ettie Edwards died. Once again he was nearly thence came the John Douglas who for a second
killed, and once again under the name of Dou- time married a worthy mate, and lived for five
glas he worked in a lonely canyon, where with an years as a Sussex county gentleman, a life which
English partner named Barker he amassed a for- ended with the strange happenings of which we
tune. At last there came a warning to him that have heard.
the bloodhounds were on his track once more, and

CHAPTER VIII.
Epilogue

The police trial had passed, in which the case “Exactly.”

of John Douglas was referred to a higher court. So “The ship reached Cape Town last night. I re-
had the Quarter Sessions, at which he was acquit- ceived this cable from Mrs. Douglas this morn-
ted as having acted in self-defense. ing:—
“Get him out of England at any cost,” wrote “Jack has been lost overboard in gale
Holmes to the wife. “There are forces here which off St. Helena. No one knows how ac-
may be more dangerous than those he has escaped. cident occurred. — “Ivy Douglas.”
There is no safety for your husband in England.”
“Ha! It came like that, did it?” said Holmes,
Two months had gone by, and the case had to thoughtfully. “Well, I’ve no doubt it was well
some extent passed from our minds. Then one stage-managed.”
morning there came an enigmatic note slipped into “You mean that you think there was no acci-
our letter box. “Dear me, Mr. Holmes. Dear me!” dent?”
said this singular epistle. There was neither su-
perscription nor signature. I laughed at the quaint “None in the world.”
message; but Holmes showed unwonted serious- “He was murdered?”
ness. “Surely!”
“Deviltry, Watson!” he remarked, and sat long “So I think also. These infernal Scowrers, this
with a clouded brow. cursed vindictive nest of criminals—”
Late last night Mrs. Hudson, our landlady, “No, no, my good sir,” said Holmes. “There is
brought up a message that a gentleman wished to a master hand here. It is no case of sawed-off shot-
see Holmes, and that the matter was of the utmost guns and clumsy six-shooters. You can tell an old
importance. Close at the heels of his messenger master by the sweep of his brush. I can tell a Mo-
came Cecil Barker, our friend of the moated Manor riarty when I see one. This crime is from London,
House. His face was drawn and haggard. not from America.”
“I’ve had bad news—terrible news, Mr. “But for what motive?”
Holmes,” said he. “Because it is done by a man who cannot af-
“I feared as much,” said Holmes. ford to fail—one whose whole unique position de-
pends upon the fact that all he does must succeed.
“You have not had a cable, have you?”
A great brain and a huge organization have been
“I have had a note from someone who has.” turned to the extinction of one man. It is crushing
“It’s poor Douglas. They tell me his name the nut with the hammer—an absurd extravagance
is Edwards; but he will always be Jack Douglas of energy—but the nut is very effectually crushed
of Benito Canyon to me. I told you that they all the same.”
started together for South Africa in the Palmyra “How came this man to have anything to do
three weeks ago.” with it?”

737
 “I can only say that the first word that ever was greater than the past. Was I right?”
came to us of the business was from one of his lieu- Barker beat his head with his clenched fist in
tenants. These Americans were well advised. Hav- his impotent anger.
ing an English job to do, they took into partner-
“Do you tell me that we have to sit down un-
ship, as any foreign criminal could do, this great
der this? Do you say that no one can ever get level
consultant in crime. From that moment their man
with this king-devil?”
was doomed. At first he would content himself by
using his machinery in order to find their victim. “No, I don’t say that,” said Holmes, and his
Then he would indicate how the matter might be eyes seemed to be looking far into the future. “I
treated. Finally, when he read in the reports of don’t say that he can’t be beat. But you must give
the failure of this agent, he would step in himself me time—you must give me time!”
with a master touch. You heard me warn this man We all sat in silence for some minutes, while
at Birlstone Manor House that the coming danger those fateful eyes still strained to pierce the veil.
His Last Bow
 Preface

The friends of Mr. Sherlock Holmes will be glad to learn that he is still alive and well,
though somewhat crippled by occasional attacks of rheumatism. He has, for many years,
lived in a a small farm upon the downs five miles from Eastbourne, where his time is di-
vided between philosophy and agriculture. During this period of rest he has refused the
most princely offers to take up various cases, having determined that his retirement was a
permanent one. The approach of the German war caused him, however, to lay his remarkable
combination of intellectual and practical activity at the disposal of the government, with his-
torical results which are recounted in His Last Bow. Several previous experiences which have
lain long in my portfolio have been added to His Last Bow so as to complete the volume.

John H. Watson, M. D.
The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge
 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

Table of contents
The Singular Experience of Mr. John Scott Eccles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 747
The Tiger of San Pedro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 752

745
 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

CHAPTER I.

I
The Singular Experience of Mr. John Scott Eccles

find it recorded in my notebook that it any new problem, however trivial it may prove?
was a bleak and windy day towards the But here, unless I am mistaken, is our client.”
end of March in the year 1892. Holmes A measured step was heard upon the stairs,
had received a telegram while we sat and a moment later a stout, tall, gray-whiskered
at our lunch, and he had scribbled a reply. He and solemnly respectable person was ushered into
made no remark, but the matter remained in his the room. His life history was written in his heavy
thoughts, for he stood in front of the fire after- features and pompous manner. From his spats to
wards with a thoughtful face, smoking his pipe, his gold-rimmed spectacles he was a Conservative,
and casting an occasional glance at the message. a churchman, a good citizen, orthodox and con-
Suddenly he turned upon me with a mischievous ventional to the last degree. But some amazing ex-
twinkle in his eyes. perience had disturbed his native composure and
“I suppose, Watson, we must look upon you as left its traces in his bristling hair, his flushed, an-
a man of letters,” said he. “How do you define the gry cheeks, and his flurried, excited manner. He
word ‘grotesque’?” plunged instantly into his business.
“Strange—remarkable,” I suggested. “I have had a most singular and unpleasant ex-
perience, Mr. Holmes,” said he. “Never in my life
He shook his head at my definition.
have I been placed in such a situation. It is most
“There is surely something more than that,” improper—most outrageous. I must insist upon
said he; “some underlying suggestion of the tragic some explanation.” He swelled and puffed in his
and the terrible. If you cast your mind back to anger.
some of those narratives with which you have af- “Pray sit down, Mr. Scott Eccles,” said Holmes
flicted a long-suffering public, you will recognize in a soothing voice. “May I ask, in the first place,
how often the grotesque has deepened into the why you came to me at all?”
criminal. Think of that little affair of the red-
headed men. That was grotesque enough in the “Well, sir, it did not appear to be a matter
outset, and yet it ended in a desperate attempt at which concerned the police, and yet, when you
robbery. Or, again, there was that most grotesque have heard the facts, you must admit that I could
affair of the five orange pips, which let straight to not leave it where it was. Private detectives are a
a murderous conspiracy. The word puts me on the class with whom I have absolutely no sympathy,
alert.” but none the less, having heard your name—”
“Quite so. But, in the second place, why did
“Have you it there?” I asked.
you not come at once?”
He read the telegram aloud.
“What do you mean?”
“Have just had most incredible and Holmes glanced at his watch.
grotesque experience. May I consult
you? — “Scott Eccles, “It is a quarter-past two,” he said. “Your tele-
“Post Office, Charing Cross.” gram was dispatched about one. But no one can
glance at your toilet and attire without seeing that
“Man or woman?” I asked. your disturbance dates from the moment of your
“Oh, man, of course. No woman would ever waking.”
send a reply-paid telegram. She would have Our client smoothed down his unbrushed hair
come.” and felt his unshaven chin.
“Will you see him?” “You are right, Mr. Holmes. I never gave a
“My dear Watson, you know how bored I have thought to my toilet. I was only too glad to get out
been since we locked up Colonel Carruthers. My of such a house. But I have been running round
mind is like a racing engine, tearing itself to pieces making inquiries before I came to you. I went to
because it is not connected up with the work for the house agents, you know, and they said that Mr.
which it was built. Life is commonplace, the pa- Garcia’s rent was paid up all right and that every-
pers are sterile; audacity and romance seem to thing was in order at Wisteria Lodge.”
have passed forever from the criminal world. Can “Come, come, sir,” said Holmes, laughing.
you ask me, then, whether I am ready to look into “You are like my friend, Dr. Watson, who has a

747
 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

bad habit of telling his stories wrong end foremost. “So I did.”
Please arrange your thoughts and let me know, in “Oh, you did, did you?”
their due sequence, exactly what those events are
Out came the official notebook.
which have sent you out unbrushed and unkempt,
with dress boots and waistcoat buttoned awry, in “Wait a bit, Gregson,” said Sherlock Holmes.
search of advice and assistance.” “All you desire is a plain statement, is it not?”
Our client looked down with a rueful face at “And it is my duty to warn Mr. Scott Eccles
his own unconventional appearance. that it may be used against him.”
“I’m sure it must look very bad, Mr. Holmes, “Mr. Eccles was going to tell us about it when
and I am not aware that in my whole life such a you entered the room. I think, Watson, a brandy
thing has ever happened before. But will tell you and soda would do him no harm. Now, sir, I sug-
the whole queer business, and when I have done gest that you take no notice of this addition to your
so you will admit, I am sure, that there has been audience, and that you proceed with your narra-
enough to excuse me.” tive exactly as you would have done had you never
been interrupted.”
But his narrative was nipped in the bud. There
was a bustle outside, and Mrs. Hudson opened the Our visitor had gulped off the brandy and the
door to usher in two robust and official-looking colour had returned to his face. With a dubious
individuals, one of whom was well known to us glance at the inspector’s notebook, he plunged at
as Inspector Gregson of Scotland Yard, an ener- once into his extraordinary statement.
getic, gallant, and, within his limitations, a capa- “I am a bachelor,” said he, “and being of
ble officer. He shook hands with Holmes and in- a sociable turn I cultivate a large number of
troduced his comrade as Inspector Baynes, of the friends. Among these are the family of a retired
Surrey Constabulary. brewer called Melville, living at Abermarle Man-
“We are hunting together, Mr. Holmes, and our sion, Kensington. It was at his table that I met
trail lay in this direction.” He turned his bulldog some weeks ago a young fellow named Garcia. He
eyes upon our visitor. “Are you Mr. John Scott Ec- was, I understood, of Spanish descent and con-
cles, of Popham House, Lee?” nected in some way with the embassy. He spoke
perfect English, was pleasing in his manners, and
“I am.”
as good-looking a man as ever I saw in my life.
“We have been following you about all the “In some way we struck up quite a friendship,
morning.” this young fellow and I. He seemed to take a fancy
“You traced him through the telegram, no to me from the first, and within two days of our
doubt,” said Holmes. meeting he came to see me at Lee. One thing led
“Exactly, Mr. Holmes. We picked up the scent to another, and it ended in his inviting me out to
at Charing Cross Post-Office and came on here.” spend a few days at his house, Wisteria Lodge,
“But why do you follow me? What do you between Esher and Oxshott. Yesterday evening I
want?” went to Esher to fulfil this engagement.
“We wish a statement, Mr. Scott Eccles, as to “He had described his household to me before
the events which let up to the death last night of I went there. He lived with a faithful servant, a
Mr. Aloysius Garcia, of Wisteria Lodge, near Es- countryman of his own, who looked after all his
her.” needs. This fellow could speak English and did
his housekeeping for him. Then there was a won-
Our client had sat up with staring eyes and ev- derful cook, he said, a half-breed whom he had
ery tinge of colour struck from his astonished face. picked up in his travels, who could serve an ex-
“Dead? Did you say he was dead?” cellent dinner. I remember that he remarked what
“Yes, sir, he is dead.” a queer household it was to find in the heart of
Surrey, and that I agreed with him, though it has
“But how? An accident?”
proved a good deal queerer than I thought.
“Murder, if ever there was one upon earth.”
“I drove to the place—about two miles on the
“Good God! This is awful! You don’t south side of Esher. The house was a fair-sized
mean—you don’t mean that I am suspected?” one, standing back from the road, with a curv-
“A letter of yours was found in the dead man’s ing drive which was banked with high evergreen
pocket, and we know by it that you had planned shrubs. It was an old, tumbledown building in a
to pass last night at his house.” crazy state of disrepair. When the trap pulled up

748
 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

on the grass-grown drive in front of the blotched had gone with the rest. The foreign host, the for-
and weather-stained door, I had doubts as to my eign footman, the foreign cook, all had vanished in
wisdom in visiting a man whom I knew so slightly. the night! That was the end of my visit to Wisteria
He opened the door himself, however, and greeted Lodge.”
me with a great show of cordiality. I was handed Sherlock Holmes was rubbing his hands and
over to the manservant, a melancholy, swarthy in- chuckling as he added this bizarre incident to his
dividual, who led the way, my bag in his hand, collection of strange episodes.
to my bedroom. The whole place was depress-
ing. Our dinner was tête-à-tête, and though my “Your experience is, so far as I know, perfectly
host did his best to be entertaining, his thoughts unique,” said he. “May I ask, sir, what you did
seemed to continually wander, and he talked so then?”
vaguely and wildly that I could hardly understand “I was furious. My first idea was that I had
him. He continually drummed his fingers on the been the victim of some absurd practical joke. I
table, gnawed his nails, and gave other signs of packed my things, banged the hall door behind
nervous impatience. The dinner itself was neither me, and set off for Esher, with my bag in my hand.
well served nor well cooked, and the gloomy pres- I called at Allan Brothers’, the chief land agents in
ence of the taciturn servant did not help to enliven the village, and found that it was from this firm
us. I can assure you that many times in the course that the villa had been rented. It struck me that
of the evening I wished that I could invent some the whole proceeding could hardly be for the pur-
excuse which would take me back to Lee. pose of making a fool of me, and that the main
objet must be to get out of the rent. It is late in
“One thing comes back to my memory which March, so quarter-day is at hand. But this theory
may have a bearing upon the business that you two would not work. The agent was obliged to me for
gentlemen are investigating. I thought nothing of my warning, but told me that the rent had been
it at the time. Near the end of dinner a note was paid in advance. Then I made my way to town
handed in by the servant. I noticed that after my and called at the Spanish embassy. The man was
host had read it he seemed even more distrait and unknown there. After this I went to see Melville,
strange than before. He gave up all pretence at at whose house I had first met Garcia, but I found
conversation and sat, smoking endless cigarettes, that he really knew rather less about him than I
lost in his own thoughts, but he made no remark did. Finally when I got your reply to my wire I
as to the contents. About eleven I was glad to go came out to you, since I gather that you are a per-
to bed. Some time later Garcia looked in at my son who gives advice in difficult cases. But now,
door—the room was dark at the time—and asked Mr. Inspector, I understand, from what you said
me if I had rung. I said that I had not. He apolo- when you entered the room, that you can carry
gized for having disturbed me so late, saying that the story on, and that some tragedy had occurred.
it was nearly one o’clock. I dropped off after this I can assure you that every word I have said is the
and slept soundly all night. truth, and that, outside of what I have told you,
I know absolutely nothing about the fate of this
“And now I come to the amazing part of my
man. My only desire is to help the law in every
tale. When I woke it was broad daylight. I glanced
possible way.”
at my watch, and the time was nearly nine. I
had particularly asked to be called at eight, so I “I am sure of it, Mr. Scott Eccles—I am sure of
was very much astonished at this forgetfulness. I it,” said Inspector Gregson in a very amiable tone.
sprang up and rang for the servant. There was no “I am bound to say that everything which you have
response. I rang again and again, with the same said agrees very closely with the facts as they have
result. Then I came to the conclusion that the bell come to our notice. For example, there was that
was out of order. I huddled on my clothes and note which arrived during dinner. Did you chance
hurried downstairs in an exceedingly bad temper to observe what became of it?”
to order some hot water. You can imagine my sur- “Yes, I did. Garcia rolled it up and threw it into
prise when I found that there was no one there. I the fire.”
shouted in the hall. There was no answer. Then
I ran from room to room. All were deserted. My “What do you say to that, Mr. Baynes?”
host had shown me which was his bedroom the The country detective was a stout, puffy, red
night before, so I knocked at the door. No reply. I man, whose face was only redeemed from gross-
turned the handle and walked in. The room was ness by two extraordinarily bright eyes, almost
empty, and the bed had never been slept in. He hidden behind the heavy creases of cheek and

749
 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

brow. With a slow smile he drew a folded and heavy blows of a sandbag or some such instru-
discoloured scrap of paper from his pocket. ment, which had crushed rather than wounded.
“It was a dog-grate, Mr. Holmes, and he over- It is a lonely corner, and there is no house within
pitched it. I picked this out unburned from the a quarter of a mile of the spot. He had apparently
back of it.” been struck down first from behind, but his as-
sailant had gone on beating him long after he was
Holmes smiled his appreciation. dead. It was a most furious assault. There are no
“You must have examined the house very care- footsteps nor any clue to the criminals.”
fully to find a single pellet of paper.” “Robbed?”
“I did, Mr. Holmes. It’s my way. Shall I read it, “No, there was no attempt at robbery.”
Mr. Gregson?”
“This is very painful—very painful and terri-
The Londoner nodded. ble,” said Mr. Scott Eccles in a querulous voice,
“The note is written upon ordinary cream-laid “but it is really uncommonly hard on me. I had
paper without watermark. It is a quarter-sheet. nothing to do with my host going off upon a noc-
The paper is cut off in two snips with a short- turnal excursion and meeting so sad an end. How
bladed scissors. It has been folded over three times do I come to be mixed up with the case?”
and sealed with purple wax, put on hurriedly and “Very simply, sir,” Inspector Baynes answered.
pressed down with some flat oval object. It is ad- “The only document found in the pocket of the
dressed to Mr. Garcia, Wisteria Lodge. It says: deceased was a letter from you saying that you
“Our own colours, green and white. would be with him on the night of his death. It was
Green open, white shut. Main stair, the envelope of this letter which gave us the dead
first corridor, seventh right, green man’s name and address. It was after nine this
baize. Godspeed. — D. morning when we reached his house and found
neither you nor anyone else inside it. I wired to
“It is a woman’s writing, done with a sharp-
Mr. Gregson to run you down in London while I
pointed pen, but the address is either done with
examined Wisteria Lodge. Then I came into town,
another pen or by someone else. It is thicker and
joined Mr. Gregson, and here we are.”
bolder, as you see.”
“I think now,” said Gregson, rising, “we had
“A very remarkable note,” said Holmes, glanc- best put this matter into an official shape. You will
ing it over. “I must compliment you, Mr. Baynes, come round with us to the station, Mr. Scott Eccles,
upon your attention to detail in your examina- and let us have your statement in writing.”
tion of it. A few trifling points might perhaps
be added. The oval seal is undoubtedly a plain “Certainly, I will come at once. But I retain
sleeve-link—what else is of such a shape? The scis- your services, Mr. Holmes. I desire you to spare
sors were bent nail scissors. Short as the two snips no expense and no pains to get at the truth.”
are, you can distinctly see the same slight curve in My friend turned to the country inspector.
each.” “I suppose that you have no objection to my
The country detective chuckled. collaborating with you, Mr. Baynes?”
“I thought I had squeezed all the juice out of “Highly honoured, sir, I am sure.”
it, but I see there was a little over,” he said. “I’m “You appear to have been very prompt and
bound to say that I make nothing of the note ex- businesslike in all that you have done. Was there
cept that there was something on hand, and that a any clue, may I ask, as to the exact hour that the
woman, as usual, was at the bottom of it.” man met his death?”
Mr. Scott Eccles had fidgeted in his seat during “He had been there since one o’clock. There
this conversation. was rain about that time, and his death had cer-
tainly been before the rain.”
“I am glad you found the note, since it corrob-
orates my story,” said he. “But I beg to point out “But that is perfectly impossible, Mr. Baynes,”
that I have not yet heard what has happened to Mr. cried our client. “His voice is unmistakable. I
Garcia, nor what has become of his household.” could swear to it that it was he who addressed me
in my bedroom at that very hour.”
“As to Garcia,” said Gregson, “that is eas-
ily answered. He was found dead this morning “Remarkable, but by no means impossible,”
upon Oxshott Common, nearly a mile from his said Holmes, smiling.
home. His head had been smashed to pulp by “You have a clue?” asked Gregson.

750
 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

“On the face of it the case is not a very com- “But what is our hypothesis?”
plex one, though it certainly presents some novel Holmes leaned back in his chair with half-
and interesting features. A further knowledge of closed eyes.
facts is necessary before I would venture to give a “You must admit, my dear Watson, that the
final and definite opinion. By the way, Mr. Baynes, idea of a joke is impossible. There were grave
did you find anything remarkable besides this note events afoot, as the sequel showed, and the coax-
in your examination of the house?” ing of Scott Eccles to Wisteria Lodge had some
The detective looked at my friend in a singular connection with them.”
way. “But what possible connection?”
“There were,” said he, “one or two very remark- “Let us take it link by link. There is, on the face
able things. Perhaps when I have finished at the of it, something unnatural about this strange and
police-station you would care to come out and give sudden friendship between the young Spaniard
me your opinion of them.” and Scott Eccles. It was the former who forced
“In am entirely at your service,” said Sherlock the pace. He called upon Eccles at the other end
Holmes, ringing the bell. “You will show these of London on the very day after he first met him,
gentlemen out, Mrs. Hudson, and kindly send the and he kept in close touch with him until he got
boy with this telegram. He is to pay a five-shilling him down to Esher. Now, what did he want with
reply.” Eccles? What could Eccles supply? I see no charm
in the man. He is not particulary intelligent—not a
We sat for some time in silence after our vis- man likely to be congenial to a quick-witted Latin.
itors had left. Holmes smoked hard, with his Why, then, was he picked out from all the other
browns drawn down over his keen eyes, and his people whom Garcia met as particularly suited to
head thrust forward in the eager way characteris- his purpose? Has he any one outstanding quality?
tic of the man. I say that he has. He is the very type of conven-
“Well, Watson,” he asked, turning suddenly tional British respectability, and the very man as a
upon me, “what do you make of it?” witness to impress another Briton. You saw your-
“I can make nothing of this mystification of self how neither of the inspectors dreamed of ques-
Scott Eccles.” tioning his statement, extraordinary as it was.”
“But what was he to witness?”
“But the crime?”
“Nothing, as things turned out, but everything
“Well, taken with the disappearance of the had they gone another way. That is how I read the
man’s companions, I should say that they were in matter.”
some way concerned in the murder and had fled
“I see, he might have proved an alibi.”
from justice.”
“Exactly, my dear Watson; he might have
“That is certainly a possible point of view. On proved an alibi. We will suppose, for argument’s
the face of it you must admit, however, that it sake, that the household of Wisteria Lodge are con-
is very strange that his two servants should have federates in some design. The attempt, whatever
been in a conspiracy against him and should have it may be, is to come off, we will say, before one
attacked him on the one night when he had a o’clock. By some juggling of the clocks it is quite
guest. They had him alone at their mercy every possible that they may have got Scott Eccles to bed
other night in the week.” earlier than he thought, but in any case it is likely
“Then why did they fly?” that when Garcia went out of his way to tell him
“Quite so. Why did they fly? There is a big that it was one it was really not more than twelve.
fact. Another big fact is the remarkable experience If Garcia could do whatever he had to do and be
of our client, Scott Eccles. Now, my dear Watson, is back by the hour mentioned he had evidently a
it beyond the limits of human ingenuity to furnish powerful reply to any accusation. Here was this
an explanation which would cover both of these irreproachable Englishman ready to swear in any
big facts? If it were one which would also ad- court of law that the accused was in the house all
mit of the mysterious note with its very curious the time. It was an insurance against the worst.”
phraseology, why, then it would be worth accept- “Yes, yes, I see that. But how about the disap-
ing as a temporary hypothesis. If the fresh facts pearance of the others?”
which come to our knowledge all fit themselves “I have not all my facts yet, but I do not think
into the scheme, then our hypothesis may gradu- there are any insuperable difficulties. Still, it is
ally become a solution.” an error to argue in front of your data. You find

751
 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

yourself insensibly twisting them round to fit your “This is a very obvious way of limiting our field
theories.” of operations,” said Holmes. “No doubt Baynes,
“And the message?” with his methodical mind, has already adopted
“How did it run? ‘Our own colours, green and some similar plan.”
white.’ Sounds like racing. ‘Green open, white “I don’t quite understand.”
shut.’ That is clearly a signal. ‘Main stair, first cor-
ridor, seventh right, green baize.’ This is an assig- “Well, my dear fellow, we have already arrived
nation. We may find a jealous husband at the bot- at the conclusion that the massage received by Gar-
tom of it all. It was clearly a dangerous quest. She cia at dinner was an appointment or an assigna-
would not have said ‘Godspeed’ had it not been tion. Now, if the obvious reading of it is correct,
so. ‘D’—that should be a guide.” and in order to keep the tryst one has to ascend a
“The man was a Spaniard. I suggest that ‘D’ main stair and seek the seventh door in a corridor,
stands for Dolores, a common female name in it is perfectly clear that the house is a very large
Spain.” one. It is equally certain that this house cannot
be more than a mile or two from Oxshott, since
“Good, Watson, very good—but quite inad-
Garcia was walking in that direction and hoped,
missable. A Spaniard would write to a Spaniard
according to my reading of the facts, to be back in
in Spanish. The writer of this note is certainly En-
Wisteria Lodge in time to avail himself of an alibi,
glish. Well, we can only possess our soul in pa-
which would only be valid up to one o’clock. As
tience until this excellent inspector come back for
the number of large houses close to Oxshott must
us. Meanwhile we can thank our lucky fate which
be limited, I adopted the obvious method of send-
has rescued us for a few short hours from the in-
ing to the agents mentioned by Scott Eccles and
sufferable fatigues of idleness.”
obtaining a list of them. Here they are in this tele-
An answer had arrived to Holmes’s telegram gram, and the other end of our tangled skein must
before our Surrey officer had returned. Holmes lie among them.”
read it and was about to place it in his notebook
when he caught a glimpse of my expectant face. It was nearly six o’clock before we found our-
He tossed it across with a laugh. selves in the pretty Surrey village of Esher, with
“We are moving in exalted circles,” said he. Inspector Baynes as our companion.
The telegram was a list of names and ad- Holmes and I had taken things for the night,
dresses: and found comfortable quarters at the Bull. Finally
Lord Harringby, The Dingle; Sir George we set out in the company of the detective on our
Ffolliott, Oxshott Towers; Mr. Hynes visit to Wisteria Lodge. It was a cold, dark March
Hynes, J.P., Purdley Place; Mr. James evening, with a sharp wind and a fine rain beating
Baker Williams, Forton Old Hall; Mr. upon our faces, a fit setting for the wild common
Henderson, High Gable; Rev. Joshua over which our road passed and the tragic goal to
Stone, Nether Walsling. which it led us.

CHAPTER II.
The Tiger of San Pedro

A cold and melancholy walk of a couple of “There’s a constable in possession,” said

miles brought us to a high wooden gate, which Baynes. “I’ll knock at the window.” He stepped
opened into a gloomy avenue of chestnuts. The across the grass plot and tapped with his hand
curved and shadowed drive led us to a low, dark on the pane. Through the fogged glass I dimly
house, pitch-black against a slate-coloured sky. saw a man spring up from a chair beside the fire,
From the front window upon the left of the door and heard a sharp cry from within the room. An
there peeped a glimmer of a feeble light. instant later a white-faced, hard-breathing police-

752
 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

man had opened the door, the candle wavering in “Well,” said the inspector with a grave and
his trembling hand. thoughtful face, “whoever he may have been, and
“What’s the matter, Walters?” asked Baynes whatever he may have wanted, he’s gone for the
sharply. present, and we have more immediate things to at-
tend to. Now, Mr. Holmes, with your permission,
The man mopped his forehead with his hand-
I will show you round the house.”
kerchief and agave a long sigh of relief.
The various bedrooms and sitting-rooms had
“I am glad you have come, sir. It has been
yielded nothing to a careful search. Apparently
a long evening, and I don’t think my nerve is as
the tenants had brought little or nothing with
good as it was.”
them, and all the furniture down to the smallest
“Your nerve, Walters? I should not have details had been taken over with the house. A
thought you had a nerve in your body.” good deal of clothing with the stamp of Marx and
“Well, sir, it’s this lonely, silent house and the Co., High Holborn, had been left behind. Tele-
queer thing in the kitchen. Then when you tapped graphic inquiries had been already made which
at the window I thought it had come again.” showed that Marx knew nothing of his customer
“That what had come again?” save that he was a good payer. Odds and ends,
some pipes, a few novels, two of them in Span-
“The devil, sir, for all I know. It was at the win-
ish, and old-fashioned pinfire revolver, and a gui-
dow.”
tar were among the personal property.
“What was at the window, and when?”
“Nothing in all this,” said Baynes, stalking,
“It was just about two hours ago. The light candle in hand, from room to room. “But now, Mr.
was just fading. I was sitting reading in the chair. Holmes, I invite your attention to the kitchen.”
I don’t know what made me look up, but there It was a gloomy, high-ceilinged room at the
was a face looking in at me through the lower back of the house, with a straw litter in one corner,
pane. Lord, sir, what a face it was! I’ll see it in which served apparently as a bed for the cook. The
my dreams.” table was piled with half-eaten dishes and dirty
“Tut, tut, Walters. This is not talk for a police- plates, the debris of last night’s dinner.
constable.” “Look at this,” said Baynes. “What do you
“I know, sir, I know; but it shook me, sir, and make of it?”
there’s no use to deny it. It wasn’t black, sir, nor He held up his candle before an extraordinary
was it white, nor any colour that I know but a object which stood at the back of the dresser. It
kind of queer shade like clay with a splash of milk was so wrinkled and shrunken and withered that
in it. Then there was the size of it—it was twice it was difficult to say what it might have been. One
yours, sir. And the look of it—the great staring could but say that it was black and leathery and
goggle eyes, and the line of white teeth like a hun- that it bore some resemblance to a dwarfish, hu-
gry beast. I tell you, sir, I couldn’t move a finger, man figure. At first, as I examined it, I thought
nor get my breath, till it whisked away and was that it was a mummified negro baby, and then it
gone. Out I ran and through the shrubbery, but seemed a very twisted and ancient monkey. Fi-
thank God there was no one there.” nally I was left in doubt as to whether it was ani-
“If I didn’t know you were a good man, Wal- mal or human. A double band of white shells were
ters, I should put a black mark against you for this. strung round the centre of it.
If it were the devil himself a constable on duty “Very interesting—very interesting, indeed!”
should never thank God that he could not lay his said Holmes, peering at this sinister relic. “Any-
hands upon him. I suppose the whole thing is not thing more?”
a vision and a touch of nerves?” In silence Baynes led the way to the sink and
“That, at least, is very easily settled,” said held forward his candle. The limbs and body of
Holmes, lighting his little pocket lantern. “Yes,” some large, white bird, torn savagely to pieces
he reported, after a short examination of the grass with the feathers still on, were littered all over it.
bed, “a number twelve shoe, I should say. If he was Holmes pointed to the wattles on the severed head.
all on the same scale as his foot he must certainly “A white cock,” said he. “Most interesting! It
have been a giant.” is really a very curious case.”
“What became of him?” But Mr. Baynes had kept his most sinister ex-
“He seems to have broken through the shrub- hibit to the last. From under the sink he drew
bery and made for the road.” a zinc pail which contained a quantity of blood.

753
 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

Then from the table he took a platter heaped with that intent brain with needless interruption. All
small pieces of charred bone. would come round to me in due time.
“Something has been killed and something has I waited, therefore—but to my ever-deepening
been burned. We raked all these out of the fire. We disappointment I waited in vain. Day succeeded
had a doctor in this morning. He says that they are day, and my friend took no step forward. One
not human.” morning he spent in town, and I learned from a
Holmes smiled and rubbed his hands. casual reference that he had visited the British Mu-
“I must congratulate you, Inspector, on han- seum. Save for this one excursion, he spent his
dling so distinctive and instructive a case. Your days in long and often solitary walks, or in chat-
powers, if I may say so without offence, seem su- ting with a number of village gossips whose ac-
perior to your opportunities.” quaintance he had cultivated.
Inspector Baynes’s small eyes twinkled with “I’m sure, Watson, a week in the country will
pleasure. be invaluable to you,” he remarked. “It is very
pleasant to see the first green shoots upon the
“You’re right, Mr. Holmes. We stagnate in the
hedges and the catkins on the hazels once again.
provinces. A case of this sort gives a man a chance,
With a spud, a tin box, and an elementary book on
and I hope that I shall take it. What do you make
botany, there are instructive days to be spent.” He
of these bones?”
prowled about with this equipment himself, but it
“A lamb, I should say, or a kid.” was a poor show of plants which he would bring
“And the white cock?” back of an evening.
“Curious, Mr. Baynes, very curious. I should Occasionally in our rambles we came across In-
say almost unique.” spector Baynes. His fat, red face wreathed itself in
“Yes, sir, there must have been some very smiles and his small eyes glittered as he greeted
strange people with some very strange ways in this my companion. He said little about the case, but
house. One of them is dead. Did his companions from that little we gathered that he also was not
follow him and kill him? If they did we should dissatisfied at the course of events. I must admit,
have them, for every port is watched. But my own however, that I was somewhat surprised when,
views are different. Yes, sir, my own views are some five days after the crime, I opened my morn-
very different.” ing paper to find in large letters:
“You have a theory then?” The Oxshott Mystery
a solution
“And I’ll work it myself, Mr. Holmes. It’s only
due to my own credit to do so. Your name is made, Arrest of Supposed Assassin
but I have still to make mine. I should be glad to be Holmes sprang in his chair as if he had been stung
able to say afterwards that I had solved it without when I read the headlines.
your help.” “By Jove!” he cried. “You don’t mean that
Holmes laughed good-humoredly. Baynes has got him?”
“Well, well, Inspector,” said he. “Do you fol- “Apparently,” said I as I read the following re-
low your path and I will follow mine. My results port:
are always very much at your service if you care “Great excitement was caused in Esher
to apply to me for them. I think that I have seen and the neighbouring district when it
all that I wish in this house, and that my time may was learned late last night that an arrest
be more profitably employed elsewhere. Au revoir had been effected in connection with the
and good luck!” Oxshott murder. It will be remembered that
I could tell by numerous subtle signs, which Mr. Garcia, of Wisteria Lodge, was found
might have been lost upon anyone but myself, that dead on Oxshott Common, his body show-
Holmes was on a hot scent. As impassive as ever ing signs of extreme violence, and that on
to the casual observer, there were none the less a the same night his servant and his cook
subdued eagerness and suggestion of tension in fled, which appeared to show their partic-
his brightened eyes and brisker manner which as- ipation in the crime. It was suggested, but
sured me that the game was afoot. After his habit never proved, that the deceased gentleman
he said nothing, and after mine I asked no ques- may have had valuables in the house, and
tions. Sufficient for me to share the sport and lend that their abstraction was the motive of the
my humble help to the capture without distracting crime. Every effort was made by Inspector

754
 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

Baynes, who has the case in hand, to ascer- “No, sir; I believe you mean well by me. But we
tain the hiding place of the fugitives, and he all have our own systems, Mr. Holmes. You have
had good reason to believe that they had not yours, and maybe I have mine.”
gone far but were lurking in some retreat “Let us say no more about it.”
which had been already prepared. It was
certain from the first, however, that they “You’re welcome always to my news. This fel-
would eventually be detected, as the cook, low is a perfect savage, as strong as a cart-horse
from the evidence of one or two tradespeople and as fierce as the devil. He chewed Downing’s
who have caught a glimpse of him through thumb nearly off before they could master him. He
the window, was a man of most remark- hardly speaks a word of English, and we can get
able appearance—being a huge and hideous nothing out of him but grunts.”
mulatto, with yellowish features of a pro- “And you think you have evidence that he mur-
nounced negroid type. This man has been dered his late master?”
seen since the crime, for he was detected “I didn’t say so, Mr. Holmes; I didn’t say so.
and pursued by Constable Walters on the We all have our little ways. You try yours and I
same evening, when he had the audacity to will try mine. That’s the agreement.”
revisit Wisteria Lodge. Inspector Baynes,
Holmes shrugged his shoulders as we walked
considering that such a visit must have
away together. “I can’t make the man out. He
some purpose in view and was likely, there-
seems to be riding for a fall. Well, as he says, we
fore, to be repeated, abandoned the house
must each try our own way and see what comes
but left an ambuscade in the shrubbery. The
of it. But there’s something in Inspector Baynes
man walked into the trap and was captured
which I can’t quite understand.”
last night after a struggle in which Consta-
ble Downing was badly bitten by the sav- “Just sit down in that chair, Watson,” said Sher-
age. We understand that when the prison lock Holmes when we had returned to our apart-
is brought before the magistrates a remand ment at the Bull. “I want to put you in touch with
will be applied for by the police, and that the situation, as I may need your help to-night.
great developments are hoped from his cap- Let me show you the evolution of this case so far
ture.” as I have been able to follow it. Simple as it has
been in its leading features, it has none the less
“Really we must see Baynes at once,” cried
presented surprising difficulties in the way of an
Holmes, picking up his hat. “We will just catch
arrest. There are gaps in that direction which we
him before he starts.” We hurried down the vil-
have still to fill.
lage street and found, as we had expected, that the
inspector was just leaving his lodgings. “We will go back to the note which was handed
in to Garcia upon the evening of his death. We may
“You’ve seen the paper, Mr. Holmes?” he
put aside this idea of Baynes’s that Garcia’s ser-
asked, holding one out to us.
vants were concerned in the matter. The proof of
“Yes, Baynes, I’ve seen it. Pray don’t think it a this lies in the fact that it was he who had arranged
liberty if I give you a word of friendly warning.” for the presence of Scott Eccles, which could only
“Of warning, Mr. Holmes?” have been done for the purpose of an alibi. It was
Garcia, then, who had an enterprise, and appar-
“I have looked into this case with some care,
ently a criminal enterprise, in hand that night in
and I am not convinced that you are on the right
the course of which he met his death. I say ‘crim-
lines. I don’t want you to commit yourself too far
inal’ because only a man with a criminal enter-
unless you are sure.”
prise desires to establish an alibi. Who, then, is
“You’re very kind, Mr. Holmes.” most likely to have taken his life? Surely the per-
“I assure you I speak for your good.” son against whom the criminal enterprise was di-
rected. So far it seems to me that we are on safe
It seemed to me that something like a wink ground.
quivered for an instant over one of Mr. Baynes’s
tiny eyes. “We can now see a reason for the disappear-
ance of Garcia’s household. They were all con-
“We agreed to work on our own lines, Mr. federates in the same unknown crime. If it came
Holmes. That’s what I am doing.” off when Garcia returned, any possible suspicion
“Oh, very good,” said Holmes. “Don’t blame would be warded off by the Englishman’s evi-
me.” dence, and all would be well. But the attempt was

755
 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

a dangerous one, and if Garcia did not return by “These two men, close and confidential friends,
a certain hour it was probable that his own life are the centre of the household; but there is one
had been sacrificed. It had been arranged, there- other person who for our immediate purpose may
fore, that in such a case his two subordinates were be even more important. Henderson has two chil-
to make for some prearranged spot where they dren—girls of eleven and thirteen. Their governess
could escape investigation and be in a position af- is a Miss Burnet, an Englishwoman of forty or
terwards to renew their attempt. That would fully thereabouts. There is also one confidential manser-
explain the facts, would it not?” vant. This little group forms the real family, for
The whole inexplicable tangle seemed to their travel about together, and Henderson is a
straighten out before me. I wondered, as I always great traveller, always on the move. It is only
did, how it had not been obvious to me before. within the last weeks that he has returned, after
a year’s absence, to High Gable. I may add that
“But why should one servant return?”
he is enormously rich, and whatever his whims
“We can imagine that in the confusion of flight may be he can very easily satisfy them. For the
something precious, something which he could rest, his house is full of butlers, footmen, maidser-
not bear to part with, had been left behind. That vants, and the usual overfed, underworked staff of
would explain his persistence, would it not?” a large English country house.
“Well, what is the next step?” “So much I learned partly from village gossip
“The next step is the note received by Garcia at and partly from my own observation. There are no
the dinner. It indicates a confederate at the other better instruments than discharged servants with a
end. Now, where was the other end? I have al- grievance, and I was lucky enough to find one. I
ready shown you that it could only lie in some call it luck, but it would not have come my way
large house, and that the number of large houses is had I not been looking out for it. As Baynes re-
limited. My first days in this village were devoted marks, we all have our systems. It was my sys-
to a series of walks in which in the intervals of my tem which enabled me to find John Warner, late
botanical researches I made a reconnaissance of all gardener of High Gable, sacked in a moment of
the large houses and an examination of the family temper by his imperious employer. He in turn had
history of the occupants. One house, and only one, friends among the indoor servants who unite in
riveted my attention. It is the famous old Jacobean their fear and dislike of their master. So I had my
grange of High Gable, one mile on the farther side key to the secrets of the establishment.
of Oxshott, and less than half a mile from the scene “Curious people, Watson! I don’t pretend to
of the tragedy. The other mansions belonged to understand it all yet, but very curious people any-
prosaic and respectable people who live far aloof way. It’s a double-winged house, and the servants
from romance. But Mr. Henderson, of High Gable, live on one side, the family on the other. There’s
was by all accounts a curious man to whom cu- no link between the two save for Henderson’s own
rious adventures might befall. I concentrated my servant, who serves the family’s meals. Everything
attention, therefore, upon him and his household. is carried to a certain door, which forms the one
“A singular set of people, Watson—the man connection. Governess and children hardly go out
himself the most singular of them all. I managed at all, except into the garden. Henderson never by
to see him on a plausible pretext, but I seemed to any chance walks alone. His dark secretary is like
read in his dark, deepset, brooding eyes that he his shadow. The gossip among the servants is that
was perfectly aware of my true business. He is their master is terribly afraid of something. ‘Sold
a man of fifty, strong, active, with iron-gray hair, his soul to the devil in exchange for money,’ says
great bunched black eyebrows, the step of a deer Warner, ‘and expects his creditor to come up and
and the air of an emperor—a fierce, masterful man, claim his own.’ Where they came from, or who
with a red-hot spirit behind his parchment face. they are, nobody has an idea. They are very vi-
He is either a foreigner or has lived long in the olent. Twice Henderson has lashed at folk with
tropics, for he is yellow and sapless, but tough his dog-whip, and only his long purse and heavy
as whipcord. His friend and secretary, Mr. Lu- compensation have kept him out of the courts.
cas, is undoubtedly a foreigner, chocolate brown, “Well, now, Watson, let us judge the situation
wily, suave, and catlike, with a poisonous gentle- by this new information. We may take it that the
ness of speech. You see, Watson, we have come letter came out of this strange household and was
already upon two sets of foreigners—one at Wiste- an invitation to Garcia to carry out some attempt
ria Lodge and one at High Gable—so our gaps are which had already been planned. Who wrote the
beginning to close. note? It was someone within the citadel, and it

756
 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

was a woman. Who then but Miss Burnet, the gov- about five o’clock, and the shadows of the March
erness? All our reasoning seems to point that way. evening were beginning to fall, when an excited
At any rate, we may take it as a hypothesis and rustic rushed into our room.
see what consequences it would entail. I may add “They’ve gone, Mr. Holmes. They went by the
that Miss Burnet’s age and character make it cer- last train. The lady broke away, and I’ve got her in
tain that my first idea that there might be a love a cab downstairs.”
interest in our story is out of the question. “Excellent, Warner!” cried Holmes, springing
“If she wrote the note she was presumably the to his feet. “Watson, the gaps are closing rapidly.”
friend and confederate of Garcia. What, then, In the cab was a woman, half-collapsed from
might she be expected to do if she heard of his nervous exhaustion. She bore upon her aquiline
death? If he met it in some nefarious enterprise her and emaciated face the traces of some recent
lips might be sealed. Still, in her heart, she must tragedy. Her head hung listlessly upon her breast,
retain bitterness and hatred against those who had but as she raised it and turned her dull eyes upon
killed him and would presumably help so far as us I saw that her pupils were dark dots in the cen-
she could to have revenge upon them. Could we tre of the broad gray iris. She was drugged with
see her, then and try to use her? That was my first opium.
thought. But now we come to a sinister fact. Miss “I watched at the gate, same as you advised,
Burnet has not been seen by any human eye since Mr. Holmes,” said our emissary, the discharged
the night of the murder. From that evening she has gardener. “When the carriage came out I followed
utterly vanished. Is she alive? Has she perhaps it to the station. She was like one walking in her
met her end on the same night as the friend whom sleep, but when they tried to get her into the train
she had summoned? Or is she merely a prisoner? she came to life and struggled. They pushed her
There is the point which we still have to decide. into the carriage. She fought her way out again. I
“You will appreciate the difficulty of the situ- took her part, got her into a cab, and here we are.
ation, Watson. There is nothing upon which we I shan’t forget the face at the carriage window as
can apply for a warrant. Our whole scheme might I led her away. I’d have a short life if he had his
seem fantastic if laid before a magistrate. The way—the black-eyed, scowling, yellow devil.”
woman’s disappearance counts for nothing, since We carried her upstairs, laid her on the sofa,
in that extraordinary household any member of it and a couple of cups of the strongest coffee soon
might be invisible for a week. And yet she may at cleared her brain from the mists of the drug.
the present moment be in danger of her life. All I Baynes had been summoned by Holmes, and the
can do is to watch the house and leave my agent, situation rapidly explained to him.
Warner, on guard at the gates. We can’t let such “Why, sir, you’ve got me the very evidence
a situation continue. If the law can do nothing we I want,” said the inspector warmly, shaking my
must take the risk ourselves.” friend by the hand. “I was on the same scent as
“What do you suggest?” you from the first.”
“I know which is her room. It is accessible from “What! You were after Henderson?”
the top of an outhouse. My suggestion is that you “Why, Mr. Holmes, when you were crawling in
and I go to-night and see if we can strike at the the shrubbery at High Gable I was up one of the
very heart of the mystery.” trees in the plantation and saw you down below.
It was not, I must confess, a very alluring It was just who would get his evidence first.”
prospect. The old house with its atmosphere of “Then why did you arrest the mulatto?”
murder, the singular and formidable inhabitants, Baynes chuckled.
the unknown dangers of the approach, and the fact “I was sure Henderson, as he calls himself, felt
that we were putting ourselves legally in a false that he was suspected, and that he would lie low
position all combined to damp my ardour. But and make no move so long as he thought he was
there was something in the ice-cold reasoning of in any danger. I arrested the wrong man to make
Holmes which made it impossible to shrink from him believe that our eyes were off him. I knew
any adventure which he might recommend. One he would be likely to clear off then and give us a
knew that thus, and only thus, could a solution be chance of getting at Miss Burnet.”
found. I clasped his hand in silence, and the die Holmes laid his hand upon the inspector’s
was cast. shoulder.
But it was not destined that our investigation “You will rise high in your profession. You
should have so adventurous an ending. It was have instinct and intuition,” said he.

757
 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

Baynes flushed with pleasure. “But how come you into this matter, Miss Bur-
net?” asked Holmes. “How can an English lady
“I’ve had a plain-clothes man waiting at the sta-
join in such a murderous affair?”
tion all the week. Wherever the High Gable folk go
he will keep them in sight. But he must have been “I join in it because there is no other way in the
hard put to it when Miss Burnet broke away. How- world by which justice can be gained. What does
ever, your man picked her up, and it all ends well. the law of England care for the rivers of blood shed
We can’t arrest without her evidence, that is clear, years ago in San Pedro, or for the shipload of trea-
so the sooner we get a statement the better.” sure which this man has stolen? To you they are
like crimes committed in some other planet. But
“Every minute she gets stronger,” said Holmes,
we know. We have learned the truth in sorrow and
glancing at the governess. “But tell me, Baynes,
in suffering. To us there is no fiend in hell like Juan
who is this man Henderson?”
Murillo, and no peace in life while his victims still
“Henderson,” the inspector answered, “is Don cry for vengeance.”
Murillo, once called the Tiger of San Pedro.” “No doubt,” said Holmes, “he was as you say.
The Tiger of San Pedro! The whole history I have heard that he was atrocious. But how are
of the man came back to me in a flash. He had you affected?”
made his name as the most lewd and bloodthirsty “I will tell you it all. This villain’s policy was
tyrant that had ever governed any country with a to murder, on one pretext or another, every man
pretence to civilization. Strong, fearless, and en- who showed such promise that he might in time
ergetic, he had sufficient virtue to enable him to come to be a dangerous rival. My husband—yes,
impose his odious vices upon a cowering people my real name is Signora Victor Durando—was the
for ten or twelve years. His name was a terror San Pedro minister in London. He met me and
through all Central America. At the end of that married me there. A nobler man never lived upon
time there was a universal rising against him. But earth. Unhappily, Murillo heard of his excellence,
he was as cunning as he was cruel, and at the recalled him on some pretext, and had him shot.
first whisper of coming trouble he had secretly With a premonition of his fate he had refused to
conveyed his treasures aboard a ship which was take me with him. His estates were confiscated,
manned by devoted adherents. It was an empty and I was left with a pittance and a broken heart.
palace which was stormed by the insurgents next
“Then came the downfall of the tyrant. He
day. The dictator, his two children, his secretary,
escaped as you have just described. But the
and his wealth had all escaped them. From that
many whose lives he had ruined, whose nearest
moment he had vanished from the world, and his
and dearest had suffered torture and death at his
identity had been a frequent subject for comment
hands, would not let the matter rest. They banded
in the European press.
themselves into a society which should never be
“Yes, sir, Don Murillo, the Tiger of San Pedro,” dissolved until the work was done. It was my
said Baynes. “If you look it up you will find that part after we had discovered in the transformed
the San Pedro colours are green and white, same Henderson the fallen despot, to attach myself to
as in the note, Mr. Holmes. Henderson he called his household and keep the others in touch with
himself, but I traced him back, Paris and Rome his movements. This I was able to do by secur-
and Madrid to Barcelona, where his ship came in ing the position of governess in his family. He lit-
in ’86. They’ve been looking for him all the time tle knew that the woman who faced him at every
for their revenge, but it is only now that they have meal was the woman whose husband he had hur-
begun to find him out.” ried at an hour’s notice into eternity. I smiled on
“They discovered him a year ago,” said Miss him, did my duty to his children, and bided my
Burnet, who had sat up and was now intently fol- time. An attempt was made in Paris and failed.
lowing the conversation. “Once already his life has We zig-zagged swiftly here and there over Europe
been attempted, but some evil spirit shielded him. to throw off the pursuers and finally returned to
Now, again, it is the noble, chivalrous Garcia who this house, which he had taken upon his first ar-
has fallen, while the monster goes safe. But an- rival in England.
other will come, and yet another, until some day “But here also the ministers of justice were
justice will be done; that is as certain as the rise of waiting. Knowing that he would return there, Gar-
to-morrow’s sun.” Her thin hands clenched, and cia, who is the son of the former highest dignitary
her worn face blanched with the passion of her in San Pedro, was waiting with two trusty com-
hatred. panions of humble station, all three fired with the

758
 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

same reasons for revenge. He could do little dur- brought me, but the moment after I took it I knew
ing the day, for Murillo took every precaution and that I had been drugged. In a sort of dream I re-
never went out save with his satellite Lucas, or member being half-led, half-carried to the carriage;
Lopez as he was known in the days of his great- in the same state I was conveyed to the train. Only
ness. At night, however, he slept alone, and the then, when the wheels were almost moving, did
avenger might find him. On a certain evening, I suddenly realize that my liberty lay in my own
which had been prearranged, I sent my friend final hands. I sprang out, they tried to drag me back,
instructions, for the man was forever on the alert and had it not been for the help of this good man,
and continually changed his room. I was to see who led me to the cab, I should never had broken
that the doors were open and the signal of a green away. Now, thank God, I am beyond their power
or white light in a window which faced the drive forever.”
was to give notice if all was safe or if the attempt We had all listened intently to this remarkable
had better be postponed. statement. It was Holmes who broke the silence.
“But everything went wrong with us. In some “Our difficulties are not over,” he remarked,
way I had excited the suspicion of Lopez, the sec- shaking his head. “Our police work ends, but our
retary. He crept up behind me and sprang upon legal work begins.”
me just as I had finished the note. He and his
“Exactly,” said I. “A plausible lawyer could
master dragged me to my room and held judg-
make it out as an act of self-defence. There may
ment upon me as a convicted traitress. Then and
be a hundred crimes in the background, but it is
there they would have plunged their knives into
only on this one that they can be tried.”
me could they have seen how to escape the con-
sequences of the deed. Finally, after much debate, “Come, come,” said Baynes cheerily, “I think
they concluded that my murder was too danger- better of the law than that. Self-defence is one
ous. But they determined to get rid forever of Gar- thing. To entice a man in cold blood with the ob-
cia. They had gagged me, and Murillo twisted my ject of murdering him is another, whatever danger
arm round until I gave him the address. I swear you may fear from him. No, no, we shall all be
that he might have twisted it off had I understood justified when we see the tenants of High Gable at
what it would mean to Garcia. Lopez addressed the next Guildford Assizes.”
the note which I had written, sealed it with his It is a matter of history, however, that a little
sleeve-link, and sent it by the hand of the servant, time was still to elapse before the Tiger of San Pe-
Jose. How they murdered him I do not know, save dro should meet with his deserts. Wily and bold,
that it was Murillo’s hand who struck him down, he and his companion threw their pursuer off their
for Lopez had remained to guard me. I believe he track by entering a lodging-house in Edmonton
must have waited among the gorse bushes through Street and leaving by the back-gate into Curzon
which the path winds and struck him down as he Square. From that day they were seen no more
passed. At first they were of a mind to let him in England. Some six months afterwards the Mar-
enter the house and to kill him as a detected bur- quess of Montalva and Signor Rulli, his secretary,
glar; but they argued that if they were mixed up were both murdered in their rooms at the Hotel
in an inquiry their own identity would at once be Escurial at Madrid. The crime was ascribed to Ni-
publicly disclosed and they would be open to fur- hilism, and the murderers were never arrested. In-
ther attacks. With the death of Garcia, the pursuit spector Baynes visited us at Baker Street with a
might cease, since such a death might frighten oth- printed description of the dark face of the secre-
ers from the task. tary, and of the masterful features, the magnetic
“All would now have been well for them had black eyes, and the tufted brows of his master. We
it not been for my knowledge of what they had could not doubt that justice, if belated, had come
done. I have no doubt that there were times when at last.
my life hung in the balance. I was confined to my “A chaotic case, my dear Watson,” said Holmes
room, terrorized by the most horrible threats, cru- over an evening pipe. “It will not be possible for
elly ill-used to break my spirit—see this stab on you to present in that compact form which is dear
my shoulder and the bruises from end to end of to your heart. It covers two continents, concerns
my arms—and a gag was thrust into my mouth on two groups of mysterious persons, and is further
the one occasion when I tried to call from the win- complicated by the highly respectable presence of
dow. For five days this cruel imprisonment con- our friend, Scott Eccles, whose inclusion shows me
tinued, with hardly enough food to hold body and that the deceased Garcia had a scheming mind and
soul together. This afternoon a good lunch was a well-developed instinct of self-preservation. It is

759
remarkable only for the fact that amid a perfect the creature walked. Any other point, Watson?”
jungle of possibilities we, with our worthy collabo- “The torn bird, the pail of blood, the charred
rator, the inspector, have kept our close hold on the bones, all the mystery of that weird kitchen?”
essentials and so been guided along the crooked
and winding path. Is there any point which is not Holmes smiled as he turned up an entry in his
quite clear to you?” note-book.

“The object of the mulatto cook’s return?” “I spent a morning in the British Museum read-
ing up on that and other points. Here is a quota-
“I think that the strange creature in the kitchen tion from Eckermann’s Voodooism and the Negroid
may account for it. The man was a primitive sav- Religions:
age from the backwoods of San Pedro, and this
was his fetish. When his companion and he had “ ‘The true voodoo-worshipper attempts noth-
fled to some prearranged retreat—already occu- ing of importance without certain sacrifices which
pied, no doubt by a confederate—the companion are intended to propitiate his unclean gods. In
had persuaded him to leave so compromising an extreme cases these rites take the form of hu-
article of furniture. But the mulatto’s heart was man sacrifices followed by cannibalism. The more
with it, and he was driven back to it next day, usual victims are a white cock, which is plucked
when, on reconnoitering through the window, he in pieces alive, or a black goat, whose throat is cut
found policeman Walters in possession. He waited and body burned.’
three days longer, and then his piety or his su- “So you see our savage friend was very ortho-
perstition drove him to try once more. Inspector dox in his ritual. It is grotesque, Watson,” Holmes
Baynes, who, with his usual astuteness, had min- added, as he slowly fastened his notebook, “but,
imized the incident before me, had really recog- as I have had occasion to remark, there is but one
nized its importance and had left a trap into which step from the grotesque to the horrible.”
The Adventure of the Cardboard Box
I
The Adventure of the Cardboard Box

n choosing a few typical cases which il- “What is this, Holmes?” I cried. “This is be-
lustrate the remarkable mental qualities yond anything which I could have imagined.”
of my friend, Sherlock Holmes, I have He laughed heartily at my perplexity.
endeavoured, as far as possible, to se-
“You remember,” said he, “that some little time
lect those which presented the minimum of sen-
ago when I read you the passage in one of Poe’s
sationalism, while offering a fair field for his tal-
sketches in which a close reasoner follows the un-
ents. It is, however, unfortunately impossible en-
spoken thoughts of his companion, you were in-
tirely to separate the sensational from the crimi-
clined to treat the matter as a mere tour-de-force of
nal, and a chronicler is left in the dilemma that he
the author. On my remarking that I was constantly
must either sacrifice details which are essential to
in the habit of doing the same thing you expressed
his statement and so give a false impression of the
incredulity.”
problem, or he must use matter which chance, and
not choice, has provided him with. With this short “Oh, no!”
preface I shall turn to my notes of what proved to “Perhaps not with your tongue, my dear Wat-
be a strange, though a peculiarly terrible, chain of son, but certainly with your eyebrows. So when I
events. saw you throw down your paper and enter upon a
train of thought, I was very happy to have the op-
It was a blazing hot day in August. Baker Street portunity of reading it off, and eventually of break-
was like an oven, and the glare of the sunlight ing into it, as a proof that I had been in rapport
upon the yellow brickwork of the house across the with you.”
road was painful to the eye. It was hard to believe
But I was still far from satisfied. “In the exam-
that these were the same walls which loomed so
ple which you read to me,” said I, “the reasoner
gloomily through the fogs of winter. Our blinds
drew his conclusions from the actions of the man
were half-drawn, and Holmes lay curled upon the
whom he observed. If I remember right, he stum-
sofa, reading and re-reading a letter which he had
bled over a heap of stones, looked up at the stars,
received by the morning post. For myself, my term
and so on. But I have been seated quietly in my
of service in India had trained me to stand heat
chair, and what clues can I have given you?”
better than cold, and a thermometer at ninety was
no hardship. But the morning paper was uninter- “You do yourself an injustice. The features
esting. Parliament had risen. Everybody was out are given to man as the means by which he shall
of town, and I yearned for the glades of the New express his emotions, and yours are faithful ser-
Forest or the shingle of Southsea. A depleted bank vants.”
account had caused me to postpone my holiday, “Do you mean to say that you read my train of
and as to my companion, neither the country nor thoughts from my features?”
the sea presented the slightest attraction to him. “Your features and especially your eyes. Per-
He loved to lie in the very center of five millions haps you cannot yourself recall how your reverie
of people, with his filaments stretching out and commenced?”
running through them, responsive to every little
“No, I cannot.”
rumour or suspicion of unsolved crime. Appreci-
ation of nature found no place among his many “Then I will tell you. After throwing down
gifts, and his only change was when he turned his your paper, which was the action which drew my
mind from the evil-doer of the town to track down attention to you, you sat for half a minute with
his brother of the country. a vacant expression. Then your eyes fixed them-
selves upon your newly framed picture of General
Finding that Holmes was too absorbed for con- Gordon, and I saw by the alteration in your face
versation I had tossed side the barren paper, and that a train of thought had been started. But it
leaning back in my chair I fell into a brown study. did not lead very far. Your eyes flashed across
Suddenly my companion’s voice broke in upon my to the unframed portrait of Henry Ward Beecher
thoughts: which stands upon the top of your books. Then
you glanced up at the wall, and of course your
“You are right, Watson,” said he. “It does seem meaning was obvious. You were thinking that if
a most preposterous way of settling a dispute.” the portrait were framed it would just cover that
“Most preposterous!” I exclaimed, and then bare space and correspond with Gordon’s picture
suddenly realizing how he had echoed the inmost there.”
thought of my soul, I sat up in my chair and stared “You have followed me wonderfully!” I ex-
at him in blank amazement. claimed.

763
 The Adventure of the Cardboard Box

“So far I could hardly have gone astray. But “Miss Susan Cushing, living at Cross
now your thoughts went back to Beecher, and you Street, Croydon, has been made the victim
looked hard across as if you were studying the of what must be regarded as a peculiarly re-
character in his features. Then your eyes ceased volting practical joke unless some more sin-
to pucker, but you continued to look across, and ister meaning should prove to be attached to
your face was thoughtful. You were recalling the the incident. At two o’clock yesterday after-
incidents of Beecher’s career. I was well aware that noon a small packet, wrapped in brown pa-
you could not do this without thinking of the mis- per, was handed in by the postman. A card-
sion which he undertook on behalf of the North board box was inside, which was filled with
at the time of the Civil War, for I remember your coarse salt. On emptying this, Miss Cush-
expressing your passionate indignation at the way ing was horrified to find two human ears,
in which he was received by the more turbulent apparently quite freshly severed. The box
of our people. You felt so strongly about it that had been sent by parcel post from Belfast
I knew you could not think of Beecher without upon the morning before. There is no in-
thinking of that also. When a moment later I saw dication as to the sender, and the matter
your eyes wander away from the picture, I sus- is the more mysterious as Miss Cushing,
pected that your mind had now turned to the Civil who is a maiden lady of fifty, has led a most
War, and when I observed that your lips set, your retired life, and has so few acquaintances
eyes sparkled, and your hands clenched I was pos- or correspondents that it is a rare event for
itive that you were indeed thinking of the gallantry her to receive anything through the post.
which was shown by both sides in that desperate Some years ago, however, when she resided
struggle. But then, again, your face grew sadder, at Penge, she let apartments in her house
you shook your head. You were dwelling upon to three young medical students, whom she
the sadness and horror and useless waste of life. was obliged to get rid of on account of their
Your hand stole towards your own old wound and noisy and irregular habits. The police are
a smile quivered on your lips, which showed me of opinion that this outrage may have been
that the ridiculous side of this method of settling perpetrated upon Miss Cushing by these
international questions had forced itself upon your youths, who owed her a grudge and who
mind. At this point I agreed with you that it was hoped to frighten her by sending her these
preposterous and was glad to find that all my de- relics of the dissecting-rooms. Some proba-
ductions had been correct.” bility is lent to the theory by the fact that
one of these students came from the north of
“Absolutely!” said I. “And now that you have Ireland, and, to the best of Miss Cushing’s
explained it, I confess that I am as amazed as be- belief, from Belfast. In the meantime, the
fore.” matter is being actively investigated, Mr.
“It was very superficial, my dear Watson, I as- Lestrade, one of the very smartest of our de-
sure you. I should not have intruded it upon your tective officers, being in charge of the case.”
attention had you not shown some incredulity the “So much for the Daily Chronicle,” said Holmes as
other day. But I have in my hands here a little I finished reading. “Now for our friend Lestrade.
problem which may prove to be more difficult of I had a note from him this morning, in which he
solution than my small essay I thought reading. says:
Have you observed in the paper a short paragraph
referring to the remarkable contents of a packet “I think that this case is very much in
sent through the post to Miss Cushing, of Cross your line. We have every hope of clear-
Street, Croydon?” ing the matter up, but we find a little
difficulty in getting anything to work
“No, I saw nothing.” upon. We have, of course, wired to the
“Ah! then you must have overlooked it. Just Belfast post-office, but a large number
toss it over to me. Here it is, under the financial of parcels were handed in upon that
column. Perhaps you would be good enough to day, and they have no means of identi-
read it aloud.” fying this particular one, or of remem-
bering the sender. The box is a half-
I picked up the paper which he had thrown pound box of honeydew tobacco and
back to me and read the paragraph indicated. It does not help us in any way. The medi-
was headed, “A Gruesome Packet.” cal student theory still appears to me to

764
 The Adventure of the Cardboard Box

be the most feasible, but if you should It was a small shed in the narrow garden which
have a few hours to spare I should be ran behind the house. Lestrade went in and
very happy to see you out here. I shall brought out a yellow cardboard box, with a piece
be either at the house or in the police- of brown paper and some string. There was a
station all day. bench at the end of the path, and we all sat down
while Homes examined one by one, the articles
“What say you, Watson? Can you rise superior which Lestrade had handed to him.
to the heat and run down to Croydon with me on
“The string is exceedingly interesting,” he re-
the off chance of a case for your annals?”
marked, holding it up to the light and sniffing at
“I was longing for something to do.” it. “What do you make of this string, Lestrade?”
“You shall have it then. Ring for our boots and “It has been tarred.”
tell them to order a cab. I’ll be back in a moment
“Precisely. It is a piece of tarred twine. You
when I have changed my dressing-gown and filled
have also, no doubt, remarked that Miss Cushing
my cigar-case.”
has cut the cord with a scissors, as can be seen
A shower of rain fell while we were in the train, by the double fray on each side. This is of impor-
and the heat was far less oppressive in Croydon tance.”
than in town. Holmes had sent on a wire, so that
“I cannot see the importance,” said Lestrade.
Lestrade, as wiry, as dapper, and as ferret-like as
ever, was waiting for us at the station. A walk of “The importance lies in the fact that the knot is
five minutes took us to Cross Street, where Miss left intact, and that this knot is of a peculiar char-
Cushing resided. acter.”
It was a very long street of two-story brick “It is very neatly tied. I had already made a
houses, neat and prim, with whitened stone steps note of that effect,” said Lestrade complacently.
and little groups of aproned women gossiping at “So much for the string, then,” said Holmes,
the doors. Halfway down, Lestrade stopped and smiling, “now for the box wrapper. Brown paper,
tapped at a door, which was opened by a small with a distinct smell of coffee. What, did you not
servant girl. Miss Cushing was sitting in the front observe it? I think there can be no doubt of it. Ad-
room, into which we were ushered. She was a dress printed in rather straggling characters: ‘Miss
placid-faced woman, with large, gentle eyes, and S. Cushing, Cross Street, Croydon.’ Done with a
grizzled hair curving down over her temples on broad-pointed pen, probably a J, and with very in-
each side. A worked antimacassar lay upon her ferior ink. The word ‘Croydon’ has been originally
lap and a basket of coloured silks stood upon a spelled with an ‘i’, which has been changed to
stool beside her. ‘y’. The parcel was directed, then, by a man—the
“They are in the outhouse, those dreadful printing is distinctly masculine—of limited educa-
things,” said she as Lestrade entered. “I wish that tion and unacquainted with the town of Croydon.
you would take them away altogether.” So far, so good! The box is a yellow, half-pound
honeydew box, with nothing distinctive save two
“So I shall, Miss Cushing. I only kept them
thumb marks at the left bottom corner. It is filled
here until my friend, Mr. Holmes, should have
with rough salt of the quality used for preserv-
seen them in your presence.”
ing hides and other of the coarser commercial pur-
“Why in my presence, sir?” poses. And embedded in it are these very singular
“In case he wished to ask any questions.” enclosures.”
“What is the use of asking me questions when He took out the two ears as he spoke, and lay-
I tell you I know nothing whatever about it?” ing a board across his knee he examined them
“Quite so, madam,” said Holmes in his sooth- minutely, while Lestrade and I, bending forward
ing way. “I have no doubt that you have been an- on each side of him, glanced alternately at these
noyed more than enough already over this busi- dreadful relics and at the thoughtful, eager face of
ness.” our companion. Finally he returned them to the
box once more and sat for a while in deep medita-
“Indeed I have, sir. I am a quiet woman and
tion.
live a retired life. It is something new for me to
see my name in the papers and to find the police “You have observed, of course,” said he at last,
in my house. I won’t have those things I here, Mr. “that the ears are not a pair.”
Lestrade. If you wish to see them you must go to “Yes, I have noticed that. But if this were
the outhouse.” the practical joke of some students from the

765
 The Adventure of the Cardboard Box

dissecting-rooms, it would be as easy for them to buried the ears, and no one would have been the
send two odd ears as a pair.” wiser. That is what she would have done if she
“Precisely. But this is not a practical joke.” had wished to shield the criminal. But if she does
not wish to shield him she would give his name.
“You are sure of it?”
There is a tangle here which needs straightening
“The presumption is strongly against it. Bodies to.” He had been talking in a high, quick voice,
in the dissecting-rooms are injected with preserva- staring blankly up over the garden fence, but now
tive fluid. These ears bear no signs of this. They he sprang briskly to his feet and walked towards
are fresh, too. They have been cut off with a the house.
blunt instrument, which would hardly happen if
“I have a few questions to ask Miss Cushing,”
a student had done it. Again, carbolic or rectified
said he.
spirits would be the preservatives which would
suggest themselves to the medical mind, certainly “In that case I may leave you here,” said
not rough salt. I repeat that there is no practical Lestrade, “for I have another small business on
joke here, but that we are investigating a serious hand. I think that I have nothing further to learn
crime.” from Miss Cushing. You will find me at the police-
station.”
A vague thrill ran through me as I listened to
my companion’s words and saw the stern grav- “We shall look in on our way to the train,” an-
ity which had hardened his features. This bru- swered Holmes. A moment later he and I were
tal preliminary seemed to shadow forth some back in the front room, where the impassive lady
strange and inexplicable horror in the background. was still quietly working away at her antimacas-
Lestrade, however, shook his head like a man who sar. She put it down on her lap as we entered and
is only half convinced. looked at us with her frank, searching blue eyes.
“There are objections to the joke theory, no “I am convinced, sir,” she said, “that this mat-
doubt,” said he, “but there are much stronger rea- ter is a mistake, and that the parcel was never
sons against the other. We know that this woman meant for me at all. I have said this several times to
has led a most quiet and respectable life at Penge the gentlemen from Scotland Yard, but he simply
and here for the last twenty years. She has hardly laughs at me. I have not an enemy in the world, as
been away from her home for a day during that far as I know, so why should anyone play me such
time. Why on earth, then, should any criminal a trick?”
send her the proofs of his guilt, especially as, un- “I am coming to be of the same opinion, Miss
less she is a most consummate actress, she under- Cushing,” said Holmes, taking a seat beside her. “I
stands quite as little of the matter as we do?” think that it is more than probable—” He paused,
“That is the problem which we have to solve,” and I was surprised, on glancing round to see
Holmes answered, “and for my part I shall set that he was staring with singular intentness at
about it by presuming that my reasoning is cor- the lady’s profile. Surprise and satisfaction were
rect, and that a double murder has been commit- both for an instant to be read upon his eager face,
ted. One of these ears is a woman’s, small, finely though when she glanced round to find out the
formed, and pierced for an earring. The other is a cause of his silence he had become as demure as
man’s, sun-burned, discoloured, and also pierced ever. I stared hard myself at her flat, grizzled hair,
for an earring. These two people are presumably her trim cap, her little gilt earrings, her placid fea-
dead, or we should have heard their story before tures; but I could see nothing which could account
now. To-day is Friday. The packet was posted on for my companion’s evident excitement.
Thursday morning. The tragedy, then, occurred “There were one or two questions—”
on Wednesday or Tuesday, or earlier. If the two “Oh, I am weary of questions!” cried Miss
people were murdered, who but their murderer Cushing impatiently.
would have sent this sign of his work to Miss
“You have two sisters, I believe.”
Cushing? We may take it that the sender of the
packet is the man whom we want. But he must “How could you know that?”
have some strong reason for sending Miss Cush- “I observed the very instant that I entered the
ing this packet. What reason then? It must have room that you have a portrait group of three ladies
been to tell her that the deed was done! or to upon the mantelpiece, one of whom is undoubt-
pain her, perhaps. But in that case she knows who edly yourself, while the others are so exceedingly
it is. Does she know? I doubt it. If she knew, like you that there could be no doubt of the rela-
why should she call the police in? She might have tionship.”

766
 The Adventure of the Cardboard Box

“Yes, you are quite right. Those are my sisters, here she would speak of nothing but his drinking
Sarah and Mary.” and his ways. He had caught her meddling, I sus-
“And here at my elbow is another portrait, pect, and given her a bit of his mind, and that was
taken at Liverpool, of your younger sister, in the the start of it.”
company of a man who appears to be a steward “Thank you, Miss Cushing,” said Holmes, ris-
by his uniform. I observe that she was unmarried ing and bowing. “Your sister Sarah lives, I think
at the time.” you said, at New Street, Wallington? Good-bye,
“You are very quick at observing.” and I am very sorry that you should have been
troubled over a case with which, as you say, you
“That is my trade.” have nothing whatever to do.”
“Well, you are quite right. But she was married There was a cab passing as we came out, and
to Mr. Browner a few days afterwards. He was on Holmes hailed it.
the South American line when that was taken, but
he was so fond of her that he couldn’t abide to “How far to Wallington?” he asked.
leave her for so long, and he got into the Liverpool “Only about a mile, sir.”
and London boats.” “Very good. Jump in, Watson. We must strike
“Ah, the Conqueror, perhaps?” while the iron is hot. Simple as the case is, there
have been one or two very instructive details in
“No, the May Day, when last I heard. Jim
connection with it. Just pull up at a telegraph of-
came down here to see me once. That was be-
fice as you pass, cabby.”
fore he broke the pledge; but afterwards he would
always take drink when he was ashore, and a lit- Holmes sent off a short wire and for the rest
tle drink would send him stark, staring mad. Ah! of the drive lay back in the cab, with his hat tilted
it was a bad day that ever he took a glass in his over his nose to keep the sun from his face. Our
hand again. First he dropped me, then he quar- drive pulled up at a house which was not unlike
relled with Sarah, and now that Mary has stopped the one which we had just quitted. My compan-
writing we don’t know how things are going with ion ordered him to wait, and had his hand upon
them.” the knocker, when the door opened and a grave
young gentleman in black, with a very shiny hat,
It was evident that Miss Cushing had come
appeared on the step.
upon a subject on which she felt very deeply. Like
most people who lead a lonely life, she was shy “Is Miss Cushing at home?” asked Holmes.
at first, but ended by becoming extremely com- “Miss Sarah Cushing is extremely ill,” said he.
municative. She told us many details about her “She has been suffering since yesterday from brain
brother-in-law the steward, and then wandering symptoms of great severity. As her medical ad-
off on the subject of her former lodgers, the med- viser, I cannot possibly take the responsibility of
ical students, she gave us a long account of their allowing anyone to see her. I should recommend
delinquencies, with their names and those of their you to call again in ten days.” He drew on his
hospitals. Holmes listened attentively to every- gloves, closed the door, and marched off down the
thing, throwing in a question from time to time. street.
“About your second sister, Sarah,” said he. “I “Well, if we can’t we can’t,” said Holmes,
wonder, since you are both maiden ladies, that you cheerfully.
do not keep house together.” “Perhaps she could not or would not have told
“Ah! you don’t know Sarah’s temper or you you much.”
would wonder no more. I tried it when I came to “I did not wish her to tell me anything. I only
Croydon, and we kept on until about two months wanted to look at her. However, I think that I have
ago, when we had to part. I don’t want to say a got all that I want. Drive us to some decent hotel,
word against my own sister, but she was always cabby, where we may have some lunch, and after-
meddlesome and hard to please, was Sarah.” wards we shall drop down upon friend Lestrade
“You say that she quarrelled with your Liver- at the police-station.”
pool relations.” We had a pleasant little meal together, during
“Yes, and they were the best of friends at one which Holmes would talk about nothing but vio-
time. Why, she went up there to live in order to be lins, narrating with great exultation how he had
near them. And now she has no word hard enough purchased his own Stradivarius, which was worth
for Jim Browner. The last six months that she was at least five hundred guineas, at a Jew broker’s in

767
 The Adventure of the Cardboard Box

Tottenham Court Road for fifty-five shillings. This “I presume that this Jim Browner, the steward
led him to Paganini, and we sat for an hour over of a Liverpool boat, is the man whom you sus-
a bottle of claret while he told me anecdote after pect?”
anecdote of that extraordinary man. The afternoon “Oh! it is more than a suspicion.”
was far advanced and the hot glare had softened
“And yet I cannot see anything save very vague
into a mellow glow before we found ourselves at
indications.”
the police-station. Lestrade was waiting for us at
the door. “On the contrary, to my mind nothing could be
more clear. Let me run over the principal steps.
“A telegram for you, Mr. Holmes,” said he.
We approached the case, you remember, with an
“Ha! It is the answer!” He tore it open, glanced absolutely blank mind, which is always an advan-
his eyes over it, and crumpled it into his pocket. tage. We had formed no theories. We were sim-
“That’s all right,” said he. ply there to observe and to draw inferences from
“Have you found out anything?” our observations. What did we see first? A very
“I have found out everything!” placid and respectable lady, who seemed quite in-
nocent of any secret, and a portrait which showed
“What!” Lestrade stared at him in amazement. me that she had two younger sisters. It instantly
“You are joking.” flashed across my mind that the box might have
“I was never more serious in my life. A shock- been meant for one of these. I set the idea aside
ing crime has been committed, and I think I have as one which could be disproved or confirmed at
now laid bare every detail of it.” our leisure. Then we went to the garden, as you
“And the criminal?” remember, and we saw the very singular contents
of the little yellow box.
Holmes scribbled a few words upon the back
of one of his visiting cards and threw it over to “The string was of the quality which is used
Lestrade. by sail-makers aboard ship, and at once a whiff of
the sea was perceptible in our investigation. When
“That is the name,” he said. “You cannot effect I observed that the knot was one which is popu-
an arrest until to-morrow night at the earliest. I lar with sailors, that the parcel had been posted at
should prefer that you do not mention my name a port, and that the male ear was pierced for an
at all in connection with the case, as I choose to be earring which is so much more common among
only associated with those crimes which present sailors than landsmen, I was quite certain that all
some difficulty in their solution. Come on, Wat- the actors in the tragedy were to be found among
son.” We strode off together to the station, leaving our seafaring classes.
Lestrade still staring with a delighted face at the
card which Holmes had thrown him. “When I came to examine the address of the
packet I observed that it was to Miss S. Cushing.
“The case,” said Sherlock Holmes as we chat- Now, the oldest sister would, of course, be Miss
ted over or cigars that night in our rooms at Cushing, and although her initial was ‘S’ it might
Baker Street, “is one where, as in the investiga- belong to one of the others as well. In that case we
tions which you have chronicled under the names should have to commence our investigation from
of ‘A Study in Scarlet’ and of ‘The Sign of Four,’ a fresh basis altogether. I therefore went into the
we have been compelled to reason backward from house with the intention of clearing up this point.
effects to causes. I have written to Lestrade asking I was about to assure Miss Cushing that I was con-
him to supply us with the details which are now vinced that a mistake had been made when you
wanting, and which he will only get after he had may remember that I came suddenly to a stop. The
secured his man. That he may be safely trusted to fact was that I had just seen something which filled
do, for although he is absolutely devoid of reason, me with surprise and at the same time narrowed
he is as tenacious as a bulldog when he once un- the field of our inquiry immensely.
derstands what he has to do, and indeed, it is just
this tenacity which has brought him to the top at “As a medical man, you are aware, Watson,
Scotland Yard.” that there is no part of the body which varies so
much as the human ear. Each ear is as a rule
“Your case is not complete, then?” I asked. quite distinctive and differs from all other ones.
“It is fairly complete in essentials. We know In last year’s Anthropological Journal you will find
who the author of the revolting business is, al- two short monographs from my pen upon the sub-
though one of the victims still escapes us. Of ject. I had, therefore, examined the ears in the
course, you have formed your own conclusions.” box with the eyes of an expert and had carefully

768
 The Adventure of the Cardboard Box

noted their anatomical peculiarities. Imagine my “I was curious, in the first place, to see how far
surprise, then, when on looking at Miss Cushing the family ear had been reproduced in her. Then,
I perceived that her ear corresponded exactly with of course, she might give us very important infor-
the female ear which I had just inspected. The mat- mation, but I was not sanguine that she would.
ter was entirely beyond coincidence. There was She must have heard of the business the day be-
the same shortening of the pinna, the same broad fore, since all Croydon was ringing with it, and she
curve of the upper lobe, the same convolution of alone could have understood for whom the packet
the inner cartilage. In all essentials it was the same was meant. If she had been willing to help justice
ear. she would probably have communicated with the
“In the first place, her sister’s name was Sarah, police already. However, it was clearly our duty to
and her address had until recently been the same, see her, so we went. We found that the news of the
so that it was quite obvious how the mistake had arrival of the packet—for her illness dated from
occurred and for whom the packet was meant. that time—had such an effect upon her as to bring
Then we heard of this steward, married to the third on brain fever. It was clearer than ever that she
sister, and learned that he had at one time been understood its full significance, but equally clear
so intimate with Miss Sarah that she had actually that we should have to wait some time for any as-
gone up to Liverpool to be near the Browners, but sistance from her.
a quarrel had afterwards divided them. This quar- “However, we were really independent of her
rel had put a stop to all communications for some help. Our answers were waiting for us at the
months, so that if Browner had occasion to ad- police-station, where I had directed Algar to send
dress a packet to Miss Sarah, he would undoubt- them. Nothing could be more conclusive. Mrs.
edly have done so to her old address. Browner’s house had been closed for more than
“And now the matter had begun to straighten three days, and the neighbours were of opinion
itself out wonderfully. We had learned of the exis- that she had gone south to see her relatives. It
tence of this steward, an impulsive man, of strong had been ascertained at the shipping offices that
passions—you remember that he threw up what Browner had left aboard of the May Day, and I
must have been a very superior berth in order calculate that she is due in the Thames tomorrow
to be nearer to his wife—subject, too, to occa- night. When he arrives he will be met by the ob-
sional fits of hard drinking. We had reason to be- tuse but resolute Lestrade, and I have no doubt
lieve that his wife had been murdered, and that that we shall have all our details filled in.”
a man—presumably a seafaring man—had been Sherlock Holmes was not disappointed in his
murdered at the same time. Jealousy, of course, expectations. Two days later he received a bulky
at once suggests itself as the motive for the crime. envelope, which contained a short note from the
And why should these proofs of the deed be sent detective, and a typewritten document, which cov-
to Miss Sarah Cushing? Probably because during ered several pages of foolscap.
her residence in Liverpool she had some hand in
“Lestrade has got him all right,” said Holmes,
bringing about the events which led to the tragedy.
glancing up at me. “Perhaps it would interest you
You will observe that this line of boats call at
to hear what he says.
Belfast, Dublin, and Waterford; so that, presum-
ing that Browner had committed the deed and had “My dear Mr. Holmes:
embarked at once upon his steamer, the May Day, “In accordance with the scheme
Belfast would be the first place at which he could which we had formed in order to test
post his terrible packet. our theories” [“the ‘we’ is rather fine,
“A second solution was at this stage obviously Watson, is it not?”] “I went down to
possible, and although I thought it exceedingly the Albert Dock yesterday at 6 p.m.,
unlikely, I was determined to elucidate it before and boarded the S.S. May Day, belong-
going further. An unsuccessful lover might have ing to the Liverpool, Dublin, and Lon-
killed Mr. and Mrs. Browner, and the male ear don Steam Packet Company. On in-
might have belonged to the husband. There were quiry, I found that there was a stew-
many grave objections to this theory, but it was ard on board of the name of James
conceivable. I therefore sent off a telegram to my Browner and that he had acted dur-
friend Algar, of the Liverpool force, and asked him ing the voyage in such an extraordinary
to find out if Mrs. Browner were at home, and if manner that the captain had been com-
Browner had departed in the May Day. Then we pelled to relieve him of his duties. On
went on to Wallington to visit Miss Sarah. descending to his berth, I found him

769
 The Adventure of the Cardboard Box

seated upon a chest with his head sunk “ ‘But it was Sarah’s fault, and may the
upon his hands, rocking himself to and curse of a broken man put a blight on her
fro. He is a big, powerful chap, clean- and set the blood rotting in her veins! It’s
shaven, and very swarthy—something not that I want to clear myself. I know that
like Aldrige, who helped us in the bo- I went back to drink, like the beast that I
gus laundry affair. He jumped up was. But she would have forgiven me; she
when he heard my business, and I had would have stuck as close to me a rope to a
my whistle to my lips to call a couple block if that woman had never darkened our
of river police, who were round the cor- door. For Sarah Cushing loved me—that’s
ner, but he seemed to have no heart in the root of the business—she loved me until
him, and he held out his hands quietly all her love turned to poisonous hate when
enough for the darbies. We brought she knew that I thought more of my wife’s
him along to the cells, and his box as footmark in the mud than I did of her whole
well, for we thought there might be body and soul.
something incriminating; but, bar a big
sharp knife such as most sailors have, “ ‘There were three sisters altogether. The
we got nothing for our trouble. How- old one was just a good woman, the sec-
ever, we find that we shall want no ond was a devil, and the third was an an-
more evidence, for on being brought gel. Sarah was thirty-three, and Mary was
before the inspector at the station he twenty-nine when I married. We were just
asked leave to make a statement, which as happy as the day was long when we set
was, of course, taken down, just as he up house together, and in all Liverpool there
made it, by our shorthand man. We was no better woman than my Mary. And
had three copies typewritten, one of then we asked Sarah up for a week, and the
which I enclose. The affair proves, as week grew into a month, and one thing led
I always thought it would, to be an ex- to another, until she was just one of our-
tremely simple one, but I am obliged selves.
to you for assisting me in my investiga- “ ‘I was blue ribbon at that time, and we
tion. With kind regards, were putting a little money by, and all was
“Yours very truly, as bright as a new dollar. My God, whoever
“G. Lestrade. would have thought that it could have come
to this? Whoever would have dreamed it?
“Hum! The investigation really was a very sim- “ ‘I used to be home for the week-ends very
ple one,” remarked Holmes, “but I don’t think it often, and sometimes if the ship were held
struck him in that light when he first called us in. back for cargo I would have a whole week
However, let us see what Jim Browner has to say at a time, and in this way I saw a deal of
for himself. This is his statement as made before my sister-in-law, Sarah. She was a fine tall
Inspector Montgomery at the Shadwell Police Sta- woman, black and quick and fierce, with a
tion, and it has the advantage of being verbatim.” proud way of carrying her head, and a glint
from her eye like a spark from a flint. But
“ ‘Have I anything to say? Yes, I have a when little Mary was there I had never a
deal to say. I have to make a clean breast of thought of her, and that I swear as I hope
it all. You can hang me, or you can leave for God’s mercy.
me alone. I don’t care a plug which you do.
I tell you I’ve not shut an eye in sleep since “ ‘It had seemed to me sometimes that she
I did it, and I don’t believe I ever will again liked to be alone with me, or to coax me
until I get past all waking. Sometimes it’s out for a walk with her, but I had never
his face, but most generally it’s hers. I’m thought anything of that. But one evening
never without one or the other before me. my eyes were opened. I had come up from
He looks frowning and black-like, but she the ship and found my wife out, but Sarah
has a kind o’ surprise upon her face. Ay, at home. “Where’s Mary?” I asked. “Oh,
the white lamb, she might well be surprised she has gone to pay some accounts.” I was
when she read death on a face that had sel- impatient and paced up and down the room.
dom looked anything but love upon her be- “Can’t you be happy for five minutes with-
fore. out Mary, Jim?” says she. “It’s a bad

770
 The Adventure of the Cardboard Box

compliment to me that you can’t be con- a time when he knew more of the poop than
tented with my society for so short a time.” the forecastle. For a month he was in and
“That’s all right, my lass,” said I, putting out of my house, and never once did it cross
out my hand towards her in a kindly way, my mind that harm might come of his soft,
but she had it in both hers in an instant, tricky ways. And then at last something
and they burned as if they were in a fever. made me suspect, and from that day my
I looked into her eyes and I read it all there. peace was gone forever.
There was no need for her to speak, nor for
me either. I frowned and drew my hand “ ‘It was only a little thing, too. I had
away. Then she stood by my side in silence come into the parlour unexpected, and as
for a bit, and then put up her hand and pat- I walked in at the door I saw a light of wel-
ted me on the shoulder. “Steady old Jim!” come on my wife’s face. But as she saw
said she, and with a kind o’ mocking laugh, who it was it faded again, and she turned
she ran out of the room. away with a look of disappointment. That
was enough for me. There was no one but
“ ‘Well, from that time Sarah hated me with
Alec Fairbairn whose step she could have
her whole heart and soul, and she is a
mistaken for mine. If I could have seen him
woman who can hate, too. I was a fool
then I should have killed him, for I have
to let her go on biding with us—a besot-
always been like a madman when my tem-
ted fool—but I never said a word to Mary,
per gets loose. Mary saw the devil’s light
for I knew it would grieve her. Things
in my eyes, and she ran forward with her
went on much as before, but after a time
hands on my sleeve. “Don’t, Jim, don’t!”
I began to find that there was a bit of a
says she. “Where’s Sarah?” I asked. “In
change in Mary herself. She had always
the kitchen,” says she. “Sarah,” says I as
been so trusting and so innocent, but now
I went in, “this man Fairbairn is never to
she became queer and suspicious, want-
darken my door again.” “Why not?” says
ing to know where I had been and what I
she. “Because I order it.” “Oh!” says she,
had been doing, and whom my letters were
“if my friends are not good enough for this
from, and what I had in my pockets, and
house, then I am not good enough for it ei-
a thousand such follies. Day by day she
ther.” “You can do what you like,” says I,
grew queerer and more irritable, and we
“but if Fairbairn shows his face here again
had ceaseless rows about nothing. I was
I’ll send you one of his ears for a keepsake.”
fairly puzzled by it all. Sarah avoided me
She was frightened by my face, I think, for
now, but she and Mary were just insepa-
she never answered a word, and the same
rable. I can see now how she was plot-
evening she left my house.
ting and scheming and poisoning my wife’s
mind against me, but I was such a blind “ ‘Well, I don’t know now whether it was
beetle that I could not understand it at the pure devilry on the part of this woman, or
time. Then I broke my blue ribbon and be- whether she thought that she could turn me
gan to drink again, but I think I should not against my wife by encouraging her to mis-
have done it if Mary had been the same as behave. Anyway, she took a house just two
ever. She had some reason to be disgusted streets off and let lodgings to sailors. Fair-
with me now, and the gap between us began bairn used to stay there, and Mary would
to be wider and wider. And then this Alec go round to have tea with her sister and
Fairbairn chipped in, and things became a him. How often she went I don’t know, but
thousand times blacker. I followed her one day, and as I broke in at
“ ‘It was to see Sarah that he came to my the door Fairbairn got away over the back
house first, but soon it was to see us, for garden wall, like the cowardly skunk that
he was a man with winning ways, and he was. I swore to my wife that I would
he made friends wherever he went. He kill her if I found her in his company again,
was a dashing, swaggering chap, smart and and I led her back with me, sobbing and
curled, who had seen half the world and trembling, and as white as a piece of paper.
could talk of what he had seen. He was There was no trace of love between us any
good company, I won’t deny it, and he had longer. I could see that she hated me and
wonderful polite ways with him for a sailor feared me, and when the thought of it drove
man, so that I think there must have been me to drink, then she despised me as well.

771
 The Adventure of the Cardboard Box

“ ‘Well, Sarah found that she could not shore before I caught them up. The haze
make a living in Liverpool, so she went was like a curtain all round us, and there
back, as I understand, to live with her sister were we three in the middle of it. My God,
in Croydon, and things jogged on much the shall I ever forget their faces when they saw
same as ever at home. And then came this who was in the boat that was closing in
week and all the misery and ruin. upon them? She screamed out. He swore
“ ‘It was in this way. We had gone on the like a madman and jabbed at me with an
May Day for a round voyage of seven days, oar, for he must have seen death in my eyes.
but a hogshead got loose and started one I got past it and got one in with my stick
of our plates, so that we had to put back that crushed his head like an egg. I would
into port for twelve hours. I left the ship have spared her, perhaps, for all my mad-
and came home, thinking what a surprise ness, but she threw her arms round him,
it would be for my wife, and hoping that crying out to him, and calling him “Alec.”
maybe she would be glad to see me so soon. I struck again, and she lay stretched beside
The thought was in my head as I turned him. I was like a wild beast then that had
into my own street, and at that moment a tasted blood. If Sarah had been there, by
cab passed me, and there she was, sitting by the Lord, she should have joined them. I
the side of Fairbairn, the two chatting and pulled out my knife, and—well, there! I’ve
laughing, with never a thought for me as I said enough. It gave me a kind of savage
stood watching them from the footpath. joy when I thought how Sarah would feel
when she had such signs as these of what
“ ‘I tell you, and I give you my word for it,
her meddling had brought about. Then I
that from that moment I was not my own
tied the bodies into the boat, stove a plank,
master, and it is all like a dim dream when
and stood by until they had sunk. I knew
I look back on it. I had been drinking hard
very well that the owner would think that
of late, and the two things together fairly
they had lost their bearings in the haze, and
turned my brain. There’s something throb-
had drifted off out to sea. I cleaned myself
bing in my head now, like a docker’s ham-
up, got back to land, and joined my ship
mer, but that morning I seemed to have all
without a soul having a suspicion of what
Niagara whizzing and buzzing in my ears.
had passed. That night I made up the packet
“ ‘Well, I took to my heels, and I ran after for Sarah Cushing, and next day I sent it
the cab. I had a heavy oak stick in my hand, from Belfast.
and I tell you I saw red from the first; but
as I ran I got cunning, too, and hung back a “ ‘There you have the whole truth of it. You
little to see them without being seen. They can hang me, or do what you like with
pulled up soon at the railway station. There me, but you cannot punish me as I have
was a good crowd round the booking-office, been punished already. I cannot shut my
so I got quite close to them without being eyes but I see those two faces staring at
seen. They took tickets for New Brighton. me—staring at me as they stared when my
So did I, but I got in three carriages be- boat broke through the haze. I killed them
hind them. When we reached it they walked quick, but they are killing me slow; and if
along the Parade, and I was never more I have another night of it I shall be either
than a hundred yards from them. At last mad or dead before morning. You won’t
I saw them hire a boat and start for a row, put me alone into a cell, sir? For pity’s
for it was a very hot day, and they thought, sake don’t, and may you be treated in your
no doubt, that it would be cooler on the wa- day of agony as you treat me now.’
ter. “What is the meaning of it, Watson?” said
“ ‘It was just as if they had been given into Holmes solemnly as he laid down the paper.
my hands. There was a bit of a haze, and “What object is served by this circle of misery and
you could not see more than a few hundred violence and fear? It must tend to some end, or
yards. I hired a boat for myself, and I pulled else our universe is ruled by chance, which is un-
after them. I could see the blur of their craft, thinkable. But what end? There is the great stand-
but they were going nearly as fast as I, and ing perennial problem to which human reason is
they must have been a long mile from the as far from an answer as ever.”

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The Adventure of the Red Circle
 The Adventure of the Red Circle

Table of contents
One . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 777
Two . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 781

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 The Adventure of the Red Circle

CHAPTER I.

W
One

ell, Mrs. Warren, I cannot see that you may be the most essential. You say that the man
have any particular cause for uneasi- came ten days ago and paid you for a fortnight’s
ness, nor do I understand why I, whose board and lodging?”
time is of some value, should interfere “He asked my terms, sir. I said fifty shillings a
in the matter. I really have other things to engage week. There is a small sitting-room and bedroom,
me.” So spoke Sherlock Holmes and turned back and all complete, at the top of the house.”
to the great scrapbook in which he was arranging “Well?”
and indexing some of his recent material.
“He said, ‘I’ll pay you five pounds a week if I
But the landlady had the pertinacity and also can have it on my own terms.’ I’m a poor woman,
the cunning of her sex. She held her ground firmly. sir, and Mr. Warren earns little, and the money
“You arranged an affair for a lodger of mine meant much to me. He took out a ten-pound note,
last year,” she said—“Mr. Fairdale Hobbs.” and he held it out to me then and there. ‘You can
“Ah, yes—a simple matter.” have the same every fortnight for a long time to
come if you keep the terms,’ he said. ‘If not, I’ll
“But he would never cease talking of it—your
have no more to do with you.’
kindness, sir, and the way in which you brought
light into the darkness. I remembered his words “What were the terms?”
when I was in doubt and darkness myself. I know “Well, sir, they were that he was to have a key
you could if you only would.” of the house. That was all right. Lodgers often
have them. Also, that he was to be left entirely
Holmes was accessible upon the side of flattery,
to himself and never, upon any excuse, to be dis-
and also, to do him justice, upon the side of kindli-
turbed.”
ness. The two forces made him lay down his gum-
brush with a sigh of resignation and push back his “Nothing wonderful in that, surely?”
chair. “Not in reason, sir. But this is out of all reason.
“Well, well, Mrs. Warren, let us hear about it, He has been there for ten days, and neither Mr.
then. You don’t object to tobacco, I take it? Thank Warren, nor I, nor the girl has once set eyes upon
you, Watson—the matches! You are uneasy, as I him. We can hear that quick step of his pacing
understand, because your new lodger remains in up and down, up and down, night, morning, and
his rooms and you cannot see him. Why, bless noon; but except on that first night he had never
you, Mrs. Warren, if I were your lodger you often once gone out of the house.”
would not see me for weeks on end.” “Oh, he went out the first night, did he?”
“No doubt, sir; but this is different. It fright- “Yes, sir, and returned very late—after we were
ens me, Mr. Holmes. I can’t sleep for fright. To all in bed. He told me after he had taken the rooms
hear his quick step moving here and moving there that he would do so and asked me not to bar the
from early morning to late at night, and yet never door. I heard him come up the stair after mid-
to catch so much as a glimpse of him—it’s more night.”
than I can stand. My husband is as nervous over “But his meals?”
it as I am, but he is out at his work all day, while “It was his particular direction that we should
I get no rest from it. What is he hiding for? What always, when he rang, leave his meal upon a chair,
has he done? Except for the girl, I am all alone in outside his door. Then he rings again when he has
the house with him, and it’s more than my nerves finished, and we take it down from the same chair.
can stand.” If he wants anything else he prints it on a slip of
Holmes leaned forward and laid his long, thin paper and leaves it.”
fingers upon the woman’s shoulder. He had an al- “Prints it?”
most hypnotic power of soothing when he wished. “Yes, sir; prints it in pencil. Just the word,
The scared look faded from her eyes, and her agi- nothing more. Here’s the one I brought to show
tated features smoothed into their usual common- you—soap. Here’s another—match. This is one
place. She sat down in the chair which he had he left the first morning—daily gazette. I leave
indicated. that paper with his breakfast every morning.”
“If I take it up I must understand every detail,” “Dear me, Watson,” said Homes, staring with
said he. “Take time to consider. The smallest point great curiosity at the slips of foolscap which the

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 The Adventure of the Red Circle

landlady had handed to him, “this is certainly a Holmes shrugged his shoulders.
little unusual. Seclusion I can understand; but “There is nothing here,” said he. “The matches
why print? Printing is a clumsy process. Why not have, of course, been used to light cigarettes. That
write? What would it suggest, Watson?” is obvious from the shortness of the burnt end.
“That he desired to conceal his handwriting.” Half the match is consumed in lighting a pipe or
“But why? What can it matter to him that his cigar. But, dear me! this cigarette stub is cer-
landlady should have a word of his writing? Still, tainly remarkable. The gentleman was bearded
it may be as you say. Then, again, why such la- and moustached, you say?”
conic messages?” “Yes, sir.”
“I cannot imagine.” “I don’t understand that. I should say that only
“It opens a pleasing field for intelligent spec- a clean-shaven man could have smoked this. Why,
ulation. The words are written with a broad- Watson, even your modest moustache would have
pointed, violet-tinted pencil of a not unusual pat- been singed.”
tern. You will observe that the paper is torn away “A holder?” I suggested.
at the side here after the printing was done, so that “No, no; the end is matted. I suppose there
the ‘s’ of ‘soap’ is partly gone. Suggestive, Watson, could not be two people in your rooms, Mrs. War-
is it not?” ren?”
“Of caution?” “No, sir. He eats so little that I often wonder it
“Exactly. There was evidently some mark, can keep life in one.”
some thumbprint, something which might give a “Well, I think we must wait for a little more
clue to the person’s identity. Now. Mrs. Warren, material. After all, you have nothing to complain
you say that the man was of middle size, dark, and of. You have received your rent, and he is not a
bearded. What age would he be?” troublesome lodger, though he is certainly an un-
“Youngish, sir—not over thirty.” usual one. He pays you well, and if he chooses
“Well, can you give me no further indications?” to lie concealed it is no direct business of yours.
We have no excuse for an intrusion upon his pri-
“He spoke good English, sir, and yet I thought
vacy until we have some reason to think that there
he was a foreigner by his accent.”
is a guilty reason for it. I’ve taken up the matter,
“And he was well dressed?” and I won’t lose sight of it. Report to me if any-
“Very smartly dressed, sir—quite the gentle- thing fresh occurs, and rely upon my assistance if
man. Dark clothes—nothing you would note.” it should be needed.
“He gave no name?” “There are certainly some points of interest in
“No, sir.” this case, Watson,” he remarked when the land-
lady had left us. “It may, of course, be triv-
“And has had no letters or callers?”
ial—individual eccentricity; or it may be very
“None.” much deeper than appears on the surface. The first
“But surely you or the girl enter his room of a thing that strike one is the obvious possibility that
morning?” the person now in the rooms may be entirely dif-
“No, sir; he looks after himself entirely.” ferent from the one who engaged them.”
“Dear me! that is certainly remarkable. What “Why should you think so?”
about his luggage?” “Well, apart form this cigarette-end, was it not
“He had one big brown bag with him—nothing suggestive that the only time the lodger went out
else.” was immediately after his taking the rooms? He
came back—or someone came back—when all wit-
“Well, we don’t seem to have much material to
nesses were out of the way. We have no proof
help us. Do you say nothing has come out of that
that the person who came back was the person
room—absolutely nothing?”
who went out. Then, again, the man who took
The landlady drew an envelope from her bag; the rooms spoke English well. This other, however,
from it she shook out two burnt matches and a prints ‘match’ when it should have been ‘matches.’
cigarette-end upon the table. I can imagine that the word was taken out of a
“They were on his tray this morning. I brought dictionary, which would give the noun but not the
them because I had heard that you can read great plural. The laconic style may be to conceal the ab-
things out of small ones.” sence of knowledge of English. Yes, Watson, there

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 The Adventure of the Red Circle

are good reasons to suspect that there has been a Mrs. Warren’s neighbourhood. Ah, Mrs. Warren!
substitution of lodgers.” what news do you bring us this morning?”
“But for what possible end?” Our client had suddenly burst into the room
with an explosive energy which told of some new
“Ah! there lies our problem. There is one and momentous development.
rather obvious line of investigation.” He took “It’s a police matter, Mr. Holmes!” she cried.
down the great book in which, day by day, he “I’ll have no more of it! He shall pack out of there
filed the agony columns of the various London with his baggage. I would have gone straight up
journals. “Dear me!” said he, turning over the and told him so, only I thought it was but fair to
pages, “what a chorus of groans, cries, and bleat- you to take your opinion first. But I’m at the end
ings! What a rag-bag of singular happenings! But of my patience, and when it comes to knocking my
surely the most valuable hunting-ground that ever old man about—”
was given to a student of the unusual! This per-
son is alone and cannot be approached by letter “Knocking Mr. Warren about?”
without a breach of that absolute secrecy which “Using him roughly, anyway.”
is desired. How is any news or any message to “But who used him roughly?”
reach him from without? Obviously by adver-
tisement through a newspaper. There seems no “Ah! that’s what we want to know! It was this
other way, and fortunately we need concern our- morning, sir. Mr. Warren is a timekeeper at Mor-
selves with the one paper only. Here are the Daily ton and Waylight’s, in Tottenham Court Road. He
Gazette extracts of the last fortnight. ‘Lady with a has to be out of the house before seven. Well, this
black boa at Prince’s Skating Club’—that we may morning he had not gone ten paces down the road
pass. ‘Surely Jimmy will not break his mother’s when two men came up behind him, threw a coat
heart’—that appears to be irrelevant. ‘If the lady over his head, and bundled him into a cab that was
who fainted on Brixton bus’—she does not inter- beside the curb. They drove him an hour, and then
est me. ‘Every day my heart longs—’ Bleat, Wat- opened the door and shot him out. He lay in the
son—unmitigated bleat! Ah, this is a little more roadway so shaken in his wits that he never saw
possible. Listen to this: ‘Be patient. Will find what became of the cab. When he picked himself
some sure means of communications. Meanwhile, up he found he was on Hampstead Heath; so he
this column. G.’ That is two days after Mrs. War- took a bus home, and there he lies now on his sofa,
ren’s lodger arrived. It sounds plausible, does it while I came straight round to tell you what had
not? The mysterious one could understand En- happened.”
glish, even if he could not print it. Let us see “Most interesting,” said Holmes. “Did he ob-
if we can pick up the trace again. Yes, here we serve the appearance of these men—did he hear
are—three days later. ‘Am making successful ar- them talk?”
rangements. Patience and prudence. The clouds “No; he is clean dazed. He just knows that he
will pass. G.’ Nothing for a week after that. Then was lifted up as if by magic and dropped as if by
comes something much more definite: ‘The path magic. Two a least were in it, and maybe three.”
is clearing. If I find chance signal message remem-
ber code agreed—One A, two B, and so on. You “And you connect this attack with your
will hear soon. G.’ That was in yesterday’s paper, lodger?”
and there is nothing in to-day’s. It’s all very ap- “Well, we’ve lived there fifteen years and no
propriate to Mrs. Warren’s lodger. If we wait a lit- such happenings ever came before. I’ve had
tle, Watson, I don’t doubt that the affair will grow enough of him. Money’s not everything. I’ll have
more intelligible.” him out of my house before the day is done.”

So it proved; for in the morning I found my “Wait a bit, Mrs. Warren. Do nothing rash. I be-
friend standing on the hearthrug with his back to gin to think that this affair may be very much more
the fire and a smile of complete satisfaction upon important than appeared at first sight. It is clear
his face. now that some danger is threatening your lodger.
It is equally clear that his enemies, lying in wait
“How’s this, Watson?” he cried, picking up the for him near your door, mistook your husband for
paper from the table. “’High red house with white him in the foggy morning light. On discovering
stone facings. Third floor. Second window left. Af- their mistake they released him. What they would
ter dusk. G.’ That is definite enough. I think after have done had it not been a mistake, we can only
breakfast we must make a little reconnaissance of conjecture.”

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 The Adventure of the Red Circle

“Well, what am I to do, Mr. Holmes?” glimpse of a dark, beautiful, horrified face glaring
“I have a great fancy to see this lodger of yours, at the narrow opening of the box-room. Then the
Mrs. Warren.” door crashed to, the key turned once more, and
all was silence. Holmes twitched my sleeve, and
“I don’t see how that is to be managed, unless together we stole down the stair.
you break in the door. I always hear him unlock it
as I go down the stair after I leave the tray.” “I will call again in the evening,” said he to the
expectant landlady. “I think, Watson, we can dis-
“He has to take the tray in. Surely we could
cuss this business better in our own quarters.”
conceal ourselves and see him do it.”
The landlady thought for a moment. “My surmise, as you saw, proved to be correct,”
said he, speaking from the depths of his easy-chair.
“Well, sir, there’s the box-room opposite. I “There has been a substitution of lodgers. What I
could arrange a looking-glass, maybe, and if you did not foresee is that we should find a woman,
were behind the door—” and no ordinary woman, Watson.”
“Excellent!” said Holmes. “When does he “She saw us.”
lunch?”
“Well, she saw something to alarm her. That is
“About one, sir.”
certain. The general sequence of events is pretty
“Then Dr. Watson and I will come round in clear, is it not? A couple seek refuge in London
time. For the present, Mrs. Warren, good-bye.” from a very terrible and instant danger. The mea-
At half-past twelve we found ourselves upon sure of that danger is the rigour of their precau-
the steps of Mrs. Warren’s house—a high, thin, tions. The man, who has some work which he
yellow-brick edifice in Great Orme Street, a narrow must do, desires to leave the woman in absolute
thoroughfare at the northeast side of the British safety while he does it. It is not an easy problem,
Museum. Standing as it does near the corner of but he solved it in an original fashion, and so effec-
the street, it commands a view down Howe Street, tively that her presence was not even known to the
with its ore pretentious houses. Holmes pointed landlady who supplies her with food. The printed
with a chuckle to one of these, a row of residential messages, as is now evident, were to prevent her
flats, which projected so that they could not fail to sex being discovered by her writing. The man can-
catch the eye. not come near the woman, or he will guide their
“See, Watson!” said he. “ ‘High red house with enemies to her. Since he cannot communicate with
stone facings.’ There is the signal station all right. her direct, he has recourse to the agony column of
We know the place, and we know the code; so a paper. So far all is clear.”
surely our task should be simple. There’s a ‘to “But what is at the root of it?”
let’ card in that window. It is evidently an empty “Ah, yes, Watson—severely practical, as usual!
flat to which the confederate has access. Well, Mrs. What is at the root of it all? Mrs. Warren’s whim-
Warren, what now?” sical problem enlarges somewhat and assumes a
“I have it all ready for you. If you will both more sinister aspect as we proceed. This much
come up and leave your boots below on the land- we can say: that it is no ordinary love escapade.
ing, I’ll put you there now.” You saw the woman’s face at the sign of danger.
It was an excellent hiding-place which she had We have heard, too, of the attack upon the land-
arranged. The mirror was so placed that, seated lord, which was undoubtedly meant for the lodger.
in the dark, we could very plainly see the door These alarms, and the desperate need for secrecy,
opposite. We had hardly settled down in it, and argue that the matter is one of life or death. The
Mrs. Warren left us, when a distant tinkle an- attack upon Mr. Warren further shows that the en-
nounced that our mysterious neighbour had rung. emy, whoever they are, are themselves not aware
Presently the landlady appeared with the tray, laid of the substitution of the female lodger for the
it down upon a chair beside the closed door, and male. It is very curious and complex, Watson.”
then, treading heavily, departed. Crouching to- “Why should you go further in it? What have
gether in the angle of the door, we kept our eyes you to gain from it?”
fixed upon the mirror. Suddenly, as the landlady’s
footsteps died away, there was the creak of a turn- “What, indeed? It is art for art’s sake, Watson.
ing key, the handle revolved, and two thin hands I suppose when you doctored you found yourself
darted out and lifted the tray form the chair. An in- studying cases without thought of a fee?”
stant later it was hurriedly replaced, and I caught a “For my education, Holmes.”

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 The Adventure of the Red Circle

“Education never ends, Watson. It is a series My companion gave a sudden chuckle of com-
of lessons with the greatest for the last. This is an prehension. “And not a very obscure cipher, Wat-
instructive case. There is neither money nor credit son,” said he. “Why, of course, it is Italian! The A
in it, and yet one would wish to tidy it up. When means that it is addressed to a woman. ‘Beware!
dusk comes we should find ourselves one stage Beware! Beware!’ How’s that, Watson?
advanced in our investigation.” “I believe you have hit it.”
When we returned to Mrs. Warren’s rooms, the “Not a doubt of it. It is a very urgent message,
gloom of a London winter evening had thickened thrice repeated to make it more so. But beware of
into one gray curtain, a dead monotone of colour, what? Wait a bit, he is coming to the window once
broken only by the sharp yellow squares of the more.”
windows and the blurred haloes of the gas-lamps.
Again we saw the dim silhouette of a crouch-
As we peered from the darkened sitting-room of
ing man and the whisk of the small flame across
the lodging-house, one more dim light glimmered
the window as the signals were renewed. They
high up through the obscurity.
came more rapidly than before—so rapid that it
“Someone is moving in that room,” said was hard to follow them.
Holmes in a whisper, his gaunt and eager face “PERICOLO—pericolo—eh, what’s that, Wat-
thrust forward to the window-pane. “Yes, I can son? ‘Danger,’ isn’t it? Yes, by Jove, it’s a danger
see his shadow. There he is again! He has a signal. There he goes again! PERI. Halloa, what
candle in his hand. Now he is peering across. on earth—”
He wants to be sure that she is on the lookout.
The light had suddenly gone out, the glimmer-
Now he begins to flash. Take the message also,
ing square of window had disappeared, and the
Watson, that we may check each other. A single
third floor formed a dark band round the lofty
flash—that is A, surely. Now, then. How many
building, with its tiers of shining casements. That
did you make it? Twenty. Do did In. That should
last warning cry had been suddenly cut short.
mean T. AT—that’s intelligible enough. Another
How, and by whom? The same thought occurred
T. Surely this is the beginning of a second word.
on the instant to us both. Holmes sprang up from
Now, then—TENTA. Dead stop. That can’t be all,
where he crouched by the window.
Watson? ATTENTA gives no sense. Nor is it any
better as three words AT, TEN, TA, unless T. A. “This is serious, Watson,” he cried. “There is
are a person’s initials. There it goes again! What’s some devilry going forward! Why should such a
that? ATTE—why, it is the same message over message stop in such a way? I should put Scotland
again. Curious, Watson, very curious. Now he Yard in touch with this business—and yet, it is too
is off once more! AT—why he is repeating it for pressing for us to leave.”
the third time. ATTENTA three times! How often “Shall I go for the police?”
will he repeat it? No, that seems to be the finish. “We must define the situation a little more
He has withdrawn form the window. What do you clearly. It may bear some more innocent interpre-
make of it, Watson?” tation. Come, Watson, let us go across ourselves
“A cipher message, Holmes.” and see what we can make of it.”

CHAPTER II.
Two

As we walked rapidly down Howe Street I breathless suspense for the renewal of that inter-
glanced back at the building which we had left. rupted message. At the doorway of the Howe
There, dimly outlined at the top window, I could Street flats a man, muffled in a cravat and great-
see the shadow of a head, a woman’s head, gazing coat, was leaning against the railing. He started as
tensely, rigidly, out into the night, waiting with the hall-light fell upon our faces.

781
 The Adventure of the Red Circle

“Holmes!” he cried. In a few clear words Holmes explained the sit-

“Why, Gregson!” said my companion as he uation as it had appeared to us. The American
shook hands with the Scotland Yard detective. struck his hands together with vexation.
“Journeys end with lovers’ meetings. What brings “He’s on to us!” he cried.
you here?” “Why do you think so?”
“The same reasons that bring you, I expect,” “Well, it figures out that way, does it not?
said Gregson. “How you got on to it I can’t imag- Here he is, sending out messages to an accom-
ine.” plice—there are several of his gang in London.
“Different threads, but leading up to the same Then suddenly, just as by your own account he
tangle. I’ve been taking the signals.” was telling them that there was danger, he broke
short off. What could it mean except that from the
“Signals?”
window he had suddenly either caught sight of us
“Yes, from that window. They broke off in the in the street, or in some way come to understand
middle. We came over to see the reason. But since how close the danger was, and that he must act
it is safe in your hands I see no object in continuing right away if he was to avoid it? What do you sug-
this business.” gest, Mr. Holmes?”
“Wait a bit!” cried Gregson eagerly. “I’ll do you “That we go up at once and see for ourselves.”
this justice, Mr. Holmes, that I was never in a case “But we have no warrant for his arrest.”
yet that I didn’t feel stronger for having you on my
side. There’s only the one exit to these flats, so we “He is in unoccupied premises under suspi-
have him safe.” cious circumstances,” said Gregson. “That is good
enough for the moment. When we have him by
“Who is he?” the heels we can see if New York can’t help us to
“Well, well, we score over you for once, Mr. keep him. I’ll take the responsibility of arresting
Holmes. You must give us best this time.” He him now.”
struck his stick sharply upon the ground, on which Our official detectives may blunder in the mat-
a cabman, his whip in his hand, sauntered over ter of intelligence, but never in that of courage.
from a four-wheeler which stood on the far side Gregson climbed the stair to arrest this desper-
of the street. “May I introduce you to Mr. Sher- ate murderer with the same absolutely quiet and
lock Holmes?” he said to the cabman. “This is Mr. businesslike bearing with which he would have as-
Leverton, of Pinkerton’s American Agency.” cended the official staircase of Scotland Yard. The
“The hero of the Long Island cave mystery?” Pinkerton man had tried to push past him, but
said Holmes. “Sir, I am pleased to meet you.” Gregson had firmly elbowed him back. London
dangers were the privilege of the London force.
The American, a quiet, businesslike young
man, with a clean-shaven, hatchet face, flushed up The door of the left-hand flat upon the third
at the words of commendation. “I am on the trail landing was standing ajar. Gregson pushed it
of my life now, Mr. Holmes,” said he. “If I can get open. Within all was absolute silence and dark-
Gorgiano—” ness. I struck a match and lit the detective’s
lantern. As I did so, and as the flicker steadied
“What! Gorgiano of the Red Circle?” into a flame, we all gave a gasp of surprise. On the
“Oh, he has a European fame, has he? Well, deal boards of the carpetless floor there was out-
we’ve learned all about him in America. We know lined a fresh track of blood. The red steps pointed
he is at the bottom of fifty murders, and yet we towards us and led away from an inner room, the
have nothing positive we can take him on. I door of which was closed. Gregson flung it open
tracked him over from New York, and I’ve been and held his light full blaze in front of him, while
close to him for a week in London, waiting some we all peered eagerly over his shoulders.
excuse to get my hand on his collar. Mr. Greg- In the middle of the floor of the empty room
son and I ran him to ground in that big tenement was huddled the figure of an enormous man, his
house, and there’s only one door, so he can’t slip clean-shaven, swarthy face grotesquely horrible in
us. There’s three folk come out since he went in, its contortion and his head encircled by a ghastly
but I’ll swear he wasn’t one of them.” crimson halo of blood, lying in a broad wet circle
“Mr. Holmes talks of signals,” said Gregson. “I upon the white woodwork. His knees were drawn
expect, as usual, he knows a good deal that we up, his hands thrown out in agony, and from the
don’t.” centre of his broad, brown, upturned throat there

782
 The Adventure of the Red Circle

projected the white haft of a knife driven blade- “But you! You are police, are you not? You
deep into his body. Giant as he was, the man have killed Giuseppe Gorgiano. Is it not so?”
must have gone down like a pole-axed ox before “We are police, madam.”
that terrific blow. Beside his right hand a most
formidable horn-handled, two-edged dagger lay She looked round into the shadows of the
upon the floor, and near it a black kid glove. room.
“By George! it’s Black Gorgiano himself!” cried “But where, then, is Gennaro?” she asked. “He
the American detective. “Someone has got ahead is my husband, Gennaro Lucca. I am Emilia Lucca,
of us this time.” and we are both from New York. Where is Gen-
naro? He called me this moment from this win-
“Here is the candle in the window, Mr. dow, and I ran with all my speed.”
Holmes,” said Gregson. “Why, whatever are you
doing?” “It was I who called,” said Holmes.
Holmes had stepped across, had lit the candle, “You! How could you call?”
and was passing it backward and forward across “Your cipher was not difficult, madam. Your
the window-panes. Then he peered into the dark- presence here was desirable. I knew that I had
ness, blew the candle out, and threw it on the floor. only to flash ‘Vieni’ and you would surely come.”
“I rather think that will be helpful,” said he. The beautiful Italian looked with awe at my
He came over and stood in deep thought while the companion.
two professionals were examining the body. “You
“I do not understand how you know these
say that three people came out form the flat while
things,” she said. “Giuseppe Gorgiano—how did
you were waiting downstairs,” said he at last. “Did
he—” She paused, and then suddenly her face lit
you observe them closely?”
up with pride and delight. “Now I see it! My Gen-
“Yes, I did.” naro! My splendid, beautiful Gennaro, who has
“Was there a fellow about thirty, black-bearded, guarded me safe from all harm, he did it, with his
dark, of middle size?” own strong hand he killed the monster! Oh, Gen-
naro, how wonderful you are! What woman could
“Yes; he was the last to pass me.” every be worthy of such a man?”
“That is your man, I fancy. I can give you his “Well, Mrs. Lucca,” said the prosaic Gregson,
description, and we have a very excellent outline laying his hand upon the lady’s sleeve with as lit-
of his footmark. That should be enough for you.” tle sentiment as if she were a Notting Hill hooli-
“Not much, Mr. Holmes, among the millions of gan, “I am not very clear yet who you are or what
London.” you are; but you’ve said enough to make it very
“Perhaps not. That is why I thought it best to clear that we shall want you at the Yard.”
summon this lady to your aid.” “One moment, Gregson,” said Holmes. “I
We all turned round at the words. There, rather fancy that this lady may be as anxious to
framed in the doorway, was a tall and beauti- give us information as we can be to get it. You
ful woman—the mysterious lodger of Bloomsbury. understand, madam, that your husband will be ar-
Slowly she advanced, her face pale and drawn rested and tried for the death of the man who lies
with a frightful apprehension, her eyes fixed and before us? What you say may be used in evidence.
staring, her terrified gaze riveted upon the dark But if you think that he has acted from motives
figure on the floor. which are not criminal, and which he would wish
to have known, then you cannot serve him better
“You have killed him!” she muttered. “Oh, Dio than by telling us the whole story.”
mio, you have killed him!” Then I heard a sudden
sharp intake of her breath, and she sprang into “Now that Gorgiano is dead we fear nothing,”
the air with a cry of joy. Round and round the said the lady. “He was a devil and a monster, and
room she danced, her hands clapping, her dark there can be no judge in the world who would
eyes gleaming with delighted wonder, and a thou- punish my husband for having killed him.”
sand pretty Italian exclamations pouring from her “In that case,” said Holmes, “my suggestion is
lips. It was terrible and amazing to see such a that we lock this door, leave things as we found
woman so convulsed with joy at such a sight. Sud- them, go with this lady to her room, and form our
denly she stopped and gazed at us all with a ques- opinion after we have heard what it is that she has
tioning stare. to say to us.”

783
 The Adventure of the Red Circle

Half an hour later we were seated, all four, in “He came again and again. Yet I was aware
the small sitting-room of Signora Lucca, listening that Gennaro was no more happy than I was in his
to her remarkable narrative of those sinister events, presence. My poor husband would sit pale and
the ending of which we had chanced to witness. listless, listening to the endless raving upon poli-
She spoke in rapid and fluent but very unconven- tics and upon social questions which made up or
tional English, which, for the sake of clearness, I visitor’s conversation. Gennaro said nothing, but
will make grammatical. I, who knew him so well, could read in his face
“I was born in Posilippo, near Naples,” said some emotion which I had never seen there be-
she, “and was the daughter of Augusto Barelli, fore. At first I thought that it was dislike. And
who was the chief lawyer and once the deputy of then, gradually, I understood that it was more than
that part. Gennaro was in my father’s employ- dislike. It was fear—a deep, secret, shrinking fear.
ment, and I came to love him, as any woman must. That night—the night that I read his terror—I put
He had neither money nor position—nothing but my arms round him and I implored him by his
his beauty and strength and energy—so my father love for me and by all that he held dear to hold
forbade the match. We fled together, were mar- nothing from me, and to tell me why this huge
ried at Bari, and sold my jewels to gain the money man overshadowed him so.
which would take us to America. This was four “He told me, and my own heart grew cold as
years ago, and we have been in New York ever ice as I listened. My poor Gennaro, in his wild and
since. fiery days, when all the world seemed against him
“Fortune was very good to us at first. Gen- and his mind was driven half mad by the injustices
naro was able to do a service to an Italian gen- of life, had joined a Neapolitan society, the Red
tleman—he saved him from some ruffians in the Circle, which was allied to the old Carbonari. The
place called the Bowery, and so made a power- oaths and secrets of this brotherhood were fright-
ful friend. His name was Tito Castalotte, and ful, but once within its rule no escape was possible.
he was the senior partner of the great firm of When we had fled to America Gennaro thought
Castalotte and Zamba, who are the chief fruit im- that he had cast it all off forever. What was his hor-
porters of New York. Signor Zamba is an in- ror one evening to meet in the streets the very man
valid, and our new friend Castalotte has all power who had initiated him in Naples, the giant Gor-
within the firm, which employs more than three giano, a man who had earned the name of ‘Death’
hundred men. He took my husband into his em- in the south of Italy, for he was red to the elbow
ployment, made him head of a department, and in murder! He had come to New York to avoid
showed his good-will towards him in every way. the Italian police, and he had already planted a
Signor Castalotte was a bachelor, and I believe that branch of this dreadful society in his new home.
he felt as if Gennaro was his son, and both my hus- All this Gennaro told me and showed me a sum-
band and I loved him as if he were our father. We mons which he had received that very day, a Red
had taken and furnished a little house in Brook- Circle drawn upon the head of it telling him that a
lyn, and our whole future seemed assured when lodge would be held upon a certain date, and that
that black cloud appeared which was soon to over- his presence at it was required and ordered.
spread our sky. “That was bad enough, but worse was to come.
“One night, when Gennaro returned from his I had noticed for some time that when Gorgiano
work, he brought a fellow-countryman back with came to us, as he constantly did, in the evening,
him. His name was Gorgiano, and he had come he spoke much to me; and even when his words
also from Posilippo. He was a huge man, as you were to my husband those terrible, glaring, wild-
can testify, for you have looked upon his corpse. beast eyes of his were always turned upon me.
Not only was his body that of a giant but every- One night his secret came out. I had awakened
thing about him was grotesque, gigantic, and ter- what he called ‘love’ within him—the love of a
rifying. His voice was like thunder in our little brute—a savage. Gennaro had not yet returned
house. There was scarce room for the whirl of his when he came. He pushed his way in, seized me
great arms as he talked. His thoughts, his emo- in his mighty arms, hugged me in his bear’s em-
tions, his passions, all were exaggerated and mon- brace, covered me with kisses, and implored me to
strous. He talked, or rather roared, with such en- come away with him. I was struggling and scream-
ergy that others could but sit and listen, cowed ing when Gennaro entered and attacked him. He
with the mighty stream of words. His eyes blazed struck Gennaro senseless and fled from the house
at you and held you at his mercy. He was a terrible which he was never more to enter. It was a deadly
and wonderful man. I thank God that he is dead! enemy that we made that night.

784
 “A few days later came the meeting. Gennaro Both Italy and America are full of stories of his
returned from it with a face which told me that dreadful powers. If ever they were exerted it
something dreadful had occurred. It was worse would be now. My darling made use of the few
than we could have imagined possible. The funds clear days which our start had given us in arrang-
of the society were raised by blackmailing rich Ital- ing for a refuge for me in such a fashion that no
ians and threatening them with violence should possible danger could reach me. For his own part,
they refuse the money. It seems that Castalotte, our he wished to be free that he might communicate
dear friend and benefactor, had been approached. both with the American and with the Italian police.
He had refused to yield to threats, and he had I do not myself know where he lived, or how. All
handed the notices to the police. It was resolved that I learned was through the columns of a news-
now that such an example should be made of them paper. But once as I looked through my window, I
as would prevent any other victim from rebelling. saw two Italians watching the house, and I under-
At the meeting it was arranged that he and his stood that in some way Gorgiano had found our
house should be blown up with dynamite. There retreat. Finally Gennaro told me, through the pa-
was a drawing of lots as to who should carry out per, that he would signal to me from a certain win-
the deed. Gennaro saw our enemy’s cruel face dow, but when the signals came they were nothing
smiling at him as he dipped his hand in the bag. but warnings, which were suddenly interrupted. It
No doubt it had been prearranged in some fash- is very clear to me now that he knew Gorgiano to
ion, for it was the fatal disc with the Red Circle be close upon him, and that, thank God! he was
upon it, the mandate for murder, which lay upon ready for him when he came. And now, gentle-
his palm. He was to kill his best friend, or he was man, I would ask you whether we have anything
to expose himself and me to the vengeance of his to fear from the law, or whether any judge upon
comrades. It was part of their fiendish system to earth would condemn my Gennaro for what he has
punish those whom they feared or hated by in- done?”
juring not only their own persons but those whom “Well, Mr. Gregson,” said the American, look-
they loved, and it was the knowledge of this which ing across at the official, “I don’t know what your
hung as a terror over my poor Gennaro’s head and British point of view may be, but I guess that in
drove him nearly crazy with apprehension. New York this lady’s husband will receive a pretty
“All that night we sat together, our arms round general vote of thanks.”
each other, each strengthening each for the trou- “She will have to come with me and see the
bles that lay before us. The very next evening had chief,” Gregson answered. “If what she says is cor-
been fixed for the attempt. By midday my hus- roborated, I do not think she or her husband has
band and I were on our way to London, but not much to fear. But what I can’t make head or tail
before he had given our benefactor full warning of, Mr. Holmes, is how on earth you got yourself
of this danger, and had also left such information mixed up in the matter.”
for the police as would safeguard his life for the
“Education, Gregson, education. Still seeking
future.
knowledge at the old university. Well, Watson,
“The rest, gentlemen, you know for yourselves. you have one more specimen of the tragic and
We were sure that our enemies would be behind us grotesque to add to your collection. By the way, it
like our own shadows. Gorgiano had his private is not eight o’clock, and a Wagner night at Covent
reasons for vengeance, but in any case we knew Garden! If we hurry, we might be in time for the
how ruthless, cunning, and untiring he could be. second act.”
The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington
Plans
I
The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans

n the third week of November, in the of assassination. By Jove! here comes something
year 1895, a dense yellow fog settled at last to break our dead monotony.”
down upon London. From the Monday It was the maid with a telegram. Holmes tore
to the Thursday I doubt whether it was it open and burst out laughing.
ever possible from our windows in Baker Street
“Well, well! What next?” said he. “Brother My-
to see the loom of the opposite houses. The first
croft is coming round.”
day Holmes had spent in cross-indexing his huge
book of references. The second and third had been “Why not?” I asked.
patiently occupied upon a subject which he hand “Why not? It is as if you met a tram-car com-
recently made his hobby—the music of the Mid- ing down a country lane. Mycroft has his rails and
dle Ages. But when, for the fourth time, after he runs on them. His Pall Mall lodgings, the Dio-
pushing back our chairs from breakfast we saw genes Club, Whitehall—that is his cycle. Once, and
the greasy, heavy brown swirl still drifting past us only once, he has been here. What upheaval can
and condensing in oily drops upon the window- possibly have derailed him?”
panes, my comrade’s impatient and active nature “Does he not explain?”
could endure this drab existence no longer. He
paced restlessly about our sitting-room in a fever Holmes handed me his brother’s telegram.
of suppressed energy, biting his nails, tapping the Must see you over Cadogen West.
furniture, and chafing against inaction. Coming at once. — Mycroft.
“Nothing of interest in the paper, Watson?” he “Cadogen West? I have heard the name.”
said. “It recalls nothing to my mind. But that My-
croft should break out in this erratic fashion! A
In was aware that by anything of interest,
planet might as well leave its orbit. By the way, do
Holmes meant anything of criminal interest. There
you know what Mycroft is?”
was the news of a revolution, of a possible war,
and of an impending change of government; but I had some vague recollection of an explana-
these did not come within the horizon of my com- tion at the time of the Adventure of the Greek In-
panion. I could see nothing recorded in the shape terpreter.
of crime which was not commonplace and futile. “You told me that he had some small office un-
Holmes groaned and resumed hs restless mean- der the British government.”
derings. Holmes chuckled.
“The London criminal is certainly a dull fel- “I did not know you quite so well in those days.
low,” said he in the querulous voice of the sports- One has to be discreet when one talks of high mat-
man whose game has failed him. “Look out this ters of state. You are right in thinking that he un-
window, Watson. See how the figures loom up, der the British government. You would also be
are dimly seen, and then blend once more into the right in a sense if you said that occasionally he is
cloud-bank. The thief or the murderer could roam the British government.”
London on such a day as the tiger does the jungle, “My dear Holmes!”
unseen until he pounces, and then evident only to
his victim.” “I thought I might surprise you. Mycroft draws
four hundred and fifty pounds a year, remains a
“There have,” said I, “been numerous petty subordinate, has no ambitions of any kind, will
thefts.” receive neither honour nor title, but remains the
Holmes snorted his contempt. most indispensable man in the country.”
“This great and sombre stage is set for some- “But how?”
thing more worthy than that,” said he. “It is fortu- “Well, his position is unique. He has made it
nate for this community that I am not a criminal.” for himself. There has never been anything like
it before, nor will be again. He has the tidiest
“It is, indeed!” said I heartily.
and most orderly brain, with the greatest capac-
“Suppose that I were Brooks or Woodhouse, or ity for storing facts, of any man living. The same
any of the fifty men who have good reason for tak- great powers which I have turned to the detec-
ing my life, how long could I survive against my tion of crime he has used for this particular busi-
own pursuit? A summons, a bogus appointment, ness. The conclusions of every department are
and all would be over. It is well they don’t have passed to him, and he is the central exchange,
days of fog in the Latin countries—the countries the clearinghouse, which makes out the balance.

789
 The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans

All other men are specialists, but his specialism discovered by a plate-layer named Mason, just out-
is omniscience. We will suppose that a minister side Aldgate Station on the Underground system
needs information as to a point which involves the in London.”
Navy, India, Canada and the bimetallic question; “When?”
he could get his separate advices from various de-
partments upon each, but only Mycroft can focus “The body was found at six on Tuesday morn-
them all, and say offhand how each factor would ing. It was lying wide of the metals upon the left
affect the other. They began by using him as a hand of the track as one goes eastward, at a point
short-cut, a convenience; now he has made himself close to the station, where the line emerges from
an essential. In that great brain of his everything the tunnel in which it runs. The head was badly
is pigeon-holed and can be handed out in an in- crushed—an injury which might well have been
stant. Again and again his word has decided the caused by a fall from the train. The body could
national policy. He lives in it. He thinks of noth- only have come on the line in that way. Had it
ing else save when, as an intellectual exercise, he been carried down from any neighbouring street,
unbends if I call upon him and ask him to advise it must have passed the station barriers, where a
me on one of my little problems. But Jupiter is de- collector is always standing. This point seems ab-
scending to-day. What on earth can it mean? Who solutely certain.”
is Cadogan West, and what is he to Mycroft?” “Very good. The case is definite enough. The
“I have it,” I cried, and plunged among the lit- man, dead or alive, either fell or was precipitated
ter of papers upon the sofa. “Yes, yes, here he from a train. So much is clear to me. Continue.”
is, sure enough! Cadogen West was the young “The trains which traverse the lines of rail
man who was found dead on the Underground on beside which the body was found are those
Tuesday morning.” which run from west to east, some being purely
Metropolitan, and some from Willesden and out-
Holmes sat up at attention, his pipe halfway to
lying junctions. It can be stated for certain that this
his lips.
young man, when he met his death, was travelling
“This must be serious, Watson. A death which in this direction at some late hour of the night, but
has caused my brother to alter his habits can be no at what point he entered the train it is impossible
ordinary one. What in the world can he have to do to state.”
with it? The case was featureless as I remember it.
“His ticket, of course, would show that.”
The young man had apparently fallen out of the
train and killed himself. He had not been robbed, “There was no ticket in his pockets.”
and there was no particular reason to suspect vio- “No ticket! Dear me, Watson, this is really very
lence. Is that not so?” singular. According to my experience it is not pos-
“There has been an inquest,” said I, “and a sible to reach the platform of a Metropolitan train
good many fresh facts have come out. Looked at without exhibiting one’s ticket. Presumably, then,
more closely, I should certainly say that it was a the young man had one. Was it taken from him in
curious case.” order to conceal the station from which he came?
It is possible. Or did he drop it in the carriage?
“Judging by its effect upon my brother, I That is also possible. But the point is of curious
should think it must be a most extraordinary one.” interest. I understand that there was no sign of
He snuggled down in his armchair. “Now, Watson, robbery?”
let us have the facts.”
“Apparently not. There is a list here of his
“The man’s name was Arthur Cadogan West. possessions. His purse contained two pounds fif-
He was twenty-seven years of age, unmarried, and teen. He had also a check-book on the Woolwich
a clerk at Woolwich Arsenal.” branch of the Capital and Counties Bank. Through
“Government employ. Behold the link with this his identity was established. There were also
Brother Mycroft!” two dress-circle tickets for the Woolwich Theatre,
dated for that very evening. Also a small packet of
“He left Woolwich suddenly on Monday night. technical papers.”
Was last seen by his fiancee, Miss Violet Westbury,
whom he left abruptly in the fog about 7.30 that Holmes gave an exclamation of satisfaction.
evening. There was no quarrel between them and “There we have it at last, Watson! British
she can give no motive for his action. The next government—Woolwich. Arsenal—technical pa-
thing heard of him was when his dead body was pers—Brother Mycroft, the chain is complete. But

790
 The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans

here he comes, if I am not mistaken, to speak for the plans to be taken from the office. If the chief
himself.” constructor of the Navy desired to consult them,
A moment later the tall and portly form of My- even he was forced to go to the Woolwich office
croft Holmes was ushered into the room. Heavily for the purpose. And yet here we find them in
built and massive, there was a suggestion of un- the pocket of a dead junior clerk in the heart of
couth physical inertia in the figure, but above this London. From an official point of view it’s simply
unwieldy frame there was perched a head so mas- awful.”
terful in its brow, so alert in its steel-gray, deep-set “But you have recovered them?”
eyes, so firm in its lips, and so subtle in its play “No, Sherlock, no! That’s the pinch. We have
of expression, that after the first glance one forgot not. Ten papers were taken from Woolwich. There
the gross body and remembered only the domi- were seven in the pocket of Cadogan West. The
nant mind. three most essential are gone—stolen, vanished.
At his heels came our old friend Lestrade, of You must drop everything, Sherlock. Never mind
Scotland Yard—thin and austere. The gravity of your usual petty puzzles of the police-court. It’s a
both their faces foretold some weighty quest. The vital international problem that you have to solve.
detective shook hands without a word. Mycroft Why did Cadogan West take the papers, where are
Holmes struggled out of his overcoat and subsided the missing ones, how did he die, how came his
into an armchair. body where it was found, how can the evil be set
right? Find an answer to all these questions, and
“A most annoying business, Sherlock,” said
you will have done good service for your country.”
he. “I extremely dislike altering my habits, but
the powers that be would take no denial. In the “Why do you not solve it yourself, Mycroft?
present state of Siam it is most awkward that I You can see as far as I.”
should be away from the office. But it is a real cri- “Possibly, Sherlock. But it is a question of
sis. I have never seen the Prime Minister so upset. getting details. Give me your details, and from
As to the Admiralty—it is buzzing like an over- an armchair I will return you an excellent expert
turned bee-hive. Have you read up the case?” opinion. But to run here and run there, to cross-
“We have just done so. What were the technical question railway guards, and lie on my face with
papers?” a lens to my eye—it is not my métier. No, you are
the one man who can clear the matter up. If you
“Ah, there’s the point! Fortunately, it has not have a fancy to see your name in the next honours
come out. The press would be furious if it did. list—”
The papers which this wretched youth had in his
My friend smiled and shook his head.
pocket were the plans of the Bruce-Partington sub-
marine.” “I play the game for the game’s own sake,”
said he. “But the problem certainly presents some
Mycroft Holmes spoke with a solemnity which
points of interest, and I shall be very pleased to
showed his sense of the importance of the subject.
look into it. Some more facts, please.”
His brother and I sat expectant.
“I have jotted down the more essential ones
“Surely you have heard of it? I thought every- upon this sheet of paper, together with a few ad-
one had heard of it.” dresses which you will find of service. The actual
“Only as a name.” official guardian of the papers is the famous gov-
“Its importance can hardly be exaggerated. It ernment expert, Sir James Walter, whose decora-
has been the most jealously guarded of all govern- tions and sub-titles fill two lines of a book of refer-
ment secrets. You may take it from me that naval ence. He has grown gray in the service, is a gentle-
warfare becomes impossible within the radius of man, a favoured guest in the most exalted houses,
a Bruce-Partington’s operation. Two years ago a and, above all, a man whose patriotism is beyond
very large sum was smuggled through the Esti- suspicion. He is one of two who have a key of
mates and was expended in acquiring a monopoly the safe. I may add that the papers were undoubt-
of the invention. Every effort has been made to edly in the office during working hours on Mon-
keep the secret. The plans, which are exceedingly day, and that Sir James left for London about three
intricate, comprising some thirty separate patents, o’clock taking his key with him. He was at the
each essential to the working of the whole, are kept house of Admiral Sinclair at Barclay Square dur-
in an elaborate safe in a confidential office adjoin- ing the whole of the evening when this incident
ing the arsenal, with burglar-proof doors and win- occurred.”
dows. Under no conceivable circumstances were “Has the fact been verified?”

791
 The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans

“Yes; his brother, Colonel Valentine Walter, has “We will suppose that he was travelling back to
testified to his departure from Woolwich, and Ad- Woolwich when he was killed and thrown out of
miral Sinclair to his arrival in London; so Sir James the compartment.”
is no longer a direct factor in the problem.” “Aldgate, where the body was found, is con-
“Who was the other man with a key?” siderably past the station London Bridge, which
“The senior clerk and draughtsman, Mr. Sid- would be his route to Woolwich.”
ney Johnson. He is a man of forty, married, with “Many circumstances could be imagined under
five children. He is a silent, morose man, but he which he would pass London Bridge. There was
has, on the whole, an excellent record in the pub- someone in the carriage, for example, with whom
lic service. He is unpopular with his colleagues, he was having an absorbing interview. This inter-
but a hard worker. According to his own account, view led to a violent scene in which he lost his life.
corroborated only by the word of his wife, he was Possibly he tried to leave the carriage, fell out on
at home the whole of Monday evening after office the line, and so met his end. The other closed the
hours, and his key has never left the watch-chain door. There was a thick fog, and nothing could be
upon which it hangs.” seen.”
“Tell us about Cadogan West.” “No better explanation can be given with our
present knowledge; and yet consider, Sherlock,
“He has been ten years in the service and has
how much you leave untouched. We will suppose,
done good work. He has the reputation of being
for argument’s sake, that young Cadogan West had
hot-headed and imperious, but a straight, honest
determined to convey these papers to London. He
man. We have nothing against him. He was next
would naturally have made an appointment with
Sidney Johnson in the office. His duties brought
the foreign agent and kept his evening clear. In-
him into daily, personal contact with the plans. No
stead of that he took two tickets for the theatre,
one else had the handling of them.”
escorted his fiancee halfway there, and then sud-
“Who locked up the plans that night?” denly disappeared.”
“Mr. Sidney Johnson, the senior clerk.” “A blind,” said Lestrade, who had sat listening
“Well, it is surely perfectly clear who took them with some impatience to the conversation.
away. They are actually found upon the person of “A very singular one. That is objection No. 1.
this junior clerk, Cadogan West. That seems final, Objection No. 2: We will suppose that he reaches
does it not?” London and sees the foreign agent. He must bring
“It does, Sherlock, and yet it leaves so much back the papers before morning or the loss will be
unexplained. In the first place, why did he take discovered. He took away ten. Only seven were in
them?” his pocket. What had become of the other three?
He certainly would not leave them of his own free
“I presume they were of value?” will. Then, again, where is the price of his treason?
“He could have got several thousands for them Once would have expected to find a large sum of
very easily.” money in his pocket.”
“Can you suggest any possible motive for tak- “It seems to me perfectly clear,” said Lestrade.
ing the papers to London except to sell them?” “I have no doubt at all as to what occurred. He
took the papers to sell them. He saw the agent.
“No, I cannot.”
They could not agree as to price. He started home
“Then we must take that as our working hy- again, but the agent went with him. In the train the
pothesis. Young West took the papers. Now this agent murdered him, took the more essential pa-
could only be done by having a false key—” pers, and threw his body from the carriage. That
“Several false keys. He had to open the build- would account for everything, would it not?”
ing and the room.” “Why had he no ticket?”
“He had, then, several false keys. He took the “The ticket would have shown which station
papers to London to sell the secret, intending, no was nearest the agent’s house. Therefore he took
doubt, to have the plans themselves back in the it from the murdered man’s pocket.”
safe next morning before they were missed. While “Good, Lestrade, very good,” said Holmes.
in London on this treasonable mission he met his “Your theory holds together. But if this is true,
end.” then the case is at an end. On the one hand,
“How?” the traitor is dead. On the other, the plans of

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 The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans

the Bruce-Partington submarine are presumably “Points,” he muttered; “the points.”

already on the Continent. What is there for us to
do?” “What of it? What do you mean?”

“To act, Sherlock—to act!” cried Mycroft, “I suppose there are no great number of points
springing to his feet. “All my instincts are against on a system such as this?”
this explanation. Use your powers! Go to the scene
“No; they are very few.”
of the crime! See the people concerned! Leave no
stone unturned! In all your career you have never “And a curve, too. Points, and a curve. By Jove!
had so great a chance of serving your country.” if it were only so.”
“Well, well!” said Holmes, shrugging his shoul- “What is it, Mr. Holmes? Have you a clue?”
ders. “Come, Watson! And you, Lestrade, could
you favour us with your company for an hour or “An idea—an indication, no more. But the
two? We will begin our investigation by a visit to case certainly grows in interest. Unique, perfectly
Aldgate Station. Good-bye, Mycroft. I shall let you unique, and yet why not? I do not see any indica-
have a report before evening, but I warn you in tions of bleeding on the line.”
advance that you have little to expect.”
“There were hardly any.”
An hour later Holmes, Lestrade and I stood
upon the Underground railroad at the point where “But I understand that there was a considerable
it emerges from the tunnel immediately before wound.”
Aldgate Station. A courteous red-faced old gen- “The bone was crushed, but there was no great
tleman represented the railway company. external injury.”
“This is where the young man’s body lay,” said
“And yet one would have expected some bleed-
he, indicating a spot about three feet from the met-
ing. Would it be possible for me to inspect the
als. “It could not have fallen from above, for these,
train which contained the passenger who heard
as you see, are all blank walls. Therefore, it could
the thud of a fall in the fog?”
only have come from a train, and that train, so far
as we can trace it, must have passed about mid- “I fear not, Mr. Holmes. The train has been
night on Monday.” broken up before now, and the carriages redis-
“Have the carriages been examined for any tributed.”
sign of violence?” “I can assure you, Mr. Holmes,” said Lestrade,
“There are no such signs, and no ticket has “that every carriage has been carefully examined.
been found.” I saw to it myself.”
“No record of a door being found open?” It was one of my friend’s most obvious weak-
“None.” nesses that he was impatient with less alert intelli-
gences than his own.
“We have had some fresh evidence this morn-
ing,” said Lestrade. “A passenger who passed “Very likely,” said he, turning away. “As it hap-
Aldgate in an ordinary Metropolitan train about pens, it was not the carriages which I desired to
11.40 on Monday night declares that he heard a examine. Watson, we have done all we can here.
heavy thud, as of a body striking the line, just be- We need not trouble you any further, Mr. Lestrade.
fore the train reached the station. There was dense I think our investigations must now carry us to
fog, however, and nothing could be seen. He made Woolwich.”
no report of it at the time. Why, whatever is the
matter with Mr. Holmes?” At London Bridge, Holmes wrote a telegram
to his brother, which he handed to me before dis-
My friend was standing with an expression of patching it. It ran thus:
strained intensity upon his face, staring at the rail-
way metals where they curved out of the tunnel. See some light in the darkness, but it
Aldgate is a junction, and there was a network of may possibly flicker out. Meanwhile,
points. On these his eager, questioning eyes were please send by messenger, to await re-
fixed, and I saw on his keen, alert face that tight- turn at Baker Street, a complete list of
ening of the lips, that quiver of the nostrils, and all foreign spies or international agents
concentration of the heavy, tufted brows which I known to be in England, with full
knew so well. address. — Sherlock.

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 The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans

“That should be helpful, Watson,” he remarked “We have quite a little round of afternoon calls
as we took our seats in the Woolwich train. “We to make,” said he. “I think that Sir James Walter
certainly owe Brother Mycroft a debt for having in- claims our first attention.”
troduced us to what promises to be a really very The house of the famous official was a fine villa
remarkable case.” with green lawns stretching down to the Thames.
His eager face still wore that expression of in- As we reached it the fog was lifting, and a thin,
tense and high-strung energy, which showed me watery sunshine was breaking through. A butler
that some novel and suggestive circumstance had answered our ring.
opened up a stimulating line of thought. See the “Sir James, sir!” said he with solemn face. “Sir
foxhound with hanging ears and drooping tail as James died this morning.”
it lolls about the kennels, and compare it with the
same hound as, with gleaming eyes and straining “Good heavens!” cried Holmes in amazement.
muscles, it runs upon a breast-high scent—such “How did he die?”
was the change in Holmes since the morning. He “Perhaps you would care to step in, sir, and see
was a different man from the limp and lounging his brother, Colonel Valentine?”
figure in the mouse-coloured dressing-gown who
“Yes, we had best do so.”
had prowled so restlessly only a few hours before
round the fog-girt room. We were ushered into a dim-lit drawing-room,
where an instant later we were joined by a very
“There is material here. There is scope,” said tall, handsome, light-beared man of fifty, the
he. “I am dull indeed not to have understood its younger brother of the dead scientist. His wild
possibilities.” eyes, stained cheeks, and unkempt hair all spoke
“Even now they are dark to me.” of the sudden blow which had fallen upon the
household. He was hardly articulate as he spoke
“The end is dark to me also, but I have hold of
of it.
one idea which may lead us far. The man met his
death elsewhere, and his body was on the roof of a “It was this horrible scandal,” said he. “My
carriage.” brother, Sir James, was a man of very sensitive
honour, and he could not survive such an affair.
“On the roof!” It broke his heart. He was always so proud of the
“Remarkable, is it not? But consider the facts. efficiency of his department, and this was a crush-
Is it a coincidence that it is found at the very point ing blow.”
where the train pitches and sways as it comes “We had hoped that he might have given us
round on the points? Is not that the place where an some indications which would have helped us to
object upon the roof might be expected to fall off? clear the matter up.”
The points would affect no object inside the train.
Either the body fell from the roof, or a very curi- “I assure you that it was all a mystery to him
ous coincidence has occurred. But now consider as it is to you and to all of us. He had already
the question of the blood. Of course, there was put all his knowledge at the disposal of the police.
no bleeding on the line if the body had bled else- Naturally he had no doubt that Cadogan West was
where. Each fact is suggestive in itself. Together guilty. But all the rest was inconceivable.”
they have a cumulative force.” “You cannot throw any new light upon the af-
“And the ticket, too!” I cried. fair?”
“I know nothing myself save what I have read
“Exactly. We could not explain the absence of
or heard. I have no desire to be discourteous,
a ticket. This would explain it. Everything fits to-
but you can understand, Mr. Holmes, that we are
gether.”
much disturbed at present, and I must ask you to
“But suppose it were so, we are still as far as hasten this interview to an end.”
ever from unravelling the mystery of his death. In-
“This is indeed an unexpected development,”
deed, it becomes not simpler but stranger.”
said my friend when we had regained the cab. “I
“Perhaps,” said Holmes, thoughtfully, “per- wonder if the death was natural, or whether the
haps.” He relapsed into a silent reverie, which poor old fellow killed himself! If the latter, may it
lasted until the slow train drew up at last in Wool- be taken as some sign of self-reproach for duty ne-
wich Station. There he called a cab and drew My- glected? We must leave that question to the future.
croft’s paper from his pocket. Now we shall turn to the Cadogan Wests.”

794
 The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans

A small but well-kept house in the outskirts of “Was it only recently that he made such re-
the town sheltered the bereaved mother. The old marks?”
lady was too dazed with grief to be of any use to “Yes, quite recently.”
us, but at her side was a white-faced young lady, “Now tell us of that last evening.”
who introduced herself as Miss Violet Westbury,
“We were to go to the theatre. The fog was so
the fiancee of the dead man, and the last to see
thick that a cab was useless. We walked, and our
him upon that fatal night.
way took us close to the office. Suddenly he darted
“I cannot explain it, Mr. Holmes,” she said. “I away into the fog.”
have not shut an eye since the tragedy, thinking, “Without a word?”
thinking, thinking, night and day, what the true “He gave an exclamation; that was all. I waited
meaning of it can be. Arthur was the most single- but he never returned. Then I walked home. Next
minded, chivalrous, patriotic man upon earth. He morning, after the office opened, they came to in-
would have cut his right hand off before he would quire. About twelve o’clock we heard the terrible
sell a State secret confided to his keeping. It is news. Oh, Mr. Holmes, if you could only, only save
absurd, impossible, preposterous to anyone who his honour! It was so much to him.”
knew him.”
Holmes shook his head sadly.
“But the facts, Miss Westbury?” “Come, Watson,” said he, “our ways lie else-
“Yes, yes; I admit I cannot explain them.” where. Our next station must be the office from
“Was he in any want of money?” which the papers were taken.
“No; his needs were very simple and his salary “It was black enough before against this young
ample. He had saved a few hundreds, and we were man, but our inquiries make it blacker,” he re-
to marry at the New Year.” marked as the cab lumbered off. “His coming mar-
riage gives a motive for the crime. He naturally
“No signs of any mental excitement? Come,
wanted money. The idea was in his head, since he
Miss Westbury, be absolutely frank with us.”
spoke about it. He nearly made the girl an accom-
The quick eye of my companion had noted plice in the treason by telling her his plans. It is all
some change in her manner. She coloured and hes- very bad.”
itated. “But surely, Holmes, character goes for some-
“Yes,” she said at last, “I had a feeling that thing? Then, again, why should he leave the girl
there was something on his mind.” in the street and dart away to commit a felony?”
“For long?” “Exactly! There are certainly objections. But it
is a formidable case which they have to meet.”
“Only for the last week or so. He was thought-
ful and worried. Once I pressed him about it. He Mr. Sidney Johnson, the senior clerk, met us at
admitted that there was something, and that it was the office and received us with that respect which
concerned with his official life. ’It is too serious for my companion’s card always commanded. He was
me to speak about, even to you,’ said he. I could a thin, gruff, bespectacled man of middle age, his
get nothing more.” cheeks haggard, and his hands twitching from the
nervous strain to which he had been subjected.
Holmes looked grave.
“It is bad, Mr. Holmes, very bad! Have you
“Go on, Miss Westbury. Even if it seems to tell heard of the death of the chief?”
against him, go on. We cannot say what it may
“We have just come from his house.”
lead to.”
“The place is disorganized. The chief dead,
“Indeed, I have nothing more to tell. Once or Cadogan West dead, our papers stolen. And yet,
twice it seemed to me that he was on the point of when we closed our door on Monday evening, we
telling me something. He spoke one evening of the were as efficient an office as any in the government
importance of the secret, and I have some recollec- service. Good God, it’s dreadful to think of! That
tion that he said that no doubt foreign spies would West, of all men, should have done such a thing!”
pay a great deal to have it.”
“You are sure of his guilt, then?”
My friend’s face grew graver still. “I can see no other way out of it. And yet I
“Anything else?” would have trusted him as I trust myself.”
“He said that we were slack about such mat- “At what hour was the office closed on Mon-
ters—that it would be easy for a traitor to get the day?”
plans.” “At five.”

795
 The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans

“Did you close it?” “Do you mean to say that anyone holding these
“I am always the last man out.” three papers, and without the seven others, could
construct a Bruce-Partington submarine?”
“Where were the plans?”
“In that safe. I put them there myself.” “I reported to that effect to the Admiralty. But
to-day I have been over the drawings again, and I
“Is there no watchman to the building?” am not so sure of it. The double valves with the
“There is, but he has other departments to look automatic self-adjusting slots are drawn in one of
after as well. He is an old soldier and a most trust- the papers which have been returned. Until the
worthy man. He saw nothing that evening. Of foreigners had invented that for themselves they
course the fog was very thick.” could not make the boat. Of course they might
“Suppose that Cadogan West wished to make soon get over the difficulty.”
his way into the building after hours; he would “But the three missing drawings are the most
need three keys, would he not, before the could important?”
reach the papers?”
“Undoubtedly.”
“Yes, he would. The key of the outer door, the
“I think, with your permission, I will now take
key of the office, and the key of the safe.”
a stroll round the premises. I do not recall any
“Only Sir James Walter and you had those other question which I desired to ask.”
keys?”
He examined the lock of the safe, the door of
“I had no keys of the doors—only of the safe.” the room, and finally the iron shutters of the win-
“Was Sir James a man who was orderly in his dow. It was only when we were on the lawn out-
habits?” side that his interest was strongly excited. There
“Yes, I think he was. I know that so far as those was a laurel bush outside the window, and several
three keys are concerned he kept them on the same of the branches bore signs of having been twisted
ring. I have often seen them there.” or snapped. He examined them carefully with his
“And that ring went with him to London?” lens, and then some dim and vague marks upon
the earth beneath. Finally he asked the chief clerk
“He said so.”
to close the iron shutters, and he pointed out to
“And your key never left your possession?” me that they hardly met in the centre, and that it
“Never.” would be possible for anyone outside to see what
“Then West, if he is the culprit, must have had a was going on within the room.
duplicate. And yet none was found upon his body. “The indications are ruined by three days’ de-
One other point: if a clerk in this office desired to lay. They may mean something or nothing. Well,
sell the plans, would it not be simply to copy the Watson, I do not think that Woolwich can help us
plans for himself than to take the originals, as was further. It is a small crop which we have gathered.
actually done?” Let us see if we can do better in London.”
“It would take considerable technical knowl- Yet we added one more sheaf to our harvest
edge to copy the plans in an effective way.” before we left Woolwich Station. The clerk in the
“But I suppose either Sir James, or you, or West ticket office was able to say with confidence that
has that technical knowledge?” he saw Cadogan West—whom he knew well by
“No doubt we had, but I beg you won’t try to sight—upon the Monday night, and that he went
drag me into the matter, Mr. Holmes. What is the to London by the 8.15 to London Bridge. He was
use of our speculating in this way when the origi- alone and took a single third-class ticket. The clerk
nal plans were actually found on West?” was struck at the time by his excited and nervous
manner. So shaky was he that he could hardly pick
“Well, it is certainly singular that he should run up his change, and the clerk had helped him with
the risk of taking originals if he could safely have it. A reference to the timetable showed that the
taken copies, which would have equally served his 8.15 was the first train which it was possible for
turn.” West to take after he had left the lady about 7.30.
“Singular, no doubt—and yet he did so.”
“Let us reconstruct, Watson,” said Holmes after
“Every inquiry in this case reveals something half an hour of silence. “I am not aware that in all
inexplicable. Now there are three papers still miss- our joint researches we have ever had a case which
ing. They are, as I understand, the vital ones.” was more difficult to get at. Every fresh advance
“Yes, that is so.” which we make only reveals a fresh ridge beyond.

796
 The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans

And yet we have surely made some appreciable Gardens, Kensington. The latter was
progress. known to be in town on Monday and
“The effect of our inquiries at Woolwich has in is now reported as having left. Glad
the main been against young Cadogan West; but to hear you have seen some light. The
the indications at the window would lend them- Cabinet awaits your final report with
selves to a more favourable hypothesis. Let us sup- the utmost anxiety. Urgent representa-
pose, for example, that he had been approached tions have arrived from the very high-
by some foreign agent. It might have been done est quarter. The whole force of the State
under such pledges as would have prevented him is at your back if you should need it.
from speaking of it, and yet would have affected — Mycroft.
his thoughts in the direction indicated by his re- “I’m afraid,” said Holmes, smiling, “that all
marks to his fiancee. Very good. We will now sup- the queen’s horses and all the queen’s men can-
pose that as he went to the theatre with the young not avail in this matter.” He had spread out his
lady he suddenly, in the fog, caught a glimpse of big map of London and leaned eagerly over it.
this same agent going in the direction of the of- “Well, well,” said he presently with an exclama-
fice. He was an impetuous man, quick in his de- tion of satisfaction, “things are turning a little in
cisions. Everything gave way to his duty. He fol- our direction at last. Why, Watson, I do honestly
lowed the man, reached the window, saw the ab- believe that we are going to pull it off, after all.” He
straction of the documents, and pursued the thief. slapped me on the shoulder with a sudden burst
In this way we get over the objection that no one of hilarity. “I am going out now. It is only a recon-
would take originals when he could make copies. naissance. I will do nothing serious without my
This outsider had to take originals. So far it holds trusted comrade and biographer at my elbow. Do
together.” you stay here, and the odds are that you will see
“What is the next step?” me again in an hour or two. If time hangs heavy
get foolscap and a pen, and begin your narrative
“Then we come into difficulties. One would
of how we saved the State.”
imagine that under such circumstances the first act
of young Cadogan West would be to seize the vil- I felt some reflection of his elation in my own
lain and raise the alarm. Why did he not do so? mind, for I knew well that he would not depart
Could it have been an official superior who took so far from his usual austerity of demeanour un-
the papers? That would explain West’s conduct. less there was good cause for exultation. All the
Or could the chief have given West the slip in the long November evening I waited, filled with im-
fog, and West started at once to London to head patience for his return. At last, shortly after nine
him off from his own rooms, presuming that he o’clock, there arrived a messenger with a note:
knew where the rooms were? The call must have Am dining at Goldini’s Restaurant,
been very pressing, since he left his girl standing Gloucester Road, Kensington. Please
in the fog and made no effort to communicate with come at once and join me there. Bring
her. Our scent runs cold here, and there is a vast with you a jemmy, a dark lantern, a
gap between either hypothesis and the laying of chisel, and a revolver. — S.H.
West’s body, with seven papers in his pocket, on
It was a nice equipment for a respectable citi-
the roof of a Metropolitan train. My instinct now
zen to carry through the dim, fog-draped streets.
is to work form the other end. If Mycroft has given
I stowed them all discreetly away in my overcoat
us the list of addresses we may be able to pick our
and drove straight to the address given. There sat
man and follow two tracks instead of one.”
my friend at a little round table near the door of
Surely enough, a note awaited us at Baker the garish Italian restaurant.
Street. A government messenger had brought it
post-haste. Holmes glanced at it and threw it over “Have you had something to eat? Then join me
to me. in a coffee and curacao. Try one of the proprietor’s
cigars. They are less poisonous than one would ex-
There are numerous small fry, but few pect. Have you the tools?”
who would handle so big an affair.
The only men worth considering are “They are here, in my overcoat.”
Adolph Mayer, of 13 Great George “Excellent. Let me give you a short sketch of
Street, Westminster; Louis La Roth- what I have done, with some indication of what
iere, of Campden Mansions, Notting we are about to do. Now it must be evident to you,
Hill; and Hugo Oberstein, 13 Caulfield Watson, that this young man’s body was placed on

797
 The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans

the roof of the train. That was clear from the in- no reason to fear a warrant, and the idea of an am-
stant that I determined the fact that it was from the ateur domiciliary visit would certainly never occur
roof, and not from a carriage, that he had fallen.” to him. Yet that is precisely what we are about to
“Could it not have been dropped from a make.”
bridge?” “Could we not get a warrant and legalize it?”
“I should say it was impossible. If you exam- “Hardly on the evidence.”
ine the roofs you will find that they are slightly “What can we hope to do?”
rounded, and there is no railing round them. “We cannot tell what correspondence may be
Therefore, we can say for certain that young Cado- there.”
gan West was placed on it.” “I don’t like it, Holmes.”
“How could he be placed there?” “My dear fellow, you shall keep watch in the
“That was the question which we had to an- street. I’ll do the criminal part. It’s not a time to
swer. There is only one possible way. You are stick at trifles. Think of Mycroft’s note, of the Ad-
aware that the Underground runs clear of tunnels miralty, the Cabinet, the exalted person who waits
at some points in the West End. I had a vague for news. We are bound to go.”
memory that as I have travelled by it I have occa- My answer was to rise from the table.
sionally seen windows just above my head. Now,
“You are right, Holmes. We are bound to go.”
suppose that a train halted under such a window,
would there be any difficulty in laying a body He sprang up and shook me by the hand.
upon the roof?” “I knew you would not shrink at the last,” said
he, and for a moment I saw something in his eyes
“It seems most improbable.”
which was nearer to tenderness than I had ever
“We must fall back upon the old axiom that seen. The next instant he was his masterful, prac-
when all other contingencies fail, whatever re- tical self once more.
mains, however improbable, must be the truth.
“It is nearly half a mile, but there is no hurry.
Here all other contingencies have failed. When I
Let us walk,” said he. “Don’t drop the instru-
found that the leading international agent, who
ments, I beg. Your arrest as a suspicious character
had just left London, lived in a row of houses
would be a most unfortunate complication.”
which abutted upon the Underground, I was so
pleased that you were a little astonished at my Caulfield Gardens was one of those lines of
sudden frivolity.” flat-faced pillared, and porticoed houses which are
so prominent a product of the middle Victorian
“Oh, that was it, was it?” epoch in the West End of London. Next door there
“Yes, that was it. Mr. Hugo Oberstein, of 13 appeared to be a children’s party, for the merry
Caulfield Gardens, had become my objective. I buzz of young voices and the clatter of a piano
began my operations at Gloucester Road Station, resounded through the night. The fog still hung
where a very helpful official walked with me along about and screened us with its friendly shade.
the track and allowed me to satisfy myself not Holmes had lit his lantern and flashed it upon the
only that the back-stair windows of Caulfield Gar- massive door.
dens open on the line but the even more essential “This is a serious proposition,” said he. “It
fact that, owing to the intersection of one of the is certainly bolted as well as locked. We would
larger railways, the Underground trains are fre- do better in the area. There is an excellent arch-
quently held motionless for some minutes at that way down yonder in case a too zealous policeman
very spot.” should intrude. Give me a hand, Watson, and I’ll
“Splendid, Holmes! You have got it!” do the same for you.”
“So far—so far, Watson. We advance, but the A minute later we were both in the area.
goal is afar. Well, having seen the back of Caulfield Hardly had we reached the dark shadows before
Gardens, I visited the front and satisfied myself the step of the policeman was heard in the fog
that the bird was indeed flown. It is a considerable above. As its soft rhythm died away, Holmes set
house, unfurnished, so far as I could judge, in the to work upon the lower door. I saw him stoop and
upper rooms. Oberstein lived there with a single strain until with a sharp crash it flew open. We
valet, who was probably a confederate entirely in sprang through into the dark passage, closing the
his confidence. We must bear in mind that Ober- area door behind us. Holmes let the way up the
stein has gone to the Continent to dispose of his curving, uncarpeted stair. His little fan of yellow
booty, but not with any idea of flight; for he had light shone upon a low window.

798
 The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans

“Here we are, Watson—this must be the one.” chisel. Several rolls of paper were within, cov-
He threw it open, and as he did so there was a low, ered with figures and calculations, without any
harsh murmur, growing steadily into a loud roar note to show to what they referred. The recur-
as a train dashed past us in the darkness. Holmes ring words, “water pressure” and “pressure to the
swept his light along the window-sill. It was square inch” suggested some possible relation to
thickly coated with soot from the passing engines, a submarine. Holmes tossed them all impatiently
but the black surface was blurred and rubbed in aside. There only remained an envelope with some
places. small newspaper slips inside it. He shook them
out on the table, and at once I saw by his eager
“You can see where they rested the body. Hal-
face that his hopes had been raised.
loa, Watson! what is this? There can be no doubt
that it is a blood mark.” He was pointing to faint “What’s this, Watson? Eh? What’s this? Record
discolourations along the woodwork of the win- of a series of messages in the advertisements of
dow. “Here it is on the stone of the stair also. The a paper. Daily Telegraph agony column by the
demonstration is complete. Let us stay here until print and paper. Right-hand top corner of a page.
a train stops.” No dates—but messages arrange themselves. This
must be the first:
We had not long to wait. The very next train
roared from the tunnel as before, but slowed in the “Hoped to hear sooner. Terms agreed
open, and then, with a creaking of brakes, pulled to. Write fully to address given on card.
up immediately beneath us. It was not four feet — Pierrot.
from the window-ledge to the roof of the carriages. “Next comes:
Holmes softly closed the window. “Too complex for description. Must
“So far we are justified,” said he. “What do you have full report, Stuff awaits you when
think of it, Watson?” goods delivered. — Pierrot.
“A masterpiece. You have never risen to a “Then comes:
greater height.” “Matter presses. Must withdraw offer
unless contract completed. Make ap-
“I cannot agree with you there. From the mo-
pointment by letter. Will confirm by
ment that I conceived the idea of the body being
advertisement. — Pierrot.
upon the roof, which surely was not a very ab-
struse one, all the rest was inevitable. If it were “Finally:
not for the grave interests involved the affair up “Monday night after nine. Two taps.
to this point would be insignificant. Our difficul- Only ourselves. Do not be so suspi-
ties are still before us. But perhaps we may find cious. Payment in hard cash when
something here which may help us.” goods delivered. — Pierrot.
We had ascended the kitchen stair and entered “A fairly complete record, Watson! If we could
the suite of rooms upon the first floor. One was only get at the man at the other end!” He sat lost in
a dining-room, severely furnished and containing thought, tapping his fingers on the table. Finally
nothing of interest. A second was a bedroom, he sprang to his feet.
which also drew blank. The remaining room ap- “Well, perhaps it won’t be so difficult, after all.
peared more promising, and my companion set- There is nothing more to be done here, Watson. I
tled down to a systematic examination. It was lit- think we might drive round to the offices of the
tered with books and papers, and was evidently Daily Telegraph, and so bring a good day’s work
used as a study. Swiftly and methodically Holmes to a conclusion.”
turned over the contents of drawer after drawer
and cupboard after cupboard, but no gleam of suc- Mycroft Holmes and Lestrade had come round
cess came to brighten his austere face. At the end by appointment after breakfast next day and Sher-
of an hour he was no further than when he started. lock Holmes had recounted to them our proceed-
ings of the day before. The professional shook his
“The cunning dog has covered his tracks,” said head over our confessed burglary.
he. “He has left nothing to incriminate him. His
“We can’t do these things in the force, Mr.
dangerous correspondence has been destroyed or
Holmes,” said he. “No wonder you get results that
removed. This is our last chance.”
are beyond us. But some of these days you’ll go
It was a small tin cash-box which stood upon too far, and you’ll find yourself and your friend in
the writing-desk. Holmes pried it open with his trouble.”

799
 The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans

“For England, home and beauty—eh, Watson? “He is coming,” said he.
Martyrs on the altar of our country. But what do There had been a furtive step past the door.
you think of it, Mycroft?” Now it returned. We heard a shuffling sound out-
“Excellent, Sherlock! Admirable! But what use side, and then two sharp taps with the knocker.
will you make of it?” Holmes rose, motioning us to remain seated. The
gas in the hall was a mere point of light. He
Holmes picked up the Daily Telegraph which
opened the outer door, and then as a dark figure
lay upon the table.
slipped past him he closed and fastened it. “This
“Have you seen Pierrot’s advertisement to- way!” we heard him say, and a moment later our
day?” man stood before us. Holmes had followed him
“What? Another one?” closely, and as the man turned with a cry of sur-
prise and alarm he caught him by the collar and
“Yes, here it is:
threw him back into the room. Before our pris-
“To-night. Same hour. Same place. oner had recovered his balance the door was shut
Two taps. Most vitally important. Your and Holmes standing with his back against it. The
own safety at stake. — Pierrot. man glared round him, staggered, and fell sense-
“By George!” cried Lestrade. “If he answers less upon the floor. With the shock, his broad-
that we’ve got him!” brimmed hat flew from his head, his cravat slipped
sown from his lips, and there were the long light
“That was my idea when I put it in. I think if
beard and the soft, handsome delicate features of
you could both make it convenient to come with us
Colonel Valentine Walter.
about eight o’clock to Caulfield Gardens we might
possibly get a little nearer to a solution.” Holmes gave a whistle of surprise.
One of the most remarkable characteristics of “You can write me down an ass this time, Wat-
Sherlock Holmes was his power of throwing his son,” said he. “This was not the bird that I was
brain out of action and switching all his thoughts looking for.”
on to lighter things whenever he had convinced “Who is he?” asked Mycroft eagerly.
himself that he could no longer work to advan- “The younger brother of the late Sir James Wal-
tage. I remember that during the whole of that ter, the head of the Submarine Department. Yes,
memorable day he lost himself in a monograph yes; I see the fall of the cards. He is coming to.
which he had undertaken upon the Polyphonic I think that you had best leave his examination to
Motets of Lassus. For my own part I had none me.”
of this power of detachment, and the day, in con- We had carried the prostrate body to the sofa.
sequence, appeared to be interminable. The great Now our prisoner sat up, looked round him with
national importance of the issue, the suspense in a horror-stricken face, and passed his hand over
high quarters, the direct nature of the experiment his forehead, like one who cannot believe his own
which we were trying—all combined to work upon senses.
my nerve. It was a relief to me when at last, af-
ter a light dinner, we set out upon our expedition. “What is this?” he asked. “I came here to visit
Lestrade and Mycroft met us by appointment at Mr. Oberstein.”
the outside of Gloucester Road Station. The area “Everything is known, Colonel Walter,” said
door of Oberstein’s house had been left open the Holmes. “How an English gentleman could be-
night before, and it was necessary for me, as My- have in such a manner is beyond my comprehen-
croft Holmes absolutely and indignantly declined sion. But your whole correspondence and relations
to climb the railings, to pass in and open the hall with Oberstein are within our knowledge. So also
door. By nine o’clock we were all seated in the are the circumstances connected with the death of
study, waiting patently for our man. young Cadogan West. Let me advise you to gain
at least the small credit for repentance and con-
An hour passed and yet another. When eleven
fession, since there are still some details which we
struck, the measured beat of the great church clock
can only learn from your lips.”
seemed to sound the dirge of our hopes. Lestrade
and Mycroft were fidgeting in their seats and look- The man groaned and sank his face in his
ing twice a minute at their watches. Holmes sat hands. We waited, but he was silent.
silent and composed, his eyelids half shut, but ev- “I can assure you,” said Holmes, “that every es-
ery sense on the alert. He raised his head with a sential is already known. We know that you were
sudden jerk. pressed for money; that you took an impress of the

800
 The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans

keys which your brother held; and that you en- could see no other way out of it, so we did as he
tered into a correspondence with Oberstein, who suggested. We waited half an hour at the window
answered your letters through the advertisement before a train stopped. It was so thick that nothing
columns of the Daily Telegraph. We are aware that could be seen, and we had no difficulty in lower-
you went down to the office in the fog on Mon- ing West’s body on to the train. That was the end
day night, but that you were seen and followed of the matter so far as I was concerned.”
by young Cadogan West, who had probably some
previous reason to suspect you. He saw your theft, “And your brother?”
but could not give the alarm, as it was just possible
“He said nothing, but he had caught me once
that you were taking the papers to your brother in
with his keys, and I think that he suspected. I read
London. Leaving all his private concerns, like the
in his eyes that he suspected. As you know, he
good citizen that he was, he followed you closely
never held up his head again.”
in the fog and kept at your heels until you reached
this very house. There he intervened, and then it There was silence in the room. It was broken
was, Colonel Walter, that to treason you added the by Mycroft Holmes.
more terrible crime of murder.”
“Can you not make reparation? It would ease
“I did not! I did not! Before God I swear that I
your conscience, and possibly your punishment.”
did not!” cried our wretched prisoner.
“Tell us, then, how Cadogan West met his end “What reparation can I make?”
before you laid him upon the roof of a railway car-
riage.” “Where is Oberstein with the papers?”
“I will. I swear to you that I will. I did the “I do not know.”
rest. I confess it. It was just as you say. A Stock
Exchange debt had to be paid. I needed the money “Did he give you no address?”
badly. Oberstein offered me five thousand. It was
“He said that letters to the Hôtel du Louvre,
to save myself from ruin. But as to murder, I am
Paris, would eventually reach him.”
as innocent as you.”
“What happened, then?” “Then reparation is still within your power,”
“He had his suspicions before, and he followed said Sherlock Holmes.
me as you describe. I never knew it until I was “I will do anything I can. I owe this fellow no
at the very door. It was thick fog, and one could particular good-will. He has been my ruin and my
not see three yards. I had given two taps and Ober- downfall.”
stein had come to the door. The young man rushed
up and demanded to know what we were about to “Here are paper and pen. Sit at this desk and
do with the papers. Oberstein had a short life- write to my dictation. Direct the envelope to the
preserver. He always carried it with him. As West address given. That is right. Now the letter:
forced his way after us into the house Oberstein
struck him on the head. The blow was a fatal one. “Dear Sir:
He was dead within five minutes. There he lay “With regard to our transaction, you
in the hall, and we were at our wit’s end what to will no doubt have observed by now
do. Then Oberstein had this idea about the trains that one essential detail is missing. I
which halted under his back window. But first he have a tracing which will make it com-
examined the papers which I had brought. He said plete. This has involved me in extra
that three of them were essential, and that he must trouble, however, and I must ask you
keep them. ’You cannot keep them,’ said I. ’There for a further advance of five hundred
will be a dreadful row at Woolwich if they are not pounds. I will not trust it to the post,
returned.’ ’I must keep them,’ said he, ’for they nor will I take anything but gold or
are so technical that it is impossible in the time to notes. I would come to you abroad,
make copies.’ ’Then they must all go back together but it would excite remark if I left the
to-night,’ said I. He thought for a little, and then country at present. Therefore I shall ex-
he cried out that he had it. ’Three I will keep,’ pect to meet you in the smoking-room
said he. ’The others we will stuff into the pocket of the Charing Cross Hotel at noon on
of this young man. When he is found the whole Saturday. Remember that only English
business will assuredly be put to his account.’ I notes, or gold, will be taken.

801
 “That will do very well. I shall be very much Polyphonic Motets of Lassus, which has since been
surprised if it does not fetch our man.” printed for private circulation, and is said by ex-
And it did! It is a matter of history—that secret perts to be the last word upon the subject. Some
history of a nation which is often so much more weeks afterwards I learned incidentally that my
intimate and interesting than its public chroni- friend spent a day at Windsor, whence be returned
cles—that Oberstein, eager to complete the coup with a remarkably fine emerald tie-pin. When
of his lifetime, came to the lure and was safely en- I asked him if he had bought it, he answered
gulfed for fifteen years in a British prison. In his that it was a present from a certain gracious lady
trunk were found the invaluable Bruce-Partington in whose interests he had once been fortunate
plans, which he had put up for auction in all the enough to carry out a small commission. He said
naval centres of Europe. no more; but I fancy that I could guess at that
Colonel Walter died in prison towards the end lady’s august name, and I have little doubt that the
of the second year of his sentence. As to Holmes, emerald pin will forever recall to my friend’s mem-
he returned refreshed to his monograph upon the ory the adventure of the Bruce-Partington plans.
The Adventure of the Dying Detective
M
The Adventure of the Dying Detective

rs. Hudson, the landlady of Sherlock He was indeed a deplorable spectacle. In the
Holmes, was a long-suffering woman. dim light of a foggy November day the sick room
Not only was her first-floor flat invaded was a gloomy spot, but it was that gaunt, wasted
at all hours by throngs of singular and face staring at me from the bed which sent a chill
often undesirable characters but her remarkable to my heart. His eyes had the brightness of fever,
lodger showed an eccentricity and irregularity in there was a hectic flush upon either cheek, and
his life which must have sorely tried her patience. dark crusts clung to his lips; the thin hands upon
His incredible untidiness, his addiction to music the coverlet twitched incessantly, his voice was
at strange hours, his occasional revolver practice croaking and spasmodic. He lay listlessly as I
within doors, his weird and often malodorous sci- entered the room, but the sight of me brought a
entific experiments, and the atmosphere of vio- gleam of recognition to his eyes.
lence and danger which hung around him made “Well, Watson, we seem to have fallen upon
him the very worst tenant in London. On the other evil days,” said he in a feeble voice, but with some-
hand, his payments were princely. I have no doubt thing of his old carelessness of manner.
that the house might have been purchased at the “My dear fellow!” I cried, approaching him.
price which Holmes paid for his rooms during the “Stand back! Stand right back!” said he with
years that I was with him. the sharp imperiousness which I had associated
The landlady stood in the deepest awe of him only with moments of crisis. “If you approach me,
and never dared to interfere with him, however Watson, I shall order you out of the house.”
outrageous his proceedings might seem. She was “But why?”
fond of him, too, for he had a remarkable gentle- “Because it is my desire. Is that not enough?”
ness and courtesy in his dealings with women. He Yes, Mrs. Hudson was right. He was more mas-
disliked and distrusted the sex, but he was always terful than ever. It was pitiful, however, to see his
a chivalrous opponent. Knowing how genuine was exhaustion.
her regard for him, I listened earnestly to her story
“I only wished to help,” I explained.
when she came to my rooms in the second year of
my married life and told me of the sad condition “Exactly! You will help best by doing what you
to which my poor friend was reduced. are told.”
“Certainly, Holmes.”
“He’s dying, Dr. Watson,” said she. “For three
He relaxed the austerity of his manner.
days he has been sinking, and I doubt if he will
last the day. He would not let me get a doctor. “You are not angry?” he asked, gasping for
This morning when I saw his bones sticking out breath.
of his face and his great bright eyes looking at me Poor devil, how could I be angry when I saw
I could stand no more of it. ‘With your leave or him lying in such a plight before me?
without it, Mr. Holmes, I am going for a doctor “It’s for your own sake, Watson,” he croaked.
this very hour,’ said I. ‘Let it be Watson, then,’ said “For my sake?”
he. I wouldn’t waste an hour in coming to him, sir, “I know what is the matter with me. It is
or you may not see him alive.” a coolie disease from Sumatra—a thing that the
I was horrified for I had heard nothing of his Dutch know more about than we, though they
illness. I need not say that I rushed for my coat have made little of it up to date. One thing only
and my hat. As we drove back I asked for the de- is certain. It is infallibly deadly, and it is horribly
tails. contagious.”
He spoke now with a feverish energy, the long
“There is little I can tell you, sir. He has been
hands twitching and jerking as he motioned me
working at a case down at Rotherhithe, in an alley
away.
near the river, and he has brought this illness back
“Contagious by touch, Watson—that’s it, by
with him. He took to his bed on Wednesday after-
touch. Keep your distance and all is well.”
noon and has never moved since. For these three
days neither food nor drink has passed his lips.” “Good heavens, Holmes! Do you suppose that
such a consideration weighs with me of an instant?
“Good God! Why did you not call in a doctor?” It would not affect me in the case of a stranger. Do
“He wouldn’t have it, sir. You know how mas- you imagine it would prevent me from doing my
terful he is. I didn’t dare to disobey him. But he’s duty to so old a friend?”
not long for this world, as you’ll see for yourself Again I advanced, but he repulsed me with a
the moment that you set eyes on him.” look of furious anger.

805
 The Adventure of the Dying Detective

“If you will stand there I will talk. If you do Never have I had such a shock! In an instant,
not you must leave the room.” with a tiger-spring, the dying man had intercepted
I have so deep a respect for the extraordi- me. I heard the sharp snap of a twisted key. The
nary qualities of Holmes that I have always de- next moment he had staggered back to his bed,
ferred to his wishes, even when I least understood exhausted and panting after his one tremendous
them. But now all my professional instincts were outflame of energy.
aroused. Let him be my master elsewhere, I at “You won’t take the key from be by force, Wat-
least was his in a sick room. son, I’ve got you, my friend. Here you are, and
“Holmes,” said I, “you are not yourself. A sick here you will stay until I will otherwise. But I’ll
man is but a child, and so I will treat you. Whether humour you.” (All this in little gasps, with terrible
you like it or not, I will examine your symptoms struggles for breath between.) “You’ve only my
and treat you for them.” own good at heart. Of course I know that very
well. You shall have your way, but give me time to
He looked at me with venomous eyes. get my strength. Not now, Watson, not now. It’s
“If I am to have a doctor whether I will or not, four o’clock. At six you can go.”
let me at least have someone in whom I have con- “This is insanity, Holmes.”
fidence,” said he.
“Only two hours, Watson. I promise you will
“Then you have none in me?” go at six. Are you content to wait?”
“In your friendship, certainly. But facts are “I seem to have no choice.”
facts, Watson, and, after all, you are only a gen-
eral practitioner with very limited experience and “None in the world, Watson. Thank you, I need
mediocre qualifications. It is painful to have to say no help in arranging the clothes. You will please
these things, but you leave me no choice.” keep your distance. Now, Watson, there is one
other condition that I would make. You will seek
I was bitterly hurt. help, not from the man you mention, but from the
“Such a remark is unworthy of you, Holmes. one that I choose.”
It shows me very clearly the state of your own “By all means.”
nerves. But if you have no confidence in me I
would not intrude my services. Let me bring Sir “The first three sensible words that you have
Jasper Meek or Penrose Fisher, or any of the best uttered since you entered this room, Watson. You
men in London. But someone you must have, and will find some books over there. I am somewhat
that is final. If you think that I am going to stand exhausted; I wonder how a battery feels when it
here and see you die without either helping you pours electricity into a non-conductor? At six,
myself or bringing anyone else to help you, then Watson, we resume our conversation.”
you have mistaken your man.” But it was destined to be resumed long before
“You mean well, Watson,” said the sick man that hour, and in circumstances which gave me a
with something between a sob and a groan. “Shall shock hardly second to that caused by his spring
I demonstrate your own ignorance? What do you to the door. I had stood for some minutes look-
know, pray, of Tapanuli fever? What do you know ing at the silent figure in the bed. His face was
of the black Formosa corruption?” almost covered by the clothes and he appeared to
be asleep. Then, unable to settle down to read-
“I have never heard of either.” ing, I walked slowly round the room, examining
“There are many problems of disease, many the pictures of celebrated criminals with which
strange pathological possibilities, in the East, Wat- every wall was adorned. Finally, in my aimless
son.” He paused after each sentence to collect his perambulation, I came to the mantelpiece. A lit-
failing strength. “I have learned so much dur- ter of pipes, tobacco-pouches, syringes, penknives,
ing some recent researches which have a medico- revolver-cartridges, and other debris was scattered
criminal aspect. It was in the course of them that I over it. In the midst of these was a small black
contracted this complaint. You can do nothing.” and white ivory box with a sliding lid. It was a
“Possibly not. But I happen to know that Dr. neat little thing, and I had stretched out my hand
Ainstree, the greatest living authority upon trop- to examine it more closely when—
ical disease, is now in London. All remonstrance It was a dreadful cry that he gave—a yell which
is useless, Holmes, I am going this instant to fetch might have been heard down the street. My skin
him.” I turned resolutely to the door. went cold and my hair bristled at that horrible

806
 The Adventure of the Dying Detective

scream. As I turned I caught a glimpse of a con- him. However, he was as eager now to consult the
vulsed face and frantic eyes. I stood paralyzed, person named as he had been obstinate in refus-
with the little box in my hand. ing.
“Put it down! Down, this instant, Watson—this “I never heard the name,” said I.
instant, I say!” His head sank back upon the pil- “Possibly not, my good Watson. It may sur-
low and he gave a deep sigh of relief as I replaced prise you to know that the man upon earth who
the box upon the mantelpiece. “I hate to have is best versed in this disease is not a medical man,
my things touched, Watson. You know that I hate but a planter. Mr. Culverton Smith is a well-known
it. You fidget me beyond endurance. You, a doc- resident of Sumatra, now visiting London. An out-
tor—you are enough to drive a patient into an asy- break of the disease upon his plantation, which
lum. Sit down, man, and let me have my rest!” was distant from medical aid, caused him to study
The incident left a most unpleasant impression it himself, with some rather far-reaching conse-
upon my mind. The violent and causeless excite- quences. He is a very methodical person, and I
ment, followed by this brutality of speech, so far did not desire you to start before six, because I
removed from his usual suavity, showed me how was well aware that you would not find him in his
deep was the disorganization of his mind. Of all study. If you could persuade him to come here
ruins, that of a noble mind is the most deplorable. and give us the benefit of his unique experience
I sat in silent dejection until the stipulated time of this disease, the investigation of which has been
had passed. He seemed to have been watching the his dearest hobby, I cannot doubt that he could
clock as well as I, for it was hardly six before he help me.”
began to talk with the same feverish animation as I gave Holmes’s remarks as a consecutive
before. whole and will not attempt to indicate how they
“Now, Watson,” said he. “Have you any were interrupted by gaspings for breath and those
change in your pocket?” clutchings of his hands which indicated the pain
“Yes.” from which he was suffering. His appearance had
changed for the worse during the few hours that I
“Any silver?”
had been with him. Those hectic spots were more
“A good deal.” pronounced, the eyes shone more brightly out of
“How many half-crowns?” darker hollows, and a cold sweat glimmered upon
“I have five.” his brow. He still retained, however, the jaunty
gallantry of his speech. To the last gasp he would
“Ah, too few! Too few! How very unfortunate, always be the master.
Watson! However, such as they are you can put
them in your watchpocket. And all the rest of your “You will tell him exactly how you have left
money in your left trouser pocket. Thank you. It me,” said he. “You will convey the very impres-
will balance you so much better like that.” sion which is in your own mind—a dying man—a
dying and delirious man. Indeed, I cannot think
This was raving insanity. He shuddered, and why the whole bed of the ocean is not one solid
again made a sound between a cough and a sob. mass of oysters, so prolific the creatures seem. Ah,
“You will now light the gas, Watson, but you I am wondering! Strange how the brain controls
will be very careful that not for one instant shall the brain! What was I saying, Watson?”
it be more than half on. I implore you to be care- “My directions for Mr. Culverton Smith.”
ful, Watson. Thank you, that is excellent. No, you
need not draw the blind. Now you will have the “Ah, yes, I remember. My life depends upon it.
kindness to place some letters and papers upon Plead with him, Watson. There is no good feeling
this table within my reach. Thank you. Now some between us. His nephew, Watson—I had suspi-
of that litter from the mantelpiece. Excellent, Wat- cions of foul play and I allowed him to see it. The
son! There is a sugar-tongs there. Kindly raise boy died horribly. He has a grudge against me.
that small ivory box with its assistance. Place it You will soften him, Watson. Beg him, pray him,
here among the papers. Good! You can now go get him here by any means. He can save me—only
and fetch Mr. Culverton Smith, of 13 Lower Burke he!”
Street.” “I will bring him in a cab, if I have to carry him
To tell the truth, my desire to fetch a doctor had down to it.”
somewhat weakened, for poor Holmes was so ob- “You will do nothing of the sort. You will per-
viously delirious that it seemed dangerous to leave suade him to come. And then you will return in

807
 The Adventure of the Dying Detective

front of him. Make any excuse so as not to come “Well, well, give him that message. He can
with him. Don’t forget, Watson. You won’t fail me. come in the morning, or he can stay away. My
You never did fail me. No doubt there are natural work must not be hindered.”
enemies which limit the increase of the creatures. I thought of Holmes tossing upon his bed of
You and I, Watson, we have done our part. Shall sickness and counting the minutes, perhaps, un-
the world, then, be overrun by oysters? No, no; til I could bring help to him. It was not a time
horrible! You’ll convey all that is in your mind.” to stand upon ceremony. His life depended upon
I left him full of the image of this magnifi- my promptness. Before the apologetic butler had
cent intellect babbling like a foolish child. He had delivered his message I had pushed past him and
handed me the key, and with a happy thought I was in the room.
took it with me lest he should lock himself in. Mrs. With a shrill cry of anger a man rose from a
Hudson was waiting, trembling and weeping, in reclining chair beside the fire. I saw a great yel-
the passage. Behind me as I passed from the flat I low face, coarse-grained and greasy, with heavy,
heard Holmes’s high, thin voice in some delirious double-chin, and two sullen, menacing gray eyes
chant. Below, as I stood whistling for a cab, a man which glared at me from under tufted and sandy
came on me through the fog. brows. A high bald head had a small velvet
“How is Mr. Holmes, sir?” he asked. smoking-cap poised coquettishly upon one side of
It was an old acquaintance, Inspector Morton, its pink curve. The skull was of enormous capac-
of Scotland Yard, dressed in unofficial tweeds. ity, and yet as I looked down I saw to my amaze-
ment that the figure of the man was small and frail,
“He is very ill,” I answered. twisted in the shoulders and back like one who has
He looked at me in a most singular fashion. suffered from rickets in his childhood.
Had it not been too fiendish, I could have imag- “What’s this?” he cried in a high, screaming
ined that the gleam of the fanlight showed exulta- voice. “What is the meaning of this intrusion?
tion in his face. Didn’t I send you word that I would see you to-
“I heard some rumour of it,” said he. morrow morning?”
The cab had driven up, and I left him. “I am sorry,” said I, “but the matter cannot be
Lower Burke Street proved to be a line of fine delayed. Mr. Sherlock Holmes—”
houses lying in the vague borderland between The mention of my friend’s name had an ex-
Notting Hill and Kensington. The particular one traordinary effect upon the little man. The look
at which my cabman pulled up had an air of smug of anger passed in an instant from his face. His
and demure respectability in its old-fashioned iron features became tense and alert.
railings, its massive folding-door, and its shining “Have you come from Holmes?” he asked.
brasswork. All was in keeping with a solemn but-
ler who appeared framed in the pink radiance of a “I have just left him.”
tinted electrical light behind him. “What about Holmes? How is he?”
“Yes, Mr. Culverton Smith is in. Dr. Watson! “He is desperately ill. That is why I have
Very good, sir, I will take up your card.” come.”
My humble name and title did not appear to The man motioned me to a chair, and turned to
impress Mr. Culverton Smith. Through the half- resume his own. As he did so I caught a glimpse
open door I heard a high, petulant, penetrating of his face in the mirror over the mantelpiece. I
voice. could have sworn that it was set in a malicious and
“Who is this person? What does he want? Dear abominable smile. Yet I persuaded myself that it
me, Staples, how often have I said that I am not to must have been some nervous contraction which I
be disturbed in my hours of study?” had surprised, for he turned to me an instant later
with genuine concern upon his features.
There came a gentle flow of soothing explana-
tion from the butler. “I am sorry to hear this,” said he. “I only
know Mr. Holmes through some business dealings
“Well, I won’t see him, Staples. I can’t have my which we have had, but I have every respect for
work interrupted like this. I am not at home. Say his talents and his character. He is an amateur of
so. Tell him to come in the morning if he really crime, as I am of disease. For him the villain, for
must see me.” me the microbe. There are my prisons,” he con-
Again the gentle murmur. tinued, pointing to a row of bottles and jars which

808
 The Adventure of the Dying Detective

stood upon a side table. ”Among those gelatine “That would never do, Watson. That would be
cultivations some of the very worst offenders in obviously impossible. Did he ask what ailed me?”
the world are now doing time.” “I told him about the Chinese in the East End.”
“It was on account of your special knowledge “Exactly! Well, Watson, you have done all that
that Mr. Holmes desired to see you. He has a high a good friend could. You can now disappear from
opinion of you and thought that you were the one the scene.”
man in London who could help him.”
“I must wait and hear his opinion, Holmes.”
The little man started, and the jaunty smoking-
cap slid to the floor. “Of course you must. But I have reasons to
suppose that this opinion would be very much
“Why?” he asked. “Why should Mr. Homes more frank and valuable if he imagines that we
think that I could help him in his trouble?” are alone. There is just room behind the head of
“Because of your knowledge of Eastern dis- my bed, Watson.”
eases.” “My dear Holmes!”
“But why should he think that this disease “I fear there is no alternative, Watson. The
which he has contracted is Eastern?” room does not lend itself to concealment, which
“Because, in some professional inquiry, he has is as well, as it is the less likely to arouse suspi-
been working among Chinese sailors down in the cion. But just there, Watson, I fancy that it could
docks.” be done.” Suddenly he sat up with a rigid intent-
Mr. Culverton Smith smiled pleasantly and ness upon his haggard face. “There are the wheels,
picked up his smoking-cap. Watson. Quick, man, if you love me! And don’t
budge, whatever happens—whatever happens, do
“Oh, that’s it—is it?” said he. “I trust the mat- you hear? Don’t speak! Don’t move! Just listen
ter is not so grave as you suppose. How long has with all your ears.” Then in an instant his sud-
he been ill?” den access of strength departed, and his masterful,
“About three days.” purposeful talk droned away into the low, vague
“Is he delirious?” murmurings of a semi-delirious man.
“Occasionally.” From the hiding-place into which I had been
so swiftly hustled I heard the footfalls upon the
“Tut, tut! This sounds serious. It would be in- stair, with the opening and the closing of the bed-
human not to answer his call. I very much resent room door. Then, to my surprise, there came a
any interruption to my work, Dr. Watson, but this long silence, broken only by the heavy breathings
case is certainly exceptional. I will come with you and gaspings of the sick man. I could imagine that
at once.” our visitor was standing by the bedside and look-
I remembered Holmes’s injunction. ing down at the sufferer. At last that strange hush
“I have another appointment,” said I. was broken.
“Very good. I will go alone. I have a note of “Holmes!” he cried. “Holmes!” in the insistent
Mr. Holmes’s address. You can rely upon my be- tone of one who awakens a sleeper. ”Can’t you
ing there within half an hour at most.” hear me, Holmes?” There was a rustling, as if he
had shaken the sick man roughly by the shoulder.
It was with a sinking heart that I reentered
Holmes’s bedroom. For all that I knew the worst “Is that you, Mr. Smith?” Holmes whispered.
might have happened in my absence. To my enor- “I hardly dared hope that you would come.”
mous relief, he had improved greatly in the inter- The other laughed.
val. His appearance was as ghastly as ever, but all “I should imagine not,” he said. “And yet, you
trace of delirium had left him and he spoke in a see, I am here. Coals of fire, Holmes—coals of
feeble voice, it is true, but with even more than his fire!”
usual crispness and lucidity.
“It is very good of you—very noble of you. I
“Well, did you see him, Watson?” appreciate your special knowledge.”
“Yes; he is coming.” Our visitor sniggered.
“Admirable, Watson! Admirable! You are the “You do. You are, fortunately, the only man
best of messengers.” in London who does. Do you know what is the
“He wished to return with me.” matter with you?”

809
 The Adventure of the Dying Detective

“The same,” said Holmes. cast your mind back, Holmes. Can you think of no
“Ah! You recognize the symptoms?” other way you could have got this thing?”

“Only too well.” “I can’t think. My mind is gone. For heaven’s

sake help me!”
“Well, I shouldn’t be surprised, Holmes. I
“Yes, I will help you. I’ll help you to under-
shouldn’t be surprised if it were the same. A bad
stand just where you are and how you got there.
lookout for you if it is. Poor Victor was a dead man
I’d like you to know before you die.”
on the fourth day—a strong, hearty young fellow.
It was certainly, as you said, very surprising that “Give me something to ease my pain.”
he should have contracted and out-of-the-way Asi- “Painful, is it? Yes, the coolies used to do some
atic disease in the heart of London—a disease, too, squealing towards the end. Takes you as cramp, I
of which I had made such a very special study. fancy.”
Singular coincidence, Holmes. Very smart of you “Yes, yes; it is cramp.”
to notice it, but rather uncharitable to suggest that
it was cause and effect.” “Well, you can hear what I say, anyhow. Listen
now! Can you remember any unusual incident in
“I knew that you did it.” your life just about the time your symptoms be-
“Oh, you did, did you? Well, you couldn’t gan?”
prove it, anyhow. But what do you think of your- “No, no; nothing.”
self spreading reports about me like that, and then
“Think again.”
crawling to me for help the moment you are in
trouble? What sort of a game is that—eh?” “I’m too ill to think.”
I heard the rasping, laboured breathing of the “Well, then, I’ll help you. Did anything come
sick man. “Give me the water!” he gasped. by post?”
“You’re precious near your end, my friend, but “By post?”
I don’t want you to go till I have had a word with “A box by chance?”
you. That’s why I give you water. There, don’t “I’m fainting—I’m gone!”
slop it about! That’s right. Can you understand
“Listen, Holmes!” There was a sound as if he
what I say?”
was shaking the dying man, and it was all that I
Holmes groaned. could do to hold myself quiet in my hiding-place.
“Do what you can for me. Let bygones be by- “You must hear me. You shall hear me. Do you re-
gones,” he whispered. “I’ll put the words out of member a box—an ivory box? It came on Wednes-
my head—I swear I will. Only cure me, and I’ll day. You opened it—do you remember?”
forget it.” “Yes, yes, I opened it. There was a sharp spring
“Forget what?” inside it. Some joke—”
“Well, about Victor Savage’s death. You as “It was no joke, as you will find to your cost.
good as admitted just now that you had done it. You fool, you would have it and you have got it.
I’ll forget it.” Who asked you to cross my path? If you had left
me alone I would not have hurt you.”
“You can forget it or remember it, just as you
“I remember,” Holmes gasped. “The spring! It
like. I don’t see you in the witnessbox. Quite an-
drew blood. This box—this on the table.”
other shaped box, my good Holmes, I assure you.
It matters nothing to me that you should know “The very one, by George! And it may as well
how my nephew died. It’s not him we are talk- leave the room in my pocket. There goes your last
ing about. It’s you.” shred of evidence. But you have the truth now,
Holmes, and you can die with the knowledge that
“Yes, yes.”
I killed you. You knew too much of the fate of Vic-
“The fellow who came for me—I’ve forgotten tor Savage, so I have sent you to share it. You are
his name—said that you contracted it down in the very near your end, Holmes. I will sit here and I
East End among the sailors.” will watch you die.”
“I could only account for it so.” Holmes’s voice had sunk to an almost inaudi-
“You are proud of your brains, Holmes, are you ble whisper.
not? Think yourself smart, don’t you? You came “What is that?” said Smith. “Turn up the gas?
across someone who was smarter this time. Now Ah, the shadows begin to fall, do they? Yes, I

810
 The Adventure of the Dying Detective

will turn it up, that I may see you the better.” He “Good heavens!” cried Holmes. “I had totally
crossed the room and the light suddenly bright- forgotten him. My dear Watson, I owe you a
ened. ”Is there any other little service that I can do thousand apologies. To think that I should have
you, my friend?” overlooked you! I need not introduce you to Mr.
“A match and a cigarette.” Culverton Smith, since I understand that you met
somewhat earlier in the evening. Have you the cab
I nearly called out in my joy and my amaze- below? I will follow you when I am dressed, for I
ment. He was speaking in his natural voice—a lit- may be of some use at the station.
tle weak, perhaps, but the very voice I knew. There
“I never needed it more,” said Holmes as he
was a long pause, and I felt that Culverton Smith
refreshed himself with a glass of claret and some
was standing in silent amazement looking down
biscuits in the intervals of his toilet. “However, as
at his companion.
you know, my habits are irregular, and such a feat
“What’s the meaning of this?” I heard him say means less to me than to most men. It was very
at last in a dry, rasping tone. essential that I should impress Mrs. Hudson with
“The best way of successfully acting a part is to the reality of my condition, since she was to con-
be it,” said Holmes. “I give you my word that for vey it to you, and you in turn to him. You won’t
three days I have tasted neither food nor drink un- be offended, Watson? You will realize that among
til you were good enough to pour me out that glass your many talents dissimulation finds no place,
of water. But it is the tobacco which I find most and that if you had shared my secret you would
irksome. Ah, here are some cigarettes.” I heard never have been able to impress Smith with the ur-
the striking of a match. ”That is very much better. gent necessity of his presence, which was the vital
Halloa! halloa! Do I hear the step of a friend?” point of the whole scheme. Knowing his vindic-
tive nature, I was perfectly certain that he would
There were footfalls outside, the door opened,
come to look upon his handiwork.”
and Inspector Morton appeared.
“But your appearance, Holmes—your ghastly
“All is in order and this is your man,” said face?”
Holmes.
“Three days of absolute fast does not improve
The officer gave the usual cautions. one’s beauty, Watson. For the rest, there is nothing
“I arrest you on the charge of the murder of which a sponge may not cure. With vaseline upon
one Victor Savage,” he concluded. one’s forehead, belladonna in one’s eyes, rouge
over the cheek-bones, and crusts of beeswax round
“And you might add of the attempted mur-
one’s lips, a very satisfying effect can be produced.
der of one Sherlock Holmes,” remarked my friend
Malingering is a subject upon which I have some-
with a chuckle. “To save an invalid trouble, Inspec-
times thought of writing a monograph. A little
tor, Mr. Culverton Smith was good enough to give
occasional talk about half-crowns, oysters, or any
our signal by turning up the gas. By the way, the
other extraneous subject produces a pleasing effect
prisoner has a small box in the right-hand pocket
of delirium.”
of his coat which it would be as well to remove.
Thank you. I would handle it gingerly if I were “But why would you not let me near you, since
you. Put it down here. It may play its part in the there was in truth no infection?”
trial.” “Can you ask, my dear Watson? Do you imag-
There was a sudden rush and a scuffle, fol- ine that I have no respect for your medical talents?
lowed by the clash of iron and a cry of pain. Could I fancy that your astute judgment would
pass a dying man who, however weak, had no rise
“You’ll only get yourself hurt,” said the inspec- of pulse or temperature? At four yards, I could
tor. “Stand still, will you?” There was the click of deceive you. If I failed to do so, who would bring
the closing handcuffs. my Smith within my grasp? No, Watson, I would
“A nice trap!” cried the high, snarling voice. “It not touch that box. You can just see if you look at
will bring you into the dock, Holmes, not me. He it sideways where the sharp spring like a viper’s
asked me to come here to cure him. I was sorry tooth emerges as you open it. I dare say it was
for him and I came. Now he will pretend, no by some such device that poor Savage, who stood
doubt, that I have said anything which he may in- between this monster and a reversion, was done
vent which will corroborate his insane suspicions. to death. My correspondence, however, is, as you
You can lie as you like, Holmes. My word is al- know, a varied one, and I am somewhat upon my
ways as good as yours.” guard against any packages which reach me. It

811
was clear to me, however, that by pretending that you, Watson, you must help me on with my coat.
he had really succeeded in his design I might sur- When we have finished at the police-station I think
prise a confession. That pretence I have carried that something nutritious at Simpson’s would not
out with the thoroughness of the true artist. Thank be out of place.”
The Disappearance of Lady Frances
Carfax
B
The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax

ut why Turkish?” asked Mr. Sherlock “You say that you have had it because you need
Holmes, gazing fixedly at my boots. I a change. Let me suggest that you take one. How
was reclining in a cane-backed chair at would Lausanne do, my dear Watson—first-class
the moment, and my protruded feet had tickets and all expenses paid on a princely scale?”
attracted his ever-active attention. “Splendid! But why?”
“English,” I answered in some surprise. “I got Holmes leaned back in his armchair and took
them at Latimer’s, in Oxford Street.” his notebook from his pocket.
Holmes smiled with an expression of weary pa- “One of the most dangerous classes in the
tience. world,” said he, “is the drifting and friendless
“The bath!” he said; “the bath! Why the relax- woman. She is the most harmless and often the
ing and expensive Turkish rather than the invigo- most useful of mortals, but she is the inevitable in-
rating home-made article?” citer of crime in others. She is helpless. She is mi-
“Because for the last few days I have been feel- gratory. She has sufficient means to take her from
ing rheumatic and old. A Turkish bath is what country to country and from hotel to hotel. She
we call an alterative in medicine—a fresh starting- is lost, as often as not, in a maze of obscure pen-
point, a cleanser of the system. sions and boardinghouses. She is a stray chicken
in a world of foxes. When she is gobbled up she
“By the way, Holmes,” I added, “I have no
is hardly missed. I much fear that some evil has
doubt the connection between my boots and a
come to the Lady Frances Carfax.”
Turkish bath is a perfectly self-evident one to a
logical mind, and yet I should be obliged to you I was relieved at this sudden descent from the
if you would indicate it.” general to the particular. Holmes consulted his
notes.
“The train of reasoning is not very obscure,
Watson,” said Holmes with a mischievous twinkle. “Lady Frances,” he continued, “is the sole sur-
“It belongs to the same elementary class of deduc- vivor of the direct family of the late Earl of Rufton.
tion which I should illustrate if I were to ask you The estates went, as you may remember, in the
who shared your cab in your drive this morning.” male line. She was left with limited means, but
with some very remarkable old Spanish jewellery
“I don’t admit that a fresh illustration is an ex-
of silver and curiously cut diamonds to which she
planation,” said I with some asperity.
was fondly attached—too attached, for she refused
“Bravo, Watson! A very dignified and logical to leave them with her banker and always car-
remonstrance. Let me see, what were the points? ried them about with her. A rather pathetic fig-
Take the last one first—the cab. You observe that ure, the Lady Frances, a beautiful woman, still in
you have some splashes on the left sleeve and fresh middle age, and yet, by a strange change, the
shoulder of your coat. Had you sat in the cen- last derelict of what only twenty years ago was a
tre of a hansom you would probably have had no goodly fleet.”
splashes, and if you had they would certainly have
“What has happened to her, then?”
been symmetrical. Therefore it is clear that you sat
at the side. Therefore it is equally clear that you “Ah, what has happened to the Lady Frances?
had a companion.” Is she alive or dead? There is our problem. She
is a lady of precise habits, and for four years it
“That is very evident.”
has been her invariable custom to write every sec-
“Absurdly commonplace, is it not?” ond week to Miss Dobney, her old governess, who
“But the boots and the bath?” has long retired and lives in Camberwell. It is this
“Equally childish. You are in the habit of doing Miss Dobney who has consulted me. Nearly five
up your boots in a certain way. I see them on this weeks have passed without a word. The last letter
occasion fastened with an elaborate double bow, was from the Hotel National at Lausanne. Lady
which is not your usual method of tying them. You Frances seems to have left there and given no ad-
have, therefore, had them off. Who has tied them? dress. The family are anxious, and as they are ex-
A bootmaker—or the boy at the bath. It is unlikely ceedingly wealthy no sum will be spared if we can
that it is the bootmaker, since your boots are nearly clear the matter up.”
new. Well, what remains? The bath. Absurd, is it “Is Miss Dobney the only source of informa-
not? But, for all that, the Turkish bath has served tion? Surely she had other correspondents?”
a purpose.” “There is one correspondent who is a sure
“What is that?” draw, Watson. That is the bank. Single ladies must

815
 The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax

live, and their passbooks are compressed diaries. to believe that she intended to remain for the sea-
She banks at Silvester’s. I have glanced over her son in her luxurious rooms overlooking the lake.
account. The last check but one paid her bill at And yet she had left at a single day’s notice, which
Lausanne, but it was a large one and probably left involved her in the useless payment of a week’s
her with cash in hand. Only one check has been rent. Only Jules Vibart, the lover of the maid, had
drawn since.” any suggestion to offer. He connected the sud-
den departure with the visit to the hotel a day
“To whom, and where?”
or two before of a tall, dark, bearded man. “Un
“To Miss Marie Devine. There is nothing to sauvage—un véritable sauvage!” cried Jules Vibart.
show where the check was drawn. It was cashed at The man had rooms somewhere in the town. He
the Credit Lyonnais at Montpellier less than three had been seen talking earnestly to Madame on the
weeks ago. The sum was fifty pounds.” promenade by the lake. Then he had called. She
“And who is Miss Marie Devine?” had refused to see him. He was English, but of his
name there was no record. Madame had left the
“That also I have been able to discover. Miss place immediately afterwards. Jules Vibart, and,
Marie Devine was the maid of Lady Frances Car- what was of more importance, Jules Vibart’s sweet-
fax. Why she should have paid her this check we heart, thought that this call and the departure were
have not yet determined. I have no doubt, how- cause and effect. Only one thing Jules would not
ever, that your researches will soon clear the mat- discuss. That was the reason why Marie had left
ter up.” her mistress. Of that he could or would say noth-
“My researches!” ing. If I wished to know, I must go to Montpellier
and ask her.
“Hence the health-giving expedition to Lau-
sanne. You know that I cannot possibly leave Lon- So ended the first chapter of my inquiry. The
don while old Abrahams is in such mortal terror of second was devoted to the place which Lady
his life. Besides, on general principles it is best that Frances Carfax had sought when she left Lau-
I should not leave the country. Scotland Yard feels sanne. Concerning this there had been some se-
lonely without me, and it causes an unhealthy ex- crecy, which confirmed the idea that she had gone
citement among the criminal classes. Go, then, my with the intention of throwing someone off her
dear Watson, and if my humble counsel can ever track. Otherwise why should not her luggage have
be valued at so extravagant a rate as two pence a been openly labelled for Baden? Both she and it
word, it waits your disposal night and day at the reached the Rhenish spa by some circuitous route.
end of the Continental wire.” This much I gathered from the manager of Cook’s
local office. So to Baden I went, after dispatching
Two days later found me at the Hotel National to Holmes an account of all my proceedings and
at Lausanne, where I received every courtesy at receiving in reply a telegram of half-humorous
the hands of M. Moser, the well-known manager. commendation.
Lady Frances, as he informed me, had stayed there
At Baden the track was not difficult to follow.
for several weeks. She had been much liked by all
Lady Frances had stayed at the Englischer Hof for
who met her. Her age was not more than forty.
a fortnight. While there she had made the acquain-
She was still handsome and bore every sign of
tance of a Dr. Shlessinger and his wife, a mission-
having in her youth been a very lovely woman.
ary from South America. Like most lonely ladies,
M. Moser knew nothing of any valuable jewellery,
Lady Frances found her comfort and occupation
but it had been remarked by the servants that the
in religion. Dr. Shlessinger’s remarkable personal-
heavy trunk in the lady’s bedroom was always
ity, his whole hearted devotion, and the fact that
scrupulously locked. Marie Devine, the maid, was
he was recovering from a disease contracted in the
as popular as her mistress. She was actually en-
exercise of his apostolic duties affected her deeply.
gaged to one of the head waiters in the hotel, and
She had helped Mrs. Shlessinger in the nursing of
there was no difficulty in getting her address. It
the convalescent saint. He spent his day, as the
was 11 Rue de Trajan, Montpellier. All this I jotted
manager described it to me, upon a lounge-chair
down and felt that Holmes himself could not have
on the veranda, with an attendant lady upon either
been more adroit in collecting his facts.
side of him. He was preparing a map of the Holy
Only one corner still remained in the shadow. Land, with special reference to the kingdom of the
No light which I possessed could clear up the Midianites, upon which he was writing a mono-
cause for the lady’s sudden departure. She was graph. Finally, having improved much in health,
very happy at Lausanne. There was every reason he and his wife had returned to London, and Lady

816
 The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax

Frances had started thither in their company. This the parting easier than it would otherwise have
was just three weeks before, and the manager had been. Lady Frances had given her fifty pounds as
heard nothing since. As to the maid, Marie, she a wedding-present. Like me, Marie viewed with
had gone off some days beforehand in floods of deep distrust the stranger who had driven her mis-
tears, after informing the other maids that she was tress from Lausanne. With her own eyes she had
leaving service forever. Dr. Shlessinger had paid seen him seize the lady’s wrist with great violence
the bill of the whole party before his departure. on the public promenade by the lake. He was a
“By the way,” said the landlord in conclusion, fierce and terrible man. She believed that it was
“you are not the only friend of Lady Frances Car- out of dread of him that Lady Frances had ac-
fax who is inquiring after her just now. Only a cepted the escort of the Shlessingers to London.
week or so ago we had a man here upon the same She had never spoken to Marie about it, but many
errand.” little signs had convinced the maid that her mis-
tress lived in a state of continual nervous appre-
“Did he give a name?” I asked. hension. So far she had got in her narrative, when
“None; but he was an Englishman, though of suddenly she sprang from her chair and her face
an unusual type.” was convulsed with surprise and fear. “See!” she
“A savage?” said I, linking my facts after the cried. “The miscreant follows still! There is the
fashion of my illustrious friend. very man of whom I speak.”
Through the open sitting-room window I saw
“Exactly. That describes him very well. He is a
a huge, swarthy man with a bristling black beard
bulky, bearded, sunburned fellow, who looks as if
walking slowly down the centre of the street and
he would be more at home in a farmers’ inn than
staring eagerly at he numbers of the houses. It was
in a fashionable hotel. A hard, fierce man, I should
clear that, like myself, he was on the track of the
think, and one whom I should be sorry to offend.”
maid. Acting upon the impulse of the moment, I
Already the mystery began to define itself, as rushed out and accosted him.
figures grow clearer with the lifting of a fog. Here “You are an Englishman,” I said.
was this good and pious lady pursued from place
“What if I am?” he asked with a most villain-
to place by a sinister and unrelenting figure. She
ous scowl.
feared him, or she would not have fled from Lau-
sanne. He had still followed. Sooner or later he “May I ask what your name is?”
would overtake her. Had he already overtaken “No, you may not,” said he with decision.
her? Was that the secret of her continued silence? The situation was awkward, but the most direct
Could the good people who were her companions way is often the best.
not screen her from his violence or his blackmail? “Where is the Lady Frances Carfax?” I asked.
What horrible purpose, what deep design, lay be- He stared at me with amazement.
hind this long pursuit? There was the problem “What have you done with her? Why have you
which I had to solve. pursued her? I insist upon an answer!” said I.
To Holmes I wrote showing how rapidly and The fellow gave a below of anger and sprang
surely I had got down to the roots of the matter. upon me like a tiger. I have held my own in many
In reply I had a telegram asking for a description a struggle, but the man had a grip of iron and the
of Dr. Shlessinger’s left ear. Holmes’s ideas of hu- fury of a fiend. His hand was on my throat and
mour are strange and occasionally offensive, so I my senses were nearly gone before an unshaven
took no notice of his ill-timed jest—indeed, I had French ouvrier in a blue blouse darted out from
already reached Montpellier in my pursuit of the a cabaret opposite, with a cudgel in his hand, and
maid, Marie, before his message came. struck my assailant a sharp crack over the forearm,
I had no difficulty in finding the ex-servant and which made him leave go his hold. He stood for an
in learning all that she could tell me. She was a instant fuming with rage and uncertain whether
devoted creature, who had only left her mistress he should not renew his attack. Then, with a snarl
because she was sure that she was in good hands, of anger, he left me and entered the cottage from
and because her own approaching marriage made which I had just come. I turned to thank my pre-
a separation inevitable in any case. Her mistress server, who stood beside me in the roadway.
had, as she confessed with distress, shown some ir- “Well, Watson,” said he, “a very pretty hash
ritability of temper towards her during their stay in you have made of it! I rather think you had better
Baden, and had even questioned her once as if she come back with me to London by the night ex-
had suspicions of her honesty, and this had made press.”

817
 The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax

An hour afterwards, Sherlock Holmes, in his love than I had for Frances. I was a wild young-
usual garb and style, was seated in my private ster, I know—not worse than others of my class.
room at the hotel. His explanation of his sudden But her mind was pure as snow. She could not
and opportune appearance was simplicity itself, bear a shadow of coarseness. So, when she came
for, finding that he could get away from London, to hear of things that I had done, she would have
he determined to head me off at the next obvious no more to say to me. And yet she loved me—that
point of my travels. In the disguise of a work- is the wonder of it!—loved me well enough to re-
ingman he had sat in the cabaret waiting for my main single all her sainted days just for my sake
appearance. alone. When the years had passed and I had made
“And a singularly consistent investigation you my money at Barberton I thought perhaps I could
have made, my dear Watson,” said he. “I cannot at seek her out and soften her. I had heard that she
the moment recall any possible blunder which you was still unmarried, I found her at Lausanne and
have omitted. The total effect of your proceeding tried all I knew. She weakened, I think, but her
has been to give the alarm everywhere and yet to will was strong, and when next I called she had
discover nothing.” left the town. I traced her to Baden, and then after
a time heard that her maid was here. I’m a rough
“Perhaps you would have done no better,” I an- fellow, fresh from a rough life, and when Dr. Wat-
swered bitterly. son spoke to me as he did I lost hold of myself for
“There is no ‘perhaps’ about it. I have done a moment. But for God’s sake tell me what has
better. Here is the Hon. Philip Green, who is a become of the Lady Frances.”
fellow-lodger with you in this hotel, and we may “That is for us to find out,” said Sherlock
find him the starting-point for a more successful Holmes with peculiar gravity. “What is your Lon-
investigation.” don address, Mr. Green?”
A card had come up on a salver, and it was “The Langham Hotel will find me.”
followed by the same bearded ruffian who had at- “Then may I recommend that you return there
tacked me in the street. He started when he saw and be on hand in case I should want you? I have
me. no desire to encourage false hopes, but you may
“What is this, Mr. Holmes?” he asked. “I had rest assured that all that can be done will be done
your note and I have come. But what has this man for the safety of Lady Frances. I can say no more
to do with the matter?” for the instant. I will leave you this card so that
you may be able to keep in touch with us. Now,
“This is my old friend and associate, Dr. Wat-
Watson, if you will pack your bag I will cable to
son, who is helping us in this affair.”
Mrs. Hudson to make one of her best efforts for
The stranger held out a huge, sunburned hand, two hungry travellers at 7.30 to-morrow.”
with a few words of apology. A telegram was awaiting us when we reached
“I hope I didn’t harm you. When you accused our Baker Street rooms, which Holmes read with
me of hurting her I lost my grip of myself. In- an exclamation of interest and threw across to me.
deed, I’m not responsible in these days. My nerves “Jagged or torn,” was the message, and the place
are like live wires. But this situation is beyond of origin, Baden.
me. What I want to know, in the first place, Mr. “What is this?” I asked.
Holmes, is, how in the world you came to hear of
“It is everything,” Holmes answered. “You
my existence at all.”
may remember my seemingly irrelevant question
“I am in touch with Miss Dobney, Lady as to this clerical gentleman’s left ear. You did not
Frances’s governess.” answer it.”
“Old Susan Dobney with the mob cap! I re- “I had left Baden and could not inquire.”
member her well.” “Exactly. For this reason I sent a duplicate to
“And she remembers you. It was in the days the manager of the Englischer Hof, whose answer
before—before you found it better to go to South lies here.”
Africa.” “What does it show?”
“Ah, I see you know my whole story. I need “It shows, my dear Watson, that we are dealing
hide nothing from you. I swear to you, Mr. with an exceptionally astute and dangerous man.
Holmes, that there never was in this world a man The Rev. Dr. Shlessinger, missionary from South
who loved a woman with a more wholehearted America, is none other than Holy Peters, one of the

818
 The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax

most unscrupulous rascals that Australia has ever “He has begun to pawn the jewels. We should
evolved—and for a young country it has turned get him now.”
out some very finished types. His particular spe- “But does this mean that any harm has befallen
cialty is the beguiling of lonely ladies by play- the Lady Frances?”
ing upon their religious feelings, and his so-called
Holmes shook his head very gravely.
wife, an Englishwoman named Fraser, is a worthy
helpmate. The nature of his tactics suggested his “Supposing that they have held her prisoner up
identity to me, and this physical peculiarity—he to now, it is clear that they cannot let her loose
was badly bitten in a saloon-fight at Adelaide in without their own destruction. We must prepare
’89—confirmed my suspicion. This poor lady is in for the worst.”
the hands of a most infernal couple, who will stick “What can I do?”
at nothing, Watson. That she is already dead is “These people do not know you by sight?”
a very likely supposition. If not, she is undoubt- “No.”
edly in some sort of confinement and unable to
“It is possible that he will go to some other
write to Miss Dobney or her other friends. It is
pawnbroker in the future. in that case, we must
always possible that she never reached London, or
begin again. On the other hand, he has had a fair
that she has passed through it, but the former is
price and no questions asked, so if he is in need of
improbable, as, with their system of registration,
ready-money he will probably come back to Bov-
it is not easy for foreigners to play tricks with the
ington’s. I will give you a note to them, and they
Continental police; and the latter is also unlikely,
will let you wait in the shop. If the fellow comes
as these rouges could not hope to find any other
you will follow him home. But no indiscretion,
place where it would be as easy to keep a person
and, above all, no violence. I put you on your hon-
under restraint. All my instincts tell me that she is
our that you will take no step without my knowl-
in London, but as we have at present no possible
edge and consent.”
means of telling where, we can only take the ob-
vious steps, eat our dinner, and possess our souls For two days the Hon. Philip Green (he was,
in patience. Later in the evening I will stroll down I may mention, the son of the famous admiral of
and have a word with friend Lestrade at Scotland that name who commanded the Sea of Azof fleet
Yard.” in the Crimean War) brought us no news. On the
evening of the third he rushed into our sitting-
But neither the official police nor Holmes’s room, pale, trembling, with every muscle of his
own small but very efficient organization sufficed powerful frame quivering with excitement.
to clear away the mystery. Amid the crowded “We have him! We have him!” he cried.
millions of London the three persons we sought
He was incoherent in his agitation. Holmes
were as completely obliterated as if they had never
soothed him with a few words and thrust him into
lived. Advertisements were tried, and failed.
an armchair.
Clues were followed, and led to nothing. Ev-
ery criminal resort which Shlessinger might fre- “Come, now, give us the order of events,” said
quent was drawn in vain. His old associates were he.
watched, but they kept clear of him. And then “She came only an hour ago. It was the wife,
suddenly, after a week of helpless suspense there this time, but the pendant she brought was the fel-
came a flash of light. A silver-and-brilliant pen- low of the other. She is a tall, pale woman, with
dant of old Spanish design had been pawned at ferret eyes.”
Bovington’s, in Westminster Road. The pawner “That is the lady,” said Holmes.
was a large, clean-shaven man of clerical appear- “She left the office and I followed her. She
ance. His name and address were demonstrably walked up the Kennington Road, and I kept be-
false. The ear had escaped notice, but the descrip- hind her. Presently she went into a shop. Mr.
tion was surely that of Shlessinger. Holmes, it was an undertaker’s.”
Three times had our bearded friend from the My companion started. “Well?” he asked in
Langham called for news—the third time within that vibrant voice which told of the fiery soul be-
an hour of this fresh development. His clothes hind the cold gray face.
were getting looser on his great body. He seemed “She was talking to the woman behind the
to be wilting away in his anxiety. “If you will only counter. I entered as well. ‘It is late,’ I heard her
give me something to do!” was his constant wail. say, or words to that effect. The woman was ex-
At last Holmes could oblige him. cusing herself. ‘It should be there before now,’ she

819
 The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax

answered. ‘It took longer, being out of the ordi- first alienating her from her faithful maid. If she
nary.’ They both stopped and looked at me, so I has written any letters they have been intercepted.
asked some questions and then left the shop.” Through some confederate they have engaged a
“You did excellently well. What happened furnished house. Once inside it, they have made
next?” her a prisoner, and they have become possessed of
the valuable jewellery which has been their object
“The woman came out, but I had hid myself
from the first. Already they have begun to sell part
in a doorway. Her suspicions had been aroused, I
of it, which seems safe enough to them, since they
think, for she looked round her. Then she called a
have no reason to think that anyone is interested
cab and got in. I was lucky enough to get another
in the lady’s fate. When she is released she will, of
and so to follow her. She got down at last at No.
course, denounce them. Therefore, she must not
36, Poultney Square, Brixton. I drove past, left my
be released. But they cannot keep her under lock
cab at the corner of the square, and watched the
and key forever. So murder is their only solution.”
house.”
“That seems very clear.”
“Did you see anyone?”
“Now we will take another line of reasoning.
“The windows were all in darkness save one on
When you follow two separate chains of thought,
the lower floor. The blind was down, and I could
Watson, you will find some point of intersection
not see in. I was standing there, wondering what
which should approximate to the truth. We will
I should do next, when a covered van drove up
start now, not from the lady but from the cof-
with two men in it. They descended, took some-
fin and argue backward. That incident proves,
thing out of the van, and carried it up the steps to
I fear, beyond all doubt that the lady is dead.
the hall door. Mr. Holmes, it was a coffin.”
It points also to an orthodox burial with proper
“Ah!” accompaniment of medical certificate and official
“For an instant I was on the point of rushing in. sanction. Had the lady been obviously murdered,
The door had been opened to admit the men and they would have buried her in a hole in the back
their burden. It was the woman who had opened garden. But here all is open and regular. What
it. But as I stood there she caught a glimpse of me, does this mean? Surely that they have done her to
and I think that she recognized me. I saw her start, death in some way which has deceived the doctor
and she hastily closed the door. I remembered my and simulated a natural end—poisoning, perhaps.
promise to you, and here I am.” And yet how strange that they should ever let a
“You have done excellent work,” said Holmes, doctor approach her unless he were a confederate,
scribbling a few words upon a half-sheet of paper. which is hardly a credible proposition.”
“We can do nothing legal without a warrant, and “Could they have forged a medical certificate?”
you can serve the cause best by taking this note “Dangerous, Watson, very dangerous. No, I
down to the authorities and getting one. There hardly see them doing that. Pull up, cabby! This is
may be some difficulty, but I should think that the evidently the undertaker’s, for we have just passed
sale of the jewellery should be sufficient. Lestrade the pawnbroker’s. Would go in, Watson? Your ap-
will see to all details.” pearance inspires confidence. Ask what hour the
“But they may murder her in the meanwhile. Poultney Square funeral takes place to-morrow.”
What could the coffin mean, and for whom could The woman in the shop answered me without
it be but for her?” hesitation that it was to be at eight o’clock in the
“We will do all that can be done, Mr. Green. morning. “You see, Watson, no mystery; every-
Not a moment will be lost. Leave it in our hands. thing above-board! In some way the legal forms
Now Watson,” he added as our client hurried have undoubtedly been complied with, and they
away, “he will set the regular forces on the move. think that they have little to fear. Well, there’s
We are, as usual, the irregulars, and we must take nothing for it now but a direct frontal attack. Are
our own line of action. The situation strikes me as you armed?”
so desperate that the most extreme measures are “My stick!”
justified. Not a moment is to be lost in getting to “Well, well, we shall be strong enough. ‘Thrice
Poultney Square. is he armed who hath his quarrel just.’ We sim-
“Let us try to reconstruct the situation,” said ply can’t afford to wait for the police or to keep
he as we drove swiftly past the Houses of Parlia- within the four corners of the law. You can drive
ment and over Westminster Bridge. “These villains off, cabby. Now, Watson, we’ll just take our luck
have coaxed this unhappy lady to London, after together, as we have occasionally in the past.”

820
 The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax

He had rung loudly at the door of a great is a fact that I was using another name at the
dark house in the centre of Poultney Square. It time—and she stuck on to us until we came to
was opened immediately, and the figure of a tall London. I paid her bill and her ticket. Once in
woman was outlined against the dim-lit hall. London, she gave us the slip, and, as I say, left
“Well, what do you want?” she asked sharply, these out-of-date jewels to pay her bills. You find
peering at us through the darkness. her, Mr. Holmes, and I’m your debtor.”
In mean to find her,“ said Sherlock Holmes.
“I want to speak to Dr. Shlessinger,” said
”I’m going through this house till I do find her.“
Holmes.
“Where is your warrant?”
“There is no such person here,” she answered, Holmes half drew a revolver from his pocket.
and tried to close the door, but Holmes had “This will have to serve till a better one comes.”
jammed it with his foot.
“Why, you’re a common burglar.”
“Well, I want to see the man who lives here, “So you might describe me,” said Holmes
whatever he may call himself,” said Holmes firmly. cheerfully. “My companion is also a dangerous
She hesitated. Then she threw open the door. ruffian. And together we are going through your
“Well, come in!” said she. “My husband is not house.”
afraid to face any man in the world.” She closed Our opponent opened the door.
the door behind us and showed us into a sitting- “Fetch a policeman, Annie!” said he. There was
room on the right side of the hall, turning up the a whisk of feminine skirts down the passage, and
gas as she left us. “Mr. Peters will be with you in the hall door was opened and shut.
an instant,” she said. “Our time is limited, Watson,” said Holmes. “If
Her words were literally true, for we had you try to stop us, Peters, you will most certainly
hardly time to look around the dusty and moth- get hurt. Where is that coffin which was brought
eaten apartment in which we found ourselves be- into your house?”
fore the door opened and a big, clean-shaven bald- “What do you want with the coffin? It is in use.
headed man stepped lightly into the room. He There is a body in it.”
had a large red face, with pendulous cheeks, and “I must see the body.”
a general air of superficial benevolence which was “Never with my consent.”
marred by a cruel, vicious mouth. “Then without it.” With a quick movement
“There is surely some mistake here, gentle- Holmes pushed the fellow to one side and passed
men,” he said in an unctuous, make-everything- into the hall. A door half opened stood immedi-
easy voice. “I fancy that you have been misdi- ately before us. We entered. It was the dining-
rected. Possibly if you tried farther down the room. On the table, under a half-lit chandelier, the
street—” coffin was lying. Holmes turned up the gas and
raised the lid. Deep down in the recesses of the
“That will do; we have no time to waste,” said
coffin lay an emaciated figure. The glare from the
my companion firmly. “You are Henry Peters, of
lights above beat down upon an aged and with-
Adelaide, late the Rev. Dr. Shlessinger, of Baden
ered face. By no possible process of cruelty, star-
and South America. I am as sure of that as that
vation, or disease could this wornout wreck be the
my own name is Sherlock Holmes.”
still beautiful Lady Frances. Holmes’s face showed
Peters, as I will now call him, started and stared his amazement, and also his relief.
hard at his formidable pursuer. “I guess your “Thank God!” he muttered. “It’s someone
name does not frighten me, Mr. Holmes,” said he else.”
coolly. “When a man’s conscience is easy you can’t
“Ah, you’ve blundered badly for once, Mr.
rattle him. What is your business in my house?”
Sherlock Holmes,” said Peters, who had followed
“I want to know what you have done with the us into the room.
Lady Frances Carfax, whom you brought away “Who is the dead woman?”
with you from Baden.” “Well, if you really must know, she is an old
“I’d be very glad if you could tell me where nurse of my wife’s, Rose Spender by name, whom
that lady may be,” Peters answered coolly. “I’ve a we found in the Brixton Workhouse Infirmary.
bill against her for a nearly a hundred pounds, and We brought her round here, called in Dr. Hor-
nothing to show for it but a couple of trumpery som, of 13 Firbank Villas—mind you take the ad-
pendants that the dealer would hardly look at. She dress, Mr. Holmes—and had her carefully tended,
attached herself to Mrs. Peters and me at Baden—it as Christian folk should. On the third day she

821
 The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax

died—certificate says senile decay—but that’s only was indeed the truth that a charitable couple had
the doctor’s opinion, and of course you know bet- called some days before, that they had claimed an
ter. We ordered her funeral to be carried out by imbecile old woman as a former servant, and that
Stimson and Co., of the Kennington Road, who they had obtained permission to take her away
will bury her at eight o’clock to-morrow morning. with them. No surprise was expressed at the news
Can you pick any hole in that, Mr. Holmes? You’ve that she had since died.
made a silly blunder, and you may as well own up The doctor was our next goal. He had been
to it. I’d give something for a photograph of your called in, had found the woman dying of pure se-
gaping, staring face when you pulled aside that lid nility, had actually seen her pass away, and had
expecting to see the Lady Frances Carfax and only signed the certificate in due form. “I assure you
found a poor old woman of ninety.” that everything was perfectly normal and there
Holmes’s expression was as impassive as ever was no room for foul play in the matter,” said he.
under the jeers of his antagonist, but his clenched Nothing in the house had struck him as suspicious
hands betrayed his acute annoyance. save that for people of their class it was remark-
“I am going through your house,” said he. able that they should have no servant. So far and
no further went the doctor.
“Are you, though!” cried Peters as a woman’s
voice and heavy steps sounded in the passage. Finally we found our way to Scotland Yard.
“We’ll soon see about that. This way, officers, if There had been difficulties of procedure in regard
you please. These men have forced their way into to the warrant. Some delay was inevitable. The
my house, and I cannot get rid of them. Help me magistrate’s signature might not be obtained un-
to put them out.” til next morning. If Holmes would call about nine
he could go down with Lestrade and see it acted
A sergeant and a constable stood in the door-
upon. So ended the day, save that near midnight
way. Holmes drew his card from his case.
our friend, the sergeant, called to say that he had
“This is my name and address. This is my seen flickering lights here and there in the win-
friend, Dr. Watson.” dows of the great dark house, but that no one had
“Bless you, sir, we know you very well,” said left it and none had entered. We could but pray
the sergeant, “but you can’t stay here without a for patience and wait for the morrow.
warrant.” Sherlock Holmes was too irritable for conversa-
“Of course not. I quite understand that.” tion and too restless for sleep. I left him smoking
“Arrest him!” cried Peters. hard, with his heavy, dark brows knotted together,
and his long, nervous fingers tapping upon the
“We know where to lay our hands on this gen-
arms of his chair, as he turned over in his mind
tleman if he is wanted,” said the sergeant majesti-
every possible solution of the mystery. Several
cally, “but you’ll have to go, Mr. Holmes.”
times in the course of the night I heard him prowl-
“Yes, Watson, we shall have to go.” ing about the house. Finally, just after I had been
A minute later we were in the street once more. called in the morning, he rushed into my room.
Holmes was as cool as ever, but I was hot with He was in his dressing-gown, but his pale, hollow-
anger and humiliation. The sergeant had followed eyed face told me that his night had been a sleep-
us. less one.
“Sorry, Mr. Holmes, but that’s the law.” “What time was the funeral? Eight, was it not?”
“Exactly, Sergeant, you could not do other- he asked eagerly. “Well, it is 7.20 now. Good heav-
wise.” ens, Watson, what has become of any brains that
God has given me? Quick, man, quick! It’s life or
“I expect there was good reason for your pres-
death—a hundred chances on death to one on life.
ence there. If there is anything I can do—”
I’ll never forgive myself, never, if we are too late!”
“It’s a missing lady, Sergeant, and we think she
Five minutes had not passed before we were
is in that house. I expect a warrant presently.”
flying in a hansom down Baker Street. But even
“Then I’ll keep my eye on the parties, Mr. so it was twenty-five to eight as we passed Big
Holmes. If anything comes along, I will surely let Ben, and eight struck as we tore down the Brix-
you know.” ton Road. But others were late as well as we. Ten
It was only nine o’clock, and we were off full minutes after the hour the hearse was still standing
cry upon the trail at once. First we drove to Brix- at the door of the house, and even as our foaming
ton Workhoused Infirmary, where we found that it horse came to a halt the coffin, supported by three

822
men, appeared on the threshold. Holmes darted I think that the sooner we can move the Lady
forward and barred their way. Frances the better. Meanwhile, the funeral may
“Take it back!” he cried, laying his hand on the proceed, and the poor old woman who still lies in
breast of the foremost. “Take it back this instant!” that coffin may go to her last resting-place alone.”
“Should you care to add the case to your an-
“What the devil do you mean? Once again I
nals, my dear Watson,” said Holmes that evening,
ask you, where is your warrant?” shouted the furi-
“it can only be as an example of that temporary
ous Peters, his big red face glaring over the farther
eclipse to which even the best-balanced mind may
end of the coffin.
be exposed. Such slips are common to all mortals,
“The warrant is on its way. The coffin shall re- and the greatest is he who can recognize and re-
main in the house until it comes.” pair them. To this modified credit I may, perhaps,
The authority in Holmes’s voice had its effect make some claim. My night was haunted by the
upon the bearers. Peters had suddenly vanished thought that somewhere a clue, a strange sentence,
into the house, and they obeyed these new orders. a curious observation, had come under my notice
“Quick, Watson, quick! Here is a screw-driver!” he and had been too easily dismissed. Then, sud-
shouted as the coffin was replaced upon the table. denly, in the gray of the morning, the words came
“Here’s one for you, my man! A sovreign if the lid back to me. It was the remark of the undertaker’s
comes off in a minute! Ask no questions—work wife, as reported by Philip Green. She had said,
away! That’s good! Another! And another! Now ‘It should be there before now. It took longer, be-
pull all together! It’s giving! It’s giving! Ah, that ing out of the ordinary.’ It was the coffin of which
does it at last.” she spoke. It had been out of the ordinary. That
could only mean that it had been made to some
With a united effort we tore off the coffin-
special measurement. But why? Why? Then in an
lid. As we did so there came from the inside
instant I remembered the deep sides, and the little
a stupefying and overpowering smell of chloro-
wasted figure at the bottom. Why so large a cof-
form. A body lay within, its head all wreathed
fin for so small a body? To leave room for another
in cotton-wool, which had been soaked in the nar-
body. Both would be buried under the one certifi-
cotic. Holmes plucked it off and disclosed the stat-
cate. It had all been so clear, if only my own sight
uesque face of a handsome and spiritual woman
had not been dimmed. At eight the Lady Frances
of middle age. In an instant he had passed his arm
would be buried. Our one chance was to stop the
round the figure and raised her to a sitting posi-
coffin before it left the house.
tion.
“It was a desperate chance that we might find
“Is she gone, Watson? Is there a spark left? her alive, but it was a chance, as the result showed.
Surely we are not too late!” These people had never, to my knowledge, done
For half an hour it seemed that we were. What a murder. They might shrink from actual violence
with actual suffocation, and what with the poi- at the last. The could bury her with no sign of
sonous fumes of the chloroform, the Lady Frances how she met her end, and even if she were ex-
seemed to have passed the last point of recall. And humed there was a chance for them. I hoped that
then, at last, with artificial respiration, with in- such considerations might prevail with them. You
jected ether, and with every device that science can reconstruct the scene well enough. You saw
could suggest, some flutter of life, some quiver of the horrible den upstairs, where the poor lady had
the eyelids, some dimming of a mirror, spoke of been kept so long. They rushed in and overpow-
the slowly returning life. A cab had driven up, ered her with their chloroform, carried her down,
and Holmes, parting the blind, looked out at it. poured more into the coffin to insure against her
“Here is Lestrade with his warrant,” said he. “He waking, and then screwed down the lid. A clever
will find that his birds have flown. And here,” he device, Watson. It is new to me in the annals
added as a heavy step hurried along the passage, of crime. If our ex-missionary friends escape the
“is someone who has a better right to nurse this clutches of Lestrade, I shall expect to hear of some
lady than we have. Good morning, Mr. Green; brilliant incidents in their future career.”
The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot
I
The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot

n recording from time to time some of which stood high upon a grassy headland, we
the curious experiences and interesting looked down upon the whole sinister semicircle
recollections which I associate with my of Mounts Bay, that old death trap of sailing ves-
long and intimate friendship with Mr. sels, with its fringe of black cliffs and surge-swept
Sherlock Holmes, I have continually been faced by reefs on which innumerable seamen have met their
difficulties caused by his own aversion to public- end. With a northerly breeze it lies placid and shel-
ity. To his sombre and cynical spirit all popular ap- tered, inviting the storm-tossed craft to tack into it
plause was always abhorrent, and nothing amused for rest and protection.
him more at the end of a successful case than to Then come the sudden swirl round of the wind,
hand over the actual exposure to some orthodox the blistering gale from the south-west, the drag-
official, and to listen with a mocking smile to the ging anchor, the lee shore, and the last battle in
general chorus of misplaced congratulation. It was the creaming breakers. The wise mariner stands
indeed this attitude upon the part of my friend far out from that evil place.
and certainly not any lack of interesting material On the land side our surroundings were as
which has caused me of late years to lay very few sombre as on the sea. It was a country of rolling
of my records before the public. My participation moors, lonely and dun-colored, with an occasional
in some if his adventures was always a privilege church tower to mark the site of some old-world
which entailed discretion and reticence upon me. village. In every direction upon these moors
It was, then, with considerable surprise that I there were traces of some vanished race which
received a telegram from Homes last Tuesday—he had passed utterly away, and left as it sole record
has never been known to write where a telegram strange monuments of stone, irregular mounds
would serve—in the following terms: which contained the burned ashes of the dead,
Why not tell them of the Cornish hor- and curious earthworks which hinted at prehis-
ror—strangest case I have handled. toric strife. The glamour and mystery of the place,
with its sinister atmosphere of forgotten nations,
I have no idea what backward sweep of mem-
appealed to the imagination of my friend, and he
ory had brought the matter fresh to his mind, or
spent much of his time in long walks and soli-
what freak had caused him to desire that I should
tary meditations upon the moor. The ancient Cor-
recount it; but I hasten, before another cancelling
nish language had also arrested his attention, and
telegram may arrive, to hunt out the notes which
he had, I remember, conceived the idea that it
give me the exact details of the case and to lay the
was akin to the Chaldean, and had been largely
narrative before my readers.
derived from the Phoenician traders in tin. He
It was, then, in the spring of the year 1897 that had received a consignment of books upon philol-
Holmes’s iron constitution showed some symp- ogy and was settling down to develop this thesis
toms of giving way in the face of constant hard when suddenly, to my sorrow and to his unfeigned
work of a most exacting kind, aggravated, perhaps, delight, we found ourselves, even in that land
by occasional indiscretions of his own. In March of of dreams, plunged into a problem at our very
that year Dr. Moore Agar, of Harley Street, whose doors which was more intense, more engrossing,
dramatic introduction to Holmes I may some day and infinitely more mysterious than any of those
recount, gave positive injunctions that the famous which had driven us from London. Our simple life
private agent lay aside all his cases and surrender and peaceful, healthy routine were violently inter-
himself to complete rest if he wished to avert an rupted, and we were precipitated into the midst
absolute breakdown. The state of his health was of a series of events which caused the utmost ex-
not a matter in which he himself took the faintest citement not only in Cornwall but throughout the
interest, for his mental detachment was absolute, whole west of England. Many of my readers may
but he was induced at last, on the threat of being retain some recollection of what was called at the
permanently disqualified from work, to give him- time “The Cornish Horror,” though a most im-
self a complete change of scene and air. Thus it perfect account of the matter reached the London
was that in the early spring of that year we found press. Now, after thirteen years, I will give the true
ourselves together in a small cottage near Poldhu details of this inconceivable affair to the public.
Bay, at the further extremity of the Cornish penin- I have said that scattered towers marked the
sula. villages which dotted this part of Cornwall. The
It was a singular spot, and one peculiarly well nearest of these was the hamlet of Tredannick Wol-
suited to the grim humour of my patient. From las, where the cottages of a couple of hundred in-
the windows of our little whitewashed house, habitants clustered round an ancient, moss-grown

827
 The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot

church. The vicar of the parish, Mr. Roundhay, we should not hasten at once to the scene of this
was something of an archaeologist, and as such mysterious affair. I may explain, then, that our
Holmes had made his acquaintance. He was a friend here spent last evening in the company of
middle-aged man, portly and affable, with a con- his two brothers, Owen and George, and of his sis-
siderable fund of local lore. At his invitation we ter Brenda, at their house of Tredannick Wartha,
had taken tea at the vicarage and had come to which is near the old stone cross upon the moor.
know, also, Mr. Mortimer Tregennis, an indepen- He left them shortly after ten o’clock, playing cards
dent gentleman, who increased the clergyman’s round the dining-room table, in excellent health
scanty resources by taking rooms in his large, and spirits. This morning, being an early riser, he
straggling house. The vicar, being a bachelor, was walked in that direction before breakfast and was
glad to come to such an arrangement, though he overtaken by the carriage of Dr. Richards, who ex-
had little in common with his lodger, who was plained that he had just been sent for on a most
a thin, dark, spectacled man, with a stoop which urgent call to Tredannick Wartha. Mr. Mortimer
gave the impression of actual, physical deformity. Tregennis naturally went with him. When he ar-
I remember that during our short visit we found rived at Tredannick Wartha he found an extraordi-
the vicar garrulous, but his lodger strangely reti- nary state of things. His two brothers and his sister
cent, a sad-faced, introspective man, sitting with were seated round the table exactly as he had left
averted eyes, brooding apparently upon his own them, the cards still spread in front of them and
affairs. the candles burned down to their sockets. The sis-
These were the two men who entered abruptly ter lay back stone-dead in her chair, while the two
into our little sitting-room on Tuesday, March the brothers sat on each side of her laughing, shouting,
16th, shortly after our breakfast hour, as we were and singing, the senses stricken clean out of them.
smoking together, preparatory to our daily excur- All three of them, the dead woman and the two de-
sion upon the moors. mented men, retained upon their faces an expres-
sion of the utmost horror—a convulsion of terror
“Mr. Holmes,” said the vicar in an agitated which was dreadful to look upon. There was no
voice, “the most extraordinary and tragic affair has sign of the presence of anyone in the house, except
occurred during the night. It is the most unheard- Mrs. Porter, the old cook and housekeeper, who
of business. We can only regard it as a special declared that she had slept deeply and heard no
Providence that you should chance to be here at sound during the night. Nothing had been stolen
the time, for in all England you are the one man or disarranged, and there is absolutely no expla-
we need.” nation of what the horror can be which has fright-
I glared at the intrusive vicar with no very ened a woman to death and two strong men out of
friendly eyes; but Holmes took his pipe from his their senses. There is the situation, Mr. Holmes, in
lips and sat up in his chair like an old hound who a nutshell, and if you can help us to clear it up you
hears the view-halloa. He waved his hand to the will have done a great work.”
sofa, and our palpitating visitor with his agitated
I had hoped that in some way I could coax my
companion sat side by side upon it. Mr. Mortimer
companion back into the quiet which had been the
Tregennis was more self-contained than the cler-
object of our journey; but one glance at his in-
gyman, but the twitching of his thin hands and
tense face and contracted eyebrows told me how
the brightness of his dark eyes showed that they
vain was now the expectation. He sat for some lit-
shared a common emotion.
tle time in silence, absorbed in the strange drama
“Shall I speak or you?” he asked of the vicar. which had broken in upon our peace.
“Well, as you seem to have made the discov- “I will look into this matter,” he said at last.
ery, whatever it may be, and the vicar to have “On the face of it, it would appear to be a case
had it second-hand, perhaps you had better do the of a very exceptional nature. Have you been there
speaking,” said Holmes. yourself, Mr. Roundhay?”
I glanced at the hastily clad clergyman, with “No, Mr. Holmes. Mr. Tregennis brought back
the formally dressed lodger seated beside him, the account to the vicarage, and I at once hurried
and was amused at the surprise which Holmes’s over with him to consult you.”
simple deduction had brought to their faces.
“How far is it to the house where this singular
“Perhaps I had best say a few words first,” said
tragedy occurred?”
the vicar, “and then you can judge if you will lis-
ten to the details from Mr. Tregennis, or whether “About a mile inland.”

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 The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot

“Then we shall walk over together. But before company, and so retired with enough to keep us. I
we start I must ask you a few questions, Mr. Mor- won’t deny that there was some feeling about the
timer Tregennis.” division of the money and it stood between us for
The other had been silent all this time, but I a time, but it was all forgiven and forgotten, and
had observed that his more controlled excitement we were the best of friends together.”
was even greater than the obtrusive emotion of “Looking back at the evening which you spent
the clergyman. He sat with a pale, drawn face, together, does anything stand out in your memory
his anxious gaze fixed upon Holmes, and his thin as throwing any possible light upon the tragedy?
hands clasped convulsively together. His pale lips Think carefully, Mr. Tregennis, for any clue which
quivered as he listened to the dreadful experience can help me.”
which had befallen his family, and his dark eyes “There is nothing at all, sir.”
seemed to reflect something of the horror of the “Your people were in their usual spirits?”
scene. “Never better.”
“Ask what you like, Mr. Holmes,” said he ea- “Were they nervous people? Did they ever
gerly. “It is a bad thing to speak of, but I will show any apprehension of coming danger?”
answer you the truth.” “Nothing of the kind.”
“Tell me about last night.” “You have nothing to add then, which could
“Well, Mr. Holmes, I supped there, as the vicar assist me?”
has said, and my elder brother George proposed a Mortimer Tregennis considered earnestly for a
game of whist afterwards. We sat down about nine moment.
o’clock. It was a quarter-past ten when I moved to “There is one thing occurs to me,” said he at
go. I left them all round the table, as merry as last. “As we sat at the table my back was to the
could be.” window, and my brother George, he being my
“Who let you out?” partner at cards, was facing it. I saw him once
look hard over my shoulder, so I turned round and
“Mrs. Porter had gone to bed, so I let myself looked also. The blind was up and the window
out. I shut the hall door behind me. The window shut, but I could just make out the bushes on the
of the room in which they sat was closed, but the lawn, and it seemed to me for a moment that I saw
blind was not drawn down. There was no change something moving among them. I couldn’t even
in door or window this morning, or any reason to say if it was man or animal, but I just thought there
think that any stranger had been to the house. Yet was something there. When I asked him what he
there they sat, driven clean mad with terror, and was looking at, he told me that he had the same
Brenda lying dead of fright, with her head hang- feeling. That is all that I can say.”
ing over the arm of the chair. I’ll never get the sight
“Did you not investigate?”
of that room out of my mind so long as I live.”
“No; the matter passed as unimportant.”
“The facts, as you state them, are certainly most
“You left them, then, without any premonition
remarkable,” said Holmes. “I take it that you have
of evil?”
no theory yourself which can in any way account
“None at all.”
for them?”
“I am not clear how you came to hear the news
“It’s devilish, Mr. Holmes, devilish!” cried so early this morning.”
Mortimer Tregennis. “It is not of this world. Some-
“I am an early riser and generally take a walk
thing has come into that room which has dashed
before breakfast. This morning I had hardly
the light of reason from their minds. What human
started when the doctor in his carriage overtook
contrivance could do that?”
me. He told me that old Mrs. Porter had sent a
“I fear,” said Holmes, “that if the matter is be- boy down with an urgent message. I sprang in
yond humanity it is certainly beyond me. Yet we beside him and we drove on. When we got there
must exhaust all natural explanations before we we looked into that dreadful room. The candles
fall back upon such a theory as this. As to your- and the fire must have burned out hours before,
self, Mr. Tregennis, I take it you were divided in and they had been sitting there in the dark until
some way from your family, since they lived to- dawn had broken. The doctor said Brenda must
gether and you had rooms apart?” have been dead at least six hours. There were no
“That is so, Mr. Holmes, though the matter is signs of violence. She just lay across the arm of the
past and done with. We were a family of tin- chair with that look on her face. George and Owen
miners at Redruth, but we sold our venture to a were singing snatches of songs and gibbering like

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 The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot

two great apes. Oh, it was awful to see! I couldn’t morning air in, and had run down to the lane,
stand it, and the doctor was as white as a sheet. whence she sent a farm-lad for the doctor. The
Indeed, he fell into a chair in a sort of faint, and lady was on her bed upstairs if we cared to see
we nearly had him on our hands as well.” her. It took four strong men to get the brothers into
“Remarkable—most remarkable!” said the asylum carriage. She would not herself stay in
Holmes, rising and taking his hat. “I think, per- the house another day and was starting that very
haps, we had better go down to Tredannick Wartha afternoon to rejoin her family at St. Ives.
without further delay. I confess that I have seldom We ascended the stairs and viewed the body.
known a case which at first sight presented a more Miss Brenda Tregennis had been a very beautiful
singular problem.” girl, though now verging upon middle age. Her
Our proceedings of that first morning did little dark, clear-cut face was handsome, even in death,
to advance the investigation. It was marked, how- but there still lingered upon it something of that
ever, at the outset by an incident which left the convulsion of horror which had been her last hu-
most sinister impression upon my mind. The ap- man emotion. From her bedroom we descended
proach to the spot at which the tragedy occurred is to the sitting-room, where this strange tragedy
down a narrow, winding, country lane. While we had actually occurred. The charred ashes of the
made our way along it we heard the rattle of a car- overnight fire lay in the grate. On the table were
riage coming towards us and stood aside to let it the four guttered and burned-out candles, with the
pass. As it drove by us I caught a glimpse through cards scattered over its surface. The chairs had
the closed window of a horribly contorted, grin- been moved back against the walls, but all else was
ning face glaring out at us. Those staring eyes and as it had been the night before. Holmes paced with
gnashing teeth flashed past us like a dreadful vi- light, swift steps about the room; he sat in the var-
sion. ious chairs, drawing them up and reconstructing
their positions. He tested how much of the garden
“My brothers!” cried Mortimer Tregennis, was visible; he examined the floor, the ceiling, and
white to his lips. “They are taking them to Hel- the fireplace; but never once did I see that sud-
ston.” den brightening of his eyes and tightening of his
We looked with horror after the black carriage, lips which would have told me that he saw some
lumbering upon its way. Then we turned our steps gleam of light in this utter darkness.
towards this ill-omened house in which they had “Why a fire?” he asked once. “Had they always
met their strange fate. a fire in this small room on a spring evening?”
It was a large and bright dwelling, rather a villa Mortimer Tregennis explained that the night
than a cottage, with a considerable garden which was cold and damp. For that reason, after his ar-
was already, in that Cornish air, well filled with rival, the fire was lit. “What are you going to do
spring flowers. Towards this garden the window now, Mr. Holmes?” he asked.
of the sitting-room fronted, and from it, accord-
ing to Mortimer Tregennis, must have come that My friend smiled and laid his hand upon my
thing of evil which had by sheer horror in a sin- arm. “I think, Watson, that I shall resume that
gle instant blasted their minds. Holmes walked course of tobacco-poisoning which you have so of-
slowly and thoughtfully among the flower-plots ten and so justly condemned,” said he. “With your
and along the path before we entered the porch. So permission, gentlemen, we will now return to our
absorbed was he in his thoughts, I remember, that cottage, for I am not aware that any new factor is
he stumbled over the watering-pot, upset its con- likely to come to our notice here. I will turn the
tents, and deluged both our feet and the garden facts over in my mid, Mr, Tregennis, and should
path. Inside the house we were met by the elderly anything occur to me I will certainly ommunicate
Cornish housekeeper, Mrs. Porter, who, with the with you and the vicar. In the meantime I wish
aid of a young girl, looked after the wants of the you both good-morning.”
family. She readily answered all Holmes’s ques- It was not until long after we were back in
tions. She had heard nothing in the night. Her Poldhu Cottage that Holmes broke his complete
employers had all been in excellent spirits lately, and absorbed silence. He sat coiled in his arm-
and she had never known them more cheerful and chair, his haggard and ascetic face hardly visible
prosperous. She had fainted with horror upon en- amid the blue swirl of his tobacco smoke, his black
tering the room in the morning and seeing that brows drawn down, his forehead contracted, his
dreadful company round the table. She had, when eyes vacant and far away. Finally he laid down his
she recovered, thrown open the window to let the pipe and sprang to his feet.

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 The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot

“It won’t do, Watson!” said he with a laugh. spoke about some movement in the garden. That
“Let us walk along the cliffs together and search is certainly remarkable, as the night was rainy,
for flint arrows. We are more likely to find them cloudy, and dark. Anyone who had the design to
than clues to this problem. To let the brain work alarm these people would be compelled to place
without sufficient material is like racing an engine. his very face against the glass before he could be
It racks itself to pieces. The sea air, sunshine, and seen. There is a three-foot flower-border outside
patience, Watson—all else will come. this window, but no indication of a footmark. It
is difficult to imagine, then, how an outsider could
“Now, let us calmly define our position, Wat-
have made so terrible an impression upon the com-
son,” he continued as we skirted the cliffs together.
pany, nor have we found any possible motive for
“Let us get a firm grip of the very little which we
so strange and elaborate an attempt. You perceive
do know, so that when fresh facts arise we may
our difficulties, Watson?”
be ready to fit them into their places. I take it,
in the first place, that neither of us is prepared “They are only too clear,” I answered with con-
to admit diabolical intrusions into the affairs of viction.
men. Let us begin by ruling that entirely out of “And yet, with a little more material, we may
our minds. Very good. There remain three per- prove that they are not insurmountable,” said
sons who have been grievously stricken by some Holmes. “I fancy that among your extensive
conscious or unconscious human agency. That is archives, Watson, you may find some which were
firm ground. Now, when did this occur? Evi- nearly as obscure. Meanwhile, we shall put the
dently, assuming his narrative to be true, it was case aside until more accurate data are available,
immediately after Mr. Mortimer Tregennis had left and devote the rest of our morning to the pursuit
the room. That is a very important point. The pre- of neolithic man.”
sumption is that it was within a few minutes after-
wards. The cards still lay upon the table. It was I may have commented upon my friend’s
already past their usual hour for bed. Yet they had power of mental detachment, but never have I
not changed their position or pushed back their wondered at it more than upon that spring morn-
chairs. I repeat, then, that the occurrence was im- ing in Cornwall when for two hours he discoursed
mediately after his departure, and not later than upon celts, arrowheads, and shards, as lightly as if
eleven o’clock last night. no sinister mystery were waiting for his solution.
It was not until we had returned in the afternoon
“Our next obvious step is to check, so far as to our cottage that we found a visitor awaiting us,
we can, the movements of Mortimer Tregennis af- who soon brought our minds back to the matter
ter he left the room. In this there is no difficulty, in hand. Neither of us needed to be told who that
and they seem to be above suspicion. Knowing visitor was. The huge body, the craggy and deeply
my methods as you do, you were, of course, con- seamed face with the fierce eyes and hawk-like
scious of the somewhat clumsy water-pot expedi- nose, the grizzled hair which nearly brushed our
ent by which I obtained a clearer impress of his cottage ceiling, the beard—golden at the fringes
foot than might otherwise have been possible. The and white near the lips, save for the nicotine stain
wet, sandy path took it admirably. Last night was from his perpetual cigar—all these were as well
also wet, you will remember, and it was not diffi- known in London as in Africa, and could only be
cult—having obtained a sample print—to pick out associated with the tremendous personality of Dr.
his track among others and to follow his move- Leon Sterndale, the great lion-hunter and explorer.
ments. He appears to have walked away swiftly in
We had heard of his presence in the district and
the direction of the vicarage.
had once or twice caught sight of his tall figure
“If, then, Mortimer Tregennis disappeared upon the moorland paths. He made no advances
from the scene, and yet some outside person af- to us, however, nor would we have dreamed of do-
fected the card-players, how can we reconstruct ing so to him, as it was well known that it was his
that person, and how was such an impression of love of seclusion which caused him to spend the
horror conveyed? Mrs. Porter may be eliminated. greater part of the intervals between his journeys
She is evidently harmless. Is there any evidence in a small bungalow buried in the lonely wood of
that someone crept up to the garden window and Beauchamp Arriance. Here, amid his books and
in some manner produced so terrific an effect that his maps, he lived an absolutely lonely life, at-
he drove those who saw it out of their senses? The tending to his own simple wants and paying lit-
only suggestion in this direction comes from Mor- tle apparent heed to the affairs of his neighbours.
timer Tregennis himself, who says that his brother It was a surprise to me, therefore, to hear him

831
 The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot

asking Holmes in an eager voice whether he had that he had made no great progress with his inves-
made any advance in his reconstruction of this tigation. He glanced at a telegram which awaited
mysterious episode. “The county police are ut- him and threw it into the grate.
terly at fault,” said he, “but perhaps your wider “From the Plymouth hotel, Watson,” he said. “I
experience has suggested some conceivable expla- learned the name of it from the vicar, and I wired
nation. My only claim to being taken into your to make certain that Dr. Leon Sterndale’s account
confidence is that during my many residences here was true. It appears that he did indeed spend last
I have come to know this family of Tregennis very night there, and that he has actually allowed some
well—indeed, upon my Cornish mother’s side I of his baggage to go on to Africa, while he re-
could call them cousins—and their strange fate has turned to be present at this investigation. What
naturally been a great shock to me. I may tell you do you make of that, Watson?”
that I had got as far as Plymouth upon my way to
Africa, but the news reached me this morning, and “He is deeply interested.”
I came straight back again to help in the inquiry.” “Deeply interested—yes. There is a thread here
Holmes raised his eyebrows. which we had not yet grasped and which might
lead us through the tangle. Cheer up, Watson, for
“Did you lose your boat through it?”
I am very sure that our material has not yet all
“I will take the next.” come to hand. When it does we may soon leave
“Dear me! that is friendship indeed.” our difficulties behind us.”
“I tell you they were relatives.” Little did I think how soon the words of
Holmes would be realized, or how strange and
“Quite so—cousins of your mother. Was your
sinister would be that new development which
baggage aboard the ship?”
opened up an entirely fresh line of investigation.
“Some of it, but the main part at the hotel.” I was shaving at my window in the morning when
“I see. But surely this event could not have I heard the rattle of hoofs and, looking up, saw
found its way into the Plymouth morning papers.” a dog-cart coming at a gallop down the road. It
pulled up at our door, and our friend, the vicar,
“No, sir; I had a telegram.”
sprang from it and rushed up our garden path.
“Might I ask from whom?” Holmes was already dressed, and we hastened
A shadow passed over the gaunt face of the ex- down to meet him.
plorer. Our visitor was so excited that he could hardly
“You are very inquisitive, Mr. Holmes.” articulate, but at last in gasps and bursts his tragic
story came out of him.
“It is my business.”
“We are devil-ridden, Mr. Holmes! My poor
With an effort Dr. Sterndale recovered his ruf-
parish is devil-ridden!” he cried. “Satan himself is
fled composure.
loose in it! We are given over into his hands!” He
“I have no objection to telling you,” he said. danced about in his agitation, a ludicrous object
“It was Mr. Roundhay, the vicar, who sent me the if it were not for his ashy face and startled eyes.
telegram which recalled me.” Finally he shot out his terrible news.
“Thank you,” said Holmes. “I may say in “Mr. Mortimer Tregennis died during the
answer to your original question that I have not night, and with exactly the same symptoms as the
cleared my mind entirely on the subject of this rest of his family.”
case, but that I have every hope of reaching some
Holmes sprang to his feet, all energy in an in-
conclusion. It would be premature to say more.”
stant.
“Perhaps you would not mind telling me if
“Can you fit us both into your dog-cart?”
your suspicions point in any particular direction?”
“No, I can hardly answer that.” “Yes, I can.”

“Then I have wasted my time and need not pro- “Then, Watson, we will postpone our breakfast.
long my visit.” The famous doctor strode out of Mr. Roundhay, we are entirely at your disposal.
our cottage in considerable ill-humour, and within Hurry—hurry, before things get disarranged.”
five minutes Holmes had followed him. I saw him The lodger occupied two rooms at the vicarage,
no more until the evening, when he returned with which were in an angle by themselves, the one
a slow step and haggard face which assured me above the other. Below was a large sitting-room;

832
 The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot

above, his bedroom. They looked out upon a cro- main to discuss the matter with the police, but I
quet lawn which came up to the windows. We had should be exceedingly obliged, Mr. Roundhay, if
arrived before the doctor or the police, so that ev- you would give the inspector my compliments and
erything was absolutely undisturbed. Let me de- direct his attention to the bedroom window and
scribe exactly the scene as we saw it upon that to the sitting-room lamp. Each is suggestive, and
misty March morning. It has left an impression together they are almost conclusive. If the police
which can never be effaced from my mind. would desire further information I shall be happy
The atmosphere of the room was of a horri- to see any of them at the cottage. And now, Wat-
ble and depressing stuffiness. The servant who son, I think that, perhaps, we shall be better em-
had first entered had thrown up the window, or ployed elsewhere.”
it would have been even more intolerable. This It may be that the police resented the intrusion
might partly be due to the fact that a lamp stood of an amateur, or that they imagined themselves
flaring and smoking on the centre table. Beside to be upon some hopeful line of investigation; but
it sat the dead man, leaning back in his chair, his it is certain that we heard nothing from them for
thin beard projecting, his spectacles pushed up on the next two days. During this time Holmes spent
to his forehead, and his lean dark face turned to- some of his time smoking and dreaming in the cot-
wards the window and twisted into the same dis- tage; but a greater portion in country walks which
tortion of terror which had marked the features of he undertook alone, returning after many hours
his dead sister. His limbs were convulsed and his without remark as to where he had been. One ex-
fingers contorted as though he had died in a very periment served to show me the line of his investi-
paroxysm of fear. He was fully clothed, though gation. He had bought a lamp which was the du-
there were signs that his dressing had been done in plicate of the one which had burned in the room of
a hurry. We had already learned that his bed had Mortimer Tregennis on the morning of the tragedy.
been slept in, and that the tragic end had come to This he filled with the same oil as that used at the
him in the early morning. vicarage, and he carefully timed the period which
One realized the red-hot energy which under- it would take to be exhausted. Another experiment
lay Holmes’s phlegmatic exterior when one saw which he made was of a more unpleasant nature,
the sudden change which came over him from the and one which I am not likely ever to forget.
moment that he entered the fatal apartment. In “You will remember, Watson,” he remarked
an instant he was tense and alert, his eyes shining, one afternoon, “that there is a single common
his face set, his limbs quivering with eager activity. point of resemblance in the varying reports which
He was out on the lawn, in through the window, have reached us. This concerns the effect of the
round the room, and up into the bedroom, for atmosphere of the room in each case upon those
all the world like a dashing foxhound drawing a who had first entered it. You will recollect that
cover. In the bedroom he made a rapid cast around Mortimer Tregennis, in describing the episode of
and ended by throwing open the window, which his last visit to his brother’s house, remarked
appeared to give him some fresh cause for excite- that the doctor on entering the room fell into a
ment, for he leaned out of it with loud ejaculations chair? You had forgotten? Well I can answer for
of interest and delight. Then he rushed down the it that it was so. Now, you will remember also
stair, out through the open window, threw him- that Mrs. Porter, the housekeeper, told us that she
self upon his face on the lawn, sprang up and herself fainted upon entering the room and had
into the room once more, all with the energy of afterwards opened the window. In the second
the hunter who is at the very heels of his quarry. case—that of Mortimer Tregennis himself—you
The lamp, which was an ordinary standard, he cannot have forgotten the horrible stuffiness of the
examined with minute care, making certain mea- room when we arrived, though the servant had
surements upon its bowl. He carefully scrutinized thrown open the window. That servant, I found
with his lens the talc shield which covered the top upon inquiry, was so ill that she had gone to her
of the chimney and scraped off some ashes which bed. You will admit, Watson, that these facts are
adhered to its upper surface, putting some of them very suggestive. In each case there is evidence of a
into an envelope, which he placed in his pocket- poisonous atmosphere. In each case, also, there is
book. Finally, just as the doctor and the official combustion going on in the room—in the one case
police put in an appearance, he beckoned to the a fire, in the other a lamp. The fire was needed,
vicar and we all three went out upon the lawn. but the lamp was lit—as a comparison of the oil
“I am glad to say that my investigation has not consumed will show—long after it was broad day-
been entirely barren,” he remarked. “I cannot re- light. Why? Surely because there is some connec-

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 The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot

tion between three things—the burning, the stuffy They were not long in coming. I had hardly set-
atmosphere, and, finally, the madness or death of tled in my chair before I was conscious of a thick,
those unfortunate people. That is clear, is it not?” musky odour, subtle and nauseous. At the very
“It would appear so.” first whiff of it my brain and my imagination were
beyond all control. A thick, black cloud swirled
“At least we may accept it as a working hy- before my eyes, and my mind told me that in this
pothesis. We will suppose, then, that something cloud, unseen as yet, but about to spring out upon
was burned in each case which produced an at- my appalled senses, lurked all that was vaguely
mosphere causing strange toxic effects. Very good. horrible, all that was monstrous and inconceivably
In the first instance—that of the Tregennis fam- wicked in the universe. Vague shapes swirled and
ily—this substance was placed in the fire. Now swam amid the dark cloud-bank, each a menace
the window was shut, but the fire would naturally and a warning of something coming, the advent
carry fumes to some extent up the chimney. Hence of some unspeakable dweller upon the threshold,
one would expect the effects of the poison to be whose very shadow would blast my soul. A freez-
less than in the second case, where there was less ing horror took possession of me. I felt that my
escape for the vapour. The result seems to indi- hair was rising, that my eyes were protruding,
cate that it was so, since in the first case only the that my mouth was opened, and my tongue like
woman, who had presumably the more sensitive leather. The turmoil within my brain was such that
organism, was killed, the others exhibiting that something must surely snap. I tried to scream and
temporary or permanent lunacy which is evidently was vaguely aware of some hoarse croak which
the first effect of the drug. In the second case the was my own voice, but distant and detached from
result was complete. The facts, therefore, seem to myself. At the same moment, in some effort of
bear out the theory of a poison which worked by escape, I broke through that cloud of despair and
combustion. had a glimpse of Holmes’s face, white, rigid, and
“With this train of reasoning in my head I nat- drawn with horror—the very look which I had
urally looked about in Mortimer Tregennis’s room seen upon the features of the dead. It was that
to find some remains of this substance. The ob- vision which gave me an instant of sanity and of
vious place to look was the talc shelf or smoke- strength. I dashed from my chair, threw my arms
guard of the lamp. There, sure enough, I perceived round Holmes, and together we lurched through
a number of flaky ashes, and round the edges a the door, and an instant afterwards had thrown
fringe of brownish powder, which had not yet been ourselves down upon the grass plot and were ly-
consumed. Half of this I took, as you saw, and I ing side by side, conscious only of the glorious
placed it in an envelope.” sunshine which was bursting its way through the
“Why half, Holmes?” hellish cloud of terror which had girt us in. Slowly
it rose from our souls like the mists from a land-
“It is not for me, my dear Watson, to stand in
scape until peace and reason had returned, and we
the way of the official police force. I leave them
were sitting upon the grass, wiping our clammy
all the evidence which I found. The poison still
foreheads, and looking with apprehension at each
remained upon the talc had they the wit to find
other to mark the last traces of that terrific experi-
it. Now, Watson, we will light our lamp; we will,
ence which we had undergone.
however, take the precaution to open our window
to avoid the premature decease of two deserving “Upon my word, Watson!” said Holmes at
members of society, and you will seat yourself near last with an unsteady voice, “I owe you both my
that open window in an armchair unless, like a thanks and an apology. It was an unjustifiable ex-
sensible man, you determine to have nothing to periment even for one’s self, and doubly so for a
do with the affair. Oh, you will see it out, will friend. I am really very sorry.”
you? I thought I knew my Watson. This chair I
“You know,” I answered with some emotion,
will place opposite yours, so that we may be the
for I have never seen so much of Holmes’s heart
same distance from the poison and face to face.
before, “that it is my greatest joy and privilege to
The door we will leave ajar. Each is now in a posi-
help you.”
tion to watch the other and to bring the experiment
to an end should the symptoms seem alarming. Is He relapsed at once into the half-humorous,
that all clear? Well, then, I take our powder—or half-cynical vein which was his habitual attitude
what remains of it—from the envelope, and I lay it to those about him. “It would be superfluous to
above the burning lamp. So! Now, Watson, let us drive us mad, my dear Watson,” said he. “A can-
sit down and await developments.” did observer would certainly declare that we were

834
 The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot

so already before we embarked upon so wild an I had heard the click of the garden gate, and
experiment. I confess that I never imagined that now the majestic figure of the great African ex-
the effect could be so sudden and so severe.” He plorer appeared upon the path. He turned in some
dashed into the cottage, and, reappearing with the surprise towards the rustic arbour in which we sat.
burning lamp held at full arm’s length, he threw
“You sent for me, Mr. Holmes. I had your note
it among a bank of brambles. “We must give the
about an hour ago, and I have come, though I re-
room a little time to clear. I take it, Watson, that
ally do not know why I should obey your sum-
you have no longer a shadow of a doubt as to how
mons.”
these tragedies were produced?”
“Perhaps we can clear the point up before we
“None whatever.” separate,” said Holmes. “Meanwhile, I am much
“But the cause remains as obscure as before. obliged to you for your courteous acquiescence.
Come into the arbour here and let us discuss it to- You will excuse this informal reception in the open
gether. That villainous stuff seems still to linger air, but my friend Watson and I have nearly fur-
round my throat. I think we must admit that all nished an additional chapter to what the papers
the evidence points to this man, Mortimer Tregen- call the Cornish Horror, and we prefer a clear at-
nis, having been the criminal in the first tragedy, mosphere for the present. Perhaps, since the mat-
though he was the victim in the second one. We ters which we have to discuss will affect you per-
must remember, in the first place, that there is sonally in a very intimate fashion, it is as well that
some story of a family quarrel, followed by a rec- we should talk where there can be no eavesdrop-
onciliation. How bitter that quarrel may have been, ping.”
or how hollow the reconciliation we cannot tell. The explorer took his cigar from his lips and
When I think of Mortimer Tregennis, with the foxy gazed sternly at my companion.
face and the small shrewd, beady eyes behind the
spectacles, he is not a man whom I should judge “I am at a loss to know, sir,” he said, “what you
to be of a particularly forgiving disposition. Well, can have to speak about which affects me person-
in the next place, you will remember that this idea ally in a very intimate fashion.”
of someone moving in the garden, which took our “The killing of Mortimer Tregennis,” said
attention for a moment from the real cause of the Holmes.
tragedy, emanated from him. He had a motive in
misleading us. Finally, if he did not throw the sub- For a moment I wished that I were armed.
stance into the fire at the moment of leaving the Sterndale’s fierce face turned to a dusky red, his
room, who did do so? The affair happened imme- eyes glared, and the knotted, passionate veins
diately after his departure. Had anyone else come started out in his forehead, while he sprang for-
in, the family would certainly have risen from the ward with clenched hands towards my compan-
table. Besides, in peaceful Cornwall, visitors did ion. Then he stopped, and with a violent effort
not arrive after ten o’clock at night. We may take he resumed a cold, rigid calmness, which was,
it, then, that all the evidence points to Mortimer perhaps, more suggestive of danger than his hot-
Tregennis as the culprit.” headed outburst.

“Then his own death was suicide!” “I have lived so long among savages and be-
yond the law,” said he, “that I have got into the
“Well, Watson, it is on the face of it a not im- way of being a law to myself. You would do well,
possible supposition. The man who had the guilt Mr. Holmes, not to forget it, for I have no desire to
upon his soul of having brought such a fate upon do you an injury.”
his own family might well be driven by remorse to
“Nor have I any desire to do you an injury, Dr.
inflict it upon himself. There are, however, some
Sterndale. Surely the clearest proof of it is that,
cogent reasons against it. Fortunately, there is one
knowing what I know, I have sent for you and not
man in England who knows all about it, and I have
for the police.”
made arrangements by which we shall hear the
facts this afternoon from his own lips. Ah! he is Sterndale sat down with a gasp, overawed for,
a little before his time. Perhaps you would kindly perhaps, the first time in his adventurous life.
step this way, Dr. Leon Sterndale. We have been There was a calm assurance of power in Holmes’s
conducing a chemical experiment indoors which manner which could not be withstood. Our visitor
has left our little room hardly fit for the reception stammered for a moment, his great hands opening
of so distinguished a visitor.” and shutting in his agitation.

835
 The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot

“What do you mean?” he asked at last. “If this window of the lodger Tregennis. It was now day-
is bluff upon your part, Mr. Holmes, you have cho- light, but the household was not yet stirring. You
sen a bad man for your experiment. Let us have no drew some of the gravel from your pocket, and
more beating about the bush. What do you mean?” you threw it up at the window above you.”
“I will tell you,” said Holmes, “and the reason Sterndale sprang to his feet.
why I tell you is that I hope frankness may beget “I believe that you are the devil himself!” he
frankness. What my next step may be will depend cried.
entirely upon the nature of your own defence.”
Holmes smiled at the compliment. “It took
“My defence?” two, or possibly three, handfuls before the lodger
“Yes, sir.” came to the window. You beckoned him to come
down. He dressed hurriedly and descended to his
“My defence against what?”
sitting-room. You entered by the window. There
“Against the charge of killing Mortimer Tre- was an interview—a short one—during which you
gennis.” walked up and down the room. Then you passed
Sterndale mopped his forehead with his hand- out and closed the window, standing on the lawn
kerchief. “Upon my word, you are getting on,” outside smoking a cigar and watching what oc-
said he. “Do all your successes depend upon this curred. Finally, after the death of Tregennis, you
prodigious power of bluff?” withdrew as you had come. Now, Dr. Sterndale,
“The bluff,” said Holmes sternly, “is upon your how do you justify such conduct, and what were
side, Dr. Leon Sterndale, and not upon mine. As a the motives for your actions? If you prevaricate or
proof I will tell you some of the facts upon which trifle with me, I give you my assurance that the
my conclusions are based. Of your return from matter will pass out of my hands forever.”
Plymouth, allowing much of your property to go Our visitor’s face had turned ashen gray as he
on to Africa, I will say nothing save that it first in- listened to the words of his accuser. Now he sat
formed me that you were one of the factors which for some time in thought with his face sunk in his
had to be taken into account in reconstructing this hands. Then with a sudden impulsive gesture he
drama—” plucked a photograph from his breast-pocket and
“I came back—” threw it on the rustic table before us.
“That is why I have done it,” said he.
“I have heard your reasons and regard them as
unconvincing and inadequate. We will pass that. It showed the bust and face of a very beautiful
You came down here to ask me whom I suspected. woman. Holmes stooped over it.
I refused to answer you. You then went to the “Brenda Tregennis,” said he.
vicarage, waited outside it for some time, and fi- “Yes, Brenda Tregennis,” repeated our visitor.
nally returned to your cottage.” “For years I have loved her. For years she has loved
“How do you know that?” me. There is the secret of that Cornish seclusion
“I followed you.” which people have marvelled at. It has brought
me close to the one thing on earth that was dear
“I saw no one.” to me. I could not marry her, for I have a wife
“That is what you may expect to see when I who has left me for years and yet whom, by the
follow you. You spent a restless night at your cot- deplorable laws of England, I could not divorce.
tage, and you formed certain plans, which in the For years Brenda waited. For years I waited. And
early morning you proceeded to put into execu- this is what we have waited for.” A terrible sob
tion. Leaving your door just as day was breaking, shook his great frame, and he clutched his throat
you filled your pocket with some reddish gravel under his brindled beard. Then with an effort he
that was lying heaped beside your gate.” mastered himself and spoke on:
Sterndale gave a violent start and looked at “The vicar knew. He was in our confidence.
Holmes in amazement. He would tell you that she was an angel upon
“You then walked swiftly for the mile which earth. That was why he telegraphed to me and
separated you from the vicarage. You were wear- I returned. What was my baggage or Africa to me
ing, I may remark, the same pair of ribbed tennis when I learned that such a fate had come upon
shoes which are at the present moment upon your my darling? There you have the missing clue to
feet. At the vicarage you passed through the or- my action, Mr. Holmes.”
chard and the side hedge, coming out under the “Proceed,” said my friend.

836
 The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot

Dr. Sterndale drew from his pocket a paper “I thought no more of the matter until the
packet and laid it upon the table. On the outside vicar’s telegram reached me at Plymouth. This vil-
was written “Radix pedis diaboli” with a red poi- lain had thought that I would be at sea before the
son label beneath it. He pushed it towards me. “I news could reach me, and that I should be lost for
understand that you are a doctor, sir. Have you years in Africa. But I returned at once. Of course,
ever heard of this preparation?” I could not listen to the details without feeling as-
“Devil’s-foot root! No, I have never heard of sured that my poison had been used. I came round
it.” to see you on the chance that some other explana-
tion had suggested itself to you. But there could
“It is no reflection upon your professional be none. I was convinced that Mortimer Tregen-
knowledge,” said he, “for I believe that, save for nis was the murderer; that for the sake of money,
one sample in a laboratory at Buda, there is no and with the idea, perhaps, that if the other mem-
other specimen in Europe. It has not yet found its bers of his family were all insane he would be
way either into the pharmacopoeia or into the liter- the sole guardian of their joint property, he had
ature of toxicology. The root is shaped like a foot, used the devil’s-foot powder upon them, driven
half human, half goatlike; hence the fanciful name two of them out of their senses, and killed his sis-
given by a botanical missionary. It is used as an ter Brenda, the one human being whom I have ever
ordeal poison by the medicine-men in certain dis- loved or who has ever loved me. There was his
tricts of West Africa and is kept as a secret among crime; what was to be his punishment?
them. This particular specimen I obtained under
very extraordinary circumstances in the Ubangi “Should I appeal to the law? Where were my
country.” He opened the paper as he spoke and proofs? I knew that the facts were true, but could I
disclosed a heap of reddish-brown, snuff-like pow- help to make a jury of countrymen believe so fan-
der. tastic a story? I might or I might not. But I could
not afford to fail. My soul cried out for revenge.
“Well, sir?” asked Holmes sternly. I have said to you once before, Mr. Holmes, that
“I am about to tell you, Mr. Holmes, all that I have spent much of my life outside the law, and
actually occurred, for you already know so much that I have come at last to be a law to myself. So it
that it is clearly to my interest that you should was even now. I determined that the fate which he
know all. I have already explained the relationship had given to others should be shared by himself.
in which I stood to the Tregennis family. For the Either that or I would do justice upon him with
sake of the sister I was friendly with the brothers. my own hand. In all England there can be no man
There was a family quarrel about money which es- who sets less value upon his own life than I do at
tranged this man Mortimer, but it was supposed to the present moment.
be made up, and I afterwards met him as I did the “Now I have told you all. You have yourself
others. He was a sly, subtle, scheming man, and supplied the rest. I did, as you say, after a rest-
several things arose which gave me a suspicion of less night, set off early from my cottage. I foresaw
him, but I had no cause for any positive quarrel. the difficulty of arousing him, so I gathered some
“One day, only a couple of weeks ago, he came gravel from the pile which you have mentioned,
down to my cottage and I showed him some of and I used it to throw up to his window. He came
my African curiosities. Among other things I ex- down and admitted me through the window of
hibited this powder, and I told him of its strange the sitting-room. I laid his offence before him. I
properties, how it stimulates those brain centres told him that I had come both as judge and exe-
which control the emotion of fear, and how either cutioner. The wretch sank into a chair, paralyzed
madness or death is the fate of the unhappy na- at the sight of my revolver. I lit the lamp, put the
tive who is subjected to the ordeal by the priest powder above it, and stood outside the window,
of his tribe. I told him also how powerless Euro- ready to carry out my threat to shoot him should
pean science would be to detect it. How he took he try to leave the room. In five minutes he died.
it I cannot say, for I never left the room, but there My God! how he died! But my heart was flint,
is no doubt that it was then, while I was opening for he endured nothing which my innocent dar-
cabinets and stooping to boxes, that he managed ling had not felt before him. There is my story,
to abstract some of the devil’s-foot root. I well re- Mr. Holmes. Perhaps, if you loved a woman, you
member how he plied me with questions as to the would have done as much yourself. At any rate,
amount and the time that was needed for its effect, I am in your hands. You can take what steps you
but I little dreamed that he could have a personal like. As I have already said, there is no man living
reason for asking. who can fear death less than I do.”

837
 Holmes sat for some little time in silence. “I have never loved, Watson, but if I did and if
“What were your plans?” he asked at last. the woman I loved had met such an end, I might
act even as our lawless lion-hunter has done. Who
“I had intended to bury myself in central
knows? Well, Watson, I will not offend your intel-
Africa. My work there is but half finished.”
ligence by explaining what is obvious. The gravel
“Go and do the other half,” said Holmes. “I, at upon the window-sill was, of course, the starting-
least, am not prepared to prevent you.” point of my research. It was unlike anything in
Dr. Sterndale raised his giant figure, bowed the vicarage garden. Only when my attention
gravely, and walked from the arbour. Holmes lit had been drawn to Dr. Sterndale and his cottage
his pipe and handed me his pouch. did I find its counterpart. The lamp shining in
“Some fumes which are not poisonous would broad daylight and the remains of powder upon
be a welcome change,” said he. “I think you must the shield were successive links in a fairly obvi-
agree, Watson, that it is not a case in which we ous chain. And now, my dear Watson, I think
are called upon to interfere. Our investigation has we may dismiss the matter from our mind and go
been independent, and our action shall be so also. back with a clear conscience to the study of those
You would not denounce the man?” Chaldean roots which are surely to be traced in the
“Certainly not,” I answered. Cornish branch of the great Celtic speech.”
 His Last Bow
An Epilogue of Sherlock Holmes
I
His Last Bow

t was nine o’clock at night upon the sec- stranger. One’s first impression is that they are en-
ond of August—the most terrible August tirely soft. Then one comes suddenly upon some-
in the history of the world. One might thing very hard, and you know that you have
have thought already that God’s curse reached the limit and must adapt yourself to the
hung heavy over a degenerate world, for there fact. They have, for example, their insular conven-
was an awesome hush and a feeling of vague ex- tions which simply must be observed.”
pectancy in the sultry and stagnant air. The sun “Meaning ‘good form’ and that sort of thing?”
had long set, but one blood-red gash like an open Von Bork sighed as one who had suffered much.
wound lay low in the distant west. Above, the stars
were shining brightly, and below, the lights of the “Meaning British prejudice in all its queer man-
shipping glimmered in the bay. The two famous ifestations. As an example I may quote one of my
Germans stood beside the stone parapet of the gar- own worst blunders—I can afford to talk of my
den walk, with the long, low, heavily gabled house blunders, for you know my work well enough to
behind them, and they looked down upon the be aware of my successes. It was on my first ar-
broad sweep of the beach at the foot of the great rival. I was invited to a week-end gathering at the
chalk cliff in which Von Bork, like some wander- country house of a cabinet minister. The conversa-
ing eagle, had perched himself four years before. tion was amazingly indiscreet.”
They stood with their heads close together, talk- Von Bork nodded. “I’ve been there,” said he
ing in low, confidential tones. From below the two dryly.
glowing ends of their cigars might have been the “Exactly. Well, I naturally sent a resume of
smouldering eyes of some malignant fiend looking the information to Berlin. Unfortunately our good
down in the darkness. chancellor is a little heavy-handed in these mat-
A remarkable man this Von Bork—a man who ters, and he transmitted a remark which showed
could hardly be matched among all the devoted that he was aware of what had been said. This, of
agents of the Kaiser. It was his talents which had course, took the trail straight up to me. You’ve no
first recommended him for the English mission, idea the harm that it did me. There was nothing
the most important mission of all, but since he soft about our British hosts on that occasion, I can
had taken it over those talents had become more assure you. I was two years living it down. Now
and more manifest to the half-dozen people in the you, with this sporting pose of yours—”
world who were really in touch with the truth. “No, no, don’t call it a pose. A pose is an ar-
One of these was his present companion, Baron tificial thing. This is quite natural. I am a born
Von Herling, the chief secretary of the legation, sportsman. I enjoy it.”
whose huge 100-horse-power Benz car was block- “Well, that makes it the more effective. You
ing the country lane as it waited to waft its owner yacht against them, you hunt with them, you play
back to London. polo, you match them in every game, your four-in-
“So far as I can judge the trend of events, you hand takes the prize at Olympia. I have even heard
will probably be back in Berlin within the week,” that you go the length of boxing with the young
the secretary was saying. “When you get there, my officers. What is the result? Nobody takes you
dear Von Bork, I think you will be surprised at the seriously. You are a ‘good old sport,’ ‘quite a de-
welcome you will receive. I happen to know what cent fellow for a German,’ a hard-drinking, night-
is thought in the highest quarters of your work in club, knock-about-town, devil-may-care young fel-
this country.” He was a huge man, the secretary, low. And all the time this quiet country house of
deep, broad, and tall, with a slow, heavy fashion yours is the centre of half the mischief in England,
of speech which had been his main asset in his po- and the sporting squire the most astute secret-
litical career. service man in Europe. Genius, my dear Von
Bork—genius!”
Von Bork laughed.
“You flatter me, Baron. But certainly I may
“They are not very hard to deceive,” he re- claim my four years in this country have not been
marked. “A more docile, simple folk could not unproductive. I’ve never shown you my little
be imagined.” store. Would you mind stepping in for a mo-
“I don’t know about that,” said the other ment?”
thoughtfully. “They have strange limits and one The door of the study opened straight on to the
must learn to observe them. It is that surface terrace. Von Bork pushed it back, and, leading the
simplicity of theirs which makes a trap for the way, he clicked the switch of the electric light. He

841
 His Last Bow

then closed the door behind the bulky form which with the light shining upon his broad bald head,
followed him and carefully adjusted the heavy cur- while he puffed sedately at his cigar.
tain over the latticed window. Only when all these
precautions had been taken and tested did he turn The large oak-panelled, book-lined room had a
his sunburned aquiline face to his guest. curtain hung in the future corner. When this was
“Some of my papers have gone,” said he. drawn it disclosed a large, brass-bound safe. Von
“When my wife and the household left yester- Bork detached a small key from his watch chain,
day for Flushing they took the less important with and after some considerable manipulation of the
them. I must, of course, claim the protection of the lock he swung open the heavy door.
embassy for the others.”
“Look!” said he, standing clear, with a wave of
“Your name has already been filed as one of the his hand.
personal suite. There will be no difficulties for you
or your baggage. Of course, it is just possible that The light shone vividly into the opened safe,
we may not have to go. England may leave France and the secretary of the embassy gazed with an
to her fate. We are sure that there is no binding absorbed interest at the rows of stuffed pigeon-
treaty between them.” holes with which it was furnished. Each pigeon-
“And Belgium?” hole had its label, and his eyes as he glanced
“Yes, and Belgium, too.” along them read a long series of such titles as
Von Bork shook his head. “I don’t see how that “Fords,” “Harbour-defences,” “Aeroplanes,” “Ire-
could be. There is a definite treaty there. She could land,” “Egypt,” “Portsmouth forts,” “The Chan-
never recover from such a humiliation.” nel,” “Rosythe,” and a score of others. Each com-
partment was bristling with papers and plans.
“She would at least have peace for the mo-
ment.” “Colossal!” said the secretary. Putting down
“But her honor?” his cigar he softly clapped his fat hands.
“Tut, my dear sir, we live in a utilitarian age.
Honour is a mediaeval conception. Besides Eng- “And all in four years, Baron. Not such a bad
land is not ready. It is an inconceivable thing, but show for the hard-drinking, hard-riding country
even our special war tax of fifty million, which one squire. But the gem of my collection is coming and
would think made our purpose as clear as if we there is the setting all ready for it.” He pointed to
had advertised it on the front page of the Times, a space over which “Naval Signals” was printed.
has not roused these people from their slumbers.
Here and there one hears a question. It is my “But you have a good dossier there already.”
business to find an answer. Here and there also
there is an irritation. It is my business to soothe “Out of date and waste paper. The Admiralty
it. But I can assure you that so far as the essen- in some way got the alarm and every code has
tials go—the storage of munitions, the preparation been changed. It was a blow, Baron—the worst
for submarine attack, the arrangements for making setback in my whole campaign. But thanks to my
high explosives—nothing is prepared. How, then, check-book and the good Altamont all will be well
can England come in, especially when we have to-night.”
stirred her up such a devil’s brew of Irish civil war,
window-breaking Furies, and God knows what to The Baron looked at his watch and gave a gut-
keep her thoughts at home.” tural exclamation of disappointment.
“She must think of her future.” “Well, I really can wait no longer. You can
“Ah, that is another matter. I fancy that in the imagine that things are moving at present in Carl-
future we have our own very definite plans about ton Terrace and that we have all to be at our posts.
England, and that your information will be very I had hoped to be able to bring news of your great
vital to us. It is to-day or to-morrow with Mr. John coup. Did Altamont name no hour?”
Bull. If he prefers to-day we are perfectly ready.
If it is to-morrow we shall be more ready still. I Von Bork pushed over a telegram.
should think they would be wiser to fight with al-
lies than without them, but that is their own affair. Will come without fail to-night and
This week is their week of destiny. But you were bring new sparking plugs.
speaking of your papers.” He sat in the armchair —Altamont.

842
 His Last Bow

“Sparking plugs, eh?” a table, was a dear old ruddy-faced woman in a

“You see he poses as a motor expert and I keep country cap. She was bending over her knitting
a full garage. In our code everything likely to come and stopping occasionally to stroke a large black
up is named after some spare part. If he talks of a cat upon a stool beside her.
radiator it is a battleship, of an oil pump a cruiser, “That is Martha, the only servant I have left.”
and so on. Sparking plugs are naval signals.” The secretary chuckled.
“From Portsmouth at midday,” said the secre- “She might almost personify Britannia,” said
tary, examining the superscription. “By the way, he, “with her complete self-absorption and general
what do you give him?” air of comfortable somnolence. Well, au revoir, Von
“Five hundred pounds for this particular job. Bork!” With a final wave of his hand he sprang
Of course he has a salary as well.” into the car, and a moment later the two golden
“The greedy rouge. They are useful, these cones from the headlights shot through the dark-
traitors, but I grudge them their blood money.” ness. The secretary lay back in the cushions of the
luxurious limousine, with his thoughts so full of
“I grudge Altamont nothing. He is a wonder-
the impending European tragedy that he hardly
ful worker. If I pay him well, at least he deliv-
observed that as his car swung round the village
ers the goods, to use his own phrase. Besides he
street it nearly passed over a little Ford coming in
is not a traitor. I assure you that our most pan-
the opposite direction.
Germanic Junker is a sucking dove in his feelings
towards England as compared with a real bitter Von Bork walked slowly back to the study
Irish-American.” when the last gleams of the motor lamps had
faded into the distance. As he passed he observed
“Oh, an Irish-American?”
that his old housekeeper had put out her lamp and
“If you heard him talk you would not doubt it. retired. It was a new experience to him, the silence
Sometimes I assure you I can hardly understand and darkness of his widespread house, for his fam-
him. He seems to have declared war on the King’s ily and household had been a large one. It was a
English as well as on the English king. Must you relief to him, however, to think that they were all
really go? He may be here any moment.” in safety and that, but for that one old woman who
“No. I’m sorry, but I have already overstayed had lingered in the kitchen, he had the whole place
my time. We shall expect you early to-morrow, to himself. There was a good deal of tidying up to
and when you get that signal book through the do inside his study and he set himself to do it until
little door on the Duke of York’s steps you can his keen, handsome face was flushed with the heat
put a triumphant finis to your record in England. of the burning papers. A leather valise stood be-
What! Tokay!” He indicated a heavily sealed dust- side his table, and into this he began to pack very
covered bottle which stood with two high glasses neatly and systematically the precious contents of
upon a salver. his safe. He had hardly got started with the work,
“May I offer you a glass before your journey?” however, when his quick ears caught the sounds of
a distant car. Instantly he gave an exclamation of
“No, thanks. But it looks like revelry.” satisfaction, strapped up the valise, shut the safe,
“Altamont has a nice taste in wines, and he locked it, and hurried out on to the terrace. He
took a fancy to my Tokay. He is a touchy fellow was just in time to see the lights of a small car
and needs humouring in small things. I have to come to a halt at the gate. A passenger sprang
study him, I assure you.” They had strolled out on out of it and advanced swiftly towards him, while
to the terrace again, and along it to the further end the chauffeur, a heavily built, elderly man with a
where at a touch from the Baron’s chauffeur the gray moustache, settled down like one who resigns
great car shivered and chuckled. “Those are the himself to a long vigil.
lights of Harwich, I suppose,” said the secretary, “Well?” asked Von Bork eagerly, running for-
pulling on his dust coat. “How still and peaceful ward to meet his visitor.
it all seems. There may be other lights within the
week, and the English coast a less tranquil place! For answer the man waved a small brown-
The heavens, too, may not be quite so peaceful if paper parcel triumphantly above his head.
all that the good Zeppelin promises us comes true. “You can give me the glad hand to-night, mis-
By the way, who is that?” ter,” he cried. “I’m bringing home the bacon at
Only one window showed a light behind them; last.”
in it there stood a lamp, and beside it, seated at “The signals?”

843
 His Last Bow

“Same as I said in my cable. Every last one “My, but that was smart! You had it down to a
of them, semaphore, lamp code, Marconi—a copy, fine thing.”
mind you, not the original. That was too dan- “Yes, a few of us even then could have guessed
gerous. But it’s the real goods, and you can lay the date. Here it is, and I’m shutting down to-
to that.” He slapped the German upon the shoul- morrow morning.”
der with a rough familiarity from which the other “Well, I guess you’ll have to fix me up also. I’m
winced. not staying is this gol-darned country all on my
“Come in,” he said. “I’m all alone in the house. lonesome. In a week or less, from what I see, John
I was only waiting for this. Of course a copy is Bull will be on his hind legs and fair ramping. I’d
better than the original. If an original were miss- rather watch him from over the water.”
ing they would change the whole thing. You think “But you’re an American citizen?”
it’s all safe about the copy?” “Well, so was Jack James an American citizen,
The Irish-American had entered the study and but he’s doing time in Portland all the same. It cuts
stretched his long limbs from the armchair. He no ice with a British copper to tell him you’re an
was a tall, gaunt man of sixty, with clear-cut fea- American citizen. ‘It’s British law and order over
tures and a small goatee beard which gave him here,’ says he. By the way, mister, talking of Jack
a general resemblance to the caricatures of Uncle James, it seems to me you don’t do much to cover
Sam. A half-smoked, sodden cigar hung from the your men.”
corner of his mouth, and as he sat down he struck “What do you mean?” Von Bork asked sharply.
a match and relit it. “Making ready for a move?” “Well, you are their employer, ain’t you? It’s up
he remarked as he looked round him. “Say, mis- to you to see that they don’t fall down. But they
ter,” he added, as his eyes fell upon the safe from do fall down, and when did you ever pick them
which the curtain was now removed, “you don’t up? There’s James—”
tell me you keep your papers in that?”
“It was James’s own fault. You know that your-
“Why not?” self. He was too self-willed for the job.”
“Gosh, in a wide-open contraption like that! “James was a bonehead—I give you that. Then
And they reckon you to be some spy. Why, a Yan- there was Hollis.”
kee crook would be into that with a can-opener. If “The man was mad.”
I’d known that any letter of mine was goin’ to lie “Well, he went a bit woozy towards the end.
loose in a thing like that I’d have been a mug to It’s enough to make a man bug-house when he
write to you at all.” has to play a part from morning to night with a
“It would puzzle any crook to force that safe,” hundred guys all ready to set the coppers wise to
Von Bork answered. “You won’t cut that metal him. But now there is Steiner—”
with any tool.” Von Bork started violently, and his ruddy face
“But the lock?” turned a shade paler.
“No, it’s a double combination lock. You know “What about Steiner?”
what that is?” “Well, they’ve got him, that’s all. They raided
“Search me,” said the American. his store last night, and he and his papers are all in
Portsmouth jail. You’ll go off and he, poor devil,
“Well, you need a word as well as a set of
will have to stand the racket, and lucky if he gets
figures before you can get the lock to work.” He
off with his life. That’s why I want to get over the
rose and showed a double-radiating disc round the
water as soon as you do.”
keyhole. “This outer one is for the letters, the inner
one for the figures.” Von Bork was a strong, self-contained man, but
it was easy to see that the news had shaken him.
“Well, well, that’s fine.”
“How could they have got on to Steiner?” he
“So it’s not quite as simple as you thought. It muttered. “That’s the worst blow yet.”
was four years ago that I had it made, and what
“Well, you nearly had a worse one, for I believe
do you think I chose for the word and figures?”
they are not far off me.”
“It’s beyond me.” “You don’t mean that!”
“Well, I chose August for the word, and 1914 “Sure thing. My landlady down Fratton way
for the figures, and here we are.” had some inquiries, and when I heard of it I
The American’s face showed his surprise and guessed it was time for me to hustle. But what
admiration. I want to know, mister, is how the coppers know

844
 His Last Bow

these things? Steiner is the fifth man you’ve lost you understand?” he added, looking back over his
since I signed on with you, and I know the name shoulder at the American. “There’s the check upon
of the sixth if I don’t get a move on. How do you the table. I claim the right to examine that parcel
explain it, and ain’t you ashamed to see your men before you pick the money up.”
go down like this?”
The American passed it over without a word.
Von Bork flushed crimson. Von Bork undid a winding of string and two wrap-
“How dare you speak in such a way!” pers of paper. Then he sat dazing for a moment
in silent amazement at a small blue book which
“If I didn’t dare things, mister, I wouldn’t be in
lay before him. Across the cover was printed
your service. But I’ll tell you straight what is in
in golden letters Practical Handbook of Bee Culture.
my mind. I’ve heard that with you German politi-
Only for one instant did the master spy glare at
cians when an agent has done his work you are
this strangely irrelevant inscription. The next he
not sorry to see him put away.”
was gripped at the back of his neck by a grasp of
Von Bork sprang to his feet. iron, and a chloroformed sponge was held in front
“Do you dare to suggest that I have given away of his writhing face.
my own agents!” “Another glass, Watson!” said Mr. Sherlock
“I don’t stand for that, mister, but there’s a Holmes as he extended the bottle of Imperial
stool pigeon or a cross somewhere, and it’s up to Tokay.
you to find out where it is. Anyhow I am taking
The thickset chauffeur, who had seated himself
no more chances. It’s me for little Holland, and the
by the table, pushed forward his glass with some
sooner the better.”
eagerness.
Von Bork had mastered his anger.
“It is a good wine, Holmes.”
“We have been allies too long to quarrel now at
the very hour of victory,” he said. “You’ve done “A remarkable wine, Watson. Our friend upon
splendid work and taken risks, and I can’t forget the sofa has assured me that it is from Franz Josef’s
it. By all means go to Holland, and you can get a special cellar at the Schoenbrunn Palace. Might I
boat from Rotterdam to New York. No other line trouble you to open the window, for chloroform
will be safe a week from now. I’ll take that book vapour does not help the palate.”
and pack it with the rest.” The safe was ajar, and Holmes standing in front
The American held the small parcel in his of it was removing dossier after dossier, swiftly ex-
hand, but made no motion to give it up. amining each, and then packing it neatly in Von
“What about the dough?” he asked. Bork’s valise. The German lay upon the sofa sleep-
ing stertorously with a strap round his upper arms
“The what?” and another round his legs.
“The boodle. The reward. The £500. The gun-
“We need not hurry ourselves, Watson. We are
ner turned damned nasty at the last, and I had
safe from interruption. Would you mind touching
to square him with an extra hundred dollars or it
the bell? There is no one in the house except old
would have been nitsky for you and me. ‘Nothin’
Martha, who has played her part to admiration. I
doin’!’ says he, and he meant it, too, but the last
got her the situation here when first I took the mat-
hundred did it. It’s cost me two hundred pound
ter up. Ah, Martha, you will be glad to hear that
from first to last, so it isn’t likely I’d give it up
all is well.”
without gettin’ my wad.”
Von Bork smiled with some bitterness. “You The pleasant old lady had appeared in the
don’t seem to have a very high opinion of my hon- doorway. She curtseyed with a smile to Mr.
our,” said he, “you want the money before you Holmes, but glanced with some apprehension at
give up the book.” the figure upon the sofa.
“Well, mister, it is a business proposition.” “It is all right, Martha. He has not been hurt at
all.”
“All right. Have your way.” He sat down at the
table and scribbled a check, which he tore from “I am glad of that, Mr. Holmes. According to
the book, but he refrained from handing it to his his lights he has been a kind master. He wanted
companion. “After all, since we are to be on such me to go with his wife to Germany yesterday, but
terms, Mr. Altamont,” said he, “I don’t see why I that would hardly have suited your plans, would
should trust you any more than you trust me. Do it, sir?”

845
 His Last Bow

“No, indeed, Martha. So long as you were here “But you have retired, Holmes. We heard of
I was easy in my mind. We waited some time for you as living the life of a hermit among your bees
your signal to-night.” and your books in a small farm upon the South
“It was the secretary, sir.” Downs.”

“I know. His car passed ours.” “Exactly, Watson. Here is the fruit of my
leisured ease, the magnum opus of my latter years!”
“I thought he would never go. I knew that it He picked up the volume from the table and read
would not suit your plans, sir, to find him here.” out the whole title, Practical Handbook of Bee Cul-
“No, indeed. Well, it only meant that we ture, with Some Observations upon the Segregation of
waited half an hour or so until I saw your lamp the Queen. “Alone I did it. Behold the fruit of pen-
go out and knew that the coast was clear. You sive nights and laborious days when I watched the
can report to me to-morrow in London, Martha, at little working gangs as once I watched the criminal
Claridge’s Hotel.” world of London.”
“Very good, sir.” “But how did you get to work again?”
“I suppose you have everything ready to “Ah, I have often marvelled at it myself. The
leave.” Foreign Minister alone I could have withstood, but
“Yes, sir. He posted seven letters to-day. I have when the Premier also deigned to visit my humble
the addresses as usual.” roof—! The fact is, Watson, that this gentleman
upon the sofa was a bit too good for our people.
“Very good, Martha. I will look into them to-
He was in a class by himself. Things were going
morrow. Good-night. These papers,” he contin-
wrong, and no one could understand why they
ued as the old lady vanished, “are not of very
were going wrong. Agents were suspected or even
great importance, for, of course, the information
caught, but there was evidence of some strong and
which they represent has been sent off long ago to
secret central force. It was absolutely necessary to
the German government. These are the originals
expose it. Strong pressure was brought upon me
which cold not safely be got out of the country.”
to look into the matter. It has cost me two years,
“Then they are of no use.” Watson, but they have not been devoid of excite-
“I should not go so far as to say that, Wat- ment. When I say that I started my pilgrimage
son. They will at least show our people what is at Chicago, graduated in an Irish secret society at
known and what is not. I may say that a good Buffalo, gave serious trouble to the constabulary at
many of these papers have come through me, and Skibbareen, and so eventually caught the eye of a
I need not add are thoroughly untrustworthy. It subordinate agent of Von Bork, who recommended
would brighten my declining years to see a Ger- me as a likely man, you will realize that the matter
man cruiser navigating the Solent according to the was complex. Since then I have been honoured by
mine-field plans which I have furnished. But you, his confidence, which has not prevented most of
Watson”—he stopped his work and took his old his plans going subtly wrong and five of his best
friend by the shoulders—“I’ve hardly seen you in agents being in prison. I watched them, Watson,
the light yet. How have the years used you? You and I picked them as they ripened. Well, sir, I hope
look the same blithe boy as ever.” that you are none the worse!”
“I feel twenty years younger, Holmes. I have The last remark was addressed to Von Bork
seldom felt so happy as when I got your wire ask- himself, who after much gasping and blinking
ing me to meet you at Harwich with the car. But had lain quietly listening to Holmes’s statement.
you, Holmes—you have changed very little—save He broke out now into a furious stream of Ger-
for that horrible goatee.” man invective, his face convulsed with passion.
Holmes continued his swift investigation of doc-
“These are the sacrifices one makes for one’s
uments while his prisoner cursed and swore.
country, Watson,” said Holmes, pulling at his little
tuft. “To-morrow it will be but a dreadful mem- “Though unmusical, German is the most ex-
ory. With my hair cut and a few other superficial pressive of all languages,” he observed when Von
changes I shall no doubt reappear at Claridge’s to- Bork had stopped from pure exhaustion. “Hullo!
morrow as I was before this American stunt—I beg Hullo!” he added as he looked hard at the cor-
your pardon, Watson, my well of English seems to ner of a tracing before putting it in the box. “This
be permanently defiled—before this American job should put another bird in the cage. I had no
came my way.” idea that the paymaster was such a rascal, though

846
 His Last Bow

I have long had an eye upon him. Mister Von Bork, “There are a good many other points of detail
you have a great deal to answer for.” which will, no doubt, come to light in good time.
The prisoner had raised himself with some But you have one quality which is very rare in a
difficulty upon the sofa and was staring with a German, Mr. Von Bork: you are a sportsman and
strange mixture of amazement and hatred at his you will bear me no ill-will when you realize that
captor. you, who have outwitted so many other people,
have at last been outwitted yourself. After all, you
“I shall get level with you, Altamont,” he said, have done your best for your country, and I have
speaking with slow deliberation. “If it takes me all done my best for mine, and what could be more
my life I shall get level with you!” natural? Besides,” he added, not unkindly, as he
“The old sweet song,” said Holmes. “How of- laid his hand upon the shoulder of the prostrate
ten have I heard it in days gone by. It was a man, “it is better than to fall before some ignoble
favorite ditty of the late lamented Professor Mo- foe. These papers are now ready, Watson. If you
riarty. Colonel Sebastian Moran has also been will help me with our prisoner, I think that we may
known to warble it. And yet I live and keep bees get started for London at once.”
upon the South Downs.” It was no easy task to move Von Bork, for he
“Curse you, you double traitor!” cried the Ger- was a strong and a desperate man. Finally, hold-
man, straining against his bonds and glaring mur- ing either arm, the two friends walked him very
der from his furious eyes. slowly down the garden walk which he had trod
with such proud confidence when he received the
“No, no, it is not so bad as that,” said Holmes,
congratulations of the famous diplomatist only a
smiling. “As my speech surely shows you, Mr. Al-
few hours before. After a short, final struggle he
tamont of Chicago had no existence in fact. I used
was hoisted, still bound hand and foot, into the
him and he is gone.”
spare seat of the little car. His precious valise was
“Then who are you?” wedged in beside him.
“It is really immaterial who I am, but since the “I trust that you are as comfortable as circum-
matter seems to interest you, Mr. Von Bork, I may stances permit,” said Holmes when the final ar-
say that this is not my first acquaintance with the rangements were made. “Should I be guilty of a
members of your family. I have done a good deal liberty if I lit a cigar and placed it between your
of business in Germany in the past and my name lips?”
is probably familiar to you.” But all amenities were wasted upon the angry
“I would wish to know it,” said the Prussian German.
grimly. “I suppose you realize, Mr. Sherlock Holmes,”
“It was I who brought about the separation be- said he, “that if your government bears you out in
tween Irene Adler and the late King of Bohemia this treatment it becomes an act of war.”
when your cousin Heinrich was the Imperial En- “What about your government and all this
voy. It was I also who saved from murder, by the treatment?” said Holmes, tapping the valise.
Nihilist Klopman, Count Von und Zu Grafenstein,
who was your mother’s elder brother. It was I—” “You are a private individual. You have no war-
rant for my arrest. The whole proceeding is abso-
Von Bork sat up in amazement. lutely illegal and outrageous.”
“There is only one man,” he cried. “Absolutely,” said Holmes.
“Exactly,” said Holmes. “Kidnapping a German subject.”
Von Bork groaned and sank back on the sofa. “And stealing his private papers.”
“And most of that information came through “Well, you realize your position, you and your
you,” he cried. “What is it worth? What have I accomplice here. If I were to shout for help as we
done? It is my ruin forever!” pass through the village—”
“It is certainly a little untrustworthy,” said “My dear sir, if you did anything so foolish you
Holmes. “It will require some checking and you would probably enlarge the two limited titles of
have little time to check it. Your admiral may find our village inns by giving us ‘The Dangling Prus-
the new guns rather larger than he expects, and sian’ as a signpost. The Englishman is a patient
the cruisers perhaps a trifle faster.” creature, but at present his temper is a little in-
Von Bork clutched at his own throat in despair. flamed, and it would be as well not to try him too

847
far. No, Mr. Von Bork, you will go with us in a and shook a thoughtful head.
quiet, sensible fashion to Scotland Yard, whence “There’s an east wind coming, Watson.”
you can send for your friend, Baron Von Herling,
“I think not, Holmes. It is very warm.”
and see if even now you may not fill that place
which he has reserved for you in the ambassado- “Good old Watson! You are the one fixed point
rial suite. As to you, Watson, you are joining us in a changing age. There’s an east wind coming
with your old service, as I understand, so London all the same, such a wind as never blew on Eng-
won’t be out of your way. Stand with me here land yet. It will be cold and bitter, Watson, and a
upon the terrace, for it may be the last quiet talk good many of us may wither before its blast. But
that we shall ever have.” it’s God’s own wind none the less, and a cleaner,
better, stronger land will lie in the sunshine when
The two friends chatted in intimate converse the storm has cleared. Start her up, Watson, for
for a few minutes, recalling once again the days it’s time that we were on our way. I have a check
of the past, while their prisoner vainly wriggled for five hundred pounds which should be cashed
to undo the bonds that held him. As they turned early, for the drawer is quite capable of stopping it
to the car Holmes pointed back to the moonlit sea if he can.”
The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes
 Preface

I fear that Mr. Sherlock Holmes may become like one of those popular tenors who, hav-
ing outlived their time, are still tempted to make repeated farewell bows to their indulgent
audiences. This must cease and he must go the way of all flesh, material or imaginary. One
likes to think that there is some fantastic limbo for the children of imagination, some strange,
impossible place where the beaux of Fielding may still make love to the belles of Richardson,
where Scott’s heroes still may strut, Dickens’s delightful Cockneys still raise a laugh, and
Thackeray’s worldlings continue to carry on their reprehensible careers. Perhaps in some
humble corner of such a Valhalla, Sherlock and his Watson may for a time find a place, while
some more astute sleuth with some even less astute comrade may fill the stage which they
have vacated.
His career has been a long one—though it is possible to exaggerate it; decrepit gentlemen
who approach me and declare that his adventures formed the reading of their boyhood do
not meet the response from me which they seem to expect. One is not anxious to have one’s
personal dates handled so unkindly. As a matter of cold fact, Holmes made his debut in A
Study in Scarlet and in The Sign of Four, two small booklets which appeared between 1887
and 1889. It was in 1891 that “A Scandal in Bohemia,” the first of the long series of short
stories, appeared in The Strand Magazine. The public seemed appreciative and desirous of
more, so that from that date, thirty-nine years ago, they have been produced in a broken se-
ries which now contains no fewer than fifty-six stories, republished in The Adventures, The
Memoirs, The Return, and His Last Bow. And there remain these twelve published during the
last few years which are here produced under the title of The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes.
He began his adventures in the very heart of the later Victorian era, carried it through the
all-too-short reign of Edward, and has managed to hold his own little niche even in these
feverish days. Thus it would be true to say that those who first read of him, as young men,
have lived to see their own grown-up children following the same adventures in the same
magazine. It is a striking example of the patience and loyalty of the British public.
I had fully determined at the conclusion of The Memoirs to bring Holmes to an end, as
I felt that my literary energies should not be directed too much into one channel. That pale,
clear-cut face and loose-limbed figure were taking up an undue share of my imagination. I
did the deed, but fortunately no coroner had pronounced upon the remains, and so, after a
long interval, it was not difficult for me to respond to the flattering demand and to explain
my rash act away. I have never regretted it, for I have not in actual practice found that these
lighter sketches have prevented me from exploring and finding my limitations in such varied
branches of literature as history, poetry, historical novels, psychic research, and the drama.
Had Holmes never existed I could not have done more, though he may perhaps have stood a
little in the way of the recognition of my more serious literary work.
And so, reader, farewell to Sherlock Holmes! I thank you for your past constancy, and can
but hope that some return has been made in the shape of that distraction from the worries
of life and stimulating change of thought which can only be found in the fairy kingdom of
romance.

Arthur Conan Doyle

The Illustrious Client
I
The Illustrious Client

t can’t hurt now,” was Mr. Sherlock “Our?”

Holmes’s comment when, for the tenth “Well, if you will be so good, Watson.”
time in as many years, I asked his leave
“I shall be honoured.”
to reveal the following narrative. So it
was that at last I obtained permission to put on “Then you have the hour—4.30. Until then we
record what was, in some ways, the supreme mo- can put the matter out of our heads.”
ment of my friend’s career. I was living in my own rooms in Queen Anne
Both Holmes and I had a weakness for the Street at the time, but I was round at Baker Street
Turkish bath. It was over a smoke in the pleas- before the time named. Sharp to the half-hour,
ant lassitude of the drying-room that I have found Colonel Sir James Damery was announced. It is
him less reticent and more human than anywhere hardly necessary to describe him, for many will
else. On the upper floor of the Northumberland remember that large, bluff, honest personality, that
Avenue establishment there is an isolated corner broad, clean-shaven face, and, above all, that pleas-
where two couches lie side by side, and it was ant, mellow voice. Frankness shone from his gray
on these that we lay upon September 3, 1902, the Irish eyes, and good humour played round his
day when my narrative begins. I had asked him mobile, smiling lips. His lucent top-hat, his dark
whether anything was stirring, and for answer he frock-coat, indeed, every detail, from the pearl pin
had shot his long, thin, nervous arm out of the in the black satin cravat to the lavender spats over
sheets which enveloped him and had drawn an the varnished shoes, spoke of the meticulous care
envelope from the inside pocket of the coat which in dress for which he was famous. The big, mas-
hung beside him. terful aristocrat dominated the little room.
“Of course, I was prepared to find Dr. Watson,”
“It may be some fussy, self-important fool; it
he remarked with a courteous bow. “His collabo-
may be a matter of life or death,” said he as he
ration may be very necessary, for we are dealing
handed me the note. “I know no more than this
on this occasion, Mr. Holmes, with a man to whom
message tells me.”
violence is familiar and who will, literally, stick at
It was from the Carlton Club and dated the nothing. I should say that there is no more dan-
evening before. This is what I read: gerous man in Europe.”
Sir James Damery presents his com- “I have had several opponents to whom that
pliments to Mr. Sherlock Holmes and flattering term has been applied,” said Holmes
will call upon him at 4.30 to-morrow. with a smile. “Don’t you smoke? Then you will
Sir James begs to say that the matter excuse me if I light my pipe. If your man is more
upon which he desires to consult Mr. dangerous than the late Professor Moriarty, or than
Holmes is very delicate and also very the living Colonel Sebastian Moran, then he is in-
important. He trusts, therefore, that deed worth meeting. May I ask his name?”
Mr. Holmes will make every effort to “Have you ever heard of Baron Gruner?”
grant this interview, and that he will “You mean the Austrian murderer?”
confirm it over the telephone to the
Colonel Damery threw up his kid-gloved
Carlton Club.
hands with a laugh. “There is no getting past
you, Mr. Holmes! Wonderful! So you have already
“I need not say that I have confirmed it, Wat-
sized him up as a murderer?”
son,” said Holmes as I returned the paper. “Do
you know anything of this man Damery?” “It is my business to follow the details of Conti-
nental crime. Who could possibly have read what
“Only that this name is a household word in happened at Prague and have any doubts as to the
society.” man’s guilt! It was a purely technical legal point
“Well, I can tell you a little more than that. He and the suspicious death of a witness that saved
has rather a reputation for arranging delicate mat- him! I am as sure that he killed his wife when the
ters which are to be kept out of the papers. You so-called ‘accident’ happened in the Splugen Pass
may remember his negotiations with Sir George as if I had seen him do it. I knew, also, that he
Lewis over the Hammerford Will case. He is a man had come to England and had a presentiment that
of the world with a natural turn for diplomacy. I sooner or later he would find me some work to
am bound, therefore, to hope that it is not a false do. Well, what has Baron Gruner been up to? I
scent and that he has some real need for our assis- presume it is not this old tragedy which has come
tance.” up again?”

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 The Illustrious Client

“No, it is more serious than that. To revenge air of romance and mystery which means so much
crime is important, but to prevent it is more so. to a woman. He is said to have the whole sex at his
It is a terrible thing, Mr. Holmes, to see a dread- mercy and to have made ample use of the fact.”
ful event, an atrocious situation, preparing itself “But how came such a man to meet a lady of
before your eyes, to clearly understand whither it the standing of Miss Violet de Merville?”
will lead and yet to be utterly unable to avert it.
“It was on a Mediterranean yachting voyage.
Can a human being be placed in a more trying po-
The company, though select, paid their own pas-
sition?”
sages. No doubt the promoters hardly realized the
“Perhaps not.” Baron’s true character until it was too late. The
“Then you will sympathize with the client in villain attached himself to the lady, and with such
whose interests I am acting.” effect that he has completely and absolutely won
“I did not understand that you were merely an her heart. To say that she loves him hardly ex-
intermediary. Who is the principal?” presses it. She dotes upon him; she is obsessed by
him. Outside of him there is nothing on earth. She
“Mr. Holmes, I must beg you not to press that
will not hear one word against him. Everything
question. It is important that I should be able to
has been done to cure her of her madness, but in
assure him that his honoured name has been in
vain. To sum up, she proposes to marry him next
no way dragged into the matter. His motives are,
month. As she is of age and has a will of iron, it is
to the last degree, honourable and chivalrous, but
hard to know how to prevent her.”
he prefers to remain unknown. I need not say
that your fees will be assured and that you will “Does she know about the Austrian episode?”
be given a perfectly free hand. Surely the actual “The cunning devil has told her every un-
name of your client is immaterial?” savoury public scandal of his past life, but always
“I am sorry,” said Holmes. “I am accustomed in such a way as to make himself out to be an in-
to have mystery at one end of my cases, but to have nocent martyr. She absolutely accepts his version
it at both ends is too confusing. I fear, Sir James, and will listen to no other.”
that I must decline to act.” “Dear me! But surely you have inadvertently
Our visitor was greatly disturbed. His large, let out the name of your client? It is no doubt
sensitive face was darkened with emotion and dis- General de Merville.”
appointment. Our visitor fidgeted in his chair.
“You hardly realize the effect of your own ac- “I could deceive you by saying so, Mr. Holmes,
tion, Mr. Holmes,” said he. “You place me in a but it would not be true. De Merville is a broken
most serious dilemma, for I am perfectly certain man. The strong soldier has been utterly demoral-
that you would be proud to take over the case if I ized by this incident. He has lost the nerve which
could give you the facts, and yet a promise forbids never failed him on the battlefield and has become
me from revealing them all. May I, at least, lay all a weak, doddering old man, utterly incapable of
that I can before you?” contending with a brilliant, forceful rascal like this
“By all means, so long as it is understood that Austrian. My client, however, is an old friend, one
I commit myself to nothing.” who has known the General intimately for many
years and taken a paternal interest in this young
“That is understood. In the first place, you have
girl since she wore short frocks. He cannot see
no doubt heard of General de Merville?”
this tragedy consummated without some attempt
“De Merville of Khyber fame? Yes, I have heard to stop it. There is nothing in which Scotland Yard
of him.” can act. It was his own suggestion that you should
“He has a daughter, Violet de Merville, young, be called in, but it was, as I have said, on the
rich, beautiful, accomplished, a wonder-woman in express stipulation that he should not be person-
every way. It is this daughter, this lovely, innocent ally involved in the matter. I have no doubt, Mr.
girl, whom we are endeavouring to save from the Holmes, with your great powers you could easily
clutches of a fiend.” trace my client back through me, but I must ask
“Baron Gruner has some hold over her, then?” you, as a point of honour, to refrain from doing so,
and not to break in upon his incognito.”
“The strongest of all holds where a woman is
concerned—the hold of love. The fellow is, as you Holmes gave a whimsical smile.
may have heard, extraordinarily handsome, with a “I think I may safely promise that,” said he. “I
most fascinating manner, a gentle voice, and that may add that your problem interests me, and that

856
 The Illustrious Client

I shall be prepared to look into it. How shall I keep grieve to say, made his name first as a very dan-
in touch with you?” gerous villain and served two terms at Parkhurst.
“The Carlton Club will find me. But in case Finally he repented and allied himself to Holmes,
of emergency, there is a private telephone call, acting as his agent in the huge criminal under-
‘XX.31.’ ” world of London and obtaining information which
often proved to be of vital importance. Had John-
Holmes noted it down and sat, still smiling, son been a “nark” of the police he would soon have
with the open memorandum-book upon his knee. been exposed, but as he dealt with cases which
“The Baron’s present address, please?” never came directly into the courts, his activities
“Vernon Lodge, near Kingston. It is a large were never realized by his companions. With the
house. He has been fortunate in some rather shady glamour of his two convictions upon him, he had
speculations and is a rich man, which naturally the entree of every night-club, doss house, and
makes him a more dangerous antagonist.” gambling-den in the town, and his quick observa-
tion and active brain made him an ideal agent for
“Is he at home at present?” gaining information. It was to him that Sherlock
“Yes.” Holmes now proposed to turn.
“Apart from what you have told me, can you It was not possible for me to follow the imme-
give me any further information about the man?” diate steps taken by my friend, for I had some
“He has expensive tastes. He is a horse fancier. pressing professional business of my own, but I
For a short time he played polo at Hurlingham, met him by appointment that evening at Simp-
but then this Prague affair got noised about and he son’s, where, sitting at a small table in the front
had to leave. He collects books and pictures. He window and looking down at the rushing stream
is a man with a considerable artistic side to his na- of life in the Strand, he told me something of what
ture. He is, I believe, a recognized authority upon had passed.
Chinese pottery and has written a book upon the “Johnson is on the prowl,” said he. “He may
subject.” pick up some garbage in the darker recesses of the
“A complex mind,” said Holmes. “All great underworld, for it is down there, amid the black
criminals have that. My old friend Charlie Peace roots of crime, that we must hunt for this man’s
was a violin virtuoso. Wainwright was no mean secrets.”
artist. I could quote many more. Well, Sir James, “But if the lady will not accept what is already
you will inform your client that I am turning my known, why should any fresh discovery of yours
mind upon Baron Gruner. I can say no more. I turn her from her purpose?”
have some sources of information of my own, and “Who knows, Watson? Woman’s heart and
I dare say we may find some means of opening the mind are insoluble puzzles to the male. Murder
matter up.” might be condoned or explained, and yet some
When our visitor had left us Holmes sat so long smaller offence might rankle. Baron Gruner re-
in deep thought that it seemed to me that he had marked to me—”
forgotten my presence. At last, however, he came “He remarked to you!”
briskly back to earth.
“Oh, to be sure, I had not told you of my plans.
“Well, Watson, any views?” he asked. Well, Watson, I love to come to close grips with
“I should think you had better see the young my man. I like to meet him eye to eye and read
lady herself.” for myself the stuff that he is made of. When I
“My dear Watson, if her poor old broken father had given Johnson his instructions I took a cab out
cannot move her, how shall I, a stranger, prevail? to Kingston and found the Baron in a most affable
And yet there is something in the suggestion if all mood.”
else fails. But I think we must begin from a dif- “Did he recognize you?”
ferent angle. I rather fancy that Shinwell Johnson “There was no difficulty about that, for I sim-
might be a help.” ply sent in my card. He is an excellent antagonist,
I have not had occasion to mention Shinwell cool as ice, silky voiced and soothing as one of
Johnson in these memoirs because I have seldom your fashionable consultants, and poisonous as a
drawn my cases from the latter phases of my cobra. He has breeding in him—a real aristocrat of
friend’s career. During the first years of the cen- crime, with a superficial suggestion of afternoon
tury he became a valuable assistant. Johnson, I tea and all the cruelty of the grave behind it. Yes, I

857
 The Illustrious Client

am glad to have had my attention called to Baron to treat them. You have heard of post-hypnotic
Adelbert Gruner.” suggestion, Mr. Holmes? Well, you will see how it
“You say he was affable?” works, for a man of personality can use hypnotism
without any vulgar passes or tomfoolery. So she is
“A purring cat who thinks he sees prospective
ready for you and, I have no doubt, would give
mice. Some people’s affability is more deadly than
you an appointment, for she is quite amenable to
the violence of coarser souls. His greeting was
her father’s will—save only in the one little mat-
characteristic. ‘I rather thought I should see you
ter.’
sooner or later, Mr. Holmes,’ said he. ‘You have
“Well, Watson, there seemed to be no more to
been engaged, no doubt by General de Merville,
say, so I took my leave with as much cold dignity
to endeavour to stop my marriage with his daugh-
as I could summon, but, as I had my hand on the
ter, Violet. That is so, is it not?’
door-handle, he stopped me.
“I acquiesced. “ ‘By the way, Mr. Holmes,’ said he, ‘did you
“ ‘My dear man,’ said he, ‘you will only ruin know Le Brun, the French agent?’
your own well-deserved reputation. It is not a case “ ‘Yes,’ said I.
in which you can possibly succeed. You will have “ ‘Do you know what befell him?’
barren work, to say nothing of incurring some dan-
“ ‘I heard that he was beaten by some Apaches
ger. Let me very strongly advise you to draw off
in the Montmartre district and crippled for life.’
at once.’
“ ‘Quite true, Mr. Holmes. By a curious coinci-
“ ‘It is curious,’ I answered, ‘but that was the dence he had been inquiring into my affairs only
very advice which I had intended to give you. I a week before. Don’t do it, Mr. Holmes; it’s not a
have a respect for your brains, Baron, and the lit- lucky thing to do. Several have found that out. My
tle which I have seen of your personality has not last word to you is, go your own way and let me
lessened it. Let me put it to you as man to man. go mine. Good-bye!’
No one wants to rake up your past and make you
“So there you are, Watson. You are up to date
unduly uncomfortable. It is over, and you are now
now.”
in smooth waters, but if you persist in this mar-
“The fellow seems dangerous.”
riage you will raise up a swarm of powerful en-
emies who will never leave you alone until they “Mighty dangerous. I disregard the blusterer,
have made England too hot to hold you. Is the but this is the sort of man who says rather less than
game worth it? Surely you would be wiser if you he means.”
left the lady alone. It would not be pleasant for “Must you interfere? Does it really matter if he
you if these facts of your past were brought to her marries the girl?”
notice.’ “Considering that he undoubtedly murdered
“The Baron has little waxed tips of hair under his last wife, I should say it mattered very much.
his nose, like the short antennae of an insect. These Besides, the client! Well, well, we need not discuss
quivered with amusement as he listened, and he that. When you have finished your coffee you had
finally broke into a gentle chuckle. best come home with me, for the blithe Shinwell
will be there with his report.”
“ ‘Excuse my amusement, Mr. Holmes,’ said he,
We found him sure enough, a huge, coarse,
‘but it is really funny to see you trying to play
red-faced, scorbutic man, with a pair of vivid black
a hand with no cards in it. I don’t think anyone
eyes which were the only external sign of the very
could do it better, but it is rather pathetic, all the
cunning mind within. It seems that he had dived
same. Not a colour card there, Mr. Holmes, noth-
down into what was peculiarly his kingdom, and
ing but the smallest of the small.’
beside him on the settee was a brand which he had
“ ‘So you think.’ brought up in the shape of a slim, flame-like young
“ ‘So I know. Let me make the thing clear to woman with a pale, intense face, youthful, and yet
you, for my own hand is so strong that I can afford so worn with sin and sorrow that one read the ter-
to show it. I have been fortunate enough to win the rible years which had left their leprous mark upon
entire affection of this lady. This was given to me her.
in spite of the fact that I told her very clearly of all “This is Miss Kitty Winter,” said Shinwell John-
the unhappy incidents in my past life. I also told son, waving his fat hand as an introduction. “What
her that certain wicked and designing persons—I she don’t know—well, there, she’ll speak for her-
hope you recognize yourself—would come to her self. Put my hand right on her, Mr. Holmes, within
and tell her these things, and I warned her how an hour of your message.”

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 The Illustrious Client

“I’m easy to find,” said the young woman. poor fool! There was just one thing that shook
“Hell, London, gets me every time. Same address me. Yes, by cripes! if it had not been for his poi-
for Porky Shinwell. We’re old mates, Porky, you sonous, lying tongue that explains and soothes, I’d
and I. But, by cripes! there is another who ought have left him that very night. It’s a book he has—a
to be down in a lower hell than we if there was any brown leather book with a lock, and his arms in
justice in the world! That is the man you are after, gold on the outside. I think he was a bit drunk
Mr. Holmes.” that night, or he would not have shown it to me.”
Holmes smiled. “I gather we have your good “What was it, then?”
wishes, Miss Winter.”
“I tell you, Mr. Holmes, this man collects
“If I can help to put him where he belongs, I’m women, and takes a pride in his collection, as some
yours to the rattle,” said our visitor with fierce en- men collect moths or butterflies. He had it all in
ergy. There was an intensity of hatred in her white, that book. Snapshot photographs, names, details,
set face and her blazing eyes such as woman sel- everything about them. It was a beastly book—a
dom and man never can attain. “You needn’t go book no man, even if he had come from the gut-
into my past, Mr. Holmes. That’s neither here nor ter, could have put together. But it was Adelbert
there. But what I am Adelbert Gruner made me. Gruner’s book all the same. ‘Souls I have ruined.’
If I could pull him down!” She clutched franti- He could have put that on the outside if he had
cally with her hands into the air. “Oh, if I could been so minded. However, that’s neither here nor
only pull him into the pit where he has pushed so there, for the book would not serve you, and, if it
many!” would, you can’t get it.”
“You know how the matter stands?” “Where is it?”
“Porky Shinwell has been telling me. He’s after “How can I tell you where it is now? It’s more
some other poor fool and wants to marry her this than a year since I left him. I know where he kept
time. You want to stop it. Well, you surely know it then. He’s a precise, tidy cat of a man in many
enough about this devil to prevent any decent girl of his ways, so maybe it is still in the pigeon-hole
in her senses wanting to be in the same parish with of the old bureau in the inner study. Do you know
him.” his house?”
“She is not in her senses. She is madly in love. “I’ve been in the study,” said Holmes.
She has been told all about him. She cares noth-
ing.” “Have you, though? You haven’t been slow on
the job if you only started this morning. Maybe
“Told about the murder?” dear Adelbert has met his match this time. The
“Yes.” outer study is the one with the Chinese crockery
“My Lord, she must have a nerve!” in it—big glass cupboard between the windows.
Then behind his desk is the door that leads to the
“She puts them all down as slanders.”
inner study—a small room where he keeps papers
“Couldn’t you lay proofs before her silly eyes?” and things.”
“Well, can you help us do so?” “Is he not afraid of burglars?”
“Ain’t I a proof myself? If I stood before her
“Adelbert is no coward. His worst enemy
and told her how he used me—”
couldn’t say that of him. He can look after himself.
“Would you do this?” There’s a burglar alarm at night. Besides, what is
“Would I? Would I not!” there for a burglar—unless they got away with all
this fancy crockery?”
“Well, it might be worth trying. But he has told
her most of his sins and had pardon from her, and “No good,” said Shinwell Johnson with the de-
I understand she will not reopen the question.” cided voice of the expert. “No fence wants stuff of
“I’ll lay he didn’t tell her all,” said Miss Win- that sort that you can neither melt nor sell.”
ter. “I caught a glimpse of one or two murders “Quite so,” said Holmes. “Well, now, Miss
besides the one that made such a fuss. He would Winter, if you would call here to-morrow evening
speak of someone in his velvet way and then look at five, I would consider in the meanwhile whether
at me with a steady eye and say: ‘He died within your suggestion of seeing this lady personally may
a month.’ It wasn’t hot air, either. But I took little not be arranged. I am exceedingly obliged to you
notice—you see, I loved him myself at that time. for your cooperation. I need not say that my clients
Whatever he did went with me, same as with this will consider liberally—”

859
 The Illustrious Client

“None of that, Mr. Holmes,” cried the young that I see you at all, and I warn you in advance
woman. “I am not out for money. Let me see that anything you can say could not possibly have
this man in the mud, and I’ve got all I’ve worked the slightest effect upon my mind.’
for—in the mud with my foot on his cursed face. “I was sorry for her, Watson. I thought of
That’s my price. I’m with you to-morrow or any her for the moment as I would have thought of a
other day so long as you are on his track. Porky daughter of my own. I am not often eloquent. I use
here can tell you always where to find me.” my head, not my heart. But I really did plead with
I did not see Holmes again until the following her with all the warmth of words that I could find
evening when we dined once more at our Strand in my nature. I pictured to her the awful position
restaurant. He shrugged his shoulders when I of the woman who only wakes to a man’s charac-
asked him what luck he had had in his interview. ter after she is his wife—a woman who has to sub-
Then he told the story, which I would repeat in mit to be caressed by bloody hands and lecherous
this way. His hard, dry statement needs some lit- lips. I spared her nothing—the shame, the fear,
tle editing to soften it into the terms of real life. the agony, the hopelessness of it all. All my hot
“There was no difficulty at all about the ap- words could not bring one tinge of colour to those
pointment,” said Holmes, “for the girl glories in ivory cheeks or one gleam of emotion to those ab-
showing abject filial obedience in all secondary stracted eyes. I thought of what the rascal had said
things in an attempt to atone for her flagrant about a post-hypnotic influence. One could really
breach of it in her engagement. The General believe that she was living above the earth in some
’phoned that all was ready, and the fiery Miss W. ecstatic dream. Yet there was nothing indefinite in
turned up according to schedule, so that at half- her replies.
past five a cab deposited us outside 104 Berke- “ ‘I have listened to you with patience, Mr.
ley Square, where the old soldier resides—one Holmes,’ said she. ‘The effect upon my mind is
of those awful gray London castles which would exactly as predicted. I am aware that Adelbert,
make a church seem frivolous. A footman showed that my fiancé, has had a stormy life in which he
us into a great yellow-curtained drawing-room, has incurred bitter hatreds and most unjust asper-
and there was the lady awaiting us, demure, pale, sions. You are only the last of a series who have
self-contained, as inflexible and remote as a snow brought their slanders before me. Possibly you
image on a mountain. mean well, though I learn that you are a paid agent
“I don’t quite know how to make her clear to who would have been equally willing to act for the
you, Watson. Perhaps you may meet her before Baron as against him. But in any case I wish you
we are through, and you can use your own gift to understand once for all that I love him and that
of words. She is beautiful, but with the ethe- he loves me, and that the opinion of all the world
real other-world beauty of some fanatic whose is no more to me than the twitter of those birds
thoughts are set on high. I have seen such faces outside the window. If his noble nature has ever
in the pictures of the old masters of the Middle for an instant fallen, it may be that I have been
Ages. How a beastman could have laid his vile specially sent to raise it to its true and lofty level.
paws upon such a being of the beyond I cannot I am not clear’—here she turned eyes upon my
imagine. You may have noticed how extremes call companion—‘who this young lady may be.’
to each other, the spiritual to the animal, the cave- “I was about to answer when the girl broke in
man to the angel. You never saw a worse case than like a whirlwind. If ever you saw flame and ice
this. face to face, it was those two women.
“She knew what we had come for, of “ ‘I’ll tell you who I am,’ she cried, springing
course—that villain had lost no time in poisoning out of her chair, her mouth all twisted with pas-
her mind against us. Miss Winter’s advent rather sion—‘I am his last mistress. I am one of a hun-
amazed her, I think, but she waved us into our dred that he has tempted and used and ruined
respective chairs like a reverend abbess receiving and thrown into the refuse heap, as he will you
two rather leprous mendicants. If your head is in- also. Your refuse heap is more likely to be a grave,
clined to swell, my dear Watson, take a course of and maybe that’s the best. I tell you, you foolish
Miss Violet de Merville. woman, if you marry this man he’ll be the death of
“ ‘Well, sir,’ said she in a voice like the wind you. It may be a broken heart or it may be a bro-
from an iceberg, ‘your name is familiar to me. You ken neck, but he’ll have you one way or the other.
have called, as I understand, to malign my fiancé, It’s not out of love for you I’m speaking. I don’t
Baron Gruner. It is only by my father’s request care a tinker’s curse whether you live or die. It’s

860
 The Illustrious Client

out of hate for him and to spite him and to get We learn with regret that Mr. Sherlock Holmes,
back on him for what he did to me. But it’s all the well-known private detective, was the victim
the same, and you needn’t look at me like that, my this morning of a murderous assault which has
fine lady, for you may be lower than I am before left him in a precarious position. There are no ex-
you are through with it.’ act details to hand, but the event seems to have
“ ‘I should prefer not to discuss such matters,’ occurred about twelve o’clock in Regent Street,
said Miss de Merville coldly. ‘Let me say once for outside the Cafe Royal. The attack was made by
all that I am aware of three passages in my fiancé’s two men armed with sticks, and Mr. Holmes was
life in which he became entangled with designing beaten about the head and body, receiving injuries
women, and that I am assured of his hearty repen- which the doctors describe as most serious. He
tance for any evil that he may have done.’ was carried to Charing Cross Hospital and after-
wards insisted upon being taken to his rooms in
“ ‘Three passages!’ screamed my companion. Baker Street. The miscreants who attacked him ap-
‘You fool! You unutterable fool!’ pear to have been respectably dressed men, who
“ ‘Mr. Holmes, I beg that you will bring this escaped from the bystanders by passing through
interview to an end,’ said the icy voice. ‘I have the Cafe Royal and out into Glasshouse Street be-
obeyed my father’s wish in seeing you, but I am hind it. No doubt they belonged to that criminal
not compelled to listen to the ravings of this per- fraternity which has so often had occasion to be-
son.’ wail the activity and ingenuity of the injured man.
“With an oath Miss Winter darted forward, I need not say that my eyes had hardly glanced
and if I had not caught her wrist she would have over the paragraph before I had sprung into a han-
clutched this maddening woman by the hair. I som and was on my way to Baker Street. I found
dragged her towards the door and was lucky to Sir Leslie Oakshott, the famous surgeon, in the hall
get her back into the cab without a public scene, and his brougham waiting at the curb.
for she was beside herself with rage. In a cold “No immediate danger,” was his report. “Two
way I felt pretty furious myself, Watson, for there lacerated scalp wounds and some considerable
was something indescribably annoying in the calm bruises. Several stitches have been necessary. Mor-
aloofness and supreme self-complaisance of the phine has been injected and quiet is essential, but
woman whom we were trying to save. So now an interview of a few minutes would not be abso-
once again you know exactly how we stand, and it lutely forbidden.”
is clear that I must plan some fresh opening move,
for this gambit won’t work. I’ll keep in touch with With this permission I stole into the darkened
you, Watson, for it is more than likely that you room. The sufferer was wide awake, and I heard
will have your part to play, though it is just pos- my name in a hoarse whisper. The blind was three-
sible that the next move may lie with them rather quarters down, but one ray of sunlight slanted
than with us.” through and struck the bandaged head of the in-
jured man. A crimson patch had soaked through
And it did. Their blow fell—or his blow rather, the white linen compress. I sat beside him and
for never could I believe that the lady was privy bent my head.
to it. I think I could show you the very paving-
stone upon which I stood when my eyes fell upon “All right, Watson. Don’t look so scared,” he
the placard, and a pang of horror passed through muttered in a very weak voice. “It’s not as bad as
my very soul. It was between the Grand Hotel and it seems.”
Charing Cross Station, where a one-legged news- “Thank God for that!”
vender displayed his evening papers. The date was
just two days after the last conversation. There, “I’m a bit of a single-stick expert, as you know.
black upon yellow, was the terrible news-sheet: I took most of them on my guard. It was the sec-
ond man that was too much for me.”
Murderous Attack Upon Sherlock
Holmes “What can I do, Holmes? Of course, it was that
damned fellow who set them on. I’ll go and thrash
I think I stood stunned for some moments. Then I
the hide off him if you give the word.”
have a confused recollection of snatching at a pa-
per, of the remonstrance of the man, whom I had “Good old Watson! No, we can do noth-
not paid, and, finally, of standing in the doorway ing there unless the police lay their hands on
of a chemist’s shop while I turned up the fateful the men. But their get-away had been well pre-
paragraph. This was how it ran: pared. We may be sure of that. Wait a little.

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 The Illustrious Client

I have my plans. The first thing is to exagger- Harry, he won’t! Now, Watson, I want you to do
ate my injuries. They’ll come to you for news. something for me.”
Put it on thick, Watson. Lucky if I live the week “I am here to be used, Holmes.”
out—concussion—delirium—what you like! You “Well, then, spend the next twenty-four hours
can’t overdo it.” in an intensive study of Chinese pottery.”
“But Sir Leslie Oakshott?” He gave no explanations and I asked for none.
“Oh, he’s all right. He shall see the worst side By long experience I had learned the wisdom of
of me. I’ll look after that.” obedience. But when I had left his room I walked
“Anything else?” down Baker Street, revolving in my head how on
earth I was to carry out so strange an order. Fi-
“Yes. Tell Shinwell Johnson to get that girl out nally I drove to the London Library in St. James’s
of the way. Those beauties will be after her now. Square, put the matter to my friend Lomax, the
They know, of course, that she was with me in the sublibrarian, and departed to my rooms with a
case. If they dared to do me in it is not likely they goodly volume under my arm.
will neglect her. That is urgent. Do it to-night.”
It is said that the barrister who crams up a case
“I’ll go now. Anything more?” with such care that he can examine an expert wit-
“Put my pipe on the table—and the tobacco- ness upon the Monday has forgotten all his forced
slipper. Right! Come in each morning and we will knowledge before the Saturday. Certainly I should
plan our campaign.” not like now to pose as an authority upon ceram-
I arranged with Johnson that evening to take ics. And yet all that evening, and all that night
Miss Winter to a quiet suburb and see that she lay with a short interval for rest, and all next morn-
low until the danger was past. ing, I was sucking in knowledge and committing
names to memory. There I learned of the hall-
For six days the public were under the impres-
marks of the great artist-decorators, of the mys-
sion that Holmes was at the door of death. The
tery of cyclical dates, the marks of the Hung-wu
bulletins were very grave and there were sinister
and the beauties of the Yung-lo, the writings of
paragraphs in the papers. My continual visits as-
Tang-ying, and the glories of the primitive period
sured me that it was not so bad as that. His wiry
of the Sung and the Yuan. I was charged with
constitution and his determined will were work-
all this information when I called upon Holmes
ing wonders. He was recovering fast, and I had
next evening. He was out of bed now, though you
suspicions at times that he was really finding him-
would not have guessed it from the published re-
self faster than he pretended even to me. There
ports, and he sat with his much-bandaged head
was a curious secretive streak in the man which led
resting upon his hand in the depth of his favourite
to many dramatic effects, but left even his closest
armchair.
friend guessing as to what his exact plans might
be. He pushed to an extreme the axiom that the “Why, Holmes,” I said, “if one believed the pa-
only safe plotter was he who plotted alone. I was pers, you are dying.”
nearer him than anyone else, and yet I was always “That,” said he, “is the very impression which
conscious of the gap between. I intended to convey. And now, Watson, have you
learned your lessons?”
On the seventh day the stitches were taken out,
in spite of which there was a report of erysipelas in “At least I have tried to.”
the evening papers. The same evening papers had “Good. You could keep up an intelligent con-
an announcement which I was bound, sick or well, versation on the subject?”
to carry to my friend. It was simply that among the “I believe I could.”
passengers on the Cunard boat Ruritania, starting “Then hand me that little box from the mantel-
from Liverpool on Friday, was the Baron Adelbert piece.”
Gruner, who had some important financial busi- He opened the lid and took out a small object
ness to settle in the States before his impending most carefully wrapped in some fine Eastern silk.
wedding to Miss Violet de Merville, only daughter This he unfolded, and disclosed a delicate little
of, etc., etc. Holmes listened to the news with a saucer of the most beautiful deep-blue colour.
cold, concentrated look upon his pale face, which “It needs careful handling, Watson. This is
told me that it hit him hard. the real egg-shell pottery of the Ming dynasty.
“Friday!” he cried. “Only three clear days. I No finer piece ever passed through Christie’s. A
believe the rascal wants to put himself out of dan- complete set of this would be worth a king’s ran-
ger’s way. But he won’t, Watson! By the Lord som—in fact, it is doubtful if there is a complete set

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 The Illustrious Client

outside the imperial palace of Peking. The sight of in its size and solidity. A butler, who would have
this would drive a real connoisseur wild.” adorned a bench of bishops, showed me in and
“What am I to do with it?” handed me over to a plush-clad footman, who ush-
ered me into the Baron’s presence.
Holmes handed me a card upon which was
printed: “Dr. Hill Barton, 369 Half Moon Street.” He was standing at the open front of a great
case which stood between the windows and which
“That is your name for the evening, Watson.
contained part of his Chinese collection. He turned
You will call upon Baron Gruner. I know some-
as I entered with a small brown vase in his hand.
thing of his habits, and at half-past eight he would
probably be disengaged. A note will tell him in “Pray sit down, Doctor,” said he. “I was
advance that you are about to call, and you will looking over my own treasures and wondering
say that you are bringing him a specimen of an whether I could really afford to add to them. This
absolutely unique set of Ming china. You may as little Tang specimen, which dates from the sev-
well be a medical man, since that is a part which enth century, would probably interest you. I am
you can play without duplicity. You are a collec- sure you never saw finer workmanship or a richer
tor, this set has come your way, you have heard of glaze. Have you the Ming saucer with you of
the Baron’s interest in the subject, and you are not which you spoke?”
averse to selling at a price.” I carefully unpacked it and handed it to him.
“What price?” He seated himself at his desk, pulled over the
“Well asked, Watson. You would certainly fall lamp, for it was growing dark, and set himself to
down badly if you did not know the value of your examine it. As he did so the yellow light beat upon
own wares. This saucer was got for me by Sir his own features, and I was able to study them at
James, and comes, I understand, from the collec- my ease.
tion of his client. You will not exaggerate if you He was certainly a remarkably handsome man.
say that it could hardly be matched in the world.” His European reputation for beauty was fully de-
“I could perhaps suggest that the set should be served. In figure he was not more than of mid-
valued by an expert.” dle size, but was built upon graceful and active
lines. His face was swarthy, almost Oriental, with
“Excellent, Watson! You scintillate to-day. Sug-
large, dark, languorous eyes which might easily
gest Christie or Sotheby. Your delicacy prevents
hold an irresistible fascination for women. His
your putting a price for yourself.”
hair and moustache were raven black, the latter
“But if he won’t see me?” short, pointed, and carefully waxed. His features
“Oh, yes, he will see you. He has the collec- were regular and pleasing, save only his straight,
tion mania in its most acute form—and especially thin-lipped mouth. If ever I saw a murderer’s
on this subject, on which he is an acknowledged mouth it was there—a cruel, hard gash in the face,
authority. Sit down, Watson, and I will dictate the compressed, inexorable, and terrible. He was ill-
letter. No answer needed. You will merely say that advised to train his moustache away from it, for it
you are coming, and why.” was Nature’s danger-signal, set as a warning to his
victims. His voice was engaging and his manners
It was an admirable document, short, courte-
perfect. In age I should have put him at little over
ous, and stimulating to the curiosity of the con-
thirty, though his record afterwards showed that
noisseur. A district messenger was duly dis-
he was forty-two.
patched with it. On the same evening, with the
precious saucer in my hand and the card of Dr. “Very fine—very fine indeed!” he said at last.
Hill Barton in my pocket, I set off on my own ad- “And you say you have a set of six to correspond.
venture. What puzzles me is that I should not have heard of
such magnificent specimens. I only know of one in
The beautiful house and grounds indicated that
England to match this, and it is certainly not likely
Baron Gruner was, as Sir James had said, a man of
to be in the market. Would it be indiscreet if I
considerable wealth. A long winding drive, with
were to ask you, Dr. Hill Barton, how you obtained
banks of rare shrubs on either side, opened out
this?”
into a great gravelled square adorned with stat-
ues. The place had been built by a South African “Does it really matter?” I asked with as care-
gold king in the days of the great boom, and the less an air as I could muster. “You can see that the
long, low house with the turrets at the corners, piece is genuine, and, as to the value, I am content
though an architectural nightmare, was imposing to take an expert’s valuation.”

863
 The Illustrious Client

“Very mysterious,” said he with a quick, suspi- shall not answer questions which have been put in
cious flash of his dark eyes. “In dealing with ob- so offensive a way.”
jects of such value, one naturally wishes to know
He looked at me steadily. The languor had
all about the transaction. That the piece is genuine
gone from his eyes. They suddenly glared. There
is certain. I have no doubts at all about that. But
was a gleam of teeth from between those cruel lips.
suppose—I am bound to take every possibility into
account—that it should prove afterwards that you “What is the game? You are here as a spy. You
had no right to sell?” are an emissary of Holmes. This is a trick that
“I would guarantee you against any claim of you are playing upon me. The fellow is dying I
the sort.” hear, so he sends his tools to keep watch upon me.
You’ve made your way in here without leave, and,
“That, of course, would open up the question by God! you may find it harder to get out than to
as to what your guarantee was worth.” get in.”
“My bankers would answer that.”
He had sprung to his feet, and I stepped back,
“Quite so. And yet the whole transaction bracing myself for an attack, for the man was be-
strikes me as rather unusual.” side himself with rage. He may have suspected me
“You can do business or not,” said I with indif- from the first; certainly this cross-examination had
ference. “I have given you the first offer as I un- shown him the truth; but it was clear that I could
derstood that you were a connoisseur, but I shall not hope to deceive him. He dived his hand into a
have no difficulty in other quarters.” side-drawer and rummaged furiously. Then some-
“Who told you I was a connoisseur?” thing struck upon his ear, for he stood listening
intently.
“I was aware that you had written a book upon
the subject.” “Ah!” he cried. “Ah!” and dashed into the
room behind him.
“Have you read the book?”
“No.” Two steps took me to the open door, and my
mind will ever carry a clear picture of the scene
“Dear me, this becomes more and more diffi- within. The window leading out to the garden was
cult for me to understand! You are a connoisseur wide open. Beside it, looking like some terrible
and collector with a very valuable piece in your ghost, his head girt with bloody bandages, his face
collection, and yet you have never troubled to con- drawn and white, stood Sherlock Holmes. The
sult the one book which would have told you of the next instant he was through the gap, and I heard
real meaning and value of what you held. How do the crash of his body among the laurel bushes out-
you explain that?” side. With a howl of rage the master of the house
“I am a very busy man. I am a doctor in prac- rushed after him to the open window.
tice.”
And then! It was done in an instant, and yet
“That is no answer. If a man has a hobby he I clearly saw it. An arm—a woman’s arm—shot
follows it up, whatever his other pursuits may be. out from among the leaves. At the same instant
You said in your note that you were a connois- the Baron uttered a horrible cry—a yell which will
seur.” always ring in my memory. He clapped his two
“So I am.” hands to his face and rushed round the room, beat-
“Might I ask you a few questions to test you? I ing his head horribly against the walls. Then he
am obliged to tell you, Doctor—if you are indeed a fell upon the carpet, rolling and writhing, while
doctor—that the incident becomes more and more scream after scream resounded through the house.
suspicious. I would ask you what do you know of “Water! For God’s sake, water!” was his cry.
the Emperor Shomu and how do you associate him
I seized a carafe from a side-table and rushed
with the Shoso-in near Nara? Dear me, does that
to his aid. At the same moment the butler and
puzzle you? Tell me a little about the Northern Wei
several footmen ran in from the hall. I remember
dynasty and its place in the history of ceramics.”
that one of them fainted as I knelt by the injured
I sprang from my chair in simulated anger. man and turned that awful face to the light of the
“This is intolerable, sir,” said I. “I came here lamp. The vitriol was eating into it everywhere
to do you a favour, and not to be examined as if I and dripping from the ears and the chin. One eye
were a schoolboy. My knowledge on these subjects was already white and glazed. The other was red
may be second only to your own, but I certainly and inflamed. The features which I had admired

864
 The Illustrious Client

a few minutes before were now like some beauti- have waited a little longer, but his visit to America
ful painting over which the artist has passed a wet forced my hand. He would never have left so com-
and foul sponge. They were blurred, discoloured, promising a document behind him. Therefore we
inhuman, terrible. had to act at once. Burglary at night is impossible.
In a few words I explained exactly what had oc- He takes precautions. But there was a chance in
curred, so far as the vitriol attack was concerned. the evening if I could only be sure that his atten-
Some had climbed through the window and oth- tion was engaged. That was where you and your
ers had rushed out on to the lawn, but it was dark blue saucer came in. But I had to be sure of the
and it had begun to rain. Between his screams the position of the book, and I knew I had only a few
victim raged and raved against the avenger. “It minutes in which to act, for my time was limited
was that hell-cat, Kitty Winter!” he cried. “Oh, the by your knowledge of Chinese pottery. Therefore
she-devil! She shall pay for it! She shall pay! Oh, I gathered the girl up at the last moment. How
God in heaven, this pain is more than I can bear!” could I guess what the little packet was that she
carried so carefully under her cloak? I thought she
I bathed his face in oil, put cotton wadding on
had come altogether on my business, but it seems
the raw surfaces, and administered a hypodermic
she had some of her own.”
of morphia. All suspicion of me had passed from
his mind in the presence of this shock, and he “He guessed I came from you.”
clung to my hands as if I might have the power “I feared he would. But you held him in play
even yet to clear those dead-fish eyes which gazed just long enough for me to get the book, though
up at me. I could have wept over the ruin had not long enough for an unobserved escape. Ah,
I not remembered very clearly the vile life which Sir James, I am very glad you have come!”
had led up to so hideous a change. It was loath-
some to feel the pawing of his burning hands, and Our courtly friend had appeared in answer to
I was relieved when his family surgeon, closely fol- a previous summons. He listened with the deep-
lowed by a specialist, came to relieve me of my est attention to Holmes’s account of what had oc-
charge. An inspector of police had also arrived, curred.
and to him I handed my real card. It would have “You have done wonders—wonders!” he cried
been useless as well as foolish to do otherwise, for when he had heard the narrative. “But if these in-
I was nearly as well known by sight at the Yard as juries are as terrible as Dr. Watson describes, then
Holmes himself. Then I left that house of gloom surely our purpose of thwarting the marriage is
and terror. Within an hour I was at Baker Street. sufficiently gained without the use of this horrible
Holmes was seated in his familiar chair, look- book.”
ing very pale and exhausted. Apart from his in-
Holmes shook his head.
juries, even his iron nerves had been shocked by
the events of the evening, and he listened with hor- “Women of the De Merville type do not act like
ror to my account of the Baron’s transformation. that. She would love him the more as a disfigured
“The wages of sin, Watson—the wages of sin!” martyr. No, no. It is his moral side, not his physi-
said he. “Sooner or later it will always come. God cal, which we have to destroy. That book will bring
knows, there was sin enough,” he added, taking her back to earth—and I know nothing else that
up a brown volume from the table. “Here is the could. It is in his own writing. She cannot get past
book the woman talked of. If this will not break it.”
off the marriage, nothing ever could. But it will, Sir James carried away both it and the precious
Watson. It must. No self-respecting woman could saucer. As I was myself overdue, I went down
stand it.” with him into the street. A brougham was wait-
“It is his love diary?” ing for him. He sprang in, gave a hurried order to
the cockaded coachman, and drove swiftly away.
“Or his lust diary. Call it what you will. The
He flung his overcoat half out of the window to
moment the woman told us of it I realized what
cover the armorial bearings upon the panel, but I
a tremendous weapon was there if we could but
had seen them in the glare of our fanlight none the
lay our hands on it. I said nothing at the time
less. I gasped with surprise. Then I turned back
to indicate my thoughts, for this woman might
and ascended the stair to Holmes’s room.
have given it away. But I brooded over it. Then
this assault upon me gave me the chance of letting “I have found out who our client is,” I cried,
the Baron think that no precautions need be taken bursting with my great news. “Why, Holmes, it
against me. That was all to the good. I would is—”

865
 “It is a loyal friend and a chivalrous gentle- same paper had the first police-court hearing of
man,” said Holmes, holding up a restraining hand. the proceedings against Miss Kitty Winter on the
“Let that now and forever be enough for us.” grave charge of vitriol-throwing. Such extenuating
I do not know how the incriminating book was circumstances came out in the trial that the sen-
used. Sir James may have managed it. Or it is tence, as will be remembered, was the lowest that
more probable that so delicate a task was entrusted was possible for such an offence. Sherlock Holmes
to the young lady’s father. The effect, at any rate, was threatened with a prosecution for burglary,
was all that could be desired. Three days later ap- but when an object is good and a client is suffi-
peared a paragraph in the Morning Post to say that ciently illustrious, even the rigid British law be-
the marriage between Baron Adelbert Gruner and comes human and elastic. My friend has not yet
Miss Violet de Merville would not take place. The stood in the dock.
The Blanched Soldier
T
The Blanched Soldier

he ideas of my friend Watson, though sun could never give, and with his handkerchief in
limited, are exceedingly pertinacious. his sleeve instead of in his pocket, it is not difficult
For a long time he has worried me to to place him. You wear a short beard, which shows
write an experience of my own. Perhaps that you were not a regular. You have the cut of a
I have rather invited this persecution, since I have riding-man. As to Middlesex, your card has al-
often had occasion to point out to him how su- ready shown me that you are a stockbroker from
perficial are his own accounts and to accuse him Throgmorton Street. What other regiment would
of pandering to popular taste instead of confining you join?”
himself rigidly to facts and figures. “Try it your- “You see everything.”
self, Holmes!” he has retorted, and I am compelled
“I see no more than you, but I have trained my-
to admit that, having taken my pen in my hand, I
self to notice what I see. However, Mr. Dodd, it
do begin to realize that the matter must be pre-
was not to discuss the science of observation that
sented in such a way as may interest the reader.
you called upon me this morning. What has been
The following case can hardly fail to do so, as it
happening at Tuxbury Old Park?”
is among the strangest happenings in my collec-
tion, though it chanced that Watson had no note “Mr. Holmes—!”
of it in his collection. Speaking of my old friend “My dear sir, there is no mystery. Your letter
and biographer, I would take this opportunity to came with that heading, and as you fixed this ap-
remark that if I burden myself with a compan- pointment in very pressing terms it was clear that
ion in my various little inquiries it is not done something sudden and important had occurred.”
out of sentiment or caprice, but it is that Watson “Yes, indeed. But the letter was written in the
has some remarkable characteristics of his own to afternoon, and a good deal has happened since
which in his modesty he has given small attention then. If Colonel Emsworth had not kicked me
amid his exaggerated estimates of my own perfor- out—”
mances. A confederate who foresees your conclu- “Kicked you out!”
sions and course of action is always dangerous, but
“Well, that was what it amounted to. He is
one to whom each development comes as a perpet-
a hard nail, is Colonel Emsworth. The greatest
ual surprise, and to whom the future is always a
martinet in the Army in his day, and it was a day
closed book, is indeed an ideal helpmate.
of rough language, too. I couldn’t have stuck the
I find from my notebook that it was in January, colonel if it had not been for Godfrey’s sake.”
1903, just after the conclusion of the Boer War, that
I lit my pipe and leaned back in my chair.
I had my visit from Mr. James M. Dodd, a big,
fresh, sunburned, upstanding Briton. The good “Perhaps you will explain what you are talking
Watson had at that time deserted me for a wife, about.”
the only selfish action which I can recall in our as- My client grinned mischievously.
sociation. I was alone. “I had got into the way of supposing that you
It is my habit to sit with my back to the win- knew everything without being told,” said he.
dow and to place my visitors in the opposite chair, “But I will give you the facts, and I hope to God
where the light falls full upon them. Mr. James M. that you will be able to tell me what they mean.
Dodd seemed somewhat at a loss how to begin the I’ve been awake all night puzzling my brain, and
interview. I did not attempt to help him, for his si- the more I think the more incredible does it be-
lence gave me more time for observation. I have come.
found it wise to impress clients with a sense of “When I joined up in January, 1901—just two
power, and so I gave him some of my conclusions. years ago—young Godfrey Emsworth had joined
“From South Africa, sir, I perceive.” the same squadron. He was Colonel Emsworth’s
only son—Emsworth, the Crimean V. C.—and he
“Yes, sir,” he answered, with some surprise.
had the fighting blood in him, so it is no wonder he
“Imperial Yeomanry, I fancy.” volunteered. There was not a finer lad in the regi-
“Exactly.” ment. We formed a friendship—the sort of friend-
“Middlesex Corps, no doubt.” ship which can only be made when one lives the
same life and shares the same joys and sorrows.
“That is so. Mr. Holmes, you are a wizard.”
He was my mate—and that means a good deal in
I smiled at his bewildered expression. the Army. We took the rough and the smooth to-
“When a gentleman of virile appearance enters gether for a year of hard fighting. Then he was hit
my room with such tan upon his face as an English with a bullet from an elephant gun in the action

869
 The Blanched Soldier

near Diamond Hill outside Pretoria. I got one let- a butler, old Ralph, who seemed about the same
ter from the hospital at Cape Town and one from age as the house, and there was his wife, who
Southampton. Since then not a word—not one might have been older. She had been Godfrey’s
word, Mr. Holmes, for six months and more, and nurse, and I had heard him speak of her as sec-
he my closest pal. ond only to his mother in his affections, so I was
“Well, when the war was over, and we all got drawn to her in spite of her queer appearance. The
back, I wrote to his father and asked where God- mother I liked also—a gentle little white mouse of
frey was. No answer. I waited a bit and then I a woman. It was only the colonel himself whom I
wrote again. This time I had a reply, short and barred.
gruff. Godfrey had gone on a voyage round the “We had a bit of barney right away, and I
world, and it was not likely that he would be back should have walked back to the station if I had
for a year. That was all. not felt that it might be playing his game for me
“I wasn’t satisfied, Mr. Holmes. The whole to do so. I was shown straight into his study, and
thing seemed to me so damned unnatural. He was there I found him, a huge, bow-backed man with
a good lad, and he would not drop a pal like that. a smoky skin and a straggling gray beard, seated
It was not like him. Then, again, I happened to behind his littered desk. A red-veined nose jutted
know that he was heir to a lot of money, and also out like a vulture’s beak, and two fierce gray eyes
that his father and he did not always hit it off too glared at me from under tufted brows. I could un-
well. The old man was sometimes a bully, and derstand now why Godfrey seldom spoke of his
young Godfrey had too much spirit to stand it. No, father.
I wasn’t satisfied, and I determined that I would “ ‘Well, sir,’ said he in a rasping voice, ‘I should
get to the root of the matter. It happened, however, be interested to know the real reasons for this
that my own affairs needed a lot of straightening visit.’
out, after two years’ absence, and so it is only this “I answered that I had explained them in my
week that I have been able to take up Godfrey’s letter to his wife.
case again. But since I have taken it up I mean to “ ‘Yes, yes, you said that you had known God-
drop everything in order to see it through.” frey in Africa. We have, of course, only your word
Mr. James M. Dodd appeared to be the sort of for that.’
person whom it would be better to have as a friend “ ‘I have his letters to me in my pocket.’
than as an enemy. His blue eyes were stern and his “ ‘Kindly let me see them.’
square jaw had set hard as he spoke. “He glanced at the two which I handed him,
“Well, what have you done?” I asked. and then he tossed them back.
“My first move was to get down to his home, “ ‘Well, what then?’ he asked.
Tuxbury Old Park, near Bedford, and to see for “ ‘I was fond of your son Godfrey, sir. Many
myself how the ground lay. I wrote to the mother, ties and memories united us. Is it not natural that
therefore—I had had quite enough of the curmud- I should wonder at his sudden silence and should
geon of a father—and I made a clean frontal attack: wish to know what has become of him?’
Godfrey was my chum, I had a great deal of inter- “ ‘I have some recollections, sir, that I had al-
est which I might tell her of our common expe- ready corresponded with you and had told you
riences, I should be in the neighbourhood, would what had become of him. He has gone upon a
there be any objection, et cetera? In reply I had voyage round the world. His health was in a poor
quite an amiable answer from her and an offer to way after his African experiences, and both his
put me up for the night. That was what took me mother and I were of opinion that complete rest
down on Monday. and change were needed. Kindly pass that expla-
“Tuxbury Old Hall is inaccessible—five miles nation on to any other friends who may be inter-
from anywhere. There was no trap at the station, ested in the matter.’
so I had to walk, carrying my suitcase, and it was “ ‘Certainly,’ I answered. ‘But perhaps you
nearly dark before I arrived. It is a great wan- would have the goodness to let me have the name
dering house, standing in a considerable park. I of the steamer and of the line by which he sailed,
should judge it was of all sorts of ages and styles, together with the date. I have no doubt that I
starting on a half-timbered Elizabethan foundation should be able to get a letter through to him.’
and ending in a Victorian portico. Inside it was “My request seemed both to puzzle and to irri-
all panelling and tapestry and half-effaced old pic- tate my host. His great eyebrows came down over
tures, a house of shadows and mystery. There was his eyes, and he tapped his fingers impatiently on

870
 The Blanched Soldier

the table. He looked up at last with the expression “ ‘There was no braver man in the regiment. He
of one who has seen his adversary make a danger- pulled me out once from under the rifles of the
ous move at chess, and has decided how to meet Boers, or maybe I should not be here.’
it. “The old butler rubbed his skinny hands.
“ ‘Many people, Mr. Dodd,’ said he, ‘would “ ‘Yes, sir, yes, that is Master Godfrey all over.
take offence at your infernal pertinacity and would He was always courageous. There’s not a tree in
think that this insistence had reached the point of the park, sir, that he has not climbed. Nothing
damned impertinence.’ would stop him. He was a fine boy—and oh, sir,
“ ‘You must put it down, sir, to my real love for he was a fine man.’
your son.’ “I sprang to my feet.
“ ‘Exactly. I have already made every allowance “ ‘Look here!’ I cried. ‘You say he was. You
upon that score. I must ask you, however, to drop speak as if he were dead. What is all this mystery?
these inquiries. Every family has its own inner What has become of Godfrey Emsworth?’
knowledge and its own motives, which cannot al- “I gripped the old man by the shoulder, but he
ways be made clear to outsiders, however well- shrank away.
intentioned. My wife is anxious to hear something
“ ‘I don’t know what you mean, sir. Ask the
of Godfrey’s past which you are in a position to tell
master about Master Godfrey. He knows. It is not
her, but I would ask you to let the present and the
for me to interfere.’
future alone. Such inquiries serve no useful pur-
pose, sir, and place us in a delicate and difficult “He was leaving the room, but I held his arm.
position.’ “ ‘Listen,’ I said. ‘You are going to answer one
question before you leave if I have to hold you all
“So I came to a dead end, Mr. Holmes. There
night. Is Godfrey dead?’
was no getting past it. I could only pretend to ac-
cept the situation and register a vow inwardly that “He could not face my eyes. He was like a
I would never rest until my friend’s fate had been man hypnotized. The answer was dragged from
cleared up. It was a dull evening. We dined qui- his lips. It was a terrible and unexpected one.
etly, the three of us, in a gloomy, faded old room. “ ‘I wish to God he was!’ he cried, and, tearing
The lady questioned me eagerly about her son, but himself free, he dashed from the room.
the old man seemed morose and depressed. I was “You will think, Mr. Holmes, that I returned to
so bored by the whole proceeding that I made an my chair in no very happy state of mind. The old
excuse as soon as I decently could and retired to man’s words seemed to me to bear only one in-
my bedroom. It was a large, bare room on the terpretation. Clearly my poor friend had become
ground floor, as gloomy as the rest of the house, involved in some criminal or, at the least, disrep-
but after a year of sleeping upon the veldt, Mr. utable transaction which touched the family hon-
Holmes, one is not too particular about one’s quar- our. That stern old man had sent his son away
ters. I opened the curtains and looked out into the and hidden him from the world lest some scan-
garden, remarking that it was a fine night with a dal should come to light. Godfrey was a reckless
bright half-moon. Then I sat down by the roar- fellow. He was easily influenced by those around
ing fire with the lamp on a table beside me, and him. No doubt he had fallen into bad hands and
endeavoured to distract my mind with a novel. I been misled to his ruin. It was a piteous business,
was interrupted, however, by Ralph, the old butler, if it was indeed so, but even now it was my duty
who came in with a fresh supply of coals. to hunt him out and see if I could aid him. I was
“ ‘I thought you might run short in the night- anxiously pondering the matter when I looked up,
time, sir. It is bitter weather and these rooms are and there was Godfrey Emsworth standing before
cold.’ me.”
“He hesitated before leaving the room, and My client had paused as one in deep emotion.
when I looked round he was standing facing me “Pray continue,” I said. “Your problem
with a wistful look upon his wrinkled face. presents some very unusual features.”
“ ‘Beg your pardon, sir, but I could not help “He was outside the window, Mr. Holmes, with
hearing what you said of young Master Godfrey his face pressed against the glass. I have told
at dinner. You know, sir, that my wife nursed him, you that I looked out at the night. When I did
and so I may say I am his foster-father. It’s natural so I left the curtains partly open. His figure was
we should take an interest. And you say he carried framed in this gap. The window came down to
himself well, sir?’ the ground and I could see the whole length of it,

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 The Blanched Soldier

but it was his face which held my gaze. He was was no difficulty in the way, for the old people
deadly pale—never have I seen a man so white. I were busy in their own fashion and left me to my
reckon ghosts may look like that; but his eyes met own devices.
mine, and they were the eyes of a living man. He “There were several small outhouses, but at the
sprang back when he saw that I was looking at end of the garden there was a detached build-
him, and he vanished into the darkness. ing of some size—large enough for a gardener’s
“There was something shocking about the man, or a gamekeeper’s residence. Could this be the
Mr. Holmes. It wasn’t merely that ghastly face place whence the sound of that shutting door
glimmering as white as cheese in the darkness. had come? I approached it in a careless fash-
It was more subtle than that—something slinking, ion as though I were strolling aimlessly round the
something furtive, something guilty— something grounds. As I did so, a small, brisk, bearded man
very unlike the frank, manly lad that I had known. in a black coat and bowler hat—not at all the gar-
It left a feeling of horror in my mind. dener type—came out of the door. To my surprise,
he locked it after him and put the key in his pocket.
“But when a man has been soldiering for a year
Then he looked at me with some surprise on his
or two with brother Boer as a playmate, he keeps
face.
his nerve and acts quickly. Godfrey had hardly
vanished before I was at the window. There was “ ‘Are you a visitor here?’ he asked.
an awkward catch, and I was some little time be- “I explained that I was and that I was a friend
fore I could throw it up. Then I nipped through of Godfrey’s.
and ran down the garden path in the direction that “ ‘What a pity that he should be away on his
I thought he might have taken. travels, for he would have so liked to see me,’ I
“It was a long path and the light was not very continued.
good, but it seemed to me something was moving “ ‘Quite so. Exactly,’ said he with a rather
ahead of me. I ran on and called his name, but guilty air. ‘No doubt you will renew your visit at
it was no use. When I got to the end of the path some more propitious time.’ He passed on, but
there were several others branching in different di- when I turned I observed that he was standing
rections to various outhouses. I stood hesitating, watching me, half-concealed by the laurels at the
and as I did so I heard distinctly the sound of a far end of the garden.
closing door. It was not behind me in the house, “I had a good look at the little house as I passed
but ahead of me, somewhere in the darkness. That it, but the windows were heavily curtained, and, so
was enough, Mr. Holmes, to assure me that what I far as one could see, it was empty. I might spoil my
had seen was not a vision. Godfrey had run away own game and even be ordered off the premises if
from me, and he had shut a door behind him. Of I were too audacious, for I was still conscious that
that I was certain. I was being watched. Therefore, I strolled back to
“There was nothing more I could do, and I the house and waited for night before I went on
spent an uneasy night turning the matter over in with my inquiry. When all was dark and quiet I
my mind and trying to find some theory which slipped out of my window and made my way as
would cover the facts. Next day I found the silently as possible to the mysterious lodge.
colonel rather more conciliatory, and as his wife “I have said that it was heavily curtained, but
remarked that there were some places of interest in now I found that the windows were shuttered as
the neighbourhood, it gave me an opening to ask well. Some light, however, was breaking through
whether my presence for one more night would one of them, so I concentrated my attention upon
incommode them. A somewhat grudging acqui- this. I was in luck, for the curtain had not been
escence from the old man gave me a clear day in quite closed, and there was a crack in the shutter,
which to make my observations. I was already per- so that I could see the inside of the room. It was
fectly convinced that Godfrey was in hiding some- a cheery place enough, a bright lamp and a blaz-
where near, but where and why remained to be ing fire. Opposite to me was seated the little man
solved. whom I had seen in the morning. He was smoking
a pipe and reading a paper.”
“The house was so large and so rambling that
a regiment might be hid away in it and no one the “What paper?” I asked.
wiser. If the secret lay there it was difficult for me My client seemed annoyed at the interruption
to penetrate it. But the door which I had heard of his narrative.
close was certainly not in the house. I must ex- “Can it matter?” he asked.
plore the garden and see what I could find. There “It is most essential.”

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 The Blanched Soldier

“I really took no notice.” appointed train in the morning, with the full in-
“Possibly you observed whether it was a broad- tention of coming straight to you and asking for
leafed paper or of that smaller type which one as- your advice and assistance at the appointment for
sociates with weeklies.” which I had already written.”
Such was the problem which my visitor laid be-
“Now that you mention it, it was not large. It
fore me. It presented, as the astute reader will have
might have been the Spectator. However, I had lit-
already perceived, few difficulties in its solution,
tle thought to spare upon such details, for a second
for a very limited choice of alternatives must get to
man was seated with his back to the window, and
the root of the matter. Still, elementary as it was,
I could swear that this second man was Godfrey.
there were points of interest and novelty about it
I could not see his face, but I knew the familiar
which may excuse my placing it upon record. I
slope of his shoulders. He was leaning upon his
now proceeded, using my familiar method of log-
elbow in an attitude of great melancholy, his body
ical analysis, to narrow down the possible solu-
turned towards the fire. I was hesitating as to what
tions.
I should do when there was a sharp tap on my
shoulder, and there was Colonel Emsworth beside “The servants,” I asked; “how many were in
me. the house?”
“To the best of my belief there were only the
“ ‘This way, sir!’ said he in a low voice. He
old butler and his wife. They seemed to live in the
walked in silence to the house, and I followed him
simplest fashion.”
into my own bedroom. He had picked up a time-
table in the hall. “There was no servant, then, in the detached
house?”
“ ‘There is a train to London at 8.30,’ said he.
“None, unless the little man with the beard
‘The trap will be at the door at eight.’
acted as such. He seemed, however, to be quite
“He was white with rage, and, indeed, I felt a superior person.”
myself in so difficult a position that I could only “That seems very suggestive. Had you any
stammer out a few incoherent apologies in which indication that food was conveyed from the one
I tried to excuse myself by urging my anxiety for house to the other?”
my friend. “Now that you mention it, I did see old Ralph
“ ‘The matter will not bear discussion,’ said he carrying a basket down the garden walk and going
abruptly. ‘You have made a most damnable intru- in the direction of this house. The idea of food did
sion into the privacy of our family. You were here not occur to me at the moment.”
as a guest and you have become a spy. I have noth- “Did you make any local inquiries?”
ing more to say, sir, save that I have no wish ever “Yes, I did. I spoke to the station-master and
to see you again.’ also to the innkeeper in the village. I simply asked
“At this I lost my temper, Mr. Holmes, and I if they knew anything of my old comrade, God-
spoke with some warmth. frey Emsworth. Both of them assured me that he
“ ‘I have seen your son, and I am convinced that had gone for a voyage round the world. He had
for some reason of your own you are concealing come home and then had almost at once started
him from the world. I have no idea what your mo- off again. The story was evidently universally ac-
tives are in cutting him off in this fashion, but I cepted.”
am sure that he is no longer a free agent. I warn “You said nothing of your suspicions?”
you, Colonel Emsworth, that until I am assured as “Nothing.”
to the safety and well-being of my friend I shall “That was very wise. The matter should cer-
never desist in my efforts to get to the bottom of tainly be inquired into. I will go back with you to
the mystery, and I shall certainly not allow myself Tuxbury Old Park.”
to be intimidated by anything which you may say “To-day?”
or do.’ It happened that at the moment I was clear-
“The old fellow looked diabolical, and I really ing up the case which my friend Watson has de-
thought he was about to attack me. I have said scribed as that of the Abbey School, in which the
that he was a gaunt, fierce old giant, and though Duke of Greyminster was so deeply involved. I
I am no weakling I might have been hard put to had also a commission from the Sultan of Turkey
it to hold my own against him. However, after which called for immediate action, as political con-
a long glare of rage he turned upon his heel and sequences of the gravest kind might arise from its
walked out of the room. For my part, I took the neglect. Therefore it was not until the beginning

873
 The Blanched Soldier

of the next week, as my diary records, that I was hall-table as we passed in. I have, as my friend
able to start forth on my mission to Bedfordshire Watson may have remarked, an abnormally acute
in company with Mr. James M. Dodd. As we drove set of senses, and a faint but incisive scent was
to Euston we picked up a grave and taciturn gen- apparent. It seemed to centre on the hall-table.
tleman of iron-gray aspect, with whom I had made I turned, placed my hat there, knocked it off,
the necessary arrangements. stooped to pick it up, and contrived to bring my
“This is an old friend,” said I to Dodd. “It is nose within a foot of the gloves. Yes, it was un-
possible that his presence may be entirely unnec- doubtedly from them that the curious tarry odour
essary, and, on the other hand, it may be essential. was oozing. I passed on into the study with my
It is not necessary at the present stage to go further case complete. Alas, that I should have to show
into the matter.” my hand so when I tell my own story! It was by
concealing such links in the chain that Watson was
The narratives of Watson have accustomed the
enabled to produce his meretricious finales.
reader, no doubt, to the fact that I do not waste
words or disclose my thoughts while a case is Colonel Emsworth was not in his room, but he
actually under consideration. Dodd seemed sur- came quickly enough on receipt of Ralph’s mes-
prised, but nothing more was said, and the three sage. We heard his quick, heavy step in the pas-
of us continued our journey together. In the train sage. The door was flung open and he rushed in
I asked Dodd one more question which I wished with bristling beard and twisted features, as ter-
our companion to hear. rible an old man as ever I have seen. He held
our cards in his hand, and he tore them up and
“You say that you saw your friend’s face quite
stamped on the fragments.
clearly at the window, so clearly that you are sure
of his identity?” “Have I not told you, you infernal busybody,
that you are warned off the premises? Never dare
“I have no doubt about it whatever. His nose
to show your damned face here again. If you enter
was pressed against the glass. The lamplight
again without my leave I shall be within my rights
shone full upon him.”
if I use violence. I’ll shoot you, sir! By God, I will!
“It could not have been someone resembling As to you, sir,” turning upon me, “I extend the
him?” same warning to you. I am familiar with your ig-
“No, no, it was he.” noble profession, but you must take your reputed
“But you say he was changed?” talents to some other field. There is no opening for
them here.”
“Only in colour. His face was—how shall I de-
scribe it?—it was of a fish-belly whiteness. It was “I cannot leave here,” said my client firmly,
bleached.” “until I hear from Godfrey’s own lips that he is
under no restraint.”
“Was it equally pale all over?”
Our involuntary host rang the bell.
“I think not. It was his brow which I saw so
clearly as it was pressed against the window.” “Ralph,” he said, “telephone down to the
“Did you call to him?” county police and ask the inspector to send up
two constables. Tell him there are burglars in the
“I was too startled and horrified for the mo- house.”
ment. Then I pursued him, as I have told you, but
without result.” “One moment,” said I. “You must be aware, Mr.
Dodd, that Colonel Emsworth is within his rights
My case was practically complete, and there and that we have no legal status within his house.
was only one small incident needed to round it off. On the other hand, he should recognize that your
When, after a considerable drive, we arrived at the action is prompted entirely by solicitude for his
strange old rambling house which my client had son. I venture to hope that if I were allowed to have
described, it was Ralph, the elderly butler, who five minutes’ conversation with Colonel Emsworth
opened the door. I had requisitioned the carriage I could certainly alter his view of the matter.”
for the day and had asked my elderly friend to
remain within it unless we should summon him. “I am not so easily altered,” said the old sol-
Ralph, a little wrinkled old fellow, was in the con- dier. “Ralph, do what I have told you. What the
ventional costume of black coat and pepper-and- devil are you waiting for? Ring up the police!”
salt trousers, with only one curious variant. He “Nothing of the sort,” I said, putting my back
wore brown leather gloves, which at sight of us to the door. “Any police interference would bring
he instantly shuffled off, laying them down on the about the very catastrophe which you dread.” I

874
 The Blanched Soldier

took out my notebook and scribbled one word “Old Ralph told me you were there, and I
upon a loose sheet. “That,” said I as I handed it to couldn’t help taking a peep at you. I hoped you
Colonel Emsworth, “is what has brought us here.” would not have seen me, and I had to run to my
He stared at the writing with a face from which burrow when I heard the window go up.”
every expression save amazement had vanished. “But what in heaven’s name is the matter?”
“How do you know?” he gasped, sitting down “Well, it’s not a long story to tell,” said he,
heavily in his chair. lighting a cigarette. “You remember that morn-
ing fight at Buffelsspruit, outside Pretoria, on the
“It is my business to know things. That is my Eastern railway line? You heard I was hit?”
trade.”
“Yes, I heard that, but I never got particulars.”
He sat in deep thought, his gaunt hand tugging
“Three of us got separated from the others.
at his straggling beard. Then he made a gesture of
It was very broken country, you may remember.
resignation.
There was Simpson—the fellow we called Baldy
“Well, if you wish to see Godfrey, you shall. It Simpson— and Anderson, and I. We were clearing
is no doing of mine, but you have forced my hand. brother Boer, but he lay low and got the three of us.
Ralph, tell Mr. Godfrey and Mr. Kent that in five The other two were killed. I got an elephant bullet
minutes we shall be with them.” through my shoulder. I stuck on to my horse, how-
At the end of that time we passed down the ever, and he galloped several miles before I fainted
garden path and found ourselves in front of the and rolled off the saddle.
mystery house at the end. A small bearded man “When I came to myself it was nightfall, and
stood at the door with a look of considerable as- I raised myself up, feeling very weak and ill. To
tonishment upon his face. my surprise there was a house close beside me,
“This is very sudden, Colonel Emsworth,” said a fairly large house with a broad stoep and many
he. “This will disarrange all our plans.” windows. It was deadly cold. You remember the
kind of numb cold which used to come at evening,
“I can’t help it, Mr. Kent. Our hands have been a deadly, sickening sort of cold, very different from
forced. Can Mr. Godfrey see us?” a crisp healthy frost. Well, I was chilled to the
“Yes, he is waiting inside.” He turned and led bone, and my only hope seemed to lie in reaching
us into a large, plainly furnished front room. A that house. I staggered to my feet and dragged
man was standing with his back to the fire, and myself along, hardly conscious of what I did. I
at the sight of him my client sprang forward with have a dim memory of slowly ascending the steps,
outstretched hand. entering a wide-opened door, passing into a large
“Why, Godfrey, old man, this is fine!” room which contained several beds, and throwing
myself down with a gasp of satisfaction upon one
But the other waved him back. of them. It was unmade, but that troubled me not
“Don’t touch me, Jimmie. Keep your distance. at all. I drew the clothes over my shivering body
Yes, you may well stare! I don’t quite look the and in a moment I was in a deep sleep.
smart Lance-Corporal Emsworth, of B Squadron, “It was morning when I wakened, and it
do I?” seemed to me that instead of coming out into a
His appearance was certainly extraordinary. world of sanity I had emerged into some extraordi-
One could see that he had indeed been a hand- nary nightmare. The African sun flooded through
some man with clear-cut features sunburned by the big, curtainless windows, and every detail of
an African sun, but mottled in patches over this the great, bare, whitewashed dormitory stood out
darker surface were curious whitish patches which hard and clear. In front of me was standing a
had bleached his skin. small, dwarf-like man with a huge, bulbous head,
who was jabbering excitedly in Dutch, waving two
“That’s why I don’t court visitors,” said he. “I horrible hands which looked to me like brown
don’t mind you, Jimmie, but I could have done sponges. Behind him stood a group of people who
without your friend. I suppose there is some good seemed to be intensely amused by the situation,
reason for it, but you have me at a disadvantage.” but a chill came over me as I looked at them. Not
“I wanted to be sure that all was well with you, one of them was a normal human being. Every
Godfrey. I saw you that night when you looked one was twisted or swollen or disfigured in some
into my window, and I could not let the matter strange way. The laughter of these strange mon-
rest till I had cleared things up.” strosities was a dreadful thing to hear.

875
 The Blanched Soldier

“It seemed that none of them could speak En- “And so it was,” said I. “Who knows but good
glish, but the situation wanted clearing up, for may come of it? I understand that only Mr. Kent
the creature with the big head was growing furi- has seen the patient. May I ask, sir, if you are an
ously angry, and, uttering wild-beast cries, he had authority on such complaints, which are, I under-
laid his deformed hands upon me and was drag- stand, tropical or semi-tropical in their nature?”
ging me out of bed, regardless of the fresh flow of “I have the ordinary knowledge of the edu-
blood from my wound. The little monster was as cated medical man,” he observed with some stiff-
strong as a bull, and I don’t know what he might ness.
have done to me had not an elderly man who was “I have no doubt, sir, that you are fully com-
clearly in authority been attracted to the room by petent, but I am sure that you will agree that in
the hubbub. He said a few stern words in Dutch, such a case a second opinion is valuable. You have
and my persecutor shrank away. Then he turned avoided this, I understand, for fear that pressure
upon me, gazing at me in the utmost amazement. should be put upon you to segregate the patient.”
“ ‘How in the world did you come here?’ he “That is so,” said Colonel Emsworth.
asked in amazement. ‘Wait a bit! I see that you “I foresaw this situation,” I explained, “and I
are tired out and that wounded shoulder of yours have brought with me a friend whose discretion
wants looking after. I am a doctor, and I’ll soon may absolutely be trusted. I was able once to do
have you tied up. But, man alive! you are in far him a professional service, and he is ready to ad-
greater danger here than ever you were on the bat- vise as a friend rather than as a specialist. His
tlefield. You are in the Leper Hospital, and you name is Sir James Saunders.”
have slept in a leper’s bed.’
The prospect of an interview with Lord Roberts
“Need I tell you more, Jimmie? It seems that in would not have excited greater wonder and plea-
view of the approaching battle all these poor crea- sure in a raw subaltern than was now reflected
tures had been evacuated the day before. Then, as upon the face of Mr. Kent.
the British advanced, they had been brought back “I shall indeed be proud,” he murmured.
by this, their medical superintendent, who assured
“Then I will ask Sir James to step this way.
me that, though he believed he was immune to the
He is at present in the carriage outside the door.
disease, he would none the less never have dared
Meanwhile, Colonel Emsworth, we may perhaps
to do what I had done. He put me in a private
assemble in your study, where I could give the nec-
room, treated me kindly, and within a week or so
essary explanations.”
I was removed to the general hospital at Pretoria.
And here it is that I miss my Watson. By
“So there you have my tragedy. I hoped against
cunning questions and ejaculations of wonder he
hope, but it was not until I had reached home
could elevate my simple art, which is but system-
that the terrible signs which you see upon my face
atized common sense, into a prodigy. When I tell
told me that I had not escaped. What was I to
my own story I have no such aid. And yet I will
do? I was in this lonely house. We had two ser-
give my process of thought even as I gave it to my
vants whom we could utterly trust. There was a
small audience, which included Godfrey’s mother
house where I could live. Under pledge of secrecy,
in the study of Colonel Emsworth.
Mr. Kent, who is a surgeon, was prepared to stay
with me. It seemed simple enough on those lines. “That process,” said I, “starts upon the suppo-
The alternative was a dreadful one—segregation sition that when you have eliminated all which is
for life among strangers with never a hope of re- impossible, then whatever remains, however im-
lease. But absolute secrecy was necessary, or even probable, must be the truth. It may well be that
in this quiet countryside there would have been several explanations remain, in which case one
an outcry, and I should have been dragged to my tries test after test until one or other of them has
horrible doom. Even you, Jimmie—even you had a convincing amount of support. We will now
to be kept in the dark. Why my father has relented apply this principle to the case in point. As it
I cannot imagine.” was first presented to me, there were three pos-
sible explanations of the seclusion or incarceration
Colonel Emsworth pointed to me. of this gentleman in an outhouse of his father’s
“This is the gentleman who forced my hand.” mansion. There was the explanation that he was
He unfolded the scrap of paper on which I had in hiding for a crime, or that he was mad and
written the word “Leprosy.” “It seemed to me that that they wished to avoid an asylum, or that he
if he knew so much as that it was safer that he had some disease which caused his segregation. I
should know all.” could think of no other adequate solutions. These,

876
then, had to be sifted and balanced against each paid, would easily be found to take charge of the
other. sufferer. There would be no reason why the latter
“The criminal solution would not bear inspec- should not be allowed freedom after dark. Bleach-
tion. No unsolved crime had been reported from ing of the skin is a common result of the disease.
that district. I was sure of that. If it were some The case was a strong one—so strong that I deter-
crime not yet discovered, then clearly it would be mined to act as if it were actually proved. When
to the interest of the family to get rid of the delin- on arriving here I noticed that Ralph, who carries
quent and send him abroad rather than keep him out the meals, had gloves which are impregnated
concealed at home. I could see no explanation for with disinfectants, my last doubts were removed.
such a line of conduct. A single word showed you, sir, that your secret
was discovered, and if I wrote rather than said it,
“Insanity was more plausible. The presence it was to prove to you that my discretion was to be
of the second person in the outhouse suggested trusted.”
a keeper. The fact that he locked the door when he
I was finishing this little analysis of the case
came out strengthened the supposition and gave
when the door was opened and the austere figure
the idea of constraint. On the other hand, this con-
of the great dermatologist was ushered in. But for
straint could not be severe or the young man could
once his sphinx-like features had relaxed and there
not have got loose and come down to have a look
was a warm humanity in his eyes. He strode up to
at his friend. You will remember, Mr. Dodd, that
Colonel Emsworth and shook him by the hand.
I felt round for points, asking you, for example,
about the paper which Mr. Kent was reading. Had “It is often my lot to bring ill-tidings and sel-
it been the Lancet or the British Medical Journal it dom good,” said he. “This occasion is the more
would have helped me. It is not illegal, however, welcome. It is not leprosy.”
to keep a lunatic upon private premises so long as “What?”
there is a qualified person in attendance and that “A well-marked case of pseudo-leprosy or
the authorities have been duly notified. Why, then, ichthyosis, a scale-like affection of the skin, un-
all this desperate desire for secrecy? Once again I sightly, obstinate, but possibly curable, and cer-
could not get the theory to fit the facts. tainly noninfective. Yes, Mr. Holmes, the coinci-
“There remained the third possibility, into dence is a remarkable one. But is it coincidence?
which, rare and unlikely as it was, everything Are there not subtle forces at work of which we
seemed to fit. Leprosy is not uncommon in South know little? Are we assured that the apprehen-
Africa. By some extraordinary chance this youth sion from which this young man has no doubt suf-
might have contracted it. His people would be fered terribly since his exposure to its contagion
placed in a very dreadful position, since they may not produce a physical effect which simulates
would desire to save him from segregation. Great that which it fears? At any rate, I pledge my pro-
secrecy would be needed to prevent rumours from fessional reputation— But the lady has fainted! I
getting about and subsequent interference by the think that Mr. Kent had better be with her until
authorities. A devoted medical man, if sufficiently she recovers from this joyous shock.”
The Adventure Of The Mazarin Stone
I
The Adventure Of The Mazarin Stone

t was pleasant to Dr. Watson to find “Ah!”

himself once more in the untidy room “Yes, sir, you know what that means. He’s a
of the first floor in Baker Street which stiff ’un, sir, if I may say so. I can get along with
had been the starting-point of so many the Prime Minister, and I’ve nothing against the
remarkable adventures. He looked round him at Home Secretary, who seemed a civil, obliging sort
the scientific charts upon the wall, the acid-charred of man, but I can’t stand his Lordship. Neither can
bench of chemicals, the violin-case leaning in the Mr. Holmes, sir. You see, he don’t believe in Mr.
corner, the coal-scuttle, which contained of old the Holmes and he was against employing him. He’d
pipes and tobacco. Finally, his eyes came round rather he failed.”
to the fresh and smiling face of Billy, the young “And Mr. Holmes knows it?”
but very wise and tactful page, who had helped a “Mr. Holmes always knows whatever there is
little to fill up the gap of loneliness and isolation to know.”
which surrounded the saturnine figure of the great “Well, we’ll hope he won’t fail and that Lord
detective. Cantlemere will be confounded. But I say, Billy,
“It all seems very unchanged, Billy. You don’t what is that curtain for across the window?”
change, either. I hope the same can be said of “Mr. Holmes had it put up there three days
him?” ago. We’ve got something funny behind it.”
Billy glanced with some solicitude at the closed Billy advanced and drew away the drapery
door of the bedroom. which screened the alcove of the bow window.
“I think he’s in bed and asleep,” he said. Dr. Watson could not restrain a cry of amaze-
ment. There was a facsimile of his old friend,
It was seven in the evening of a lovely sum-
dressing-gown and all, the face turned three-
mer’s day, but Dr. Watson was sufficiently familiar
quarters towards the window and downward, as
with the irregularity of his old friend’s hours to
though reading an invisible book, while the body
feel no surprise at the idea.
was sunk deep in an armchair. Billy detached the
“That means a case, I suppose?” head and held it in the air.
“Yes, sir, he is very hard at it just now. I’m “We put it at different angles, so that it may
frightened for his health. He gets paler and thin- seem more lifelike. I wouldn’t dare touch it if the
ner, and he eats nothing. ‘When will you be blind were not down. But when it’s up you can see
pleased to dine, Mr. Holmes?’ Mrs. Hudson asked. this from across the way.”
‘Seven-thirty, the day after to-morrow,’ said he. “We used something of the sort once before.”
You know his way when he is keen on a case.” “Before my time,” said Billy. He drew the win-
“Yes, Billy, I know.” dow curtains apart and looked out into the street.
“He’s following someone. Yesterday he was “There are folk who watch us from over yonder. I
out as a workman looking for a job. To-day he can see a fellow now at the window. Have a look
was an old woman. Fairly took me in, he did, and for yourself.”
I ought to know his ways by now.” Billy pointed Watson had taken a step forward when the
with a grin to a very baggy parasol which leaned bedroom door opened, and the long, thin form of
against the sofa. “That’s part of the old woman’s Holmes emerged, his face pale and drawn, but his
outfit,” he said. step and bearing as active as ever. With a single
spring he was at the window, and had drawn the
“But what is it all about, Billy?” blind once more.
Billy sank his voice, as one who discusses great “That will do, Billy,” said he. “You were in dan-
secrets of State. “I don’t mind telling you, sir, but ger of your life then, my boy, and I can’t do with-
it should go no farther. It’s this case of the Crown out you just yet. Well, Watson, it is good to see
diamond.” you in your old quarters once again. You come at
“What—the hundred-thousand-pound bur- a critical moment.”
glary?” “So I gather.”
“Yes, sir. They must get it back, sir. Why, we “You can go, Billy. That boy is a problem, Wat-
had the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary son. How far am I justified in allowing him to be
both sitting on that very sofa. Mr. Holmes was in danger?”
very nice to them. He soon put them at their ease “Danger of what, Holmes?”
and promised he would do all he could. Then “Of sudden death. I’m expecting something
there is Lord Cantlemere—” this evening.”

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 The Adventure Of The Mazarin Stone

“Expecting what?” the heels. But that is not what I am out for. It’s the
“To be murdered, Watson.” stone I want.”
“No, no, you are joking, Holmes!” “And is this Count Sylvius one of your fish?”
“Yes, and he’s a shark. He bites. The other is
“Even my limited sense of humour could
Sam Merton, the boxer. Not a bad fellow, Sam, but
evolve a better joke than that. But we may be com-
the Count has used him. Sam’s not a shark. He
fortable in the meantime, may we not? Is alcohol
is a great big silly bull-headed gudgeon. But he is
permitted? The gasogene and cigars are in the old
flopping about in my net all the same.”
place. Let me see you once more in the customary
armchair. You have not, I hope, learned to despise “Where is this Count Sylvius?”
my pipe and my lamentable tobacco? It has to take “I’ve been at his very elbow all the morning.
the place of food these days.” You’ve seen me as an old lady, Watson. I was never
“But why not eat?” more convincing. He actually picked up my para-
sol for me once. ‘By your leave, madame,’ said
“Because the faculties become refined when he—half-Italian, you know, and with the Southern
you starve them. Why, surely, as a doctor, my dear graces of manner when in the mood, but a devil
Watson, you must admit that what your digestion incarnate in the other mood. Life is full of whim-
gains in the way of blood supply is so much lost to sical happenings, Watson.”
the brain. I am a brain, Watson. The rest of me is
“It might have been tragedy.”
a mere appendix. Therefore, it is the brain I must
consider.” “Well, perhaps it might. I followed him
to old Straubenzee’s workshop in the Minories.
“But this danger, Holmes?”
Straubenzee made the air-gun—a very pretty bit
“Ah, yes, in case it should come off, it would of work, as I understand, and I rather fancy it is in
perhaps be as well that you should burden your the opposite window at the present moment. Have
memory with the name and address of the mur- you seen the dummy? Of course, Billy showed it to
derer. You can give it to Scotland Yard, with you. Well, it may get a bullet through its beautiful
my love and a parting blessing. Sylvius is the head at any moment. Ah, Billy, what is it?”
name—Count Negretto Sylvius. Write it down, The boy had reappeared in the room with a
man, write it down! 136 Moorside Gardens, N. card upon a tray. Holmes glanced at it with raised
W. Got it?” eyebrows and an amused smile.
Watson’s honest face was twitching with anx- “The man himself. I had hardly expected this.
iety. He knew only too well the immense risks Grasp the nettle, Watson! A man of nerve. Possi-
taken by Holmes and was well aware that what he bly you have heard of his reputation as a shooter
said was more likely to be under-statement than of big game. It would indeed be a triumphant end-
exaggeration. Watson was always the man of ac- ing to his excellent sporting record if he added me
tion, and he rose to the occasion. to his bag. This is a proof that he feels my toe very
“Count me in, Holmes. I have nothing to do close behind his heel.”
for a day or two.” “Send for the police.”
“Your morals don’t improve, Watson. You have “I probably shall. But not just yet. Would you
added fibbing to your other vices. You bear every glance carefully out of the window, Watson, and
sign of the busy medical man, with calls on him see if anyone is hanging about in the street?”
every hour.” Watson looked warily round the edge of the
“Not such important ones. But can’t you have curtain.
this fellow arrested?” “Yes, there is one rough fellow near the door.”
“Yes, Watson, I could. That’s what worries him “That will be Sam Merton—the faithful but
so.” rather fatuous Sam. Where is this gentleman,
“But why don’t you?” Billy?”
“Because I don’t know where the diamond is.” “In the waiting-room, sir.”
“Ah! Billy told me—the missing Crown jewel!” “Show him up when I ring.”
“Yes, the great yellow Mazarin stone. I’ve cast “Yes, sir.”
my net and I have my fish. But I have not got the “If I am not in the room, show him in all the
stone. What is the use of taking them? We can same.”
make the world a better place by laying them by “Yes, sir.”

882
 The Adventure Of The Mazarin Stone

Watson waited until the door was closed, and The assassin staggered back, amazement in his
then he turned earnestly to his companion. convulsed face. For an instant he half raised his
“Look here, Holmes, this is simply impossible. loaded cane once more, as if he would turn his
This is a desperate man, who sticks at nothing. He violence from the effigy to the original; but there
may have come to murder you.” was something in that steady gray eye and mock-
ing smile which caused his hand to sink to his side.
“I should not be surprised.”
“It’s a pretty little thing,” said Holmes, ad-
“I insist upon staying with you.” vancing towards the image. “Tavernier, the French
“You would be horribly in the way.” modeller, made it. He is as good at waxworks as
your friend Straubenzee is at air-guns.”
“In his way?”
“Air-guns, sir! What do you mean?”
“No, my dear fellow—in my way.”
“Put your hat and stick on the side-table.
“Well, I can’t possibly leave you.” Thank you! Pray take a seat. Would you care to
“Yes, you can, Watson. And you will, for you put your revolver out also? Oh, very good, if you
have never failed to play the game. I am sure prefer to sit upon it. Your visit is really most op-
you will play it to the end. This man has come portune, for I wanted badly to have a few minutes’
for his own purpose, but he may stay for mine.” chat with you.”
Holmes took out his notebook and scribbled a few The Count scowled, with heavy, threatening
lines. “Take a cab to Scotland Yard and give this to eyebrows.
Youghal of the C. I. D. Come back with the police. “I, too, wished to have some words with you,
The fellow’s arrest will follow.” Holmes. That is why I am here. I won’t deny that
“I’ll do that with joy.” I intended to assault you just now.”
“Before you return I may have just time enough Holmes swung his leg on the edge of the table.
to find out where the stone is.” He touched the “I rather gathered that you had some idea of
bell. “I think we will go out through the bedroom. the sort in your head,” said he. “But why these
This second exit is exceedingly useful. I rather personal attentions?”
want to see my shark without his seeing me, and I
“Because you have gone out of your way to an-
have, as you will remember, my own way of doing
noy me. Because you have put your creatures upon
it.”
my track.”
It was, therefore, an empty room into which “My creatures! I assure you no!”
Billy, a minute later, ushered Count Sylvius.
The famous game-shot, sportsman, and man- “Nonsense! I have had them followed. Two can
about-town was a big, swarthy fellow, with a play at that game, Holmes.”
formidable dark moustache shading a cruel, thin- “It is a small point, Count Sylvius, but perhaps
lipped mouth, and surmounted by a long, curved you would kindly give me my prefix when you
nose like the beak of an eagle. He was well address me. You can understand that, with my
dressed, but his brilliant necktie, shining pin, and routine of work, I should find myself on familiar
glittering rings were flamboyant in their effect. As terms with half the rogues’ gallery, and you will
the door closed behind him he looked round him agree that exceptions are invidious.”
with fierce, startled eyes, like one who suspects a “Well, Mr. Holmes, then.”
trap at every turn. Then he gave a violent start
“Excellent! But I assure you you are mistaken
as he saw the impassive head and the collar of
about my alleged agents.”
the dressing-gown which projected above the arm-
chair in the window. At first his expression was Count Sylvius laughed contemptuously.
one of pure amazement. Then the light of a horri- “Other people can observe as well as you. Yes-
ble hope gleamed in his dark, murderous eyes. He terday there was an old sporting man. To-day it
took one more glance round to see that there were was an elderly woman. They held me in view all
no witnesses, and then, on tiptoe, his thick stick day.”
half raised, he approached the silent figure. He “Really, sir, you compliment me. Old Baron
was crouching for his final spring and blow when Dowson said the night before he was hanged that
a cool, sardonic voice greeted him from the open in my case what the law had gained the stage had
bedroom door: lost. And now you give my little impersonations
“Don’t break it, Count! Don’t break it!” your kindly praise?”

883
 The Adventure Of The Mazarin Stone

“It was you—you yourself?” until they were like two menacing points of steel.
Holmes shrugged his shoulders. “You can see “You are absolute plate-glass. I see to the very back
in the corner the parasol which you so politely of your mind.”
handed to me in the Minories before you began “Then, of course, you see where the diamond
to suspect.” is!”
“If I had known, you might never—” Holmes clapped his hands with amusement,
and then pointed a derisive finger. “Then you do
“Have seen this humble home again. I was well
know. You have admitted it!”
aware of it. We all have neglected opportunities to
deplore. As it happens, you did not know, so here “I admit nothing.”
we are!” “Now, Count, if you will be reasonable we can
The Count’s knotted brows gathered more do business. If not, you will get hurt.”
heavily over his menacing eyes. “What you say Count Sylvius threw up his eyes to the ceiling.
only makes the matter worse. It was not your “And you talk about bluff!” said he.
agents but your play-acting, busybody self! You Holmes looked at him thoughtfully like a mas-
admit that you have dogged me. Why?” ter chess-player who meditates his crowning move.
“Come now, Count. You used to shoot lions in Then he threw open the table drawer and drew out
Algeria.” a squat notebook.
“Do you know what I keep in this book?”
“Well?”
“No, sir, I do not!”
“But why?”
“You!”
“Why? The sport—the excitement—the dan-
“Me!”
ger!”
“Yes, sir, you! You are all here—every action of
“And, no doubt, to free the country from a
your vile and dangerous life.”
pest?”
“Damn you, Holmes!” cried the Count with
“Exactly!” blazing eyes. “There are limits to my patience!”
“My reasons in a nutshell!” “It’s all here, Count. The real facts as to the
The Count sprang to his feet, and his hand in- death of old Mrs. Harold, who left you the Blymer
voluntarily moved back to his hip-pocket. estate, which you so rapidly gambled away.”
“Sit down, sir, sit down! There was another, “You are dreaming!”
more practical, reason. I want that yellow dia- “And the complete life history of Miss Minnie
mond!” Warrender.”
Count Sylvius lay back in his chair with an evil “Tut! You will make nothing of that!”
smile. “Plenty more here, Count. Here is the robbery
“Upon my word!” said he. in the train de-luxe to the Riviera on February 13,
“You knew that I was after you for that. The 1892. Here is the forged check in the same year on
real reason why you are here to-night is to find out the Credit Lyonnais.”
how much I know about the matter and how far “No; you’re wrong there.”
my removal is absolutely essential. Well, I should “Then I am right on the others! Now, Count,
say that, from your point of view, it is absolutely you are a card-player. When the other fellow has
essential, for I know all about it, save only one all the trumps, it saves time to throw down your
thing, which you are about to tell me.” hand.”
“Oh, indeed! And pray, what is this missing “What has all this talk to do with the jewel of
fact?” which you spoke?”
“Where the Crown diamond now is.” “Gently, Count. Restrain that eager mind! Let
me get to the points in my own humdrum fashion.
The Count looked sharply at his companion.
I have all this against you; but, above all, I have a
“Oh, you want to know that, do you? How the
clear case against both you and your fighting bully
devil should I be able to tell you where it is?”
in the case of the Crown diamond.”
“You can, and you will.” “Indeed!”
“Indeed!” “I have the cabman who took you to Whitehall
“You can’t bluff me, Count Sylvius.” Holmes’s and the cabman who brought you away. I have the
eyes, as he gazed at him, contracted and lightened commissionaire who saw you near the case. I have

884
 The Adventure Of The Mazarin Stone

Ikey Sanders, who refused to cut it up for you. Why not give ourselves up to the unrestrained en-
Ikey has peached, and the game is up.” joyment of the present?”
The veins stood out on the Count’s forehead. A sudden wild-beast light sprang up in the
His dark, hairy hands were clenched in a convul- dark, menacing eyes of the master criminal.
sion of restrained emotion. He tried to speak, but Holmes’s figure seemed to grow taller as he grew
the words would not shape themselves. tense and ready.
“That’s the hand I play from,” said Holmes. “I “It is no use your fingering your revolver, my
put it all upon the table. But one card is missing. friend,” he said in a quiet voice. “You know per-
It’s the king of diamonds. I don’t know where the fectly well that you dare not use it, even if I gave
stone is.” you time to draw it. Nasty, noisy things, revolvers,
Count. Better stick to air-guns. Ah! I think I hear
“You never shall know.”
the fairy footstep of your estimable partner. Good
“No? Now, be reasonable, Count. Consider the day, Mr. Merton. Rather dull in the street, is it
situation. You are going to be locked up for twenty not?”
years. So is Sam Merton. What good are you going
The prize-fighter, a heavily built young man
to get out of your diamond? None in the world.
with a stupid, obstinate, slab-sided face, stood
But if you hand it over—well, I’ll compound a
awkwardly at the door, looking about him with
felony. We don’t want you or Sam. We want the
a puzzled expression. Holmes’s debonair manner
stone. Give that up, and so far as I am concerned
was a new experience, and though he vaguely felt
you can go free so long as you behave yourself in
that it was hostile, he did not know how to counter
the future. If you make another slip—well, it will
it. He turned to his more astute comrade for help.
be the last. But this time my commission is to get
the stone, not you.” “What’s the game now, Count? What’s this fel-
low want? What’s up?” His voice was deep and
“But if I refuse?”
raucous.
“Why, then—alas!—it must be you and not the The Count shrugged his shoulders, and it was
stone.” Holmes who answered.
Billy had appeared in answer to a ring. “If I may put it in a nutshell, Mr. Merton, I
“I think, Count, that it would be as well to have should say it was all up.”
your friend Sam at this conference. After all, his The boxer still addressed his remarks to his as-
interests should be represented. Billy, you will see sociate.
a large and ugly gentleman outside the front door.
Ask him to come up.” “Is this cove trying to be funny, or what? I’m
not in the funny mood myself.”
“If he won’t come, sir?”
“No, I expect not,” said Holmes. “I think I
“No violence, Billy. Don’t be rough with him. can promise you that you will feel even less hu-
If you tell him that Count Sylvius wants him he morous as the evening advances. Now, look here,
will certainly come.” Count Sylvius. I’m a busy man and I can’t waste
“What are you going to do now?” asked the time. I’m going into that bedroom. Pray make
Count as Billy disappeared. yourselves quite at home in my absence. You can
explain to your friend how the matter lies without
“My friend Watson was with me just now. I
the restraint of my presence. I shall try over the
told him that I had a shark and a gudgeon in my
Hoffman ‘Barcarole’ upon my violin. In five min-
net; now I am drawing the net and up they come
utes I shall return for your final answer. You quite
together.”
grasp the alternative, do you not? Shall we take
The Count had risen from his chair, and his you, or shall we have the stone?”
hand was behind his back. Holmes held some- Holmes withdrew, picking up his violin from
thing half protruding from the pocket of his the corner as he passed. A few moments later the
dressing-gown. long-drawn, wailing notes of that most haunting
“You won’t die in your bed, Holmes.” of tunes came faintly through the closed door of
“I have often had the same idea. Does it mat- the bedroom.
ter very much? After all, Count, your own exit is “What is it, then?” asked Merton anxiously as
more likely to be perpendicular than horizontal. his companion turned to him. “Does he know
But these anticipations of the future are morbid. about the stone?”

885
 The Adventure Of The Mazarin Stone

“He knows a damned sight too much about it. take no chances leaving it about. It can be out of
I’m not sure that he doesn’t know all about it.” England to-night and cut into four pieces in Ams-
“Good Lord!” The boxer’s sallow face turned a terdam before Sunday. He knows nothing of Van
shade whiter. Seddar.”
“Ikey Sanders has split on us.” “I thought Van Seddar was going next week.”
“He has, has he? I’ll do him down a thick ’un “He was. But now he must get off by the next
for that if I swing for it.” boat. One or other of us must slip round with the
stone to Lime Street and tell him.”
“That won’t help us much. We’ve got to make
up our minds what to do.” “But the false bottom ain’t ready.”
“Half a mo’,” said the boxer, looking suspi- “Well, he must take it as it is and chance it.
ciously at the bedroom door. “He’s a leary cove There’s not a moment to lose.” Again, with the
that wants watching. I suppose he’s not listening?” sense of danger which becomes an instinct with
the sportsman, he paused and looked hard at the
“How can he be listening with that music go- window. Yes, it was surely from the street that the
ing?” faint sound had come.
“That’s right. Maybe somebody’s behind a cur- “As to Holmes,” he continued, “we can fool
tain. Too many curtains in this room.” As he him easily enough. You see, the damned fool
looked round he suddenly saw for the first time won’t arrest us if he can get the stone. Well,
the effigy in the window, and stood staring and we’ll promise him the stone. We’ll put him on the
pointing, too amazed for words. wrong track about it, and before he finds that it is
“Tut! it’s only a dummy,” said the Count. the wrong track it will be in Holland and we out
“A fake, is it? Well, strike me! Madame Tus- of the country.”
saud ain’t in it. It’s the living spit of him, gown “That sounds good to me!” cried Sam Merton
and all. But them curtains, Count!” with a grin.
“Oh, confound the curtains! We are wasting “You go on and tell the Dutchman to get a
our time, and there is none too much. He can lag move on him. I’ll see this sucker and fill him up
us over this stone.” with a bogus confession. I’ll tell him that the stone
“The deuce he can!” is in Liverpool. Confound that whining music; it
gets on my nerves! By the time he finds it isn’t
“But he’ll let us slip if we only tell him where
in Liverpool it will be in quarters and we on the
the swag is.”
blue water. Come back here, out of a line with that
“What! Give it up? Give up a hundred thou- keyhole. Here is the stone.”
sand quid?”
“I wonder you dare carry it.”
“It’s one or the other.”
“Where could I have it safer? If we could take
Merton scratched his short-cropped pate. it out of Whitehall someone else could surely take
“He’s alone in there. Let’s do him in. If his it out of my lodgings.”
light were out we should have nothing to fear.” “Let’s have a look at it.”
The Count shook his head. Count Sylvius cast a somewhat unflattering
“He is armed and ready. If we shot him we glance at his associate and disregarded the un-
could hardly get away in a place like this. Besides, washed hand which was extended towards him.
it’s likely enough that the police know whatever “What—d’ye think I’m going to snatch it off
evidence he has got. Hallo! What was that?” you? See here, mister, I’m getting a bit tired of
There was a vague sound which seemed to your ways.”
come from the window. Both men sprang round, “Well, well, no offence, Sam. We can’t afford to
but all was quiet. Save for the one strange figure quarrel. Come over to the window if you want to
seated in the chair, the room was certainly empty. see the beauty properly. Now hold it to the light!
“Something in the street,” said Merton. “Now Here!”
look here, guv’nor, you’ve got the brains. Surely “Thank you!”
you can think a way out of it. If slugging is no use With a single spring Holmes had leaped from
then it’s up to you.” the dummy’s chair and had grasped the precious
“I’ve fooled better men than he,” the Count an- jewel. He held it now in one hand, while his other
swered. “The stone is here in my secret pocket. I pointed a revolver at the Count’s head. The two

886
 The Adventure Of The Mazarin Stone

villains staggered back in utter amazement. Be- “How do you do, Lord Cantlemere? It is chilly
fore they had recovered Holmes had pressed the for the time of year, but rather warm indoors. May
electric bell. I take your overcoat?”
“No violence, gentlemen—no violence, I beg of “No, I thank you; I will not take it off.”
you! Consider the furniture! It must be very clear Holmes laid his hand insistently upon the
to you that your position is an impossible one. The sleeve.
police are waiting below.” “Pray allow me! My friend Dr. Watson would
The Count’s bewilderment overmastered his assure you that these changes of temperature are
rage and fear. most insidious.”
“But how the deuce—?” he gasped. His Lordship shook himself free with some im-
“Your surprise is very natural. You are not patience.
aware that a second door from my bedroom leads “I am quite comfortable, sir. I have no need to
behind that curtain. I fancied that you must have stay. I have simply looked in to know how your
heard me when I displaced the figure, but luck self-appointed task was progressing.”
was on my side. It gave me a chance of listen- “It is difficult—very difficult.”
ing to your racy conversation which would have “I feared that you would find it so.”
been painfully constrained had you been aware of
There was a distinct sneer in the old courtier’s
my presence.”
words and manner.
The Count gave a gesture of resignation. “Every man finds his limitations, Mr. Holmes,
“We give you best, Holmes. I believe you are but at least it cures us of the weakness of self-
the devil himself.” satisfaction.”
“Not far from him, at any rate,” Holmes an- “Yes, sir, I have been much perplexed.”
swered with a polite smile. “No doubt.”
Sam Merton’s slow intellect had only gradually “Especially upon one point. Possibly you could
appreciated the situation. Now, as the sound of help me upon it?”
heavy steps came from the stairs outside, he broke “You apply for my advice rather late in the
silence at last. day. I thought that you had your own all-sufficient
“A fair cop!” said he. “But, I say, what about methods. Still, I am ready to help you.”
that bloomin’ fiddle! I hear it yet.” “You see, Lord Cantlemere, we can no doubt
“Tut, tut!” Holmes answered. “You are per- frame a case against the actual thieves.”
fectly right. Let it play! These modern gramo- “When you have caught them.”
phones are a remarkable invention.” “Exactly. But the question is—how shall we
There was an inrush of police, the handcuffs proceed against the receiver?”
clicked and the criminals were led to the waiting “Is this not rather premature?”
cab. Watson lingered with Holmes, congratulat-
“It is as well to have our plans ready. Now,
ing him upon this fresh leaf added to his laurels.
what would you regard as final evidence against
Once more their conversation was interrupted by
the receiver?”
the imperturbable Billy with his card-tray.
“The actual possession of the stone.”
“Lord Cantlemere, sir.”
“You would arrest him upon that?”
“Show him up, Billy. This is the eminent peer
“Most undoubtedly.”
who represents the very highest interests,” said
Holmes. “He is an excellent and loyal person, but Holmes seldom laughed, but he got as near it
rather of the old regime. Shall we make him un- as his old friend Watson could remember.
bend? Dare we venture upon a slight liberty? He “In that case, my dear sir, I shall be under the
knows, we may conjecture, nothing of what has painful necessity of advising your arrest.”
occurred.” Lord Cantlemere was very angry. Some of the
The door opened to admit a thin, austere figure ancient fires flickered up into his sallow cheeks.
with a hatchet face and drooping mid-Victorian “You take a great liberty, Mr. Holmes. In fifty
whiskers of a glossy blackness which hardly cor- years of official life I cannot recall such a case. I
responded with the rounded shoulders and feeble am a busy man, sir, engaged upon important af-
gait. Holmes advanced affably, and shook an un- fairs, and I have no time or taste for foolish jokes.
responsive hand. I may tell you frankly, sir, that I have never been

887
a believer in your powers, and that I have always have an impish habit of practical joking. Also that
been of the opinion that the matter was far safer in I can never resist a dramatic situation. I took the
the hands of the regular police force. Your conduct liberty—the very great liberty, I admit—of putting
confirms all my conclusions. I have the honour, sir, the stone into your pocket at the beginning of our
to wish you good-evening.” interview.”
Holmes had swiftly changed his position and
The old peer stared from the stone to the smil-
was between the peer and the door.
ing face before him.
“One moment, sir,” said he. “To actually go off
with the Mazarin stone would be a more serious “Sir, I am bewildered. But—yes—it is indeed
offence than to be found in temporary possession the Mazarin stone. We are greatly your debtors,
of it.” Mr. Holmes. Your sense of humour may, as you
“Sir, this is intolerable! Let me pass.” admit, be somewhat perverted, and its exhibition
remarkably untimely, but at least I withdraw any
“Put your hand in the right-hand pocket of
reflection I have made upon your amazing profes-
your overcoat.”
sional powers. But how—”
“What do you mean, sir?”
“Come—come, do what I ask.” “The case is but half finished; the details can
wait. No doubt, Lord Cantlemere, your pleasure
An instant later the amazed peer was standing,
in telling of this successful result in the exalted cir-
blinking and stammering, with the great yellow
cle to which you return will be some small atone-
stone on his shaking palm.
ment for my practical joke. Billy, you will show his
“What! What! How is this, Mr. Holmes?” Lordship out, and tell Mrs. Hudson that I should
“Too bad, Lord Cantlemere, too bad!” cried be glad if she would send up dinner for two as
Holmes. “My old friend here will tell you that I soon as possible.”
The Adventure of the Three Gables
I
The Adventure of the Three Gables

don’t think that any of my adventures like the smell of you, but aren’t you Steve Dixie,
with Mr. Sherlock Holmes opened quite the bruiser?”
so abruptly, or so dramatically, as that “That’s my name, Masser Holmes, and you’ll
which I associate with The Three Gables. get put through it for sure if you give me any lip.”
I had not seen Holmes for some days and had no
“It is certainly the last thing you need,” said
idea of the new channel into which his activities
Holmes, staring at our visitor’s hideous mouth.
had been directed. He was in a chatty mood that
“But it was the killing of young Perkins outside
morning, however, and had just settled me into the
the Holborn Bar— What! you’re not going?”
well-worn low armchair on one side of the fire,
while he had curled down with his pipe in his The negro had sprung back, and his face was
mouth upon the opposite chair, when our visitor leaden. “I won’t listen to no such talk,” said he.
arrived. If I had said that a mad bull had arrived it “What have I to do with this ’ere Perkins, Masser
would give a clearer impression of what occurred. Holmes? I was trainin’ at the Bull Ring in Birming-
ham when this boy done gone get into trouble.”
The door had flown open and a huge negro
had burst into the room. He would have been a “Yes, you’ll tell the magistrate about it, Steve,”
comic figure if he had not been terrific, for he was said Holmes. “I’ve been watching you and Barney
dressed in a very loud gray check suit with a flow- Stockdale—”
ing salmon-coloured tie. His broad face and flat- “So help me the Lord! Masser Holmes—”
tened nose were thrust forward, as his sullen dark “That’s enough. Get out of it. I’ll pick you up
eyes, with a smouldering gleam of malice in them, when I want you.”
turned from one of us to the other. “Good-mornin’, Masser Holmes. I hope there
“Which of you gen’l’men is Masser Holmes?” ain’t no hard feelin’s about this ’ere visit?”
he asked. “There will be unless you tell me who sent
Holmes raised his pipe with a languid smile. you.”
“Oh! it’s you, is it?” said our visitor, coming “Why, there ain’t no secret about that, Masser
with an unpleasant, stealthy step round the angle Holmes. It was that same gen’l’man that you have
of the table. “See here, Masser Holmes, you keep just done gone mention.”
your hands out of other folks’ business. Leave “And who set him on to it?”
folks to manage their own affairs. Got that, Masser “S’elp me. I don’t know, Masser Holmes. He
Holmes?” just say, ‘Steve, you go see Mr. Holmes, and tell
“Keep on talking,” said Holmes. “It’s fine.” him his life ain’t safe if he go down Harrow way.’
“Oh! it’s fine, is it?” growled the savage. “It That’s the whole truth.” Without waiting for any
won’t be so damn fine if I have to trim you up a further questioning, our visitor bolted out of the
bit. I’ve handled your kind before now, and they room almost as precipitately as he had entered.
didn’t look fine when I was through with them. Holmes knocked out the ashes of his pipe with a
Look at that, Masser Holmes!” quiet chuckle.
“I am glad you were not forced to break his
He swung a huge knotted lump of a fist un-
woolly head, Watson. I observed your manoeuvres
der my friend’s nose. Holmes examined it closely
with the poker. But he is really rather a harmless
with an air of great interest. “Were you born so?”
fellow, a great muscular, foolish, blustering baby,
he asked. “Or did it come by degrees?”
and easily cowed, as you have seen. He is one of
It may have been the icy coolness of my friend, the Spencer John gang and has taken part in some
or it may have been the slight clatter which I made dirty work of late which I may clear up when I
as I picked up the poker. In any case, our visitor’s have time. His immediate principal, Barney, is a
manner became less flamboyant. more astute person. They specialize in assaults,
“Well, I’ve given you fair warnin’,” said intimidation, and the like. What I want to know
he. “I’ve a friend that’s interested out Harrow is, who is at the back of them on this particular
way—you know what I’m meaning—and he don’t occasion?”
intend to have no buttin’ in by you. Got that? You “But why do they want to intimidate you?”
ain’t the law, and I ain’t the law either, and if you “It is this Harrow Weald case. It decides me
come in I’ll be on hand also. Don’t you forget it.” to look into the matter, for if it is worth anyone’s
“I’ve wanted to meet you for some time,” said while to take so much trouble, there must be some-
Holmes. “I won’t ask you to sit down, for I don’t thing in it.”

891
 The Adventure of the Three Gables

“But what is it?” and splendid. You did not see the moody, morose,
“I was going to tell you when we had this brooding creature into which he developed. His
comic interlude. Here is Mrs. Maberley’s note. If heart was broken. In a single month I seemed to
you care to come with me we will wire her and go see my gallant boy turn into a worn-out cynical
out at once.” man.”
“A love affair—a woman?”
Dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes [I read]: “Or a fiend. Well, it was not to talk of my poor
I have had a succession of strange in- lad that I asked you to come, Mr. Holmes.”
cidents occur to me in connection with
“Dr. Watson and I are at your service.”
this house, and I should much value
“There have been some very strange happen-
your advice. You would find me at
ings. I have been in this house more than a year
home any time to-morrow. The house
now, and as I wished to lead a retired life I have
is within a short walk of the Weald Sta-
seen little of my neighbours. Three days ago I had
tion. I believe that my late husband,
a call from a man who said that he was a house
Mortimer Maberley, was one of your
agent. He said that this house would exactly suit a
early clients.
client of his, and that if I would part with it money
Yours faithfully,
would be no object. It seemed to me very strange
Mary Maberley
as there are several empty houses on the market
The address was “The Three Gables, Harrow which appear to be equally eligible, but naturally I
Weald.” was interested in what he said. I therefore named
a price which was five hundred pounds more than
“So that’s that!” said Holmes. “And now, if you I gave. He at once closed with the offer, but added
can spare the time, Watson, we will get upon our that his client desired to buy the furniture as well
way.” and would I put a price upon it. Some of this fur-
A short railway journey, and a shorter drive, niture is from my old home, and it is, as you see,
brought us to the house, a brick and timber villa, very good, so that I named a good round sum. To
standing in its own acre of undeveloped grassland. this also he at once agreed. I had always wanted
Three small projections above the upper windows to travel, and the bargain was so good a one that
made a feeble attempt to justify its name. Behind it really seemed that I should be my own mistress
was a grove of melancholy, half-grown pines, and for the rest of my life.
the whole aspect of the place was poor and de- “Yesterday the man arrived with the agreement
pressing. None the less, we found the house to be all drawn out. Luckily I showed it to Mr. Sutro, my
well furnished, and the lady who received us was lawyer, who lives in Harrow. He said to me, ‘This
a most engaging elderly person, who bore every is a very strange document. Are you aware that if
mark of refinement and culture. you sign it you could not legally take anything out
“I remember your husband well, madam,” said of the house—not even your own private posses-
Holmes, “though it is some years since he used my sions?’ When the man came again in the evening
services in some trifling matter.” I pointed this out, and I said that I meant only to
“Probably you would be more familiar with the sell the furniture.
name of my son Douglas.” “ ‘No, no, everything,’ said he.
Holmes looked at her with great interest. “ ‘But my clothes? My jewels?’
“ ‘Well, well, some concession might be made
“Dear me! Are you the mother of Douglas
for your personal effects. But nothing shall go out
Maberley? I knew him slightly. But of course all
of the house unchecked. My client is a very liberal
London knew him. What a magnificent creature
man, but he has his fads and his own way of doing
he was! Where is he now?”
things. It is everything or nothing with him.’
“Dead, Mr. Holmes, dead! He was attache “ ‘Then it must be nothing,’ said I. And there
at Rome, and he died there of pneumonia last the matter was left, but the whole thing seemed to
month.” me to be so unusual that I thought—”
“I am sorry. One could not connect death with Here we had a very extraordinary interruption.
such a man. I have never known anyone so vitally Holmes raised his hand for silence. Then he
alive. He lived intensely—every fibre of him!” strode across the room, flung open the door, and
“Too intensely, Mr. Holmes. That was the ruin dragged in a great gaunt woman whom he had
of him. You remember him as he was—debonair seized by the shoulder. She entered with ungainly

892
 The Adventure of the Three Gables

struggle like some huge awkward chicken, torn, “I am clearing out of here. I’ve had enough
squawking, out of its coop. of you all. I’ll send for my box to-morrow.” She
“Leave me alone! What are you a-doin’ of?” flounced for the door.
she screeched. “Good-bye, Susan. Paregoric is the stuff. . .
Now,” he continued, turning suddenly from lively
“Why, Susan, what is this?”
to severe when the door had closed behind the
“Well, ma’am, I was comin’ in to ask if the vis- flushed and angry woman, “this gang means busi-
itors was stayin’ for lunch when this man jumped ness. Look how close they play the game. Your
out at me.” letter to me had the 10 P. M. postmark. And
“I have been listening to her for the last five yet Susan passes the word to Barney. Barney has
minutes, but did not wish to interrupt your most time to go to his employer and get instructions;
interesting narrative. Just a little wheezy, Susan, he or she—I incline to the latter from Susan’s grin
are you not? You breathe too heavily for that kind when she thought I had blundered—forms a plan.
of work.” Black Steve is called in, and I am warned off by
eleven o’clock next morning. That’s quick work,
Susan turned a sulky but amazed face upon her
you know.”
captor. “Who be you, anyhow, and what right have
you a-pullin’ me about like this?” “But what do they want?”
“Yes, that’s the question. Who had the house
“It was merely that I wished to ask a question
before you?”
in your presence. Did you, Mrs. Maberley, men-
“A retired sea captain called Ferguson.”
tion to anyone that you were going to write to me
and consult me?” “Anything remarkable about him?”
“Not that ever I heard of.”
“No, Mr. Holmes, I did not.”
“I was wondering whether he could have
“Who posted your letter?” buried something. Of course, when people bury
“Susan did.” treasure nowadays they do it in the Post-Office
bank. But there are always some lunatics about.
“Exactly. Now, Susan, to whom was it that you
It would be a dull world without them. At first I
wrote or sent a message to say that your mistress
thought of some buried valuable. But why, in that
was asking advice from me?”
case, should they want your furniture? You don’t
“It’s a lie. I sent no message.” happen to have a Raphael or a first folio Shake-
“Now, Susan, wheezy people may not live long, speare without knowing it?”
you know. It’s a wicked thing to tell fibs. Whom “No, I don’t think I have anything rarer than a
did you tell?” Crown Derby tea-set.”
“Susan!” cried her mistress, “I believe you are “That would hardly justify all this mystery. Be-
a bad, treacherous woman. I remember now that I sides, why should they not openly state what they
saw you speaking to someone over the hedge.” want? If they covet your tea-set, they can surely
offer a price for it without buying you out, lock,
“That was my own business,” said the woman
stock, and barrel. No, as I read it, there is some-
sullenly.
thing which you do not know that you have, and
“Suppose I tell you that it was Barney Stock- which you would not give up if you did know.”
dale to whom you spoke?” said Holmes. “That is how I read it,” said I.
“Well, if you know, what do you want to ask “Dr. Watson agrees, so that settles it.”
for?” “Well, Mr. Holmes, what can it be?”
“I was not sure, but I know now. Well now, Su- “Let us see whether by this purely mental anal-
san, it will be worth ten pounds to you if you will ysis we can get it to a finer point. You have been
tell me who is at the back of Barney.” in this house a year.”
“Someone that could lay down a thousand “Nearly two.”
pounds for every ten you have in the world.” “All the better. During this long period no
one wants anything from you. Now suddenly
“So, a rich man? No; you smiled—a rich
within three or four days you have urgent de-
woman. Now we have got so far, you may as well
mands. What would you gather from that?”
give the name and earn the tenner.”
“It can only mean,” said I, “that the object,
“I’ll see you in hell first.” whatever it may be, has only just come into the
“Oh, Susan! Language!” house.”

893
 The Adventure of the Three Gables

“Settled once again,” said Holmes. “Now, Mrs. there was the negro prize-fighter standing in the
Maberley, has any object just arrived?” shadow. We came on him quite suddenly, and a
“No, I have bought nothing new this year.” grim and menacing figure he looked in that lonely
place. Holmes clapped his hand to his pocket.
“Indeed! That is very remarkable. Well, I think
we had best let matters develop a little further un- “Lookin’ for your gun, Masser Holmes?”
til we have clearer data. Is that lawyer of yours a “No, for my scent-bottle, Steve.”
capable man?” “You are funny, Masser Holmes, ain’t you?”
“Mr. Sutro is most capable.” “It won’t be funny for you, Steve, if I get after
“Have you another maid, or was the fair Susan, you. I gave you fair warning this morning.”
who has just banged your front door, alone?” “Well, Masser Holmes, I done gone think over
“I have a young girl.” what you said, and I don’t want no more talk
“Try and get Sutro to spend a night or two in about that affair of Masser Perkins. S’pose I can
the house. You might possibly want protection.” help you, Masser Holmes, I will.”
“Against whom?” “Well, then, tell me who is behind you on this
job.”
“Who knows? The matter is certainly obscure.
If I can’t find what they are after, I must approach “So help me the Lord! Masser Holmes, I told
the matter from the other end and try to get at the you the truth before. I don’t know. My boss Bar-
principal. Did this house-agent man give any ad- ney gives me orders and that’s all.”
dress?” “Well, just bear in mind, Steve, that the lady
“Simply his card and occupation. Haines- in that house, and everything under that roof, is
Johnson, Auctioneer and Valuer.” under my protection. Don’t forget it.”
“I don’t think we shall find him in the directory. “All right, Masser Holmes. I’ll remember.”
Honest business men don’t conceal their place of “I’ve got him thoroughly frightened for his
business. Well, you will let me know any fresh own skin, Watson,” Holmes remarked as we
development. I have taken up your case, and you walked on. “I think he would double-cross his em-
may rely upon it that I shall see it through.” ployer if he knew who he was. It was lucky I had
As we passed through the hall Holmes’s eyes, some knowledge of the Spencer John crowd, and
which missed nothing, lighted upon several trunks that Steve was one of them. Now, Watson, this is
and cases which were piled in a corner. The labels a case for Langdale Pike, and I am going to see
shone out upon them. him now. When I get back I may be clearer in the
“ ‘Milano.’ ‘Lucerne.’ These are from Italy.” matter.”
“They are poor Douglas’s things.” I saw no more of Holmes during the day, but
I could well imagine how he spent it, for Lang-
“You have not unpacked them? How long have dale Pike was his human book of reference upon
you had them?” all matters of social scandal. This strange, lan-
“They arrived last week.” guid creature spent his waking hours in the bow
“But you said—why, surely this might be the window of a St. James’s Street club and was the
missing link. How do we know that there is not receiving-station as well as the transmitter for all
something of value there?” the gossip of the metropolis. He made, it was said,
a four-figure income by the paragraphs which
“There could not possibly be, Mr. Holmes.
he contributed every week to the garbage papers
Poor Douglas had only his pay and a small an-
which cater to an inquisitive public. If ever, far
nuity. What could he have of value?”
down in the turbid depths of London life, there
Holmes was lost in thought. was some strange swirl or eddy, it was marked
“Delay no longer, Mrs. Maberley,” he said at with automatic exactness by this human dial upon
last. “Have these things taken upstairs to your the surface. Holmes discreetly helped Langdale to
bedroom. Examine them as soon as possible and knowledge, and on occasion was helped in turn.
see what they contain. I will come to-morrow and When I met my friend in his room early next
hear your report.” morning, I was conscious from his bearing that all
It was quite evident that The Three Gables was well, but none the less a most unpleasant sur-
was under very close surveillance, for as we came prise was awaiting us. It took the shape of the
round the high hedge at the end of the lane following telegram:

894
 The Adventure of the Three Gables

Please come out at once. Client’s “Still, if the lady is not too exhausted—”
house burgled in the night. Police in “There is really so little to tell. I have no doubt
possession. — Sutro. that wicked Susan had planned an entrance for
Holmes whistled. “The drama has come to a them. They must have known the house to an
crisis, and quicker than I had expected. There is inch. I was conscious for a moment of the chlo-
a great driving-power at the back of this business, roform rag which was thrust over my mouth, but
Watson, which does not surprise me after what I I have no notion how long I may have been sense-
have heard. This Sutro, of course, is her lawyer. I less. When I woke, one man was at the bedside
made a mistake, I fear, in not asking you to spend and another was rising with a bundle in his hand
the night on guard. This fellow has clearly proved from among my son’s baggage, which was par-
a broken reed. Well, there is nothing for it but an- tially opened and littered over the floor. Before he
other journey to Harrow Weald.” could get away I sprang up and seized him.”
We found The Three Gables a very different es- “You took a big risk,” said the inspector.
tablishment to the orderly household of the previ- “I clung to him, but he shook me off, and the
ous day. A small group of idlers had assembled other may have struck me, for I can remember no
at the garden gate, while a couple of constables more. Mary the maid heard the noise and began
were examining the windows and the geranium screaming out of the window. That brought the
beds. Within we met a gray old gentleman, who police, but the rascals had got away.”
introduced himself as the lawyer, together with a
bustling, rubicund inspector, who greeted Holmes “What did they take?”
as an old friend. “Well, I don’t think there is anything of value
“Well, Mr. Holmes, no chance for you in this missing. I am sure there was nothing in my son’s
case, I’m afraid. Just a common, ordinary burglary, trunks.”
and well within the capacity of the poor old police. “Did the men leave no clue?”
No experts need apply.” “There was one sheet of paper which I may
“I am sure the case is in very good hands,” said have torn from the man that I grasped. It was ly-
Holmes. “Merely a common burglary, you say?” ing all crumpled on the floor. It is in my son’s
“Quite so. We know pretty well who the men handwriting.”
are and where to find them. It is that gang of Bar- “Which means that it is not of much use,” said
ney Stockdale, with the big nigger in it—they’ve the inspector. “Now if it had been in the bur-
been seen about here.” glar’s—”
“Excellent! What did they get?” “Exactly,” said Holmes. “What rugged com-
“Well, they don’t seem to have got much. Mrs. mon sense! None the less, I should be curious to
Maberley was chloroformed and the house was— see it.”
Ah! here is the lady herself.” The inspector drew a folded sheet of foolscap
Our friend of yesterday, looking very pale and from his pocketbook.
ill, had entered the room, leaning upon a little “I never pass anything, however trifling,” said
maidservant. he with some pomposity. “That is my advice to
“You gave me good advice, Mr. Holmes,” said you, Mr. Holmes. In twenty-five years’ experi-
she, smiling ruefully. “Alas, I did not take it! I ence I have learned my lesson. There is always
did not wish to trouble Mr. Sutro, and so I was the chance of finger-marks or something.”
unprotected.” Holmes inspected the sheet of paper.
“I only heard of it this morning,” the lawyer “What do you make of it, Inspector?”
explained. “Seems to be the end of some queer novel, so
“Mr. Holmes advised me to have some friend far as I can see.”
in the house. I neglected his advice, and I have “It may certainly prove to be the end of a queer
paid for it.” tale,” said Holmes. “You have noticed the num-
“You look wretchedly ill,” said Holmes. “Per- ber on the top of the page. It is two hundred and
haps you are hardly equal to telling me what oc- forty-five. Where are the odd two hundred and
curred.” forty-four pages?”
“It is all here,” said the inspector, tapping a “Well, I suppose the burglars got those. Much
bulky notebook. good may it do them!”

895
 The Adventure of the Three Gables

“It seems a queer thing to break into a house in “Now, Watson, we are at the last lap of our little
order to steal such papers as that. Does it suggest journey,” said Holmes when we were back in the
anything to you, Inspector?” roar of central London once more. “I think we had
“Yes, sir, it suggests that in their hurry the ras- best clear the matter up at once, and it would be
cals just grabbed at what came first to hand. I wish well that you should come with me, for it is safer
them joy of what they got.” to have a witness when you are dealing with such
a lady as Isadora Klein.”
“Why should they go to my son’s things?”
asked Mrs. Maberley. We had taken a cab and were speeding to some
address in Grosvenor Square. Holmes had been
“Well, they found nothing valuable downstairs, sunk in thought, but he roused himself suddenly.
so they tried their luck upstairs. That is how I read
it. What do you make of it, Mr. Holmes?” “By the way, Watson, I suppose you see it all
clearly?”
“I must think it over, Inspector. Come to the
“No, I can’t say that I do. I only gather that
window, Watson.” Then, as we stood together, he
we are going to see the lady who is behind all this
read over the fragment of paper. It began in the
mischief.”
middle of a sentence and ran like this:
“Exactly! But does the name Isadora Klein
“. . . face bled considerably from the cuts
convey nothing to you? She was, of course, the
and blows, but it was nothing to the bleed-
celebrated beauty. There was never a woman to
ing of his heart as he saw that lovely face,
touch her. She is pure Spanish, the real blood of
the face for which he had been prepared to
the masterful Conquistadors, and her people have
sacrifice his very life, looking out at his
been leaders in Pernambuco for generations. She
agony and humiliation. She smiled—yes,
married the aged German sugar king, Klein, and
by Heaven! she smiled, like the heartless
presently found herself the richest as well as the
fiend she was, as he looked up at her. It
most lovely widow upon earth. Then there was an
was at that moment that love died and hate
interval of adventure when she pleased her own
was born. Man must live for something. If
tastes. She had several lovers, and Douglas Maber-
it is not for your embrace, my lady, then
ley, one of the most striking men in London, was
it shall surely be for your undoing and my
one of them. It was by all accounts more than an
complete revenge.”
adventure with him. He was not a society butterfly
“Queer grammar!” said Holmes with a smile as but a strong, proud man who gave and expected
he handed the paper back to the inspector. “Did all. But she is the ‘belle dame sans merci’ of fiction.
you notice how the ‘he’ suddenly changed to ‘my’? When her caprice is satisfied the matter is ended,
The writer was so carried away by his own story and if the other party in the matter can’t take her
that he imagined himself at the supreme moment word for it she knows how to bring it home to
to be the hero.” him.”
“It seemed mighty poor stuff,” said the inspec- “Then that was his own story—”
tor as he replaced it in his book. “What! are you
“Ah! you are piecing it together now. I hear
off, Mr. Holmes?”
that she is about to marry the young Duke of
“I don’t think there is anything more for me to Lomond, who might almost be her son. His
do now that the case is in such capable hands. By Grace’s ma might overlook the age, but a big scan-
the way, Mrs. Maberley, did you say you wished to dal would be a different matter, so it is impera-
travel?” tive— Ah! here we are.”
“It has always been my dream, Mr. Holmes.” It was one of the finest corner-houses of the
“Where would you like to go—Cairo, Madeira, West End. A machine-like footman took up our
the Riviera?” cards and returned with word that the lady was
not at home. “Then we shall wait until she is,”
“Oh, if I had the money I would go round the
said Holmes cheerfully.
world.”
The machine broke down.
“Quite so. Round the world. Well, good-
morning. I may drop you a line in the evening.” As “Not at home means not at home to you,” said
we passed the window I caught a glimpse of the the footman.
inspector’s smile and shake of the head. “These “Good,” Holmes answered. “That means that
clever fellows have always a touch of madness.” we shall not have to wait. Kindly give this note to
That was what I read in the inspector’s smile. your mistress.”

896
 The Adventure of the Three Gables

He scribbled three or four words upon a sheet “No, no! I am not so simple. Since I have
of his notebook, folded it, and handed it to the promised to be frank, I may say that no one, save
man. Barney Stockdale and Susan, his wife, have the
“What did you say, Holmes?” I asked. least idea who their employer is. As to them, well,
it is not the first—” She smiled and nodded with a
“I simply wrote: ‘Shall it be the police, then?’ I
charming coquettish intimacy.
think that should pass us in.”
“I see. You’ve tested them before.”
It did—with amazing celerity. A minute later
“They are good hounds who run silent.”
we were in an Arabian Nights drawing-room, vast
and wonderful, in a half gloom, picked out with an “Such hounds have a way sooner or later of
occasional pink electric light. The lady had come, biting the hand that feeds them. They will be ar-
I felt, to that time of life when even the proudest rested for this burglary. The police are already af-
beauty finds the half light more welcome. She rose ter them.”
from a settee as we entered: tall, queenly, a perfect “They will take what comes to them. That is
figure, a lovely mask-like face, with two wonderful what they are paid for. I shall not appear in the
Spanish eyes which looked murder at us both. matter.”
“What is this intrusion—and this insulting “Unless I bring you into it.”
message?” she asked, holding up the slip of paper. “No, no, you would not. You are a gentleman.
It is a woman’s secret.”
“I need not explain, madame. I have too much
respect for your intelligence to do so—though I “In the first place, you must give back this
confess that intelligence has been surprisingly at manuscript.”
fault of late.” She broke into a ripple of laughter and walked
“How so, sir?” to the fireplace. There was a calcined mass which
she broke up with the poker. “Shall I give this
“By supposing that your hired bullies could back?” she asked. So roguish and exquisite did
frighten me from my work. Surely no man would she look as she stood before us with a challenging
take up my profession if it were not that danger smile that I felt of all Holmes’s criminals this was
attracts him. It was you, then, who forced me to the one whom he would find it hardest to face.
examine the case of young Maberley.” However, he was immune from sentiment.
“I have no idea what you are talking about. “That seals your fate,” he said coldly. “You
What have I to do with hired bullies?” are very prompt in your actions, madame, but you
Holmes turned away wearily. have overdone it on this occasion.”
“Yes, I have underrated your intelligence. Well, She threw the poker down with a clatter.
good-afternoon!” “How hard you are!” she cried. “May I tell you
“Stop! Where are you going?” the whole story?”
“To Scotland Yard.” “I fancy I could tell it to you.”
“But you must look at it with my eyes, Mr.
We had not got halfway to the door before she
Holmes. You must realize it from the point of view
had overtaken us and was holding his arm. She
of a woman who sees all her life’s ambition about
had turned in a moment from steel to velvet.
to be ruined at the last moment. Is such a woman
“Come and sit down, gentlemen. Let us talk to be blamed if she protects herself?”
this matter over. I feel that I may be frank with “The original sin was yours.”
you, Mr. Holmes. You have the feelings of a gen-
“Yes, yes! I admit it. He was a dear boy, Dou-
tleman. How quick a woman’s instinct is to find it
glas, but it so chanced that he could not fit into
out. I will treat you as a friend.”
my plans. He wanted marriage—marriage, Mr.
“I cannot promise to reciprocate, madame. I Holmes—with a penniless commoner. Nothing
am not the law, but I represent justice so far as my less would serve him. Then he became pertina-
feeble powers go. I am ready to listen, and then I cious. Because I had given he seemed to think that
will tell you how I will act.” I still must give, and to him only. It was intolera-
“No doubt it was foolish of me to threaten a ble. At last I had to make him realize it.”
brave man like yourself.” “By hiring ruffians to beat him under your own
“What was really foolish, madame, is that you window.”
have placed yourself in the power of a band of ras- “You do indeed seem to know everything.
cals who may blackmail or give you away.” Well, it is true. Barney and the boys drove him

897
away, and were, I admit, a little rough in doing so. returned to his mother. I set the gang at work. One
But what did he do then? Could I have believed of them got into the house as servant. I wanted to
that a gentleman would do such an act? He wrote do the thing honestly. I really and truly did. I was
a book in which he described his own story. I, of ready to buy the house and everything in it. I of-
course, was the wolf; he the lamb. It was all there, fered any price she cared to ask. I only tried the
under different names, of course; but who in all other way when everything else had failed. Now,
London would have failed to recognize it? What Mr. Holmes, granting that I was too hard on Dou-
do you say to that, Mr. Holmes?” glas—and, God knows, I am sorry for it!—what
“Well, he was within his rights.” else could I do with my whole future at stake?”
“It was as if the air of Italy had got into his Sherlock Holmes shrugged his shoulders.
blood and brought with it the old cruel Italian “Well, well,” said he, “I suppose I shall have to
spirit. He wrote to me and sent me a copy of his compound a felony as usual. How much does it
book that I might have the torture of anticipation. cost to go round the world in first-class style?”
There were two copies, he said—one for me, one
The lady stared in amazement.
for his publisher.”
“How did you know the publisher’s had not “Could it be done on five thousand pounds?”
reached him?” “Well, I should think so, indeed!”
“I knew who his publisher was. It is not his “Very good. I think you will sign me a check
only novel, you know. I found out that he had for that, and I will see that it comes to Mrs. Maber-
not heard from Italy. Then came Douglas’s sud- ley. You owe her a little change of air. Meantime,
den death. So long as that other manuscript was lady”—he wagged a cautionary forefinger—“have
in the world there was no safety for me. Of course, a care! Have a care! You can’t play with edged
it must be among his effects, and these would be tools forever without cutting those dainty hands.”
The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire
H
The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire

olmes had read carefully a note which case, that! Vittoria, the circus belle. Vanderbilt and
the last post had brought him. Then, the Yeggman. Vipers. Vigor, the Hammersmith
with the dry chuckle which was his wonder. Hullo! Hullo! Good old index. You can’t
nearest approach to a laugh, he tossed beat it. Listen to this, Watson. Vampirism in Hun-
it over to me. gary. And again, Vampires in Transylvania.” He
“For a mixture of the modern and the medi- turned over the pages with eagerness, but after a
aeval, of the practical and of the wildly fanciful, I short intent perusal he threw down the great book
think this is surely the limit,” said he. “What do with a snarl of disappointment.
you make of it, Watson?” “Rubbish, Watson, rubbish! What have we to
I read as follows: do with walking corpses who can only be held in
their grave by stakes driven through their hearts?
46, Old Jewry, It’s pure lunacy.”
Nov. 19th. “But surely,” said I, “the vampire was not nec-
essarily a dead man? A living person might have
Re Vampires the habit. I have read, for example, of the old suck-
Sir: ing the blood of the young in order to retain their
Our client, Mr. Robert Ferguson, of youth.”
Ferguson and Muirhead, tea brokers, “You are right, Watson. It mentions the legend
of Mincing Lane, has made some in- in one of these references. But are we to give se-
quiry from us in a communication of rious attention to such things? This agency stands
even date concerning vampires. As flat-footed upon the ground, and there it must re-
our firm specializes entirely upon the main. The world is big enough for us. No ghosts
assessment of machinery the matter need apply. I fear that we cannot take Mr. Robert
hardly comes within our purview, and Ferguson very seriously. Possibly this note may be
we have therefore recommended Mr. from him and may throw some light upon what is
Ferguson to call upon you and lay the worrying him.”
matter before you. We have not forgot- He took up a second letter which had lain un-
ten your successful action in the case of noticed upon the table while he had been absorbed
Matilda Briggs. with the first. This he began to read with a smile of
We are, sir, amusement upon his face which gradually faded
Faithfully yours, away into an expression of intense interest and
Morrison, Morrison, and Dodd. concentration. When he had finished he sat for
per E. J. C. some little time lost in thought with the letter dan-
gling from his fingers. Finally, with a start, he
“Matilda Briggs was not the name of a young aroused himself from his reverie.
woman, Watson,” said Holmes in a reminiscent
“Cheeseman’s, Lamberley. Where is Lamber-
voice. “It was a ship which is associated with the
ley, Watson?”
giant rat of Sumatra, a story for which the world
is not yet prepared. But what do we know about “It is in Sussex, south of Horsham.”
vampires? Does it come within our purview ei- “Not very far, eh? And Cheeseman’s?”
ther? Anything is better than stagnation, but really “I know that country, Holmes. It is full of old
we seem to have been switched on to a Grimms’ houses which are named after the men who built
fairy tale. Make a long arm, Watson, and see what them centuries ago. You get Odley’s and Harvey’s
V has to say.” and Carriton’s—the folk are forgotten but their
I leaned back and took down the great index names live in their houses.
volume to which he referred. Holmes balanced it “Precisely,” said Holmes coldly. It was one of
on his knee, and his eyes moved slowly and lov- the peculiarities of his proud, self-contained na-
ingly over the record of old cases, mixed with the ture that though he docketed any fresh informa-
accumulated information of a lifetime. tion very quietly and accurately in his brain, he
“Voyage of the Gloria Scott,” he read. “That was seldom made any acknowledgment to the giver. “I
a bad business. I have some recollection that you rather fancy we shall know a good deal more about
made a record of it, Watson, though I was unable Cheeseman’s, Lamberley, before we are through.
to congratulate you upon the result. Victor Lynch, The letter is, as I had hoped, from Robert Fergu-
the forger. Venomous lizard or gila. Remarkable son. By the way, he claims acquaintance with you.”

901
 The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire

“With me!” baby and apparently biting his neck.

“You had better read it.” There was a small wound in the neck
from which a stream of blood had es-
He handed the letter across. It was headed with caped. The nurse was so horrified that
the address quoted. she wished to call the husband, but the
Dear Mr. Holmes [it said]: lady implored her not to do so and ac-
I have been recommended to you by tually gave her five pounds as a price
my lawyers, but indeed the matter is so for her silence. No explanation was
extraordinarily delicate that it is most ever given, and for the moment the
difficult to discuss. It concerns a friend matter was passed over.
for whom I am acting. This gentleman It left, however, a terrible impression
married some five years ago a Peruvian upon the nurse’s mind, and from that
lady, the daughter of a Peruvian mer- time she began to watch her mistress
chant, whom he had met in connection closely and to keep a closer guard upon
with the importation of nitrates. The the baby, whom she tenderly loved. It
lady was very beautiful, but the fact seemed to her that even as she watched
of her foreign birth and of her alien the mother, so the mother watched her,
religion always caused a separation of and that every time she was compelled
interests and of feelings between hus- to leave the baby alone the mother was
band and wife, so that after a time his waiting to get at it. Day and night
love may have cooled towards her and the nurse covered the child, and day
he may have come to regard their union and night the silent, watchful mother
as a mistake. He felt there were sides of seemed to be lying in wait as a wolf
her character which he could never ex- waits for a lamb. It must read most in-
plore or understand. This was the more credible to you, and yet I beg you to
painful as she was as loving a wife as a take it seriously, for a child’s life and a
man could have—to all appearance ab- man’s sanity may depend upon it.
solutely devoted. At last there came one dreadful day
Now for the point which I will make when the facts could no longer be con-
more plain when we meet. Indeed, cealed from the husband. The nurse’s
this note is merely to give you a gen- nerve had given way; she could stand
eral idea of the situation and to ascer- the strain no longer, and she made a
tain whether you would care to interest clean breast of it all to the man. To
yourself in the matter. The lady began him it seemed as wild a tale as it may
to show some curious traits quite alien now seem to you. He knew his wife
to her ordinarily sweet and gentle dis- to be a loving wife, and, save for the
position. The gentleman had been mar- assaults upon her stepson, a loving
ried twice and he had one son by the mother. Why, then, should she wound
first wife. This boy was now fifteen, a her own dear little baby? He told the
very charming and affectionate youth, nurse that she was dreaming, that her
though unhappily injured through an suspicions were those of a lunatic, and
accident in childhood. Twice the wife that such libels upon her mistress were
was caught in the act of assaulting this not to be tolerated. While they were
poor lad in the most unprovoked way. talking a sudden cry of pain was heard.
Once she struck him with a stick and Nurse and master rushed together to
left a great weal on his arm. the nursery. Imagine his feelings, Mr.
This was a small matter, however, Holmes, as he saw his wife rise from
compared with her conduct to her own a kneeling position beside the cot and
child, a dear boy just under one year of saw blood upon the child’s exposed
age. On one occasion about a month neck and upon the sheet. With a cry
ago this child had been left by its nurse of horror, he turned his wife’s face to
for a few minutes. A loud cry from the light and saw blood all round her
the baby, as of pain, called the nurse lips. It was she—she beyond all ques-
back. As she ran into the room she saw tion—who had drunk the poor baby’s
her employer, the lady, leaning over the blood.

902
 The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire

So the matter stands. She is now con- Holmes, that it is no use my pretending to be any-
fined to her room. There has been no one’s deputy.”
explanation. The husband is half de- “It is simpler to deal direct,” said Holmes.
mented. He knows, and I know, little “Of course it is. But you can imagine how diffi-
of vampirism beyond the name. We cult it is when you are speaking of the one woman
had thought it was some wild tale of whom you are bound to protect and help. What
foreign parts. And yet here in the very can I do? How am I to go to the police with such
heart of the English Sussex—well, all a story? And yet the kiddies have got to be pro-
this can be discussed with you in the tected. Is it madness, Mr. Holmes? Is it something
morning. Will you see me? Will you in the blood? Have you any similar case in your
use your great powers in aiding a dis- experience? For God’s sake, give me some advice,
tracted man? If so, kindly wire to Fer- for I am at my wit’s end.”
guson, Cheeseman’s, Lamberley, and I “Very naturally, Mr. Ferguson. Now sit here
will be at your rooms by ten o’clock. and pull yourself together and give me a few clear
Yours faithfully, answers. I can assure you that I am very far from
Robert Ferguson. being at my wit’s end, and that I am confident we
P. S. I believe your friend Watson shall find some solution. First of all, tell me what
played Rugby for Blackheath when I steps you have taken. Is your wife still near the
was three-quarter for Richmond. It is children?”
the only personal introduction which I
“We had a dreadful scene. She is a most lov-
can give.
ing woman, Mr. Holmes. If ever a woman loved a
“Of course I remembered him,” said I as I laid man with all her heart and soul, she loves me. She
down the letter. “Big Bob Ferguson, the finest was cut to the heart that I should have discovered
three-quarter Richmond ever had. He was always this horrible, this incredible, secret. She would not
a good-natured chap. It’s like him to be so con- even speak. She gave no answer to my reproaches,
cerned over a friend’s case.” save to gaze at me with a sort of wild, despairing
look in her eyes. Then she rushed to her room and
Holmes looked at me thoughtfully and shook locked herself in. Since then she has refused to see
his head. me. She has a maid who was with her before her
“I never get your limits, Watson,” said he. marriage, Dolores by name—a friend rather than a
“There are unexplored possibilities about you. servant. She takes her food to her.”
Take a wire down, like a good fellow. ‘Will ex- “Then the child is in no immediate danger?”
amine your case with pleasure.’ ” “Mrs. Mason, the nurse, has sworn that she will
“Your case!” not leave it night or day. I can absolutely trust her.
“We must not let him think that this agency is I am more uneasy about poor little Jack, for, as I
a home for the weak-minded. Of course it is his told you in my note, he has twice been assaulted
case. Send him that wire and let the matter rest till by her.”
morning.” “But never wounded?”
Promptly at ten o’clock next morning Ferguson “No, she struck him savagely. It is the more
strode into our room. I had remembered him as a terrible as he is a poor little inoffensive cripple.”
long, slab-sided man with loose limbs and a fine Ferguson’s gaunt features softened as he spoke of
turn of speed which had carried him round many his boy. “You would think that the dear lad’s con-
an opposing back. There is surely nothing in life dition would soften anyone’s heart. A fall in child-
more painful than to meet the wreck of a fine ath- hood and a twisted spine, Mr. Holmes. But the
lete whom one has known in his prime. His great dearest, most loving heart within.”
frame had fallen in, his flaxen hair was scanty, and Holmes had picked up the letter of yesterday
his shoulders were bowed. I fear that I roused cor- and was reading it over. “What other inmates are
responding emotions in him. there in your house, Mr. Ferguson?”
“Hullo, Watson,” said he, and his voice was “Two servants who have not been long with
still deep and hearty. “You don’t look quite the us. One stable-hand, Michael, who sleeps in the
man you did when I threw you over the ropes house. My wife, myself, my boy Jack, baby, Do-
into the crowd at the Old Deer Park. I expect I lores, and Mrs. Mason. That is all.”
have changed a bit also. But it’s this last day or “I gather that you did not know your wife well
two that has aged me. I see by your telegram, Mr. at the time of your marriage?”

903
 The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire

“I had only known her a few weeks.” Once again Holmes made a note. For some
“How long had this maid Dolores been with time he sat lost in thought.
her?” “No doubt you and the boy were great com-
rades before this second marriage. You were
“Some years.”
thrown very close together, were you not?”
“Then your wife’s character would really be “Very much so.”
better known by Dolores than by you?”
“And the boy, having so affectionate a nature,
“Yes, you may say so.” was devoted, no doubt, to the memory of his
Holmes made a note. mother?”
“I fancy,” said he, “that I may be of more use “Most devoted.”
at Lamberley than here. It is eminently a case for “He would certainly seem to be a most inter-
personal investigation. If the lady remains in her esting lad. There is one other point about these as-
room, our presence could not annoy or inconve- saults. Were the strange attacks upon the baby and
nience her. Of course, we would stay at the inn.” the assaults upon your son at the same period?”
Ferguson gave a gesture of relief. “In the first case it was so. It was as if some
frenzy had seized her, and she had vented her rage
“It is what I hoped, Mr. Holmes. There is an upon both. In the second case it was only Jack who
excellent train at two from Victoria if you could suffered. Mrs. Mason had no complaint to make
come.” about the baby.”
“Of course we could come. There is a lull at “That certainly complicates matters.”
present. I can give you my undivided energies. “I don’t quite follow you, Mr. Holmes.”
Watson, of course, comes with us. But there are
“Possibly not. One forms provisional theories
one or two points upon which I wish to be very
and waits for time or fuller knowledge to explode
sure before I start. This unhappy lady, as I under-
them. A bad habit, Mr. Ferguson, but human na-
stand it, has appeared to assault both the children,
ture is weak. I fear that your old friend here has
her own baby and your little son?”
given an exaggerated view of my scientific meth-
“That is so.” ods. However, I will only say at the present stage
“But the assaults take different forms, do they that your problem does not appear to me to be
not? She has beaten your son.” insoluble, and that you may expect to find us at
Victoria at two o’clock.”
“Once with a stick and once very savagely with
her hands.” It was evening of a dull, foggy November day
when, having left our bags at the Chequers, Lam-
“Did she give no explanation why she struck berley, we drove through the Sussex clay of a long
him?” winding lane and finally reached the isolated and
“None save that she hated him. Again and ancient farmhouse in which Ferguson dwelt. It
again she said so.” was a large, straggling building, very old in the
“Well, that is not unknown among stepmoth- centre, very new at the wings with towering Tudor
ers. A posthumous jealousy, we will say. Is the chimneys and a lichen-spotted, high-pitched roof
lady jealous by nature?” of Horsham slabs. The doorsteps were worn into
curves, and the ancient tiles which lined the porch
“Yes, she is very jealous—jealous with all the
were marked with the rebus of a cheese and a man
strength of her fiery tropical love.”
after the original builder. Within, the ceilings were
“But the boy—he is fifteen, I understand, and corrugated with heavy oaken beams, and the un-
probably very developed in mind, since his body even floors sagged into sharp curves. An odour
has been circumscribed in action. Did he give you of age and decay pervaded the whole crumbling
no explanation of these assaults?” building.
“No, he declared there was no reason.” There was one very large central room into
“Were they good friends at other times?” which Ferguson led us. Here, in a huge old-
fashioned fireplace with an iron screen behind it
“No, there was never any love between them.”
dated 1670, there blazed and spluttered a splendid
“Yet you say he is affectionate?” log fire.
“Never in the world could there be so devoted The room, as I gazed round, was a most sin-
a son. My life is his life. He is absorbed in what I gular mixture of dates and of places. The half-
say or do.” panelled walls may well have belonged to the

904
 The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire

original yeoman farmer of the seventeenth cen- He was away some minutes, during which
tury. They were ornamented, however, on the Holmes resumed his examination of the curiosi-
lower part by a line of well-chosen modern water- ties upon the wall. When our host returned it was
colours; while above, where yellow plaster took clear from his downcast face that he had made no
the place of oak, there was hung a fine collection progress. He brought with him a tall, slim, brown-
of South American utensils and weapons, which faced girl.
had been brought, no doubt, by the Peruvian lady “The tea is ready, Dolores,” said Ferguson.
upstairs. Holmes rose, with that quick curiosity “See that your mistress has everything she can
which sprang from his eager mind, and examined wish.”
them with some care. He returned with his eyes
“She verra ill,” cried the girl, looking with in-
full of thought.
dignant eyes at her master. “She no ask for food.
“Hullo!” he cried. “Hullo!” She verra ill. She need doctor. I frightened stay
A spaniel had lain in a basket in the corner. alone with her without doctor.”
It came slowly forward towards its master, walk- Ferguson looked at me with a question in his
ing with difficulty. Its hind legs moved irregularly eyes.
and its tail was on the ground. It licked Ferguson’s
hand. “I should be so glad if I could be of use.”

“What is it, Mr. Holmes?” “Would your mistress see Dr. Watson?”
“The dog. What’s the matter with it?” “I take him. I no ask leave. She needs doctor.”
“That’s what puzzled the vet. A sort of paral- “Then I’ll come with you at once.”
ysis. Spinal meningitis, he thought. But it is pass- I followed the girl, who was quivering with
ing. He’ll be all right soon—won’t you, Carlo?” strong emotion, up the staircase and down an an-
A shiver of assent passed through the drooping cient corridor. At the end was an iron-clamped
tail. The dog’s mournful eyes passed from one of and massive door. It struck me as I looked at it
us to the other. He knew that we were discussing that if Ferguson tried to force his way to his wife
his case. he would find it no easy matter. The girl drew a
key from her pocket, and the heavy oaken planks
“Did it come on suddenly?” creaked upon their old hinges. I passed in and she
“In a single night.” swiftly followed, fastening the door behind her.
“How long ago?” On the bed a woman was lying who was clearly
“It may have been four months ago.” in a high fever. She was only half conscious, but as
“Very remarkable. Very suggestive.” I entered she raised a pair of frightened but beauti-
ful eyes and glared at me in apprehension. Seeing
“What do you see in it, Mr. Holmes?” a stranger, she appeared to be relieved and sank
“A confirmation of what I had already back with a sigh upon the pillow. I stepped up to
thought.” her with a few reassuring words, and she lay still
“For God’s sake, what do you think, Mr. while I took her pulse and temperature. Both were
Holmes? It may be a mere intellectual puzzle to high, and yet my impression was that the condi-
you, but it is life and death to me! My wife a tion was rather that of mental and nervous excite-
would-be murderer—my child in constant danger! ment than of any actual seizure.
Don’t play with me, Mr. Holmes. It is too terribly “She lie like that one day, two day. I ’fraid she
serious.” die,” said the girl.
The big Rugby three-quarter was trembling all The woman turned her flushed and handsome
over. Holmes put his hand soothingly upon his face towards me.
arm. “Where is my husband?”
“I fear that there is pain for you, Mr. Ferguson,
“He is below and would wish to see you.”
whatever the solution may be,” said he. “I would
spare you all I can. I cannot say more for the in- “I will not see him. I will not see him.” Then
stant, but before I leave this house I hope I may she seemed to wander off into delirium. “A fiend!
have something definite.” A fiend! Oh, what shall I do with this devil?”
“Please God you may! If you will excuse me, “Can I help you in any way?”
gentlemen, I will go up to my wife’s room and see “No. No one can help. It is finished. All is
if there has been any change.” destroyed. Do what I will, all is destroyed.”

905
 The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire

The woman must have some strange delusion. “Yes.”

I could not see honest Bob Ferguson in the charac- The youth looked at us with a very penetrating
ter of fiend or devil. and, as it seemed to me, unfriendly gaze.
“Madame,” I said, “your husband loves you “What about your other child, Mr. Ferguson?”
dearly. He is deeply grieved at this happening.” asked Holmes. “Might we make the acquaintance
Again she turned on me those glorious eyes. of the baby?”
“Ask Mrs. Mason to bring baby down,” said
“He loves me. Yes. But do I not love him? Do
Ferguson. The boy went off with a curious, sham-
I not love him even to sacrifice myself rather than
bling gait which told my surgical eyes that he
break his dear heart? That is how I love him. And
was suffering from a weak spine. Presently he re-
yet he could think of me—he could speak of me
turned, and behind him came a tall, gaunt woman
so.”
bearing in her arms a very beautiful child, dark-
“He is full of grief, but he cannot understand.” eyed, golden-haired, a wonderful mixture of the
“No, he cannot understand. But he should Saxon and the Latin. Ferguson was evidently de-
trust.” voted to it, for he took it into his arms and fondled
it most tenderly.
“Will you not see him?” I suggested.
“Fancy anyone having the heart to hurt him,”
“No, no, I cannot forget those terrible words he muttered as he glanced down at the small, an-
nor the look upon his face. I will not see him. Go gry red pucker upon the cherub throat.
now. You can do nothing for me. Tell him only
It was at this moment that I chanced to glance
one thing. I want my child. I have a right to my
at Holmes and saw a most singular intentness in
child. That is the only message I can send him.”
his expression. His face was as set as if it had been
She turned her face to the wall and would say no
carved out of old ivory, and his eyes, which had
more.
glanced for a moment at father and child, were
I returned to the room downstairs, where Fer- now fixed with eager curiosity upon something at
guson and Holmes still sat by the fire. Ferguson the other side of the room. Following his gaze I
listened moodily to my account of the interview. could only guess that he was looking out through
“How can I send her the child?” he said. “How the window at the melancholy, dripping garden.
do I know what strange impulse might come upon It is true that a shutter had half closed outside
her? How can I ever forget how she rose from and obstructed the view, but none the less it was
beside it with its blood upon her lips?” He shud- certainly at the window that Holmes was fixing
dered at the recollection. “The child is safe with his concentrated attention. Then he smiled, and
Mrs. Mason, and there he must remain.” his eyes came back to the baby. On its chubby
neck there was this small puckered mark. Without
A smart maid, the only modern thing which
speaking, Holmes examined it with care. Finally
we had seen in the house, had brought in some tea.
he shook one of the dimpled fists which waved in
As she was serving it the door opened and a youth
front of him.
entered the room. He was a remarkable lad, pale-
faced and fair-haired, with excitable light blue eyes “Good-bye, little man. You have made a
which blazed into a sudden flame of emotion and strange start in life. Nurse, I should wish to have
joy as they rested upon his father. He rushed for- a word with you in private.”
ward and threw his arms round his neck with the He took her aside and spoke earnestly for a few
abandon of a loving girl. minutes. I only heard the last words, which were:
“Your anxiety will soon, I hope, be set at rest.”
“Oh, daddy,” he cried, “I did not know that
The woman, who seemed to be a sour, silent kind
you were due yet. I should have been here to meet
of creature, withdrew with the child.
you. Oh, I am so glad to see you!”
“What is Mrs. Mason like?” asked Holmes.
Ferguson gently disengaged himself from the “Not very prepossessing externally, as you can
embrace with some little show of embarrassment. see, but a heart of gold, and devoted to the child.”
“Dear old chap,” said he, patting the flaxen “Do you like her, Jack?” Holmes turned sud-
head with a very tender hand. “I came early be- denly upon the boy. His expressive mobile face
cause my friends, Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson, shadowed over, and he shook his head.
have been persuaded to come down and spend an “Jacky has very strong likes and dislikes,” said
evening with us.” Ferguson, putting his arm round the boy. “Luckily
“Is that Mr. Holmes, the detective?” I am one of his likes.”

906
 The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire

The boy cooed and nestled his head upon his himself beside him, after bowing to the lady, who
father’s breast. Ferguson gently disengaged him. looked at him with wide-eyed amazement.
“Run away, little Jacky,” said he, and he “I think we can dispense with Dolores,” said
watched his son with loving eyes until he disap- Holmes. “Oh, very well, madame, if you would
peared. “Now, Mr. Holmes,” he continued when rather she stayed I can see no objection. Now,
the boy was gone, “I really feel that I have brought Mr. Ferguson, I am a busy man with many calls,
you on a fool’s errand, for what can you possibly and my methods have to be short and direct. The
do save give me your sympathy? It must be an swiftest surgery is the least painful. Let me first
exceedingly delicate and complex affair from your say what will ease your mind. Your wife is a very
point of view.” good, a very loving, and a very ill-used woman.”
“It is certainly delicate,” said my friend with Ferguson sat up with a cry of joy.
an amused smile, “but I have not been struck up “Prove that, Mr. Holmes, and I am your debtor
to now with its complexity. It has been a case for forever.”
intellectual deduction, but when this original in-
“I will do so, but in doing so I must wound you
tellectual deduction is confirmed point by point
deeply in another direction.”
by quite a number of independent incidents, then
the subjective becomes objective and we can say “I care nothing so long as you clear my wife.
confidently that we have reached our goal. I had, Everything on earth is insignificant compared to
in fact, reached it before we left Baker Street, and that.”
the rest has merely been observation and confir- “Let me tell you, then, the train of reasoning
mation.” which passed through my mind in Baker Street.
Ferguson put his big hand to his furrowed fore- The idea of a vampire was to me absurd. Such
head. things do not happen in criminal practice in Eng-
land. And yet your observation was precise. You
“For heaven’s sake, Holmes,” he said hoarsely; had seen the lady rise from beside the child’s cot
“if you can see the truth in this matter, do not keep with the blood upon her lips.”
me in suspense. How do I stand? What shall I do?
“I did.”
I care nothing as to how you have found your facts
so long as you have really got them.” “Did it not occur to you that a bleeding wound
may be sucked for some other purpose than to
“Certainly I owe you an explanation, and you
draw the blood from it? Was there not a queen
shall have it. But you will permit me to handle
in English history who sucked such a wound to
the matter in my own way? Is the lady capable of
draw poison from it?”
seeing us, Watson?”
“Poison!”
“She is ill, but she is quite rational.”
“A South American household. My instinct felt
“Very good. It is only in her presence that we the presence of those weapons upon the wall be-
can clear the matter up. Let us go up to her.” fore my eyes ever saw them. It might have been
“She will not see me,” cried Ferguson. other poison, but that was what occurred to me.
When I saw that little empty quiver beside the
“Oh, yes, she will,” said Holmes. He scribbled
small bird-bow, it was just what I expected to see.
a few lines upon a sheet of paper. “You at least
If the child were pricked with one of those arrows
have the entree, Watson. Will you have the good-
dipped in curare or some other devilish drug, it
ness to give the lady this note?”
would mean death if the venom were not sucked
I ascended again and handed the note to Do- out.
lores, who cautiously opened the door. A minute
“And the dog! If one were to use such a poi-
later I heard a cry from within, a cry in which
son, would one not try it first in order to see that
joy and surprise seemed to be blended. Dolores
it had not lost its power? I did not foresee the dog,
looked out.
but at least I understand him and he fitted into my
“She will see them. She will leesten,” said she. reconstruction.
At my summons Ferguson and Holmes came “Now do you understand? Your wife feared
up. As we entered the room Ferguson took a step such an attack. She saw it made and saved the
or two towards his wife, who had raised herself in child’s life, and yet she shrank from telling you all
the bed, but she held out her hand to repulse him. the truth, for she knew how you loved the boy and
He sank into an armchair, while Holmes seated feared lest it break your heart.”

907
 “Jacky!” “I had told Mrs. Mason. She knew.”
“I watched him as you fondled the child just “Exactly. So I imagined.”
now. His face was clearly reflected in the glass
of the window where the shutter formed a back- Ferguson was standing by the bed, choking, his
ground. I saw such jealousy, such cruel hatred, as hands outstretched and quivering.
I have seldom seen in a human face.”
“This, I fancy, is the time for our exit, Watson,”
“My Jacky!” said Holmes in a whisper. “If you will take one
“You have to face it, Mr. Ferguson. It is the elbow of the too faithful Dolores, I will take the
more painful because it is a distorted love, a mani- other. There, now,” he added as he closed the door
acal exaggerated love for you, and possibly for his behind him, “I think we may leave them to settle
dead mother, which has prompted his action. His the rest among themselves.”
very soul is consumed with hatred for this splen-
did child, whose health and beauty are a contrast I have only one further note of this case. It is
to his own weakness.” the letter which Holmes wrote in final answer to
that with which the narrative begins. It ran thus:
“Good God! It is incredible!”
“Have I spoken the truth, madame?”
The lady was sobbing, with her face buried in Baker Street,
the pillows. Now she turned to her husband. Nov. 21st.
“How could I tell you, Bob? I felt the blow it
would be to you. It was better that I should wait Re Vampires
and that it should come from some other lips than Sir:
mine. When this gentleman, who seems to have Referring to your letter of the 19th, I
powers of magic, wrote that he knew all, I was beg to state that I have looked into the
glad.” inquiry of your client, Mr. Robert Fer-
“I think a year at sea would be my prescription guson, of Ferguson and Muirhead, tea
for Master Jacky,” said Holmes, rising from his brokers, of Mincing Lane, and that the
chair. “Only one thing is still clouded, madame. matter has been brought to a satisfac-
We can quite understand your attacks upon Mas- tory conclusion. With thanks for your
ter Jacky. There is a limit to a mother’s patience. recommendation, I am, sir,
But how did you dare to leave the child these last Faithfully yours,
two days?” Sherlock Holmes.
The Adventure of the Three Garridebs
I
The Adventure of the Three Garridebs

t may have been a comedy, or it may have Holmes smiled as he looked at the card. “I am
been a tragedy. It cost one man his rea- afraid you must make yet another effort, Watson,”
son, it cost me a blood-letting, and it said he. “This gentleman is also in the plot al-
cost yet another man the penalties of the ready, though I certainly did not expect to see him
law. Yet there was certainly an element of comedy. this morning. However, he is in a position to tell
Well, you shall judge for yourselves. us a good deal which I want to know.”
I remember the date very well, for it was in A moment later he was in the room. Mr. John
the same month that Holmes refused a knighthood Garrideb, Counsellor at Law, was a short, powerful
for services which may perhaps some day be de- man with the round, fresh, clean-shaven face char-
scribed. I only refer to the matter in passing, for in acteristic of so many American men of affairs. The
my position of partner and confidant I am obliged general effect was chubby and rather childlike, so
to be particularly careful to avoid any indiscre- that one received the impression of quite a young
tion. I repeat, however, that this enables me to fix man with a broad set smile upon his face. His
the date, which was the latter end of June, 1902, eyes, however, were arresting. Seldom in any hu-
shortly after the conclusion of the South African man head have I seen a pair which bespoke a more
War. Holmes had spent several days in bed, as intense inward life, so bright were they, so alert, so
was his habit from time to time, but he emerged responsive to every change of thought. His accent
that morning with a long foolscap document in his was American, but was not accompanied by any
hand and a twinkle of amusement in his austere eccentricity of speech.
gray eyes. “Mr. Holmes?” he asked, glancing from one to
“There is a chance for you to make some the other. “Ah, yes! Your pictures are not unlike
money, friend Watson,” said he. “Have you ever you, sir, if I may say so. I believe you have had
heard the name of Garrideb?” a letter from my namesake, Mr. Nathan Garrideb,
have you not?”
I admitted that I had not.
“Pray sit down,” said Sherlock Holmes. “We
“Well, if you can lay your hand upon a Gar- shall, I fancy, have a good deal to discuss.” He took
rideb, there’s money in it.” up his sheets of foolscap. “You are, of course, the
“Why?” Mr. John Garrideb mentioned in this document.
But surely you have been in England some time?”
“Ah, that’s a long story—rather a whimsical
one, too. I don’t think in all our explorations “Why do you say that, Mr. Holmes?” I seemed
of human complexities we have ever come upon to read sudden suspicion in those expressive eyes.
anything more singular. The fellow will be here “Your whole outfit is English.”
presently for cross-examination, so I won’t open Mr. Garrideb forced a laugh. “I’ve read of your
the matter up till he comes. But, meanwhile, that’s tricks, Mr. Holmes, but I never thought I would be
the name we want.” the subject of them. Where do you read that?”
The telephone directory lay on the table beside “The shoulder cut of your coat, the toes of your
me, and I turned over the pages in a rather hope- boots—could anyone doubt it?”
less quest. But to my amazement there was this “Well, well, I had no idea I was so obvious a
strange name in its due place. I gave a cry of tri- Britisher. But business brought me over here some
umph. time ago, and so, as you say, my outfit is nearly all
“Here you are, Holmes! Here it is!” London. However, I guess your time is of value,
Holmes took the book from my hand. and we did not meet to talk about the cut of my
socks. What about getting down to that paper you
“ ‘Garrideb, N.,’ ” he read, “ ‘136 Little Ryder hold in your hand?”
Street, W.’ Sorry to disappoint you, my dear Wat-
Holmes had in some way ruffled our visitor,
son, but this is the man himself. That is the ad-
whose chubby face had assumed a far less amiable
dress upon his letter. We want another to match
expression.
him.”
“Patience! Patience, Mr. Garrideb!” said my
Mrs. Hudson had come in with a card upon a friend in a soothing voice. “Dr. Watson would tell
tray. I took it up and glanced at it. you that these little digressions of mine sometimes
“Why, here it is!” I cried in amazement. “This prove in the end to have some bearing on the mat-
is a different initial. John Garrideb, Counsellor at ter. But why did Mr. Nathan Garrideb not come
Law, Moorville, Kansas, U. S. A.” with you?”

911
 The Adventure of the Three Garridebs

“Why did he ever drag you into it at all?” he, ‘that is just what you will do if things pan out
asked our visitor with a sudden outflame of anger. as I planned them.’ I thought he was joking, but
“What in thunder had you to do with it? Here was there was a powerful lot of meaning in the words,
a bit of professional business between two gentle- as I was soon to discover.
men, and one of them must needs call in a detec- “For he died within a year of saying them, and
tive! I saw him this morning, and he told me this he left a will behind him. It was the queerest will
fool-trick he had played me, and that’s why I am that has ever been filed in the State of Kansas. His
here. But I feel bad about it, all the same.” property was divided into three parts, and I was to
“There was no reflection upon you, Mr. Gar- have one on condition that I found two Garridebs
rideb. It was simply zeal upon his part to gain who would share the remainder. It’s five million
your end—an end which is, I understand, equally dollars for each if it is a cent, but we can’t lay a
vital for both of you. He knew that I had means finger on it until we all three stand in a row.
of getting information, and, therefore, it was very “It was so big a chance that I just let my le-
natural that he should apply to me.” gal practice slide and I set forth looking for Gar-
Our visitor’s angry face gradually cleared. ridebs. There is not one in the United States. I
“Well, that puts it different,” said he. “When I went through it, sir, with a fine-toothed comb and
went to see him this morning and he told me he never a Garrideb could I catch. Then I tried the
had sent to a detective, I just asked for your ad- old country. Sure enough there was the name in
dress and came right away. I don’t want police the London telephone directory. I went after him
butting into a private matter. But if you are con- two days ago and explained the whole matter to
tent just to help us find the man, there can be no him. But he is a lone man, like myself, with some
harm in that.” women relations, but no men. It says three adult
men in the will. So you see we still have a vacancy,
“Well, that is just how it stands,” said Holmes.
and if you can help to fill it we will be very ready
“And now, sir, since you are here, we had best have
to pay your charges.”
a clear account from your own lips. My friend here
knows nothing of the details.” “Well, Watson,” said Holmes with a smile, “I
said it was rather whimsical, did I not? I should
Mr. Garrideb surveyed me with not too friendly
have thought, sir, that your obvious way was to
a gaze.
advertise in the agony columns of the papers.”
“Need he know?” he asked.
“I have done that, Mr. Holmes. No replies.”
“We usually work together.”
“Dear me! Well, it is certainly a most curi-
“Well, there’s no reason it should be kept a se- ous little problem. I may take a glance at it in
cret. I’ll give you the facts as short as I can make my leisure. By the way, it is curious that you
them. If you came from Kansas I would not need should have come from Topeka. I used to have a
to explain to you who Alexander Hamilton Gar- correspondent—he is dead now—old Dr. Lysander
rideb was. He made his money in real estate, Starr, who was mayor in 1890.”
and afterwards in the wheat pit at Chicago, but he
“Good old Dr. Starr!” said our visitor. “His
spent it in buying up as much land as would make
name is still honoured. Well, Mr. Holmes, I sup-
one of your counties, lying along the Arkansas
pose all we can do is to report to you and let
River, west of Fort Dodge. It’s grazing-land
you know how we progress. I reckon you will
and lumber-land and arable-land and mineralized-
hear within a day or two.” With this assurance our
land, and just every sort of land that brings dollars
American bowed and departed.
to the man that owns it.
Holmes had lit his pipe, and he sat for some
“He had no kith nor kin—or, if he had, I never
time with a curious smile upon his face.
heard of it. But he took a kind of pride in the
queerness of his name. That was what brought us “Well?” I asked at last.
together. I was in the law at Topeka, and one day “I am wondering, Watson—just wondering!”
I had a visit from the old man, and he was tickled “At what?”
to death to meet another man with his own name.
It was his pet fad, and he was dead set to find Holmes took his pipe from his lips.
out if there were any more Garridebs in the world. “I was wondering, Watson, what on earth
‘Find me another!’ said he. I told him I was a busy could be the object of this man in telling us such a
man and could not spend my life hiking round the rigmarole of lies. I nearly asked him so—for there
world in search of Garridebs. ‘None the less,’ said are times when a brutal frontal attack is the best

912
 The Adventure of the Three Garridebs

policy—but I judged it better to let him think he “Up some years, Watson,” he remarked, indi-
had fooled us. Here is a man with an English cating its discoloured surface. “It’s his real name,
coat frayed at the elbow and trousers bagged at the anyhow, and that is something to note.”
knee with a year’s wear, and yet by this document The house had a common stair, and there were
and by his own account he is a provincial Ameri- a number of names painted in the hall, some indi-
can lately landed in London. There have been no cating offices and some private chambers. It was
advertisements in the agony columns. You know not a collection of residential flats, but rather the
that I miss nothing there. They are my favourite abode of Bohemian bachelors. Our client opened
covert for putting up a bird, and I would never the door for us himself and apologized by saying
have overlooked such a cock pheasant as that. I that the woman in charge left at four o’clock. Mr.
never knew a Dr. Lysander Starr, of Topeka. Touch Nathan Garrideb proved to be a very tall, loose-
him where you would he was false. I think the jointed, round-backed person, gaunt and bald,
fellow is really an American, but he has worn his some sixty-odd years of age. He had a cadaverous
accent smooth with years of London. What is his face, with the dull dead skin of a man to whom
game, then, and what motive lies behind this pre- exercise was unknown. Large round spectacles
posterous search for Garridebs? It’s worth our at- and a small projecting goat’s beard combined with
tention, for, granting that the man is a rascal, he is his stooping attitude to give him an expression of
certainly a complex and ingenious one. We must peering curiosity. The general effect, however, was
now find out if our other correspondent is a fraud amiable, though eccentric.
also. Just ring him up, Watson.”
The room was as curious as its occupant. It
I did so, and heard a thin, quavering voice at looked like a small museum. It was both broad
the other end of the line. and deep, with cupboards and cabinets all round,
crowded with specimens, geological and anatom-
“Yes, yes, I am Mr. Nathan Garrideb. Is Mr. ical. Cases of butterflies and moths flanked each
Holmes there? I should very much like to have a side of the entrance. A large table in the centre was
word with Mr. Holmes.” littered with all sorts of debris, while the tall brass
tube of a powerful microscope bristled up among
My friend took the instrument and I heard the
them. As I glanced round I was surprised at the
usual syncopated dialogue.
universality of the man’s interests. Here was a case
“Yes, he has been here. I understand that you of ancient coins. There was a cabinet of flint instru-
don’t know him. . . . How long? . . . Only two ments. Behind his central table was a large cup-
days! . . . Yes, yes, of course, it is a most captivat- board of fossil bones. Above was a line of plaster
ing prospect. Will you be at home this evening? skulls with such names as “Neanderthal,” “Hei-
I suppose your namesake will not be there? . . . delberg,” “Cro-Magnon” printed beneath them. It
Very good, we will come then, for I would rather was clear that he was a student of many subjects.
have a chat without him. . . . Dr. Watson will come As he stood in front of us now, he held a piece of
with me. . . . I understand from your note that chamois leather in his right hand with which he
you did not go out often. . . . Well, we shall be was polishing a coin.
round about six. You need not mention it to the “Syracusan—of the best period,” he explained,
American lawyer. . . . Very good. Good-bye!” holding it up. “They degenerated greatly towards
the end. At their best I hold them supreme, though
It was twilight of a lovely spring evening, and some prefer the Alexandrian school. You will find
even Little Ryder Street, one of the smaller off- a chair here, Mr. Holmes. Pray allow me to clear
shoots from the Edgware Road, within a stone-cast these bones. And you, sir—ah, yes, Dr. Watson—if
of old Tyburn Tree of evil memory, looked golden you would have the goodness to put the Japanese
and wonderful in the slanting rays of the setting vase to one side. You see round me my little in-
sun. The particular house to which we were di- terests in life. My doctor lectures me about never
rected was a large, old-fashioned, Early Georgian going out, but why should I go out when I have
edifice, with a flat brick face broken only by two so much to hold me here? I can assure you that
deep bay windows on the ground floor. It was on the adequate cataloguing of one of those cabinets
this ground floor that our client lived, and, indeed, would take me three good months.”
the low windows proved to be the front of the
huge room in which he spent his waking hours. Holmes looked round him with curiosity.
Holmes pointed as we passed to the small brass “But do you tell me that you never go out?” he
plate which bore the curious name. said.

913
 The Adventure of the Three Garridebs

“Now and again I drive down to Sotheby’s “No, sir, never!”

or Christie’s. Otherwise I very seldom leave my “You see no possible object he has in view?”
room. I am not too strong, and my researches are “None, except what he states.”
very absorbing. But you can imagine, Mr. Holmes,
“Did you tell him of our telephone appoint-
what a terrific shock—pleasant but terrific—it was
ment?”
for me when I heard of this unparalleled good for-
tune. It only needs one more Garrideb to complete “Yes, sir, I did.”
the matter, and surely we can find one. I had a Holmes was lost in thought. I could see that he
brother, but he is dead, and female relatives are was puzzled.
disqualified. But there must surely be others in the “Have you any articles of great value in your
world. I had heard that you handled strange cases, collection?”
and that was why I sent to you. Of course, this “No, sir. I am not a rich man. It is a good
American gentleman is quite right, and I should collection, but not a very valuable one.”
have taken his advice first, but I acted for the best.” “You have no fear of burglars?”
“I think you acted very wisely indeed,” said “Not the least.”
Holmes. “But are you really anxious to acquire an “How long have you been in these rooms?”
estate in America?”
“Nearly five years.”
“Certainly not, sir. Nothing would induce me
Holmes’s cross-examination was interrupted
to leave my collection. But this gentleman has as-
by an imperative knocking at the door. No sooner
sured me that he will buy me out as soon as we
had our client unlatched it than the American
have established our claim. Five million dollars
lawyer burst excitedly into the room.
was the sum named. There are a dozen specimens
in the market at the present moment which fill “Here you are!” he cried, waving a paper over
gaps in my collection, and which I am unable to his head. “I thought I should be in time to get
purchase for want of a few hundred pounds. Just you. Mr. Nathan Garrideb, my congratulations!
think what I could do with five million dollars. You are a rich man, sir. Our business is happily
Why, I have the nucleus of a national collection. I finished and all is well. As to you, Mr. Holmes, we
shall be the Hans Sloane of my age.” can only say we are sorry if we have given you any
useless trouble.”
His eyes gleamed behind his great spectacles.
He handed over the paper to our client, who
It was very clear that no pains would be spared by
stood staring at a marked advertisement. Holmes
Mr. Nathan Garrideb in finding a namesake.
and I leaned forward and read it over his shoulder.
“I merely called to make your acquaintance, This is how it ran:
and there is no reason why I should interrupt your Howard Garrideb
studies,” said Holmes. “I prefer to establish per- Constructor of Agricultural
sonal touch with those with whom I do business. Machinery
There are few questions I need ask, for I have your
Binders, reapers, steam and hand plows,
very clear narrative in my pocket, and I filled up
drills, harrows, farmers’ carts, buckboards,
the blanks when this American gentleman called. I
and all other appliances.
understand that up to this week you were unaware
Estimates for Artesian Wells
of his existence.”
Apply Grosvenor Buildings, Aston
“That is so. He called last Tuesday.”
“Glorious!” gasped our host. “That makes our
“Did he tell you of our interview to-day?” third man.”
“Yes, he came straight back to me. He had been “I had opened up inquiries in Birmingham,”
very angry.” said the American, “and my agent there has sent
“Why should he be angry?” me this advertisement from a local paper. We must
hustle and put the thing through. I have written to
“He seemed to think it was some reflection on
this man and told him that you will see him in his
his honour. But he was quite cheerful again when
office to-morrow afternoon at four o’clock.”
he returned.”
“You want me to see him?”
“Did he suggest any course of action?”
“What do you say, Mr. Holmes? Don’t you
“No, sir, he did not.” think it would be wiser? Here am I, a wander-
“Has he had, or asked for, any money from ing American with a wonderful tale. Why should
you?” he believe what I tell him? But you are a Britisher

914
 The Adventure of the Three Garridebs

with solid references, and he is bound to take no- the basement up to four o’clock and would let you
tice of what you say. I would go with you if you in with her key.”
wished, but I have a very busy day to-morrow, and Well, I happen to be clear to-morrow afternoon.
I could always follow you if you are in any trou- If you would say a word to Mrs. Saunders it would
ble.” be quite in order. By the way, who is your house-
“Well, I have not made such a journey for agent?”
years.” Our client was amazed at the sudden question.
“Holloway and Steele, in the Edgware Road.
“It is nothing, Mr. Garrideb. I have figured out
But why?”
our connections. You leave at twelve and should
be there soon after two. Then you can be back the “I am a bit of an archaeologist myself when it
same night. All you have to do is to see this man, comes to houses,” said Holmes, laughing. “I was
explain the matter, and get an affidavit of his exis- wondering if this was Queen Anne or Georgian.”
tence. By the Lord!” he added hotly, “considering “Georgian, beyond doubt.”
I’ve come all the way from the centre of America, “Really. I should have thought a little earlier.
it is surely little enough if you go a hundred miles However, it is easily ascertained. Well, good-bye,
in order to put this matter through.” Mr. Garrideb, and may you have every success in
your Birmingham journey.”
“Quite so,” said Holmes. “I think what this
The house-agent’s was close by, but we found
gentleman says is very true.”
that it was closed for the day, so we made our way
Mr. Nathan Garrideb shrugged his shoulders back to Baker Street. It was not till after dinner
with a disconsolate air. “Well, if you insist I shall that Holmes reverted to the subject.
go,” said he. “It is certainly hard for me to refuse “Our little problem draws to a close,” said he.
you anything, considering the glory of hope that “No doubt you have outlined the solution in your
you have brought into my life.” own mind.”
“Then that is agreed,” said Holmes, “and no “I can make neither head nor tail of it.”
doubt you will let me have a report as soon as you “The head is surely clear enough and the tail
can.” we should see to-morrow. Did you notice nothing
“I’ll see to that,” said the American. “Well,” he curious about that advertisement?”
added, looking at his watch, “I’ll have to get on. “I saw that the word ‘plough’ was misspelt.”
I’ll call to-morrow, Mr. Nathan, and see you off to “Oh, you did notice that, did you? Come, Wat-
Birmingham. Coming my way, Mr. Holmes? Well, son, you improve all the time. Yes, it was bad En-
then, good-bye, and we may have good news for glish but good American. The printer had set it up
you to-morrow night.” as received. Then the buckboards. That is Amer-
ican also. And artesian wells are commoner with
I noticed that my friend’s face cleared when the
them than with us. It was a typical American ad-
American left the room, and the look of thoughtful
vertisement, but purporting to be from an English
perplexity had vanished.
firm. What do you make of that?”
“I wish I could look over your collection, Mr. “I can only suppose that this American lawyer
Garrideb,” said he. “In my profession all sorts put it in himself. What his object was I fail to un-
of odd knowledge comes useful, and this room of derstand.”
yours is a storehouse of it.” “Well, there are alternative explanations. Any-
Our client shone with pleasure and his eyes how, he wanted to get this good old fossil up to
gleamed from behind his big glasses. Birmingham. That is very clear. I might have
told him that he was clearly going on a wild-goose
“I had always heard, sir, that you were a very
chase, but, on second thoughts, it seemed better
intelligent man,” said he. “I could take you round
to clear the stage by letting him go. To-morrow,
now if you have the time.”
Watson—well, to-morrow will speak for itself.”
“Unfortunately, I have not. But these speci- Holmes was up and out early. When he re-
mens are so well labelled and classified that they turned at lunchtime I noticed that his face was very
hardly need your personal explanation. If I should grave.
be able to look in to-morrow, I presume that there “This is a more serious matter than I had ex-
would be no objection to my glancing over them?” pected, Watson,” said he. “It is fair to tell you so,
“None at all. You are most welcome. The place though I know it will only be an additional reason
will, of course, be shut up, but Mrs. Saunders is in to you for running your head into danger. I should

915
 The Adventure of the Three Garridebs

know my Watson by now. But there is danger, and “Well, we must go now and look for that.”
you should know it.” He took a revolver from the drawer and handed
“Well, it is not the first we have shared, it to me.
Holmes. I hope it may not be the last. What is “I have my old favourite with me. If our Wild
the particular danger this time?” West friend tries to live up to his nickname, we
“We are up against a very hard case. I have must be ready for him. I’ll give you an hour for a
identified Mr. John Garrideb, Counsellor at Law. siesta, Watson, and then I think it will be time for
He is none other than ‘Killer’ Evans, of sinister and our Ryder Street adventure.”
murderous reputation.” It was just four o’clock when we reached the
“I fear I am none the wiser.” curious apartment of Nathan Garrideb. Mrs. Saun-
“Ah, it is not part of your profession to carry ders, the caretaker, was about to leave, but she had
about a portable Newgate Calendar in your mem- no hesitation in admitting us, for the door shut
ory. I have been down to see friend Lestrade at the with a spring lock, and Holmes promised to see
Yard. There may be an occasional want of imagina- that all was safe before we left. Shortly afterwards
tive intuition down there, but they lead the world the outer door closed, her bonnet passed the bow
for thoroughness and method. I had an idea that window, and we knew that we were alone in the
we might get on the track of our American friend lower floor of the house. Holmes made a rapid
in their records. Sure enough, I found his chubby examination of the premises. There was one cup-
face smiling up at me from the rogues’ portrait board in a dark corner which stood out a little
gallery. ‘James Winter, alias Morecroft, alias Killer from the wall. It was behind this that we eventu-
Evans,’ was the inscription below.” Holmes drew ally crouched while Holmes in a whisper outlined
an envelope from his pocket. “I scribbled down a his intentions.
few points from his dossier: Aged forty-four. Na- “He wanted to get our amiable friend out of
tive of Chicago. Known to have shot three men in his room—that is very clear, and, as the collector
the States. Escaped from penitentiary through po- never went out, it took some planning to do it. The
litical influence. Came to London in 1893. Shot whole of this Garrideb invention was apparently
a man over cards in a night-club in the Water- for no other end. I must say, Watson, that there
loo Road in January, 1895. Man died, but he was is a certain devilish ingenuity about it, even if the
shown to have been the aggressor in the row. Dead queer name of the tenant did give him an opening
man was identified as Rodger Prescott, famous as which he could hardly have expected. He wove his
forger and coiner in Chicago. Killer Evans released plot with remarkable cunning.”
in 1901. Has been under police supervision since, “But what did he want?”
but so far as known has led an honest life. Very
dangerous man, usually carries arms and is pre- “Well, that is what we are here to find out. It
pared to use them. That is our bird, Watson—a has nothing whatever to do with our client, so far
sporting bird, as you must admit.” as I can read the situation. It is something con-
nected with the man he murdered—the man who
“But what is his game?” may have been his confederate in crime. There
“Well, it begins to define itself. I have been to is some guilty secret in the room. That is how
the house-agent’s. Our client, as he told us, has I read it. At first I thought our friend might
been there five years. It was unlet for a year be- have something in his collection more valuable
fore then. The previous tenant was a gentleman at than he knew—something worth the attention of
large named Waldron. Waldron’s appearance was a big criminal. But the fact that Rodger Prescott of
well remembered at the office. He had suddenly evil memory inhabited these rooms points to some
vanished and nothing more been heard of him. deeper reason. Well, Watson, we can but possess
He was a tall, bearded man with very dark fea- our souls in patience and see what the hour may
tures. Now, Prescott, the man whom Killer Evans bring.”
had shot, was, according to Scotland Yard, a tall, That hour was not long in striking. We
dark man with a beard. As a working hypothesis, crouched closer in the shadow as we heard the
I think we may take it that Prescott, the American outer door open and shut. Then came the sharp,
criminal, used to live in the very room which our metallic snap of a key, and the American was in
innocent friend now devotes to his museum. So at the room. He closed the door softly behind him,
last we get a link, you see.” took a sharp glance around him to see that all was
“And the next link?” safe, threw off his overcoat, and walked up to the

916
 The Adventure of the Three Garridebs

central table with the brisk manner of one who got out of this room alive. Now, sir, what have you
knows exactly what he has to do and how to do to say for yourself?”
it. He pushed the table to one side, tore up the He had nothing to say for himself. He only sat
square of carpet on which it rested, rolled it com- and scowled. I leaned on Holmes’s arm, and to-
pletely back, and then, drawing a jemmy from his gether we looked down into the small cellar which
inside pocket, he knelt down and worked vigor- had been disclosed by the secret flap. It was still
ously upon the floor. Presently we heard the sound illuminated by the candle which Evans had taken
of sliding boards, and an instant later a square had down with him. Our eyes fell upon a mass of
opened in the planks. Killer Evans struck a match, rusted machinery, great rolls of paper, a litter of
lit a stump of candle, and vanished from our view. bottles, and, neatly arranged upon a small table, a
Clearly our moment had come. Holmes number of neat little bundles.
touched my wrist as a signal, and together we “A printing press—a counterfeiter’s outfit,”
stole across to the open trap-door. Gently as we said Holmes.
moved, however, the old floor must have creaked
under our feet, for the head of our American, peer- “Yes, sir,” said our prisoner, staggering slowly
ing anxiously round, emerged suddenly from the to his feet and then sinking into the chair. “The
open space. His face turned upon us with a glare greatest counterfeiter London ever saw. That’s
of baffled rage, which gradually softened into a Prescott’s machine, and those bundles on the table
rather shamefaced grin as he realized that two pis- are two thousand of Prescott’s notes worth a hun-
tols were pointed at his head. dred each and fit to pass anywhere. Help your-
selves, gentlemen. Call it a deal and let me beat
“Well, well!” said he coolly as he scrambled to it.”
the surface. “I guess you have been one too many
for me, Mr. Holmes. Saw through my game, I sup- Holmes laughed.
pose, and played me for a sucker from the first. “We don’t do things like that, Mr. Evans. There
Well, sir, I hand it to you; you have me beat and—” is no bolt-hole for you in this country. You shot
In an instant he had whisked out a revolver this man Prescott, did you not?”
from his breast and had fired two shots. I felt “Yes, sir, and got five years for it, though it was
a sudden hot sear as if a red-hot iron had been he who pulled on me. Five years—when I should
pressed to my thigh. There was a crash as have had a medal the size of a soup plate. No
Holmes’s pistol came down on the man’s head. I living man could tell a Prescott from a Bank of
had a vision of him sprawling upon the floor with England, and if I hadn’t put him out he would
blood running down his face while Holmes rum- have flooded London with them. I was the only
maged him for weapons. Then my friend’s wiry one in the world who knew where he made them.
arms were round me, and he was leading me to a Can you wonder that I wanted to get to the place?
chair. And can you wonder that when I found this crazy
“You’re not hurt, Watson? For God’s sake, say boob of a bug-hunter with the queer name squat-
that you are not hurt!” ting right on the top of it, and never quitting his
room, I had to do the best I could to shift him?
It was worth a wound—it was worth many Maybe I would have been wiser if I had put him
wounds—to know the depth of loyalty and love away. It would have been easy enough, but I’m
which lay behind that cold mask. The clear, hard a soft-hearted guy that can’t begin shooting unless
eyes were dimmed for a moment, and the firm lips the other man has a gun also. But say, Mr. Holmes,
were shaking. For the one and only time I caught a what have I done wrong, anyhow? I’ve not used
glimpse of a great heart as well as of a great brain. this plant. I’ve not hurt this old stiff. Where do
All my years of humble but single-minded service you get me?”
culminated in that moment of revelation.
“Only attempted murder, so far as I can see,”
“It’s nothing, Holmes. It’s a mere scratch.” said Holmes. “But that’s not our job. They take
He had ripped up my trousers with his pocket- that at the next stage. What we wanted at present
knife. was just your sweet self. Please give the Yard a
“You are right,” he cried with an immense sigh call, Watson. It won’t be entirely unexpected.”
of relief. “It is quite superficial.” His face set like So those were the facts about Killer Evans and
flint as he glared at our prisoner, who was sitting his remarkable invention of the three Garridebs.
up with a dazed face. “By the Lord, it is as well for We heard later that our poor old friend never got
you. If you had killed Watson, you would not have over the shock of his dissipated dreams. When his

917
castle in the air fell down, it buried him beneath several worthy C. I. D. men to sleep the sounder,
the ruins. He was last heard of at a nursing-home for the counterfeiter stands in a class by himself as
in Brixton. It was a glad day at the Yard when a public danger. They would willingly have sub-
the Prescott outfit was discovered, for, though they scribed to that soup-plate medal of which the crim-
knew that it existed, they had never been able, af- inal had spoken, but an unappreciative bench took
ter the death of the man, to find out where it was. a less favourable view, and the Killer returned to
Evans had indeed done great service and caused those shades from which he had just emerged.
The Problem of Thor Bridge
S
The Problem of Thor Bridge

omewhere in the vaults of the bank of ments.

Cox and Co., at Charing Cross, there is
“You have a case, Holmes?” I remarked.
a travel-worn and battered tin dispatch-
box with my name, John H. Watson, “The faculty of deduction is certainly conta-
M.D., Late Indian Army, painted upon the lid. It gious, Watson,” he answered. “It has enabled you
is crammed with papers, nearly all of which are to probe my secret. Yes, I have a case. After
records of cases to illustrate the curious problems a month of trivialities and stagnation the wheels
which Mr. Sherlock Holmes had at various times to move once more.”
examine. Some, and not the least interesting, were “Might I share it?”
complete failures, and as such will hardly bear
narrating, since no final explanation is forthcom- “There is little to share, but we may discuss
ing. A problem without a solution may interest it when you have consumed the two hard-boiled
the student, but can hardly fail to annoy the casual eggs with which our new cook has favoured us.
reader. Among these unfinished tales is that of Mr. Their condition may not be unconnected with the
James Phillimore, who, stepping back into his own copy of the Family Herald which I observed yester-
house to get his umbrella, was never more seen in day upon the hall-table. Even so trivial a matter
this world. No less remarkable is that of the cut- as cooking an egg demands an attention which is
ter Alicia, which sailed one spring morning into a conscious of the passage of time and incompatible
small patch of mist from where she never again with the love romance in that excellent periodical.”
emerged, nor was anything further ever heard of A quarter of an hour later the table had been
herself and her crew. A third case worthy of note cleared and we were face to face. He had drawn a
is that of Isadora Persano, the well-known jour- letter from his pocket.
nalist and duellist, who was found stark staring
“You have heard of Neil Gibson, the Gold
mad with a match box in front of him which con-
King?” he said.
tained a remarkable worm said to be unknown to
science. Apart from these unfathomed cases, there “You mean the American Senator?”
are some which involve the secrets of private fam- “Well, he was once Senator for some Western
ilies to an extent which would mean consternation state, but is better known as the greatest gold-
in many exalted quarters if it were thought pos- mining magnate in the world.”
sible that they might find their way into print. I
need not say that such a breach of confidence is “Yes, I know of him. He has surely lived in
unthinkable, and that these records will be sepa- England for some time. His name is very famil-
rated and destroyed now that my friend has time iar.”
to turn his energies to the matter. There remain a “Yes, he bought a considerable estate in Hamp-
considerable residue of cases of greater or less in- shire some five years ago. Possibly you have al-
terest which I might have edited before had I not ready heard of the tragic end of his wife?”
feared to give the public a surfeit which might re-
act upon the reputation of the man whom above “Of course. I remember it now. That is why the
all others I revere. In some I was myself concerned name is familiar. But I really know nothing of the
and can speak as an eye-witness, while in others details.”
I was either not present or played so small a part Holmes waved his hand towards some papers
that they could only be told as by a third person. on a chair. “I had no idea that the case was coming
The following narrative is drawn from my own ex- my way or I should have had my extracts ready,”
perience. said he. “The fact is that the problem, though ex-
ceedingly sensational, appeared to present no dif-
It was a wild morning in October, and I ob-
ficulty. The interesting personality of the accused
served as I was dressing how the last remaining
does not obscure the clearness of the evidence.
leaves were being whirled from the solitary plane
That was the view taken by the coroner’s jury and
tree which graces the yard behind our house. I de-
also in the police-court proceedings. It is now re-
scended to breakfast prepared to find my compan-
ferred to the Assizes at Winchester. I fear it is a
ion in depressed spirits, for, like all great artists, he
thankless business. I can discover facts, Watson,
was easily impressed by his surroundings. On the
but I cannot change them. Unless some entirely
contrary, I found that he had nearly finished his
new and unexpected ones come to light I do not
meal, and that his mood was particularly bright
see what my client can hope for.”
and joyous, with that somewhat sinister cheerful-
ness which was characteristic of his lighter mo- “Your client?”

921
 The Problem of Thor Bridge

“Ah, I forgot I had not told you. I am getting been committed late in the evening, and the body
into your involved habit, Watson, of telling a story was found by a game-keeper about eleven o’clock,
backward. You had best read this first.” when it was examined by the police and by a doc-
tor before being carried up to the house. Is this too
The letter which he handed to me, written in a
condensed, or can you follow it clearly?”
bold, masterful hand, ran as follows:
“It is all very clear. But why suspect the gov-
erness?”
Claridge’s Hotel
October 3rd. “Well, in the first place there is some very direct
Dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes: evidence. A revolver with one discharged cham-
I can’t see the best woman God ever ber and a calibre which corresponded with the
made go to her death without doing all bullet was found on the floor of her wardrobe.”
that is possible to save her. I can’t ex- His eyes fixed and he repeated in broken words,
plain things—I can’t even try to explain “On—the—floor—of—her—wardrobe.” Then he
them, but I know beyond all doubt that sank into silence, and I saw that some train of
Miss Dunbar is innocent. You know thought had been set moving which I should be
the facts—who doesn’t? It has been foolish to interrupt. Suddenly with a start he
the gossip of the country. And never emerged into brisk life once more. “Yes, Watson, it
a voice raised for her! It’s the damned was found. Pretty damning, eh? So the two juries
injustice of it all that makes me crazy. thought. Then the dead woman had a note upon
That woman has a heart that wouldn’t her making an appointment at that very place and
let her kill a fly. Well, I’ll come at eleven signed by the governess. How’s that? Finally there
to-morrow and see if you can get some is the motive. Senator Gibson is an attractive per-
ray of light in the dark. Maybe I have son. If his wife dies, who more likely to succeed
a clue and don’t know it. Anyhow, all her than the young lady who had already by all
I know and all I have and all I am are accounts received pressing attentions from her em-
for your use if only you can save her. If ployer? Love, fortune, power, all depending upon
ever in your life you showed your pow- one middle-aged life. Ugly, Watson—very ugly!”
ers, put them now into this case. “Yes, indeed, Holmes.”
Yours faithfully, “Nor could she prove an alibi. On the contrary,
J. Neil Gibson. she had to admit that she was down near Thor
Bridge—that was the scene of the tragedy—about
“There you have it,” said Sherlock Holmes, that hour. She couldn’t deny it, for some passing
knocking out the ashes of his after-breakfast pipe villager had seen her there.”
and slowly refilling it. “That is the gentleman I
await. As to the story, you have hardly time to “That really seems final.”
master all these papers, so I must give it to you in a “And yet, Watson—and yet! This bridge—a
nutshell if you are to take an intelligent interest in single broad span of stone with balustraded
the proceedings. This man is the greatest financial sides—carries the drive over the narrowest part of
power in the world, and a man, as I understand, a long, deep, reed-girt sheet of water. Thor Mere it
of most violent and formidable character. He mar- is called. In the mouth of the bridge lay the dead
ried a wife, the victim of this tragedy, of whom I woman. Such are the main facts. But here, if I
know nothing save that she was past her prime, mistake not, is our client, considerably before his
which was the more unfortunate as a very attrac- time.”
tive governess superintended the education of two
Billy had opened the door, but the name which
young children. These are the three people con-
he announced was an unexpected one. Mr. Mar-
cerned, and the scene is a grand old manor house,
low Bates was a stranger to both of us. He was a
the centre of a historical English state. Then as to
thin, nervous wisp of a man with frightened eyes
the tragedy. The wife was found in the grounds
and a twitching, hesitating manner—a man whom
nearly half a mile from the house, late at night,
my own professional eye would judge to be on the
clad in her dinner dress, with a shawl over her
brink of an absolute nervous breakdown.
shoulders and a revolver bullet through her brain.
No weapon was found near her and there was “You seem agitated, Mr. Bates,” said Holmes.
no local clue as to the murder. No weapon near “Pray sit down. I fear I can only give you a short
her, Watson—mark that! The crime seems to have time, for I have an appointment at eleven.”

922
 The Problem of Thor Bridge

“I know you have,” our visitor gasped, shoot- keyed to base uses instead of high ones would give
ing out short sentences like a man who is out of some idea of the man. His face might have been
breath. “Mr. Gibson is coming. Mr. Gibson is my chiselled in granite, hard-set, craggy, remorseless,
employer. I am manager of his estate. Mr. Holmes, with deep lines upon it, the scars of many a cri-
he is a villain—an infernal villain.” sis. Cold gray eyes, looking shrewdly out from
“Strong language, Mr. Bates.” under bristling brows, surveyed us each in turn.
He bowed in perfunctory fashion as Holmes men-
“I have to be emphatic, Mr. Holmes, for the
tioned my name, and then with a masterful air
time is so limited. I would not have him find me
of possession he drew a chair up to my compan-
here for the world. He is almost due now. But I
ion and seated himself with his bony knees almost
was so situated that I could not come earlier. His
touching him.
secretary, Mr. Ferguson, only told me this morning
“Let me say right here, Mr. Holmes,” he began,
of his appointment with you.”
“that money is nothing to me in this case. You can
“And you are his manager?” burn it if it’s any use in lighting you to the truth.
“I have given him notice. In a couple of weeks I This woman is innocent and this woman has to be
shall have shaken off his accursed slavery. A hard cleared, and it’s up to you to do it. Name your
man, Mr. Holmes, hard to all about him. Those figure!”
public charities are a screen to cover his private in- “My professional charges are upon a fixed
iquities. But his wife was his chief victim. He was scale,” said Holmes coldly. “I do not vary them,
brutal to her—yes, sir, brutal! How she came by save when I remit them altogether.”
her death I do not know, but I am sure that he had “Well, if dollars make no difference to you,
made her life a misery to her. She was a creature think of the reputation. If you pull this off every
of the tropics, a Brazilian by birth, as no doubt you paper in England and America will be booming
know.” you. You’ll be the talk of two continents.”
“No, it had escaped me.” “Thank you, Mr. Gibson, I do not think that I
“Tropical by birth and tropical by nature. A am in need of booming. It may surprise you to
child of the sun and of passion. She had loved him know that I prefer to work anonymously, and that
as such women can love, but when her own phys- it is the problem itself which attracts me. But we
ical charms had faded—I am told that they once are wasting time. Let us get down to the facts.”
were great—there was nothing to hold him. We “I think that you will find all the main ones in
all liked her and felt for her and hated him for the the press reports. I don’t know that I can add any-
way that he treated her. But he is plausible and thing which will help you. But if there is anything
cunning. That is all I have to say to you. Don’t you would wish more light upon—well, I am here
take him at his face value. There is more behind. to give it.”
Now I’ll go. No, no, don’t detain me! He is almost “Well, there is just one point.”
due.” “What is it?”
With a frightened look at the clock our strange “What were the exact relations between you
visitor literally ran to the door and disappeared. and Miss Dunbar?”
“Well! Well!” said Holmes after an interval of The Gold King gave a violent start and half rose
silence. “Mr. Gibson seems to have a nice loyal from his chair. Then his massive calm came back
household. But the warning is a useful one, and to him.
now we can only wait till the man himself ap- “I suppose you are within your rights—and
pears.” maybe doing your duty—in asking such a ques-
tion, Mr. Holmes.”
Sharp at the hour we heard a heavy step upon
the stairs, and the famous millionaire was shown “We will agree to suppose so,” said Holmes.
into the room. As I looked upon him I under- “Then I can assure you that our relations were
stood not only the fears and dislike of his man- entirely and always those of an employer towards
ager but also the execrations which so many busi- a young lady whom he never conversed with, or
ness rivals have heaped upon his head. If I were ever saw, save when she was in the company of
a sculptor and desired to idealize the successful his children.”
man of affairs, iron of nerve and leathery of con- Holmes rose from his chair.
science, I should choose Mr. Neil Gibson as my “I am a rather busy man, Mr. Gibson,” said he,
model. His tall, gaunt, craggy figure had a sugges- “and I have no time or taste for aimless conversa-
tion of hunger and rapacity. An Abraham Lincoln tions. I wish you good-morning.”

923
 The Problem of Thor Bridge

Our visitor had risen also, and his great loose “Exactly. And to me also.”
figure towered above Holmes. There was an an- “But what were his relations with the gov-
gry gleam from under those bristling brows and a erness, and how did you discover them?”
tinge of colour in the sallow cheeks.
“Bluff, Watson, bluff! When I considered the
“What the devil do you mean by this, Mr. passionate, unconventional, unbusinesslike tone of
Holmes? Do you dismiss my case?” his letter and contrasted it with his self-contained
“Well, Mr. Gibson, at least I dismiss you. I manner and appearance, it was pretty clear that
should have thought my words were plain.” there was some deep emotion which centred upon
“Plain enough, but what’s at the back of it? the accused woman rather than upon the victim.
Raising the price on me, or afraid to tackle it, or We’ve got to understand the exact relations of
what? I’ve a right to a plain answer.” those three people if we are to reach the truth. You
saw the frontal attack which I made upon him, and
“Well, perhaps you have,” said Holmes. “I’ll
how imperturbably he received it. Then I bluffed
give you one. This case is quite sufficiently com-
him by giving him the impression that I was abso-
plicated to start with without the further difficulty
lutely certain, when in reality I was only extremely
of false information.”
suspicious.”
“Meaning that I lie.”
“Perhaps he will come back?”
“Well, I was trying to express it as delicately as “He is sure to come back. He must come back.
I could, but if you insist upon the word I will not He can’t leave it where it is. Ha! isn’t that a ring?
contradict you.” Yes, there is his footstep. Well, Mr. Gibson, I was
I sprang to my feet, for the expression upon just saying to Dr. Watson that you were somewhat
the millionaire’s face was fiendish in its intensity, overdue.”
and he had raised his great knotted fist. Holmes The Gold King had reentered the room in a
smiled languidly and reached his hand out for his more chastened mood than he had left it. His
pipe. wounded pride still showed in his resentful eyes,
“Don’t be noisy, Mr. Gibson. I find that after but his common sense had shown him that he
breakfast even the smallest argument is unsettling. must yield if he would attain his end.
I suggest that a stroll in the morning air and a little “I’ve been thinking it over, Mr. Holmes, and I
quiet thought will be greatly to your advantage.” feel that I have been hasty in taking your remarks
With an effort the Gold King mastered his fury. amiss. You are justified in getting down to the
I could not but admire him, for by a supreme self- facts, whatever they may be, and I think the more
command he had turned in a minute from a hot of you for it. I can assure you, however, that the re-
flame of anger to a frigid and contemptuous indif- lations between Miss Dunbar and me don’t really
ference. touch this case.”
“Well, it’s your choice. I guess you know how “That is for me to decide, is it not?”
to run your own business. I can’t make you touch “Yes, I guess that is so. You’re like a surgeon
the case against your will. You’ve done yourself no who wants every symptom before he can give his
good this morning, Mr. Holmes, for I have broken diagnosis.”
stronger men than you. No man ever crossed me
“Exactly. That expresses it. And it is only a
and was the better for it.”
patient who has an object in deceiving his surgeon
“So many have said so, and yet here I am,” said who would conceal the facts of his case.”
Holmes, smiling. “Well, good-morning, Mr. Gib-
“That may be so, but you will admit, Mr.
son. You have a good deal yet to learn.”
Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when
Our visitor made a noisy exit, but Holmes they are asked point-blank what their relations
smoked in imperturbable silence with dreamy eyes with a woman may be—if there is really some se-
fixed upon the ceiling. rious feeling in the case. I guess most men have
“Any views, Watson?” he asked at last. a little private reserve of their own in some corner
“Well, Holmes, I must confess that when I con- of their souls where they don’t welcome intruders.
sider that this is a man who would certainly brush And you burst suddenly into it. But the object ex-
any obstacle from his path, and when I remember cuses you, since it was to try and save her. Well,
that his wife may have been an obstacle and an ob- the stakes are down and the reserve open, and you
ject of dislike, as that man Bates plainly told us, it can explore where you will. What is it you want?”
seems to me—” “The truth.”

924
 The Problem of Thor Bridge

The Gold King paused for a moment as one Holmes could look very formidable when he
who marshals his thoughts. His grim, deep-lined was moved.
face had become even sadder and more grave.
“I said to her that if I could marry her I would,
“I can give it to you in a very few words, Mr. but that it was out of my power. I said that money
Holmes,” said he at last. “There are some things was no object and that all I could do to make her
that are painful as well as difficult to say, so I happy and comfortable would be done.”
won’t go deeper than is needful. I met my wife “Very generous, I am sure,” said Holmes with
when I was gold-hunting in Brazil. Maria Pinto a sneer.
was the daughter of a government official at Man-
aos, and she was very beautiful. I was young and “See here, Mr. Holmes. I came to you on a
ardent in those days, but even now, as I look back question of evidence, not on a question of morals.
with colder blood and a more critical eye, I can I’m not asking for your criticism.”
see that she was rare and wonderful in her beauty. “It is only for the young lady’s sake that I
It was a deep rich nature, too, passionate, whole- touch your case at all,” said Holmes sternly. “I
hearted, tropical, ill-balanced, very different from don’t know that anything she is accused of is re-
the American women whom I had known. Well, ally worse than what you have yourself admitted,
to make a long story short, I loved her and I that you have tried to ruin a defenceless girl who
married her. It was only when the romance had was under your roof. Some of you rich men have
passed—and it lingered for years—that I realized to be taught that all the world cannot be bribed
that we had nothing—absolutely nothing—in com- into condoning your offences.”
mon. My love faded. If hers had faded also it
might have been easier. But you know the won- To my surprise the Gold King took the reproof
derful way of women! Do what I might, nothing with equanimity.
could turn her from me. If I have been harsh to “That’s how I feel myself about it now. I thank
her, even brutal as some have said, it has been be- God that my plans did not work out as I intended.
cause I knew that if I could kill her love, or if it She would have none of it, and she wanted to leave
turned to hate, it would be easier for both of us. the house instantly.”
But nothing changed her. She adored me in those
English woods as she had adored me twenty years “Why did she not?”
ago on the banks of the Amazon. Do what I might, “Well, in the first place, others were dependent
she was as devoted as ever. upon her, and it was no light matter for her to let
“Then came Miss Grace Dunbar. She answered them all down by sacrificing her living. When I
our advertisement and became governess to our had sworn—as I did—that she should never be
two children. Perhaps you have seen her portrait molested again, she consented to remain. But there
in the papers. The whole world has proclaimed was another reason. She knew the influence she
that she also is a very beautiful woman. Now, I had over me, and that it was stronger than any
make no pretence to be more moral than my neigh- other influence in the world. She wanted to use it
bours, and I will admit to you that I could not live for good.”
under the same roof with such a woman and in “How?”
daily contact with her without feeling a passionate
“Well, she knew something of my affairs. They
regard for her. Do you blame me, Mr. Holmes?”
are large, Mr. Holmes—large beyond the belief of
“I do not blame you for feeling it. I should an ordinary man. I can make or break—and it is
blame you if you expressed it, since this young usually break. It wasn’t individuals only. It was
lady was in a sense under your protection.” communities, cities, even nations. Business is a
hard game, and the weak go to the wall. I played
“Well, maybe so,” said the millionaire, though
the game for all it was worth. I never squealed my-
for a moment the reproof had brought the old an-
self, and I never cared if the other fellow squealed.
gry gleam into his eyes. “I’m not pretending to
But she saw it different. I guess she was right. She
be any better than I am. I guess all my life I’ve
believed and said that a fortune for one man that
been a man that reached out his hand for what he
was more than he needed should not be built on
wanted, and I never wanted anything more than
ten thousand ruined men who were left without
the love and possession of that woman. I told her
the means of life. That was how she saw it, and I
so.”
guess she could see past the dollars to something
“Oh, you did, did you?” that was more lasting. She found that I listened

925
 The Problem of Thor Bridge

to what she said, and she believed she was serv- Neil Gibson. He did not accompany us himself,
ing the world by influencing my actions. So she but we had the address of Sergeant Coventry, of
stayed—and then this came along.” the local police, who had first examined into the
“Can you throw any light upon that?” affair. He was a tall, thin, cadaverous man, with a
secretive and mysterious manner which conveyed
The Gold King paused for a minute or more,
the idea that he knew or suspected a very great
his head sunk in his hands, lost in deep thought.
deal more than he dared say. He had a trick, too,
“It’s very black against her. I can’t deny that. of suddenly sinking his voice to a whisper as if
And women lead an inward life and may do things he had come upon something of vital importance,
beyond the judgment of a man. At first I was so though the information was usually commonplace
rattled and taken aback that I was ready to think enough. Behind these tricks of manner he soon
she had been led away in some extraordinary fash- showed himself to be a decent, honest fellow who
ion that was clean against her usual nature. One was not too proud to admit that he was out of his
explanation came into my head. I give it to you, depth and would welcome any help.
Mr. Holmes, for what it is worth. There is no “Anyhow, I’d rather have you than Scotland
doubt that my wife was bitterly jealous. There is Yard, Mr. Holmes,” said he. “If the Yard gets called
a soul-jealousy that can be as frantic as any body- into a case, then the local loses all credit for suc-
jealousy, and though my wife had no cause—and cess and may be blamed for failure. Now, you play
I think she understood this—for the latter, she was straight, so I’ve heard.”
aware that this English girl exerted an influence
“I need not appear in the matter at all,” said
upon my mind and my acts that she herself never
Holmes to the evident relief of our melancholy ac-
had. It was an influence for good, but that did
quaintance. “If I can clear it up I don’t ask to have
not mend the matter. She was crazy with hatred,
my name mentioned.”
and the heat of the Amazon was always in her
blood. She might have planned to murder Miss “Well, it’s very handsome of you, I am sure.
Dunbar—or we will say to threaten her with a gun And your friend, Dr. Watson, can be trusted, I
and so frighten her into leaving us. Then there know. Now, Mr. Holmes, as we walk down to the
might have been a scuffle and the gun gone off place there is one question I should like to ask you.
and shot the woman who held it.” I’d breathe it to no soul but you.” He looked round
as though he hardly dare utter the words. “Don’t
“That possibility had already occurred to me,” you think there might be a case against Mr. Neil
said Holmes. “Indeed, it is the only obvious alter- Gibson himself?”
native to deliberate murder.”
“I have been considering that.”
“But she utterly denies it.” “You’ve not seen Miss Dunbar. She is a won-
“Well, that is not final—is it? One can under- derful fine woman in every way. He may well have
stand that a woman placed in so awful a position wished his wife out of the road. And these Amer-
might hurry home still in her bewilderment hold- icans are readier with pistols than our folk are. It
ing the revolver. She might even throw it down was his pistol, you know.”
among her clothes, hardly knowing what she was “Was that clearly made out?”
doing, and when it was found she might try to lie “Yes, sir. It was one of a pair that he had.”
her way out by a total denial, since all explanation
“One of a pair? Where is the other?”
was impossible. What is against such a supposi-
“Well, the gentleman has a lot of firearms of
tion?”
one sort and another. We never quite matched that
“Miss Dunbar herself.” particular pistol—but the box was made for two.”
“Well, perhaps.” “If it was one of a pair you should surely be
Holmes looked at his watch. “I have no doubt able to match it.”
we can get the necessary permits this morning and “Well, we have them all laid out at the house if
reach Winchester by the evening train. When I you would care to look them over.”
have seen this young lady it is very possible that I “Later, perhaps. I think we will walk down to-
may be of more use to you in the matter, though I gether and have a look at the scene of the tragedy.”
cannot promise that my conclusions will necessar- This conversation had taken place in the little
ily be such as you desire.” front room of Sergeant Coventry’s humble cottage
There was some delay in the official pass, and which served as the local police-station. A walk
instead of reaching Winchester that day we went of half a mile or so across a wind-swept heath, all
down to Thor Place, the Hampshire estate of Mr. gold and bronze with the fading ferns, brought us

926
 The Problem of Thor Bridge

to a side-gate opening into the grounds of the Thor “Well, sir,” said the guide, “it seemed, if I may
Place estate. A path led us through the pheasant be so bold as to say so, the only really clear point
preserves, and then from a clearing we saw the in the whole case.”
widespread, half-timbered house, half Tudor and Holmes shook his head.
half Georgian, upon the crest of the hill. Beside
us there was a long, reedy pool, constricted in the “Granting that the letter is genuine and was re-
centre where the main carriage drive passed over ally written, it was certainly received some time
a stone bridge, but swelling into small lakes on ei- before—say one hour or two. Why, then, was this
ther side. Our guide paused at the mouth of this lady still clasping it in her left hand? Why should
bridge, and he pointed to the ground. she carry it so carefully? She did not need to refer
to it in the interview. Does it not seem remark-
“That was where Mrs. Gibson’s body lay. I able?”
marked it by that stone.”
“Well, sir, as you put it, perhaps it does.”
“I understand that you were there before it was
moved?” “I think I should like to sit quietly for a few
minutes and think it out.” He seated himself upon
“Yes, they sent for me at once.” the stone ledge of the bridge, and I could see his
“Who did?” quick gray eyes darting their questioning glances
“Mr. Gibson himself. The moment the alarm in every direction. Suddenly he sprang up again
was given and he had rushed down with others and ran across to the opposite parapet, whipped
from the house, he insisted that nothing should be his lens from his pocket, and began to examine the
moved until the police should arrive.” stonework.
“That was sensible. I gathered from the news- “This is curious,” said he.
paper report that the shot was fired from close “Yes, sir, we saw the chip on the ledge. I expect
quarters.” it’s been done by some passer-by.”
“Yes, sir, very close.” The stonework was gray, but at this one point
“Near the right temple?” it showed white for a space not larger than a six-
pence. When examined closely one could see that
“Just behind it, sir.” the surface was chipped as by a sharp blow.
“How did the body lie?” “It took some violence to do that,” said Holmes
“On the back, sir. No trace of a struggle. No thoughtfully. With his cane he struck the ledge
marks. No weapon. The short note from Miss several times without leaving a mark. “Yes, it was
Dunbar was clutched in her left hand.” a hard knock. In a curious place, too. It was not
“Clutched, you say?” from above but from below, for you see that it is
on the lower edge of the parapet.”
“Yes, sir, we could hardly open the fingers.”
“But it is at least fifteen feet from the body.”
“That is of great importance. It excludes the
idea that anyone could have placed the note there “Yes, it is fifteen feet from the body. It may
after death in order to furnish a false clue. Dear have nothing to do with the matter, but it is a point
me! The note, as I remember, was quite short: worth noting. I do not think that we have anything
more to learn here. There were no footsteps, you
“I will be at Thor Bridge at nine o’clock. say?”
— “G. Dunbar.
“The ground was iron hard, sir. There were no
“Was that not so?” traces at all.”
“Yes, sir.” “Then we can go. We will go up to the house
“Did Miss Dunbar admit writing it?” first and look over these weapons of which you
“Yes, sir.” speak. Then we shall get on to Winchester, for
I should desire to see Miss Dunbar before we go
“What was her explanation?” farther.”
“Her defence was reserved for the Assizes. She Mr. Neil Gibson had not returned from town,
would say nothing.” but we saw in the house the neurotic Mr. Bates
“The problem is certainly a very interesting who had called upon us in the morning. He
one. The point of the letter is very obscure, is it showed us with a sinister relish the formidable ar-
not?” ray of firearms of various shapes and sizes which

927
 The Problem of Thor Bridge

his employer had accumulated in the course of an weapon. The crime is done. It has been work-
adventurous life. manlike and complete. Do you tell me that after
“Mr. Gibson has his enemies, as anyone would carrying out so crafty a crime you would now ruin
expect who knew him and his methods,” said he. your reputation as a criminal by forgetting to fling
“He sleeps with a loaded revolver in the drawer your weapon into those adjacent reed-beds which
beside his bed. He is a man of violence, sir, and would forever cover it, but you must needs carry it
there are times when all of us are afraid of him. carefully home and put it in your own wardrobe,
I am sure that the poor lady who has passed was the very first place that would be searched? Your
often terrified.” best friends would hardly call you a schemer, Wat-
son, and yet I could not picture you doing any-
“Did you ever witness physical violence to-
thing so crude as that.”
wards her?”
“In the excitement of the moment—”
“No, I cannot say that. But I have heard words
“No, no, Watson, I will not admit that it is pos-
which were nearly as bad—words of cold, cutting
sible. Where a crime is coolly premeditated, then
contempt, even before the servants.”
the means of covering it are coolly premeditated
“Our millionaire does not seem to shine in pri- also. I hope, therefore, that we are in the presence
vate life,” remarked Holmes as we made our way of a serious misconception.”
to the station. “Well, Watson, we have come on a “But there is so much to explain.”
good many facts, some of them new ones, and yet “Well, we shall set about explaining it. When
I seem some way from my conclusion. In spite of once your point of view is changed, the very thing
the very evident dislike which Mr. Bates has to his which was so damning becomes a clue to the truth.
employer, I gather from him that when the alarm For example, there is this revolver. Miss Dunbar
came he was undoubtedly in his library. Dinner disclaims all knowledge of it. On our new theory
was over at 8.30 and all was normal up to then. she is speaking truth when she says so. There-
It is true that the alarm was somewhat late in the fore, it was placed in her wardrobe. Who placed
evening, but the tragedy certainly occurred about it there? Someone who wished to incriminate her.
the hour named in the note. There is no evidence Was not that person the actual criminal? You see
at all that Mr. Gibson had been out of doors since how we come at once upon a most fruitful line of
his return from town at five o’clock. On the other inquiry.”
hand, Miss Dunbar, as I understand it, admits that
We were compelled to spend the night at
she had made an appointment to meet Mrs. Gib-
Winchester, as the formalities had not yet been
son at the bridge. Beyond this she would say noth-
completed, but next morning, in the company of
ing, as her lawyer had advised her to reserve her
Mr. Joyce Cummings, the rising barrister who was
defence. We have several very vital questions to
entrusted with the defence, we were allowed to see
ask that young lady, and my mind will not be easy
the young lady in her cell. I had expected from all
until we have seen her. I must confess that the case
that we had heard to see a beautiful woman, but I
would seem to me to be very black against her if it
can never forget the effect which Miss Dunbar pro-
were not for one thing.”
duced upon me. It was no wonder that even the
“And what is that, Holmes?” masterful millionaire had found in her something
“The finding of the pistol in her wardrobe.” more powerful than himself—something which
“Dear me, Holmes!” I cried, “that seemed to could control and guide him. One felt, too, as one
me to be the most damning incident of all.” looked at the strong, clear-cut, and yet sensitive
face, that even should she be capable of some im-
“Not so, Watson. It had struck me even at my
petuous deed, none the less there was an innate
first perfunctory reading as very strange, and now
nobility of character which would make her influ-
that I am in closer touch with the case it is my only
ence always for the good. She was a brunette, tall,
firm ground for hope. We must look for consis-
with a noble figure and commanding presence, but
tency. Where there is a want of it we must suspect
her dark eyes had in them the appealing, help-
deception.”
less expression of the hunted creature who feels
“I hardly follow you.” the nets around it, but can see no way out from
“Well now, Watson, suppose for a moment that the toils. Now, as she realized the presence and
we visualize you in the character of a woman who, the help of my famous friend, there came a touch
in a cold, premeditated fashion, is about to get of colour in her wan cheeks and a light of hope
rid of a rival. You have planned it. A note has began to glimmer in the glance which she turned
been written. The victim has come. You have your upon us.

928
 The Problem of Thor Bridge

“Perhaps Mr. Neil Gibson has told you some- “With regard, then, to my presence at Thor
thing of what occurred between us?” she asked in Bridge that night, I received a note from Mrs. Gib-
a low, agitated voice. son in the morning. It lay on the table of the
“Yes,” Holmes answered, “you need not pain schoolroom, and it may have been left there by her
yourself by entering into that part of the story. Af- own hand. It implored me to see her there after
ter seeing you, I am prepared to accept Mr. Gib- dinner, said she had something important to say
son’s statement both as to the influence which you to me, and asked me to leave an answer on the
had over him and as to the innocence of your rela- sundial in the garden, as she desired no one to be
tions with him. But why was the whole situation in our confidence. I saw no reason for such secrecy,
not brought out in court?” but I did as she asked, accepting the appointment.
She asked me to destroy her note and I burned it in
“It seemed to me incredible that such a charge the schoolroom grate. She was very much afraid of
could be sustained. I thought that if we waited the her husband, who treated her with a harshness for
whole thing must clear itself up without our being which I frequently reproached him, and I could
compelled to enter into painful details of the inner only imagine that she acted in this way because
life of the family. But I understand that far from she did not wish him to know of our interview.”
clearing it has become even more serious.”
“Yet she kept your reply very carefully?”
“My dear young lady,” cried Holmes earnestly, “Yes. I was surprised to hear that she had it in
“I beg you to have no illusions upon the point. her hand when she died.”
Mr. Cummings here would assure you that all the
cards are at present against us, and that we must “Well, what happened then?”
do everything that is possible if we are to win clear. “I went down as I had promised. When
It would be a cruel deception to pretend that you I reached the bridge she was waiting for me.
are not in very great danger. Give me all the help Never did I realize till that moment how this
you can, then, to get at the truth.” poor creature hated me. She was like a mad
“I will conceal nothing.” woman—indeed, I think she was a mad woman,
subtly mad with the deep power of deception
“Tell us, then, of your true relations with Mr. which insane people may have. How else could
Gibson’s wife.” she have met me with unconcern every day and yet
“She hated me, Mr. Holmes. She hated me with had so raging a hatred of me in her heart? I will
all the fervour of her tropical nature. She was a not say what she said. She poured her whole wild
woman who would do nothing by halves, and the fury out in burning and horrible words. I did not
measure of her love for her husband was the mea- even answer—I could not. It was dreadful to see
sure also of her hatred for me. It is probable that her. I put my hands to my ears and rushed away.
she misunderstood our relations. I would not wish When I left her she was standing, still shrieking
to wrong her, but she loved so vividly in a physical out her curses at me, in the mouth of the bridge.”
sense that she could hardly understand the mental, “Where she was afterwards found?”
and even spiritual, tie which held her husband to “Within a few yards from the spot.”
me, or imagine that it was only my desire to influ-
ence his power to good ends which kept me under “And yet, presuming that she met her death
his roof. I can see now that I was wrong. Nothing shortly after you left her, you heard no shot?”
could justify me in remaining where I was a cause “No, I heard nothing. But, indeed, Mr. Holmes,
of unhappiness, and yet it is certain that the un- I was so agitated and horrified by this terrible out-
happiness would have remained even if I had left break that I rushed to get back to the peace of my
the house.” own room, and I was incapable of noticing any-
“Now, Miss Dunbar,” said Holmes, “I beg you thing which happened.”
to tell us exactly what occurred that evening.” “You say that you returned to your room. Did
you leave it again before next morning?”
“I can tell you the truth so far as I know
it, Mr. Holmes, but I am in a position to prove “Yes, when the alarm came that the poor crea-
nothing, and there are points—the most vital ture had met her death I ran out with the others.”
points—which I can neither explain nor can I “Did you see Mr. Gibson?”
imagine any explanation.” “Yes, he had just returned from the bridge
“If you will find the facts, perhaps others may when I saw him. He had sent for the doctor and
find the explanation.” the police.”

929
 The Problem of Thor Bridge

“Did he seem to you much perturbed?” to speak, and we sat, barrister, prisoner, and my-
“Mr. Gibson is a very strong, self-contained self, watching him in a concentrated and absorbed
man. I do not think that he would ever show his silence. Suddenly he sprang from his chair, vibrat-
emotions on the surface. But I, who knew him so ing with nervous energy and the pressing need for
well, could see that he was deeply concerned.” action.
“Come, Watson, come!” he cried.
“Then we come to the all-important point. This
pistol that was found in your room. Had you ever “What is it, Mr. Holmes?”
seen it before?” “Never mind, my dear lady. You will hear from
me, Mr. Cummings. With the help of the god of
“Never, I swear it.”
justice I will give you a case which will make Eng-
“When was it found?” land ring. You will get news by to-morrow, Miss
“Next morning, when the police made their Dunbar, and meanwhile take my assurance that
search.” the clouds are lifting and that I have every hope
“Among your clothes?” that the light of truth is breaking through.”
It was not a long journey from Winchester to
“Yes, on the floor of my wardrobe under my
Thor Place, but it was long to me in my impatience,
dresses.”
while for Holmes it was evident that it seemed
“You could not guess how long it had been endless; for, in his nervous restlessness, he could
there?” not sit still, but paced the carriage or drummed
“It had not been there the morning before.” with his long, sensitive fingers upon the cushions
“How do you know?” beside him. Suddenly, however, as we neared our
destination he seated himself opposite to me—we
“Because I tidied out the wardrobe.”
had a first-class carriage to ourselves—and laying
“That is final. Then someone came into your a hand upon each of my knees he looked into my
room and placed the pistol there in order to incul- eyes with the peculiarly mischievous gaze which
pate you.” was characteristic of his more imp-like moods.
“It must have been so.” “Watson,” said he, “I have some recollection
“And when?” that you go armed upon these excursions of ours.”
It was as well for him that I did so, for he took
“It could only have been at meal-time, or else
little care for his own safety when his mind was
at the hours when I would be in the schoolroom
once absorbed by a problem, so that more than
with the children.”
once my revolver had been a good friend in need.
“As you were when you got the note?” I reminded him of the fact.
“Yes, from that time onward for the whole “Yes, yes, I am a little absent-minded in such
morning.” matters. But have you your revolver on you?”
“Thank you, Miss Dunbar. Is there any other I produced it from my hip-pocket, a short,
point which could help me in the investigation?” handy, but very serviceable little weapon. He un-
“I can think of none.” did the catch, shook out the cartridges, and exam-
ined it with care.
“There was some sign of violence on the
“It’s heavy—remarkably heavy,” said he.
stonework of the bridge—a perfectly fresh chip
just opposite the body. Could you suggest any “Yes, it is a solid bit of work.”
possible explanation of that?” He mused over it for a minute.
“Surely it must be a mere coincidence.” “Do you know, Watson,” said he, “I believe
your revolver is going to have a very intimate con-
“Curious, Miss Dunbar, very curious. Why nection with the mystery which we are investigat-
should it appear at the very time of the tragedy, ing.”
and why at the very place?”
“My dear Holmes, you are joking.”
“But what could have caused it? Only great “No, Watson, I am very serious. There is a test
violence could have such an effect.” before us. If the test comes off, all will be clear.
Holmes did not answer. His pale, eager face And the test will depend upon the conduct of this
had suddenly assumed that tense, far-away ex- little weapon. One cartridge out. Now we will
pression which I had learned to associate with the replace the other five and put on the safety-catch.
supreme manifestations of his genius. So evident So! That increases the weight and makes it a better
was the crisis in his mind that none of us dared reproduction.”

930
 The Problem of Thor Bridge

I had no glimmer of what was in his mind, nor the stonework, and a joyous cry showed that he
did he enlighten me, but sat lost in thought until had found what he expected.
we pulled up in the little Hampshire station. We
“Was there ever a more exact demonstration?”
secured a ramshackle trap, and in a quarter of an
he cried. “See, Watson, your revolver has solved
hour were at the house of our confidential friend,
the problem!” As he spoke he pointed to a sec-
the sergeant.
ond chip of the exact size and shape of the first
“A clue, Mr. Holmes? What is it?” which had appeared on the under edge of the
“It all depends upon the behaviour of Dr. Wat- stone balustrade.
son’s revolver,” said my friend. “Here it is. Now, “We’ll stay at the inn to-night,” he continued
officer, can you give me ten yards of string?” as he rose and faced the astonished sergeant. “You
The village shop provided a ball of stout twine. will, of course, get a grappling-hook and you will
easily restore my friend’s revolver. You will also
“I think that this is all we will need,” said find beside it the revolver, string and weight with
Holmes. “Now, if you please, we will get off on which this vindictive woman attempted to dis-
what I hope is the last stage of our journey.” guise her own crime and to fasten a charge of mur-
The sun was setting and turning the rolling der upon an innocent victim. You can let Mr. Gib-
Hampshire moor into a wonderful autumnal son know that I will see him in the morning, when
panorama. The sergeant, with many critical steps can be taken for Miss Dunbar’s vindication.”
and incredulous glances, which showed his deep Late that evening, as we sat together smoking
doubts of the sanity of my companion, lurched our pipes in the village inn, Holmes gave me a
along beside us. As we approached the scene of brief review of what had passed.
the crime I could see that my friend under all his
habitual coolness was in truth deeply agitated. “I fear, Watson,” said he, “that you will not im-
prove any reputation which I may have acquired
“Yes,” he said in answer to my remark, “you by adding the case of the Thor Bridge mystery to
have seen me miss my mark before, Watson. I have your annals. I have been sluggish in mind and
an instinct for such things, and yet it has some- wanting in that mixture of imagination and reality
times played me false. It seemed a certainty when which is the basis of my art. I confess that the chip
first it flashed across my mind in the cell at Winch- in the stonework was a sufficient clue to suggest
ester, but one drawback of an active mind is that the true solution, and that I blame myself for not
one can always conceive alternative explanations having attained it sooner.
which would make our scent a false one. And
yet—and yet— Well, Watson, we can but try.” “It must be admitted that the workings of this
unhappy woman’s mind were deep and subtle, so
As he walked he had firmly tied one end of that it was no very simple matter to unravel her
the string to the handle of the revolver. We had plot. I do not think that in our adventures we have
now reached the scene of the tragedy. With great ever come across a stranger example of what per-
care he marked out under the guidance of the po- verted love can bring about. Whether Miss Dunbar
liceman the exact spot where the body had been was her rival in a physical or in a merely mental
stretched. He then hunted among the heather and sense seems to have been equally unforgivable in
the ferns until he found a considerable stone. This her eyes. No doubt she blamed this innocent lady
he secured to the other end of his line of string, for all those harsh dealings and unkind words with
and he hung it over the parapet of the bridge which her husband tried to repel her too demon-
so that it swung clear above the water. He then strative affection. Her first resolution was to end
stood on the fatal spot, some distance from the her own life. Her second was to do it in such a
edge of the bridge, with my revolver in his hand, way as to involve her victim in a fate which was
the string being taut between the weapon and the worse far than any sudden death could be.
heavy stone on the farther side.
“We can follow the various steps quite clearly,
“Now for it!” he cried. and they show a remarkable subtlety of mind. A
At the words he raised the pistol to his head, note was extracted very cleverly from Miss Dunbar
and then let go his grip. In an instant it had which would make it appear that she had chosen
been whisked away by the weight of the stone, had the scene of the crime. In her anxiety that it should
struck with a sharp crack against the parapet, and be discovered she somewhat overdid it by holding
had vanished over the side into the water. It had it in her hand to the last. This alone should have
hardly gone before Holmes was kneeling beside excited my suspicions earlier than it did.

931
 “Then she took one of her husband’s re- is complete. The papers may ask why the mere
volvers—there was, as you saw, an arsenal in the was not dragged in the first instance, but it is
house—and kept it for her own use. A simi- easy to be wise after the event, and in any case
lar one she concealed that morning in Miss Dun- the expanse of a reed-filled lake is no easy mat-
bar’s wardrobe after discharging one barrel, which ter to drag unless you have a clear perception of
she could easily do in the woods without attract- what you are looking for and where. Well, Watson,
ing attention. She then went down to the bridge we have helped a remarkable woman, and also a
where she had contrived this exceedingly inge- formidable man. Should they in the future join
nious method for getting rid of her weapon. When their forces, as seems not unlikely, the financial
Miss Dunbar appeared she used her last breath world may find that Mr. Neil Gibson has learned
in pouring out her hatred, and then, when she something in that schoolroom of sorrow where our
was out of hearing, carried out her terrible pur- earthly lessons are taught.”
pose. Every link is now in its place and the chain
The Adventure of the Creeping Man
M
The Adventure of the Creeping Man

r. Sherlock Holmes was always of “You will excuse a certain abstraction of mind,
opinion that I should publish the sin- my dear Watson,” said he. “Some curious facts
gular facts connected with Professor have been submitted to me within the last twenty-
Presbury, if only to dispel once for all four hours, and they in turn have given rise to
the ugly rumours which some twenty years ago some speculations of a more general character. I
agitated the university and were echoed in the have serious thoughts of writing a small mono-
learned societies of London. There were, however, graph upon the uses of dogs in the work of the
certain obstacles in the way, and the true history detective.”
of this curious case remained entombed in the tin “But surely, Holmes, this has been explored,”
box which contains so many records of my friend’s said I. “Bloodhounds—sleuth-hounds—”
adventures. Now we have at last obtained permis-
sion to ventilate the facts which formed one of the “No, no, Watson, that side of the matter is, of
very last cases handled by Holmes before his re- course, obvious. But there is another which is far
tirement from practice. Even now a certain reti- more subtle. You may recollect that in the case
cence and discretion have to be observed in laying which you, in your sensational way, coupled with
the matter before the public. the Copper Beeches, I was able, by watching the
mind of the child, to form a deduction as to the
It was one Sunday evening early in September criminal habits of the very smug and respectable
of the year 1903 that I received one of Holmes’s father.”
laconic messages: “Yes, I remember it well.”
Come at once if convenient—if incon- “My line of thoughts about dogs is analogous.
venient come all the same. — S. H. A dog reflects the family life. Whoever saw a frisky
dog in a gloomy family, or a sad dog in a happy
The relations between us in those latter days one? Snarling people have snarling dogs, danger-
were peculiar. He was a man of habits, narrow ous people have dangerous ones. And their pass-
and concentrated habits, and I had become one of ing moods may reflect the passing moods of oth-
them. As an institution I was like the violin, the ers.”
shag tobacco, the old black pipe, the index books,
and others perhaps less excusable. When it was I shook my head. “Surely, Holmes, this is a
a case of active work and a comrade was needed little far-fetched,” said I.
upon whose nerve he could place some reliance, He had refilled his pipe and resumed his seat,
my role was obvious. But apart from this I had taking no notice of my comment.
uses. I was a whetstone for his mind. I stimu- “The practical application of what I have said
lated him. He liked to think aloud in my presence. is very close to the problem which I am investi-
His remarks could hardly be said to be made to gating. It is a tangled skein, you understand, and
me—many of them would have been as appropri- I am looking for a loose end. One possible loose
ately addressed to his bedstead—but none the less, end lies in the question: Why does Professor Pres-
having formed the habit, it had become in some bury’s wolfhound, Roy, endeavour to bite him?”
way helpful that I should register and interject. If
I irritated him by a certain methodical slowness in I sank back in my chair in some disappoint-
my mentality, that irritation served only to make ment. Was it for so trivial a question as this that
his own flame-like intuitions and impressions flash I had been summoned from my work? Holmes
up the more vividly and swiftly. Such was my glanced across at me.
humble role in our alliance. “The same old Watson!” said he. “You never
learn that the gravest issues may depend upon the
When I arrived at Baker Street I found him smallest things. But is it not on the face of it
huddled up in his armchair with updrawn knees, strange that a staid, elderly philosopher—you’ve
his pipe in his mouth and his brow furrowed with heard of Presbury, of course, the famous Cam-
thought. It was clear that he was in the throes of ford physiologist?—that such a man, whose friend
some vexatious problem. With a wave of his hand has been his devoted wolfhound, should now have
he indicated my old armchair, but otherwise for been twice attacked by his own dog? What do you
half an hour he gave no sign that he was aware make of it?”
of my presence. Then with a start he seemed to
come from his reverie, and with his usual whim- “The dog is ill.”
sical smile he greeted me back to what had once “Well, that has to be considered. But he at-
been my home. tacks no one else, nor does he apparently molest

935
 The Adventure of the Creeping Man

his master, save on very special occasions. Curi- man but rather the passionate frenzy of youth, for
ous, Watson—very curious. But young Mr. Bennett no one could have shown himself a more devoted
is before his time if that is his ring. I had hoped to lover. The lady, Alice Morphy, was a very perfect
have a longer chat with you before he came.” girl both in mind and body, so that there was ev-
There was a quick step on the stairs, a sharp ery excuse for the professor’s infatuation. None
tap at the door, and a moment later the new client the less, it did not meet with full approval in his
presented himself. He was a tall, handsome youth own family.”
about thirty, well dressed and elegant, but with “We thought it rather excessive,” said our visi-
something in his bearing which suggested the shy- tor.
ness of the student rather than the self-possession
of the man of the world. He shook hands with “Exactly. Excessive and a little violent and un-
Holmes, and then looked with some surprise at natural. Professor Presbury was rich, however, and
me. there was no objection upon the part of the father.
The daughter, however, had other views, and there
“This matter is very delicate, Mr. Holmes,” he
were already several candidates for her hand, who,
said. “Consider the relation in which I stand to
if they were less eligible from a worldly point of
Professor Presbury both privately and publicly. I
view, were at least more of an age. The girl seemed
really can hardly justify myself if I speak before
to like the professor in spite of his eccentricities. It
any third person.”
was only age which stood in the way.
“Have no fear, Mr. Bennett. Dr. Watson is the
very soul of discretion, and I can assure you that “About this time a little mystery suddenly
this is a matter in which I am very likely to need clouded the normal routine of the professor’s life.
an assistant.” He did what he had never done before. He left
home and gave no indication where he was go-
“As you like, Mr. Holmes. You will, I am sure,
ing. He was away a fortnight and returned looking
understand my having some reserves in the mat-
rather travel-worn. He made no allusion to where
ter.”
he had been, although he was usually the frank-
“You will appreciate it, Watson, when I tell you est of men. It chanced, however, that our client
that this gentleman, Mr. Trevor Bennett, is profes- here, Mr. Bennett, received a letter from a fellow-
sional assistant to the great scientist, lives under student in Prague, who said that he was glad to
his roof, and is engaged to his only daughter. Cer- have seen Professor Presbury there, although he
tainly we must agree that the professor has every had not been able to talk to him. Only in this way
claim upon his loyalty and devotion. But it may did his own household learn where he had been.
best be shown by taking the necessary steps to
clear up this strange mystery.” “Now comes the point. From that time onward
a curious change came over the professor. He be-
“I hope so, Mr. Holmes. That is my one object.
came furtive and sly. Those around him had al-
Does Dr. Watson know the situation?”
ways the feeling that he was not the man that they
“I have not had time to explain it.” had known, but that he was under some shadow
“Then perhaps I had better go over the which had darkened his higher qualities. His in-
ground again before explaining some fresh devel- tellect was not affected. His lectures were as bril-
opments.” liant as ever. But always there was something new,
“I will do so myself,” said Holmes, “in order to something sinister and unexpected. His daughter,
show that I have the events in their due order. The who was devoted to him, tried again and again
professor, Watson, is a man of European reputa- to resume the old relations and to penetrate this
tion. His life has been academic. There has never mask which her father seemed to have put on.
been a breath of scandal. He is a widower with You, sir, as I understand, did the same—but all
one daughter, Edith. He is, I gather, a man of very was in vain. And now, Mr. Bennett, tell in your
virile and positive, one might almost say combat- own words the incident of the letters.”
ive, character. So the matter stood until a very few “You must understand, Dr. Watson, that the
months ago. professor had no secrets from me. If I were his
“Then the current of his life was broken. He is son or his younger brother I could not have more
sixty-one years of age, but he became engaged to completely enjoyed his confidence. As his secre-
the daughter of Professor Morphy, his colleague in tary I handled every paper which came to him,
the chair of comparative anatomy. It was not, as and I opened and subdivided his letters. Shortly
I understand, the reasoned courting of an elderly after his return all this was changed. He told me

936
 The Adventure of the Creeping Man

that certain letters might come to him from Lon- coming from the passage. I opened my door and
don which would be marked by a cross under the peeped out. I should explain that the professor
stamp. These were to be set aside for his own sleeps at the end of the passage—”
eyes only. I may say that several of these did “The date being—?” asked Holmes.
pass through my hands, that they had the E. C. Our visitor was clearly annoyed at so irrelevant
mark, and were in an illiterate handwriting. If an interruption.
he answered them at all the answers did not pass “I have said, sir, that it was the night before
through my hands nor into the letter-basket in last—that is, September 4th.”
which our correspondence was collected.”
Holmes nodded and smiled.
“And the box,” said Holmes. “Pray continue,” said he.
“Ah, yes, the box. The professor brought back “He sleeps at the end of the passage and
a little wooden box from his travels. It was the one would have to pass my door in order to reach
thing which suggested a Continental tour, for it the staircase. It was a really terrifying experience,
was one of those quaint carved things which one Mr. Holmes. I think that I am as strong-nerved
associates with Germany. This he placed in his as my neighbours, but I was shaken by what I
instrument cupboard. One day, in looking for a saw. The passage was dark save that one window
canula, I took up the box. To my surprise he was halfway along it threw a patch of light. I could
very angry, and reproved me in words which were see that something was coming along the passage,
quite savage for my curiosity. It was the first time something dark and crouching. Then suddenly it
such a thing had happened, and I was deeply hurt. emerged into the light, and I saw that it was he. He
I endeavoured to explain that it was a mere acci- was crawling, Mr. Holmes—crawling! He was not
dent that I had touched the box, but all the evening quite on his hands and knees. I should rather say
I was conscious that he looked at me harshly and on his hands and feet, with his face sunk between
that the incident was rankling in his mind.” Mr. his hands. Yet he seemed to move with ease. I was
Bennett drew a little diary book from his pocket. so paralyzed by the sight that it was not until he
“That was on July 2d,” said he. had reached my door that I was able to step for-
“You are certainly an admirable witness,” said ward and ask if I could assist him. His answer was
Holmes. “I may need some of these dates which extraordinary. He sprang up, spat out some atro-
you have noted.” cious word at me, and hurried on past me, and
“I learned method among other things from down the staircase. I waited about for an hour, but
my great teacher. From the time that I observed he did not come back. It must have been daylight
abnormality in his behaviour I felt that it was my before he regained his room.”
duty to study his case. Thus I have it here that it “Well, Watson, what make you of that?” asked
was on that very day, July 2d, that Roy attacked the Holmes with the air of the pathologist who
professor as he came from his study into the hall. presents a rare specimen.
Again, on July 11th, there was a scene of the same “Lumbago, possibly. I have known a severe at-
sort, and then I have a note of yet another upon tack make a man walk in just such a way, and noth-
July 20th. After that we had to banish Roy to the ing would be more trying to the temper.”
stables. He was a dear, affectionate animal—but I “Good, Watson! You always keep us flat-footed
fear I weary you.” on the ground. But we can hardly accept lumbago,
Mr. Bennett spoke in a tone of reproach, for it since he was able to stand erect in a moment.”
was very clear that Holmes was not listening. His “He was never better in health,” said Bennett.
face was rigid and his eyes gazed abstractedly at “In fact, he is stronger than I have known him for
the ceiling. With an effort he recovered himself. years. But there are the facts, Mr. Holmes. It is not
“Singular! Most singular!” he murmured. a case in which we can consult the police, and yet
“These details were new to me, Mr. Bennett. I we are utterly at our wit’s end as to what to do,
think we have now fairly gone over the old ground, and we feel in some strange way that we are drift-
have we not? But you spoke of some fresh devel- ing towards disaster. Edith—Miss Presbury—feels
opments.” as I do, that we cannot wait passively any longer.”
The pleasant, open face of our visitor clouded “It is certainly a very curious and suggestive
over, shadowed by some grim remembrance. case. What do you think, Watson?”
“What I speak of occurred the night before last,” “Speaking as a medical man,” said I, “it ap-
said he. “I was lying awake about two in the morn- pears to be a case for an alienist. The old gen-
ing, when I was aware of a dull muffled sound tleman’s cerebral processes were disturbed by the

937
 The Adventure of the Creeping Man

love affair. He made a journey abroad in the hope fixed upon the square of light, listening to the fren-
of breaking himself of the passion. His letters and zied barkings of the dog, I was amazed to see my
the box may be connected with some other private father’s face looking in at me. Mr. Holmes, I nearly
transaction—a loan, perhaps, or share certificates, died of surprise and horror. There it was pressed
which are in the box.” against the window-pane, and one hand seemed to
“And the wolfhound no doubt disapproved of be raised as if to push up the window. If that win-
the financial bargain. No, no, Watson, there is dow had opened, I think I should have gone mad.
more in it than this. Now, I can only suggest—” It was no delusion, Mr. Holmes. Don’t deceive
yourself by thinking so. I dare say it was twenty
What Sherlock Holmes was about to suggest seconds or so that I lay paralyzed and watched the
will never be known, for at this moment the door face. Then it vanished, but I could not—I could
opened and a young lady was shown into the not spring out of bed and look out after it. I lay
room. As she appeared Mr. Bennett sprang up cold and shivering till morning. At breakfast he
with a cry and ran forward with his hands out to was sharp and fierce in manner, and made no al-
meet those which she had herself outstretched. lusion to the adventure of the night. Neither did
“Edith, dear! Nothing the matter, I hope?” I, but I gave an excuse for coming to town—and
here I am.”
“I felt I must follow you. Oh, Jack, I have been
so dreadfully frightened! It is awful to be there Holmes looked thoroughly surprised at Miss
alone.” Presbury’s narrative.
“Mr. Holmes, this is the young lady I spoke of. “My dear young lady, you say that your room
This is my fiancee.” is on the second floor. Is there a long ladder in the
garden?”
“We were gradually coming to that conclusion,
“No, Mr. Holmes, that is the amazing part of
were we not, Watson?” Holmes answered with
it. There is no possible way of reaching the win-
a smile. “I take it, Miss Presbury, that there is
dow—and yet he was there.”
some fresh development in the case, and that you
thought we should know?” “The date being September 5th,” said Holmes.
“That certainly complicates matters.”
Our new visitor, a bright, handsome girl of a
conventional English type, smiled back at Holmes It was the young lady’s turn to look surprised.
as she seated herself beside Mr. Bennett. “This is the second time that you have alluded to
the date, Mr. Holmes,” said Bennett. “Is it possible
“When I found Mr. Bennett had left his hotel that it has any bearing upon the case?”
I thought I should probably find him here. Of
“It is possible—very possible—and yet I have
course, he had told me that he would consult you.
not my full material at present.”
But, oh, Mr. Holmes, can you do nothing for my
poor father?” “Possibly you are thinking of the connection
between insanity and phases of the moon?”
“I have hopes, Miss Presbury, but the case is
still obscure. Perhaps what you have to say may “No, I assure you. It was quite a different
throw some fresh light upon it.” line of thought. Possibly you can leave your note-
book with me, and I will check the dates. Now I
“It was last night, Mr. Holmes. He had been think, Watson, that our line of action is perfectly
very strange all day. I am sure that there are times clear. This young lady has informed us—and I
when he has no recollection of what he does. He have the greatest confidence in her intuition—that
lives as in a strange dream. Yesterday was such a her father remembers little or nothing which oc-
day. It was not my father with whom I lived. His curs upon certain dates. We will therefore call
outward shell was there, but it was not really he.” upon him as if he had given us an appointment
“Tell me what happened.” upon such a date. He will put it down to his own
lack of memory. Thus we will open our campaign
“I was awakened in the night by the dog bark-
by having a good close view of him.”
ing most furiously. Poor Roy, he is chained now
near the stable. I may say that I always sleep with “That is excellent,” said Mr. Bennett. “I warn
my door locked; for, as Jack—as Mr. Bennett—will you, however, that the professor is irascible and
tell you, we all have a feeling of impending danger. violent at times.”
My room is on the second floor. It happened that Holmes smiled. “There are reasons why we
the blind was up in my window, and there was should come at once—very cogent reasons if my
bright moonlight outside. As I lay with my eyes theories hold good. To-morrow, Mr. Bennett, will

938
 The Adventure of the Creeping Man

certainly see us in Camford. There is, if I remem- “To me, sir!”

ber right, an inn called the Chequers where the “Possibly there is some mistake. I heard
port used to be above mediocrity and the linen was through a second person that Professor Presbury
above reproach. I think, Watson, that our lot for of Camford had need of my services.”
the next few days might lie in less pleasant places.” “Oh, indeed!” It seemed to me that there was
Monday morning found us on our way to the a malicious sparkle in the intense gray eyes. “You
famous university town—an easy effort on the part heard that, did you? May I ask the name of your
of Holmes, who had no roots to pull up, but one informant?”
which involved frantic planning and hurrying on “I am sorry, Professor, but the matter was
my part, as my practice was by this time not incon- rather confidential. If I have made a mistake there
siderable. Holmes made no allusion to the case is no harm done. I can only express my regret.”
until after we had deposited our suitcases at the “Not at all. I should wish to go further into
ancient hostel of which he had spoken. this matter. It interests me. Have you any scrap
“I think, Watson, that we can catch the profes- of writing, any letter or telegram, to bear out your
sor just before lunch. He lectures at eleven and assertion?”
should have an interval at home.” “No, I have not.”
“What possible excuse have we for calling?” “I presume that you do not go so far as to assert
Holmes glanced at his notebook. that I summoned you?”
“There was a period of excitement upon Au- “I would rather answer no questions,” said
gust 26th. We will assume that he is a little hazy Holmes.
as to what he does at such times. If we insist that “No, I dare say not,” said the professor with
we are there by appointment I think he will hardly asperity. “However, that particular one can be an-
venture to contradict us. Have you the effrontery swered very easily without your aid.”
necessary to put it through?” He walked across the room to the bell. Our
“We can but try.” London friend, Mr. Bennett, answered the call.
“Excellent, Watson! Compound of the Busy Bee “Come in, Mr. Bennett. These two gentlemen
and Excelsior. We can but try—the motto of the have come from London under the impression that
firm. A friendly native will surely guide us.” they have been summoned. You handle all my cor-
Such a one on the back of a smart hansom respondence. Have you a note of anything going
swept us past a row of ancient colleges and, finally to a person named Holmes?”
turning into a tree-lined drive, pulled up at the “No, sir,” Bennett answered with a flush.
door of a charming house, girt round with lawns “That is conclusive,” said the professor, glaring
and covered with purple wisteria. Professor Pres- angrily at my companion. “Now, sir”—he leaned
bury was certainly surrounded with every sign not forward with his two hands upon the table—“it
only of comfort but of luxury. Even as we pulled seems to me that your position is a very question-
up, a grizzled head appeared at the front window, able one.”
and we were aware of a pair of keen eyes from Holmes shrugged his shoulders.
under shaggy brows which surveyed us through “I can only repeat that I am sorry that we have
large horn glasses. A moment later we were actu- made a needless intrusion.”
ally in his sanctum, and the mysterious scientist,
“Hardly enough, Mr. Holmes!” the old man
whose vagaries had brought us from London, was
cried in a high screaming voice, with extraordinary
standing before us. There was certainly no sign
malignancy upon his face. He got between us and
of eccentricity either in his manner or appearance,
the door as he spoke, and he shook his two hands
for he was a portly, large-featured man, grave,
at us with furious passion. “You can hardly get
tall, and frock-coated, with the dignity of bearing
out of it so easily as that.” His face was convulsed,
which a lecturer needs. His eyes were his most
and he grinned and gibbered at us in his senseless
remarkable feature, keen, observant, and clever to
rage. I am convinced that we should have had to
the verge of cunning.
fight our way out of the room if Mr. Bennett had
He looked at our cards. “Pray sit down, gentle- not intervened.
men. What can I do for you?”
“My dear Professor,” he cried, “consider your
Mr. Holmes smiled amiably. position! Consider the scandal at the university!
“It was the question which I was about to put Mr. Holmes is a well-known man. You cannot pos-
to you, Professor.” sibly treat him with such discourtesy.”

939
 The Adventure of the Creeping Man

Sulkily our host—if I may call him so—cleared “Then what on earth are we to do?”
the path to the door. We were glad to find our- “A little patience, Mr. Bennett. Things will
selves outside the house and in the quiet of the soon develop. Unless I am mistaken, next Tues-
tree-lined drive. Holmes seemed greatly amused day may mark a crisis. Certainly we shall be in
by the episode. Camford on that day. Meanwhile, the general po-
“Our learned friend’s nerves are somewhat out sition is undeniably unpleasant, and if Miss Pres-
of order,” said he. “Perhaps our intrusion was a bury can prolong her visit—”
little crude, and yet we have gained that personal “That is easy.”
contact which I desired. But, dear me, Watson, he
is surely at our heels. The villain still pursues us.” “Then let her stay till we can assure her that all
danger is past. Meanwhile, let him have his way
There were the sounds of running feet behind, and do not cross him. So long as he is in a good
but it was, to my relief, not the formidable pro- humour all is well.”
fessor but his assistant who appeared round the
curve of the drive. He came panting up to us. “There he is!” said Bennett in a startled whis-
per. Looking between the branches we saw the
“I am so sorry, Mr. Holmes. I wished to apolo- tall, erect figure emerge from the hall door and
gize.” look around him. He stood leaning forward, his
“My dear sir, there is no need. It is all in the hands swinging straight before him, his head turn-
way of professional experience.” ing from side to side. The secretary with a last
“I have never seen him in a more dangerous wave slipped off among the trees, and we saw him
mood. But he grows more sinister. You can under- presently rejoin his employer, the two entering the
stand now why his daughter and I are alarmed. house together in what seemed to be animated and
And yet his mind is perfectly clear.” even excited conversation.
“Too clear!” said Holmes. “That was my mis- “I expect the old gentleman has been putting
calculation. It is evident that his memory is much two and two together,” said Holmes as we walked
more reliable than I had thought. By the way, can hotelward. “He struck me as having a particularly
we, before we go, see the window of Miss Pres- clear and logical brain from the little I saw of him.
bury’s room?” Explosive, no doubt, but then from his point of
Mr. Bennett pushed his way through some view he has something to explode about if detec-
shrubs, and we had a view of the side of the house. tives are put on his track and he suspects his own
household of doing it. I rather fancy that friend
“It is there. The second on the left.” Bennett is in for an uncomfortable time.”
“Dear me, it seems hardly accessible. And yet
Holmes stopped at a post-office and sent off a
you will observe that there is a creeper below and
telegram on our way. The answer reached us in
a water-pipe above which give some foothold.”
the evening, and he tossed it across to me.
“I could not climb it myself,” said Mr. Bennett.
Have visited the Commercial Road and
“Very likely. It would certainly be a dangerous seen Dorak. Suave person, Bohemian,
exploit for any normal man.” elderly. Keeps large general store.
“There was one other thing I wish to tell you, — Mercer.
Mr. Holmes. I have the address of the man in “Mercer is since your time,” said Holmes. “He
London to whom the professor writes. He seems is my general utility man who looks up routine
to have written this morning, and I got it from business. It was important to know something of
his blotting-paper. It is an ignoble position for a the man with whom our professor was so secretly
trusted secretary, but what else can I do?” corresponding. His nationality connects up with
Holmes glanced at the paper and put it into his the Prague visit.”
pocket. “Thank goodness that something connects with
“Dorak—a curious name. Slavonic, I imagine. something,” said I. “At present we seem to be
Well, it is an important link in the chain. We return faced by a long series of inexplicable incidents
to London this afternoon, Mr. Bennett. I see no with no bearing upon each other. For example,
good purpose to be served by our remaining. We what possible connection can there be between an
cannot arrest the professor because he has done no angry wolfhound and a visit to Bohemia, or either
crime, nor can we place him under constraint, for of them with a man crawling down a passage at
he cannot be proved to be mad. No action is as yet night? As to your dates, that is the biggest mysti-
possible.” fication of all.”

940
 The Adventure of the Creeping Man

Holmes smiled and rubbed his hands. We I saw nothing of my friend for the next few
were, I may say, seated in the old sitting-room of days, but on the following Monday evening I had
the ancient hotel, with a bottle of the famous vin- a short note asking me to meet him next day at
tage of which Holmes had spoken on the table be- the train. From what he told me as we travelled
tween us. up to Camford all was well, the peace of the pro-
fessor’s house had been unruffled, and his own
“Well, now, let us take the dates first,” said
conduct perfectly normal. This also was the report
he, his finger-tips together and his manner as if
which was given us by Mr. Bennett himself when
he were addressing a class. “This excellent young
he called upon us that evening at our old quarters
man’s diary shows that there was trouble upon
in the Chequers. “He heard from his London cor-
July 2d, and from then onward it seems to have
respondent to-day. There was a letter and there
been at nine-day intervals, with, so far as I remem-
was a small packet, each with the cross under the
ber, only one exception. Thus the last outbreak
stamp which warned me not to touch them. There
upon Friday was on September 3d, which also falls
has been nothing else.”
into the series, as did August 26th, which preceded
it. The thing is beyond coincidence.” “That may prove quite enough,” said Holmes
grimly. “Now, Mr. Bennett, we shall, I think, come
I was forced to agree. to some conclusion to-night. If my deductions are
“Let us, then, form the provisional theory that correct we should have an opportunity of bringing
every nine days the professor takes some strong matters to a head. In order to do so it is necessary
drug which has a passing but highly poisonous to hold the professor under observation. I would
effect. His naturally violent nature is intensified suggest, therefore, that you remain awake and on
by it. He learned to take this drug while he was in the lookout. Should you hear him pass your door,
Prague, and is now supplied with it by a Bohemian do not interrupt him, but follow him as discreetly
intermediary in London. This all hangs together, as you can. Dr. Watson and I will not be far off. By
Watson!” the way, where is the key of that little box of which
you spoke?”
“But the dog, the face at the window, the creep-
“Upon his watch-chain.”
ing man in the passage?”
“I fancy our researches must lie in that direc-
“Well, well, we have made a beginning. I tion. At the worst the lock should not be very
should not expect any fresh developments until formidable. Have you any other able-bodied man
next Tuesday. In the meantime we can only keep in on the premises?”
touch with friend Bennett and enjoy the amenities
of this charming town.” “There is the coachman, Macphail.”
“Where does he sleep?”
In the morning Mr. Bennett slipped round to
bring us the latest report. As Holmes had imag- “Over the stables.”
ined, times had not been easy with him. With- “We might possibly want him. Well, we can do
out exactly accusing him of being responsible for no more until we see how things develop. Good-
our presence, the professor had been very rough bye—but I expect that we shall see you before
and rude in his speech, and evidently felt some morning.”
strong grievance. This morning he was quite him- It was nearly midnight before we took our sta-
self again, however, and had delivered his usual tion among some bushes immediately opposite the
brilliant lecture to a crowded class. “Apart from hall door of the professor. It was a fine night, but
his queer fits,” said Bennett, “he has actually more chilly, and we were glad of our warm overcoats.
energy and vitality than I can ever remember, nor There was a breeze, and clouds were scudding
was his brain ever clearer. But it’s not he—it’s across the sky, obscuring from time to time the
never the man whom we have known.” half-moon. It would have been a dismal vigil were
“I don’t think you have anything to fear now it not for the expectation and excitement which
for a week at least,” Holmes answered. “I am a carried us along, and the assurance of my com-
busy man, and Dr. Watson has his patients to at- rade that we had probably reached the end of the
tend to. Let us agree that we meet here at this hour strange sequence of events which had engaged our
next Tuesday, and I shall be surprised if before we attention.
leave you again we are not able to explain, even if “If the cycle of nine days holds good then we
we cannot perhaps put an end to, your troubles. shall have the professor at his worst to-night,” said
Meanwhile, keep us posted in what occurs.” Holmes. “The fact that these strange symptoms

941
 The Adventure of the Creeping Man

began after his visit to Prague, that he is in se- his dressing-gown flapping on each side of him, he
cret correspondence with a Bohemian dealer in looked like some huge bat glued against the side
London, who presumably represents someone in of his own house, a great square dark patch upon
Prague, and that he received a packet from him the moonlit wall. Presently he tired of this amuse-
this very day, all point in one direction. What he ment, and, dropping from branch to branch, he
takes and why he takes it are still beyond our ken, squatted down into the old attitude and moved
but that it emanates in some way from Prague is towards the stables, creeping along in the same
clear enough. He takes it under definite directions strange way as before. The wolfhound was out
which regulate this ninth-day system, which was now, barking furiously, and more excited than ever
the first point which attracted my attention. But when it actually caught sight of its master. It was
his symptoms are most remarkable. Did you ob- straining on its chain and quivering with eagerness
serve his knuckles?” and rage. The professor squatted down very delib-
I had to confess that I did not. erately just out of reach of the hound and began to
provoke it in every possible way. He took hand-
“Thick and horny in a way which is quite new fuls of pebbles from the drive and threw them in
in my experience. Always look at the hands first, the dog’s face, prodded him with a stick which he
Watson. Then cuffs, trouser-knees, and boots. Very had picked up, flicked his hands about only a few
curious knuckles which can only be explained by inches from the gaping mouth, and endeavoured
the mode of progression observed by—” Holmes in every way to increase the animal’s fury, which
paused and suddenly clapped his hand to his fore- was already beyond all control. In all our adven-
head. “Oh, Watson, Watson, what a fool I have tures I do not know that I have ever seen a more
been! It seems incredible, and yet it must be true. strange sight than this impassive and still dignified
All points in one direction. How could I miss see- figure crouching frog-like upon the ground and
ing the connection of ideas? Those knuckles—how goading to a wilder exhibition of passion the mad-
could I have passed those knuckles? And the dog! dened hound, which ramped and raged in front
And the ivy! It’s surely time that I disappeared of him, by all manner of ingenious and calculated
into that little farm of my dreams. Look out, Wat- cruelty.
son! Here he is! We shall have the chance of seeing
for ourselves.” And then in a moment it happened! It was
The hall door had slowly opened, and against not the chain that broke, but it was the collar
the lamplit background we saw the tall figure of that slipped, for it had been made for a thick-
Professor Presbury. He was clad in his dressing- necked Newfoundland. We heard the rattle of
gown. As he stood outlined in the doorway he was falling metal, and the next instant dog and man
erect but leaning forward with dangling arms, as were rolling on the ground together, the one roar-
when we saw him last. ing in rage, the other screaming in a strange shrill
falsetto of terror. It was a very narrow thing for
Now he stepped forward into the drive, and
the professor’s life. The savage creature had him
an extraordinary change came over him. He sank
fairly by the throat, its fangs had bitten deep, and
down into a crouching position and moved along
he was senseless before we could reach them and
upon his hands and feet, skipping every now and
drag the two apart. It might have been a danger-
then as if he were overflowing with energy and vi-
ous task for us, but Bennett’s voice and presence
tality. He moved along the face of the house and
brought the great wolfhound instantly to reason.
then round the corner. As he disappeared Bennett
The uproar had brought the sleepy and astonished
slipped through the hall door and softly followed
coachman from his room above the stables. “I’m
him.
not surprised,” said he, shaking his head. “I’ve
“Come, Watson, come!” cried Holmes, and we seen him at it before. I knew the dog would get
stole as softly as we could through the bushes un- him sooner or later.”
til we had gained a spot whence we could see
the other side of the house, which was bathed The hound was secured, and together we car-
in the light of the half-moon. The professor was ried the professor up to his room, where Bennett,
clearly visible crouching at the foot of the ivy- who had a medical degree, helped me to dress his
covered wall. As we watched him he suddenly torn throat. The sharp teeth had passed danger-
began with incredible agility to ascend it. From ously near the carotid artery, and the haemorrhage
branch to branch he sprang, sure of foot and firm was serious. In half an hour the danger was past, I
of grasp, climbing apparently in mere joy at his had given the patient an injection of morphia, and
own powers, with no definite object in view. With he had sunk into deep sleep. Then, and only then,

942
were we able to look at each other and to take stock Weekly reports will oblige.
of the situation. Yours with high esteem,
“I think a first-class surgeon should see him,” H. Lowenstein.
said I.
Lowenstein! The name brought back to me
“For God’s sake, no!” cried Bennett. “At the memory of some snippet from a newspaper
present the scandal is confined to our own house- which spoke of an obscure scientist who was striv-
hold. It is safe with us. If it gets beyond these walls ing in some unknown way for the secret of reju-
it will never stop. Consider his position at the uni- venescence and the elixir of life. Lowenstein of
versity, his European reputation, the feelings of his Prague! Lowenstein with the wondrous strength-
daughter.” giving serum, tabooed by the profession because
“Quite so,” said Holmes. “I think it may be he refused to reveal its source. In a few words
quite possible to keep the matter to ourselves, and I said what I remembered. Bennett had taken a
also to prevent its recurrence now that we have a manual of zoology from the shelves. “ ‘Langur,’ ”
free hand. The key from the watch-chain, Mr. Ben- he read, “ ‘the great black-faced monkey of the Hi-
nett. Macphail will guard the patient and let us malayan slopes, biggest and most human of climb-
know if there is any change. Let us see what we ing monkeys.’ Many details are added. Well,
can find in the professor’s mysterious box.” thanks to you, Mr. Holmes, it is very clear that we
There was not much, but there was have traced the evil to its source.”
enough—an empty phial, another nearly full, a “The real source,” said Holmes, “lies, of course,
hypodermic syringe, several letters in a crabbed, in that untimely love affair which gave our im-
foreign hand. The marks on the envelopes showed petuous professor the idea that he could only gain
that they were those which had disturbed the rou- his wish by turning himself into a younger man.
tine of the secretary, and each was dated from the When one tries to rise above Nature one is liable
Commercial Road and signed “A. Dorak.” They to fall below it. The highest type of man may re-
were mere invoices to say that a fresh bottle was vert to the animal if he leaves the straight road of
being sent to Professor Presbury, or receipt to ac- destiny.” He sat musing for a little with the phial
knowledge money. There was one other envelope, in his hand, looking at the clear liquid within.
however, in a more educated hand and bearing “When I have written to this man and told him
the Austrian stamp with the postmark of Prague. that I hold him criminally responsible for the poi-
“Here we have our material!” cried Holmes as he sons which he circulates, we will have no more
tore out the enclosure. trouble. But it may recur. Others may find a bet-
ter way. There is danger there—a very real danger
Honoured Colleague [it ran]: to humanity. Consider, Watson, that the material,
Since your esteemed visit I have the sensual, the worldly would all prolong their
thought much of your case, and though worthless lives. The spiritual would not avoid the
in your circumstances there are some call to something higher. It would be the survival
special reasons for the treatment, I of the least fit. What sort of cesspool may not our
would none the less enjoin caution, as poor world become?” Suddenly the dreamer dis-
my results have shown that it is not appeared, and Holmes, the man of action, sprang
without danger of a kind. from his chair. “I think there is nothing more to be
It is possible that the serum of anthro- said, Mr. Bennett. The various incidents will now
poid would have been better. I have, fit themselves easily into the general scheme. The
as I explained to you, used black-faced dog, of course, was aware of the change far more
langur because a specimen was accessi- quickly than you. His smell would insure that. It
ble. Langur is, of course, a crawler and was the monkey, not the professor, whom Roy at-
climber, while anthropoid walks erect tacked, just as it was the monkey who teased Roy.
and is in all ways nearer. Climbing was a joy to the creature, and it was a
I beg you to take every possible pre- mere chance, I take it, that the pastime brought
caution that there be no premature rev- him to the young lady’s window. There is an early
elation of the process. I have one other train to town, Watson, but I think we shall just have
client in England, and Dorak is my time for a cup of tea at the Chequers before we
agent for both. catch it.”
The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane
I
The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane

t is a most singular thing that a prob- before breakfast to enjoy the exquisite air. I walked
lem which was certainly as abstruse and along the cliff path which led to the steep descent
unusual as any which I have faced in to the beach. As I walked I heard a shout behind
my long professional career should have me, and there was Harold Stackhurst waving his
come to me after my retirement, and be brought, hand in cheery greeting.
as it were, to my very door. It occurred after my
“What a morning, Mr. Holmes! I thought I
withdrawal to my little Sussex home, when I had
should see you out.”
given myself up entirely to that soothing life of Na-
ture for which I had so often yearned during the “Going for a swim, I see.”
long years spent amid the gloom of London. At “At your old tricks again,” he laughed, patting
this period of my life the good Watson had passed his bulging pocket. “Yes. McPherson started early,
almost beyond my ken. An occasional week-end and I expect I may find him there.”
visit was the most that I ever saw of him. Thus I
must act as my own chronicler. Ah! had he but Fitzroy McPherson was the science master,
been with me, how much he might have made of a fine upstanding young fellow whose life had
so wonderful a happening and of my eventual tri- been crippled by heart trouble following rheumatic
umph against every difficulty! As it is, however, fever. He was a natural athlete, however, and ex-
I must needs tell my tale in my own plain way, celled in every game which did not throw too great
showing by my words each step upon the diffi- a strain upon him. Summer and winter he went for
cult road which lay before me as I searched for the his swim, and, as I am a swimmer myself, I have
mystery of the Lion’s Mane. often joined him.

My villa is situated upon the southern slope of At this moment we saw the man himself. His
the downs, commanding a great view of the Chan- head showed above the edge of the cliff where the
nel. At this point the coast-line is entirely of chalk path ends. Then his whole figure appeared at the
cliffs, which can only be descended by a single, top, staggering like a drunken man. The next in-
long, tortuous path, which is steep and slippery. stant he threw up his hands and, with a terrible
At the bottom of the path lie a hundred yards of cry, fell upon his face. Stackhurst and I rushed for-
pebbles and shingle, even when the tide is at full. ward—it may have been fifty yards—and turned
Here and there, however, there are curves and hol- him on his back. He was obviously dying. Those
lows which make splendid swimming-pools filled glazed sunken eyes and dreadful livid cheeks
afresh with each flow. This admirable beach ex- could mean nothing else. One glimmer of life
tends for some miles in each direction, save only came into his face for an instant, and he uttered
at one point where the little cove and village of two or three words with an eager air of warning.
Fulworth break the line. They were slurred and indistinct, but to my ear the
last of them, which burst in a shriek from his lips,
My house is lonely. I, my old housekeeper, were “the Lion’s Mane.” It was utterly irrelevant
and my bees have the estate all to ourselves. Half and unintelligible, and yet I could twist the sound
a mile off, however, is Harold Stackhurst’s well- into no other sense. Then he half raised himself
known coaching establishment, The Gables, quite from the ground, threw his arms into the air, and
a large place, which contains some score of young fell forward on his side. He was dead.
fellows preparing for various professions, with a
My companion was paralyzed by the sudden
staff of several masters. Stackhurst himself was
horror of it, but I, as may well be imagined, had
a well-known rowing Blue in his day, and an ex-
every sense on the alert. And I had need, for it
cellent all-round scholar. He and I were always
was speedily evident that we were in the presence
friendly from the day I came to the coast, and he
of an extraordinary case. The man was dressed
was the one man who was on such terms with me
only in his Burberry overcoat, his trousers, and an
that we could drop in on each other in the evenings
unlaced pair of canvas shoes. As he fell over, his
without an invitation.
Burberry, which had been simply thrown round
Towards the end of July, 1907, there was a se- his shoulders, slipped off, exposing his trunk. We
vere gale, the wind blowing up-channel, heaping stared at it in amazement. His back was cov-
the seas to the base of the cliffs and leaving a la- ered with dark red lines as though he had been
goon at the turn of the tide. On the morning of terribly flogged by a thin wire scourge. The in-
which I speak the wind had abated, and all Nature strument with which this punishment had been
was newly washed and fresh. It was impossible to inflicted was clearly flexible, for the long, angry
work upon so delightful a day, and I strolled out weals curved round his shoulders and ribs. There

947
 The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane

was blood dripping down his chin, for he had bit- poor McPherson had fallen as he ascended. There
ten through his lower lip in the paroxysm of his were rounded depressions, too, which suggested
agony. His drawn and distorted face told how ter- that he had come down upon his knees more than
rible that agony had been. once. At the bottom of the path was the consider-
I was kneeling and Stackhurst standing by the able lagoon left by the retreating tide. At the side
body when a shadow fell across us, and we found of it McPherson had undressed, for there lay his
that Ian Murdoch was by our side. Murdoch was towel on a rock. It was folded and dry, so that it
the mathematical coach at the establishment, a tall, would seem that, after all, he had never entered
dark, thin man, so taciturn and aloof that none can the water. Once or twice as I hunted round amid
be said to have been his friend. He seemed to live the hard shingle I came on little patches of sand
in some high, abstract region of surds and conic where the print of his canvas shoe, and also of his
sections, with little to connect him with ordinary naked foot, could be seen. The latter fact proved
life. He was looked upon as an oddity by the stu- that he had made all ready to bathe, though the
dents, and would have been their butt, but there towel indicated that he had not actually done so.
was some strange outlandish blood in the man, And here was the problem clearly defined—as
which showed itself not only in his coal-black eyes strange a one as had ever confronted me. The
and swarthy face but also in occasional outbreaks man had not been on the beach more than a quar-
of temper, which could only be described as fero- ter of an hour at the most. Stackhurst had fol-
cious. On one occasion, being plagued by a little lowed him from The Gables, so there could be no
dog belonging to McPherson, he had caught the doubt about that. He had gone to bathe and had
creature up and hurled it through the plate-glass stripped, as the naked footsteps showed. Then he
window, an action for which Stackhurst would cer- had suddenly huddled on his clothes again—they
tainly have given him his dismissal had he not were all dishevelled and unfastened—and he had
been a very valuable teacher. Such was the strange returned without bathing, or at any rate without
complex man who now appeared beside us. He drying himself. And the reason for his change
seemed to be honestly shocked at the sight before of purpose had been that he had been scourged
him, though the incident of the dog may show that in some savage, inhuman fashion, tortured until
there was no great sympathy between the dead he bit his lip through in his agony, and was left
man and himself. with only strength enough to crawl away and to
“Poor fellow! Poor fellow! What can I do? die. Who had done this barbarous deed? There
How can I help?” were, it is true, small grottos and caves in the base
“Were you with him? Can you tell us what has of the cliffs, but the low sun shone directly into
happened?” them, and there was no place for concealment.
Then, again, there were those distant figures on
“No, no, I was late this morning. I was not on
the beach. They seemed too far away to have been
the beach at all. I have come straight from The
connected with the crime, and the broad lagoon
Gables. What can I do?”
in which McPherson had intended to bathe lay be-
“You can hurry to the police-station at Ful- tween him and them, lapping up to the rocks. On
worth. Report the matter at once.” the sea two or three fishing-boats were at no great
Without a word he made off at top speed, and I distance. Their occupants might be examined at
proceeded to take the matter in hand, while Stack- our leisure. There were several roads for inquiry,
hurst, dazed at this tragedy, remained by the body. but none which led to any very obvious goal.
My first task naturally was to note who was on the
When I at last returned to the body I found
beach. From the top of the path I could see the
that a little group of wondering folk had gathered
whole sweep of it, and it was absolutely deserted
round it. Stackhurst was, of course, still there, and
save that two or three dark figures could be seen
Ian Murdoch had just arrived with Anderson, the
far away moving towards the village of Fulworth.
village constable, a big, ginger-moustached man of
Having satisfied myself upon this point, I walked
the slow, solid Sussex breed—a breed which cov-
slowly down the path. There was clay or soft marl
ers much good sense under a heavy, silent exterior.
mixed with the chalk, and every here and there
He listened to everything, took note of all we said,
I saw the same footstep, both ascending and de-
and finally drew me aside.
scending. No one else had gone down to the beach
by this track that morning. At one place I ob- “I’d be glad of your advice, Mr. Holmes. This
served the print of an open hand with the fingers is a big thing for me to handle, and I’ll hear of it
towards the incline. This could only mean that from Lewes if I go wrong.”

948
 The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane

I advised him to send for his immediate su- “So I understand. I seem to remember your
perior, and for a doctor; also to allow nothing to telling me once about a quarrel over the ill-usage
be moved, and as few fresh footmarks as possi- of a dog.”
ble to be made, until they came. In the meantime “That blew over all right.”
I searched the dead man’s pockets. There were “But left some vindictive feeling, perhaps.”
his handkerchief, a large knife, and a small fold-
“No, no, I am sure they were real friends.”
ing card-case. From this projected a slip of pa-
per, which I unfolded and handed to the constable. “Well, then, we must explore the matter of the
There was written on it in a scrawling, feminine girl. Do you know her?”
hand: “Everyone knows her. She is the beauty of
the neighbourhood—a real beauty, Holmes, who
I will be there, you may be sure. would draw attention everywhere. I knew that
Maudie. McPherson was attracted by her, but I had no no-
tion that it had gone so far as these letters would
It read like a love affair, an assignation, though seem to indicate.”
when and where were a blank. The constable re- “But who is she?”
placed it in the card-case and returned it with the
“She is the daughter of old Tom Bellamy, who
other things to the pockets of the Burberry. Then,
owns all the boats and bathing-cots at Fulworth.
as nothing more suggested itself, I walked back
He was a fisherman to start with, but is now a
to my house for breakfast, having first arranged
man of some substance. He and his son William
that the base of the cliffs should be thoroughly
run the business.”
searched.
“Shall we walk into Fulworth and see them?”
Stackhurst was round in an hour or two to tell
“On what pretext?”
me that the body had been removed to The Gables,
where the inquest would be held. He brought “Oh, we can easily find a pretext. After all,
with him some serious and definite news. As I ex- this poor man did not ill-use himself in this outra-
pected, nothing had been found in the small caves geous way. Some human hand was on the handle
below the cliff, but he had examined the papers in of that scourge, if indeed it was a scourge which
McPherson’s desk, and there were several which inflicted the injuries. His circle of acquaintances in
showed an intimate correspondence with a certain this lonely place was surely limited. Let us follow
Miss Maud Bellamy, of Fulworth. We had then es- it up in every direction and we can hardly fail to
tablished the identity of the writer of the note. come upon the motive, which in turn should lead
us to the criminal.”
“The police have the letters,” he explained. “I
It would have been a pleasant walk across the
could not bring them. But there is no doubt that it
thyme-scented downs had our minds not been poi-
was a serious love affair. I see no reason, however,
soned by the tragedy we had witnessed. The vil-
to connect it with that horrible happening save, in-
lage of Fulworth lies in a hollow curving in a semi-
deed, that the lady had made an appointment with
circle round the bay. Behind the old-fashioned
him.”
hamlet several modern houses have been built
“But hardly at a bathing-pool which all of you upon the rising ground. It was to one of these that
were in the habit of using,” I remarked. Stackhurst guided me.
“It is mere chance,” said he, “that several of the “That’s The Haven, as Bellamy called it. The
students were not with McPherson.” one with the corner tower and slate roof. Not bad
“Was it mere chance?” for a man who started with nothing but— By Jove,
look at that!”
Stackhurst knit his brows in thought.
The garden gate of The Haven had opened and
“Ian Murdoch held them back,” said he. “He a man had emerged. There was no mistaking that
would insist upon some algebraic demonstration tall, angular, straggling figure. It was Ian Mur-
before breakfast. Poor chap, he is dreadfully cut doch, the mathematician. A moment later we con-
up about it all.” fronted him upon the road.
“And yet I gather that they were not friends.” “Hullo!” said Stackhurst. The man nodded,
“At one time they were not. But for a year or gave us a sideways glance from his curious dark
more Murdoch has been as near to McPherson as eyes, and would have passed us, but his principal
he ever could be to anyone. He is not of a very pulled him up.
sympathetic disposition by nature.” “What were you doing there?” he asked.

949
 The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane

Murdoch’s face flushed with anger. “I am your downlands in her delicate colouring, without real-
subordinate, sir, under your roof. I am not aware izing that no young man would cross her path un-
that I owe you any account of my private actions.” scathed. Such was the girl who had pushed open
the door and stood now, wide-eyed and intense, in
Stackhurst’s nerves were near the surface after
front of Harold Stackhurst.
all he had endured. Otherwise, perhaps, he would
have waited. Now he lost his temper completely. “I know already that Fitzroy is dead,” she said.
“Do not be afraid to tell me the particulars.”
“In the circumstances your answer is pure im-
pertinence, Mr. Murdoch.” “This other gentleman of yours let us know the
news,” explained the father.
“Your own question might perhaps come un-
“There is no reason why my sister should be
der the same heading.”
brought into the matter,” growled the younger
“This is not the first time that I have had to man.
overlook your insubordinate ways. It will certainly The sister turned a sharp, fierce look upon him.
be the last. You will kindly make fresh arrange- “This is my business, William. Kindly leave me to
ments for your future as speedily as you can.” manage it in my own way. By all accounts there
“I had intended to do so. I have lost to-day the has been a crime committed. If I can help to show
only person who made The Gables habitable.” who did it, it is the least I can do for him who is
gone.”
He strode off upon his way, while Stackhurst,
with angry eyes, stood glaring after him. “Is he She listened to a short account from my com-
not an impossible, intolerable man?” he cried. panion, with a composed concentration which
showed me that she possessed strong character as
The one thing that impressed itself forcibly well as great beauty. Maud Bellamy will always
upon my mind was that Mr. Ian Murdoch was remain in my memory as a most complete and re-
taking the first chance to open a path of escape markable woman. It seems that she already knew
from the scene of the crime. Suspicion, vague and me by sight, for she turned to me at the end.
nebulous, was now beginning to take outline in
“Bring them to justice, Mr. Holmes. You have
my mind. Perhaps the visit to the Bellamys might
my sympathy and my help, whoever they may
throw some further light upon the matter. Stack-
be.” It seemed to me that she glanced defiantly at
hurst pulled himself together, and we went for-
her father and brother as she spoke.
ward to the house.
“Thank you,” said I. “I value a woman’s in-
Mr. Bellamy proved to be a middle-aged man stinct in such matters. You use the word ‘they.’
with a flaming red beard. He seemed to be in a You think that more than one was concerned?”
very angry mood, and his face was soon as florid
“I knew Mr. McPherson well enough to be
as his hair.
aware that he was a brave and a strong man. No
“No, sir, I do not desire any particulars. My single person could ever have inflicted such an out-
son here”—indicating a powerful young man, with rage upon him.”
a heavy, sullen face, in the corner of the sitting- “Might I have one word with you alone?”
room—“is of one mind with me that Mr. McPher-
son’s attentions to Maud were insulting. Yes, sir, “I tell you, Maud, not to mix yourself up in the
the word ‘marriage’ was never mentioned, and yet matter,” cried her father angrily.
there were letters and meetings, and a great deal She looked at me helplessly. “What can I do?”
more of which neither of us could approve. She “The whole world will know the facts
has no mother, and we are her only guardians. We presently, so there can be no harm if I discuss them
are determined—” here,” said I. “I should have preferred privacy, but
But the words were taken from his mouth by if your father will not allow it he must share the
the appearance of the lady herself. There was no deliberations.” Then I spoke of the note which had
gainsaying that she would have graced any assem- been found in the dead man’s pocket. “It is sure
bly in the world. Who could have imagined that to be produced at the inquest. May I ask you to
so rare a flower would grow from such a root and throw any light upon it that you can?”
in such an atmosphere? Women have seldom been “I see no reason for mystery,” she answered.
an attraction to me, for my brain has always gov- “We were engaged to be married, and we only kept
erned my heart, but I could not look upon her per- it secret because Fitzroy’s uncle, who is very old
fect clear-cut face, with all the soft freshness of the and said to be dying, might have disinherited him

950
 The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane

if he had married against his wish. There was no will find no case which brought me so completely
other reason.” to the limit of my powers. Even my imagination
“You could have told us,” growled Mr. Bellamy. could conceive no solution to the mystery. And
then there came the incident of the dog.
“So I would, father, if you had ever shown sym-
pathy.” It was my old housekeeper who heard of it first
by that strange wireless by which such people col-
“I object to my girl picking up with men out-
lect the news of the countryside.
side her own station.”
“It was your prejudice against him which pre- “Sad story this, sir, about Mr. McPherson’s
vented us from telling you. As to this appoint- dog,” said she one evening.
ment”—she fumbled in her dress and produced a I do not encourage such conversations, but the
crumpled note—“it was in answer to this.” words arrested my attention.

Dearest [ran the message]: “What of Mr. McPherson’s dog?”

The old place on the beach just after “Dead, sir. Died of grief for its master.”
sunset on Tuesday. It is the only time I “Who told you this?”
can get away.
“Why, sir, everyone is talking of it. It took on
F. M.
terrible, and has eaten nothing for a week. Then to-
“Tuesday was to-day, and I had meant to meet day two of the young gentlemen from The Gables
him to-night.” found it dead—down on the beach, sir, at the very
place where its master met his end.”
I turned over the paper. “This never came by
post. How did you get it?” “At the very place.” The words stood out clear
in my memory. Some dim perception that the mat-
“I would rather not answer that question. It has
ter was vital rose in my mind. That the dog should
really nothing to do with the matter which you are
die was after the beautiful, faithful nature of dogs.
investigating. But anything which bears upon that
But “in the very place”! Why should this lonely
I will most freely answer.”
beach be fatal to it? Was it possible that it also had
She was as good as her word, but there was been sacrificed to some revengeful feud? Was it
nothing which was helpful in our investigation. possible—? Yes, the perception was dim, but al-
She had no reason to think that her fiance had any ready something was building up in my mind. In
hidden enemy, but she admitted that she had had a few minutes I was on my way to The Gables,
several warm admirers. where I found Stackhurst in his study. At my re-
“May I ask if Mr. Ian Murdoch was one of quest he sent for Sudbury and Blount, the two stu-
them?” dents who had found the dog.
She blushed and seemed confused. “Yes, it lay on the very edge of the pool,” said
“There was a time when I thought he was. But one of them. “It must have followed the trail of its
that was all changed when he understood the re- dead master.”
lations between Fitzroy and myself.” I saw the faithful little creature, an Airedale ter-
Again the shadow round this strange man rier, laid out upon the mat in the hall. The body
seemed to me to be taking more definite shape. was stiff and rigid, the eyes projecting, and the
His record must be examined. His rooms must limbs contorted. There was agony in every line
be privately searched. Stackhurst was a willing of it.
collaborator, for in his mind also suspicions were From The Gables I walked down to the
forming. We returned from our visit to The Haven bathing-pool. The sun had sunk and the shadow
with the hope that one free end of this tangled of the great cliff lay black across the water, which
skein was already in our hands. glimmered dully like a sheet of lead. The place
A week passed. The inquest had thrown no was deserted and there was no sign of life save for
light upon the matter and had been adjourned for two sea-birds circling and screaming overhead. In
further evidence. Stackhurst had made discreet in- the fading light I could dimly make out the little
quiry about his subordinate, and there had been dog’s spoor upon the sand round the very rock on
a superficial search of his room, but without re- which his master’s towel had been laid. For a long
sult. Personally, I had gone over the whole ground time I stood in deep meditation while the shad-
again, both physically and mentally, but with no ows grew darker around me. My mind was filled
new conclusions. In all my chronicles the reader with racing thoughts. You have known what it was

951
 The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane

to be in a nightmare in which you feel that there furious bursts of temper, as shown in the incident
is some all-important thing for which you search of the dog. The fact that he had quarrelled with
and which you know is there, though it remains McPherson in the past, and that there was some
forever just beyond your reach. That was how I reason to think that he might have resented his at-
felt that evening as I stood alone by that place of tentions to Miss Bellamy. He had all my points,
death. Then at last I turned and walked slowly but no fresh ones, save that Murdoch seemed to be
homeward. making every preparation for departure.
I had just reached the top of the path when it “What would my position be if I let him slip
came to me. Like a flash, I remembered the thing away with all this evidence against him?” The
for which I had so eagerly and vainly grasped. burly, phlegmatic man was sorely troubled in his
You will know, or Watson has written in vain, that mind.
I hold a vast store of out-of-the-way knowledge “Consider,” I said, “all the essential gaps in
without scientific system, but very available for the your case. On the morning of the crime he can
needs of my work. My mind is like a crowded surely prove an alibi. He had been with his schol-
box-room with packets of all sorts stowed away ars till the last moment, and within a few minutes
therein—so many that I may well have but a vague of McPherson’s appearance he came upon us from
perception of what was there. I had known that behind. Then bear in mind the absolute impos-
there was something which might bear upon this sibility that he could single-handed have inflicted
matter. It was still vague, but at least I knew how this outrage upon a man quite as strong as him-
I could make it clear. It was monstrous, incredible, self. Finally, there is this question of the instru-
and yet it was always a possibility. I would test it ment with which these injuries were inflicted.”
to the full.
“What could it be but a scourge or flexible
There is a great garret in my little house which whip of some sort?”
is stuffed with books. It was into this that I
“Have you examined the marks?” I asked.
plunged and rummaged for an hour. At the end
of that time I emerged with a little chocolate and “I have seen them. So has the doctor.”
silver volume. Eagerly I turned up the chapter of “But I have examined them very carefully with
which I had a dim remembrance. Yes, it was in- a lens. They have peculiarities.”
deed a far-fetched and unlikely proposition, and “What are they, Mr. Holmes?”
yet I could not be at rest until I had made sure if
I stepped to my bureau and brought out an en-
it might, indeed, be so. It was late when I retired,
larged photograph. “This is my method in such
with my mind eagerly awaiting the work of the
cases,” I explained.
morrow.
“You certainly do things thoroughly, Mr.
But that work met with an annoying interrup-
Holmes.”
tion. I had hardly swallowed my early cup of
tea and was starting for the beach when I had a “I should hardly be what I am if I did not. Now
call from Inspector Bardle of the Sussex Constabu- let us consider this weal which extends round the
lary—a steady, solid, bovine man with thoughtful right shoulder. Do you observe nothing remark-
eyes, which looked at me now with a very troubled able?”
expression. “I can’t say I do.”
“I know your immense experience, sir,” said he. “Surely it is evident that it is unequal in its in-
“This is quite unofficial, of course, and need go no tensity. There is a dot of extravasated blood here,
farther. But I am fairly up against it in this McPher- and another there. There are similar indications in
son case. The question is, shall I make an arrest, this other weal down here. What can that mean?”
or shall I not?” “I have no idea. Have you?”
“Meaning Mr. Ian Murdoch?” “Perhaps I have. Perhaps I haven’t. I may be
“Yes, sir. There is really no one else when you able to say more soon. Anything which will define
come to think of it. That’s the advantage of this what made that mark will bring us a long way to-
solitude. We narrow it down to a very small com- wards the criminal.”
pass. If he did not do it, then who did?” “It is, of course, an absurd idea,” said the po-
“What have you against him?” liceman, “but if a red-hot net of wire had been laid
He had gleaned along the same furrows as I across the back, then these better marked points
had. There was Murdoch’s character and the mys- would represent where the meshes crossed each
tery which seemed to hang round the man. His other.”

952
 The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane

“A most ingenious comparison. Or shall we The inspector and I cried out at the sight.
say a very stiff cat-o’-nine-tails with small hard There, crisscrossed upon the man’s naked shoul-
knots upon it?” der, was the same strange reticulated pattern of
“By Jove, Mr. Holmes, I think you have hit it.” red, inflamed lines which had been the death-mark
of Fitzroy McPherson.
“Or there may be some very different cause,
Mr. Bardle. But your case is far too weak for an The pain was evidently terrible and was more
arrest. Besides, we have those last words—the than local, for the sufferer’s breathing would stop
‘Lion’s Mane.’ ” for a time, his face would turn black, and then with
loud gasps he would clap his hand to his heart,
“I have wondered whether Ian—”
while his brow dropped beads of sweat. At any
“Yes, I have considered that. If the second word moment he might die. More and more brandy was
had borne any resemblance to Murdoch—but it poured down his throat, each fresh dose bring-
did not. He gave it almost in a shriek. I am sure ing him back to life. Pads of cotton-wool soaked
that it was ‘Mane.’ ” in salad-oil seemed to take the agony from the
“Have you no alternative, Mr. Holmes?” strange wounds. At last his head fell heavily upon
“Perhaps I have. But I do not care to discuss it the cushion. Exhausted Nature had taken refuge
until there is something more solid to discuss.” in its last storehouse of vitality. It was half a sleep
and half a faint, but at least it was ease from pain.
“And when will that be?”
To question him had been impossible, but the
“In an hour—possibly less.”
moment we were assured of his condition Stack-
The inspector rubbed his chin and looked at me hurst turned upon me.
with dubious eyes.
“My God!” he cried, “what is it, Holmes? What
“I wish I could see what was in your mind, Mr. is it?”
Holmes. Perhaps it’s those fishing-boats.”
“Where did you find him?”
“No, no, they were too far out.”
“Down on the beach. Exactly where poor
“Well, then, is it Bellamy and that big son of McPherson met his end. If this man’s heart had
his? They were not too sweet upon Mr. McPher- been weak as McPherson’s was, he would not be
son. Could they have done him a mischief?” here now. More than once I thought he was gone
“No, no, you won’t draw me until I am ready,” as I brought him up. It was too far to The Gables,
said I with a smile. “Now, Inspector, we each have so I made for you.”
our own work to do. Perhaps if you were to meet “Did you see him on the beach?”
me here at midday—”
“I was walking on the cliff when I heard his cry.
So far we had got when there came the tremen-
He was at the edge of the water, reeling about like
dous interruption which was the beginning of the
a drunken man. I ran down, threw some clothes
end.
about him, and brought him up. For heaven’s sake,
My outer door was flung open, there were Holmes, use all the powers you have and spare no
blundering footsteps in the passage, and Ian Mur- pains to lift the curse from this place, for life is
doch staggered into the room, pallid, dishevelled, becoming unendurable. Can you, with all your
his clothes in wild disorder, clawing with his world-wide reputation, do nothing for us?”
bony hands at the furniture to hold himself erect.
“I think I can, Stackhurst. Come with me now!
“Brandy! Brandy!” he gasped, and fell groaning
And you, Inspector, come along! We will see if we
upon the sofa.
cannot deliver this murderer into your hands.”
He was not alone. Behind him came Stack-
Leaving the unconscious man in the charge of
hurst, hatless and panting, almost as distrait as his
my housekeeper, we all three went down to the
companion.
deadly lagoon. On the shingle there was piled a
“Yes, yes, brandy!” he cried. “The man is at his little heap of towels and clothes left by the stricken
last gasp. It was all I could do to bring him here. man. Slowly I walked round the edge of the wa-
He fainted twice upon the way.” ter, my comrades in Indian file behind me. Most
Half a tumbler of the raw spirit brought about of the pool was quite shallow, but under the cliff
a wondrous change. He pushed himself up on one where the beach was hollowed out it was four or
arm and swung his coat from his shoulders. “For five feet deep. It was to this part that a swim-
God’s sake, oil, opium, morphia!” he cried. “Any- mer would naturally go, for it formed a beauti-
thing to ease this infernal agony!” ful pellucid green pool as clear as crystal. A line

953
 The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane

of rocks lay above it at the base of the cliff, and “If the bather should see a loose roundish
along this I led the way, peering eagerly into the mass of tawny membranes and fibres, some-
depths beneath me. I had reached the deepest and thing like very large handfuls of lion’s mane
stillest pool when my eyes caught that for which and silver paper, let him beware, for this is
they were searching, and I burst into a shout of the fearful stinger, Cyanea capillata.
triumph. Could our sinister acquaintance be more clearly
“Cyanea!” I cried. “Cyanea! Behold the Lion’s described?
Mane!” “He goes on to tell of his own encounter with
The strange object at which I pointed did in- one when swimming off the coast of Kent. He
deed look like a tangled mass torn from the mane found that the creature radiated almost invisible
of a lion. It lay upon a rocky shelf some three filaments to the distance of fifty feet, and that
feet under the water, a curious waving, vibrating, anyone within that circumference from the deadly
hairy creature with streaks of silver among its yel- centre was in danger of death. Even at a distance
low tresses. It pulsated with a slow, heavy dilation the effect upon Wood was almost fatal.
and contraction. “The multitudinous threads caused light
“It has done mischief enough. Its day is over!” scarlet lines upon the skin which on closer
I cried. “Help me, Stackhurst! Let us end the mur- examination resolved into minute dots or
derer forever.” pustules, each dot charged as it were with a
There was a big boulder just above the ledge, red-hot needle making its way through the
and we pushed it until it fell with a tremen- nerves.
dous splash into the water. When the ripples had “The local pain was, as he explains, the least part
cleared we saw that it had settled upon the ledge of the exquisite torment.
below. One flapping edge of yellow membrane “Pangs shot through the chest, causing me
showed that our victim was beneath it. A thick oily to fall as if struck by a bullet. The pulsa-
scum oozed out from below the stone and stained tion would cease, and then the heart would
the water round, rising slowly to the surface. give six or seven leaps as if it would force
“Well, this gets me!” cried the inspector. “What its way through the chest.
was it, Mr. Holmes? I’m born and bred in these “It nearly killed him, although he had only been
parts, but I never saw such a thing. It don’t belong exposed to it in the disturbed ocean and not in
to Sussex.” the narrow calm waters of a bathing-pool. He says
“Just as well for Sussex,” I remarked. “It may that he could hardly recognize himself afterwards,
have been the southwest gale that brought it up. so white, wrinkled and shrivelled was his face.
Come back to my house, both of you, and I will He gulped down brandy, a whole bottleful, and it
give you the terrible experience of one who has seems to have saved his life. There is the book, In-
good reason to remember his own meeting with spector. I leave it with you, and you cannot doubt
the same peril of the seas.” that it contains a full explanation of the tragedy of
poor McPherson.”
When we reached my study we found that
Murdoch was so far recovered that he could sit “And incidentally exonerates me,” remarked
up. He was dazed in mind, and every now and Ian Murdoch with a wry smile. “I do not blame
then was shaken by a paroxysm of pain. In broken you, Inspector, nor you, Mr. Holmes, for your sus-
words he explained that he had no notion what picions were natural. I feel that on the very eve
had occurred to him, save that terrific pangs had of my arrest I have only cleared myself by sharing
suddenly shot through him, and that it had taken the fate of my poor friend.”
all his fortitude to reach the bank. “No, Mr. Murdoch. I was already upon the
“Here is a book,” I said, taking up the little vol- track, and had I been out as early as I intended
ume, “which first brought light into what might I might well have saved you from this terrific ex-
have been forever dark. It is Out of Doors, by perience.”
the famous observer, J. G. Wood. Wood himself “But how did you know, Mr. Holmes?”
very nearly perished from contact with this vile “I am an omnivorous reader with a strangely
creature, so he wrote with a very full knowledge. retentive memory for trifles. That phrase ‘the
Cyanea capillata is the miscreant’s full name, and he Lion’s Mane’ haunted my mind. I knew that I had
can be as dangerous to life as, and far more painful seen it somewhere in an unexpected context. You
than, the bite of the cobra. Let me briefly give this have seen that it does describe the creature. I have
extract. no doubt that it was floating on the water when

954
McPherson saw it, and that this phrase was the is past, Murdoch. We shall understand each other
only one by which he could convey to us a warn- better in the future.” They passed out together
ing as to the creature which had been his death.” with their arms linked in friendly fashion. The
“Then I, at least, am cleared,” said Murdoch, inspector remained, staring at me in silence with
rising slowly to his feet. “There are one or two his ox-like eyes.
words of explanation which I should give, for I “Well, you’ve done it!” he cried at last. “I had
know the direction in which your inquiries have read of you, but I never believed it. It’s wonder-
run. It is true that I loved this lady, but from the ful!”
day when she chose my friend McPherson my one
desire was to help her to happiness. I was well I was forced to shake my head. To accept such
content to stand aside and act as their go-between. praise was to lower one’s own standards.
Often I carried their messages, and it was because “I was slow at the outset—culpably slow. Had
I was in their confidence and because she was so the body been found in the water I could hardly
dear to me that I hastened to tell her of my friend’s have missed it. It was the towel which misled me.
death, lest someone should forestall me in a more The poor fellow had never thought to dry him-
sudden and heartless manner. She would not tell self, and so I in turn was led to believe that he
you, sir, of our relations lest you should disap- had never been in the water. Why, then, should
prove and I might suffer. But with your leave I the attack of any water creature suggest itself to
must try to get back to The Gables, for my bed me? That was where I went astray. Well, well, In-
will be very welcome.” spector, I often ventured to chaff you gentlemen of
Stackhurst held out his hand. “Our nerves have the police force, but Cyanea capillata very nearly
all been at concert-pitch,” said he. “Forgive what avenged Scotland Yard.”
The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger
W
The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger

hen one considers that Mr. Sher- “You will understand, Mrs. Merrilow, that if I
lock Holmes was in active practice for come to Mrs. Ronder I should prefer to have a wit-
twenty-three years, and that during ness. You will make her understand that before we
seventeen of these I was allowed to co- arrive.”
operate with him and to keep notes of his doings, “Lord bless you, Mr. Holmes,” said our visi-
it will be clear that I have a mass of material at my tor, “she is that anxious to see you that you might
command. The problem has always been not to bring the whole parish at your heels!”
find but to choose. There is the long row of year- “Then we shall come early in the afternoon. Let
books which fill a shelf, and there are the dispatch- us see that we have our facts correct before we
cases filled with documents, a perfect quarry for start. If we go over them it will help Dr. Watson to
the student not only of crime but of the social and understand the situation. You say that Mrs. Ron-
official scandals of the late Victorian era. Concern- der has been your lodger for seven years and that
ing these latter, I may say that the writers of ag- you have only once seen her face.”
onized letters, who beg that the honour of their “And I wish to God I had not!” said Mrs. Mer-
families or the reputation of famous forebears may rilow.
not be touched, have nothing to fear. The discre- “It was, I understand, terribly mutilated.”
tion and high sense of professional honour which
“Well, Mr. Holmes, you would hardly say it
have always distinguished my friend are still at
was a face at all. That’s how it looked. Our milk-
work in the choice of these memoirs, and no con-
man got a glimpse of her once peeping out of the
fidence will be abused. I deprecate, however, in
upper window, and he dropped his tin and the
the strongest way the attempts which have been
milk all over the front garden. That is the kind of
made lately to get at and to destroy these papers.
face it is. When I saw her—I happened on her un-
The source of these outrages is known, and if they
awares—she covered up quick, and then she said,
are repeated I have Mr. Holmes’s authority for say-
‘Now, Mrs. Merrilow, you know at last why it is
ing that the whole story concerning the politician,
that I never raise my veil.’ ”
the lighthouse, and the trained cormorant will be
given to the public. There is at least one reader “Do you know anything about her history?”
who will understand. “Nothing at all.”
“Did she give references when she came?”
It is not reasonable to suppose that every one of
“No, sir, but she gave hard cash, and plenty of
these cases gave Holmes the opportunity of show-
it. A quarter’s rent right down on the table in ad-
ing those curious gifts of instinct and observation
vance and no arguing about terms. In these times
which I have endeavoured to set forth in these
a poor woman like me can’t afford to turn down a
memoirs. Sometimes he had with much effort
chance like that.”
to pick the fruit, sometimes it fell easily into his
lap. But the most terrible human tragedies were “Did she give any reason for choosing your
often involved in those cases which brought him house?”
the fewest personal opportunities, and it is one of “Mine stands well back from the road and is
these which I now desire to record. In telling it, I more private than most. Then, again, I only take
have made a slight change of name and place, but the one, and I have no family of my own. I reckon
otherwise the facts are as stated. she had tried others and found that mine suited
her best. It’s privacy she is after, and she is ready
One forenoon—it was late in 1896—I received to pay for it.”
a hurried note from Holmes asking for my atten-
“You say that she never showed her face from
dance. When I arrived I found him seated in a
first to last save on the one accidental occasion.
smoke-laden atmosphere, with an elderly, moth-
Well, it is a very remarkable story, most remark-
erly woman of the buxom landlady type in the
able, and I don’t wonder that you want it exam-
corresponding chair in front of him.
ined.”
“This is Mrs. Merrilow, of South Brixton,” said “I don’t, Mr. Holmes. I am quite satisfied so
my friend with a wave of the hand. “Mrs. Mer- long as I get my rent. You could not have a quieter
rilow does not object to tobacco, Watson, if you lodger, or one who gives less trouble.”
wish to indulge your filthy habits. Mrs. Merrilow “Then what has brought matters to a head?”
has an interesting story to tell which may well lead “Her health, Mr. Holmes. She seems to be
to further developments in which your presence wasting away. And there’s something terrible on
may be useful.” her mind. ‘Murder!’ she cries. ‘Murder!’ And
“Anything I can do—” once I heard her: ‘You cruel beast! You monster!’

959
 The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger

she cried. It was in the night, and it fair rang to drink, and that both he and his show were on
through the house and sent the shivers through the down grade at the time of the great tragedy.
me. So I went to her in the morning. ‘Mrs. Ron- The caravan had halted for the night at Abbas
der,’ I says, ‘if you have anything that is troubling Parva, which is a small village in Berkshire, when
your soul, there’s the clergy,’ I says, ‘and there’s this horror occurred. They were on their way to
the police. Between them you should get some Wimbledon, travelling by road, and they were sim-
help.’ ‘For God’s sake, not the police!’ says she, ply camping and not exhibiting, as the place is so
‘and the clergy can’t change what is past. And small a one that it would not have paid them to
yet,’ she says, ‘it would ease my mind if someone open.
knew the truth before I died.’ ‘Well,’ says I, ‘if you “They had among their exhibits a very fine
won’t have the regulars, there is this detective man North African lion. Sahara King was its name, and
what we read about’—beggin’ your pardon, Mr. it was the habit, both of Ronder and his wife, to
Holmes. And she, she fair jumped at it. ‘That’s give exhibitions inside its cage. Here, you see, is a
the man,’ says she. ‘I wonder I never thought of photograph of the performance by which you will
it before. Bring him here, Mrs. Merrilow, and if perceive that Ronder was a huge porcine person
he won’t come, tell him I am the wife of Ronder’s and that his wife was a very magnificent woman.
wild beast show. Say that, and give him the name It was deposed at the inquest that there had been
Abbas Parva. Here it is as she wrote it, Abbas some signs that the lion was dangerous, but, as
Parva. ‘That will bring him if he’s the man I think usual, familiarity begat contempt, and no notice
he is.’ ” was taken of the fact.
“And it will, too,” remarked Holmes. “Very “It was usual for either Ronder or his wife to
good, Mrs. Merrilow. I should like to have a little feed the lion at night. Sometimes one went, some-
chat with Dr. Watson. That will carry us till lunch- times both, but they never allowed anyone else to
time. About three o’clock you may expect to see do it, for they believed that so long as they were
us at your house in Brixton.” the food-carriers he would regard them as bene-
Our visitor had no sooner waddled out of the factors and would never molest them. On this par-
room—no other verb can describe Mrs. Merrilow’s ticular night, seven years ago, they both went, and
method of progression—than Sherlock Holmes a very terrible happening followed, the details of
threw himself with fierce energy upon the pile of which have never been made clear.
commonplace books in the corner. For a few min- “It seems that the whole camp was roused
utes there was a constant swish of the leaves, and near midnight by the roars of the animal and
then with a grunt of satisfaction he came upon the screams of the woman. The different grooms
what he sought. So excited was he that he did not and employees rushed from their tents, carrying
rise, but sat upon the floor like some strange Bud- lanterns, and by their light an awful sight was
dha, with crossed legs, the huge books all round revealed. Ronder lay, with the back of his head
him, and one open upon his knees. crushed in and deep claw-marks across his scalp,
some ten yards from the cage, which was open.
“The case worried me at the time, Watson.
Close to the door of the cage lay Mrs. Ronder upon
Here are my marginal notes to prove it. I confess
her back, with the creature squatting and snarling
that I could make nothing of it. And yet I was con-
above her. It had torn her face in such a fashion
vinced that the coroner was wrong. Have you no
that it was never thought that she could live. Sev-
recollection of the Abbas Parva tragedy?”
eral of the circus men, headed by Leonardo, the
“None, Holmes.” strong man, and Griggs, the clown, drove the crea-
“And yet you were with me then. But certainly ture off with poles, upon which it sprang back
my own impression was very superficial. For there into the cage and was at once locked in. How it
was nothing to go by, and none of the parties had had got loose was a mystery. It was conjectured
engaged my services. Perhaps you would care to that the pair intended to enter the cage, but that
read the papers?” when the door was loosed the creature bounded
out upon them. There was no other point of inter-
“Could you not give me the points?” est in the evidence save that the woman in a delir-
“That is very easily done. It will probably come ium of agony kept screaming, ‘Coward! Coward!’
back to your memory as I talk. Ronder, of course, as she was carried back to the van in which they
was a household word. He was the rival of Womb- lived. It was six months before she was fit to give
well, and of Sanger, one of the greatest showmen evidence, but the inquest was duly held, with the
of his day. There is evidence, however, that he took obvious verdict of death from misadventure.”

960
 The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger

“What alternative could be conceived?” said I. “What is the flaw, Holmes?”

“You may well say so. And yet there were one “If they were both ten paces from the cage, how
or two points which worried young Edmunds, of came the beast to get loose?”
the Berkshire Constabulary. A smart lad that! He “Is it possible that they had some enemy who
was sent later to Allahabad. That was how I came loosed it?”
into the matter, for he dropped in and smoked a “And why should it attack them savagely when
pipe or two over it.” it was in the habit of playing with them, and doing
“A thin, yellow-haired man?” tricks with them inside the cage?”
“Exactly. I was sure you would pick up the trail “Possibly the same enemy had done something
presently.” to enrage it.”
“But what worried him?” Holmes looked thoughtful and remained in si-
lence for some moments.
“Well, we were both worried. It was so
“Well, Watson, there is this to be said for your
deucedly difficult to reconstruct the affair. Look
theory. Ronder was a man of many enemies. Ed-
at it from the lion’s point of view. He is liberated.
munds told me that in his cups he was horrible.
What does he do? He takes half a dozen bounds
A huge bully of a man, he cursed and slashed
forward, which brings him to Ronder. Ronder
at everyone who came in his way. I expect those
turns to fly—the claw-marks were on the back of
cries about a monster, of which our visitor has spo-
his head—but the lion strikes him down. Then,
ken, were nocturnal reminiscences of the dear de-
instead of bounding on and escaping, he returns
parted. However, our speculations are futile until
to the woman, who was close to the cage, and
we have all the facts. There is a cold partridge on
he knocks her over and chews her face up. Then,
the sideboard, Watson, and a bottle of Montrachet.
again, those cries of hers would seem to imply that
Let us renew our energies before we make a fresh
her husband had in some way failed her. What
call upon them.”
could the poor devil have done to help her? You
see the difficulty?” When our hansom deposited us at the house of
Mrs. Merrilow, we found that plump lady block-
“Quite.”
ing up the open door of her humble but retired
“And then there was another thing. It comes abode. It was very clear that her chief preoccupa-
back to me now as I think it over. There was some tion was lest she should lose a valuable lodger, and
evidence that just at the time the lion roared and she implored us, before showing us up, to say and
the woman screamed, a man began shouting in ter- do nothing which could lead to so undesirable an
ror.” end. Then, having reassured her, we followed her
“This man Ronder, no doubt.” up the straight, badly carpeted staircase and were
“Well, if his skull was smashed in you would shown into the room of the mysterious lodger.
hardly expect to hear from him again. There were It was a close, musty, ill-ventilated place, as
at least two witnesses who spoke of the cries of a might be expected, since its inmate seldom left it.
man being mingled with those of a woman.” From keeping beasts in a cage, the woman seemed,
by some retribution of fate, to have become herself
“I should think the whole camp was crying out
a beast in a cage. She sat now in a broken armchair
by then. As to the other points, I think I could
in the shadowy corner of the room. Long years of
suggest a solution.”
inaction had coarsened the lines of her figure, but
“I should be glad to consider it.” at some period it must have been beautiful, and
“The two were together, ten yards from the was still full and voluptuous. A thick dark veil
cage, when the lion got loose. The man turned covered her face, but it was cut off close at her
and was struck down. The woman conceived the upper lip and disclosed a perfectly shaped mouth
idea of getting into the cage and shutting the door. and a delicately rounded chin. I could well con-
It was her only refuge. She made for it, and just ceive that she had indeed been a very remarkable
as she reached it the beast bounded after her and woman. Her voice, too, was well modulated and
knocked her over. She was angry with her hus- pleasing.
band for having encouraged the beast’s rage by “My name is not unfamiliar to you, Mr.
turning. If they had faced it they might have Holmes,” said she. “I thought that it would bring
cowed it. Hence her cries of ‘Coward!’ ” you.”
“Brilliant, Watson! Only one flaw in your dia- “That is so, madam, though I do not know how
mond.” you are aware that I was interested in your case.”

961
 The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger

“I learned it when I had recovered my health “Those two pictures will help you, gentlemen,
and was examined by Mr. Edmunds, the county to understand the story. I was a poor circus girl
detective. I fear I lied to him. Perhaps it would brought up on the sawdust, and doing springs
have been wiser had I told the truth.” through the hoop before I was ten. When I became
“It is usually wiser to tell the truth. But why a woman this man loved me, if such lust as his can
did you lie to him?” be called love, and in an evil moment I became his
“Because the fate of someone else depended wife. From that day I was in hell, and he the devil
upon it. I know that he was a very worthless be- who tormented me. There was no one in the show
ing, and yet I would not have his destruction upon who did not know of his treatment. He deserted
my conscience. We had been so close—so close!” me for others. He tied me down and lashed me
with his riding-whip when I complained. They all
“But has this impediment been removed?”
pitied me and they all loathed him, but what could
“Yes, sir. The person that I allude to is dead.” they do? They feared him, one and all. For he was
“Then why should you not now tell the police terrible at all times, and murderous when he was
anything you know?” drunk. Again and again he was had up for assault,
“Because there is another person to be consid- and for cruelty to the beasts, but he had plenty of
ered. That other person is myself. I could not money and the fines were nothing to him. The best
stand the scandal and publicity which would come men all left us, and the show began to go downhill.
from a police examination. I have not long to live, It was only Leonardo and I who kept it up—with
but I wish to die undisturbed. And yet I wanted little Jimmy Griggs, the clown. Poor devil, he had
to find one man of judgment to whom I could tell not much to be funny about, but he did what he
my terrible story, so that when I am gone all might could to hold things together.
be understood.” “Then Leonardo came more and more into my
“You compliment me, madam. At the same life. You see what he was like. I know now the
time, I am a responsible person. I do not promise poor spirit that was hidden in that splendid body,
you that when you have spoken I may not myself but compared to my husband he seemed like the
think it my duty to refer the case to the police.” angel Gabriel. He pitied me and helped me, till
“I think not, Mr. Holmes. I know your charac- at last our intimacy turned to love—deep, deep,
ter and methods too well, for I have followed your passionate love, such love as I had dreamed of but
work for some years. Reading is the only plea- never hoped to feel. My husband suspected it, but
sure which fate has left me, and I miss little which I think that he was a coward as well as a bully, and
passes in the world. But in any case, I will take that Leonardo was the one man that he was afraid
my chance of the use which you may make of my of. He took revenge in his own way by torturing
tragedy. It will ease my mind to tell it.” me more than ever. One night my cries brought
Leonardo to the door of our van. We were near
“My friend and I would be glad to hear it.”
tragedy that night, and soon my lover and I un-
The woman rose and took from a drawer the derstood that it could not be avoided. My husband
photograph of a man. He was clearly a profes- was not fit to live. We planned that he should die.
sional acrobat, a man of magnificent physique,
“Leonardo had a clever, scheming brain. It was
taken with his huge arms folded across his swollen
he who planned it. I do not say that to blame him,
chest and a smile breaking from under his heavy
for I was ready to go with him every inch of the
moustache—the self-satisfied smile of the man of
way. But I should never have had the wit to think
many conquests.
of such a plan. We made a club—Leonardo made
“That is Leonardo,” she said. it—and in the leaden head he fastened five long
“Leonardo, the strong man, who gave evi- steel nails, the points outward, with just such a
dence?” spread as the lion’s paw. This was to give my hus-
“The same. And this—this is my husband.” band his death-blow, and yet to leave the evidence
It was a dreadful face—a human pig, or rather that it was the lion which we would loose who had
a human wild boar, for it was formidable in its bes- done the deed.
tiality. One could imagine that vile mouth champ- “It was a pitch-dark night when my husband
ing and foaming in its rage, and one could con- and I went down, as was our custom, to feed the
ceive those small, vicious eyes darting pure malig- beast. We carried with us the raw meat in a zinc
nancy as they looked forth upon the world. Ruf- pail. Leonardo was waiting at the corner of the
fian, bully, beast—it was all written on that heavy- big van which we should have to pass before we
jowled face. reached the cage. He was too slow, and we walked

962
past him before he could strike, but he followed us which the lion had left. But a woman’s love is
on tiptoe and I heard the crash as the club smashed not so easily set aside. He had left me under the
my husband’s skull. My heart leaped with joy at beast’s claws, he had deserted me in my need, and
the sound. I sprang forward, and I undid the catch yet I could not bring myself to give him to the gal-
which held the door of the great lion’s cage. lows. For myself, I cared nothing what became of
“And then the terrible thing happened. You me. What could be more dreadful than my actual
may have heard how quick these creatures are to life? But I stood between Leonardo and his fate.”
scent human blood, and how it excites them. Some “And he is dead?”
strange instinct had told the creature in one instant “He was drowned last month when bathing
that a human being had been slain. As I slipped near Margate. I saw his death in the paper.”
the bars it bounded out and was on me in an in-
“And what did he do with this five-clawed
stant. Leonardo could have saved me. If he had
club, which is the most singular and ingenious
rushed forward and struck the beast with his club
part of all your story?”
he might have cowed it. But the man lost his nerve.
I heard him shout in his terror, and then I saw him “I cannot tell, Mr. Holmes. There is a chalk-pit
turn and fly. At the same instant the teeth of the by the camp, with a deep green pool at the base of
lion met in my face. Its hot, filthy breath had al- it. Perhaps in the depths of that pool—”
ready poisoned me and I was hardly conscious of “Well, well, it is of little consequence now. The
pain. With the palms of my hands I tried to push case is closed.”
the great steaming, blood-stained jaws away from “Yes,” said the woman, “the case is closed.”
me, and I screamed for help. I was conscious that
We had risen to go, but there was something in
the camp was stirring, and then dimly I remem-
the woman’s voice which arrested Holmes’s atten-
bered a group of men. Leonardo, Griggs, and oth-
tion. He turned swiftly upon her.
ers, dragging me from under the creature’s paws.
That was my last memory, Mr. Holmes, for many “Your life is not your own,” he said. “Keep
a weary month. When I came to myself and saw your hands off it.”
myself in the mirror, I cursed that lion—oh, how “What use is it to anyone?”
I cursed him!—not because he had torn away my “How can you tell? The example of patient suf-
beauty but because he had not torn away my life. I fering is in itself the most precious of all lessons to
had but one desire, Mr. Holmes, and I had enough an impatient world.”
money to gratify it. It was that I should cover my-
self so that my poor face should be seen by none, The woman’s answer was a terrible one. She
and that I should dwell where none whom I had raised her veil and stepped forward into the light.
ever known should find me. That was all that was “I wonder if you would bear it,” she said.
left to me to do—and that is what I have done. A It was horrible. No words can describe the
poor wounded beast that has crawled into its hole framework of a face when the face itself is gone.
to die—that is the end of Eugenia Ronder.” Two living and beautiful brown eyes looking sadly
We sat in silence for some time after the un- out from that grisly ruin did but make the view
happy woman had told her story. Then Holmes more awful. Holmes held up his hand in a gesture
stretched out his long arm and patted her hand of pity and protest, and together we left the room.
with such a show of sympathy as I had seldom Two days later, when I called upon my friend,
known him to exhibit. he pointed with some pride to a small blue bottle
“Poor girl!” he said. “Poor girl! The ways of upon his mantelpiece. I picked it up. There was a
fate are indeed hard to understand. If there is not red poison label. A pleasant almondy odour rose
some compensation hereafter, then the world is a when I opened it.
cruel jest. But what of this man Leonardo?” “Prussic acid?” said I.
“I never saw him or heard from him again. Per- “Exactly. It came by post. ‘I send you my temp-
haps I have been wrong to feel so bitterly against tation. I will follow your advice.’ That was the
him. He might as soon have loved one of the freaks message. I think, Watson, we can guess the name
whom we carried round the country as the thing of the brave woman who sent it.”
The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place
S
The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place

herlock Holmes had been bending for all account, so far down Queer Street that he may
a long time over a low-power micro- never find his way back again.”
scope. Now he straightened himself up “Capital, Watson! A thumb-nail sketch. I seem
and looked round at me in triumph. to know the man. Now, can you give me some idea
“It is glue, Watson,” said he. “Unquestionably of Shoscombe Old Place?”
it is glue. Have a look at these scattered objects in “Only that it is in the centre of Shoscombe Park,
the field!” and that the famous Shoscombe stud and training
I stooped to the eyepiece and focussed for my quarters are to be found there.”
vision. “And the head trainer,” said Holmes, “is John
“Those hairs are threads from a tweed coat. Mason. You need not look surprised at my knowl-
The irregular gray masses are dust. There are ep- edge, Watson, for this is a letter from him which
ithelial scales on the left. Those brown blobs in the I am unfolding. But let us have some more about
centre are undoubtedly glue.” Shoscombe. I seem to have struck a rich vein.”
“Well,” I said, laughing, “I am prepared to take “There are the Shoscombe spaniels,” said I.
your word for it. Does anything depend upon it?” “You hear of them at every dog show. The most
exclusive breed in England. They are the special
“It is a very fine demonstration,” he answered.
pride of the lady of Shoscombe Old Place.”
“In the St. Pancras case you may remember that a
cap was found beside the dead policeman. The ac- “Sir Robert Norberton’s wife, I presume!”
cused man denies that it is his. But he is a picture- “Sir Robert has never married. Just as well, I
frame maker who habitually handles glue.” think, considering his prospects. He lives with his
“Is it one of your cases?” widowed sister, Lady Beatrice Falder.”
“No; my friend, Merivale, of the Yard, asked “You mean that she lives with him?”
me to look into the case. Since I ran down that “No, no. The place belonged to her late hus-
coiner by the zinc and copper filings in the seam of band, Sir James. Norberton has no claim on it at
his cuff they have begun to realize the importance all. It is only a life interest and reverts to her hus-
of the microscope.” He looked impatiently at his band’s brother. Meantime, she draws the rents ev-
watch. “I had a new client calling, but he is over- ery year.”
due. By the way, Watson, you know something of “And brother Robert, I suppose, spends the
racing?” said rents?”
“I ought to. I pay for it with about half my “That is about the size of it. He is a devil of a
wound pension.” fellow and must lead her a most uneasy life. Yet I
“Then I’ll make you my ‘Handy Guide to the have heard that she is devoted to him. But what is
Turf.’ What about Sir Robert Norberton? Does the amiss at Shoscombe?”
name recall anything?” “Ah, that is just what I want to know. And
“Well, I should say so. He lives at Shoscombe here, I expect, is the man who can tell us.”
Old Place, and I know it well, for my summer The door had opened and the page had shown
quarters were down there once. Norberton nearly in a tall, clean-shaven man with the firm, austere
came within your province once.” expression which is only seen upon those who
“How was that?” have to control horses or boys. Mr. John Ma-
son had many of both under his sway, and he
“It was when he horsewhipped Sam Brewer, looked equal to the task. He bowed with cold self-
the well-known Curzon Street money-lender, on possession and seated himself upon the chair to
Newmarket Heath. He nearly killed the man.” which Holmes had waved him.
“Ah, he sounds interesting! Does he often in- “You had my note, Mr. Holmes?”
dulge in that way?”
“Yes, but it explained nothing.”
“Well, he has the name of being a dangerous
“It was too delicate a thing for me to put the de-
man. He is about the most daredevil rider in Eng-
tails on paper. And too complicated. It was only
land—second in the Grand National a few years
face to face I could do it.”
back. He is one of those men who have overshot
their true generation. He should have been a buck “Well, we are at your disposal.”
in the days of the Regency—a boxer, an athlete, a “First of all, Mr. Holmes, I think that my em-
plunger on the turf, a lover of fair ladies, and, by ployer, Sir Robert, has gone mad.”

967
 The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place

Holmes raised his eyebrows. “This is Baker few days ago to old Barnes, what keeps the Green
Street, not Harley Street,” said he. “But why do Dragon, three miles off, at Crendall.”
you say so?” “That certainly did seem strange.”
“Well, sir, when a man does one queer thing, “Of course, with her weak heart and dropsy
or two queer things, there may be a meaning to one couldn’t expect that she could get about with
it, but when everything he does is queer, then you him, but he spent two hours every evening in her
begin to wonder. I believe Shoscombe Prince and room. He might well do what he could, for she
the Derby have turned his brain.” has been a rare good friend to him. But that’s all
“That is a colt you are running?” over, too. He never goes near her. And she takes it
to heart. She is brooding and sulky and drinking,
“The best in England, Mr. Holmes. I should
Mr. Holmes—drinking like a fish.”
know, if anyone does. Now, I’ll be plain with you,
“Did she drink before this estrangement?”
for I know you are gentlemen of honour and that
it won’t go beyond the room. Sir Robert has got to “Well, she took her glass, but now it is often a
win this Derby. He’s up to the neck, and it’s his whole bottle of an evening. So Stephens, the but-
last chance. Everything he could raise or borrow ler, told me. It’s all changed, Mr. Holmes, and
is on the horse—and at fine odds, too! You can get there is something damned rotten about it. But
forties now, but it was nearer the hundred when then, again, what is master doing down at the old
he began to back him.” church crypt at night? And who is the man that
meets him there?”
“But how is that if the horse is so good?”
Holmes rubbed his hands.
“The public don’t know how good he is. Sir “Go on, Mr. Mason. You get more and more
Robert has been too clever for the touts. He has interesting.”
the Prince’s half-brother out for spins. You can’t
“It was the butler who saw him go. Twelve
tell ’em apart. But there are two lengths in a fur-
o’clock at night and raining hard. So next night
long between them when it comes to a gallop. He
I was up at the house and, sure enough, master
thinks of nothing but the horse and the race. His
was off again. Stephens and I went after him, but
whole life is on it. He’s holding off the Jews till
it was jumpy work, for it would have been a bad
then. If the Prince fails him he is done.”
job if he had seen us. He’s a terrible man with his
“It seems a rather desperate gamble, but where fists if he gets started, and no respecter of persons.
does the madness come in?” So we were shy of getting too near, but we marked
“Well, first of all, you have only to look at him. him down all right. It was the haunted crypt that
I don’t believe he sleeps at night. He is down at he was making for, and there was a man waiting
the stables at all hours. His eyes are wild. It has for him there.”
all been too much for his nerves. Then there is his “What is this haunted crypt?”
conduct to Lady Beatrice!” “Well, sir, there is an old ruined chapel in the
“Ah! What is that?” park. It is so old that nobody could fix its date.
“They have always been the best of friends. And under it there’s a crypt which has a bad name
They had the same tastes, the two of them, and among us. It’s a dark, damp, lonely place by day,
she loved the horses as much as he did. Every but there are few in that county that would have
day at the same hour she would drive down to see the nerve to go near it at night. But master’s not
them—and, above all, she loved the Prince. He afraid. He never feared anything in his life. But
would prick up his ears when he heard the wheels what is he doing there in the night-time?”
on the gravel, and he would trot out each morning “Wait a bit!” said Holmes. “You say there is an-
to the carriage to get his lump of sugar. But that’s other man there. It must be one of your own sta-
all over now.” blemen, or someone from the house! Surely you
have only to spot who it is and question him?”
“Why?”
“It’s no one I know.”
“Well, she seems to have lost all interest in the
“How can you say that?”
horses. For a week now she has driven past the
“Because I have seen him, Mr. Holmes. It was
stables with never so much as ‘Good-morning’!”
on that second night. Sir Robert turned and passed
“You think there has been a quarrel?” us—me and Stephens, quaking in the bushes like
“And a bitter, savage, spiteful quarrel at that. two bunny-rabbits, for there was a bit of moon that
Why else would he give away her pet spaniel that night. But we could hear the other moving about
she loved as if he were her child? He gave it a behind. We were not afraid of him. So we up

968
 The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place

when Sir Robert was gone and pretended we were “We only found it out yesterday—after I had
just having a walk like in the moonlight, and so we written to you. Yesterday Sir Robert had gone to
came right on him as casual and innocent as you London, so Stephens and I went down to the crypt.
please. ‘Hullo, mate! who may you be?’ says I. I It was all in order, sir, except that in one corner was
guess he had not heard us coming, so he looked a bit of a human body.”
over his shoulder with a face as if he had seen the “You informed the police, I suppose?”
devil coming out of hell. He let out a yell, and Our visitor smiled grimly.
away he went as hard as he could lick it in the “Well, sir, I think it would hardly interest them.
darkness. He could run!—I’ll give him that. In a It was just the head and a few bones of a mummy.
minute he was out of sight and hearing, and who It may have been a thousand years old. But it
he was, or what he was, we never found.” wasn’t there before. That I’ll swear, and so will
“But you saw him clearly in the moonlight?” Stephens. It had been stowed away in a corner and
“Yes, I would swear to his yellow face—a mean covered over with a board, but that corner had al-
dog, I should say. What could he have in common ways been empty before.”
with Sir Robert?” “What did you do with it?”
Holmes sat for some time lost in thought. “Well, we just left it there.”
“That was wise. You say Sir Robert was away
“Who keeps Lady Beatrice Falder company?”
yesterday. Has he returned?”
he asked at last.
“We expect him back to-day.”
“There is her maid, Carrie Evans. She has been
“When did Sir Robert give away his sister’s
with her this five years.”
dog?”
“And is, no doubt, devoted?” “It was just a week ago to-day. The creature
Mr. Mason shuffled uncomfortably. was howling outside the old well-house, and Sir
“She’s devoted enough,” he answered at last. Robert was in one of his tantrums that morning.
“But I won’t say to whom.” He caught it up, and I thought he would have
killed it. Then he gave it to Sandy Bain, the jockey,
“Ah!” said Holmes. and told him to take the dog to old Barnes at the
“I can’t tell tales out of school.” Green Dragon, for he never wished to see it again.”
“I quite understand, Mr. Mason. Of course, the Holmes sat for some time in silent thought. He
situation is clear enough. From Dr. Watson’s de- had lit the oldest and foulest of his pipes.
scription of Sir Robert I can realize that no woman “I am not clear yet what you want me to do in
is safe from him. Don’t you think the quarrel be- this matter, Mr. Mason,” he said at last. “Can’t you
tween brother and sister may lie there?” make it more definite?”
“Well, the scandal has been pretty clear for a “Perhaps this will make it more definite, Mr.
long time.” Holmes,” said our visitor.
He took a paper from his pocket, and, unwrap-
“But she may not have seen it before. Let us
ping it carefully, he exposed a charred fragment of
suppose that she has suddenly found it out. She
bone.
wants to get rid of the woman. Her brother will
not permit it. The invalid, with her weak heart Holmes examined it with interest.
and inability to get about, has no means of enforc- “Where did you get it?”
ing her will. The hated maid is still tied to her. “There is a central heating furnace in the cellar
The lady refuses to speak, sulks, takes to drink. under Lady Beatrice’s room. It’s been off for some
Sir Robert in his anger takes her pet spaniel away time, but Sir Robert complained of cold and had
from her. Does not all this hang together?” it on again. Harvey runs it—he’s one of my lads.
This very morning he came to me with this which
“Well, it might do—so far as it goes.”
he found raking out the cinders. He didn’t like the
“Exactly! As far as it goes. How would all that look of it.”
bear upon the visits by night to the old crypt? We “Nor do I,” said Holmes. “What do you make
can’t fit that into our plot.” of it, Watson?”
“No, sir, and there is something more that I It was burned to a black cinder, but there could
can’t fit in. Why should Sir Robert want to dig up be no question as to its anatomical significance.
a dead body?” “It’s the upper condyle of a human femur,”
Holmes sat up abruptly. said I.

969
 The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place

“Exactly!” Holmes had become very serious. “It’s Sir Robert, sir. He’s terrible jealous of
“When does this lad tend to the furnace?” touts. If you two strangers were as near his train-
“He makes it up every evening and then leaves ing quarters as that he’d be after you as sure as
it.” fate. He ain’t taking no chances, Sir Robert ain’t.”
“I’ve heard he has a horse entered for the
“Then anyone could visit it during the night?”
Derby.”
“Yes, sir.” “Yes, and a good colt, too. He carries all
“Can you enter it from outside?” our money for the race, and all Sir Robert’s into
the bargain. By the way”—he looked at us with
“There is one door from outside. There is an-
thoughtful eyes—“I suppose you ain’t on the turf
other which leads up by a stair to the passage in
yourselves?”
which Lady Beatrice’s room is situated.”
“No, indeed. Just two weary Londoners who
“These are deep waters, Mr. Mason; deep and badly need some good Berkshire air.”
rather dirty. You say that Sir Robert was not at “Well, you are in the right place for that. There
home last night?” is a deal of it lying about. But mind what I have
“No, sir.” told you about Sir Robert. He’s the sort that strikes
“Then, whoever was burning bones, it was not first and speaks afterwards. Keep clear of the
he.” park.”
“Surely, Mr. Barnes! We certainly shall. By the
“That’s true, sir.”
way, that was a most beautiful spaniel that was
“What is the name of that inn you spoke of?” whining in the hall.”
“The Green Dragon.” “I should say it was. That was the real
Shoscombe breed. There ain’t a better in England.”
“Is there good fishing in that part of Berk-
shire?” The honest trainer showed very clearly “I am a dog-fancier myself,” said Holmes.
upon his face that he was convinced that yet an- “Now, if it is a fair question, what would a prize
other lunatic had come into his harassed life. dog like that cost?”
“More than I could pay, sir. It was Sir Robert
“Well, sir, I’ve heard there are trout in the mill- himself who gave me this one. That’s why I have
stream and pike in the Hall lake.” to keep it on a lead. It would be off to the Hall in
“That’s good enough. Watson and I are famous a jiffy if I gave it its head.”
fishermen—are we not, Watson? You may address “We are getting some cards in our hand, Wat-
us in future at the Green Dragon. We should reach son,” said Holmes when the landlord had left us.
it to-night. I need not say that we don’t want to “It’s not an easy one to play, but we may see our
see you, Mr. Mason, but a note will reach us, and way in a day or two. By the way, Sir Robert is
no doubt I could find you if I want you. When we still in London, I hear. We might, perhaps, enter
have gone a little farther into the matter I will let the sacred domain to-night without fear of bodily
you have a considered opinion.” assault. There are one or two points on which I
Thus it was that on a bright May evening should like reassurance.”
Holmes and I found ourselves alone in a first-class “Have you any theory, Holmes?”
carriage and bound for the little “halt-on-demand” “Only this, Watson, that something happened
station of Shoscombe. The rack above us was cov- a week or so ago which has cut deep into the
ered with a formidable litter of rods, reels, and life of the Shoscombe household. What is that
baskets. On reaching our destination a short drive something? We can only guess at it from its ef-
took us to an old-fashioned tavern, where a sport- fects. They seem to be of a curiously mixed char-
ing host, Josiah Barnes, entered eagerly into our acter. But that should surely help us. It is only the
plans for the extirpation of the fish of the neigh- colourless, uneventful case which is hopeless.
bourhood. “Let us consider our data. The brother no
“What about the Hall lake and the chance of a longer visits the beloved invalid sister. He gives
pike?” said Holmes. away her favourite dog. Her dog, Watson! Does
that suggest nothing to you?”
The face of the innkeeper clouded.
“Nothing but the brother’s spite.”
“That wouldn’t do, sir. You might chance to “Well, it might be so. Or—well, there is an al-
find yourself in the lake before you were through.” ternative. Now to continue our review of the sit-
“How’s that, then?” uation from the time that the quarrel, if there is

970
 The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place

a quarrel, began. The lady keeps her room, al- In the morning Holmes discovered that we had
ters her habits, is not seen save when she drives come without our spoon-bait for jack, which ab-
out with her maid, refuses to stop at the stables to solved us from fishing for the day. About eleven
greet her favourite horse, and apparently takes to o’clock we started for a walk, and he obtained
drink. That covers the case, does it not?” leave to take the black spaniel with us.
“Save for the business in the crypt.” “This is the place,” said he as we came to
“That is another line of thought. There are two high park gates with heraldic griffins tower-
two, and I beg you will not tangle them. Line A, ing above them. “About midday, Mr. Barnes in-
which concerns Lady Beatrice, has a vaguely sinis- forms me, the old lady takes a drive, and the car-
ter flavour, has it not?” riage must slow down while the gates are opened.
When it comes through, and before it gathers
“I can make nothing of it.”
speed, I want you, Watson, to stop the coachman
“Well, now, let us take up line B, which con- with some question. Never mind me. I shall stand
cerns Sir Robert. He is mad keen upon winning behind this holly-bush and see what I can see.”
the Derby. He is in the hands of the Jews, and may
It was not a long vigil. Within a quarter of
at any moment be sold up and his racing stables
an hour we saw the big open yellow barouche
seized by his creditors. He is a daring and desper-
coming down the long avenue, with two splendid,
ate man. He derives his income from his sister. His
high-stepping gray carriage horses in the shafts.
sister’s maid is his willing tool. So far we seem to
Holmes crouched behind his bush with the dog. I
be on fairly safe ground, do we not?”
stood unconcernedly swinging a cane in the road-
“But the crypt?” way. A keeper ran out and the gates swung open.
“Ah, yes, the crypt! Let us suppose, Watson—it The carriage had slowed to a walk, and I was
is merely a scandalous supposition, a hypothesis able to get a good look at the occupants. A highly
put forward for argument’s sake—that Sir Robert coloured young woman with flaxen hair and im-
has done away with his sister.” pudent eyes sat on the left. At her right was an
“My dear Holmes, it is out of the question.” elderly person with rounded back and a huddle of
“Very possibly, Watson. Sir Robert is a man of shawls about her face and shoulders which pro-
an honourable stock. But you do occasionally find claimed the invalid. When the horses reached the
a carrion crow among the eagles. Let us for a mo- highroad I held up my hand with an authoritative
ment argue upon this supposition. He could not gesture, and as the coachman pulled up I inquired
fly the country until he had realized his fortune, if Sir Robert was at Shoscombe Old Place.
and that fortune could only be realized by bringing At the same moment Holmes stepped out and
off this coup with Shoscombe Prince. Therefore, he released the spaniel. With a joyous cry it dashed
has still to stand his ground. To do this he would forward to the carriage and sprang upon the step.
have to dispose of the body of his victim, and he Then in a moment its eager greeting changed to fu-
would also have to find a substitute who would rious rage, and it snapped at the black skirt above
impersonate her. With the maid as his confidante it.
that would not be impossible. The woman’s body “Drive on! Drive on!” shrieked a harsh voice.
might be conveyed to the crypt, which is a place so The coachman lashed the horses, and we were left
seldom visited, and it might be secretly destroyed standing in the roadway.
at night in the furnace, leaving behind it such ev-
idence as we have already seen. What say you to “Well, Watson, that’s done it,” said Holmes as
that, Watson?” he fastened the lead to the neck of the excited
spaniel. “He thought it was his mistress, and he
“Well, it is all possible if you grant the original found it was a stranger. Dogs don’t make mis-
monstrous supposition.” takes.”
“I think that there is a small experiment which
“But it was the voice of a man!” I cried.
we may try to-morrow, Watson, in order to throw
some light on the matter. Meanwhile, if we mean “Exactly! We have added one card to our hand,
to keep up our characters, I suggest that we have Watson, but it needs careful playing, all the same.”
our host in for a glass of his own wine and hold My companion seemed to have no further
some high converse upon eels and dace, which plans for the day, and we did actually use our
seems to be the straight road to his affections. We fishing tackle in the mill-stream, with the result
may chance to come upon some useful local gossip that we had a dish of trout for our supper. It was
in the process.” only after that meal that Holmes showed signs of

971
 The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place

renewed activity. Once more we found ourselves “That is what we are here to find out,” said
upon the same road as in the morning, which led Holmes. “It may mean a long search, and we need
us to the park gates. A tall, dark figure was await- not detain you. I fancy that we shall get our solu-
ing us there, who proved to be our London ac- tion before morning.”
quaintance, Mr. John Mason, the trainer.
When John Mason had left us, Holmes set to
“Good-evening, gentlemen,” said he. “I got work making a very careful examination of the
your note, Mr. Holmes. Sir Robert has not returned graves, ranging from a very ancient one, which ap-
yet, but I hear that he is expected to-night.” peared to be Saxon, in the centre, through a long
“How far is this crypt from the house?” asked line of Norman Hugos and Odos, until we reached
Holmes. the Sir William and Sir Denis Falder of the eigh-
teenth century. It was an hour or more before
“A good quarter of a mile.”
Holmes came to a leaden coffin standing on end
“Then I think we can disregard him alto- before the entrance to the vault. I heard his little
gether.” cry of satisfaction and was aware from his hurried
“I can’t afford to do that, Mr. Holmes. The mo- but purposeful movements that he had reached
ment he arrives he will want to see me to get the a goal. With his lens he was eagerly examining
last news of Shoscombe Prince.” the edges of the heavy lid. Then he drew from
his pocket a short jemmy, a box-opener, which he
“I see! In that case we must work without you, thrust into a chink, levering back the whole front,
Mr. Mason. You can show us the crypt and then which seemed to be secured by only a couple of
leave us.” clamps. There was a rending, tearing sound as it
It was pitch-dark and without a moon, but Ma- gave way, but it had hardly hinged back and partly
son led us over the grass-lands until a dark mass revealed the contents before we had an unforeseen
loomed up in front of us which proved to be the interruption.
ancient chapel. We entered the broken gap which
was once the porch, and our guide, stumbling Someone was walking in the chapel above. It
among heaps of loose masonry, picked his way was the firm, rapid step of one who came with a
to the corner of the building, where a steep stair definite purpose and knew well the ground upon
led down into the crypt. Striking a match, he il- which he walked. A light streamed down the
luminated the melancholy place—dismal and evil- stairs, and an instant later the man who bore it
smelling, with ancient crumbling walls of rough- was framed in the Gothic archway. He was a terri-
hewn stone, and piles of coffins, some of lead and ble figure, huge in stature and fierce in manner. A
some of stone, extending upon one side right up large stable-lantern which he held in front of him
to the arched and groined roof which lost itself in shone upward upon a strong, heavily moustached
the shadows above our heads. Holmes had lit his face and angry eyes, which glared round him into
lantern, which shot a tiny tunnel of vivid yellow every recess of the vault, finally fixing themselves
light upon the mournful scene. Its rays were re- with a deadly stare upon my companion and my-
flected back from the coffin-plates, many of them self.
adorned with the griffin and coronet of this old “Who the devil are you?” he thundered. “And
family which carried its honours even to the gate what are you doing upon my property?” Then, as
of Death. Holmes returned no answer, he took a couple of
“You spoke of some bones, Mr. Mason. Could steps forward and raised a heavy stick which he
you show them before you go?” carried. “Do you hear me?” he cried. “Who are
you? What are you doing here?” His cudgel quiv-
“They are here in this corner.” The trainer
ered in the air.
strode across and then stood in silent surprise as
our light was turned upon the place. “They are But instead of shrinking Holmes advanced to
gone,” said he. meet him.
“So I expected,” said Holmes, chuckling. “I
fancy the ashes of them might even now be found “I also have a question to ask you, Sir Robert,”
in that oven which had already consumed a part.” he said in his sternest tone. “Who is this? And
what is it doing here?”
“But why in the world would anyone want to
burn the bones of a man who has been dead a He turned and tore open the coffin-lid behind
thousand years?” asked John Mason. him. In the glare of the lantern I saw a body

972
 The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place

swathed in a sheet from head to foot, with dread- Sir Robert gave him a glance of contempt. “I
ful, witch-like features, all nose and chin, project- will take all responsibility,” said he. “Now, Mr.
ing at one end, the dim, glazed eyes staring from Holmes, listen to a plain statement of the facts.
a discoloured and crumbling face. “You have clearly gone pretty deeply into my
The baronet had staggered back with a cry and affairs or I should not have found you where I
supported himself against a stone sarcophagus. did. Therefore, you know already, in all probabil-
ity, that I am running a dark horse for the Derby
“How came you to know of this?” he cried. and that everything depends upon my success. If
And then, with some return of his truculent man- I win, all is easy. If I lose—well, I dare not think of
ner: “What business is it of yours?” that!”
“My name is Sherlock Holmes,” said my com- “I understand the position,” said Holmes.
panion. “Possibly it is familiar to you. In any case, “I am dependent upon my sister, Lady Beat-
my business is that of every other good citizen—to rice, for everything. But it is well known that her
uphold the law. It seems to me that you have much interest in the estate is for her own life only. For
to answer for.” myself, I am deeply in the hands of the Jews. I
Sir Robert glared for a moment, but Holmes’s have always known that if my sister were to die
quiet voice and cool, assured manner had their ef- my creditors would be on to my estate like a flock
fect. of vultures. Everything would be seized—my sta-
bles, my horses—everything. Well, Mr. Holmes,
“ ‘Fore God, Mr. Holmes, it’s all right,” said my sister did die just a week ago.”
he. “Appearances are against me, I’ll admit, but
I could act no otherwise.” “And you told no one!”
“What could I do? Absolute ruin faced me. If
“I should be happy to think so, but I fear your I could stave things off for three weeks all would
explanations must be before the police.” be well. Her maid’s husband—this man here—is
Sir Robert shrugged his broad shoulders. an actor. It came into our heads—it came into my
head—that he could for that short period person-
“Well, if it must be, it must. Come up to the
ate my sister. It was but a case of appearing daily
house and you can judge for yourself how the mat-
in the carriage, for no one need enter her room
ter stands.”
save the maid. It was not difficult to arrange. My
A quarter of an hour later we found ourselves sister died of the dropsy which had long afflicted
in what I judge, from the lines of polished barrels her.”
behind glass covers, to be the gun-room of the old “That will be for a coroner to decide.”
house. It was comfortably furnished, and here Sir
“Her doctor would certify that for months her
Robert left us for a few moments. When he re-
symptoms have threatened such an end.”
turned he had two companions with him; the one,
the florid young woman whom we had seen in the “Well, what did you do?”
carriage; the other, a small rat-faced man with a “The body could not remain there. On the first
disagreeably furtive manner. These two wore an night Norlett and I carried it out to the old well-
appearance of utter bewilderment, which showed house, which is now never used. We were fol-
that the baronet had not yet had time to explain to lowed, however, by her pet spaniel, which yapped
them the turn events had taken. continually at the door, so I felt some safer place
was needed. I got rid of the spaniel, and we car-
“There,” said Sir Robert with a wave of his
ried the body to the crypt of the church. There was
hand, “are Mr. and Mrs. Norlett. Mrs. Norlett, un-
no indignity or irreverence, Mr. Holmes. I do not
der her maiden name of Evans, has for some years
feel that I have wronged the dead.”
been my sister’s confidential maid. I have brought
them here because I feel that my best course is to “Your conduct seems to me inexcusable, Sir
explain the true position to you, and they are the Robert.”
two people upon earth who can substantiate what The baronet shook his head impatiently. “It is
I say.” easy to preach,” said he. “Perhaps you would have
felt differently if you had been in my position. One
“Is this necessary, Sir Robert? Have you
cannot see all one’s hopes and all one’s plans shat-
thought what you are doing?” cried the woman.
tered at the last moment and make no effort to save
“As to me, I entirely disclaim all responsibil- them. It seemed to me that it would be no unwor-
ity,” said her husband. thy resting-place if we put her for the time in one

973
of the coffins of her husband’s ancestors lying in “Well, Sir Robert,” said Holmes, rising, “this
what is still consecrated ground. We opened such matter must, of course, be referred to the police. It
a coffin, removed the contents, and placed her as was my duty to bring the facts to light, and there
you have seen her. As to the old relics which we I must leave it. As to the morality or decency of
took out, we could not leave them on the floor of your conduct, it is not for me to express an opin-
the crypt. Norlett and I removed them, and he de- ion. It is nearly midnight, Watson, and I think we
scended at night and burned them in the central may make our way back to our humble abode.”
furnace. There is my story, Mr. Holmes, though
how you forced my hand so that I have to tell it is It is generally known now that this singu-
more than I can say.” lar episode ended upon a happier note than Sir
Holmes sat for some time lost in thought. Robert’s actions deserved. Shoscombe Prince did
“There is one flaw in your narrative, Sir win the Derby, the sporting owner did net eighty
Robert,” he said at last. “Your bets on the race, and thousand pounds in bets, and the creditors did
therefore your hopes for the future, would hold hold their hand until the race was over, when they
good even if your creditors seized your estate.” were paid in full, and enough was left to reestab-
“The horse would be part of the estate. What lish Sir Robert in a fair position in life. Both po-
do they care for my bets? As likely as not they lice and coroner took a lenient view of the trans-
would not run him at all. My chief creditor is, un- action, and beyond a mild censure for the delay
happily, my most bitter enemy—a rascally fellow, in registering the lady’s decease, the lucky owner
Sam Brewer, whom I was once compelled to horse- got away scatheless from this strange incident in
whip on Newmarket Heath. Do you suppose that a career which has now outlived its shadows and
he would try to save me?” promises to end in an honoured old age.
The Adventure of the Retired Colourman
S
The Adventure of the Retired Colourman

herlock Holmes was in a melancholy was a natural sequence, for you must admit that
and philosophic mood that morning. our unfortunate client has few outward graces,
His alert practical nature was subject to whatever his inner virtues may be. The couple
such reactions. went off together last week—destination untraced.
“Did you see him?” he asked. What is more, the faithless spouse carried off the
old man’s deed-box as her personal luggage with
“You mean the old fellow who has just gone
a good part of his life’s savings within. Can we
out?”
find the lady? Can we save the money? A com-
“Precisely.” monplace problem so far as it has developed, and
“Yes, I met him at the door.” yet a vital one for Josiah Amberley.”
“What did you think of him?” “What will you do about it?”
“A pathetic, futile, broken creature.” “Well, the immediate question, my dear Wat-
son, happens to be, What will you do?—if you will
“Exactly, Watson. Pathetic and futile. But is not
be good enough to understudy me. You know that
all life pathetic and futile? Is not his story a micro-
I am preoccupied with this case of the two Coptic
cosm of the whole? We reach. We grasp. And
Patriarchs, which should come to a head to-day. I
what is left in our hands at the end? A shadow.
really have not time to go out to Lewisham, and
Or worse than a shadow—misery.”
yet evidence taken on the spot has a special value.
“Is he one of your clients?” The old fellow was quite insistent that I should go,
“Well, I suppose I may call him so. He has been but I explained my difficulty. He is prepared to
sent on by the Yard. Just as medical men occasion- meet a representative.”
ally send their incurables to a quack. They argue “By all means,” I answered. “I confess I don’t
that they can do nothing more, and that whatever see that I can be of much service, but I am willing
happens the patient can be no worse than he is.” to do my best.” And so it was that on a summer
“What is the matter?” afternoon I set forth to Lewisham, little dreaming
that within a week the affair in which I was engag-
Holmes took a rather soiled card from the table.
ing would be the eager debate of all England.
“Josiah Amberley. He says he was junior partner
of Brickfall and Amberley, who are manufacturers It was late that evening before I returned to
of artistic materials. You will see their names upon Baker Street and gave an account of my mission.
paint-boxes. He made his little pile, retired from Holmes lay with his gaunt figure stretched in his
business at the age of sixty-one, bought a house at deep chair, his pipe curling forth slow wreaths
Lewisham, and settled down to rest after a life of of acrid tobacco, while his eyelids drooped over
ceaseless grind. One would think his future was his eyes so lazily that he might almost have been
tolerably assured.” asleep were it not that at any halt or questionable
passage of my narrative they half lifted, and two
“Yes, indeed.”
gray eyes, as bright and keen as rapiers, transfixed
Holmes glanced over some notes which he had me with their searching glance.
scribbled upon the back of an envelope. “The Haven is the name of Mr. Josiah Amber-
“Retired in 1896, Watson. Early in 1897 he ley’s house,” I explained. “I think it would interest
married a woman twenty years younger than him- you, Holmes. It is like some penurious patrician
self—a good-looking woman, too, if the photo- who has sunk into the company of his inferiors.
graph does not flatter. A competence, a wife, You know that particular quarter, the monotonous
leisure—it seemed a straight road which lay be- brick streets, the weary suburban highways. Right
fore him. And yet within two years he is, as you in the middle of them, a little island of ancient cul-
have seen, as broken and miserable a creature as ture and comfort, lies this old home, surrounded
crawls beneath the sun.” by a high sun-baked wall mottled with lichens and
“But what has happened?” topped with moss, the sort of wall—”
“The old story, Watson. A treacherous friend “Cut out the poetry, Watson,” said Holmes
and a fickle wife. It would appear that Amberley severely. “I note that it was a high brick wall.”
has one hobby in life, and it is chess. Not far from “Exactly. I should not have known which was
him at Lewisham there lives a young doctor who The Haven had I not asked a lounger who was
is also a chess-player. I have noted his name as Dr. smoking in the street. I have a reason for mention-
Ray Ernest. Ernest was frequently in the house, ing him. He was a tall, dark, heavily moustached,
and an intimacy between him and Mrs. Amberley rather military-looking man. He nodded in answer

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 The Adventure of the Retired Colourman

to my inquiry and gave me a curiously question- of crime he might have found something here to
ing glance, which came back to my memory a little study. And human nature, Dr. Watson—the black
later. ingratitude of it all! When did I ever refuse one of
“I had hardly entered the gateway before I saw her requests? Was ever a woman so pampered?
Mr. Amberley coming down the drive. I only had And that young man—he might have been my
a glimpse of him this morning, and he certainly own son. He had the run of my house. And yet
gave me the impression of a strange creature, but see how they have treated me! Oh, Dr. Watson, it
when I saw him in full light his appearance was is a dreadful, dreadful world!’
even more abnormal.” “That was the burden of his song for an hour
“I have, of course, studied it, and yet I or more. He had, it seems, no suspicion of an in-
should be interested to have your impression,” trigue. They lived alone save for a woman who
said Holmes. comes in by the day and leaves every evening
at six. On that particular evening old Amberley,
“He seemed to me like a man who was liter- wishing to give his wife a treat, had taken two up-
ally bowed down by care. His back was curved per circle seats at the Haymarket Theatre. At the
as though he carried a heavy burden. Yet he was last moment she had complained of a headache
not the weakling that I had at first imagined, for and had refused to go. He had gone alone. There
his shoulders and chest have the framework of a seemed to be no doubt about the fact, for he pro-
giant, though his figure tapers away into a pair of duced the unused ticket which he had taken for
spindled legs.” his wife.”
“Left shoe wrinkled, right one smooth.” “That is remarkable—most remarkable,” said
“I did not observe that.” Holmes, whose interest in the case seemed to be
rising. “Pray continue, Watson. I find your narra-
“No, you wouldn’t. I spotted his artificial limb.
tive most arresting. Did you personally examine
But proceed.”
this ticket? You did not, perchance, take the num-
“I was struck by the snaky locks of grizzled ber?”
hair which curled from under his old straw hat,
“It so happens that I did,” I answered with
and his face with its fierce, eager expression and
some pride. “It chanced to be my old school num-
the deeply lined features.”
ber, thirty-one, and so is stuck in my head.”
“Very good, Watson. What did he say?” “Excellent, Watson! His seat, then, was either
“He began pouring out the story of his thirty or thirty-two.”
grievances. We walked down the drive together, “Quite so,” I answered with some mystifica-
and of course I took a good look round. I have tion. “And on B row.”
never seen a worse-kept place. The garden was all
“That is most satisfactory. What else did he tell
running to seed, giving me an impression of wild
you?”
neglect in which the plants had been allowed to
find the way of Nature rather than of art. How any “He showed me his strong-room, as he called it.
decent woman could have tolerated such a state of It really is a strong-room—like a bank—with iron
things, I don’t know. The house, too, was slatternly door and shutter—burglar-proof, as he claimed.
to the last degree, but the poor man seemed him- However, the woman seems to have had a dupli-
self to be aware of it and to be trying to remedy it, cate key, and between them they had carried off
for a great pot of green paint stood in the centre of some seven thousand pounds’ worth of cash and
the hall, and he was carrying a thick brush in his securities.”
left hand. He had been working on the woodwork. “Securities! How could they dispose of those?”
“He took me into his dingy sanctum, and we “He said that he had given the police a list
had a long chat. Of course, he was disappointed and that he hoped they would be unsaleable. He
that you had not come yourself. ‘I hardly ex- had got back from the theatre about midnight and
pected,’ he said, ‘that so humble an individual as found the place plundered, the door and window
myself, especially after my heavy financial loss, open, and the fugitives gone. There was no letter
could obtain the complete attention of so famous a or message, nor has he heard a word since. He at
man as Mr. Sherlock Holmes.’ once gave the alarm to the police.”
“I assured him that the financial question did Holmes brooded for some minutes.
not arise. ‘No, of course, it is art for art’s sake “You say he was painting. What was he paint-
with him,’ said he, ‘but even on the artistic side ing?”

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 The Adventure of the Retired Colourman

“Well, he was painting the passage. But he had soft nothings with the young lady at the Blue An-
already painted the door and woodwork of this chor, and receiving hard somethings in exchange.
room I spoke of.” All this you have left undone.”
“Does it not strike you as a strange occupation “It can still be done.”
in the circumstances?” “It has been done. Thanks to the telephone and
“ ‘One must do something to ease an aching the help of the Yard, I can usually get my essentials
heart.’ That was his own explanation. It was eccen- without leaving this room. As a matter of fact, my
tric, no doubt, but he is clearly an eccentric man. information confirms the man’s story. He has the
He tore up one of his wife’s photographs in my local repute of being a miser as well as a harsh
presence—tore it up furiously in a tempest of pas- and exacting husband. That he had a large sum
sion. ‘I never wish to see her damned face again,’ of money in that strong-room of his is certain. So
he shrieked.” also is it that young Dr. Ernest, an unmarried man,
played chess with Amberley, and probably played
“Anything more, Watson?” the fool with his wife. All this seems plain sailing,
“Yes, one thing which struck me more than and one would think that there was no more to be
anything else. I had driven to the Blackheath Sta- said—and yet!—and yet!”
tion and had caught my train there when, just as “Where lies the difficulty?”
it was starting, I saw a man dart into the carriage “In my imagination, perhaps. Well, leave it
next to my own. You know that I have a quick there, Watson. Let us escape from this weary
eye for faces, Holmes. It was undoubtedly the tall, workaday world by the side door of music. Ca-
dark man whom I had addressed in the street. I rina sings to-night at the Albert Hall, and we still
saw him once more at London Bridge, and then I have time to dress, dine, and enjoy.”
lost him in the crowd. But I am convinced that he
In the morning I was up betimes, but some
was following me.”
toast crumbs and two empty egg-shells told me
“No doubt! No doubt!” said Holmes. “A tall, that my companion was earlier still. I found a
dark, heavily moustached man, you say, with gray- scribbled note upon the table.
tinted sun-glasses?”
Dear Watson:
“Holmes, you are a wizard. I did not say so, There are one or two points of con-
but he had gray-tinted sun-glasses.” tact which I should wish to establish
“And a Masonic tie-pin?” with Mr. Josiah Amberley. When I have
done so we can dismiss the case—or
“Holmes!”
not. I would only ask you to be on
“Quite simple, my dear Watson. But let us get hand about three o’clock, as I conceive
down to what is practical. I must admit to you that it possible that I may want you.
the case, which seemed to me to be so absurdly S. H.
simple as to be hardly worth my notice, is rapidly
assuming a very different aspect. It is true that I saw nothing of Holmes all day, but at the hour
though in your mission you have missed every- named he returned, grave, preoccupied, and aloof.
thing of importance, yet even those things which At such times it was wiser to leave him to himself.
have obtruded themselves upon your notice give “Has Amberley been here yet?”
rise to serious thought.” “No.”
“What have I missed?” “Ah! I am expecting him.”
“Don’t be hurt, my dear fellow. You know He was not disappointed, for presently the old
that I am quite impersonal. No one else would fellow arrived with a very worried and puzzled
have done better. Some possibly not so well. But expression upon his austere face.
clearly you have missed some vital points. What “I’ve had a telegram, Mr. Holmes. I can make
is the opinion of the neighbours about this man nothing of it.” He handed it over, and Holmes read
Amberley and his wife? That surely is of impor- it aloud.
tance. What of Dr. Ernest? Was he the gay Lothario
one would expect? With your natural advantages, “Come at once without fail. Can give
Watson, every lady is your helper and accomplice. you information as to your recent loss.
What about the girl at the post-office, or the wife “Elman.
of the greengrocer? I can picture you whispering “The Vicarage.

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 The Adventure of the Retired Colourman

“Dispatched at 2.10 from Little Purlington,” clergyman received us in his study. Our telegram
said Holmes. “Little Purlington is in Essex, I be- lay before him.
lieve, not far from Frinton. Well, of course you will “Well, gentlemen,” he asked, “what can I do
start at once. This is evidently from a responsible for you?”
person, the vicar of the place. Where is my Crock-
ford? Yes, here we have him: ‘J. C. Elman, M. A., “We came,” I explained, “in answer to your
Living of Moosmoor cum Little Purlington.’ Look wire.”
up the trains, Watson.” “My wire! I sent no wire.”
“There is one at 5.20 from Liverpool Street.” “I mean the wire which you sent to Mr. Josiah
“Excellent. You had best go with him, Watson. Amberley about his wife and his money.”
He may need help or advice. Clearly we have come “If this is a joke, sir, it is a very questionable
to a crisis in this affair.” one,” said the vicar angrily. “I have never heard
But our client seemed by no means eager to of the gentleman you name, and I have not sent a
start. wire to anyone.”
Our client and I looked at each other in amaze-
“It’s perfectly absurd, Mr. Holmes,” he said.
ment.
“What can this man possibly know of what has
occurred? It is waste of time and money.” “Perhaps there is some mistake,” said I; “are
there perhaps two vicarages? Here is the wire it-
“He would not have telegraphed to you if he
self, signed Elman and dated from the Vicarage.”
did not know something. Wire at once that you
are coming.” “There is only one vicarage, sir, and only one
vicar, and this wire is a scandalous forgery, the ori-
“I don’t think I shall go.”
gin of which shall certainly be investigated by the
Holmes assumed his sternest aspect. police. Meanwhile, I can see no possible object in
“It would make the worst possible impression prolonging this interview.”
both on the police and upon myself, Mr. Amberley, So Mr. Amberley and I found ourselves on the
if when so obvious a clue arose you should refuse roadside in what seemed to me to be the most
to follow it up. We should feel that you were not primitive village in England. We made for the tele-
really in earnest in this investigation.” graph office, but it was already closed. There was a
Our client seemed horrified at the suggestion. telephone, however, at the little Railway Arms, and
by it I got into touch with Holmes, who shared in
“Why, of course I shall go if you look at it in our amazement at the result of our journey.
that way,” said he. “On the face of it, it seems ab-
surd to suppose that this person knows anything, “Most singular!” said the distant voice. “Most
but if you think—” remarkable! I much fear, my dear Watson, that
there is no return train to-night. I have unwittingly
“I do think,” said Holmes with emphasis, and condemned you to the horrors of a country inn.
so we were launched upon our journey. Holmes However, there is always Nature, Watson—Nature
took me aside before we left the room and gave and Josiah Amberley—you can be in close com-
me one word of counsel, which showed that he mune with both.” I heard his dry chuckle as he
considered the matter to be of importance. “What- turned away.
ever you do, see that he really does go,” said he.
“Should he break away or return, get to the near- It was soon apparent to me that my compan-
est telephone exchange and send the single word ion’s reputation as a miser was not undeserved.
‘Bolted.’ I will arrange here that it shall reach me He had grumbled at the expense of the journey,
wherever I am.” had insisted upon travelling third-class, and was
now clamorous in his objections to the hotel bill.
Little Purlington is not an easy place to reach, Next morning, when we did at last arrive in Lon-
for it is on a branch line. My remembrance of the don, it was hard to say which of us was in the
journey is not a pleasant one, for the weather was worse humour.
hot, the train slow, and my companion sullen and
silent, hardly talking at all save to make an oc- “You had best take Baker Street as we pass,”
casional sardonic remark as to the futility of our said I. “Mr. Holmes may have some fresh instruc-
proceedings. When we at last reached the little tions.”
station it was a two-mile drive before we came to “If they are not worth more than the last ones
the Vicarage, where a big, solemn, rather pompous they are not of much use, ” said Amberley with a

980
 The Adventure of the Retired Colourman

malevolent scowl. None the less, he kept me com- “He has certainly interfered several times,” the
pany. I had already warned Holmes by telegram inspector answered with reserve.
of the hour of our arrival, but we found a mes- “His methods are irregular, no doubt, like
sage waiting that he was at Lewisham and would my own. The irregulars are useful sometimes,
expect us there. That was a surprise, but an even you know. You, for example, with your compul-
greater one was to find that he was not alone in sory warning about whatever he said being used
the sitting-room of our client. A stern-looking, im- against him, could never have bluffed this rascal
passive man sat beside him, a dark man with gray- into what is virtually a confession.”
tinted glasses and a large Masonic pin projecting “Perhaps not. But we get there all the same, Mr.
from his tie. Holmes. Don’t imagine that we had not formed
“This is my friend Mr. Barker,” said Holmes. our own views of this case, and that we would not
“He has been interesting himself also in your busi- have laid our hands on our man. You will excuse
ness, Mr. Josiah Amberley, though we have been us for feeling sore when you jump in with methods
working independently. But we both have the which we cannot use, and so rob us of the credit.”
same question to ask you!” “There shall be no such robbery, MacKinnon. I
Mr. Amberley sat down heavily. He sensed im- assure you that I efface myself from now onward,
pending danger. I read it in his straining eyes and and as to Barker, he has done nothing save what I
his twitching features. told him.”
“What is the question, Mr. Holmes?” The inspector seemed considerably relieved.
“That is very handsome of you, Mr. Holmes.
“Only this: What did you do with the bodies?”
Praise or blame can matter little to you, but it is
The man sprang to his feet with a hoarse very different to us when the newspapers begin to
scream. He clawed into the air with his bony ask questions.”
hands. His mouth was open, and for the instant
“Quite so. But they are pretty sure to ask ques-
he looked like some horrible bird of prey. In a
tions anyhow, so it would be as well to have an-
flash we got a glimpse of the real Josiah Amber-
swers. What will you say, for example, when the
ley, a misshapen demon with a soul as distorted as
intelligent and enterprising reporter asks you what
his body. As he fell back into his chair he clapped
the exact points were which aroused your suspi-
his hand to his lips as if to stifle a cough. Holmes
cion, and finally gave you a certain conviction as
sprang at his throat like a tiger and twisted his
to the real facts?”
face towards the ground. A white pellet fell from
The inspector looked puzzled.
between his gasping lips.
“We don’t seem to have got any real facts yet,
“No short cuts, Josiah Amberley. Things must
Mr. Holmes. You say that the prisoner, in the pres-
be done decently and in order. What about it,
ence of three witnesses, practically confessed by
Barker?”
trying to commit suicide, that he had murdered his
“I have a cab at the door,” said our taciturn wife and her lover. What other facts have you?”
companion. “Have you arranged for a search?”
“It is only a few hundred yards to the station. “There are three constables on their way.”
We will go together. You can stay here, Watson. I “Then you will soon get the clearest fact of all.
shall be back within half an hour.” The bodies cannot be far away. Try the cellars and
The old colourman had the strength of a lion in the garden. It should not take long to dig up the
that great trunk of his, but he was helpless in the likely places. This house is older than the water-
hands of the two experienced man-handlers. Wrig- pipes. There must be a disused well somewhere.
gling and twisting he was dragged to the waiting Try your luck there.”
cab, and I was left to my solitary vigil in the ill- “But how did you know of it, and how was it
omened house. In less time than he had named, done?”
however, Holmes was back, in company with a “I’ll show you first how it was done, and then I
smart young police inspector. will give the explanation which is due to you, and
“I’ve left Barker to look after the formalities,” even more to my long-suffering friend here, who
said Holmes. “You had not met Barker, Watson. has been invaluable throughout. But, first, I would
He is my hated rival upon the Surrey shore. When give you an insight into this man’s mentality. It is a
you said a tall dark man it was not difficult for me very unusual one—so much so that I think his des-
to complete the picture. He has several good cases tination is more likely to be Broadmoor than the
to his credit, has he not, Inspector?” scaffold. He has, to a high degree, the sort of mind

981
 The Adventure of the Retired Colourman

which one associates with the mediaeval Italian rises in the angle of the wall, and there is a tap here
nature rather than with the modern Briton. He was in the corner. The pipe runs out into the strong-
a miserable miser who made his wife so wretched room, as you can see, and ends in that plaster rose
by his niggardly ways that she was a ready prey in the centre of the ceiling, where it is concealed
for any adventurer. Such a one came upon the by the ornamentation. That end is wide open. At
scene in the person of this chess-playing doctor. any moment by turning the outside tap the room
Amberley excelled at chess—one mark, Watson, of could be flooded with gas. With door and shutter
a scheming mind. Like all misers, he was a jeal- closed and the tap full on I would not give two
ous man, and his jealousy became a frantic mania. minutes of conscious sensation to anyone shut up
Rightly or wrongly, he suspected an intrigue. He in that little chamber. By what devilish device he
determined to have his revenge, and he planned it decoyed them there I do not know, but once inside
with diabolical cleverness. Come here!” the door they were at his mercy.”
Holmes led us along the passage with as much The inspector examined the pipe with interest.
certainty as if he had lived in the house and halted “One of our officers mentioned the smell of gas,”
at the open door of the strong-room. said he, “but of course the window and door were
“Pooh! What an awful smell of paint!” cried open then, and the paint—or some of it—was al-
the inspector. ready about. He had begun the work of painting
the day before, according to his story. But what
“That was our first clue,” said Holmes. “You
next, Mr. Holmes?”
can thank Dr. Watson’s observation for that,
though he failed to draw the inference. It set my “Well, then came an incident which was rather
foot upon the trail. Why should this man at such a unexpected to myself. I was slipping through the
time be filling his house with strong odours? Obvi- pantry window in the early dawn when I felt a
ously, to cover some other smell which he wished hand inside my collar, and a voice said: ‘Now,
to conceal—some guilty smell which would sug- you rascal, what are you doing in there?’ When I
gest suspicions. Then came the idea of a room could twist my head round I looked into the tinted
such as you see here with iron door and shut- spectacles of my friend and rival, Mr. Barker. It
ter—a hermetically sealed room. Put those two was a curious foregathering and set us both smil-
facts together, and whither do they lead? I could ing. It seems that he had been engaged by Dr. Ray
only determine that by examining the house my- Ernest’s family to make some investigations and
self. I was already certain that the case was se- had come to the same conclusion as to foul play.
rious, for I had examined the box-office chart at He had watched the house for some days and had
the Haymarket Theatre—another of Dr. Watson’s spotted Dr. Watson as one of the obviously sus-
bull’s-eyes—and ascertained that neither B thirty picious characters who had called there. He could
nor thirty-two of the upper circle had been occu- hardly arrest Watson, but when he saw a man actu-
pied that night. Therefore, Amberley had not been ally climbing out of the pantry window there came
to the theatre, and his alibi fell to the ground. He a limit to his restraint. Of course, I told him how
made a bad slip when he allowed my astute friend matters stood and we continued the case together.”
to notice the number of the seat taken for his wife. “Why him? Why not us?”
The question now arose how I might be able to
examine the house. I sent an agent to the most im- “Because it was in my mind to put that lit-
possible village I could think of, and summoned tle test which answered so admirably. I fear you
my man to it at such an hour that he could not would not have gone so far.”
possibly get back. To prevent any miscarriage, Dr. The inspector smiled.
Watson accompanied him. The good vicar’s name
“Well, maybe not. I understand that I have your
I took, of course, out of my Crockford. Do I make
word, Mr. Holmes, that you step right out of the
it all clear to you?”
case now and that you turn all your results over to
“It is masterly,” said the inspector in an awed us.”
voice.
“Certainly, that is always my custom.”
“There being no fear of interruption I pro-
ceeded to burgle the house. Burglary has always “Well, in the name of the force I thank you. It
been an alternative profession had I cared to adopt seems a clear case, as you put it, and there can’t be
it, and I have little doubt that I should have come much difficulty over the bodies.”
to the front. Observe what I found. You see the “I’ll show you a grim little bit of evidence,” said
gas-pipe along the skirting here. Very good. It Holmes, “and I am sure Amberley himself never

982
 The Adventure of the Retired Colourman

observed it. You’ll get results, Inspector, by al- bound to call us in, but why he should have gone
ways putting yourself in the other fellow’s place, to you I can’t understand.”
and thinking what you would do yourself. It takes “Pure swank!” Holmes answered. “He felt so
some imagination, but it pays. Now, we will sup- clever and so sure of himself that he imagined no
pose that you were shut up in this little room, had one could touch him. He could say to any suspi-
not two minutes to live, but wanted to get even cious neighbour, ‘Look at the steps I have taken. I
with the fiend who was probably mocking at you have consulted not only the police but even Sher-
from the other side of the door. What would you lock Holmes.’ ”
do?”
The inspector laughed.
“Write a message.”
“Exactly. You would like to tell people how “We must forgive you your ‘even,’ Mr.
you died. No use writing on paper. That would be Holmes,” said he, “it’s as workmanlike a job as
seen. If you wrote on the wall someone might rest I can remember.”
upon it. Now, look here! Just above the skirting is A couple of days later my friend tossed across
scribbled with a purple indelible pencil: ‘We we—’ to me a copy of the bi-weekly North Surrey Ob-
That’s all.” server. Under a series of flaming headlines, which
“What do you make of that?” began with “The Haven Horror” and ended with
“Well, it’s only a foot above the ground. The “Brilliant Police Investigation,” there was a packed
poor devil was on the floor dying when he wrote column of print which gave the first consecutive
it. He lost his senses before he could finish.” account of the affair. The concluding paragraph is
typical of the whole. It ran thus:
“He was writing, ‘We were murdered.’ ”
The remarkable acumen by which Inspec-
“That’s how I read it. If you find an indelible tor MacKinnon deduced from the smell of
pencil on the body—” paint that some other smell, that of gas, for
“We’ll look out for it, you may be sure. But example, might be concealed; the bold de-
those securities? Clearly there was no robbery at duction that the strong-room might also be
all. And yet he did possess those bonds. We veri- the death-chamber, and the subsequent in-
fied that.” quiry which led to the discovery of the bod-
“You may be sure he has them hidden in a safe ies in a disused well, cleverly concealed by
place. When the whole elopement had passed into a dog-kennel, should live in the history of
history, he would suddenly discover them and an- crime as a standing example of the intelli-
nounce that the guilty couple had relented and gence of our professional detectives.
sent back the plunder or had dropped it on the “Well, well, MacKinnon is a good fellow,” said
way.” Holmes with a tolerant smile. “You can file it in
“You certainly seem to have met every diffi- our archives, Watson. Some day the true story may
culty,” said the inspector. “Of course, he was be told.”

983